http://www.defenselink.mil/blogger/index.aspx The Bloggers' Roundtable provides source material for stories in the blogosphere concerning the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Global War on Terrorism by bloggers and online journalists. Where available, this includes transcripts, biographies, related fact sheets and video. en-US Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:28:21 EDT http://defenselink.mil/graphics/DODc-small.gif http://defenselink.mil/blogger/blogger.aspx 144 100 Official Web site for the Department of Defense Wednesday, July 29, 2009Col. Discusses Heavy Airlift Operations from Hungary

U.S. Air Force Col. John D. Zazworsky, Jr., commander of the Heavy Airlift Wing,

For the first time, 12 nations have come together, independently of NATO, to fly in support of their national requirements for Strategic Airlift Capability, a U.S. military officer said from Papa, Hungary. "While we don't take operational directions from [NATO], our nations are free to use their flying hours to support NATO missions," U.S. Air Force Col. John D. Zazworsky, Jr., commander of the Heavy Airlift Wing, Papa, Hungary, told bloggers during a DoDLive Bloggers' Roundtable July 29. Story | Audio(Mp3)

Files: Bio(pdf)

]]>Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:28:00 ESTFriday, July 24, 2009Consequence Management Response Forces Set to Respond When Needed

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John Basilica, Commanding General Task Force

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John Basilica, Commanding General Task Force - 51, Consequence Management Response Forces and U.S. Navy Capt. Michael A. Collins, Chief of Staff of Joint Task Force Civil Support, discussed programs ranging from CCMRF 10.1 and 10.2, reserve component manning, defense support of civil authorities, and posse comitatus at a bloggers roundtable July 24. Basilica and Collins clarified that when the CCMRF responds, they're doing so in support of local and National Guard efforts. "We are going to be told where they need extra help and we are going to take up positions side by side with them and assist them in doing the job they are already doing," said Collins. Audio(Mp3)

Files: Bio(pdf)

]]>Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:37:00 ESTWednesday, July 22, 2009Energy is the Thread That Cuts Through Everything We Do, Army Official Says

Dr. Kevin Geiss, Program Director for Energy Security

Dr. Kevin Geiss, Program Director for Energy Security in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and Environment participated in a question and answer segment with bloggers and journalists, July 22. Discussions ranged from hybrid vehicles to conserving energy across all Army installations. "Power and energy is vital to our mission in theater for the full spectrum of our operations," said Geiss. "And it's something that we need to take into our planning not only in logistics but as we develop weapon systems and our concepts of operations for deployed situations." Audio(Mp3)

Files: Bio(pdf)

]]>Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:23:00 ESTWednesday, July 22, 2009U.S. and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan are Adapting to the Taliban's Changing Tactics

Col. John Agoglia, Director Counterinsurgency Training Center

"It's a very tough environment and the Taliban is changing his tactics to what was appropriate in December ... turned out not to be appropriate at an identical firefight out in Farah back in May," said Col. John Agoglia, director Counterinsurgency Training Center – Afghanistan (CTC-A) who spoke with bloggers and online journalists during a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable, July 22 to provide an update on the current curriculum and methodologies used in counterinsurgency training in theater. Story | Audio(Mp3)

Files: Bio(pdf)

]]>Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:50:00 ESTThursday, July 16, 2009AW2 Symposium Brings Together Wounded Warriors, Veterans and Family Members to Discuss Issues

Col. Rice, Director of the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program

Col. Jim Rice, director of the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program, participated in a blogger's roundtable July 16 to discuss the top five issues addressed by Wounded Warriors at the 5th Annual AW2 symposium in San Antonio, Texas. "We take Soldiers who are evacuated, going through treatment, going through the medical board process and even after they transition out [of the AW2 program]. Our advocates stay with them for as long as it takes. That is the charge from the Senior Army leadership to the Army Wounded Warrior Program," said Rice. Audio(Mp3)

Files: Bio(pdf)

]]>Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:46:00 ESTThursday, July 16, 2009Army, NIHM Leaders Discuss Suicide Prevention and a Five-Year Study on Risk and Protective Factors

Pete Geren, Secretary of the Army

The Honorable Pete Geren, Secretary of the Army and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army General Peter Chiarelli sat alongside Director of the National Institute of the Mental Health Dr. Thomas Insel to provide an update on the groundbreaking five-year study on risk and protective factors related to mental health and suicide in the Army as well as an update on the Army Campaign for Health Promotion, Risk Recution and Suicide Prevention. "We feel better about our efforts in the last four and a half months to at least reduce the number," said Chiarelli. "And we hope we will continue to do that with some of our intervention programs." Audio(Mp3)

Files: Bio(pdf)

]]>Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:47:00 ESTWednesday, July 15, 2009Commanding General, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center Stresses Importance of Leadership, Growth

LTG William B. Caldwell IV, Commanding General, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth

Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, commanding general, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kan., participated in a blogger's roundtable, July 15, to discuss how the Army is moving forward with their new Army leadership strategy and developing the next generation of Army leaders. "All the way down literally to the platoon level, they are going [to] make decisions nowadays more than ever that are going to have far-reaching consequences," said Caldwell who stressed the importance of training our young leaders to be extremely agile and adaptive within the changing combat environment. He added that these young leaders must also be able to handle complex situations and think critically about all challenges presented to them. Audio(Mp3)

Files: Bio(pdf)

]]>Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:49:00 ESTTuesday, July 14, 2009Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Addressed

Bob Clark, assistant director of Accession Policy and Keith Wilson, Department of Veterans Affairs

Bob Clark, assistant director of Accession Policy (Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy) and Keith Wilson, director of Education at the Department of Veterans Affairs, spoke with bloggers and online journalists during a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable, July 14, to discuss eligibility, benefits and transferability options for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, set to begin Aug. 1, 2009. "The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a landmark program for servicemembers and veterans the opportunity to further their education," said Clark. "Transferability of education benefits has been one of the most requested and largest requests from the field and fleet, particularly from family support and advocacy groups." Story | Audio(Mp3)

Files: Bio(pdf)

]]>Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:38:00 ESTTuesday, July 14, 2009West Point Cadets Take Leadership Role in Cadet Field Training

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Stephen Michael

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Stephen L. A. Michael, regimental tactical officer for the 4th Regiment, United States Corps of Cadets at West Point, participated in a roundtable discussion with bloggers and online journalists. Accompanying Michael were three West Point Cadets - Tom Olmstead, Joseph Van Dusen and Kristen Griest who according to Michael, all represent what the Army stands for. They discussed their experiences in leading Cadet Field Training, the benefit of gaining leadership experience, and assisting the younger cadets throughout the training program. This summer was the first time when cadets themselves lead others through the training. In previous summers, experienced soldiers from other units were brought in. "It was a great leadership experience for me, we put an emphasis on small groups so squads can gain more of a hands on experience," said Olmstead. Audio(Mp3)

Files: Bio(pdf)

]]>Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:35:00 ESTWednesday, July 08, 2009Colonel Discusses Service Member Relief Act

U.S. Army Col. Shawn Shumake, Army lawyer and Director of the Office of Legal Policy

U.S. Army Col. Shawn Shumake, an Army lawyer and director of the Office of Legal Policy for the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, discussed with bloggers during a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable July 7, the new law that protects servicemembers who are renters, called "Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009, Section 702 of Public Law 111-22." "We probably have a higher rate of renters than the population in general because of the transient nature of our business," Shumake said. Before the act was signed, service members could be asked to move once their landlords' house was foreclosed on, and finance their move, he said. "What that law does is it says that if a property is foreclosed on and it has renters occupying the property that the person who takes over that property after it's sold at foreclosure takes it subject to that lease -- which means they have to honor that lease," he added. Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf) Additional Resources:

]]>Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:38:00 ESTTuesday, July 07, 2009Air Force Combat Camera Team Discusses Role of Media in Military

Air Force Combat Camera Airmen, based out of the Combined Air Operations Center

Members of the Air Force's combat camera team spoke with bloggers Tuesday morning about their role in documenting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. By shooting photographs, recording video and writing news articles, the Airmen of the combat camera team provide a unique view inside the world of the military during wartime. "It's humbling to see how many outlets use our products; not just for news media," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary, the print journalist for combat camera team two. "Operational commanders and leaders throughout the Department of Defense rely on it to make informed decisions. Our pictures, videos and stories can often be used for intelligence, reconnaissance, engineering, legal and other operations involving the military services." Story | Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) |

]]>Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:00:00 ESTMonday, July 06, 2009U.S. Army Silver Star Recipient Discusses His Experience in Afghanistan

U.S. Army Reserve Spc. David Hutchinson, Silver Star recipient

U.S. Army Spc. David Hutchinson, a Silver Star recipient, joined bloggers du to discuss the events he experienced during his first week of his deployment to Afghanistan in May 2008. Hutchinson was with the 420th Engineer Brigade Personal Security Detail traveling through eastern Afghanistan when his convoy was ambushed by Anti-Afghan Forces (AAF). "I started opening fire with my MK-19, and I made it through ... about 44 out of the 48 rounds in that ammo can, destroying as many fighting positions as I could," he said. Hutchinson's fire was so effective in disrupting the enemy's efforts to destroy the convoy that the enemy concentrated its fire on his vehicle, and on him specifically and his MK19. "As quickly as I could destroy one, more insurgents would pop up," he added. During this firefight, Hutchinson stayed in his position under intense fire, placing accurate effective fire on the remaining AAF in total disregard of his own peril. Story | Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:49:00 ESTTuesday, June 30, 2009U.S. Marine Colonel Discusses Building Iraq's IG Capability

Col. Robert Schroeder, Inspector General / Assistant Deputy Director Strategy & Plans Division

U.S. Marine Col. Robert Schroeder, Inspector General; assistant deputy Director Strategy & Plans Division for Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq spoke with bloggers and online journalists during a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable, June 30, about the support they provide. "MNSTC-I has dedicated IG advisers to the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, Joint Headquarters staff and the Counterterrorism Bureau," said Schroeder. "Each of the advisers and our Iraqi counterparts have experienced different successes and faced different, but similar challenges." Schroeder continued his discussion explaining the development of a modern, professional IG capability in Iraq; with noted successes and challenges. Story | Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:02:00 ESTMonday, June 29, 2009Principal Deputy Assistant SecDef for International Security Affairs Discusses U.S. Military turn over in Iraq

Joseph McMillan, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs

Joseph McMillan, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs spoke with online journalists and bloggers during a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable, June 29, to discuss the 30 June official turn over in Iraq. "I appreciate an opportunity to discuss with you the important milestone we are reaching today and tomorrow," said McMillan. The official turn over requires all U.S. combat forces to be removed from cities, villages and localities in Iraq by 30 June. "This is an important step in long-term strategic relationship with Iraq," he added. Since October, McMillan said they have closed or returned more than 120 bases and facilities in Iraq leading up to the present moment where the last bases and facilities in Iraq have been closed, but it doesn't end their obligations under the security agreement. "Some of the U.S. forces will remain in those areas but only in a training, advisor or coordination capacity with the Iraqi forces," McMillan said. Audio(Mp3)

Files: Bio(pdf)

]]>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:48:00 ESTTuesday, June 23, 2009Chaplain Discusses the Importance of Morale and Welfare While Deployed

Maj. William Steen, a chaplain assigned to Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq

"Our troops are working tirelessly and selflessly to create a trusted and viable security force," U.S. Army Maj. William Steen, a chaplain assigned to Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq, said to bloggers during a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable June 23. "However, the work, family separation and the long hours all take their toll on our troops," he added. Steen discussed how the military is helping these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines cope with the physical, mental, and emotional stress while deployed in Iraq. Story | Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:05:00 ESTFriday, June 19, 2009Safety a Serious Issue for U.S. Army

Tad Davis, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Environment, Safety and Occupational Health

Mr. Tad Davis, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Environment, Safety and Occupational Health, joined bloggers and online journalists to discuss Army efforts to keep its Soldiers Safe, as it celebrates National Safety Month and a new Army campagin entitled '100 Days of Summer.' The campaign is designed to increase awareness in safety issues, particularly as Soldiers engage in higher-risk summer time activities. "We've done a tremendous amount in terms of our doctrine, coming up with our composite risk management approach to safety across the entire Army," said Davis. "We've also tapped technology in terms of a whole host of online accessible tools that can be used by individual soldiers and supervisors and leaders at every level within the Army that will really enhance the ability to communicate the safety message, but also inculcate safety-specific messages and concepts in ways that really resonate with our young soldiers in particular." Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:00:00 ESTThursday, June 18, 2009Army Col. Discusses H1N1 Prevention Measures

Col. Jonathan Jaffin, director, Health and Policy Services, Office of the Surgeon General

U.S. Army Col. Jonathan Jaffin, director, Health and Policy Services, Office of the Surgeon General, discussed how the Army is addressing the H1N1 virus with troops during a DoDLive Army Roundtable, June 18. "The Department of Defense, the Army Medical Command and all segments of the U.S. government are working together along with our international partners, to lessen the impact of the H1N1 influenza," he said. As of June 12, 2009, there have been 191 confirmed cases of the H1N1 influenza among active duty soldiers, Jaffin added. Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:23:00 ESTWednesday, June 17, 2009332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Provides Unique Combat Power in Iraq

USAF Col. Michael Fantini, commander of the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group

U.S. Air Force Col. Mike Fantini, commander of the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group, participated in a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable on June 17 to discuss the mission and scope of U.S. airpower in Iraq. "Overall, the air operations in Iraq provide support to ground forces across the spectrum of combat operations," he said. "We cover intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, precision engagement, air lift of passengers and cargo, and combat search and rescue throughout Iraq." Story | Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:46:00 ESTTuesday, June 16, 2009U.S. Navy Admiral Discusses BALTOPS 09

Rear Admiral John N. Christenson, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 12 Enterprise Strike Group

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. John Christenson and Swedish Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jorgen Bergman discussed Exercise BALTOPS 09 with bloggers and online journalists, June 16. "Our goal is to improve maritime security in the Baltic Sea," Christenson said. BALTOPS 09 is a joint operation that allows personnel from partner nations to prepare for disaster relief efforts, humanitarian assistance, and peacekeeping efforts, Christenson added. This is the 37th anniversary of Exercise BALTOPS and includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Story | Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:49:00 ESTMonday, June 15, 2009U.S. Navy Captain Discusses Pacific Partnership 2009

Commodore Andrew Cully, Pacific Partnership Mission Commander

U.S. Navy Capt. Andrew Cully, Pacific Partnership 2009 mission commander participated in a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable, June 16 discussing the humanitarian mission aboard USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4), a Military Sealift Command underway replenishment ship assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet. Pacific Partnership will deliver medical, dental, veterinary care and engineering support to five nations in the South Pacific: Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Marshall Islands. "I can tell you from everybody on staff and everybody I've met; they're excited about this mission. This is one where we think that we'll leave the mission, knowing that this is probably the most professionally and personally awarding missions of our careers, being able to help other nations," said Cully. Story | Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:22:00 ESTThursday, June 11, 2009Official Discusses 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review

Ms. Amanda Dory, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy

Every four years the Department of Defense develops the Quadrennial Defense Review, a report that Congress uses to evaluate and plan for future DoD operations. "It's really the mother of all reports to Congress," said Ms. Amanda Dory, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Strategy. "This one really stands out in terms of its scope and scale," she said. The Quadrennial Defense Review defines force structure, modernization plans, and a budget plan across all of the DoD, Dory added. Story | Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:05:00 ESTFriday, June 05, 2009Naval Historian Discusses Significance of Battle of Midway

Robert J. Cressman, Naval Historian

As a tribute to the 67th anniversary of the Battle of Midway, naval historian and accomplished author Robert J. Cressman spoke with bloggers and online journalists during a DoDBloggers Roundtable, June 5 about the significance of the Battle of Midway. "Operationally, the lesson was that we needed more carriers, that was something that we were fighting a catch up war because the Japanese had more carriers than we did," said Cressman. "Tactically, one of the things we learned at Midway was the whole business of defending our strike groups, because we had too few fighters, not only did we need more aircraft carriers, but we needed more fighters on those decks to fight our attack groups." Regarded as the turning point in the Pacific during World War II, the Battle of Midway took place June 4-7, 1942. An important marker in the naval heritage of our nation, the Battle of Midway changed the course of the war in the Pacific within just a few short days. Story | Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:28:00 ESTTuesday, June 02, 2009General Explains the Role of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix

Brig. Gen. Steven Huber, commander of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VIII

Brig. Gen. Steven Huber, commander of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VIII participated in a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable, June 2 to address the Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix mission of training and mentoring Afghan National Security Forces, which is comprised of the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police. Huber added that the task force is looking forward to 4th Brigade's pending arrival to assist in the mentoring and training of army and police forces in Afghanistan. "I think the additional soldiers, mainly the 4th Brigade out of the 82nd, which is going to be the second brigade to fall under Phoenix, is going to be great help to allow us to meet the requirements to staff the different ... embedding training teams and police mentor teams," said Huber. Huber, an Illinois guardsman for 30 years, is leading the effort in Afghanistan for Task Force Phoenix VIII. There are an estimated 3,000 guardsman from Illinois involved in the training and mentoring of the Afghan Nationa Story | Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:16:00 ESTTuesday, June 02, 2009New Paternity Leave Program Gives New Gathers More Time to Bond

Col. Larry Lock, chief of Compensation and Entitlements

A new Department of Defense policy provides soldiers an additional 10 days of leave following the birth of a child. Col. Larry Lock, chief of Compensation and Entitlements, Army G-1; Victor Bosko, Program Analyst, Army G-1, and two soldiers who have taken advantage of the new policy joined bloggers and journalists to discuss how it works, and why Soldiers should take advantage. The policy is available for new dads, but must be taken within 45 days of the child's birth, or upon return from a deployment. "Given the stress and op tempo that we're currently putting soldiers and families through, this is just one way that we can express our appreciation," said Lock. Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) |

]]>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:50:00 ESTFriday, May 29, 2009Regional Police Advisory Command-South Commander Provides Operational Update

U.S. Army Col. James Harris, Regional Police Advisory Command-South

U.S. Army Col. James Harris, Regional Police Advisory Command-South commander spoke with online journalists and bloggers, May 29 about his unit's role in mentoring and advising Afghan National Police in southern Afghanistan. Harris oversees 19 police mentor teams in the southern region of Afghanistan who mentors thousands of members of the Afghan National Police in the provinces of Helmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan and Zabul. Harris said that they are working with nearly 12,000 police officers and the majority of them are loyal to their government and their leaders. "The police officers that I see and deal with on a daily basis are very dedicated to their cause and to their nation. And they're challenged every day. They are confronted; they're in contact with enemy forces on practically a daily basis," said Harris. Throughout his mentoring role, Harris said that the most rewarding element is watching the police officers' progress through the training. Story | Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:17:00 ESTThursday, May 28, 2009Asian Pacific American Soldier discusses experience, tradition of service

Sgt. Heyz Seeker

Sgt. Heyz Seeker, 2007 Best Ranger winner and sushi chef, discussed his experiences after five deployments during an Army Bloggers Roundtable, May 28. Seeker is a Filipino-American, second generation servicemember with strong roots to military service. "I came into the Army in 1991; at that time, was inspired by events of Desert Shield/Desert Storm, as well as influences of my stepfather and my father, biological father, who both fought in World War II," he said. Seeker got out of the Army in 1998, but re-enlisted in 2004, after the events of 9/11. "You know, it changed my life when I was 19, but I knew it was something I wanted to do, not only just from a family tradition, but, you know, patriotically, [I] just wanted to serve my country. And I just found it was my calling," he said. Seeker is currently stationed in Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Ga. Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Fri, 29 May 2009 15:15:00 ESTThursday, May 28, 2009Army uses NCO Net to Develop Young Soldiers into Leaders

Col. Charles Burnett and Joe Pearson

Col. Charles Burnett, director of the Battle Command Knowledge System of the Combined Armed Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and Joe Pearson, chief editor and senior facilitator of NCO Net, discussed the value of professional development forums and networks during an Army Bloggers Roundtable on May 28. "We are the only organization in the Army that provides knowledge management training to both civilians and military," said Burnett. "And we are the only organization in the Army that has developed knowledge management doctrine," he said. "Here, you're allowed to go in and ask those questions, and before you make that serious mistake you can get some advice and learn to, you know, use that advice from all these different levels," said Pearson. You can find NCO Net at https://nconet.bcks.army.mil. Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) |

]]>Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:00:00 ESTWednesday, May 27, 2009Avoiding Non-Combatant Casualties, a High Priority for U.S. in Afghanistan

Col. Gary Brown, Combined Air and Space Operations Center staff judge advocate

"Our job in trying to avoid non-combatant casualties is complicated by the fact that we're fighting an enemy that chooses to conceal himself among women and children in violation of the Laws of War," Col. Gary Brown, staff judge advocate of the Combined Air Operations Center, said during a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable, May 27. Brown discussed what the U.S. has done to limit civilian casualties during air strikes and the Rules of Engagement. Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Thu, 28 May 2009 09:20:00 ESTTuesday, May 26, 2009General Discusses the Importance of Air Power in Afghanistan

Brig. Gen. Walter D. Givhan, commanding general, Combined Air Power Transition

Force and 438th Air Expeditionary Wing commander told bloggers and online journalists during a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable, May 26 the importance of air power in Afghanistan. "This country, Afghanistan, begs for air power. You've got vast distances: A country the size of Texas. You've got forbidding terrain, with the Hindu Kush mountains right in the middle of the country. You've got a road system that is still immature and also has an IED threat. And you've got almost no rail," said Givhan. "We have really taken an aggressive approach in the last two years to getting the air corps in the air and into this fight, and they are in the air and in this fight right now, making a contribution." Story | Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:47:00 ESTThursday, May 21, 2009Navy Commander and Iraqi Engineer Discuss Partnership

U.S. Navy Cmdr. John Szatkowski

U.S. Navy Cmdr. John Szatkowski, on augment assignment with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Hussein Ali Aiyah, one of the Gulf Region Division's Iraqi Associates, joined bloggers from Iraq to discuss the construction of the $176 million al-Qudas Power Plant expansion project. The plant was recently turned over to Iraq's Ministry of Electricity and represents a collaborative effort between the Army Corps of Engineers and local Iraqi construction companies. CDR Szatkowski and Ali Aiyah shared what they have learned from each other throughout the process, and the progress it meant for the Iraqi people. "When I first got to the project, some of the guys were timid," said Szatkowski. "They weren't used to dealing with the U.S. style of project management, which I call, you know, get the job done, whatever you need to do...but after working together over time, they realized that they had the brainpower and the drive to do just about anything they needed to do." Audio(Mp3)

Files: Transcript(pdf) | Bio(pdf)

]]>Fri, 22 May 2009 15:11:00 EST