Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07YEREVAN1472
2007-12-27 12:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:
SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES REPORT-ODC ARMENIA-DECEMBER 2007
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UNCLAS YEREVAN 001472
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SECSTATE FOR PM AND ISP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MCAP KCFE XG AM
SUBJECT: SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES REPORT-ODC ARMENIA-DECEMBER 2007
UNCLAS YEREVAN 001472
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SECSTATE FOR PM AND ISP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MCAP KCFE XG AM
SUBJECT: SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES REPORT-ODC ARMENIA-DECEMBER 2007
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Joint Visual Inspection for Excess Defense
Article (EDA) trucks conducted; EMEDS IPR conducted in San Antonio;
ARM MOD cancels EDA UH-1H helicopter request; Dec SPP event
postponed until Jan 08.
2. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
A. On 17-18 Dec 07 the ODC Chief and two representatives from
the Armenian MOD conducted a Joint Visual Inspection (JVI) of Excess
Defense Article (EDA) trucks that were being stored at the US Army
Security Assistance Command (USASAC) facility in Kaiserslautern,
Germany. The EDA trucks will provide dedicated transportation to the
Armenian Expeditionary Medical Support (EMEDS) field hospital. The
Armenian contingent selected a number of trucks from a pre-approved
list. These trucks will now be shipped to Italy for refurbishment at
a minimal cost using FMF, and will then be shipped to Armenia using
FMF. Planned arrival is mid-Feb 08 to support EMEDS training in
Armenia starting in late Feb 08.
B. On 11-12 Dec 07, key planners came together in San Antonio,
Texas for an (In-Progress Review) Initial Planning Review (IPR) to
coordinate the way-ahead to support the development of the Armenian
Expeditionary Medical Support (EMEDS) field hospital in FY08. The
IPR included representatives from the EMEDS training course at
Brooks City, TX, from the Defense Institute for Medical Operations
(DIMO),from the Kansas National Guard (KSNG),and from the ODC
Armenia. The main issue that arose was that the International
Material Squadron (IMATS: they ship FMF equipment for the USAF) is
currently having issues getting FMF granted US EMEDS equipment
through German customs at Ramstein, due to new German concerns. Such
delays may impact on the EMEDS training timeline. EUCOM and IMATs
are working diligently to resolve the issue in a timely manner.
Coordinations at the IPR were also conducted specifically to ensure
the two Mobile Training Team (MTT) events that will be conducted by
the Brooks City trainers meet ODC intent and provide the training
necessary to fully establish the Armenian EMEDS by Summer 2008.
Current plans do support this. Back-up plans were further
established should EMEDS equipment not arrive in time to support the
trainers. Coordinations with the KSNG were conducted regarding
specific timing for conducting JCTP and SPP events which compliment
and support the two EMEDS MTTs. Planned KSNG exercises in FY08 will
further support Armenian EMEDS observers. Providing all EMEDS
equipment arrives as planned, FY08 will see the full establishment
of the Armenian EMEDS capability and its availability for Coalition
or NATO operations by Aug 08.
C. From 3-7 Dec the Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR)
conducted a workshop with the Armenian Personnel Department to
assist with "Civilianization of the MOD": IPAP Goal 2.1.1. During
the event CCMR consultants directly assisted the Personnel
Department, which had been tasked by the Minister of Defense, to
provide a plan for restructuring the MOD and General Staff and to
identify billets specifically in the MOD that should be made into
civilian positions. The US assistance was timely, directed at the
precise audience, and received the complete support from the
Personnel Department Chief. Additionally, the CCMR team was an
excellent mix of US and European personnel experts, which further
provided a non-biased and extremely useful atmosphere regarding
western provided advice and recommendations.
D. After receiving from the ODC and reviewing the potential
costs for establishing and sustaining an EDA UH-1H helicopter
program, the Armenian MOD withdrew its request to acquire
helicopters through the EDA system. Using the existing UH-1H program
in Georgia as a model, it was determined that refurbishing at least
six UH-1H helicopters for Armenia, providing spare parts and fuel,
would cost in excess of $6M. Potentially the program could run
higher than $12M if the helicopters were refurbished to a Huey II
capability. Additional aviation training costs for the flight crews
were estimated to exceed $1M. These overall program initiation
costs, and long-term sustainment costs exceeded the level at which
the Armenia MOD was prepared to obligate national funding.
E. STATUS OF FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING (FMF):
1. The FMF case AM-B-BAA, A2 requested in Oct 07, to support
the Armenian Peacekeeping Brigade (IPAP Goal: 2.3.2; Establish a
Peacekeeping Brigade) is currently being worked and consolidated by
USASAC.
2. ODC is awaiting the LOA for the FMF case AM-R-FFF. This
case is for excess defense article personal equipment. This case
will compliment the existing FMF cases that equipped the 12th PK Bn
and that will equip other PK BDE units. The case directly supports
IPAP Goal 2.3.2; Establish a Peacekeeping Brigade.
3. ODC Armenia is expecting the delivery of $3.3M in Harris
radios for the Armenian 12th Peacekeeping battalion during the month
of January. Harris Radio provided radios for US Army shipment on 13
Dec 07. These radios and ancillary equipment directly support IPAP
Goal: 2.3.1; Develop a peacekeeping battalion.
F. Joint Contact Team Program (JCTP). No JCTP events were
conducted in December. However, Marine Forces Europe will conduct a
TCT 28 Jan- 1 Feb 08. This event will familiarize the 12th
Peacekeeping Bn with tactical medical evacuation by Medics/Corpsmen.
This event compliments the EMEDS training that will be conducted in
FY08, support the MOD decision to stand-up a medic platoon in the PK
Forces, and supports the overall reform of the Armenian medical
system.
The BAO in Armenia is also attempting to coordinate a visit to
Heidelberg Army hospital in January, by the head of the Armenian
Military Medical Department to support his work at restructuring the
Armenian Main Military Hospital along western lines during FY08. The
JCTP section in EUCOM is currently working this event with the BAO
in Armenia.
G. State Partnership Program (SPP). No SPP events were
conducted in December due to poor weather in Kansas which inhibited
travel. The one SPP event planned for December was rescheduled for
21-25 Jan 08. This event involves Kansas National Guard Engineers.
"Mine-clearing Operations in PKO TCT" will familiarize the Armenian
De-mining unit with the new de-mining equipment it received through
its recent FMF order. Mine detectors, EOD protective suits, and even
field equipment such as rucksacks will be demonstrated by the
Kansans Engineers so that the Armenians can get an initial
understanding of how to properly employ their new American equipment
which will replace worn, older equipment.
H. Humanitarian Assistance (HA).
1. The ODC will conduct a project initiation meeting for the
HA water project event as soon as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
representative in Tbilisi receives the HA funding from EUCOM and is
available to make the trip to Yerevan. The stand-alone HA event will
reconstruct existing water wells in three rural villages in Armenia
where the current water system has deteriorated to a degree that
potable water is seldom available.
2. The ODC submitted two Excess Property requests that are
awaiting funding from EUCOM-J4-ID-HA. One request is to supply
furniture and school equipment to two affiliated orphanages for
disabled children. The second request is to supply the same items
for a boarding school for children with disabilities.
J. International Military Education and Training (IMET):
English Language testing and number of IMET students in US.
1. Training Snapshot
Students at DLI: 12
Students at Specialty Training: 12
E-IMET: 0
2. English Comprehension Level (ECL) Testing
Students tested in December: 0
3. PERSONNEL/RESOURCES/LOGISTICS
A. GAINS: None.
B. LOSSES: None
C. ATTACHED PERSONNEL (TDY): None.
D. APPROVED LEAVES NEXT 30 DAYS:
LTC Peterson: 28 Dec 07-4 Jan 08
MAJ Keller: 8-22 Jan 08
E. TDY NEXT 30 DAYS: None
F. RATING SCHEME CHANGES: None
G. EXTENSIONS/CURTAILMENTS: None.
5. ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES:
A. EFFICIENCY REPORT SUSPENSES: None
B. AWARD SUSPENSES: None
C. PERSONNEL ACTIONS: None
6. ODC CHIEF'S COMMENTS:
7. POC for this message is LTC Doug Peterson.
37410-49-46-65
37410-46-47-36(fax)
petersond@state.gov
PENNINGTON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SECSTATE FOR PM AND ISP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MCAP KCFE XG AM
SUBJECT: SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES REPORT-ODC ARMENIA-DECEMBER 2007
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Joint Visual Inspection for Excess Defense
Article (EDA) trucks conducted; EMEDS IPR conducted in San Antonio;
ARM MOD cancels EDA UH-1H helicopter request; Dec SPP event
postponed until Jan 08.
2. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
A. On 17-18 Dec 07 the ODC Chief and two representatives from
the Armenian MOD conducted a Joint Visual Inspection (JVI) of Excess
Defense Article (EDA) trucks that were being stored at the US Army
Security Assistance Command (USASAC) facility in Kaiserslautern,
Germany. The EDA trucks will provide dedicated transportation to the
Armenian Expeditionary Medical Support (EMEDS) field hospital. The
Armenian contingent selected a number of trucks from a pre-approved
list. These trucks will now be shipped to Italy for refurbishment at
a minimal cost using FMF, and will then be shipped to Armenia using
FMF. Planned arrival is mid-Feb 08 to support EMEDS training in
Armenia starting in late Feb 08.
B. On 11-12 Dec 07, key planners came together in San Antonio,
Texas for an (In-Progress Review) Initial Planning Review (IPR) to
coordinate the way-ahead to support the development of the Armenian
Expeditionary Medical Support (EMEDS) field hospital in FY08. The
IPR included representatives from the EMEDS training course at
Brooks City, TX, from the Defense Institute for Medical Operations
(DIMO),from the Kansas National Guard (KSNG),and from the ODC
Armenia. The main issue that arose was that the International
Material Squadron (IMATS: they ship FMF equipment for the USAF) is
currently having issues getting FMF granted US EMEDS equipment
through German customs at Ramstein, due to new German concerns. Such
delays may impact on the EMEDS training timeline. EUCOM and IMATs
are working diligently to resolve the issue in a timely manner.
Coordinations at the IPR were also conducted specifically to ensure
the two Mobile Training Team (MTT) events that will be conducted by
the Brooks City trainers meet ODC intent and provide the training
necessary to fully establish the Armenian EMEDS by Summer 2008.
Current plans do support this. Back-up plans were further
established should EMEDS equipment not arrive in time to support the
trainers. Coordinations with the KSNG were conducted regarding
specific timing for conducting JCTP and SPP events which compliment
and support the two EMEDS MTTs. Planned KSNG exercises in FY08 will
further support Armenian EMEDS observers. Providing all EMEDS
equipment arrives as planned, FY08 will see the full establishment
of the Armenian EMEDS capability and its availability for Coalition
or NATO operations by Aug 08.
C. From 3-7 Dec the Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR)
conducted a workshop with the Armenian Personnel Department to
assist with "Civilianization of the MOD": IPAP Goal 2.1.1. During
the event CCMR consultants directly assisted the Personnel
Department, which had been tasked by the Minister of Defense, to
provide a plan for restructuring the MOD and General Staff and to
identify billets specifically in the MOD that should be made into
civilian positions. The US assistance was timely, directed at the
precise audience, and received the complete support from the
Personnel Department Chief. Additionally, the CCMR team was an
excellent mix of US and European personnel experts, which further
provided a non-biased and extremely useful atmosphere regarding
western provided advice and recommendations.
D. After receiving from the ODC and reviewing the potential
costs for establishing and sustaining an EDA UH-1H helicopter
program, the Armenian MOD withdrew its request to acquire
helicopters through the EDA system. Using the existing UH-1H program
in Georgia as a model, it was determined that refurbishing at least
six UH-1H helicopters for Armenia, providing spare parts and fuel,
would cost in excess of $6M. Potentially the program could run
higher than $12M if the helicopters were refurbished to a Huey II
capability. Additional aviation training costs for the flight crews
were estimated to exceed $1M. These overall program initiation
costs, and long-term sustainment costs exceeded the level at which
the Armenia MOD was prepared to obligate national funding.
E. STATUS OF FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING (FMF):
1. The FMF case AM-B-BAA, A2 requested in Oct 07, to support
the Armenian Peacekeeping Brigade (IPAP Goal: 2.3.2; Establish a
Peacekeeping Brigade) is currently being worked and consolidated by
USASAC.
2. ODC is awaiting the LOA for the FMF case AM-R-FFF. This
case is for excess defense article personal equipment. This case
will compliment the existing FMF cases that equipped the 12th PK Bn
and that will equip other PK BDE units. The case directly supports
IPAP Goal 2.3.2; Establish a Peacekeeping Brigade.
3. ODC Armenia is expecting the delivery of $3.3M in Harris
radios for the Armenian 12th Peacekeeping battalion during the month
of January. Harris Radio provided radios for US Army shipment on 13
Dec 07. These radios and ancillary equipment directly support IPAP
Goal: 2.3.1; Develop a peacekeeping battalion.
F. Joint Contact Team Program (JCTP). No JCTP events were
conducted in December. However, Marine Forces Europe will conduct a
TCT 28 Jan- 1 Feb 08. This event will familiarize the 12th
Peacekeeping Bn with tactical medical evacuation by Medics/Corpsmen.
This event compliments the EMEDS training that will be conducted in
FY08, support the MOD decision to stand-up a medic platoon in the PK
Forces, and supports the overall reform of the Armenian medical
system.
The BAO in Armenia is also attempting to coordinate a visit to
Heidelberg Army hospital in January, by the head of the Armenian
Military Medical Department to support his work at restructuring the
Armenian Main Military Hospital along western lines during FY08. The
JCTP section in EUCOM is currently working this event with the BAO
in Armenia.
G. State Partnership Program (SPP). No SPP events were
conducted in December due to poor weather in Kansas which inhibited
travel. The one SPP event planned for December was rescheduled for
21-25 Jan 08. This event involves Kansas National Guard Engineers.
"Mine-clearing Operations in PKO TCT" will familiarize the Armenian
De-mining unit with the new de-mining equipment it received through
its recent FMF order. Mine detectors, EOD protective suits, and even
field equipment such as rucksacks will be demonstrated by the
Kansans Engineers so that the Armenians can get an initial
understanding of how to properly employ their new American equipment
which will replace worn, older equipment.
H. Humanitarian Assistance (HA).
1. The ODC will conduct a project initiation meeting for the
HA water project event as soon as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
representative in Tbilisi receives the HA funding from EUCOM and is
available to make the trip to Yerevan. The stand-alone HA event will
reconstruct existing water wells in three rural villages in Armenia
where the current water system has deteriorated to a degree that
potable water is seldom available.
2. The ODC submitted two Excess Property requests that are
awaiting funding from EUCOM-J4-ID-HA. One request is to supply
furniture and school equipment to two affiliated orphanages for
disabled children. The second request is to supply the same items
for a boarding school for children with disabilities.
J. International Military Education and Training (IMET):
English Language testing and number of IMET students in US.
1. Training Snapshot
Students at DLI: 12
Students at Specialty Training: 12
E-IMET: 0
2. English Comprehension Level (ECL) Testing
Students tested in December: 0
3. PERSONNEL/RESOURCES/LOGISTICS
A. GAINS: None.
B. LOSSES: None
C. ATTACHED PERSONNEL (TDY): None.
D. APPROVED LEAVES NEXT 30 DAYS:
LTC Peterson: 28 Dec 07-4 Jan 08
MAJ Keller: 8-22 Jan 08
E. TDY NEXT 30 DAYS: None
F. RATING SCHEME CHANGES: None
G. EXTENSIONS/CURTAILMENTS: None.
5. ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES:
A. EFFICIENCY REPORT SUSPENSES: None
B. AWARD SUSPENSES: None
C. PERSONNEL ACTIONS: None
6. ODC CHIEF'S COMMENTS:
7. POC for this message is LTC Doug Peterson.
37410-49-46-65
37410-46-47-36(fax)
petersond@state.gov
PENNINGTON