Mrs. Mullen Christens Guided-Missile Destroyer

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

Jan. 26, 2008 - Under gray skies providing a slight, cold drizzle, Deborah Mullen stepped before the massive 9,200-ton guided-missile destroyer and, with all the grit her slight frame could muster, gave it a good whack, just under the "bullnose." The ship's freshly-painted gray hull gave up only a hollow "clunk" as the bottle she gripped with both hands in baseball-bat fashion glanced off its edge.

Laughing, she took another more determined swing, and this time the christening bottle of champagne broke, wetting the bow of the Navy's newest Arleigh Burke class ship, the Dewey, today in a ceremony before a crowd of about 1,000 at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations here.

"There are actually no words to describe today. Having been a Navy wife for all these years, having my sons serve, being a sponsor of a ship is probably the greatest honor I have ever had," said Mullen, wife of Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Mrs. Mullen's service as the ship's sponsor puts her in the same company as presidents' wives and descendents of war heroes in a tradition that dates back to 1797. Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter invited Mrs. Mullen to serve as the ship's sponsor last year while her husband was serving as chief of naval operations.

Before the ceremonial bottle breaking, the chairman and his wife extolled the need for readiness in the force. The admiral called readiness the warrior's response to the nation's call.

"It's practice, training, it's an undaunted commitment to develop skills that produce efficiency," he said.

Mrs. Mullen, however, added family readiness to the equation.

"I believe family readiness ... is integral to military readiness," she said. "And we need to make sure that our military families are given the support, resources, and education to succeed, to become resilient families ready to face the challenges and opportunities of the military lifestyle."

Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England called Mrs. Mullen "a champion for those in uniform and dynamic family advocate." England named the ship as Navy Secretary in May 2004, and said today that Winter made the right choice for its sponsor.

"The saying goes that the hardest job in the Navy is that of a Navy wife. And Deb has given 37 years to our Navy, and she and Mike together have met every challenge," England said. "Our Navy and our nation are better for her contributions."

During the admiral's tenure as chief of naval operations, Mrs. Mullen worked to enhance the Navy ombudsman program by creating training programs, said Navy Capt. John Kirby, the chairman's spokesman. She also was critical in creating a network of family and spouse support programs, such as Navy's FamilyLine, an online spouse-support network.

"Mrs. Mullen has been a champion of military families for decades and has worked very, very hard to make sure that their sacrifices and their hard work and their efforts are both recognized and supported," Kirby said.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Mrs. Mullen helped man the phones at Task Force Navy Family, reaching out to affected Navy families, including retirees.

Kirby called Mullen's selection as sponsor a "very fitting tribute to the depth to which she cares."

"Mrs. Mullen cares to her very marrow about the people who serve and the people who wait and worry for those who serve -- the families who are providing all the love and support for those who are going into harm's way," Kirby said.

At the ceremony, Mrs. Mullen was flanked by her two sons, John and Michael, who both are Navy officers, one in aviation and the other in surface warfare. Also with her were long-time friends Emmy White and Laurie Armstrong, who served as her matrons-of-honor. Another matron-select, Lori Tamulevich, could not be present for the ceremony.

The Mullens spent yesterday touring the Dewey. The christening signifies that the ship is seaworthy, but it is still about a year away from being operational as a destroyer. While the outside is painted and pristine, with colorful signal flags adorning the ship from bow to stern, the inside is a literal web of wires – 1.5 million feet worth – and the floors are planked with plywood. The unfinished steel walls are covered with hand-scrawled numbers and directions for placement. Computer systems and equipment are covered and protected.

The ship was put in the water Jan. 18. Northrop Grumman officials said they hope to have all of its power working in June. Its crew will then be brought in and the ship will be put through a battery of performance tests before being commissioned and turned over to the crew for sailing to its home port of San Diego.

The ships here are put together like "Lego blocks" as described by Northrop Grumman officials. Each is built in one of its cavernous bays on the sprawling 800,000-acre shipyard on the Pascagoula River at the Mississippi Sound. After the sections are built individually, they are moved and pieced together by huge transporters and cranes capable of hauling hundreds of tons.

In all, there are about 3.5 million pieces to the ship and more than 2,000 workers will be involved in building a destroyer over five years. Northrop Grumman has more than 11,000 employees at the yard in Pascagoula. The yard suffered about $1 billion worth of damage from Hurricane Katrina. It is now back to about 85 percent of its capacity, officials said. Eight other ships are under construction here.

Designated the DDG 105, the new destroyer honors Adm. George Dewey, most famous for leading his squadron of warships into Manila Bay on April 30, 1898, and destroying the Spanish fleet in only two hours without a single American loss. A popular hero of his day, Dewey was commissioned admiral of the Navy, a rank created for him, in March 1903.

Two previous ships have carried his name. The first was a destroyer that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and went on to receive 13 battle stars for World War II service. This newest destroyer is the 55th of 62 Arleigh Burke class destroyers. It has a crew of about 360.

At the ceremony's rehearsal yesterday, the breaking of the bottle was the biggest concern of the petite ship sponsor. In her sponsor packet were printed "horror" stories of some before who kept striking the ship six or more times unsuccessfully with the ceremonial bottles.

"We need bottles that don't break," teased her husband, the chairman.

"I'll just keep hitting it," she respondd with a laugh.

Just remember "persistence and fortitude," teased back Kevin Jarvis, a vice president of ship production with Northrop Grumman.

Mrs. Mullen laughed later about the number of people who would be standing with her on the platform extended from the ceremonial platform to the bow of the ship.

"I need all the swing room I can get," she joked.

America Supports You Summit Helps Groups Build on Momentum

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

Jan. 25, 2008 - More than 180 representatives of 122 troop-support groups gathered today at the Pentagon to share information and insights about ways to boost their efforts during the third annual America Supports You National Summit. Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary Allison Barber, the program's architect, opened the all-day session welcoming the participants she credits with making America Supports You such a big success. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is slated to close the summit, thanking the groups for their contributions.

The Defense Department launched the America Supports you program in November 2004 to showcase support for the country's men and women in uniform from the American public as well as the corporate sector. More than three years later, it continues to expand, directing people who want to do something to support the troops to myriad initiatives already under way, and enabling those behind these efforts to share ideas and encouragement.

Barber told the group she had no clue when the program first began how big it would grow -- with 343 grassroots groups as well as corporate members now participating --- or how powerful its impact would be.

"What we didn't know is that we would create this amazing network -- an amazing network for you to work together, and an amazing network for our troops to get more support (and) for their families back home to get the support they need ... because of what you do," she said.

The Defense Department counts on America Supports You groups to provide support to troops in ways it and the individual services can't, Barber said.

"When people ask how they can support the troops," she said, "we tell them, go to the America Supports You Web site and find our groups who are making a real difference in the lives of our troops and their families."

Although initially introduced as a campaign, America Supports You has evolved into a permanent Defense Department program.

"What we have created is something that will never go away," Barber told the group. "America Supports You has become institutionalized throughout the Department of Defense because it is our connection to you -- citizen support for the men and women in the military."

The agenda for this year's America Supports You summit, the largest yet, was built around suggestions from participants in the last summit. It's packed with breakout sessions designed to help grassroots leaders maintain the momentum they've built, Barber said.

Participants are learning how to motivate and manage volunteers, find the resources needed to support their operations and get word out through the media about their efforts. One of the breakout sessions is focusing on compassion fatigue and ways to identify symptoms of burnout and treat it before it takes hold.

"Home-front groups are our first line of support," Barber said. "Through these sessions, we're providing some new tools to help them provide that support. We want them to walk out of here refreshed so they can go back home and continue what they're doing.

"Our goal for this summit is threefold: to let them know how much we appreciate what they're doing, and to help equip them and encourage them to keep on doing it," she said.

Attendees said they welcomed the opportunity to meet other America Supports You members and swap experiences and ideas.

Calvin K. Coolidge, program director for Freedom Alliance, returned for his second summit to pick up more tips for his group, which provides scholarships and grants to children whose parents have been killed or permanently disabled in combat. Coolidge said he benefitted from last year's meeting, where he learning new processes and better ways to communicate and work with the military.

"It's a real benefit to have the opportunity to meet new people and talk about how they are doing things and how to do things better to be more effective," he said.

Ann Johnson, founder of the Adopt a U.S. Soldier program, is attending her first America Supports You summit with hopes of learning how to improve her operations, which rely solely on volunteers. Jeff and Patti Patton-Bade from the Soldiers' Angels group traveled from Pasadena, Calif., for ideas for their program, which sends care packages to deployed troops and supports fallen heroes' families.

"We came here for the opportunity to network with everyone else," Patti said. "If every one of our groups communicated with each other, imagine the kind of support we could offer."

America Supports You: Caregivers Learn About 'Compassion Fatigue'

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

Jan. 25, 2008 - Many servicemembers who have experienced combat, and their families, are familiar with the term "combat stress." The effects of combat, however, aren't limited to those directly connected to the experience. Stress can affect anyone who cares for those individuals, Dr. Joseph Bobrow, a clinical psychologist, told representatives of more than 100 troop-support organizations gathered at the Pentagon for the third annual America Supports You National Summit here today.

America Supports You is a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.

"One of the things that we've learned from experience and research is that 'compassion fatigue,' and the potential for burning out, is not just limited to psychotherapists," he said. "Family members who are caring for wounded veterans are at risk. Veteran service workers, like yourselves, (and) volunteers (are at risk)."

Bobrow, who also is executive director of the Coming Home Project, a troop-support organization, said becoming overwhelmed by the experience of caring for servicemembers and their families is the nature of that work.

"We can anticipate this happening," he said. "It doesn't necessarily ... mean a psychiatric disorder, just like post-traumatic stress ... is not necessarily a psychiatric disorder.

"In fact, it's the body, mind and soul's way of coping with an impossible situation," he explained.

Volunteers can easily fall victim to emotions similar to those that they aim to ease in their charges, he told the support group members. "The same seed of empathy and compassion that draws us to the work that we do, if it's taken to an extreme, is the same seed that could lead us down the slippery slope to burnout," Bobrow said.

Burnout, or compassion fatigue, can be overcome, but it's better to avoid it to begin with, he said. Incorporating positive thoughts and actions into daily life builds resiliency against burnout.

He offered the group several suggestions on how to stave off compassion fatigue, most notably the need to develop the ability to recognize when things start to get overwhelming. When that happens, it's good for individuals to know what refreshes them, he said.

Keeping their attitudes about the work they're doing fresh and upbeat isn't just healthy for volunteers. It can be one of the best things for the people they're working with, Bobrow told the group.

"Our own capacity for peace and joy and well-being ... is really, fundamentally, what we end up giving the next person," he said. "That's what people pick up from us, so if our batteries have run out, then we're no longer those agents of compassion."

Bobrow shared his experiences and advice with two groups during the summit. Army Lt. Gen. Carter F. Ham, operations director for the Joint Staff, and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates also addressed the group, as did Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison, the architect of the America Supports You program.

Breakout sessions from the summit were recorded and will be available on the America Supports You Web site.

Joint Staff Ops Director Cites Value of 'America Supports You'

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

Jan. 25, 2008 - The Joint Staff's operations director told participants in the third annual America Supports You National Summit here today it would be impossible to put a price tag on what they give the country's men and women in uniform. Army Lt. Gen. Carter F. Ham told more than 180 representatives of 122 troop-support groups at the Pentagon for the all-day summit that the work they do and the support of the American people provide "the center of gravity for our operations."

Troops rely on equipment, supplies, food and other resources to carry out their mission. But just as important, he said, is knowing the country stands solidly behind them and appreciates the sacrifices they and their families make. "And that's what you do," Ham told the group.

America Supports You organizations provide "a gentle reminder that somebody cares about them," he said. "What you do signals to them that we care (and) your country is supportive of you. The message you send is, 'Thank you, soldiers; thank you, sailors; thank you, airmen; and thank you, Marines; and thank you to your families for what you're doing.'"

Ham recalled his first exposure to the America Supports You program, when he was working as the Joint Staff's deputy director for regional operations shortly after the Defense Department unveiled the program in November 2004. "I don't think any of us who saw this at the start thought that America Supports You would turn into what it's become," he told the group.

"What you do truly does make a difference," he said. "I don't know what it would be like if you weren't here, doing what you do day in and day out. But I do know that it wouldn't be as good as it is."

Traveling frequently between the Pentagon and forward locations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Ham said, he's witnessed firsthand the program's impact on deployed servicemembers.

He said he watched troops return to their operating base after a mission, pausing to pick up and read a letter from a stack of thank-yous sent by an America Supports You group. "It's not uncommon to see them sit down and write a note back to somebody they have no idea who they are, just to say, 'Thank you for thinking of us. Thank you for thinking of me and my buddies,'" he said.

Ham said he's also seen servicemembers -- particularly those who aren't married or have no immediate family -- respond to a care package or card expressing appreciation. "You can almost physically see their reaction when their commander or sergeant hands them a little bag or one of the mailings," he said. "These are tough folks that have been in combat, and they're moved by that.

"So if you ever wonder if what you're doing matters, if folks appreciate it, let me give you an unequivocal 'yes,'" Ham told the group. "You see it so many different ways."

Ham said the impact of the America Supports You program expands far beyond each individual care package, letter to the troops or other single show of support.

"Collectively, the power you bring to our servicemembers around the world, especially to those who are in harm's way, simply can't be overstated," he said. "It is a little touch of home. It is a little, gentle remember that somebody cares about them. ... You can't put a price tag on that."

Ops Chief Briefs Support Groups on Military Efforts Worldwide

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Jan. 25, 2008 - More than 150 people attending the America Supports You National Summit here today received a quick overview of the American military as it fights the war on terror. This is the third summit for the Defense Department's America Supports You program, through which hundreds of volunteer groups and corporations are reaching out to American servicemembers.

Ham, who served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005, gave the group a quick tour of the world, starting with the United States and U.S. Northern Command, based in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"It is the command tasked to defend our country and provide support to civilian authorities and to respond to emergencies inside the United States," he said.

The command has worked to ensure the United States is not attacked again, and it also helps local, state and civilian agencies when natural disasters strike. Northern Command "is almost never in the headlines; you almost never read about them, but day in, day out they are the ones doing hard work here at home to keep us safe," he said.

The general moved the tour to U.S. Southern Command, which covers Central and South America, and talked about a new strategy called "soft power." This is the realization that the application of overwhelming combat power is not always the right solution. "Maybe it's better to do something quieter, lower key, to build capacity of partner nations, to do something that might deter something from building to a crisis," he said.

There is a role for the military in soft power, he said. He cited the U.S. Navy partnering with nongovernmental agencies aboard Navy hospital ships to provide medical assistance to more than 100,000 patients in Central and South America in the last year. Soft power has applications well beyond Southern Command.

In Europe, times have changed from the Cold War era, he said. While much of the continent is prosperous, there are still places such as the Balkans where there is conflict. U.S. servicemembers are working with NATO allies to maintain peace in Kosovo and Bosnia. He said U.S. forces there deploy to U.S. Central Command and help train NATO allies in conducting counterinsurgency operations. U.S. servicemembers also work with countries to help them build their military forces to provide security for economic development.

U.S. Africa Command is the new kid on the block, yet it has a crucial mission. Many of the suicide bombers that strike in other parts of the world are from the countries of North Africa, Ham said. "We have a choice: Do you want to fight them here, or do you want to deter them there?" he said. "My vote goes to trying to deter them there."

Again, soft power plays a part. "If you can get to a young African boy and say, 'You have an alternative. There's education, employment for you; there's a stable government; there's a better life for you,'" Ham said. "I'd sure like him to have that rather than somebody who turns to him and says, 'Son, your best destiny is to put on this suicide vest and go kill Americans.'"

U.S. Pacific Command contains almost half of the Earth's land space and two of the world's biggest countries: China and India. Those two countries are not U.S. adversaries, but are competitors. The U.S. military has a role with them to stay engaged. "We would very much like to be open with them and increase our programs with their militaries," he said.

South Korea and Japan are U.S. treaty allies, and thousands of U.S. troops are in those countries, Ham said. De-nuclearizing the Korean peninsula is an imperative to the United States and the countries of North Asia. "A nuclear North Korea is one of those things that keep you awake at night," Ham said.

U.S. Central Command holds the two hot conflicts of the war on terror. In Iraq, the United States has just under 160,000 troops. Hamm said he sees dramatic changes in the country each time he visits. Problems remain in the country, he acknowledged, and operations continue to chase down extremists of all sorts.

"There is some tough, tough fighting that needs to be done," he said. "But I'm convinced ... that increasingly the Iraqi security forces are able to take on that fight themselves. They need us for right now, but they are increasingly able to do this on their own."

He said another decision on U.S. force levels in Iraq will be made in the coming months. "I don't know what the decision is going to be, but from my view there has been accelerated progress over these past couple of months," he said.

About 27,000 U.S. servicemembers are in Afghanistan, and 3,200 Marines will sail to join those forces beginning in March, Ham said. "We need to do that because there's been an opportunity that's been created by the forces that are there now that have the Taliban in what we think is a bit of a weakened state," Hamm said.

The Taliban will try to renew their efforts in the spring, but they will not be successful, the general said. "But like Iraq, ultimately, success depends on transferring security responsibility to the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police," Ham said. "The forces have some great commanders; these are some tough hombres. They have been through tough times against tough enemies."

Ham left the group with the importance of the idea of soft power. "We know that we've got sufficient military power ... that we can win every fight that we engage in," he said. "And that's OK, if you just want to keep fighting all the time.

"We want to use the military force necessary to provide the security under which other types of activities can grow and flourish," he continued, explaining that military force is needed to establish security so people can send their children to school, and leave their houses to work or go to receive medical care. "Only by doing that do you get lasting success," he said.

MILITARY CONTRACTS - January 25, 2008

ARMY

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., was awarded on Jan. 24, 2008, a $171,847,946 firm-fixed price contract for modernized target acquisition designation night vision sensors for the Apache aircraft. Work will be performed it Lockheed Martin Systems in Orlando, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Sep. 30, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was one bid solicited on Apri. 19, 2007, and one bid received. The Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity W58RGZ-06-C-0169.

General Dynamics Network Systems, Needham, Mass., was awarded on Jan. 24, 2008, a $8,613,929 modification to a fixed price incentive contract for continuing efforts to survey, plan, design, install and implement the information technology systems and infrastructure for Wedges 2-5 as part of the Pentagon IT infrastructure. Work will be performed at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was one bid solicited on Mar. 28, 2002, and one bid was received. The Pentagon Renovation & Construction Program Office, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity MDA947-98-C-2002.

Anthony & Gordon Construction Co. Inc., Knoxville, Tenn., was awarded on Jan. 24, 2008, an $8,426,000 firm fixed price contract for the design and construction of the Corpus Christi Controlled Humidity Warehouse in Robstown, Texas. Work will be performed in Robstown, Texas and is expected to be completed by Jan. 19, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Oct. 16 2007, and four bids were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity W912QR-08-C-004.

NAVY

Raytheon Technical Services Co. Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded $34,077,192 for firm-fixed-price order #7005 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract (N00383-07-G-008D) for repair of components of the APG-65 and 73 radar system, which is used to support the F/A-18 aircraft. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., (39 percent); Forest, Miss., (32 percent); El Segundo, Calif., (25 percent); and Andover, Mass., (4 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Jan. 2010. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.

Rothenbuhler Engineering, Sedro Woolley, Wash., is being awarded an $11,518,054 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the MK 186 Mod 2 Radio Firing Device, MK 313 Mod 0 Shock Tube Igniter, MK 67 Demolition Firing Device and various components. MK 67 MOD 0 Demolition Firing Device, MK 313 MOD 0 Shock Tube Igniter, MK 186 MOD 2 Remote Firing Device systems are all radio firing device kits that together provide for the initiation of both pyrotechnic and ordnance devices remotely in both the electric initiator and shock tube initiator configurations. Additional contract line items are subcomponents of these systems and will be used for system maintenance purposes. Work will be performed in Sedro Woolley, Wash., and work is expected to be completed by Jan. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-08-D-4279).

Team BOS Signella, Joint Venture of Gemmo/Del-Jen, Inc./LA.RA S.r.l., Vicenza, Italy, is being awarded a $9,382,988 firm-fixed-price contract for Base Operating and Support (BOS) services at Naval Air Station (NAS), Sigonella. The work to be performed provides for all labor, supervision, tools, materials, equipment and transportation necessary to provide BOS services for the NAS Sigonella and supported installations. This contract contains options, which if exercised would bring the total not to exceed cumulative value of the contract to $50,110,676. Work will be performed in Sicily, Italy, and work is expected to be completed Feb. 2009, (Feb. 2013 with options). Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Europe and Southwest Asia, is the contracting activity (N33191-08-D-0212).

Canadian Commercial Corp. General Dynamics Land Systems Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is being awarded $6,063,302 for delivery order #0001 under previously awarded firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of Objective Gunner Protection Kit Parts required for their Mine Resistant Ambush ProtectedCategory I vehicles. Work will be performed in Ontario, Canada, and work is expected to be completed by Feb. 2009. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

Kollmorgen Corp. Electro-Optical Division, Northampton, Mass., is being awarded a $5,754,914 modification under previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-6248) to exercise an option for the production of one AN/BVS-1 Photonics Mast System. The Photonics Mast is a non-hull penetrating electronic imaging subsystem of the command and control system. The Photonics Mast incorporates visible, infrared and electronic support measures sensors, and stealth features that will provide new capabilities for attack submarines. The subsystem comprises the Sensor Group, the Mast Group, the Data Transmission Group, and the Control and Display Group. The AN/BVS-1 Photonics Mast Systems will be installed on the Va. Class Submarines (SSN 780 - SSN 783). Work will be performed in Northampton, Mass., (70 percent); Seattle, Wash., (8 percent); Westfield, Mass., (6 percent); Boston, Mass., (6 percent); Joplin, Mo., (4 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio, (2 percent); Orlando, Fla., (2 percent); and Hackensack, N.J., (2 percent), and is expected to be completed by Aug. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Reinhart Food Service, La Crosse, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $19,400,000.00 fixed price with economic price adjustment, prime vendor contract for subsistence. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Federal Civilian Agencies, and National Guard. This proposal was originally Web solicited with one response. This contract includes a two-year base and three option periods. Date of performance completion is Jan. 24, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM300-08-D-3236).

Hatco Corp. Fords, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $12,341,351.34 indefinite quantity contract for oil. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. The proposals were originally solicited on DIBBS with one response. This is a base year contract with one option year. Date of performance completion is Jan. 24, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va., (SPM4A6-08-D-0097).

Undercover Angel

Editor's Note: The author is a former servicemember.

January 25, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) The January 16, 2008 program of Conversations with Cops at the Watering Hole features an interview with former police officer Lisa Lockwood – the author of Undercover Angel.

Program Date: January 30, 2008
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Undercover Angel
Guest: Lisa Lockwood
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement

About the Guest

Lisa Lockwood is a former Chicago area police officer. During her law enforcement career she worked as a police officer, undercover detective and SWAT team member. Lisa Lockwood is the author of Undercover Angel.

According to the book description, “Lisa Lockwood endured childhood poverty and an abusive marriage to become a soldier in Desert Storm, a police officer, undercover narcotics detective and the first female SWAT team member. A former beauty pageant contestant, Lisa had to suppress her obvious femininity in order to conquer the "Boys Club" of law enforcement, but her beguiling beauty would become her best asset as an undercover narcotics detective. It was in the gritty world of drug rings, Mafia members and child molesters that she rediscovered the power of her femininity and learned to use her disarming sexuality as a professional asset in ensnaring criminals.

Lisa's journey was fraught with inner conflict as she struggled to balance her dangerous profession with a desire to be a complete woman, worthy of genuine love. Undercover Angel is Lisa Lockwood’s illuminating story of perseverance and unstoppable drive, that took her deep into the heart of a violent world and left her in a place of happiness, self-confidence and inner peace.”

About the Watering Hole

The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting. During the first half-hour of the show, the host, a nationally recognized expert on law enforcement, interviews a subject matter expert on the topic. During the second half-hour the program is joined by two other cops who give a street-level perspective to the conversation.

About the Host

Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement

Program Contact Information

Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530