Friday, March 28, 2008

Unified Maritime Strategy Aims to Prevent War

By Kristen Noel
Special to American Forces Press Service

March 28, 2008 - The
Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard have joined forces in an unprecedented effort to create a unified maritime strategy, describing how seapower will be applied in the 21st century to protect America's way of life. The strategy emphasizes six core capabilities, the foremost being "forward presence" of U.S. seapower in volatile regions of the world to prevent war.

"The proactive cost of defense is far more affordable than the reactive cost of war,"
Navy Vice Adm. John G. Morgan, deputy chief of naval operations for information, plans and strategy, said yesterday in a conference call with online journalists and "bloggers" to discuss the maritime strategy.

Morgan said forward presence provides a layered defense for the United States and is an enduring strategic imperative for the
Navy and Marine Corps.

"We do not aspire to be the global policeman," he said. "But we certainly want to be a part of that global neighborhood watch, along with others, helping where we can."

The maritime strategy does not indicate specific regions where concentrated naval power will be deployed. The reason, Morgan said, was concern over how naming regions and countries in the strategy would affect the economic interdependence of the global system. But he noted that the United States has been deploying naval power in the Western Pacific and the Middle East, "because we think that's were the greatest challenge is, perhaps the greatest opportunities exist."

Morgan said forward presence is critical to fulfilling the American public's expectations. He currently is involved in a tour of several U.S. cities to engage with the public, and he said citizens have voiced the same three expectations in every city so far.

"(Americans) expect us to stay strong. They expect us to protect the
homeland and our citizens, and they expect us to help, in cooperation with other partners around the world, to prevent war," he said. "The way we think we can do that, to meet those expectations, is to be a forward presence."

The
Navy will have to increase the size of its fleet to a minimum of 313 ships to meet the requirements of the maritime strategy, Morgan said. Today, the Navy has about 280 ships, and 104 of those ships currently are deployed worldwide, he said.

The
Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard reviewed several alternative scenarios for global security in future in developing the maritime strategy, Morgan said. "We considered a wide range of potential grand strategies that might emerge in the United States over the course of the next decade or so," he said.

The other core capabilities emphasized in the strategy are: deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime
security, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

(Kristen Noel works for the New Media branch of the American Forces Information Service.)

America Supports You: Circus Celebrates Relationship with Military

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

March 28, 2008 - Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is proud of its bond with the
military, its chairman and chief executive officer said before last night's opening show here. "It's a relationship that we at Ringling Brothers treasure," Kenneth Feld said. "We salute the armed forces before every performance and right before we sing 'The Star-Spangled Banner.'"

The circus began a relationship with the Fisher House Foundation eight years ago. The organization builds homes away from home for family members who want to stay near loved ones recovering at
military or Veterans Affairs medical facilities across the country.

Former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff retired
Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers said honoring that relationship was perhaps the most important part of last night's performance.

"I think the most important thing is that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has made recognition of the Fisher House a big deal to them," Myers said. "Every night they recognize this relationship. I think it recognizes the importance of families to our troops."

The circus took it a step further last night, proclaiming the Fisher House Foundation a "Lifetime Circus Celebrity." The proclamation was presented to Myers and his wife, Mary Jo, who both sit on the Fisher House Foundation's board of trustees, in the center ring just before the start of the "Greatest Show on Earth."

The night was extra special for about 100 wounded servicemembers and their families or caregivers. Ringling Bros. presented them with free tickets to the show. The tickets were distributed to the Warrior Transition Brigade, Veterans Affairs and the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, Md.

One of the recipients who attended the program with his wife and 2-year-old son said the gesture was good for
morale.

"Whenever they're able to do programs like this, for a lot of soldiers, it's really something good," said
Army Spc. Tim Turpin, who works in medical logistics at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here. "It gets them away from the monotony of being at the hospital all the time and having to do the routines of everyday life."

Fisher House Foundation is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is a corporate supporter of the Defense Department program.

Dempsey Becomes Acting Chief of U.S. Central Command

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

March 28, 2008 -
Army Lt. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey became acting chief of U.S. Central Command during a relinquishment-of-command ceremony here today. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates passed the command's flag from outgoing commander Navy Adm. William J. Fallon to Dempsey at this Tampa base where CENTCOM has its headquarters.

Gates, accompanied at the ceremony by
Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, praised Fallon's achievements and cited the positive impact the admiral has made as CENTCOM's commander.

"Under Admiral Fallon's command, the last year in CENTCOM's area of operation has been one of great progress on a number of fronts," Gates said, referring to reduced levels of violence in Iraq compared to a year ago and rollbacks of Taliban influence in Afghanistan from areas they once controlled.

Victories achieved over the past year against al Qaeda in Iraq insurgents during the surge of forces "have allowed us to begin reducing the number of troops in Iraq, easing the stress on the force," Gates pointed out.

Gates saluted Fallon's
military abilities and vision, noting that he and President Bush both were impressed and influenced by the admiral's advice and candor.

Fallon has "played a vital role in our discussions and analyses" during recent senior-level meetings on the way ahead in Iraq, Gates said.

The outgoing CENTCOM commander's
leadership ability, strategic thinking and diplomatic skills have benefited the Middle East, Gates said. "We can see it in the increasing willingness of the region to extend diplomatic support to Iraq, and to work together to confront shared threats," Gates said of the fruits of Fallon's diplomatic work in the Mideast.

Fallon's energy, ideas and skill will be missed within the department, Gates said, adding that the admiral's work as CENTCOM chief "has advanced America's interests and security" throughout the command's area of operations.

Gates praised Dempsey's ability to command CENTCOM, even if only on a temporary basis. President Bush has nominated and the Senate has confirmed Dempsey, a three-star general, to take command of U.S.
Army, Europe, which is a four-star billet, when he leaves CENTCOM. Gates described Dempsey's elevation at CENTCOM to be "a temporary assumption of command."

"I am confident that he is prepared to lead CENTCOM," Gates said of Dempsey. "His extensive experience on the ground there will be of great value in the coming months," Gates said. As a major general, Dempsey commanded the 1st Armored Division there, and as a lieutenant general, he led Multinational
Security Transition Command Iraq before he became CENTCOM's deputy commander.

Mullen described Fallon as a friend and as "a warfighter's warfighter." Fallon has always "led from the front," Mullen added, noting his friend's leadership ability is "spectacular."

During his remarks, Fallon praised and thanked President Bush and Gates for their
leadership and for providing him the opportunity to serve as CENTCOM's commander. Fallon saluted Multinational Force Iraq commander Army Gen. David H. Petraeus as a superb officer and as "the principal instrument of success in our efforts in Iraq."

The outgoing CENTCOM commander said he's "in awe" of the outstanding teamwork and performance exhibited by the command's servicemembers and civilians.

Fallon described his life's philosophy as: "When you have a job to do, try to make a difference," and to leave things better than when you found them. Of Dempsey, Fallon said: "I can think of no one more qualified to lead CENTCOM."

Dempsey noted that a quarter-million U.S. servicemembers are deployed overseas in CENTCOM's operational region in support of the global war against
terrorism.

"The tasks before us remain clear; we are a command at war," Dempsey said. "And, as a command at war, we have a sacred duty to provide the 250,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and
Marines in the CENTCOM area of responsibility with whatever resources, direction and support they need to prevail on the battlefield."

Fallon succeeded
Army Gen. John Abizaid as CENTCOM's commander on March 16, 2007. The admiral resigned his position on March 11 of this year after a controversial Esquire Magazine article inferred that he opposed some aspects of the Bush administration's policy in the Middle East.

Fallon has about 41 years of
military service. He is slated to retire May 1.

Policy Dialogue Allows U.S., African Officials to Address Security Issues

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

March 28, 2008 - The U.S.-Africa Defense Policy Dialogue that ended here today, was a chance for officials on both continents to speak, to listen and to move forward, said Theresa Whelan, deputy assistant secretary of defense for African affairs. Whelan's office sponsored the three-day conference, in which representatives from more than 40 African nations took part. Whelan said the dialogue helped defense policy people and officials serving within the U.S. Africa Command understand what is important to African allies.

"There is a great deal of congruence in thinking between the United States and African militaries on the issues of
security sector reform and transformation, and the importance of military professionalism," Whelan said during an interview yesterday.

The officials also discussed
terrorism, and Whelan said this was the issue of greatest divergence. There are some nations in Africa that have similar outlooks on terrorism as the United States, she said, but there are others that have entirely different takes.

"Understanding where the divergences are is helpful to us and will make it easier for us to work with these countries in other issue areas," she said.

The most important responsibility for the African affairs office and U.S. Africa Command is to listen and understand the concerns of African nations.

"This has to be a two-way conversation," Whelan said.

African nations have a responsibility to understand the full breadth of U.S. support to the continent, Whelan said, noting that the vast majority of American aid to African nations is civilian.

Whelan said the United States does not want permanent bases on the continent, and the establishment of the command does not mean a militarization of diplomacy, Whelan said. She also pointed out that she feels the command has been the subject of too much attention.

Whelan said AfriCom is just one tool in DoD's chest. "It's a new tool and hopefully a more versatile tool, but tools don't build things by themselves," she said.

Whalen said the dialogue itself focused on more than just AfriCom. The dialogue process focused on a couple of key issue areas such as maritime
security, security sector reform, preparation of forces for peacekeeping and counterterrorism.

"What we've been trying to have a discussion here with the Africans is their perspectives on the global
security challenges in the 21st Century and how they apply in an African context," Whelan said.

Seminar leaders solicited African viewpoints on those issues and the juxtaposed them with American viewpoints. They then asked the participants to compare and contrast the viewpoints and note both areas of divergence and areas of convergence.

"The idea being that those where we converge would be most successful in working in partnership with the Africans through using our various tools," she said.

Americans need to understand something as basic as how the Africans regard security. Africans from all parts of the continent believe that human
security is supremely important.

"What they mean by that is the sense of
security that an individual has so that he or she can essentially go about their daily business with a reasonable level of surety that they will be able to live their lives without being beset by some great calamity of war or the ability to survive and thrive because they're beset by endemic disease or poverty," she said.

These are things that Africans feel on a more personal level than people in the West, "because we take that for granted," Whelan said. "We take for granted that we are going to go home tonight and we're going to have a great meal and we're not going to have some thug group come and bang the doors down on our house and burn it and pull us out. We see that stuff in the movies and on the news, but for Africans that's a fact of life."

Africans have hard
security concerns, but they are overlaid by these human security aspects. The United States government will continue to work to support human security – development, rule of law support, education and health issues. "That's where the preponderance of U.S. help in Africa has been," Whelan said.

U.S. government officials have assured African
leaders that the United States' focus will remain in these civilian areas.
NAVY

Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo,
Texas, is being awarded a $10,399,123,179 modification to convert a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-07-C-0001) to a fixed-price-incentive-fee multiyear contract for the manufacture and delivery of 141 MV-22 (Marine variant) and 26 CV-22 (Air Force variant) tiltrotor aircraft, including associated rate tooling in support of production rates. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pa. (50 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (35 percent); and Amarillo, Texas (15 percent), and work is expected to be completed in Oct. 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $24,218,579 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control,
Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $49,989,104 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for production of 16 each AN/AAQ-30 Thermal Sight Systems (TSS). The AN/AAQ-30 TSS provides detection, identification, and targeting capability in day/night operations for the USMC AH-1Z Super Cobra helicopter. AN/AAQ-30 TSS is fully integrated into the AH-1Z Fire Control System providing range and optical line-of-sight data for all weapons including the 20mm gun, Hellfire missile, 2.75 inch rockets and sidewinder missile. TSS has an Automatic Video Tracker and includes a Laser Rangefinder/designator which provides classified coded designation of targets for laser-guided munitions of the tri-service arsenal. Major subcontractors include L3 Communications/Wescam of Ontario Canada, manufacturer of the turret assembly and Kollsman, Inc. of Merrimack, N.H. manufacturer of the Common Laser Designator Range Finder used in the AN/AAQ-30 TSS. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., (86 percent); Ocala, Fla., (9 percent); and Santa Barbara, Calif., (5 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Oct. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Via the Federal Business Opportunities and Navy Electronic Commerce Online websites, one offer was received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-08-C-JQ24).

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, Reston, Va., is being awarded a $29,354,004 modification under a previously awarded contract (M67854-06-C-2023) in support of Joint Tactical Common Operational Picture (COP) Workstation (JTCW) Client and Gateway (C&GW) is the software re-architecting of Command and Control Personal Computer (C2PC), a Microsoft Windows-based software tool developed for the
Marine Corps by Inter-National Research Institute Inc., in 1994 [now Northrop Grumman Defense Mission Systems (NGDMS)]. It was initially designed to fulfill the role of a COP client to Tactical Combat Operations (TCO). It quickly became the client software of choice for Global Command and Control System (GCCS) and other Common Operating Environment (COE) systems to better ensure that all users share a common view of the battlespace. C2PC has evolved to satisfy tactical system requirements in other programs such as Data-Automated Computer Terminal (DACT) by being able to operate in a low-bandwidth, intermittent communications environment. The JTCW C&GW is the naming convention chosen for the re-architected C2PC C&GW. The name change was necessary to maintain consistent naming convention with the Marine Corps' end product, in which the C&GW will be a core component. This is not a first-time procurement; it is a follow-on procurement to C2PC Version 6.2 and C2PC Version 7.0. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and work is expected to be completed by Sep. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

L-3 Services Inc., is being awarded $19,517,562 for task order #0054 under previously awarded contract (M67854-02-A-9010) to provide on-going acquisition support, financial support, logistic support, fielding support, training support, and managerial support for the Communications, Intelligence and Networking Systems (CINS) Product Group's (PG's) Strategic Business Team (SBT), Operations Officer, Program Manager (PM), Communications and Networking Systems (PM CNS), PM Intelligence Systems (PM INTEL) and PM Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (PM CREW). The Contractor shall be required to interface and coordinate with other contractors supporting PG-12 including those in all the Commercial Enterprise Omnibus Support Services (CEOss) domains. It is the contractor's responsibility to arrange all Non-Disclosure Agreements necessary to interface with other contractors to accomplish the PG12 mission. The
Marine Corps Systems Command CINS PG's mission is to act as the central agent for the research, development, acquisition, and life cycle management of communications, intelligence, surveillance, and networking systems throughout the Marine Corps. The PG's assigned mission includes the responsibility of CINS for the Operating Forces and the Support Establishment. The programs within the PG cover all phases of the acquisition process. Work will be performed in Stafford, Va., and work is expected to be completed in Jan. 2009. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

American Bridge Co., Richmond, Va., is being awarded a $14,996,752 firm-fixed-price contract for the vehicular bridge replacement at Naval Station Newport. The work to be performed provides for a two lane reinforced concrete vehicular bridge from Coasters Harbor Island to Coddington Point. The project includes two bridge abutments, caisson piles, pre-cast box beams and decking, connection of bridge to existing roadways, and other incidental related work. Work will be performed in
Newport, R.I., and work is expected to be completed by Mar. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website,with eight proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-08-C-2121).

Wyle Laboratories, Inc.,
Huntsville, Ala., is being awarded a $10,068,771 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for services to support the Naval Test Wing Atlantic, Naval Test Wing Pacific, and Air Test and Evaluation Squadrons of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, with operation, scheduling, and aircrew support. The total stimated level of effort for the base period of performance is 599,560 hours, which includes pilots, technicians, and flight test engineers. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md., (90 percent) and Lexington Park, Md., (10 percent) and work is expected to be completed in Mar. 2009. 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, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N000421-08-C-0025).

Ocean Systems Engineering Corp., is being awarded $10,020,074 for task order #0041 under previously awarded contract (M67854-02-A-9020) to provide the
Marine Corps Systems Command, Communications, Intelligence and Networking Systems (CINS) Product Group's (PG's) mission is to act as the central agent for the research, development, acquisition, and life cycle management of communications, intelligence, surveillance, and networking systems throughout the Marine Corps. The PG's assigned mission includes the responsibility of CINS for the Operating Forces and the Supporting Establishment. The programs within the PG cover all phases of the acquisition process. The Contractor will provide engineering and technical support for the CINS PG's Strategic Business Team, PM Communications and Networking Systems (PM CNS), PM Intelligence Systems (PM INTEL) and PM Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (PM CREW). The Contractor will be required to interface and coordinate with other contractors supporting PG-12 including those in all the Commercial Enterprise Omnibus Support Service domains. Work will be performed in Stafford, Va., and work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $773,970 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

Systems Application & Technologies, Inc., Oxnard, Calif., was awarded a $10,000,000 modification on Mar. 26, 2008, under previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N62473-06-D-3033) to exercise option year two for program management, technical and integrated logistics services to support the
Navy's Anti-Terrorism Force Protection (ATFP) Ashore Program. The work to be performed provides for recommendations for assessments of ATFP effectiveness, standardization, regional systems solutions, enterprise network solutions, performance based logistics, configuration management, and recommended design and technical solutions. The ATFP Program will utilize a total-systems engineering approach to automated and improve the security of Navy shore installations worldwide. The current total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $30,000,000. Work will be performed at Naval installations in various worldwide locations, and work is expected to be completed by Mar. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Specialty Center Acquisitions, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity.

Robertson Aviation LLC, Tempe, Ariz., is being awarded a $7,548,044 ceiling-priced indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to provide V-22 Mission Auxiliary Tank Systems and related hardware for the V-22 aircraft for the U.S.
Navy and U.S. Air Force. Work will be performed in Tempe, Ariz., and work is expected to be completed in Dec. 2008. Contract funds in the amount of $6,177,420 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-08-D-0009).

AIR FORCE

Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems and Solutions of Chantilly, Va., is being awarded a contract for $766,178,419. The design and development of tactical
radio systems for aircraft, ships and fixed installations. The system is modular and capable of operating on several different waveforms currently in use by the armed forces and adaptable to future waveforms and vehicles. The contractor shall develop 42 engineering development models of the small airborne configured system. While the initial engineering development models for the maritime sets will be configured for destroyers and the small airborne sets generically configured, there are options for additional sets configured for additional waveforms and weapons system platforms. The system is intended for the following weapons system/platforms: ch47 helicopter, Blackhawk family of helicopters, apache helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicle class IV, Hercules family of aircraft, USMC operated helicopters and fixed wing aircraft; USN aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines; USAF fixed and deployable ground command and control systems. The contract includes an option for low rate initial production of 45 maritime/fixed stations sets and 104 small airborne sets. Additional options allows for additional sets configured for additional waveforms and other weapons systems/platforms. At this time $75,248,162 has been obligated. Hanscom AFB, Mass., is the contracting activity (FA8726-08-C-0008).

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems of Marietta, Ga., is being awarded a modified contract for $595,800,000. This contract modification is an Undefinitized Contract Action (UCA) for the procurement of six Indian Foreign
Military Sales (FMS) C-130J aircraft pursuant to Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) IN-D-SAA. In addition to aircraft, this UCA provide for C-130J Spares, Support Equipment, Logistics Support, and Development/Integration of Indian-unique capabilities. At this time $297,900,000 has been obligated. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8625-06-C-6456 P00044).

McDonnell Douglas Corp., A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Boeing Co., of
Long Beach, Calif., is being awarded a modified contract for $273,320,011. This contract action exercises the FY08 third quarter option for the continued performance of the C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership. C-17 fleet sustainment and product support will be managed through a long term performance-based partnership between Boeing and the Air Force, which places performance risk on the contractor to provide sustainment support at continuously, raised benchmarked levels. In addition, the contractor logistics support (CLS) for the palletized seat system (PSS) for Air Material Command (AMC) and the Air National Guard (ANG) will be exercised and funded. At this time $273,320,011 has been obligated. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8614-04-C-2004, P00238).

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics of Ft. Worth,
Texas, is being awarded a modified contract for $37,500,000. This action is for procurement and development of Developmental Support Equipment (DSE) and Country Standard Technical Orders (CSTOs). This effort supports foreign military sales to Pakistan. At this time $18,750,000 has been obligated. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8615-07-C-6032 P00005).

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., of Meadows, Ill., is being awarded a firm-fixed price contract for $19,800,000. The Government intends to award a letter contract to Northrop Grumman for foreign
military sales for one Saudi Head of State aircraft Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) system hardware, support equipment and services to include but not limited to: systems engineering program management, logistics, spares as well as installation, installation support, and field service support. At this time $7,500,000 has been obligated. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8625-08-C-6484).

Alliant Techsystems, Inc., ATK Ordnance and Ground System LLC of Plymouth, Minn., and Thales Missile Electronics, LTD of Basingstoke, Hampshire, are being awarded a contract for $8,737,741. The Hard Target Void Sensing Fuze (HTVSF) Joint Capabilities Test and Demonstration (JCTD) is a 27-month effort under which two contractors will test and demonstrate separate fuze designs under a rolling down-select. Near the end of the JCTD, the Government anticipates selecting one of the two contractors for award of options to deliver four maintenance trainers and 16 residual fuze systems under the JCTD contract. The Government also anticipates awarding a follow-on contract for System Demonstration (SDD) to the selected contractor. The HTVSF will be a cockpit programmable, void sensing fuze system capable of surviving penetration events in hardened targets equivalent from 5,000 to 15,000 pounds per square inch of reinforced concrete. The HTVSF will be compatible with GBU-28E/B and GBU-319V)3/B weapon systems. At this time $1,140,000 (ATK) and $840,000 (Thales) has been obligated. Eglin AFB, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8681-08-C-0174 (ATK) and FA8681-08-C-0175 (Thales)).

Lear Siegler Services Inc., of Gaithersburg, Md., is being awarded a modified firm fixed price contract for $6,031,644. This action is a contract modification to extend an OCONUS deployment in support of the Air National Guard for three months. At this time $6,031,644 has been obligated. Tinker AFB, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8106-07-C-0004-P00023).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Co., Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a maximum $782,972,706 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery, and indefinite quantity contract for jet fuel. Other locations of performance include Baytown,
Texas, and Baton Rouge, La. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. There were 48 proposals originally solicited with 23 responses. Contract funds will 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-0472).

Tesoro Refining & Marketing Co., San Antonio,
Texas, is being awarded a maximum $48,968,402 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery, and indefinite quantity contract for jet fuel. Other locations of performance include Mandan, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. There were 48 original proposals solicited with 23 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-0466).

Wolverine World Wide, Rockford, Mich., is being awarded a maximum $7,169,101 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed price, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for men's and women's dress leather shoes. Other locations of performance include Jonesboro, Ark.; Big Rapids, Rockford, and Cedar Springs, Mich. Using service is
Navy. The original proposal was Web-solicited with six responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Jul. 27, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPO100-06-D-0351).

Weinbrenner Shoe Co., Merrill, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $9,266,062 firm fixed price, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for hot weather boots. Other locations of performance include Merrill, Marshfield and Saint Nazianz, Wis. Using services are
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The original proposal was Web-solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is May 28, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM1C1-08-D-1040).

ARMY

M W Builders of Texas, Inc., Temple,
Texas, was awarded on Mar. 27, 2008 a $17,520 firm-fixed price contract for construction of a co., operations facility and medium tactical equipment maintenance facility. Work will be performed at Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Sep. 6, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Oct. 16, 2007, and three bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Little Rock, Ark., is the contracting activity (W9127S-08-C-6002).

Lockheed Martin Corp., Grand Prairie,
Texas, was awarded on Mar. 27 2008, a $6,659,602.75 cost-plus fixed fee contract for change order definitization for PAC-3 missile segment enhancement, CLIN 0002 effort, for changes to the PAC-3 MSE master test plan. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Mar. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Jul. 30, 2007. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (DAAH01-03-C-0164).

Gates Praises Outgoing CENTCOM Commander

American Forces Press Service

March 28, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates praised
Navy Adm. William J. Fallon at his relinquishment-of-command ceremony in Tampa, Fla., today. Gates said Fallon led U.S. Central Command through a period of great progress in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Middle East as a whole benefited from Fallon's
leadership as he applied the same strategic thinking and diplomatic skills he has exhibited throughout his military career, most recently at the helm of U.S. Pacific Command, Gates said.

A retirement ceremony in Washington in May also will honor Fallon.

The secretary thanked
Army Lt. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey for taking on the critical CENTCOM mission until a new commander is named.

(More comprehensive coverage to follow from American Forces Press Service.)

Rock Star Prepares for Deployment as Army Reservist

By Jamie Findlater
American Forces Press Service

March 28, 2008 - A rock star is putting a successful music career on hold as he prepares to deploy overseas as a member of the
Army Reserve. "I think it's the pinnacle of life to be able to say, when my country needed me, ... I heeded the call," Sgt. Frank Cavanagh said in an "America Supports You Live" BlogTalkRadio.com interview a week before deploying for training and eventually to Iraq.

Cavanagh was the bass player for the band Filter, and he recently participated in a reunion tour in Kuwait with Operation
MySpace. Cavanagh left a successful eight-year music career behind to put his energy into serving his country in the Army Reserve. Now, as the excitement of the reunion tour has died down, he is focusing his excitement on a different type of tour in the U.S. military.

Reflecting on his reception during the March 10 Operation
MySpace concert in Kuwait, Cavanagh said that "across the board, all the soldiers and sailors and Marines I talked to wher blown away by my decision (to serve my country)."

But, he added, he always has looked up to other servicemembers, just as they look up to him.

"In your situation, you may look up to someone on stage that's a 'rock star' and think that's what you want to attain. ... Me, I'm looking at what you're doing, and that's what I want to attain. ... I can always go back to music, ... but serving is something that I can only do now."

For Cavanagh, being part of the
military is a long-standing family tradition and a matter of pride.

"My father, my grandfather, my brother, my uncle, and my cousin have all served in the military, ... and growing up I was always going to bases," he explained. Later in life, "whenever we were on tour, there would be
military recruiters there." He and Filter's lead guitarist Richard Patrick are both big military history buffs, he added.

When the age limit for entering the
military was fast approaching, Cavanagh said, he knew he had to take action. "At the time when I joined, the age limit was 35 and I was 34. ... I thought, 'I really want to do something with the military before I can't anymore; I never want to look back and regret it.'"

Cavanagh said it's important for servicemembers to understand what their sacrifice means to America.

"Political or not, if you live in America, it's a country that allows you to express yourself politically," he said. "And the whole reason behind that is the people in the
military have made sacrifices so that our country can be what it is."

(Jamie Findlater works in the New Media Branch at American Forces Information Service.)