Saturday, November 22, 2008

Milestone: F/A-18 Hornet Celebrates 30th Anniversary of 1st Flight

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An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Fleet Readiness Center Southwest flies over Naval Air Station North Island and the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis November 18 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the first McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F/A-18 flight. The Hornet making the commemorative flight was painted in the original manufacturer’s paint scheme and piloted by Fleet Readiness Center Southwest chief test pilot Cmdr. Craig Reiner. (Official U.S. Navy Photograph by Lt. Alex Allwein.)

Focus on Defense:

PATUXENT RIVER, Md., Nov. 22, 2008 -- The F/A-18 Hornet community celebrated the 30th anniversary of the legacy aircraft's first flight Nov. 18.

The Hornet, introduced as a multimission aircraft, was designed to replace the Navy's F-4 Phantom and A-7 Corsair II in each of their respective fighter and attack roles.

"Throughout its 30 years of service in the fleet, it has demonstrated its capability and maintainability," said Capt. Mark Darrah, F/A-18 and EA-18G (PMA-265) program manager.

Darrah noted that the Hornet has proven its multimission capability. He recounted that on the first day of Operation Desert Storm, two Hornets shot down an enemy fighter jet and continued on to destroy their assigned target. During the Kosovo War, Marine F/A-18Ds were used during the rescues of downed U.S. Air Force pilots.

Currently, 636 Legacy Hornets are part of 62 active, Reserve, training and research, development, test and evaluation squadrons within the Navy and Marine Corps fleet. Seven international business partners also fly the Hornet.

The entire F/A-18 family of aircraft, including the Hornet, Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler, commemorated the accumulation of seven million flight hours in July.

"The Super Hornet and Growlers, built on the platform of the Hornet, are destined to continue the 30-year F/A-18 achievement in the future," said Darrah.

(Report from Program Executive Office Tactical Aircraft Public Affairs.)

COMBAT CAMERA More Military Imagery on THE TENSION

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George Washington Carrier Strike Group Returns to Japan

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An SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the "Warlords" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 51, approaches the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) November 19 after a photo exercise at the culmination of ANNUALEX 2008. ANNUALEX is a bilateral exercise between the U.S. Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brendan Morgan.)

Focus on Defense:

YOKOSUKA, Japan, Nov. 22, 2008 -- The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GW CSG) returned to Japan Nov. 21 after a successful two-month deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean, which included stops in Busan, Republic of Korea and Guam as well as a major exercise with the Japan Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces.

The GW CSG is commanded by Rear Adm. Richard B. Wren embarked on the flagship USS George Washington (CVN 73) and includes Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, Destroyer Squadron 15, USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Cowpens (CG 63).

Most of CVW 5 returned to Naval Air Facility Atsugi Nov. 20 with the last aircraft returning as scheduled the next day. Also returning to Yokosuka were USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), USS Stethem (DDG 63), and USS Mustin (DDG 89).

"These past two months have been enormously productive and rewarding," said Wren. "USS George Washington's immediate participation in several exercises and events is a clear message of the dedication we have to security and stability in this region."

The GW CSG's first stop on this deployment was Busan, Republic of Korea (ROK) to participate in the ROK armed forces' 60th anniversary. Sailors also enjoyed new cultural experiences and volunteered for community relations projects.

After a couple of weeks of intense air wing and shipboard training, the GW CSG's next stop was Guam, where Sailors enjoyed rest and relaxation.

GW also participated in ANNUALEX 20G with the Japan Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces, the largest bilateral exercises between the two countries. This was GW's first ANNUALEX after replacing the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the Navy's only forward deployed aircraft carrier this summer.

"ANNUALEX was an amazing opportunity to enhance cooperation and understanding with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force for coordinated bilateral operations in the defense of Japan," said Wren. "Throughout these years of training and operating together in an exercise such as this, we have continued to foster our relationship and mutual professional respect for one another."

"We had a tremendously successful at-sea period during the last two months while we got to train with and learn about some of our closest allies in the region," said GW's Commanding Officer Capt. J. R. Haley. "Now we are very much looking forward to experiencing our new home and meeting the wonderful people of Japan after our short stay back in September."

(Report by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Olivia Giger, USS George Washington Public Affairs.)

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NATO Warship Prevents Possible Pirate Attack

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Pictured here in this undated file photo is the Italian Navy destroyer Luigi Durand de la Penne. (NATO photo.)

News in Balance:

GULF OF ADEN, Nov. 22, 2008 -- On Saturday, November 15 at 1630 (local time) the Italian Navy destroyer Luigi Durand de la Penne, flagship of NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 and of the anti-piracy Operation Allied Provider, prevented a likely attack against the Panama flagged merchant vessel Kirti by two skiffs that were maneuvering on a piracy attack pattern.

The Italian destroyer, while patrolling the Gulf of Aden, received a distress call from the merchant vessel, which was steaming towards Suez. The master reported seeing skiffs attempting to approach its vessel at high speed.

At that time the Durand de la Penne was at a distance of 20 nautical miles from the Kirti: the ship's helicopter was immediately scrambled and sent over the merchant vessel. As soon as the suspected pirates noticed the Italian helicopter the skiffs changed their course and the Kirti was able to continue her trip.

(Report from a NATO news release.)

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US Airpower Summary; Nov. 22, 2008: A-10s Conduct Close-Air Support

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Senior Airman Joseph Cordero, Staff Sgt. Andrew House and Staff Sgt. Barrett Read trouble shoot an electronic error on an A-10 Thunderbolt II on the flightline at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. An A-10 like this one, provided close-air support and performed shows of force Nov. 21 to deter enemy activity in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Nov. 22, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Nov. 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a guided bomb unit-38 onto anti-Afghan forces who were firing rocket propelled grenades at Coalition forces from inside a compound in the vicinity of Musa Qal' Eh. A-10s also conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition foot patrol in the same area. The missions were confirmed a success by the joint terminal attack controllers.

Near Moqor, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities and provide armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy that struck an improvised explosive device. The JTAC declared the mission successful.

A-10s also conducted shows of force in the vicinity of Worzhanah Kalay and Qalat. The JTACs reported the missions successful.

In the vicinity of Khowst, an F-15E performed a show of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy that was hit by a vehicle-born IED. The mission was confirmed a success by the JTAC.

A coalition aircraft conducted a show of force in the vicinity of Tarin Kowt. The JTAC reported the mission successful.

In total, 53 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Fourteen Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 47 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities.

Twenty-nine Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and Coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

About 110 airlift sorties were flown; more than 450 tons of cargo were delivered, and nearly 3,400 passengers were transported. This included nearly 40,000 pounds of troop re-supply that was air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Nov. 20, Air Force and coalition aerial refueling crews flew 53 sorties and off-loaded about 3.4 million pounds of fuel to 302 receiving aircraft.

(Report from a U.S. Air Force news release.)

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Coalition Reaper Unit Deploys to Iraq

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Airman 1st Class Hugo Garnica communicates with an MQ-9 Reaper pilot with a land mobile radio at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Nov. 18. He was performing a preflight check to ensure the unmanned aircraft vehicle was operational. Airman Garnica, an assistant dedicated crew chief assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, is deployed from Creech Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jason Epley.)

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Airman 1st Class Hugo Garnica inspects the angle of attack indicator on an MQ-9 Reaper at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Nov. 18. This indicator on the unmanned aircraft vehicle measures the pitch of the aircraft. Airman Garnica, an assistant dedicated crew chief assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was performing a preflight check to ensure the aircraft was operational. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jason Epley.)

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Airman 1st Class Hugo Garnica communicates with an MQ-9 Reaper pilot using a land mobile radio at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Nov. 18. He was performing a preflight check to ensure the unmanned aircraft vehicle was operational. Airman Garnica, an assistant dedicated crew chief assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, is deployed from Creech Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jason Epley.)

Dispatches from the Front:

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq, Nov. 22, 2008 -- A coalition force comprising experts from the U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force deployed here recently to sustain operations for the world's most lethal unmanned aircraft system.

An MQ-9 Reaper aircraft maintenance unit, attached to the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron, melds airframe maintenance expertise with satellite communications system technical capability and brings American and British Airmen together to accomplish the Reaper's persistent strike mission, said Capt. Antonio Camacho, the Reaper AMU officer in charge.

"It's a very unique program," said Captain Camacho, whose unit is deployed from the 432nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. "Some people see our system as remote control, but it's not."

The Reaper AMU took over maintaining the UAS from General Atomics, which produces the Reaper for the U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force. Battlespace Flight Services maintains MQ-1 Predators stationed at Joint Base Balad.

Reaper and Predator systems consist of four main components: the aircraft, the satellite uplink, the local ground control station and the remote ground control station at Creech AFB, said Royal Air Force Chief Technician Gary Smith, NCO in charge of the Reaper AMU.

"All that is one system, and all of the system has to work to enable the aircraft to take off," said RAF Chief Technician Smith, a native of Lincoln, England, who is deployed from Creech. "Unlike an F-16 (Fighting Falcon) AMU, which will look after just the aircraft, we look after the whole system. We become system managers rather than aircraft managers: it's a worldwide system, and all of those pieces have to work."

The major differences between the Reaper and Predator systems lie in the airframe, said Captain Camacho, a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Reaper flies faster and higher than the Predator and carries more than twice as much ordnance. However, the background systems that support the aircraft are the same. Staff Sgt. Kevin Wulf, a communications maintenance technician with the Reaper AMU, is responsible for those background systems.

"I work on everything outside of the aircraft: pilot and sensor operation, everything that controls the aircraft and all the equipment that commands it -- both the line-of-sight antenna link and the satellite communications link," said Sergeant Wulf, a native of Spokane, Wash.

UAS pilots and sensor operators use both commercial satellite systems and military satellites such as the Air Force's Wideband Global SATCOM system to control Reapers and Predators, Sergeant Wulf said. Maintaining that link means overcoming environmental challenges.

"Being out in the desert, we get a lot of dust in the equipment, which can cause critical systems to fail," he said.

Overall, however, the experience has proven helpful both for American Airmen and their British counterparts.

"Our engineers are embedded in the AMU," said RAF Chief Technician Smith, who accepted a one-year extension of his tour at Creech so he could help the AMU deploy here. "There's no difference -- it's not, 'I'm Royal Air Force, he's U.S. Air Force.' We're totally embedded in the unit. Because of that, we pass ideas to one another, and I think the unit's far better for it."

The sharing of ideas has improved maintenance operations in general, Captain Camacho said.

"It provides a different perspective," he said. "It's like going into a brand-new unit: you see everything differently."

The blend of American and British Airmen has provided some unintended benefits as well, RAF Chief Technician Smith said.

"They watch our soccer, and we watch their American football," he said. "And I've got them drinking tea. How many tea bags have we gone through since we've been here? Hundreds -- we have to have a constant resupply of them. The cultural differences have melded together, and we've got a kind of unique culture within our unit because of the mixture."

(Report by Staff Sgt. Don Branum, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs.)

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US Army Astronaut Completes Space Walk

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Lt. Col. Robert S. Kimbrough and astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper work on the starboard solar alpha rotary joint of the International Space Station during their space walk Thursday afternoon. (Photo by NASA.)

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Lt. Col. Shane Kimbrough adjusts his helmet as the STS-126 crew members put on their launch and entry suits before heading to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida Nov. 14. (Photo by Kim Shiflett/NASA.)

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 2008 -- On the 10th anniversary of the International Space Station Thursday, Army Lt. Col. Shane Kimbrough donned his space suit to service equipment on the exterior of the station.

Kimbrough is a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Endeavour on its current 15-day mission, STS-126, designed to prepare the International Space Station to support twice the crew currently living there.

He and astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper completed a space walk of six hours and 45 minutes Thursday afternoon. Their tasks included the relocation of two crew and equipment translation aid carts, the lubrication of the Canadarm2 end effector, along with cleaning and lubrication of the starboard solar alpha rotary joint.

The solar alpha rotary joints are two 10-foot-wide, wagon-wheel-shaped joints on the station's truss that allow the electricity-generating solar arrays to rotate so that they're always getting as much sun as possible. The use of the joint has been limited since September 2007 when flight controllers noticed increased power consumption and vibration.

Kimbrough and Piper cleaned and lubricated bearing race rings in the starboard solar alpha rotary joint and replaced the joint's trundle bearing assemblies.

Kimbrough also lubricated the space station's robotic arm Latching End Effector snare.

Piper and Kimbrough headed out of the International Space Station's Quest Airlock at 11:58 a.m. The space walk ended at 6:43 p.m. As the spacewalkers were finishing up their activities, ground controllers noticed that Kimbrough's carbon dioxide levels were increasing, so he made his way back to the airlock a few minutes ahead of Piper.

The 116th spacewalk dedicated to station assembly and maintenance was the second of the four planned during space shuttle Endeavour's STS-126 mission. It set the stage for Saturday's third excursion to complete the cleaning and lubricating process. Station flight controllers plan to briefly test the repair early Sunday morning by commanding the solar array into "auto track" mode to evaluate its performance.

Kimbrough has a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., where he graduated in 1989. He also earned a master of science degree in operations research from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1998. He joined the NASA team at the Johnson Space Center in September of 2000.

(Report from an Army News Service and NASA news release.)

Related:
US Army Astronaut Blasts Off in Space Shuttle Endeavour
Milestone: International Space Station Turns 10 Years Old

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Friday, November 21, 2008

OEF Summary; Nov. 21, 2008: Troops Kill Insurgents, Save Civilians in Afghanistan

Dispatches from the Front

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2008 -- Afghan army commandos and their coalition partners killed four militants while simultaneously protecting nearly 90 civilians in an early morning operation today in western Afghanistan, military officials reported.

The combined forces were conducting a raid on a compound, targeting a Taliban commander in Farah province’s Dowlatabad village when they received fire from several enemy fighting positions. The combined forces quickly returned fire and also established a security perimeter to protect the civilians, who included 30 children, officials said.

The exchange of fire resulted in the deaths of four enemy fighters who local residents confirmed were Taliban militants.

During the search for more militants, commandos discovered a fully operational explosive device in a local mosque. Commandos removed the bomb and destroyed it. The detonation caused minor damage to the mosque’s exterior wall, for which the commandos provided compensation to village elders. The operation also uncovered numerous small arms weapons and bomb-making materials.

No Afghan, coalition or civilian casualties resulted from the operation, officials said.

In other news from Afghanistan, Afghan and coalition forces killed 10 militants near Highway 1 in the Nahr Surkh district of Helmand province yesterday. The forces were conducting a security patrol when they were attacked by militants with small-arms and machine-gun fire. They returned fire, killing the 10 militants.

During the engagement, an Afghan soldier was shot in the back. He was treated on site and transported to a nearby Coalition medical facility. No other Afghan or coalition forces or civilians were injured during the engagement, officials said.

Also yesterday, Afghan and coalition forces killed four armed militants and detained eight others yesterday during an operation in Kapisa province in which an Afghan woman and child were injured when the insurgents used them as human shields, officials said.

In the Tagab district, coalition forces provided medical care to the Afghan woman and child, whom the forces believe lived with the militants. The two were injured when one of the militants detonated a hand grenade. They are recovering at a military hospital, officials said.

The operation targeted the Hizb-e-Islami Gulbuddin terrorist network, which is known to plan and coordinate attacks against civilians and coalition forces, including an attack in August that killed 10 French soldiers, officials said.

As the force attempted to search the compound, they received a large volume of small-arms fire and hand grenades from militants barricaded in a section of the compound. Coalition forces responded with small-arms fire and killed them.

A search of the compound revealed multiple AK-47 assault rifles, hand grenades and other military equipment, which were destroyed to prevent future use. The force detained three suspected militants as a result of the operation.

In Khowst province, Afghan and coalition forces captured a targeted Haqqani terrorist network operative and five other suspects during a combined operation in the Mandozai district. The wanted man is a suspect in roadside and suicide bombings, officials said. Troops searched the compound without incident.

(Compiled from U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases.)

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Battle of Tarawa: A Day of Remembrance

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Marines take cover behind a sea wall on Red Beach #3, Tarawa. November 1943. (U.S. Marine Corps photo.)

Living History:

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., Nov. 21, 2008 -- During the autumn of 1943, Marines and sailors from 2nd Marine Division Reinforced, stormed the shores of an island named Tarawa.

Located in the central Pacific Ocean, the tiny island became the battle site were 1,020 Marines made the ultimate sacrifice and more than 2,200 were wounded in a span of 76 hours.

Those three bloody days became known as “The Battle of Tarawa,” one of the fiercest and most vicious battles of World War II.

On Nov. 20, veterans of the Battle of Tarawa, active duty service members and families, gathered here to commemorate and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the battle.

The veterans attended a memorial service, viewed a non-lethal weapons demonstration and fired pistols and rifles.

“Shooting the rifles brought back some memories,” said Henry C. Norman, a native of Springhill, Fla., and veteran of the battle. “We first had the M-1 rifle and then they gave us the carbines, so it was very interesting to shoot the M-16 rifle.”
The veterans were greeted and escorted throughout the day by active duty Marines dressed in the Service Alphas uniform.

The veterans said they were taken back by the amount of attention they were given and the tremendous amount of respect paid to them by the hosting 2nd Marine Regiment.

“The way they treated us here was amazing,” said Bill E. Crumpacker, a native of Fresno, Calif., who fought during the Battle of Tarawa. “I never thought anybody would treat us like that. We only did what we were supposed to do; we did not do anything special, but we’re being treated like kings around here and we aren’t kings—we are just one of the boys.”

Many of the veterans were astonished that 65 years later their sacrifices and efforts were still being recognized.

“It’s amazing that a three-day battle during World War II is still being remembered,” Norman said. “But I think it’s very important for Americans to remember the past and to honor those who have sacrificed for their country.”

Crumpacker took time during the event to recall his thoughts of the battle.

“The fighting lasted only three days and it seemed to be over before it even started,” he said. “But I was so young at that time, only 17 years old, so I didn’t really know any better. I wasn’t really scared or afraid, but when you’re only 17 years old, you have a tough time understanding what’s really going on.”

The event ended with a brief tour of present-day weapons and vehicles used in the Marine Corps. The World War II leathernecks were delighted with the day’s activities, but some in attendance wished veterans of other battles would be able to take part in their “own day.”

“I would hope in the future we can do more to remember some of the other battles,” Appleton said. “It would be nice to see some of those other veterans come and be recognized in the same way.”

(Report by Lance Cpl. Casey Jones, 2nd Marine Division.)

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OIF Summary; Nov. 21, 2008: Troops in Iraq Kill Suspected Terrorist, Nab 17

Dispatches from the Front

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2008 -- Coalition and Iraqi forces killed a suspected terrorist, captured 17 others and seized dozens of weapons in Iraq in the past week, military officials said.

Coalition troops detained 14 suspected terrorists, including three wanted men, today and yesterday while targeting the al-Qaida in Iraq network.

During operations west of Baghdad today, forces captured two suspected terrorists with alleged connections to al-Qaida in Iraq leaders in Anbar province. Five others also were detained.

Also today, forces targeting a suicide bomber in Baghdad detained one suspect. Elsewhere, forces captured a suspected terrorist with alleged connections to al-Qaida in Iraq bombing cells in Tikrit, north of Baghdad.

Yesterday in Kirkuk, forces captured a suspected terrorist with alleged connections to al-Qaida leaders in Tamim province, along with four others.

In another operation, Iraqi special operations forces came under fire Nov. 19 in Diwaniya while targeting suspected terrorists. They returned fire, killing the gunman, and arrested three others.

In other operations in Iraq:
  • Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers found a weapons cache in Baghdad yesterday containing 22 57 mm rounds. They also found a buried cache in Taji later that day with grenades and 5.56 and 7.56 mm rounds.

  • Iraqi forces seized a weapons cache yesterday in Salahuddin province that contained more than 215 munitions, including mortar and antiaircraft rounds, rockets and other explosives.

  • Northwest of Baghdad, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers found a weapons cache that included three 122 mm high-explosive rounds Nov. 19.

  • A tip from a local resident led Iraqi police and coalition troops to a cache of mortar and artillery rounds Nov. 19 in Samarra.

  • Iraqi soldiers seized a weapons cache that included 130 mm rounds and 155 mm artillery rounds in the Lutifiyah area Nov. 18.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

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Pentagon Takes Steps to Defend Cyberspace

News in Balance

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2008 -- Cyberspace is a warfighting domain, and the Defense Department is taking steps to defend this crucial capability, a Pentagon spokesman said today.

“We are aware of a global virus for which there are some public alerts, and we’ve seen some of these on our networks, and we are taking steps to identify and mitigate the virus,” Bryan Whitman said. “We do aggressively monitor our networks for intrusions and take adequate steps to protect them.”

Public alerts on this global virus threat urge all computer users to take precautions. Users should have current anti-viral software programs and anti-spyware installed in their computers, and information technology specialists should ensure that no infected hardware can breach DoD systems, Whitman said.

Whitman would not go into specifics about what the department is doing about the virus. “We don’t discuss any specific defensive measures that we are taking or may be taking to protect and defend our networks,” he said.

DoD’s global information grid includes more than 15,000 networks and about 7 million information technology devices, Pentagon officials said.

Grid defenders regularly send guidance to commands about current threats and measures for users to take to ensure information systems remain secure. “It's the responsibility of every user to help protect the network,” Whitman said. “This is something that requires us to have constant vigilance.”

The threat comes from a variety of sources, the spokesman said. “It includes everything from recreational hackers to the self-styled cyber-vigilantes,” Whitman said. It also emanates from various groups with nationalistic or ideological agendas, as well as “transnational actors or transnational states,” he added.

“This is not a Defense Department issue. It’s not even a government issue. It is an international issue – a world issue,” Whitman said. “Anyone who uses computers and is on a network is susceptible.”

U.S. Strategic Command is the lead agency for DoD’s computer network defense effort. Under Stratcom, the Joint Task Force Global Network Operations handles protection. That group interfaces with other agencies.

(Report by Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service.)

Related: U.S. Strategic Command

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Pentagon Leaves F-22 Funding Decision to Next Administration

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KC-10 Extender refuels an F-22 Raptor 26,000 feet over Alaska. The F-22 is assigned to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder.)

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2008 -- To avoid unnecessary taxpayer spending, the Defense Department is only partially funding the expansion of F-22 Raptor aircraft production, leaving the decision for further expansion to the incoming administration.

John J. Young Jr., undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, told members of the air and land forces subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee in a Nov. 19 hearing that he has approved $50 million for advance procurement for four F-22s. DoD will include the purchase of these four aircraft in the second fiscal 2009 supplemental budget request, he said.

The decision on whether to use the rest of the $140 million allocated in the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act for advance procurement for up to 16 more F-22s will be up to the Obama administration in January, Young said. Procurement of the four F-22s provides a bridge to give the new administration every option with the program, he said.

“The department is acting responsibly, consistent with [Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates'] commitment and congressional direction, seeking to ensure that each tax dollar is used carefully and efficiently,” he said.

DoD is delaying the advance procurement on the remaining 16 aircraft to save taxpayer money should the Obama administration decide not to purchase the aircraft, Young said. However, he acknowledged, if the new administration delays its decision on the F-22s past January, it could face higher costs from the manufacturers.

The NDAA authorizes advance procurement for the F-22s until March, and if the decision on the remaining aircraft doesn’t come until then, there is a very real chance the cost for the planes could go up, Young said. However, he cautioned that the estimates for those higher prices are based on industry estimates that haven’t been negotiated.

“I'm not ignoring the industry estimates, but I'm also not granting them credibility, and so … if we do nothing until March, I could face -- and that's what I was told by industry -- a cost, which I would seek to negotiate away on behalf of the government,” Young said.

Countering committee members’ claims that he was acting in defiance of Congress by not funding all 20 aircraft, Young said the law doesn’t require him to buy the planes all at once, and his goal is to save the taxpayers money.

“Can I buy that advance procurement as four plus 16, instead of 20, and impose no additional cost on the taxpayer and preserve the total flexibility and option of the next administration to come and discuss with the Congress whether they want to buy the airplanes behind the advance procurement? And that is the option, having convinced myself that that is possible, we sought to execute,” he said.

DoD has done a legitimate analysis of the F-22 program, and though some Air Force officials may disagree, Gates believes the department is on its way to the right mix of aircraft, Young said.

“From Secretary Gates down, there has been a hard look at that analysis and a view that it is a higher priority to do other things in the Defense Department than buy additional F-22s at this time,” he said.

(Report by Sara Moore, American Forces Press Service.)

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US Airpower Summary; Nov. 21, 2008: B-1Bs Deter Insurgents

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A B-1B Lancer receives fuel over Afghanistan from a KC-10 Extender. B-1Bs can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary. The B-1B is assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Squadron and the KC-10 is assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Aerial Refueling Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Nov. 21, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s onto anti-Afghan forces who were firing rocket-propelled grenades at coalition forces in the vicinity of Qalat. Furthermore, Navy F/A-18C Hornets conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy in the same area. The missions were confirmed a success by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

Near Sangin, F/A-18Cs fired cannon rounds against anti-Afghan forces that were firing at coalition forces. In addition, F/A-18Cs performed shows of force to deter enemy activities and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition ground forces convoy conducting operations in the same area. The JTACs declared the missions successful.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Worzhanah Kalay and Sheykhabad. The JTACs reported the missions successful.

In the vicinity of Kabul, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed a show of force to deter enemy activities and provided armed aerial overwatch for an Afghan national army team conducting building clearing operations in the area. The mission was confirmed a success by a JTAC.

A coalition aircraft conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Moqor. A JTAC reported the mission successful.

In the vicinity of Now Zad and Musa Qal'Eh, a Navy F/A-18A performed shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy conducting counter-IED operations. The mission was declared a success by a JTAC.

In total, 64 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Fifteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, a coalition aircraft conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Al Majarr Al Kabir. A JTAC reported the mission successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 42 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities.

Twenty-nine Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 130 airlift sorties were flown, more than 350 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 3,500 passengers were transported. This included approximately 45,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Nov. 19, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 264 receiving aircraft.

(Report from a U.S. Air Force news release.)

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2 Predators Damaged in 2 Days in Afghanistan

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An MQ-1 Predator takes off in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Predator provides integrated and synchronized close-air combat operations, to include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Nov. 21, 2008 -- The landing gear of a MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system collapsed after the aircraft landed at about 6:45 a.m. Baghdad time Nov. 21 on the Joint Base Balad runway in Iraq.

The extent of the damage is unknown at this time.

The Predator is assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing from Joint Base Balad.

A board of officers has been convened to investigate the incident.

An MQ-1 Predator was damaged at approximately 10:15 a.m. Nov. 20 at a base in southern Afghanistan.

A safety investigation board will be convened to investigate the incident.

The MQ-1 Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft with a primary mission of conducting armed reconnaissance against critical, perishable targets.

(Report compiled from U.S. Air Force news releases.)

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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Combat Camera: Currahee Troops Search for Weapons in Eastern Afghanistan

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Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment with Combined Task Force Currahee walk through the mountains in the Paktika province of eastern Afghanistan during a search for a weapons cache. (Photographer: Sgt. Zach Otto, Combined Joint Task Force 101.)

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A soldier from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment with Combined Task Force Currahee pulls security on a mountain in the Paktika province of eastern Afghanistan during a search for a weapons cache. (Photographer: Sgt. Zach Otto, Combined Joint Task Force 101.)

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Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment with Combined Task Force Currahee walk back down a mountain in the Paktika province of eastern Afghanistan during a search for a weapons cache. (Photographer: Sgt. Zach Otto, Combined Joint Task Force 101.)

Dispatches from the Front:

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan, Nov. 20, 2008 -- In the early stages of winter in Afghanistan, creeks begin to freeze as the temperature continues to drop. Everything and everyone seems to slow down and hibernate for the cold weather. The soldiers with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, won’t hibernate this winter.

Early, before the sunrise on Nov. 12, many of these soldiers arose to feel the air crisp in their lungs as they prepared to set out on a foot patrol, while others loaded up in vehicles to patrol local villages.

The combined operation consisted of U.S. soldiers, Afghan national army soldiers and Afghan national police who searched mountainsides and local villages for weapons caches suspected to be hidden deep within the mountains of Paktika province, Afghanistan.

“The [combined] operations work much better now than they did in the past,” said 1st Sgt. Darrin Yuhn, Embedded Training Team command sergeant major and mentor to the 203rd Kandak. “The Afghan forces are a lot more involved with the planning of operations.”

Whether it is a routine patrol or a weapons cache search, U.S. and Afghan forces are increasingly working together to halt the violence that has haunted Afghanistan for over 30 years.

“Our mission changes every day,” said Spc. Walter Hresent, a radio transmitter operator in Alpha Company, 2nd Bn., 506th Inf. Regt. “We get all kinds of intelligence and we go from there.”

This particular search was for RPG’s and small-arms munitions. The search location was relatively close to Combat Out Post Zirok.

After a short convoy through a run-off canal the vehicles came to halt near a small village.

“We disrupt the insurgent’s operations in the area by doing patrols,” said Hresent, who goes on nearly every patrol out of COP Zirok. “They do not like us being out there but its working. We have not been attacked in a while,” he added.

The group of soldiers split into two groups after hearing that there were two possible caches located. One was supposedly located near the village and the other was about an hour’s walk over and around mountains.

The Afghan soldiers went first into the mountains. After a half-hour of walking, the ANA realized that the cache was not where they thought. The patrol continued into another small village where villagers were questioned about the whereabouts of the weapons.

After talking with the locals about the location of the suspected weapons cache, the soldiers headed back to base. Although the cache was not found, soldiers maintained that the patrol still had positive effects on the area.

“Most of the patrols we do are us moving out to the different areas, making our presence known and interacting with the locals,” said 1st Lt. Dan Huff, the executive officer for Alpha Company. “We show the people that we are not scared of the insurgents and that we are here to help them.”

(Report by Sgt. Zach Otto, Combined Joint Task Force 101.)

COMBAT CAMERA More Combat Camera Imagery on THE TENSION

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US Army Schedules Date for Execution of Pvt. Ronald A. Gray

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Seen in this 1988 photo, U.S. Army Pvt. Ronald A. Gray has been on the military's death row for 20 years.

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2008 -- The Army has scheduled the execution of Pvt. Ronald A. Gray for Dec. 10, 2008, at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana.

In 1988, a court-martial panel sitting at Fort Bragg, N.C., convicted Pvt. Gray by unanimous vote of committing crimes in 1986 and 1987 in the Fayetteville, N.C. area -- to include two murders, an attempted murder, and three rapes. The court-martial panel sentenced him to death for these crimes.

The Secretary of the Army directed that Pvt. Gray be executed by lethal injection, and the Army will be responsible for conducting the execution at the Terre Haute facility based on an agreement with the Bureau of Prisons.

Only the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, can approve the execution of a death sentence [Article 71(a), Uniform Code of Military Justice]. On July 28, 2008, the President approved the death sentence in the case of the United States v Ronald A. Gray.

The President took action following completion of a full appellate process, which upheld the conviction and sentence to death. Two petitions to the U.S. Supreme Court were denied during the appellate processing of Pvt. Gray's case.

Pvt. Gray is currently housed in the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

(Report from a U.S. Army news release.)

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