Texas Guard Prepares for Season's First Hurricane

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy National Guard Bureau ARLINGTON, Va.,  About 2,500 members of the Texas National Guard are on standby in anticipation of Tropical Storm Alex, which is expected to become a hurricane and hit the lower Texas coast late July 1 or early July 2. Left to right, Air Force Col. Connie McNabb, chief of the Texas Joint Staff; Air Force Brig. Gen. John Nichols, commander of the Texas Air National Guard; Army Maj. Gen. Jose Mayorga, Texas adjutant general; and Army Brig. Gen. Joyce Stevens, commander of the Texas Army National Guard, listen intently to predictions for Tropical Storm Alex in the Joint Emergency Operations Center at Camp Mabry, Texas, June 29, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Maria Moy  The deployment of troops and the locations where they will go depends on future weather predictions and where landfall occurs, Texas National Guard officials said. Texas Guard assets that may be employed include eight UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and crews, and three C-130 Hercules aircraft and crews that can assist with air evacuations if needed. Additionally, officials said, Guard members have vehicles capable of crossing high-water areas. The Guard members would be working in support of local and state authorities, and in addition to providing evacuation capabilities, they also can bring medical personnel, communication equipment and security teams if those assets are needed. "We continue to closely monitor this storm, and are preparing accordingly for its potential impact to our communities," Texas Gov. Rick Perry said on his website today. "Tropical Storm Alex is now in the Gulf, and it is imperative that residents pay attention to this storm, heed warnings from their local leaders, and take the steps necessary to protect their families, homes and businesses." - June 29, 2010

Related Sites: Texas Military Forces

The Coast Guard is observing and reporting

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Johnson, a marine science technician from Coast Guard Sector Seattle, Wash., observes the state of an oil-impacted beach on Grand Terre Island 2 in Grand Isle, La., June 16, 2010. The Coast Guard is observing and reporting the progress of beach cleanup actions and identifying new areas of impact as part of the response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. (DoD photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Caleb Critchfield, U.S. Coast Guard/Released)

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Rodney Colon, left, and Chief Petty Officer Hector Melendez, both marine science technician reservists with Coast Guard Sector New York, survey marshland in Plaquemines Parish near Venice, La., June 14, 2010, for possible areas in need of boom placement. Both Coastguardsmen are safety observers assigned to the Plaquemines Parish branch to enforce safety zones, ensure contractors are compliant with safety procedures and provide guidance to response divisions on where to deploy booms. (DoD photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jaclyn Young, U.S. Coast Guard/Released)

High speed vessel Swift

 High speed vessel Swift (HSV-2) moors in Corinto, Nicaragua, June 15, 2010. Swift is deployed in support of Southern Partnership Station 2010, which is designed to promote information sharing with navies, coast guards, and civilian services throughout the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rachael L. Leslie, U.S. Navy/Released)

U.S. Soldiers unload medical supplies

U.S. Soldiers unload medical supplies during a combined medical exercise in Mullah Fayyed, Iraq, June 6, 2010. The Soldiers are from the 3rd Brigade Support Battalion and 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. (DoD photo by Spc. Advin Illa-Medina, U.S. Army/Released)

Alicia Anderson uses a compass

 U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alicia Anderson uses a compass to draw a range map during the 2010 Soldier of the Year and Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year competitions in Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, June 8, 2010. Anderson is from Charlie Company, 7th Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy. (DoD photo by Gertrud Zach/Released)

A cargo airdrop

A cargo airdrop falls over Forward Operating Base Baylough, Afghanistan, during a delivery by a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft to Red Tank, 1st Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment June 13, 2010. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. William Tremblay, U.S. Army/ Released)

A wheelchair basketball game in Manama

U.S. Navy Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Joseph Bailey, from aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), shakes hands with Mohammad Ahaddad after competing in a wheelchair basketball game in Manama, Bahrain, June 10, 2010. The game was part of a community relations project during the ship’s port visit. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher A. Baker, U.S. Navy/Released).

U.S. Navy Gunner

U.S. Navy Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Steven Moore, stationed aboard the USS New Orleans (LPD 18), fires a shot line over to the USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187) before a scheduled refueling June 10, 2010. Sailors and Marines aboard the USS New Orleans are participating in Southern Partnership Station 2010, a combined amphibious exercise designed to enhance cooperative partnerships with maritime forces from Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brien Aho, U.S. Navy/RELEASED)

Joseph W. Westphal

Joseph W. Westphal, undersecretary of the Army, speaks at a ceremony to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., June 24, 2010. DoD photo by Elaine Wilson.
Read full story:
 Pentagon Marks 60th Anniversary of the Korean War

 

Iraqi boys play in a canal

U.S. Army Capt. Andrew Lewis looks on as Iraqi boys play in a canal in Mullah Fayyed, Iraq, June 6, 2010. Lewis, who is commander of Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and other Soldiers in his unit are in the area in support of a combined medical exercise. During the exercise, the Soldiers set up a temporary medical clinic and pharmacy with over-the-counter drugs and Army doctors and medics treated hundreds of residents. (DoD photo by Capt. Becky Bort, U.S. Army/Released)

Medical aid for stomach pain

A U.S. Soldier assigned to 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division speaks with an Iraqi boy suffering from stomach pain in Mullah Fayyed, Iraq, June 6, 2010, during a combined medical exercise. During the exercise, the Soldier’s unit set up a temporary medical clinic and pharmacy with over-the-counter drugs and Army doctors and medics treated hundreds of residents. (DoD photo by Capt. Becky Bort, U.S. Army/Released)

Gates talks with U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates talks with U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of International Security Assistance Force – Afghanistan, during the NATO Defense Ministerial at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, June 9, 2010. (DoD photo by Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air Force/Released)

Rewarding a bottlenose dolphin

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Gerstel, a handler assigned to the Marine Mammal Company of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit, rewards a bottlenose dolphin after a successful training program at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va., during Frontier Sentinel 2010 on June 8, 2010. An estimated 2,500 Canadian and U.S. military personnel and government civilian agency members are participating in the annual maritime homeland security training exercise. DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Bruce Cummins, U.S. Navy. (Released)

The amphibious command ship

The amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20), foreground, and the Russian navy landing ship Kaliningrad (LSTM 102) are shown under way in the Baltic Sea June 8, 2010, during Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2010. Twelve nations are participating in the 38th iteration of the BALTOPS exercise, which is intended to improve interoperability with partner nations by conducting realistic training both on land and at sea. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jenniffer Rivera, U.S. Navy/Released)

Seahawk helicopter assigned to the “Dragonslayers”

A SH-60F Seahawk helicopter assigned to the “Dragonslayers” of Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 11 conducts plane guard patrols above the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) June 7, 2010, in the Atlantic Ocean. Enterprise is conducting fleet replacement squadron carrier qualifications in preparation for work-ups leading to the ship's 21st deployment. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brooks B. Patton, U.S. Navy/Released)

With Afghan child

U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Rojas high-fives an Afghan child in the Bagram Bazaar in Parwan, Afghanistan, June 7, 2010. (DoD photo by Sgt. Corey Idleburg, U.S. Army/Released)

Pakistani Youth united for Coexistence, Empowerment and Enlightenment

The Institute for Peace and Secular studies is organizing this activity for the empowerment and celebration of youth. This is an event that has been planned by the youth for the youth. Students from various institutions in Lahore are participating in the activity. This event is a fun filled four hours in pure celebration of, and for the coexistence, empowerment and enlightenment of the youth of Pakistan. 
Expect to see some engaging discussions, fabulous theatre and entertaining dance and music performances. Comrade Bashir of Attock and a member: Communist Party of Pakistan, Ayesha Arif an independent filmmaker, currently based in Lahore, Pakistan, Diep Saeeda of Lahore and many others have confirmed their attendance. Are you attending.....?????

A great attraction : Sufi theme dance performance by Wahab Shah will make it more meaningful !

Come Celebrate with other peace lovers!

Date:	Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Time:	3:00pm - 8:00pm
Location:	Ali Auditorium, Ferozpur Road, Near Gulab Devi Hospital, Lahore Are you attending.....????? Please confirm it....

Checking a patient’s vision

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Cahlil Weaver, assigned to the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), uses an auto refractor to check a patient’s vision during a Pacific Partnership 2010 medical civic action program at the Phuoc Hoa Secondary School in Vietnam June 5, 2010. Pacific Partnership is an annual U.S. Pacific Fleet-sponsored humanitarian civic assistance endeavor aimed at strengthening regional relationships with host and partner nations in Southeast Asia and Oceania. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jon Husman, U.S. Navy/Released)

Shaking hands with an elder

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Baldwin shakes hands with an elder in the village of Mirsaleh in the Logar province of Afghanistan June 6, 2010. Baldwin is assigned to the 401st Military Police (MP) Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade. (DoD photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley, U.S. Army/Released)

Greeting his family

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jack Barnes greets his family at the 171st Air Refueling Wing headquarters in Pittsburg, Pa., June 4, 2010, following his deployment overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (DoD photo by Master Sgt. Ann Young, U.S. Air Force/Released)

Making cow noises for a child

 U.S. Navy Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class Dixon Rivera, assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63), makes cow noises for a child during a community service project at the Misono Orphanage in Fujisawa City, Japan, June 5, 2010. In the last five years, the crew of Cowpens has developed a relationship with the orphanage’s children and staff while offering their time and service at volunteer events. 






(DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mike R. Mulcare, U.S. Navy/Released)

Marking the 68th anniversary of the battle in Pearl Harbor

George Bernstein, a veteran of the Battle of Midway, lays a wreath on the Battle of Midway Memorial during a ceremony marking the 68th anniversary of the battle in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, June 2, 2010. The Battle of Midway was fought between 4 and 7 June 1942 and was an important naval battle during World War II. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico, U.S. Navy/Released)

Secures the area

 A member of an international security force secures the area while in pursuit of militants north of Naglham in the Kandahar district of Afghanistan June 1, 2010. (DoD photo by Pfc. Joseph Joynt, U.S. Army/Released)

Suspected drug-smugglers

A visit, board, search and seizure team from USS Elrod (FFG 55) pulls alongside a ridged-hull inflatable boat carrying three suspected drug-smugglers in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Morocco May 25, 2010. The suspects agreed to a consensual boarding to verify the vessel's registration and country of origin. Elrod is conducting routine operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (DoD photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy/Released)

Leaving on a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan

U.S. Army Spc. John Canfield, an infantryman from Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and other Soldiers in his unit board an aircraft at Campbell Army Airfield in Fort Campbell, Ky., May 26, 2010. The Soldiers are leaving on a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (DoD photo by Sam Shore, U.S. Army/Released)

We Condemn Brutal Attacks on Pakistani Ahmadi Community---JIP

Global Peace Committee for Interfaith Harmony and Journalists For International Peace vehemently condemned brutal attack on Two Ahmedi Sect mosques in Pakistan in which almost 93 worshippers were killed

The assaults were launched shortly after prayers.

Reportedly, it had warned of threats against the Ahmadi community centre in Lahore for more than a year and demanded “foolproof security and protection” from the government. It expressed concern over “the increasing sectarian dimension” of militancy in Pakistan, which it called “a big security threat to the entire society”.

JIP and GPCIH , believe that some vested interests are hacthing conspiracy to target various sects of the religion to create a restlessness in the society. Such barbaric act of terrorism personified total failure of intelligence agencies to spot and unearth the culprits prior to launch the attacks.

JIP & GPCIH also condemned callaous attitude of the Authorities who were conducting medical treatment openly in Jinnah Medical Hospital , where attackers killed some security personnel in a pursuit to kidnap or kill the injured accused being treated in the hospital." These security men are martyr and offered their lives for the human Cuase,,, However, Govenrmnet should have undertaken measures to treat him some unknown place, under better arrangements".

“We condemn this brutal violence against innocent people. We also condemn the targeting and violence against any religious group, in this case the Ahmadi community."


Iftikhar Chaudri ( Administrator of the Group)
President
Journalists For International Peace
Islamabad, Pakistan

Note : ( Message was delayed- due to ban on Facebook in Pakistan)

Talking with representatives of the Integrated Health Prevention Organization

U.S. Army Capt. Dennis Rufolo, second from left, talks with representatives of the Integrated Health Prevention Organization about water testing during a medical and dental civic action project (MEDCAP) at Tugas Elementary School in the Philippines May 24, 2010. Water samples taken during the MEDCAP will be tested for E-coli and water purification methods will be passed onto the local community. U.S. service members assigned to Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines, corpsmen and soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and medical personnel from the Sulu Provincial Department of Agriculture and Health aided more than 130 people during the MEDCAP. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Scott, U.S. Navy/Released)