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-res 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-res 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 race which is organized by World T.E.A.M. Sports (The Exceptional Athlete Matters), brings together participants with and without disabilities to honor and thank the disable young men and women returning from war for their service. The event also serves to honor active duty and retired military that participate in the two-day race.

	OAM team gather in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania after finishing the race

"This is a most rewarding event,” said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Bill Oliver. “To be able to ride along with men and women who have served and paid such a high price to protect our freedom was a very uplifting experience."

This year event kicked off from the nation’s capitol before embarking on a 100-mile journey to Gettysburg, Pa. After close to 60 miles the group of near three hundred participants stopped in Frederick, Maryland, where they spent the night. The ride continued on Sunday with another 45+ miles to Gettysburg. The arrival into the historical town took the bikers thru the

	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.

“This is a very challenging event where you experience the opportunity to ride along with participants of great tenacity and enduring spirit” said Air Interdiction Agent Michael Pullman. “The race is about facing challenges and building camaraderie with people that you are very proud to race with.”

“It was a great ride but an even better experience,” said Deputy Director, Marine Operations Martin Wade. “It was humbling and inspirational to ride side by side with some of our severely injured warriors. I’m looking forward to next year’s ride.”

The OAM Team came in second in total fundraising collecting as to date $23,187.42, but came in first in money raised per team member with an average of $1450 per Rider.

For information about next year event, log on to www.worldteamsports.org or contact one of OAM Capital Punishment” Team’s member. ( worldteamsports.org )