Combat Camera: US Marines Put Rockets Down Range, Camp Barber, Afghanistan

Marines with Battery D, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, fire a 200-pound rocket from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during a test-fire at Camp Barber, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Feb. 15. The HIMARS is a mobile rocket system used by the El Paso, Texas-based reserve battery, which is here to support Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan as a fire support asset. SPMAGTF-A's mission is to conduct counterinsurgency operations, and train and mentor the Afghan national police while setting the conditions for the Afghan security forces to grow, gain effectiveness and succeed against the enemy. (Courtesy Photo, Regimental Combat Team 3.)

The two High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems which 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment are staged at the ready in case a fire mission is called. From the time a fire mission is called it takes about five to seven minutes for the first rocket to be fired. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Flynn, Regimental Combat Team 3.)

Rounds from a high mobility artillery rocket system impact on insurgent positions in support of the Marines on the ground with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Aug. 13. (Photo by 1st Lt. Kurt Stahl, Regimental Combat Team 3.)

Dispatches from the Front:

CAMP DWYER, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – In the early morning desert heat, a squad of infantry Marines patrols through a seemingly empty field in the southern Helmand Province. Without warning, they start taking heavy fire from a distant compound. To overwhelm the enemy, the patrol leader calls for indirect fire support.

It now falls to three-man teams, manning two High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems with just one mission – to provide precision fires during all weather conditions at any time of day or night.

This is what 2nd Platoon, Battery R, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, attached to 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, is here to do, according to Sgt. Jeff Witt, a section chief with 5/11.

The Marines of 5/11, stationed out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., are the first active duty HIMARS unit to be deployed to Afghanistan. They are one of only two HIMARS battalions in the Marine Corps, the other being 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, which is a Texas-based reserve unit.

There are three platoons strategically positioned in southern Afghanistan to provide fire support for all of the Marine units here. At all times, there is a fire crew on standby at the weapon system in case there is a fire mission, according to Sgt. Luis Mario Barrientos, section chief, 5/11.

The Los Angeles native added that each crew consists of three Marines – a driver, who drives the unit into place for fire missions; a gunner, who keeps an eye out for enemy in the area while outside the wire; and a section chief, who supervises everything to make sure the fire mission goes smoothly.

Once a fire mission is called, it usually takes the crew just minutes before the rockets are ready to be fired. There is more to it than getting the system in place alone. Marines must accomplish several different tasks before the rockets are launched – grid coordinates for the target must be attained and the airspace cleared of traffic, which is coordinated through the Regimental Combat Team 3 fires cell.

With the Marines pushing to have the system ready to strike as soon as possible, the crews are allotted two minutes to get all of their proper protective equipment on and get the HIMARS in position outside of the wire.

"We are here to put warheads on foreheads," said Barrientos, referring to the HIMARS' ability to engage enemy forces with precision.

The HIMARS has a pod mounted on the back of a truck and carries six rockets. The system is about 24,000 pounds in weight, seven meters long, two and a half meters wide and three meters in height.

The HIMARS more than doubles the distance of a howitzer, said 1st Lt. John O'Connell, platoon commander with 5/11.

He added, after a couple more deployments with the system, they will be able to operate it even more efficiently. During their first deployment here in Afghanistan, the feedback they have received from the infantry Marines is all positive.

The Marines on the ground have praised the system's precision, reliability and quick-strike capabilities.

The Marines of 5/11 have their specialty down to a science. Although given a two-minute window during fire missions, they can have the system primed to attack within a minute, and it does not take much more time before all six rockets can be reloaded and ready to fire again, according to Barrientos.

They also employ radio operators so that those on the fire crews can keep in contact with their higher command.

"Working with the HIMARS is just awesome," said Lance Cpl. Travis Roark, a radio operator with 5/11. The Dewey, Ariz., native added, watching HIMARS in action is one of the most amazing experiences of his life.

The HIMARS is a system that is fairly new to the Marine Corps, having only been used by Marines in combat for about two years, yet it is quickly proving its worth.

Barrientos feels he is truly making a difference on the battlefield while operating this weapon system which is used to complement traditional artillery.

With the Marines of 5/11 always ready to put "warheads on foreheads," the infantry Marines on the ground have yet another reason to be confident while conducting combat operations.

(Report by Lance Cpl. Daniel Flynn, Regimental Combat Team 3.)

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Pentagon Identifies Army Casualties (OIF)

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2009 -- The following news release made available Saturday by the U.S. Department of Defense is the text of a statement identifying casualties:

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Aug. 28 in Rashid, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their vehicle with an explosively formed penetrator. Both soldiers were assigned to the 41st Special Troops Battalion, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Oregon Army National Guard in Portland.

Killed were:

• Sgt. Earl D. Werner, 38, of Mondovi, Wis.; and

• Pvt. Taylor D. Marks, 19, of Monmouth, Ore.

(Report from a U.S. Defense Department news release.)

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Combat Camera Video: Firefight in Kunar

NOTE: News readers click here to watch the video.

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2009 -- Embedded above is raw video. Soldiers fire from inside a building they are staked out in as they support Afghan national security forces. International Security Assistance Forces defended polling sites in Kunar province and across Afghanistan. (Produced by 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs. Length: 1:22.)

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Wire: Suicide Attack on US Patrol Kills 2 Afghans, Wounds 21

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2009 -- Newswire services this morning reported that at least two civilians were killed and 21 wounded when a suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest attacked a patrol of U.S. and Afghan troops in southern Afghanistan on Saturday.

U.S. military spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Christine Sidenstricker confirmed to The Associated Press that an explosion has taken place against U.S. troops in Zabul province. She said there is no report of U.S. deaths.

August has become the deadliest month of the eight-year Afghan war for U.S. troops. Forty-five have died.

(Report from newswire sources.)

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Wire: North Korean Arms Shipment to Iran Seized by UAE

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2009 -- Newswire services this evening reported that the United Arab Emirates has seized a ship carrying North Korean-manufactured arms bound for Iran in violation of United Nations sanctions.

The weapons, seized on Aug. 14, included rocket launchers, detonators, munitions and ammunition for rocket-propelled grenades. The ship, called the ANL-Australia, was Australian-owned and flying a Bahamas flag.

Sources said the ship was carrying the arms disguised as oil equipment.

See links below for sources, details.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Links:
UAE seized N.Korea arms shipment bound for Iran
UAE Seizes North Korean Weapons Shipment to Iran
‘N Korean arms for Iran’ seized by UAE

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Pentagon Identifies Army Casualties (OEF)

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2009 -- The following article is a summary of news releases made available Friday by the U.S. Department of Defense identifying casualties:

The Department of Defense today announced the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Kurt R. Curtiss, 27, of Murray, Utah, died Aug. 26 in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he was shot while his unit was supporting Afghan security forces during an enemy attack. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Pfc. Matthew E. Wildes, 18, of Hammond, La., died Aug. 27 in Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

(Report compiled from U.S. Defense Department news releases.)

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OEF Summary, Aug. 28, 2009: Combined Forces Protect Civilians, Seize Weapons

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2009 -- Afghan forces and troops of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force protected civilians from insurgent attacks, seized an enemy weapons stockpile and detained two suspected militants in recent operations in Afghanistan.

Afghan and ISAF forces protected civilians in Nuristan province’s Barge Matal district yesterday after militants launched a series of attacks targeting civilians, a girls’ school and buildings near the district center.

The combined forces maneuvered to engage the militants and requested close-air support during the eight-hour battle. Two Afghan soldiers and an Afghan police officer died in the battle.

One civilian was wounded by enemy fire, and several militants were killed during the fighting, officials said.

In Khost province Aug. 24, Afghan border police and ISAF soldiers seized a sizable weapons cache and detained two militants.

Border police officers and paratroopers from the 25th Infantry Division’s 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, conducted a focused mission specifically targeting roadside-bomb makers and facilitators.

"We were able to accomplish the mission without any escalation of force," said Army 2nd Lt. Travis Ward, a 2-377th platoon leader. "We were able to surprise the enemy, so when one militant tried to run, he didn't get far. Being able to surprise the enemy in this area is often difficult, due to their system of early warning networks."

The combined forces searched the detained militants’ home and discovered several weapons caches, some stored inside the walls.

The munitions included a variety of small arms, nearly 2,000 rounds of ammunition, blasting caps and various bomb-making materials.

(Compiled from International Security Assistance Force and Combined Joint Task Force 82 news releases.)

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Wire: Senate Bill Would Allow Obama to Take Emergency Control of Internet

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2009 -- Newswire services this morning reported that a revised version of a bill that aides to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat, have spent months drafting behind closed doors, would give president emergency control of Internet.

The top technology news Web site CNET Friday reported that they had obtained a copy of the 55-page draft, which appears to permit the president to seize control of private-sector networks during a so-called cybersecurity emergency.

CNET noted the following details:

The new version would allow the president to "declare a cybersecurity emergency" relating to "non-governmental" computer networks and do what's necessary to respond to the threat. Other sections of the proposal include a federal certification program for "cybersecurity professionals," and a requirement that certain computer systems and networks in the private sector be managed by people who have been awarded that license.

The privacy implications of sweeping changes implemented before the legal review is finished worry Lee Tien, a senior staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation in San Francisco told CNET. "As soon as you're saying that the federal government is going to be exercising this kind of power over private networks, it's going to be a really big issue," he says.

See links for details.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Links:
Draft bill (excerpt)
CNET: Bill would give president emergency control of Internet

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US Servicemember Killed in Afghanistan, August Now Deadliest Month of War

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 28, 2009 -- An International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) servicemember was killed today when the vehicle he was travelling in struck an improvised explosive device in eastern Afghanistan.

Captain Elizabeth Mathias, a U.S. media officer, confirmed that the deceased is a U.S. servicemember.

“On behalf of all the members of ISAF, I extend my most sincere condolences to this servicemember’s loved ones. Our prayers are with them in their time of loss,” said Brigadier-General Eric Tremblay, ISAF Spokesperson.

“As we accept his sacrifice in the ongoing struggle against a resilient insurgency, we will continue to work with our Afghan security partners so that the Afghan population can benefit from an improved security situation all across Afghanistan.”

The death brings to 45 the number of U.S. troops who have died in Afghanistan this month, a record number.

This is a developing story with details to follow.

(Report from an International Security Assistance Force news release.)

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OIF Update, Aug. 28, 2009: US Drawdown in Iraq Enters 2nd Phase, Challenges Remain

Dispatches from the Front:

BAGHDAD, Aug. 28, 2009 -- As Multi-National Corps - Iraq moves into the second phase of the drawdown of troops and equipment from Iraq, it faces challenges ranging from the withdrawal of roughly 80,000 service members to a connex (shipping container) filled with pink roller skates.

Although MNC-I has just finished phase one of the safe and responsible withdrawal of equipment and personnel in Iraq -- setting the conditions -- it has moved into the second phase of the drawdown without pause, said Lt. Col. Tammie Pettit, the Multi-National Corps - Iraq logistics plans chief at a sustainment conference Aug. 15 on Camp Victory.

"It's been a lot of hard work for a lot of people," Pettit said. "We've done pretty well."

Brig. Gen. Heidi Brown is leading the responsible drawdown of the roughly 130,000 troops in Iraq to roughly 50,000 by August 2010. Additionally, the number of civilian contractors in country is slated to be reduced to roughly 75,000, Brown said.

Based on Brown's directives, Pettit said MNC-I has planned to reduce the nearly 200 bases throughout Iraq to six multi-class supply support activity hubs or SSAs -- with roughly 20 smaller bases, called spokes -- by September 2010, with complete withdrawal by December 2011.

"None of this is negotiable," said Pettit. "This is a mission we cannot fail."

MNC-I teams inventory, repair and update items the U.S. military will transport to Afghanistan, Kuwait, other overseas areas of operation or back to the United States, and the items to be transferred to Iraqi control to support the enabling of Iraqi Security Forces as the U.S. withdraws, Pettit said.

"We're really starting to prime the pump to get stuff moving out of here," she said. "We'll continue to support (Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan) where we can."

She said phase two of the drawdown will build on the steps taken during phase one. In phase one, non-essential equipment was identified and in phase two, it will be retrograded, transferred or redirected to support other U.S. military priorities, Pettit said.

Chief Warrant Officer Paul Orthel, the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) supply branch technician, said he plans to bring the number of SSAs in Iraq to18 at the end of phase two.

Phase three will focus on safety operations, Pettit said. The retrograde of equipment not required to support the upcoming elections in Iraq will allow units to focus on enhancing route security, moving forward with the drawdown and supporting redeploying units, she said.

"Protection of the force will still be paramount during this drawdown," Pettit said.

Orthel said this phase should bring the number of SSAs to 11.

Lt. Col. Lew Cureton, the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) munitions branch chief, said he looks to the multi-national divisions to determine where to send munitions as they are packaged and moved out of the SSAs during the next phases in the transition.

"We can't really draw down until we have a good understanding of where that's going to be," he said.

He said he knows those locations will change throughout the drawdown and anticipates the groups will adapt accordingly.

Throughout Iraq, a large but innumerable amount of connexes filled with everything from unused equipment and parts to pink roller skates present a particularly large challenge in the drawdown, said Pettit. Units should look within themselves for the personnel necessary to expedite this process safely, she said.

"It's going to take everybody," she said. "There is a lot of work to do. The folks following all of us are going to have a really difficult job."

(Report from a 13th Sustainment Command Expeditionary Public Affairs news release.)

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Wire: 2 US Soldiers Die in Iraqi Roadside Bomb Attack

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2009 -- Newswire services this morning reported that the U.S. Military in Iraq says two U.S. soldiers have died from wounds suffered in a roadside bomb attack in Baghdad.

A military statement says two 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) soldiers died of wounds suffered following an improvised explosive device in eastern Baghdad Aug. 28 at approximately 2:30 a.m.

On Thursday, a series of car bombs in and around Baghdad that targeted mainly Iraqi security forces killed one person and wounded at least 11 others, VOA News said.

The attacks come as troops tightened security around Shi'ite mosques, shrines and political party offices ahead of the massive funeral procession for prominent Shi'ite leader Abdul Aziz al-Hakim.

(Report from newswire and MNF - I sources.)

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Wire Update: Military Admits Monitoring Reporters' Work in Afghan War

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2009 -- Newswire services this evening reported that the U.S. military in Afghanistan acknowledged Thursday that it pays a private company to produce profiles on journalists covering the war.

The Associated Press said that despite a report showing the company rated some reporters on their work, officials denied that the information is used to decide which media members travel with military units.

Pentagon officials are responding to a recent series of stories in the Stars and Stripes newspaper that said journalists were being screened by a Washington-based public relations firm, The Rendon Group, under a $1.5 million contract with the military.

The newspaper, which is also partly funded by the Defense Department, said it had obtained documents showing Rendon graded journalists' work as "positive," "neutral" or "negative" and suggested ways to make the coverage more positive, AP said.

AP noted the following details:

"U.S. Forces Afghanistan has never denied access to any reporter based upon their past stories," said a statement issued Thursday by Army Col. Wayne M. Shanks, a military spokesman in Afghanistan.

Shanks said the Rendon contract provides a number of services, including news releases and "talking points" as well as reports on media accuracy. The information is used partly to assess how well the military is doing in getting information out, Shanks said.

He said the military gets information on journalists, including biographical details and recent topics they have covered, to prepare commanders for interviews. A sample profile released Thursday included information on reporters under the headings of professional "Background," "Coverage" and "Perspective, Style and Tone."

Rendon has said a small part of its contract involves preparing profiles of reporters preparing to travel with U.S. troops. These reviews are done only upon request and are intended to give commanders a better idea of what topics the reporters embedded with the unit are most likely to ask about, according to Rendon.

In a statement posted on its Web site, Rendon said it provides analysis of news content focused on themes such as stability and security, counterinsurgency and operational results.

Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman told Pentagon reporters that he had not "seen anything that violates any policies." But he also appeared to question why the activity was needed, AP said.

A number of reporters in the Pentagon and elsewhere are demanding to view their profiles. The International Federation of Journalists also complained about the policy Wednesday.

(Report from newswire sources.)

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OIF Update, Aug. 27, 2009: Police, Special Ops Forces Nab Terrorists in Iraq

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2009 -- Iraqi police and special operations forces arrested 11 terrorism suspects in Iraq in recent days, military officials reported.

Along with U.S. forces advisors, Baghdad’s emergency response brigade -- an elite police unit -- arrested a suspected terrorist leader Aug. 25. The unit was operating under Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s authority, officials said. The suspect allegedly is involved with insurgent groups and attacks against civilians and Iraqi security forces.

Also operating with U.S. forces advisors, the emergency response brigade arrested another suspected terrorist in Baghdad the same day under the authority of a warrant issued by the Investigative Court of Resafe. The suspect allegedly is affiliated with insurgent groups and wanted for conducting bomb attacks against Iraqi and U.S. forces.

On Aug. 24, also in Baghdad, the emergency response brigade -- along with U.S. forces advisors and operating under the authority of a warrant issued by the Babil District Court -- arrested another suspected terrorist. The suspect allegedly is affiliated with insurgent groups and was wanted for weapons smuggling and bomb attacks against civilians and Iraqi security forces.

Also in Baghdad, Iraqi special operations forces, along with U.S. forces advisors, arrested five suspected terrorists Aug. 24 and 25 under the authority of warrants issued by the Central Investigative Court of Karkh. They allegedly are affiliated with al-Qaida in Iraq and have been responsible for terrorist activities against Iraqi government officials and security forces.

In Iraq’s Salahuddin province, Iraqi soldiers with the 4th Emergency Response Battalion, along with U.S. forces advisors, arrested three suspected terrorists at their homes Aug. 25 under warrants issued by the provincial Central Investigation Court for suspicion of terrorist activities.

(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

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US Airpower Summary, Aug. 27, 2009: Transports are AOR Workhorses

C-130 Hercules aircraft wait for an airlift mission at a Southwest Asia location. These C-130s transport coalition forces and equipment in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Patrick Dixon.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Aug. 27, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Sheykhabad. They reported an impending enemy attack on friendly helicopters and requested a show of force. The show of force, which included release of flares, was successful in deterring the enemy action.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and Navy F/A-18C Hornet aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Oruzgan. The aircraft focused attention on tree line enemy positions when friendly forces reported them as points of origin for mortar, rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire . A show of force, which included release of flares, was successful in briefly deterring enemy action. Later, several strafing runs and a precision-guided munition eliminated the enemy positions.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided overwatch for friendly forces near Lashkar Gah. The friendly forces reported receiving small-arms fire from an enemy position and requested assistance. Strafing runs and precision-guided munitions eliminated the enemy position.

Marine AV-8B Harriers provided armed overwatch in the vicinity of Lashkar Gah. The Harriers responded to a request for armed interdiction on an enemy site continuing to harass friendly forces with small-arms fire. A precision-guided munition destroyed the enemy site and a show of force ensured no further enemy action took place.

At Sangin, an MQ-9A Reaper provided armed interdiction against an anti-coalition force rocket position. Friendly forces identified and confirmed the positions as hostile before the positions were destroyed.

F-15Es at Sangin were requested to destroy an enemy compound that had been identified and confirmed as having enemy forces who were continually firing on friendly forces. This was accomplished using precision-guided munitions.

F/A-18E Super Hornets and F-15Es work with a friendly convoy near Ghazni to prevent enemy engagement as the convoy left on a mission. Shows of force were successful in suppressing enemy action.

F-15E aircraft in the vicinity of Badikhel attacked a confirmed enemy rocket launch position and then destroyed the position using precision-guided munitions. This eliminated potential attacks on the friendly forces.

Harrier aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Washir. A show of force was conducted to reassure friendly forces that air power was overhead and ended the reported enemy fire.

Friendly forces near Asmar were hit with enemy sniper fire from several positions. Once the snipers were located, F-15E Strike Eagles rolled in and with several precision-guided munitions, terminated the enemy positions.

Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

Twenty-nine Air Force, Navy and coalition intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, one coalition and two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In total, 83 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

In Iraq, an MQ-1B Predator recorded the actions of an enemy team attempting to plant an improvised explosive device and when cleared, fired a missile eliminating the site.

In total, 22 close-air-support missions were flown in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities

Twenty-six Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, 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.

Air Force airlift crews flew 149 airlift sorties, delivered 595 short tons of cargo and transported about 4,000 passengers. Airlift included about 110,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Aug. 25, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 25 patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue Team members aboard the helicopters located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The Pave Hawks transported these patients to field hospitals in less time than it takes for a civilian patient to reach emergency care by ambulance in most major cities.

U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 58 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.3 million pounds of fuel to 251 receiving aircraft.

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

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Pentagon: Missile Defense Technology Moves from Testing to Fielding

The destroyer USS Hopper launches a standard missile 3 as it operates in the Pacific Ocean on July 30, 2009. The missile successfully intercepted a sub-scale, short-range ballistic missile launched from the Kauai Test Facility at Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. The launch was the latest Missile Defense Agency test in conjunction with the Navy. (U.S. Navy photo.)

Focus on Defense:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2009 -- Boosted by a few strong years of testing successes, much of the United States' missile defense technology that once was questioned is now ready to be fielded.

"A few years ago the question was, 'Could you even hit a missile with a missile?' We have proven we could do that well over 35 times," Army Lt. Gen. Patrick J. O'Reilly, the director for the Missile Defense Agency, said in an interview at the Pentagon today.

O'Reilly said that 39 of the last 45 tries at stopping a test missile were successful. The failures were mostly at the start of the testing, and in the past few years, all hit their mark, except one that had a manufacturing problem. It was fixed, and three weeks ago successfully hit its target in a test, O'Reilly said.

Most of the new technologies fielded will be to bolster missile defense for deployed troops. Right now, O'Reilly said, forward deployed bases are exposed to missile threats and there is a large gap in U.S. capabilities to protect them.

This summer, both Iran and North Korea tested their ballistic missiles systems. And several other nations have as many as a few hundred such missiles in their arsenals.

"We want to provide the same level of protection against ballistic missiles that we enjoy today against cruise missiles or against aircraft," O'Reilly said.

The Defense Department recently committed an additional $900 million toward fielding the Army's theater high altitude area defense mobile missile defense system. The agency has finished seven of eight required tests of the system, and O'Reilly said he expects to see it in the field next year. The Army also will get some new radar systems.

The Navy's Aegis-class ballistic missile defense ships are being equipped with some improved missiles. The Aegis ship's capability was demonstrated to the world when it stopped a crippled reconnaissance satellite over the Pacific Ocean before it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere in February 2008. The Aegis ships will have a second-generation interceptor fielded next year, O'Reilly said. And the Pentagon has proposed converting six more Aegis-class ships to provide additional theater missile defense coverage.

"This capability will provide protection in the theater against ballistic missiles -- short-range missiles, medium range and missiles up to ranges greater than 3,000 kilometers," O'Reilly said.

As much as $8 billion is slated for additional missile defense technologies in the future, the general said.

Two demonstrator satellites will be launched into space next month. The pair of satellites will "talk" to each other, extending the capabilities of other sensors in place to detect missiles. By 2012, the agency will test the satellites, launching an interceptor from an Aegis ship toward a test target. This will allow the ship to fire at a target that is beyond its own radar ranges.

Eventually, O'Reilly said, the pair will be part of a larger constellation of connected satellites. Plans are to develop a satellite system that tracks missiles around the world.

"It's just an extremely exciting area," he said. "And all theaters across the world now are receiving missile defense command and control and will soon be receiving the capability."

In the next five years, extensive testing will take place with more than 56 flight tests, many including multiple missiles in the air at the same time, across the entire Pacific Ocean. In that testing, the agency will use a mix of satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, ships and ground-based radars.

(Report by Fred W. Baker III, American Forces Press Service.)

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Pentagon Identifies Army Casualties (OEF)

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2009 -- The following news release made available Thursday by the U.S. Department of Defense is the text of a statement identifying casualties:

The Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Aug. 25 in southern Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Killed were:

• Capt. John L. Hallett III, 30, of California.

• Capt. Cory J. Jenkins, 30, of Arizona.

• Sgt. 1st Class Ronald W. Sawyer, 38, of Trenton, Mo.

• Pfc. Dennis M. Williams, 24, of Federal Way, Wash.

(Report from a U.S. Defense Department news release.)

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Pentagon Identifies Marine Casualty (OEF)

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2009 -- The following news release made available Thursday by the U.S. Department of Defense is the text of a statement identifying a casualty:

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Donald J. Hogan, 20, of San Clemente, Calif., died Aug. 26 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

(Report from a U.S. Defense Department news release.)

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Wire: August Poised for Deadliest Month Yet in Afghanistan

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2009 -- Newswire services this morning reported that a U.S. servicemember died Thursday in a militant attack involving a roadside bomb and gunfire, a death that pushed August into a tie with July as the deadliest months of the eight-year war.

The Associated Press said the death brings to 44 the number of U.S. troops who have died in Afghanistan this month. But with four days left in the month, August could set a new record.

More than 60,000 U.S. troops are now in the country -- a record number -- to combat the rising insurgency. The number of roadside bombs deployed by militants across the country has skyrocketed.

AP also noted that violence is on the rise in Afghanistan even as it falls in Iraq, where nearly twice as many U.S. troops are still based. Five U.S. troops have died in Iraq this month, three fewer than in July.

A statement from the NATO-led force in Kabul said the U.S. service member died in southern Afghanistan when the troop's patrol responded to the bombing and gunfire attack. No other details were released.

See link below for details.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Source: August tied for deadliest month in Afghanistan

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