Senior Leaders Condemn Insurgent Suicide Attacks

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force and ISAF Joint Command  News Releases WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2011 - WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2011 � Afghan President Hamid Karzai and senior U.S. military and diplomatic leaders in Afghanistan jointly condemned today's terrorist attacks in Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif that reportedly killed and wounded dozens of innocent Afghan civilians observing the Ashura religious festival, military officials reported. "An attack against Ashura pilgrims on one of the holiest of days in the Islamic calendar is an attack against Islam itself, and we denounce and condemn these atrocities in the strongest of terms," said Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force. "Our prayers and deepest sympathies are with the families and loved ones of those innocent civilians killed or injured in today's horrific attacks." NATO's senior civilian representative in Afghanistan, Ambassador Simon Gass, said, "The attacks today in Afghanistan, on such an important religious day, are horrifying and to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. "That men, women and children are killed and injured on Ashura is particularly tragic," Gass continued. "Our prayers and condolences are with them all and their family and friends." "Just a few days ago," Allen said, "20 scholars from prestigious Islamic religious centers around the world condemned violence under the name of Islam in Afghanistan and other countries. "This insurgency, which wraps itself in a false veil of Islam, must know that killing innocent pilgrims will spell their own demise," the general said. "Once again, I call on Mullah Omar to condemn this grotesque act of terrorism." In Afghanistan operations yesterday: -- A Haqqani network leader responsible for a recent car bomb attack was captured by a combined Afghan and coalition security force in the Pul-e 'Alam district of Logar province. The leader was responsible for the Dec. 2 car bomb attack in the Muhammad Aghah district, which killed a civilian and wounded nine others. One suspected insurgent also was detained. -- A combined force captured a Taliban leader and a suspected insurgent in the Dehdadi district of Balkh province. The leader conducted attacks against Afghan forces. -- A Taliban leader was captured by a combined Afghan and coalition security force in the Nawah-ye Barakzai district of Helmand province. The leader manufactured roadside bombs. -- A combined force captured a Taliban insurgent and detained several suspects in the Qalat district of Zabul province. -- In the Ghorak district of Kandahar province, a combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban facilitator who distributes narcotics and roadside bomb-making materials. -- A combined force seized bomb-making materials and detained several suspects while searching for a Taliban leader in the Khogyani district of Ghazni province. The leader directs insurgent operations in the district. In Dec. 4 Afghanistan operations: -- A combined force confiscated a weapons cache containing 31 pressure plates, 15 30mm rounds, nine recoilless rifle rounds, 15 pounds of explosives and electronic detonation devices in Helmand's Kajaki district. -- In Helmand's Musa Qal' ah district, a combined force seized a weapons cache containing 14 mines and one 105 mm casing with nine pounds of explosive material and metal fragments.

Related Sites: NATO International Security Assistance Force

NORAD Gears Up to Track Santa Claus

on Christmas Eve the children of the world look to NORAD  By Cheryl Pellerin American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2011 – For the 56th year running, the North American Aerospace Defense Command will add the job of tracking the global flight of Santa on Christmas Eve to its mission of North American aerospace warning and control. The North American Aerospace Defense Command based at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., will again track Santa Claus on his annual Christmas Eve flight to deliver presents to children around the globe. Courtesy graphic   "NORAD stands the watch protecting the skies of North America 365 days a year, but on Christmas Eve the children of the world look to NORAD and our trusted partners to make sure that Santa is able to complete his mission safely," said Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr. Jacoby commands NORAD, as well as U.S. Northern Command, both based at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. The NORAD Tracks Santa mission “is a duty to the children of the world,” he added, “and a privilege we've enjoyed for 56 consecutive years.” From a NORAD video of the 2010 Santa flight, a military specialist looks up from a bank of computer screens: “Sir,” he says, turning to look at the camera, “we’ve picked up ‘Big Red’ on the radar. He’s entering from the northeast. “Recommend fighter escort as he transitions over North America,” the specialist adds, as the video shows an F-16 moving down the runway. This year, the NORAD Tracks Santa website went live Dec. 1 and features a Countdown Calendar, a Kid’s Countdown Village with holiday games and activities that change daily, and video messages from students and troops from around the world. The website is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese and Chinese. For the first time, using free apps in the Apple iTunes Store and in the Android market, parents and children can use their smart phones to count down the days until Santa and his reindeer take off from the North Pole to deliver presents to kids everywhere. Facebook, Google+, YouTube and Twitter also offer tracking opportunities. Santa followers can type “@noradsanta” into each search engine to get started. And that’s not the only technology that goes into the Santa tracking mission. To track the big man in red, NORAD uses radar, satellites, Santa cams and fighter jets. A NORAD radar system called the North Warning System consists of 47 installations strung across the northern border of North America. On Dec. 24, NORAD monitors the radar systems continuously for indications that Santa Claus has left the North Pole. The moment radar indicates a lift-off, satellites positioned in geo-synchronous orbit at 22,300 miles from the Earth’s surface are equipped with infrared sensors, which enable them to detect heat. Rudolph’s bright red nose gives off an infrared signature that allows the satellites to detect Santa’s sleigh. NORAD starting using the Santa cam network in 1998. Santa cams, according to NORAD, are ultra-cool, high-tech, high-speed digital cameras prepositioned at many locations around the world. They use the cameras once a year to capture images and videos of Santa and his reindeer. In the air, Canadian NORAD pilots flying the CF-18 fighter will intercept and welcome Santa to North America. In the United States, American NORAD fighter pilots in F-15s, F-16s or F-22 Raptors will fly alongside Santa’s airborne sleigh pulled by his famous reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph. Once data is collected on Dec. 24, it is pushed into Google Maps and Google Earth so families all over the world can follow Santa. Thanks to these systems and technologies, starting at midnight Mountain Standard Time on Dec. 24, visitors to the NORAD Santa website can watch Santa’s progress around the globe. It all started in 1955 when a Sears media advertisement directed kids to call Santa Claus but printed a telephone number that rang through to the crew commander on duty at the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center. The colonel on duty told his staff to give all children who called in a "current location" for Santa Claus. The tradition continued when NORAD replaced CONAD in 1958. “The [NORAD Tracks Santa] effort,” Jacoby said, “could not be carried out without the superb assistance of numerous government and nongovernment contributors.” Sponsors of this year’s program include Acuity Scheduling, Big Fish Worldwide, Carousel Industries, the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council, General Electric, the National Tree Lighting Ceremony, RadiantBlue Technologies Inc., thunderbaby studios, the U.S. Coast Guard Band, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Band, Visionbox, and the West Point Band. Returning sponsors include the Air Force Academy Band, Analytical Graphics Inc., Air Canada, Avaya, Booz Allen Hamilton, Colorado Springs School District 11, the Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System, the Federal Aviation Administration, First Choice Awards & Gifts, Globelink Foreign Language Center, Google, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Meshbox, the Naden Band of the Maritime Forces Pacific, Naturally Santa’s Inc., the Newseum, OnStar, PCI Broadband, the Space Foundation, tw telecom, Verizon and UGroup Media. “It is the generosity of these contributors, the hard work of the more than 1,200 volunteers who man the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center, and vigilance of the Canadian and U.S. forces who work at NORAD that guarantees the program's success each and every year,” Jacoby said.

Biographies: Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr. Related Sites: NORAD Santa

She was a citizen, a woman and a teacher!

Akali Dal representative slapped her 
It shows, party’s arrogance, insensitivity, brutality:PPP
Chandigarh// December 5, 2011//Bureau Report: 

The disgraceful incident of Akali Sarpanch manhandling a lady teacher, epitomizes all that is wrong with Shiromani Akali Dal. It shows, party’s arrogance, insensitivity, brutality, rudeness and cowardice. It is a matter of absolute shame that the Akali Dal representative slapped someone who deserved respect on three counts i.e. she was a citizen, a woman and a teacher!.
Worst, it happened in front of the police force and other employees of the government who stood by doing nothing. Even after many hours of the incident, the government did not take any action. The fact, that the Sarpanch had the impudence to file a police complaint against the teacher and the government has not taken any action against him, shows that there is no remorse on either side.

The so called anger of the manhandler is beyond comprehension. The lady teacher was merely expressing her anger against patently unjust policies of the government. As a citizen she is entitled to do that. In fact, citizens inability to reach the government and express their grievances leads to such situations, where they are left with no options but with a slim hope that of conveying their demands when they meet their reprsentatives during the latter’s public appearances. But there too, the so called leaders are surrounded by a battery of police personnel who ruthless push and shove everyone away.

The PPP strongly condemns the incident and calls for strictest possible action against the sarpanch and the police officials on duty who kept on watching the whole incident without intervening even when the lady was being brutally thrashed. What is also staggering is the silence of Mrs Harsimrat Kaur Badal. The incident happened in her public appearance and as a woman, a Member Parliament and as a member of the ruling family of the state, she should have empathized with the gross injustice and inhumanity involved in this incident. Instead of taking prompt, stern and exemplary action, she has chosen to observe perfect silence.

A government and leaders, who cannot show respect and dignity to its citizens, has no right to represent its people.

Sanjha Morcha assured again

Shaheed Bhagat Singh rozgar yojna
Neta Ji Subhash Chander Bose health insurance 
Manpreet Singh Badal promised many more benefits

File photo:Seven Seas News

So as to ameliorate the living conditions of those inflicted with life threatening diseases like diabetes and cancer, Manpreet Singh Badal, President of People's Party of Punjab (PPP) today promised to offer an insurance of three lakh rupees. 
Addressing a rally at Ropar on Sunday, the PPP President said that if voted to power, the PPP will offer insurance of upto three lakh rupees for those belonging to ecnomically weaker section, suffering from such dreaded diseases. Manpreet said that it's government will spend 200 crores on this project which will be termed as "Netaji Subhash Chander Bose" health insurance scheme.
Manpreet added that certain belts of Punjab, especially Malwa area has Punjabis suffering from water borne diseases including cancer. As a fallout of contaminated water, people living in this area are suffering from cancer and other life threatening diseases.
Manpreet said that the PPP will not only offer insurance upto three lakhs but also ensure that the menace of contaminated water is removed from Punjab. This is not the first scheme that Manpreet has promised to make available for those belonging to economically challenged sections.
Manpreet in the recent past had promised to offer one lakh jobs for youths each year under the Shaheed Bhagat Singh rozgar yojna. Also, he had promised that PPP will get a fixed deposit of Rs 5,000 in the name of a newly born girl child in Punjab. The fixed deposit will be made available after twenty years.
Manpreet SIngh Badal said that if Punjab has to rise, the people living in the Punjab and those who remain deprived from basic amenities owing to financial constraints need to be empowered and made self dependent.
He said that not only jobs will be made availabe to youths but also PPP's endeavour will be to make the public independent by providing small business opportunities for Punjabis.
He added that PPP will also guarantee that the Police force serves the public and is not reduced to a political tool.

Special tribute to those who serve

This holiday season the White House is offering a special tribute to those who serve. According to Elaine Sanchez of American Forces Press Service in a report from Washington special arrangements have been made for this holidays season. 
 Among the White House's 37 Christmas trees scattered along the visitor tour route are two special Christmas trees intended to honor service members and their families.

Some of those cards are inspiring, Obama said, sharing one of the written messages. Five children in Medical Lake, Wash., wrote, "No matter how many Christmases our dad misses, he makes every Christmas special and we love him." 

The military families also toured holiday decorations in several of the White House's ornate rooms. A big attraction was the White House gingerbread house, which is made up of 400 pounds of gingerbread, white chocolate and marzipan. But Obama's dog, Bo, upstaged even the gingerbread house. Scattered throughout the tour route are five Bo topiaries made of various materials such as felt, buttons, pom-poms, candy, and even trash bags.
As the children did their crafts, they had the opportunity to compare the fake first dogs with the real deal when the first lady brought Bo to the State Dining Room for a visit.

The official White House Christmas tree � a towering 18-foot balsam fir in the Blue Room � is a salute to service members of all branches. The tree is decorated with holiday cards created by military children around the world; service medals, badges and patches; and military images adorned with pinecone frames and ribbons.

Ceramic gold star ornaments on a Gold Star Christmas tree serve as reminders of families of the fallen at the White House in Washington, D.C., Nov. 30, 2011. The tree, which is adorned with gold star ornaments and framed Purple Heart medals, graces the visitor's entrance on the East Wing landing. DOD photo by Elaine Sanchez 

U.S. Central Command to Lead Pakistan Investigation

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 2011 - U.S. Central Command will take the lead in investigating the Nov. 26 cross-border attack that killed 24 soldiers in Pakistan, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.
Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force and of U.S. Forces Afghanistan, requested that Centcom lead this review, the press secretary said.
"ISAF did as you would expect -- assign an initial assessment team to look into the incident," Little said, adding that more information from Centcom "will probably be forthcoming later today."
While Centcom has not yet officially announced its role in the investigation, the press secretary said, "I think you can expect the investigation to look at the full range of factors that contributed to this tragedy and it will be broad, expansive and thorough."
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta offered their deepest condolences for the loss of life in a joint statement issued over the weekend and said they are closely monitoring reports of the incident.
"The secretary has been monitoring these events very closely with military leadership in Afghanistan and here in the United States," Little said, but has not yet reached out the Pakistani officials.
Clinton, Allen and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, each called their Pakistani counterparts, Little added, noting that Dempsey and Allen each spoke with Pakistan army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
Cameron P. Munter, U.S. ambassador to Pakistan, also met with Pakistani government officials in Islamabad.
"The Pakistani government knows our position," Little said, "and that is that we do regret the loss of life in this incident and we are investigating it."
Despite increasing conflicts between the United States and Pakistan, including one that followed the U.S. raid on Abbottabad in May that killed Osama bin Laden, Little said, "the focus now is on continuing to engage with our Pakistani counterparts over time, even during difficult periods."
The Defense Department, he added, has "been working very hard for some time to address areas of disagreement with the Pakistanis. We understand there are deep concerns over the incident this weekend and we'll continue to try to engage closely with our Pakistani counterparts."
The relationship is important for the United States, the press secretary added, "and we intend to continue to make that clear to the government of Pakistan."
A strong military relationship with Pakistan is in both countries' interests and in the interests of peace and stability of the region, he added.
"That's where we hope to go in the future," Little said.
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Related Sites:
U.S. Central Command
Related Articles:
Clinton, Panetta Monitor Reports of Pakistan Border Incident

First Lady Kicks Off Holiday Season With Military Families

White House is offering a special tribute 

By Elaine Sanchez
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2011 - In a gesture of gratitude for their service and sacrifice, First Lady Michelle Obama today invited military families � including families of the military fallen -- to be among the first to see the White House decked out for this year's holiday season.

First Lady Michelle Obama invites military children to decorate cookies and create ornaments with her during a special holiday event at the White House in Washington, D.C., Nov. 30, 2011. The first lady invited military families, including families of the fallen, to be among the first to view the White House's holiday decorations this year. By the first lady's side is Jennifer Jackman of the American Gold Star Mothers. DOD photo by Elaine Sanchez

"I know for some of you this holiday season will be tough," the first lady said. "But hopefully it's times like this that make you know that you live in a grateful nation, and that we are just so inspired by your sacrifice."This holiday season, she said, the White House is offering a special tribute to those who serve. Among the White House's 37 Christmas trees scattered along the visitor tour route are two special Christmas trees intended to honor service members and their families.
The official White House Christmas tree � a towering 18-foot balsam fir in the Blue Room � is a salute to service members of all branches. The tree is decorated with holiday cards created by military children around the world; service medals, badges and patches; and military images adorned with pinecone frames and ribbons.
Some of those cards are inspiring, Obama said, sharing one of the written messages. Five children in Medical Lake, Wash., wrote, "No matter how many Christmases our dad misses, he makes every Christmas special and we love him."
In another card is a more matter-of-fact message, the first lady noted. "Hey Dad, it's cool you're in Italy. So when are you coming back, because I already know what I want for Christmas."
A Gold Star Christmas tree, bright with gold star ornaments and framed Purple Heart medals, graces the visitor's entrance on the East Wing landing. The tree was decorated by families of military fallen and features photos of fallen heroes and messages from their loved ones.
A mom from Anchorage, Alaska, wrote this note to her son, Obama said: "I love and miss you, son. Thank you for all of the great memories we shared."
The tree is surrounded with photos and stories from more than 800 Gold Star families, the first lady noted. "Each one showcases the strength and resilience that characterizes our Gold Star families," she said.
In the coming weeks, visitors to the White House will be able to write notes to service members to express their gratitude, and Gold Star families will be invited to inscribe a ceramic gold star ornament with a personalized note.
These families deserve the gratitude of a thankful nation, the first lady said, particularly in light of the sacrifices they make each day. Spouses are raising kids alone while their loved ones are deployed and their children are taking on extra responsibilities to help. And she's been inspired, she said, by the survivors of the fallen who continue to give back to their communities.
Americans need to hear these stories, she said, and to understand what it's like to be a military family.
The Joining Forces campaign is intended to do just that, she said. The first lady and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, started the initiative earlier this year to raise awareness of military families' sacrifices and to rally Americans around them.
"We wanted to make sure that never again would someone have to ask the question: What is a Gold Star family and what does that sacrifice mean," she said. "We all should know."
Obama said that's one of the reasons the troops and their families are highlighted at the White House this holiday season.
The first lady wrapped up with her own message of gratitude.
"I want to thank all of the Gold Star families for your enduring strength and commitment to this country," she said. "And I want to thank all of the troops, all of our veterans, all of our military families, whose service and sacrifice inspires us all."
The first lady then invited the military children lining the front rows to decorate holiday cookies and ornaments with her in the State Dining Room. She iced cookies alongside them as she praised their festive creations.
The military families also toured holiday decorations in several of the White House's ornate rooms. A big attraction was the White House gingerbread house, which is made up of 400 pounds of gingerbread, white chocolate and marzipan. But Obama's dog, Bo, upstaged even the gingerbread house. Scattered throughout the tour route are five Bo topiaries made of various materials such as felt, buttons, pom-poms, candy, and even trash bags.
As the children did their crafts, they had the opportunity to compare the fake first dogs with the real deal when the first lady brought Bo to the State Dining Room for a visit.
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