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