Vice President Joe Biden is visiting Iraq to mark the end of U.S. combat operations there.

DownRange (Click for Info)
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:30:08 -0500
Vice President Joe Biden is visiting Iraq to mark the end of U.S. combat operations there.

Check us out at Motion Center:Click Here

Copyright 2010 Group Speeddog
Cameras NITTEC | Weather Wunderground

Pakistani Flood Waters Just Beginning to Recede

Pakistani Flood Waters Just Beginning to Recede
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:14:00 -050 (click for more information)

By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2010 - Flood waters are just beginning to recede in Pakistan, but it will be months before the full extent of the damage can be assessed, U.S. officials said. Between 15 million and 20 million Pakistanis have been impacted by the flooding and about 1,500 have been killed. The United States immediately pledged its support and the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad began coordinating missions with the Pakistani government. American humanitarian assistance for Pakistan has come at the request of its government, officials said. Overall, the United States is providing $200 million in flood-relief aid to Pakistan – including $10 million in operations costs for aircraft. Heavy monsoon rains produced an influx of water that began overflowing the banks of the Indus River and its tributaries at the end of July. Since then, U.S. military personnel have been working continuously to provide aid and relief to Pakistanis stricken by the flood, Defense Department officials said. Six U.S. Army helicopters and crews based in Afghanistan began the aid effort in Pakistan on Aug. 3. American military aircrews flew across Khyber-Pahtunkhwa province and rescued thousands of people stranded by flood waters as unusually heavy monsoon rains pummeled the northwestern portion of Pakistan. On July 31, U.S. military began airlifting Halal - religiously permitted - meals to a Pakistani air base located near Islamabad, the country's capital city. Nineteen helicopters from the USS Peleliu began flying missions in support of Pakistani efforts soon after, allowing the Army helicopters to return to missions in Afghanistan. Air Force C-130s also began shuttling immediate humanitarian goods and U.S. Agency for International Development supplies around Pakistan. Yesterday, the Pentagon announced that 18 helicopters from Alaska – 10 Chinooks and eight Black Hawks – will deploy to Pakistan and begin operations in mid-September. The USS Kearsarge has deployed early and will relieve the Peleliu sometime at the end of September. Today, U.S. helicopters rescued 625 people and flew in 114,000 pounds of supplies. Afghanistan-based C-130s delivered about 55,000 pounds of goods. Overall, U.S. helicopters have rescued 9,433 people and flown in 1.7 million pounds of goods. C-130s have delivered 985,000 pounds of supplies since operations began, said Pentagon spokesman Marine Col. Dave Lapan. U.S. support will continue as long as the Pakistani government needs – and requests – the help. "We've responded immediately to Pakistan's requests for support as they've come in," Lapan said. "With regard to the arrival of our helicopters, it's been the plan all along to bring these aircraft into Pakistan in a phased approach to ensure base infrastructure is ready to support the additional helicopters and associated personnel." Four U.S. Marine helicopters are slated to arrive in Pakistan later in the week to assist with flood-relief operations. It's important to note that the flooding in Pakistan has been an evolving situation, Lapan said. Unlike the 2005 earthquake, he said, the impact of the current Pakistan floods "was not immediate and assessments of damage and support requirements have taken longer due to the scope and duration of the problem. "We continue to remain in close contact with the Pakistan government to be responsive to their needs," he added, "which will likely evolve over time as the flood waters recede and recovery begins." The flood waters in Pakistan spread from the northwestern part of the country down the Indus River to the more populated states of Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh. Aside from the loss of life, hundreds of thousands of buildings, miles of roads and railroad tracks, levees, dams and other infrastructure projects suffered damage. Millions of Pakistanis rendered homeless by the floods are camping along the limited high ground that exists in certain areas. Now the waters are starting to recede. But the floods that washed out bridges and roads have made whole areas of Pakistan impassible. U.S. officials said that the government of Pakistan can count on American support as it begins its long-term recovery.

Related Sites: Special Report: U.S. Provides Support During Pakistan Flooding

Around the Services

Around the Services
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:41:12 -0500
As the nation marks five years after Hurricane Katrina, we update you on Army Corps of Engineers levee upgrades. Plus, the Vice President arrives in Iraq to meet with U.S. troops.



Check us out at Motion Center:Click Here

Copyright 2010 Group Speeddog

Media Shoots Imagery at Afghan Detention Facility

Media Shoots Imagery at Afghan Detention Facility (click for information)

Joint Task Force 435 PARWAN, Afghanistan, Aug. 30, 2010 - News media representatives were permitted to take video and still photos Aug. 27 at the detention facility here for the first time since it became operational in December 2009. An Afghan guard and a U.S. Army soldier work together at the detention facility in Parwan, Afghanistan, Aug. 23, 2010. On Aug. 27, 2010, news media representatives were permitted to take video and still photos at the facility for the first time since it became operational in December 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Adam M. Stump (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Coalition and Afghan military and civilian leaders, news media and human rights organizations have previously toured the facility but had never been permitted to shoot photos and record video because of a Defense Department policy, which recently changed. "The change in the documentation policy enables a level of transparency that did not previously exist, countering negative perceptions with truthful, accurate images," said Navy Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward, Joint Task Force 435's commander. The admiral has command, control, oversight and responsibility for U.S. detention and correction operations in Afghanistan. "Joint Task Force 435 is proud of the facility and the important mission our people areresponsible for doing every day," Harward said. "We are committed to transparency at all levels of the detention operations mission and welcome the opportunity to show that we are conducting operations in accordance with international law and providing appropriate treatment and care to all detainees." The Parwan facility will transition to the Afghans beginning January 2011. Some restrictions on photography and videography remain, officials said, due to security or safety considerations. These restrictions, they added, are in place to protect detainees, the facility and its personnel by not revealing security measures or procedures. Photos or video in which detainees are recognizable are not authorized and are deleted as part of the security review. "I am exceptionally proud of the work this task force does every day, providing humane, respectful care to those in our custody," Harward said. "I welcome this opportunity to show what it is really like inside the detention facility in Parwan. These truthful, accurate images of our operations help to mitigate false accusations and perceptions that may otherwise fuel the insurgent cause." The detention facility's design allows for safe, humane and effective management of the population, and allows willing detainees to participate in group activities and educational programs, officials said. It is equipped with modern medical facilities, an on-site family visitation area, video teleconferencing capability, large recreation areas, vocational technical and education classrooms, and additional space to conduct legal proceedings. The detention facility was completed in September 2009 and became fully operational in late December 2009. The facility's design accommodates detainee reintegration efforts and enables JTF 435 to better align detainee operations with the overall strategy to defeat the extremist insurgency in Afghanistan. The facility currently is designed to house about 1,300 detainees. Three additional detainee housing units are being constructed, with an expected delivery date of March 2011. These units will be completely staffed and managed by Afghan authorities and will increase the overall capacity of the Parwan facility by nearly 1,000. The facility is operated by more than 1,200 professionals from the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps with trained guards, expert medical personnel and legal support. More than 700 Afghan National Army military police soldiers are currently training to augment the guard force and more than 100 are fully trained and standing guard duty inside the facility with their American counterparts. JTF 435 is actively partnering with Afghan forces in preparation for the responsible transfer of military detention operations to the Afghanistan government . Once transferred, the detention facility will become part of a larger Afghan Justice Center in Parwan, which will become Afghanistan's central location for the pre-trial detention, prosecution and post-trial incarceration of national security suspects. This transfer is consistent with the memorandum of agreement signed by the pertinent Afghan ministries on Jan. 9.

Biographies: Navy Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward Related Sites: Joint Task Force-435

Iraqi Forces Arrest 2 Al-Qaida Suspects

Compiled from U.S. Forces Iraq News Releases- Responsible for Content WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2010 - Iraqi security forces today arrested two suspected al-Qaida in Iraq criminal associates during joint security operations conducted in east Mosul, Iraq. Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader allegedly responsible for extorting money from oil-related contractors and oil transportation workers in order to fund terrorist operations against Iraq's security forces and the Iraqi public. Information and evidence at the scene led Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors to identify and arrest two suspected criminal associates. All such joint operations are pursuant to a warrant issued by an Iraqi judge. Iraqi and U.S. advisors conduct joint operations in accordance with the security agreement and in coordination with the Iraqi government to target terrorists seeking to disrupt the security and stability of Iraq. In other Iraq news: -- Iraqi security forces killed a suspected Jaysh al Mahdi member and arrested a criminal associate during an Aug. 29 joint security operation in southwest Baghdad. In Baghdad's Rashid district, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building for a suspected JAM member, who allegedly has close ties to the terror organization's senior leadership and is responsible for acquiring funds for the terrorist organization. During the operation, the suspected JAM member fired a pistol at the Iraqi forces, who returned fire, killing him. Information and evidence gathered at the scene led Iraqi forces to identify and arrest a criminal associate of the warranted individual. All joint operations are pursuant to a warrant issued by an Iraqi judge. Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors conduct joint operations in accordance with the security agreement and in coordination with the Iraqi government to target terrorists seeking to disrupt the security and stability of Iraq. In Aug. 28 operations: -- Iraqi security forces arrested two suspected al-Qaida in Iraq criminal associates during a joint security operation conducted south of Baghdad. Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member who allegedly belongs to a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device terrorist cell. Information and evidence gathered at the scene led Iraqi forces to identify and arrest two suspected AQI criminal associates. -- Iraqi security forces arrested two suspected al-Qaida in Iraq criminal associates during a joint security operation conducted near Kirkuk. Information and evidence gathered at the scene led Iraqi forces to identify and arrest two suspected al-Qaida in Iraq criminal associates.

Related Sites: U.S. Forces Iraq

National Guard on Border U.S.-Mexico border security

National Guard on Border
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:30:52 -0500

The first of 532 National Guard troops are set to begin their mission in the southern Arizona desert on Monday under President Obama's plan to beef up U.S.-Mexico border security. (More Information)

Family Matters Blog: First Week of School Survival Guide

Family Matters Blog: First Week of School Survival Guide  (click for more Info)
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:35:00 -0500

Family Matters Blog: First Week of School Survival Guide

By Elaine Wilson
American Forces Press Service - Responsible for content (Thanks)
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2010 - Tensions ran high last week as I loaded up the kids and headed out to drop them off at their new school. After a lengthy and complicated process, we had purchased a home in Maryland, which I wrote about in "Blogger Heads Out on House Hunt," and now we're tackling this next hurdle of adjustment.
I wasn't sure who was more nervous – me or them.
On that first day, we walked down the hall, bustling with kids and parents, and stepped into my son's new classroom. He unloaded his new school supplies, found his seat and sat there, arm casually draped on the back of the chair, quietly surveying the room to get the lay of the land.
"Bye Mom," he said with a cool-guy dismissive wave. I opted out of my usual hug and kiss to allow him his 2nd grade dignity.
 
Off to my daughter's 3rd grade classroom. She's much shyer than my son, so I stayed a while until she started chatting with another student, then beat feet for the door.
As I headed down the hall, lined with lockers adorned with brightly colored name tags, I took a huge sigh of relief. The initial entry, the hardest part in my mind, was over. It should all be downhill from here, I hoped.
The rest of the week went fairly well, with a few inevitable rough spots. Each night, I made a point of discussing the day with my children, the pros and cons, and my son invariably would draw a comparison to his old school.
"I liked Waynewood better because ...," he'd begin and then continue on with a detailed description of the better food, nicer friends, less homework, and so on.
I wanted to remind him that he did the same thing when he started at Waynewood two years earlier, but bit my tongue. It doesn't hurt to vent.
 
I've been learning a lot on this most recent move, the fourth for my children so far. While preparation and organization are vital for a successful first week of school, communication has become No. 1 on my priority list.
I've made it a priority to sit down one-on-one with my children to discuss their feelings and concerns these past few weeks. I let them pour out their hearts and then gently steered them toward thinking positive when they start delving too far into the negative.
 
And I'll continue to do so until they're firmly entrenched into their new school. It's the least I can do after their fourth move in six years.
This move has reminded me yet again of how tough adjustments can be, and given me an even deeper appreciation for military families who tackle these issues every couple of years or so. Moving isn't easy, particularly when compounded with adjustments to new schools.
I wanted to share some tips I found to help parents successfully navigate the first week of school, courtesy of the National Association of School Psychologists website.
Many of these tips will prove helpful, not only on the first week of school, but year-round.
Back-to-school tips for parents:
-- Clear your schedule. If possible, postpone business trips, volunteer meetings and extra projects. You want to be free to help your child acclimate to the school routine and overcome the confusion or anxiety that many children experience at the start of a new school year.
-- Make lunches the night before school. Older children should help or make their own. Give them the option to buy lunch in school if they prefer and finances permit.
-- Set alarm clocks. Have school-age children set their own alarm clocks to get up in the morning. Praise them for prompt response to morning schedules and bus pickups.
-- Leave plenty of extra time. Make sure your child has plenty of time to get up, eat breakfast and get to school. For very young children taking the bus, pin to their shirt or backpack an index card with pertinent information, including their teacher's name and bus number, as well as your daytime contact information.
-- After school. Review with your children what to do if they get home after school and you're not there. Be very specific, particularly with young children. Put a note card in their backpack with the name(s) and number(s) of a neighbor who is home during the day as well as a number where you can be reached.
-- Review your child's schoolbooks. Talk about what your child will be learning during the year. Share your enthusiasm for the subjects and your confidence in your child's ability to master the content. Learning skills take time and repetition. Encourage your child to be patient, attentive and positive.
-- Send a brief note to your child's teacher. Let the teachers know that you're interested in getting regular feedback on how and what your child is doing in school. Be sure to attend back-to-school night and introduce yourself to the teachers. Convey a sincere desire to be a partner with your children's teachers to enhance their learning experience.
-- Familiarize yourself with the other school professionals. Make an effort to find out who it is in the school or district that can be a resource for you and your child. This can include the principal and front office personnel; school psychologist, counselor and social worker; the reading specialist, speech therapist and school nurse; and the after-school activities coordinator.