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By Assistant Regional Security Officer Austin Fong, U.S. Embassy Hanoi, Vietnam
From political unrest to full-on military invasions, there is no shortage of threats to diplomatic operations around the globe. During times of crisis, Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) special agents play a key role in collaborating with interagency partners, garnering military assisted embassy reinforcement, advising the ambassador on how to provide a safe environment for continued diplomatic engagement, and, in the worst-case scenario, coordinating for the evacuation of U.S. government personnel, diplomatic facilities, and American citizens.
If political unrest, conflict, or natural disaster threatens East Asian and Pacific (EAP) diplomatic operations, the U.S. Marine Corps’ III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) would likely be the first to respond and would play a major role in supporting embassies, specifically the regional security offices, to bolster defenses and, if necessary, evacuate personnel. The III MEF, stationed in Okinawa, Japan, is the only MEF that permanently remains overseas, creating an enduring presence in Japan. Because of its placement, it acts as an immediate response force for the Pacific region.
Marine Expeditionary Forces often invite interagency partners, including DSS special agents, to participate in non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO) exercises. Because III MEF is stationed in Okinawa, it is difficult for non-Department of Defense (DOD) volunteers to support their NEO exercises. However, for the first time, U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) officers hailing from U.S. Embassy Bangkok, American Institute in Taiwan, U.S. Embassy Hanoi, and U.S. Consulate Fukuoka participated in a NEO exercise. Together, they created a simulated country team with individuals training in the roles of ambassador and section chiefs for consular affairs, management, public affairs, USAID, and the regional security office.
Once the team was in place, the III MEF created an evolving multi-day exercise that simulated a country becoming increasingly unstable due to violent unrest. The exercise led to an embassy drawdown requiring embassy reinforcement, reaction to riots and attacks on the embassy compound, improvised explosive device threats, high level meetings on the amphibious assault ship U.S.S. Tripoli with transport provided by MV-22 Ospreys, establishment of a non-combatant processing site, and the evacuation of the mock embassy and fleeing American citizens.
The DSS special agent participating in the training served as the senior regional security officer. Throughout the seven-day training, the special agent advised the ambassador and country team on the entire spectrum of security matters in an evolving threat environment. He led emergency action committee meetings, created operational plans to bolster the safety of American diplomats in the field, addressed destruction of sensitive equipment, and facilitated embassy reinforcement with DOD elements. In addition to developing safe evacuation procedures, the special agent closely supported the ambassador on the high-level security issues of evolving U.S. government activities in country.
These trainings are great opportunities to not only implement a DSS special agent’s knowledge in traditional and high-threat overseas operations, but to be a part of the interagency cross-pollination process that keeps diplomatic personnel safe around the world. Volunteering for NEO certification trainings provides DSS special agents exposure to strategic-type conversations at the ambassadorial level, execution of capabilities integration between the regional security office and DOD, the critical work consular officers do to evacuate Americans, and so much more.

The Amazon rainforest is threatened with collapse. If nothing is done about deforestation, a chain reaction will be set in motion that will cause the unique ecosystem to disappear forever and further fuel climate change. But the election of Lula da Silva as president of Brazil gives hope. Lula announced his intention to end the
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WASHINGTON – Today, President Biden announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to serve as members on the Route 66 Centennial Commission: Caroline Beteta, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission Danielle E. Blackshear, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission Mark V. Falzone, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission Tim J.…
The post President<span class=”dewidow”> </span>Biden Announces Key Appointments to Boards and<span class=”dewidow”> </span>Commissions appeared first on The White House.

Today marks four years of wrongful detention in Russia for American Paul Whelan and, as the President and I have told the Whelan family, we will not stop, we will not relent, we will not cease until all Americans can celebrate Paul’s return. Paul and the Whelan family recently showed the entire country the meaning…
The post Statement by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on the Four Year Anniversary of Paul Whelan’s Wrongful<span class=”dewidow”> </span>Detention appeared first on The White House.

The United States welcomes the Republic of Korea’s adoption of its new Indo-Pacific Strategy as a reflection of our shared commitment to the region’s security and growing prosperity. The strategy sets forth a comprehensive approach that demonstrates the commitment of President Yoon and the Korean people to upholding universal values such as the rule of…
The post Statement by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on the Republic of Korea’s Indo-Pacific<span class=”dewidow”> </span>Strategy appeared first on The White House.

The Supreme Court’s order today keeps the current Title 42 policy in place while the Court reviews the matter in 2023.  We will, of course, comply with the order and prepare for the Court’s review. At the same time, we are advancing our preparations to manage the border in a secure, orderly, and humane way when…
The post Statement by White<span class=”dewidow”> </span>House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Supreme Court Title 42<span class=”dewidow”> </span>Order appeared first on The White House.

On Tuesday, December 27, 2022, the President signed into law: H.R. 203, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4020 Broadway Street in Houston, Texas, as the Benny C. Martinez Post Office Building; Thank you to Representative Sylvia Garcia, Senators Cornyn and Cruz, and the entire Texas delegation for their…
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I promised to lower costs for families and ensure that all Americans have access to quality affordable health care. In recent days, we received further proof that our efforts are delivering record results and bringing families the peace of mind that comes with health insurance. From November 1st to December 15th, nearly 11.5 million Americans signed up for…
The post Statement from President Joe<span class=”dewidow”> </span>Biden on Record 2022 HealthCare.Gov<span class=”dewidow”> </span>Enrollment appeared first on The White House.

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that an emergency exists in the State of New York and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from a severe winter storm beginning on December 23, 2022, and continuing.  The President’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal…
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Tiny fluctuations in the time between each beat of your heart can provide clues about how much stress your body is experiencing.