Month: June 2022

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Defense News: U.S. Coast Guard Commandant visits NAVCENT

Source: United States Navy

During her visit, she met with Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of NAVCENT, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, and attended the change of command ceremony for U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA), the Coast Guard’s largest unit outside of the United States.

“Since 2003, the U.S. Coast Guard has provided a vital presence to Central Asia through support to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command,” said Fagan. “PATFORSWA embodies the strong link between the Coast Guard and the Department of Defense. The Coast Guard’s unique capabilities, namely our expertise in interdictions and security operations, enhance Central Command’s capabilities and help build partner nations’ capacity, ultimately strengthening maritime governance throughout the region.”

Fagan became the 27th commandant of the Coast Guard on June 1, making history as the first woman to lead a branch of the U.S. armed forces.

Established in 2002 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA has played a crucial role in regional maritime security operations. PATFORSWA provides U.S. 5th Fleet with combat-ready assets, utilizing a full spectrum of vessel boarding capabilities at sea and training engagements ashore.

The U.S. 5th Fleet operating area encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles of water and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The region is comprised of 21 countries and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal, and the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb.

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Defense News: Valiant Shield 2022 Draws to a Close

Source: United States Navy

Valiant Shield 2022 is a biennial, U.S.-only, joint Field Training Exercise (FTX) focused on integration between U.S. forces in relation to current operational plans. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging adversary units.

The pinnacle event was the sinking exercise (SINKEX) on the decommissioned ex-USS Vandegrift (FFG 48). SINKEX featured a tightly synchronized sequence of live-fire events, demonstrating the joint forces’ capability to deliver fires and effects in the maritime environment. This SINKEX provided the Joint Task Force the opportunity to test new weapons and communications technologies and rehearse the integration of cyber effects to conduct long-range, precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-domain strikes against a surface target at sea.

“This exercise was the perfect opportunity to conduct integrated deterrence, which was the cornerstone of our approach,” said Rear Admiral Robb Chadwick, Valiant Shield 22 Joint Exercise Control Group Director. “We combined our efforts across all warfighting domains and the spectrum of conflict to ensure that the United States, alongside our allies and partners, could dissuade or defeat aggression in any form or domain.”

The exercise took place in the Joint Region Marianas area of operations including Palau, Naval Base Guam, Andersen Air Force Base, and in the off-shore Mariana Island Range Complex, with some training events also occurring in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

“Forward presence matters,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Logan Ridley, lead planner for Valiant Shield 22. “Conducting Valiant Shield in the Western Pacific provided precise opportunities to exercise the Joint Task Force’s real-world tactical mission, execute long-range fires, and visualize those successes.”

Valiant Shield provides a venue to test current and new technologies and platforms, such as “multi-intelligence source artificial intelligence experiments,” which reinforce the military’s current position as the supreme joint force. It also provides feedback used to guide the budget and acquisition process future fiscal years.

Marines from the III MEF brought the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to perform a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration (HI-RAIN), where the Air Force National Guard provided a quick landing of their C-130 Hercules on the Republic of Palau. The inclusion of the HI-RAIN mission significantly increases the lethality of precision fires and survivability of the HIMARS launcher, crew, and aircraft due to the reduced exposure to hostile fires.

The 94th AAMDC conducted a Patriot missile live-fire exercise on Palau, a first for the island nation, as the U.S. Department of Defense continues to intensify its focus on the Indo-Pacific region. The Patriot is capable of defeating both high-performance aircraft and tactical ballistic missiles.

“One hundred percent successful,” said Brig. Gen. Mark Holler, commanding general of the 94th Army, Air and Missile Defense Command. “Everything went according to plan.”

Live-fire exercises are one of the most valuable ways for air defenders to train their craft. The ability to defend U.S. allies and partners is a part of the mission, and conducting training in different locations across the region allows the U.S. military to learn and improve their proficiency to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) demonstrated a myriad of its capabilities: expeditionary diving, maritime and port security, logistics support, construction, coastal patrol, explosive ordnance disposal, and Automated Construction of Expeditionary Structures (ACES). The unique capability of ACES included the operational demonstration of providing a concrete 3D printing capability, which is specifically designed for expeditionary environments.

The NECC exercised abilities to enable freedom of movement for the fleet and joint force by removing physical, manmade, and explosive threats that impede the joint force’s ability to maneuver, on land and sea.

All of this built to the dramatic conclusion of the Valiant Shield 2022 SINKEX. The military employs obsolete U.S. Navy ships for sinking exercises to train joint forces and to test the effectiveness of modern weaponry on ship design and aircraft.

SINKEX participants included Carrier Air Wing 5 embarked aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), who conducted long-range maritime strikes from fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. Seventh Fleet, embarked aboard the USS Tripoli (LHA 7), directed the task forces in the execution of a complete live-fire process. USS Benfold (DDG 65) launched a targeted surface-to-surface missile, which was a significant impact in the sinking of the Vandegrift. USS Key West (SSN 722), along with B-1B Lancers from the 28th Bomb Wing, and F-18s & F-35Bs from the Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons (VMFA-533 and VMFA-121) also participated in the SINKEX.

The planning for Valiant Shield 2024 has already begun, incorporating the lessons learned over the past two weeks so the Indo-Pacific joint forces can continue to ensure a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

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Defense News: U.S. 2nd Fleet Commander Embarks George H.W. Bush during COMPTUEX

Source: United States Navy

Dwyer visited the flagship and the supporting staffs of the George H.W. Bush CSG while underway completing Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), the final certification for deploying carrier strike groups.

“My mission as commander of 2nd Fleet is to defend the East Coast of the United States from all maritime avenues of approach,” Dwyer said. “To do that, I will use our certified and trained naval forces, which include the center piece of our naval forces, our carrier strike group.”

This was not Dwyer’s first time on the ship. He served aboard George H.W. Bush as a pilot of the attached carrier air wing.

“It seems like just yesterday I was flying from the flight deck from this mighty warship during her maiden deployment,” Dwyer said. “I thought we had our war-face on then, but I am incredibly impressed by what I have seen being back with all of you. The enthusiasm, motivation, and warrior spirit that every member of this great team has exhibited has been great to see.”

This COMPTUEX features the third iteration of a NATO vignette, a period of time a CSG trains while operating under NATO command and control.

Italian destroyer ITS Caio Dulio (D 554), Brazilian submarine BNS Tikuna (S-34), and Columbian submarine ARC Tayrona (S-29) joined the strike group for the exercise, emphasizing the strengthening of defense partnerships and capabilities between the U.S. and bilateral or multilateral partners.

“As we are watching very closely the events unfolding on NATO’s eastern flank with Russia’s illegal military action in Ukraine, it is incumbent upon us, the United States, the United States Navy, and all of our allied partners to show resolve against that illegal aggression,” Dwyer said.

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is comprised of George H.W. Bush, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron 26, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), and its Information Warfare Commander.

“We are embracing the challenges faced in this exercise and using them as an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop as a team,” said Rear Adm. Dennis Velez, commander, CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG. “Every Sailor in our strike group stands ready to defend our nation anytime, anyplace we are called.”

Once certification is complete, the George H.W. Bush Strike Group will be assignable world-wide.

“This is our final step in being a fully deployable United States warship,” said Capt. David Pollard, commanding officer of George H.W. Bush. “Once we are complete with COMPTUEX, the George H.W. Bush CSG will be certified ready for deployment. But I say, we are ready now. We are ready to answer our nation’s call. We are ready to defend the men, women, and children of the United States of America. We are the warriors, leaders, teachers and ambassadors that represent the American people. We will represent our families, our communities, and our nation with pride while exemplifying our namesake’s legacy of service, grit, humility, and resilience.”

George H.W. Bush provides the national command authority flexible, tailorable warfighting capability as the flagship of a carrier strike group that maintains maritime stability and security to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

The George H. W. Bush CSG is an integrated combat weapons system that delivers superior combat capability to deter, and if necessary, defeat America’s adversaries in support of national security.

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Security News: Two Predators Sentenced to Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting Four Children They met on Social Media Platforms

Source: United States Department of Justice News

INDIANAPOLIS – Thomas James Israel, 46, of Ft. Wayne, and Max Schafer, 31, of Brownsburg, were each sentenced to federal prison for their role in exploiting four children between October 2019 and August 2020. One of the victims was exploited by both Israel and Schafer during separate incidents. Israel previously pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and distribution of child sexual abuse material. On November 15, 2021, Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt sentenced Israel to twenty-five years in federal prison. Late yesterday, Schafer pleaded guilty to receipt of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct and possession of child sexual abuse material. District Judge James R. Sweeney II sentenced Schafer to over fourteen years (175 months) in federal prison.

According to court documents, between April 2020 and June 2020, Israel met his first minor victim, who was 14, using online applications such as Omegle and Meetme. Using Snapchat and Kik, Israel persuaded this victim to meet with him in person, then forced the victim into sadomasochistic sexual abuse, including forceful oral sex and assault. Israel recorded the sexual abuse on his mobile phone and later sent the video to the victim.

Israel met a second minor victim using Snapchat and persuaded the victim to send him explicit videos and photos of herself. When this victim was between 14 and 16 years old, she sent her minor boyfriend sexually explicit images and videos of herself. Without her consent, the boyfriend disseminated the images and videos over the internet. Israel downloaded those images and videos onto his online storage account and viewed them for a sexual purpose. 

Israel met his third minor victim, who was between 14 and 16 years’ old, over Omegle. Knowing that the victim suffered from mental health issues, Israel induced her to produce child sex abuse material, and to sell the images and videos to others online. Israel took a percentage of the fees and paid the victim by sending her gift cards from Victoria’s Secret.

According to court documents, Schafer also met Israel’s first minor victim using Omegle. Knowing that the minor victim was only fourteen years old, Schafer met and engaged in sexually explicit conduct with the victim. Schafer also persuaded the victim to send him the video that Israel produced, depicting Israel’s violent sexual abuse of the child.

Schafer also met his second minor victim, who was 16, using Omegle and Snapchat. Schafer persuaded this girl to send him sexually explicit images and videos of herself for his sexual purpose.

Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana and Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Indianapolis Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI Violent Crime Task Force investigated the case. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department also provided valuable assistance. As part of Israel’s sentence, Judge Pratt ordered that he be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for life following his release from prison and pay $16,000 in restitution to the victims. As part of Schafer’s sentence, Judge Sweeney ordered that he be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 40 years following his release from prison and pay $6,000 in restitution to the victims. Both Israel and Schafer must also register as sex offenders wherever they live, work, or go to school, as required by law.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany J. Preston who prosecuted this case.

In fiscal year 2019, the most recent year for which data is available, the Southern District of Indiana was second out of the 94 federal districts in the country for the number of child sexual exploitation cases prosecuted.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc

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Security News: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks at the Launch of the White House Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Remarks as Delivered

Thank you, Madam Vice President, for convening this important meeting – and for telling me where to stand. [Laughter]

Thanks to Sloane Stephens, Matthew Herrick, Francesca Rossi, Mary Anne Franks, Carrie Goldberg, and Melissa Diaz for being with us today to share your experiences and your recommendations, which I know will inform our work in the days ahead.

Online criminal harassment and abuse are serious offenses. 

They are easy to commit, and often difficult to investigate.

And they inflict devastating and long-lasting harm on victims, who are disproportionately women, children and young adults, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

Preventing and addressing online criminal harassment and abuse requires a whole-of-government approach. And that is why the Department of Justice is eager to take its place, take its role, to take part in the critical work of this Task Force.

Today, I would like to briefly outline three areas of focus for the Justice Department.

First, we are expanding our capacity to prevent online criminal harassment and abuse. 

Our Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is using every resource at its disposal to combat cyberstalking and the misuse of technology by abusers, including through its Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center, which provides education and training at the local, regional, statewide, and national levels.

OVW has also funded important work that is underway to collect nationally representative data on cyberstalking in the United States. This data will help us assess the scope and the nature of these crimes, as well as determine survivors’ access to services and any unmet needs. We look forward to sharing the report and its findings, which will be published later this year.

In addition, thanks to the [2022] VAWA Reauthorization, the Department has begun work to establish and maintain a National Resource Center on Cybercrimes Against Individuals, which will provide resources, training, and technical assistance to prevent, enforce, and prosecute cybercrimes against individuals. Those cybercrimes include the use of technology to harass, threaten, stalk, and extort, as well as the nonconsensual distribution of intimate images.

The Department has also requested $10 million for grant programs authorized under VAWA for states, Indian Tribes, and local governments to step up their own efforts to prevent and respond to cybercrimes.

Second, we are expanding our capacity to prosecute online criminal harassment and abuse.

Our 94 United States Attorneys’ offices across the country – with the support of our Criminal Division – are working in partnership with law enforcement at all levels to successfully prosecute these cases.

Our OVW grant programs support specialized training for our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and bring cyberstalking cases and provide survivor-centered services.

And, in the months ahead, the Justice Department will implement important provisions from VAWA aimed at improving our enforcement efforts. 

First, the FBI Director will design and create within the Uniform Crime Reports a category for offenses that constitute cybercrimes against individuals. We will publish an annual report on this information, and all the information we gather, to further inform our enforcement efforts.

In addition, the Department will develop and implement a comprehensive strategy:

(1) to reduce the incidence of these cybercrimes;

(2) to coordinate investigations of these cybercrimes by federal law enforcement agencies;

(3) to increase the number of federal prosecutions of these cybercrimes; and

(4) to develop an evaluation process that measures rates of cybercrime victimization and prosecutorial rates among Tribal and culturally specific communities.

Finally, we are expanding our capacity to protect and support the survivors of these crimes.

The Office of Victims of Crime will award $3 million to victim services organizations through the Advancing the Use of Technology to Assist Victims of Crime program.

This program will support initiatives that use technology to increase access to services and information about victims’ rights; enhance service providers’ understanding of technology-facilitated gender-based violence; and strengthen the responsiveness of victim-service organizations supporting survivors of this type of violence.

The experience of online criminal harassment and abuse are often much more than a single incident or moment in time. 

Online criminal harassment and abuse can be a life-altering – and sometimes life-shattering – [experience] which endures long after the crime is over.

We are committed to relentlessly investigating these crimes, bringing to justice those who perpetrate them, and providing support for the survivors.

Thank you all for your attention to the task. We look forward to our shared work in the days ahead. It’s now my honor to introduce my fellow General, the Surgeon General of the United States.