SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES REPORT-ODC ARMENIA-JANUARY 2007

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000132

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SECSTATE FOR PM AND ISP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MCAP KCFE XG AM
SUBJECT: SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES REPORT-ODC ARMENIA-JANUARY 2007


1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Expeditionary Medical Services (EMEDS)
contingency hospital training conducted in Armenia on 31 Jan - 4 Feb

07. WIF funded personnel reform seminar coordinations on track. FMF
AM-B-BAA Peacekeeping battalion equipment delivery not yet
completed. NCO program development meeting with UK DATT conducted.
CNT coordination meeting conducted in Yerevan with relevant US
Embassy sections


2. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS


A. Expeditionary Medical Services (EMEDS) field hospital
facility arrived in Armenia on 3 Jan 07 onboard a USAF C-17 flight
from Dover AFB. The $1.2M dollar facility was moved to a warehouse
at the MOD Military Hospital in Yerevan. On 28 Jan US EMEDS trainers
from San Antonio, TX arrived to conduct initial EMEDS training with
Armenian (ARM) 43 personnel tasked to staff the facility. The EMEDS
was inventoried (shortages will be forwarded through SAF-IA for
speedy shipment of shortages to Armenia) and training conducted. An
out-brief with U.S. trainers is being used by the ODC and Office of
the Secretary of the Air force-International Affairs (SAF-IA) to
develop a way-ahead for continued US EMEDS support and capability
development through training and additional equipment in FY07-08. A
need for a dedicated loading and transport capability for EMEDS has
already been identified. EMEDS provides Armenia with a deployable
medical capability for use in Coalition/NATO operations, or for
national crisis response situations. The EMEDS will be Armenian's
key operational unit for future RESCUER exercises in Armenia or the
region.


B. The Warsaw Initiative Funded (WIF) seminar on Personnel
System Reform (Defense Reform I),that will be run by the Marshall
Center, is on track for execution from 5-7 Feb in Yerevan. This will
be the first in a series of Defense Reform seminars in 2007. This
seminar supports the Armenian IPAP goals associated with
civilianization of the MOD and personnel system reform. Seminar
members from the Marshall Center and NATO participants arrived in
Yerevan on 3 and 4 Feb. Attendees to the seminar include the Deputy
Minister of Defense and key officers from the MOD. Armenian
parliament members and MFA personnel associated with IPAP reform
will also attend.


C. ODC Yerevan Chief traveled to Tbilisi to meet with the UK
DATT on 19 Jan 07. In the meeting, specifics were shared with both
countries' work with NCO program development regarding the ARM 12th
Peacekeeping Bn. This is the unit in which the ARM MOD has requested
that western-style NCO Corps be established. In the meeting, US and
UK support was deconflicted and a way-ahead established. The UK
through its Vyskov Training Center in the Czech Republic has
provided training teams for Armenia that conduct numerous train the
trainer events, and that trained key personnel in Vyskov. Through
these events numerous ARM NCOs from the 12th PK BN have been
trained. These qualified trainers will be ideal candidates to
support a potential US NCO course that would be established through
FMF in FY08. In Sep 07 the UK will also provide a one-week course
for the 12th Bn SGM. This event can greatly complement the FMF 12th
Bn Staff MTT if execution is properly coordinated. The ODC will send
three 12th Bn NCOs through the Warrior Leader Course in FY07. These
candidates will likely be NCOs that have been provided some training
from the UK, so that the NCO ethos can be further reinforced through
these joint efforts. The UK DATT and the ODC Yerevan Chief, are now
in regular contact to further coordinate and deconflict their
complementary NCO programs for Armenia.


D. The Counter-Narcotics and Terrorism (CNT) representative from
U.S. European Command Joint Inter-Agency Coordination Group
(EUCOM-JIACG): Ivonne Morrison, traveled to Armenia to conduct a
coordination meeting with the relevant embassy offices associated
with CNT on 23 Jan 07. Future coordinations with the INL
representative are likely. Possible opportunities may present
themselves with the EXBS program. ODC Yerevan will continue to
assist coordinations where applicable in this area.


E. STATUS OF FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING (FMF):

1. The Letter of Agreement for the FMF case amendment to
AM-B-UAA: Radios, that is being finalized at CECOM has yet to
arrive. Anticipated arrival date was 11 Jan 07. USASAC is working
closely with CECOM to send out the LOR soon, as radios are planned
to be used in Sep 07 MTT with the 12th Peacekeeping Bn staff. This
C2 MTT will be dependant upon this equipment

2. Equipment ordered for the 12th Peacekeeping Battalion in
the small FMF AM-B-BAA case established in FY06 is scheduled to
arrive 9 Feb 07 This shipment includes Kevlar helmets, sleeping
bags, and binoculars.

3. ODC received and forwarded LORs for a Blanket Training
Case and Blanket Personnel Equipment case for DRMO on 2 Feb 07.
These cases have been forwarded through DSCA, USASAC and USA.


F. Joint Contact Team Program (JCTP). Two JCTP events were
conducted in January. The first event was Field Medical Peace
Support Operations. The Armenian 12th PK BN is adding a medic
platoon to its force structure. This event focused on how medics
are trained and equipped. It also provided information on the
structure of a medic platoon. The second event, Recruiting and
Retention focused on best practices used by US Army and US Air Force
recruiters and retention managers. Both events were conducted by
soldiers from the Kansas Army National Guard. Four JCTP events are
scheduled for February. They are: Medical Organization and
Services (FAM),Public Support of the Military (FAM),Reserve Forces
Mobilization(TCT),and Field Medical Peace Support Operations.


G. State Partnership Program (SPP). No SPP events were
conducted in January. Coordination continued between Kansas and the
Armenian Rescue Service (ARS) on developing follow on events to the
Crisis First Responder event held in October. Funding has been
received to conduct Crisis Communications TCT. The event is
currently scheduled for 4th Quarter. Three events focusing on the
cooperation between the military and the ARS in utilizing the
recently arrived EMEDS system are being planned for FY 08.


H. Humanitarian Assistance (HA). No additional HA events have
been submitted. ODC ARM submitted one HA project to EUCOM J4-HA for
funding in November. The project proposes to reconstruct existing
water wells in two rural villages in Armenia whose current water
system has deteriorated to a degree that potable water is seldom
available. This proposal was coordinated with USAID and a local
NGO. Additionally the ODC submitted two EP requests. One request
is to supply two affiliated orphanages for disabled children with
furniture and school equipment. The second request is to supply the
same items for a boarding school for children with disabilities.


I. International Military Education and Training (IMET):
English Language testing and number of IMET students in US.


1. Training Snapshot
Students at DLI: 15
Students at Specialty Training: 7


2. English Comprehension Level (ECL) Testing
Students tested: 2



3. PERSONNEL/RESOURCES/LOGISTICS


A. GAINS: None.


B. LOSSES: Avetik Movsisyan: Budget Analyst. Mr Movsisyan
moved to the Budget and Financial Section of the US Embassy but will
cover his ODC position for a few hours each day until a replacement
is found. Replacement planned to be hired before the end of Mar 07.



C. ATTACHED PERSONNEL (TDY): None.


D. APPROVED LEAVES NEXT 30 DAYS: LTC Peterson: FEML 7-23 Feb


E. TDY NEXT 30 DAYS: Ms Ani Melkumyan: JCTP Coordinator-
22-27 Feb, to Topeka, KS for Field Medical Operations JCTP FAM.


F. RATING SCHEME CHANGES: None.


G. EXTENSIONS/CURTAILMENTS: None.


5. ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES:


A. EFFICIENCY REPORT SUSPENSES: None


B. AWARD SUSPENSES: None.


C. PERSONNEL ACTIONS: New Budget Analyst/Admin Assistant
position recruitment being finalized through Embassy. Language
testing and interviews of candidates will be conducted in February.



6. ODC CHIEF'S COMMENTS:


A. None


7. POC for this message is LTC Doug Peterson.

37410-49-46-65
37410-46-47-36(fax)
petersond@state.gov

GODFREY