Special Operations to become three-star command

[ECH1969]

The Defense Department is accepting an independent report’s recommendation to raise the headquarters in charge of the military’s most secret units to a three-star command and expand its array of flag officers.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, JSOC has been one of the busiest organizations in the military. Historically geared for short-notice hostage rescue operations, it now has the additional mission to hunt down and kill or capture terrorist leaders.

It has enjoyed some success in that regard, capturing Saddam Hussein and killing or capturing many members of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s al-Qaida in Iraq organization. But it continues to be frustrated in its pursuit of Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri and al-Zarqawi himself.

http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1528875.php

[phoebe]

1. info. on retired Army Maj. Gen. Bill Garrison= vehemently pro-Israel

http://www.pakdef.info/forum/showthread.php?t=3664 (entire lead page makes for interesting reading)

he is signatory to the following letter

JINSA (Jewish Institute of National Security Affairs)Flag & General Officers Statement on Palestinian Violence


dated October 13th, 2000
Signatures as of October 16th, 2000



We, the undersigned, believe that during the current upheavals in Israel, the Israel Defense Forces have exercised remarkable restraint in the face of lethal violence orchestrated by the leadership of a Palestinian Authority that deliberately pushes civilians and young people to the front lines.

We are appalled by the Palestinian political and military leadership that teaches children the mechanics of war while filling their heads with hate.We are appalled by Palestinian "police" and "military commanders" who place armed adults amid civilian rioters, betting their children's lives on the capabilities and restraint of the IDF and then callously using the inevitable casualties as grist for their propaganda mill.

The behavior of those Palestinians, who use civilians as soldiers in a war, is a perversion of military ethics.

We have traveled to Israel over the years with The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs. We do not claim to be experts in the political affairs of Israel and its neighbors. However, in those travels, we brought with us our decades of military experience and came away with the unswerving belief that the security of the State of Israel is a matter of great importance to US policy in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, as well as around the world. A strong Israel is an asset that American military planners and political leaders can rely on.

Israeli military innovations, shared with America, in tanks and tank warfare, ballistic missile defense capabilities, reserve mobilization, the uses of air power and early warning, among others, are astonishing. But what makes the US-Israel security relationship one of mutual benefit is the combination of military capabilities and shared political values - freedom, democracy, personal liberty and the rule of law.

We met in Israel with leaders from left to right on the Israeli political spectrum, and we met with soldiers from privates to generals and Chiefs of Staff. We traveled throughout the north, along the coast, in the Negev, Jerusalem and the territories. We reconfirmed the ageless lessons that every military professional knows - how geography and topography can predict destiny.

Throughout our travels and our talks, the determination of Israelis to protect their country and pursue a fair and workable peace with their neighbors at the same time was evident. It is with this background that we view the current conflict in and around Israel with such dismay. Yitzhak Rabin said at the beginning of this peace effort with the Palestinians that one can only make peace with one's enemies. But what every soldier also knows is that the enemy must have decided to put down his weapons - rocks as well as rifles - and make peace in good faith. The Palestinian-initiated violence in Israel now strongly tells us that the necessary good faith is sorely lacking on the Palestinian side.

America's role as facilitator in this process should never yield to America's responsibility as a friend to Israel, the only country in the Middle East that shares our democratic and humanitarian values. Friends don't leave friends on the battlefield.

[atreides1]

2. Just Great

Another top heavy military institution for those officers loyal to BushCo, but with no loyalty to the United States or its Constitution!!!!!!

[phoebe]

3. Gen. Wayne Downing bio = republican, lobbyist for Chalabi,corruption probe

as evidenced by the assignments he's held..

http://www.leadingauthorities.com/23731/Wayne_Downing.htm

snip

General Wayne Downing served in a variety of command assignments in infantry, armored, special operations, and joint units, culminating in his appointment as the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Special Operations Command. He served two combat tours in Vietnam as a junior infantry officer.

As a general officer, Wayne Downing commanded the special operations of all services during the 1989 invasion of Panama and commanded a joint special operations task force operating deep behind the Iraqi lines during Operation DESERT STORM. Following retirement, General Wayne Downing was appointed by the President to assess the 1996 terrorist attack on the U.S. base at Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, and to make recommendations on how to protect Americans and U.S. facilities worldwide from terrorist attack.

From 1999-2000, General Wayne Downing was a member of the Congressionally mandated National Commission on Terrorism (the Bremer Commission) charged with examining the terrorist threat to the US, evaluating America's laws, policies, and practices for preventing and punishing terrorism directed at US citizens, and recommending corrective actions.

General Wayne Downing most recently served in the White House as National Director and Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism. As the President's principal advisor on matters related to combating terrorism, he was responsible for the close coordination among the military, diplomatic, intelligence, law enforcement, information, and financial operations of our war on terror, and for developing and executing a strategy that integrated all elements of national power.

He was lobbyist for Iraqi National Congress advocating for Ahmad Chalabi and also served on the board of the Committee for Liberation of Iraq.

he is part of a corruption investigation into defense contracting - article here

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/11/03/Tampabay/FBI_takes_a_look_at_S.shtml
FBI takes a look at SOCom allegations

snip

According to the allegations, Holland, as SOCom commander, awarded $10-million in business to AeroVironment, which manufactures unmanned vehicles, or UAVs. Holland later went to work for the company, whose name was misspelled in the anonymous letter.

"Gen. Brown directed a UAV Program Office be formed at USSOCOM to make it easier for his buddy, Gen. Holland, to do business at USSOCOM," the letter said.

snip

In a separate allegation, the letter said Downing benefited from a $50-million SOCom contract to "Nevada Sierra Corporation," and said Downing served on the company's board of directors.

A public records search of the Sierra Nevada Corp., a defense electronics engineering and manufacturing firm, did not include Downing on the board. The company did not respond to a message seeking comment, and Downing could not be located.

Three weeks ago, after the Pentagon raised questions about SOCom's ability to wage the war on terror, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld appointed Downing to conduct an independent assessment.

[phoebe]

4. Michael Vickers

http://www.law.harvard.edu/academics/graduate/hcia/panelist_bio_161.php
Michael G. Vickers
Director of Strategic Studies, Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments


Michael Vickers is a frequent writer and presenter on future warfare and transformation strategy. He served three times as an Advisor to the Defense Science Board, and led the Secretary of Defense's Summer Study on transformation strategy. He is a former Army Special Forces Officer and CIA Operations Officer with extensive operational experience. Mr. Vickers received a MA from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, where he is completing his PhD dissertation. He holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

more on The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA)
http://www.csbaonline.org/
-do your own homework on the Board of Directors..


here's a pre-war interview with Vickers appearing in the Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/liveonline/03/special/world/sp_world_vickers020703.htm

snip

Washington, D.C.: I still don't buy the Iraq/al Qaeda connection. Iraq is a tyranny but it is also a secular Arab state. It has more gender equality then anywhere else in the Middle East (except Israel). Isn't that exactly the kind of government al Qaeda wants to take down?

Michael Vickers: I think there is evidence that can't be ignored of an Iraqi-Al Qaeda connection. The secular argument doesn't hold much water. We were allies with the Soviets during WWII after all.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alexandria, Va.: Why is Iran's reaction to the result of the war so important? As I understand it, they aren't breaking any international laws and have the support of UN inspectors. What possible case do we have for attacking them?

Michael Vickers: I didn't mean to imply that we would attack Iran. What I meant was it is unclear whether hardline clerics in charge of national security in Iran will view events in Iraq as a reason to accelerate their WMD programs or abandon them. Let's hope it's the latter.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alexandria, Va.: Based on your experience, what do you think the public's biggest misunderstanding about this war is?

Michael Vickers: Based on what I've seen, I think the American public has a pretty good understanding of the rationale for and costs of war.