"The Army tries to learn as best it can from its operations ... to assist in conducting operations in the future," said Col. Reese

Col. Timothy R. Reese, Armor officer and Army historian and Dr. Donald P. Wright joined us for a Bloggers Roundtable to discuss the release of "On Point II." "On Point II" is the U.S. Army's first historical study of its campaign in Iraq in the decisive 18 months following the overthrow of the Baathist regime in April 2003. The book examines both the high-level decisions that shaped military operations after May 2003 as well as the effects of those decisions on units and Soldiers who became responsible for conducting those operations.

Joining us on the call today were Jason Sigger, armchairgeneralist; and Grim, blackfive.net.

"... as long as it takes." Col. James Rice, Director, Army Wounded Warrior Program

U.S. Army Col. James Rice and Mr. Robert Waples joined us for a Bloggers Roundtable today and spoke briefly about the preliminary results of the AW2 Symposium held in Indianapolis last week. Col. Rice is the Director of the Army Wounded Warrior Program and Mr. Waples, a former soldier, is the spokesperson for the Medical II focus group. We're really looking forward to reengaging with them within the next few weeks as the final results of this years AW2 Symposium are released.

The them for this year "I am AW2" covered topics of medical treatment, family support, transition, continuing on active duty or in the reserve component, and Veteran's Affairs issues.

Check out the AW2 website and blogs at the AW2 Community.

On the call with us was Bryant Jordan from Military.com so watch for his post.

Pentagon Channel Highlights

(All Times Eastern)

1300 - Pentagon Briefing: Brig Gen Thomas Hartmann, Legal Adviser to the Convening Authority in the Office of Military Commissions, discusses recently sworn charges against a high value detainee at GTMO. (Live, VoD, Podcast) Encore presentation at 1800hrs.

0000 - Pentagon Briefing: Today's coverage of Col Lewis Craparotta, Commander of Regimental Combat Team 1, speaking via satellite from from Camp Fallujah, providing an update on ongoing security operations in western Iraq. (Encore, VoD, Podcast, 30 min) Encore presentation at 0600hrs.

"We have some of the very best of America serving over here; I would ask that you continue to provide your prayers and support," said Lt. Col. Hall

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Richard Hall, Task Force 2D Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, joined us today in a DoD Bloggers Roundtable. Lt. Col. Hall provided bloggers an operational update on the 2/7's mission in Afghanistan. Joining us on the call today was Christoper Radin, www.longwarjournal.com, Troy Steward, www.bouhammer.com, Spencer Ackerman, www.washingtonindependent.com, and Christian Lowe, www.dodbuzz.com.

Pentagon Channel Highlights

(All Times Eastern)

0900 - Pentagon Briefing: Thursday's coverage of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaking with reporters at the Pentagon. (Encore, VoD, Podcast, 30 min)

1000 - USNS Mercy Briefing: VADM Doug Crowder, Commander of US Seventh Fleet, and CAPT William Kearns, Commander of Pacific Partnership 2008, speak via video phone with reporters at the Pentagon from the hospital ship USNS Mercy located in Nha Trang, Vietnam, providing an update on Pacific Partnership 2008 and its historic visit to Vietnam. (Live, VoD, Podcast) Encore presentations at 1800 & 0000hrs.

"We're ... shifting the resources in future combat systems to put new technology and new capability in the hands of those soldiers," said Gen. Speakes

Lt. Gen Michael A. Vane, Director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center, Lt. Gen. N. Ross Thompson III, Military Deputy to the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) and Lt. Gen. Stephen M. Speakes, Army G8 (Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs) joined us yesterday on the DoD Bloggers Roundtable. The generals discussed the acceleration of Future Combat Systems deliveries to Infantry Brigade Combat Teams.

Lt. Gen. Stephen M. Speakes

Joining us on the call was John of Argghh!, www.thedonovan.com; Colin Clark, www.dodbuzz.com and www.blackfive.net.

"This mission is something that the Navy is starting to do more of; and it reflects our new national maritime strategy," said Capt. Dallman

U.S. Navy Capt. Peter Dallman, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 5, joined us yesterday on the DoD Bloggers Roundtable.


Capt. Dallman spoke with bloggers about USS Boxer's participation in Continuing Promise 2008. During their two-month deployment, Boxer visited Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru. Continuing Promise 2008 is an equal partnership mission designed to combine partner nation and U.S. relief capabilities to demonstrate the lasting bonds and shared interests among neighbors.

Joining us on the call were Chris Albon, www.warandhealth.com; Chuck Simmons, www.northshorejournal.com; and John of Argghh!, www.thedonovan.com.

Pentagon Channel Highlights

(All Times Eastern)

1000 - Iraq Briefing: COL Charles Flynn, Commander of the 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, speaks via satellite with reporters at the Pentagon, providing an update on ongoing security operations in the Maysan province in Iraq. (Live, VoD, Podcast)

UPDATE: 1400 - Pentagon Briefing: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen James Cartwright speak with reporters in Iraq. (Live, VoD, Podcast) Encore presentations at 1800, 0000 & 0600hrs.

Pentagon Channel Highlights

(All Times Eastern)

1000 - Armed Services Hearing: The House Armed Services Committee receives testimony on "China: Recent Security Developments." Scheduled witnesses include:
- James Shinn, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian & Pacific Security Affairs
- Maj Gen Philip Breedlove, Vice Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (Live)

1330 - Pentagon Briefing: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell speaks with reporters at the Pentagon. (Live, VoD, Podcast) Encore presentations at 1800, 0000 & 0600hrs.

"We ... employ 29 protective measures. Since we've been employing those protective measures, there have been zero strandings," said Rear Adm. Rice

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Larry Rice, Director, Chief of Naval Operations Environmental Readiness Division (N45), joined us yesterday on the DoD Bloggers Roundtable.


Rear Adm. Rice spoke with bloggers about the Supreme Court's June 23 decision to review lower court rulings on the Navy's use of sonar.

On the call with us was Grim, www.blackfive.net; Eagle1, www.eaglespeak.blogspot.com; Colin Clark, www.dodbuzz.com; and Steeljawscribe, www.steeljawscribe.com, who submitted questions.

Pentagon Channel Highlights

(All Times Eastern)

0900 - Afghanistan Briefing: MG Jeffrey Schlosser, Commander of Combined Joint Task Force-101, and Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division, speaks via satellite with reporters at the Pentagon, providing an update on ongoing security and stability operations in Afghanistan. (Live, VoD, Podcast) Encore presentation at 1800hrs.

1000 - Homeless Veterans Conference: Monday's coverage of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ADM Michael Mullen speaking at the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Annual Conference in Washington, DC. (VoD, 17 min) Encore presentation at 0000 & 0600hrs.

"The ... attack on the prison ticked off the sleeping giant of the Afghan National Army much to the surpise of the Taliban," Col. McGrath

U.S. Army Col. Thomas McGrath, commander of the Afghanistan Regional Security Integration Command-South, joined us today on the DoD Bloggers Roundtable. Col. McGrath described operations in response to the Taliban’s raid on a prison in Kandahar province June 13.

On the call with us was Chris Albon, http://warandhealth.com/; Richard Lowry, www.marinesinthegardenofeden.com; Jarred Fishman, www.airforcepundit.blogspot.com; Troy Seward, www.bouhammer.com/; Chuck Simmons, www.northshorejounal.org; Christopher Radin, www.longwarjournal.com; Jonas Haag, Panama City New Herald; and Marc Danziger, Armed Liberal.

Pentagon Channel Highlights

(All Times Eastern)

0900 - Iraq Briefing: LTG Lloyd Austin, Commander of Multi-National Corps-Iraq, speaks via satellite with reporters in Iraq, providing an update on ongoing security operations in Iraq. (Live, VoD, Podcast) Encore presentation at 1800hrs.

1130 - All Hands: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ADM Michael Mullen hosts a Joint Staff All Hands Call in the Pentagon Auditorium. (Live, VoD) Encore presentation at 0000hrs.

New Media Vlog

In this week's vlog, DoD New Media's MCSN William Selby talks with Washington Redskins Hall of Fame Halfback John Riggins at the "True Heroes" Golf Tournament, benefiting Operation Second Chance. (Please forgive the noise near the end, that Lansdowne Resort was wicked windy!)

Pentagon Channel Highlights

(All Times Eastern)

0700 - Iraq Briefing: MG Kevin Bergner, Spokesman for Multi-National Force-Iraq, and Brig Gen Brooks Bash, Commander, Coalition Air Force Training Team, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, speak with reporters in Baghdad, providing operational update and discussing progress in building Iraq's Air Force. (Live, VoD, Podcast) Encore presentation at 0900, 1800, 0000 & 0600hrs.

Pentagon Channel Highlights

(All Times Eastern)

1030 - Nellis AFB All Hands: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ADM Michael Mullen holds an All Hands call at Nellis AFB, NV. (Live, VoD)Encore presentations at 1800 & 0600hrs.

1330 - Pentagon Briefing: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell speaks with reporters at the Pentagon. (Live, VoD, Podcast)
Encore presentation at 0000hrs.

Keeping up

We've covered a lot of topics recently and I want to point you to another resource we have available. The Flikr badge to the right has photos we've recently loaded on some of the topics we've covered. Another resource is the Digital Video Information Distribution Hub (DVIDSHub).

Just trying to keep you connected.

Pentagon Channel Highlights

(All Times Eastern)

0830 - Pentagon Briefing: Army Gen. Dan McNeill, recently returned commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, will brief live from the Pentagon DoD Briefing Room. Gen McNeill will discuss stability and security operations in Afghanistan. (Live, VoD, Podcast)

0900 or immediately following the Pentagon Briefing: Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Michael Mullen comments from Thursday at the Government Executive Leadership Breakfast at the National Press Club in Washington. D.C. The Chairman discusses a wide range of military issues including in-depth discussion about the global war on terrorism. (VoD, Podcast, 75 min.)

Pentagon Channel Highlights

(All Times Eastern)

0700 - Iraq Briefing: Iraqi and Coalition Forces Operational Update conducted by MG Kevin Bergner, Spokesman for Multi-National Force-Iraq, and Tahseen al-Sheikhly, Civilian Spokesman for Operation Fardh al-Qanoon. They will present an update on reconstruction efforts in Sadr City and security operations around Iraq. (Live, VoD, Podcast)Encore presentation at 0900hrs.

1330 - Pentagon Briefing: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell speaks with reporters at the Pentagon. (Live, VoD, Podcast)

Pentagon Channel Highlights

(All Times Eastern)

0900 - SecDef Speech: Monday's coverage of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaking at Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, VA. (Encore, VoD, Podcast, 20 min)

1030 - SecDef Speech: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaks at Peterson AFB, CO. (Live, VoD) Encore presentations at 1800 & 0600hrs.

1400 - SecDef Speech: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates speaks at Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, IL. (Live, VoD) Encore presentation at 0000hrs.

Pentagon Channel Highlights

(All Times Eastern)

0900 - Iraq Briefing: MG Mark Hertling, Commander of Multi-National Division-North and the 1st Armored Division, speaks via satellite with reporters at the Pentagon, providing an update on ongoing security operations in Iraq. (Live, VoD, Podcast) Encore presentation at 0100hrs.

0930 - US Army War College Graduation: Saturday's coverage of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ADM Michael Mullen speaking to the graduating class at the US Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA. (VoD)

1300 - Pentagon Briefing: MajGen Douglas Stone, Commander of Task Force 134, speaks with reporters at the Pentagon, providing an update on ongoing detention operations in Iraq. MajGen Stone recently completed a 14-month tour as the Deputy Commanding General for Detainee Operations with Multi-National Force-Iraq. He will discuss his time deployed in the country. (Live, VoD, Podcast)

"We provide reach-back expertise for the critical management of disasters and humanitarian assistance medicine around the world," Col. Beadling

Yesterday, on the "Dot-Mil-Docs" radio show, we interviewed U.S. Air Force Col. (Dr.) Charles Beadling, Director of the Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine. Col. Beadling discussed the center's work, including a new initiative called the Afghanistan Healthcare Sector Medical Reachback Program, aimed at reforming the current Afghan military structure.

"... the Afghan people are looking for security ...they want the Taliban to go away ..." - Col. McGrath

U.S. Army Col. Thomas J. McGrath, Commander, Afghanistan Regional Security Integration Command - South, joined us for the DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable this morning. Col. McGrath spoke with Troy Steward of Bouhammer and Boston Maggie about the progress in training the Afghan National Army and Police, the 2-7 Marines as embedded trainers, the building of the Ministry of Defense hospital for the ANA 205th Hero Corps, and the economic development as the market price of wheat now exceeds the price of poppy. Hey, the also have a brand new blog linked above.

UPDATE: MoH recipient Jack Lucas dies

An update from earlier in the week: The youngest Marine to ever earn the Medal of Honor, Jack Lucas, died of cancer Thursday evening. The story can be found here.

Rest in peace, and Semper Fi, sir.

"Our goal is to make sure that we partner with the nations of the Pacific; we learn how to better work together; to cultivate relations ..."

-Capt. Bob Wiley, Master of the USNS Mercy who joined us today for a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable. Along with Capt. Wiley we spoke to U.S. Navy Capt. W.A. Kearns, Commodore of the Pacific Partnership 2008 mission and Capt. James P. Rice, Commnading Officer of the Medical Treatment Facility aboard the USNS Mercy. Also check out Capt. Wiley's blog I've mentioned a couple of times before Skippers' Scrivenings.

On the call with us was Chris Albon of War and Health, David Axe of War is Boring, and Paul McLeary of Ares.

"We are attempting to understand the complex phenomenon causing global warming and hopefully bring the discussion back into the scientific domain ..."

- Dr. Bruce West, Chief Scientist for the U.S. Army Research Office Mathematical and Information Science on the U.S. Army Bloggers Roundtable hosted by DoDLive

On the call today were Christian Lowe with Military.com, Brad Staggs of Brad's Place, John Donovan of the Castle Argghhh!, Noah Shactman of Danger Room, and Jason Sigger of the Armchair Generalist.

"The NATO training mission here in Iraq is actively seeking NATO countries to come in and provide training teams ..." - Cmdr. Coleman

U.S. Navy Commander Joseph Coleman, Deputy Director for Health Affairs for the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq was on the DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable to speak with us about the progress in building the medical corps for the Iraq Security Forces.

Also on the call was Jarred Fishman of the Air Force Pundit.

"The interagency task force ... is coming together, we're initiating operations now. We're seeing progress ..." - Brig. Gen. Holmes

Brig. Gen. Robert Holmes, Deputy Director of Operations, U.S. Central Command joined us for a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable to talk about a variety of topics which included the Interagency Task Force, asymetric warfare, and malign actors in the battlespace.

On the call was Chuck Simmins of America's North Shore Journal and Bryant Jordan of Military.com.

The Pentagon Channel

( All Times Eastern)

0900 - Pentagon Briefing: Wednesday's coverage of BG John Campbell, Deputy Director for Regional Operations, Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaking with reporters at the Pentagon, providing an operational update. (Encore, VoD, Podcast, 30 min)

1300 - Intrepid Center Groundbreaking: Anticipated coverage of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter, Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake and Vice Chief of Staff of the Army GEN Richard Cody participating in the groundbreaking ceremony for the National Intrepid Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. (VoD, Podcast)

1430 - State Department Briefing: Today's coverage of Ambasador to Iraq Ryan Crocker speaking with reporters about developments in Iraq.

Marine who earned MOH at Iwo Jima gravely ill

Very sad news out of Jackson, Miss., today. Jack Lucas, a U.S. Marine during World War II who earned the Medal of Honor for his actions at Iwo Jima, is reportedly gravely ill. The youngest Marine to receive our nation's highest military honor Private 1st Class Jacklyn H. Lucas of the 1st Battalion 226th Marines used his body to shield his fellow Marines from grenades at Iwo Jima, 20 Feb. 1945. He received the Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman.


The story is here.

Lucas receives his Medal of Honor Flag from former Commandant of the Marine Corp Gen. Michael Hagee.

Semper Fi, sir.

An act of Mercy: USNS Mercy Pacific Partnership 2008

05/30/2008 - An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Combat Squadron 21 returns to USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) while anchored off the coast of Cotabato, Philippines, May 30, 2008. The hospital ship, which is deployed in support of Pacific Partnership 2008, a humanitarian and civil assistance mission, is also scheduled to visit Vietnam, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and Micronesia. DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Valcarcel, U.S. Navy. Also check out Skipper's Scrivenings, Master of USNS Mercy Capt. Bob Wiley's Blog.

Pentagon Channel Highlights

(All times Eastern)

0700 - Iraq Briefing: MG Kevin Bergner, Multi-National Force-Iraq Spokesman, and Major General Qassim Atta, Military Spokesman for Operation Fardh al Qanoon, speak with reporters in Baghdad, providing an Iraqi and Coalition Forces Operational Update. (Live, VoD, Podcast) Encore presentation at 1600hrs.

0930 - Pentagon Briefing: S. Ward Casscells, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, and ADM Joxel Garcia, Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services, speak with reporters at the Pentagon about a new agreement to detail PHS mental health providers to military treatment facilities. (Live, VoD, Podcast) Encore presentation at 0600hrs.

1130 - Pentagon Briefing: Brig Gen John Campbell, Deputy Director for Regional Operations, Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks with reporters at the Pentagon, providing an operational update. (Live, VoD, Podcast) Encore presentation at 0000hrs.

"The United States has a history of trying to achieve desired effects with the absolute minimal collateral damage ...

and we use the same principles in network warfare" - Col. Tony Buntyn, Vice-Commander, U.S. Air Force Cyber Command on DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable today. Communication problems plagued us today but we persevered.

On the call with us today was David Axe of War is Boring, Christian Lowe of Military.com, Paul Crespo of Paul Crespo.com, Ryan Singel of Wired.com's Threat Level. and Paul McCleary of Defense Tech International.

New website for parents of servicemembers

There is a new website for the parents of members of our armed forces. Looks like a good resource. Check it out.

Pentagon Channel Highlights

(All Times Eastern)

0900 - Medal of Honor: Monday's coverage of Commander in Chief George W. Bush presenting the Medal of Honor to the parents of SPC Ross A. McGinnis for his heroic actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Encore, 13 min)

0930 - Armed Services Hearing: The Senate Armed Services Committee receives testimony on the acquisition of major weapons systems by the Department of Defense. Scheduled witnesses include:
- John Young, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics
- Katherine Schinasi, Managing Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, Government Accountability Office. (Live)

1600 - Hall of Heroes: Today's coverage of Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England hosting a ceremony honoring SPC Ross A. McGinnis, recipient of the Medal Of Honor, in the Pentagon Library and Conference Center. (VoD, Podcast) Encore presentations at 1800, 0000 & 0600hrs.

Pentagon Channel Highlights

(Eastern Times)

0900 - Iraq Briefing: MG Jeffery Hammond, Commanding General of Multi-National Division-Baghdad and 4th Infantry Division, speaks via satellite with reporters at the Pentagon, providing an update on ongoing security operations in Iraq. (Live, VoD, Podcast)

0950 - Medal of Honor: We honor an American hero. Watch Commander in Chief George W. Bush present the Medal of Honor to the parents of SPC Ross A. McGinnis for his heroic actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Live) Encore presentations at 1800, 0000 & 0600hrs.

1100 - Iraq Briefing: Sunday's coverage of MajGen Stone, Commander of Task Force 134 Detention Operations, speaking with reporters in Baghdad. (Encore, VoD, Podcast, 47 min)

1330 - GRD Roundtable: Coverage of CDR Glover, Subsector Lead for Security and Justice, US Army Corps of Engineer Gulf Region Division; Phillip Lynch, Rule of Law Coordinator, Department of State; and Wilson Myers, Rule of Law Attorney, Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction Team, speaking with reporters in Baghdad at a US Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Division roundtable focusing on rule of law and security and justice. (VoD, Podcast, 47 min)