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"The People's Ship" takes down rougue spy satellite

From the American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2008 – A network of land-, air-, sea- and spaced-based sensors confirms that the U.S. military intercepted a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office satellite which was in its final orbits before entering the earth's atmosphere, defense officials announced in a press release.

At approximately 10:26 p.m. EST today, a U.S. Navy AEGIS warship, the USS Lake Erie (CG-70), fired a single modified tactical Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) hitting the satellite approximately 247 kilometers (133 nautical miles) over the Pacific Ocean as it traveled in space at more than 17,000 mph. USS Decatur (DDG-73) and USS Russell (DDG-59) were also part of the task force.

The objective was to rupture the fuel tank to dissipate the approximately 1,000 pounds (453 kg) of hydrazine, a hazardous fuel which could pose a danger to people on earth, before it entered into earth's atmosphere. Confirmation that the fuel tank has been fragmented should be available within 24 hours.

Due to the relatively low altitude of the satellite at the time of the engagement, debris will begin to re-enter the earth’s atmosphere immediately. Nearly all of the debris will burn up on reentry within 24-48 hours and the remaining debris should re-enter within 40 days.

DoD will conduct a press briefing at 7 a.m. EST to provide further information related to the operation. The briefing can be viewed live on www.Defenselink.com through the Pentagon Channel.

Watch video of the Missile Intercept:

Senior Pentagoner briefs on satellite shoot

Complete transcript of Feb. 20 briefing

Excerpt:

Q Who is the person who makes the call, today’s go? And how long before the actual shot, before that seconds-long window, do you have to make that decision?

SR. MILITARY OFFICIAL: Command and control, as we refer to it, is always a challenge here. In the chain there are a series of no votes -- my words -- but people who can say stop because my criteria, weather, is not being met. There are very few yes votes, and the question is, where do you have that yes vote? The commander of U.S. Strategic Command will give the secretary of Defense a recommendation, and then the secretary of Defense will look at that recommendation, make a judgment based on it. He will have more than one opportunity during the day to do that because we keep re-looking at it through the day. So there are multiple opportunities. We'll have a point of no return, so to speak, that's down in the minutes area, and it will be based on whatever it is that has kept us potentially holding, if it were weather or something like that. But --

Q Minutes as in 60 minutes, or minutes as in five minutes?

SR. MILITARY OFFICIAL: It could go down. It just depends. It depends on what criteria it is that's holding us back, how serious that criteria is and what the expectation of maybe being able to clear that criteria is. If we're swapping missiles, if we're just worried about wave height -- not just, but each one of them will be different. But we'll have the opportunity. But we'll get down to a point of no return, where we turn it over to the ship to execute.

Q So on press, to be clear, you will not be putting out a notification that we've launched the missile and then an hour later a press release, or will it be just a press release an hour after the event?

SR. MILITARY OFFICIAL: That's correct.

Q So we could all be sitting here and you could have launched and we wouldn't know, necessarily, until the press release comes out.

SR. MILITARY OFFICIAL: That's correct.

Q Is there any way for us who are in the building to pick -- you know, pepper you guys on background, "Did it launch or did it not launch?" type of thing?

SR. MILITARY OFFICIAL: (Laughs.)

Q Well, it's a practical question.

Q There's a danger -- you know, we know that you'll try and keep this as clean as possible, but if it starts to filter out that there has been a shot and we're still having to wait an hour before we can even confirm there's been a shot, is there no way that you can just tell us first that you've taken a shot and that's all you can tell us, but at least that fact is out there?

SR. MILITARY OFFICIAL: Let me go back and work it. Okay.

Q The Navy said yesterday that on some of their missile tests there's a video camera in the warhead. Will there be one on this?

SR. MILITARY OFFICIAL: That's in the instrumentation of the SM-3 when we try to do test shots. Let me go find out, but generally there are two cameras. There's one on the booster -- for a test -- there's one on the booster, and you've seen these. NASA uses the same system, one that's looking down behind, so to speak, so you can see it departing, and one that's looking up. We wouldn't normally put that on a shot like this, but let me go see what they've done with this one.

Window to open for satellite shoot-down, Gates to issue order

by Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2008 - The anticipated landing tomorrow of the space shuttle Atlantis will open the window of opportunity for the U.S. military to shoot down a dying intelligence satellite headed toward Earth, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today.

President Bush has authorized Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to give the shoot-down order, and the secretary received a briefing on the plan today, Morrell said. The secretary is prepared to make that call from the road, if necessary, during his nine-day, around-the-world trip that begins tomorrow, he said.

Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters last week the window of opportunity for shooting down the satellite would last seven or eight days.

"We have a pretty wide aperture with which to take this shot," Morrell said today. "I think the commanders that are evaluating this are looking at all the conditions that could impact this to make sure that when we do take this shot, it can be as successful as possible."

Cartwright, Air Force Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, and other experts across the military and U.S. government "are evaluating the situation and will advise the secretary when they have a shot to take," Morrell said.

Pentagon officials began studying the situation in early January when it become clear that a malfunctioning U.S. spy satellite could cause death or injury if it fell in a populated area. Of particular concern is that the satellite could release hydrazine, a toxic chemical used as a maneuvering fuel.

A Pentagon plan was put together to strike the incoming satellite just above the atmosphere, rupturing the hydrazine tank in the process.

Marine general reflects upon his new Iraq command

We got this e-mail from our MNF-West Command in Iraq:

Hello,

Lt. Col. Chris Hughes.  I'm the Public Affairs Officer with  Multi-National Forces - West here at Camp Fallujaha, Iraq.

The new Commanding General, Maj. Gen. John F. Kelly wanted to share his thoughts with Americans around the country upon assuming this command.

Our hope is that you can run his letter in your publication.

Thanks,

LtCol Chris Hughes

Classification:  UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

A Letter to the Editor from the Commanding General, Multi National Force - West

     I have just had the privilege of returning to Iraq and more specifically to Al Anbar Province for my third tour. I say privilege for a number of different reasons not the least of which is the opportunity to again serve with young Americans — the best of their generation — in combat. A second reason is there is no greater honor for any man or woman than to protect one’s country in time of grave danger, while wearing the nation’s cloth. Finally, I do not think there can be anything more gratifying on this earth for an American than to participate in the freeing of a people from the grip of a tyrant, then helping those same people realize the benefits of democracy. To actually exercise the God given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Marine Maj. Gen. John F. Kelley

      I have been away for three years. What I have found in the week I have been back can only be described as shocking. When I was here last, dozens of IEDs detonated everyday in Al Anbar. Fire fights were as common as IEDs, and mortar and rocket attacks a nightly routine. The emirs of al Qaeda and other equally murderous groups predicted our imminent defeat as they pursued a sick form of extremism no rational man or woman here, or anyplace else, could fathom. Many in our own country for any number of reasons began to lose faith — but the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who fought our enemy to a standstill never doubted or waivered in their determination to win.

      Several days ago I walked through the market section of Fallujah. It was bustling with Iraqis of all ages buying and selling products of every description. Adults waved, pressed forward to shake hands and many, like good businessmen everywhere, tried to make a sale. Kids swarmed around the Marines trying out the few English words they have learned in schools that are all now open. Parents no longer fear to send their boys and girls to learn, a practice that under the extremists was often a death sentence.

      When I last visited that city, it was the most dangerous place on earth. It was a gunfight going in, and a gunfight coming out everyday. The majority of the city’s population lived in stark terror from the most evil men on the planet. It was the same then in Ramadi, Hadithah, and all the way along the Euphrates River Valley to the Syrian border — but no longer. Like Fallujah, the schools are open, markets thrive, and post-war recovery gains momentum across Al Anbar. This war is not won, but is being won and today primarily by the Iraqis themselves. Al Qaeda is not defeated, but it is on the ropes. Its membership knows that if they are foolish enough to come out of the holes they hide in, they will not only meet tough young Americans standing firm and unafraid, but also Iraqi police and soldiers in vastly increased numbers and effectiveness. Iraq is still a dangerous place, but nothing like it was only a short time ago. We should see this thing through because it’s the right thing to do, the American thing to do, and we have the new “Greatest Generation” in just enough numbers willing to give up the comfort of their homes and defend us all while spreading freedom to a people who have never known it.

Lafontant completes Marine boot camp

[FleetHometownNewsCenter--Feb. 7]--Marine Corps Pvt. Dany Lafontant, a 2007 graduate of Prospect Hill Charter School, Cambridge, Mass., recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S. C. designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.

Lafontant and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a. m., by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Lafontant spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training.

Lafontant and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps' core values--honor, courage and commitment, and what the core values mean in guiding personal and professional conduct. Lafontant and fellow recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour, team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as "Marines" for the first time in their careers.

Wolde promoted to lance corporal

The Fleet Hometown News Service reported Jan. 7 Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Anteneh W. Wolde, son of Freezod Wolde and Wondimu Beyene of Cambridge, Mass., recently was promoted to his current rank while serving with Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan.

Wolde was promoted based on sustained superior job performance and proficiency in his designated specialty.

Wolde is a 2006 graduate of Swampscott High School of Swampscott,  Mass. and joined the Marine Corps in July 2006.

Military News

[Aug. 28]--Air Force Airman James W. Santos has graduated from basic military  training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force  mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed  drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.

James W. Santos

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of Mary and stepson of Michael Piemonte of Walden St., Cambridge, Mass.

Santos is a 2005 graduate of Boston College High School.                                                            

Military News: 173rd takes fight to Taliban

by Army Sgt. Brandon Aird
[Special to American Forces Press Service]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2007 - The tense paratroopers and Afghan National Army soldiers sat in silence surrounded by darkness.

The previous hours were spent huddled together rehearsing the mission, "Destined Strike," which was to be an air-assault into the Taliban's backyard.

The whoop, whoop, whoop sound of the CH-47 "Chinook" helicopter's rotary wings reverberated in the soldiers' ears drowning out all chance of another sound. Some of the soldiers said last minute prayers while others day dreamed of loved ones back home. Squad leaders made last minute checks in the dark.

When the Chinook landed all thoughts came to the task at hand. The soldiers jumped off the noisy helicopter onto a quiet, moon-lit mountain above the Chowkay Valley in Kunar province. The mountain is over 7,000 feet above sea level.

The Taliban's biggest advantage in past fire fights has been their ability to dominate the high ground, but not this time.

Soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team's 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment and elements of the Afghan National Army's 2nd Kandak, 201st Corps, conducted Operation Destined Strike August 21-25. The U.S. soldiers were members of the 2nd platoons of the 2nd Battalion's A, C and D companies.

"We came here to show the local populace that coalition forces aren't afraid to come into the Chowkay Valley," said Army 1st Lt. Kareem F. Hernandez, Company A 2nd Platoon leader.

After the initial insertion, the soldiers pulled security and waited for daybreak. During the night, they searched with night vision devices for 15 individuals spotted earlier near their position by an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Once dawn broke, the U.S. and Afghan soldiers put their gear-laden rucksacks on, and broke trail down the mountain to the first farming village. The village and fields were hand cut out of the mountain side.

Fournier grads AF boot camp

Air Force Airman 1st Class Joseph F. Fournier has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and        ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of Cammy Fournier of Rice St., Cambridge, Mass. Fournier graduated in 2002 from Matignon High School, Cambridge, and received a bachelor’s degree in 2006 from Providence College, R.I.