Globemaster conducts first mission for Cope India

Two U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, parked under a Indian sunset at Air Force Station Agra, India. The aircraft along with a C-17 Globemaster III and more than 150 U.S. Air Force and Army personnel are deployed here as part of exercise Cope India, a humanitarian assistance disaster relief exercise Oct. 19 to 24. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Genieve David)

AIR FORCE STATION AGRA, India (AFNS) -- A C-17 Globemaster III crew conducted the first ever combined airdrop mission with Indian air force personnel here as part of exercise Cope India.

The 535th Airlift Squadron from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, conducted a high-altitude low-opening mission with four U.S. Air Force Airmen and Soldiers and 12 Indian air force Garud operators.

"This is the first time in our partnership that we've had the United States and India forces jump out of a C-17," Capt. Billy Dye, a pilot from the 535th AS, and Greensboro, N.C. native said. "It's great that we get to share the capabilities of our aircraft with one another."

More than 160 U.S. Airmen and Soldiers, along with three C-130H Hercules, a C-17, and C-130J are participating in the exercise with an Indian air force IL-76 Gajraj, four AN-32 Sutlejes, two MI-17 Prataps and one Cheak Alouette III.

"Cope India allows our countries the ability to exchange humanitarian airlift, air land and airdrop delivery techniques," Captain Dye said. "And we look forward to continuing to foster theses great relationships that we are already making."

Cope India is an airlift exercise that focuses on the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. Additionally, U.S. and Indian air forces will participate in aeromedical and disaster management exercises and several subject matter expert exchanges during the exercise.

VAQ-139 Returns to NAS Whidbey Island

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tucker M. Yates, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (NNS) -- The Cougars of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 returned to Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island Oct. 20-22 after a five-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

The Cougars deployed aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) May of this year attached to Carrier Air Wing 14.

While in theater, air crew members from VAQ-139 were afforded the opportunity to cross train with expeditionary squadron VAQ-134, the Garudas. According to Lt. William Buhl, of VAQ-139, from Syracuse, N.Y., who participated in the exchange for approximately three weeks, the opportunity to fly the improved capability (ICAP) II EA-6B Prowler of VAQ-134 versus the ICAP III Prowler of VAQ-139 and seeing how ground Prowler missions operate was good experience.

"One of the benefits of the expeditionary mission is you take off and you're immediately there and providing support; already in the fight, so to speak," said Buhl. "It was also good just to meet other people in the community."

"It really benefited us because we got the chance to go see how they operate doing strictly ground operations and, for the (VAQ) 134 guys, it gave them the opportunity to see how we operate and do business on the boat. It was basically a cross-pollination between an expeditionary and ship squadron," said Cmdr. Daryl Walker, VAQ-139 commanding officer.

VAQ-139 flew a total of 1350 flight hours, 850 of which were flown in direct support of OEF as a result of 115 combat sorties, leading to a 100 percent combat sortie completion rate.

"For the Cougar team it was a great combat deployment; another successful year for us, and we went and did the job we were supposed to do," said Cmdr. Chris Middleton, VAQ-139 executive officer.

Over the course of the deployment, Reagan conducted four port visits to Singapore, Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates, Phuket, Thailand, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Upon departing Hawaii, Reagan embarked approximately 800 friends and family members, 46 of which were with VAQ-139, for a six-day cruise back to San Diego before returning to NAS Whidbey Island. The "Tiger" cruise offered two air shows, approximately 60 fly-offs, night and day live-fire events, Explosive Ordnance Disposal fast-roping demonstrations and a basketball court set up in the hangar bay, among other games and activities.

"The Reagan may have put on the best tiger cruise I've been on," said Middleton, who embarked three family members for the cruise. "The morale, welfare, and recreation team really did a great job. It was incredible."

According to Walker, a deployment isn't over until you get everyone home safe and sound.

"The deployment was superb. The troops did everything that was asked of them; we didn't fail in any part," said Walker. "We brought everybody back that I took out, which, to me, makes the cruise successful."

Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft gets X-plane designation

The Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft is rolled out of a hangar in May 2009 at Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works, Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif. The ACCA is a modified Dornier 328J aircraft. The Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, oversees the ACCA program. (Courtesy photo)

by Derek Kaufman, 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) -- Air Force officials have approved X-55A as the new designation for the Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft.

The X-55A is a technology demonstrator for the design and manufacturing of future aircraft using advanced composite materials. The X-55A is a modified Dornier 328J aircraft with the fuselage aft of the crew station and the vertical tail removed and replaced with completely new structural designs. These designs are made from composites using new out-of-autoclave curing techniques. The test platform contains some 600 accelerometers and stress gauges.

The aircraft's first flight was June 2, 2009, at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif.

"We're extremely proud to have been awarded X-designation," said Barth Shenk, X-55A program manager with the Air Force Research Laboratory's Air Vehicle Directorate. "We hope to take this testing to the next phase to further mature our understanding of composite materials, how they behave in flight and how they age. This effort may drastically change the way we manufacture future military and civilian aircraft."

The strength, light weight, ease of manufacture and corrosion resistance are just some of the composite materials characteristics Air Force officials want to use the X-55A to explore, Mr. Shenk said.

The X-55A was made possible by a 10-year AFRL-led research and development investment called the Composite Affordability Initiative. Government labs including NASA worked collaboratively with industry to develop advanced materials and manufacturing technologies, Mr. Shenk said.

The ACCA was conceived by AFRL as a fast-track, low-cost development effort. Working with Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works, it was designed in 5 months, then built and flown 20 months after the go-ahead. The aircraft was built at half the estimated cost of a conventional design of the same size, according to Mr. Shenk.

Test flights on July 13 and August 8 expanded the aircraft's maneuver envelope and recorded external aerodynamic flow data.

Phase III of the program was awarded to Lockheed Martin Sept. 17 and plans to fully expand the flight envelope and characterize the structure, examine reliability and longevity of the design and baseline the X-55A as a test-bed for other technologies.

According to Mr. Shenk, the X-55A program has already demonstrated the feasibility of designing and manufacturing large, bonded unitized structures featuring low-temperature, out-of-autoclave curing. The fuselage was constructed in two large half-sections (upper-lower) featuring sandwich construction with MTM-45 skins and Nomex core, bonded together with adhesive and ply overlays along the longitudinal seam rather than numerous frames, stiffeners and metal fasteners used commonly in traditional aircraft. The vertical tail was designed using tailored stiffness technology. These were joined with an existing Dornier 328J cockpit, wing, engines and horizontal tail.

Compared to the original metallic components, the composite structure uses approximately 300 structural parts versus 3,000 metallic parts for the original components and approximately 4,000 mechanical fasteners compared to 40,000.



The Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft makes its first test flight June 2, 2009, from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif. The ACCA is a modified Dornier 328J aircraft. The fuselage aft of the crew station and the vertical tail were removed and replaced with completely new structural designs made of advanced composite materials fabricated using out-of-autoclave curing. It was developed by Air Force Research Laboratory and Lockheed Martin officials. (Courtesy photo)

AFSOUTH Airmen participate in Exercise SALITRE II

by Tech. Sgt. Eric Petosky, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) -- More than 190 Air Forces Southern Airmen are representing the United States during Exercise SALITRE II, a Chilean air force-led coalition exercise which began Oct. 17 and ends Nov. 2, in Antofagasta and Iquique, Chile.

SALITRE is a coalition air exercise, including search and rescue, aerial refueling and combined air operations center training opportunities focused on interoperability, according to Col. Bryan Bearden, the 12th AF (AFSOUTH) director of operations and exercise director for U.S. Air Force participation in SALITRE. In addition to Chile and the United States, France, Argentina, and Brazil will also participate.

"SALITRE is an opportunity for Airmen to practice working with their counterparts from across Latin America," Colonel Bearden said. "We're training together so we can respond to a crisis or integrate into United Nations peacekeeping operations as a unified team in the future."

During the exercise, aircraft from all participating nations will simulate a wide variety of operations in a realistic peacekeeping, non-combatant evacuation and humanitarian response scenario. In addition, participants will exercise command and control of a simulated air campaign involving fictional scenarios within a combined air operations center.

Scenarios within SALITRE will have broad application across many spectrums of conflict or civil support, including support of UN-type responses worldwide, Colonel Bearden said.

For example, during one scenario, rescue personnel will secure an airfield and tend to patients as part of a unified team. This type of response is vital to ensure countries are able to respond to situations with their own military and law enforcement resources. Simulated peacekeeping operations will prepare participants to support UN-type coalition operations, such as global peacekeeping and stability missions, enforcing no-fly zones or patrolling for pirates. Non-combatant evacuation operations simulated during SALITRE II will prepare nations to support civilian authorities after earthquakes, floods or hurricanes.

Other training opportunities planned for SALITRE include high-altitude airfield landings, a key skill for cargo pilots in Latin America and for U.S. aircrews supporting operations across the region.

"While the training uses fictional scenarios, the skills participants will practice during SALITRE are meant to prepare them to not only work together as part of a larger coalition, but also to support local law enforcement, first responders and civil defense forces," Colonel Bearden said.

"Each of the participating air forces -- French, Argentine, Brazilian and Chilean -- brings a unique skill set and aircraft to the mission, and each of the participants are equally valuable to the success of the exercise," Colonel Bearden said. "These different skill sets help to make SALITRE the robust training environment participants expect in today's modern Air Force exercises."

The majority of the U.S. presence is located at the Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile. Another group of Airmen is working out of the Diego Aracena AB in Iquique, Chile.

The U.S. Air Force will be represented by:

-- 2 HC-130 Hercules aircraft from the 71st Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB, Ga.

-- 2 KC-135 Stratotankers from the 197th Aerial Refueling Squadron from the Arizona Air National Guard in Phoenix.

-- 6 F-15C Eagles from the 122nd Fighter Squadron from the Louisiana Air National Guard in New Orleans.

Not only will airmen work together in the sky above the Atacama Desert (the wilderness in the northern portion of Chile), they're also planning a series of community outreach events. Airmen from each partner nation air force will team up to showcase aircraft to local leaders, meet with area children and provide interactive learning opportunities during after-school activities.

Thunderbirds in South Korea

Members of the Air Force Thunderbirds showed off their skills in the Republic of Korea.

Milcom Blog Logs - HF 14-20 Oct 2009 - Mid Atlantic

Here are some HF Blog Logs from our MMP reporter Ron in Maryland intercepted between 14-20 Oct 2009. Thanks Ron. All times UTC and frequencies in kHz.

14 Oct 2009

04585.0 Unid: 2305 USB w/various stations in North Carolina Civil Air Patrol (CAP) net roll calls.

16 Oct 2009

08912.0 RKN (USCGC BEAR, WMEC 901, Portsmouth VA): 2145 USB/ALE sounding.

17 Oct 2009

07361.5 STPOPS (Minnesota ArNG, Army Avn Support Facility (AASF) St. Paul, MN): 0300 USB/ALE sounding.

07361.5 INDOPS (Indiana ArNG Army Avn Support Facility (AASF) Shelbyville IN): 0500 USB/ALE sounding.

19 Oct 2009

08345.0 RFI71 (Russian Navy warship): 2105 CW calling RIW (Hqs Russian Navy, Moscow). RFH77 also calling RIW.

20 Oct 2009

08345.0 RFH77 (Russian Navy warship) & RCV (Black Sea Fleet HQs,Sevastopol): 2150 CW in chatter. Poor signal.

Milcom Blog Logs - Oct 20, 2009 - Mid Atlantic

Our good friend and MMP reporter Ron in Maryland checks back in with another edition of Milcom Blog Logs from the mid-Atlantic area. Thanks Ron.

ACY - Atlantic City NJ
ADW - Andrews AFB MD
BW - Bay Watch-NAS PAX Area Advisory Control
DAA - Davison AAF, Ft Belvoir VA
DCA - Reagan National Airport/CGAS Washington, Wash DC
DOV - Dover AFB DE
GK - Giantkiller (FACSFAC, Virginia Capes)
LFI - Langley AFB VA
MTN - Martin State Airport, Baltimore
NGTF - Northrop-Grumman Test Facility, Baltimore
NXX - Willow Grove JRB PA
PAX - NAS Patuxent River MD
PTC - Potomac Area TRACON
WRI - McGuire AFB NJ
ZBW - Boston ARTCC
ZDC - Washington ARTCC
ZNY - New York ARTCC

1. VHF/UHF: ((Times are EDT))

0700- Reach 332T-depart ADW.

0704- Blackjack 1 (HH-65C, CGASWashington)-check in w/ADW (118.4)

0812- Marine 2 (VH-3/VH-60, HMX-1 MCAF Quantico VA)-land at ADW

0935- Blackjack 2 (HH-65C, CGASWashington)-w/Wash Helo (134.35).

0936- Continental 1931-w/McGuire CP (134.1) w/inbound msg.

0941- Boxer 77 (C-38/C-40, 201st AS DC ANG ADW)-patterns at ADW.

0942- Navy JR 151 (C-20G, VR-48 ADW)-depart ADW. Then working w/BW (270.8). RTB ADW at 1150.

0943- Blade 07 (UH-72A # 07-2007, TRADOC Ft. Eustis/Felker AAF VA)-w/Wash Helo (134.35) cleared to the Pentagon.

0945- Turbo 96 (KC-135R 22nd ARW, McConnell AFB, KS)-check into AR 636 (119.125).

0949- Brave flt (F-16s, 121st FS DC ANG ADW)-w/Huntress (139.7) in practice intercepts on CAP Cessna 172 (CAP 4529) in PAX range area.

0950- Rgoue 51 flt (F-22s, LFI)-check into W386 (249.8)

0955- Navy 321 (F-18 )-w/ZDC Calvert (281.4)

0956- Colt flt (A-10Cs, 104th FS MD ANG MTN)-check in w/ZNY Lancaster (239.05). Then at Bollen Range (237.2) & return to MTN (297.2) at 1130.

0957- Rider flt (F-22s, LFI-on sqdn freq (276.675).

1004- SAM 50050 (C-20C #86-0050, 99th AS ADW)-depart ADW.

1043- Venus 42 (VC-37 # 97-0402, 99th AS ADW)-patterns at ADW (125.9)

1044- Pacer 24 (C-21A, 457th AS ADW)-depart ADW.

1124- Marine 714 (UC-35, MAW-4 ADW)-depart ADW then w/ZDC Calvert (133.9) then w/BW (119.275) for maintennce check flight & patterns at PAX.

1126- Energy 51 (BE-200 N651D, Dept of Energy ADW)-w/PTC (119.3) & also w/BW (270.8)

1129- N162W (BAC-1-11 NGTF) & N168W (T-40 Sabreliner, NGTF)-check in w/GK (118.125 & 236.1) for entry into the Atlantic Test Track at FL145. Also on Northrop discretes (123.225 & 275.2)

1131- Tbolt flt (2 X F-22, 192nd FW/149th FS VA ANG LFI)-check in w/ZDC Snow Hill (236.825).

1139- Bolar 70 (C-5, 436th AMW DOV)-patterns at DOV (125.9)--patterns again in the late 1400 hour.

1141- Venus 40 (VC-37 # 97-0400, 99th AS ADW)-patterns at ADW.Departs for undisclosed location then returns to ADW at 1625.

1145- Jena 622 (FBI GULFSTREAM V N383JA, Manassas, VA)-w/PTC (125.65)

1208- Venus 31 (C-40B # 01-0041, 99th AS ADW)-patterns at ADW.

1214- Reach 1493-w/DOV CP (349.4) w/inbound msg.

1225- Titus 01 (C-130T, VR-53 ADW)-depart ADW.

1232- DeeCee 22 (KC-135R, 756th ARS ADW)-w/PTC (119.3)

1238- Evergreen 1418 (B-747-200)-land at DOV (132.425 & 126.35)-inbound from JFK.

1438- Royal 50 (C-17A, 436th AMW DOV CP (134.1) w/inbound msg.

1439- Guard 23610 (UH-60 MD ArNG Weide AAF)-land at Weide AAF (126.2)

1440- Wardog (OA-10C, 104th FS MD ANG MTN) & Raven flt (A-10Cs, 104th FS MD ANG MTN)-entry into the PAX ranges (354.8) & QSY to BW discrete (256.5) for laser-pod & JDAM CAS training.

1535- Cobra 28 (RC-135 55th Wing, Offutt AFB, NE)-land at ADW.

1543- Navy JT 051 (C-9B, VR-52 NXX)-check out of W386 (118.125)

1544- Navy 7B511 (UC-12, Base Flt NAS Atlanta GA)-check in w/ZDC Calvert (133.9)

1600- JOSA 707-land at ADW.

1604- Army 1778 (C-37 # 04-1778, OSACOM ADW)-land at ADW.

1633- PAT 1268-land at DAA (126.3)

1634- Marine 206 (UC-35, MAW-4 ADW)-depart ADW then check in w/ BW (119.275) for entry into R4006 at PAX

1638- Tester 00 (F-18F, NTPS PAX) & Tester 10 (T-38C # 15-8198, NTPS PAX)-working a team on test discrete (310.55).

Pentagon Officials Announce 2010 Afghanistan Deployments

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON - Pentagon officials today announced additional replacement units scheduled to deploy next year to Afghanistan as part of the requirement to maintain the current level of security efforts there, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said today.

More than 11,000 soldiers from three units – two from the active duty Army and one from the Army National Guard -- will rotate into Afghanistan in the spring, summer and fall of 2010.

The units that received orders are:

-- 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, from Fort Campbell, Ky.;

-- 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment from Vilseck, Germany; and

-- 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard.

The forces will be assigned to NATO's International Security Assistance Force. Although commanders in Afghanistan haven't officially determined the regions the units will operate in, they replace brigades in eastern and southern Afghanistan.

Also, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates approved deployment orders to Afghanistan for a squadron of MV-22 Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 from Jacksonville, N.C., at the request of commanders in Afghanistan, Whitman said.

The squadron is scheduled to deploy in November.

The squadron is made up of about 200 Marines who operate and maintain the aircraft, which have both vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. The aircraft is designed to perform missions like those of conventional helicopters, with the added benefit of long-range, high-speed cruise performance, he said.

Nimitz and CVW-11 Operating in the 5th AOR

F/A-18 strike fighters, assigned to the Black Aces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 and the Warhawks of VFA-97 embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), refuel from an Air Force KC-10 Extender from the 305th Air Mobility Wing (AMW). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

GW CSG Completes Bilateral Exercise with ROK Navy

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits and the Republic of Korea navy Aegis destroyer Sejong the Great (DDG KDX 991) during a bilateral exercise. George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeffrey Stewart/Released)

There is a video report on this story at http://www.navy.mil/swf/mmu/mmplyr.asp?id=13333

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dave Reynolds

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GW CSG) completed a bilateral exercise with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Oct. 16.

Beginning Oct. 10, embarked ROK Navy liaison officers and Sailors worked alongside Sailors on board USS George Washington (CVN 73), the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier. According to GW Operations Officer Cmdr. Anthony Calandra, the focus of the exercise was to exchange ideas and operating procedures, so that both navies are better prepared to work together in the event of a crisis.

"ROK officers and Sailors did a lot of the command and control for the exercise," Calandra said. "They've been working in the Combat Direction Center and with Destroyer Squadron 15, standing watches alongside our Sailors. The professional exchange included briefings, watchstanding and the same kind of jobs our Sailors on board are doing right now."

Personnel from the ROK Navy's Task Force 51 also worked with their counterparts from the GW Carrier Strike Group's Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15.

"We've tried to learn from DESRON 15 and how they conduct carrier strike group operations," said ROK Navy Lt. j.g. Jun-Chul Shin, a Task Force 51 liaison officer. "We stood watch with them in the Zulu module and learned how DESRON 15 conducts daily operations."

Additionally, Calandra said ROK Navy ships were used to assist the strike group in screening and plane guard procedures.

"They learned those procedures and nuances—some of the things that are specific to what we do—in order to help support us. In the same way, we learned how they operate so we can better support them."

ROK Navy Lt. Tae Sung Kim served as an air intercept controller during simulated tactical air control events alongside GW's operations specialists.

"It was a great experience to work together with the professionals aboard USS George Washington and see the relationship between the AIC, air operations and [Carrier Air Wing 5]," said Kim. "The crew has been very kind and helpful to us, and it's like we've worked together before—I feel like I'm part of the crew."

"Obviously, it was very exciting for us," added Kim. 'It's the first time for many of us to be on an aircraft carrier, and carrier flight operations is something we've not experienced this closely before. We're learning how the carrier, air wing and strike group conduct flight operations and learning how to work within that system. We now have a better understanding, and that will help us when conducting combined operations."

Calandra said bilateral exercises like this are an integral part of GW's role as part of the Forward-Deployed Naval Forces, and a benefit to both partner navies.

"If we operated as individual units and individual countries, we wouldn't be nearly as strong or nearly as coordinated as we are," he said. "We build that team just like you build a sports team—by practicing together. If we practiced individually, we wouldn't know what to expect from our allies and from our partners and it just makes the operation harder."

The exercise directly supports the nation's Maritime Strategy by promoting interoperability and cooperation, which serves to enhance stability and security throughout the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

Commanded by Rear Adm. Kevin M. Donegan, the GW CSG comprises CVW-5, DESRON 15, and the guided-missile cruisers USS Cowpens (CG 63) and USS Shiloh (CG 67). GW, commanded by Capt. David A. Lausman, departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan Oct. 6 on its second fall deployment as the Navy's permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier.

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits behind the Republic of Korea guided-missile destroyer SeJong the Great (DDG KDX 991), along with the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), the Republic of Korea destroyer Kang Jan Chan (DDH 979) and the guided-missile cruisers USS Cowpens (CG 63) and USS Shiloh (CG 67) during a bilateral exercise. George Washington is underway supporting security and stability in the Yellow Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeffrey Stewart/Released)

Milcom Blog Logs - Oct 19, 2009 - Mid Atlantic

Our good friend and MMP reporter Ron in Maryland checks back in with another edition of Milcom Blog Logs from the mid-Atlantic area. Thanks Ron.

ACY-Atlantic City NJ
ADW- Andrews AFB MD
BW- Bay Watch-NAS PAX Area Advisory Control
DAA- Davison AAF, Ft Belvoir VA
DCA- Reagan National Airport/CGAS Washington, Wash DC
DOV- Dover AFB DE
GK- Giantkiller (FACSFAC, Virginia Capes)
LFI- Langley AFB VA
MTN-Martin State Airport, Baltimore
NGTF-Northrop-Grumman Test Facility, Baltimore
NXX- Willow Grove JRB PA
PAX-NAS Patuxent River MD
PTC- Potomac Area TRACON
WRI-McGuire AFB NJ
ZBW-Boston ARTCC
ZDC- Washington ARTCC
ZNY- New York ARTCC

1. VHF/UHF: ((Times are EDT))

0755- Biscayne 214 (B-737-800, foreign accent pilot)-depart ADW the w/ZDC Calvert (133.9)-per Flightaware bound for NAS Guantanamo Bay.

0809- Navy 557 (UC-12)-land at DAA (126.3)

0812- Nacy 501 (UC-12, 7A1501, Base Flt PAX)-land ay PAX (120.05). Departs PAX again at 1309.

1202- Reach 366T-land at DOV (125.9). Mentions there is C-5 in DOV pattern.

1203- Mover 11 (KC10, McGuire AFB NJ) -check in w/GK (118.125) for entry into AR636 for work w/Backy 11 (KC-135R 77th ARS SEYMOUR JOHNSON AFB, NC). Also w/ZDC Cape Charles (132.55).

1301- Deuce 71 (id as # 88-4406,KC-10A 76/78th ARS AFRC McGuire AFB NJ)-w/WRI CP (134.1) w/inbound msg.

1303- DeeCee 11 (KC-135R, 756th ARS ADW)-patterns at ADW.

1303- Opec 13 (KC-10A 2nd/32nd ARS MCGUIRE AFB NJ)-check into AR 636 (118.125).

1304- Reach 332T-w/Griffin CP (378.1)

1305- Venus 42 (VC-37 # 99-0402, 99th AS ADW)-patterns at ADW. At 1316 advises Griffin Cp they are departing ADW and will be gone for 3.5 hours.

1323- Sunny 313 (UC-12B MCAS Beaufort SC)-w/Griffin CP (141.55) w/inbound msg.

1324- Mazda 61 (id as 6 X F-16s, Shaw AFB SC)-w/DOV CP (134.1) position is 50 nms west of DOV & requesting current wx at Shaw AFB. At 1339 w/LFI CP (251.25) requesting current wx at Shaw.

1341- Navy JR 151 (C-20G, VR-48 ADW)-land at ADW.

Defender Visits Yakushima

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Richard Doolin, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

YAKUSHIMA, Japan (NNS) -- Mine Countermeasures ship USS Defender (MCM 2) arrived in Yakushima for a three-day port call, Oct. 18. It was the first visit by a Navy ship to this small island located 225 miles south of the Japanese mainland.

Yahushima's Yakasugi forest, a unique remnant of a warm-temperate ancient forest where no records of past tree cutting can be traced has been a World Heritage Site since 1993.

"Our visit to the beautiful Island of Yakushima gives us an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the defense of Japan and our desire to maintain peace and stability throughout the region," said Lt. Cmdr. Patrick O'Mahoney, Defender's commanding officer.

During its visit Defender will hold a dinner reception for local leaders and government officials, and the ship will host public tours.

"When I show people our ship and what we do to make her work, it gives me great pride, and also gives me a chance to engage in a cultural exchange with those that might not have much interaction with U.S. Sailors," said Quartermaster 1st Class (SW) Richard Levangie.

Before Defender departs the Island, the crew will take part in a volunteer project to clean the local beaches that are internationally recognized as sea tortoise hatchery havens.

"Community service gives us a chance to give back, and makes me feel like a better person," said Mineman Seaman Apprentice Raymond Barrett.

Defender is currently deployed to the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

'Green Ship' Makin Island to be Commissioned

NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (NNS) -- USS Makin Island (LHD 8) will be formally commissioned in a ceremony on Naval Air Station North Island Oct. 24.

The ship, which has been dubbed the "Prius of Navy warships," arrived in San Diego in mid-September, three years after her christening. The ship brought over 1,000 Sailors and their families to the San Diego community.

"I am eager for Makin Island to finally join the fleet," said Vice Adm. D.C. Curtis, commander, Naval Surface Forces. "The Sailors of this crew exemplify the best this nation has to offer. They represent America's Navy with pride and distinction and proudly serve as part of a global force for good."

Makin Island is the final amphibious assault ship built in the LHD-1 Wasp-class, but is the first of the class built with gas turbine engines and electric drive.

The Navy projects that this advance will save nearly $250 million in fuel costs over the ship's lifetime. The development is already paying off – during the ships transit from Pascagoula, Miss., to San Diego, Makin Island consumed over 900,000 gallons less fuel than a steam ship completing the same transit, saving more than $2 million in fuel costs.

Other environmentally-friendly initiatives include the use of an electric plant to power auxiliaries, meaning no steam or associated chemicals; and the use of reverse osmosis water purification systems that negate the need for chemicals like bromine or chlorine.

"The USS Makin Island represents the centerpiece and future of naval expeditionary warfare and will significantly enhance our ability to rapidly respond to emergent tasking around the world," said Rear Adm. Earl Gay, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3. "Her commissioning is a watershed moment for our Navy-Marine Corps team, and I am honored to have her in the fleet."

According to Capt. Bob Kopas, commanding officer, the true strength of Makin Island rests in her crew.

"This crew brings a 'gung ho' attitude of teamwork and determined enthusiasm to the fleet, in the tradition of Carlson's Raiders, who originated the term 'gung ho'," said Kopas. "The dedication they have shown over the past four years has brought the ship to life and lays the foundation for Makin Island to face the challenges of the next 40-plus years of supporting the needs of our nation and Navy."

And in a related story:

LHD8 Completes Certifications Prior to Commissioning

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin L. Webb, USS Makin Island Public Affairs

NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard USS Makin Island (LHD 8) returned to port Oct. 16 having completed three more critical certifications prior to the ship's commissioning.

During the three-day underway, inspectors from Afloat Training Group (ATG) Pacific were onboard to evaluate and qualify Makin Island crew members to operate the ship's well deck for landing craft air cushion (LCAC) operations and to execute both underway replenishment (UNREP) and vertical replenishment (VERTREP) evolutions.

Makin Island Sailors and Marines completed their first well deck operations since mid-September, when they debarked landing craft utilities (LCUs) prior to pulling in after the ship's two month maiden voyage. Although LCAC operations are similar, it is a separate and necessary qualification for LHD 8's well deck.

"Working with the LCUs was definitely great preparation for the LCACs," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW/AW) Ian De Leos. "It's a more dangerous evolution because of the line handling that's involved, but it helped us, particularly my junior Sailors, get familiar with the process of well deck operations out at sea."

LHD 8's Deck Department has been preparing for the UNREP evolution since 2008 when 22 Sailors were sent to a team trainer in Norfolk, Va. During this fueling evolution, Makin Island successfully received more than 27,000 gallons of fuel from the USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200).

"I've been on land training for this day for the last two years," said Boatswain's Mate Seaman Liliana Serrano. "Once you get underway and know that you actually accomplished it with no incidents, it's a good feeling."

On day three of the ship's underway, Combat Cargo worked with Air Department to prep and maneuver 16 separate cargo loads during flight operations. The crew completed 11 lifts/drops; more than ATG requires for a VERTREP certification.

"The inspectors and pilots were shocked by how well our rookie crew executed these evolutions," said Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AW/SW) Eddy Enriquez. "I would say that we worked together flawlessly and the 'Gung-Ho Spirit' shined through!"

"The success of the wide-variety of underway evolutions is a culmination of the crew's intense efforts to maximize training opportunities before, during and after ship delivery, as well as hone those skills during the Sail Around," said Capt. Robert Kopas, Makin Island's commanding officer. "I know that the crew will turn-out a commissioning ceremony second to none, and one that will live on in the memory of all who attend."

Makin Island's crew is preparing for the ship's commissioning ceremony at Naval Air Station Coronado Oct. 24.

Milcom Blog Logs - Oct 17, 2009 - Charleston SC

Mark Cleary has passed along some Milcom Blog Logs from his Charleston SC QTH. Mark runs the Low Country Listening Post at http://lowcountry-listening-post.blogspot.com/ and also is the publisher/compiler of the USCG Asset Guide that I post to this blog. Thanks Mark for sharing.

If you have some logs, freqs, callsigns etc you would like to share with MMP readers, please contact us at the address in the masthead. You can remain anon if you want and I will respect that.

Charleston AFB

349.4000 Charleston CP
-------------------------------
LIFTR 35 (C-17A, 437 AW)
REACH 805C
REACH 410
REACH 4068
REACH 231
SLUFF 49 (KC-135R, 166 ARS/121 ARW)
GRITS 31 (C-17A, 315 AW)

120.7000 Approach/Departure
--------------------------------------
EVERGREEN 465 (B-747) departing for McConnell AFB
GUARD COPTER 337
GUARD COPTER 144
AIR FORCE RESCUE 982 (HC-130P, 23 WG) inbound from the water RTB Moody AFB

135.8000 Approach/Departure
---------------------------------------
LIFTR 35 (C-17A, 437 AW)

306.9250 Approach/Departure
---------------------------------------
NIKEL 31/32 (F/A-18C, VMFA-122). Air-Air on 283.400
MARS 91 (AV-8B, VMAT-203)

128.9000
--------------
EVERGREEN 465 (B-747) departure report to EVERGREEN OPS

ATC & ARTCCs

255.4000 FSS
------------------
PACER 69 (C-21A, 375 AMW)

327.6000 AR-202
------------------------
GRITS 31 (C-17A, 315 AW)

120.8500 KZJX, Savannah
-----------------------------------
REACH 805C
AIR FORCE RESCUE 982 (HC-130P, 23 WG)

322.5000 KZJX, Savannah
-----------------------------------
NIKEL 31/32 (F/A-18C, VMFA-122)

343.6000 KZJX, Myrtle Beach
------------------------------------
PACER 69 (C-21A, 375 AMW)

USCG

157.0500 VHF Chl 21A
-----------------------------
CG 6542 (MH-65C)

345.0000 USCG
---------------------
RESCUE 1501 (HC-130, CGAS Clearwater)

And from the HF spectrum:

0435Z 4614.5 RKN (USCGC BEAR WMEC 901) sounding in ALE USB. Also on 5250, 5732, 5909.5, 7527, 8912 kHz. [BEAR at scene of F-16 SAR]

1233Z 8912.0 FOXTROT 35 (HU-25) airborne en route Melbourne, FL for static display

1245Z 8983.0 RESCUE 02 (HU-25) departing Miami with 5 POB requests guard from CAMSLANT

1321Z 8983.0 CG 2003 (HC-130J, CGAS Elizabeth City) en route Charleston [for F-16 SAR] requests guard from CAMSLANT

1328Z 8983.0 CAMSLANT clg RESCUE 1501 (HC-130, CGAS Clearwater)

1358Z 8983.0 RESCUE 02 reports surface TOI 25-30 foot white hull vessel with 3 outboards and 6 or 7 POB moving at 35 knots

1418Z 8983.0 CG 2003 (HC-130J, CGAS Elizabeth City) position report to CAMSLANT. 33-07N 079-43W

1458Z 11494.0 RESCUE 1501 (HC-130, CGAS Clearwater) ops normal report to CAMSLANT

1549Z 11494.0 CAMSPAC wkg JULIET 06 (MH-60J, CGAS Astoria) for position report. 47-48N 122-28W

1621Z 11494.0 RESCUE 1501 position report to CAMSLANT. 32-23N 078-59W
[18:37:51][FRQ 05732000][TO ][LNT ][TIS][J34 ][AL0]
BER 21 SN 00 followed by JULIET 34 (MH-60J, CGAS Clearwater) position report to CAMSLANT. 32-54N 080-02W.

2120Z 7527.0 RESCUE 1501 wkg CAMSLANT reporting RTB [from F-16 SAR]. 32-32N 079-56W

[22:26:29][FRQ 07527000][TO ][J03 ][TIS][OPB ][AL0]
BER 28 SN 04 followed by PANTHER wkg JULIET 03 (MH-60J, CGAS Clearwater) for
position.

ALE addresses monitored on COTHEN: 501, 705, D01, F12, F29, I43, J03, J06, J34, J42, LNT, OPB, PAC, RKN, TSC

'Push Crews' Ensure On-time Missions

Army Staff Sgt. Michael Maass carries a Black Hawk helicopter door before an early morning flight as part of his duty as a member of the push crew. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Neil Gussman

By Army Sgt. Neil Gussman, Special to American Forces Press Service

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - For door gunners and crew chiefs in Company A, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment, the longest days are the ones when they don't fly.

This Illinois Army National Guard unit uses a "push crew" to make sure every mission takes off on time and each aircraft gets back to mission-ready status as soon as possible.

If a mission is set to fly at 6 a.m., for example, the flight crew arrives for a pre-flight briefing at 3 a.m. The push crew begins its work at 2 a.m.

"The first thing to do at 0200 is start the coffee," said Army Cpl. Ricki Jenkins of Glasford, Ill. "Before going to the airfield, the push crew writes down the crew roster, the tail numbers of the birds, time out and time back."

The push crew normally consists of a crew chief or gunner for each pair of Black Hawk helicopters, but sometimes the crew is just one soldier. The crew drives a half-mile from the orderly room to the maintenance hangars, where they switch to a specially equipped Gator vehicle. Before going to the flightline, the push crew gathers aviation life-support equipment, weapons, water, ice and the egress kits for ground-mounting the M-240 door guns. The push crew also gathers the flight crew's flight bags, helmets, vests and communications gear. Soon, the push crew is on the flightline loading equipment and getting the Black Hawks ready for the mission.

"We remove the doors and windows and stack them in the trailer, then pull the [tie-down ropes on the rotor blades], pull the engine plugs and [auxiliary power unit] plugs and engine covers," Jenkins said. "We mount the M-240s on the birds, then head back to the maintenance [container complex] to load the doors and windows in storage racks."

By 4:30 a.m., the flight crew will be at the aircraft with night-vision goggles, rescue radios and other equipment. After this equipment is installed or stowed, the flight crew and the push crew go to breakfast together. When they return, the flight crew goes through the pre-flight checks. If everything goes normally, the mission takes off on time, and the push crew remains at the airfield for 40 minutes just in case a maintenance issue arises early in the flight.

If the aircraft has a problem before takeoff, the push crew is ready to move the crew and equipment to another aircraft.

"Our priority is to make sure the mission goes on time," said Army Capt. Jason Henderson, Company A commander and a Normal, Ill., resident. "If there is a mechanical problem, the push crew can bump [the flight crew] to a spare aircraft."

Henderson said the push crew's role in post-flight operations is just as important as getting the mission ready to go.

"They make sure aircraft are ready for the next mission," he said. "When the mission is over, the push crew identifies and fixes faults right away."

A half hour before the mission is scheduled to land, the push crew is back at the airfield, loading the doors and windows in the Gator's trailer. As soon as the first Black Hawk lands, the push crew and the flight crew work together to get aircraft ready to fly for the next mission. The M-240 door guns are dismounted and set in the Gator. The crew members take off their helmets, vests and other flight gear and load their bags. The push crew re-hangs the doors, installs the windows and ties down the rotor blades.

While the equipment is loaded, post-flight maintenance begins. The Gator has a rack above its dashboard with every kind of lubricant a Black Hawk helicopter needs, as well as tools for on-the-spot repairs.

"By the time we get the gear stowed and the weapons turned in to the arms room, it's a long day," said Army Staff Sgt. Michael Maass of Hillsboro, Ill. Maass, a door gunner who was with Company A on its previous deployment to Iraq in 2004 and 2005, is a full-time Army National Guard technician and a wheeled-vehicle mechanic who volunteered to be a door gunner for this deployment.

"Door gunner is a job that only exists in a war zone," he said. "We [door gunners] all volunteered to deploy."

For a mission that takes off at 6 a.m. and returns at 1 p.m., the push crew starts work at 2 a.m. and may still be finishing routine maintenance hours after the flight lands; their days average 12 to 14 hours. The standard rotation for a Company A door gunner or crew chief is four days of flight, two days of push duty and one day off.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Herbert Stevens of Normal, Ill., a Company A pilot, said the push procedures reflect lessons learned during the unit's last tour.

"There's no room for error in aviation," he said. "We developed procedures that reduce risk and make sure the flight crew can focus on the mission."

Army Cancels Brigade's Iraq Deployment

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON - An Army brigade slated to deploy to Iraq in January was relieved of its deployment orders this weekend without current plans for a new mission, Pentagon and Army officials said here today.

The 10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team was off-ramped by Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, because of the improved security situation there, and not to bolster forces in Afghanistan, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters.

"This [decision] is based on General Odierno's assessment of the security environment in Iraq," Whitman explained. "It reflects the continuing improvements in the ability of the Iraqi security forces to be able to safeguard their people as well as their institutions."

The 3,500 soldiers who make up the brigade will continue training and honing their skills, awaiting a new mission, which is the normal posture for troops in garrison. Pentagon officials have no plans, as of yet, to deploy the brigade to Afghanistan, Whitman said.

The strategy assessment involving Pentagon and White House officials and commanders in Afghanistan still is ongoing, and no decisions for additional troops have been made, he added. Cancellation of the brigade's deployment was a decision about Iraq, the Iraqi security environment and the Iraqi security forces that was "based on the situation in Iraq, not Afghanistan," Whitman said.

The brigade was intended to replace the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, an Army National Guard unit from Clinton, N.C. The North Carolina Guard unit still is expected to return from its 12-month deployment on time in February, which will bring the number of brigade-size units in Iraq to 10. That statistic is subject to any future decisions that could be made about forces needed in Iraq, Whitman said.

About 117,000 U.S. servicemembers are now in Iraq.

Fat Albert's JATO Demo Going Away

There's nothing like solid rocket fuel bursting into flames to get an air-show crowd's attention.

The jet-assisted takeoff, or JATO, is a fan favorite at the annual Oceana Air Show, which takes place this weekend. But this is the final year you'll be able to see it.

The maneuver is performed by Fat Albert, the Marine-crewed C-130 cargo plane that carries the Blue Angels' gear. At takeoff, the crew fires eight rocket "bottles" that blast the mammoth plane 1,000 feet into the air in about 15 seconds - simulating a launch under hostile conditions.

Trouble is, the bottles date to the Vietnam War, and it costs about $16,000 to get one reinspected and approved for use, said Capt. Edward Jorge, one of the plane's pilots. The expense has become prohibitive.

"We're going to be very sad," he said. "But ya know, all good things come to an end."

Feds kill plan for private development at Selfridge

Bill Crocker passed along a link to this story from the Macomb Daily online.

"A plan to develop 800 acres of Selfridge Air National Guard Base for apartments and industrial buildings has been canceled after federal officials recently decided to expand the base’s military mission."

See the complete story at http://macombdaily.com/articles/2009/10/17/news/doc4ad99c8258069688592577.txt

And in a related story: State restores funding for Harrison Township military base
http://macombdaily.com/articles/2009/10/17/news/srv0000006639024.txt

PHIBRON 2 Showcases Command and Control

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class W.B. Swoboda, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group(ARG) began its participation in Exercise Bright Star 2009 Oct. 10, with Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 2 serving as the command and control (C2) element, providing oversight on naval surface, aviation and amphibious operations during the naval portion of the exercise.

As PHIBRON 2 showcases its C2 capabilities, the operations of the units over which it has tactical control are displayed and monitored throughout the Tactical Force Control Center (TFCC) aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5).

"As the battle watch captain (BWC), my position is the center hub for all operations of the ARG," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Kraft, communications officer for PHIBRON 2. "My primary responsibilities as a BWC include coordination with higher command and between the different platforms of the ARG, timely execution of a given timeline, and regularly reporting on the status of operations."

Each component of the Bataan ARG depends on consistent and accurate coordination and communication to successfully execute their parts of Bright Star 2009, as well as their ongoing mission of conducting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations. This coordination includes tracking both air and surface contacts with sophisticated radar systems and transmitting the information via satellite links to other ships and installations ashore.

"Team cohesion is not an issue, regardless of the distance between units, because we are dealing with professionals," said Master Chief Machinist's Mate Armando Samonte, PHIBRON 2's senior enlisted advisor. "Each unit is very capable of performing their assigned task. Once in a while we may encounter equipment problems with our communications systems but nothing our skilled technicians cannot readily restore."

Watchstanders in TFCC oversee the execution of an operations plan approved by the PHIBRON 2 commodore, Capt. Jack L. Sotherland. While Sotherland ultimately decides on the operational plan, he receives inputs from the commanding officers of each unit within the ARG and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embarked upon the ships of the Bataan ARG.

"The commodore, MEU commander, and the captain of Bataan are all major commanders, so it's all a supported-supporting relationship," said Capt. Paul McElroy, the deputy commander for PHIBRON 2. "The PHIBRON coordinates with the different commanding officers in the ARG, as well as the MEU, so whether we're supporting Marines landing ashore, or we're sending a boarding team to assist a vessel in distress, the commodore will have the support of all the other commanding officers."

Handling such a diverse group of assets can be just as much of a challenge as it is a luxury. "It's a delicate balancing act," said Kraft. "You have to prioritize based on what is most important, plus the BWC relies very heavily on the other members of the watch team for support. Looking at it from the outside, it looks easy because we function very well as a team by dividing the workload."

Bataan ARG is participating in Bright Star 2009 through Oct. 20. The exercise is the largest and most significant coalition military exercise conducted by U.S. Central Command. It is designed to improve readiness, interoperability, and strengthen the military and professional relationships among U.S., Egyptian, and several other participating forces. The multinational exercise is conducted by U.S. Central Command and held every two years.

Bataan ARG is participating in the multinational exercise while conducting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations and is composed of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce (LPD 15), the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22, Fleet Surgical Team 6, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 2, ACU 4 and Beachmaster Unit 2.

Coast Guard Cutter Helps Navy on African Coast

By Christen N. McCluney, Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Coast Guard cutter Legare recently returned from a 120-day mission in support of the Navy's 6th Fleet along Africa's west coast.

Coast Guard Cmdr. Scott Bauby, commanding officer of the Legare, discussed the cutter's role working with African coastal nations in real-time law enforcement missions during a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable Oct. 13.

During the mission, the Legare visited four countries, Morocco, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde, to conduct maritime law-enforcement operations and to support regional maritime safety and security. The African mission focuses on building relationships and sharing tactics and procedures.

"Our area of operations ranged from the northwest coast of Morocco, right at the entrance to the Straits of Gibraltar, all the way down to the entrance to the Gulf of Guinea down by Sierra Leone," Bauby said.

The Legare crew was involved in several law enforcement activities, including seizing an illegal fishing boat off the coast of Sierra Leone.

"Once we approached and boarded the vessel, we confirmed it had been fishing in that area," he said, noting the boat was within an exclusive economic zone of Sierra Leone. "So the government of Sierra Leone directed us to seize the vessel and persons aboard and then escort the vessel back to their capital city of Freetown."

Because of a lack of resources, Bauby said, the partners in Sierra Leone have been unable to frequently patrol their own waters, causing the United States to step in and handle things that may not have been an option before.

The Legare crew also assisted in building maritime domain awareness by discerning traffic patterns, identifying specific areas where vessels were fishing, and showing areas where foreign-flagged vessels were operating to help the partners know where to focus their patrols.

Illegal fishing is an issue, Bauby said. "Based on my limited experience, which is three months operating over there," he said, "I would say it's a problem throughout the coast of Africa, just based on the scarce resources they have to patrol their own waters."

Cape Verde has a specific process for enforcing fishing laws, he said, but Sierra Leone and Senegal still are developing a system, so they have a problem controlling fishing vessels that are permitted to fish while preventing unauthorized vessels from fishing in their waters, he said.

The four countries have worked with the United States in developing their domain awareness, either by working in small training engagements or directly with U.S. agencies, Bauby said. The work is an ongoing effort of U.S. Africa Command, which stood up in the fall of 2008 to forge a relationship with African nations.

"Understanding Africom's intentions and the Navy 6th Fleet, they definitely intend to establish a long-term relationship with all of these countries along the African coast to help them develop their domain awareness."

The Legare returned Oct. 1 to its homeport of Portsmouth, Va.