GOOD SOLDIERS

Department Of Defense Casualty Status Report - February 23, 2012

2012-02-23T15:40:00.000-05:00

FALLEN HEROES - Sgt. Allen R. McKenna Jr.

2012-02-23T15:33:00.000-05:00

Sgt. Allen R. McKenna Jr.

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

Sgt. Allen R. McKenna Jr., 28, of Noble, Okla., died Feb. 21 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

No. 129-12
February 22, 2012

Department Of Defense Casualty Status Report - February 22, 2012

2012-02-22T12:46:00.000-05:00

DOD Casualty Status Report

Statement By Secretary Of Defense Leon E. Panetta On The Treatment Of Religious Materials At Bagram Airbase

2012-02-21T20:42:00.000-05:00

"This morning ISAF Commander Gen. John Allen notified me of the deeply unfortunate incident involving the inappropriate treatment of religious materials, including the Koran, at Bagram Airbase. He and I apologize to the Afghan people and disapprove of such conduct in the strongest possible terms. These actions do not represent the views of the United States military. We honor and respect the religious practices of the Afghan people, without exception.

"I support Gen. Allen's swift and decisive action to investigate this matter jointly with the Afghan government. I will carefully review the final results of the investigation to ensure that we take all steps necessary and appropriate so that this never happens again."

No. 124-12
February 21, 2012

Department Of Defense Casualty Status Report - February 21, 2012

2012-02-21T20:32:00.000-05:00

DOD Casualty Status Report

Department Of Defense Raises Nearly $16 Million In Combined Federal Campaign Contributions

2012-02-20T16:43:00.000-05:00

Image via WikipediaBy Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2012 – The Defense Department raised nearly $16 million in contributions during the 2011 Combined Federal Campaign, marking its fifth consecutive year raising more than $15 million, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said today.

“With almost $16 million raised, we have again surpassed this year’s fundraising amount,” Carter said. “This is DOD’s eighth consecutive record-setting year; our fifth year in a row we’ve raised over $15 million -- no small accomplishment.”

Carter spoke during the 2011 DOD CFC Awards for the National Capital Region to celebrate the department’s “impressive contributions to the Combined Federal Campaign.” It also was the campaign’s 50th anniversary.

“Working at this department signifies the devotion all of you have to public service and I think of our contributions to the Combined Federal Campaign as an extension of that devotion,” he said. “It’s a reflection of that devotion that underscores just how committed each of you are to bettering our nation and our world.

“So it’s not surprising that we do so well in the Combined Federal Campaign in this department because it’s the kind of people who make it up,” he added.

Carter praised DOD employees for their substantial contributions during a period of fiscal austerity. *****CONTINUE READING*****

Navy To Host Spouse, Veteran Hiring Fair At Bethesda

2012-02-20T16:34:00.000-05:00

Naval Support Activity Bethesda

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 17, 2012 – The Navy and more than 25 large employers are teaming up to host the first-ever “100,000 Jobs Mission Hiring Event” at Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Md., on Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This “Joining Forces” event is open to veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, launched Joining Forces to rally the nation’s support for troops, veterans and their families.

“America is clearly hiring once again and efforts like this from our nation’s employers are exactly what’s needed to put our talented veterans and their spouses to work,” Brad Cooper, executive director of Joining Forces, said in an activity news release. “Teaming with the Navy at an event in Bethesda that brings job opportunities to veterans, spouses and wounded warriors is a win for everybody.”

This event, the release explained, differs from traditional job fairs by aligning registered candidates to specific companies and positions based on their interests and qualifications before the hiring event begins. Hiring managers will be on site to conduct interviews and may offer jobs that day. *****CONTINUE READING*****

Panetta, Dempsey: Sequestration Would Defeat Defense Strategy

2012-02-20T16:26:00.000-05:00

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2012 – The Defense Department’s senior leaders strongly warned Congress today that doubling defense spending cuts would leave the military without a workable strategy to counter staggering global threats.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, along with Pentagon Comptroller Robert F. Hale, logged their third day of congressional budget testimony, speaking before the House Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee.

Under the 2013 budget request, the Defense Department will spend $614 billion in fiscal 2013, divided between a $525.4 billion base budget and $88.5 billion covering war costs. The request incorporates the 2011 Budget Control Act’s requirement for a $487 billion reduction in defense spending over the next 10 years. The act also included a “sequestration” provision for an additional $500 billion in across-the-board cuts to take effect in January if Congress does not pass a plan to reduce the budget.

“If additional efforts are made to go after the defense budget, I think it could have a serious impact in terms of our ability to implement the strategy,” Panetta said. *****CONTINUE READING*****

Secretary Panetta Takes Strategy, Budget Message To Troops

2012-02-20T16:20:00.000-05:00

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2012 – Fresh from three days of Capitol Hill testimony, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today flew to Louisiana, where he shared his strategy and budget vision in a more dressed-down setting.

Speaking with a bit more salt than he had used on the Hill, and with his normal suit coat swapped out for a wind jacket, Panetta stood in a Quonset hut at Barksdale Air Force Base and told airmen and civilian employees how he will cut defense spending while shaping a stronger future force.

Standing with bombers behind him and uniforms in front, the secretary told the troops, “You are the part of the strongest military force of the history of the world, and we’re going to keep that.”

The airmen and their fellow service members have been part of significant achievements in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and around the world over the past decade, Panetta said.

Despite those successes, the nation faces a wide array of national security threats from volatile regions, space and cyber, he said, while “we are a country of heavy deficits, and debt.”

“Our responsibility in national defense is still to protect this country, to keep our kids safe for the future. That's the challenge we face,” he added. *****CONTINUE READING*****

FALLEN HEROES - Capt. Ryan P. Hall, Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten

2012-02-20T16:12:00.000-05:00

Capt. Ryan P. Hall, Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten

The Department of Defense announced the deaths of four airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died February 18 when their U-28 aircraft was involved in an accident near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Killed were:

Capt. Ryan P. Hall, 30, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was assigned to the 319th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 29, of Newnan, Georgia. He was assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, 26, of Bend, Oregon. He was assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, 26, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland. He was assigned to the 25th Intelligence Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

No. 122-12
February 20, 2012

FALLEN HEROES - Petty Officer First Class Paris S. Pough

2012-02-19T19:08:00.000-05:00

Petty Officer First Class Paris S. Pough

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

Petty Officer First Class Paris S. Pough, 40, of Columbus, Ga. died Feb. 17, during a port visit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Pough, a hull technician, was assigned to the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), home-ported in San Diego, Calif.

No. 121-12
February 19, 2012

FALLEN HEROES - Sgt. Jerry D. Reed II

2012-02-19T19:02:00.000-05:00

Sgt. Jerry D. Reed II

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

Sgt. Jerry D. Reed II, 30, of Russellville, Ark., died Feb. 16, in Paktika province, Afghanistan.

Reed was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Separate Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany.

No. 120-12
February 18, 2012

Department Of Defense Casualty Status Report - February 17, 2012

2012-02-17T20:46:00.000-05:00

DOD Casualty Status Report

Department Of Defense Casualty Status Report - February 16, 2012

2012-02-16T16:43:00.000-05:00

DOD Casualty Status Report

FALLEN HEROES - Petty Officer 3rd Class Kyler L. Estrada

2012-02-16T16:37:00.000-05:00

Petty Officer 3rd Class Kyler L. Estrada

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

Petty Officer 3rd Class Kyler L. Estrada, 21, of Maricopa, Ariz., died Feb. 14 as a result of a non-combat related training incident in Djibouti. Estrada, a Navy hospital corpsman, was assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

No. 113-12
February 16, 2012

United States Navy Names Five New Ships

2012-02-15T20:25:00.000-05:00

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced the next five Navy ships; three Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyers, the USS John Finn, the USS Ralph Johnson, and the USS Rafael Peralta, and two littoral combat ships (LCS), the USS Sioux City and the USS Omaha.

Mabus named the three destroyers after Navy and Marine Corps heroes whose actions occurred during different conflicts which spanned several decades, but were united in their uncommon valor. The littoral combat ships were named after two American communities.

John Finn, who retired as a lieutenant, received the Medal of Honor from Adm. Chester Nimitz for displaying “magnificent courage in the face of almost certain death” during the Japanese attack on military installations in Hawaii during Pearl Harbor. Marine Corps Pfc. Ralph Henry Johnson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for shouting a warning to his fellow Marines and hurling himself on an explosive device, saving the life of one Marine and preventing the enemy from penetrating his sector of the patrol’s perimeter during the Vietnam War. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Rafael Peralta was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for selflessly covering a grenade with his body to save his fellow Marines from the blast during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“Finn, Johnson and Peralta have all been recognized with some of our nation’s highest awards,” said Mabus. “I want to ensure their service and sacrifice will be known by today's sailors and Marines and honored for several decades to come by a new generation of Americans and people from around the world who will come in contact with these ships.”

The Arleigh Burke class destroyers will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. All three ships will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and will contain a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime warfare in keeping with the Navy’s ability to execute the Department of Defense’ defense strategy.

“The littoral combat ship is a major part of the future of our Navy,” Mabus said, pointing out LCS is fast, agile, and operates with a smaller crew and can perform operations in both shallow and deep waters.

“I chose the name for our two new littoral combat ships after Midwestern cities from America’s heartland, to honor the patriotic, hard-working citizens of Sioux City, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska, for their support of and contributions to the military.”

Sioux City and Omaha will be outfitted with reconfigurable payloads, called mission packages, which can be changed out quickly as combat needs demand. These mission packages are supported by special detachments that will deploy manned and unmanned vehicles and sensors in support of mine, undersea and surface warfare missions.

Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wis., will build the Freedom variant, the USS Sioux City, which will be 378 feet in length, have a waterline beam of 57 feet, displace approximately 3,000 tons, and make speed in excess of 40 knots. Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., will build the Independence variant, the USS Omaha, which will be 419 feet in length, have a waterline beam of 103 feet, displace approximately 3,000 tons, and make speed in excess of 40 knots.

No. 109-12
February 15, 2012

First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary Leon Panetta Unveil Effort to Aid Spouse Employment

2012-02-15T20:16:00.000-05:00

By Elaine Sanchez
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2012 – Alongside the nation’s top defense officials, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, unveiled a new report today that spotlights military spouses’ employment challenges and aims to remove barriers for the thousands of spouses with occupational licenses.

Speaking alongside Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the first lady and Biden described the magnitude of spouses’ licensing challenges and the commitment this report represents in helping to quickly resolve them.

The report, produced by the Defense and Treasury departments, offers a roadmap states can use to streamline or expedite licensing procedures.

“We are all here today … to say this to America’s military families: We are incredibly grateful for your service,” the first lady told a packed audience of leaders and military families in the Pentagon Auditorium. “We understand the unique challenges that you face, and we are going to do everything that we can to make sure that you can pursue your careers and provide for your families.”

Throughout this decade of war, military spouses have kept moving forward despite the challenges of frequent moves and deployments -- all while juggling children and a household. But when it comes to moving forward in their own careers, “far too often, you can't just keep moving, because you’ve run into a brick wall,” the first lady said. Much of this is due to issues with licensing and certifications, she noted. *****CONTINUE READING*****

Department Of Defense Leaders: Budget Request Supports Adaptable Future Force

2012-02-15T20:06:00.001-05:00

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2012 – The Pentagon’s fiscal 2013 budget request follows the defense strategy in shaping an adaptable, rapidly deployable military force with key 21st-century capabilities, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told Congress today.

Panetta and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey testified on the request before the House Armed Services Committee, following their testimony yesterday before the Senate’s similar body.

Under the request, the Defense Department would spend $614 billion in fiscal 2013, with a $525.4 billion base budget and $88.5 in overseas contingency operations funds to cover war costs.

The secretary noted the request incorporates the Budget Control Act’s requirement for a $487 billion reduction in defense spending over the next 10 years. Meeting that reduction required department and service leaders to make some tough choices and determine acceptable risks, Panetta said. “There is very little margin for error in this budget,” he told the panel.

The Army and Marine Corps will shrink by 72,000 and 20,000 troops, respectively, by 2017, he noted, and all the services will slow or terminate some planned large purchases. Ground vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, ships and aircraft all will be affected, the secretary said. *****CONTINUE READING*****

Department Of Defense Casualty Status Report - February 15, 2012

2012-02-15T19:59:00.000-05:00

DOD Casualty Status Report

Israeli Army Chief Says Nation Needs To Build Up Military To Strike Iran

2012-02-14T10:55:00.000-05:00

Image via WikipediaBy Jonathan Ferziger and David Lerman - Bloomberg

Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz said his country must build up its military capabilities and be prepared to strike if economic sanctions fail to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Israel must be “willing to deploy” its military assets because Iran may be within a year of gaining nuclear weapons capability, Gantz said yesterday.

Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency wrapped up a round of talks this week aimed at resolving Western suspicions that Iran is seeking to develop nuclear-bomb capability, and officials said they planned further discussions. *****CONTINUE READING*****

Department Of Defense To Improve Nutrition Standards Across The Armed Services For The First Time In 20 Years

2012-02-13T22:25:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Part Of Military’s New Obesity And Nutrition Awareness Campaign

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and TRICARE® Management Activity director Dr. Jonathan Woodson announced today the Military Health System’s (MHS) new obesity and nutrition awareness campaign. It will feature cooperative efforts with each of the armed services, as well as our partners in Military Community and Family Policy, to encourage service members, our retired beneficiaries and dependents make better nutritional choices and take a more active role in their personal health. This campaign will include improving nutrition standards across the services for the first time in 20 years. New changes will bring more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and entrée choices that are lower in fat to the 1,100 service member dining facilities in the coming months.

“Our primary focus is on the health and well-being of service members, their families, and our retirees,” Woodson said. “Obesity is a preventable problem which, if combatted, can help prevent disease and ease the burden on our overall Military Health System.”

“The Department of Defense is making a groundbreaking commitment to the health of our troops and their families. And in doing so, they’re not just sending a powerful message throughout the military community, they’re sending a message to our entire country,” First Lady Michelle Obama said. “Whenever our men and women in uniform step forward, Americans take notice. When our service members make healthy eating a priority in their lives, the rest of us are more likely to make it a priority in our lives. Simply put, this is America’s entire military once again stepping forward to lead by example.”

The MHS obesity and nutrition awareness campaign will feature cooperative efforts with each of the armed services to achieve the following:

*Update menu standards at military dining facilities for the first time in 20 years;
*Assess the nutritional environment of military facilities;
*Ensure healthier foods are available in dining facilities; Department of Defense schools, and other places where service members and their families purchase food on base, including vending machines and snack bars.

“We are intent on focusing on preventable illnesses to help our people stay out of our clinics and hospitals by improving their physical condition,” Woodson said. “We have the legal and moral responsibility to do our part to maintain the health and well-being of everyone in our military community. And, we are committed to a strategy that changes the direction of healthcare to health in the military community, and, in many ways, for all Americans.”

No. 093-12
February 09, 2012

2013 Budget Proposal Requests Smaller, More Modern, Agile Force

2012-02-13T21:56:00.000-05:00

By Lisa Daniel and Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2012 – The military will reduce its end strength by 5.5 percent over five years, while preserving military pay and benefits for current members and investing in technology and systems to counter future threats, according to Pentagon budget documents released today.

The fiscal 2013 proposal calls for a $525.4 billion base budget, down $5.2 billion from the current year, and $88.5 billion for overseas contingency operations, down $26.6 billion.

The proposal follows the military strategy guidance President Barack Obama released last month that provides a transition from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to a more agile and flexible military that responds to broad challenges and maintains global superiority while also helping to reduce the national deficit, officials said. *****CONTINUE READING*****

FALLEN HEROES - Lance Cpl. Osbrany Montes De Oca

2012-02-13T21:45:00.000-05:00

Lance Cpl. Osbrany Montes De Oca

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

Lance Cpl. Osbrany Montes De Oca, 20, of North Arlington, N.J., died Feb. 10 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

No. 103-12
February 13, 2012

Fallen HEROES - Pfc. Cesar Cortez

2012-02-13T21:37:00.000-05:00

Pfc. Cesar Cortez

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

Pfc. Cesar Cortez, 24, of Oceanside, Calif., died Feb. 11, in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Cortez was assigned to 5th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Fort Bliss, Texas.

No. 102-12
February 13, 2012

Whitney Houston - Star Spangled Banner (Welcome Home Heroes Concert)

2012-02-13T10:20:00.000-05:00

Whitney Houston performing the Star Spangled Banner for the troops, live at her 1991 "Welcome Home Heroes" concert in Norfolk, Virginia, USA.