http://www.trackpads.com/forum/ For any current or former sailors of any Armed Forces. en Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:52:13 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.trackpads.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png http://www.trackpads.com/forum/ http://www.trackpads.com/forum/navy/943621-u-s-navy-senior-chief-master-arms-charles-mobley.html Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:05:20 GMT U.S. Navy Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Charles... U.S. Navy Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Charles Mobley,

08/19/2010 - U.S. Navy Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Charles Mobley, right, observes as members of the Barbados Defense Force search a vehicle in Bridgetown, Barbados, Aug. 19, 2010, during a Naval Criminal Investigative Service subject matter expert exchange in support of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2010. SPS is designed to promote ...more.
Defense.gov Photos: Home Page Photos
Click to send Email image. ]]> Navy Jacklou59 http://www.trackpads.com/forum/navy/943621-u-s-navy-senior-chief-master-arms-charles-mobley.html http://www.trackpads.com/forum/navy/943162-sailor-reunites-sister-while-training-haiti.html Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:15:26 GMT Sailor reunites with sister while training in... Sailor reunites with sister while training in Haiti
Posted On: Jun 23 2010 7:45AM

Story by Spc. Jessica Lopez

MANDRIN, Haiti - Local Haitians wait patiently inside the L’Estere medical assistance site to be treated by a U.S. Navy doctor. Jasmine walks in to see her older brother, an information technology specialist, with open arms and warm kiss for the first time in eight years.

“I am the best big brother I can be over the phone,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Pierre Poteau. “But these next couple of hours we will have together is worth more than diamonds.”

The two have not seen each other more since 2002.

The Haitian-born Poteau is serving as an interpreter for Operational Health Support Unit-Dallas that is participating in the New Horizons – Haiti 2010 Task Force Kout Men humanitarian exercise. Poteau’s role at the L’Estere medical assistance site has been interpreting for the patients and doctors so appointments run more smoothly.

New Horizons, in partnership with the government of Haiti, is conducting various medical, dental, and engineering missions for the locals in Gonaives. New Horizons also provides valuable experiences to learn in a real-world environment for participating U.S. forces.

“I am very excited to see her,” said Poteau. “But it’s more than that, it’s something I can’t describe. It’s too bad I’m not on vacation so I can really enjoy more time with her.”

Poteau imigrated to the United States in 1995. He first met his sister in 1999 on a visit back to Haiti.

“Since then we developed a strong brother sister relationship over the phone. We talk about everything. I give my sister advice by telling her things I have gone through and I she talks to me about anything she needs to.”

“I am moved and happy,” said Jasmine Poteau. “I don’t know how to express the joy I have. Talking on the phone is one thing but seeing him face to face is different. It is nice being here, kissing and hugging him.”

“I know this country is poor and I always wanted to help,” said Poteau. “Being here is a plus, helping out my home country and being able to see my family.”

“I am very proud of my brother,” said Jasmine Poteau. “I know he is doing great things with his colleagues for the people of Haiti.

United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) - NEWS ]]> Navy Jacklou59 http://www.trackpads.com/forum/navy/943162-sailor-reunites-sister-while-training-haiti.html http://www.trackpads.com/forum/navy/943154-us-vietnam-stage-joint-naval-activities.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:47:39 GMT US and Vietnam stage joint naval activities ... US and Vietnam stage joint naval activities

The US and Vietnam are conducting joint naval exercises in the South China Sea, a sign of increasing military ties between the two former enemies.

The week-long activities focus mainly on non-combatant exercises and are part of the 15th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Washington and Hanoi.

But correspondents say they could anger China, which has been in a dispute with Vietnam over islands in the area.

Tensions over territories in the South China Sea have increased recently.

The US has described the exercises as a "series of naval engagement activities" which focus mainly on damage control and search and rescue.

The US Navy on Sunday hosted Vietnamese military and government officials on the USS George Washington, which is on its way back from naval exercises with South Korea in the Sea of Japan.

Its strike group of three destroyers are also in the South China Sea, while the USS John S McCain is due to call at the Vietnamese port of Danang later on Tuesday.
'Belong to nobody'

Nga Pham of the BBC's Vietnamese service says the training shows a remarkable warming of the relationship between the US and Vietnam.

It also shows Washington's determination to defend free navigation in the area contested by a number of south-east Asian countries and China, our correspondent adds.

The US has increased its presence in the region in recent months as part of a show of support for South Korea against North Korea, which has been blamed for the sinking of the South Korean vessel Cheonan in March.

Capt David Lausman, commanding officer of the George Washington, said on Sunday that the waters "belong to nobody, yet belong to everybody".

"China has a right to operate here, as do we and as do every other country of the world," he added.

Last week, the Vietnamese foreign ministry said that Chinese ships which were carrying out seismic studies in the Paracels zone - a disputed area - had breached Vietnam's sovereignty.

Beijing has always protested against the involvement of any other parties in the South China Sea dispute, saying it was a matter for "bilateral negotiation".

BBC News - US and Vietnam stage joint naval activities
Photo Map^ ]]> Navy Jacklou59 http://www.trackpads.com/forum/navy/943154-us-vietnam-stage-joint-naval-activities.html http://www.trackpads.com/forum/navy/943153-u-s-vietnam-military-relations-former-enemies-now-military-mates.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:41:58 GMT U.S.-Vietnam Military Relations: Former Enemies... U.S.-Vietnam Military Relations: Former Enemies Now Military Mates

ABOARD THE USS GEORGE WASHINGTON — Cold War enemies the United States and Vietnam demonstrated their blossoming military relations Sunday as a U.S. nuclear supercarrier cruised in waters off the Southeast Asian nation's coast – sending a message that China is not the region's only big player.

The visit comes 35 years after the Vietnam War as Washington and Hanoi are cozying up in a number of areas, from negotiating a controversial deal to share civilian nuclear fuel and technology to agreeing that China needs to work with its neighbors to resolve territorial claims in the South China Sea.

The USS George Washington's stop is officially billed as a commemoration of last month's 15th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations between the former foes. But the timing also reflects Washington's heightened interest in maintaining security and stability in the Asia-Pacific amid tensions following the sinking of a South Korean warship in March, which killed 46 sailors. North Korea has been blamed for the attack, but has vehemently denied any involvement.

Last month during an Asian security meeting in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton also angered China by unexpectedly calling on the Communist powerhouse to resolve territorial claims with neighboring Southeast Asian countries over islands in the South China Sea.

"The strategic implications and importance of the waters of the South China Sea and the freedom of navigation is vital to both Vietnam and the United States," Capt. Ross Myers, commander of the George Washington's air wing, said aboard the ship Sunday as fighter jets thundered off the flight deck above.

"I'm certain that the Chinese government and the Chinese people are trying to protect their interests," he added when asked about China's increased aggressiveness within the area. "It is more important for Vietnam (and) its partners to establish that they have an equal right to economic prosperity and peace within the region as well."

Chinese navy ships were seen shadowing the USS George Washington at a distance over the past several days as the supercarrier made its way throught the South China Sea along Vietnam's eastern coast, U.S. Navy officials said Sunday.

China claims the entire sea and the disputed Spratly and Paracel islands over which it exercises complete sovereignty. But Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines also have staked claims on all or some of the territory, which straddles vital shipping lanes, important fishing grounds and is believed rich in oil and natural gas reserves. Clinton announced that the U.S. has a national interest in seeing the claims resolved.

"The problem is that China has now committed herself, publicly, to sovereignty of the South China Sea and to push that back, if only to the status of a claim that is not enforced, is going to be very difficult," said Arthur Waldron, an international relations specialist at the University of Pennsylvania. "So we are playing catch up, reminding the Chinese that we have not collapsed into post-great powerdom yet, and that we have other friends in the region."

Vietnam has long been vocal about the issue, protesting China's plans to bring tourists to the islands and most recently seismic studies conducted near the Paracels. Last month China also held naval drills in the South China Sea.

"Vietnam does not support containing China, but like most other ASEAN members would like to see each major power offset the other," Carl Thayer, a Vietnam expert at the Australian Defense Force Academy in Canberra, said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. "Quite simply, these are not too subtle signals that Vietnam wants the United States to stay engaged in the region to balance China."

The formidable USS George Washington is a permanent presence in the Pacific, based in Japan. As one of the world's biggest warships, it is a floating city that can carry up to 70 aircraft, more than 5,000 sailors and aviators and about 4 million pounds (1.8 million kilograms) of bombs. It lurked Sunday about 200 miles (320 kilometers) off the central coast of Danang, Vietnam's jumping-off point for the disputed islands.

A group of high-ranking Vietnamese military officials was flown onto the carrier Sunday along with other Vietnamese government officials and the U.S. ambassador to the country.

The supercarrier came to Vietnam following four days of high-profile military exercises last month with South Korea aimed at showing solidarity following the sinking of the 1,200-ton Cheonan navy ship. The drills enraged Pyongyang and drew repeated criticism from its Chinese ally.

A Chinese newspaper ran a front-page story last week strongly hinting that China also is not happy about reports that Vietnam and the U.S. are negotiating a civilian nuclear fuel and technology deal that could allow Vietnam to enrich uranium on its own soil.

U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said China had not been consulted about the talks, but he would not discuss the specifics of the enrichment provision. Congressional aides have said the agreement will likely not contain a no-enrichment pledge, which the U.S. promotes as the "gold standard" for civilian nuclear cooperation accords to ensure materials are not being used to build a nuclear weapon.

Vietnam has denied having any plans to enrich uranium on its own soil.

The aircraft carrier's visit is particularly symbolic as it cruises off the coast of central Danang, once the site of a bustling U.S. military base during the Vietnam War, which ended April 30, 1975, when northern communist forces seized control of the U.S.-backed capital of South Vietnam, reuniting the country.

Some 58,000 Americans and an estimated 3 million Vietnamese were killed during the war.

Relations have thrived since the former foes shook hands in 1995. The U.S. is Vietnam's top export market and Americans are the country's No. 1 foreign investor. Two-way trade reached $15.4 billion in 2009.

Military ties have also grown since the first U.S. warship ship visited Ho Chi Minh City in 2003, including high-level defense talks and training.

The USS John McCain destroyer will pay a port call to Vietnam later this week. The two navies are expected to have cultural exchanges along with training exercises, such as search and rescue operations.

U.S.-Vietnam Military Relations: Former Enemies Now Military Mates ]]> Navy Jacklou59 http://www.trackpads.com/forum/navy/943153-u-s-vietnam-military-relations-former-enemies-now-military-mates.html http://www.trackpads.com/forum/navy/943152-fsouth-teams-world-food-program-17-nations-panamax-exercise.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:33:36 GMT AFSOUTH teams with World Food Program, 17 nations... AFSOUTH teams with World Food Program, 17 nations for PANAMAX Exercise
Posted On: Aug 25 2010 3:04PM


by Capt. Nathan D. Broshear
12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs

8/25/2010 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The base was again the scene of a massive relief effort in Latin America this week as Airmen worked with sister services, non-governmental organizations, 17 partner nations and local governments to speed aid to a hurricane-ravaged island.

The only difference between this operation and previous efforts is the island doesn't exist and the natural disaster is playing out on computer screens at the 612th Combined Air Operations Center -- the whole scenario is part of Exercise Panamax, a multi-national exercise led by U.S. Southern Command.

Panamax is a yearly exercise focused on the defense of the Panama Canal, ensuring free trade and commercial traffic through the vital waterway. In addition, Air Forces Southern is also simulating a full-scale relief operation in the fictitious country of Centralia, an island near the canal suffering from a massive hurricane.

Airmen from 17 partner nations including Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay are working together within the scenario. In addition, the United Nations World Food Program is working within the coalition command center to practice the integration of non-governmental organizations into the simulated relief operations.

The international cooperation within the Panamax exercise is found at every level; in fact, a general officer from Chile is working as the deputy combined forces air component commander alongside Lt. Gen. Glenn Spears, the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander. Maj. Gen. Cesar Mac-Namara expressed his thanks and admiration for the level of integration found among the Airmen working in Tucson.

"We're very grateful for the invitation and this exercise is an opportunity for Air Forces to work together, learn together and prepare for the future together....I'm honored to be a part of this event," said the general.

The chief air transport officer with the United Nations World Food Program, Alvaro Gonzalez Peña, is working at the fictitious Regional Air Movement Control Center with Panamax participants to coordinate the integration of non-governmental organizations, foreign nations and military aircraft into a synchronized plan to maximize aircraft throughput into Centralia. The native of Uruguay is no stranger to working with the AFSOUTH team; he was on the ground in Haiti after the January earthquake and is a veteran of dozens of relief operations.

"This is a realistic simulation -- it's on time....while the experiences of Haiti are fresh in our minds we are able to have training that will improve the close contacts between the military and civilians," explained Mr. Peña. "One of the most important things to come out of this event is that we will know the person on the other end of the phone for the next time."

Maj. John Sedlacek, the deputy chief of the 612th CAOC Air Mobility Division, echoed his newfound compatriot's sentiments -- he's sure the men and women working within the Panamax scenario will likely be alongside his team again in the future.

"We've learned a lot of lessons from our work in Haiti and Chile earlier this year," said Major Sedlacek. "By practicing and building on these multi-national relief operations, we're ready for the inevitable next natural disaster -- we have to practice together to ensure we're able to react quickly in the future....not as strangers, but as friends who shared common experiences and training ]]> Navy Jacklou59 http://www.trackpads.com/forum/navy/943152-fsouth-teams-world-food-program-17-nations-panamax-exercise.html http://www.trackpads.com/forum/navy/943151-uss-texas-returns-u-s-4th-fleet-deployment.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:28:53 GMT USS Texas returns from U.S. 4th Fleet deployment... USS Texas returns from U.S. 4th Fleet deployment
Posted On: Aug 25 2010 3:21PM


By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Virginia-class submarine USS Texas (SSN 775) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Aug. 23 after completing a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

This is Texas' first deployment since changing homeports to Pearl Harbor in November 2009. She successfully completed her maiden deployment to the Eastern Pacific and operated under the tactical control of Joint Inter-Agency Task Force-South from May to August 2010. During the deployment, Texas successfully conducted joint operations enhancing national security.

"I am extremely proud of my crew's tenacious can do attitude which resulted in a very successful deployment," said Cmdr. Bob Roncska, Texas commanding officer. "Our ability to rapidly respond to a myriad of tasking over an extended period of time is a testament to the ships' remarkable design and capabilities."

While away from homeport, the crew earned a sea service ribbon, which was the first for 76 Texas Sailors. Additionally, 23 Sailors achieved a significant career milestone by receiving the enlisted submarine warfare qualification also known as "dolphins".

Fire Control Technician 2nd Class Kevin Miller from Jacksonville, Fla., became qualified during the deployment.

"Earning my dolphins has been a goal of mine since I joined the Navy," said Miller. "I am extremely proud to be a submariner assigned to USS Texas and would not have it any other way."

Commissioned Sept. 9, 2006, Texas was the second Virginia-class attack submarine constructed and the first submarine to be named after the Lone Star state.

The state-of-the-art submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, naval special warfare involving special operations forces, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare.

For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit The US Navy -- Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. ]]> Navy Jacklou59 http://www.trackpads.com/forum/navy/943151-uss-texas-returns-u-s-4th-fleet-deployment.html http://www.trackpads.com/forum/navy/943150-ncis-exchanges-information-tactics-barbados-defense-force.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:27:19 GMT NCIS exchanges information, tactics with Barbados... NCIS exchanges information, tactics with Barbados Defense Force
Posted On: Aug 25 2010 3:27PM


By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kim Williams, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Public Affairs

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (NNS) -- Navy Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) personnel embarked on board High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV) 2 hosted subject matter expert (SME) information exchanges Aug. 23 with the Barbados Defense Force (BDF) as part of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2010.

During the information exchange, the Norfolk, Va.-based NCIS team discussed the specifics of physical and port security tailored to the BDF.

"I enjoy seeing how receptive the Barbados Defense Force is to the information we have to share with them," said Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Charles Mobley, NCIS SME with SPS 2010. "The topics we share with the BDF help us build long-term relationships with partner nation maritime forces that focuses primarily on building and maintaining partner nation military capacity and capability."

SPS 2010 is strategic initiative, which will establish a self-sustaining sea base from which to conduct regional operations. It is a deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) in the Caribbean and Central America. Its primary goal is information exchanging with navies, coast guards and civilian services throughout these regions.

"We have more in common with the countries that we visit than differences," said Chief Master-at-Arms Jose Del Olmo, NCIS SME with SPS 2010. "So we try to come together on the commonalities to create regional stability and not focus on the differences."

Members of the BDF currently involved in the exchanges expressed their gratitude for the information they obtained during SPS visits to Barbados.

"We do a lot of inter-agency operations and if we can get the Marine units working in tandem, things will be a lot easier," said Barbados Coast Guard Able Seaman Dadrian Brathwaite. "Being that we are participating in these exchanges, it should make it a lot easier to work together. The SPS 2010 exchanges are very helpful in the long run and have helped us in the past including a drug bust we made back in 2009. We used the shouldering techniques we learned in the coxswain exchange on drug traffickers trying to reach our shores. This was an invaluable tool to us."

The NCIS SME portion of SPS Barbados concluded Aug. 20 with a graduation ceremony at the BDF Pelican Naval Base.

"I hope that the Barbados Defense Force will take away some of our procedures, as we will theirs, and be able to put the things they gained from the subject mater expert exchanges with NCIS and the U.S. Navy as a tool in their tool belt to use for later," said Del Olmo.

Swift is operated and navigated by 17 civilian contract mariners working for a private company under charter to the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit The US Navy -- Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command. ]]> Navy Jacklou59 http://www.trackpads.com/forum/navy/943150-ncis-exchanges-information-tactics-barbados-defense-force.html