Friday, January 25, 2008

America Supports You: Airman Flies High After Surprise Proposal

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

Jan. 24, 2008 - Simply communicating while deployed to Iraq can be challenging for servicemembers, but one airman discovered that trying to plan a surprise marriage proposal was nearly impossible. But help from several sources led to
Air Force Senior Airman Robert Blackburn popping the question to his girlfriend, D'Ann Campbell, Jan. 18.

"It was really hard for me to even get on the
Internet over there," said Blackburn, 22, who recently returned to his duty station at Hill Air Force Base, in Utah.

But Blackburn's moving request and a friend's testimony submitted to "Dallas is Love," a Texas-based organization that provides servicemembers with
Army and Air Force Exchange Service gift cards, earned the airman the opportunity to relax and let others make the arrangements for him.

Robbins Bros. jewelers, which helped coordinate a soldier's surprise proposal in December, presented Blackburn with a gift certificate toward the purchase of engagement and wedding rings for Campbell. Company officials also coordinated details of the proposal.

Blackburn wanted to propose to Campbell at the Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas and follow it with a nice dinner.

Getting Campbell, a senior at
Dallas Baptist University, on the scene was no problem. She thought she was attending a party at the hotel with a friend. Instead of going to a party, however, she was met in the lobby by former Dallas Cowboys tight end Billy Jo DuPree, who escorted her to where Blackburn was waiting.

"Billy Jo heard that Robert was a huge
Dallas Cowboys fan and couldn't resist becoming his wingman," said Tanya Stafford, general manager for Robbins Bros.' Dallas location.

"I was thankful that Robbins Bros. was there to help me with the ring selection and with the proposal," Blackburn, originally of Rowlett, Texas, said. "It's hard to say in words how much I appreciate everyone's help in making this happen for me and D'Ann."

Robbins Bros., which bills itself as the "world's biggest engagement ring store," was only too happy to help.

"We are in the business of love, and so it is always special when we can make a dream proposal come true," Stafford said. "In addition, we take this opportunity to thank Robert and all the thousands of
military men and women serving out country and recognize the sacrifices they are making on our behalf."

Dallas is Love not only introduced Blackburn and Robbins Bros., but also picked up the tab for dinner. The group is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with
military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.

"(Robbins Bros.) did the majority of the arranging," said Linda
Foster, president of Dallas is Love. "All we did is kind of help pick out who the winner was going to be, and we're ... going to pay for the meal and whatever expenses they might have (associated with the evening)."

Because of Blackburn's overseas assignments, he and his fiancee have seen each other for only a total of one month of their three-year relationship. They hope to marry before Blackburn's scheduled return to Iraq in January 2009.

16th Annual DOD Worldwide Military Photography Workshop

(2 June 08 - 7 June 08).

The workshop is hosted by the Defense Information School, Fort George G.
Meade, MD. The purpose of the workshop is to improve professional knowledge, proficiency and qualifications of DOD Photographers and Photojournalists. Highly renowned workshop faculty members will provide technical instruction to increase the effectiveness, ability, and visual communication skills of attendees to provide the highest quality imagery to the Department of Defense.

Personnel from all Services specializing in Photography and Photojournalism, and DOD employed civilian photographers may apply. Selection for attendance will be competitive and limited to 25 Photographers / Photojournalists. To ensure maximum benefit, those attending the workshop are required to have a strong background and working knowledge in still photography. Attendees will be selected based on their portfolio and command recommendation, which must be received by 14 April 2008.

Details and guidelines for portfolio submissions can be accessed via the worldwide web at
http://www.dinfos.osd.mil under special events.

Attendees will be notified the week of 21 April 2008 of their selection to attend. Pertinent details outlining the workshop schedule, TDY orders, funding, billeting and required equipment can be accessed via the worldwide web at
http://www.dinfos.osd.mil
under special events.

Please direct any questions to PA1 Mike Hvozda; Comm. Tel: 301-677-4947 / DSN: 622-4947 / Email:
dinfosphotographyworkshop@dinfos.osd.mil

Stuttgart Opens Warrior Transition Unit

By Brandon Beach
Special to American Forces Press Service

Jan. 24, 2008 - U.S.
Army Garrison Stuttgart has activated its Warrior Transition Unit as part of the Army's new mandated Medical Action Plan. WTUs are being established on U.S. military bases throughout Europe, giving wounded soldiers access to extended medical care locally. "Once a soldier is in the WTU, his or her 24-hour, seven-days-a-week job is to heal," said Mimi Langenderfer, of the new Soldier and Family Assistance Center on Panzer Kaserne, another major component of the WTU push here. Stuttgart's Soldier and Family Assistance Center, which has its headquarters at Army Community Service, has been fully operational since Jan. 1.

Consolidating an umbrella of services from
legal assistance to financial planning to housing support, the center will function as a one-stop location for soldiers and their families.

"When you have a soldier who comes back injured, you have deeper layers of issues to work out," Langenderfer said. "The SFAC gives soldiers and their families time to work through what they need."

Before Warrior Transition Units, which sprang up topically after media reports in 2007 revealed problems with care at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., wounded soldiers were placed in medical hold units or evacuated to the United States. Not so any more. The idea is to keep soldiers in their local communities and close to home.

"They don't have to worry about where their family will be," said Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Godinez, squad leader for the new Stuttgart WTU. "Mentally, it helps out the healing process."

Langenderfer agreed the new arrangement is better for the soldiers and their families. "Imagine you've been here in this community for two years and suddenly you have to uproot your entire family back to the States," she said.

WTUs are not limited to soldiers wounded in combat. A soldier who develops an illness or has been in a severe accident may be assigned to a local WTU, officials said.

Ensuring soldiers stay on task is where Godinez comes in. "I make contact with soldiers every day to keep accountability and make sure they make it to all their appointments," he said.

In addition to a combat arms squad
leader, WTU soldiers are assigned a primary care manager and a nurse case manager. The unit here, which became active on Dec. 15, has two soldiers assigned.

Under the new Warrior Transition process, an injured soldier who requires medical care longer than six months is reassigned to a local WTU. This was not the case in the past, as a unit that had lost a soldier due to injury could not refill the position until a medical review board determined the soldier was unfit to return to duty.

"The losing unit can now continue its mission by transferring the soldier to the WTU and filling the vacant position," Langenderfer said.

The WTU cares for soldiers until they are either fit to return to their former unit or transition back to the civilian world. If a soldier must return to civilian life, the Soldier and Family Assistance Center can help with issues such as career counseling and job search, Langenderfer said.

U.S.
Army Garrison Stuttgart's Department of Public Works has begun renovating six rooms in Patch Barracks' Building 2310, the single enlisted quarters for U.S. European Command headquarters. Five will be used to house single soldiers enrolled in the WTU. Each of the rooms will be equipped with handicap-accessible entrances, a kitchenette, a washer and dryer, a bathroom, a computer with Internet services, a television and a telephone. The sixth room will serve as office space for Godinez and a place for soldiers to connect with education counselors at the Panzer Education Center via a video counseling system.

When not undergoing medical treatment, WTU soldiers may be asked to perform part-time jobs, most often at their local medical clinic, or pursue educational goals.

(Brandon Beach serves with the U.S.
Army Garrison Stuttgart Public Affairs Office.)

Soldier Missing from Korean War is Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing from the Korean War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

He is Pfc. Billy M. MacLeod, U.S.
Army, of Cheboygan, Mich. He was buried Saturday in Cheboygan.

Representatives from the
Army met with MacLeod's next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process, and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the secretary of the Army.

MacLeod was a member of Company B, 32nd Infantry Regiment, then making up part of the 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, operating along the eastern banks of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. From Nov. 27-Dec. 1, 1950, the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces overran the U.S. positions, forcing their southward withdrawal. Regimental records compiled after the battle indicate that MacLeod was killed in action on Nov. 28, 1950.

Between 2002 and 2005, three joint U.S.-Democratic People's Republic of Korea teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), excavated an area with two mass graves on the eastern shore of the Chosin Reservoir. They were believed to be burial sites of U.S. soldiers from the 31st RCT. The teams found human remains and other material evidence. Analysis of the remains subsequently led to the identifications of eight individuals, including MacLeod.

Among other
forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in the identification of MacLeod's remains.

For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.

Military Contracts

NAVY

Treadwell Corp. Thomaston, Conn., is being awarded a $62,042,479 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for up to 29 Low Pressure Electrolyzers (170 and 225 standard cubic feet per hour), Low Pressure Electrolyzer Simulators, associated installation services, training and technical data to replace the Model 6L16 Electrolytic Oxygen Generator and Oxygen Generating Plant aboard SSBN 726 and SSN 21. The Low Pressure Electrolyzer is designed to operate as the primary oxygen producers aboard the SSBN-726 and SSN-21, and will provide increased reliability, maintainability, safety and ease of operation. Work will be performed in Thomaston, Conn., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, Ship Systems Engineering Station,
Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (N65540-08-D-0007).

Dynamic Flowform Corp. Billerica, Mass., is being awarded $20,155,806 for delivery order #0002 under previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-08-D-1054) to purchase of 60mm Lightweight Co. Mortars System and 81mm Lightweight Mortar Systems to provide indirect fire support for infantry offensive and defensive operations. This delivery order will provide for the production of both 60mm and 81mm mortar cannon assemblies and spare components using Inconel 718 alloy and flowforming technologies. Work will be performed in Billerica, Mass., and work is expected to be completed by Feb. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The
Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

Sparton Electronics, DeLeon Springs, Fla., is being awarded a $16,486,911firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of AN/SSQ-53F Sonobuoys in support of the
United States Navy Air Antisubmarine Forces. erations. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would brinThe AN/SSQ-53F Sonobuoys mission functions include detection, classification, and localization of adversary submarines during peacetime and combat opg the cumulative value of this contract to $29,495,509. Work will be performed in DeLeon Springs, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with one proposal solicited and two offers received via Government-wide Points of Entry, Navy Electronic Commerce On-line, and Federal Business Opportunities websites. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-08-C-GP01).

Undersea Sensor Systems Incorpated Columbia City, Ind., is being awarded a $13,134,530 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of AN/SSQ-53F Sonobuoys in support of the
United States Navy Air Antisubmarine Forces. The AN/SSQ-53F Sonobuoys mission functions include detection, classification, and localization of adversary submarines during peacetime and combat operations. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $20,497,111. Work will be performed in Columbia City, Ind., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with one proposal solicited and two offers received via Government-wide Points of Entry, Navy Electronic Commerce On-line, and Federal Business Opportunities websites. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-08-C-GP08).

ARMY

Nova Group, Inc., Napa, Calif., was awarded on Jan. 22, 2008, a $12,140,000 firm-fixed-price contract for renovation of the existing tank farm. Work will be performed at Cannon
Air Force Base, N.M., and is expected to be completed by Jul. 25, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Ten bids were solicited on Sep. 20, 2007 and five bids were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District, Albuquerque, N.M., is the contracting activity W912PP-08-C-0004.

AIR FORCE

The Lockheed Martin Corp. Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems and Solutions of San Jose, Calif., is being awarded a contract modification for $335,978,665. This modification of the Mission Operations Systems (TMOS) contract will synchronize the TMOS contract to support ongoing business execution and support ongoing program evolution. This includes updates to align the program with significant FY06/FY07 changes to TSAT funding and schedule. In addition, the modification made changes to the statement of work to accommodate concept of operations changes as well as accommodate new DoD policies such as revised security certificate requirements. These changes are necessary to accommodate the continuing evolution of TSAT. At this time no funds have been obligated. Space and Missile Systems Center, El Segundo Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8808-06-C-0003/P00022).

Face of Defense: Sailor Helps in Saving Life


By Petty Officer 2nd Class R.J. Stratchko, USN
Special to American Forces Press Service

Jan. 24, 2008 - A sailor stationed on board the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry was recognized Jan. 17 for helping save the life of a local Gabonese woman. Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Saucedo, a storekeeper, received the award from Gabonese Chief of Naval Forces Capt. Paul Biving Nziengu and U.S.
Navy Capt. John Nowell, commander of Africa Partnership Station.

Saucedo was on liberty at Sogara Beach on Jan. 14 with three other Africa Partnership Station sailors when they witnessed four men carrying someone from the water.

"As we walked up to the crowd of people on the beach, they saw my dog tags and said, '
U.S. Marines, U.S. Marines,'" he said. Saucedo immediately administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

"I checked her pulse and airway," he said. "Then I tilted her head back, and somebody volunteered to do mouth-to-mouth while I did chest compressions. Shortly after, the water gushed out of her nose, and she came to. As soon as she started regaining consciousness, we made sure she was OK, and then tried to get additional medical help."

Saucedo described the whole experience as scary but credited his reaction to the training he received in the U.S.
Navy.

"I was afraid when I began chest compressions, but my training just kicked in," he said.

The basic life-saving training that Saucedo received is the same training that Africa Partnership Station is teaching maritime professionals from West and Central African countries.

Saucedo said he believes anyone who happens upon such a situation needs to do something about it. "Always try to do your best, even if you are not the one giving CPR," he said. "Do something to help; don't just walk by."

"Petty Officer Saucedo's actions exemplify what APS is all about, building trust with the African people so that we can strengthen collaborative partnerships," Nowell said.

(
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class R.J. Stratchko serves with Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs.)