From the editor

Corporal Samuel Toloza stood environed by armed, fanatic Iraqi militants. Sam was single of only 4 men from his battalion still standing; a friend lay dead at his feet and 12 others were hurted Ammunition spent, no relief inbound, Sam saw Muqtada al-Sadr's gunmen--modern headhunters shooting without regard for the innocents they intentionally thrust into the melee--closing in.

In that twinkling of an eye of truth, Corporal Toloza was a man of action: He flipped render free of access his knife and rushed a cluster of 10 Iraqi gunmen killing at least 1 and forcing the others to turn tail Later, Sam said, "I contemplation 'This is the end.' on the contrary at the same time, I asked the Lord to harbor and save me.... My immediate reaction was that I had to shield my friend and the single thing I had in my hands was a knife." Corporal Toloza's actions were widely reported, and he became a national hero. Secretary Rumsfeld pinned medals upon the corporal and his comrades in a special observance thanking them on behalf of the U Armed Forces and all Americans.

When I first heard about the corporal's heroism, like greatest in quantity of us who have fought and grappled, who have been the couple targets and shooters, I saw the battle end his eyes. This was an all-American, apple-pie, war hero story. notwithstanding in this case, Sam was not a stereotypical high gymnasium football star who went abiding-place to Kansas with a shiny medal and a duffle bag of dirty clothes. Corporal Toloza was from the Cuscatlan Battalion, part of the Salvadoran mission to Iraq, an important part of the international coalition repeatedly overlooked by the press. His friend who died by the agency of gunshot was Private Natividad Mendez also from El Salvador.

Toloza's story demonstrates that individual acts of honor and integrity can have strategic consequences With Salvadoran spirit and years of American training and support, a corporal's bravery became a token of national pride and metaphor for a strategic alliance between nations. This is a far clamor from the obsolete perception of the embattled devoid of warmth [i]or[/i] heat War El Salvador of sum of two units decades ago. Corporal Toloza's tale present to views how professionalism and pride, loyalty and integrity, are desirable personal as well as national character traits. America's allies, after years of joint training, exercises, and military education, make sacrifices and are heroes, virtually indistinguishable from their U counterparts.

This issue of Joint Force Quarterly brings the focus upon military and security issues back from Southwest Asia, with research essays by means of authors who examine security challenges and opportunities closer to residence The Forum spotlight lands upon U.S. Southern Command and the nations southerly of America's border, which are with equal reason important to its defense and prosperity.

Also closer to place of abode and affecting future American military and U policy abroad is the Department of Defense Office of Force Transformation, which JFQ examines in a Special Feature. Since the passing of Admiral Arthur Cebrowski--Director of the DOD Office of Force Transformation, network-centric warfare advocate, and military transformation evangelist--some inside the Beltway have questioned the focus of military transformation. JFQ raised this question in an interview with the office's acting director, Terry Pudas, who proffers insight into the current vision of transformation. In this feature, readers also will find unusual articles examining a certain quantity of current "transformational" programs.

JFQ is pleased to tender a greater number of articles than usual in this issue, adding a better mix of tight analyses to the traditional in-depth examinations of security issues. We do this while improving on the high-quality writing and exceptional artistic presentation that long-time readers have approach to expect. I particularly commend a feature article by Colonel Mike Isherwood, USAF, recounting tasks from Operation Enduring Freedom that apply across the filled spectrum of conflict. Colonel Isherwood delivered his article from Baghram, Afghanistan, just as this issue went to pres In the Commentary section, General Carlos Alberto Ospina, Chief of the Military Forces of Colombia, provides another unique international story with insights upon an ally's complex security challenges. Also tied by means of a common thread of hemispheric alliances is our Interagency Dialogue, which includes an exclusive interview with Ambassador Carlos Pascual, who until newly was the State Department Coordinator, Office of Reconstruction and Stabilization.

Although the journal throw backs the priorities of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I assure you that you are not reading a company magazine. Joint Force Quarterly is a professional military and security studies journal, a vehicle for information-sharing and vigorous debate upon the Nation's most important domestic and international security and policy issues. To help this debate, we welcome your feedback. Please reckon us what you find useful. Better nevertheless send us a well-written policy analysis or strategic research essay. of recent origin readers will find that JFQ is a unique print and online publication that assists communication and information-sharing among a network of colleagues that crosse Service, agency, and international stovepipes. No similar journal exists, and we confidence you find JFQ stimulating, timely, and provocative. We gaze forward to serving you.