FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hagel Praises Spain in Meeting With Defense Minister
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 5, 2013 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met with Spanish Defense Minister Pedro Morenes in Brussels today during a conference of NATO defense ministers, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.
In a statement summarizing the meeting, Little said Hagel praised Spain for its critical support for a number of U.S. national security priorities and for its role as a NATO ally, and that he expressed his appreciation for Spain's support and sacrifices in Afghanistan.
"Secretary Hagel also noted that because of Spain's agreement to host four Aegis ships at Rota, the alliance is significantly boosting its combined naval capabilities in the Mediterranean, which will offer increased opportunities to partner on exercises, training, and maritime operations, and ultimately enhance both regional and global security," Little said.
In addition, the press secretary said, Hagel thanked Morenes for Spain's recent agreement to host a U.S. Marine crisis response unit for at least a year. That, he added, will allow the United States to provide rapid and responsive support as needed to U.S. embassy staff in the U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility.
The two defense leaders agreed that their staffs will continue to seek ways to broaden and deepen the bilateral defense relationship between the United States and Spain, Little said.
Showing posts with label U.S. AFRICA COMMAND. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S. AFRICA COMMAND. Show all posts
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Friday, August 10, 2012
HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD PROVIDES HELICOPTERS IN BOTSWANA
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Botswana: Hawaii National Guard provides helicopters to support Southern Accord 12 in Botswana
By Army National Guard Sgts. James D. Sims and Adam Fischman
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
THEBEPHATSHWA AIR BASE, Botswana (8/2/12) - Soldiers of Hawaii National Guard’s Company B, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment based at Wheeler Army Airfield in Wahiawa, Hawaii, recently deployed to Botswana in Southern Africa, to participate in joint exercise Southern Accord 12.
SA12 is a U.S. Africa Command-sponsored, U.S. Army Africa-led combined, joint exercise that brings together U.S. Army personnel with counterparts from the Botswana Defence Force to conduct humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations, peace keeping operations, aeromedical evacuation, and enhance military capabilities and interoperability, Aug. 1 to 17.
Company B transported four Chinook-47F series helicopters halfway around the world to support the mission, which will enhance the readiness capabilities of U.S. and BDF soldiers. The aircraft will be used to provide aerial support, as well as transport personnel and equipment from the air base to various ranges and training sites.
The new series Chinook is broken down into three major components, loaded onto a transport plane and reassembled at its final destination, said Army Staff Sgt. Joaquin Favela, a maintenance sergeant for B Company.
"It takes about two days to do a buildup, run up and maintenance test flight," Favela said. "After that the aircraft is fully mission capable."
A major focus of the Southern Accord mission is working closely with the BDF, in order for both forces to better understand each other.
"Working with the BDF has been a great experience," said Spc. Nicole Rezentes, a Chinook mechanic with B Company. "They are really nice, but the biggest adjustment has been the weather. It is really cold at night and really hot during the day."
Other U.S. Soldiers echoed this sentiment.
"The Botswana Defense Forces are extremely helpful," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Darren Byler, with B. Company. "Everything that we have done in conjunction with them thus far has been absolutely amazing. Their officers are extremely professional and their enlisted are very motivated and helpful."
The Hawaii-based unit will provide support throughout the exercise. Upon completion of their mission, they will break down the Chinooks and return to their homes over 12,000 miles away.
Byler said, "It’s really a remarkable aircraft and a cool team to be a part of."
Botswana: Hawaii National Guard provides helicopters to support Southern Accord 12 in Botswana
By Army National Guard Sgts. James D. Sims and Adam Fischman
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
THEBEPHATSHWA AIR BASE, Botswana (8/2/12) - Soldiers of Hawaii National Guard’s Company B, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment based at Wheeler Army Airfield in Wahiawa, Hawaii, recently deployed to Botswana in Southern Africa, to participate in joint exercise Southern Accord 12.
SA12 is a U.S. Africa Command-sponsored, U.S. Army Africa-led combined, joint exercise that brings together U.S. Army personnel with counterparts from the Botswana Defence Force to conduct humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations, peace keeping operations, aeromedical evacuation, and enhance military capabilities and interoperability, Aug. 1 to 17.
Company B transported four Chinook-47F series helicopters halfway around the world to support the mission, which will enhance the readiness capabilities of U.S. and BDF soldiers. The aircraft will be used to provide aerial support, as well as transport personnel and equipment from the air base to various ranges and training sites.
The new series Chinook is broken down into three major components, loaded onto a transport plane and reassembled at its final destination, said Army Staff Sgt. Joaquin Favela, a maintenance sergeant for B Company.
"It takes about two days to do a buildup, run up and maintenance test flight," Favela said. "After that the aircraft is fully mission capable."
A major focus of the Southern Accord mission is working closely with the BDF, in order for both forces to better understand each other.
"Working with the BDF has been a great experience," said Spc. Nicole Rezentes, a Chinook mechanic with B Company. "They are really nice, but the biggest adjustment has been the weather. It is really cold at night and really hot during the day."
Other U.S. Soldiers echoed this sentiment.
"The Botswana Defense Forces are extremely helpful," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Darren Byler, with B. Company. "Everything that we have done in conjunction with them thus far has been absolutely amazing. Their officers are extremely professional and their enlisted are very motivated and helpful."
The Hawaii-based unit will provide support throughout the exercise. Upon completion of their mission, they will break down the Chinooks and return to their homes over 12,000 miles away.
Byler said, "It’s really a remarkable aircraft and a cool team to be a part of."
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