Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 took the final steps in re-establishing Camp Mitchell, Spain, as one of the main sites for NMCB deployments July 7.
NMCB 11 gathered in formation around the camp flagpole to present the battalion's colors for the first time as a unit in Rota, Spain. The battalion has been preparing for the return to Spain for the entirety of its six-month deployment.
The process began back in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, where Seabees were tasked with closing down the camp to include retrograding civil engineer support equipment, tools, materials and facilities and returning control of the camp property back to the coalition forces land component command.
The next step was the offload of the Seabees' new Scalable, Modular, Agile, Responsive (SMART) P-25S Table of Allowance, a three-day ship offload that included more than 300 pieces of civil engineer support equipment and more than 150 ISO containers.
The final step came as the headquarter element arrived in Rota and brought the battalion's colors back to Camp Mitchell to complete the re-establishment process for the Seabees.
The Seabees have spent the better part of the last seven years in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, providing support to local commanders in that area but more importantly were there to provide contingency construction support for joint forces working in and around Iraq and Afghanistan. With increasing missions in Africa, the Rota Seabee battalion will launch detachments and details to provide humanitarian civic assistance construction and exercise-related construction projects in European Command and Africa Command theaters of operation.
NMCB 11 Seabees are currently deployed to Horn of Africa, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
Nicholas Lingo (NNS)
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Friday, July 10, 2009
Washington Interested in Mongolian Good Offices with North Korea
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has expressed interest in Mongolia's offer to help arrange dialogue between the United States and North Korea, reports the Washington Times.
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What would war with North Korea look like?
Should U.S. forces ever be called on for a mission inside North Korea, it is the unknown that presents the biggest challenge. The Stars & Stripes presents an in-depth analysis of what the American military should expect if North Korea invades South Korea or declares war on the United States.
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US Military Still Lacks Language Skills
The Us military must do more to teach soldiers foreign languages relevant to ongoing military operations in the Middle East, Central Asia, Asia and Africa, reports the Stars & Stripes.
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Obama Administration Cuts Military Replacement Budget
House lawmakers on Thursday blasted a White House decision not to provide money next fiscal year for upgrades to combat-worn military equipment, and promised a fight to put billions back into the defense budget, reports the Stars & Stripes.
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AF Communications Agency Reflagged to Reflect Cyberwarfare Role
A historic change for the Air Force Communications Agency will occur Wednesday as it will re-designate to the Air Force Network Integration Center to more accurately reflect its role in cyberspace operations.
Along with the re-designation ceremony is a change in leadership as Col. Carl Williamson relinquishes command to Col. John Odey, the same day 10 a.m. in Hangar 1.
The name change comes at a time when the Air Force continues to align its cyber forces under Air Force Space Command, located at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., which has the lead for organizing, training and equipping its people to perform the space and cyberspace mission.
AFCA is just one of several organizations that will ultimately fall under the command, which is led by Gen. C. Robert Kehler. The 24th Air Force functions as the warfighting arm of cyber operations and is scheduled to stand up later this summer in San Antonio, Texas.
General Kehler met with members of AFCA in May to discuss the way ahead and spoke about lessons learned from previous integration efforts in his career.
"This is significant ... because it means you have a major-command advocate and authority figure to help you as we move toward the one Air Force, one network goal," he said. "We construct access, we operate the network, defend it, attack and exploit ... We're not just providing communications to aircraft crews. We're in a domain that is contested. When we log on to our computers now, we're in a combat zone. We're all defenders!"
He said the workforce will remain the communications experts and that they're going to be careful as they move forward in assigning cyberspace and communications roles. AFCA members were also assured that their legacy will be preserved and that he's looking at ways to ensure both the space and communications/cyber culture are represented as one team.
AFCA serves as the Air Force's focal point for network integration through resourcing, assessments and validation, architectures and analysis and network engineering. They also build, test and sustain common network and communications systems. AFCA traces its heritage back to 1938 when it was the Army Airways Communications System and has since served as a major command, service, wing and now center.
The communications and information community has a rich history of commanders and enlisted members who have led the service toward a technological and information-enabled future.
Colonel Williamson said, "The Air Force continues to transform, and we are moving in the right direction. We have the right people with the right skills to continue to help the Air Force meet the demands of today's mission requirements. We will continue to be the center of excellence for the Air Force, and we will bring that expertise to this warfighting domain and continue finding solutions to our challenges."
Karen Petitt
# END
Along with the re-designation ceremony is a change in leadership as Col. Carl Williamson relinquishes command to Col. John Odey, the same day 10 a.m. in Hangar 1.
The name change comes at a time when the Air Force continues to align its cyber forces under Air Force Space Command, located at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., which has the lead for organizing, training and equipping its people to perform the space and cyberspace mission.
AFCA is just one of several organizations that will ultimately fall under the command, which is led by Gen. C. Robert Kehler. The 24th Air Force functions as the warfighting arm of cyber operations and is scheduled to stand up later this summer in San Antonio, Texas.
General Kehler met with members of AFCA in May to discuss the way ahead and spoke about lessons learned from previous integration efforts in his career.
"This is significant ... because it means you have a major-command advocate and authority figure to help you as we move toward the one Air Force, one network goal," he said. "We construct access, we operate the network, defend it, attack and exploit ... We're not just providing communications to aircraft crews. We're in a domain that is contested. When we log on to our computers now, we're in a combat zone. We're all defenders!"
He said the workforce will remain the communications experts and that they're going to be careful as they move forward in assigning cyberspace and communications roles. AFCA members were also assured that their legacy will be preserved and that he's looking at ways to ensure both the space and communications/cyber culture are represented as one team.
AFCA serves as the Air Force's focal point for network integration through resourcing, assessments and validation, architectures and analysis and network engineering. They also build, test and sustain common network and communications systems. AFCA traces its heritage back to 1938 when it was the Army Airways Communications System and has since served as a major command, service, wing and now center.
The communications and information community has a rich history of commanders and enlisted members who have led the service toward a technological and information-enabled future.
Colonel Williamson said, "The Air Force continues to transform, and we are moving in the right direction. We have the right people with the right skills to continue to help the Air Force meet the demands of today's mission requirements. We will continue to be the center of excellence for the Air Force, and we will bring that expertise to this warfighting domain and continue finding solutions to our challenges."
Karen Petitt
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Thursday, July 9, 2009
Air Force Reserve - Emerging Roles and Missions
Defense Education Forum panelists recently gathered at the Reserve Officers Association headquarters in Washington DC to discuss the Air Force Reserve's role in modernization and emerging missions.
Maj. Gen. Howard N. Thompson, the Air Force Reserve deputy, cited the importance of volunteerism as Reserve Airmen focus on strategic and operational balance.
"Modernization of the Air Force Reserve is not a stake in the ground; it's a mindset and a modernization of thought," General Thompson said. "To satisfy the combatant commander's requirements and support total Air Force in meeting those operational requirements is a continual improvement process."
General Thompson said Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command, has designated the AFR's top priorities:
-- Provide an operational, combat ready force while maintaining a strategic Reserve
-- Preserve the viability of the Reserve triad: Airmen, family and employers
-- Broaden total force integration opportunities to include resource efficiency, manpower and organizations
-- Champion equipment and facilities modernization to include National Guard and Reserve Equipment Appropriation and military construction.
General Thompson said total force integration has become increasingly important as Air Force officials further develop the cyber and irregular warfare missions.
"Total force integration is the lens through which the Air Force Reserve deciphers how to leverage the money, resources and talent of our force to do what the nation needs us to do," General Thompson said.
The advantages of total force integration and exposure of citizen Airmen to the joint environment is not only good for the Reserve, but also good for the Air Force, the general said.
"We're at a sustainable, steady state of supporting the operational requirements of active duty Air Force, while maintaining the ability to provide depth in our strategic Reserve," General Thompson added.
The panel of experts included Col. Charles Sachs, the individual mobilization augmentee to the director of intelligence, operations and nuclear integration for Air Education and Training Command headquarters at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.
Colonel Sachs cited Department of Defense Directive 3007.07, which he said has now put the irregular warfare mission on par with conventional warfare in strategic military planning.
"Our Air Force must be as competent and capable in irregular warfare as it is in conventional warfare," Colonel Sachs said.
Colonel Sachs and his fellow panelists explained that the irregular warfare mission continues to take shape thanks to lessons learned from counter-insurgency, counter-terror, and stability operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other forward operating locations.
"A key component for IW mission success requires our defense warfighters to help partner nations develop their stability, security, and legitimacy in line with U.S. national security interests," Colonel Sachs said. "This focus enables us to develop the strategies, tools, and capabilities -- new approaches -- for dealing with future complex and increasingly asymmetrical challenges to our military and geopolitical interests."
The colonel explained that the Air Force chief of staff, in support of DOD's "Building Partnership Capacity" initiatives, has directed the Air Force to stand up a permanent Air Advisor School that trains Airmen for future missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Air Education and Training Command officials are leading this effort.
"The Air Force Reserve helps the Air Force determine how the air Reserve component can be most effectively leveraged in IW and BPC missions."
Such new approaches also apply to relying on the the talent of reservists to excel in the cyber arena. General Thompson cited Moore's Law, which states that technology capabilities double roughly every 18 months.
"Industry can work within Moore's Law, so we can have our reservists stay up to speed on training in these new technologies and leverage their expertise for the military," General Thompson said.
Another panelist, Col. Leonard Dick of the Air National Guard and AFRC Test Center in Tucson, Ariz., discussed the Air Force Reserve's advantages in modernization and acquisition due to three-year test and modernization funding cycles from the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Appropriation. NGREA has funded the test center's involvement with each of the Air Force Reserve's 373 aircraft.
"NGREA gives us a specific three-year funding outlook, allowing us to look inside the process," Colonel Dick said. "Because our requirements are not as 'top-down-driven' as the active duty Air Force, we get many of our (modification and development) recommendations from people in the field."
Perspectives from citizen Airmen in the field also greatly impact the Air Force Reserve's role in cyber warfare. Colonel Dick said the less transient nature of the Reserve lends itself to retaining the most experienced people to advance the cyber mission.
"For the actual technicians working in our cyber career fields, this isn't something you do for a few years and move on," Colonel Dick said. "Many people devote 10, 15, even 20 years or more to their civilian technology-driven careers, and dedication to this specialized mission works really well with the Air Force Reserve Command concept."
Whether in cyber, irregular warfare, or any Air Force specialty code, volunteers are vital to mission success, General Thompson said. Since the Air Force Reserve achieves almost all of its operational requirements through volunteerism, taking care of citizen Airmen is paramount.
The general explained that partnership with the Reserve Officers Association has improved the way the Air Force Reserve helps take care of reservists and their families with the reported success of TriCare Reserve Select and Employer Support of Guard and Reserve programs.
"ESGR has helped maintain crucial links to our employers," General Thompson said. "The program provides employers the planning data they need so that our Reserve participation is well-planned while protecting employees' jobs."
Amaani Lyle (AFNS)
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Maj. Gen. Howard N. Thompson, the Air Force Reserve deputy, cited the importance of volunteerism as Reserve Airmen focus on strategic and operational balance.
"Modernization of the Air Force Reserve is not a stake in the ground; it's a mindset and a modernization of thought," General Thompson said. "To satisfy the combatant commander's requirements and support total Air Force in meeting those operational requirements is a continual improvement process."
General Thompson said Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command, has designated the AFR's top priorities:
-- Provide an operational, combat ready force while maintaining a strategic Reserve
-- Preserve the viability of the Reserve triad: Airmen, family and employers
-- Broaden total force integration opportunities to include resource efficiency, manpower and organizations
-- Champion equipment and facilities modernization to include National Guard and Reserve Equipment Appropriation and military construction.
General Thompson said total force integration has become increasingly important as Air Force officials further develop the cyber and irregular warfare missions.
"Total force integration is the lens through which the Air Force Reserve deciphers how to leverage the money, resources and talent of our force to do what the nation needs us to do," General Thompson said.
The advantages of total force integration and exposure of citizen Airmen to the joint environment is not only good for the Reserve, but also good for the Air Force, the general said.
"We're at a sustainable, steady state of supporting the operational requirements of active duty Air Force, while maintaining the ability to provide depth in our strategic Reserve," General Thompson added.
The panel of experts included Col. Charles Sachs, the individual mobilization augmentee to the director of intelligence, operations and nuclear integration for Air Education and Training Command headquarters at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.
Colonel Sachs cited Department of Defense Directive 3007.07, which he said has now put the irregular warfare mission on par with conventional warfare in strategic military planning.
"Our Air Force must be as competent and capable in irregular warfare as it is in conventional warfare," Colonel Sachs said.
Colonel Sachs and his fellow panelists explained that the irregular warfare mission continues to take shape thanks to lessons learned from counter-insurgency, counter-terror, and stability operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other forward operating locations.
"A key component for IW mission success requires our defense warfighters to help partner nations develop their stability, security, and legitimacy in line with U.S. national security interests," Colonel Sachs said. "This focus enables us to develop the strategies, tools, and capabilities -- new approaches -- for dealing with future complex and increasingly asymmetrical challenges to our military and geopolitical interests."
The colonel explained that the Air Force chief of staff, in support of DOD's "Building Partnership Capacity" initiatives, has directed the Air Force to stand up a permanent Air Advisor School that trains Airmen for future missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Air Education and Training Command officials are leading this effort.
"The Air Force Reserve helps the Air Force determine how the air Reserve component can be most effectively leveraged in IW and BPC missions."
Such new approaches also apply to relying on the the talent of reservists to excel in the cyber arena. General Thompson cited Moore's Law, which states that technology capabilities double roughly every 18 months.
"Industry can work within Moore's Law, so we can have our reservists stay up to speed on training in these new technologies and leverage their expertise for the military," General Thompson said.
Another panelist, Col. Leonard Dick of the Air National Guard and AFRC Test Center in Tucson, Ariz., discussed the Air Force Reserve's advantages in modernization and acquisition due to three-year test and modernization funding cycles from the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Appropriation. NGREA has funded the test center's involvement with each of the Air Force Reserve's 373 aircraft.
"NGREA gives us a specific three-year funding outlook, allowing us to look inside the process," Colonel Dick said. "Because our requirements are not as 'top-down-driven' as the active duty Air Force, we get many of our (modification and development) recommendations from people in the field."
Perspectives from citizen Airmen in the field also greatly impact the Air Force Reserve's role in cyber warfare. Colonel Dick said the less transient nature of the Reserve lends itself to retaining the most experienced people to advance the cyber mission.
"For the actual technicians working in our cyber career fields, this isn't something you do for a few years and move on," Colonel Dick said. "Many people devote 10, 15, even 20 years or more to their civilian technology-driven careers, and dedication to this specialized mission works really well with the Air Force Reserve Command concept."
Whether in cyber, irregular warfare, or any Air Force specialty code, volunteers are vital to mission success, General Thompson said. Since the Air Force Reserve achieves almost all of its operational requirements through volunteerism, taking care of citizen Airmen is paramount.
The general explained that partnership with the Reserve Officers Association has improved the way the Air Force Reserve helps take care of reservists and their families with the reported success of TriCare Reserve Select and Employer Support of Guard and Reserve programs.
"ESGR has helped maintain crucial links to our employers," General Thompson said. "The program provides employers the planning data they need so that our Reserve participation is well-planned while protecting employees' jobs."
Amaani Lyle (AFNS)
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