THE DROPZONE
Israel and Hamas Cease-Fire pg. 7
1
Table of Contents Habitat for Humanity Service Project - Page 4 Israel and Hamas Agree for a Cease-Fire - Page 7
2
Table of Contents New Chain of Command for Detachment 772 - Page 12 Major Found Dead at Eglin - Page 14
3
Habitat for Humanity Service Project Cadet Nesbitt Being the POC for the service project introduced me to a number of new things. The project really gave me the chance to take a hold of the leadership reigns so to speak. It was really my first opportunity at a significant leadership position and I was thrilled to be placed in charge of it. It gave me a chance to apply myself and plan something for a group of people, much like we cadets would be in charge of as Officers. The project definitely met my expectations. In the beginning, the idea was to help build a house for a veteran, but unfortunately all of the contact numbers I got in touch with told me that all of their projects were nearing completion and there was no need for our sized group. So after hitting a dead end with the build a house idea, I began thinking. I came to the conclusion that service is service, no matter what you do, so if we could not build a house we could help the company that contributes to that cause. This proved to be a successful idea in my opinion. The staff at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore was extremely helpful and welcomed the detachment’s help with open arms. The turnout for participation actually ended up exceeding my expectations because every junior cadet was in attendance, and one of our very own seniors made an appearance. Though some may have been disappointed or perhaps confused why we were not building a house, everyone came together and performed to our very best; thus making the project fruitful. 4
In hindsight, I do feel like I would have done some things differently. I definitely did not initially realize the actual scope of the project, so I started it later than I should have. A word to the wise, do not procrastinate! Even though we had a project to help out with, an earlier more aggressive start may have gotten us that house to build that the first project was to consist of. Communication is another thing I would have worked harder on. I should have kept in contact with the senior cadets, making sure everything was being explained and spread around as clearly as possible. There were no issues with the communication, but it was just something that I feel I could and should have done better. I had a great time planning the whole project and had just as much fun executing. It was definitely a leadership experience, which is good, but the fact that we were able to extend a hand in some way to our community was rewarding. That in itself made the project great.
5
Israel and Hamas Agree To Cease-Fire
6
An Egyptian-brokered cease-fire agreement to end eight days of clashes between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip relies heavily on the goodwill of two of the Middle East's bitterest enemies, but gave each enough to claim success. By the time the truce took effect Wednesday evening, 162 Palestinians and five Israelis had died. Nearly half the Palestinian dead and all but one of the Israelis were civilians. In a sign of the two sides' lingering animosity, clashes continued right up to the deadline, with Hamas sending a barrage of rockets at several Israeli cites and Israeli aircraft pounding a few final targets in Gaza. Gaza residents, who were worried about the possibility of an Israeli ground offensive, poured into the streets after the cease-fire took effect, shooting guns in celebration, waving flags and setting off fireworks. In Israel, where a bomb exploded on a Tel Aviv bus earlier Wednesday and injured 21 people, the news was also welcomed. But many there questioned whether the peace would last. The deal fell well short of the multiyear, internationally monitored agreement that had been discussed earlier in the week. But it allowed both Israel and Gaza to declare victory, and it elated Egyptian officials, who believe they pulled off a huge success by proving that untested President Mohamed Morsi was up to the task. (Continue to Pg. 8) 7
The Obama administration, which initially seemed reluctant to take a leading role in the talks, vowed to work in the coming days to enforce and expand the deal. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived in the region Tuesday to help push through a settlement. "In the days ahead, the U.S. will work to end the violence and to improve conditions for the people of Gaza and to help support the safety of the people of Israel," she said during a news conference inCairo. "Ultimately, every step must move towards peace for everyone in the region." In a one-page "understanding" that bears no signatures and does not mention Hamas by name, Israel agreed to end all hostilities on land, sea and air, and to halt targeted assassinations of militant leaders. Hamas and other Palestinian factions in Gaza agreed to stop rocket and border attacks against Israelis. Egypt will serve as a referee. The possibility of easing border restrictions to permit the movement of goods and people to and from the Gaza Strip, a key demand of Hamas, is to be discussed at a later date. But Hamas officials said they received private assurances from Egypt that its Rafah border crossing with the strip will be expanded to include goods, thereby essentially ending a blockade that had been imposed on Gaza since 2006.
8
For Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the truce means he won't have to proceed with a ground invasion just two months before he faces reelection. And if it holds, it could finally provide a respite from the barrage of thousands of rockets that have paralyzed the lives of southern Israelis for years. The Israel Defense Forces said it had decimated Hamas' cache of long-range rockets, killed 30 senior militant operatives of Hamas and allied groups such as Islamic Jihad, destroyed hundreds of rocket launchers, and bombed 140 smuggling tunnels to Egypt.
(Continue to Pg. 10) 9
"Hamas and Islamic Jihad have suffered a painful blow," Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said. Israel failed to receive the assurances it sought from Egypt that Hamas would not be allowed to rearm. But Netanyahu said Israel had reached an agreement with the U.S. to work together to prevent weapons from being funneled from Iran to Gaza. Hamas used the conflict to reaffirm its reputation as the strongest Palestinian resistance army, extending the reach of its rockets for the first time to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. To the degree that the deal eases the blockade affecting Gaza's 1.5 million residents, Hamas will score significant political points in its rivalry against the secular Fatah party in the West Bank. At a news conference in Cairo, Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal said the truce served as a vindication for the militant group's methods over Fatah's reliance on diplomacy. "To our brothers in the Palestinian Authority, this is a lesson that shows resistance is the solution," he said. The cease-fire talks drew Cairo and Washington closer together and marked the end of three decades of foreign policy by deposed Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, who was often criticized for siding with Israeli interests over those of the Palestinians. Source: Edmund Sanders—Los Angeles Times 10
11
Detachment 772 New Chain of Command Cadets Miller and Scott It was time for Detachment 772 to have a new chain of command, and a few cadets applied to become the new Wing Commander. After the cadets gave their briefs to the cadre, it was decided that Cadet Miller was to become the new Wing Commander and Cadet Scott to become the new Vice-Wing Commander. Stated below is what each cadet has to say about delivering their briefs and what they hope to achieve: Cadet Miller “First of all, let me start off by saying that I am honored to be chosen as the Spring 2013 Cadet Wing Commander for Detachment 772. As I prepared my Cadet Wing Commander Selection Board brief I included the aspects that I thought would best convey why I would be good choice for Wing Commander. I reviewed my briefing many times and was ready to give it my all. When the time came to brief the cadre I became a little nervous because this was a big step in my cadet career. I pushed through and did the best I could to express my vision and goals for the detachment. My vision is to “develop quality leaders who excel in the areas of physical fitness, military discipline, and academic studies.” Some of my goals include continuing to improve the detachment’s physical fitness score, encouraging the cadets to think outside the box, and allowing the cadets to be in more leadership roles. I would like to thank my family for supporting me and encouraging me when times were tough and when I could not see the end in sight. They gave me the strength to push forward and reach my goals. They are the ones who encourage me to strive for excellence and never give up. If it was not for them, I would not be where I am today.” 12
Cadet Scott “Preparing for the Wing Commander Selection Board Brief was very important to me because I wanted to prove to the cadre that I was prepared to become Wing Commander. I made sure I practiced several times before the actual brief because my briefing skills are not very strong. I also made sure I explained everything clearly and spoke with confidence while I was practicing. Before giving the brief, I was very nervous but then I realized that I have conversations with the cadre regularly so there was nothing to be nervous about. As soon as I walked into the room to brief the cadre, I felt myself getting nervous all over again. I guess I will never truly overcome the initial feeling of being nervous. I took a deep breath to calm myself down and focused on what I needed to do. As I began to talk, my words flowed smoothly and I did not forget anything. I was very proud of myself because I could see the dramatic change from last year’s brief to this year’s brief. In my presentation I explained how I wanted the cadets to become confident in taking on leadership roles. I am looking forward to suggesting ideas and plans to Cadet Miller for next semester and helping all of the cadets become great leaders for the future.”
13
Major Found Dead at Eglin Base Range The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating the death of Air Force Maj. Melissa Ann Birtzer, but foul play is not suspected. Birtzer, was described as a health care integrator assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing, a unit that includes helicopter gunships and fixed-wing aircraft, according to a release from Eglin Air Force Base. The cause of death wasn’t immediately available. The Air Force said Birtzer had been “missing since Sunday,” but did not disclose details of her disappearance, or whether she had been involved in military maneuvers that day. Neither her age nor background information were immediately available. Birtzer’s body was discovered about 11 a.m. on Tuesday night at the Eglin Range, a remote area on Eglin, the release said. Col. William Holt, vice commander of Birtzer’s unit, said in the statement released by the base, “Hurlburt Field is deeply saddened by the death of one of our own. Our thoughts and prayers are with Major Birtzer’s family and friends at this difficult time.” Britzer’s duties involved acting as a clinical adviser to physicians and nurses. A Hurlburt spokeswoman said base officials are working with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department to identify the cause of Birtzer’s death. Source: Rob Johnson—Pnj.com 14
15
“If our air forces are never used, they have achieved their finest goal.� -General Nathan Twining 16