Here's some news from the Asian Pacific region. We're working with allies and establishing a presence over there:
050609-N-0499M-074 Pacific Ocean (June 9, 2005) - The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts a passing exercise with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense (JDS) force vessels, JDS Akebono (DDG 109), JDS Makinami (DDG 112) and JDS Myoko (DDG 175). The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Benfold (DDG 65) and USS Shoup (DDG 86), along with the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) and Military Sealift Command (MSC) fast combat support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7) also participate in the exercise. Lincoln is currently at sea conducting readiness training in support of the Navy’s Fleet Response Plan (FRP). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class James R. McGury (RELEASED)
050606-N-4104L-009 South China Sea (June 6, 2005) - Republic of Singapore Navy Lt. Norman Quek and his combined visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team partner Chief Gunner's Mate Ross McDonell share information with U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security (MSST) detachment San Francisco instructor, Electronics Technician 1st Class Kyle Hallingstad, during a combined VBSS by the USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) and the Republic of Singapore Ship (RSS) Independence VBSS teams. The MSST facilitated the combined VBSS training on board USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) as part of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2005. CARAT is a regularly scheduled series of bilateral military training exercises with several Southeast Asia nations designed to enhance the interoperability of the respective sea services. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Melinda Larson (RELEASED)
050606-N-5663H-168 South China Sea (June 6, 2005) - A combined U.S. Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) task group sails in formation during the at-sea portion of the Singapore phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2005. The task group, anchored by the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), center, and led by the submarine RSS Centurion, includes, clockwise from front, the missile gunboat RSS Sea Dragon, guided missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), missile corvette RSS Vigour, landing tank ship RSS Endeavour, missile corvette RSS Valour, guided missile frigate Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) and patrol vessel RSS Independence. CARAT is a regularly scheduled series of bilateral military training exercises with several Southeast Asia nations designed to enhance the interoperability of the respective sea services. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class David J. Ham (RELEASED)
050526-N-5663H-018 South China Sea (May 26, 2005) -- Philippine Navy SEALS have weapons drawn as they search compartments on board the U.S. Navy dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) during a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercise. VBSS training is being conducted as part of Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) 2005. SEACAT is a weeklong, at sea anti-terrorism exercise in the Philippine and South China Seas. This was the first boarding by the Philippine Navy in the four-year history of SEACAT. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class David J. Ham (RELEASED)
Very much in keeping with your theme of support of our troops, this seems like a good time to post the contents of mail from my 'Congress Critter' -- U.S. Representative Joe Wilson.
We always wonder about the ones for whom we vote - are they honest, experienced and competent? Will he/she do a creditable job?
"My Guy" has a new moon shaped area stretching from up by Columbia, through this side of the state, and over and down toward Charleston, with a really diverse assortment of constituents!
Last night I received a report from him - an article he wrote, published in The Washington Times, about his most recent trip to Iraq.
[I added the 'bolds' for emphasis]
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Outsmarting the Terrorists
By Joe Wilson
Friday, June 10, 2005
When visiting the Middle East over Memorial Day weekend, I must admit that I did not expect to see a sign for "Big Bob's Truck Stop and Up-Armor Facility" in Balad, Iraq. But again demonstrating the fortitude of the U.S. military, our soldiers established this facility in response to the increasing numbers of roadside bombs used against our convoys. As I toured "Big Bob's," I was overwhelmed by the U.S. military's tremendous ability to recognize a problem, work to find a solution and adapt to the challenges of the global war on terror. A ruthless band of cowardly terrorists are no match for our brave men and women in uniform.
Since September 2003, I've traveled to Iraq four times, and I've witnessed extraordinary progress on each visit. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the father of three sons currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, my connection to Iraq is both professional and personal. In February, my oldest son Alan returned from serving a one-year tour of duty in Iraq with the South Carolina Army National Guard.
After participating in congressional briefings on the global war on terror and receiving daily e-mails from my son Alan about his experiences in Iraq, I recognize the tremendous dedication and patience needed to win this unpredictable war. However, I remain convinced that we are making consistent and significant progress in the global war on terror.
When I traveled to the Middle East in July 2004, touring the Iraqi Police Training Facility in Amman, Jordan was one of the highlights of my visit. The facility was new, and I was encouraged by the number of Iraqis who courageously volunteered to defend their country and safeguard their democracy. However, I expressed my concerns about whether they had the proper equipment to defeat the mounting insurgency.
Upon return to Iraq, I was pleased to see that the Iraqi Security Forces, led by Gen. David Petraeus, are now a skilled team of soldiers who are better equipped to protect their country and defeat terrorists. Today, seven basic police academies are operational. Together, they train and equip over 3,500 police officers each month. There are now more than 168,000 trained and equipped Iraqi police, soldiers, sailors and airmen. Day by day, Iraqi forces are taking increased responsibility for the security of their country.
Each visit to Iraq reminds me that U.S. soldiers are articulate, capable and dedicated to the cause. During my recent trip, I spoke to an economist who had been serving in Iraq for a year. He extended his tour of duty for five more months after recognizing the tremendous opportunity to serve his country and ensure that Iraq continues down the path to freedom. His selflessness is one of the many shining examples of men and women who are working so that Iraqis will one day enjoy the freedoms we have as American citizens.
Recently, I've heard critics complain that U.S. leaders are viewing Iraq through rose-colored glasses. Not so. We recognize that the challenges in Iraq are large and often overwhelming. During my most recent visit to Iraq, the Iraqi defense minister spoke of the difficulty in sealing Iraq's borders, and he informed us that most of the terrorists filter in through Syria and Iran. As we fight an asymmetric enemy that can adapt to U.S. technology and tactics, violence will increase at times. However, the skill of the U.S. military and the dedication of the Iraqi people will continue to confront and systematically defeat terrorism.
On June 3, the New York Times reported that 75 percent of Iraqis support the Iraqi government, and that 65 percent of Iraqis believe Iraq is headed in the right direction. The report also noted that Iraqis are providing authorities with far more tips on insurgent activities than even a few months ago. The recent major discovery of an underground bunker that served as a haven for terrorists is yet another example of the Iraqi people working with coalition forces to defeat the terrorists. After Marine and Iraqi security forces received tips from local citizens, they discovered the bunker, as long as three football fields, divided into rooms that apparently housed terrorists.
In America, some of our smallest freedoms are also some of our most cherished. The people of Iraq are beginning to experience privileges shared by citizens in democracies around the globe. The opportunity to invest money in the stock market, to send their children to school, to cheer their athletes in the Olympics, to fly domestically, to surf the Internet, to read independent news and to complain to their neighbors about their government leaders are all freedoms that are emerging in communities throughout Iraq.
The progress in Iraq is real. Our soldiers and the Iraqi people will continue to defeat the terrorists and establish a flourishing democracy. When I return to the country in the future, I'm certain I'll see more examples of the innovation and determination that exists today at "Bob's Truck Stop."
Rep. Joe Wilson, South Carolina Republican, serves on the House Armed Services Committee.
In 2003, he retired from the South Carolina Army National Guard after 31 years of service.
