Fay (Atlantic Ocean)

This rainfall analysis showed that Gonzalo generated several areas over the Atlantic Ocean where rainfall totals topped 12 inches (red). Fay's maximum rainfall appeared between 4 and 8 inches (green).

Image Credit: 

NASA/SSAI, Hal Pierce

This rainfall analysis showed that Gonzalo generated several areas over the Atlantic Ocean where rainfall totals topped 12 inches (red). Fay's maximum rainfall appeared between 4 and 8 inches (green).

Image Credit: 

NASA/SSAI, Hal Pierce

This animated image shows the paths of Hurricanes Fay and Gonzalo and the rainfall dropped. Gonzalo's highest rainfall totals topped 12 inches (red). Fay's maximum rainfall appeared between 4 and 8 inches (green).

Image Credit: 

NASA/SSAI, Hal Pierce

NASA's TRMM Satellite Calculates Hurricanes Fay and Gonzalo Rainfall 

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission or TRMM satellite can estimate rainfall rates from its orbit in space and that data is used to create a rainfall analysis and calculate total rainfall for weather events in the tropics. NASA used TRMM and other satellite data to calculate rainfall from Atlantic hurricanes Fay and Gonzalo.

Hurricanes Fay battered Bermuda on October 12, 2014. The following Friday powerful Hurricane Gonzalo passed  directly over the island on Friday October 17, 2014 causing flooding and damage to many structures. The remnants of Gonzalo also pounded the British Islands with winds exceeding 70 mph causing the death of at least one person.

An analysis of rainfall was conducted on Fay and Gonzalo as they moved through the central Atlantic Ocean and over Bermuda. The analysis was based on near real time TRMM-based precipitation estimates (TMPA) that were produced by merging data from several satellites.

The analysis showed that Gonzalo generated several areas over the Atlantic Ocean where rainfall totals topped 12 inches (300 mm). Fay's maximum rainfall was between 4 and 8 inches (100-200 mm).

The rainfall estimates have been developed at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland by the precipitation research team. The type of data used in this analysis is expected to be superseded by a Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission product in late 2014.

TRMM is managed by NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. For more information about TRMM, visit: trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov. For more information about GPM, visit: www.nasa.gov/gpm.

Hal Pierce
SSAI/NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

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This visible image from NOAA's GOES-East satellite on Oct. 13 at 1145 UTC (7:45 a.m. EDT) shows Tropical Storm Fay northeast of Bermuda and Tropical Storm Gonzalo over the Lesser Antilles.

Image Credit: 

NASA/NOAA GOES Project

On Oct. 12 at 14:55 UTC (10:55 a.m. EDT), Aqua flew over Hurricane Fay northeast of Bermuda.

Image Credit: 

NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team

Oct. 15, 2014 - Satellites Confirm Fay Weakened to a Tropical Storm

The fifth named Atlantic storm didn't maintain hurricane status long. Fay became a hurricane late on Oct. 12 and by early on Oct. 13, had weakened back to a tropical storm.

A visible image from NOAA's GOES-East satellite on Oct. 13 at 1145 UTC (7:45 a.m. EDT) showed Tropical Storm Fay northeast of Bermuda and Tropical Storm Gonzalo over the Lesser Antilles. Fay appeared circular, but didn't have the signature shape of a tropical storm like Gonzalo, with bands of thunderstorms spiraling into the center. The image was created by the NASA/NOAA GOES Project at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

The National Hurricane Center noted that microwave imagery showed Fay has begun extra-tropical transition.  NHC discussion said: The cloud pattern has become quite asymmetric and the remaining central deep convection, situated well to the northeast of the center of circulation, is decreasing.

At 5 a.m. EDT on Oct. 13, Tropical Storm Fay's maximum sustained winds were near 65 mph (100 kph) and gradually weakening. It was centered near latitude 34.3 north and longitude 55.3 west. Fay was about 565 miles (910 km) east-northeast of Bermuda and moving to the east at 26 mph (43 kph)..  

The NHC expects Fay to merge with a frontal zone and become an extra-tropical cyclone by tonight, Oct. 13.

Rob Gutro
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

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On Sunday, Oct. 12, NOAA GOES-East satellite saw Fay near Bermuda and clouds associated with a cold front over the U.S. that are expected to absorb Fay sometime on Monday, Oct. 13.

Image Credit: 

NASA/NOAA GOES Project

Oct. 12, 2014 - Satellite Sees Cold Front Headed to Absorb Bermuda's Tropical Storm Fay

Tropical Storm Fay is affecting Bermuda on Sunday, Oct. 12, but a cold front over the eastern U.S. is expected to absorb the storm over the next day or two. Both were seen in an image from NOAA's GOES-East satellite.

On Saturday, Oct. 11, Tropical Depression 7 became Tropical Storm Fay in the Atlantic. By Oct. 12, Fay was nearing hurricane strength while it was less than 100 miles from Bermuda. NOAA's GOES-East satellite captured an image of the storm.

On Sunday, Oct. 12, Bermuda was placed under a Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning as Fay neared. NOAA GOES-East satellite provided an image of Fay near Bermuda that showed clouds associated with a cold front over the U.S. that are expected to absorb Fay sometime on Monday, Oct. 13. The image was created by the NASA/NOAA GOES Project at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

This animation of imagery from NOAA GOES-East satellite from Oct. 10-12 shows the movement of Tropical Storm Fay in the Atlantic an approaching cold front over the eastern U.S.

Image Credit: 

NASA/NOAA GOES Project

At 8 a.m. EDT on Saturday, October 11, 2014, the center of tropical storm fay was located near latitude 27.1 north and longitude 65.2 west. The storm was moving toward the north near 12 mph. Maximum sustained winds were near 60 mph.

Twenty four hours later on Sunday, Oct. 12, Fay's maximum sustained winds were near hurricane-strength at 70 mph (110 kph), although little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 Hours. Fay is expected to become a post-tropical cyclone at night (on Oct. 12).

The center of tropical storm fay was near latitude 33.4 north and longitude 63.9 west, just about 85 miles (140 km) north-northeast of Bermuda.  Fay was moving toward the north-northeast near 20 mph (31 kph) and the National Hurricane Center forecasts a turn toward the east-northeast and faster forward movement.  On the forecast track, the center of Fay will continue to move away from Bermuda today.

By Monday, Oct. 12, Fay is expected to be absorbed by a cold front.

For an updated forecast, visit; www.nhc.noaa.gov.

Rob Gutro
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

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NASA's Aqua satellite captured data on developing Subtropical Depression 7 on Oct. 10 at 1:41 a.m. EDT and saw some strong thunderstorms around the developing center with cloud top temperatures near -63F/-53C (purple).

Image Credit: 

NASA JPL, Ed Olsen

NOAA's GOES-East satellite captured this visible image of Subtropical Depression 7 on Oct. 10 at 14:45 UTC (10:45 a.m. EDT) about 600 miles south of Bermuda.

Image Credit: 

NASA/NOAA GOES Project

Oct. 10, 2014 - NASA Sees Birth of Atlantic's Subtropical Depression 7: Bermuda on Watch

The seventh depression of the Atlantic Ocean Hurricane Season was born on Oct. 10, but it's subtropical. NASA's Aqua satellite looked at the developing depression in infrared light and saw strong thunderstorms within.

The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder or AIRS instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite captured data on developing Subtropical Depression 7 on Oct. 10 at 05:41 UTC (1:41 a.m. EDT). AIRS identified several areas of strong thunderstorms around the developing center of circulation. Some of those thunderstorms were high in the troposphere with cloud top temperatures near -63F/-53C and had the potential for dropping heavy rainfall. The circulation continued to organize after Aqua passed by and a depression formed.

A Tropical Storm Watch was posted at 11 a.m. EDT on Oct. 10 for Bermuda. The National Hurricane Center noted that tropical storm conditions are possible on Bermuda late Saturday, Oct. 11 or on Sunday, Oct. 12.

A subtropical cyclone, which is what this depression is, is different from a tropical depression. Here's how the National Hurricane Center distinguishes subtropical from tropical: A subtropical cyclone, like Subtropical Depression 7, "is a non-frontal low-pressure system that has characteristics of both tropical and extra-tropical cyclones. Like tropical cyclones, they are non-frontal, synoptic or large-scale cyclones that originate over tropical or subtropical waters, and have a closed surface wind circulation about a well-defined center. In addition, they have organized moderate to deep convection (development of clouds and thunderstorms from rising air), but lack a central dense overcast. Unlike tropical cyclones, subtropical cyclones derive a significant proportion of their energy from baroclinic sources, and are generally cold-core in the upper troposphere, often being associated with an upper-level elongated low pressure area or trough. In comparison to tropical cyclones, these systems generally have a radius of maximum winds occurring relatively far from the center (usually greater than 60 nautical miles), and generally have a less rounded (symmetric) wind field and distribution of convection."

At 11 a.m. EDT the center of subtropical depression Seven was located near latitude 23.8 north and longitude 63.7 west. That puts the center of Subtropical Depression 7 about 590 miles (950 km) south of Bermuda. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 kph) with higher gusts.  Some strengthening is forecast and the depression is forecast to become a subtropical storm later today.

Subtropical Depression 7's estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 millibars. The depression is moving toward the northwest near 10 mph (17 kph). A gradual turn toward the north, followed by a turn toward the northeast on Sunday.

Rob Gutro
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

One Airdrop to Kurds Fighting in Kobani Intercepted

By Nick Simeone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2014 - One bundle of weapons and medical supplies airdropped by U.S. forces to Kurdish fighters in Syria most likely fell into enemy hands, a Pentagon spokesman said today.
The pallet was among 28 that were dropped by U.S. forces Oct. 19 to resupply Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in the border town of Kobani.
"One bundle worth of equipment is not enough equipment to give the enemy any type of advantage at all," Pentagon spokesman Army Lt. Col. Steve Warren told reporters. "It's a relatively small amount of supplies. This is stuff ISIL already has."
A second airdropped bundle with similar contents also went astray, Warren said, but it was destroyed by fighter aircraft soon after it hit the ground. It's possible that wind could have driven the packages off course, he acknowledged.
The weapons, ammunition and medical supplies being dropped to besieged Kurdish forces defending Kobani are being supplied by Kurds in neighboring Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve aimed at eliminating ISIL terrorists who hold significant portions of Northern Iraq and Syria.

Airstrikes Continue in Support of Operation Inherent Resolve

From a U.S. Central Command News Release
TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 22, 2014 - U.S. military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria yesterday and today using fighter and bomber aircraft to conduct six airstrikes, U.S. Central Command officials reported.
Separately, officials added, U.S. and partner nation military forces conducted 12 airstrikes yesterday and today using fighter, bomber, attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists in Iraq.
In Syria, six airstrikes near Kobani destroyed ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL building and an ISIL logistical center.
In Iraq, 12 airstrikes took place in the vicinity of Mosul Dam, destroying a large ISIL unit, an ISIL mortar launching position, three ISIL vehicles and multiple ISIL fighting positions.
All aircraft exited the strike areas safely. Airstrike assessments are based on initial reports.
The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the terrorist group ISIL and the threat they pose to Iraq, the region and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project power and conduct operations, Centcom officials said.

Face of Defense: Airmen Support Ebola Operations

By Air Force Staff Sgt. Sara Keller
86th Airlift Wing
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany, Oct. 22, 2014 - As service members travel to Africa in support of Operation United Assistance, Ramstein Air Base continues to establish itself as a power projection platform for Europe and Africa.

An airman takes a passenger's temperature at a temporary holding facility at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Oct. 19, 2014, after the passenger returned from West Africa. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sara Keller (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Medical professionals from the 86th Medical Group recently implemented plans to ensure safety precautions are taken to protect the air crews, passengers and the 54,000 members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community from possible exposure to the Ebola virus.
Exposure assessments
All personnel are screened before departing from Ebola-affected areas, and those categorized as "no known exposure" or "low risk of exposure" are allowed to board Air Force aircraft bound for Ramstein.
"Transient aircrew members who are on the ground for only a few hours are actually below the lowest Center for Disease Control exposure category," said Air Force Capt. Michael D'Amore, a flight surgeon assigned to the 86th Aerospace Medical Squadron.
"Additionally, airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing that are located in the areas of the Ebola outbreak are kept within secure Department of Defense areas," D'Amore said.
"These areas are protected and monitored to prevent [persons with] active or contagious cases of Ebola from coming in contact with our airmen. Furthermore, all people within these DOD areas are monitored several times daily for any signs of symptoms," he continued.
Additionally, airmen assigned to Ramstein will be monitored upon their return, said Lt. Col. Juan Ramirez, commander of the 86th Aerospace Medicine Squadron public health flight.
"Upon arrival, it is mandatory for all airmen who are stationed here to have their temperature taken twice a day by a medical professional at the Ramstein clinic for 21 days," Ramirez said.
Ongoing screenings
Because aircrew are consistently traveling in and out of these areas, they will be required to monitor their own temperatures and report them twice a week to the flight medicine clinic at Ramstein. In addition to temperature checks, the crews complete a screening process before and after they go on missions into West Africa.
"Airmen are tracked and screened prior to departing and upon return," D'Amore said. "We track countries visited and potential contact with indigenous people, animals or exotic foods."
Trained for response
Although most of the airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing traveling into infected areas are considered transient aircrew and have minimal time on the ground in places like Liberia, the aircrews are educated about and prepared to carry out the necessary protocols and procedures in the unlikely event an infected patient manifests symptoms on a U.S. Air Force aircraft.
"All aircrew members have been briefed in quarterly safety meetings and since then, several Flight Crew Information Files have been distributed on the topic of Ebola," D'Amore said.
"FCIFs are mandatory documents that must be read prior to their next flight and they include information as well as procedures to protect our airmen from exposure to Ebola, prevention of the virus on U.S. Air Force aircraft, and what to do in the event of a passenger presenting symptoms while in flight."
Measures are in place to monitor transient passengers landing at Ramstein from Ebola-afflicted areas. Like aircrews, passengers will also be pre-screened before departing infected areas.
"As personnel redeploy from West Africa to return to Ramstein, they'll be screened and cleared by 86th Medical Group public health staff," Ramirez said.
Personnel transiting through Ramstein will have their temperatures taken plane-side, with further monitoring continued at their final destinations, he noted.
Supporting a larger effort
In response to President Barack Obama's directive to increase the U.S. response to the Ebola epidemic, U.S. Africa Command is working with the U.S. Agency for International Development to deliver much-needed support. Part of Africom's effort is the tactical theater airlift provided by the 86th Airlift Wing, now in conjunction with the 86th Medical Group's efforts to educate and protect airmen and the entire military community.
"Containing this Ebola outbreak is a necessity on a global and national scale," D'Amore explained.
"Therefore, the airmen of the 86th [Airlift Wing] are vital for support of DoD and national efforts. It's exciting to be a part of a large and evolving operation such as this," he continued.
"One of the main functions of medical in the military is to prevent the spread of disease throughout the fighting force, and that is a big reason why we train and prepare service members to help in this outbreak that now has international attention," D'Amore said.

Dempsey Says Combating Ebola a National Security Priority

By Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
FORT MEADE, Md., Oct. 22, 2014 - In a video message to the force, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff called the fight against Ebola in West Africa a U.S. national security priority and said the health and safety of American service members deployed to the region will be safeguarded.
Army Gen. Martin E, Dempsey told troops that the U.S. military will leverage its unique capabilities to support international and U.S. efforts in response to the crisis.
The disease has claimed the lives of more than 4,500 people in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, according to United Nations statistics. The World Health Organization says that, left unchecked, 1.4 million people could have Ebola by the end of the year. The mortality rate from the virus is between 60 and 70 percent.
Up to 4,000 U.S. service members may eventually deploy to western Africa, and 632 personnel are already in the region -- 511 in the Liberian capital of Monrovia and 121 in a staging area in nearby Dakar, Senegal.
Fully trained and equipped
The U.S. military mission to West Africa will not include direct patient care, Dempsey noted. Still, "the safety and health of the men and women of our Joint Force -- and our families -- remains of the utmost importance to me and the Joint Chiefs," he said.
"We're making sure the men and women who deploy are provided with the right training and the proper protective equipment," the general said. "We have ensured the highest medical and safety protocols are in place before, during and after deployment."
During deployment, leaders will conduct daily temperature and symptom checks of all service members. Before the troops return to their home stations, "we will conduct controlled assessments based on the degree to which they've been exposed and risk," Dempsey said. "We will also ensure daily monitoring by leadership for 21 days upon return to quickly identify any signs of illness."
As the deployment continues, officials will conduct continual assessments to determine if there are better ways to protect American forces or if more stringent medical protocols need to be in place.
"Our training and equipment is the best in the world," Dempsey said. "And our leadership and our discipline will ensure that we accomplish our mission effectively and safely.
"While we have every interest in keeping this terrible disease an away game, domestically we will also have a team of medical experts on standby to assist our civilian professionals if they're needed," he continued.
American forces are working to build a 25-bed hospital for medical personnel who might be exposed to Ebola, and officials have said construction should finish by Nov. 5. Public Health Service personnel will staff the facility and are scheduled to arrive Nov. 1.
Personnel are also constructing 17 Ebola treatment facilities, and labs staffed by U.S. personnel have already tested thousands of samples for Ebola.

James Webb Space Telescope's Heart Survives Deep Freeze Test

After 116 days of being subjected to extremely frigid temperatures like that in space, the heart of the James Webb Space Telescope, the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) and its sensitive instruments, emerged unscathed from the thermal vacuum chamber at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

The Webb telescope's images will reveal the first galaxies forming 13.5 billion years ago. The telescope will also pierce through interstellar dust clouds to capture stars and planets forming in our own galaxy. At the telescope's final destination in space, one million miles away from Earth, it will operate at incredibly cold temperatures of -387 degrees Fahrenheit, or 40 degrees Kelvin. This is 260 degrees Fahrenheit colder than any place on the Earth’s surface has ever been. To create temperatures that cold on Earth, the team uses the massive thermal vacuum chamber at Goddard called the Space Environment Simulator, or SES, that duplicates the vacuum and extreme temperatures of space. This 40-foot-tall, 27-foot-diameter cylindrical chamber eliminates the tiniest trace of air with vacuum pumps and uses liquid nitrogen and even colder liquid helium to drop the temperature simulating the space environment.

The James Webb Space Telescope is the scientific successor to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. It will be the most powerful space telescope ever built. Webb is an international project led by NASA with its partners, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.

Make the Most of the Holidays Ahead

Make the Most of the Holidays Ahead –

Give Your Cell Phone a Break

4 Reasons to Turn off Your Primary Source of 

Distraction from Quality Family Time
Is there a way to make more time with family? Yes, says jazz trombonist and music producer Delfeayo Marsalis, a member of the acclaimed Marsalis jazz family of New Orleans. And it’s much simpler than you might suppose.
As a touring musician whose travels take him far and wide, Delfeayo (Del-feo) wants his time at home to really count, so the constant stream of potential distraction delivered through cell phones is something to be avoided…well, sometimes.
“People are becoming more aware and concerned about technology replacing quality face time – that message is even showing up in Starbucks commercials,” says Delfeayo, author of a new award-winning children’s book, “No Cell Phone Day,” (www.KidsTownPress.com), about a tech-entrenched father who spends a happy birthday exploring New Orleans with his daughter – and no cell phones.
“Once a year, once a quarter, once a month or even once a week, families should decide to spend an entire day together without their cell phones,” he says. “Trust me, if your tell folks that you’re unavailable, they’ll either call back, text or leave a message. The key is to just try it for a day. If you fear withdrawal, start with eight hours cell phone-free!”
As we approach fall and winter holidays, find additional opportunities to unplug.

•  Chaperoning young children during Halloween? Don’t let a work call ruin it. Accompanying children while trick-or-treating is a parental treat that we get for only a few short years. Soon enough, they’re going to want to ditch parents and go out with their friends. Enjoy the walk, undisturbed, and rejoice in your son or daughter’s fun.
•  Thanksgiving is a family affair. Hopefully, everyone can make it home. This Nov. 27 is a perfect date for your first No Cell Phone Day. Thanksgiving is synonymous with family and hopefully everyone you care about most can gather in one place this year. From the kitchen to the table to the couch, consider mixing up the evening with additional activities, such as a family ball game in the yard, or board and card games in the living room. Make the most of your time in real-time, not via a Facebook newsfeed.
•  One of the best gifts you can give during the holidays is undivided attention. Given the ceaseless distractions today, one’s full attention is a valuable commodity. Don’t take anything for granted when it comes to the people you care about with a: “She knows I love her” or “He understands that I’m a busy person.” Give them the gift of your full attention. After all, it’s only for a few days or hours.
•  A new kind of New Year’s resolution: Less time distracted with unimportant pabulum. Exercise more, eat better, read more, learn a second language, donate time to charity…yes, these are all great resolutions. But, while technology offers unprecedented convenience and even safety, it’s clear that surfing the web can be about as productive as surfing channels on TV. Tweeting and posting on Instagram is cool, smelling the roses (or the red beans and rice) is even cooler!
•  Make a list of 10 great memories!None of these moments will involve a cell phone or computer. This holiday season is the perfect time to make 10 more great memories!

About Delfeayo Marsalis

While Delfeayo Marsalis (dmarsalis.com) is known primarily for his work as a jazz trombonist and music producer, he has been involved with youth education for many years. In 2000, he founded the Uptown Music Theatre to provide dramatic arts education to New Orleans youth. UMT has staged 16 of his original musicals. Inspired by his autistic younger brother, Mboya, Delfeayo has volunteered and presented shows at Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, including the therapeutic, “Swinging with the Cool School.” “No Cell Phone Day” is his first children’s book.

Myanmar: The Politics of Rakhine State

The highly volatile situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine State adds dangerously to the country’s political and religious tensions. Long-term, incremental solutions are critical for the future of Rakhine State and the country as a whole.

The International Crisis Group’s latest report, Myanmar: The Politics of Rakhine State, looks at how the legacy of colonial history, decades of authoritarian rule and state-society conflict have laid the foundation for today’s complex mix of intercommunal and inter-religious tensions. Rakhine State, whose majority ethnic Rakhine population perceive themselves to be – with some justification – victims of discrimination by the political centre, has experienced a violent surge of Buddhist nationalism against minority Muslim communities, themselves also victims of discrimination. The government has taken steps to respond: by restoring security, starting a pilot citizenship verification process and developing a comprehensive action plan. However, parts of this plan are highly problematic, and risk deepening segregation and fuelling tensions further, particularly in the lead-up to the 2015 elections.

The report’s major findings and recommendations are:

• Rakhine Buddhists have tended to be cast as violent extremists, which ignores the diversity of opinions that exists and the fact that they themselves are a long-oppressed minority. They are concerned that their culture is under threat and that they could soon become a minority in their state. These fears, whether well-founded or not, need to be acknowledged if solutions are to be developed. The desperate situation of Muslim communities including the Rohingya, who have been progressively marginalised, must also be frankly recognised and resolutely addressed.


• The government faces a difficult challenge: the demands and expectations of Rakhine and Rohingya communities will be very difficult to reconcile. Ways must be found to allay Rakhine fears, while ensuring the fundamental rights of Muslim communities are respected. To end the climate of impunity, the government must bring to justice those who organised and participated in violence.


• Clarifying the legal status of those without citizenship is important. But many Muslims will likely refuse to identify as “Bengali”, fearing this is a precursor to denial of citizenship. A negotiated solution should be pursued, or the citizenship process may stall. Coercion is likely to spark violence.


• The international community – especially UN agencies on the ground – have a critical role in supporting the humanitarian and protection needs of vulnerable communities, which are likely to persist for years. The government itself must do more in this regard.


• Unless Myanmar is successful in creating a new sense of national identity that embraces the country’s cultural, ethnic and religious diversity, peace and stability will remain elusive nationwide.

“Any policy approach to the problem must start from the recognition that there will be no easy fixes and that reconciliation will take a long time”, says Jonathan Prentice, Chief Policy Officer and Acting Asia Program Director. “Halting extremist violence requires starting a credible process now that can demonstrate to the Rakhine and Muslim communities that political avenues exist in which their legitimate aspirations might be realised”.

Hagel Meets With Israeli Defense Minister

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the security of Israel during his meeting with Israeli Minister of Defense Moshe Ya’alon at the Pentagon yesterday, according to a statement issued by Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby.

During the meeting, Hagel also reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Israel defense relationship, Kirby said in his statement.

Hagel and Ya'alon also discussed coalition efforts to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Iran, and spoke about other regional issues, Kirby said.

The two leaders agreed to continue to work together to maintain the strength of the U.S.-Israel security relationship, he added.

ACADEMY VISIT

10/22/2014 07:58 AM CDT

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses future Coast Guard officers and academy faculty at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., Oct. 21, 2014. Dempsey discussed topics ranging from future missions to leadership.

Early HPV Vaccination Protects Those at Risk, Official Says

By Cheryl Pellerin
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2014 - Immunization at a young age against the human papilloma virus can protect those who are typically infected in the United States - military- or college-age young adults - from a range of cancers as adults, an expert from the Defense Health Agency said today.
Air Force Lt. Col. Amy Costello, a pediatrician who specializes in public health, is chief of the Immunization Healthcare Operations Section in the Defense Health Agency Immunization Healthcare Branch. She spoke about the HPV vaccine at the Pentagon with DoD News.
"Those who typically get infected in the United States are people in their late teens and early 20s, so either early military-age or college-age young adults," Costello said.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that 11- to 12-year olds be vaccinated at their well-child doctor's visit, she added.
Every year the United States reports 14 million new HPV infections in men and women, Costello added. The result of such HPV infections for thousands is cancer -- mostly in male and female reproductive systems and in the mouth and throat. In rare cases, Costello said, babies born to women who have HPV can develop the virus in their upper respiratory tract, often around their vocal cords.
HPV causes 17,000 cancers in women, 9,000 in men each year
"In the United States, HPV causes 17,000 cancers in women and 9,000 cancers in men each year," Costello said, adding that most people never know they are infected.
Women usually find out they're infected when they have an abnormal Pap smear, she said, and for men, there's no good screening, so they don't find out they've been infected until it's too late.
The vaccine is given in a three-shot series beginning when boys and girls are around 11 years old. It's given in early adolescence for two reasons, Costello said.
"Children have the best immune response to the vaccine when they are between 9 and 15 years old," she added, "and the best time to give the vaccine is when kids are in their early teens, before they are at risk."
More than 65 million doses given in the United States
More than 65 million doses of HPV vaccine have been given in the United States. It has not been shown to cause major side effects, Costello said, and the vaccine is effective.
"Studies so far show that teenage American girls have seen a 50 percent decrease in infection with the four strains of HPV that the vaccine prevents," the pediatrician noted.
Before vaccination began in 2006, about 11 percent of American girls aged 14 to 19 were infected with one of the HPV strains that the vaccine protects against. By 2010, that number had dropped to 5 percent, Costello said.
HPV vaccination is recommended routinely up to age 21 in men and age 26 in women. Costello said that in older people, the vaccine doesn't seem as effective or as able to protect against the infection. But, she said, the vaccine does protect against four different kinds of HPV strains -- the four most common kinds - so the vaccine may provide some protection even if for people who have been infected with one or two different kinds of HPV. "So if you're under 21 and a man or under 26 and a woman," she added, "it's probably worth it to go get your [vaccine] series completed."
Important to get all three doses
Vaccination has been recommended routinely for girls since 2006, and routinely for boys since 2011, Costello said, adding that the second shot is given one or two months after the first, and the third shot at six months after the first. It's important to get all three doses for long-lasting protection, she said.
"If you are late with one dose, you don't have to start the series over - just pick up where you left off," the doctor added. "The protection has been shown to last at least 10 years in girls and five years in boys, so far," she said. "Maybe longer -- we only have data since about 2004."

Baseball Honors Veterans on World Series Stage

By Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
Ft. Meade, Md., Oct. 22, 2014 - America's game honored America's best as Major League Baseball dedicated the first game of the Giants-Royals World Series to America's veterans.
Navy Adm. James Winnefeld, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald watched as Army Staff Sgt. Pedro Sotelo threw the first pitch to start the best of seven series last night.
"We're talking about America's veterans and America's game," Winnefeld said during a short press availability before the game. "It's a real honor for us in uniform, for Major League Baseball to think enough of us to dedicate this first game of the World Series ... to veterans."
Winnefeld and McDonald joined Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig in the Veterans Honor Annex at the Kansas City, Missouri, VA center. Major League Baseball provided much of the money to build the annex. Selig called the decision to honor veterans a "privilege."
Looking around the facility, McDonald offered his gratitude for the facility. "It's a great way to show those who have borne the battle ... that we support them and that we support their families," the secretary said.
"We all understand the symbolism of the military and the symbolism of the uniform, and the symbolism of those we've lost," Winnefeld said. "Those veterans watching tonight -- the first pitch of the World Series thrown by somebody in uniform -- their hearts will beat a little faster, they'll be very proud of that young man out there and they will wish him the best."
Sotelo, who served in Iraq with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, did the services proud. He threw a perfect strike to Royals catcher Salvador Perez.

RETURNING HUGS

RETURNING HUGS

10/22/2014 03:06 PM CDT

Navy Cmdr. Camille Flaherity hugs her son after returning to Norfolk, Va., from a deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility in support of maritime security operations, Oct. 17, 2014. Flaherity is the commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke.

ROPE LADDER

10/22/2014 01:29 PM CDT

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jeremy Fuzi boards the guided-missile frigate USS Rodney M. Davis from a rigid-hull inflatable boat while conducting a visit, board, search and seizure exercise in the Indian Ocean, Oct. 21, 2014.

STRETCHER BEARER

10/22/2014 01:29 PM CDT

U.S. airmen work together through the fog to remove injured passengers of a simulated aircraft crash during the major accident response exercise on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Oct. 18, 2014.