As the sun sets on the desert horizon, the highways of southern Iraq empty of civilian traffic.Although the local population begins to go home for the night, a new type of traffic emerges on Iraq’s highways.Long rows of headlights are exiting forward operating bases all across Iraq. Trucks full of goods going to the soldiers further north, or loaded with equipment heading for Kuwait, take over the roads.As combat logistic patrols begin their hauls into the dark of night, a small group of vehicles separates from them – vehicles brightly lit but moving slowly and deliberately.These are the...
House approves defense spending bill. After three days of debate, the House passed a $649.2 billion defense spending bill (H.R. 2219) for Fiscal Year 2012. The bill passed 336-87.
The bill would provide $530.5 billion for the Pentagon, $8.9 billion less than President Obama requested but $17 billion more than Fiscal Year 2011 levels.
It also includes $118.7 billion for ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is approximately $40 billion less than current funding.
The bill provides:
Funding for a 1.6 percent military pay raise
$32.2 billion for the defense...
AUSA Family Programs is well on its way to finalizing the topics and presenters for the 2011 AUSA Military Family Forums at the Annual Meeting and Exposition.The Annual Meeting will be held from Oct. 10 through 12, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The overall Annual Meeting theme is "America’s Army: Strength of the Nation," ™ and the theme of the 2011 Military Family Forums is "America’s Families: Strength of the Army."Many Army commanders recognize the Military Family Forums as a professional development opportunity and support and fund the attendance of their Family Readiness...
It is late summer in Washington and the perennial problem of authorizing and funding our Army is in full bloom.The regular defense authorization and appropriation legislation is moving forward in both houses of Congress in fits and starts.This year the process is overshadowed by the seemingly interminable negotiations over the potential government default if the national debt ceiling is not raised.Nevertheless, the House versions of the defense authorization and appropriations bills have been voted on and completed. At this writing there are two more weeks in July available for the Senate to...
This year, the AUSA Book Program will introduce eight new books and their authors at the Annual Meeting in Washington, Oct. 10-12 in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.The authors will discuss their books during the authors forum to be held on Monday, Oct. 10, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Room 145A of the convention center.The authors will be available for signings throughout the three day meeting in the AUSA Pavilion, Booth 407, Hall A.The books and authors are: "Advance and Destroy: Patton as Commander in the Battle of the Bulge," by John Nelson Rickard (University Press of...
"America’s Army: The Strength of the Nation" ™ – the theme of the Association of the United States Army’s 2011 Annual Meeting and Exposition – A Professional Development Forum – will set the tone for speeches, industry and military exhibits and special presentations from senior Defense Department and Army leaders on subjects relating to the Army’s fighting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq – while transforming to the brigade-centric Modular Force.The AUSA meeting – highlighting the "Profession of Arms" – will focus on panel discussions; educational, professional development forums; and special...
Standing attentively inside a tactical operations center (TOC), Sgt. David Johnson was able to pinpoint the location of an enemy sniper team and share real-time, combat-relevant intelligence across the force using networking gear now being evaluated.The gear is being field tested during the Army’s ongoing Network Integration Evaluation, or NIE, and the TOC is located in a "mountain village" strategically nested between hills on White Sands Missile Range, N.M., designed to replicate Afghan desert terrain."The platoon leader was able to send information up to us and give our commanders the...
Students taking part in U.S. Army All-American Bowl activities in January will be instantly transported to 2032 amid terrorist attacks and civil unrest.They will join a team of U.S. Army soldiers and civilian scientists to design new technologies to protect lives and defeat the threat.An immersive, high-tech portal will deliver students directly into the Army’s high-tech world.The Army is building the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Innovation Asset, a recruiting effort designed to attract and engage aspiring young scientists to its ranks, officials at Aberdeen Proving Ground...
The Army Business Board’s proposed new retirement plan that calls for phasing out 20-year pensions and gradually replacing them with contributions to a thrift savings plan is only a proposal, not a soon-to-be implemented law.The proposal is an idea from one entity within the Pentagon.The Department of Defense has not endorsed it nor sent it to Congress as a proposed change to the current plan."Another thing to remember is that over the years there have been many proposals to change the military retirement plan, and the only one that Congress passed, called REDUX, back in the 80’s, was repealed...
Some people seem larger than life itself and Eddie has always seemed to fit this category. I recall vividly his positive energy when I first met him almost 20 years ago at Fort Benning on one of my first visits. I join with all his many friends and fellow Soldiers in reflecting on his years of devoted service to our Nation, our Army and AUSA.CSM Eddie Roberts was a positive example for all to follow: farewell good and faithful comrade. My prayers are with you and your family. You will be missed.Respectfully,Gordon Sullivan******Command Sgt. Maj. Eddie Roberts, USA, Ret., suffered an apparent...
Secretary of Defense Leon A. Panetta met with soldiers from United States Division-Center at Camp Victory, Iraq, July 11, to discuss the goals he has for the armed forces.Panetta’s visit to Camp Victory was part of his first trip to Iraq and Afghanistan as the new secretary of defense."This is my first trip as secretary of defense," Panetta said. "I wanted to take my first trip to the war zones. I wanted a chance to meet with the men and women who are putting their lives on the line for our country."During his visit, Panetta expressed his gratitude for the commitment the service members had...
Gen. Raymond T. Odierno testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, July 21, as part of the confirmation process for his nomination as the next Army chief of staff.The committee’s chairman, Sen. Carl Levin, welcomed Odierno and gave a brief history of his accomplishments. He also spelled out the duties he will assume if confirmed to this position.Odierno currently serves as the commander of the United States Joint Forces Command. If he is confirmed, he will be the 38th Army chief of staff to succeed Gen. Martin E. Dempsey who has been nominated by President Obama to be the next...
Work ahead for the U.S. military includes completing current conflicts and preparing for an uncertain future, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee July 26.Dempsey, the Army chief of staff, answered questions during a confirmation hearing as President Barack Obama’s choice to serve as chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff when Navy Adm. Mike Mullen retires at the end of September."If confirmed, I will work with the Joint Chiefs to ensure that this nation has the military it needs," Dempsey said.Adding, "Our work must result in a joint force that is...
Gen. John M. Shalikashvili, USA, Ret., former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and supreme allied commander Europe, died July 23 at Madigan Army Medical Center, Wash., after fighting a long battle against complications from a stroke he suffered in 2004. He was 75.
Shalikashvili was the first draftee and the first foreign born American citizen to serve as chairman, a position he held from 1993-1997.
"General Shalikashvili was an important contributor to the Council of Trustees of the Association and served from 1999 to 2002," Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret., president of the Association...
Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo, 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Public Affairs NCO RAMADI, Iraq – Great hulking beasts, or mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles are lined up outside the platoon area. They look like giant mechanical rhinoceros with their heads lowered, ready to charge. Their backs are open revealing a soft green light illuminating the night. Paratroopers mill about, waiting for the convoy brief and conducting their last minute personal checks. The mission patrol leader, 1st Lt. Jeremy LaFountain, with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne...