Stand-To!- Challenges of providing forces with the right capabilities - Feb. 27, 2008

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 Stand-To!<http://www4.army.mil/news/standto/printheader.gif>  
 
Edition: Wed, February 27, 2008
Rich-text Version <http://www4.army.mil/news/standto.php?dte=2008-02-27> 

TODAY'S FOCUS


This is the second of an eight part series highlighting critical elements of
the 2008 Army Posture Statement. 

Challenges of providing forces with the right capabilities

The Army recruits, organizes, trains and equips Soldiers who operate as
members of joint, interagency and multinational teams; provides logistics
and other support to our joint and interagency partners; and supports civil
authorities in times of national emergencies. For this, we are building an
expeditionary and campaign-quality Army. Our expeditionary Army is capable
of deploying rapidly and conducting operations in any operational
environment, anywhere in the world, and sustaining operations as long as
necessary. 

Our current focus is on preparing forces and building readiness for
counterinsurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Despite this current
and critical mission, the Army also must be ready to provide the combatant
commanders with the forces and capabilities they need for operations ranging
from peace-time military engagement to major combat operations. Examples of
Army capabilities and recent or ongoing operations other than combat include
the following:

* Supporting the defense of South Korea, Japan, and many other friends,
allies and partners
* Conducting peacekeeping operations in the Sinai Peninsula and the Balkans
* Conducting multi-national exercises that reflect our longstanding
commitments to alliances
* Continuing engagements with foreign militaries to build partnerships and
preserve coalitions by training and advising their military forces
* Participating in securing our borders and conducting operations to counter
the flow of illegal drugs 
* Supporting civil authorities in responding to domestic emergencies,
including natural disasters and threats at home and abroad
* Supporting interagency and multi-national partnerships with technical
expertise, providing critical support after natural disasters, and promoting
regional stability
* Supporting operations to protect against weapons of mass destruction and
block their proliferation

We must ensure that units and Soldiers have the right capabilities to
accomplish the operations that we will conduct in the 21st century.
Continuous modernization is the key to enhancing our capabilities and
maintaining a technological advantage over any enemy we face. We never want
to send our Soldiers into a fair fight.

Future Combat Systems (FCS) are the core of our modernization effort and
will provide our Soldiers an unparalleled understanding of their operational
environment, increased precision and lethality, and enhanced survivability.
These improved capabilities cannot be achieved by upgrading current vehicles
and systems. FCS will use a combination of new manned and unmanned air and
ground vehicles, connected by robust networks, to allow Soldiers to operate
more effectively in the complex threat environments of the 21st century. FCS
capabilities currently are being tested at Fort Bliss, Texas. They are
proving themselves valuable in the current fight and are being fielded to
our Soldiers in Iraq. 

2008 Army Posture Statement (full version) <http://www.army.mil/aps/08> 


INFORMATION YOU CAN USE


* 2007 Strategic Communication Guide
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/409993?c=ZGF2aWQudmVyZ3VuMg==> - Read
the 2007 Army Strategic Communication Guide for key messages and updates

* Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/303879> 

* Army Public Affairs Portal <https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/216363> 

* Stories of Valor <http://www.army.mil/valor> 


CALENDAR


Conflict has always been a human endeavor; the human nature of 21st century
conflict makes LAND POWER essential for victory. YOU are this nation's LAND
POWER. Read your doctrine. FM 3-0. Coming Feb. 28.


NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY


*	Chief of staff reflects on new manual for operations (ARNews
<http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/02/26/7612-chief-of-staff-reflects-on-new-ma
nual-for-operations/> ) 
*	As the Army approaches a breaking point (TCF
<http://www.tcf.org/list.asp?type=TN&pubid=1815> ) 
*	Army: Service must cut combat tours (ABC
<http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=4345584> ) 
*	Army remains strong, but stretched, officials say (AFIS
<http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49088> )


WAR ON TERROR NEWS


*	Army chief of staff: No reason to doubt Obama's account of
under-equipped platoon (FOX
<http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/02/26/army-chief-of-staff-no-reason-to-
doubt-obamas-account-of-under-equipped-platoon/> ) 
*	Fewer Pacific forces ready to respond (BG
<http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/02/27/fewer_pacific_forces_
ready_to_respond/> ) 
*	Baghdad tells Turkey to pull troops; Erdogan says no (WT
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080227/FOREIGN/711363465> ) 
*	U.S. paid $42.4 million to Iraqis (WT
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080227/FOREIGN/512957142> )


OF INTEREST


*	Hagel concerned with country's weakening military structure (GII
<http://www.theindependent.com/stories/02272008/new_hagel27.shtml> ) 
*	Soldiers respond to vice president's welcome (AFIS
<http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49089> ) 
*	Audit: Some Corps' flood fixes preceded plans (USA
<http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-02-26-Levees_N.htm?loc=interstitia
lskip> ) 
*	Officials call shooting of Soldier a ploy (LAT
<http://www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/la-me-soldier27feb27,1,7506954.stor
y> )


WORLD VIEW


*	France, Gulf states begin war games (JP <http://www.jpost.com/>  |
Story
<http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1203847472058&pagename=JPost%2FJ
PArticle%2FShowFull> ) 
*	Khamenei hails Iran 'nuclear win' (BBC <http://news.bbc.co.uk/>  |
Story <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7264636.stm> ) 
*	Top terror recruiter found guilty (BBC <http://news.bbc.co.uk/>  |
Story <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7231492.stm> ) 
*	Opinion: Turkey and the troubled lake (AA
<http://www.alarabiya.net/english.html>  | Story
<http://www.alarabiya.net/views/2008/02/26/46151.html> )


WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS


*	Army strategy manual gets it right (DR
<http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/02/army-strategy-m.html> ) 
*	Giving back to those who have given so much (SM
<http://soldiersmind.com/2008/02/26/giving-back-to-those-who-have-given-so-m
uch/> ) 
*	One shot, one squirrel (BF
<http://www.blackfive.net/main/2008/02/one-shot-one-sq.html> ) 
*	The Army and Operation Chicken Run (GAF
<http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2008/02/army-and-operation-chicken-run.
html> ) 
*	Goodbyes (TS
<http://gocomics.typepad.com/the_sandbox/2008/02/goobyes.html> )

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