Military News: 19 Aug 2007 - 25 Aug 2007

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19 August 2007  --  Today's Washington Post gave attention to an Associated Press article on the annual joint military drill between South Korea and the U.S.  The drill has been conducted each year since 1975; it is often denounced by North Korea, who considers the exercise "a preparation to invade."  This year, the military drill takes on additional significance, as it takes place just before the second summit meeting ever between North Korean and South Korean leaders.  The first summit was held in 2000, and it was the first time the two nations had met peacefully since they were officially separated after WWII.  North Korea issued a warning to the U.S. earlier this month, stating that "the joint war maneuvers would have a 'catastrophic effect' on on-going six nation talks aimed at ending the North's nuclear program."  Approximately 10,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea and abroad are involved in the drill; there are currently about 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea today.  Interestingly, the exercise involving South Korea and the U.S. falls directly on the heels of another recent "military games" exercise involving Russia, China and other nations of Eastern Europe and the Middle East (see our news excerpt dated 07 August 2007).

20 August 2007  --  The state of Texas is receiving additional resources and National Guard deployments in preparation for Hurricane Dean.  Dean is currently moving over the Caribbean at approximately 21 mph with maximum sustained winds at about 150mph.  National Guard troops, mostly from Texas, are stationed in and near Texas border cities in anticipation of hurricane activity, flooding and emergency evacuations, if necessary.  Voluntary evacuations are already taking place in the Texas coastal region.  President Bush has already issued a federal disaster declaration for Texas that would allow for some assistance of further federal resources and personnel if required, and several air evacuation teams are standing ready in many Texas cities should the need for them arise.

21 August 2007  --  Samantha Quigley of the AFPS reported today on a college scholarship program that is truly the first of its kind.  Called "Operation Education," the program is sponsored by the University of Idaho.  Launched in June 2006, with a slogan of "You've served us; now let us serve you - with a college degree," the program allows severely injured servicemembers and/or their spouses to have assistance while pursuing a college degree through the University of Idaho.  Whether the need is child care, tuition, fees, books or housing, the scholarship program is tailored to meet the needs of each applicant and his/her family.  Karen White, the scholarship's chairman, says that the idea for Operation Education began with a visit to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center; she was so moved by the spirit and courage of wounded veterans, that she determined to find a way to assist them and their families obtain higher education, greater vocational skill and better jobs.  While the current program can support only two or three new students per year, White hopes to encourage similar programs at universities across the country.  Currently, Operation Education is funded entirely through private donations from University of Idaho alumni, former military servicemembers, and other interested community members.

22 August 2007  --  Marine Col. Richard Simcock, commander of Regimental Combat Team 6 stationed in eastern Anbar province, Iraq, praised the progress being made in the local governance and security of the region.  In a conference call today with Internet reporters and bloggers, Simcock expressed his amazement at "...how much the local Iraqi government is actually doing to better their own situation."  He is "very, very pleased with the efforts that local governments [are] putting forth," and he noted the record recruiting numbers he's witnessing for Iraqi police, neighborhood watches and other security forces.  Perhaps most importantly, these recruits are coming from both the Sunni and the Shiia sects, whom Simcock says are willing to put aside their differences and work for the betterment of Iraq.  Simcock spoke strongly about the continued partnership of U.S. forces with the Iraqi people as they rebuild their country, and encouraged the continued engagement of the U.S. with the local Iraqi forces in order to achieve the best results for the region.

23 August 2007  --  Pentagon reporters had access today to Army Brig. Gen. Richard Sherlock.  Sherlock is the deputy director for operational planning for the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.  One of the key issues addressed by Sherlock is the drastic decrease in the level of violence in Iraq.  In fact, according to Sherlock, levels of violence in Iraq are at their lowest since June 2006.  Part of this is due to the recent surge of U.S. troops; the surge, Sherlock maintained, has created a sustained coalition-troop presence in many Iraqi provinces and has served as a deterrent for insurgent activity.  Also key to the lowering levels of violence is the increasing role played by Iraqi security forces.  "The capability of the Iraqi security forces is continuing to grow," said Sherlock.  These forces are "in the lead" more and more often now and have proven themselves capable of locating and arresting insurgent members.  Furthermore, stated Sherlock, coalition forces are attempting to link more Iraqi security forces to the support of the central Iraqi government to allow for a smoother transition once U.S. forces begin to be moved out.

24 August 2007  --  The AFPS released an article today that focused on Fort Greely, Alaska.  Home to about 200 Alaska Army National Guardsmen (250 military members, if you include their families and outside contractors), Fort Greely serves as a ground-based midcourse defense unit.  The purpose of the unit is to monitor (and intercept, if necessary) long-range ballistic missiles aimed at the U.S. or its allies by hostile nations/groups.  The interceptor site was deemed appropriate for this type of mission by the Missile Defense Agency "because of its strategic location within intercepting distance of missiles launched either from North Korea or Iran."  Unlike active duty soldiers, the Guardsman stationed here are not subject to rotations in and out of assignments.  And, since they are considered a forward-deployed unit, they are not bound by the same activation and deployment requirements to which other U.S.-based units are subject.  Also unique to this post, is that there are no "traditional," or part-time, National Guard slots on the post.  Fred W. Baker III, author of this article, had the opportunity to speak with several of the unit's soldiers.  While the post offers few amenities due to its removed location and small size, the soldiers there continue to accept full-time tours due to the unique "culture" of Americana provided to them and their families.  It offers a "small town, tightly-knit sense of community.  Children run and play freely on the small post and in the surrounding woods.  Football, baseball and hockey are favorites, and most of the mothers are stay-at-home moms."

25 August 2007  --  In his weekly radio address, President Bush cited the ongoing efforts and bravery of Iraqi citizens "stepping forward to defend their democracy" (American Forces Press Service, Melinda L. Larson).  He noted the increasing numbers of volunteers coming forward to fill posts in the Iraq's army and police forces.  He also made mention of the formation of local provincial councils that are now able "to approve funds to finance the rebuilding of homes and neighborhoods, to fight corruption, and to create new jobs."  The President also shared a powerful story that was originally related by Army Staff Sgt. Sean Kane, in which an Iraqi man threw himself in the path of a suicide bomber who was running toward a group of American soldiers.  Kane was one of four soldiers and eight Iraqi civilians whose lives were saved by the man's sacrifice.  While President Bush emphasized that success in this war has not come overnight, he maintained strong confidence that conditions will continue to improve and that the U.S.' efforts to help Iraq build its own democracy will benefit both Americans as well as people all over the Middle East.