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"What goes around, comes around."

Shooter-detection System Comes Around

Multi-National Division-South  Courtesy Story  12.17.2009 By Spc. Samuel Soza

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA – "What goes around comes around," is one way to describe the Soldier's trained response to enemy contact.

Now Soldiers have one more way to make sure they can keep that saying true.

A new acoustic shooter-detection system called Boomerang detects incoming gunfire and alerts Soldiers to the shooter's location, allowing them to immediately return fire accurately.

"It's an anti-sniper detection system," said Pierre Jackson, an installer of Boomerang systems for the firm D3M.

US and Russia Close to an Arms Control Agreement

Obama and Medvedev talk at UN climate conference in Copenhagen

Andre De Nesnera | Washington 18 December 2009

President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart, Dmitri Medvedev, say considerable progress has been made on a new agreement replacing the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty - or START - accord that expired December 5. The two men spoke to reporters after a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations conference on climate change.

President Obama sounded a distinctly optimistic note about the chances for agreement on a new arms reduction treaty. "We've been making excellent progress. We are quite close to an agreement and I'm confident it will be completed in a timely fashion," he said.

Speaking through an interpreter, Russian president Medvedev echoed Mr. Obama's remarks. "Our

Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Advisors Arrest Suspected Terrorist Leader

Security Forces in Baghdad Crack Down on Al-Qaida

Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs  Courtesy Story 12.17.2009

BAGHDAD - Iraqi security forces with U.S. advisors arrested a suspected leader of a terrorist group operating in southern Baghdad yesterday and followed up overnight with four more operations targeting the Baghdad al-Qaida in Iraq network.

All of the operations were conducted with warrants issued by Iraqi courts for the arrest of suspected terrorists.

Acting on intelligence gathered by Iraqi and U.S. sources, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors stopped an alleged Aisha Battalion cell leader as he was driving on a public roadway west of Baghdad. Aisha

Afghan Officials: Karzai to Keep Half His Cabinet

Afghan officials say President Karzai is expected to keep about half of current cabinet, including 6 ministers supported by the West

VOA News 18 December 2009

Mr. Karzai, who is beginning his second term, is due to present his selections for the 25 posts on Saturday. The list is widely seen as a test of President Karzai's commitment to reform, after being re-elected in a disputed presidential vote in August.

Western nations have been pressing Mr. Karzai to rid his government of corruption and have threatened to hold back troops and aid unless he does.

The nominees expected to retain their positions include the ministers of defense, interior, finance, foreign affairs, health and agriculture -- all well regarded by Mr. Karzai's Western allies.

But Afghan officials say President Karzai also plans to keep energy minister Ismail Khan, who has been

1st BN 15th Infantry Regiment Back Najaf, Iraq Police in Election Security

U.S. Army Regiment Stays Behind the Scenes During Elections

Multi-National Division-South  Courtesy Story  12.17.2009

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – With the Iraqi national elections approaching, U.S. Soldiers are preparing to support the Iraqi army and Iraqi police while remaining in the background.

The Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, who are responsible with assisting Iraqi forces in and around Najaf, Iraq, take that mission very seriously.

The actual coordination and facilitation of the elections for Najaf has been organized by the Najaf Iraqi police and the 3rd Battalion, 30th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army, said Capt. Neil Penttila, commander, "C" Company, 1st Bn., 15th Inf. Regt., whose company is currently stationed at Forward Operating Base Endeavor outside Najaf.

"We try to stay in the background whenever necessary," Penttila said. "It's the Iraqi plan. We're incorporated into that plan as a safety net. We go on their command."

During the elections, the 1st Bn., 15 Inf. Regt. will be providing enablers to the Iraqi army and Iraqi

Grant Provides Opportunity to Iraqi Women in Need of a Livelihood

Micro-grant Given for New Flower Shop

30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team  Story by Sgt. Mary Phillips   12.16.2009

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Soon, the Rasheed Market, south of Baghdad, will be welcoming a new flower shop, thanks to a micro-grant given by leadership of 120th Combined Arms Battalion, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Dec. 16.

U.S. troops presented the micro-grant to Sinaa, the former head of the women's committee in Rasheed and her husband.

"I didn't know you guys would make my dream come true," said Sinaa to the Soldiers giving her the

US Signs Nuclear Deal with UAE

The new deal allows the United Arab Emirates to receive sensitive information and materials from the United States to help create the Arab world's first civilian nuclear power industry.

Phillip Walter Wellman | Dubai 18 December 2009

Photo: VOA - P. Wellman

Rapid development in Dubai is straining the emirate's power supplies, 12 Dec 2009

The United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a landmark agreement on peaceful nuclear cooperation.

The new deal, which was finalized Thursday, allows the United Arab Emirates to receive sensitive information and materials from the United States to help create the Arab world's first civilian nuclear power industry.  Emirati officials say the country needs nuclear power to keep up with rising energy

Iranians Rally to Protest Khomeini Photo Burning

Opposition members say the defacement was staged by the government as an excuse to further its crackdown against them.

Elizabeth Arrott | Cairo 18 December 2009

Thousands of Iranians turned out for a state-organized rally in Tehran Friday to protest the burning of an image of Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Opposition members say the defacement was staged by the government as an excuse to further its crackdown against them.

Demonstrators held aloft portraits of the late Ayatollah, a figure greatly respected by many across Iran's political spectrum.

The crowd cried out Khomeini's name, and as various speakers took to the podium, engaged in lively call and response chants.

The rally is the latest episode since the the disputed re-election IN JUNE of Iranian President Mahmoud

U.S.-Pakistani Talks Focus on Long-Term Partnership

U.S.-Pakistani Talks Focus on Long-Term Partnership

Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs  Story by Donna Miles  12.17.2009

WASHINGTON - The United States is committed to a long-term strategic partnership with Pakistan that's critical to the success of President Barack Obama's new Afghanistan strategy, senior U.S. leaders assured their Pakistani counterparts during a recent consultative session here.

The United States will remain a stabilizing force in the region long after the conflict ends,
Michele Flournoy, undersecretary of defense for policy, and others said.

Flournoy recognized actions Pakistan has taken to deal with extremists within its border, and promised continued U.S. support, David Sedney, deputy assistant secretary for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central

AFG: Marines Pleased with Admiral Mullens Visit and Support in Helmand Province

JCS Chairman Visits 1/3 Marines in Afghanistan

Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs  Story by Sgt. Brian Tuthill   12.17.2009

NAWA, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen visited Patrol Base Jaker Dec. 17 to tour the base and the Nawa district center, and spend time with Marines and sailors assigned here.

Mullen, the president's top U.S. military advisor, accompanied Brig. Gen. Larry D. Nicholson, commanding general, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, and Lt. Col. Matt Baker, commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, on a tour of the district's downtown market area just outside of Jaker.

To showcase the peace and tranquility to the chairman, the group walked the streets outside of Jaker

Paktya Regional Hospital Clinic Cares for Afghan National Army Families

Paktya Regional Hospital Clinic Cares for Afghan National Army Families

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs  Courtesy Story  12.17.2009

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Afghanistan national security forces and their dependants are entitled to free military health care throughout the country, however, this service is not often used by families due to lack of awareness or proximity to a military facility. The Paktya Regional Military Hospital is a fifty-bed inpatient facility which sees hundreds of outpatient visits daily and, of those, almost none are from family members.

Helping the Paktya Regional Military Hospital raise awareness of this resource was a project supported by the Medical Embedded Training Team at Forward Operating Base Lightning. The goal of the program, named Women's and Children's

Canadian Commitment in AFG Reflected in Her Brave, Resolute Troops

McChrystal Praises Canada's Afghanistan Contributions

Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs   Story by Gerry Gilmore  12.17.2009

WASHINGTON - The demonstrated bravery and resolve of the nearly 3,000 Canadian forces serving in Afghanistan reflects the commitment necessary to achieve success there, the commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan said in the Canadian capital, Dec. 16.

Canadian forces' efforts in mentoring Afghan security forces and their work in infrastructure development projects in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province are greatly appreciated, Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal said at the Conference of Defence Associations Institute in Ottawa.

"The courage and determination of Canadian forces are an inspiration to our coalition," McChrystal said, noting that Canada, with about 2,800 forces in Afghanistan, one of the 44 coalition nations that have

Forces in Afghanistan Detain Suspected Militants

Forces in Afghanistan Detain Suspected Militants

Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs  Courtesy Story  12.17.2009

KABUL - Combined Afghan and international security forces detained several militants today in three operations around Afghanistan, military officials reported.

A combined force detained several suspected militants near the village of Payandegi in the Zurmat District of Paktia province while pursuing a Taliban commander believed responsible for weapons

AFG: IJC Operational Update, Dec. 17:

Militants Detained in Paktya, Nangarhar, Wardak; Paktya Regional Hospital Cares for ANA Families

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs Courtesy Story

KABUL, Afghanistan– An Afghan-international security force detained a handful of suspected militants in Paktya province today while pursuing a Taliban commander responsible for weapons facilitation and several attacks in the area.

The joint force searched a compound near the village of Payandegi in the Zurmat district where intelligence sources reported militant activity. They recovered several AK-47 rifles, chest racks, grenades, blasting caps and other IED making materials.

In another operation today, a security force detained a Taliban facilitator and other militants in

Q-West Military Dog Fetches NCO Corps Induction

13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Story by Sgt. Matthew Cooley

12.16.2009  CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCATION Q-WEST, Iraq – Most dogs aren't required to do more than eat, sleep, and occasionally play fetch, but Rex isn't a normal German Shepherd.

15th Special Troops Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), inducted Sgt. 1st Class Rex, a patrol explosive detector dog for the 178th Military Police Detachment into the Corps of Non-commissioned Officers, Dec. 12, at a ceremony in the Morale,Welfare and Recreation tent here.

The ceremony, which is normally for newly promoted NCOs, inducted 32 human Soldiers and Airmen along with Rex, who was the highest ranking NCO to be inducted, welcoming them to the "time honored corps."

Military working dogs are given a rank one higher than their handlers,

AFG With Bullets Finding their mark, PJ's still bring out wounded

Airman returns home with a Purple Heart

By Airman 1st Class Jessica Green  California National Guard

Capt. Mary O. Jennings, a 129th Rescue Wing HH-60G Pave Hawk co-pilot, receives the Purple Heart from, Maj. Gen. Dennis G. Lucas, commander of California Air National Guard, during an awards ceremony Dec. 6, 2009. Captain Jennings the Purple Heart due to injuries sustained in a July 29, 2009 Afghanistan rescue mission. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Kim Ramirez, California National Guard)

MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. -- An Air Guardsman from the 129th Rescue Squadron here was awarded a Purple Heart at the Santa Clara Convention Center, Dec 6.

Capt. Mary Jennings, HH-60G Pave Hawk pilot, received the Badge of Military Merit, also known as the Purple Heart, by Maj. Gen. Dennis Lucas, commander of the California Air National Guard, in a ceremony attended by her family, friends and fellow Airmen from the 129th Rescue Wing.

She recently returned home from her deployment to Afghanistan after being wounded by enemy forces during the rescue of three injured American soldiers. Air Force rescue helicopter PEDRO 15 launched July 29 from Kandahar Airfield in route to the convoy that had fallen under attack once striking an improvised explosive device.

Brother of fallen Marine uses music to heal himself, others

Concert Dec. 20^th to benefit families of fallen heroes

Nick Letendre has been musician for more than a decade, but ever since 2006, he picks up his guitar and raises his voice for a higher purpose.

Letendre’s older brother Brian, a Marine Corps Captain, was killed 3 years ago while conducting combat operations in Iraq.

“I remember being so angry when I heard,” said Letendre. “I remember driving home and just hitting things in my car…I lived the next few days in a fog.”

Custom Kitchen, Home-cooked Meals Bring Marines Together in Afghanistan

Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs Story by Sgt. Brian Tuthill

12.15.2009  HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – When Marines hear they must live at a small patrol base for a long period of time, many think of primitive facilities, dirty conditions and bland, prepackaged meals coming from brown bags.

For Marines with the Police Mentoring Team assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, living on Patrol Base Jaker near the Nawa District's bazaar means good eats. Dozens of Marines of Alpha Company, 1/3, and Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, skipped the regular meal lines, Dec. 5, and followed their stomachs to the improvised wood stove kitchen on camp, where Sgt. Juan A. Flores and his team were frying chicken, cooking rice and topping it all with fresh pico de gallo over Afghan flat bread. Their fresh ingredients were purchased from the bazaar earlier that day.

The 1/3 Lava Dogs living at Jaker inherited the kitchen from the Marines of 1/5, from whom they recently took over the area. The hand-built, dual-burner stove is made from engineer stakes,

DOD Releases 2010 Housing Rates

 

    The Department of Defense today released the 2010 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates. Military members will receive an average housing allowance increase of 2.5 percent when the new rates take effect, Jan. 1, 2010.

 

    For members with dependents, average increases in the BAH are approximately $37 per month. A typical junior enlisted member with dependents, for example, will find his/her BAH about $25 per month higher than last year, while a senior non-commissioned officer with dependents will receive about $42 more than last year.

 

    Three components are included in the BAH computation: median current market rent; average utilities (including electricity, heat, and water/sewer); and average renter's insurance.

Crime Lab Casts Net Ahead of Cyber Criminals

Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs  Story by Judith Snyderman

12.15.2009 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Public fascination with television's "CSI" forensic detectives and with the virtual reality depicted in the "Matrix" films may be partly responsible for the high level of interest garnered by a Defense Department contest to solve cyber crimes.

The Digital Forensics Challenge was created by Jim Christy, director of future exploration at the Defense Department Cyber Crime Center, better known as DC3.

"We had 1,153 teams play from 61 different countries [in this year's contest], so it was kind of amazing," Christy said in a Dec. 9 "Armed with Science: Research and Applications for the Modern Military" podcast interview.

Though contestants work on invented puzzles, researchers harvest real crime-solving tools from their efforts. Those tools can help them stay ahead of criminal activity ranging from hacking to espionage to child pornography.

Christy is a veteran in the field of solving digital crimes. In 1986, at the dawn of the digital age, he cracked his first major case.

Fallout of 2009 Iran Protests to Carry over into New Year

2009 marked the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Shah of Iran and the establishment of a new Islamic Republic to replace the monarchy. But a questionable presidential election in 2009 also sparked the largest anti-government demonstrations in Iran since that revolution.

VOA  Gary Thomas | Washington 17 December 2009

When protests erupted over the declared outcome of the June presidential election, many Western analysts proclaimed Iran was on the eve of a new revolution that would topple the theocracy.  But it did not happen.  Not only was there was no revolution, but the theocratic rulers remain in power and many of the protesters have been arrested and tried.

No revolution

Egyptian Mediator to Visit Israel to Discuss Prisoner Swap

The Israeli government and Palestinian militants are stepping up indirect negotiations on a possible exchange of prisoners.

VOA  Robert Berger | Jerusalem 17 December 2009

Israel has invited a senior Egyptian mediator to Jerusalem on Sunday, raising speculation about a possible prisoner swap with the Islamic militant group Hamas. Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman will visit as Israel holds its weekly Cabinet meeting, indicating that significant issues are on the table. Over the past month, it has been widely reported in the Arab media that negotiations are making significant progress.

Afghans Attend Writing Seminar

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO Story by Master Sgt. Sarah Webb

12.15.2009  GHAZNI, Afghanistan – Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team engineers combated accusations of favoritism and corruption by establishing a technical proposal writing workshop held, Dec. 3.

The workshop, created to educate local companies regarding the requirements mandated by the U.S. Government for the awarding of contracts, is led by Engineer Mohammad Kareem, director of Technical and Sectorial Service for Ghazni province.

The perception of corruption and favoritism in the contract award process was partially due to the limited number of companies who can be awarded one of the few contracts available at any given time. The number of actual contracts is small compared to the large pool of contractors who work within the province and compete for the contracts. Another part of the negative perception was due to a number of companies not fully understanding the bidding requirements.

Vietnam Vet Serves in Iraq

Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs By Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Melissa A. Latty

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq - From the battle at Belleau Wood, where Marines earned the name "Devil Dog," to the iconic image of the flag-raising at Iwo Jima, Marine Corps history is embedded in every Marine from initial training at boot camp, and it continues to provide inspiration to those who serve.

Some veterans of past wars not only hold on to the memories of their service, but also are making new ones while they serve in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Viriato B. Sena, first sergeant for Transportation Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 46, is one of the few Vietnam veterans still serving in the Marines.

Sena, who joined the Marine Corps in 1973, participated in the evacuation of Vietnam and now is deployed to Iraq during the drawdown of U.S. forces and equipment, which has been noted to be the largest operation of its kind since Vietnam.

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Yemen: Strikes Foil Planned al-Qaida Attacks

The government of Yemen says it has killed 34 al-Qaida militants and arrested 17 others involved in planning suicide attacks across the country.

VOA  Elizabeth Arrott | Cairo 17 December 2009

Witnesses say civilians were also victims of the government actions.

Yemen says its security forces struck al-Qaida positions in Arhab district, north of the capital, and an alleged militant training camp in the southern province Abyan.

Officials say ground troops backed by warplanes launched the offensive to counter what they say were al-Qaida plans to hit Yemeni and foreign targets.  Security officials say

Russia Accuses US of Slowing Progress on Arms Pact

Russia is accusing the United States of holding up progress on a new nuclear arms treaty.

VOA News 17 December 2009

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov blames U.S. negotiators Thursday for slowing efforts over the past week.  And he said that while negotiations have improved, it is "unlikely" a deal could be signed when Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama attend the United Nation's climate summit in Copenhagen this week.

U.S. and Russian negotiators have been working in

Milblogs Go Silent‏

On Wednesday 16 December 2009, many milblogs -- including This Ain't Hell, From My Position, Blackfive, Miss Ladybug, Boston Maggie, Grim's Hall, and those participating in the Wednesday Hero program -- are going silent for the day.  Some are choosing to go silent for a longer period of time.

The reason for this is two-fold.  First, milblogs are facing an increasingly hostile environment from within the military.  While senior leadership has embraced blogging and social media, many field grade officers and senior NCOs do not embrace the concept.  From general apathy in not wanting to deal with the issue to outright hositility to it, many commands are

RIP Lance Corporal David Leslie Kirkness, Rifleman James Stephen Brown

Lance Corporal David Leslie Kirkness and Rifleman James Stephen Brown, both from the 3 RIFLES Reconnaissance Platoon, were killed following a suicide improvised explosive device blast on a route into central Sangin, northern Helmand, Afghanistan, on Tuesday 15 December 2009.

• Lance Corporal David Leslie Kirkness, 3rd Battalion The Rifles, aged 24 from West Yorkshire
• Rifleman James Stephen Brown, 3rd Battalion The Rifles, aged 18 from Kent

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare)

Opponents Call on Pakistan President Zardari to Quit

Call comes following a court ruling striking down an amnesty decree protecting Asif Ali Zardari from facing corruption charges.

VOA News 17 December 2009

Pakistani opposition groups are calling for President Asif Ali Zardari to step down from office following a court ruling striking down an amnesty decree protecting him and other senior officials from facing charges of corruption.
 
The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the National Reconciliation Ordinance, which grants amnesty to some 8,000 senior politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen, conflicts with Pakistan's constitution.