Friday, April 09, 2010
Fire-fighting drills
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
The Military Sealift Command fleet
Review Provides Deterrence, Arms Reduction Roadmap
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON : The Nuclear Posture Review is a roadmap for reducing America's nuclear arsenal while maintaining an effective deterrent, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said at the Pentagon on Tuesday.
The congressionally mandated review charts the steps toward reducing nuclear risks to the United States, U.S. allies and partners, and the international community. "This review describes how the United States will reduce the role and numbers of nuclear weapons with a long-term goal of a nuclear-free world," Gates said. Gates – accompanied by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen – explained some of the changes the review recommends. New declaratory policies have taken the place of intentionally vague policies of the past, Gates said. For example, if a state that does not have nuclear weapons is in compliance with the nonproliferation treaty and its obligations, the United States will not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against that state. If such a state were to use chemical or biological weapons against the United States or its allies or partners, however, "it would face the prospect of a devastating conventional military response," the secretary said. Gates said the United States will adjust its policy if circumstances dictate the need. "Given the catastrophic potential of biological weapons and the rapid pace of biotechnology development," he said, "the United States reserves the right to make any adjustment to this policy that may be warranted by the evolution and proliferation of biological weapons." The Cabinet secretaries and the chairman stressed that the Nuclear Posture Review was a collegial interagency and international effort. "The consultations that supported this process included more than 30 of our allies and partners," Clinton said. "For generations, the United States' nuclear deterrent has helped prevent proliferation by providing our non-nuclear allies in NATO, in the Pacific and elsewhere with reassurance and security. The policies outlined in this review allow us to continue that stabilizing role." Officials said this is the most comprehensive review of U.S. nuclear strategy since the end of the Cold War, and that it places the prevention of nuclear terrorism and proliferation at the top of the U.S. nuclear policy agenda. "Given al-Qaida's continued quest for nuclear weapons, Iran's on-going nuclear efforts and North Korea's proliferation, this focus is appropriate, and indeed,... an essential change from previous reviews," Gates said. Gates stressed that the review has strong messages for Iran and North Korea. "Whether it's in declaratory policy or in other elements of the [Nuclear Posture Review], we essentially carve out states like Iran and North Korea that are not in compliance with [the nonproliferation treaty]," he said. "And basically, all options are on the table when it comes to countries in that category, along with nonstate actors who might acquire nuclear weapons." The message to Iran and North Korea is if they play by the rules, then they will be covered by the new recommendations, Gates said. "But if you're not going to play by the rules, if you're going to be a proliferator, then all options are on the table in terms of how we deal with you." The review has the full support of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mullen said. "We believe it provides us and our field commanders the opportunity to better shape our nuclear weapons posture, policies and force structure to meet an ever-changing security environment," Mullen said. "This Nuclear Posture Review reaffirms our commitment to defend the vital interests of the United States and those of our partners and allies with a more balanced mix of nuclear and non-nuclear means than we have at our disposal today." The review's conclusion that the United States can maintain deterrence with half of its current nuclear arsenal served as the basis for U.S. negotiations for the new strategic arms reduction treaty with Russia that President Barack Obama is scheduled to sign April 8. The United States also will continue an on-going and high-level dialogue with Russia and China aimed at fostering more stable, resilient and transparent strategic relationships, Gates said. Some aspects of the posture will remain static. The United States will continue to field its triad of nuclear-capable missiles, aircraft and submarines. "The United States will continue to hold accountable any state, terrorist group or other nonstate actor that supports or enables terrorist efforts to obtain or use weapons of mass destruction, whether by facilitating, financing, or providing expertise or safe haven for such efforts," Gates said. The United States will continue to develop and improve non-nuclear capabilities – including regional missile defenses – to strengthen deterrence and reduce the role of nuclear weapons, Gates said. "Finally, the United States will continue abiding by its pledge not to conduct nuclear testing," said he added. (Issued on April 6, 2010) |
| Biographies: Hillary Rodham Clinton Robert M. Gates Navy Adm. Mike Mullen Related Sites: Special Report: Nuclear Posture Review |
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Amnesty International Urges Lebanese Authorities to Intervene to Halt Expected Saudi Arabia Execution
Washington: Amnesty International today urged Saad Hariri, the Lebanese prime minister, to intervene to help halt the possible imminent execution of a Lebanese national in Saudi Arabia, after the organization received reports that an execution is scheduled for tomorrow.
Amnesty International fears that former television presenter ‘Ali Hussain Sibat, convicted on charges of "sorcery" in Saudi Arabia, may be the Lebanese national facing execution.
On March10 a Saudi Arabia court upheld the death sentence against 'Ali Hussain Sibat, after he was convicted in November 2009 on charges of “sorcery”, for giving advice and predictions about the future on a Lebanese satellite TV show.
"‘Ali Hussain Sibat appears to have been convicted solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression," said Malcolm Smart, director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa program.
"We urge the Lebanese authorities to do all they can to prevent this execution," said Smart, "and we are calling on King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia not to let this or other executions go ahead. It is high time the Saudi Arabian government joined the international trend towards a worldwide moratorium on executions."
‘Ali Hussain Sibat was arrested by the Mutawa'een (religious police) in May 2008 while he was visiting Saudi Arabia on a form of Muslim pilgrimage, the 'umra.
His lawyer believes that the TV presenter was arrested because members of the Mutawa'een had recognized him from his show, which was broadcast on the Sheherazade TV station.
The police asked 'Ali Hussain Sibat's to write down what he did for a living, reassuring him that he would be allowed to go home after a few weeks if he complied.
The defendant was convicted after the statement he wrote was presented during the trial as a "confession.”
He was sentenced to death by a court in Madina on November 9, 2009 following secret hearings where he was given no legal representation or assistance.
In January 2010, the Court of Appeal in Makkah accepted an appeal against the TV presenter’s death sentence, on grounds that it was a premature verdict.
The Court of Appeal said that all allegations made against 'Ali Hussain Sibat had to be verified, and that if he had really committed the crime he should be asked to repent.
But on March 10, a court in Madina upheld the death sentence. The judges said that he deserved to be sentenced to death because he had practiced “sorcery” publicly for several years before millions of viewers and that his actions “made him an infidel.”
The court also said that there would be no way to verify that his repentance, if he should repent, would be sincere and that imposing the death sentence would deter other people from engaging in “sorcery” at a time when, the court said, there is an increase in the number of “foreign magicians” entering Saudi Arabia.
The crime of "sorcery" is not defined in Saudi Arabian law but is used to punish people for the legitimate exercise of their human rights, including the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, belief and expression.
The Saudi Arabian authorities arrested scores of people for “sorcery” in 2009, and have continued to arrest people on the same charges this year.
The last known execution for "sorcery" was that of Egyptian national Mustafa Ibrahim, on November 2, 2007. He had been arrested in May 2007 in the town of Arar, where he worked as a pharmacist, and accused of "apostasy" for having degraded a copy of the Qur'an.
At least 158 people were executed in Saudi Arabia in 2007 and at least 102 in 2008. In 2009, 69 people are known to have been executed, including 19 foreign nationals. Since the beginning of 2010, at least eight people have been executed.
Amnesty International called on the authorities to release 'Ali Hussain immediately and unconditionally if he has been convicted solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression.
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
President Barack Obama in Afghanistan
U.S. Crew Rescues Somali Mariners
Combined Maritime Forces
MANAMA, Bahrain :The crew of a U.S. Navy ship saved 30 men, women and children off the coast of Somalia March 25.
USS McFaul, an Arleigh Burke class destroyer on a seven-month deployment in the Gulf of Aden, was conducting a routine patrol about 100 miles off Somalia's north coast in support of counterpiracy operations when the crew spotted a small skiff. The 30 people onboard had been stranded with no food and very little water for nearly four days since departing the Somali coast, they said. The skiff had suffered engine failures in both outboard motors. "Once we recognized there was no threat, noticeable engine failure and lack of food and water, it was evident they desperately needed our help," the ship's boarding officer said. McFaul's embarked translator facilitated communication between the Somali mariners and the boarding team. The McFaul crew immediately took the Somali mariners onboard and prepared to return them to their homeland, offering them a place to sleep, blankets, water and food to make them feel as comfortable as possible for the two-and-a-half-day journey back to Somalia. Abdulrahman Ali Barhaaye, one of the elders rescued from the skiff, offered thanks. "We gave up hope until we saw you," he said. "We are alive, hopeful, and glad to be here." Helping the Somali mariners became a shipwide event, whether repairing the skiff's engines or supplying the rescued mariners with food, water, shelter, life jackets and blankets. "This was a rewarding experience," one of the boarding team members said. "They appreciated our efforts and were very thankful." On the morning of March 27, McFaul returned the 30 Somalian mariners safely ashore with their repaired skiff at the small fishing village of Ceelaaya. USS McFaul is assigned to Combined Task Force 151, which is a 24-nation task force established in January 2009 to conduct counterpiracy operations. (Issued on :March 29, 2010)- |
| Related Sites: USS McFaul Combined Maritime Forces |
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Motivation
Agency Provides Meals, Supplies for Religious Observances
By Larry Levine
Defense Supply Center Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA : The Defense Logistics Agency's supply center here is ensuring servicemembers around the globe have Passover meals available for observance of the upcoming Jewish holiday and palm fronds for the upcoming Christian observance of Palm Sunday.
 In addition to supplying all daily meals, the Defense Logistics Agency also ensures troops receive traditional holiday meals and necessary religious supplies. "As with all our holiday or special-event meals, our personnel begin demand planning and contacting customers as well as potential suppliers several months in advance to ensure timely delivery," said Ray Miller, subsistence deputy director. "Our planning for meals for this Passover holiday began back in November." Passover, the Jewish holiday commemorating the deliverance of the ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, is observed from sundown March 29 to April 9 this year. Traditionally, many Jewish people refrain from eating many leavened baked goods, including bread and cakes, during Passover. Some also refrain from eating rice or legumes, including beans and peas, during Passover. This can be difficult for military members in remote locations. The four different main courses of the special Passover meals are canned salmon, bone-in chicken, gefilte fish and beef stew, all certified Kosher for Passover. The meals also contain with other Passover extras such as matzo and macaroons. Each meal is in a chemically activated, self-heating package. The 12-meal cases will be distributed to U.S. warfighters throughout the world. While most U.S.-based servicemembers will have access to regular dining facilities or other local options for their Seder meals, most of the domestically delivered meals will go to servicemembers on training missions. The retail value of the 10,932 Passover meals provided this year is $141,988.46. This represents an increase by almost 30 percent from 2009, when 8,424 meals were provided. In addition to food items, the agency's clothing and textiles supply chain provides Passover Seder kits containing special prayer books and robes. The supply chain's ecclesiastical branch provides Seder kits to chaplains and Jewish servicemembers in the field. DLA also supplies Christian and Orthodox Christian celebrants of Palm Sunday with palm leaves. Palm Sunday is celebrated the Sunday before Easter, and it commemorates Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when palm fronds were strewn in front of him. Traditional services include a procession of members of the congregation carrying palms. "Whether servicemembers are in the field or on training assignments away from the regular places they would celebrate, Jewish and Christian alike, we offer all the items needed to conduct their respective ceremonies," said Maryann Bonk, an inventory management specialist in the clothing and textiles ecclesiastical branch. (Issued on Mid night of March 24-25, 2010) |
| Related Sites: Defense Logistics Agency Defense Supply Center Philadelphia |
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Indians seems to have forgotten the sacrifice..and it is unfortunate.....
--Rector Kathuria
In her message she says that today 23rd march 2010 would mark 79 years of the sacrifice three young men gave for the nation. Bhagat Singh- Raj Guru- Sukh Dev.
So today no one in news would talk about Bhagat Singh, Sukh Dev and Raj Guru the three young men who were hanged on this day near Ferozpur near the present India-Pakistan border. These men never cared about religion and fought for the freedom of the nation.
Indians seems to have forgotten the sacrifice. It is definitely an unfortunate thing that people who were not in congress and worked for India’s freedom never got the credit they deserve. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru shall remain in my heart till I die. These are the people whom the young generation should have as idols. Their sacrifice, their patriotism & their principles, we should never forget them.
Jai Hind.....!
Gates, Mullen Extend Military Support to Mexico
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON: Top U.S. defense officials met with their Mexican counterparts in Mexico City today to strengthen the U.S.-Mexico military partnership in the fight against drug cartels there.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen are in Mexico today as part of a U.S. delegation led by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair also are part of the delegation. The high-level talks are part of the Merida initiative, a partnership promised by President Barack Obama last year to help the region combat drug trafficking and related violence by the cartels. The three-year program provides $1.6 billion to fund drug-fighting initiatives. The talks demonstrate the level of commitment the United States has in aiding Mexico in its struggle against the cartels and to impede the drug trade from crossing the border into the United States, Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters at a news conference here today. "Sending a delegation of this stature to Mexico is a clear indication of the critical importance both we and the Mexican government ... place on law enforcement cooperation, strengthening Mexican institutions and other cooperative efforts to support the government of Mexico's campaign against organized crimes," Morrell said. Gates and Mullen met with Mexico's Defense Secretary Guillermo Galvan Galvan and Navy Secretary Mariano Francisco Saynez Mendoza to discuss military-to-military coordination and to develop a comprehensive approach to counternarcotics operations and planning. The meetings focused on bilateral information sharing, joint defense cooperation and the need for transparency and accountability on human rights. Currently, the Pentagon provides intelligence and surveillance support, communications equipment and mobility assets, Morrell said. The talks come at a time when the Mexican government has suffered heavy losses in its war on drugs. Since 2006, some 18,000 people, including security personnel, have lost their lives to drug-related violence. "The government of Mexico has taken strong actions to address these security threats," Morrell said. "They are making some progress, but have paid high prices for their brave stand. Those sacrifices have only made our two nations more determined to work together to combat these criminal groups." Funds allocated to Mexico under the Merida initiative are due to expire in 2011. The remaining funds will go to other countries in Central America. Gates and Mullen are set to return to Washington, D.C., tonight. (Issued on March 22, 2010) |
| Biographies: Robert M. Gates Navy Adm. Mike Mullen |
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
George W. Bush in addresses members of Joint Task Force - Haiti
Saturday, March 20, 2010
'Donkey Bloggers' in Azerbaijan lose appeal against fabricated charges
A Baku court today (Wednesday) upheld the convictions of Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli who were sentenced to two and to two and a half years respectively after they posted a video critical of the government on YouTube. Amnesty International believes their trial was unfair and that the two are prisoners of conscience.
In none of the seven appeal hearings were the two key witnesses called to give evidence. The appeal court upheld the original court decision to reject evidence without explanation, including photographs of the bloggers’ injuries and video footage of the incident.
Andrea Huber, Europe and Central Asia Deputy Programme Director at Amnesty International, said:
“Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli have fallen victim to the increasingly repressive measures taken by the Azerbaijani authorities to crackdown on critics of the government.
“They were convicted on fabricated charges, in a trial falling short of international standards for fairness, solely because they were expressing their views.
“Independent journalists and activists continue to face harassment and imprisonment in Azerbaijan despite the country’s international obligations to uphold the right to freedom of expression.”
The bloggers were arrested on 8 July 2009 after they were attacked by two unknown men and were accused of “hooliganism”.
The two activists have used online networking tools, including YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, to spread information about society and politics in Azerbaijan.
Emin Milli is the co-founder of an online community that discusses politics called Alumni Network, while Adnan Hajizade is a co-ordinator of the youth movement known as OL!, which advocates non-violence and tolerance.
A week before their arrest a video produced by Adnan Hajizade had been posted on YouTube, showing a spoof press conference delivered by a donkey. The video was posted in the wake of a news story about how the Azerbaijani government had allegedly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars importing donkeys from Germany, in a deal that may have masked corruption or theft of public funds.
The video questions the purchase of the donkeys, the introduction of restrictive legislation for NGOs and the low priority the government attributes to human rights.
Call for the immediate and unconditional release of Adnan and Emin
Review maps while making flood-fighting plans in Fargo
From left, U.S. Air Force Capt. Grant Larson, of the 119th Maintenance Squadron, Army Col. Steve Tabor, facilities director of the North Dakota National Guard, and Air Force Col. Ron Solberg, commander of the 119th Support Group, review maps while making flood-fighting plans in Fargo, N.D., March 18, 2010. (DoD photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp, U.S. Air Force/Released)
Friday, March 19, 2010
U.S. Air Force operations officer and instructor pilot
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jeff Myer, operations officer and instructor pilot with the 52nd Expeditionary Flight Training Squadron (EFTS), conducts a preflight inspection of an Iraqi air force T-6A aircraft prior to a training readiness mission at Al Sahra Air Base on Contingency Operating Base Speicher near Tikrit, Iraq, March 15, 2010. (DoD photo by Chief Petty Officer Michael D. Heckman, U.S. Navy/Released)
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Painting a child’s face
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Melanie Allen, a training instructor with the 28th Security Forces Squadron, paints a child’s face during the Kids, Spouses and Teachers Understanding Deployment Operations event on Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., March 13, 2010. The event featured various military demonstrations, a mock deployment line and a B-1B Lancer aircraft tour. (DoD photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Flynn, U.S. Air Force/Released)
Teo Chee Hean into the Pentagon
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
An aerial photography exercise
Two landing craft mechanized (LCM)
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Defensive Tactics
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Family members of U.S. Army Air Force
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Family members of U.S. Army Air Force Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) lay roses during a ceremony at the Air Force Memorial in Washington D.C., March 9, 2010. The ceremony took place to honor the 38 WASPs that perished while serving during World War II. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Erica J. Knight, U.S. Air Force/Released)
U S Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates at the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi
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Thursday, March 11, 2010
Some soldiers will do almost anything to stay in shape.
Yes it is a fact. According to a report Army Sgt. 1st Class Darren D. Heusel Special to American Forces Press Service from Oklahoma City Three soldiers from the Oklahoma Army National Guard are lacing up their roller skates, strapping on elbow and knee pads and taking to the rink as members of the Oklahoma City Red Dirt Rebellion Rollergirls.
For those new to the sport, this isn't the roller derby of the 1970s, when practically every move was choreographed as in professional wrestling.
No, this is the real deal -- as evidenced by the bruised and battered bodies of 1st Lt. Jessica duMonceau, 1st Lt. Kristin Sloan and Sgt. Karli Wahkahquah.
All are members of the military intelligence community and became interested in roller derby after attending an evening contest between the Oklahoma City Red Dirt Rebellion and a team from Amarillo.
"We all went to our first bout together, and Kristin and I looked at Karli and said, 'We have to do this!'" said duMonceau, who attended high school in Foley, Minn., before moving to Oklahoma City six years ago. "We can be pretty persuasive like that sometimes."
Wahkahquah said it has been at least 10 years since she donned a pair of roller skates, but she was up to the challenge.
"I'm sure I must have looked like a baby giraffe on skates out there at first," said Wahkahquah, who also hails from Oklahoma City. "There were a lot of bumps and bruises initially, but it's proven to be a lot of fun."
Sloan, a native of Mustang, Okla., said one of the clinchers for her was when "Energizer Honey," a member of the Red Dirt Rebellion, was sent flying over the railing, landed on her feet and got right back into the action without ever batting an eyelash.
"She jumped right up like she knew what she was doing," Sloan recalled. "The crowd went wild, and we knew right then this was the sport for us."
Founded in July 2007 by a group of women with previous flat-track experience, the Red Dirt Rebellion Rollergirls are members of Oklahoma's only all-female banked-track roller derby league.
While flat-track roller derby has taken the nation by storm in recent years, the Red Dirt Rebellion is one of only 11 elite banked-track roller derby teams in the country.
In its heyday, roller derby was one of the most popular sports broadcast on TV. The late 1970s brought viewers professional wrestling-style derby with mixed teams, heated fist fights and dramatic moves.
Then, as if overnight, roller derby disappeared from public view, only to re-emerge 20 years later with a totally revamped attitude. You won't often see men on the derby track any more, unless they're sporting a black-and-white striped jersey and a whistle.
You also won't see any overly dramatic "scripted" behavior on the rink. What you will see are short skirts, fishnet stockings, tattoos and smash-mouth roller derby action.
All the hits, spills, falls and breaks are real, and they're revered in the roller derby community.
Named after the infamous "red dirt" of Oklahoma and their wild "rebellious" spirits, members of the Red Dirt Rebellion Rollergirls come from all different lifestyles and backgrounds, from graphic designers and nurses, to stay-at-home moms and soldiers.
The ladies get together at least three nights a week, and for a few bone-crushing hours, they fly around the track hurling themselves at each other as they participate in their own version of ultimate fighting.
They like to have fun, and they like to play rough, as their motto, "Skate Fast and Kick Butt," states. Once the ladies step onto the rink, they immediately transform into their "alter egos."
Wahkahquah, or "Rolling Death," as she is known by her Red Dirt Rebellion sisters, bulldozes her way through a crowded pack of five girls as she makes her way for the "jammer."
Sloan, or "Bruise Clues" as she is known in roller derby circles, finds the gap through the pack and darts in and out as she bursts her way through, dodging opposing "blockers" as they lunge at her.
The jammers, duMonceau or "La Fleur de Mort" among them, claw their way through what seems like a school of piranhas, while the blockers seek to catch an opposing skater off guard and send her skidding across the floor.
Belly flops, bruised jaws, bloody noses and twisted ankles come with the territory. But these ladies say, "Bring it on!"
After an intense bout, the skaters may seek treatment for their wounds. But, you won't see a single unhappy skater in the bunch. They'll limp out with a grin on their face and glints of roller derby glory in their eyes, eager to live on and to fight another day.
"There are definitely some dedicated people on our team," duMonceaux said.
What makes the trio so successful on the banked track is the same tenacious attitude and "can-do" spirit that helps them thrive and survive in the Guard.
"For me, the organization and the planning are huge," said Sloan. "There was no real structure when we first got started. We used troop-leading procedures to make it go a lot smoother."
Wahkahquah said she noticed the team's method of notifying people about an upcoming practice or bout was broken when she first was involved. One person was contacting everyone on the team, and it was taking hours to get people notified. So she instituted a procedure similar to a military recall roster to help speed up the process.
"Now, all is well," she said. "Roller derby has definitely taught me to be a better leader. When we first got here, it was like herding cats. Now, it's like herding sheep. It's a lot more organized."
"I'm definitely developing my communication skills," duMonceau said. "I'm very direct these days and that helps transition over to the Guard."
The women all claim to have been standout athletes in high school. All said roller derby has helped them elevate their physical fitness.
"We're guaranteed at least three practices per week, even more than that, if we have a 'bout' coming up," Wahkahquah said.
Sloan said their experience has helped with recruiting as well.
Sporting a baby blue Thunderbird on their right shoulder that's symbolic of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team with which they serve, Sloan said some of the other women will come up to them and ask about the National Guard.
Choosing the perfect roller derby nickname is important, the women said, because it becomes registered and is theirs forever. "Someone can call and ask to create a version of your name, but they have to get your permission," Wahkahquah said.
Wahkahquah's last name in Comanche means "riding death." So, in keeping with the Native American theme, she chose "Rolling Death" as her alter ego.
In French, duMonceaux's name means "the mound." So, she "just went a little darker," as she put it, with "La Fleur de Mort," which means "the flower of death."
Sloan said the nickname she arrived at, "Bruise Clues," is probably the least exciting of the three.
"That's just the one I ended up liking," she shrugged. "It was an original."
As for the reaction the Guardsmen get from people when they discover they are members of the Red Dirt Rebellion, they said most people at first don't realize Oklahoma has a team.
Second, they said, people will ask, "Is that real?"
"I tell them everything about it is definitely real," Wahkahquah said, pointing to the bruises on her left arm.
Meanwhile, the Guard members are slated to deploy to Afghanistan next year. Yet, the women will have each other to lean on, just as duMonceaux and Wahkahquah did when they were deployed together to Afghanistan in 2002.
"We're all pretty tight," said Wahkahquah. "We pretty much became mutual friends after that first deployment. We like to mountain bike, rock climb -- just about anything you might consider extreme."
Some might consider roller derby extreme. But for Oklahoma's Guard trio, sustaining a few more bumps and bruises in the rugged, mountainous terrain of Afghanistan might just make them feel right at home.
(Army Sgt. 1st Class Darren D. Heusel serves with the Oklahoma National Guard.)
Air Guard Tweaks Recruiting Web site
The Air National Guard is riding that wave with more personal interactivity in its public recruiting and retention Web site, using video and photo stories to tell Air Guard member stories directly to online visitors.
The revised recruiting Web site went live in February. Its revised design draws upon navigation links with the newest Web design technologies to present the Air Guard experience in a calendar format.
"The original site was a site we had been using for several years; it wasn't fresh, it wasn't new," said Master Sgt. P.J. Gallagher, who oversees the Air Guard's internet advertising.
He said the design team spent last year talking to recruiters and retention specialists in the field to improve the Web site's connectivity with users.
"There weren't any 'interactivities' for the users," he said.
Gallagher said the new calendar format breaks down the experience of Guard service as new recruits, prior service members, officers and health professionals experience it.
The Web site also uses the latest video technology and photo displays to depict those experiences to public viewers, many of whom may be interested in joining the Guard. Visitors can chat live with a recruiter/advisor.
The administrative functions on the Web site have been improved for the recruiters. It lists specific career field openings at the Air Guard's flying wings and geographically separated units across the nation. It allows easier online ordering of recruiting and retention give-a-ways and other resources and collects and formats online information requests.
The Website also lists units, federal and state benefits, missions, and career openings by state, as well as information to help parents and educators understand the mission of the Air National Guard.
Gallagher said the administrative functions of the revamped Web site were unveiled at the Air Guard Recruiting and Retention Workshop in Dallas last month. The workshop offered training on how to make use of the new Web site to help in daily recruiting and retention projects.
"The conference was a great venue to get feedback from the field in an up-and-close, personal way," Gallagher said. "We are going to continue to upgrade the site."
Know Yourself...........
when you lost your wealth, All will close their doors on your face.
Your status in society is decided by your wealth, Not By character.
All will be around You,
as long as you sprinkle money around You.
Know Yourself.Then you will be least bothered about your status in society.
Know Yourself.
That is Your best contribution to Society.
Know Yourself.
Then You will make Best Use of Your Money.
You will use it for meaningful works.
Our Daily routines and activities are like tidal waves.
some times we will be in high mood with happiness.
some times in sad mood with bitter experiences.When You Go deep in to the Sea, You will find No waves.
similarly when You go deep inside , by self- inquiry.
All these tidal waves of desires will subside.
in the initial stages of practice they will be raising as usual .
with the Practice of Self-inquiry,
they will disappear in a staged manner.
Then You will attain the tranquility of
Stillness of the Sea.
All these practical messages I received on the night of March 10, 2010 which were sent by Datta Swami from Andhra Pardesh.
These messages show an encouraging way even in darkness of life and guide us to know the truth. To know more please click here and find some new facts of practical life.....
--Rector Kathuria
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Live-fire exercise
Kabul Meet
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Officials Launch Probe into Pentagon Shooting
By American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON: The FBI, in collaboration with the Pentagon Force Protection Agency and Virginia's Arlington County Police Department, are working to figure out why a California man approached an entrance to the Pentagon yesterday and shot two PFPA officers.
The lone shooter, John Patrick Bedell, of Hollister, Calif., was shot in the head and left arm during an exchange of gunfire outside the Pentagon, near the building entrance adjacent to the Pentagon Metro Transit Center, at about 6:40 p.m. Bedell was transported to George Washington University Hospital and died at about 10 p.m. Two PFPA officers, Jeffery Amos and Marvin Carraway, were injured in the exchange. The officers were treated at George Washington University Hospital and released. A third officer also was involved in the exchange of gunfire, but that officer's name is not being released at this time, officials said. Bedell, who was 36 years old, is believed to have driven to Washington in a green 1998 Toyota Avalon that has been located and removed from a nearby mall parking garage. At the time of the shooting, he had a full beard and was dressed in slacks, a white collared shirt and a blazer. Investigators are searching the car, conducting interviews and reviewing a video of the shooting in an effort to piece together a timeline of Bedell's activities leading up the incident. Investigative efforts include reviewing Bedell's possible internet activity, his cell phone usage and other information which might assist in determining Bedell's state of mind at the time of the shooting. The investigation is ongoing and anyone who believes he or she may have witnessed the shooting, or may have additional information, is urged to call the FBI at 202-278-2000. (From a news release issued jointly by the FBI and the Pentagon Force Protection Agency.) |
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(Issued on March 5, 2010)
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