West Texas man sentenced to more than 7 years in federal prison following child pornography conviction

LUBBOCK, Texas - A man from Big Spring, Texas, who pleaded guilty in July to a child pornography charge, was sentenced on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to seven years and three months in prison, to be followed by a 40-year term of supervised release. This sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Dallas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Big Spring Police Department.
Specifically, Fabian Duke Trejo, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of receiving a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Trejo, who is in custody, must also register as a sex offender.
According to filed documents, Trejo admitted that in 2009 he used a peer-to-peer file-sharing program on his computer to download images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. To avoid detection, and so he did not have to keep the images on his computer after he received them via the Internet, Trejo set up multiple email accounts to send images of child pornography to himself. On Nov. 12, 2009, using one of those email accounts, Trejo received a zip file entitled "2.zip," that he had sent to himself, containing at least three images depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Sucsy of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Lubbock, Texas, prosecuted this case.
This investigation is part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers.
ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex C. Lewis, Northern District of Texas, is prosecuting this case.

City of Toronto meeting schedule, November 15 - 19

Media Advisory  

The Week Ahead
City of Toronto meeting schedule, November 15 - 19

Toronto City Council and its major committees will not be meeting again until after December 1, when the new City Council takes office. The boards of City agencies continue to hold their regularly scheduled meetings this fall. 

Monday, November 15
Toronto Police Services Board
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Police Headquarters, 40 College St., 2nd floor auditorium

Tuesday, November 16
Toronto Parking Authority
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W., Meeting Room B

Wednesday, November 17
No meetings scheduled

Thursday, November 18
No meetings scheduled

Friday, November 19
No meetings scheduled

Careers with the Federal Protective Service

The Federal Protective Service (FPS) is the premier provider of security and law enforcement services at U.S. federal government facilities. FPS plays a leading role in the protection of our nation's critical infrastructure, with lead responsibility for ensuring a safe and secure working environment for federal workers and visitors in approximately 9,000 federal facilities nationwide.
FPS is a leader in physical security and law enforcement operations, and it embraces a forward-leaning, strategic approach to security centered on advance planning and preparedness.

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• Performing hazardous materials preparedness and response operations
• Managing K9 explosive detection operations
• Providing critical security services and logistical support at high-profile public events
• Coordinating vital emergency services and disaster response during and after natural disasters
• Engaging federal facility tenants through crime prevention seminars, facility security surveys, intelligence-gathering operations and more.

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FPS Criminal Investigators are trained special agents who provide critical investigative follow-up response to criminal activity at federal facilities.

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Protective Security Officer Program Managers
FPS oversees approximately 15,000 Protective Security Officers, and requires professional managers with background in federal contracting, acquisition and program management.
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FPS relies on a cadre of highly trained professional management and administrative specialists for a wide range of mission support services.

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Mullen Makes Military's Case for START Ratification

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 12, 2010 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today delivered the military argument for Senate ratification of the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and talked about the future of deterrence.
Speaking at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said "the stars may have aligned" to pass the new START pact the United States negotiated with Russia.
"Deterrence today is tougher and more complex. More than one nation can now reach out and touch us with nuclear missiles," Mullen said to a star-studded audience that included former secretaries of state George Shultz, Condoleezza Rice and Henry Kissinger, and former Defense Secretary William J. Perry. "Americans are potential targets of terrorism wherever they travel, and regional instability in several places around the globe could easily erupt into large-scale conflict.
"Yet, we have done precious little spadework to advance the theory of deterrence," he continued, noting the lack of serious discussion on deterrence since the end of the Cold War. "It is as if we all breathed a collective sigh of relief when the Soviet Union collapsed and said to ourselves, 'Well, I guess we don't need to worry about that anymore.' We were wrong. The demands of deterrence evolve."
The new treaty will help with the discussion, Mullen said, and the time is right. The stars are aligning for passage, he added.
"A flood of Soviet troops into Afghanistan dissolved support for SALT II in the United States, whereas the fall of the Berlin Wall and later the Soviet Union may well have hastened the signing and ratification of START," Mullen said. "Today, we lack a similar treaty with Russia. In fact, we haven't had one for almost a year now. But the arms buildup in the aftermath of SALT II's disintegration highlights the necessity for some sort of understanding, some sort of verifiable reduction and monitoring regime."
It is in the interest of both the United States and Russia to ratify this treaty, the chairman told the audience. From the military aspect, the new START treaty "allows us to retain a strong and flexible American nuclear deterrent," Mullen said.
"It strengthens openness and transparency in our relationship with Russia," he added.
The treaty also demonstrates America's commitment to nuclear arms reductions, Mullen said. "I am convinced that New START - permitting us as it does 1,550 aggregate warheads and the freedom to create our own force posture within that limit – leaves us with more than enough nuclear deterrent capability for the world we live in," he explained.
Mullen said he's convinced the treaty preserves the nuclear triad and retains U.S. flexibility to continue deploying conventional global strike capabilities.
"I am also convinced that the verification regime is as stringent as it is transparent, and borne of more than 15 years of lessons learned under the original START treaty," he said.
The new treaty provides for 18 inspections annually, and for sharing data concerning the numbers, locations and technical characteristics of systems subject to the treaty, the admiral noted.
"In other words, we'll know a lot more about Russian systems and intentions than we do right now," he said. "And as I have said many times, in many different contexts, in this fast-paced, flatter world of ours, information, and the trust it engenders, is every bit as much a deterrent as any weapon we deploy."
Because he worries about "what I don't know and what I can't see," Mullen said, the treaty's inspection provisions are critical.
"So, I believe, and the rest of the military leadership in this country believes, that this treaty is essential to our future security," said the chairman told the audience. "I believe it enhances and ensures that security. And I hope the Senate will ratify it quickly."
 

Biographies:
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen
Related Sites:
Special Report: Travels With Mullen

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Over $387,000 in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Gateway International Bridge on Thursday discovered cocaine valued at approximately $387,200 concealed within a Volkswagen.

On Tuesday, Nov. 9, CBP officers at the Gateway International Bridge stopped a male driving a white 2000 Volkswagen for a primary inspection. The driver, identified as a 37-year-old male Mexican citizen who resides in Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas, Mexico was referred to secondary for further inspection. Examination by CBP officers in secondary revealed five hidden packages concealed within the VW. CBP officers removed the packages from the vehicle which had a combined total weight of 12.1 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The alleged cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $387,200. CBP officers turned the man over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle.

“Brownsville CBP officers’ vigilance contributed to this seizure of dangerous narcotics. I congratulate our officers for an outstanding job with this seizure and arrest,” said Michael Freeman, CBP Port Director, Brownsville.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Mullen Stresses Taking Care of People to ROTC Students

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2010 - Though he never expected he'd have a military career, the nation's highest-ranking military officer said this week, the people he has served with are the reason he stayed in the service.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks to audience members after addressing the Bernard Brodie Distinguished Lecture Series at UCLA, Nov. 10, 2010. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told ROTC cadets and midshipmen at UCLA on Nov. 10 that a career wasn't on his mind when he reported to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in 1964. "The reason I stayed was it became very quickly about the tremendous, tremendous people I met from the first day I showed up at Annapolis," Mullen said to the officer candidates. "You're joining a military of great young men and women that is the best we've ever had in our history, and I would argue it is the best force in the world, ever."
The chairman has served 46 years since arriving at Annapolis. He credits the people he has served with and the hankering to see the world -- "even though my first assignment was in Vietnam" -- with keeping him in the Navy.
The men and women who aspire to become commissioned officers in the U.S. military must focus on leadership, the chairman said. He told the ROTC students to study leaders, to examine their styles and take what works for them. The military is involved in two wars and maintains guard around the world, he noted, and the only constant they will see upon entering the force is change.
"Leadership is what getting commissioned is all about," he said. "You are coming into the military at an unbelievably complex time in our country and our world. The military is not immune. We've changed dramatically in this past decade, and we will continue to evolve."
The future officers will face tough decisions, and they must have good leadership ability to see them through, Mullen said. "Good leaders step forward and solve tough problems at the right time," he added.
Mullen urged the cadets and midshipmen to keep their options open, and not burn any bridges. "You never know that 10 years down the road you won't have a different view of what that bridge would have looked like had it still been there," he said.
"Ask a thousand questions," he continued. "When you are making big decisions, go to people you respect and get their view. In the end, make them your decisions. Don't make them anyone else's, because you are the one who is going to have to live with them every day."
The military values responsibility and accountability, the chairman said. "From a career advice standpoint, focus on the here and now –- focus on where you are and whatever your assignment is, and it will work out just fine," he said. "Be curious about your next assignment, but don't dwell on it."
The military can guarantee its future if it takes care of its people, Mullen said.
"No matter what our missions are, or where we go, or the stuff that we have, ... in the end it's the people who make the difference," the chairman said. "We're the most combat-hardened force we've been in our history, and we need to take advantage of that and leverage that for a very bright future."
A student asked about a "values disconnect" between the military and American society as a whole. Mullen replied that the military recruits from all across the United States.
"I'm not overly concerned about the values disconnect," he said, but he added that he is concerned that the American people are not connected in other ways. The military is less than 1 percent of the American population, he pointed out, and since the end of the Cold War, bases have been closed and avenues for a connection have dried up.
So the military has to do what it has always done, he said: take in 18 to 24 year olds "and change lives and present opportunity."
"We as a country benefit from that if you stay in or don't," he added.
 

Biographies:
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen
Related Sites:
Special Report: Travels With Mullen

Airstrike in Helmand Kills 7 Insurgents

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2010 - An International Security Assistance Force airstrike targeting a district-level Taliban command and control center in the Now Zad district of Afghanistan's Helmand province today left seven insurgents dead, military officials reported.
Multiple intelligence sources, surveillance and tips from local residents indicated that the Taliban were using the location to control insurgent activities and as a meeting site, officials said, with numerous armed insurgents coming and going over the last few days, officials said.
Initial reports indicate no civilians were harmed in the operation.
In other news from Afghanistan:
-- An ISAF airstrike based on intelligence information targeted numerous armed insurgents planting bombs along a road used by Afghan and coalition forces in Kunduz province's Chahar Darah district yesterday. After ensuring no civilians were nearby, ISAF conducted the air strike. An assessment determined four insurgents were killed, another was wounded, and the roadside bombs were destroyed.
-- Three insurgents were killed and two others were wounded yesterday when ISAF forces targeted a senior Taliban leader who facilitates roadside bombs and components for local insurgents during an airstrike in Helmand's Now Zad district yesterday. The targeted Taliban leader also directs and participates in attacks against Afghan and ISAF forces, officials said, and he also is alleged to preside over a shadow civil court in the district. Multiple intelligence sources, tips from local residents led ISAF forces to his location. Over successive days of observation, the Taliban leader was targeted as he was meeting a group of armed insurgents at a remote meeting location. Officials are assessing whether the Taliban leader was among those killed in the strike. Initial reports indicate no civilians were harmed in the operation.
-- ISAF officials confirmed that Mamur, a Taliban facilitator known to provide weapons and explosives to Taliban senior leadership in Kabul and Nangarhar provinces was killed during an overnight operation Nov. 10.
-- Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected terrorists in Kandahar province's Panjwai district as they targeted a Taliban roadside-bomb facilitator who is known to coordinate the movement of weapons and bomb components.
-- In Helmand's Musa Qalah district, a combined Afghan and coalition security force targeting a senior Taliban district leader who coordinates weapons and bomb components for insurgents operating in the province's Sangin district detained several suspected insurgents.
-- In eastern Khost province yesterday, security forces targeted a compound in the Sabari district to search for a Haqqani terrorist network facilitator who supplies weapons, vehicles and materials to insurgent fighters in the area. During the search of the targeted compound, the security force found an automatic weapon and explosive material before detaining numerous suspected insurgents for questioning.
-- ISAF officials confirmed the capture of two Taliban roadside-bomb facilitators in Kandahar province's Spin Boldak district during an intelligence-driven Afghan and coalition force operation yesterday.
-- A combined Afghan and ISAF patrol repelled an insurgent attack yesterday in Helmand's Sangin district. The patrol came under attack from small-arms fire shortly after a member of the patrol was struck by makeshift bomb device. The force positively identified multiple insurgent firing positions and returned fire with small arms and grenades while trying to evacuate casualties by helicopter. An air weapons team engaged an insurgent position with a missile and its 30 mm cannon, and a fixed-wing aircraft engaged insurgent positions with a precision-guided weapon and several strafing passes. Coalition forces also engaged insurgent positions with two rounds of precision artillery. Initial reports indicate 15 insurgents were killed in the engagement, with no civilian casualties.
-- ISAF officials confirmed the capture of the Taliban leader for Farah province's Bala Boluk district during a Nov. 8 operation.
-- Coalition forces conducted a precision airstrike in Paktia province Nov. 10, killing a Taliban leader who operated in the Zurmat district commanding a cell of fighters involved in facilitating and planting roadside bombs on transportation routes. He also coordinated and conducted reconnaissance and ambushes against coalition convoys and aircraft. Based on intelligence sources, coalition forces tracked him to a remote area and killed him with the airstrike after verifying insurgent activity and carefully planning to avoid civilian causalities.
-- In Kandahar province, Afghan and coalition security forces detained two suspected Taliban insurgents yesterday while searching for a Taliban roadside-bomb facilitator for the province's Spin Boldak district in an intelligence-driven operation. The facilitator is associated with transporting bombs and components from Pakistan through the Spin Boldak district, which borders Pakistan, for distribution throughout the province. He also is known to support the attack networks in the provincial capital. Security forces confiscated numerous bomb components.
-- Afghan civilians led an Afghan and ISAF patrol to a roadside-bomb device cache in Kunduz province's Aliabad district Nov. 8. The cache was secured and destroyed safely in place.
Afghan and coalition forces protect any women and children present during their operations, officials said.
 

Related Sites:
NATO International Security Assistance Force

Commissioning Slated for USS Jason Dunham

Commissioning Slated for USS Jason Dunham By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2010 - Final preparations are under way in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for the commissioning tomorrow of the Navy's newest guided-missile destroyer, to be named honoring Marine Corps Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for heroism in Iraq. The USS Jason Dunham, referred to until its Nov. 13 ceremony as "Pre-commissioning Unit Jason Dunham," enters its home port in Florida's Port Everglades Harbor. The ship is named after Marine Corps Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, who was mortally wounded by insurgents in Iraq in April 2004 and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Martin Cuaron (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos is slated to deliver the keynote address during the ceremony at Port Everglades, and Debra Dunham will serve as sponsor of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer named for her late son. Navy Cmdr. M. Scott Sciretta, USS Jason Dunham's first commanding officer, and his 276-member crew also will participate in the ceremony. Dunham died April 22, 2004, eight days after throwing himself and his Kevlar helmet onto an enemy grenade to protect two fellow Marines in Karabilah, Iraq. The 22-year-old Marine, who served with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, based at Twentynine Palms, Calif., was leading a rifle squad during a reconnaissance mission, when he and his fellow Marines responded to an attack on their commander's convoy. Dunham wrestled an insurgent to the ground, and jumped onto a live grenade the insurgent had dropped to smother the blast. Then-President George W. Bush announced on Nov. 10, 2006 -– which would have been Dunham's 25th birthday and corresponds with the Marine Corps' birthday -– that Dunham would become the first Marine to be awarded the nation's highest military honor since the Vietnam War. Bush presented the Medal of Honor to Dunham's family during a Jan. 11, 2007, White House ceremony. "With this medal, we pay tribute to the courage and leadership of a man who represents the best of young Americans," he said. "By his selflessness, Corporal Dunham saved the lives of two of his men and showed the world what it means to be a Marine." Two months later, the Navy Department announced that it would name a guided-missile destroyer in Dunham's honor. Designated DDG 109, the ship was christened April 1, 2009, at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. The 9,200-ton, 509-footwarship left for its new Fort Lauderdale home port in early October. In the lead-up to tomorrow's ceremony, crew members have been conducting community outreach projects throughout the South Florida community, and members of Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins toured the ship Nov. 9. Tonight, the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers will host the crew as the team takes on the Minnesota Wild in Sunrise, Fla. In addition to being present for the ceremonial puck drop, the sailors will be recognized from their seats at BankAtlantic Center during the game's second period, Sunrise Ports and Entertainment officials announced. The Navy's 59th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Jason Dunham will be able to operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups and underway replenishment groups, Navy officials said. It is equipped with the Aegis combat system, vertical launching system, advanced anti-submarine warfare system, advanced anti-aircraft missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Related Sites: USS Jason Dunham Medal of Honor: Cpl. Jason L. Dunham

Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Pre-Commissioning Unit Jason Dunham man the rails as the ship arrives pierside in Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to prepare for a Nov. 13, 2010, commissioning ceremony. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Martin Cuaron Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution Pre-commissioning Unit Jason Dunham undergoes sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean before delivery to the Navy. The ship will be commissioned USS Jason Dunham during Nov. 13, 2010, ceremonies in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Photo courtesy of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution

8 leaders of violent Los Angeles-area gang indicted on state extortion charges Multi-agency probe spearheaded by ICE and LAPD targeted Canoga Park Alabama gang

LOS ANGELES - Eight men believed to be leaders of the violent Canoga Park Alabama street gang based in the San Fernando Valley pleaded not guilty Friday to state conspiracy and extortion charges that, with the accompanying gang sentencing enhancement, could send them to prison for life.
The defendants are named in an 11-count state grand jury indictment unsealed Friday by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia M. Schnegg. Six of the case targets were arrested Nov. 4 in an operation spearheaded by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The remaining two defendants were already in custody on unrelated charges.
The indictment is the culmination of a nearly two-year multi-agency investigation focusing on the Canoga Park Alabama gang's suspected involvement with extortion. The indictment alleges that between Oct. 1, 2009, and Oct. 31 of this year, the defendants demanded and collected "taxes" from street narcotics dealers in return for allowing those dealers to operate on the gang's turf.
The indictment was returned Oct. 28 by the grand jury. Because the charged offenses were allegedly committed with the intention of benefiting a criminal street gang, prosecutors in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office are seeking a "gang enhancement," making the defendants subject to a maximum penalty of life in prison if they are convicted. They are being held on $1 million bail each.
"I applaud this multi-agency effort at striking a strategic blow to one of the Valley's most ruthless gangs," District Attorney Steve Cooley said.
Those charged in the case are:

• Octavio "Sinner" Garcia, 30, of Canoga Park.;
• Joseph "Lil Man" Encinas, 28, of Canoga Park;
• Osvaldo "Babo" Sanchez, 22, of Canoga Park;
• Alejandro "Sicko" Flores, 23, of Canoga Park;
• Ramiro "Speedy" Mendoza, 37, of West Hills.;
• Jaime "Jimmy" Valenzuela, 29, of Canoga Park;
• Braulio "Necio" Garcia, 24, of Canoga Park; and
• Jairo Melendez, 31, of Canoga Park.

Last week's operation was the latest enforcement action in an investigation initiated by ICE HSI and the LAPD in February 2009. Prior to this month, investigators had made 45 other federal and state criminal arrests in the case, as well as 12 arrests on administrative immigration violations.
ICE's HSI's participation in the investigation is part of the agency's ongoing nationwide anti-gang initiative known as Operation Community Shield. Under Operation Community Shield, the agency is using its powerful immigration and customs authorities in a coordinated, national campaign against criminal street gangs across the country.
"Our collective enforcement efforts in this case have dealt a severe blow to one of the most dangerous street gangs here in the Los Angeles area," Claude Arnold, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Los Angeles. "These arrests should be very welcome news for a community that has seen firsthand the blight of violence, hate and crime that gangs like this incite."
LAPD's Deputy Chief Kirk J. Albanese, commanding officer of operations with the Valley Bureau, said Canoga Park Alabama has been involved in violent crime in the San Fernando Valley for a many years. "As a result of their criminal activity, the community has lived in fear for far too long," he said.
Added Albanese, "The hate based criminal activities that have become a staple for this gang will never be tolerated. These arrests will mark the beginning of the end for this violent criminal street gang."
Deputy Albanese thanked Homeland Security Investigations for their strong efforts as the lead agency in this investigation. He also thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation -Civil Rights Bureau, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and all of the agencies that participated in this multi-agency effort.
ICE HSI and the LAPD received substantial assistance in the case and with the Nov. 4 operation from the FBI, the California Department of Corrections Parole Division, the Los Angeles County Probation Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Services Release Findings of Internal Threat Reviews

By Lisa Daniel American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2010 - The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps will update their policies and procedures to better assess internal security threats, according to reports the services filed this week in response to last year's shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas. In reports filed Nov. 9, service leaders wrote of the need for better coordination and information sharing among the services, the Defense Department and outside law enforcement agencies, as well as mental health professionals, to prevent another possible attack. Maj. Nidal Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, is charged in the Nov. 5, 2009, shooting at Fort Hood that left 13 dead and 43 wounded. A Defense Department report, "Protecting the Force: Lessons from Fort Hood," issued to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Jan. 15, found that force-protection measures focused solely on external threats are no longer sufficient and alerted the department to the need for monitoring threats from "self-radicalized" military personnel. The department's report recommended that each service conduct its own in-depth review of whether processes and policies are in place to detect such internal threats and respond to possible attacks. In the Army's review, officials said the service has implemented or is taking action on 66 of 79 recommendations made in the department's review. Some of those changes include: -- Creating the Threat Awareness and Reporting Program to identify and report insider threats, emphasize awareness and reporting and improve information sharing; -- Developing the Internet-based iWatch and iSalute programs, patterned after civilian Neighborhood Watch programs, to elicit reports of suspicious activity, including possible terrorism; -- Providing security officers access to the National Crime Information Center; -- Establishing the Army Personnel Security Investigation Center of Excellence at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., to provide for better security screening; and -- Implementing training programs for better information sharing, improved incident responses and anti-terrorism awareness. Lessons learned from the Fort Hood rampage already have made the Army better prepared, Army Secretary John M. McHugh said during a Nov. 5 remembrance ceremony at Fort Hood. "In my judgment, there is no question today that we are a stronger Army," McHugh said. "We have learned from the things that unfolded that day, and we are a safer Army." Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. agreed that the Army "has made good progress." The service has improved efficiencies in threat awareness and reporting, coordination and shared intelligence, and improved training of base security and readiness forces, he said. However, Casey noted, "When you're in the security business, you're never done." In the Air Force report, officials wrote of the need for airmen to be "wingmen" in detecting internal threats, which they note "is not an exact science." "Unit leaders must collect isolated bits of information – like disparate points of light – to concentrate into a single beam focused on preventing violence affecting Air Force personnel and installations," it says. The Air Force team concluded that a "new force-protection culture" is needed to prepare its unit leaders adequately to find and act on internal threats. Changes noted in the Air Force report include: -- Training all airmen to understand indicators of threats; -- Better information sharing with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies; -- Updating policies, procedures and practices to better assess internal risks; and -- Reinstituting post-deployment psychological reviews and ensuring that such interviews become routine practice. In the Navy review, officials cited the importance of leadership – "the obligation to act and the discretion available to a commander" – and the need to consider the impact of proposed policies on civilian personnel. The Navy's follow-up actions include -- Extensive reviews during exercises to identify and manage internal threats and better share information; and -- Updates to Shipboard Force Protection Condition measures. The Marine Corps reported developing a violence prevention and response program, revising its law enforcement manual to include best civilian practices in targeted areas, and providing better information sharing. The Marine Corps report also recommends fielding an emergency calling system at all of its installations that integrates military and civilian computer-aided dispatch, as well as other technical upgrades to better manage and share information.

Related Sites: Army Review Navy Review Air Force Review Marine Corps Review Special Report: Tragedy at Fort Hood

Vet get new Home

News Briefs cUSTOMS bOARDER pROTECTION

WELLTON, AZ
Wellton, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents arrested three drug smugglers and seized more than a quarter million dollars worth of marijuana in the Arizona desert east of Yuma on Friday.At about 5 p.m., a CBP Office of Air and Marine helicopter pilot alerted Border Patrol agents assigned to Camp Grip that he had spotted a group of illegal aliens about five miles north of the border west of the Lukeville, Ariz.

BLYTHE, CA
Blythe, Calif. - Drug smugglers failed again to pass hidden bundles of cocaine through the U.S. Border Patrol immigration checkpoint on Highway 78 on Friday.At about 3 p.m., a 1999 Dodge Dakota with two occupants entered the checkpoint's primary inspection area

DOUGLAS, AZ
Douglas, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers apprehended an illegal immigrant that was attempting to leave the U.S. undetected. Through further investigation CBP officers learned that the illegal immigrant had been working in the U.S. as a "mule," a term used for anyone that carries marijuana bundles on their backs in an attempt to smuggle marijuana or any other contraband into the interior.

CONTRACTS

CONTRACTS
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Enersys Energy Products, Inc., Warrensburg, Mo., is being awarded a maximum $38,466,077 firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract for storage batteries. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. The date of performance completion is Nov. 10, 2012. The Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (SPM7LX-11-D-0014).



Constellation NewEnergy, Inc., Baltimore, Md., is being awarded a maximum $20,715,075 firm-fixed-price contract for electricity. Other locations of performance are Army Carlisle Barracks, Defense Distribution Depot, New Cumberland and Tobyhanna Army Depot. Using services are Army and Defense Logistics Agency. There were originally 91 proposals solicited with 16 responses. The date of performance completion is Jan. 31, 2013. The Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-11-D-8000).



NAVY



URS-IAP, LLC, Austin, Texas, is being awarded a $37,891,918 firm-fixed-price task order #0016 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62470-06-D-6009) for design and construction of Marine Corps energy initiative at various locations at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. The work to be performed provides for the design and construction of photovoltaic canopies and ground arrays that will provide approximately 5.37 mega watts of electricity. The task order also contains one unexercised option which, if exercised, would increase cumulative task order value to $45,398,369. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by September 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.



Progeny Systems Corp.*, Manassas, Va., is being awarded a $10,668,906 cost-plus-fixed fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-6278) for Phase III engineering and technical support services in support of Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) topic, "Automation and Work Flow Advances Using Technology Infusions for Manning Reduction." The concept for this SBIR is for a Navy-wide implementation of portal technology for internal and external information sharing requirements. This procurement will use the prototype products, processes and methodologies developed by Progeny Systems under the SBIR Phase I and II efforts. The processes and prototype products developed will apply to submarines, surface ships, surveillance and air platforms. Progeny will also design, prototype and demonstrate a common technical architecture for a non-tactical data processing subsystem information automation and reduced manning system or engineering development models as needed. Work will be performed in Manassas, Va., and is expected to be completed by November 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.



Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Newport News, Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $48,881,988 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to contract (N62793-07-C-0001) for continuation of fiscal 2011 advance planning and continuous maintenance efforts to prepare and make ready for the defueling and inactivation of the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and its reactor plants. This effort will provide for all advanced planning, ship checks, design, documentation, engineering, procurement, fabrication, repair and preliminary shipyard or support facility work. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to complete by September 2011. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding Conversion and Repair, Newport News, Va., is the contracting activity.



General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, is being awarded an $8,494,937 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-2303) to provide additional systems engineering services associated with the detail design and construction of the DDG 1000 Zumwalt class destroyer. Systems engineering efforts include detail design excursions, shock qualification, production process prototype manufacturing, and life-cycle support services prior to Post Shakedown Availability. Work will be performed in Bath, Maine, and is expected to be completed by September 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.



*Small business

Rajon Rondo High-Flying Dunk in Miami (Trending)

FORMULA ROSSA - On Ride Footage - Ferrari World (trending)

Kevin Durant's Got A Van and a Plan! Video (Trending)

Jessica Simpson - My Only Wish (VIDEO) Trendig

Three Afghan Provinces ‘Prime for Transition,’ Colonel Says

By Terri Moon Cronk

American Forces Press Service



WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2010 – Three provinces in eastern Afghanistan are “prime for transition” in the near future for self-governance, a task force commander in the region said today.



“The Afghan government has made tremendous progress in [its] ability to both protect and govern the Afghan people,” said Army Col. William Roy, commander of Task Force Wolverine and the Vermont National Guard’s 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, speaking from Afghanistan with Pentagon reporters by video teleconference.



Roy and his soldiers are developing security forces and district governments in Afghanistan’s Parwan, Panjshir and Bamyan provinces. A recent combined operation in western Parwan, he said, resulted in five Taliban operatives being detained when they were caught trying to plant bombs along a major road network.



“We see this as a tremendous example of the progress they're making,” he said.



The Afghan National Police are “right on the heels” of the Afghan army in gaining respect from the Afghan people, Roy said. Afghan police candidates in the region are well-educated, he added, with a 90 percent literacy rate in Bamyan.



“When you have a [police] training class with seats for 30 individuals and you have 50 show up, the desire to learn and to grow in their capability is tremendous,” Roy said.



Now on his fourth deployment to Afghanistan, Roy said he has seen significant change in Afghanistan’s army since he arrived in 2002 for his first tour of duty there.



“So coming back here in 2010, you see the Afghan National Army and it has grown by leaps and bounds,” he said, noting the professionalism of today’s officer corps and the building of a “very strong” corps of noncommissioned officers.



Roy said he sees Afghan soldiers during his current tour whom he first met in the war’s early years. “When you work alongside them in this type of a mission, you become very close friends,” he said. Many have gone from being company commanders to battalion commanders, from battalion commanders to brigade commanders, from battalion command sergeants major to brigade command sergeants major since he’s known them, he said.



“I had a great conversation with one of the former company commanders in English,” he said. “He went through the training center to study English, and we had a tremendous conversation when I came back.”



Progress in security has allowed for development in the three provinces for reconstruction, embedded training and agribusiness development, the colonel said, and economic development in eastern Afghanistan is becoming evident.



“In Panjshir, they just opened up a marble mine factory that is really providing a lot of revenue as well as jobs for the locals,” Roy said. Tourism signs are beginning to pop up in Bamyan, he added. The future of Afghanistan lies in small business, Roy said.



“When I was here in 2002, when you went from Kabul to Bagram, there was virtually nothing on the road,” he told reporters. “Now, in about an hour-long drive, you get the development all the way along -- businesses growing up, gas stations on the side of the road.”



Afghanistan’s ability to self-govern is moving slowly, but steadily, Roy said, noting that Bamyan has Afghanistan’s only female governor, representing the Hazara population. Panjshir’s ministry of agriculture put together a budget, sent it to the central government and received the budget back to put in place in the province, he added.



The U.S. military offers Afghans the opportunity to work through such programs as the Commanders Emergency Response Program, which provides funding for immediate-impact projects. If a bridge needs rebuilding, the Afghan people will build it with cement supplied by the U.S. military. By mandate, contractors must hire local workers for such programs.



The relationship between the provincial governments and Afghanistan’s central government is strong, Roy said.



“The governors that we have in all three of our provinces understand what the requirements are to oversee the needs of the people,” Roy said.



“It's the Afghans who are leading the way,” he added. “And it's been that way for quite some time.”

DHS Partners Foil Maritime Smuggling Attempt 23 Illegal Aliens Stopped At Sea Aboard 20’ Vessel

San Diego — A collaborative effort between officers of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents resulted in the arrest of 23 foreign nationals early yesterday morning off the San Diego coastline.


Boat used to illegally smuggle a group consisting of one Peruvian national, one Guatemalan national and 21 Mexican nationals into the U.S.
At about 2:45 a.m., Coast Guard officers patrolling the San Diego coastline aboard the USCG cutter Edisto notified law enforcement members of the Maritime Unified Command of a suspicious vessel on a northbound course from Mexican waters that was traveling with no visible navigation lights. CBP marine interdiction agents quickly responded to the reported area about 3 ½ miles west of Point Loma.
At about 3 a.m., CBP marine interdiction agents and Coast Guard officers moved in to intercept the vessel. The 23 adult males who were onboard were detained and transported to Point Loma where they were brought ashore and turned over to U.S. Border Patrol agents for evaluation and processing.
Border Patrol agents determined that all of the individuals had entered the United States illegally and placed them under arrest. The group consisted of one Peruvian national, one Guatemalan national and 21 Mexican nationals. An investigation is currently being conducted to identify and prosecute the individuals responsible for this smuggling attempt.
The Maritime Unified Command,(MUC) comprised of the U.S. Coast Guard, CBP, ICE, as well as state and local law enforcement partners operating in the San Diego and Orange County maritime domain, utilizes the fusion of intelligence, planning and operations to target the threat of transnational crime along the coastal border.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Statement by Press Secretary Geoff Morrell on CRWG Report Leaks

"Secretary Gates is very concerned and extremely disappointed that unnamed sources within the Department of Defense have selectively revealed aspects of the draft findings of the Comprehensive Review Working Group, presumably to shape perceptions of the report prior to its release.



"The Secretary launched this review in March to objectively ascertain the impact of potential repeal of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law on military readiness, effectiveness, recruiting, retention, unit cohesion and families. He made it clear then and throughout this process that it was 'critical that this effort be carried out in a professional, thorough and dispassionate manner.' He has also stated clearly that 'given the political dimension of this issue, it is equally critical that...every effort be made to shield our men and women in uniform and their families from those aspects of this debate.'



"For nearly nine months the Working Group has operated in strict accordance to that mandate. Anonymous sources now risk undermining the integrity of this process.



"The Secretary strongly condemns the unauthorized release of information related to this report and has directed an investigation to establish who communicated with the Washington Post or any other news organization without authorization and in violation of Department policy and his specific instruction.



"The full report will be made public for all to review early next month. Until then, no one at the Pentagon will comment on its contents."

DOD Identifies Air Force Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Senior Airman Andrew S. Bubacz, 23, of Dalzell, S. C., died Nov. 12 in Nuristan, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 97th Communications Squadron, Altus Air Force Base, Okla.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Cpl. Shawn D. Fannin, 32, of Wheelersburg, Ohio, died Nov. 12 in Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

ICE arrests 5 for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Four women and one man were arrested on Wednesday in the municipalities of Carolina, Canovanas and Ponce, Puerto Rico, for their alleged participation in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, following an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) Band Robbery Division.



On Tuesday, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a 16-count indictment, charging former Doral Bank employee Bethzaida Sánchez Crespo, her consensual partner Abigail Y. Ramos Clemente, Darling M. Rosario Sánchez, Leonardo Sánchez Crespo and Carmen A. Clemente Rosado of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Bethzaida Sánchez Crespo was also charged with the intent to injure and defraud Doral Bank of approximately $192,000.



The indictment alleges that from approximately Dec.14, 2009 through April 2010, the defendants conspired to obtain access to three of Doral Bank's high-balance customers' accounts, change the mailing addresses on those accounts and request the issuance of Visa debit cards, and use those Visa debit cards to withdraw large amounts of cash and make large purchases of expensive luxury items, all with the intent to illegally defraud the federally insured financial institution of its assets.



"The identification and arrest of those who try to circumvent our laws, putting at risk public safety, is one of ICE's priorities," said Roberto Escobar Vargas, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in San Juan. "ICE will continue using all its resources to investigate these crimes as well as working with our federal, state and local partners to bring to justice those who think that their illegal actions can go undetected."



"The defendants used the victims' monies to pay for their car loans, residential electricity bill and cable television bill. Others bought furniture or just withdrew money from ATMs. It is not acceptable what these individuals were doing," said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. "These defendants affected not just financial institutions but ordinary citizens who trusted their savings at a bank, while one irresponsible employee was stealing and using the victims' monies. I want to assure the public that we will not rest until the tide of financial criminal activity is turned."



If convicted, the defendants face a maximum term of up to 30 years in prison for counts one and two, fines of up to $1 million, and an additional mandatory term of up to six years in prison for the aggravated identity theft counts.

Racequeen Saturday: Twister

November 1 - November 5, 2010

Time	Event
Monday, November 1
4:10 p.m. Local	Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Deputy Administrator Tim Manning will participate in a panel discussion about technology challenges in emergency management at the International Homeland Security Conference. Tel Aviv, Israel
Tuesday, November 2
9:15 a.m. CDT	FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate will deliver remarks highlighting FEMA's ongoing partnership with communities across the country to prepare for and respond to emergencies at the International Association of Emergency Managers Annual Conference. San Antonio, Texas
10:30 a.m. EDT	National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) Infrastructure Protection Partnership and Outreach Division Deputy Director Brian Scott will deliver remarks providing an update on the Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program (PS-Prep) at the Lockheed Martin Annual Conference. Orlando, Fla.
11:00 a.m. EDT	Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis Caryn Wagner will deliver a keynote address on homeland security intelligence to the annual Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Conference. New Orleans, La.
3:15 p.m. CDT	NPPD Office of Emergency Communications Director Chris Essid will participate in a panel discussion about DHS' ongoing emergency communications programs and initiatives at the International Association of Emergency Managers Annual Conference. San Antonio, Texas
Wednesday, November 3
11:00 a.m. EDT	National Cybersecurity Division Cyber Education and Workforce Development Program Director Brenda Oldfield will participate in a panel discussion about the federal government's role in fostering cybersecurity innovation at the Cyber Security Readiness for the Federal Government 2010 Conference. Arlington, Va.
Thursday, November 4
12:00 p.m. EDT	U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team Director Randy Vickers will participate in a panel discussion emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships at the Cyber Security Readiness for the Federal Government 2010 Conference. Arlington, Va.
Friday, November 5
	Events TBD

R 271955Z AUG 10




SUBJ: ALCGRSV 047/10 - RESERVE CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER AND RESERVE

SENIOR ENLISTED (E7-E9) ASSIGNMENT YEAR 2011 (AY11) KICKOFF

ANNOUNCEMENT

A. COMDTINST M1001.28A, RESERVE POLICY MANUAL

B. ALCOAST 271/09, RESERVE WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT - MEMBERS WITH MORE

THAN 30 YEARS OF SERVICE (COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 061029Z MAY 09)

C. ALCGRSV 021/09, CENTRALIZED RESERVE SENIOR ENLISTED (E7-E9)

ASSIGNMENTS (COMCOGARD PSC ARLINGTON VA 221828Z MAY 09)

1. THIS MESSAGE ANNOUNCES THE KICKOFF OF THE AY11 ASSIGNMENT SEASON

FOR RESERVE CHIEF WARRANT OFFICERS AND RESERVE SENIOR ENLISTED

MEMBERS (E7-E9). THE PURPOSE OF ASSIGNING RESERVISTS TO COAST GUARD

UNITS IS TO PROVIDE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO

PREPARE THEM FOR MOBILIZATION IAW 5.A.1.C(3) OF REF A. THIS MESSAGE

PROVIDES IMPORTANT GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION TO CWOS AND SENIOR

ENLISTED MEMBERS WHO MAY TRANSFER IN AY11, AS WELL AS COMMAND CADRE,

SUPERVISORS, AND THE RESERVE COMPONENT AT LARGE. UPDATES WILL BE

PROVIDED, AS REQUIRED THROUGH FOLLOW-ON SITREPS. WIDEST

DISSEMINATION OF THIS MESSAGE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

2. THIS MESSAGE ALSO ANNOUNCES THE PRELIMINARY RELEASE OF RESERVE

SHOPPING LISTS WITHIN DIRECT ACCESS, PROVIDES DIRECTION TO COMMANDS

FOR VALIDATING POSITIONS ON THE PERSONNEL ALLOWANCE LIST (PAL), AND

SOLICITS COMMAND CONCERNS.

3. SHOPPING LISTS: RESERVE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT ASSIGNMENTS BRANCH

(CG PSC-RPM-2) IS DEVELOPING AND VALIDATING SHOPPING LISTS, WHICH

IDENTIFY POSITIONS AS DESCRIBED ON THE PAL.

A. DEVELOPMENT: SHOPPING LISTS CONTAIN ANTICIPATED VACANCIES IN

FALL 2011 TO INCLUDE POSITIONS IN WHICH INCUMBENTS ARE SCHEDULED TO

ROTATE OR SEPARATE IN 2011.

B. AVAILABILITY: OOA 3 SEP 10, SHOPPING LISTS MAY BE ACCESSED

THROUGH DIRECT ACCESS USING THE PATHWAY HOME: SELF-SERVICE: EMPLOYEE:

TASKS: CREATE E-RESUME. SELECT SELRES PCS FROM THE DROP-DOWN MENU.

SHOPPING LISTS ARE ALSO VIEWABLE AT THE RESERVE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

CG PORTAL PLACE (RPM PORTAL) IS LISTED AS PSC (RPM) UNDER THE LIST OF

PUBLIC PLACES IN CG PORTAL. YOU CAN ADD THIS PLACE AS A FAVORITE BY

SELECTING MANAGE PLACES AT THE CG PORTAL HOME

HTTPS://CGPORTAL.USCG.MIL, CHECKING THE BOX NEXT TO CG PSC-RPM, AND

THEN CLICKING THE ADD TO FAVORITES BUTTON.

C. VALIDATION/COMMAND CONCERNS: UNIT COMMANDERS ARE REQUESTED TO

VERIFY THE ACCURACY OF RESERVE POSITIONS ON THEIR PALS AND SUBMIT

COMMAND CONCERNS VIA EMAIL TO THE APPLICABLE ASSIGNMENT OFFICER (AO).

A POSITION NOT SHOPPED COULD RESULT IN A UNIT GAP AT THE END OF THE

ASSIGNMENT SEASON. TIMELY COMMAND CONCERNS ARE AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT

OF COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN UNITS AND CG PSC-RPM. THEY SHOULD ADDRESS

RESERVE-SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT ISSUES, TRAINING CAPACITY CONCERNS, THE

WILLINGNESS/CAPACITY OF A UNIT TO OVER-BILLET (MULTIPLE-ENCUMBER)

POSITIONS ON PAL AND NOTIFICATION OF PENDING SARR/REPROGRAMMING

PACKAGES THAT WOULD RESULT IN MOVING OR DELETING PAL POSITIONS.

EXAMPLES OF COMMAND CONCERNS ARE AVAILABLE AT CG PSC-RPM-2 WEBSITE

HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/PSC/RPM/RPM2/CONCERNS.ASP

4. AY11 ASSIGNMENT CANDIDATE POOL:

A. THE PRIMARY CANIDATE POOL ARE MEMBERS REPORTED IN DIRECT ACCESS AS

TOUR COMPLETE IN 2011, MEMBERS WHO ARE OVERBILLETED OR IN UNBUDGETED

POSITIONS, SENIOR ENLISTED MEMBERS FILLING POSITION IN WHICH A

RATE/PAY-GRADE MISMATCH OCCURS, AND MEMBERS WHO WILL TURN AGE 60 OR

COMPLETE 30 YEARS OF SERVICE BASED UPON PAY BASE DATE (PBD) IAW 5.B.8

OF REF A. CG PSC-RPM-2 WILL TRACK ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO THE POOL

CREATED BY PROMOTIONS, ADVANCEMENTS, SEPARATIONS, AND POSITION

REPROGRAMMING ACTIONS. SERVICE NEEDS, UNIT REQUIREMENTS, CAREER PATH

MANAGEMENT, AND INDIVIDUAL MEMBER DESIRES WILL FURTHER SHAPE THE

POOL.

B. TYPICALLY, MEMBERS WILL NOT PCS FROM THEIR CURRENT ASSIGNMENTS

PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF THEIR FULL TOURS. HOWEVER, EARLY ROTATIONS

ARE SOMETIMES NECESSARY TO MEET SERVICE NEEDS. IN AY11, TOUR ROTATION

DATES WILL BE ADJUSTED TO 30 SEP TO ALIGN WITH RESERVE IDT/ADT FISCAL

YEAR PARTICIPATION STANDARDS.

C. REF A, PARA 3.B.4.B STATES THAT RESERVISTS WHO VOLUNTEER FOR

LONG-TERM ADOS ARE TO BE REMOVED FROM THEIR SELRES POSITIONS, WHICH

CREATES VACANCIES. FURTHERMORE, ARTICLE 5.A.13 OF REF A STATES THAT

UPON COMPLETION OF LONG-TERM ADOS, RESERVISTS ARE ENTITLED TO RETURN

TO THE SAME OR SIMILAR SELRES ASSIGNMENT, UNLESS THEY WOULD HAVE

OTHERWISE BEEN SUBJECT TO REASSIGNMENT. CWOS AND SENIOR ENLISTED

SERVING ON LONG-TERM ORDERS THAT TERMINATE BEFORE 30 SEP 11 ARE

ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR AN AY11 SELRES ASSIGNMENT. E-RESUMES SHOULD

SPECIFY THE END DATE OF THEIR ADOS ORDERS, ALONG WITH POSITION

DESIRES AND QUALIFICATIONS NOT LISTED IN DA. CWOS AND SENIOR ENLISTED

WHO ANTICIPATE RELEASE FROM LONG-TERM ADOS AND WHO SEEK SELRES

AFFILIATION AFTER 30 SEP 11, SHOULD MONITOR AY11 OFF-SEASON

ASSIGNMENT OPPORTUNITIES OR PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE AY12

ASSIGNMENT CYCLE WITH TRANSFER TO INDIVIDUAL READY RESERVE (IRR)

STATUS DURING THE INTERIM.

D. STANDARD TOUR LENGTH FOR CWOS AND SENIOR ENLISTED IS FIVE YEARS.

EXTENSIONS TO A TOUR LENGTH ARE LIMITED TO ONE YEAR. MULTIPLE ONE

YEAR EXTENSIONS MAYBE CONSIDERED BASED UPON THE NEEDS OF THE SERVICE.

TOUR LENGTH WILL BE REDUCED AS NECESSARY FOR THOSE APPROACHING AGE 60

OR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE. MEMBERS WITH AN APPROVED OVER 30 YEARS OF

SERVICE WAIVER IAW REF B WILL CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THEIR ASSIGNED

POSN UNTIL COMPLETION OF THEIR WAIVER.

5. E-RESUMES: A WELL-CRAFTED E-RESUME IS THE PRIMARY MEANS FOR

MEMBERS TO COMMUNICATE WITH ASSIGNMENT OFFICERS. A WELL-DEVELOPED AND

REALISTIC E-RESUME PROVIDES THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITY FOR A VARIETY OF

ASSIGNMENT POSSIBILITIES WITHIN THEIR SPECIALTY/RATING. MEMBERS WHO

FAIL TO SUBMIT AN E-RESUME BY THE DEADLINE INDICATED IN PAR 11 WILL

TYPICALLY NOT BE PERSONALLY CONTACTED BY HIS/HER AO. MEMBERS AND

COMMANDS SHOULD NOTE THAT E-RESUMES SUBMITTED PAST THE DEADLINES

WITHOUT A PRIOR EXTENSION FROM THE AO PLACE MEMBERS AT RISK OF NOT

HAVING THEIR INPUT CONSIDERED. AN E-RESUME GUIDE IS LOCATED AT:

HTTP://USCG.MIL/RPM/RPM2. WHEN REQUESTING AN EXTENSION, EARLY

ROTATION, OR SERA POSITION ALWAYS INCLUDE OTHER ASSIGNMENT OPTIONS

WITHIN YOUR RATING ON YOUR E-RESUME IN THE EVENT THE EXTENSION, SHORT

TOUR OR SERA POSITION IS NOT GRANTED. COMMAND ENDORSEMENTS ARE

REQUIRED FOR EXTENSIONS, SHORT TOURS OR SERA POSITIONS AND MUST

ADDRESS THE UNIT ABILITY TO ACCOMMODATE BILLET GAPS. SEE PARA 10.C

REGARDING SERA COMMAND ENDORSEMENTS. COMMAND ENDORSEMENTS PROVIDE

CRITICAL INFORMATION WHICH ASSIGNMENT OFFICERS TAKE INTO

CONSIDERATION AND ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED FOR ENLISTED TOUR COMPLETE

MEMBERS. COMMAND ENDORSEMENTS WILL ONLY BE RECOGNIZED FROM OINC,

SRO, XO, OR CO FOR THE ASSIGNED MEMBER. A STEP BY STEP COMMAND

ENDORSEMENT (E-INTERVIEW) GUIDE IS POSTED ON THE CG PSC-RPM-2 WEBSITE

AT: HTTP://USCG.MIL/RPM/RPM2

6. REASONABLE COMMUTING DISTANCE (RCD): REF A, SECTION 5.A.2

DESCRIBES COAST GUARD POLICY REGARDING RCD. AS A MEMBER BECOMES MORE

SENIOR, THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ASSIGNMENTS WITHIN RCD BECOME

INCREASSINGLY SCARCE. IF A MEMBER WANTS TO CONTINUE TO SERVE IN A

PAID SELRES STATUS HE OR SHE SHOULD ANTICIPATE BEING ASKED TO TAKE

ASSIGNMENTS BEYOND RCD. MEMBERS MAY VOLUNTARILY ACCEPT ASSIGNMENT TO

A POSITION OUTSIDE RCD OR ACCEPT A CHANGE IN RESERVE COMPONENT

CATEGORY (RCC) TO THE IRR, STANDBY RESERVE, OR RETIRED RESERVE.

7. ACCEPTANCE OF ASSIGNMENT ORDERS: WHEN MAKING ASSIGNMENT

DECISIONS, AOS CONSIDER MANY FACTORS INCLUDING SERVICE NEEDS, COMMAND

CONCERNS, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, MEMBERS DESIRES, AND RCD. GIVEN THESE

FACTORS, AND A LIMITED NUMBER OF FUNDED SELRES

POSITIONS, A MEMBERS WHO DECLINE ASSIGNMENT ORDERS WILL BE REQUIRED

TO CHANGE RCC FROM SELRES TO THE IRR, STANDBY RESERVE OR RETIRED

RESERVE. MEMBERS WHO DECLINE ASSIGNMENT ORDERS AND REQUEST AN RCC

CHANGE TO THE IRR NORMALLY WILL BE INELIGIBLE FOR A SELRES POSITION

UNTIL THE NEXT ASSIGNMENT YEAR. MEMBERS WHO REQUEST RETIREMENT IN

LIEU OF ORDERS (RILO) SHALL SUBMIT THEIR RETIREMENT REQUESTS TO

ARRIVE AT CG PSC-RPM NLT 1 SEP 2011 FOR A 1 DEC 2011 RETIREMENT DATE.

HTTP://USCG.MIL/RPM/RPM1/SEPARATIONS.ASP

8. ASSIGNMENT GUIDES: MEMBERS DUE FOR ASSIGNMENT OR CONSIDERING

ASSIGNMENT ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THE ASSIGNMENT GUIDES LOCATED AT

HTTP://USCG.MIL/RPM/RPM2 AND ON THE RPM PORTAL. THESE GUIDES PROVIDE

ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON THE ASSIGNMENT PROCESS.

9. RESERVE CHIEF WARRANT OFFICERS (W2-W4):

A. THE CWO SHOPPING LIST REPRESENTS ANTICIPATED VACANCIES IN SUMMER

2011 TO INCLUDE POSITIONS IN WHICH THE INCUMBENT WILL ATTAIN 30 YEARS

OR MORE OF SERVICE AS DISCUSSED IN REF B. CG PSC-RPM-2 WILL RELEASE A

FOLLOW-ON ALCGRSV MSG IDENTIFYING THE CWOS AFFECTED BY 30 YEARS OF

SERVICE MILESTONES IN CY11 WHO ARE SUBJECT TO REMOVAL FROM THE SELRES

PER REF A.

B. CWOS MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR EARLY ROTATIONS WHEN MEMBERS HAVE

SERVED AT LEAST TWO YEARS OF THEIR CURRENT ASSIGNMENT AND THE

REQUESTED POSITION IMPROVES THE MEMBERS RCD.

C. CWOS SHALL SUBMIT E-RESUMES IAW PARA 11.

D. CWO VACANCIES REMAINING AFTER COMPLETION OF THE AY11 SLATE WILL

BECOME AVAILABLE FOR THE RESERVE PY11 CWO APPOINTMENT BOARD,

SCHEDULED FOR 12 APR 11.

10. RESERVE SENIOR ENLISTED (E7-E9):

A. RESERVE SENIOR ENLISTED (E7-E9) MEMBERS SHALL SUBMIT E-RESUMES

IAW PARA 11.

B. AS OUTLINED IN REF C AND IAW PARA 5.A.6 OF REF A, CPOS CURRENTLY

ASSIGNED TO POSITIONS E-6 OR BELOW, SHOULD NOT EXPECT TO REMAIN IN

THOSE POSITIONS AND SHOULD PREPARE FOR REASSIGNMENT TO A CPO

POSITION, POSSIBLY AT ANOTHER COMMAND OR TRANSFER TO THE IRR.

C. SENIOR ENLISTED RESERVE ADVISOR (SERA) PROGRAM: SERA CANDIDATES

CAN NOT BE SENIOR IN GRADE TO THE OIC OF THE UNIT IAW 5.A.10.D OF REF

A. IF A MEMBER ADVANCES AND BECOMES SENIOR TO THE COMMAND OIC WHILE

SERVING AS A SERA, THEN COMMAND CONCERNS WILL BE SOUGHT PRIOR TO THE

MEMBERS REASSIGNMENT. SERA POSITIONS ARE OPEN TO MEMBERS REGARDLESS

OF RATING (E.G. A BMC MAY FILL A CPO SERA POSITION). E-RESUME COMMAND

ENDORSEMENTS SHALL ADDRESS THE MEMBERS SUITABILITY TO SERVE IN A SERA

LEADERSHIP POSITION PER THE FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT AT

HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/PSC/RPM/RPM2/ASSIGNMENTS.ASP. SERA E-RESUME

COMMAND ENDORSEMENTS FOR MEMBERS SERVING ON TITLE 10 OR LONG TERM

ADOS SHALL BE COMPLETED BY BOTH THE TITLE 10/ADOS COMMAND AND THE

MEMBERS PERMANENT SELRES COMMAND. BECAUSE E-RESUMES ONLY PERMIT ONE

ENDORSEMENT, THE TITLE 10/ADOS COMMAND SHALL PROVIDE THEIR

ENDORSEMENT INFO VIA EMAIL TO THE APPROPRIATE AO IN PAR 12. A SERA

PROGRAM COMDTINST IS ANTICIPATED TO BE RELEASED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

INITIAL INDICATIONS ARE THAT NEW SERA POSITIONS WILL BE CREATED IN

PHASE II OF SERA DURING AY11. FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE LOCATION OF

THE PHASE II SERA POSITIONS WILL BE PASSED VIA ALCGRSV WHEN

AVAILABLE.

11. AY11 CWO AND SENIOR ENLISTED ASSIGNMENT PLAN OF ACTION AND

MILESTONES (POAM):

A. 3 SEP 10: PRELIMINARY RELEASE SHOPPING LISTS WITHIN DIRECT ACCESS

AND RPM PORTAL FOR COMMAND VALIDATION. THE RESERVE PERSONNEL

MANAGEMENT CG PORTAL PLACE (RPM PORTAL) IS LISTED AS PSC (RPM) UNDER

THE LIST OF PUBLIC PLACES IN CG PORTAL.

B. 1 OCT 10: DEADLINE FOR COMMAND CONCERNS AND SHOPPING LIST

CORRECTIONS TO ARRIVE AT CG PSC-RPM.

C. 8 OCT 10: SHOPPING LISTS RELEASED IN DIRECT ACCESS FOR MEMBER

USE.

D. 8 OCT-30 NOV 10: MEMBERS SUBMIT E-RESUMES. NOTE AOS ARE

ONLY AVAILABLE FOR MEMBER ASSIGNMENT COUNSELING DURING THIS PERIOD.

E. 30 NOV 10: E-RESUMES/COMMAND ENDORSEMENTS DUE.

F. 1 DEC-28 FEB 11: E-7 THRU E-9 ASSIGNMENT SLATE BUILD.

G. 31 JAN 11: CWO AY11 SLATE APPROVED/FINALIZED.

H. 30 JUN 11: E-7 THRU E-9 AY11 SLATES APPROVED/FINALIZED.

I. 15 JUL 11: ALL PCS ORDERS RELEASED IN DA, AVAILABLE TO UNITS IN DA

AIRPORT TERMINAL.

J. 1 SEP 11: DEADLINE FOR RILO REQUESTS.

K. 1 OCT 11: AY11 ASSIGNMENTS TAKE EFFECT.

L. 1 DEC 11: RILO RET-2 STATUS CHANGES TAKE EFFECT.

12. RESERVE ASSIGNMENT POINTS OF CONTACT:

A. CHIEF WARRANT OFFICERS (W2-W4):

PERS4 MEEK, 202-493-1795 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-493-1795 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, DANIEL.R.MEEK(AT)USCG.MIL

B. SENIOR ENLISTED ASSIGNMENTS - EAST (CGD1):

SCPO ORMOND, 202-493-1789 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-493-1789 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, JOSEPH.R.ORMOND(AT)USCG.MIL

C. SENIOR ENLISTED ASSIGNMENTS - EAST (CGD5):

LT MCKNIGHT, 202-493-1788 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-493-1788 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, JAMES.P.MCKNIGHT(AT)USCG.MIL

D. SENIOR ENLISTED ASSIGNMENTS - CENTRAL (CGD7):

PERS4 MEEK, 202-493-1795 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-493-1795 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, DANIEL.R.MEEK(AT)USCG.MIL

E. SENIOR ENLISTED ASSIGNMENTS - CENTRAL (CGD8):

MCPO JOHNSON, 202-493-1796 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-493-1796 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, ERIC.L.JOHNSON2(AT)USCG.MIL

F. SENIOR ENLISTED ASSIGNMENTS - WEST (CGD11, CGD14, CGD17, RCMC):

MCPO HACKLER 202-493-1797 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-493-1797 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, ETTA.L.HACKLER(AT)USCG.MIL

F. SENIOR ENLISTED ASSIGNMENTS - WEST (CGD9, CGD13)

CPO COFFEY, 202-493-1784 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-493-1784 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, JASON.C.COFFEY(AT)USCG.MIL

13. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.

14. MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.

Racequeen Saturday

Massachusetts man arraigned on child pornography charges

Massachusetts man arraigned on child pornography charges

MILFORD, Mass. - Acting on a tip from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Massachusetts State Police detectives arrested a Milford man on child pornography charges, according to Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.
Robert A. Diduca, 46, of 23 Hancock St., pled not guilty today to two counts of possession of child pornography and one count of dissemination of child pornography in Milford District Court. Judge Janet McGuiggan set bail at $5,000 and continued his case to Jan. 7, 2011.
ICE HSI had contacted the Worcester District Attorney's with a potential child pornography case. One of the origins of the investigation was an image of a boy, under the age five, whose diaper had been opened to expose his genitalia. The investigation, which included work by the Milford Police Department, led to Mr. Diduca.
"The cooperation in the investigation is tremendous," said Early. "This is a particularly disgusting crime and any time we can put a dent in the dissemination of child pornography, it's a good day for law enforcement."
Early forensic searches of Mr. Diduca's computer storage devices turned up about 10,000 images of young children. There also are videos of young children engaged in sexual acts.
"Every time an image of child pornography is viewed, an innocent child is exploited," said Matthew J. Etre, deputy special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Boston. "This arrest in Milford should serve as a warning to other would-be child predators. Identifying and investigating those who victimize children is one of the most important responsibilities we have, and that is why ICE HSI will continue working aggressively with our federal, state and local partners on these types of cases."
The investigation is continuing.
This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers.
ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.

ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending Nov. 12, 2010

ICE's top 5 news stories for the week ending Nov. 12, 2010

Nov. 10, 2010 -- Mexican murder suspect captured in northern California returned to Mexico

On Halloween night, California Highway Patrol Officers pulled over David Isidoro Ramirez-Priego for suspicion of drunk driving. He was transported to the Yuba County Jail where he was screened for outstanding warrants. The screening revealed that Ramirez-Priego was wanted in Mexico for murder. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers turned him over to Mexican law enforcement officials on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Full Story

Nov. 10, 2010 -- North Texas man pleads guilty to receiving child pornography

An investigation of Robert John Devalk revealed that he had child pornography stored on his personal computer. He faces a minimum sentence of five years in prison. This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders and child sex traffickers. Full Story

Nov. 9, 2010 -- 4 Illinois counties to benefit from ICE strategy to use biometrics to identify and remove aliens convicted of crime

ICE continues to leverage its information-sharing capabilities. Four Illinois counties have activated ICE's Secure Communities Program, which cross references the fingerprints of individuals in the custody of local law enforcement against immigration databases maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. ICE uses the information to identify and remove aliens convicted of crimes. Full Story

Nov. 8, 2010 -- 29 charged with sex trafficking juveniles

Imagine being removed from everything you know, transported between states and forced to have sex with strangers. No, this isn't a nightmare; these are details from a recent ICE investigation. Four girls - some younger than 14 years old - were forced to prostitute themselves by Somali gangs. Full Story

Nov. 8, 2010 -- South Texas man sentenced to 17.5 years for trafficking tons of marijuana

Jose Louis Rosenbaum pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms (1.1 tons) of marijuana. According to information presented in court, Rosenbaum served as a "gatekeeper" or liaison between suppliers of marijuana in Mexico and U.S. marijuana wholesale customers. ICE's Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) helped expose this drug trafficking operation. Full Story

(NO IMPLIED CONSENT)  

US CUSTOMS BUFFALO, NY 22 pounds of marijuana and three federal arrests in separate cases over a busy weekend.

EXCLUSIVE NO OTHER BUFFALO  MEDIA ORGANIZATION IS OFFERING THIS INFO

Buffalo, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Field Operations announced the seizure of 22 pounds of marijuana and three federal arrests in separate cases over a busy weekend.

	Nissan Skyline, a right-hand drive vehicle, which is illegal to import into the United States. Right hand steering vehicles are restricted because they are not manufactured to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

This past weekend proved to be a busy one for Customs and Border Protection officers working the border crossings in the Buffalo/ Niagara region. The first arrest occurred early Saturday morning when officers encountered a 30-year-old Canadian citizen as he applied for admission into the United States at the Lewiston Bridge border crossing. A primary name query of the presented document revealed an active warrant in Canada. During a secondary inspection, CBP officers queried the subject’s fingerprints, which resulted in the discovery of a record indicating the prints were not those of the subject listed in the presented passport, but rather belonged to Dominic Akyinah, a Canadian citizen who had been previously denied entry into the US. When confronted with the evidence discovered by CBP, Akyinah admitted that he was not the lawful owner of the presented document and that it belonged to his brother. He further advised that he attempted to use his brother’s passport because he knew he was inadmissible and wanted to attend his uncle’s wedding in New York City. Akyinah was arrested and charged with misuse of a passport and false statements.

	Twenty-two pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $65,000.

Later on Saturday, CBP officers encountered Daryll Hackshaw, a 33-year-old citizen from St. Vincent and the Grenadines with lawful resident status in Canada, as he applied for admission into the United States. Mr. Hackshaw made a negative declaration and claimed that he was en route to New York City to visit his mother. Mr. Hackshaw was referred to CBP for a secondary inspection. During the course of the inspection, it was determined that Mr. Hackshaw’s vehicle, a Nissan Skyline, was recently registered in Canada and only for duration of nine days. The vehicle is a right-hand drive vehicle, which is illegal to import into the United States. Right hand steering vehicles are restricted because they are not manufactured to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). The right hand drive vehicles from Japan are non-conforming to US standards. When confronted with the evidence, Mr. Hackshaw admitted that his true intent was to illegally import the vehicle into the United States and sell it to a dealer in New York City. Mr. Hackshaw was arrested for illegal importation of merchandise.

Finally on Sunday, officers working at the Peace Bridge border crossing encountered Vasile Mina a 37-year-old Canadian citizen from Newmarket, Ontario. Mr. Mina was the operator of a commercial vehicle containing brass fittings en route to Rhode Island. During a secondary inspection, CBP officers discovered two boxes of marijuana comingled within the legitimate commodity. The boxes were found to contain 22 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $65,000. Mr. Mina was arrested on federal charges of importation and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.

All subjects arrested over the weekend were turned over to agents from Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation and prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.