The Insider

New Antiterrorism Policy
By John Liang
March 5, 2012 at 6:41 PM

The Pentagon's assistant secretary for homeland defense and Americas' security affairs has been given the antiterrorism (AT) program portfolio, according to a March 1 memo issued by acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy James Miller.

Miller's memo states that the ASD(HD&ASA) is now responsible for:

a. Serv[ing] as the principal civilian advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the USD(P) to provide overall direction and supervision for policy development, program planning and execution, and allocation of resources for DoD AT activities  . . .

b. Coordinat[ing] with the Chair of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (USD(I)) Physical Security Review Board on physical security matters that affect DoD AT planning conducted in accordance with DoDI 5200.08 and DoD 5200.08-R . . .

c. Coordinat[ing] with the Chair of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD(AT&L)) Physical Security Equipment Action Group on physical security technology development and the application of new technologies to meet AT needs in accordance with DoDI 3224.03 . . .

d. Coordinat[ing] with the CJCS to validate submissions for CCIF requests.

e. Monitor[ing] resource requirements resulting from Joint Staff Integrated Vulnerability Assessment trends in coordination with the CJCS; the USD(AT&L); the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) (USD(C))/Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Department of Defense; and the Director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).

Overall, the memo decrees DOD's antiterrorism policy as follows:

a. DOD Components and DoD elements and personnel shall be protected from terrorist acts through a high-priority, comprehensive AT program using an integrated systems approach.

b. The DOD AT Program is an element of [Combating Terrorism] and focuses on defensive measures used to reduce the vulnerability of individuals and property to terrorist acts, including rapid containment by local military and civilian forces. The minimum elements of an AT program shall be AT risk management, planning, training and exercises, resource application, and comprehensive program review, as defined in the Glossary. All response planning undertaken pursuant to this Instruction will be consistent to the maximum extent possible with Secretary of Homeland Security Publications. . . . As such, plans for response to a terrorist incident must be incorporated into and synchronized with incident response plans prepared in accordance with [a January 2009 DOD instruction on the Installation Emergency Management Program] to ensure continued application of AT measures throughout the incident.

c. Commanders and DOD civilian managers have the authority to enforce appropriate measures to ensure the protection of DOD elements and personnel subject to their control while pursuing mission accomplishment, and shall ensure the AT awareness and readiness of all DOD elements and personnel assigned or attached.

d. Geographic Combatant Commanders have tactical control (TACON) for force protection (FP) over all DOD personnel within their geographic areas of responsibility (AORs) as directed in Secretary of Defense Memorandum ["DOD Force Protection Responsibilities"], with the exception of DOD personnel for whom the chiefs of U.S. diplomatic missions (COMs) have security responsibility as described in [agreements with the State Department regarding the security of DOD personnel at U.S. embassies abroad].

e. The Combatant Commander Initiative Fund (CCIF) or the Combating Terrorism Readiness Initiative Fund (CbT-RIF), if funded, will be maintained as a flexible means to respond to emergent and emergency AT requirements. . . .

f. The standardized DOD methodology described in [a February 2004 "Antiterrorism Handbook"] shall be used to determine the terrorist threat to DOD personnel, facilities, and interests and to establish terrorism threat levels (TTLs).

g. DOD Components shall implement Force Protection Condition (FPCON) measures as outlined in [an October 2006 "antiterrorism standards" instruction memo] in anticipation of or in response to a terrorist threat or attack. Commanders and civilian managers at all levels must continually update risk assessments to ensure all appropriate measures are applied for the mitigation of terrorist threats.

h. DOD elements and personnel shall comply with the theater, country, and special clearance requirements in DoDD 4500.54E and the DoD Foreign Clearance Guide (References (v) and (w)) before traveling outside the United States on official travel.

i. DOD shall assist [the State Department], when feasible and normally on a reimbursable basis, in supporting efforts to protect U.S. citizens abroad in accordance with section 4805 of Reference (l) or other applicable provisions of law. DOD contract provisions shall be developed in accordance with Reference (i) and shall require that contract firms, companies, and entities obtain AOR-specific AT guidance issued by the applicable geographic Combatant Commander, and require compliance by personnel performing DoD contracts outside the United States, consistent with the terms of the contract.

j. DOD will comply with the No-Double-Standard Policy (as described in the Glossary) on the dissemination of terrorist threat information.

Eying China
By Christopher J. Castelli
March 5, 2012 at 6:01 PM

The Defense Department was not surprised by published reports over the weekend that China would boost its defense spending by 11.2 percent, according to Pentagon Press Secretary George Little. The Associated Press reported that China's defense spending would increase in 2012 to $106.4 billion.

"This is not something that was unexpected," Little told reporters today. "They have continued to try to advance their military capabilities. This is not a surprise. The important thing for us, of course, is to continue to forge ways of developing an even-more-cooperative mil-to-mil relationship with Beijing." The recent visit to the Pentagon by China's vice president, Xi Jinping, was an important step, Little said. Xi is slated to be China's next president. DOD believes there is a strong chance that the two militaries can develop greater cooperation, Little said.

The department also wants China to increase transparency about its military investments, Little said, reiterating a mantra that U.S. officials have stated repeatedly in recent years. The Associated Press reported Chinese defense spending may be 50 percent higher than claimed given China excludes outlays for nuclear missiles and other programs. Little could not say whether China is under-reporting its planned military investments at roughly $106 billion. "We assume that number is correct," he said. "I'll leave it to others to make that judgment though."

Panetta On Climate Change
By John Liang
March 2, 2012 at 5:06 PM

Following a speech he gave this morning in Louisville, KY, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was asked about climate change and its possible effect on national security. Here's what he said, according to a Pentagon transcript:

With regards to climate change, the -- actually, what we developed at the CIA was an intelligence branch of the CIA that focused on that issue actually for intelligence purposes, because of the implications that these changes might have with regards to national security.

For example, when we incur greater droughts, when we incur areas that in fact have less rain and are incurring unusual climate impacts, it creates obviously an impact in terms of the population.  It's something we have to be aware of because that can create chaos.  We've seen that happen in Africa.  We've seen that happen in other parts of the world.  So we need to have that kind of intelligence.

In addition, because of the ice melt, there are indications of a rising ocean.  We've already seen that take place.  And there our concern is how will that impact on ports, how will that impact on facilities, how will that impact on low line levels that could be impacted by that?  So we continue to try to get intelligence on that as well.

In addition, obviously, we do look at the polar ice cap and are able through imagery to determine what's happening with polar ice cap and just how quickly is it melting and what that impact will be.  I can tell you.  As the polar ice cap melts, the national security implications are that countries like Russia and others are going to be looking for the opportunity to go into those areas and try to go after the resources in the Arctic.  They've already made claims to that effect.

So clearly as it melts, as those opportunities increase, then there are countries that are going to assert themselves, try to gain access to the resources that are there.  That also constitutes an issue that relates to national security.

So from an intelligence point of view, it's important for us to keep track of those trends.  You know, this isn't about the battle of climate change and the issues related to that.  This is about what we are seeing happen and the intelligence that flows from that.  And that is important for us to consider as we look at issues that can threaten America's national security.

A Defense Science Board report published last November said that the Pentagon must better prepare for conflict and humanitarian disasters triggered by climate change by adopting a raft of alterations to its organization, policy, force structure, facilities, training, security assistance and coordination with other agencies. As InsideDefense.com reported:

The DSB's "Task Force on Trends and Implications of Climate Change for National and International Security" calls on the Pentagon to develop a "strong climate information system database" to predict where weather patterns are likely to cause instability, according to an October report, released this week. The report focuses on the potential for climate change-related crises to affect African nations.

"Climate change will only grow in concern for the United States and its security interests," Paul Kaminski, chairman of the Defense Science Board, writes in an Oct. 4 memo forwarding the task force's recommendations to the Pentagon's acquisition executive. "This report offers guidance to the Department of Defense on how to become a leader in mitigating and adapting to its growing effects."

The task force was directed last year by Ashton Carter, then the Pentagon's top acquisition official, to conduct a sweeping assessment of the trends and implications of climate change for national and international security. Carter has since been named deputy defense secretary.

The Defense Department, according to the task force, "can play an important role by providing climate change data and warning" as well as assisting foreign militaries in understanding how dramatic weather events could impact their force structure, facilities and overall security situation.

"Climate change is likely to have the greatest impact on security through its indirect effects on conflict and vulnerability," states the report. "Climate change is more likely to be an exacerbating factor for failure to meet basic human needs and for social conflict, rather than the root cause."

Dicks To Retire
By Christopher J. Castelli
March 2, 2012 at 4:52 PM

House Appropriations Chairman Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) is praising Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA), the panel's top Democrat and a big Boeing proponent, following Dicks' announcement today that he plans to retire from Congress at the end of the year.

“Norm Dicks and I have been friends and colleagues for many years, and I have rarely had the chance to work with someone of his decency, strong work ethic, jovial character, and honesty," Rogers said in a statement. "He has served this institution with dignity and a true dedication to the people of the 6th District of Washington. Despite our ideological differences, Norm has never hesitated to work together to maintain the comity and spirit of bipartisanship that is the hallmark of the Appropriations Committee. I look forward to working side by side with Norm over the next few months, and will truly miss his presence in the next Congress. I wish him all the best in this next stage of life.”

China Mil-To-Mil Ties
By John Liang
March 1, 2012 at 8:25 PM

The commander of U.S. Pacific Command testified this morning before the House Armed Services Committee. In his prepared testimony, Navy Adm. Robert Willard stated that U.S.-China military-to-military relations "continue to lag well behind" other bilateral engagements for three main reasons:

Differences in philosophy regarding the purpose of military-to-military relations in which China emphasizes strategic dialogue and the U.S. seeks comprehensive military contact from the strategic to tactical levels as a way to build confidence; China's tendency to suspend military-to-military [interactions] following U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and, more generally, its linkage between certain U.S. defense policies and continuous bilateral military relations; and inherent Chinese distrust of U.S. regional intentions resulting in demands that perceived impediments to the relationship be conceded before military relations can advance.

Last month, the Defense Department welcomed a new statement from the Chinese defense ministry about the potential for improved bilateral military ties. Geng Yansheng, a spokesman for China's defense ministry, was quoted Feb. 23 touting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's recent official visit to the United States. Xi is slated to be China's next president. As we reported:

"This visit was of great significance to guiding the development of relations between the two countries and the two militaries," Geng said, as China's official Xinhau news agency reported. Further, the Chinese spokesman underscored the potential for improved ties with the Pentagon. "We are ready to work with the U.S. side, by observing the principles of mutual respect, trust, equality and mutual benefits, to respect and take care of each other's core interests and major concerns, properly handle differences and controversial issues, cultivate strategic mutual trust and push forward China-U.S. military links in a healthy and stable way," Geng said.

"We welcome the Chinese announcement that they are ready to advance military ties with the United States," Little said today. "We believe that a reliable, stable and healthy military relationship between the two countries is one of several means to enhance the bilateral relationship, work toward common goals and candidly address our differences."

CAPE Addition
By John Liang
February 29, 2012 at 7:24 PM

The Pentagon's cost assessment and program evaluation office is slated to get a new addition to its leadership team, according to a Defense Department statement issued today:

Army Lt. Gen. Robert P. Lennox has been nominated for reappointment to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as principal deputy director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.  Lennox is currently serving as deputy chief of staff, G-8, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.

According to his official bio, Lennox has held his current post since November 2009, and is "responsible for integration and programming across the Army to meet the current and future force requirements." Further:

Lieutenant General Lennox graduated in 1977 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering. He also holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Stanford University, and a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the National Defense University. Lieutenant General Lennox's military education includes the Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College.

Lieutenant General Lennox's last assignment was as the Director, Army Quadrennial Defense Review. His previous assignments include: Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7; Commanding General, United States Army Air Defense Artillery Center and Fort Bliss, Texas; Deputy Commanding General/Chief of Staff United States Army Accessions Command; Deputy Commanding General/Deputy for Operations, United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command; Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Air Defense Artillery Center and Fort Bliss; Director, Army Staff Transition Coordination Team, Office of the Chief of Staff, Army; Commander, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade; Missile Defense Planner, Sea, Air and Space Superiority Assessment Division, J-8 the Joint Staff; Commander, 1st Battalion (Avenger) 2nd Air Defense Artillery; Chief, G-3 (Plans and Exercises), 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army; Executive Officer, 4th Battalion (PATRIOT), 43rd Air Defense Artillery, 32nd Army Air Defense Command, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany and OPERATION DETERMINED RESOLVE, Saudi Arabia; Instructor/Course Director, later Assistant Professor, later Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences, United States Military Academy, West Point; Operations Officer, 1st Battalion 67th Air Defense Artillery, 9th Infantry Division; Assistant Division Air Defense Officer, 9th Infantry Division; Commander, C Battery, 1st Battalion 67th Air Defense Artillery, 9th Infantry Division; Platoon Leader B Battery, later Battery Executive Officer, C Battery, and later Battalion Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, 62 Air Defense Artillery, 25th Infantry Division.

Check out the CAPE office's latest reports:

DOD FY-10 Annual Report On Cost Assessment Activities

DOD FY-09 Annual Report On Cost Assessment Activities

Flight Clearance
By Gabe Starosta
February 28, 2012 at 10:07 PM

The F-35A has been granted a military flight release by the Aeronautical Systems Center, opening the door for pilots at Eglin Air Force Base, FL, to begin flying the Joint Strike Fighter.

The clearance is perhaps the most important step left for the Air Force to clear before beginning F-35A training operations, which have been delayed for months while ASC completed its evaluation process.

“The Air Force, Joint Strike Fighter Program Office and other stakeholders have painstakingly followed established risk acceptance and mitigation processes to ensure the F-35A is ready,” said Gen. Donald Hoffman, the commander of Air Force Materiel Command, in a statement released this afternoon. “This is an important step for the F-35A and we are confident the team has diligently balanced the scope of initial operations with system maturity.” Air Education and Training Command will execute JSF training for the Air Force, but ASC, the service's airworthiness authority, is a part of Air Force Materiel Command.

The military flight release alone does not mean training flights will start immediately at Eglin AFB. Inside the Air Force reported last week that Air Education and Training Command will slowly increase its JSF sortie rate and give instructors time to get comfortable with the aircraft and training syllabus before turning the aircraft over to student pilots.

Additionally, the Air Force is hoping to receive a more advanced version of the aircraft's logistics program, the Lockheed-Martin-designed Autonomous Logistics Information System, before beginning formal training. However, the service could start flying with a more limited version of ALIS.

Cyber Priorities
By Jordana Mishory
February 28, 2012 at 8:05 PM

The Pentagon never considered making cuts to its cybersecurity funding as it searched for nearly half a trillion dollars in cuts over the next decade, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said today.

Speaking at a information security event, Carter said the Defense Department would increase its investments in the cyber area if it could find worthy investments. He noted that DOD is requesting several billion dollars for cyber capabilities but could make room for more dollars if necessary.

Carter added that DOD wants to be “the firstest with the mostest” when it comes to cyber technologies, which means supporting innovations and providing platforms or ranges for the experimentation on and testing of cyber technologies, both offensive and defensive.

DOD can also make investments that are risky or whose payoff is long-term, Carter said.

Waste Management
By John Liang
February 28, 2012 at 5:40 PM

During a Senate Budget Committee hearing this morning on the Pentagon's fiscal year 2013 spending request, Sen. Chuck Grassley gave Defense Secretary Leon Panetta a letter detailing 16 audit reports that "uncovered egregious waste and misconduct" at DOD.

"If I had two words to characterize what I found in those 16 reports, they would be scandalous and disgraceful," Grassley's letter states, adding:

Right now, the findings and recommendations presented in those 16 reports are being processed through the Pentagon meat grinder. Only you can save them from oblivion.

You have indicated that you want to find places in the defense budget to save nearly $500 billion over the next 10 years. Well, I think I have found the perfect place for you to begin your belt-tightening campaign. The IG claims that these and other 2011 reports identified $735 million in potential efficiencies. All this money will be lost unless the findings and recommendations in those reports are somehow converted into concrete action. Right now, they face a most uncertain future.

Click here to view Grassley's letter.

Agitated Adjutants General
By John Liang
February 27, 2012 at 9:52 PM

On the eve of a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the Air Force's fiscal year 2013 budget request, the adjutants general of all the U.S. states and territories are expressing their concern over how the budget request affects the Air National Guard.

In a Feb. 27 letter to committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) and Ranking Member John McCain (R-AZ), the adjutants general write:

Although we have been excluded from the Air Force budget process, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz asked eight (8) Adjutants General to meet with them yesterday morning (Sunday, February 26, 2012). The dialogue was respectful, comprehensive and candid. At the end of the meeting, our colleagues reaffirmed our concerns with the flawed processes, assumptions and criteria that produced the Air Force budget request. The undersigned therefore request your support for an immediate comprehensive and inclusive review of the Air Force submission. Implementation of the Air Force 2013 budget request should be frozen pending the results of an open and transparent review process.

It is counterintuitive that the Air National Guard, which comprises 21% of the uniformed members of the Total Air Force, would bear 59% of the total aircraft cuts and approximately six times the per capita personnel cuts, especially in light of our country’s current and foreseeable fiscal posture. The Air National Guard has the highest experience levels in the total force, the lowest base operating expenses and by far the lowest life cycle costs (including lower retirement and medical costs). The Guard is the only military component that can serve the President and our Governors and the only component underwritten by shared state-federal cost arrangements.

Click here to read the rest of the letter.

New MDAP List
By John Liang
February 27, 2012 at 8:56 PM

Out of the Pentagon's $178.8 billion fiscal year 2013 budget request for the development and purchase of new weapons and technology, $72.3 billion is for major defense acquisition programs (MDAPs).

InsideDefense.com now has the Defense Department's most-recent MDAPs list, published in December.

Click here to view the 91 programs on that list.

Sidewinder Sale
By John Liang
February 27, 2012 at 6:03 PM

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced in a statement this morning that it had notified Congress of a proposed $105 million foreign military sale of "80 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II All-Up-Round Missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support." Further:

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The Kuwait Air Force is modernizing its fighter aircraft to better support its own air defense needs. The proposed sale of AIM-9X-2 missiles will enhance Kuwait’s interoperability with the U.S. and among other Central Command nations, making it a more valuable partner in an increasingly important area of the world.

The proposed sale of this weapon system will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems Company in Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require travel of U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Kuwait on a temporary basis for program technical support and management oversight.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

Other recent DSCA news includes:

DSCA Statement On FY-11 Foreign Military Sales

In a Dec. 3, 2011, statement, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that U.S. foreign military sales passed the $30 billion mark for the fourth consecutive year, with the fiscal year 2011 total reaching $34.8 billion.

DSCA Letter To Congress On Proposed Patriot Systems Engineering Services Sale

In a Dec. 22, 2011, letter, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency informs Congress of a proposed $120 million foreign military sale of Patriot missile systems engineering services to Saudi Arabia.

DSCA Letter To Congress On Proposed $304 Million JDAM Sale To UAE

In a Nov. 29, 2011, letter, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency informs Congress of a proposed $304 million foreign military sale of Joint Direct Attack Munitions and related equipment.

DSCA Letter To Congress On Proposed F-16 Sale To Indonesia

In a Nov. 16, 2011, letter, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency informs Congress of a proposed $750 million sale of 24 F-16C/D Block 25 fighter aircraft and related parts to Indonesia.

DSCA Letter To Congress On Proposed EMALS/AAG Sale To Great Britain

In a Nov. 15, 2011, letter, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency informs Congress of a proposed $200 million sale of "long-lead subassemblies" for the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System/Advanced Arresting Gear to the United Kingdom.

DSCA Letter To Congress On $300 Million Proposed Aircraft Sale To Australia

In a Nov. 15, 2011, letter, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency informs Congress of a potential $300 million sale of a C-17 Globemaster cargo aircraft and related equipment and services to Australia.

U.S.-China Ties
By Christopher J. Castelli
February 24, 2012 at 5:08 PM

The Defense Department is welcoming a new statement from the Chinese defense ministry about the potential for improved bilateral military ties, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters today. Geng Yansheng, a spokesman for China's defense ministry, was quoted Thursday touting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's official visit to the United States last week. Xi is slated to be China's next president.

"This visit was of great significance to guiding the development of relations between the two countries and the two militaries," Geng said, as China's official Xinhau news agency reported. Further, the Chinese spokesman underscored the potential for improved ties with the Pentagon. "We are ready to work with the U.S. side, by observing the principles of mutual respect, trust, equality and mutual benefits, to respect and take care of each other's core interests and major concerns, properly handle differences and controversial issues, cultivate strategic mutual trust and push forward China-U.S. military links in a healthy and stable way," Geng said.

"We welcome the Chinese announcement that they are ready to advance military ties with the United States," Little said today. "We believe that a reliable, stable and healthy military relationship between the two countries is one of several means to enhance the bilateral relationship, work toward common goals and candidly address our differences."

Little said he had no specifics to announce today, but the department looks forward to discussing those details, including future military exchanges. During his Feb. 14 meeting with Xi at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta highlighted humanitarian assistance and counterpiracy as productive areas for deepening cooperation, Little said last week.

During the Feb. 14 visit, Panetta greeted Xi on the river steps of the Pentagon. The two leaders passed through an honor cordon into the building for a private welcome. Panetta then escorted Xi to the River Terrace Parade Field reviewing stand for Xi to receive military honors in a ceremony that was unprecedented for a visiting Chinese vice president.

Perishable Goods
By Sebastian Sprenger
February 23, 2012 at 9:19 PM

On today's anniversary of the U.S. flag raised at Iwo Jima, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin Dempsey released a white paper on a pet project of his: the profession of arms. The document's intent, Dempsey wrote in a Defense Department website blog post, is to foster debate on the subjects of trust, leadership and ethics among service members.

“Professionalism and jointness are perishable, they must be cultivated,” Dempsey wrote in the white paper.

In early April, the Army is expected to release a detailed report on the state of the ground service's profession. Unlike the somewhat promotional six-page white paper released today, the upcoming Army report amounts to a detailed survey giving voice to soldiers' attitudes, concerns and expectations.

Indications from earlier versions of the survey are that the service will have to address trust as a weak point in the Army fabric.

DOD-Jordan Talks
By Christopher J. Castelli
February 23, 2012 at 5:40 PM

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta met this morning with a Jordanian delegation led by Lt. Gen. Mashal al-Zaben, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Lt. Gen. Prince Feisal bin Hussein.

"They had productive conversations about current events in the Middle East, including the unrest in Syria and the situation in Iran," said Pentagon Press Secretary George Little.

Panetta reiterated to Mashal and Feisal the Defense Department's "firm commitment to its partnership with the Jordanian Armed Forces, and expressed his deep appreciation for Jordan's contributions in support of coalition operations, including Afghanistan," Little said. Mashal and Feisal are in Washington for the 34th U.S.-Jordan Joint Military Commission, DOD's annual bilateral consultation with the Jordanian military.