Sunday, February 10, 2008

Gates Discusses Missile Issues With Russian Official

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Feb. 9, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates discussed ballistic missile defense issues with Sergey B. Ivanov, Russia's deputy prime minister, here today. Both men took advantage of attending the 44th Munich Conference on Strategy Policy, to continue informal U.S.-Russian defense talks.

"We discussed a lot of serious issues," Ivanov said to reporters traveling with Gates. "We have a lot in common, particularly in non-proliferation, but also in the future arms reductions talks and, of course, missile defense talks. We will stay in contact."

Gates said to reporters later that no matter what the Russians say about missile defense in public, "I think there is still an interest in pursuing the dialogue, and we are doing that."

Gates said he takes advantage of every opportunity to explain the Russia the purpose of the missile defense system, and to assure the system is not a threat to Russia. He said the Russians seem to think that what he and Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of state, put in front of President Vladimir Putin last year was "diluted" in the written version.

"We've tried to make clear is that the only thing different was to state the obvious, that if there were to be any reciprocal arrangements involving a Russian presence that it would require the approval of the Polish and Czech governments," Gates said. "That kind of goes without saying; they are sovereign states."

During the same interview Gates said that it is the U.S. position that Croatia, Albania and Macedonia are ready to join the NATO alliance. U.S. view is the three are ready for membership. He said the United States in principle wants to further the transatlantic aspirations of Ukraine and Georgia.

"It's not secret that there are differences of view here in Europe on this subject," he said.

Finally, the secretary said that he will speak about training for NATO personnel assigned to Afghanistan. He said the NATO forces, especially the operations
military liaison teams, or OMLTs, and provincial reconstruction teams, must be trained to the same high standards.

OMLTS – pronounced omelets – have between 16 and 19 teams. They are the trainers for the Afghan
army and police.

"I think training to a high level is important especially the OMLTs because they are the ones who will train the Afghans, so we want to make sure everybody is up to the same standard," the secretary said.

MILITARY CONTRACTS

ARMY

Combat Support Associates, Orange, Calif., was awarded on Feb. 7, 2008, a $31,369,682 cost-plus-award-fee contract for the execution of a contract modification to definitize, incorporate the terms, conditions and price negotiated and agreed to between personnel assigned to the Army Directorate of Contracting in Kuwait. Work will be performed at Capt Arifjan, Kuwait, and is expected to be completed by Sep. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four bids were solicited on Oct. 30, 1998, and four bids were received. The U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity DASA02-99-C-1234.

SUMMA
Technology, Inc., Huntsville, Ala., was awarded on Feb. 6, 2008, a $27,760,040 five-year-firm-fixed price contract for the container roll in/out platform. Work will be performed in Cullman, Ala., and is expected to be completed by Jun. 30, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Dec. 21, 2005, and six bids were received. The U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity W56HZV-06-D-0269.

Combat Support Associates, Orange, Calif., was awarded on Feb. 7, 2008, a $6,104,098 cost-plus-award-fee contract for the execution of a contract modification to definitize, incorporate the terms, conditions and price negotiated and agreed to between personnel assigned to the Army Directorate of Contracting in Kuwait. Work will be performed at Capt Arifjan, Kuwait, and is expected to be completed by Sep. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four bids were solicited on Oct. 30, 1998, and four bids were received. The U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity DASA02-99-C-1234.

AIR FORCE

CSC Applied Technologies LLC of
Forth Worth, Texas, is being awarded a contract for $29,583,353. This action provides for flight operations support and base operation support at Vance AFB, Okla., to include, but not limited to aircraft maintenance, airfield management, custodial, engineering, community services, and communication information technology services. At this time no funds have been obligated. AETC CONS/LGCK, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-08-C-0007).

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems of Marietta, Georgia, is being awarded a contract modification for $18,038,169. This action will exercise period three options to purchase the following: technical and engineering data one lot; logistics support data one lot; reliability and maintainability program one lot; FSR monthly recurring-two personnel two each; GMSA monthly recurring one personnel. At this time $4,446,724 has been obligated. USAF/AFMC Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson
Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8625-06-C-6456).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Wellstone Apparel, LLC, Greenville, S.C., is being awarded a maximum $28,276,560 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for
Army combat uniform coats. Other locations of performance are Alabama and Mississippi. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0420).

Tullahoma Industries, LLC, Tullahoma, Tenn., is being awarded a maximum $23,441,820 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for
Army combat uniform coats. Other locations of performance are Alabama and Tennessee. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0427).

Fox Apparel, Asheboro, N.C.., is being awarded a maximum $22,804,560 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for Army
combat uniform coats. Other locations of performance are in N. C. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0421).

AmeriQual Group, LLC,
Evansville, Ind., is being awarded a maximum $20,543,600 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for Meals Ready-to-Eat. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Federal Civilian Agencies. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2008. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa.
(SPM3S1-06-D-Z103).

Sopakco Inc., Mullins S.C., is being awarded a maximum $20,474,600 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for Meals Ready-to-Eat. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are
Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2008. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z104).

Bethel Industries, Inc.,
Jersey City, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $16,074,000 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for Army combat uniform coats. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0418).

Bremen-Bowdon Investment Co., Inc., Bowdon, Ga.,* is being awarded a maximum $15,960,000 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for
Army combat uniform coats. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0419).

The Warnick Company,
Cincinnati, Ohio, is being awarded a maximum $10,195,900 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for Meals Ready-to-Eat. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2008. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z105).

Sidran, Inc., Farmers Branch, Texas, is being awarded a maximum $7,854,600 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for Army combat uniform coats. Other locations of performance are in Texas. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM200-05-D-0422).

Allegheny Petroleum Products Co., Wilmerding, Pa., is being awarded a maximum $6,071,372.64 indefinite quantity contract for oil products. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are
Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. This proposal was originally solicited with 6 responses. This contract represents a base with two one-year option periods. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of

performance completion is Feb. 7, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va. (SPM4A6-08-D-0115).

Chevron Product Co., Cumming, Ga., is being awarded a maximum $5,760,950 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for oil products. Other locations of performance are Oregon, and South Carolina. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. There were originally 161 proposals solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Apr.30, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va. (Sp0600-08-D-0753).

NAVY

General Dynamics, Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn., is being awarded a $25,375,000 firm-fixed-price delivery order under the previously awarded multiple award indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (MAC) (N00024-04-D-4408) for the preparation and accomplishment of the FY08 docking selected restricted availability of USS San Juan (SSN 751) at the Naval Submarine Base,
New London, Conn. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $28,692,750. Work will be performed in New London, Conn., and work is expected to be completed by May 2008. Contract funds in the amount of $25,375,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C. is the contracting activity.

Fluke Electronics Corp., Everett, Wash., is being awarded a $10,975,940 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of up to 475 Fluke 5700EP calibrators. Work will be performed in Everett, Wash., and work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-08-D-0011).

Why We Serve: Small-Town Marine Broadens Horizons in Iraq


By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

Feb. 8, 2008 - With the aid of an unmanned aerial vehicle -- what she refers to as "a little bird with a video camera" --
Marine Sgt. LaDilvia S. Gregg used her eyes to safeguard troops on the ground. As an imagery analyst in Iraq in 2005, Gregg often spent 12-hour days scouring before-and-after photos while looking for changes to the landscape. These subtle "disturbances" are sometimes the only evidence that an improvised explosive device, the deadly roadside bomb responsible for the most U.S. deaths and injuries in Iraq, is buried underground.

Gregg, a modest
Marine whose efforts to sniff out IEDs likely saved U.S. troops' lives and limbs, is one of 10 servicemembers selected to tell the military's story to the American public. As a member of the Defense Department's "Why We Serve" outreach program, Gregg shares her tale of service at community and business events, veterans' organizations and other gatherings.

From a
Marine base in Taqaddum, Gregg issued advice to ground forces in Iraq based on aesthetic details imperceptible to untrained eyes. Gregg said that about half the time her analyses proved nothing more than red herrings: landscapes seemingly altered by insurgent handiwork actually were changed by natural forces -- a breeze that scattered dirt, a road surface muddied by a rain shower.

"Sometimes you feel like you're wasting a unit's time because they don't find anything," she said. "It is hard to tell whether it was an old IED hole, a new IED hole, or if it's nothing at all.

"But sometimes," she continued, "it could be an IED troops dug up before, and insurgents put another one in the hole."

With 50-percent accuracy, Gregg protected ground forces from deadly buried homemade bombs from a bird's-eye view. In addition, Gregg and her team, using images taken near Iraq's border with Syria, helped troops interdict rogue trucks smuggling tons of stolen oil.

"That was another big success we had," she recalled. "We saved the Iraqis a lot of money."

Like many other servicemembers, Gregg's desire to enlist was born of a hope to gain worldly experience -- and practical training -- she couldn't receive in her small hometown. After graduating from high school, the Florence, S.C., native worked in a local bowling alley. Gregg said she moved beyond her hometown, but that she wasn't yet prepared for college.

Having settled on enlisting, but unsure of which branch she'd enter, Gregg met with recruiters from each service before making her decision. The
Marine Corps captured her attention, she said, because people regaled her with stories about the difficulty of the Corps and the level of commitment it demanded from Marines.

The prospect of becoming a member of what she considered the most challenging branch motivated Gregg instead of intimidating her. "That's why I did it. It was the most challenging service," she recalled. "I was going to join the
Army, but I went with the Marines. If you tell me I can't do something, I'm going to do it just to show you that I can."

In August 2001, Gregg began her service 160 miles from home at the
Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, S.C. A month later, the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks shook the nation and set in motion events that ensured Gregg would see unfamiliar parts of the world.

During her first tour in Taqaddum, Gregg provided troops a set of eyes in the sky; in her second deployment, however, Gregg served fellow
Marines on a more gut level. As the "chow NCO," or the noncommissioned officer in charge of dining facilities, Gregg worked nonstop from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., seven days a week. She moved 700 pounds of food throughout "chow halls each day. To ensure the health of her Marine comrades, Gregg was responsible for enforcing strict regulations for food quality.

In the meantime during deployments, the ambitious
Marine dedicated a daily three hours to studying schoolwork through the American Military School, through which she hopes to earn an associate's degree in accounting. In addition, Gregg wants a bachelor's degree in intelligence, perhaps parlaying her education into a career at the Defense Intelligence Agency. "Maybe I'll be coming back to the Pentagon," she said.

But before transitioning into the civilian sector -- which the
Marine says she's in no rush to do -- Gregg will embark on her third deployment to Taqaddum in April.

"I love going on deployments. People think it's bad being away from your family, but you're with your unit so much that it becomes your family," she said. "It's like being with your sisters and brothers; it's like a big sleepover in the girls' barracks, staying up all night talking. It's like having a home away from home."

If not for the Marines, Gregg said, she likely would have given in to the complacency of easy life in her hometown.

"I would probably still be sitting at home working at the same bowling alley I was at before I left," she said. "The
Marine Corps gave me initiative to challenge myself. I don't think I would have challenged myself as much as a civilian."

NATO Leader Expresses Cautious Optimism About Afghanistan

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Feb. 8, 2008 - NATO's secretary general said today he is "cautiously optimistic" on the reconstruction and development fronts in Afghanistan. "When it comes to access to health care, infant mortality rates, education, women's rights (and) economic growth, things are getting steadily better for the Afghan people," Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said during a news conference at the alliance's defense ministerial conference here, which Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is attending.

De Hoop Scheffer said this morning's meeting, which included discussion of non-NATO nations supplying troops to the alliance's International
Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, went very well.

"All in all, I heard a unified national community, a determination to improve coordination between us in support of the priorities of the Afghan government, and a clear commitment that we are in this for the long haul," he said. "The Afghan people should not have shimmer of doubt about that."

The ministers stressed the importance of naming what de Hoop Scheffer called "a weighty" individual to head up the United Nations mission in Afghanistan. The individual would work to coordinate international and nongovernmental aid with the needs of the Afghan government. The secretary general specified the individual chosen would work with the Afghan government, and would not in any way supercede or compromise Afghan sovereignty.

Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak attended the morning meeting.

"I think Defense Minister Wardak heard commitments by his ISAF colleagues to step up efforts to train and equip the Afghan
security forces," de Hoop Scheffer said. "We know this is the future for Afghanistan. This is why nations must and will provide more training teams to support the Afghan National Army."

NATO efforts in Afghanistan are only part of the story, the secretary general noted.

"Let me stress again this must be a comprehensive effort. This is a NATO effort, but NATO is only in the lead in
security," he said. "The United Nations, the European Union, the World Bank, the donors and first and foremost the Afghans themselves must take their full responsibilities -- with NATO support -- wherever we can."

The defense ministers also discussed a number of other NATO issues, including NATO policy on
cyber defense, de Hoop Scheffer said. A reporter asked if NATO would invoke Article 5 of the treaty if a country came under cyber attack. Article 5 is the heart of the alliance that holds an attack on one nation is an attack on all.

"(Cyber defense) was discussed, not in relationship, by the way, with Article 5. Article 5 was not mentioned," he said.

Cyber defense is a national responsibility, "but here again, NATO can offer first of all consultations; that is what NATO is for in the case of serious
cyber attacks," de Hoop Scheffer said. NATO has expertise to lend to nations under computer assault, including mobile teams that the alliance used to help Estonia when it came under attack last year.

The ministers also discussed ballistic missile defense with an eye on the ongoing discussions between the United States and the Czech Republic and Poland. There is a technical level to the discussions in NATO to determine what NATO's responsibility would be for a site in Europe, the secretary general said.

Guard Units Respond to Tornadoes, Snowstorms

By Tech. Sgt. Mike R. Smith, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service

Feb. 8, 2008 - Nearly 300 members of the National Guard responded to call-ups from governors in seven states over the last week after tornadoes hit the South and snowstorms blanketed the West. National Guard units responded in
Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee after an unseasonable string of winter thunderstorms and tornadoes charged through communities Feb. 5 and left large swaths of destruction, death and injuries.

In Kentucky, up to 139 guardsmen with 32 humvees, two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, a heavy equipment wrecker, a fuel tanker and a bus deployed to tornado damaged areas.

The Kentucky Guard provided emergency power for the Muhenberg Water Company and operated a mobile command post in Muhenberg County. Soldiers of the 307th Maintenance Company supported state and local
law enforcement agencies at traffic control points.

In Arkansas,
Army National Guard soldiers aided victims of a devastating tornado that touched down in Atkins. Arkansas National Guard troops from the 142nd Fires Brigade were called out late Feb. 5, and reported to disaster sites in the early hours of Feb. 6.

The soldiers provided a 5,000-gallon water truck to Clinton and two 500-gallon water trailers and a generator to the Town of Mountain View. Guard aviation assets provided aerial reconnaissance for Gov. Mike Beebe and the state's Department of
Emergency Management. Twenty-eight guardsmen performed search and rescue missions in Atkins on Wednesday and aided with cleanup missions, through Friday.

The Tennessee National Guard operated five UH-60s in aerial assessment missions. In addition, 24 guardsmen supported civilian emergency response agencies with debris removal. Many are currently operating from a support base and civilian shelter at the Lafayette Armory.

Additional Tennessee guardsmen are planning to supply emergency power for the Red Boiling Springs Water System and a hospital in Hartsville. Up to 150 guardsmen are also planning to support debris removal operations in Macon, Trousdale and Sumner counties.

In the West, where heavy snowfalls stranded residents and motorists, National Guard units in Wisconsin,
Oregon, New Mexico and Idaho were slowing or halting their operations Friday after several days of emergency response missions.

After the winter storms stranded an estimated 800 motorists on a 19-mile stretch of Interstate-90 in Wisconsin, 68 Wisconsin National Guard soldiers and airmen deployed and conducted health and wellness checks and delivered about 5,000 bottles of water and about 350 packaged meals to stranded victims. The Guard also flew aerial surveillance missions for emergency response personnel.

Thirty-four members of the
Oregon National Guard cleared snow away from roadways and utilities. Soldiers were operating two Army Guard mine detectors to locate fire hydrants, water covers and pipes.

New Mexico National Guardsmen provided assistance to the town of Chama after Gov. Bill Richardson declared a state of emergency for Rio Arriba County. Twenty-seven Soldiers were assisting local residents with snow removal.

In
Idaho, 63 Guardsmen deployed Feb. 2 to remove snow from the roofs of nine schools in the northern part of the state after four feet of snow crippled school systems in three counties.

(Tech Sgt. Mike R. Smith is assigned to the National Guard Bureau.)

Face of Defense: Soldier Returns to Service After Two-Decade Break

By Pfc. April Campbell, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service

Iraq, Feb. 7, 2008 - In a room lit only by sunlight streaming in, a soldier bites through the plastic wrapper of a package of pencils. With children waiting excitedly in the adjoining rooms, there is not time to waste pulling out a knife. The morning's mission, delivering presents to village school children in Bayrk, Iraq, was a far cry from Army Sgt. Jeff Wilkerson's previous two jobs as a beverage distribution operations manager and a hotel valet supervisor.

Wilkerson, 43, who spent almost four years in the
Army during the 1980s, said he was happy to return to being a soldier -- a job and life he loves.

After separating from the
Army in 1986, Wilkerson, a Las Vegas native who serves as an M1-A2 Abrams tank gunner for Multinational Division Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Platoon, Company D, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, said he missed being in the military, and that during his break in service he carried on the values of discipline and upholding standards that he had learned during his first enlistment.

"I regretted getting out every day," he said. "When I was in the civilian world, people told me I acted like I was in the
military."

Wilkerson decided to re-enlist after the
Army raised its maximum enlistment age to 42.

"I've got a 21-year-old son, and there are kids (serving) who are younger than him," he said. "I'm still in shape and capable of doing a good job. Maybe my service will mean that another young guy his age will be able to return to his family."

Before being transferred to his current platoon, Wilkerson was assigned to the company's 3rd Platoon. Upon learning Wilkerson would be joining the unit in January 2007, 1st Lt. Matthew Vigeant, a Nashua, N.H., native who serves as 3rd Platoon
leader, was a bit nervous about having an older soldier coming on board.

"I'm really big about doing (physical fitness training)," Vigeant said, "and I wasn't sure a brand-new 43-year-old soldier would be able to keep up."

It was not long, however, before Wilkerson, who can outrun many in his platoon, put Vigeant's worries to rest.

When a soldier known as "Old Man" in the platoon puts a lot of effort into keeping fit, Wilkerson said, younger soldiers are encouraged to keep up and excel in their physical fitness. "I hope I'm giving the young kids motivation to better themselves," he added.

The sergeant's
leaders recognize his work ethic and positive attitude.

"Wilkerson is the best soldier I've ever worked with," Vigeant said. "His impact on the other guys has been huge, by both talking to them one on one and setting an example."

Getting to know and become friends with fellow soldiers is a big part of
Army life, Wilkerson said, adding that adjusting to more distant work relationships during his years in the civilian world was difficult at times. He said he was pleased to see that being in the military again has provided him with the camaraderie he missed after he left the service more than 20 years ago.

"The friendship of fellow soldiers did not change (while I was a civilian)," he added.

One soldier Wilkerson has befriended is Spc. Derek Massy, a Paso Robles, Calif., native, who serves as an M1-A2 Abrams tank
leader with the company's 2nd Platoon. The two met at the Warrior Transition Course in Santa Fe, N.M., which is set up for soldiers who are returning to the Army after having separated from the service.

While the two soldiers do not work in the same operational area here, they live in the same barracks warehouse and find time after daily missions to catch up. The two joke about the age difference between them and the other soldiers.

"We'll tease each other about being older, saying things like 'How's your hip?' or 'Where's the wheelchair you came here in?'" Massy said.

Wilkerson also enjoys the work he is doing in Fahama, a rural region in the Istaqlal district of Baghdad, during his deployment.

"My favorite part of the job is getting on the ground and interacting with the people, especially the kids," he said. "I'm always handing out candy. I like to see the smiles on their faces."

One child in the village of Jalatah, even recognizes Wilkerson and comes over to say hello to him when the unit stops there, he added.

In the long run, Wilkerson said, he plans to serve his country until retirement. He hopes to earn the rank of sergeant first class, if not higher, before that time comes.

"As long as the
Army allows me to stay in," he said, "I want to stay."

Meanwhile, back in the Bayrk schoolhouse, smiling children swarm around Wilkerson and his fellow soldiers as they pass out school supplies and stuffed animals they brought with them. The "Old Man" returns the children's smiles with one of his own.

(
Army Pfc. April Campbell serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team.)

Police Corruption

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



February 8, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) The February 13, 2008 program of Conversations with Cops at the Watering Hole focuses on Police Corruption with special guest Lieutenant Stephen Beeler, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (ret.).

Program Date: February 13, 2008
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic:
Police Corruption
Guests: Lieutenant Stephen Beeler
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement

About the Guest
In 1962,
Stephen Beeler joined the United States Army, serving in Germany. After his discharge in 1965, he joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. During his law enforcement career he served in patrol, administration, court services, community relations, press liaison and hostage negotiations. In 1986, he retired because of a duty-related injury. From 1987 to 1995, he was the business manager for the Arizona Department of Corrections in Winslow. Stephen Beeler has a Masters Degree from Pepperdine University at Malibu and a Masters Certificate from Loyola University, Los Angeles. Stephen Beeler is the author of The Firestone Syndrome.

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.

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