Stand-To!- The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (SMDC/ARSTRAT) - August 11, 2008

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WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"Soldiers should talk about experiences they encountered down range. It's about making themselves better in their head and in their heart. And if they don't feel comfortable talking to people who have not experienced combat issues, they can look me up. I'll be more than happy to talk to them."

- Silver Star Medal recipient Staff Sgt. Omar Hernandez

Silver Star recipient says talking helps counter PTSD

TODAY'S FOCUS

The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (SMDC/ARSTRAT)

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What is it?

SMDC/ARSTRAT is an Army Service Component Command that conducts space and missile defense operations and provides planning, integration, control and coordination of Army forces and capabilities in support of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) missions; serves as the specified proponent for space, high altitude and ground-based midcourse defense and is the Army operational integrator for global missile defense; conducts mission-related research and development in support of Army Title 10 responsibilities. The SMDC/ARSTRAT objective is to provide dominant space and missile defense capabilities for the Army and to plan for and integrate those capabilities in support of USSTRATCOM and geographic combatant commanders missions.

Why is this important to the Warfighter?

The SMDC/ARSTRAT 1st Space Brigade in Colorado Springs, Colo., conducts space operations to enable delivery of decisive combat power, providing combatant commanders communications for command and control, critical intelligence, video teleconferences and logistics. Its elements operate Joint Tactical Ground Stations (JTAGS) providing early warning of missile launches to deployed U.S. forces worldwide. The future warfare center rapidly advances innovations for space, missile defense, C4ISR and information operations to the warfighter through prototype development, experimentation and wargames, analytical assessments and modeling and simulation development. The technical interoperability and matrix center integrates technical and operational requirements with materiel developers, improves interoperability for our warfighters, and advances space and integrated air and missile defense.

Why is SMDC/ARSTRAT important to Ballistic Missile Defense?

The 100th Missile Defense Brigade (ground-based midcourse defense (GMD)), Colorado Army National Guard, oversees the GMD system. Supported by the Alaska Army National Guard, the brigade operates the GMD fire control network, provides positive operational control over the interceptors at Fort Greely, Alaska, and ensures protective security to systems deployed there. The Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) Manager is responsible for integration of DOTMLPF activities across all Ballistic Missile Defense System elements and serves as the ArmyÃÔ TRADOC capability manager for the BMDS.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

The Space and Missile Defense Technical Center performs directed energy, space, and missile defense research and development. The technical center works with the Missile Defense Agency and USSTRATCOM to develop and test missile defense technologies and is the commandÃÔ lead executing agent for developmental and operational test and evaluation at SMDC/ARSTRAT test facilities and support activities.

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Resources:

SMDC/ARSTRAT Web site

SMDC/ARSTRAT Fact sheets

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

2008 Strategic Communication Guide - Read the 2008 Army Strategic Communication Guide for key messages and updates

Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace

Army Public Affairs Portal

Stories of Valor

Speaker's Toolkit

Information Papers with " 2008 Army Posture Statement"


A CULTURE OF ENGAGEMENT

The Army Community Relations Calendar

Bloggers Roundtable

The Surgeon General's Blog

Communities team up for National night out



CALENDAR

Aug. 8 - 24, 2008: XXIX Olympic Games: Beijing 2008: U.S Army Olympian Web site

Aug. 9, 2008: Anniversary of Nagasaki

Aug. 16, 2008: 25th Anniversary of Army Family Action Plan
SOCIAL NETWORKING

• Army Media Player
• Flickr: Army images
• YouTube: Army videos
• Twitter: Army updates
• del.icio.us: Army links

NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY

• Mother, daughter enlist together (ARNews)
• Army displays 100 technologies at end of 4-month test (ARNews)
• Army integrating FCS, blue-force tracking (AT)
• Part V: Joy over survival, tears at extension (AT)
• Part VI: An ambush produces a hero (AT)
• Part VII: Homecoming brings joy, new struggles (AT)

WAR ON TERROR NEWS

• Money as a weapon (WP)
• Iraq private sector falters; rolls of government soar (NYT)
• After setbacks, Sadr redirects Mahdi army (CSM)
• Pakistani offensive fails to oust Taliban militants (CT)
• Opinion: Ramp up in Afghanistan (KC)

OF INTEREST

• Connecticut officials surprised by Ivins' possible motive (HC)
• Clashing portraits emerge of anthrax suspect (LAT)
• Panel OKs stop-loss stipend (AT)
• Georgia retreats, pleads for truce; U.S. condemns Russian onslaught (WP)

WORLD VIEW

• Georgia: Russia says South Ossetia offensive nearing completion (LDT | Story)
• NATO joins U.S. in condemning Russia's response in South Ossetia (GRD | Story)
• 'New attacks' in Georgia conflict (BBC | Story)
• On slog to safety, seething at west (IHT | Story)
• Zawahri assails president- Previously it was GEO now ARY (PT | Story)
• U.S. to keep North Korea on terror list (TA | Story)
• UK denies money to wounded Afghans (GRD | Story)

WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS

• Bay: 'Rheostat warfare' (WT)
• Al-Sadr to turn Mahdi army into "mostly nonviolent" social organization (JW)
• Targeting civilians: The path to Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Zmag)
• Video: News photographer rescues Marine from burning Humvee (TR)
• Book review: Never Surrender by Lt. Gen. (Ret) William G. Boykin (SM)

ARMY SPORTS

Sports at a glance

Soldier finishes second in military pentathlon in Turkey

Massachusetts militia Soldier was Olympic pioneer

Wheelchair games help mentor, mend Army vet

Wounded warrior to aim for gold in Beijing Paralympics

Cotton Bowl stadium pulls out of Army-Navy game bidding