Senior leaders are saying

TODAY'S FOCUS

The Army's environmental programs encompass a broad range of installation efforts that sustain Soldier training and readiness, protect natural resources, and provide a healthy environment for Soldiers, their families and surrounding communities.

* Over the past year, the Army has developed innovative environmental programs and streamlined existing efforts targeted to save installations valuable time and improve responsiveness. The environmental compliance deficiency resolution process provides installation staff with a direct line of assistance to the garrison commander for addressing unexpected environmental issues.

* By allowing installations the power to handle these unforeseen deficiencies, they can be resolved in as little as 30 days versus a process that used to take up to two years. Fixing these unexpected challenges before they become more serious minimizes total costs, precludes detrimental impacts on mission activities and demonstrates effective management.

* Performance-based contracts (PBCs) are another way the Army is creating efficiencies while improving effectiveness. By using PBCs, the Army is able to buy effective and safe environmental cleanups for a fixed price and a set schedule by dictating what the objectives are and when they need to be reached, rather than how contractors will achieve those objectives.

* Since fiscal year 2000, the Army has awarded 40 PBCs at 58 active installations, resulting in a cost avoidance of $216 million. Those dollars have been reinvested into the program to further expedite installation cleanups.

* Another innovation is a unique program created to protect the vital functions of training ranges from incompatible land uses outside installation boundaries.

* The Army is leveraging legislative authority provided by the 2003 Defense Authorization Act to establish buffer areas near active training and testing areas through partnerships with government and private organizations. To date, more than 45,000 acres of land have been protected through the Army Compatible Use Buffers (ACUB) program at nine installations across the country, and another ten installations are in the process of completing ACUBs. These buffers will help assure the long-term viability of training on Army installations.

* The Army will continue to champion programs such as ACUBs in order to support the triple bottom line of mission, community and environment.

* Simply complying with environmental regulations will not ensure the Army will be able to meet current and future mission requirements. Effective policies and practices that safeguard the environment while enhancing readiness and quality of life must be implemented in order to sustain the future Army.

NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY

• 
  Retired Army general speaks out against war (NPR)
  
• 
  Two U.S. helicopters make emergency landings after being hit by enemy fire (MSNBC)
  
• 
  Military Update: Trauma surgeon deals with horrors of IEDs injuries (SS)
  
• 
  U.S. Command in Kuwait supplies the sinews of war (AFIS)
  
• 
  Navy gets the best of Army, 42-23 (SS)
  
• 
  OPSEC trainers visit deploying Soldiers (ARNEWS)
  

WAR ON TERROR NEWS

• 
  Supreme Court will hear case regarding recruiters at law schools (WT)
  
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  Search for IED's is a number one priority (CSM | EB)
  
• 
  Democrats differ on U.S. Policy in Iraq (WP | EB)
  
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  Iraqis begin cooperating after insurgents slay leader (WT | EB)
  
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  Number 3 Al-Qaida operative killed (MSNBC)
  
• 
  Report on growing danger of women in Al -Qaeda (Newsweek)
  
• 
  Secretary Rice defends U.S. terrorism policy (CNN)
  

OF INTEREST

• 
  Majority of Iraqis will vote secular in upcoming elections (CSM)
  
• 
  Saddam defense lawyers walk out of court (FN)
  
• 
  Opinion: 'Reform the Patriot Act' (WT)
  
• 
  Christian peace team faces perilous journey (Newsday)
  
• 
  U.S. at great risk for more terrorist attacks (PI)
  
• 
  Unruly courtroom drama unfolds in Saddam hearing (YN)
  
• 
  How erroneous intelligence led to a previous war (USN)
  
• 
  Bush adviser says troop reductions could come as early as next year (ABC)
  
• 
  Military convoys are magnets for bombs (AJC)
  

WORLD VIEW

• 
  CIA affair threatens transatlantic relations (Deutsche Welle | story)
  
• 
  French jihadists thrive on alienation (BBC News | story)
  
• 
  Germany's Central Islamic Institute appeals for captive release (Aljazeera | story)
  
• 
  Editorial: 'Our Missing Middle' (Arab News | story)
  
• 
  Islamist militants go on trial in the Netherlands (Reuters | story)
  
• 
  Al Qaeda commander killed in a tribal region of Pakistan (The New Zealand Herald | story)
  
• 
  In Germany, Muslims grow apart (International Herald Tribune | story)
  
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  What it is like to be a young, British, Muslim (BBC News | story)
  
• 
  Head of the Arab League says Arabs must improve image (Swissinfo | story)
  
• 
  The wife of captured aid worker pleads for his life (Gulf News | story)
  

Edition: Fri, December 02, 2005
Printable Version

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