[Fábio G.]

DD

IBM vai construir super-computador para o exército dos EUA

O gigante da informática IBM anunciou esta terça-feira ter sido escolhido para construir um super-computador para o Departamento de Defesa norte-americano, com o objectivo de desenvolver sofisticadas armas para o exército.

De acordo com a IBM, o super-computador, intitulado «Stryker», vai ser constituído por 1.186 computadores ligados entre si, com um total de 2300 microprocessadores de 64 bits fabricados pela AMD, correndo com o sistema operativo Linux.
O sistema vai funcionar a uma velocidade máxima de 10 teraflops, esperando-se que esteja entre os 20 computadores mais rápidos do mundo.

03-08-2004 20:54:37

[Fábio G.]

África do Sul pode comprar veículos blindados da Finlândia

O novo veículo blindado de transporte de tropas do exército da África do Sul  pode ser um veículo projetado na Finlândia.

Fontes industriais informaram que um veículo Patria Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV)estava atualmente na  África do Sul, para modificações a serem apresentadas na próxima  exposição African Aerospace and Defence, setembro.

O fabricante estatal de armamentos  Denel e o conglomerado europeu European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Company (EADS) planejaram apresentar o veículo para para ter uma liderança na competição e vencer a primeira encomenda de 264 veículos para a infantaria.

O Patria AMV está em produção para as forças finlandesas e as Forças Armadas polonesas. As entregas começarão este ano.
O veículo é a continuação do sucesso do Patria XA-200 6x6, que está em serviço ativo na: Finlândia, Suécia, Noruega e Holanda, assim como com as Forças de Paz da ONU no Líbano, Kosovo e Eritréia.

De acordo com a empresa Patria, o ponto chave do projeto do veículo  está no fato que os clientes podem adaptar a mesma plataforma do veículo, para vários usos diferentes a condições operacionais, de transporte de tropas a plataforma de armamentos e ambulâncias blindadas.

As características do projetos são uma estrutura modular - que permite rápida mudança de configuração - construído em chapa de aço especial e sistemas independente de suspensão. Pesa entre  14 e 24.000 kg.

Armscor, a agência de contratos do Ministério de Defesa enviou os requisitos do contrato a uma dúzia de fabricantes locais e do exterior , para apresentarem até fevereiro de 2005 a sua participação na competição.

As empresas nacionais que foram solicitadas a participar estão : a empresa estatal  Denel., a empresa privada Land Mobility Technologies (LMT), a  OMC, a IST Dynamics, Industrial and Automotive Design SA, a Mechanology Design Bureau (MDB e a  Advanced Technologies Engineering of Midrand, Grintron and Intertechnic.

Os fabricantes externos foram a GIAT Industries( França), Mowag Motorwagenfabrik AG(  Suiça ) e a  EADS-Patria .

As informações iniciais sobre o Projeto 'Hoefyster'  especulavam que  a  Mowag com seu  Piranha IV, seria o virtual vencedor da competição.

Informes posteriores indicaram que  quatro empresas Sul-Africanas tinham recebido contratos da Armscor para desenvolver estudos e projetar protótipos localmente.

O processo chegou a uma conclusão, quando a empresa de Pretoria, a LMT, foi declarada com o projeto  vencedor.

Confirmar detalhes é difícil, as pessoas ligadas ao projeto tem receio de atrair críticas dos  grupos anti-armas, e estão relutantes a falar.

As regras da competição imposta pela Armscor impedem dos competidores falares à imprensa.

[JLRC]

The Netherlands Begins Purchase of Lockheed’s PAC-3 Missile Equipment
 
 
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Aug. 12, 2004)
 
 
 DALLAS --- Lockheed Martin has received a $33.9 million foreign military sales contract for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile-related support equipment for The Netherlands. A follow-on contract for PAC-3 Missiles is anticipated by the end of the year. This is the first international sale of PAC-3 Missile-related equipment.  
 
The contract, awarded by the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command in Huntsville, AL, calls for Lockheed Martin to produce PAC-3 Missile Segment ground equipment, including Enhanced Launcher Electronics Systems (ELES) and Fire Solution Computers, for The Netherlands. This equipment will enable The Netherlands’ existing Patriot ground equipment to accept the new PAC-3 Missiles.  
 
“We’re extremely pleased The Netherlands has moved forward with its purchase of the PAC-3 Missile system, and will soon be obtaining their first PAC-3 interceptors,” said Steve Graham, vice president - PAC-3 Missile program for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “In those defining moments on the battlefield, the PAC-3 Missiles worked as designed in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and we’re confident in its ability to defeat the threats facing U.S. and allied forces today and in the future.”  
 
The ‘hit-to-kill’ PAC-3 Missile is the world’s most advanced, capable and powerful theater air defense missile. It defeats the entire threat to the Patriot Air Defense System: tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs) carrying weapons of mass destruction, advanced cruise missiles and aircraft. PAC-3 Missiles significantly increase the Patriot system’s firepower, since 16 PAC- 3s load-out on a Patriot launcher, compared with four of the older Patriot PAC-2 missiles.  
 
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade to the Patriot air defense system. The PAC-3 Missile is a highly agile hit-to-kill interceptor. The rest of the Missile Segment is made up of the PAC-3 Missile canisters (in four packs), a Fire Solution Computer and an Enhanced Launcher Electronics System. These elements have been integrated into the Patriot system, a high to medium altitude, long-range air defense missile system providing air defense of ground combat forces and high-value assets.  
 
The PAC-3 Missile has also been selected as the primary interceptor for the multi-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS). Managed by the NATO MEADS Management Agency (NAMEADSMA), MEADS is a model transatlantic development program focused on the next generation of air and missile defense.  
 
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[JLRC]

Iran Missile Test Raises Concerns
 
 
(Source: Voice of America news; issued Aug. 12, 2004)
 
 
 Iran's recent test firing of a medium range ballistic missile is raising more concerns about the country's proliferation efforts, especially in light of its alleged efforts to acquire nuclear weapons.  
 
Experts say the latest test is part of Iran's effort to improve the accuracy of a missile capable of reaching Israel as well as U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf. But Andrew Koch, Washington bureau chief of "Jane's Defense Weekly", thinks the test of this medium range Shahab three missile amounted to more of a political statement by Iran than a real display of new capabilities.  
 
"It was a missile of the same range and type and capability as missiles that Iran already has deployed so in many ways it didn't really move the bar much in terms of Iranian capability," he explained. "What it did do was answer in a political context a recent Israeli claim that its Arrow missile ballistic missile defense system would be effective against these Iranian missiles."  
 
Two weeks ago, the United States and Israel conducted what the Pentagon said was a successful test of an Arrow missile, part of a missile defense system specifically designed to protect the Jewish state from threats posed by countries such as Iran.  
 
Still, for the Pentagon, experts say Iran's efforts to upgrade its missiles have taken on added concern in light of its nuclear activities, and a U.S. defense intelligence official tells VOA this latest missile test is yet another cause for worry. It comes only a week after the Iranian government said it would resume efforts to build centrifuges, required for enriching uranium.  
 
"They really have a potential wildcard here in the same vein that they're watching North Korea," said Retired Marine Colonel Jay Farar, a former aide to the Pentagon's Joint Chiefs of Staff. "The concern obviously for the military command responsible for that region of the world, Central Command, is that they are going to be dealing with another potential nuclear power. The fact that they're also developing and testing more capable delivery means starts to put them in the realm that you find Pakistan and India in."  
 
Iran maintains its missile program is for purely defensive purposes and its nuclear efforts are for civilian use. Iran denies Bush administration accusations that it is working to build nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program  
 
National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice told American television Sunday the United States would use all the tools it has to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.  
 
"I think you can not allow the Iranians to develop a nuclear weapon. The international community has got to find a way to come together and to make certain that that does not happen," she said.  
 
But what the international community is willing to do is far from certain. Given their huge amount of trade with Iran, European nations have been seen as reluctant to place the country under United Nations sanctions.  
 
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[JLRC]

Bush Expected to Announce Major Troop Redeployment
 
 
(Source: Voice of America news; issued Aug. 15, 2004)
 
 
 President Bush is expected Monday to formally announce a plan to redeploy about 70,000 American troops currently stationed in Europe and Asia. U.S. lawmakers are addressing potential concerns of allies who may fear losing the protection of the American military presence.  
 
The plan President Bush is expected to outline would mark the largest restructuring of U.S. forces globally since World War II. Besides relocating 70,000 American soldiers, the changes would also affect an additional 100,000 military support staff and family members.  
 
The Pentagon is reported to have been working on the realignment plan for more than a year. It is aimed at giving U.S. military commanders more flexibility in sending forces to trouble spots in the Middle East and Central Asia.  
 
The majority of American troops would be relocated from bases in European countries, such as Britain and Germany. The changes also would affect South Korea, where South Korean students and workers have called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.  
 
U.S. and South Korean officials last month agreed to move 8,000 American soldiers from Seoul to the city of Pyongtaek, 80 kilometers to the south. The two countries also are discussing Washington’s plan to withdraw about a third of the 37,000 American troops in the country.  
 
Speaking on the U.S. television program, Fox News Sunday, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar expressed concern that decreasing the U.S. military presence in South Korea could have a negative impact on six-nation talks on ending North Korea’s nuclear programs.  
 
“I think this is a situation for very careful, continuing negotiations with our South Korean friends, and I would think, with the six-power talks, we ought not to do anything that is going to jeopardize the success, potentially, of those talks,” said Senator Lugar  
 
The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, John Warner, told CNN’s Late Edition, Washington’s decision to move troops is not an indication of U.S indifference.  
 
“In Korea, you’ve seen the South Korean military strengthen itself each year, to where it now can be less dependent on the U.S. forces,” he explained. “But we haven’t lessened our commitment, in either the South Korean peninsula or in Europe, and our allies know that, because we have been in consultation with them.”  
 
The highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Carl Levin, said the changes were necessary to better address the threat of international terrorism. He also appeared on CNN.  
 
“This has been in the works for a long time, and there are some things that we should do to redeploy troops, so they are in the best position possible for what the new threats are,” he said.  
 
There are more than 100,000 American troops in Europe, and another 100,000 in the Asia-Pacific region. About 150,000 U.S. soldiers are now in Iraq and Afghanistan.  
 
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[JLRC]

GD selected by AT&T Govern. Solutions to Support Comm. Upgrade for US Army Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.
 
 
(Source: General Dynamics; issued Aug. 12, web-posted Aug. 13, 2004)
 
 
 NEEDHAM, Mass. --- General Dynamics Network Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been chosen by AT&T Government Solutions as a teammate to upgrade the communications infrastructure at the U.S. Army’s National Training Center (NTC) in Ft. Irwin, Calif.  
 
The AT&T Government Solutions team, supported by General Dynamics, will enhance the National Training Center’s communications networks, making it possible to create a realistic network-centric battlefield environment. Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support (LM STS) is the Lead Systems Integrator for the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation. Lockheed Martin has overall responsibility for upgrading and modernizing the NTC live training capability under the Combat Training Center Objective Instrumentation System (CTC-OIS) program.  
 
The AT&T Government Solutions team, as a subcontractor to LM STS, is responsible for the communications infrastructure for the program. The total contract value for this program is potentially $60 million if all options are exercised.  
 
The NTC, a vast desert training area about the size of Rhode Island, provides tough, realistic, combined arms and joint services training for up to brigade level engagements in a mid- to high- intensity environment.  
 
“General Dynamics has worked in partnership with the Army for more than 40 years and we are ready to provide the information technology services necessary at the Army’s National Training Center. We look forward to partnering with AT&T and providing these sophisticated services,” said Mike Chandler, president of General Dynamics Network Systems.  
 
General Dynamics will provide network architecture design, to include local area, campus area and metropolitan/wide area networks; as well as complex information-technology services, including technology insertion, information assurance, instruction and training. In addition, General Dynamics will provide essential inside and outside plant capabilities to ensure the successful deployment of the newly designed networks.  
 
In the initial phase of the project, General Dynamics will perform a study to evaluate the existing communications capability and infrastructure at the NTC. The study will identify potential reuse of existing systems, including the fiber-optic network. General Dynamics will determine the future of the fiber-optic expansion and ultimately will specify, develop, procure, test, field and support integration of the communications system at the NTC.  
 
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 69,400 people worldwide and anticipates 2004 revenue of $19 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation.  
 
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[JLRC]

Bush Announces Global Posture Changes During Next Decade
 
 
(Source: US Department of Defense; issued Aug. 16, 2004)
 
 
 WASHINGTON --- The United States will redistribute forces now stationed at overseas locations “where the wars of the last century ended,” President Bush announced in Cincinnati on Aug. 16.  
 
The president’s announcement came during an address to the national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  
 
“The world has changed a great deal,” President Bush said, “and our posture must change with it for the sake of our military families, for the sake of our taxpayers, and so we can be more effective at projecting our strength and spreading freedom and peace.”  
 
America’s current posture in Europe was designed to guard against Soviet aggression, the president said. “The threat no longer exists,” he said.  
 
The decision to redistribute forces comes after three years of study and consultations, President Bush said. “We’ve consulted closely with our allies and with Congress,” he said. “We’ve examined the challenges posed by today’s threats and emerging threats.” The result, he said, will be “a more agile and flexible force.”  
 
As the new global posture takes shape during the next 10 years, more U.S. troops will be stationed at, and deployed from, home bases in the United States, President Bush said.  
 
“We’ll move some of our troops and capabilities to new locations so they can surge quickly to deal with unexpected threats,” he said. “We’ll take advantage of 21st century military technologies to rapidly deploy increased combat power.”  
 
The new plan will strengthen U.S. alliances and build new partnerships worldwide, and it will reduce stress on military people and their families, the president said.  
 
“Although we’ll still have a significant presence overseas, under the plan I’m announcing today, over the next 10 years, we will bring home about 60,000 to 70,000 uniformed personnel and about 100,000 family members and civilian employees,” President Bush said.  
 
This would give servicemembers more time on the home front, as well as more predictability and fewer moves during a career, he said.  
 
“Our military spouses will have fewer job changes, greater stability, more time for their kids and to spend time with their families at home,” he said.  
 
Taxpayers will benefit from cost savings realized by closing obsolete overseas bases and facilities, the president said. (ends)

[JLRC]

Australia Welcomes Changes to Us Global Force Posture
 
 
(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued Aug. 17, 2004)
 
 
 Defence Minister Robert Hill today welcomed the United States plans to comprehensively restructure US military forces to better enable them to respond to modern global security challenges.  
 
President Bush announced overnight the outcomes of a comprehensive review of America’s global force posture. The restructure is intended to make US forces more agile, flexible and capable of responding rapidly to the diverse range of modern security threats.  
 
The review focuses on the strategic placement of smaller, more mobile forces and will result in an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 overseas deployed troops return to US soil over the next 10 years.  
 
Senator Hill said the US force restructure was a significant global security development.  
 
"The US has consulted closely with Australia over its plans for the Global Force Posture Review and we see this initiative as a positive development for both regional and global security," Senator Hill said.  
 
"While the number of US forces deployed around the world may reduce, the review is designed to develop a force that is better able to respond to a wider range of contingencies.  
 
"It will improve the US capability to contribute to international efforts to defeat global threats such as terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and enable the US to engage more effectively in regional contingencies.  
 
"While the redeployments do not directly affect Australia, our two countries continue to work closely to enhance security cooperation in the region. Some examples include our collaborative development of the Joint Combined Training Centre and participation in the US missile defense program."  
 
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[JLRC]

Raytheon Announces Contract Awards for $308 Mn in Ground Sensor Development Sub-Contracts  
 
 
(Source: Raytheon Company; issued Aug. 16, 2004)
 
 
 PLANO, Texas --- Raytheon Company, the Ground Sensor Integrator (GSI) for the U.S. Army Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, has concluded initial negotiations with the companies selected to fill ground sensor development requirements on five of the six previously announced decisions. Each company has been authorized to proceed under limited funding. Negotiations continue for the remaining effort and are expected to be concluded soon. The total value of the cost-plus-award-fee sub-contracts awarded to date is $308 million.  
 
Awards are being made to:  
 
--Lockheed Martin Corporation Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., for development and prototypes of the following sensors and subsystems: Aided Target Recognition, and Reconnaissance and Surveillance Vehicle Mast. Lockheed Martin’s initial contract value will be $85.1 million for these two scopes of work.  
 
--Raytheon Network Centric Systems, McKinney, Texas, for development and prototypes of the following Sensors: Combat Identification, Multi-Function Radio Frequency, and Medium Range Electro-Optical/Infrared. Raytheon’s initial contract value will be $222.9 million for these three scopes of work.  
 
These development efforts form key elements of the FCS program and continue assembling the best of industry to meet this national priority. FCS will field an unprecedented level of situational awareness, allowing the Unit of Action to achieve greater speed, agility and battlefield flexibility than current forces. These sensors will provide the “content” within the network centric shared information space upon which FCS is based.  
 
The GSI has yet to make awards for the Remote Chemical Detection System and Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) Mission Payload Module sensors.  
 
Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, working under the integration management of the GSI and the Lead Systems Integrator (LSI), Boeing-SAIC, and in cooperation with the Manned and Unmanned Ground Vehicle integrators, will perform the necessary trades and development activities to field sensor suites to meet ORD (operational requirements document) requirements while maintaining program affordability and balanced performance and sustainment.  
 
Raytheon was selected as the FCS Ground Sensor Integrator as the result of a competitive solicitation issued by the LSI in 2003. The GSI has responsibility to define, along with other stakeholders; the sensor requirements for all manned and unmanned ground platforms that make up the FCS Unit of Action. In addition, the GSI is responsible for the management of sensor developments, the integration of sensors, and the spiral development of future sensing capabilities for FCS.  
 
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[JLRC]

Lockheed Announces Diversified Team for ACS Program
 
 
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Aug. 16, 2004)
 
 
 DENVER --- Lockheed Martin today announced that a broad base of companies will assist it in the development of Aerial Common Sensor (ACS), the U.S. Army’s next generation manned airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system. The program’s six-year $879 million system development and demonstration (SD&D) phase will produce more than 800 new, high-quality jobs in the United States.  
 
“The Lockheed Martin ACS team is committed to providing the best value and most effective system possible for this critical government program. This includes creating more than 800 jobs by developing, integrating, building and maintaining ACS in the United States,” said Wes Colburn, Lockheed Martin’s ACS program executive.  
 
As the prime systems integrator, Lockheed Martin will lead the ACS team from its Integrated Systems & Solutions facility, adding approximately 300 high technology positions to its Denver, Colo., workforce. Aircraft assembly, during the low-rate and initial production phases, will create 150-200 jobs at the new Embraer facility slated to open in Jacksonville Fla., in 2005; aircraft systems integration work will add approximately 100 new positions at L-3 Communications’ facility in Greenville, Texas. Additional Lockheed Martin key ACS subcontractors and their roles include:  
 
--Argon Engineering (Va.) -- Signals intelligence subsystem provider  
--BAE Systems (N.Y.) -- Hyper Spectral Imagery  
--General Dynamics (Fla.) -- Modeling and simulation  
--Harris (Fla.) -- Mission communications; imagery intelligence exploitation  
--Raytheon (Va.) -- Distributed common ground system (DCGS) 10.2 support  
 
In addition to these subcontractors, many areas of the country will benefit economically from the ACS program, as its supply sources include more than 150 providers in 27 states. Also, a significant portion of the team’s supplier base -- more than 30 percent -- is comprised of small businesses. “These small businesses form the foundation of a strong, growing economy. It is through these businesses that continual technical innovation thrives,” added Colburn.  
 
The U.S. Army selected the Lockheed Martin ACS Team on Aug. 2. Following the program’s current SD&D phase, the government is projecting requirements for up to 57 aircraft systems (38 Army and 19 Navy) worth $7 billion over 20 years.  
 
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[JLRC]

'Significant Portion' of Troop Shifts to Be Europe-Based Forces
 
 
(Source: US Department of Defense; issued Aug. 16, 2004)
 
 
 WASHINGTON --- "A significant portion" of U.S. troop moves caused by a reworking of America's global military posture "will come from Europe," a senior Defense Department official said here today.  
 
Any redeployment of U.S. troops from Europe to the United States or elsewhere, the official told Pentagon reporters, will involve heavy armor and infantry units now based in Germany.  
 
As part of the realignment of U.S. forces around the world announced earlier today by President Bush, the official noted that an Army Stryker brigade would be sent to Germany, where the official said a "very substantial" U.S. military ground presence will remain, to join a restructured 5th Corps. The official said DoD wasn't ready to discuss exact numbers of troops and units affected by realignments, saying that Bush's mention of numbers would do for now.  
 
In his morning address at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Cincinnati, Bush said that over the next decade, about 60,000 to 70,000 uniformed personnel, and about 100,000 family members and civilian employees would be redeployed from overseas bases to the United States.  
 
Plans to rearrange U.S. military force posture around the world, the senior DoD official noted, have been in the works for the past three years.  
 
Numbers of troops affected by force structure changes in the Pacific theater under the plan "won't be very dramatic," a senior U.S. State Department official noted at the Pentagon press briefing. U.S. forces in South Korea already are slated to move away from the demilitarized zone and out of the capital city of Seoul to locations further south.  
 
The State Department official emphasized that any redeployment of U.S. troops in Europe is "not aimed at Russia."  
 
"It's not our goal to have a shift of our forces to the east" from Germany, the senior DoD official explained, noting that U.S. troops would likely rotate in and out of eastern Europe to conduct joint exercises with allied nations.  
 
Any realignments from Germany are unlikely to occur until fiscal 2006, another senior DoD official said. The realignments, in conjunction with the upcoming base realignment and closure process, the official said, will improve America's military power projection capabilities as well as ease the turmoil experienced by military families because of frequent change-of-station moves.  
 
Senior DoD officials said the Defense Department also is deliberating which stateside military bases to recommend for closure or realignment under the Base Realignment and Closure Act of 2005.  
 
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[JLRC]

Chief of Army Announces Merger to Enhance Training and Capability Development of Infantry Formation
 
 
(Source: Singapore Ministry of Defence; issued Aug. 17, 2004)
 
 
 In line with developments to transform the SAF’s fighting force, HQ Infantry will merge with a Combined Arms Division (CAD) to enhance the training and capability development of the Infantry Formation. Officiating at the Infantry Parade held at Selarang Camp this morning, Chief of Army, Major General (MG) Desmond Kuek announced the merger of the 9th Singapore Division and the Infantry Formation to form the new 9th Singapore Division/Infantry Formation (9 Div/Inf). COL Winston Toh, who currently commands the 9th Singapore Division, will concurrently assume the appointment of Chief Infantry Officer.  
 
The Infantry Formation forms the bulk of the Army’s manoeuvre forces, performing multiple roles in increasingly diverse operating environments. Through the merger, the 3rd Generation Infantry soldier will leverage on new operational concepts and technologies, coupled with the ability to operate directly in a CAD and systems environment, to enhance his soldiering skills and develop new operational capabilities. A key impetus arising from this merger is the role of the Infantry in urban operations and the development of the Advanced Combat Man System.  
 
A new Infantry Training Institute (ITI) will also be formed by merging three key centres of Infantry training, i.e. Infantry Training Centre, Basic Combat Training Centre and 1 PDF Training Centre. The ITI will strengthen the 3rd Generation Infantry soldier’s foundation in soldiering skills and enable more efficient use of training resources while providing consistent and high levels of training standard. The establishment of the ITI will therefore allow soldiering skills to be managed by a single agency throughout the cycle of the Infantryman’s service with the SAF, thereby facilitating consistency of standards and practices.  
 
Chief of Army, MG Desmond Kuek noted that the formation of the new 9 Div/HQ Inf is a significant milestone in the Army’s transformation roadmap to build a 3rd generation fighting force.  
 
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[JLRC]

25th ID Goes Modular
 
 
(Source: US Army; issued Aug. 19, 2004)
 
 
 SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii --- As part of the Army's ongoing transformation, a total of six brigades, including two Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, will form over the next three years under the 25th Division (Light) patch pending future decisions on unit designations.  
 
Contrary to a recent Army Times article, 3,600 additional Soldiers will not be stationed at Schofield Barracks. Instead, three brigade combat team units of action will be formed under the Tropic Lightning Division, but will be located at other posts.  
 
The new BCT(UA)s will be temporarily located at Fort Riley, Kan., Fort Benning, Ga., and Fort Richardson, Alaska. The BCT(UA) at Fort Richardson will have an airborne capability for forced entry operations.  
 
Those locations could change, however, with a Base Realignment and Closure analysis due in 2005.  
 
Growth in the number of Army modular brigades will include 1st Brigade at Fort Lewis, Wash., the Army's second Stryker Brigade Combat Team; 2nd Brigade at Schofield Barracks, which will convert to an SBCT by 2007; and 3rd Brigade at Schofield Barracks, which will convert to a BCT(UA) in fiscal year 2006.  
 
The U.S. Army Center of Military History is currently examining options for renaming the new BCT(UA)s, so they will likely assume different unit designations.  
 
The temporary stationing of modular BCT(UA)s is critical to ensure the Army is properly postured to fully support its strategic commitments, including ongoing operations in support of the global war on terror, according to an Army press release.  
 
Additionally, this allows the Army to continue its transformation to a campaign-quality force with joint and expeditionary capabilities that meet the future demands of the combatant commanders, the release continued.  
 
The locations of the new BCT(UA)s were selected based on existing capacities, available training space and current locations of similar units. The Army will revisit the locations of these units during the BRAC process.  
 
The new modular forces will be capable of operating across the entire range of military operations. As part of Army transformation, capabilities previously found within the divisions and corps will be shifted to the BCT(UA). These new brigades are the first conversions in Army transformation and are designed to deploy as independent units in support of the joint force.  
 
"The normal links between divisions and brigades are going away," said Lt. Col. Christopher Rodney, a Pentagon Army spokesman. "This is a major change in the command and control piece for our Army."  
 
The BCT(UA)s are designed to operate independently and will in most cases report to the base commander until they are deployed, Rodney added.  
 
On Jan. 30, 2004, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld approved increasing the number of active modular BCT(UA)s from 33 to 43 between FY 04-06. In accordance with the Army Campaign Plan, the Army began converting to modular designs this year with three new BCT(UA)s temporarily stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; and Fort Drum, N.Y.  
 
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[JLRC]

New Division Assists in Added Afghan Election Security
 
 
(Source: US Department of Defense; issued Aug.19, 2004)
 
 
 KABUL, Afghanistan --- Afghan citizens want added security leading up to the Oct. 9 presidential elections. That’s exactly what the Afghan National Police, backed by the U.S.-led coalition and the International Security Assistance Force, intends to provide with the emergence of a new Rapid Action Division.  
 
The division is the Afghan equivalent of a quick-reaction force. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld made mention of the group’s potential during a recent visit, saying that it is vital to the security and stability of the region.  
 
“This RAD is going to be a very important organization because they’re going to respond to serious election-related contingencies,” said Col. Jon Lopey, chief of the Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan and Civil Military Operations Law Enforcement Cell.  
 
“These police officers recognize the importance of their mission and I’m confident that with the training they’ve received they will be able to provide much-needed security for the upcoming elections and beyond,” said New Zealand Maj. Bede Fahey, who was sent to Afghanistan to oversee the RAD training.  
 
Gen. Mahboob Amiri, ANP commander, said the training has been “very effective and very practical” and that he’d like to see the training continue well into the future. “We plan to take the new police force and send them to other areas of the country to provide security for all the people of Afghanistan,” Mahboob said.  
 
The RAD was recently thrust into action ahead of the elections when they were deployed by the coalition and its ISAF partners to Herat Province to help quell factional fighting among armed gunmen belonging to local militia commanders and bring the Shindand Airport back under control of the Afghan government.  
 
Abidullah, who only goes by one name, said he joined the ANP because he had always dreamed of becoming a police officer as a child and “he wanted to serve his people and help provide security for the country.”  
 
“I’m very happy to be providing security for my country,” said Abidullah, 25. “Putting myself in harm’s way is part of my job. Whenever I get a mission, I am ready. If I have to lose my life, I’m ready to do my job.”  
 
Each member of the division is equipped with an AK-47 assault rifle. The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has also provided 100 jeeps with communications, 300 police kits and 106 tents.  
 
The Law Enforcement Cell at CFC-A has also pitched in four 25-man tents and 10 portable generators and will deliver 200 complete sets of riot gear by the end of August.  
 
In addition to providing the trainers, Task Force Thunder supports the RAD by providing vehicles, communications and other logistical support to RAD elements in their area of responsibility.  
 
“I’m very proud that the RAD has been formed in a very short time,” Mahboob said. “This division is going to provide hope and promise for the people of Afghanistan and provide security at a high level.”  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

Chief of the Defence Staff, General Ray Henault, on Canadian Forces Expansion
 
 
(Source: Canadian Department of National Defence; issued Aug. 24, 2004)
 
 
 At a recent news conference, the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Ray Henault, discussed the expansion of the Canadian Forces.  
 
General Henault noted that the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces are developing a number of proposals to expand the Canadian Forces. Noting that the emphasis of force expansion will be on increasing the number of land force personnel, General Henault asserted that such an expansion would not result in cuts to other parts of the defense program.  
 
General Henault further highlighted that force expansion is one component of a larger, ongoing transformation of the Forces, ensuring that the Canadian Forces is relevant, modern and adaptable both today and well into the future.  
 
-ends-