Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM Staff. SINGAPORE AIR FORCE PILOTS TRAIN IN U.S. SKIES (Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM, Summer 1999, pp. 24-30)

Over the past 10 years, the United States has provided the Republic of Singapore Air Force with a degree of training integration with U.S. Air Force combat squadrons that has fostered "a very close relationship between the two air forces," the authors say. They note that the program -- which includes training in weapons and tactics, air refueling procedures, search and rescue, and aircraft maintenance -- is "a reflection of a larger picture of defense cooperation between the U.S. and Singapore."

Collins, John. SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES IN PEACETIME (Joint Forces Quarterly, no. 21, Spring 1999, pp. 56-61)

Special Operations Forces (SOF) have proven to be of such tremendous value for security situations "short of war" that there is a tendency on the part of the U.S. military to overextend them, the author alleges. SOF, who are proficient in foreign languages and cross-cultural skills, are "ideally suited for many missions which conventional forces cannot perform as effectively or economically in the twilight zone between peace and war," Collins writes. Because of their specialized skills and training, he says, they help shape the international security environment, prepare for an uncertain future, and respond precisely when assigned to missions ranging from unconventional warfare, counter- terrorism, and counter-narcotics to inhibiting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Collins notes that foreign internal defense operations, facilitated by SOF, help counter the effects of poverty, ignorance, and lawlessness.

Gray-Briggs, Abigail; MacIver, Michael. BOMBS, THEN BANDAGES (Airpower Journal, vol. 13, no. 2, Summer 1999, pp. 15-26)

Increasingly, U.S. armed forces are being called upon to participate in noncombat actions around the world. This new direction is known as "military operations other than war" (MOOTW) -- operations that require distinctly different behaviors and mindsets than traditional warfighting. In order for American soldiers to make this military cross- cultural transformation, they must be given the proper education, training, and preparation. This article is currently available on the Internet at: http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/apj99/sum99/briggs.html

Groves, John R., Jr. PFP AND THE STATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM: FOSTERING ENGAGEMENT AND PROGRESS (Parameters, US Army War College Quarterly, Spring 1999, pp. 43-53)

Groves describes the National Guard's State Partnership Program (SPP), which was established to link the national guard units of various U.S. states with Partnership for Peace nations following the fall of the Soviet empire. The program has since expanded into Central and South America and Central Asia.

The SPP's objectives include assisting in the development of democratic institutions, fostering open market economies to promote stability, and representing U.S. humanitarian values. In each host country, the Army National Guard maintains liaison teams that can assist in a variety of initiatives, such as promoting civilian control of the military and instilling a respect for human rights and the rule of law.

While using National Guard forces for peacetime foreign policy objectives may be beneficial, the author contends, the U.S. military must not lose its primary warfighting ability. If troops are used excessively in peace operations, he asserts, their military skills will atrophy and equipment will deteriorate.

Kitfield, James. THE STEPCHILD STEPS OUT (National Journal, vol. 31, issue 40, October 2, 1999, pp. 2816-2817)

Kitfield interviewed Coast Guard Commandant James Loy to learn more about the recent dramatic growth in the mission profile of his agency, America's fifth armed service. During the past five years, the Coast Guard has seen a significant increase in its role of enforcing fisheries legislation, controlling alien migration at sea, and interdicting drug traffickers. "Overseas, its ships routinely operate alongside Navy vessels to enforce maritime embargoes," Kitfield adds. Nonetheless the Coast Guard, in spite of its "significant law enforcement and national security roles . . . finds itself under severe budgetary strain," he says.

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The annotations above are part of a more comprehensive Article Alert offered on the International Home Page of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State: http://www.usia.gov/admin/001/wwwhapub.html.