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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Face of Defense: Petty Officer Maintains Team's Network


By Air Force Master Sgt. Matthew Lohr
Khost Provincial Reconstruction Team
KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Feb. 22, 2011 - To his teammates on the provincial reconstruction team here, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Riedel, an information systems technician from Corpus Christi, Texas, is known as a jack of all trades.
Click photo for screen-resolution image
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Riedel tests the speed of the Internet connection after an upgrade to the service at Forward Operating Base Chapman in Afghanistan's Khost province, Feb. 15, 2011. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Matthew Lohr

(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.
"My job consists of everything dealing with communications," Riedel said. He makes sure the communications systems on mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles are in good working order before missions, and he's also the provincial reconstruction team's network administrator. The three-year Navy Reserve veteran helps the security forces members on the team by manning the guard tower and riding in the convoys as an alternate M-240 gunner. But he considers his most important duty to be ensuring his teammates have their personal Internet.
"Internet in Afghanistan is not as reliable as it is back home," he said. "I've had to do a lot of repairs to our personal Internet to keep it performing at acceptable standards."
Riedel's supervisor, Navy Chief Petty Officer Jean Law from Austin, Texas, said Riedel is "phenomenal."
"He has no problem waking up in the middle of the night to help people with Internet problems," the chief said.
Law, who has worked with Riedel for six months, said Riedel is close to his family, and he takes it upon himself to make sure other people can stay close to theirs.
Riedel said he knows the Internet plays an important role in morale.
"It's hard being deployed, but with features like Skype and instant messaging, it eases the burden of being away," he said.
 

DOD Identifies Army Casualty


IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 147-11
February 22, 2011
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 
            1st Lt. Daren M. Hidalgo, 24, of Waukesha, Wis., died Feb. 20 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany. 
            For more information media may contact U.S. Army Europe public affairs at 011-49 6221-57-5816 or email, ocpa.pi@eur.army.mil.

Mullen Launches Middle East Trip in Saudi Arabia By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 20, 2011 - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived here today for the first leg of a sweep through the Middle East to reassure friends of the U.S. commitment to regional stability, acknowledging he's been "stunned" by the pace of the upheaval here. "The speed with which this has happened has really taken me aback," Mullen said of unrest that has moved through the region, domino-like, in recent weeks. "And I think this speed is going to continue." Mullen left Washington yesterday to confer with international and U.S. officials during stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Djibouti and Kuwait. Although the trip has been in the planning stages for some time, he said, its nature has changed dramatically based on the current tumult. Talks are expected to address uprisings that have toppled the presidents of both Tunisia and Egypt and continue to ripple through the region. As during his trip last week to Israel and Jordan, Mullen said, he plans to "reassure our friends and just listen to what's on their minds" about the situation and to get their views firsthand, particularly concerning Egypt. Mullen said he comes to the region bringing no message to any particular group, but rather to reiterate the U.S. interest in seeing differences resolved peacefully. "We would certainly like to see what happens happen in a nonviolent way," he told reporters traveling with him. Emphasizing the importance of the Gulf region, the chairman said its stability is in everyone's best interest. Mullen has office calls scheduled here with Prince Mohammed bin Niyif, Saudi Arabia's assistant interior minister for security affairs; Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, commander of the Saudi Arabian national guard; Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, assistant defense and aviation minister for military affairs; and Lt. Gen. Qubail, deputy chief of the general staff. He also will meet with U.S. Ambassador James Smith. The United States and Saudi Arabia have had strong military-to-military relations since World War II. U.S. advisors continue to help in training the Saudi military and national guard. The U.S. military training mission to Saudi Arabia and a U.S. program managers' office for the Saudi Arabian national guard work to help in increasing Saudi military capabilities. Saudi Arabia is one of the largest customers for U.S. defense goods. The trip is expected to wrap up next weekend in Kuwait City, where a month-long commemoration is observing the 50th anniversary of Kuwait's liberation and the 20th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm. Coalition forces liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation forces on Feb. 26, 1991, at the end of Operation Desert Storm. Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait Aug. 2, 1990. The chairman's last extended visit to the region was in February 2010, when he made stops in Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Biographies: Navy Adm. Mike Mullen Related Sites: State Department Background Note on Saudi Arabia

Mullen Launches Middle East Trip in Saudi Arabia

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 20, 2011 - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived here today for the first leg of a sweep through the Middle East to reassure friends of the U.S. commitment to regional stability, acknowledging he's been "stunned" by the pace of the upheaval here.
"The speed with which this has happened has really taken me aback," Mullen said of unrest that has moved through the region, domino-like, in recent weeks. "And I think this speed is going to continue."
Mullen left Washington yesterday to confer with international and U.S. officials during stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Djibouti and Kuwait. Although the trip has been in the planning stages for some time, he said, its nature has changed dramatically based on the current tumult.
Talks are expected to address uprisings that have toppled the presidents of both Tunisia and Egypt and continue to ripple through the region. As during his trip last week to Israel and Jordan, Mullen said, he plans to "reassure our friends and just listen to what's on their minds" about the situation and to get their views firsthand, particularly concerning Egypt.
Mullen said he comes to the region bringing no message to any particular group, but rather to reiterate the U.S. interest in seeing differences resolved peacefully. "We would certainly like to see what happens happen in a nonviolent way," he told reporters traveling with him.
Emphasizing the importance of the Gulf region, the chairman said its stability is in everyone's best interest.
Mullen has office calls scheduled here with Prince Mohammed bin Niyif, Saudi Arabia's assistant interior minister for security affairs; Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, commander of the Saudi Arabian national guard; Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, assistant defense and aviation minister for military affairs; and Lt. Gen. Qubail, deputy chief of the general staff.
He also will meet with U.S. Ambassador James Smith.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have had strong military-to-military relations since World War II. U.S. advisors continue to help in training the Saudi military and national guard. The U.S. military training mission to Saudi Arabia and a U.S. program managers' office for the Saudi Arabian national guard work to help in increasing Saudi military capabilities.
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest customers for U.S. defense goods.
The trip is expected to wrap up next weekend in Kuwait City, where a month-long commemoration is observing the 50th anniversary of Kuwait's liberation and the 20th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm. Coalition forces liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation forces on Feb. 26, 1991, at the end of Operation Desert Storm. Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait Aug. 2, 1990.
The chairman's last extended visit to the region was in February 2010, when he made stops in Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
 
Biographies:
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen
Related Sites:
State Department Background Note on Saudi Arabia

Admiral Provides Details of Somali Piracy Killings


By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2011 - Four pirates are dead and 15 are in custody, but not before they killed four Americans in the bloodiest piracy incident in recent history, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command told reporters in a conference call today.
Navy Vice Adm. Mark I. Fox, who also commands the Navy's 5th Fleet, said the pirates shot Scott and Jean Adams of California and Phyllis Mackay and Bob Riggle of Washington state. The surface vessel Quest was sailing around the world when the Somalis hijacked it off the coast of Oman.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters on Air Force One that President Barack Obama authorized the use of force if there was an imminent threat to the hostages. He said the president was informed of their deaths at 4:42 this morning.
"The loss of our fellow Americans is a tragedy," Fox said from his headquarters in Manama, Bahrain.
The admiral gave a timeline of the action. Pirates captured the vessel about 190 nautical miles southeast of Masirah Island, Oman, Feb. 18. Four U.S. Navy warships responded: the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf and the guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett and USS Bulkeley.
The ships found the vessel and made contact with the pirates via bridge-to-bridge radio, and began a series of negotiations. Yesterday, two pirates boarded the USS Sterett to continue negotiations.
"At 8 a.m. this morning ... a rocket-propelled grenade was fired by the pirates from the Quest toward the Sterett," Fox said. "Immediately thereafter, gunfire erupted from inside the cabin of the Quest. Several pirates appeared on the deck of the Quest and moved up to the bow with their hands in the air in surrender."
U.S. special operations forces closed in on the Quest in small boats and boarded the yacht. "They discovered that all four hostages had been shot by their captors," Fox said. The service members took immediate steps to provide medical care, but the four Americans died of their wounds. The boarding party also found two dead pirates aboard the vessel.
The special operations forces did not fire weapons during the boarding, Fox said.
"While clearing the vessel, two additional pirates were killed," the admiral said. "The remaining 15 suspected pirates are in U.S. custody."
Fox said two additional pirates were killed as the special operators cleared the boat. One was killed with a pistol, the other in a knife fight, the admiral said. There were no casualties to service members or damage to Navy ships. The Navy and the FBI are investigating the incident.
Fox said the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
 
Biographies:
Navy Vice Adm. Mark I. Fox
Related Sites:
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces

Related Articles:
Somali Pirates Kill 4 Americans on Hijacked Ship

CONTRACTS

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

AIR FORCE
            Raytheon Co., Intelligence and Information Systems, Garland, Texas, was awarded a $68,000,000 contract which will provide the required support to perform activities associated with the lifecycle phases for the Cross-domain Enterprise All-source User Repository (CENTAUR) system in support of current and future CENTAUR deployments.  At this time, $6,449,481 has been obligated.  ESC/HSJK, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity (FA8707-11-D-0001).
NAVY
            Trident Systems, Inc.*, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $49,479,041 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the developmental engineering, prototyping, and providing limited quantity items in support of the Special Surveillance Program in support of the Navy and other Department of Defense and government agencies.  This is a Phase III Small Business Innovation Research contract under topics SC05, OSD07-106, and N-01-136.  The objective of this effort is the development and optimization of core technologies that will improve operational performance and effectiveness of small unmanned aerial vehicle systems for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.  Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va. (90 percent), and Afghanistan (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2013.  Contract funds in the amount of $470,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-5.  The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-11-C-0006).
            Lockheed Martin Corp., Archbald, Pa., is being awarded a $21,867,788 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-10-C-0092) to exercise an option for the procurement of 7,665 enhanced laser guided training round Paveway II units for the Navy (7,217) and the governments of Pakistan (300), Spain (88), and Malaysia (60).  In addition, this modification provides for the procurement of 589 wooden containers for the U.S. Navy (500) and the governments of Pakistan (74) and Malaysia (15); 23 replacement-in-kind wooden containers for the the governments of Pakistan (one) and Spain (22); associated data; and non-recurring engineering efforts.  Work will be performed in Archbald, Pa., and is expected to be completed in June 2013.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($20,573,292; 94 percent) and the governments of Pakistan ($866,850; 4 percent); Spain ($254,276; 1.2 percent); and Malaysia ($173,370; 0.8 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
            General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, Burlington, Vt., is being awarded an $11,126,773 firm-fixed-price modification to existing previously awarded contract (N00024-10-C-5141) for the production of Aegis gun and guided missile directors (MK82 Mod 0) and Aegis Director Controllers (MK 200 Mod 0).  The MK 82 director serves to position the fire control system antenna to a commanded and stabilized position in space for the purpose of illuminating a target.  The director controller MK 200 houses the solid-state servo-amplifiers that provide the servo drive signals that position the director to the desired target position.  Work will be performed in Burlington, Vt., and is expected to be completed by July 2013.  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.
            The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $5,705,181 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-08-D-0013) for additional persistent unmanned aerial vehicle intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services in support of naval maritime missions.  Work will be performed in Bingen, Wash. (65 percent), and St. Louis, Mo. (35 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2011.  Contract funds in the amount of $5,705,181 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
            Sikorsky Aircraft Services, Shelton, Conn., is being awarded a maximum $39,882,800 firm-fixed-price contract for helicopter hub rotors.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using service is Army.  There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses.  The date of performance completion is Feb. 22, 2016.  The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (SPRRA1-11-D-0048).
            W&G Machine Co., Inc.*, Hamden, Conn., is being awarded a maximum $7,638,243 firm-fixed-price contract for fan shaft assemblies.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using service is Army.  There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses.  The date of performance completion is Feb. 22, 2016.  The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (SPRRA1-11-D-0020).
ARMY
            The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Penn., was awarded on Feb. 17 a $20,530,787 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of 65 modification A-kits, 30 modifications B-kits and 35 engine cover sets.  Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Penn., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-04-G-0023).
            Associates Roofing and Construction, Inc., Murrells Inlet, S.C., was awarded on Feb. 16 a $14,500,000 firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.  The single-task-order award will provide for roofing and construction within North Carolina and the South Atlantic Division.  Work location will be determined with each task order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 15, 2014.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 13 bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-10-D-0015).
*Small business

CONTRACTS

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

AIR FORCE
            Raytheon Co., Intelligence and Information Systems, Garland, Texas, was awarded a $68,000,000 contract which will provide the required support to perform activities associated with the lifecycle phases for the Cross-domain Enterprise All-source User Repository (CENTAUR) system in support of current and future CENTAUR deployments.  At this time, $6,449,481 has been obligated.  ESC/HSJK, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity (FA8707-11-D-0001).
NAVY
            Trident Systems, Inc.*, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $49,479,041 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the developmental engineering, prototyping, and providing limited quantity items in support of the Special Surveillance Program in support of the Navy and other Department of Defense and government agencies.  This is a Phase III Small Business Innovation Research contract under topics SC05, OSD07-106, and N-01-136.  The objective of this effort is the development and optimization of core technologies that will improve operational performance and effectiveness of small unmanned aerial vehicle systems for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.  Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va. (90 percent), and Afghanistan (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2013.  Contract funds in the amount of $470,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-5.  The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-11-C-0006).
            Lockheed Martin Corp., Archbald, Pa., is being awarded a $21,867,788 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-10-C-0092) to exercise an option for the procurement of 7,665 enhanced laser guided training round Paveway II units for the Navy (7,217) and the governments of Pakistan (300), Spain (88), and Malaysia (60).  In addition, this modification provides for the procurement of 589 wooden containers for the U.S. Navy (500) and the governments of Pakistan (74) and Malaysia (15); 23 replacement-in-kind wooden containers for the the governments of Pakistan (one) and Spain (22); associated data; and non-recurring engineering efforts.  Work will be performed in Archbald, Pa., and is expected to be completed in June 2013.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($20,573,292; 94 percent) and the governments of Pakistan ($866,850; 4 percent); Spain ($254,276; 1.2 percent); and Malaysia ($173,370; 0.8 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
            General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, Burlington, Vt., is being awarded an $11,126,773 firm-fixed-price modification to existing previously awarded contract (N00024-10-C-5141) for the production of Aegis gun and guided missile directors (MK82 Mod 0) and Aegis Director Controllers (MK 200 Mod 0).  The MK 82 director serves to position the fire control system antenna to a commanded and stabilized position in space for the purpose of illuminating a target.  The director controller MK 200 houses the solid-state servo-amplifiers that provide the servo drive signals that position the director to the desired target position.  Work will be performed in Burlington, Vt., and is expected to be completed by July 2013.  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.
            The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $5,705,181 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-08-D-0013) for additional persistent unmanned aerial vehicle intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services in support of naval maritime missions.  Work will be performed in Bingen, Wash. (65 percent), and St. Louis, Mo. (35 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2011.  Contract funds in the amount of $5,705,181 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
            Sikorsky Aircraft Services, Shelton, Conn., is being awarded a maximum $39,882,800 firm-fixed-price contract for helicopter hub rotors.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using service is Army.  There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses.  The date of performance completion is Feb. 22, 2016.  The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (SPRRA1-11-D-0048).
            W&G Machine Co., Inc.*, Hamden, Conn., is being awarded a maximum $7,638,243 firm-fixed-price contract for fan shaft assemblies.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using service is Army.  There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses.  The date of performance completion is Feb. 22, 2016.  The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (SPRRA1-11-D-0020).
ARMY
            The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Penn., was awarded on Feb. 17 a $20,530,787 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of 65 modification A-kits, 30 modifications B-kits and 35 engine cover sets.  Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Penn., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-04-G-0023).
            Associates Roofing and Construction, Inc., Murrells Inlet, S.C., was awarded on Feb. 16 a $14,500,000 firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.  The single-task-order award will provide for roofing and construction within North Carolina and the South Atlantic Division.  Work location will be determined with each task order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 15, 2014.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 13 bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-10-D-0015).
*Small business

Mullen Urges Peaceful Resolutions in Middle East


By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 22, 2011 - Citing "a time of enormous change" in the Middle East, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen today challenged regional leaders to step forward to ensure differences are resolved "peacefully, without loss of life."
Mullen met with leaders here during the third stop of his multinational trip to reassure U.S. allies amid regional unrest.
"I really came to the region to both listen [and] to understand what the concerns are on the part of the leaders who are here, as well as reaffirm the relationship and look at how we address these issues together," he told reporters after meeting with Mohammad bin Zayid Al Nuhayhyan, Abu Dhabi's crown prince and deputy supreme commander of the nation's armed forces.
"We discussed a wide array of issues, in great part focused on events in the region, but not exclusively," Mullen told reporters after that meeting.
Mullen also met with Staff Lt. Gen. Mohammad Thani Al Rumaithi, chief of staff for the United Arab Emirates armed forces.
The sessions were conducted at the Abu Dhabi National Convention Center, which is hosting the International Defense Exposition and Conference. It's the largest international arms expo in the Middle East, now in its 10th year, and the five-day conference attracted more than 1,000 companies, including about 110 from the United States.
Mullen, who walked briefly through the U.S. pavilion following his meetings, told reporters his sessions here, as well as those earlier this week in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, reflected widespread concern about events unfolding in the region.
He acknowledged "anxiety, while at the same time great focus on how to move forward in a positive way."
There's particular concern about violence in Libya, where Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's government and military have launched a violent assault on pro-democracy demonstrators.
Asked by reporters about the situation in Bahrain, Mullen praised Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa's decision to "pull back the forces" and begin a national dialogue to address protestor's concerns. His decision to engage "has relieved a number of the leaders I have talked [with] in terms of easing the tensions," Mullen said.
The admiral reiterated confidence in the U.S.-Bahraini relationship and Bahrain's role hosting the U.S. 5th Fleet.
"I've been in touch with our leadership there in Bahrain," Mullen said. Bahrain's support for the 5th Fleet and its people "continues to be very strong, and I look forward to that being the case in the future," he said.
 
Biographies:
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen
Related Sites:
Special Report: Travels With Mullen
State Department Background Note on United Arab Emirates
State Department Background Note on Bahrain

Updated information about IRS Tax Refunds


  • Where's My Refund? Find Out Click Here !?
  • General Fact Sheet about Tax Refunds
    IRS E-file Refund Cycle Chart – Tax Year 2010 Returns
    Transmitted and accepted by 11:00 am between... Direct Deposit Sent* Paper Check Mailed*
    January 14 and January 20, 2011 January 28, 2011 February 4, 2011
    January 20 and January 27, 2011 February 4, 2011 February 11, 2011
    January 27 and February 3, 2011 February 11, 2011 February 18, 2011
    February 3 and February 10, 2011 February 18, 2011 February 25, 2011
    February 10 and February 17, 2011 February 25, 2011 March 4, 2011
    February 17 and February 24, 2011 March 4, 2011 March 11, 2011
    February 24 and March 3, 2011 March 11, 2011 March 18, 2011
    March 3 and March 10, 2011 March 18, 2011 March 25, 2011
    March 10 and March 17, 2011 March 25, 2011 April 1, 2011
    March 17 and March 24, 2011 April 1, 2011 April 8, 2011
    March 24 and March 31, 2011 April 8, 2011 April 15, 2011
    March 31 and April 7, 2011 April 15, 2011 April 22, 2011
    April 7 and April 14, 2011 April 22, 2011 April 29, 2011
    April 14 and April 21, 2011 April 29, 2011 May 6, 2011
    April 21 and April 30, 2011 May 6, 2011 May 13, 2011
    April 28 and May 5, 2011 May 13, 2011 May 20, 2011
    May 5 and May 12, 2011 May 20, 2011 May 27, 2011
    May 12 and May 19, 2011 May 27, 2011 June 3, 2011
    May 19 and May 26, 2011 June 3, 2011 June 10, 2011
    May 26 and June 2, 2011 June 10, 2011 June 17, 2011
    June 2 and June 9, 2011 June 17, 2011 June 24, 2011
    June 9 and June 16, 2011 June 24, 2011 July 1, 2011
    June 16 and June 23, 2011 July 1, 2011 July 8, 2011
    June 23 and June 30, 2011 July 8, 2011 July 15, 2011
    June 30 and July 7, 2011 July 15, 2011 July 22, 2011
    July 7 and July 14, 2011 July 22, 2011 July 29, 2011
    July 14 and July 21, 2011 July 29, 2011 August 5, 2011
    July 21 and July 28, 2011 August 5, 2011 August 12, 2011
    July 28 and August 4, 2011 August 12, 2011 August 19, 2011
    August 4 and August 11, 2011 August 19, 2011 August 26, 2011
    August 11 and August 18, 2011 August 26, 2011 September 2, 2011
    August 18 and August 25, 2011 September 2, 2011 September 9, 2011
    August 25 and  September 1, 2011 September 9, 2011 September 16, 2011
    September 1 and September 8, 2011 September 16, 2011 September 23, 2011
    September 8 and September 15, 2011 September 23, 2011 September 30, 2011
    September 15 and September 22, 2011 September 30, 2011 October 7, 2011
    September 22 and September 29, 2011 October 7, 2011 October 14, 2011
    September 29and October 6, 2011 October 14, 2011 October 21, 2011
    October 6 and October 13, 2011 October 21, 2011 October 28, 2011
    October 13 and October 20, 2011 October 28, 2011 November 4, 2011

    * The IRS does not guarantee a specific date that a refund will be deposited into a taxpayer's financial institution account or mailed.
    Taxpayers who e-filed can get refund information 72 hours after the electronic return data is acknowledge as accepted by the IRS. To check the status of a refund visit Where's My Refund?

Leadership


Coalition Forces Detain Militants, Find Weapons in Afghanistan


Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2011 - Afghan and coalition troops captured several insurgents, including a Haqanni terrorist network leader, yesterday in Afghanistan, military officials reported.
Troops detained the Haqanni terrorist and another suspected insurgent in Khost province's Khost district, where they are believed to be responsible for coordinating attacks against local security forces.
In other news yesterday throughout Afghanistan:
-- In Khost province's Sabari district, security forces captured several suspected insurgents, including a Hezb-e Islami facilitator responsible for supplying the terrorist group with explosive devices.
-- Forces detained several suspected insurgents during clearing operations in Helmand province's Kajaki district.
-- Afghan and coalition forces detained three suspected insurgents during a vehicle-interdiction operation in Nimroz province. The suspects were found with machine guns and more than 1,500 pounds of opium.
-- Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban leader responsible for trafficking bomb-making materials throughout the province in Zabul province's Qalat district.
-- Security forces detained a suspected insurgent in Logar province's Muhammad Aghag district while searching for a Taliban leader allegedly responsible for several bombings in the area.
-- Security forces found several drug and weapons stockpiles throughout Afghanistan. The operations resulted in seizure of 5,940 assault-rifle and machine-gun rounds, 26 assorted rockets and mortars, 15 hand grenades, 11 assault rifles, three pistols and a shotgun. Troops also confiscated more than 4,800 pounds of ammonium nitrate –- a banned fertilizer often used in roadside bombs -- and 44 pounds of opium.
In operations Feb. 20:
-- Security forces in Khost province's Terayzai district captured several suspected insurgents, including a Haqanni terrorist network leader with ties to numerous insurgent attacks in the area, and wounded an armed militant in the operation. The wounded insurgent was shot by security forces after refusing their request to disarm.
-- Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected insurgents in Takhar province's Bahkar district while searching for an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan terrorist leader.
-- Acting on tips from local residents, Afghan and coalition forces detained two suspected insurgents, including a Taliban weapons trafficker, in Helmand province's Nahr-e Saraj district.
-- Forces detained two suspected insurgents during a clearing operation in Kandahar province's Registan district, while targeting compounds reportedly used for housing foreign fighters and weapons.
-- Security forces detained a suspected insurgent in Nangarhar province's Surkh Rod district while searching for a Taliban leader responsible for trafficking explosive devices and supplies to terrorists plotting to attack Afghan government officials.
-- Afghan and coalition forces detained a Haqanni network terrorist responsible for trafficking explosives and supplies for suicide bombers in Paktika province's Orgun district.
-- Security forces found several drug stockpiles throughout Afghanistan. The operations also resulted in the seizure of 32 assorted rockets and mortars, 11 hand grenades, three assault rifles, two anti-tank mines, a pistol, and 150 pounds of explosives.
In Feb. 19 operations:
-- After spotting several insurgents displaying what officials called "hostile acts" in Helmand province's Sangin district, troops fired on the insurgent fighting position, killing several insurgents.
-- Afghan and coalition forces found several weapons stockpiles throughout Afghanistan. Operations resulted in seizure of 16,500 assault-rifle rounds, 17 rocket-propelled grenades, 16 rocket-propelled grenade boosters, 13 fake Afghan police identification cards, nine directional fragmentation charges, seven assault rifles, three four-gallon containers of liquid explosives, three pressure plates, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a pistol and 328 feet of detonation cord.
 
Related Sites:
NATO International Security Assistance Force

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

MMEDIATE RELEASE No. 145-11
February 22, 2011
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
            Lance Cpl. Andrew P. Carpenter, 27, of Columbia, Tenn., died Feb. 19 of wounds received Feb. 14 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
            For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the 2nd Marine Division public affairs office at 910-378-6193 or http://www.marines.mil/unit/2ndmardiv/Pages/Media/default.aspx .

Army Releases January Suicide Data

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 144-11
February 22, 2011

Army Releases January Suicide Data

            The Army released suicide data today for the month of January.  Among active-duty soldiers, there were 15 potential suicides:  one has been confirmed as suicide, and 14 remain under investigation.  For December 2010, the Army reported 12 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers.  Since the release of that report, one has been confirmed as suicide, and 11 remain under investigation.
            During January 2011, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were seven potential suicides:  two have been confirmed as suicides, and five remain under investigation.  For December 2010, among that same group, there were 17 total suicides.  Of those, six were confirmed as suicides and 11 are pending determination of the manner of death.
            "Army wide efforts implemented during 2010 to improve the health of the force and enhance our overall resiliency will continue to be a focus for all members of the Army family in 2011," said Col. Chris Philbrick, deputy director, Army Health Promotion, Risk Reduction Task Force.  "We must continue to examine our risk reduction and health promotion programs to ensure that in every instance they are readily available and accessible to those in need.  Informed and engaged leaders are vital to these efforts and continue to be the most effective resource in this endeavor," Philbrick said.
            Soldiers and families in need of crisis assistance can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  Trained consultants are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and can be contacted by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or by visiting their website at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
            The Army's comprehensive list of Suicide Prevention Program information is located at http://www.preventsuicide.army.mil.
            Army leaders can access current health promotion guidance in newly revised Army Regulation 600-63 (Health Promotion) at:  http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600_63.pdf and Army Pamphlet 600-24 (Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention) at http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/p600_24.pdf.
            Suicide prevention training resources for Army families can be accessed at http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/training_sub.asp?sub_cat=20 (requires Army Knowledge Online access to download materials).
            Information about Military OneSource is located at http://www.militaryonesource.com or by dialing the toll-free number 1-800-342-9647 for those residing in the continental U.S.  Overseas personnel should refer to the Military OneSource website for dialing instructions for their specific location.
            Information about the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program is located at http://www.army.mil/csf.
            The Defense Center for Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Outreach Center can be contacted at 1-866-966-1020, via electronic mail at Resources@DCoEOutreach.org and at http://www.dcoe.health.mil.
            The website for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is http://www.afsp.org, and the Suicide Prevention Resource Council site is found at http://www.sprc.org/index.asp.
            The website for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is http://www.TAPS.org, and they can be reached at -1-800-959-TAPS (8277).

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

Army Releases January Suicide Data

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 144-11
February 22, 2011

Army Releases January Suicide Data

            The Army released suicide data today for the month of January.  Among active-duty soldiers, there were 15 potential suicides:  one has been confirmed as suicide, and 14 remain under investigation.  For December 2010, the Army reported 12 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers.  Since the release of that report, one has been confirmed as suicide, and 11 remain under investigation.
            During January 2011, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were seven potential suicides:  two have been confirmed as suicides, and five remain under investigation.  For December 2010, among that same group, there were 17 total suicides.  Of those, six were confirmed as suicides and 11 are pending determination of the manner of death.
            "Army wide efforts implemented during 2010 to improve the health of the force and enhance our overall resiliency will continue to be a focus for all members of the Army family in 2011," said Col. Chris Philbrick, deputy director, Army Health Promotion, Risk Reduction Task Force.  "We must continue to examine our risk reduction and health promotion programs to ensure that in every instance they are readily available and accessible to those in need.  Informed and engaged leaders are vital to these efforts and continue to be the most effective resource in this endeavor," Philbrick said.
            Soldiers and families in need of crisis assistance can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  Trained consultants are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and can be contacted by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or by visiting their website at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
            The Army's comprehensive list of Suicide Prevention Program information is located at http://www.preventsuicide.army.mil.
            Army leaders can access current health promotion guidance in newly revised Army Regulation 600-63 (Health Promotion) at:  http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600_63.pdf and Army Pamphlet 600-24 (Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention) at http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/p600_24.pdf.
            Suicide prevention training resources for Army families can be accessed at http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/training_sub.asp?sub_cat=20 (requires Army Knowledge Online access to download materials).
            Information about Military OneSource is located at http://www.militaryonesource.com or by dialing the toll-free number 1-800-342-9647 for those residing in the continental U.S.  Overseas personnel should refer to the Military OneSource website for dialing instructions for their specific location.
            Information about the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program is located at http://www.army.mil/csf.
            The Defense Center for Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Outreach Center can be contacted at 1-866-966-1020, via electronic mail at Resources@DCoEOutreach.org and at http://www.dcoe.health.mil.
            The website for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is http://www.afsp.org, and the Suicide Prevention Resource Council site is found at http://www.sprc.org/index.asp.
            The website for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is http://www.TAPS.org, and they can be reached at -1-800-959-TAPS (8277).

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

General Officer Announcements

MMEDIATE RELEASE No. 143-11
February 22, 2011

General Officer Announcements

             The chief of staff, Army announced today the following assignments:
            Brig. Gen. Flora D. Darpino, to commanding general, U.S. Army Legal Services Agency/chief judge, U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, Arlington, Va.  Darpino most recently served as staff judge advocate, U.S. Forces-Iraq, Operation New Dawn, Iraq.
             Brig. Gen. Robin L. Mealer, chief, force generation, Iraq Training and Advisory Team, U.S. Forces-Iraq, to deputy director, J-5, U.S. Forces-Iraq, Operation New Dawn, Iraq.
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

CBP Discovers Asian Gypsy Moth Eggs in New Orleans



(Tuesday, February 22, 2011)

contacts for this news release
New Orleans – An alert U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialist prevented what could have been a major threat to forest habitats in the U.S. The discovery of eggs on a vessel anchored in the river appeared to be those of the Asian Gypsy Moth. The vessel has been restricted at anchorage and further inspection is ongoing to ensure that no other egg masses are found and the vessel has been treated so that the infestation has been eradicated.
 click for hi-resCBP agriculture specialists contain the egg mass on the vessel before sending it for testing.
CBP agriculture specialists contain the egg mass on the vessel before sending it for testing.
Bulk carriers such as the ones boarded by CBP can be more than 500 feet long, making it no simple task to find eggs smaller than a kernel of corn. CBP is highly trained in detecting the Asian Gypsy Moth and its egg masses on these vessels. Their skills were put to the test when CBP boarded the vessel on the Mississippi River Monday morning that arrived from Japan with a prior port call at China, both high risk ports of call for possible infestation for the Asian Gypsy Moth.
The eggs were gathered and sent to the laboratory for identification where it is was confirmed to be Lymantria dispar, the scientific name for Asian Gypsy Moth. AGM eggs begin hatching into caterpillars in the spring. The damage caused during the caterpillar stage, as the insects feed on leaves, can be catastrophic to U.S. forestry. These caterpillars have been known to feed on more than 500 species of trees and shrubs.
CBP immediately acted to ensure the safety of the country and its forest industry which has major ecological, economic and social importance for the U.S. and the State of Louisiana. If an infestation were to occur in the U.S. it could cause millions of dollars of damage.
“Finding AGM before the season really even gets started is concerning. The vigilance already displayed by the Agriculture Specialists will continue energetically to ensure we safeguard our forests and agriculture industry from this pest,” said Robert C. Gomez, acting director of the CBP New Orleans field office.
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.

CBP Discovers Asian Gypsy Moth Eggs in New Orleans



(Tuesday, February 22, 2011)



New Orleans – An alert U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialist prevented what could have been a major threat to forest habitats in the U.S. The discovery of eggs on a vessel anchored in the river appeared to be those of the Asian Gypsy Moth. The vessel has been restricted at anchorage and further inspection is ongoing to ensure that no other egg masses are found and the vessel has been treated so that the infestation has been eradicated.
 click for hi-resCBP agriculture specialists contain the egg mass on the vessel before sending it for testing.
CBP agriculture specialists contain the egg mass on the vessel before sending it for testing.
Bulk carriers such as the ones boarded by CBP can be more than 500 feet long, making it no simple task to find eggs smaller than a kernel of corn. CBP is highly trained in detecting the Asian Gypsy Moth and its egg masses on these vessels. Their skills were put to the test when CBP boarded the vessel on the Mississippi River Monday morning that arrived from Japan with a prior port call at China, both high risk ports of call for possible infestation for the Asian Gypsy Moth.
The eggs were gathered and sent to the laboratory for identification where it is was confirmed to be Lymantria dispar, the scientific name for Asian Gypsy Moth. AGM eggs begin hatching into caterpillars in the spring. The damage caused during the caterpillar stage, as the insects feed on leaves, can be catastrophic to U.S. forestry. These caterpillars have been known to feed on more than 500 species of trees and shrubs.
CBP immediately acted to ensure the safety of the country and its forest industry which has major ecological, economic and social importance for the U.S. and the State of Louisiana. If an infestation were to occur in the U.S. it could cause millions of dollars of damage.
“Finding AGM before the season really even gets started is concerning. The vigilance already displayed by the Agriculture Specialists will continue energetically to ensure we safeguard our forests and agriculture industry from this pest,” said Robert C. Gomez, acting director of the CBP New Orleans field office.
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.

OAM Participates in Annual Biking Event

OAM Participates in Annual Biking Event
(02/22/2011)
On April 24th and 25th, 2010, 16 members of the Office of the Air and Marine (OAM) family took part in the 10th annual Face of America biking event. This is the second year in which the OAM “Capital Punishment” Team participated in this fundraising sport event that honors our military - injured, veterans and active duty - and the true American Spirit.

The OAM “Capital Punishment” Team
OAM team gather in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania after finishing the race
OAM Face of America Team in action
Photo Credit: Jon Steckbeck
battlefield and ended at Marine Barrack Gettysburg where they finished the event with a ‘Steaks and Beers’ celebration. During that time and all along the ride everyone had the opportunity to share stories and build camaraderie.

Pentagon Briefing: Update on U.S. Forces Response to Gunfire Aboard the S/V Quest.

UPDATE
22 FEB 11 
(All Times Eastern)

ENCORE 1800 - Pentagon Briefing: Update on U.S. Forces Response to Gunfire Aboard the S/V Quest. (30min, VoD, Podcast)

DOD News Briefing with Vice Adm. Fox via Telephone from Bahrain on Somali Piracy Aboard the S/V Quest

Presenter: Vice Adm. Mark Fox, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. Navy 5th Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces February 22, 2011

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

On the web: 


            COL. DAVID LAPAN (Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Media Operations):  Admiral Fox, it's Colonel Dave Lapan here at the Pentagon.  How do you hear me?
            ADM. FOX:  I hear you loud and clear; how me?
            COL. LAPAN:  Okay, sir, we have you loud and clear.
            Good morning, all, here at the Pentagon.  And good afternoon to Admiral Fox in Bahrain, we have with us today to talk to you briefly about the incident involving the Sailing Vessel (S/V) Quest.  Vice Admiral Mark Fox is the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.  He also serves as commander of the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet and commander of the Combined Maritime Force.
            Again, as I mentioned, Admiral Fox is speaking to us from his headquarters in Bahrain.  He will make a brief opening statement and then take your questions.
            With that, sir, I will turn it over to you.
            ADM. FOX:  Thank you, and good morning.  I'm Vice Admiral Mark Fox.  I am commander of the U.S. Naval Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet.  I'm speaking to you today from Manama, Bahrain, in my headquarters.
            As many of you already know, the four Americans who were being held onboard the Sailing Vessel Quest were killed early this morning by their captors.  I want to express my deepest condolences to the family -- families of the crew of the Quest.  The loss of our fellow Americans is a tragedy.
            We are in the process of investigating and piecing together the events that led to their deaths.  And here's what we know right now.
            On Friday, February 18th, at about 4 p.m. local time, the Royal Danish Navy Ship Esbern Snare reported to the 5th Fleet Maritime Operations Center that its helicopter had identified a U.S.-flagged, privately owned yacht that may have been pirated.  The Sailing Vessel Quest was approximately 190 nautical miles southeast of Masirah Island, Oman, when it was pirated.
            The commander of the U.S. Central Command directed for forces, predominantly U.S. Navy ships and aircraft operating in the 5th Fleet area of operations, to investigate the scene.  Four U.S. Navy warships responded to the effort to recover the yacht:  USS Enterprise, an aircraft carrier; Guided Missile Cruiser Leyte Gulf; and Guided Missile Destroyers Sterett and Buckley.
            The U.S. Navy warships found and shadowed the Quest, made contact with the pirates via bridge-to-bridge contact, talked to the ship's master and verified the status of the hostages, that were safe at the time, and began a series of negotiations.  On Monday, February 21st, two pirates boarded USS Sterett to continue negotiations, and they remained onboard Sterett overnight.
            At 8 this morning local time, a rocket-propelled grenade was fired from the Quest by the pirates towards the Sterett.  The Sterett was approximately 600 yards away from the Quest. 
            Immediately thereafter, gunfire also erupted inside the cabin of the Quest.  Several pirates appeared on deck and moved up to the bow with their hands in the air in surrender.
            U.S. naval reaction forces closed in on the Quest in small boats and boarded the yacht.  As they responded to the gunfire, reaching and boarding the Quest, the U.S. sailors discovered that all four hostages had been shot by their captors.
            Despite immediate steps to provide life-saving care, all four of the American hostages died of their wounds.
           
            The U.S. sailors also found two pirates already dead on board.  While clearing the vessel, two additional pirates were killed.  The remaining 15 suspected pirates are in U.S. custody.
            There were no reported injuries to U.S. naval personnel or any damage to U.S. ships.
            We're in the process now, in conjunction with the FBI, in conducting an investigation into the events that led to the tragic deaths of the hostages.  Our thoughts go out to their families.
            And at this point, I'll be prepared to take your questions.
            COL. LAPAN:  Mik?
            Q:  Admiral, Jim Miklaszewski with NBC.  Is there any indication whatsoever, either from the hostages [sic: two pirates] on board the Sterett, or in the bridge-to-bridge communications, as to what may have triggered the shooting of the hostages?  And how do you account for the two pirates found dead aboard?  Was that pirate-on-pirate as a result of the shooting of the hostages?  Can you provide any details?
            ADM. FOX:  (Off mic) -- speculating on that.  There were ongoing negotiations that had continued for a number of days.  And this morning, with absolutely no warning, is when the rocket-propelled grenade was fired and the gunfire erupted on board the yacht. And all I can tell you factually is that there were two dead pirates when we came on board the vessel.
            Q:  (Off mic) -- wounds, Admiral?
            ADM. FOX:  Yes.
            Q:  This is David Martin with CBS.  Do you know if the four Americans were armed or had weapons on board their yacht?
            ADM. FOX:  I do not know if there were any weapons on board the yacht from the people that had owned the yacht.  I do not know that.
            COL. LAPAN:  Tony.
            Q:  Sir, Tony Capaccio with Bloomberg News.  Before the gunfire this morning, how would you describe the negotiations?  Were they tense or proceeding apace, and were you surprised by what happened today then?
            ADM. FOX:  You know, I can't give you a characterization.  The intent always had been that this would be a negotiated process and not ever going to a point where we actually had gunfire.
            So I can't give you a characterization right now.  I'd remind you also that this is an active, ongoing investigation that's being conducted by the FBI that we, the U.S. Navy, are helping with.  And so it's a crime scene.  And quite honestly, I don't have any information about the tenor or the tone of those negotiations.
            Q:  Broad question -- was the -- were the pirates launched by one of these mother ships that you've warned about is the new trend in pirating in that region?
            ADM. FOX:  We assessed that there was a mother ship.  I -- right now, the details of that are still somewhat sketchy, but we do assess it to have been a pirated -- or a mother ship that produced the pirates that actually went on board the yacht.
            COL. LAPAN:  Yochi?
            Q:  Admiral, this is Yochi Dreazen from National Journal.  You mentioned that when the boarding vessels from the U.S. approached the Quest, that there was a further exchange of gunfire.
            Are you absolutely positive that the four American hostages were already dead and were not killed in that exchange of gunfire?
            ADM. FOX:  [During the boarding phase] there was no gunfire by the boarding team whatsoever -- there was no ordinance expended by the boarding team.  The gunfire that occurred was the RPG, the rocket-propelled grenade, that was fired [by the pirates] at Sterett.  And then as they came on board, there were two dead pirates.  There were hostages who had been injured, but – (inaudible) --
            Q:  -- Got it.  And then the two pirates who were killed during the clearing, that was enough after the bodies of four Americans were found that there was no possibility the Americans could have been injured or hurt in that operation?
            ADM. FOX:  That's correct.  [During the clearing phase] the two pirates that were killed thereafter -- one was killed with a firearm; we killed him with a gun, and there was another pirate that died from a knife.
            Q:  Didn't he just say he killed one?  We're confused.
            Q:  Yeah, we are.
            Q:  You said that no gunshots were fired, but then you just said that you killed one pirate and the other died from a knife wound.  Could you -- did U.S. forces shoot any pirates?
            ADM. FOX:  And let me -- let me clarify this for just a second.  There were no gunshots fired from the boarding team as they boarded -- none.  And then as they were clearing the vessel, they did kill one pirate as they were clearing it, and then there was another pirate that was -- that was killed in a knife fight.
            Q:  How far off the coast of Somalia did this occur?
            ADM. FOX:  This is approximately -- if you've got a map before you, it's approximately midway between the island of Socotra and the north tip of Somalia.  It's a little bit -- if you -- if you had an equidistant point between Socotra and Somalia, it's just a little bit on the closer side to Somalia.
            Q:  Could I get further clarification?  The pirate -- after the boarding team was onboard, was the -- did a U.S. military sailor, whoever it was, shoot and kill a pirate, and stab and kill another pirate?
            ADM. FOX:  There were two pirates that were dead onboard the vessel when they boarded.  As they were clearing it below decks, there were two more pirates who were killed in the clearing process by the boarding team.
            COL. LAPAN:  Andrew.
            Q:  Admiral, can you just confirm how many -- it sounds to me like you had 19 pirates total on the ship, two sets of two dead and 15 now in custody. 
            And also, could you give us a little bit more detail on who this boarding team was?  I mean, who left the Sterett and went over to the Quest -- I mean, how many?  Were they sailors?  Were they SEALs?  How many were there?  How many boarded the ship?  Just give us a little more detail on that.
            ADM. FOX:  I can't give you the specific numbers.  They were U.S. special operations forces.
            Q:  And how did they -- did they board?  Was this by a small boat, or was this by helicopter?
            ADM. FOX:  They boarded by small boat.
            Q:  And 19 pirates:  Is that accurate?
            ADM. FOX:  Nineteen total pirates were on board; four are dead; 15 remain.
            Q:  But two -- were two of those still on the Sterett doing negotiations?
            ADM. FOX:  Yes.
            Q:  Admiral, what was the time lapse between the gunshots aboard the yacht until the boarding team reached the yacht?
            ADM. FOX:  Well, the time distance of the time for small boats to come over, it was -- the Sterett was about 600 yards away.  So there was some -- there was a rocket-propelled grenade that was fired towards Sterett, and then there was the sound -- the reports of gunfire from the yacht.  And so there was a time distance of some period of time to get the small boats from Sterett over to the -- over to the yacht.
            Q:  So there was no U.S. rescue operation under way at the time?
            ADM. FOX:  That is correct.
            COL. LAPAN:  Justin.
            Q:  Sir, it's Justin Fishel from Fox.  So is it safe to say these were Navy SEALs that boarded the ship?  And why do you suppose those two pirates were already killed?
            ADM. FOX:  You know, that would be -- first of all, they were U.S. special operations forces. 
            And it would be speculation on my part to tell you how I thought they died.  There was obviously gunfire inside the cabin of the yacht.  And it took the -- ultimately it injured the hostages in such a way that they were fatally injured, and so I can presume that inside the cockpit of the -- of the vessel was a lot of small-arm fire that -- but that would be part of the ongoing investigation.
           
            Q:  Can you say what kind of weapons the pirates had, just so we know?
            ADM. FOX:  I don't have any specifics on that.  I'd seen an early report where we had seen -- they obviously had an RPG because they fired it at the Sterett, and then there were also, you know, the typical things that we see are, you know, the pirates with AK-47s and small arms.
            COL. LAPAN:  Carlo.
            Q:  Carlo Munoz with Defense Daily, sir.  A quick question on the mother ship.  One, is there any additional information on the location of that ship?  And once that's fixed, are there any plans to pursue operations against the pirates on that ship?
            ADM. FOX:  At this point I don't have anything to add to that.  And in fact, there is -- there is ongoing efforts going on that I -- that I'm -- I won't go into.  But the mother ship, we do assess, as I said, that the 19 pirates went onboard the yacht from a mother ship.
            COL. LAPAN:  Phil.
            Q:  Admiral, Phil Ewing with Politico.  I wanted to clarify one small detail.
            Were the pirates who were aboard the Sterett in communication with their pirate colleagues on the yacht at the time when this all went down?  Could they have sent them a message because they were displeased about whatever they had been told?
            ADM. FOX:  I can't tell you that.  I honestly -- I honestly don't know.
            Q:  Sir, it's Jim Garamone with AFPS.  What are you going to do with the 15 pirates that you've captured?
            ADM. FOX:  Well, they will be -- they're currently in our custody on board one of our ships, and we will go through the appropriate processes to ultimately bring them to a judicial process and hold them -- hold them accountable for their activities.
            Q:  Two quick questions.  On the issue of the timing -- so the American hostages died -- just to be totally clear, they died before the team boarded.  So there was a gunshot, they were injured, then the team boarded, and then they died from those previous wounds, not after that?  And then the second thing is, this is the deadliest incident involving U.S. hostages taken by pirates that you know of, correct?
            ADM. FOX:  It is.  It is the deadliest incident that I can think of in terms of activities with the pirates.  When our team got on board the yacht, there were hostages who were still alive, and we applied and gave first aid immediately to them, but they were fatally injured.
            COL. LAPAN:  Luis.
            Q:  Admiral, it's Luis Martinez with ABC.  How long -- how long a period were those two pirates aboard Sterett?  How long had they been there?  At what point were they taken aboard?  Were there negotiations to take them aboard, or did they volunteer to go aboard?
            ADM. FOX:  I'm sorry, can I get you to repeat that question?
            COL. LAPAN:  Admiral, I'll give it here from the lectern.  The period of time at which the two pirates aboard Sterett -- when did they come aboard?  Did they voluntarily come aboard as part of the negotiations?
            ADM. FOX:  The two pirates that came aboard Sterett came on board on the 20th -- no, I'm sorry, on Monday, the 21st was when the two pirates came on board the Sterett, and they remained overnight and remained for the remainder of the evolution.
            Q:  Charlie Keyes, CNN.  Thanks for talking to us, Admiral.  Can you just tell us as much as you can -- I know you didn't -- avoided it earlier -- how many U.S. forces were involved in this final operation?  And also, can you give us anything -- a broader picture about the negotiations, in terms of were there initial demands made?
            ADM. FOX:  I don't have specifics on the initial demands.  It was clear that the pirates wanted to get the yacht to Somalia.  It was very clear that they wanted to make -- you know, to bring the hostages into Somali territorial waters, if nothing else.  And so I don't have any other information of the demands of the pirates, other than the fact that they were -- they were tracking consistently from the point near Masirah Island -- I mean, you know, over there towards Oman when the vessel was pirated, and they were making a southwesterly flow towards Somalia.
            COL. LAPAN:  And --
            Q:  I'd like to follow up, Admiral -- oh, I'm sorry.
            COL. LAPAN:  Just -- and anything you can give us about the number of U.S. forces involved in the final part of this operation.
            ADM. FOX:  [USS] Leyte Gulf, USS Sterett and [USS] Enterprise were the three U.S. vessels that were closest to the incident at the time this morning that this went down.
            Q:  Yeah, if I could -- if I could follow up, Admiral, did at any time the U.S. negotiators make it clear to the pirates that they would not be permitted to go ashore in Somalia?  And during the course of the negotiations, was there any indication of division or conflict among the pirates themselves about what to do with these hostages?
            ADM. FOX:  You know, those are details of the negotiation that I quite honestly don't have in terms of the interactions between the negotiators and the pirates and the way that those were characterized.  That's just detail that I don't have.  I'm sorry.
            COL. LAPAN:  Go ahead.
            Q:  Thank you.  Shaun Tandon with AFP.  On a different note, I was wondering if you could say a little bit about the victims, if you can identify all four of them by name and just say, were you in contact with their families throughout this?
            ADM. FOX:  Stand by for just one moment.
            First of all, the victims' families and next of kin have been notified.  The Americans that were on the yacht were Scott Adam, his wife Jean, of Marina del Rey, California; and then the other two Americans were Phyllis Mackay and Bob Riggle, both of Seattle, Washington.  The owner of the yacht was Scott Adam and his wife Jean.
            COL. LAPAN:  Tony.
            Q:  Sir, Tony Capaccio again with Bloomberg.  I had a couple quick questions on whether Americans are going to be shocked -- or will be shocked by these killings today -- but how many -- roughly how many people from other nationalities have been killed by pirates over the last year or two, to put this in perspective?
            ADM. FOX:  Let me think for just one second and I'll give you an answer.
            Q:  In this calendar year, in the last year.
            ADM. FOX:  In calendar year [2010], there have been less than 10 fatalities associated with pirate activity in this region, not all in one incident.
            Q:  What about in 2010.
            ADM. FOX:  You know, I'm going to have to -- I'm going to have to pull a string to see how much -- in terms of how many people in 2010 were -- how many fatalities.  We can get that information for you, but I don't have it at my fingertips right now.
            [Update: U.S. Naval Forces Central Command states that to date in 2011, two people have died during piracy actions in their area of responsibility.  In 2010, less than 10 people died during piracy actions.  Data regarding nationality is released by individual countries.]
            Q:  Did a U.S. soldier or a Special Operations soldier actually kill the pirate with a knife in a knife fight?
            ADM. FOX:  A pirate was killed by a Special Operations Force member with a knife on the vessel.  While they were clearing, they were in close combat.  They were clearing the interior of the vessel.
            Q:  (Off mic) -- the two pirates who had been aboard the Sterett, are they also in U.S. custody along with the other 15?  And secondly, I know that in the past there's been legal uncertainty about what kind of crimes you might be able to bring against pirates.  In this particular case, is this being investigated as an act of murder of American citizens?
            ADM. FOX:  I'll leave the way that the characterization of the -- of the investigation to lawyers and to the FBI.  These are American citizens.  There are four dead American citizens that died as the result of pirate activity on their yacht.  And so -- and the answer to your question of all of the 15 pirates are now being held together.  And they're both -- they're all on a -- on a U.S. warship right now.  And as I said, we will be going through the due diligence process here of taking all the appropriate steps to take them to justice.
            Q:  It was 15 total or it was 15 and then two more from the Sterett, so 17 total?
            ADM. FOX:  There were -- there were 19 total pirates on the sailboat.  Two came off the Sterett, leaving 17.  And then there were four dead.
            COL. LAPAN:  Charlie.
            Q:  Charlie Keyes, CNN.  Sir, talking to a friend yesterday of Scott and Jean Adam, he described how this was a life-long dream of theirs to sail around the world.  He said that they were aware of the risks.
            What do you say to other Americans contemplating such an adventure?
            ADM. FOX:  Well, I think it's prudent to listen to the warnings of the international maritime organizations that talk about the dangers of this area.  You know, you've got a -- there's a huge volume of maritime activity that goes on around here.  And we have seen a growing -- a growing problem here in terms of the pirate activity off of the coast of Somalia.  It originally was just in the Gulf of Aden.  We've done a pretty good job of setting up an internationally recommended transit corridor for merchant ships that we patrol very carefully routinely.
            And so pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden has actually gone down.  But what's happened is because of a relatively less than -- less-than-normal strength monsoon season for the last few months and then also because of this mother ship activity, the pirates have been able to go for long distances out to sea, up to 1,3(00), 1,400 nautical miles away from Somalia.  So there's pirate activity that's gone all the way up into the North Arabian Sea, off of the coast of India, down to Madagascar and so forth.
            The warnings are issued to mariners about where pirate activity goes on.  There are real-time warnings that we put out.  And so there's a due diligence piece in terms of going to sea and operating and taking heed of all of the warnings and so forth.
            Our job, of course, is to maintain free movement of innocent passage on the sea.  And so the scope of the distances that are involved here -- the entire East Coast of the United States east of the Mississippi could fit into the Somali Basin/Indian Ocean area.  I mean, we're talking 1,3(00), 1,400 nautical -- 1,500 nautical miles.  And so it's a vast, vast area. 
            We currently have 34 vessels, warships, that are patrolling in this area, under 15 different flags, as we speak.  And that number will vary.  There's an EU [European Union] counter piracy task force, there's a NATO counter piracy task force, and then I'm in command of a counter piracy task force.  We each take -- we work well together and cooperate and share our resources and our information.  But even with the vast distances that are involved here, you know, there's a lot -- there's a lot of places where we are not. 
            Q:  What role did UAVs play in helping track the Quest?  And in general, what role are they playing to cover these vast distances?
            ADM. FOX:  As we track this particular instance, we devoted UAV assets from various places in this region to give us information about the movement, and then that of course once we got our vessels on site there, then we also had our own organic surveillance as well.
            Q:  Were those the ScanEagles you used?
            ADM. FOX:  I don't think -- I don't think we used any ScanEagles in this particular case.  But that would be -- I don't think so.
            COL. LAPAN:  David and Justin and Luis, and we'll wrap it up.
            Q:  Dave Martin with CBS.  Was there a specific warning out about the -- that covered the area in which the yacht was taken?
            ADM. FOX:  Yes.  Yes, there were explicit warnings to mariners about the regions, the dangers and the pirate activity in this area.
            COL. LAPAN:  Justin.
            Q:  Just to be clear -- and Mik may have asked you about this, but before the shootings took place, during the negotiation process, was there ever a cash ransom offered to the pirates?
            ADM. FOX:  I -- you know, I can't tell you what went on between negotiators and the pirates.  And I can't comment on that because I don't have any information on it.
            COL. LAPAN:  Luis, last one.
            Q:  Admiral, again, going back to the RPG that was fired at the Sterett, was that when the Sterett arrived?  Was it after the two pirates were on board?  What was the timeline between the firing of the RPG and the shots that you heard on board the yacht?
            ADM. FOX:  The way the report I read described it was, there was an RPG fired at Sterett.  It missed.  The Sterett was about 600 yards away.  And after the RPG was fired, there was gunfire -- the sound of gunfire coming from the yacht, but near -- not simultaneous but sequential.  An RPG fired, followed almost immediately by small-arms fire.
            COL. LAPAN:  All right, Admiral.  Thank you very much for your time and the information you've provided to us.  I'm sure we'll be in touch with you PAO for any follow-up questions. 
            ADM. FOX:  Thank you very much.

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