Air Force personnel are among the more than 150 members of the US military participating in the two-week Allied Forces Humanitarian Exercise, or FA HUM 2011, at Cumuto Barracks in Trinidad and Tobago. The exercise will simulate a catastrophic earthquake on the island nation, requiring assistance from outside countries. An Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support Health Response Team, a deployable medical unit, is there to practice treating patients. Fifteen volunteers from the Trinidad military acted as mock injured on April 8, the first day of the exercise. Also participating in FA HUM 2011 are military and civilian officials from Britain, Canada, Guyana, and Suriname. US officials said the exercise illustrates the US commitment to work with partners in Central and South America to strengthen friendships, bolster partner-nation capacity, and enhance regional stability. (Cumato Barracks report by 2nd Lt. Joel Banjo-Johnson)
With less than three weeks left before Congress’ latest continuing resolution funding the government runs out, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III sent a letter to leading lawmakers, urging them to pass a spending bill before the start of 2023. Austin sent copies of the letter Nov. 28 to the top…