2. Navy Convenes Second Phase of Enlisted Retention Board

CHINFO NEWS CLIPS Tuesday, September 27, 2011

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TOP STORIES: 1. CNO’s Sailing Directions (NAVY.MIL 23 SEP 11) ... Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert Mission – Our core responsibilities

3. More Destroyers Ordered By U.S. Navy (DEFENSE NEWS 26 SEP 11) ... Christopher P. Cavas The restart of the U.S. Navy's DDG 51 Arleigh Burke destroyer building program swung in to a higher gear Sept. 26 with the award of two construction contracts and an option for a third.

4. Strong Navy Needed More Than Ever (NEWPORT (RI) PATCH 26 SEP 11) ... Rear Admiral Walter E. Carter Jr. New England will celebrate Navy Week on Sept. 24-Oct. 2. The annual Eastern States Exposition, in Sringfield, Mass., will be the center of the celebration.

CURRENT OPERATIONS: 5. Phuket Sub Ho! US Nuclear Visitor Sneaks Close For Our Exclusive Peek (PHUKET WAN NEWS (THAILAND) 27 SEP 11) ... Alan Morison PHUKET - A US nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine has been spotted off the coast of Phuket, engaged in what's thought to have been exercises with the Royal Thai Navy, according to sources.

6. George Washington Strike Group To Make Port Calls In South Korea (STARS AND STRIPES 27 SEP 11) SEOUL — The USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group is scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Wednesday for a regular port call.

7. USS Ingraham Leaves On Six-Month Mission (EVERETT (WA) HERALD 27 SEP 11) EVERETT -- The guided-missile frigate USS Ingraham left Naval Station Everett on Monday for a six-month deployment.

8. George H.W. Bush Completes First 3M Inspection (NAVY NEWS SERVICE 26 SEP 11) ... Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Walter, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs USS GEORGE H.W. WASHINGTON, At Sea -- USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) successfully passed its first Maintenance and Material Management (3M) Inspection while on deployment in the Arabian Sea, Sept. 24.

1 GLOBAL MARITIME ENVIRONMENT: 10. Japan, Philippines Seek Tighter Ties To Counter China (WALL STREET JOURNAL 27 SEP 11) ... James Hookway and Yoree Koh Japan and the Philippines, both facing intensifying territorial disputes with China, are exploring ways to deepen military and security ties.

11. China To Scale Back Military Ties Over Taiwan (ASSOCIATED PRESS 26 SEP 11) ... Matthew Lee NEW YORK — China plans to cancel or postpone some U.S.-China military exchanges after Washington last week announced it would upgrade Taiwan’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets, a senior U.S. official said.

12. Russia Ready To Continue Anti-Piracy Mission In Gulf Of Aden (RIA NOVOSTI 26 SEP 11) MOSCOW - A new Russian naval task force will arrive on Wednesday in the Gulf of Aden to continue the ongoing anti-piracy mission off the Somali coast, a Defense Ministry spokesman said.

13. Yemen’s Descent Into Chaos Fuels Piracy Fears (FINANCIAL TIMES 26 SEP 11) ... Peter Shaw-Smith As the Indian Ocean monsoons wane, international shipping companies are bracing themselves for a new season of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, fearing fresh involvement from actors beyond Somalia.

14. Turkey Orders Navy To Seize Arms Shipments To Syria (WORLD TRIBUNE 26 SEP 11) ANKARA — Turkey has pledged to stop the flow of weapons to the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

PERSONNEL: 15. Early Retirement Board Results Expected Soon (NAVY TIMES 26 SEP 11) ... Sam Fellman Results from the selective early retirement board are expected to be released this week, based on Navy messages announcing the board.

16. Social Media Bridging Gap Between Troubled Vets And Treatment (STARS AND STRIPES 23 SEP 11) ... Matthew M. Burke SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — Marine Cpl. J.P. Villont returned from Iraq a broken man.

18. New Leaders Set For Mid-Atlantic Naval Region, Med Center (NORFOLK VIRGINIAN-PILOT 27 SEP 11) New leaders have taken the helm at the Navy commands that run local installations and provide medical care to service members, their families and veterans.

FORCE STRUCTURE/PROGRAMS: 19. Air Force And Navy Turn To Biofuels (NPR 26 SEP 11) ... Elizabeth Shogren The Pentagon's hunt for an alternative to petroleum has turned a lowly weed and animal fat into something indistinguishable from jet fuel, and now the military is trying to kick-start a new biofuel industry.

20. BIW Lands Two More Ship Contracts (BANGOR (ME) DAILY NEWS 26 SEP 11) ... Christopher Cousins BATH, Maine – Bath Iron Works landed two more contracts for Arleigh Burke-class warships Monday which will add to an already robust amount of Navy construction enjoyed by the shipyard.

2 21. Ingalls Awarded $697m Contract Job is good news for thousands of employees in Pascagoula (BILOXI (MS) SUN HERALD 26 SEP 11) PASCAGOULA -- The Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. was awarded a $697.6 million contract for an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.

22. HASC Warns Of Programs Hit By Biggest DoD Cuts (DEFENSE DAILY 27 SEP 11) ... Emelie Rutherford A House panel is warning that large Pentagon budget cuts, which could come if lawmakers fail to reach a deficit-cutting plan, would significantly impact funding for maneuver battalions, fighter wings, shipbuilding, long-range strike, and airlift.

23. Republicans Warn Of Mothballed Ships, Fewer V-22s In Cut Budget (BLOOMBERG NEWS 26 SEP 11) ... Roxana Tiron The U.S. Navy may mothball as many as 60 ships and forgo development of an aircraft carrier version of the Lockheed Martin Corp. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter if Congress fails to adopt a deficit reduction package and automatic spending cuts go into effect, according to an analysis by House Republicans.

24. 2 Navy Ships Getting New Lease On Life Courtesy Of Budget Concerns (STARS AND STRIPES 24 SEP 11) ... Geoff Ziezulewicz NAPLES, Italy — In a nod to budget concerns and the needs of the future fleet, the Navy is planning to nearly double the service lives of its two flagships.

25. Sailor Tracker: Mobile App Keeps Tabs on Carrier Crew (NAVY TIMES 03 OCT 11) ... Joshua Stewart There are plenty of places for 5,000 sailors to hide on 1,094-foot-long aircraft carrier.

26. New Satellite Could Revolutionize Battlefield Communications (NEXTGOV.COM 26 SEP 11) ... Bob Brewin The Naval Research Laboratory plans to launch on Tuesday an experimental, $75 million satellite that U.S. ground forces can use for on-the-move communications with standard military handheld or back radios.

BASES / COMMUNITY OUTREACH: 27. Leap Frogs Race Into Coronado Speed Festival (NAVY NEWS SERVICE 26 SEP 11) ... Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michelle Turner, U.S. Navy Parachute Team Public Affairs CORONADO, Calif. -- The U.S. Navy parachute demonstration team, the Leap Frogs, performed during the opening ceremony of the 14th annual Coronado Speed Festival at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) in Coronado, Sept. 24-25.

28. Aircraft Carrier Returns (ALAMEDA (CA) SUN 23 SEP 11) ... Ekene Ikeme The Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson will be returning to the Bay Area next month for the 30th annual San Francisco Fleet Week. The Vinson called the old Alameda Naval Air Station (now Alameda Point) home from its commissioning in 1983 to the base's closure in 1997. It was most recently used to dispose of Osama Bin Laden's body in the Indian Ocean.

3 31. Day Cruise Takes Passengers Back To World War II People aboard the Lane Victory learn about the ship and its World War II service, watch a scene involving a fake German spy and listen to swing music. Some veterans reunite with old friends. (LOS ANGELES TIMES 26 SEP 11) ... Ari Bloomekatz Docked in San Pedro, the Lane Victory has long been designated a historic landmark for its service in the Korean War, the Vietnam War and World War II.

32. Bluefield Man To Present Historic Photograph To Intrepid Museum (BLUEFIELD (WV) DAILY TELEGRAPH 26 SEP 11) ... Bill Archer BLUEFIELD — As he looked at a photograph of men standing on the deck of an aircraft carrier, Edward F. Simmons’ lower lip quivered as he tried to explain the significance of the image. In December of 1982, the (then) 129 living Medal of Honor recipients gathered on the deck of the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier for a group photo.

33. Road Rally Rallies Fight To Find Missing Children During Jacksonville Stop The annual drive helps honor and search for the nation’s lost kids. (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION 26 SEP 11) ... Dan Scanlan NASCAR star Geoff Bodine, space shuttle astronaut Winston Scott and Navy helicopter squadron members Brian Hughes and Brian Rempe have something in common — their day jobs involve speed.

NEWS OF INTEREST: 34. Senate Leaders Agree To Deal To Avert Shutdown House expected to endorse plan (WASHINGTON POST 26 SEP 11) ... Paul Kane and Rosalind S. Helderman Senate leaders agreed to a deal Monday evening that is almost certain to avert a federal government shutdown, a prospect that had unexpectedly arisen when congressional leaders deadlocked over disaster relief funding.

36. New Amphibious Vehicle Analysis Poised To Start (DEFENSE DAILY 27 SEP 11) ... Emelie Rutherford Planning for a new amphibious tractor to replace the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) could begin in earnest in October, when a study of options for the new vehicle may begin.

37. DoD Extends Program To Defend Cyber Networks (ASSOCIATAED PRESS 26 SEP 11) ... Lolita C. Baldor WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is extending a pilot program to help protect its prime defense contractors, an effort the Obama administration can use as a model to prevent hackers and hostile nations from breaching networks and stealing sensitive data.

38. From Sunny Forecast To Dark Clouds: The City Solar Project That Didn't Happen (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER 25 SEP 11) ... Andrew Maykuth Two years ago, Gov. Rendell announced that a Greek company would build a $500 million plant at Philadelphia's Navy Yard to make solar cells. The factory would employ 400 people when it began operations in late 2011.

39. Rigors Of War Leave Troops Battling Arthritis At A Young Age (STARS AND STRIPES 25 SEP 11) ... Seth Robbins BAUMHOLDER, Germany — Staff Sgt. Thomas Wenzke would sit for hours, hunched over the five-ton truck’s window, scanning for hints of bombs along Iraq’s garbage-lined roadways.

4 OPINION: 40. The Pentagon Budget And The Deficit (NEW YORK TIMES 27 SEP 11) ... Editorial It was not just two mismanaged wars and trillions of dollars in misconceived and poorly supervised weapons contracts that drove Pentagon spending to unsustainable levels over the past decade — about $700 billion for last year alone. Military pay, benefit and retirement costs rose by more than 50 percent over the same decade (accounting for inflation). Leaving aside Afghanistan and Iraq, those costs now account for nearly $1 out of every $3 the Pentagon spends.

41. Health Care Plan Deserves Attention, Lacks Backup (NAVY TIMES 03 OCT 11) ... Editorial Anxiety over potential cuts in military benefits has been growing for some time now — and President Obama's budget-cutting plan just delivered the latest in a series of bitter pills.

BLOGS: 42. EXCERPTS FROM BLOGS AROUND THE WORLD (PUBLISHED 23 – 26 SEP 11)

5 TOP STORIES: 1. CNO’s Sailing Directions (NAVY.MIL 23 SEP 11) ... Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert Mission – Our core responsibilities • Provide our Sailors confidence in their equipment Deter aggression and, if deterrence fails, win our Nation’s and in their own skills. wars. Employ the global reach and persistent presence of forward-stationed and rotational forces to secure the Nation Over the next 10 to 15 years, the Navy will evolve and from direct attack, assure Joint operational access and retain remain the preeminent maritime force. global freedom of action. With global partners, protect the • The reach and effectiveness of ships and aircraft will maritime freedom that is the basis for global prosperity. Foster be greatly expanded through new and updated and sustain cooperative relationships with an expanding set of weapons, unmanned systems, sensors, and increased allies and international partners to enhance global security. power. Vision – Navy’s contribution and characteristics over • The Air-Sea Battle concept will be implemented to the next 10-15 years sustain U.S. freedom of action and Joint Assured Access. The U.S. Navy will remain critical to our national security and our economic prosperity. • Unmanned systems in the air and water will employ  The Navy will continue to be at the front line of our greater autonomy and be fully integrated with their nation’s efforts in war and peace with a proud manned counterparts. heritage of success in battle on, above, and below the • The Navy will continue to dominate the undersea sea. domain using a network of sensors and platforms -  The Navy will continue protecting the interconnected with expanded reach and persistence from unmanned systems of trade, information, and security that autonomous systems. underpin American prosperity. • Cyberspace will be operationalized with capabilities Operating forward across the globe, the Navy will that span the electromagnetic spectrum – providing provide the nation offshore options to win today and superior awareness and control when and where we advance our interests in an era of uncertainty. need it.  We will deliver credible capability for deterrence, sea Our forces will operate forward in new and flexible control, and power projection to deter or contain ways with access to strategic maritime crossroads. conflict and fight and win wars. • Our posture will be focused and improved using a  As ground forces draw down in the Middle East, the combination of rotational deployments, forward Navy will continue to deter aggression and reassure bases, temporary and austere facilities and partner our partners – we will have the watch. nation ports. Ready Sailors and Civilians will remain the source of • Our forward presence will build on and strengthen the Navy’s warfighting capability. our partnerships and alliances where sea lanes, • Our people will be diverse in experience, background resources, and vital U.S. interests intersect. and ideas; personally and professionally ready; and Tenets – The key considerations we should apply to proficient in the operation of their weapons and every decision systems.  Warfighting First: Be ready to fight and win today, • Our Sailors and Civilians will continue a two-century while building the ability to win tomorrow tradition of warfighting excellence, adaptation, and  Operate Forward: Provide offshore options to deter, resilience. influence and win in an era of uncertainty • Our character and our actions will remain guided by  Be Ready: Harness the teamwork, talent and our commitment to the nation and to each other as imagination of our diverse force to be ready to fight part of one Navy team. and responsibly employ our resources We will address economic change by being effective Guiding Principles – The starting point for developing and efficient. We will innovate to: and executing our plans • Use new technologies and operating concepts to • Our primary mission is warfighting. All our efforts to sharpen our warfighting advantage against evolving improve capabilities, develop people, and structure threats. our organizations should be grounded in this • Operate forward at strategic maritime crossroads. fundamental responsibility. • Sustain our fleet capability through effective • People are the Navy’s foundation. We have a maintenance, timely modernization, and sustained professional and moral obligation to uphold a production of proven ships and aircraft. covenant with Sailors, Civilians and their families – to ably lead, equip, train and motivate.

6 • Our approach should be Joint and combined when their expected service lives is an essential possible. However, we own the sea, and must also be contribution to fleet capacity. able to operate independently when necessary. • Our Navy Ethos defines us and describes the standard • Our primary Joint partner is the U.S. Marine Corps. for character and behavior. We must continue to evolve how we will operate and • We must clearly and directly communicate our intent fight as expeditionary warfare partners. and expectations both within and outside the Navy. • At sea and ashore, we must be ready to part with • I believe in the “Charge of Command.” We will train Navy roles, programs and traditions if they are not and empower our leaders with authorities integral to our future vision or a core element of our commensurate with their responsibilities. mission. Link to Sailing Directions: • We must ensure today’s force is ready for its http://www.navy.mil/cno/cno_sailing_direction_final- assigned missions. Maintaining ships and aircraft to lowres.pdf Return to Index

2. Navy Convenes Second Phase Of Enlisted Retention Board (NAVY NEWS SERVICE 26 SEP 11) ... Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- The second phase of the Navy's The first phase of the ERB convened Aug. 22 to review Enlisted Retention Board convened at Navy Personnel the records of ERB-eligible Sailors in pay grades E-4 and E-5. Command (NPC) Sept. 26. That board adjourned Sept. 16 and forwarded its ERB Phase II will review the records of 7, 792 Sailors in recommendations to NPC. pay grades E-6 thru E-8 who meet eligibility requirements Community managers from the Bureau of Naval outlined in NAVADMIN 129/11. The quota and performance Personnel (BUPERS) are currently reviewing the Phase I based board is charged with identifying the most fully board's recommendations for conversion opportunities qualified Sailors for retention. Combined, the first and second outlined in NAVADMIN 180/11 before forwarding the phase ERB will review approximately 16,000 records for board's recommendations to the Chief of Naval Personnel for about 13,000 available retention quotas. The primary criterion approval. for retention is sustained superior performance. Phase II results will also be reviewed by BUPERS for ERB was announced earlier this year as the Navy faces conversion opportunities after the board adjourns. record-high retention and low attrition among active-duty Navy expects to release Phase I results in October and Sailors. The purpose of the board is to reduce over manning in Phase II results in November. 31 ratings and to help the Navy meet congressionally Sailors not selected for retention on active-duty are mandated end-strength. encouraged to consider Reserve affiliation and will have The ERB was divided into two four-week phases in order access to the Navy's transition assistance management to reduce the amount of time selection board members would program and other benefits for members who are involuntary be required to be away from their commands. separated. Return to Index

3. More Destroyers Ordered By U.S. Navy (DEFENSE NEWS 26 SEP 11) ... Christopher P. Cavas The restart of the U.S. Navy's DDG 51 Arleigh Burke All the construction contracts are fixed-price-incentive destroyer building program swung in to a higher gear Sept. 26 agreements. The prices do not reflect total purchase costs, but with the award of two construction contracts and an option for are the monies to design and build them. Other government- a third. furnished equipment, such as the Aegis combat system from Huntington Ingalls Industries received a $697.6 million Lockheed Martin, is provided to complete the ships. contract to build the yet-to-be-named DDG 114 at its Ingalls DDG 113 will become the 63rd ship of the class, which shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. originally had been planned to conclude with the 62nd ship. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works was awarded a The Navy in 2008 altered its destroyer programs, shrinking the $679.6 million contract for DDG 115, to be built in Bath, larger DDG 1000 Zumwalt class from seven to three ships in Maine. favor of continuing DDG 51 construction. As the low bidder between the two, Bath also was The new ships will be delivered with Integrated Air and awarded a contract option for DDG 116. Missile Defense (IAMD) capability, giving them the ability to DDG 114 and 115 are funded in the 2011 defense act. track and intercept enemy ballistic missiles. As currently Money for DDG 116 is included in the 2012 budget request, configured, the DDG 1000s lack that ballistic missile defense currently under consideration by Congress. capability. Ingalls on June 15 was awarded a $783.6 million contract Arleigh Burke herself was commissioned in 1991. The to build DDG 113. The Navy did not reveal that contract latest Ingalls destroyer, William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), was amount until Sept. 26 while negotiations continued for the commissioned on June 4, while the most recent Bath ship, the follow-on ships. Spruance (DDG 111), will be commissioned Oct. 1 at Key West, Fla. Bath is currently working to complete Michael

7 Murphy (DDG 112), and is also building all three DDG 1000- class ships. Return to Index

4. Strong Navy Needed More Than Ever (NEWPORT (RI) PATCH 26 SEP 11) ... Rear Admiral Walter E. Carter Jr. New England will celebrate Navy Week on Sept. 24-Oct. about half of the total AERIAL COMBAT 2. The annual Eastern States Exposition, in Sringfield, Mass., MISSIONS IN Afghanistan. They don’t need will be the center of the celebration. airstrips on the ground. They can take off from America’s Navy is a global force for good, our country’s aircraft carriers. away team, meeting threats and providing help whenever  Navy SEAL teams can carry out special operations needed. The Navy fights on, under and over the water, in worldwide – from t eater. ships, submarines and in planes, many of which use aircraft carriers.  In a humanitarian crisis present by such disasters as This ability to act from the water is very important. It earthquakes and tsunamis, the Navy can deliver huge gives the Navy the power to protect America’s interests – amounts of supplies and provide hospital – quality anywhere, anytime. medical care –from the water. Consider that: And the Navy is leading our country’s efforts to reduce  Water covers about 70 percent of the earth’s surface. energy consumption and achieve energy independence. These initiatives might just win our next war, or avoid it.  About 80 percent of the world’s population lives near The Navy requires highly trained, highly motivated and the ocean. courageous men and women capable of meeting any  About 90 percent of all international trade travels by challenge. That’s exactly who we have. sea. We hope you’ll join us during Navy New England Week Thus we need to be able to protect ourselves on, under, in Springfield, so that you can meet some of these sailors and and over the water. hear their stories. The Navy’s job is getting bigger because the challenges Editor's Note: Several local and community programs our country faces are so unpredictable and diverse. are planned during Navy Week. Sailors from Naval Station On any given day, the U.S. military might need to attack a Newport will be demonstrating proper Flag folding/etiquette at terrorist camp, keep watch over a potential conflict abroad, 9 a.m. daily this week, at elementary and middle schools in capture pirate vessel, and deliver emergency relief, all in Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth. The flag education different parts of the world. We can’t always afford to wait to ceremony consists of two Sailors in dress uniform (whites) set up big operations on land, or to get another country’s who will talk about the history of the flag, raise the flag up the permission to come ashore. pole the way it should be or fold the flag ceremoniously the The Navy’s speed and flexibility make it ideally suited for way it should be. this kind of world. Rear Admiral Walter E. Carter Jr., a native of Pascoag, is the prospective commander of the Enterprise Carrier Strike  Navy ships and submarines can shoot at targets and Group (CSG 12). He will be the senior Navy representative knock out enemy missiles far inland; Navy planes fly for New England Navy Week Sept. 24-Oct. 2. Return to Index

CURRENT OPERATIONS: 5. Phuket Sub Ho! US Nuclear Visitor Sneaks Close For Our Exclusive Peek (PHUKET WAN NEWS (THAILAND) 27 SEP 11) ... Alan Morison PHUKET - A US nuclear-powered ballistic missile The sighting of the USS Ohio probably explains a submarine has been spotted off the coast of Phuket, engaged in heightened US security and diplomatic presence during last what's thought to have been exercises with the Royal Thai week's visit of the destroyer USS Pinckney, although the visits Navy, according to sources. of the two vessels may have been unrelated. US nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and warships of Phuket is important strategically, on the Andaman coast different types have been visiting Phuket more frequently in and not far south of Burma, where Chinese investment and the past two years for shore leave, but the presence of the influence is growing. nuclear submarine USS Ohio off Phuket's deep sea port is India is also keen to assert its authority in the surrounding thought to be precedent-setting. waters and Indian warships have also visited Phuket. While security for visiting warships is always reasonably The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan visited Phuket in tight, US submarines come under a different category and the September 2009 and a regular stream of warships has movements of submarines are seldom publicly revealed. followed, including another aircraft carrier the USS Nimitz, China's emergence as an economic power has been and a return visit by the Ronald Reagan. accompanied by an increase in its influence across the Pacific Phuket is said to be an extremely popular destination with and Indian Oceans, with observers noting that the US has been US military personnel. the navy power on both seas since the Second World War.

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6. George Washington Strike Group To Make Port Calls In South Korea (STARS AND STRIPES 27 SEP 11) SEOUL — The USS George Washington Carrier Strike join the aircraft carrier for a scheduled visit to Pusan. The Group is scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Wednesday guided-missile destroyers USS Curtis Wilbur and USS for a regular port call. McCampbell are scheduled to visit Pyeongtaek. U.S. Forces Korea spokesman Jason Chudy said the strike The strike group, which is forward-deployed to group would be in South Korea for a “short” visit that would Yokosuka, Japan, and has approximately 7,000 crewmembers, last through at least the country’s Armed Forces Day on Oct. is on a patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Wayne 1. The guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens and the guided- E. Meyer, homeported in San Diego, Calif., is on a routine missile destroyers USS Mustin and USS Wayne E. Meyer will deployment of the western Pacific. Return to Index

7. USS Ingraham Leaves On Six-Month Mission (EVERETT (WA) HERALD 27 SEP 11) EVERETT -- The guided-missile frigate USS Ingraham The Ingraham's crew of about 200 is led by Cmdr. Kristin left Naval Station Everett on Monday for a six-month Stengel. deployment. The Ingraham, which is in the rotation for maritime The mission of the ship's crew includes fighting drug security operations, is expected to return next spring. trafficking in the Caribbean and in the waters off Central America. Return to Index

8. George H.W. Bush Completes First 3M Inspection (NAVY NEWS SERVICE 26 SEP 11) ... Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Walter, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs USS GEORGE H.W. WASHINGTON, At Sea -- USS "We had senior leadership - the subject matter experts - George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) successfully passed its first supervise the maintenance workers so that we could correct Maintenance and Material Management (3M) Inspection while them if they were doing something wrong or provide insight if on deployment in the Arabian Sea, Sept. 24. they had a question about the gear," said Jones. "The ship did really well for being such a new ship with a Master Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Rob A. Benedetto, green crew," said Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuel) ship's 3M leading chief petty officer, added that the active (AW/SW) Bryan D. Hay, one of the 3M inspectors. participation of the entire chain of command in performing The inspection is conducted every 24 months aboard these checks helped make the ship's maintenance program aircraft carriers to examine each ship's ability to effectively successful. record and administer required maintenance throughout the "This command has created a culture of excellence for our ship via the Navy's 3M system. maintenance program," said Benedetto. "Our success is a During the five-day event, 16 inspectors from direct result of the contributions made by the commanding Commander, Naval Air Forces (COMNAVAIRFOR) officer, the Chiefs' Mess and the individual maintenance conducted 248 supervised checks on the ship's 18 departments worker. It was a shipwide effort and no one person can take to ensure the crew properly follows written procedures for credit for our success." required maintenance. The 3M inspectors said the ship's training was evident in "I saw a lot of confidence in the crew, especially in the the maintenance checks they performed. maintenance workers," added Hay. "There was a lot of pride "From the 3M Assist to the 3M Inspection, we saw a huge and professionalism in their work." improvement on the ship, particularly in the knowledge that The 3M Inspection is the culminating test in a larger was gained by the crew," said Hay. training cycle that continuously monitors and trains Sailors on Master Chief Hull Technician (SW/AW) Michael W. the proper way to effectively maintain an aircraft carrier for its Barfield, the 3M Inspection team leader, said the ship has expected 50-year life span. "come a long way" not only in the collective knowledge of the COMNAVAIRFOR inspectors conducted a preparatory crew but in the understanding of the particular equipment. event known as a 3M Assist in December 2010, to help "If we understand the equipment, how it operates and why prepare the ship for the inspection. Following that assessment, it operates that way, it makes it a lot easier for the Sailor to the ship adopted an intensive training regimen to increase the understand what the maintenance card is talking about," said knowledge and understanding of both the supervisors and Barfield. "It gives the Sailor a broader picture so that he or she maintenance personnel. can stand back and say, 'Now I understand.'" Senior Chief Mineman (SW/AW) Steve E. Jones, one of Barfield said the ability of each Sailor to properly perform the ship's 3M coordinators, said the increased focus on real- maintenance is critical to continuing the ship's daily missions. time monitored maintenance checks during the past months "When you push the start button, you need the generator made the difference in helping every Sailor thoroughly to start. When you push the fire button, you need the missile to understand the procedures and equipment. launch," he said. "The taxpayers spend a lot of money on this

9 national asset and we are charged with maintaining it, in order "We learned a lot from this inspection that is going to to make sure that it lasts. The way we accomplish that task is help us improve and help us continue to maintain this ship for by doing correct preventative maintenance along the way." its 50 years." Benedetto said that looking forward the ship is well- George H.W. Bush is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area positioned to maintain the culture and level of proficiency that of responsibility on its first operational deployment was recognized during the 3M Inspection. conducting maritime security operations and support missions as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. Return to Index

9. Navy: Underwater Missile Detonation Successful 2 Sea Sparrow Missiles Sunk Off Coast Of Camp Pendleton (KGTV ABC SAN DIEGO 26 SEP 11) SAN DIEGO -- The U.S. Navy said it successfully On Monday morning, the U.S. Coast Guard cleared a detonated two sunken Sea Sparrow missiles off the coast of 2,000-yard radius around the site. A team of Navy divers from Camp Pendleton on Monday. the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1 constructed a The missiles were lost on Aug. 30. They were being C-4 charge on land. transported by a Seahawk helicopter to USS Bonhomme "We use C-4, an explosive that was modified to ensure all Richard, which was stationed off the coast. The helicopter the components were destroyed in the blast," said Executive pilot decided to ditch the missiles about two miles off the Officer Lt. Cmdr. John Schiller. "Divers took the charge down coast when they started swinging wildly underneath the and placed it over the munitions." helicopter. The missiles sank about 60 feet to the ocean floor Schiller said the explosion created a plume of water that but did not explode. rose above the ocean. The Navy determined that it was unsafe to try to recover Environmentalists were concerned that marine life would the missiles, so they planned an underwater detonation to be harmed by the operation but the Navy said there was no make sure no one would be around if or when the missiles visible sign of damage. The same Navy dive team returned to exploded. the location to confirm the missiles were destroyed. Return to Index

GLOBAL MARITIME ENVIRONMENT: 10. Japan, Philippines Seek Tighter Ties To Counter China (WALL STREET JOURNAL 27 SEP 11) ... James Hookway and Yoree Koh Japan and the Philippines, both facing intensifying month, official bilateral "consultations" to enhance maritime territorial disputes with China, are exploring ways to deepen cooperation took place in Tokyo—the first since the two sides military and security ties. agreed to talks in December 2006. There have also been a Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, who will meet handful of military drills involving both Japan and the Tuesday in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Philippines in recent years. Noda, told reporters last week that he would raise security The South China Sea, which geologists believe lies atop issues, seeking Mr. Noda's backing in disputes over competing significant oil and gas reserves, has long been the site of low- claims between Beijing and neighbors in the South China Sea. level skirmishes between rival claimants, but in recent months A senior official in Mr. Noda's office said in an interview tensions have worsened. The governments of Vietnam and the Monday that the two leaders "may explore" more frequent Philippines have accused China of hindering oil exploration in joint coast-guard exercises, and more frequent consultations their territorial waters—accusations that Beijing denies. between naval officials. Beijing was enraged two years ago when Secretary of "There is room to deepen our ties in terms of promoting State Hillary Clinton, on a visit to Vietnam, spoke in support such cooperation," said the official, adding that there is a of multiparty talks to resolve disputes over the South China "shared view between the Japanese and the Philippine Sea. While countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines are governments regarding the importance of sharing the peaceful working toward creating a more unified stand—and have navigation and peaceful use of the sea." successfully enlisted the support of Washington in this— Separately this week in Tokyo, the Japanese government China prefers to negotiate individually with the other is hosting a two-day meeting of Southeast Asian defense claimants. officials on "common security tasks," including sessions on Japan has been more reluctant than the U.S. to side with "security issues and resource issues" and "efforts to strengthen Southeast Asian nations in countering China, but people maritime security in the region." Japan's defense minister will familiar with the situation say that Tokyo may be weighing give the opening remarks Wednesday. Officials from 10 whether to follow the U.S. by pressing for a series of countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and multilateral talks to settle the patchwork of competing claims Thailand, are expected to attend. in the region. Any new commitments from the Japanese side for the Security analysts say the Philippines appears to be doing Philippines are expected to be mainly symbolic, in what has much of the legwork in organizing a joint strategy to counter been a prolonged process to bolster security ties. Earlier this China's rising influence. After visiting China in early

10 September, President Aquino then flew to the U.S. "Mr. Chinese research boat spotted in the contentious waters turned Aquino is setting the pace," said Carlyle Thayer, an expert on around after Japanese Coast Guard officials issued a warning. South China Sea at the Australian Defence Force Academy at Japan's Coast Guard said 14 Chinese boats, including the University of New South Wales. fishing and research trawlers, have entered Japanese waters The South China Sea contains some of the world's most near the disputed island chain since a collision between heavily used shipping highways, and both the U.S. and Japanese patrol boats and a Chinese fishing trawler in the Japanese economies depend on its remaining open for same area brought bilateral relations to a low a year ago. That navigation. Around 90% of Japan's oil supply is shipped from is more than twice the rate of reported incidents as before the the Middle East through the South China Sea. The sea is clash. claimed in whole by China but key areas are also claimed by More recently, China bristled when Japan's annual Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei. defense white paper described Beijing's attitude toward its Japan has a territorial headache of its own with China, neighbors as "assertive" in August. China's Defense Ministry over an archipelago in the East China Sea known in Japan as expressed "strong opposition" to the report. the Senkaku Islands and in China as Diaoyu. On Sunday, a Return to Index

11. China To Scale Back Military Ties Over Taiwan (ASSOCIATED PRESS 26 SEP 11) ... Matthew Lee NEW YORK — China plans to cancel or postpone some The official gave no further details and spoke on U.S.-China military exchanges after Washington last week condition of anonymity because of diplomatic sensitivities. announced it would upgrade Taiwan’s fleet of F-16 fighter The Obama administration has deepened ties with jets, a senior U.S. official said. Beijing, and sees the military exchanges as mitigating the risk Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met Monday of U.S. forces tangling with China’s in East Asia and the West with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who urged the Pacific. In July, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint U.S. to reconsider the arms sale, warning it would undermine Chiefs of Staff, traveled to China, the first visit of its kind in the trust and confidence between the two sides. four years. That followed a visit to the U.S. in May by his China regards self-governing Taiwan as part of its Chinese counterpart, Gen. Chen Bingde. territory and cut military ties with the U.S. for several months Clinton said Monday that the upcoming weeks and after the last major arms sale, including Black Hawk months will be difficult diplomatic times and there is a great helicopters, announced in early 2010. need for the U.S. and China to coordinate and cooperate. She China’s response this time has been more restrained, defended the arms sale as a U.S. action to maintain peace and apparently because the U.S. did not agree to sell new F-16 security across the Taiwan Strait, and voiced U.S. support the plans that Taiwan also wants. improvement in ties between the mainland and Taiwan. The U.S. is obligated under legislation passed by Last year, Taiwan and China inked a historic trade pact, Congress in 1979 to supply Taiwan with weapons for its self- and tensions are at their lowest since the two sides split amid defense. The military balance across the 100-mile-wide civil war in 1949. Taiwan Strait has tipped heavily in the mainland’s favor, as Both Republican and Democrat lawmakers have criticized Beijing has ramped up defense spending in the past decade or President Obama’s decision not to authorize the sales to more. Taiwan new planes, a deal worth billions to the arms industry. At Monday’s meeting, Yang did not threaten any specific But Democrat senators last week blocked legislation consequences over the latest $5.85 billion sale. But the senior introduced by Republican Sen. John Cornyn aimed at forcing U.S. official said he was told by Chinese officials in other Obama to allow the sales of 66 F-16s. meetings that China would suspend, cancel or reschedule some military-to-military exchanges. Return to Index

12. Russia Ready To Continue Anti-Piracy Mission In Gulf Of Aden (RIA NOVOSTI 26 SEP 11) MOSCOW - A new Russian naval task force will arrive anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden in mid-September and on Wednesday in the Gulf of Aden to continue the ongoing set sail for its home base in northern Russia. anti-piracy mission off the Somali coast, a Defense Ministry The task force stayed in the area from June 17 and has spokesman said. successfully escorted eleven convoys consisting of 38 The task force from the Pacific Fleet includes the Udaloy commercial vessels from various countries along the shipping class Admiral Panteleyev missile destroyer, the Butoma routes in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. supply tanker and the Fotiy Krylov salvage tugboat. The Russian Navy has maintained a presence off the "The ships are sailing in the Indian Ocean at present. The Somali coast since October 2008, with warships operating on crew is healthy, and the equipment and armaments are in a rotating basis. order," the official said. Admiral Panteleyev carried out its previous anti-piracy The previous Russian task force led by the Udaloy class mission in the Gulf of Aden from late April to early June, Severomorsk destroyer from the Northern Fleet concluded its 2009. Return to Index

11 13. Yemen’s Descent Into Chaos Fuels Piracy Fears (FINANCIAL TIMES 26 SEP 11) ... Peter Shaw-Smith As the Indian Ocean monsoons wane, international Aden is Yemen’s primary port for container handling. It shipping companies are bracing themselves for a new season also has four tanker berths. of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, fearing fresh involvement from Other historic Yemeni ports such as Mukalla and Mokha actors beyond Somalia. have only limited cargo handling equipment and The rains and rough seas of the monsoon season which infrastructure. runs from June to September have traditionally seen a lull in “The combined effect of piracy at its peak, the extremely activity. But last month two chemical tankers were seized in volatile situation in the country and development of other Omani territorial waters, one at anchorage two miles off transshipment hubs in its vicinity like Dholera (on India’s west Salalah, the sultanate’s main southern port. coast), Jeddah and Salalah have reduced its chances,” says Mr Worldwide, pirate attacks have been increasing. Tandon. According to the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Aden was hit when Pacific International Line, a main-line Reporting Centre, attacks on the world’s seas totalled 266 in operator, shifted its transshipment hub from Aden to Djibouti the first six months of this year, up from 196 incidents in the and no replacement has been found. same period last year. Dubai’s DP World obtained concessions in Aden and Data published earlier this month showed the worldwide Mukalla in 2008. Asked about the future of those concessions, figure had risen to 335 events. Somali involvement stood at a DP World spokesperson says: 188 incidents, with 24 hijackings, 400 crew members held “As we have said previously, unrest in the Middle East hostage and eight killed. earlier this year impacted throughput at some of our terminals Now the deteriorating domestic security situation in in the region but ours is a long-term business and we have no Yemen is adding to concerns. Sana’a, the capital, has seen intention of pulling out of Aden.” days of bloody street battles following the unexpected return Nigel Chevriot of PIL Yemen says that there are of Ali Abdullah Saleh, the president. Even in more peaceful difficulties in moving cargo from Yemen’s ports to the main times, Mr Saleh’s authority outside the Yemeni capital was markets of Sana’a and Taiz. tenuous. Yemeni merchants are nervous over a possible worsening “Yemen is spinning apart and people there are wondering of the crisis. They have been reducing stocks and are finding it where their next paycheck or meal is coming from,” says hard to obtain credit, he says. Michael Frodl, head of C-Level Maritime Risks, a US Mr Frodl says that Yemenis, Kenyans, Ethiopians, consultancy. Omanis, and even Iranians are going out to sea and do not “Some Yemenis are looking back to piracy themselves, or need Somalis to lead them. Nationals from all these countries even just “facilitating” the piracy of others, be they Yemeni or have been picked up already by the navies operating in the Somali or even others.” Indian Ocean. Riad Kahwaji, chief executive of the Institute for Near The international shipping community has not been East and Gulf Military Analysis (Inegma), agrees there is passive in the face of the piracy threat. In 2009 it created the collusion from Yemeni coastal actors with the pirates. International Recommended Transit Corridor under which Pirates have learnt to discern vessels owned by companies ships approaching the Gulf of Aden form convoys under who have paid large ransoms, and are ignoring tonnage warship escort drawn from the European Union, the US and belonging to “bad payers”. China. “Ships being intercepted so precisely should indicate that Moreover, few observers believe that the pirates will be there is a sophisticated intelligence network for the pirates, able to extend their activities inside the Straits of Hormuz due providing them with information on the whereabouts and to the heavy US navy presence among others. heading of ships,” says Mr. Kahwaji. “You can only gain this But risk analysts say that piracy in the Indian Ocean information [through] ports overlooking the Gulf of Aden.” remains a relatively low-risk occupation and that Somalis are The scourge of piracy and the sustained unrest of the past inspiring others in the region to think of piracy as a career or months has hit Yemen hard. In 2008, throughput at Aden, industry given how well it pays and how little risk it entails. Yemen’s biggest port, was 40,000 twenty-foot-equivalent- “There will likely be a resurgence in piracy in the western units (TEU) a month, a common industry measurement. That Indian Ocean (including up to the Straits of Hormuz) as the number fell to 27,000 in 2009 but recovered to 30,000 in weather becomes more favourable for small boat operation,” 2010. says the head of a Europe-based umbrella shipping Abhishek Tandon of UK-based Drewry Shipping organisation. Consultants says that year-to-date data suggest that the “It is likely that, inter alia, disaffected groups from average has plummeted to an all-time low of 14,000 TEU per Yemen will see this as a good business opportunity and either month this year. join Somalis or conduct copycat activity,” he says. Return to Index

14. Turkey Orders Navy To Seize Arms Shipments To Syria (WORLD TRIBUNE 26 SEP 11) ANKARA — Turkey has pledged to stop the flow of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan said his Navy was weapons to the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. ordered to stop weapons shipments to the Assad regime

12 through the Mediterranean Sea or by air. Erdogan said one Officials said Ankara, in coordination with the United Syrian weapons shipment was already intercepted by the States, has decided to sever relations with the Assad regime Turkish Navy. and bolster support to the Syrian opposition. They said the "Turkey has arrested a ship flying the Syrian flag and government has been hosting a growing opposition leadership carrying weapons," Erdogan said on Sept. 23. in Turkey as well as bolstering its military relationship along In a briefing at the United Nations, the prime minister did the border with Syria. not say when the Syrian ship was seized or the origin of the Turkey has also been consulting with neighboring Iran weapons. Iran has been Syria's leading military ally and over Syria and other regional issues. Erdogan said Ankara has supplier of weapons and equipment to quell the six-month sought to expand an Iranian intelligence exchange on the revolt against Damascus. Kurdish threat in Iraq. "If in the future arms shipments are made by air or land, "We already cooperate in the field of intelligence to we will stop and seize them as we have done," Erdogan said. combat terrorism," Erdogan said. "We may undertake a joint effort over [Iraq's] Kandil." Return to Index

PERSONNEL: 15. Early Retirement Board Results Expected Soon (NAVY TIMES 26 SEP 11) ... Sam Fellman Results from the selective early retirement board are The board adjourned after five days of deliberations on expected to be released this week, based on Navy messages July 29. Since then, the board results have been ascending the announcing the board. release chain, spending roughly 10 days each with CNP, the The board convened in late July to select 126 unrestricted judge advocate general and the chief of naval operations. line commanders and captains for early retirement, as a way of An officer selected for early retirement has to choose a trimming the top-heavy officer corps. retirement date within six months of his notification. The board results have been with Navy Secretary Ray For officers to retire no later than April 1, the mandatory Mabus since Sept. 15, according to a tracker posted on the retirement date listed in a June naval administrative message, Navy Personnel Command website. the board results must be released by Oct. 1. A spokeswoman for the chief of naval personnel deferred The board’s quota in April had been 240 officers, 120 O- questions to the secretary’s office. A spokeswoman for Mabus 5s and 120 O-6s, but that figure dropped in July because more was unable to say Monday when the results were expected or officers than expected submitted voluntary retirement papers. how many names were on the list. Return to Index

16. Social Media Bridging Gap Between Troubled Vets And Treatment (STARS AND STRIPES 23 SEP 11) ... Matthew M. Burke SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — Marine Cpl. J.P. “It sounds like your family is tackling many challenges Villont returned from Iraq a broken man. together,” Boyce wrote. “I wanted to let you know that The married father of four was angry, paranoid, hyper- Wounded Warrior Project is here as a resource to help. ... I vigilant, aggressive and withdrawn — telltale signs of post- would love to put you in touch with the director of our traumatic stress disorder. Combat Stress Recovery Program.” Yet, for seven years, the former Marine was reluctant to Lisa Villont is convinced that Boyce’s actions helped save seek help. her husband’s life. “Obviously I had PTSD and it was undiagnosed,” Villont, “I can tell you, there is little doubt in my mind that if we 40, said recently from his Phoenix home. “It’s a huge stigma, had not encountered WWP ... I would be a widow today,” Lisa so I didn’t want to find that out. I pretended I didn’t have it for Villont said. “He absolutely, positively, would have found a many years.” way to kill himself.” Then, following a couple of violent outbursts, Villont Mental health experts say social media websites are finally contacted a few veterans facilities in Arizona. He was game-changers when it comes to reaching out to veterans. told he would have to wait months for treatment. While they shouldn’t be viewed as replacements for With seemingly nowhere to turn, his wife, Lisa, starting actual clinical treatment, sites such as Facebook, Twitter, posting messages on the Wounded Warrior Project’s Facebook LinkedIn and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America’s page. “Community of Veterans” are providing veterans and their “Its been over 7 years since my husband returned home families an outlet for referrals, advice and helpful programs, from Iraq, just last week he finally decided to seek help for according to the experts. The sites have also become a way for what we assume will be diagnosed as PTSD,” she wrote. vets to keep in touch and share their experiences with others Her words caught the attention of Jennifer Boyce, social — something the experts say is invaluable for recovery. media manager for the Wounded Warrior Project, who ‘We’re Here To Help’ provided the Villonts with people who could help At most any hour of the day, Boyce can be found in front immediately. of her computer looking for veterans in need of help.

13 Posts that emphasize struggles with home foreclosures, because of the nature of the community and the typical stigma injuries, thoughts of suicide and symptoms of PTSD are met that would be present on Facebook is decreased.” with a caring note from Boyce and a referral to a professional Overcoming the sense of shame and secrecy is key to who might be able to help. seeking help, said Dr. Glenn Schiraldi, author of “The The Wounded Warrior Project Facebook page is one of Resilient Warrior Before, During, and After War,” and the most traversed sites for veterans — with about 450,000 professor at the University of Maryland School of Public followers — and the number of people Boyce has connected Health. with has exploded in the past two years. “An aspect of PTSD is that vets can be very troubled by “The incredible growth in referral volume has been a bit anything that triggers haunting memories, so they tend to of a surprise, and it shows no sign of slowing,” said Boyce, avoid those who talk about war, and even avoid anything that who has hired a second full-time staffer to help her monitor makes them feel,” said Schiraldi, a retired Army lieutenant the site. “There’s a great sense of relief when [veterans] learn colonel. “On the other hand, once they connect with others that we’re here to help.” [online] they might realize that they are not alone.” The number of referrals to the proper mental health or But, a few encouraging words on a Facebook page cannot counseling professionals can vary, but Boyce said there might replace the treatment a veteran would receive from a be 20-30 referrals in any given week. When the WWP posts professional counselor, Hoge said. something about a specific challenge veterans face, such as If social media puts treatment and other resources within PTSD or benefits, the responses increase and can generate 75 a click of the mouse, it definitely has value. Only about 50 to 100 referrals for that single post. percent of veterans who need treatment actually get it, he said, “You’ll see with many of them that they are not direct and about half of those drop out. requests for help,” Boyce said in reference to the posts. “We “In this generation, social media is so important,” Hoge find that many veterans are reluctant to seek help for said. “There are good treatments out there. Anything that themselves, even if they are struggling. A big part of our connects [veterans] with others and helps them find things that referrals are situations like these, where we reach out and say, are useful to them is beneficial.” ‘We see you’re going through a tough time, and we’re here to Veterans just need to be careful. have your back.’ More often than not, a message like that “It’s better to start with established programs like opens up dialogue that ultimately results in warriors Wounded Warrior Project or one of the other many excellent connecting with resources that can help.” military and veterans’ charities,” Boyce said. “If a random Through these postings and private messages, military civilian reaches out to you and offers help, be smart and charities and other nonprofit groups can offer veterans access cautious, just as you would in any other situation.” to support — filling a void where local assistance might come ‘A Breath Of Life’ up short. And the feedback is almost instantaneous, from Finding others with similar problems was the key for J.P. administrators like Boyce to other veterans who might have Villont. already navigated the murky bureaucratic waters. In 2003, the infantryman was attached to the 1st Tank ‘They Are Not Alone’ Battalion as a machine gunner during the invasion of Iraq. His Dr. Charles Hoge, author of “Once a Warrior, Always a unit fought its way through Basra, all the way to Baghdad. Warrior,” and the former director of the top U.S. research “We were in direct combat with the Republican Guard — program in the psychological and neurological consequences their tank battalion,” the soft-spoken Villont recalled. “I was of war at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, has studied with 60 tanks so we were rocking and rolling. I saw a lot of and written about the importance of peer-to-peer connections destruction.” in the recovery process, something nurtured by social media. In the middle of his tour, he went on leave to be with his “Probably one of the most healing things in PTSD is to then-pregnant wife who required an emergency surgery in a talk about your experiences that happened downrange,” said California hospital. Hoge, a retired Army colonel. “There’s something very He rode out of Baghdad with two body bags next to him. powerful in being able to narrate your experiences while Villont was supposed to have 10 days of leave before deployed.” heading back to war. But, word came down that his unit had That’s where sites like the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans accomplished their mission and that he was no longer needed of America can help. in Iraq. Jason Hansman, IAVA’s membership director, manages “That was pretty surreal,” he said. “Like the Vietnam the Community of Veterans, a social network exclusively for vets, I went directly from combat back into civilian life.” confirmed veterans of the current conflicts. The site boasts He left the Marines and returned to his job in law 16,000 members. enforcement. Unlike the Wounded Warrior Project, the IAVA’s Not long after, his troubles began. Community of Veterans page provides an extra layer of First, he assaulted a neighbor who shot bottle rockets protection from public scrutiny, as many combat veterans only toward his home in the middle of the night; Villont said it feel comfortable sharing painful secrets with other combat triggered a flashback. He was later jailed for a morning after a veterans, Hansman said. domestic disturbance last year. which triggered a six-month “We have seen a lot of people post issues such as investigation. He was cleared after no charges were filed. He unemployment and disability claims to our Facebook and was then allowed back to work. Twitter,” he said. “However, on COV we see the relationship Finally, he sought help but was unsuccessful, and his wife issues, the depression and the suicidal ideations. Basically reached out to the web community.

14 After reading Lisa Villont’s postings, Boyce referred the is retiring from his job as a highway patrolman at the Arizona couple to local services and a Project Odyssey retreat with Department of Public Safety due to injuries from an on-duty fellow vets. The retreat offered outdoor activities and the crash in March. companionship of fellow combat veterans, plus counselors. Although he is not cured, J.P. Villont no longer ruins At first, Villont resisted. But after talking with other vets, family outings because of his outbursts. He’s learned he has he decided to give it a shot. certain “triggers” — his wife calls it his “Spidey” senses — “I didn’t want to sit around hugging each other singing and needs to stop before he reacts to them, to ask why he feels ‘Kumbaya,’” he said. “But it was me and seven other vets. We threatened. Villont just got out of a 24-day inpatient PTSD clicked immediately. It was a breath of life.” clinic in Tucson and is looking forward to starting school in Now, J.P. Villont exchanges texts, calls, emails and October, thanks to the single post his wife made a few months Facebook messages with the other veterans he has met. ago. He uses social media to monitor legislation and find other “It’s been a pretty amazing asset,” Villont said. “You’re outreach organizations, and he received a scholarship from the able to learn about this stuff from your computer. ... Once you University of Phoenix to get a master’s degree in clinical start opening doors there is no end to this stuff.” mental health counseling so he can help other veterans. Villont Return to Index

17. Returning Warrior Workshop Provides Support to IA Service Members, Families (NAVY NEWS SERVICE 25 SEP 11) ... Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Jonathan A. Colon, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest SEATTLE -- More than 150 active duty and reserve Service members and their families learned how to get personnel and their families attended the Navy Region through IA deployments through guest speakers and Northwest Reserve Component Command (NRNWRCC) presentations such as the "Into the Fire" dramatization, "Returning Warrior" Workshop (RWW) in Seattle, Sept. 23- presented by actors Anthony Curry and Carrie Gibson. "Into 25. the Fire" is an exploration of warriors with disabilities and RWW is part of the Department of Defense Yellow combat related trauma and their stories as they integrate into Ribbon Reintegration Program and is designed to honor their families, communities, educational institutions and Individual Augmentee (IA) service members who have workforce. returned from overseas and personnel who've had particularly Victor Brotherton-Manna, the lead outreach coordinator hard deployments. The RWW addresses the stress that comes of the US Naval Reserve Psychological Health Outreach Team from these times of hardship. at Naval Station Everett (NSE), spoke of the advantages of IA Cynthia Miller, NRNWRCC warrior family support service members attending events such as the RWW. program specialist, discussed the meaning of the RWW to "There is a level of greater understanding by taking service members and how the workshop can give a better advantage of these programs," said Brotherton-Manna. "It transition back into their normal lives. helps you fell like 'okay, so if I'm not alone than this doesn't "This is to educate the returning warriors, educate on mean that there is something wrong with me,'' so it helps possible side-effects, for everybody deployed in Reserves or reduce the stigma and takes advantage of opportunities to get IAs in active duty to provide resources so they can help help." themselves afterward and also to appreciate their sacrifices," Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Francine Henry, assigned to said Miller. USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), recently returned from an IA Topics during the event included warrior transitions, assignment and believes that the RWW benefits service telling the story, physical and emotional well-being, and members by sharing experiences and displaying unity during reconnecting with loved ones. Attendees were also given this time of war. information about resources available to assist with their "It shows that we are not alone and that we are all feeling transition back from deployment. the same types of things," said Henry. "That a lot of people are Darold Bigger, retired Navy chaplain, emphasized the just embarrassed or ashamed to admit out loud, so I feel like if importance of using the resources offered to IA service one person stands up and says those things out loud it just members and veterans. shows that we are all united." "In this setting, they have a safe place that they can start RWWs are hosted throughout the country and every Navy talking about the stresses and pressures that they have faced," region by Reserve component commands and provide an said Bigger. "While they are here, they can make contact with opportunity for Sailors and their families to talk to others who 'militaryonesource' representatives. A great advantage of the have had similar experiences.\ 'militaryonesource' approach is it gives them a way to connect to resources in their own community." Return to Index

18. New Leaders Set For Mid-Atlantic Naval Region, Med Center (NORFOLK VIRGINIAN-PILOT 27 SEP 11) New leaders have taken the helm at the Navy commands At the Mid-Atlantic Naval Region, Rear Adm. Townsend that run local installations and provide medical care to service "Tim" Alexander relieved Rear Adm. Mark Boensel, who is members, their families and veterans.

15 retiring after 33 years of service. The command oversees 21 the center and of Navy Medicine East, which encompasses 15 installations in 13 states, from North Carolina to Maine. naval hospitals and clinics. Boensel, who had held the post since November 2007, Stocks' next assignment is commander of the National received the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and commander of performance. Navy Medicine for the National Capital Area. Alexander, who began his Navy career as a helicopter Wagner, a dentist by training, previously served as pilot, most recently commanded the Navy's Southeast Region. director of the medical resources plans and policy division at He previously served in Norfolk aboard the amphibious the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery and as chief of the assault ship Nassau. Navy Dental Corps. At Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, Rear Adm. Elaine Wagner relieved Rear Adm. Alton Stocks as commander of Return to Index

FORCE STRUCTURE/PROGRAMS: 19. Air Force And Navy Turn To Biofuels (NPR 26 SEP 11) ... Elizabeth Shogren The Pentagon's hunt for an alternative to petroleum has The Navy plans to approve all its planes and surface ships to turned a lowly weed and animal fat into something run on green energy by the end of the fall. indistinguishable from jet fuel, and now the military is trying One Big Catch to kick-start a new biofuel industry. The Air Force hopes to get half of the fuel it uses for "To flip the line from Field of Dreams, if the Navy comes, domestic flights from alternative sources by 2016. But the they will build it," Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said in a recent small batches of biofuel made so far cost about 10 times the speech. price of traditional fuel. Braun says that's a hurdle for The Air Force and the Navy have been busy testing their Pentagon officials. aircraft — everything from fighter jets to unmanned spy "They're committed as long as they can get these fuels at planes — on jet biofuel. Together with the Departments of cost-competitive pricing. So that means that industry is going Energy and Agriculture, the Navy has launched a project to to have to step up their production and start creating much invest up to half a billion dollars in biofuel refineries. larger quantities of fuel," he says. Mabus says he is committed to getting 50 percent of the Producers say that has created a classic chicken and egg Navy's fuel for aircraft and surface ships from renewable problem. sources by 2020 because dependence on foreign oil makes the "To build a refinery at scale is hundreds and hundreds of U.S. military vulnerable. millions of dollars. If you don't have known customers you "We buy too much fossil fuels from potentially or actually will not ever build that facility," says Tom Todaro, CEO of volatile places on earth," Mabus says. Altair, a company turning camelina into jet fuel. There are lots of negative consequences of relying on Todaro says larger plants will produce cheaper fuel. foreign oil. For instance, when conflicts abroad spook the "We've demonstrated this works. We're going to petroleum market, the military faces massive increases in fuel demonstrate very, very quickly that it's surprisingly costs. affordable," Todaro adds. Science Fiction Becomes Reality The military isn't the only potential big customer. Airlines The fast pace of the development of jet biofuel has want jet biofuel too, but they're not in the best financial shape surprised even the experts. to back a new industry. After President George W. Bush called on the country to "We can't get there by ourselves," Sharon Pinkerton, a kick its addiction to foreign oil several years ago, the Air vice president of the Air Transport Association, told a recent Force first focused on turning coal into liquid fuel. But it soon Senate hearing. switched its focus to biofuels. Industry officials hope the federal government's effort "When we first started, nobody had any clue that the will help the nascent industry get off the ground. biofuels were so close behind," says Jeffrey Braun, who heads In addition to the program to help fund new refineries, the the Air Force biofuels program. "We thought it was going to Agriculture Department has awarded incentives to lure be another 10 years before we started looking at biofuels but it farmers to start growing camelina. turned out it was about two years." A pioneer in the biofuel industry predicted that the federal High-tech chemical processing makes the jet biofuel investment will enable the Navy to reach its renewable fuel nearly indistinguishable from petroleum jet fuel. It doesn't targets and create a "snowball effect" that will make it easier matter whether refiners start with beef fat, leftover cooking oil to start supplying commercial airlines with biofuel too. or a plant like camelina. Camelina is promising because it can "That's why I'm very excited about what the government be grown on fallow wheat fields so it doesn't displace food and the administration are doing because I think this is going crops, and tests show it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions to be a fantastic kick-start for the advanced biofuel industry," 80 percent compared with petroleum. says Jim Rekoske, a vice president of Honeywell UOP's Already, the Air Force has approved F-15 and F-16 renewable energy unit, which developed the jet biofuel. fighters and C-17 transport planes to use 50 percent biofuel. View Clip (RT: 4:17) Return to Index

16 20. BIW Lands Two More Ship Contracts (BANGOR (ME) DAILY NEWS 26 SEP 11) ... Christopher Cousins BATH, Maine – Bath Iron Works landed two more “For 127 years, Bath Iron Works has stood out as an contracts for Arleigh Burke-class warships Monday which will irreplaceable national resource and the Navy’s purchase of add to an already robust amount of Navy construction enjoyed these Bath-built Arleigh Burke Destroyers in addition to their by the shipyard. recent purchase of the DDG-1001 and DDG-1002 ships Members of Maine’s congressional delegation said Navy affirms that fact,” said Snowe in a press release. Secretary Ray Mabus announced the contracts late Monday On Sept. 15, the Navy awarded contracts worth up to a afternoon. BIW spokesman James DeMartini said the combined $2 billion for the second and third ships in the announcement took shipyard officials by surprise at about Zumwalt line, which will be delivered over the next several 5:15 p.m. years. The contracts awarded to BIW on Monday were for a “We were expecting an announcement by the end of the DDG-115 for $680 million and an option for a DDG-116 at a month but today we weren’t quite ready,” said DeMartini late value of $665 million. The option means that the second ship Monday evening. “My first priority is always to tell the is contingent on Congress appropriating the money in its 2012 employees then everyone else comes next.” budget. The decision affirms recent speculation that more Arleigh U.S. Reps. Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree, both D- Burke contracts were on the verge of being announced. The Maine, said in a joint statement Monday that BIW’s low bid restarted Burke line is in lieu of the more expensive DDG- for the ships helped it prevail over Huntington Ingalls 1000 Zumwalt-class destroyers. The Zumwalts will be Industries of Pascagoula, Miss., which is the only other discontinued after three ships, which are also being built in shipyard that builds the Arleigh Burkes. Ingalls on Monday Bath. was awarded a contract for a DDG-114 at a value of $698 Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, a member of the Senate million. Both shipyards have other DDG-51s under Armed Services Committee and the Senate Defense construction. Appropriations Subcommittee, said she fought on behalf of “This will help ensure a steady flow of work at the BIW last year by opposing a continuing resolution, which is a shipyard,” said Pingree. “Once the DDG-1000s are finished at temporary measure meant to continue funding the government Bath Iron Works, the DDG-51 is going to be the yard’s bread until Congress can agree on a permanent budget. and butter for years ahead.” “These ships were in jeopardy if the Navy would have Michaud agreed. been forced to operate under a long-term continuing “This is another important step ahead for Bath and the resolution,” said Collins in a release. “Today’s contract award entire region’s economy,” said Michaud. of the DDG-115 is evidence of the fact that the Congress DeMartini said the Arleigh Burkes and Zumwalts will be recognized the importance of funding these ships.” built side by side at the shipyard. That the ships were awarded to BIW said something “We can see stability in our workload for the near future,” about the Maine shipyard’s importance to the Navy, said Sen. he said. “This is a very welcome addition to our backlog.” Olympia Snowe, R-Maine. Return to Index

21. Ingalls Awarded $697m Contract Job is good news for thousands of employees in Pascagoula (BILOXI (MS) SUN HERALD 26 SEP 11) PASCAGOULA -- The Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Merchent, Ingalls’ vice president, surface combatants and U.S. Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. was awarded a $697.6 Coast Guard program. million contract for an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. Ingalls has delivered 28 DDG 51 ships to the U.S. Navy. The fixed-price incentive construction contract was The 28th ship, William P. Lawrence, was commissioned June announced Monday. It will be the 30th Aegis guided missile 4 in Mobile. destroyer Ingalls has built for the U.S. Navy. In April 2010 Ingalls was awarded a long-lead material Spokesman Bill Glenn said it is the fourth major contract contract on DDG 114 and on June 15 was awarded a Ingalls has won this year. construction contract to build DDG 113. Monday’s The shipyard has 10,500 employees now and Glenn said announcement also included contract amount information on the new contract will help stabilize the Pascagoula work force. the award of DDG 113, which is $783.5 million. “This is an exciting opportunity for us to continue our The company said the destroyer will be capable of outstanding quality of work in building DDG 51s,” said Bob simultaneously fighting air, surface and subsurface battles. Return to Index

22. HASC Warns Of Programs Hit By Biggest DoD Cuts (DEFENSE DAILY 27 SEP 11) ... Emelie Rutherford A House panel is warning that large Pentagon budget battalions, fighter wings, shipbuilding, long-range strike, and cuts, which could come if lawmakers fail to reach a deficit- airlift. cutting plan, would significantly impact funding for maneuver

17 Staff members on the Republican-controlled House in the memo, including a potential indefinite postponement of Armed Services Committee (HASC) describe in a new eight- equipment reset. page memo what they believe would happen to the Defense "These impacts reduce the ability of the service to be 'the Department if a failure in congressional budget-cutting most ready when the nation is least ready' and call into negotiations this year triggers nearly $600 billion in additional question the role of the service," they write. defense reductions, on top of those already mandated in the In summary, the staffers warn McKeon, and outspoken new deficit-cutting law approved in August. defender of the Pentagon budget, that the worst-case budget "Cuts to investment accounts would significantly reduce reductions would "significantly delay force modernization for operational capability, increase risk, and limit DoD's ability to a force structure of aging fighter aircraft and Army and support the National Military Strategy," they write. "Impacts Marine Corps ground vehicles that have experienced extended would be felt in Army maneuver battalions, fighter wings, years of high operational tempo, by delaying fielding shipbuilding, long-range strike, and air lift." schedules--with associated increased operational risk and The memo to HASC Chairman Howard "Buck" McKeon maintenance costs." (R-Calif.) says the "worst case" Pentagon budget scenarios They add the cuts would: "Severely curtail research and described also would come if the Pentagon's FY '13 budget is development of advanced aircraft; ground vehicles; 10 percent less than in FY '11, for which the White House has intelligence and electronic equipment for the brigade, air directed federal agencies to prepare. wing, and the individual soldier and Marine. Reduce The worst-case cuts would hit the military in multiple individual soldier and Marine operational capability, areas--including nuclear deterrence, missile defense, Marine individual mobility, and situational awareness by curtailing Corps missions, Navy shipbuilding, technological innovation, development of advanced personal communications and small-business contracting, the HASC staff write. equipment and light-weight body armor." The memo singles out Pentagon modernization programs While they do not expect special-operations forces to be the staffers see as being at risk if the largest-possible cuts are impacted by the worst-case defense cuts, the HASC staffers made. Those include the Army's Ground Combat Vehicle, warn "their reliance on conventional forces for mobility and tactical-wheeled vehicles consumed in Iraq and Afghanistan, other assets may increase." and AH-64 Apache and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters. "As a result, the ability of the United States soldier, sailor, For the Navy, the carrier-variant of the F-35 Joint Strike airman, or Marine to maintain a technological advantage on Fighter could be cut, up to 30 additional ships could come out the battlefield would be in jeopardy," the memo says. of the inventory, shipbuilding capabilities such as ballistic- "National operational capability to meet traditional nation missile defense could be significantly degraded, aircraft- state 5th generation aviation, as well as asymmetric threats, carrier construction could be extended, and the procurement of would be limited," it adds. "The military would witness the Ohio -class ballistic-missile submarine program could be increasing specialization at the expense of a general purpose extended with fewer ships, the memo says. force trained to respond to a full spectrum of missions." The HASC staff warn the Air Force's next-generation If the new congressional Joint Select Committee on bomber and aerial-refueling tanker aircraft would be at risk if Deficit Reduction and Congress cannot agree on a plan to cut the largest cuts are made, and the air service could be forced to up to $1.5 trillion in longterm federal spending this year, an reduce its buy of the convention-take-off-and-landing variant automatic sequester will slash roughly $600 billion in defense of the F-35. spending over a decade. That's on top of what the Pentagon They predict the Marine Corps' short-takeoff-and-vertical- says is $450 billion in multi-year defense reductions mandated landing F-35 would likely be outright eliminated, while six in the first wave of spending cuts mandated in the Budget amphibious ships could be lost, the nascent Amphibious Control Act of 2011 that President Barack Obama signed Aug. Assault Vehicle program could be indefinitely shelved, the 2. new Marine Personnel Carrier effort could be at risk, and the The HASC staffers also note in their memo, dated Sept. production of V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft could be restricted. 22, that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned cuts brought The memo has a complete section titled "United States about by the sequestration process would kill at least 1 million Marine Corps at Risk," which warns the worst-case defense jobs in the Pentagon and defense industry. Those impacts cuts would leave the country without the capability to fulfill could be significant in Virginia, Texas, and California, they combatant commander requirements to conduct an opposed note. amphibious landing with two Marine Expeditionary Brigades. "Anticipate additional contraction/consolidation within It predicts a curtailment of Marine Corps non-combatant the defense industry, reducing competition, and eliminating evacuations and humanitarian and disaster assistance missions, entire sectors of the industrial base," the memo says, further and says a significant re-evaluation of the Marine Corps' warning of "shuttering of U.S. shipyards" and the "inability to mission would be required. rapidly reconstitute critical skills in response to emergent The staffers enumerate impacts the biggest-possible cuts threats." could have on the Marine Corps, the only service singled out Return to Index

23. Republicans Warn Of Mothballed Ships, Fewer V-22s In Cut Budget (BLOOMBERG NEWS 26 SEP 11) ... Roxana Tiron The U.S. Navy may mothball as many as 60 ships and Lockheed Martin Corp. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter if Congress forgo development of an aircraft carrier version of the fails to adopt a deficit reduction package and automatic

18 spending cuts go into effect, according to an analysis by and Iraq are exempted from the automatic cuts. Each military House Republicans. department would take a cut of 24 percent to all remaining The additional cuts might also force the Pentagon to scrap appropriations, according to the analysis sent by the staff to a Marine Corps version of the F-35 and buy fewer Air Force McKeon on Sept. 23. versions, as well as curtail the next generation bomber and The armed services staff analysis concluded that several Boeing Co.'s refueling tankers, according to an assessment equipment modernization problems will be at risk, including compiled by the staff of the House Armed Services Boeing's Apache helicopters, Textron Inc.'s OH-58 Kiowa Committee, led by California Republican Howard P. "Buck" helicopters and the Army's new ground combat vehicle. BAE McKeon. The House Republican paper looks at a worst-case Systems Plc and General Dynamics Corp. have won contracts scenario of automatic cuts. for the technology development phase of the Army's ground Defense Secretary Leon Panetta last week warned that combat vehicle program. such an outcome would "do serious damage to our ability to Apart from shedding as many as 60 ships from the be able to make the kind of changes in our defense structure inventory, the Navy also risks a delay in procurement of the that are responsible and that do protect this country for the new Ohio-class nuclear submarines as well as a reduction in future." the overall number of submarines, according to the House The automatic spending cuts, if triggered, would mean committee. defense reductions of about $500 billion over 10 years on top The Marines would see the "likely elimination" of its F- of about $460 billion in cuts already planned for the Pentagon. 35B vertical take-off and landing variant, a limitation in the The law calls for $1.2 trillion in total automatic cuts across the production of the Bell Helicopter Textron-Boeing V-22 government if the Congress fails to produce a bill that Osprey and the "indefinite" postponement of a replacement for President Barack Obama would sign by Dec. 23. its amphibious assault vehicle. The Pentagon canceled General The Armed Services' Republican staff based its analysis Dynamics' Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, which was on total cuts that may exceed $1 trillion to the Pentagon's planned as a replacement for the decades-old amphibious budget plans between fiscal year 2013 and fiscal year 2021. assault vehicles. Those assumptions are based either on automatic cuts, in the The House panel review also anticipates about 200,000 event that Congress does not approve the supercommittee's defense civilians to be furloughed with "large impacts" to the recommendations, or a scenario in which the Pentagon's fiscal economies of states such as Virginia, Texas and California 2013 budget request is 10 percent below the enacted budget where the workforce is "currently concentrated." for 2011. This year the Pentagon had a base budget of $513 The Armed Services Committee and other congressional billion and nuclear stockpiles. panels have until Oct. 14 to submit their recommendations to The analysis by House Republicans also assumes that the supercommittee. military pay, benefits and funding of the wars in Afghanistan Return to Index

24. 2 Navy Ships Getting New Lease On Life Courtesy Of Budget Concerns (STARS AND STRIPES 24 SEP 11) ... Geoff Ziezulewicz NAPLES, Italy — In a nod to budget concerns and the “With the service lives of USS Blue Ridge and USS needs of the future fleet, the Navy is planning to nearly double Mount Whitney being extended to 2039 and possibly beyond, the service lives of its two flagships. it is critical that adequate resources are provided to maintain, The Japan-based USS Blue Ridge and Italy-based USS sustain, and retain these platforms,” the report states. Mount Whitney were commissioned in 1970 and 1971, The Blue Ridge is currently under Navy control, while the respectively, and slated to be replaced in coming years. Mount Whitney is under the control of the Military Sealift But with other needs within the fleet and the Navy facing Command, the assessment said. These differences, the potential budget cuts, the current 7th Fleet and 6th Fleet assessment notes, “present unique challenges in the criteria for flagships will be in service until at least 2029, with plans assessing each platform, and the recommendations provided.” being developed to extend their use to 2039, according to the While both ships receive roughly the same amount of Navy’s long-term shipbuilding plan and other assessments. maintenance funding a year, the Yokosuka-based Blue Ridge “It is pretty unprecedented to see a ship that is likely to is able to perform five times as many “mandays” of work serve for such a long time,” said Eric Wertheim, a defense annually than the Naples-based flagship Mount Whitney, consultant, author and editor of the Naval Institute’s “Combat according to the report, which is based on ship assessments Fleets of the World,” adding that “70 years is certainly done throughout 2010. extreme.” “This is a result of the current austere home port The Navy’s 30-year shipbuilding plan included conditions, lack of local industrial facilities, and currently replacements for the two command and control ships in fiscal approved maintenance model in place and approved by Navy 2008. But the service has since removed the replacements and (Military Sealift Command) leadership for USS Mount from the plan, according to the Navy assessment “Taking a 40 Whitney,” the report states. Year Ship to 70 years: LCC 19 Class Extended Service Life.” While the Blue Ridge is scheduled to receive yearly The assessment team found that both flagships “are in maintenance for repairs, upkeep and selected alterations good material condition,” but will require extensive through fiscal 2028, the Mount Whitney was set to receive maintenance to make it to 2039. only sporadic maintenance through the same time period, according to the assessment.

19 “The current USS Mount Whitney maintenance model Jeffrey Ruth, who ended his command of the Mount Whitney was designed to support the ship until (decommissioning) in in September. FY2012,” the assessment states. “The existing model must be “This ship used to have a reputation of being a ‘building changed in order to support this hull through 2039.” 20,’ ” he said. “It never got under way. That’s no longer the Maintenance attention will be particularly important to case. The appetite for this ship both from 6th Fleet and NATO the heating and air-conditioning systems, hull structure and commanders is only increasing.” ship stability characteristics, according to the assessment. Extending the ship’s service life changes how sailors As part of this new lease on life, the Mount Whitney will work with the ship and approach maintenance overall, Ruth undergo additional maintenance and upgrades in the coming said. years, according to Military Sealift Command spokeswoman “We just kind of try to be good stewards of the ship and Laura Seal. try to make decisions knowing that what we do now will be The so-called Extended Service Life Program will dealt with by the crews that follow us,” he said. provide the Mount Whitney with maintenance each year from “We used to say, maybe we can get away with not having fiscal 2013 to fiscal 2019, instead of two times every five that fixed because the ship is going away,” Ruth said. years, Seal said in an email. The Mount Whitney went in for a $9.2 million, 60-day “After Sept. 30, 2019, the ship will revert back to its “regular overhaul” maintenance session in Croatia on Sept. 15, normal maintenance schedule,” she said. according to Seal. The extended service program will focus on replacing Ships like the Mount Whitney and Blue Ridge will need deteriorating steel in the hull, tanks and superstructure, as well “quite a bit of work” to stay functional, Wertheim said. as identifying and upgrading components that will become Even with the Navy budget facing potential cuts and a obsolete or irreplaceable in the future, Seal said. continuing high operational tempo, the service can’t Homeported in Gaeta, Italy, a 90-minute drive north of shortchange the ships’ maintenance, he said. 6th Fleet’s Naples headquarters, the Mount Whitney has seen The service life extension of the Navy’s only two increased activity in the past year, including serving as the flagships reflects where the Navy stands today, and its nerve center for Operation Odyssey Dawn, the U.S. mission in priorities, Wertheim said. Libya that preceded NATO’s Operation Unified Protector this “They are looking at the reality, and the reality is, when year. you have a very limited amount of money, you have to think Known in Navy ship-class and hull jargon as “LCC 20,” about where you want to invest it more carefully,” he said. “A the ship wasn’t always so heavily used, according to Capt. new hull for a command ship is not a pressing priority.” Return to Index

25. Sailor Tracker: Mobile App Keeps Tabs on Carrier Crew (NAVY TIMES 03 OCT 11) ... Joshua Stewart There are plenty of places for 5,000 sailors to hide on The program was tested on the carrier George H.W. Bush 1,094-foot-long aircraft carrier. this spring. Plans call for all 10 Nimitz-class carriers to have But a new mobile application from the Office of Naval the system. Fewer than 1,000 personnel on each ship will Research uses smartphones to tap into sensors and computers have a phone with the application. Those carrying the phones to make it easier to find people on the world’s largest are mostly people who have others reporting to them, such as warships. It lets high-level shipboard leaders pinpoint the chiefs and department heads. There’s no set timeline for when exact location of middle managers such as chiefs and officers it will be fielded and no plans to use it on other types of ships. in any of the vessel’s 2,000 compartments using smartphones PASSION uses transponders already installed on the carried by the people being tracked and shipboard sensors. carrier. The phone responds to signals from the transponders. Fans of the Harry Potter books may see similarities to the The system uses the transponder and phone to triangulate the Marauder’s Map, which details the locations and movement of sailor’s location, which appears on a map of the ship. students, faculty and others at the wizarding school Hogwarts. Someone looking at the map—only a handful of high- The mobile app, dubbed the Precise At-Sea System for level personnel on the ship will have access – can search for Indoor Outdoor Navigation, or PASSION, can theoretically sailors in a certain area, or with a certain job or leadership run on any smartphones but has so far been used only on role. They can also click on any of the dots on the map and Apple’s iPhone. It was developed to help locate sailors during bring up the sailor’s picture, name and paygrade. Unique a disaster by pinpointing where people may be injured, or codes for each phone allow the system to match a dot with and where to find people who can help. individual sailor. Once a sailor is located, he can be sent a text “If we have causalities like this, in a major combatant message or an email, sparing an annoying quarter-mile hike ship, you really have to know where everybody is,” said John from one end of the ship to the other. Kim, the ONR program manager who oversaw the app’s As for security concerns, Kim said the transmission development. PASSION uses can be detected only about 25 meters from the PASSION was developed after a Navy Research carrier. Kim noted PASSION is relatively affordable. The Advisory Committee study showed the need to track personnel app costs about $20,000 – it was developed buy the Applied and equipment on ships in real time to help assess manning Research Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University – and needs, assist in damage control and maintenance, and locate the phones will cost about $500,000 per carrier, assuming people and equipment onboard. 1,000 users.

20 The app is not available through the online Apple store and will be installed only on Navy-owned smartphones; sailors won’t be able to use it on their personal iPhone. Return to Index

26. New Satellite Could Revolutionize Battlefield Communications (NEXTGOV.COM 26 SEP 11) ... Bob Brewin The Naval Research Laboratory plans to launch on would have to be within about 1,000 miles of a TacSat-4- Tuesday an experimental, $75 million satellite that U.S. specific ground terminal -- either the In-Theater Ground ground forces can use for on-the-move communications with Terminal, currently located at Blossom Point, Md., or five standard military handheld or back radios. portable ground terminals, positioned throughout the United The Tactical Satellite-4 (TacSat-4) will zoom around States during the first year of tests. Earth in an elliptical orbit at altitudes ranging from 435 miles Army and Marine Corps ground forces deployed in to 7,470 miles, keeping the spacecraft far closer than the Afghanistan "strongly support" TacSat-4, which will fill in 22,000-mile orbit of geostationary communications satellites, areas that currently lack satellite coverage, Hurley said. But, according to the Operationally Responsive Space Office at due to its elliptical orbit, the satellite will not provide 24-hour- Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., which funded the launch and a-day coverage. Kabul will get up to four passes a day, first six months of use. ranging from 50 minutes to 2 1/2 hours, he said. Michael Hurley, head of spacecraft development for the It would take between three and four spacecraft to provide Naval Research Lab, said in an email from the TacSat-4 24-7 coverage, depending on the locations of interest, and no launch site in Kodiak, Alaska, said the low orbits will allow follow-on procurement for TacSat-4 has been funded, Hurley ground forces for the first time to communicate with a military said. satellite using omnidirectional antennas on their radios while TacSat-4 has a lifespan of about three years, he said, and on the move, rather than stopping to set up a satellite antenna. the Operationally Responsive Space Office and the Defense TacSat-4, Hurley said, will support troops in Afghanistan satellite acquisition community will evaluate the performance equipped with AN/PRC-148 and AN-PRC-152 handheld and user feedback from TacSat-4 to determine if follow-on radios, manufactured by Thales and Harris respectively, and birds will be procured. the Harris AN/PRC-117 backpack radio, as well as the Defense established the Operationally Responsive Space AN/PSC-5 portable satellite terminal from Raytheon fielded to Office in 2007 and previously backed development of an Special Forces units. Hurley said all these radios communicate imaging and signals intelligence satellites. Peter Wegner, with TacSat-4 in one of 10 channels in the 240-318 MHz director of the Office, said TacSat-4 will "open some eyes as band, which is also used by the Defense Department's to what small satellites can do in providing big time geostationary ultra-high frequency satellite constellation. capabilities to the warfighter ... Being able to communicate on The experimental satellite serves as a "bent-pipe" to the move with a handheld, legacy military radio is huge. This passively relay signals from one of these radios to another, capability does not currently exist." Hurley said. To connect to Defense networks, most users Return to Index

BASES / COMMUNITY OUTREACH: 27. Leap Frogs Race Into Coronado Speed Festival (NAVY NEWS SERVICE 26 SEP 11) ... Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michelle Turner, U.S. Navy Parachute Team Public Affairs CORONADO, Calif. -- The U.S. Navy parachute "The Leap Frogs are awesome," said Capt. Yancy B. demonstration team, the Leap Frogs, performed during the Lindsey, commanding officer of Naval Base Coronado. "They opening ceremony of the 14th annual Coronado Speed really add a great dimension to Coronado Speed Festival. Festival at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) in Navy SEALs - American people love them, they love to see Coronado, Sept. 24-25. them so it's really not the opening ceremonies without the The festival was one of the flagship events of Fleet Week Leap Frogs." San Diego, which allows local residents and visitors to The sky opened up after a cloudy San Diego morning just celebrate the spirit and achievements of Sailors, Marines, and in time for the Leap Frogs to perform. A trail of smoke Coast Guardsmen through a series of public events. indicated that the team was ready to jump out of the C-2A The event attracted nearly 20,000 people to the base, Greyhound, assigned to the Providers of Fleet Logistics which is usually closed to civilians. More than 250 vintage Combat Support Squadron (VRC) 30, and seconds later five cars raced on the runways at NASNI and around 1,500 classic Leap Frogs were in freefall flight. Two jumpers stacked their cars were on display for spectators. Navy jets, helicopters, canopies in a bi-plane maneuver while the other three jumpers hovercraft and a rigid-hull inflatable boat were also on display flew a POW/MIA flag, a checkered flag and an American flag to help commemorate the Centennial of Naval Aviation at the with different colored smoke. birthplace of Naval aviation - NASNI. Musician 3rd Class Spencer Haasenritter, assigned to the Navy Band Southwest, sang the national anthem, which

21 concluded just as the last jumper came in to land with the maintain. The proceeds from the event support Naval Base American flag. Coronado's Morale, Welfare and Recreation funds. "The pageantry of the opening ceremony component to The Leap Frogs are based in San Diego and perform me is why everybody is here," said Alexandra Squires, aerial parachute demonstrations across America in support of executive director for the Fleet Week San Diego Foundation. Naval Special Warfare and Navy Recruiting as a global force "They're here to honor the military and by having the Leap for good. The team is composed of parachuting experts from Frogs come out of the sky from nowhere is amazing!" Naval Special Warfare including Navy SEALs, special Fleet Week is a great opportunity to open the gates of warfare combatant-craft crewmen, and an NSW parachute NASNI to the public, said Lindsey. People can come in and rigger, in addition to support personnel. interact with Sailors and see what equipment they operate and Return to Index

28. Aircraft Carrier Returns (ALAMEDA (CA) SUN 23 SEP 11) ... Ekene Ikeme The Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson will be Commendations. In February 1984, the Chief of Naval returning to the Bay Area next month for the 30th annual San Operations named the Vinson as the winner of the Admiral Francisco Fleet Week. The Vinson called the old Alameda Flatley Memorial Award for operational readiness and Naval Air Station (now Alameda Point) home from its aviation safety. commissioning in 1983 to the base's closure in 1997. It was While in Alameda, the Vinson served various civilian most recently used to dispose of Osama Bin Laden's body in purposes. In the early '80s, the ship stood in for the aircraft the Indian Ocean. carrier USS Enterprise in the movie Star Trek 4 when "The USS Carl Vinson chose to be a part of Fleet Week," Commander Chekov visited Alameda in search of "nuclear stated Capt. Greg Hicks, the U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs wessels." In the mid-'90s, its flight deck was used for a Paden Officer, in an email to the Alameda Sun. "San Francisco and School Walk-athon. the Bay Area are known for their hospitality and opening their The Vinson will arrive on Oct. 8. It will be showcased arms to our sailors, marines and Coast Guard men and along with five other ships (the amphibious assault ship USS women." Bonhomme Richard, the guided-missile cruiser USS During the 14 years the Vinson was docked at Alameda, it Antietam, the guided-missile destroyer USS Milius, the mine was deployed multiple times. In 1988, the carrier completed countermeasure ship USS Chief, and the fleet replenishment 82 days in the North Arabian Sea. The ship escorted oiler USNS Guadalupe) during the fleet week festivities. American-flagged tankers in the Arabian Gulf. In 1994, the More than 9,000 sailors, marines and coast guardsmen are aircraft carrier traveled to the Arabian Gulf again to support scheduled to participate in San Francisco Fleet Week Operation Southern Watch, a mission launched by the U.S. to festivities. enforce United Nations-administered sanctions against Iraq. Fleet week will be happening from Oct. 7 to 11. For its military services, the Vinson received several commemorations, including Meritorious Unit Return to Index

29. Local Congressional Delegation Asks New Navy Chief To Rethink Carrier Move Letter cites massive military budget cuts as reason to keep carrier in Norfolk (NEWPORT NEWS DAILY PRESS 26 SEP 11) ... Todd Allen Wilson In a letter to the new Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Naval Station Norfolk is the sole home port for the Navy's Jonathan W. Greenert, the Hampton Roads congressional five East Coast-based aircraft carriers, and local lawmakers delegation is asking the Navy's top officer to reconsider plans have been fighting the plan to move one of the carriers to to move a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to Florida. Mayport ever since the Navy announced the plan in 2009. The letter signed by Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner The letter points out that one time cost estimates of and U.S. Reps. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, J. Randy Forbes, upgrading Mayport to home port a nuclear-powered carrier Rob Wittman and Scott Rigell urged Greenert, who received range from $500 million to $1 billion, and would it would cost his new post Friday, to reassess moving a carrier from Norfolk the Navy an additional $25.5 million annually, according to a to Naval Station Mayport in Florida in light of the August debt 2009 Congressional Research Service report. deal that requires $350 billion of cuts to military spending Greenert's predecessor, Adm. Gary Roughhead said in over 10 years and additional; cuts coming at the end of the May that moving a carrier from Norfolk to Mayport by 2019 is year that could push the total reduction in defense spending to a priority and in the best strategic interest of the nation in nearly $1 trillion. order to mitigate the risks of a terrorist attack, natural disaster "At a time when the nation's historic fiscal challenges will or other catastrophic event. require drastic cuts in federal spending, we do not believe it is But lawmakers write that this is not the case according to fiscally responsible or strategically necessary to build the Navy's own assessment. expensive and redundant nuclear-support infrastructure for "From a strategic perspective, the Navy has recently CVN homeporting when there are more cost-effective modified its assessment of the Norfolk region and is on record alternatives to sustain Mayport's future as an operational stating there is a 'low risk' of a terrorist attack, accident, or base," the lawmakers wrote.

22 natural disaster occurring in the Hampton Roads region," they wrote. Return to Index

30. Tiger Cruise Brings Family Along On Navy Ship Program invites civilians aboard for passage home (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION 26 SEP 11) ... Gracie Bonds Staples The other day, Jack Deacon was remembering the They arrived in Hawaii at 8 that evening, 2 a.m. Atlanta moment he got an invitation to cruise on the USS Ronald time, to news that the admiral had decided to button up the Reagan. Ronald Reagan and set sail Saturday, rather than Sunday For years, he’d taken every opportunity to tour every morning. decommissioned ship on the East Coast, dragging his wife, As is customary, the sailors in their dress whites manned Pat, along beside him. the rails, saluting the USS Arizona, where 1,177 sailors died Twice the Mableton couple had visited the Intrepid in when the Japanese dropped a bomb on the ship that hit the New York, as well as the USS Alabama in Mobile, the USS ammunition magazine. North Carolina in Wilmington and the USS Yorktown in Jack Deacon got a knot in his throat as they passed by. Charleston, S.C. “Thus began our six-day trek to San Diego,” he said. This, though, was different. The Reagan wasn’t a A Self-Sufficient City museum. The Reagan was real, a nuclear-powered supercarrier As the Ronald Reagan steamed out of Pearl Harbor early still in service. that morning, Deacon snapped photos. “Is this an April Fools’ joke?” he asked his daughter The tigers and crew prepared for a week of entertainment Carolyn, an electronic technician third class when she called. that included bingo, karaoke and dance lessons. “No, it’s for real,” she said. The cruise wasn’t all pleasure, Jack Deacon said. Jack hung up the phone that day and Googled Tiger Indeed, it didn’t take long for him or Suzy to appreciate Cruise. Carolyn’s daily regimen — up at 5 a.m., breakfast by 6 a.m., For more than two decades, he learned, the Navy has lights out at 10 p.m. invited families to join crews during passages home in hopes “You could stay up, but you paid the price the next of educating civilians about what sailors and Marines do and morning,” said Suzy, half-smiling. boosting crew morale. Just as Carolyn had since signing up for naval duty in If approved, he’d be sailing from Hawaii to San Diego. 2009, they slept on bunks, they ate in a mess hall, they got lost Grey hairs danced on the back of his neck. in the maze of corridors and people and climbed a seemingly Then another call came. This time Carolyn called to say endless amount of stairs. more slots had opened. Jack could bring a guest. “The amount of stairs just to get to Carolyn’s duty station A month later, on July 28, the 65-year-old Army Reserve was eight flights,” Suzy lamented. “They were steep and on a veteran received official word. very big incline.” “Congratulations! You’ve been approved to join the Jack Deacon said that his legs felt like they were having Ronald Reagan Team for Tiger Cruise 2011,” stated a letter their own private seizure each time he reached the top. from Capt. T.W. Burke. “There were no elevators except for planes to get to the Deacon was overjoyed. This time, though, his wife flight deck,” he said. wouldn’t be coming. She had seen enough battleships to last As they reconnected with Carolyn and learned more about her a lifetime. the ship, reality began sinking in, erasing any preconceived “A one-day tour is one thing,” Pat Deacon said. “I wasn’t notions about life abroad the Reagan. going to live on one for an entire week.” Carrying more than 6,000 people, the Reagan is a floating No, their 23-year-old daughter Suzy would. Navy base and self-sufficient city with its own hospital, jail, “It was a graduation/birthday gift from Carolyn,” she said. mess halls and missile systems. “I knew it was going to be an adventure. I was more than Inside the ship, there was no natural light. Outside on happy to tag along.” deck, they were buffeted by powerful, cold winds. There was The Journey Begins no such thing as cellphone service and little to no Internet The Deacons were among some 1,500 civilians invited access. abroad the Reagan for the cruise from Honolulu to San Diego. “The roughest part was sleeping because my bunk was Burke, the commanding officer, promised a “once-in-a- over the two propellers on the left side of the ship,” Jack said. lifetime experience,” including daily guided tours throughout “Occasionally, at night when they picked up speed, you could the ship, flight operations demonstrations and a long list of hear water hitting against the hull of the ship.” other fun activities. Highlights, Jack said, included a chance, however short, On Aug. 31, Jack and Suzy took a flight from Atlanta to to drive the huge carrier and watch aircraft land and take off Seattle and then finally Honolulu. It was the farthest either of from its deck. them had been west of the Mississippi. By the morning of Day 6, the California skyline loomed “I sat next to this grandmother with a 3-month-old baby large. As the ship entered San Diego Bay, everyone waiting on who cried almost all the way,” Jack said. “It was a long the pier began chanting “welcome home” then “USA, USA.” flight.” When it looked like the final moment wouldn’t come, Jack said, the chants turned to “dock the boat.”

23 With that, the Deacons’ first Tiger Cruise ended. “Maybe, maybe not,” they said. They appreciated the opportunity to see what life was like for Carolyn, but neither Jack nor Suzy would commit to ever doing it again. Return to Index

31. Day Cruise Takes Passengers Back To World War II People aboard the Lane Victory learn about the ship and its World War II service, watch a scene involving a fake German spy and listen to swing music. Some veterans reunite with old friends. (LOS ANGELES TIMES 26 SEP 11) ... Ari Bloomekatz Docked in San Pedro, the Lane Victory has long been The passengers, McDowell said, are "people from all designated a historic landmark for its service in the Korean walks of life. There's preschool children and people in their War, the Vietnam War and World War II. 90s." But the hulking 455-foot-long gray cargo ship rarely sees Friends Mike Jacobs, 41, and Ryan Gardner of Northridge open water these days. said they went on the cruise simply because they enjoy history So when the vessel pulled out of the channel Saturday and thought it would be a good way to spend the day. Others morning and headed toward Santa Catalina Island, Ralph were there for reunions with veterans they had served with, or Wetterhahn declared that the Lane Victory was now alive. because they had friends or family members who once served "Seeing this thing go to sea — when you crank up those or volunteered on the Lane Victory or other vessels. boilers and those props start to turn — she's got life," said Jack Ward, 82, who lives in Hawaii, said he came with his Wetterhahn, 69, a Vietnam War veteran who helped with family to join other Navy officers he served with on the attack Saturday's trip. "This ship has soul, it has a heartbeat from transport ship Lenawee during the Korean War. those boilers, and it's alive again." Ward said being aboard the Lane Victory made him think The Lane Victory set out Saturday as part of its annual about those he fought alongside, and about what he hoped his summer Victory at Sea cruises with about 800 passengers. It grandchildren would take away from Saturday's experience. included a mock WWII-era fighting scene onboard. "I wanted them to know something about what it's like to One of the actors played an officer capturing a German be on a ship like this," Ward said. "I'm not trying to get them spy who has leaked the ship's location to the enemy. necessarily to become a military person, just to appreciate "I got the spy!" the officer yelled, escorting the man what I — in a selfish way, I suppose — went through and around the ship's hull. what others go through who serve our country." "Throw him overboard!" someone shouted while others For Air Force veteran Jana Hammond, 62, Saturday's booed. cruise was a way for her family to memorialize her recently As part of the scene, the spy was supposed to call for deceased father, who served in the Merchant Marines during fighter planes to destroy the ship. Because of overcast skies, WWII and later in Vietnam. He also volunteered on the Lane however, the planes scheduled to participate in the show were Victory when he got older. canceled. She said her father — 88-year-old Harry Ray Gahring — But other actors fired off blank rounds from the huge guns decided to help on the Lane Victory about a decade ago on deck at imaginary fighter planes anyway. Spectators because "he just loved the sea. He always wanted to go back shuddered at each crack of fire. to sea." There was also a band that played swing and other music Hammond, who had been on the cruise before, and other as actors in sailor uniforms danced and twirled women in crisp family members held a short service at the back of the ship skirts. and dropped Gahring's ashes into the water. Others assisting with the cruise answered questions about "We're three generations of veterans," Hammond said: the ship and its WWII service. Her son is a Navy SEAL and recently returned from "We tell the stories of what it was like" during wartime, Afghanistan. said 42-year-old firefighter Fred McDowell, who was dressed Several of her grandchildren were also with her. in a green paratrooper uniform and carrying an old M1 Garand "I hope they learn to appreciate our veterans," Hammond rifle. said. Return to Index

32. Bluefield Man To Present Historic Photograph To Intrepid Museum (BLUEFIELD (WV) DAILY TELEGRAPH 26 SEP 11) ... Bill Archer BLUEFIELD — As he looked at a photograph of men everyone there and got their signatures,” Simmons said. standing on the deck of an aircraft carrier, Edward F. “There were 129 of them on deck. Every one, a Medal of Simmons’ lower lip quivered as he tried to explain the Honor recipient.” significance of the image. In December of 1982, the (then) During his 26-year career in the U.S. Air Force, 129 living Medal of Honor recipients gathered on the deck of Simmons, 77, had become close friends with Gary L. Littrell, the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier for a group photo. who received the Medal of Honor for valor while serving with “One year later, when the Medal of Honor Society met at the U.S. Army Rangers in Vietnam. Littrell is a past president the USS Yorktown, Gary Littrell’s wife went around to of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The Littrells —

24 Gary and Susie — and Ed and Nancy Simmons remain close with all those signatures,” Simmons said. “The folks I talked and frequently visit. with on the Intrepid realized the importance of the document. “Gary gave me this picture 3 or 4 years ago and said: They set up an appointment for me to present the document to ‘Here Duke. I want you to have this.’ He must have thought I them at 10:30 a.m., on Oct. 4.” would know what to do with it. I got a feeling that he was a At the time the photo was taken, there were 129 living trustee on the Intrepid, and the photograph was presented to recipients of the Medal of Honor, but now, there are 85. the people in the photograph.” “It may well be that not since the spirit of God assembled The Intrepid had a distinguished tour of service from its our Founding Fathers and imbued them with a burning desire commission in 1943, and service through three wars until it for liberty, has such an august body of men, as seen here, was decommissioned in 1974. In August 1982, the Intrepid gathered,” Simmons wrote in a brief, three paragraph writing started its present mission as the base for the Sea-Air-Space titled, “The Crux ---- Freedom,” that he prepared to Museum in New York City. accompany the document. Simmons recognized the historical significance of the “I became inspired by the picture,” Simmons said. “I document and initiated contact with the Intrepid Foundation thought it deserved broader public recognition and review.” about the possibility of presenting it to the museum. “There Ed and Nancy Simmons will travel to New York this are probably many of the photographs around, but only one week to make the presentation on Thursday. Return to Index

33. Road Rally Rallies Fight To Find Missing Children During Jacksonville Stop The annual drive helps honor and search for the nation’s lost kids. (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION 26 SEP 11) ... Dan Scanlan NASCAR star Geoff Bodine, space shuttle astronaut “Her family wants to see her come home,” he said. “… Winston Scott and Navy helicopter squadron members Brian We have 1,000 posters, and we probably put out 100 between Hughes and Brian Rempe have something in common — their Melbourne and here today. I just want to get Cara’s face out day jobs involve speed. there so hopefully somebody sees her and brings her home.” Now they and 37 other teams share another mission — The event’s founder, advertising executive JJ Sanchez, getting the word out about missing children with the Chevrolet came up with the idea of a road rally dedicated to helping find Fireball Run Adventurally, which launched its second day of missing children, and in 2007, 65 teams rolled out of Orlando competition Monday in Jacksonville. on the first Fireball Run . The competitors started Sunday morning in Melbourne Of the 65 missing children whose posters were handed with the finish set for Saturday in Gulfport, Miss. Their out then, 23 have been recovered . stormy arrival at Jacksonville’s George Moore Chevrolet This time, 40 teams each paid $7,500 registration fees to Sunday night gave way to a sunny Monday departure in rides compete in the week of daily timed rally segments ranging from a 1981 DeLorean replica from the “Back to the interspersed with autocross and drag races during stops at Future” films and new Chevrolet Camaros to a 1965 Ford Daytona International Speedway; Jacksonville; Peachtree police car used in the old “The Andy Griffith Show.” City, Ga.; Knoxville and Clarksville Tenn.; Anniston, Ala. and “We thought we were going to have fun, but it’s a lot of Gulfport, Miss. work,” Bodine said after his first day of driving. “The reason Bodine’s car is running for Trust Everitt, a 3-year-old boy we are here ... is to help the plight of missing children. We are last seen Dec. 22 in Melbourne. VP-16 team pilot Steev proud and happy we are part of it and we hope that from what Ditamore of Jacksonville NAS and flight officer Rodrigo we are doing, some children are found.” Cunha are helping find 7-year-old Garett Henderson- Hughes, a first class petty officer in HSL 42 at Berryman, last seen in 2008 in Jacksonville. And another team Jacksonville Naval Air Station, said their car carries the image remembers Mark Anthony Degner, who disappeared in 2005 of 10-year-old Deltona resident Cara Marie Cox, last seen in with Bryan Andrew Hayes while leaving Paxon Middle 2009. School. Return to Index

NEWS OF INTEREST: 34. Senate Leaders Agree To Deal To Avert Shutdown House expected to endorse plan (WASHINGTON POST 26 SEP 11) ... Paul Kane and Rosalind S. Helderman Senate leaders agreed to a deal Monday evening that is away spending cuts that Republicans demanded. The pact, almost certain to avert a federal government shutdown, a which the Senate approved 79 to 12 and the House is expected prospect that had unexpectedly arisen when congressional to ratify next week, is expected to keep federal agencies open leaders deadlocked over disaster relief funding. until Nov. 18. After days of brinkmanship reminiscent of the budget “It will be a win for everyone,” said Majority Leader battles that have consumed Washington this year, key senators Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.). clinched a compromise that would provide less money for Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called the disaster relief than Democrats sought but would also strip plan “a reasonable way to keep the government operational.”

25 Aides to House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) said Some lawmakers from hard-hit states are unhappy with he will support the compromise. the compromise, saying that it would result in a slight delay in The spending battle marked the third time this year that processing aid to victims, and that the overall total of FEMA congressional acrimony has brought the government to the funding wouldn’t be enough to account for the damage caused edge of calamity. In April, Boehner and President Obama by the disasters. reached a deal on funding for 2011 about 90 minutes before a “They would delay the process by punting back to the government shutdown was to begin. On Aug. 2, just hours House,” said Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). The deal “also stripped before the deadline, Congress gave final approval to $1 billion in disaster relief and provides less emergency legislation lifting the government’s borrowing authority, funding for Missourians in the wake of record flooding and averting a partial shutdown and the potential for a default on tornadoes,” he added. the federal debt. The debate over the budget bill turned on sharp — and Although this week’s fight ended with days, rather than familiar — political lines that scuttled earlier talk that the two hours, to spare, it drained many in Congress, who thought it parties were going to tone down their attacks. was a senseless fight. Reid summed up the feeling of many Republicans, particularly House conservatives, said they lawmakers when he quoted Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), who were unwilling to add to the federal deficit, even for disaster said there was too little money in dispute to raise the specter funding, and accused Democrats of overspending. Democrats of a shutdown and to halt payments to those affected by used the debate to portray Republicans as “holding hostage” natural disasters. relief checks for those struck by tornadoes, flooding, forest “Let’s fight when there’s something to fight about,” Reid fires and droughts, focusing much of their criticism on House quoted Isakson as saying during a speech on the Senate floor. Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R), who represents Mineral, Va., At issue was a dispute over how to fund disaster relief, a the epicenter of the earthquake. concern that was heightened in late August after an earthquake Although the agreement lifts the imminent specter of a struck central Virginia and Hurricane Irene caused flooding in government shutdown, it will not resolve the fight over how the Northeast. much FEMA needs to help disaster victims and whether that Although Democrats said the Federal Emergency money must be offset with spending cuts. Management Agency needed more funding, they agreed to The White House has said FEMA will need $4.6 billion accept a Republican plan to spend $3.65 billion in disaster for the next fiscal year — a figure many Democrats say relief money, $1 billion of which would have gone toward the underestimates the agency’s needs. budget for the current fiscal year, which will end Friday. Democrats will push to fully fund FEMA’s request and Republicans, concerned about adding to the budget deficit, perhaps broaden it during negotiations over spending for the refused to support the funding without $1.6 billion in rest of the year, but they were split Monday over what the accompanying cuts. Their largest target was an auto loan compromise would mean for future funding battles. program popular with Democrats, leading to the standoff. “This is a very big and important move. It says we met The showdown between the two sides was averted on each other halfway. We saved the jobs,” said Sen. Barbara Monday, when FEMA said it could make ends meet through Boxer (Calif.), referring to the the auto loan program. “We the end of the week. That led to an agreement that calls for the figured out a way to fund FEMA that was acceptable to them. agency and other government disaster relief programs to forgo It’s a template. We have to figure out how to meet each other the $1 billion in proposed funding for this week. Beginning halfway here.” Saturday and running to Nov. 18, FEMA can begin to tap the Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (Vt.), whose state was hit hard by remaining $2.65 billion for ongoing efforts. flooding from Hurricane Irene, said the deal would solve the With the House out of session this week, the Senate disaster issue — but only temporarily. approved a resolution that will keep the government open “I’m concerned about the fact that we give blank checks through next Tuesday. The House is expected to approve that to Iraq and [Afghanistan] and we don’t want to take care of extension in a voice vote Thursday, which does not require all America for Americans,” he said. “It’s wrong, it’s foolish and members to be present, and then approve the longer-term bill it will come back to haunt us.” next Tuesday. Return to Index

35. McCain Takes Defense Spending Fight To New Level McCain's Latest Target In Fight Over Pentagon Funding: Congress Itself (WASHINGTON POST 27 SEP 11) ... Walter Pincus Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is carrying his fight over staffs [who] dictate the spending of hundreds of billions of Defense Department spending to a new level — the structure dollars — often in a manner that directly contravenes the will of Congress itself. of those committees that still authorize spending.” Last week, I wrote that his initial target was the culture of There has always been tension in the archaic, two-step Pentagon officials who have “been inclined to lose sight of way Congress approves money for executive departments. affordability as a goal and just reached for more money as a House and Senate authorizing committees approve programs solution to most problems.” and set budget levels, and then the “powerful” House and His newest quarry: The Senate Appropriations Senate appropriations committees approve the actual figures, Committee. Or as he put it Wednesday in a Senate floor sometimes lower than that authorized. speech, “a handful of senior appropriators and their unelected

26 In recent years, however, with Congress unable to pass health substance abuse facility on Guam.” This money, and authorizing bills on time and the advent of “omnibus” some $40 million next year to finish these programs, is spending bills, appropriators have taken to moving funds designed to help secure Guam’s cooperation in a plan to move around, including adding money for projects not specifically 8,700 Marines and their 9,000 dependents from bases in authorized. Okinawa. McCain is the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed The costs of this move keep rising. It is now between $18 Services Committee, which hasn’t brought its final version of billion and $23 billion, and the Senate Armed Services panel the fiscal 2012 defense authorization bill to the Senate floor. and others have halted construction funds until less-expensive That’s because the debt-limit agreement requires an additional alternatives or a complete master plan is offered. spending reduction in fiscal 2012, which the panel has yet to McCain also went after the $354 million for peer- make. reviewed medical research added by the Senate committee, as Meanwhile, the Senate Appropriations Committee on it has been by Congress for 19 years. Called the Sept. 15 approved its version of the legislation. Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, the McCain said the appropriators used “budget gimmicks initiative has grown from the first year’s $25 million for breast totaling over $10 billion to mislead the American people about cancer research. It requires contractors to run almost every the savings the committee claims to achieve.” major aspect of the program, which includes research for According to McCain, the “core” Defense Department ovarian and prostate cancers. budget was set at $513 billion for fiscal 2012, the same figure McCain doesn’t question its overall merit, but whether it as approved for the current year. “diverts critical resources away from our men and women in There is another pot of money for the Pentagon that is harm’s way.” considered “emergency spending” and “off budget.” It funds McCain is not alone. In March, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R- the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. For fiscal 2012, that Tex.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee’s figure was set at $117 billion. subcommittee on emerging threats, questioned whether The committee’s “gimmick,” according to McCain, was Pentagon medical research on cancer should remain a priority to cut $10 billion from this war account, partly based on “a at a time of tightened budgets. Thornberry noted that much of presumption of decreased troop strength in Iraq and the research has a “tenuous connection to the warfighter or Afghanistan.” McCain pointed out that assumes reductions go even our service people” and that funding had been “foisted as planned and that there is no need to keep additional troops upon the department by Congress.” in Iraq after Dec. 31. Wearing his Armed Services hat, McCain pointed out But then, the committee shifted $10 billion in programs some $850 million in reductions his committee had made that from the “core” budget to the war account. Among the the appropriations panel passed up. And he listed $675 million programs shifted were $4 billion for Army, Navy, Marine and that neither the Pentagon had sought nor his committee Air Force service depot maintenance and $1.5 billion for authorized. procurement of unmanned aircraft for the Air Force, Army Finally, McCain mentioned a handful of small additions and Navy. by the appropriation committee for youth programs, including That shifted $10 billion made up nearly half of the $26 $5 million for the National Guard Youth Challenge, that were billion the committee claimed to have cut from President meritorious but examples of tasks assumed during flusher Obama’s core Defense Department request. times. But, according to McCain, the committee “still found I am only sorry the senator didn’t list reducing the $325 money for over $2.3 billion in additional spending not million to be spent on military bands next year. The House requested by the Department of Defense and for items that are Armed Services Committee cut $125 million in its version of far from real Defense requirements.” These included rewards the fiscal 2012 defense authorization bill, and the full House to special interests and funds for members’ pet approved the decision. That’s one instance where House projects,McCain said. authorizers made a good choice. He pointed out $33 million in operations and maintenance There is still time for McCain to support them when that funds “to purchase school buses, to build phase one of a bill hits the Senate floor. repository for cultural artifacts, and funding for a mental Return to Index

36. New Amphibious Vehicle Analysis Poised To Start (DEFENSE DAILY 27 SEP 11) ... Emelie Rutherford Planning for a new amphibious tractor to replace the (EFV) effort, which the Pentagon announced last January it Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) could begin in earnest would cancel. in October, when a study of options for the new vehicle may Moore's office has worked with officials at Marine Corps begin. Systems Command (MARSYSCOM) and Marine Corps Col. Keith Moore, Marine Corps program manager for Combat Development Command (MCCDC) to begin deducing direct amphibious assault, is gearing up for the official what is technologically achievable for the ACV and what a analysis of alternatives (AoA) that will define the Amphibious range of costs for different technical-performance capabilities Combat Vehicle (ACV). This nascent program will replace would be. General Dynamics' [GD] Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle The idea, he said, is to "start to really define the (ACV) requirements from a very, very cost-informed standpoint."

27 That means trying to gauge "how mature is it, so what do we The Marine Corps has been doing a slower-than-normal think the development budget would be, (and) how much does program shutdown with EFV. The service has worked to it actually cost to go buy the things; so (that would be) the harvest as much technology as possible from the long-delayed procurement budget. But then also (we are looking at) what is amphibious tracked vehicle, which previously faced technical a system of varying levels of complexity and all that. What is hurdles. In the EFV's place, the Marine Corps is developing that really going to mean for the Marine Corps over a 20-year the new ACV while also planning to buy a Marine Personnel life cycle of supporting it in the fleet? So (that is) the Carrier (MPC) and upgrade existing Amphibious Assault operation and sustainment cost." Vehicles (AAVs). This work is leading up to the official start of the AoA All of those amphibious vehicle efforts were brought that will examine vehicle alternatives. The requirements together in recent months, when the MPC and AAV efforts definers at MCCDC hope to start the AoA in late October. were moved under Moore at his office in Woodbridge, Va. His That analysis won't start until a top-level Defense program office now is organized into three product lines, with Acquisition Board (DAB) grants the ACV program permission separate directors for amphibious combat vehicles, AAV to move forward into the next phase. A DAB meeting is systems, and MPC. Engineering, logistics, test, and business expected for mid-October. functional areas support across all three of those efforts to Moore said he hopes the AoA, a process that can take allow for commonality when appropriate, he said. The EFV from 18 to 24 months, for the ACV will wrap up in less than a shutdown activities, meanwhile, are ongoing. year. He believes that is possible because he said Marine For the MPC, the service hopes to buy something that is Corps officials have tried to be "transparent" with the ACV "as close to off the shelf as possible," Moore said. For the planning thus far, through steps including having discussions existing AAV fleet, Moore said improvements will include the with lawmakers and congressional staff. addition of appliqué armor kits--intended to provide more While the MCCDC folks are officially in charge of protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs)--on generating the ACV requirements, Moore said he provides roughly 400 of the 1,000-plus vehicles in the inventory. technical expertise to help inform them, "I'm sort of a coach Moore said the Marine Corps's "massive effort" to cancel on the sidelines watching that whole process come together," the EFV and initiate the AAV planning has kept him busy. he said. "The last six to eight months have certainly been very Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos has said he challenging for the workforce here, for the (requirements) wants to ride in an ACV before the end of his tour. folks at (Combat Development and Integration) CD&I, (but) I "He's made it emphatically clear that he expects for us to think we're starting to see some of that pay off and hopefully move out with all deliberate speed to make sure that we'll really see that come to full fruition as we move through everything we're doing is right, but do that as quickly as we the AoA," she said. "So next summer into the FY '13 can," Moore said about Amos. execution year (starting Oct. 1, 2012), I'm optimistic that we'll The EFV program, as it existed on the day of cancellation, really see sort of all the effort that we've been through over the will be one of the alternatives assessed in the AoA, Moore last six to eight months come to fruition." said. Return to Index

37. DoD Extends Program To Defend Cyber Networks (ASSOCIATAED PRESS 26 SEP 11) ... Lolita C. Baldor WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is extending a pilot critical networks more secure by sharing intelligence with the program to help protect its prime defense contractors, an effort private sector and helping companies better protect their the Obama administration can use as a model to prevent systems. In many cases, particularly for defense contractors, hackers and hostile nations from breaching networks and the corporate systems carry data tied to sensitive U.S. stealing sensitive data. government programs and weapons. The move comes as cybersecurity officials warn of So far, the trial program involves at least 20 defense increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks against U.S. defense companies. It will be extended through mid-November amid companies, including data related to critical Pentagon ongoing discussions about how to expand it to more weapons systems and aircraft. companies and subcontractors. Officials at the Department of Homeland Security are “The results this far are very promising,” said William reviewing the program, with an eye toward extending similar Lynn, the deputy secretary of defense who launched the protections to power plants, the electric grid and other critical program in May. “I do think it offers the potential opportunity infrastructure. to add a layer of protection to the most critical sectors of our Efforts to better harden the networks of defense infrastructure.” contractors come as Pentagon analysts investigate a growing He said the program has been able to block hundreds of number of cases involving the mishandling or removal of intrusions into the defense companies, including some that classified data from military and corporate systems. Intrusions were very sophisticated. into defense networks are now close to 30 percent of the Lynn, who will leave office in early October, said the Pentagon’s Cyber Crime Center’s workload, according to Pentagon is reviewing the costs of extending the program and senior defense officials. And they say it continues to increase. so far it does not seem to be prohibitive. He said the The Pentagon’s pilot program represents a key government should move as quickly as possible to expand the breakthrough in the Obama administration’s push to make protections to other vital sectors.

28 A senior DHS official said no decisions have been made, filled with a vast expanse of computer technology — from cell but any effort to extend the program — including to critical phones and tiny flash drives to iPads, Wii consoles and infrastructure — faces a number of challenges. Nintendo games. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity The analysts dissect intrusions, malware and other attacks because the program review is ongoing, said it would be that have breached or tried to burrow into the defense helpful if Congress would pass legislation that explicitly says contractors’ computer systems. And while those investigations DHS is responsible for helping private sector companies are just a small fraction of the lab’s work, the number has protect themselves against cyberattack. Also, the legislation grown steadily over the past three years. should say that companies can be protected from certain The caseload includes about 100 in the past year that privacy and other laws in order to share information with the involve the defense industrial base. Much of the center’s work government for cybersecurity purposes, the official said. is for criminal cases for the military’s investigative branches Senior U.S. leaders have been blunt about the escalating — including the Army and Navy criminal investigative dangers of a cyberattack, and have struggled to improve the services and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. security of federal networks while also encouraging the public Cybersecurity expert James Lewis said there will be some and corporate America to do the same. tough hurdles in any effort to expand the pilot program to “Cyber actually can bring us to our knees,” said Adm. more military contractors or through DHS to other critical Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, adding infrastructure companies. But he said it can be done. that at some point the Pentagon may need to develop some The Pentagon has multimillion-dollar contracts with type of governing structure similar to how the U.S. and allies companies, making it easier to build on those relationships monitor and limit nuclear weapons. and, if needed, link cyber threat cooperation to future Data compiled by the Defense Cyber Crime Center shows contracts, said Lewis, who is with the Center for Strategic and that the number of investigations handled by analysts there has International Studies. more than tripled over the past 10 years. And a growing DHS, however, doesn’t have that type of contracting number of them involve defense contractors, including those relationship with electric companies, power generation plants, participating in the pilot program. financial firms or other critical corporations that run vital Housed near Fort Meade, Md., the so-called DC3 infrastructure. And the agency would probably need additional employs about 100 digital examiners who sift through millions congressional authorities to set up a program similar to the of bytes of data in the digital forensics lab. Stacks of hard Defense Department pilot. drives line the shelves, and clear plastic evidence bags are Return to Index

38. From Sunny Forecast To Dark Clouds: The City Solar Project That Didn't Happen (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER 25 SEP 11) ... Andrew Maykuth Two years ago, Gov. Rendell announced that a Greek HelioSphera's American venture appears to have been company would build a $500 million plant at Philadelphia's doomed by the same volatile market conditions that Navy Yard to make solar cells. The factory would employ 400 undermined Solyndra and other struggling solar-panel people when it began operations in late 2011. producers. Despite a promise of $49 million in state inducements, Despite soaring demand for solar cells in the United HelioSphera US Inc. never broke ground. Economic States, induced by 30 percent federal tax credits and additional development officials quietly wrote off the project earlier this state incentives, manufacturers have produced a worldwide year. oversupply because of huge increases in Chinese "The project proponents were unable to raise capital and manufacturing capacity. Solar-cell prices have dropped 42 decided not to proceed," said John Grady, senior vice percent this year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. president of Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp., which "Chinese companies have flooded the market with had pledged to donate a 40-acre Navy Yard site to the solar- inexpensive panels," Jonathan Silver, the executive director of panel producer. the Energy Department's loans programs, testified to Congress The demise of HelioSphera's American venture is a this month. "And Europe, historically the largest purchaser of sensitive topic these days amid a solar market in upheaval. solar panels, is in the midst of an economic crisis that has Three American solar companies sought bankruptcy significantly reduced demand." protection in August, including Solyndra L.L.C., a Silicon Silver defended the Obama administration's solar Valley firm whose acceptance of $528 million in federal loans investments, which he said last year totaled 5 percent of the has renewed a Washington debate over the Obama $30 billion that the Chinese government spent on developing administration's support for renewable energy. solar. HelioSphera, which had shopped itself to eight states, was "Why is China making this investment?" he said. promised a package of grants and loans including $5 million "Because the race for solar-manufacturing jobs is a race worth in federal stimulus money to locate in Philadelphia. Since the winning. Over the next few decades this will become a global company could not secure private support, no public funds market worth trillions of dollars." were expended, state officials said. If it's a race, the United States is fading fast. In 1995, the "We were able to not lose any taxpayer money on it," said American manufacturers produced more than 40 percent of the Steven Kratz, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of solar cells and modules sold worldwide, according to Silver. Community and Economic Development. Today: 6 percent.

29 Despite their shrinking market share, American solar-cell which produce more power per square foot, but at a higher producers increased their manufacturing capacity 34 percent price. this year, according to a report released Tuesday by the Solar But the cost of the silicon raw material has dropped Energy Industries Association, a Washington trade group. But dramatically since 2009, reducing the price advantage of the output was essentially flat - 333 megawatts of modules thin-film panels. produced in the second quarter - leaving more than 40 percent "A ton of investment went into thin-film projects, but of the production capacity unused. venture backing has evaporated," said Kann of GTM The declining price of solar panels is "fundamentally a Research. good thing" for consumers because it makes solar power more HelioSphera's lead equity partner, Plainfield Asset competitive, said Shayle Kann, managing director of solar- Management L.L.C., of Stamford, Conn., declined to power studies at GTM Research, a Boston firm that analyzes comment about the disbandment of the company. energy markets. A former Plainfield managing director, Panos Ninios, But he said the price decrease was causing "a painful who was also president of HelioSphera US, is now a partner in period for manufacturers where they have to see if they can True Green Capital L.L.C., a New York private-investment sink or swim in the new pricing environment." firm that specializes in renewable energy. Ninios did not It's unknown if a HelioSphera plant in Philadelphia could respond to telephone or e-mail messages. have competed in such an environment. Investors apparently For the Philadelphia Navy Yard, which is fashioning itself were not sufficiently confident to put their money behind the as a clean-energy research hub, the HelioSphera setback venture. represents a lost opportunity. Rendell in 2009 had anticipated HelioSphera operates a manufacturing plant in Tripoli, that in a decade the 400 jobs promised by HelioSphera "may Greece, and specializes in production of thin-film photovoltaic be just a fraction of the number of people whom we employ panels. Photovoltaic panels absorb sunlight and convert it here as solar continues to grow." directly into electricity. The sentiment now is nothing ventured, nothing gained. Two years ago, thin-film panels were rapidly growing in "This was always considered to be an emerging venture," popularity for large-scale projects because of their low cost said Grady, the industrial development corporation official, compared with traditional crystalline silicon solar panels, "with a significant amount of risk." Return to Index

39. Rigors Of War Leave Troops Battling Arthritis At A Young Age (STARS AND STRIPES 25 SEP 11) ... Seth Robbins BAUMHOLDER, Germany — Staff Sgt. Thomas combat zones and sustaining injuries on repeated Wenzke would sit for hours, hunched over the five-ton truck’s deployments. window, scanning for hints of bombs along Iraq’s garbage- “I really think that it’s a cumulative effect of military lined roadways. service,” said Dr. Kenneth L. Cameron, the study’s lead The truck — reinforced with heavy armored plates that author. had ruined its suspension — motored over crater-sized Troops At Risk potholes, and Wenzke’s spine would feel every jolt. His body From 1998 to 2008, military doctors diagnosed 108,266 armor, weighing 50 to 60 pounds, added to the strain. cases of mechanical degenerative arthritis, or osteoarthritis, Convoy forays like this lasted from three to 30 hours, he Cameron’s study found. said, depending on the number of breakdowns and firefights. Osteoarthritis rates were 26 percent higher in “By the time we got back,” he said, “I’d be bent over and servicememembers age 20 to 24 than in the general hobbled like I was an old man of 50 or 60.” population. Troops over the age of 40 were more than twice as Wenzke said, since his yearlong deployment in 2006, he likely to develop the disease as civilians. has suffered from a herniated disk and degenerative arthritis in “It was a little surprising that it was so much higher,” his spine, for which there is no cure. Cameron said. He is 29 years old. More than 75 percent of the cases were diagnosed in “When you hear ‘arthritis,’ you think it’s a disease you senior and junior enlisted servicemembers, whose jobs are get as you age, an elderly person’s condition,” Wenzke said. often the most physically demanding. The disease was most “It’s nothing I ever thought about having. I thought it was just prevalent in the Army, followed by the Air Force, Navy and a tweaked muscle, something like that, definitely not arthritis.” Marines. But degenerative arthritis is all too common among Though osteoarthritis can affect any joint, it most often troops. A study published in the July issue of the journal occurs in weight-bearing joints: the hips, knees, spine, ankles, Arthritis and Rheumatism found that servicemembers are as well as in the fingers. It is a wear-and-tear disease that developing the disease at much higher rates and at younger results from the breakdown of cartilage at the end of bones. ages than civilians. Post-traumatic arthritis is also one of the When the cartilage breaks down, the bones rub together, leading reasons why soldiers injured in combat become causing pain. medically separated from the military. Over time, the bones can become misshapen and The increased prevalence of the painful joint disease thickened, and bony spurs can form where the joint’s soft among troops is likely due to the physical demands of military tissue is attached. Fluid-filled cysts may also form under the service — lifting weights for years, carrying heavy loads in cartilage, and the synovial membrane and fluid, which serves as a shock absorber and lubricant, may diminish.

30 The joint pain can be debilitating and devastating. Iraq war found that osteoarthritis was the top reason for their “The arthritis is a constant ache,” said Wenzke. “It’s not a subsequent discharges. muscle ache, it’s much deeper and in the bone.” Among the 450 Iraq war veterans in the study, 29 percent Worn Down had post-traumatic arthritis listed as a condition that made Osteoarthritis was once believed to mostly affect people them unfit for service. Dr. (Lt. Col.) Anthony Johnson, age 65 and older, but recent research has shown that younger assistant chief of orthopaedic surgery services at San Antonio men and women can develop the disease, especially when they Military Medical Center and lead author of the study, said that perform work that puts heavy stress on their joints. combat-injured veterans develop the joint disease much faster According to the Centers for Disease Control and and at earlier ages than those who suffer athletic injuries. Prevention, 27 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, Whereas people who tear a ligament may develop making it the most common form of arthritis in the United traumatic arthritis a decade after their injuries, veterans are States. being diagnosed about two years after being exposed to a Dr. Grant Cannon, attending physician in rheumatology at blast. Explosive shock waves not only break bones and injure the George E. Wahlen Veterans Administration hospital in tissue, but also kill cartilage cells, which the body can’t Salt Lake City, Utah, said that he has not seen an uptick in replace, Johnson said. younger patients seeking treatment for arthritis. But Iraq and “There is much more energy to the joint than if you were Afghanistan veterans with minor aches and strains in their playing a sport and tear your ACL,” he said. “And the higher joints are likely receiving care from their primary care the energy, the earlier the onset of symptoms.” physicians, he said. Few Treatments And No Cure “I’m going to be seeing these guys in 30 years,” Cannon There is no cure or way to reverse osteoarthritis. Most said. “And I think that we may see an earlier prevalence” of sufferers rely on oral pain relievers to provide partial relief osteoarthritis. and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the Contributing to troops’ increased risk for osteoarthritis injured joint, said Johnson. Anti-inflammatory medications, may be a lifetime of lifting weights and performing other steroid injections and painkillers can relieve more severe pain, strenuous physical activities to pass fitness exams. Intense he said. training and multiple deployments cause injuries, such as torn Wenzke received all three medications, as well as nerve ligaments, that can leave servicemembers susceptible to blockers, to relieve the pain from his herniated disk and developing the disease. arthritis. He said these were mostly ineffective and the “Lower-energy knee injuries, like an ACL tear or a painkillers left him lethargic. meniscus tear, predispose people to osteoarthritis at a much “They don’t make the pain go away,” he said. “They earlier age,” Cameron said. “And there is no shortage of those make you not care about the pain.” type of injuries within the military.” Beyond the medications and physical therapy, Johnson The rigors of Iraq and Afghanistan, where said there are few options for treating osteoarthritis patients in servicemembers must carry heavy packs and body armor, also their 20s and 30s. Most are too young to have a hip or knee could make troops more prone to the joint disease. replacement because the metal parts will wear out in 10 to 15 “We really don’t know for sure,” Cameron said, “But if I years, requiring them to have more difficult and dangerous had to make a guess, carrying heavy loads probably operations by the time they reach middle age. Many simply contributes.” live with the pain, he said. Lightening Loads And the number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with Early in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers often traumatic arthritis is likely to grow, flooding the VA system as carried between 80 and 120 pounds of gear. the World War II vets once did, he said. Lt. Col. Frank Lanzano, program manager for soldier “I think this is going to be the next batch, except they are protective equipment at Program Executive Office Soldier, going to have arthritis at a much younger age,” he said. which equips soldiers with body armor, said the organization Adding to the problem is the fact that little research has is always looking for ways to ease soldiers’ loads without been done on how to treat younger veterans with sacrificing protection. osteoarthritis, though recently Johnson said he and colleagues Troops in Afghanistan now have access to tactical vests have begun looking into drugs to slow the disease’s progress that weigh less than 20 pounds, but still protect vital organs, and devices that will take pressure off and support arthritic he said. Commanders decide in what circumstances soldiers joints. can wear the lighter armor. “It’s a lot easier to get funding to improve on a prosthesis The organization is also researching using for a patient that has an amputation than it is to get funding on nanotechnology and new fibers to make the armor lighter. how to treat arthritis,” he said. “But now we have the data to Lanzano said he hopes to reduce the weight of body armor by say this is a pressing need.” 10 percent. Living With The Pain “It’s very easy to get heavier,” he said. “The hard work is Wenzke eventually had surgery to remove the herniated to keep current protection levels and get lighter.” disk that was pinching the nerve within his spinal cord. The Combat And Arthritis surgery eliminated much of the pain, but he still wakes in the Battlefield injuries, such as broken bones from blasts and morning with his back aching, he said, and his mobility is joints injured by gunshots and shrapnel, can also lead to severely limited. Before separating from the Army earlier this osteoarthritis. A study of soldiers injured in combat during the month, Wenzke received a rating of 40 percent from the

31 physical evaluation board, which means he will receive something that I never really thought I would have to take into lifetime medical benefits from the military. consideration.” But he worries about how he will support his family. To slow the progression of the arthritis, Wenzke performs After the military, he planned on becoming a police officer stretches and takes care not to lift heavy objects or do and had studied criminal justice. But that option is no longer activities that will further injure his back. But he knows there possible. He also considered becoming a physician, like his is no stopping it, and he fears that the pain will be so great father, but he is unsure whether he could handle the demands that, one of these days, he will be unable to lift his young of standing for long hours during residency. daughter. “As far as job prospects, I’m going to have to do “It’s going to continue to get worse,” he said. “It’s just a something that is easy on my back,” he said. “That’s matter of how fast.” Return to Index

OPINION: 40. The Pentagon Budget And The Deficit (NEW YORK TIMES 27 SEP 11) ... Editorial It was not just two mismanaged wars and trillions of multiple combat tours, will never qualify for even a partial dollars in misconceived and poorly supervised weapons military pension or retiree health benefits. These are only contracts that drove Pentagon spending to unsustainable levels available to those who have served at least 20 years. Those over the past decade — about $700 billion for last year alone. who do qualify can start collecting their pensions as soon as Military pay, benefit and retirement costs rose by more than they leave service, even if they are still in their late 30s, 50 percent over the same decade (accounting for inflation). making for huge long-term costs. Leaving aside Afghanistan and Iraq, those costs now account Mr. Obama called for a commission to study possible for nearly $1 out of every $3 the Pentagon spends. reforms. But the change the Pentagon reportedly has in mind, Much of that is necessary to recruit and retain a high- phasing in a 401(k)-type plan for future retirees, is the wrong quality, all-volunteer military. The men and women who risk way to go. Military pensions should not be held hostage to their lives to keep us secure deserve decent pay while they stock market gyrations. Partial pensions should be made serve and ample benefits once they retire. But current military available to those serving less than 20 years. Payments should pay, pension systems and retiree health care benefits are begin at normal retirement age. unsustainable and ripe for reform. The Pentagon needs to contribute at least $400 billion in President Obama has proposed two changes that would 10-year budget savings if the Congressional deficit panel does save $27 billion over 10 years: increasing co-payments for reach an agreement by December and as much as $900 billion some prescription drugs for retirees and dependents of active- if it does not. duty soldiers and charging a modest fee for policies To find those savings, the Pentagon must also sharply supplementing Medicare coverage for retirees. That would prune the tens of billions it spends every year on building new still leave insurees paying substantially less than most other versions of cold war weapons systems ill suited to America’s Americans. 21st-century military needs: aircraft carriers, nuclear attack Working-age military retirees also pay too little for basic submarines, stealth destroyers and manned aerial combat family coverage. The current annual premium of $460 has not fighters. The United States already has a comfortable margin been increased since 1995. The Pentagon hopes to raise that to of dominance in all these areas. The Pentagon’s ambitions $520 for new enrollees once Congress approves financing bills expanded without limit over the Bush era, and Congress for the new fiscal year that starts on Saturday. That is still eagerly wrote the checks. The country cannot afford to barely a tenth of what federal civilian workers pay for continue this way, and national security doesn’t require it. comparable insurance. The White House and Congress must find the courage to Another $45 billion to $50 billion could be saved by proceed. Reforms of pay, benefits and pensions must be adjusting the formula for pay increases to take account of phased in fairly and commitments already made must be special allowances and benefits worth about $5,000 a year. honored. But they, too, cannot be deferred any longer. The retirement system is both unfair and increasingly expensive. Most veterans, including many who have served Return to Index

41. Health Care Plan Deserves Attention, Lacks Backup (NAVY TIMES 03 OCT 11) ... Editorial Anxiety over potential cuts in military benefits has been  Increase Tricare pharmacy co-pays for active-duty growing for some time now — and President Obama's budget- family members, military retirees and their families. cutting plan just delivered the latest in a series of bitter pills.  Charge a new annual enrollment fee for retirees 65 As part of his effort to tame the runaway federal budget and older using Tricare For Life. deficit threatening America's long-term security, he proposes to:  Create a commission to propose an overhaul of the military retirement system.

32 The easy thing to do is dismiss it all out of hand as the act That's why Obama's proposals deserve consideration. of a desperate president in the midst of a mind-boggling Obama's call to increase drug co-pays is intended to save economic crisis. But the truth is, health care and retirement money by modifying behavior — all prescriptions would still costs are soaring at a breathtaking and unsustainable rate, and be free at military treatment facilities, and all generic drugs without some adjustment now, the picture is likely to get would be free via mail order: worse. Charging Tricare For Life users an annual enrollment fee Consider these facts: of $200, mean-while, amounts to $4 a week for health care —  Military health care costs have more than doubled hardly a burden for all but the most destitute retirees. since 2001 to about $50 billion. By 2015, health care Finally, Obama has made clear that any future changes in for troops, families and retirees will consume one out military retirement proposed by his new commission would of every 10 defense dollars. affect only future recruits, not current service members or retirees.  The emergence of new and expensive prescription These proposals have something in common: They are drugs and the cost of providing free health care for modest in scope, address the areas where cost growth is retirees age 65 and older under Tricare For Life are greatest, and spread the burden across the whole community. the primary drivers in rising health costs. But that doesn't mean further review is unnecessary.  Retirement costs are also soaring. The Pentagon will The White House was unable to provide backup for its spend $20 billion for future retirement payments this assertion that raising fees will not hurt families, but instead year alone, the combined result of more service just change where they go for prescriptions. That's hard to members opting to stay for 20 years and lengthening accept on face value alone. life expectancies for military retirees. And any plan to charge retirees for health care must come Defense spending can't rise every year to keep up with with a clear explanation of how fees might be kept in check in that. the coming years. In the end, every dollar spent on benefits for those who The bottom line: It will be easier for military families and don't serve or no longer serve takes away from pay, benefits, retirees to accept their share of the burden of bringing down weapons and training for those defending America's freedom future spending if they can see that doing so will preserve their today. benefits into the future. Return to Index

BLOGS: 42. EXCERPTS FROM BLOGS AROUND THE WORLD (PUBLISHED 23 – 26 SEP 11) 2015 and five million by 2020. The government is employing The High Price of Gas (in Lives) by Natalie Pace from tax incentives, Cash for Clunkers, feed-in tariffs and Green (Huffington Post), September 26 government spending to promote the adoption of electric Business 101 teaches us that failure is valuable to vehicles, next generation information technology, energy business. The Apple computer and the IBM PC rose out of the efficient products and renewable energy. According to Yang ashes of the Osborne computer bankruptcy. The colossal Jiechi, the minister of foreign affairs, People's Republic of failure of eToys didn't stop Amazon from becoming the most China, who spoke at the Clinton Global Initiative's annual successful retailer on the planet. Dot Coms collapsed in 2000, meeting on Sept. 21, "It is very important to build but Apple is worth $380 billion today. And even as Solyndra environmentally friendly mechanisms. We have spent a lot of solar failed, Sunpower Solar remains a worldwide leader in capital on hybrid cars and electric cars." power output, with sales that are almost double what they Focusing on fuel efficiency made Toyota Motors the No. were two years ago. 1 automaker in the world. U.S. automakers like Tesla Motors, As talking heads kick the Solyndra scandal around to General Motors and Ford are banking on having a strong EV score political goals, as if it's the only green company worth presence going forward -- with the Chinese market directly in discussing, there are corporations, countries and individuals their sights. Is this the time to cut funding to The Advanced that are using green products to increase economic growth, Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) program? save lives, cut costs, create jobs, increase national security and Health reduce pollution. In cities like Beijing, Los Angeles, New York and even Economic Growth Las Vegas, it's not just a question of being on the right side of Having a leading solar panel manufacturer, like Sunpower global warming. It's a question of reducing pollution and and others, at a time when China is investing multi-billions in cutting down on respiratory illnesses. clean energy could be key to U.S. economic growth. A report Saving Lives by The Pew Charitable Trusts states that China has developed Oil prices are sky high, but the cost of fuel in lives is even the world's most aggressive strategic plan for clean energy higher. According to Thomas Hicks, the deputy assistant adoption. China became the worldwide leader in clean energy secretary of energy for the U.S. Navy, who spoke to me at with $34.6 billion in investments in 2009. China vows to have CGI, "For every 50 fuel convoys, we have one American 500,000 electric, hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles on the road by killed or wounded. For us, that's just too high a price to pay

33 for fuel." Bringing fuel into "the theatre" means sending peanuts again." Indeed the cost of fuel is not peanuts to the convoys from Pakistani ports through insurgents and IEDs airline industry. Fuel costs were over $3.6 billion in 2010 for (Improvised Explosive Devices) to Afghanistan. Southwest Airlines. To reduce the risk and save lives, Ray Mabus, the Energy Independence secretary of the Navy, has outlined five energy goals, Companies, countries and individuals alike suffer when including: the price of energy is the most expensive budget line item -- 1. Incorporating "green" evaluation factors when and can be increased significantly at the drop of a hat by awarding contracts countries that are not friendly to American interests. Innovation, research and development and even failures are all 2. Sailing the "Great Green Fleet" part of the solutions needed for the many challenges that 3. Reducing petroleum use in non-tactical vehicles America, and the world, face today. With trillions being spent 4. Increasing alternative energy ashore worldwide on solar, wind, geothermal, biofuels, electric 5. Increasing alternative energy use department-wide vehicles and other clean energy products, continuing the U.S. commitment to R&D, private enterprise, public policy and The Navy will cut their petroleum use in their non-tactical consumer incentives is an investment in economic growth, fleet (commercial vehicle fleet) by 50 percent by 2015. By national security, the security of our armed forces and a better 2020, half of the energy used by the Navy will come from world. alternative sources and half of the installations will be net zero There are many successful clean energy projects and energy. And to ensure that these goals are met, Mabus just companies that are as news and water-cooler worthy as the launched a new new dedicated energy masters degree one green company that failed. program. "Through the the masters program and the executive energy series, [Naval Postgraduate School] will ensure that Recognizing Our Most Valuable Weapon - The energy is fully integrated," said Mabus. "As a result, NPS Submariner by VADM John M. Richardson from students will guide the Navy and the nation toward a better, Commander Submarine Forces Blog, September 26 more secure energy future." I received some good news Friday that I wanted to share Is alternative energy reliable enough for our national and highlight. defense? Almost every time I get to speak, I reinforce that the Tom Hicks advised me that the U.S. has a 270 MW success of our undersea forces depends on our people - geothermal plant in California that we have been operating for dedicated, technically skilled and engaged warriors. These 20 some odd years. "Most people don't know about it," Hicks words are taken directly from the Design for Undersea told me. "It's enough power to power the base in China Lake, Warfare. but also to provide 200 MW of power to the grid," he said. Their technical abilities and years of Submarining are key National Security to the success of our Force as a whole. Our Senior Chiefs and The spike in oil prices during the Arab Spring sank the Master Chiefs are peerless leaders, mentors and technical average American's budget, but it had a similar affect on our experts. We could not do what we do without them. We need defense budgets (and any business involved in transportation these experienced Submariners in order to accomplish our as well). Based on June oil prices, fuel costs will increase by a mission, and we need them at sea. billion dollars to the Navy this year, according to Hicks. "That While no monetary value can truly compensate these impacts our flying hours, our steaming hours, our ability to Submariners for what they bring to our Force, the Navy sail our ships and to fly our planes," Hicks warns -- making recently demonstrated how much they value the service of our energy independence a national security priority. senior enlisted leaders. A Submarine Duty Incentive Pay Creating Jobs (SUBPAY) increase was approved on August 30 for Senior One of the most important pieces of going green is energy Chief and Master Chief Petty Officers with over 18 years of efficiency -- something old buildings are very deficient in. The service. The increase, written about in this Chief of Naval Better Buildings Initiative, a policy that U.S. Department of Personnel article, only underscores the value the Navy places Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced at CGI America in on its Submarine Force and our enlisted leadership. This June of this year, will upgrade the energy efficiency in up to SUBPAY increase is designed to encourage our senior 300 million square feet of office space -- from military enlisted leaders to return to sea, where their knowledge and housing to college campuses. According to President Obama, expertise are critical to our success. I’m encouraged and who spoke at CGI in New York City on Wednesday, Sept. 21, pleased with this news which will take effect on 1 October of this will "create jobs, while saving billions for businesses in this year. energy bills, and cut down on our pollution." It also trains out- Another example of making the Design for Undersea of-work constructions workers -- who make up one of the Warfare real. largest unemployed industries in the U.S., at 11.3 percent in August of 2011 -- to have new skills that are valuable for 21st New Software Gives the V-22 Extra Speed, Power by century construction jobs. John Reed from DefenseTech, September 22 Cutting Costs RIDLEY PARK, Pa. — The V-22 Osprey is getting an In his speech at CGI, Obama also told the crowd, "The extra 20-knots of speed and more than 1,00-pounds of lift CEO of Southwest Airlines estimates that if we put in the new power without any hardware changes, Boeing officials generation of GPS air traffic control, we would save 15 revealed this week. percent in fuel costs. Think about what that would do overall for the cost of the ticket... Maybe they could start giving out

34 Instead, engineers simply updated the tiltrotor’s software, What’s muy macho than a Hummer, and yet also green? boosting the Osprey’s max cruising speed to 260 knots, How about the Humvee’s possible replacement, the Oshkosh according to Bull Sunick, Boeing’s V-22 business L-ATV. A ProPulse diesel-electric hybrid system is optional, development manager. A similar software upgrade will soon and useful in military applications because it comes with 70 tweak propeller angles to give it an additional 1,000-pounds of kilowatts of available electric power that are very likely to power when in a hover. come in handy in remote locations. The V-22 is “the iPod, if you will, of rotorcraft in that we I’m still trying to get a bead on this thing’s actual hybrid were able to improve our [airspeed] to 260 knots through a fuel economy, but Ken Juergens, an Oshkosh vice president, flight control software upgrade,” Sunick told DT after a tour says, “Battlefields have changed — threats are more of Boeing’s V-22 assembly line here (hence the Instagram dangerous, operating environments are more rugged and fuel photo I took). “You go home, you synch your iPod and you efficiency is more important than ever.” get the new software on there — we kinda do the same with That’s definitely true. The L-ATV would leave the the airplane, it’s all ones and zeros…it was through a software Humvee in its dust, would have a longer fighting range, plows drop. A new version came out, kinda like your new iPod right through desert terrain, and would be less dependent on software and boom, no new engines no new drivetrain.” the vulnerable fuel convoys that are regularly attacked as they This was just after he’d finished reminding me of how an traverse Iraq and Afghanistan. I got versed on these issues Air Force Special Operations Command CV-22 had actually during a recent visit to Las Vegas, where, at the National performed the tiltrotor’s very first combat search and rescue Clean Energy Summit 4.0, I heard Navy Secretary Ray Mabus mission nearly one year before USMC MV-22s rescued the speak. It was revelatory. pilot of that F-15E Strike Eagle that crashed in Libya last The Department of Defense uses 90 percent of all the March. energy used by any branch of the government, and it’s the (Boeing brought a bunch of reporters up to Ridley Park single largest consumer of oil on the planet. According to for the 50th anniversary celebration of the CH-47 Chinook’s Foreign Policy, keeping aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf — first flight yesterday, DT was given a tour the nearby Osprey to protect oil, of course — costs $7.3 trillion over 30 years, line afterward.) and a lot of that is fuel costs. On June 1, 2010 a helo carrying 32 people went down The military fuel bill in 2010: $13.4 billion. Last year, the during a special operations raid near Kunduz in Northeast Navy displayed a 49-foot command ship that can carry 24 Afghanistan. A severe dust storm and the Hindu Kush troops and run on a blend of algae fuel and diesel. General mountain range foiled attempts by other helos to reach the Dynamics unveiled a land-based hybrid for military use in stranded crew and passengers who were under small arms and 2009. mortar fire. Two CV-22s from the 8th Special Operations According to Mabus, oil has to travel overland in convoys Squadron launched out of Kandahar in southern Afghanistan across Pakistan, and “it’s a vulnerability for our military. The within two hours of being alerted and flew 400-miles straight Marines weren’t sent to Afghanistan to guard fuel convoys.” to the site — over the 15,000-foot mountains and through And that’s why the military is using solar power to replenish “very low visibility” – and back to Kandahar with the 32 batteries, certifying aircraft like the F/A-18 Super Hornet to stranded troops in less than four hours. run on a jet/biofuel blend, and investigating hybrids and “There was a mountain range in between” the American electric vehicles. bases at Bagram and Kandahar “so conventional rotorcraft One Marine company carries 120 radios, and solar would have had to snake through the valleys and whatnot,” blankets are now being used in the field that save them said Sunick. “V-22 flew over them. The guys went up, they carrying 700 pounds of cells. went on oxygen, went over the mountains, went direct as the So Mabus issued a challenge — the military is looking for crow flies and then when they were coming close the weather made-in-U.S.A. biofuels that don’t take food off the table and was extremely bad, I think they had less than a quarter-mile work in existing engines. So that explains why corn ethanol is visibility. Now you’ve got your [terrain following radar] probably out, and algae is getting so much attention. It can be sniffing things out for you, giving you a clear picture and so produced on barren land, or indoors in vats. the guys were able to go in there. It was a hot LZ, they were Back to the L-ATV. It’s really cool looking, in a video under fire, they landed, picked all they guys up — 32 folks game sort of way, isn’t it? It has 20 inches of independent crammed in the back of the airplane — and they got out of wheel travel, which is 25 percent more than any current Dodge and made it back.” military vehicle. And this is important: “The L-ATV’s Now, the V-22 had its share of development problems armored capsule is scalable and can accept multiple armor [nightmares, at times] and it’s still working through problems configurations to protect troops from IEDs and today’s other with fine sand wearing down engine parts faster than prevalent battlefield threats.” The IED protection thing is engineers would like and it’s mission ready rates when huge, and a big issue with Humvees. deployed are roughly 70 percent. Still, you can’t argue that the Oshkosh says it could quickly ramp up to produce the L- speed and ranges at which the bird flies combined with its ATV if the military gives it the nod. VTOL abilities make it invaluable for missions like this. Influenza Detection Kit Helps AFHSC Identify The Humvee's Replacement Could Be A Hybrid by Outbreaks Before They Start by Capt. Kevin Russell from Jim Motavelli from the Mother Nature Network, Armed with Science (DoD Live), September 23 September 22 Navy Capt Kevin Russell is the Director of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center (AFHSC). The AFHSC

35 works to promote, maintain and enhance the health of the When there’s real trouble, it will be efforts like these that military and military-associated populations by providing will be the foundation on which the federal government relevant, timely and comprehensive surveillance information. responds to, and ultimately, contains the next pandemic. The recently-released movie “Contagion” could easily be dismissed as purely Hollywood fantasy about a pandemic that Naval Hospital Bands with Regional Health Care kills millions of people in a few months. Yet, many of us at Agencies to Reduce Pain Medication Abuse by Capt. Lynn federal agencies know first-hand the panic and devastation Welling from Navy Medicine Live, September 22 that can ensue when a pandemic like the swine flu-scare a few Capt. Lynn Welling is commanding officer, Naval years back grips the world. Hospital Jacksonville, Fla. At the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center Collaboration has long played a critical role at driving (AFHSC), one of our primary goals is to support global health innovation and positive change around the world to enhance surveillance and response to emerging infectious diseases. the way we live, learn and play. In health care, a big priority Effective global disease surveillance, timely detection of right now is banding together world leaders in the fight against outbreaks and appropriate responses to control epidemics are non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes, the essential tools to our service members and the global which have overtaken infectious disease as the world’s leading health community. killers. That’s why AFHSC, through its division of Global At Naval Hospital Jacksonville we understand the role Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System collaboration has in helping people live the happiest and (GEIS), recently funded the development of two new kits healthiest lives possible. In fact, we’ve had a long history of cleared by the Food and Drug Administration that will collaboration and have more than 100 training, research and increase the speed and accuracy of diagnosing influenza support agreements with local, regional and national among military personnel in deployed settings. universities, colleges and medical organizations. Just in time for the start of the 2011 influenza season, the One way we hope to make a positive difference for our kits will become a part of the Joint Biological Agent 215,000 beneficiaries and our 2,500 staff who care for them is Identification and Diagnostic System (JBAIDS) that received through our partnership with the Northeast Florida public and prior FDA clearance on several biological select agents such private health care organizations involved in the Quality as anthrax. The Influenza A/B Detection Kit will be used for Collaborative of Northeast Florida — an initiative of the testing Influenza A and Influenza B – two subtypes of the Global Center for Health and Medical Diplomacy at the virus that causes seasonal epidemic flu. The second kit will University of North Florida. allow for the detection and differentiation of subtypes of Recently we have come together to address our regional influenza that includes A/H1, A/H3 and 2009 A/H1. problem involving the misuse of controlled substances. This Many medical facilities in deployed settings don’t have abuse has reached epidemic levels in the U.S. and is especially the clinical tools available that allows personnel to rapidly prevalent in Florida. As a practicing emergency medicine diagnose infections – such as influenza – in humans. With the physician, there are usually two or three people who come in JBAIDS influenza kits, lab technicians can load samples into a to our emergency room (ER) every shift with what looks like carousel within the analyzer, which then identifies a specific drug-seeking behavior. strain of influenza or indicates a positive result for influenza Earlier this year, I proposed to the members of Quality that cannot be typed based on current assays (PDF). Collaborative that a set of guidelines be developed to ensure The JBAIDS, a 40-pound device small enough to slip into the appropriate treatment of chronic or recurrent pain a rucksack, will be able to identify influenza viral nucleic throughout local emergency rooms, while reducing abuse of acids isolated and purified from nasal swabs and nasal washes pain medication. The members of the group quickly embraced from patients who display signs and symptoms of respiratory the idea. Together we developed the guidelines and on Sept. infection. If utilized, the kits could provide early warning of a 14, we announced the regional implementation throughout 15 new influenza virus that we might not have heard about organizations in Northeast Florida. Naval Hospital through traditional surveillance mechanisms for perhaps Jacksonville, Fla., will be the first to roll out the guidelines in another week or month. Detecting new, drifted influenza our ER on Oct. 1. Fourteen other organizations involved in our viruses as early as possible can help us prevent the spread of Quality Collaborative initiative — including Mayo Clinic, St. the virus, and produce an updated vaccine in a timely manner. Vincent’s, Baptist Health and Shands Jacksonville — plan to The device, which comprises a laptop connected to an enact the guidelines in the coming months. analyzer, increases the Department of Defense’s ability to test While ERs like ours will continue to prescribe appropriate and identify emerging infectious diseases for influenza in pain medications for acute pain, we’re not going to be a deployed setting. More than 300 JBAIDS systems have been narcotics supplier. Our guidelines include discouraging the distributed to all branches of the services, including deployed prescribing of narcotics for chronic pain, sharing information units around the world. between hospitals to prevent doctor-shopping and refusing to The development of the kits would not have been possible replace lost or stolen prescriptions. We will also encourage without collaboration among federal agencies that included the that one doctor prescribe all of a patient’s controlled- Joint Project Management Office for Chemical Biological substances. Medical Systems with the Centers for Disease Control and Our guidelines comply with state law and complement Prevention, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of recent state legislation, which includes a prescription drug- Infectious Disease, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center monitoring database to capture all dispensed controlled and the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development. substances. Our efforts are ultimately aimed at placing our

36 patients first by ensuring they get the most appropriate as his patient, my command supported my recovery, and I treatment for their pain. Individually and collectively, we are went on to a 24-year Navy career as a limited duty officer, doing everything possible to provide the best possible retiring as a lieutenant commander in 2008. I am now serving experience and outcomes for each and every one of our as a Department of Defense civilian at U.S. Pacific Command patients — our nation’s heroes and their families. Headquarters. The intervention of my leadership, in a time where getting such help was not well-supported in the 'Someone Told Me There Was Another Way' by military, was instrumental in saving my life and in saving me Corina Notyice and Ann Longboy from Defense Centers of for a very productive career. Excellence Blog, September 21 Then, horror came in the form of my younger brother's The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological suicide in 2004. I'll never forget the call from my completely Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) is sharing personal hysterical mother and her abject, soul-wrenching grief. I will accounts from members of the military community who have forever remember seeing his lifeless body in the coffin, and intervened and successfully prevented a suicide, assisted my absolute pain mixed with gratefulness that I had not done someone in need, or took steps to seek help themselves when this all those years ago. My other brother blamed himself, and they experienced suicidal thoughts. We hope these personal watching him go through that guilt tore at my heart. None of stories offer hope and encouragement and remind others that us know why this happened, he left no note or indication; we help is out there. If you are currently having thoughts of only know that he wanted to leave. My mother now lives with suicide or know someone that is, call the National Suicide me and she will never be the same, suffering from severe Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) for immediate depression and high anxiety. In fact, a year after my brother help, military community members choose 1. died, emergency medical service had to spirit her away to a The following story is shared by Navy veteran Ann hospital or she would have killed herself also. The pain suicide Longboy. She also shares her personal experiences in this leaves with the suicide survivors never seems to go away, we suicide prevention video, created last year. just learn to live with it. I offer my experience as a person who was suicidal and Talking about my experience has helped me, and I have received help and as a survivor of my brother's suicide nearly been able to help a few others find help when they needed it. I 18 years later. find that doing this somehow makes it seem like my brother In early 1987, while a young enlisted sailor, I found lived (my family never talks about it, and I find this difficult to myself in a very dark, lonely emotional place. There were a lot deal with), did not die in vain, and that his death matters only of reasons why I came to be in that state, but I only knew that if it helps someone else. He was only 22 years old; he was a I wanted the pain to stop. I was a high-performing sailor, but handsome, intelligent young man with blond hair and deep my supervisor picked up on something in me that wasn't right. blue eyes, who died too young because he didn't know that he He sent me to a stress management workshop conducted by had other options – options like I was given by my Navy chain Navy Mental Health. At the workshop, I broke completely of command. Someone told me there was another way, and I down. The psychologist conducting the workshop took me on believed it—and I'm so glad I did. Return to Index