Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Civilian Leaders Learn Strength of U.S. Air Power in Europe

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 24, 2008 - Civilian business and community
leaders got firsthand and sometimes hands-on exposure yesterday to U.S. Air Forces in Europe's multiple missions of supporting warfighters, building partnerships and strengthening its historic NATO ties.

U.S. Air Forces, Europe, or USAFE, is as critical to U.S. national defense today as when it was established as the 8th
Air Force in 1942 and flew heavy bombardment missions over the European continent during World War II, Air Force Maj. Gen. James Hunt, its director of air and space operations, told 47 participants in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference.

"For 66 years, U.S. Air Forces, Europe, has provided responsive forward presence, humanitarian and peacekeeping support and decisive airpower to the United States and its allies," Hunt told the group.

U.S. European Command's air component is far different from the organization that stood up during World War II, then went on to play a key role in the Berlin Airlift and as an important deterrent to a large-scale conflict across the Fulda Gap. "This is not the organization of the Cold War," Hunt said.

Today a streamlined USAFE organization – five bases and nine forward operating bases, 250 aircraft and about 25,000 airmen – directs air operations in a theater spanning 20 million square miles, 91 countries and covering a quarter of the world's population, he told the group.

While that's down from 25 bases, 750 aircraft and more than 65,000 airmen in 1990, he said it's no indication of a lesser role. "The mission for USAFE is bigger than ever," Hunt said, citing its transformation into an expeditionary force and the breadth of the missions it now conducts.

Hunt called support to warfighters -- airlift, refueling, close-air support and casualty evacuation – a top USAFE priority. "Our job is to make sure the force on the ground gets what they need," he said.

But USAFE's mission goes beyond the current fight, he said. Its focus extends to security cooperation throughout the region – not just with traditional NATO allies, but also with new NATO members and partners. During fiscal year 2007, USAFE had more than 900 engagements in Europe and Asia, all aimed at improving mutual cooperation and helping nations that seek to build capability in their air forces.

Capt. Curt Dougherty, a Strike Eagle pilot, described a recent cross-training exercise in Eastern Europe, calling it as valuable for him and his squadron as for the Bulgarian and Romanian pilots they were training. "It's a great opportunity because you get to train against aircraft you wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to train with," he said. "You really do take a lot of concepts out of the experience."

The JCOC participants kicked off their visit yesterday at nearby at RAF Mildenhall, where they got a demonstration of some of the capabilities USAFE brings to the fight.
Five 321st Special Tactics Squadron combat controllers conducted a high-altitude, low-opening jump, dropping from an MC-130H aircraft at 10,000 feet and waiting until 3,500 to open their parachutes to land on an "enemy airfield" without detection.

F-15C Eagles and F-15E Strike Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft roared overhead followed with explosions on the ground simulating the precise firepower they would deliver to take out enemy elements. Once the targets were eliminated, an MC-130 aircraft delivered more paratroopers to secure the airfield.

"What you saw out there is an example of what airpower is today, and it's not Goose or Maverick," Col. Lawrence Reed, vice commander of the 48th Fighter Wing, told the visitors, referring to the lead characters in the movie, Top Gun. "It's a very precise and very disciplined operation to put things on bad guys and protect the good guys."
At RAF Lakenheath, the JCOC participants got more hands-on exposure to USAFE's weapons systems and equipment and the opportunity to meet the airmen who operate them.

The group watched weapons teams go through the step-by-step process required to load munitions aboard F-15s for close-air-support missions. "When you are on alert and you get a call, the jet has to be loaded as fast and as safely as possible," Senior Airman David Ross told the visitors. "You need to be fast because of the tempo downrange."

The civilians climbed into the cockpits of F-15 aircraft, quizzing the pilots about the controls and their combat experience. Capt. Curt Dougherty, a Strike Eagle pilot who's deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan and is preparing to return for an upcoming deployment, described what his squadron and other
Air Force assets bring to the fight.

"We are the on-call close air support, supporting the commanders in the theater," Dougherty said. "What we do supports the guys on the ground and helps to keep them safe."

The group moved from station to station, learning about the workings of the F-15 engine and the KC-135 Stratotanker, talking with special operators about their equipment and tactics watching a working-dog demonstration.

At one station, Airman Jason Jeffers demonstrated how he and his fellow "battlefield airmen" use robots to disable and destroy improvised explosive devices in Iraq and Afghanistan. "A lot of people don't know that we're out there on the ground," said Jeffers, who is preparing for an upcoming deployment to the combat zone. "What we are doing allows forces to get through roads to complete their mission. We are going down there and we are saving lives."

A highlight for many was taking the controls of an F-15 simulator to experience the kind of training pilots go through to prepare for real-life missions. "We had them flying two F-15s side-by-side, running an intercept and trying to conduct an air-to-air engagement," explained site manger Spike Hafermann. "They're having a lot of fun," he said. "But they are also getting to see the realism of the training device and the type of technology we use to prepare our combat flyers before they go downrange."

As they compared stories about how well they'd done, or how quickly they'd "crashed," the JCOC participants shared impressions of what they'd witnessed during their USAFE visit.

"It was just fabulous," said Darrel Flanel, managing director for Merill Lynch Global Markets in New York. "I come away from this really impressed with extensive knowledge. The depth of intellect and the enthusiasm I saw, it's pretty amazing."

Reed said he welcomed the opportunity to show the civilian
leaders what he called "the heart of who we are, our enlisted force," and the responsibility they carry in supporting the mission and U.S. national defense. "We're making demands on them every day, and every day, they are exceeding everything we asked of them," he said.

Brad Bulkley, president of Bulkley Capital in Dallas, said his experience at USAFE confirms the deep appreciation for the men and women in uniform he has developed this week as the JCOC group visited USS Iwo Jima near Crete and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas in Rota, Spain.

"A glaring irony strikes me as we go from location to location on this trip," Bulkley said. "It is the fact that as we greet the troops and they act impressed with our group's corporate credentials. What they don't realize is that we are the ones who truly in awe of them.

"Our men and women of the armed forces are very impressive, from their
leadership [and] teamwork, to their visible, unbreakable spirit, even in the face of danger You can read about them in books or the press, but I've now seen the real armed forces and met the best of the best. They are our enlisted."

The JCOC group is continuing its visit to
military activities throughout U.S. European Command.

The first U.S. defense secretary, James V. Forrestal, created the JCOC program in 1948 to introduce civilian "movers and shakers" with little or no
military exposure to the workings of the armed forces. Nearly six decades later, it remains DoD's premier civic leader program.

America Supports You: Camps Have Chance to Support Military Kids

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 24, 2008 - As mathematical formulas and reading lists overtake kids' memories of laughing with friends at summer camp, the National
Military Family Association is already gearing up to rekindle those memories for next year. The group is accepting applications from established, accredited camps willing to host its popular Operation Purple Camp program, said Michelle Joyner, director of communication for NMFA.

The program aims to help
Military kids enjoy a carefree week while learning to deal with war-related stress and fostering relationships with others who know what they are going through.

"This past summer we had 100 weeks of camp ... in 62 locations in 36 states," Joyner said. "That's what we're looking for again [next] year.

"We'd like to have camps in the most heavily impacted
Military communities. We've been fortunate to have a lot of camps in North Carolina, which can also serve its neighboring states."

NMFA especially would like to see Operation Purple camps in states with large National Guard communities including Texas,
California, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Oregon. In addition, Joyner said she'd like to see camp opportunities expand in Southern California, like they have in Virginia.

"We know that, definitely, the families need this type of a resource," she said. "We're hearing from parents, kids, [and] parents that are stationed overseas, thanking us for providing the opportunity for their kids to be with other children who understand them."

Nearly 10,000 children attended Operation Purple camps this year. That's up from a little more than 4,000 last year. Joyner attributes the jump in participants, in large part, to a partnership with the Sierra Club Foundation. The partnership, a year-to-year initiative, provided necessary funding to cover campers' costs.

Camps interested in hosting an Operation Purple camp must submit proposals no later than Nov. 7. Information on the application process and what is expected of the camps selected is available from NMFA.

"We provide the curriculum. We provide the funding to cover the cost of the campers to attend [and] we also provide mental health counselors through the Family Life program," Joyner said. "This is one way that communities can help
Military families and the kids."

The National
Military Family Association 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.

Face of Defense: Marine Links Up Via Satellite to Witness Childbirth

By Lance Cpl. Joshua Murray
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 24, 2008 - Like most soon-to-be first-time fathers,
Marine Lance Cpl. Jovan Rodriguez anxiously awaited the birth of his child and looked forward to being by his wife's bedside. But Rodriguez, 20, is deployed here as a warehouse clerk with Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5. As often happens to deployed servicemembers, operational commitments made it impossible for him to return to New Jersey for the birth.

As Rodriguez found, numerous options, such as Internet service and phones, are available to Marines to ensure they have the opportunity to keep in touch regularly with their families. However, personally experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime event alongside their loved ones is not a frequent occurrence.

Undeterred, Rodriguez sought – and found -- an alternative solution.

"When we found out I couldn't go home, we did some research and found out we could do it by Web cam," Rodriguez said. He and his wife explained their situation and worked out the details with the hospital staff at Underwood Memorial Hospital, Franklinville, N.J. The staff agreed to allow a video teleconference for them during the birth of their baby girl.

Rodriguez flew from Camp Al Qa'im to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, to be with his wife for the birth, and spent several days and nights waiting for the baby to arrive.

When the day finally came, Rodriguez spent hours at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center at Al Asad, joining his wife through a two-way audio and video connection.

"If something went wrong, they would have cut off the video and I would have been scared because it's my first time," said Rodriguez. As it turned out, the birth of Liliana Rodriguez went smoothly.

"I could see my wife and listen to her the whole time, and the labor went very smoothly," he said. "I consider myself one of the luckiest men in the world. I know a lot of (servicemembers) don't get to see the birth of their child, and I was blessed to be able to."

The Rodriguez's experience has given hope that more servicemembers will be able to witness major life events with their loved ones. Other Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, say they want to make the trip to Al Asad for the births of their children. Working with hospitals and the MWR centers, Marines may be able to interact with their loved ones during significant events like childbirth through a simple Internet connection.

(Lance Cpl. Joshua Murray is a public affairs officer with Regimental Combat Team 5.)

Civilian Leaders See Army Prepare Troops for Combat, Leadership

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 24, 2008 - Civilian leaders from throughout the United States got insight today into how the U.S.
Army in Europe prepares troops for combat and grooms soldiers in leadership skills. Participants in the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Conference visited the Headquarters Joint Multinational Training Command here at the U.S. European Command's largest military training center.

Col. Timothy Touzinsky, chief of staff, emphasized the importance of training for U.S.
Army Europe's 45,000 soldiers, about 35 percent of whom are deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo.

"Our focus is on training and preparing units for operations ongoing now, but they also have to be capable of conducting the full spectrum of conflict so they are prepared for future contingencies as well," Touzinsky said.

The Grafenwoehr Training Area in eastern Bavaria offers the broadest training opportunities within JMTC, enabling soldiers to live-fire every weapon from small arms to Bradley fighting vehicles, M1A2 Abrams tanks and artillery, Touzinsky said.

In addition, specialized training areas and simulation centers bring realism to training to prepare troops for what they are likely to encounter in the combat theater.

While ensuring U.S. soldiers' combat readiness, headquarters command also trains international partners who operate with U.S. forces. "This is the only place where the
Army routinely trains with multinational and coalition partners," Touzinsky said. He noted that 86 percent of the coalition in Afghanistan and 73 percent of the coalition in Iraq come from the EuCom area of responsibility.

The JCOC group visited the small arms master marksmanship course, where they got to fire the M4 rifle, M203 grenade launcher, M249 squad automatic weapon, and 240B and M2 .50-caliber machine gun.

"It gives me a new respect for the firepower at the disposal of our young men and women," said Jon Wolfshal, senior fellow for the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Later in the day, Sgt. 1st Class Humberto Figuero, non-commissioned officer in charge of the medical simulation training center, described the combat lifesaving training all soldiers receive before they deploy. The training uses realistic mannequins that duplicate human vital signs and medical simulators.

Ensuring all soldiers know how to administer this first-level care is reducing the three leading causes of battlefield deaths -- blood loss, collapsed lungs and obstructed airways – and saving lives, Figuero said.

Staff Sgt. Eric Jackson, an instructor in the Warrior Leader Course here, is proof of the training's effectiveness. When he took a sniper's bullet just below his body armor during his second deployment to Ramadi, Iraq, his team leader was the first to provide life-saving aid until the medic could treat him.

"Your medic can't always get to you right away, so you need to be able to rely on your buddy to be there for you," he said. "And when I went down, he knew what to do even before I knew I'd been hit."

Jackson called the training critical to providing soldiers the skills they need to lead in combat. "Learning on a combat field is the wrong place to learn," he said.

"We are injecting all the different kinds of scenarios they could run into so that when they encounter something while they're deployed, it's not the first time, or at least it's similar to something they've already experienced," Jackson said.

"The
Army is focused on teaching its soldiers to adapt, so they are ready for whatever they come up against," he said. "The training we offer here builds up their confidence and gives them the tools they need so they can adapt to any situation."

Darrel Flanel, managing director for Merill Lynch Global Markets, said seeing the training U.S.
Army Europe offers its soldiers dovetails with Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard activities the JCOC group observed earlier this week to show the full spectrum of EuCom operations. "It puts perspective to all the high-tech operations we saw, and what it's all about supporting," he said.

Allen Joines, mayor of Winston-Salem, N.C., said the visit to Grafenwoehr reaffirmed the deep appreciation he's gained this week for the U.S.
military.

"I have been extraordinarily impressed with the level of
technology being used by our armed forces," Joines said. "I am even more impressed by the men and women who serve us. They are talented, well educated and committed to service. We should all be proud of them."

Participants in the JCOC conference are business, civic, academic and community leaders, selected from hundreds of candidates nominated by
military commands worldwide.

JCOC was initiated in 1948 by Defense Secretary James V. Forrestal and is the Department's premier civic leader program. This was the 76th conference since its inception.

MILITARY CONTRACTS September 24, 2008

Navy

Barnhart, Inc.,
San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $54,191,991 firm fixed price contract for the design and construction of a weapons and armament Technology center, to serve the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division at the Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake. The work to be performed provides for technical and management support offices, general engineering laboratories and Secure Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) spaces and conference facilities. The contract contains options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $61,642,262. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif., and is expected to be completed by July 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-08-C-2210).

Shock Tube Systems, Inc.*, Sterling, Conn., is being awarded a firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with a maximum value of $44,896,786 for MK 150, MK 151, MK 152, MK 153, MK 154 and MK 155 MOD 0 Delay Detonators with an in-line initiator. The MK 150 – MK 155 MOD 0 Delay Detonators will be used by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units,
Navy SEALS and Marines as initiating agents for a variety of blasting applications. These units are used in weapon systems for general demolition, disposal of unexploded ordnance and/or breeching operations. Work will be performed in Sterling, Conn., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2013. Contract funds in the amount of $545,817 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the World Wide Web, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N000164-08-D-JN28).

Force Protection Industries, Inc., Ladson, S.C., is being awarded a $41,790,575 firm fixed priced modification to delivery order #0003 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5031) for the purchase of 90-day consumables; Prescribed Load List (PLL); labor support and Authorized Stockage List (ASL). Work will be performed in, Ladson, S.C., and work is expected to be completed no later than Oct. 29, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The
Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

Federal Cartridge Company, Anoka, Minn., is being awarded a maximum value $39,155,975 firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for 7.62 mm special long range ammunition. This procurement is for 7.62mm special long range ammunition, which will be used by the United States
Navy as operational and training rounds. Work will be performed in Anoka, Minn., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2013. Contract funds in the amount of $819,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with three offers received via the World-Wide Web. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N000164-08-D-JM15).

EJB Facilities Services, Arlington, Va., is being awarded $38,895,798 which provides for exercise of the third option period under a previously awarded combination firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract (N44255-05-D-5103) with award options for Base Operations Support (BOS) services in the
Navy Region Northwest, West Sound area. The work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to, all management and administration, public safety, supply, housing, facilities support (excluding grounds and janitorial services), utilities, base support vehicles and equipment, and environmental services to provide base operations and support services. The current total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $223,842,047. Work will be performed at various installations in the Navy Region Northwest area of responsibility, and work is expected to be completed Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity.

Watts Constructors, LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii, is being awarded a $32,680,286 firm fixed price contract for the USS
Arizona Memorial replacement. The work to be performed provides for the construction of new buildings to support security, restroom, sale, education, offices, exhibits, and resting areas. Renovation of the existing theater and demolition of the existing facility shall follow after the majority of these buildings are completed. The work includes pile foundations, reinforced concrete floor slabs, steel joist, steel decking, flashing and sheet metal work, concrete masonry unit and exterior walls, exterior insulation and finish system, doors, photo-voltaic panels, shade structure, roofing, windows, architectural finishes, plumbing, air conditioning and ventilation, fire protection, access control system, electrical work, and incidental related work. Supporting facilities include landscaping, asphalt concrete pavements, connecting utilities, electrical and communication ducts, fencing, and site improvements. Work will be performed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by September 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 seven proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-08-C-1325).

Walton Construction Co., LLC, Harahan, La., is being awarded a $25,260,000 firm fixed price contract for design and construction of a barracks complex at
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. The work to be performed provides for one barrack, a headquarters building, and utility infrastructure. The contract also contains two options, which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $77,980,000. Work will be performed in Beaufort, S.C., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 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 four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-08-C-1759).

ITT Corporation, Systems Division, Colorado Springs, Colo., is being awarded a $13,084,214 firm fixed price, cost plus fixed fee contract for continuation of range operations support and base operations support services at Pacific Missle Range Facility, Island of Kauai, Hawaii. Work will be performed at Kauai, Hawaii, and work is expected to be completed by December 2008. The contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity.

Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, is being awarded $12,603,692 for firm fixed price task order #0004 under a previously awarded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity environmental multiple award contract (N62473-08-D-8824) for remedial action sediment removal at Installation Restoration Site 17, Seaplane Lagoon at Alameda Point. The work to be performed provides for the preparation of the draft and final remedial action work plan and finalizing miscellaneous planning documents; project management; project meetings; laboratory support; remedial action fieldwork; data evaluation, and preparation of a remedial action closeout report. Work also includes excavation and disposal of sediment containing contaminants that exceed the remedial action cleanup goals. The task order also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised would increase cumulative task order value to $14,575,671. Work will be performed in Alameda, Calif., and is expected to be completed by September 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four (4) proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities engineering Command Southwest,
San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

Nammo-Talley, Inc.,
Mesa, Ariz., is being awarded a maximum value $11,500,000 firm fixed-price, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract for the acquisition of shoulder-fired, Lightweight Assault Weapon (LAW) in two combat configurations, M72A7 and M72A9, along with training support items. Training items procured under this contract include the M72AS Training Launchers and the M72AS Training Rockets. The M72 LAW is a 66mm man-portable, lightweight, direct shoulder fired weapon that consists of an in-tube burning, free flight rocket prepackaged in a disposable launcher. The launcher is a lightweight, telescoping, single shot, throw away item consisting of an aluminum inner tube, an outer tube, a tube detonation device, a mechanical sight system, a firing mechanism, safety interlocks, an integral rear cover and shoulder rest and carry sling with front cover. The main difference between the two tactical configurations to be procured is the warhead. Work will be performed in Mesa, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by September 2011. 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 (N000164-08-D-JN03).

Pro Construction, Inc.,
Jacksonville, N.C., is being awarded $9,740,981 for firm fixed price task order #0032 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-07-D-1911) for construction of squadron facilities at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. The work to be performed provides for site improvements and foundations for eight modular buildings for administrative space and an addition to an existing pre-engineered building for warehouse use and shop/supply support for the Marine Tactical Air Control Group; site improvements and foundations for a modular building and one pre-engineered building to support multiple vehicles and communication gear for the Marine Wing Communication Squadron including one (government furnished) pre-engineered building, two 50,000 gallon water storage tanks and fire pump house; site improvements and a brick veneer building to include a motor transport area with three equipment service bays for the Marine Air Control Squadron including an operational pad for airfield operations adjacent to Runway 23R and incidental related work. Work will be performed in Cherry Point, N.C., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

Broadmoor LLC., Metairie, La., is being awarded $9,699,786 for firm fixed price task order #0001 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract for design and construction of a special operations forces riverine and combatant craft operations facility, at Stennis Space Center. The work to be performed provides for all design and construction work for the operations building, boat maintenance building, and boat storage building. The contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, engineering, materials, equipment, tools, parts, supplies and transportation to perform all work described in the request to proposal. The task order also contains eight options, which if exercised would increase cumulative task order value to $12,390,734. Work will be performed in Stennis, Miss., and is expected to be completed by April 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast,
Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N62467-05-D-0096).

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded an $8,820,000 not-to-exceed modification to a previously awarded firm fixed price delivery order contract (N00383-06-D-001J) for in-service engineering and logistics services in support of the Royal Australian
Air force F/A-18F aircraft. In addition, this modification provides for the design, development, fabrication, qualification, and delivery of the Logistics Support Analysis Records (LSAR) and the Automated Maintenance Environment (AME). Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. (75 percent); Amberley, Australia (10 percent); Brisbane, Australia (10 percent); and Patuxent River, Md. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2010. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity.

Soltek Pacific Construction Company,
San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $8,445,856 for firm fixed task order #0002 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-06-D-1058) for repair of Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) Building 14031 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The work to be performed provides for the repair and renovation of the existing four-story BEQ and associated site work in the 14 Area, Mainside Headquarters. The task order also contains one option, which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $9,963,575. Work will be performed in Oceanside, Calif., and is expected to be completed by April 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

Straub Construction, Inc., Bonsall, Calif., is being awarded $7,627,000 for firm fixed price task order #0002 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-08-D-8616) for design and construction of Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) Battle Courses at the
Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms. The work to be performed provides for the design and construction of Battle Courses. This project will provide counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) training facilities by additions to the training areas and ranges. The project will include training lanes, a range support facility, information systems, electrical utilities, paving and site improvements, site preparations, a mock pedestrian overpass, tunnel, and range safety features. The contract also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $8,069,800. Work will be performed in Twentynine Palms, Calif., and is expected to be completed by August 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

Notkin Mechanical Engineers, Inc.*,
Seattle Wash., is being awarded a maximum amount $7,500,000 firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity architect/engineering contract for mechanical/electrical projects in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for new designs, evaluations, studies for maintenance, construction, equipment installation, repair and replacement of a wide range of facilities and structures, with an emphasis on aircraft runways and facilities, air traffic control towers, aircraft runway projects including combat loading area, direct refueling facilities, runway lighting, and structural designs for new and existing facilities. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Northwest AOR including, but not limited to Wash. (92 percent); Ore. (2 percent); Idaho (2 percent); Alaska (2 percent); Mont. (1 percent); Wyo. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $10,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the NAVFAC e-solicitation website with four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity (N44255-08-D-3009).

General Dynamics C4 Systems, Scottsdale, Ariz., is being awarded a $7,498,742 cost plus fixed fee, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for operations, management and maintenance of assigned DOD satellites and network systems. This contract consists of one base year, and six one-year options, which if exercised, bring the total estimated value of the contract to $56,981,670. Work will be performed at Point Mugu, Calif. Work is to be completed by Sept. 2014. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured, with two offers received. The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center
San Diego, Calif. is the contracting activity.

Bell Boeing Tiltrotor Team, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $6,500,744 ceiling priced order contract for spare components for the MV-22 aircraft. Work will be performed at Hurst, Texas, and work is expected to be completed by July 2011. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract not was competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.

Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $6,369,901 cost plus incentive fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-07-G-0008) for the continued development for a Comprehensive Automated Maintenance Environment (CAMEO) technical capabilities system for the V-22 Osprey. The CAMEO will provide an adaptable joint service technical capability that supports continuous integration of technical data and automation of operational, maintenance and logistical processes to improve aircraft readiness and reduce sustainment costs for the war fighter community. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pa. (50 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (45 percent); and
San Diego, Calif. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Company, McKinney, Texas, is being awarded a $6,100,000 firm fixed price job order against basic ordering agreement (N00164-08-G-WT32) for spares to the SeaVue System. SeaVue is a high-performance maritime and overland radar system that provides cost-effective surveillance for fixed-wing, helicopter, ship and land-based applications. This contract will expedite repairs to the SeaVue System. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $6,100,000 will 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.

SatCon Applied
Technology, Inc., Boston Mass., is being awarded a $5,985,574 cost plus fixed fee contract for development of a 500kW prototype subset of a large Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for the USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) Class of Ships. Under this effort SatCon Applied Technology will design, develop, build and test a large UPS that when used in total can support the shipboard distribution system at 2.5 MW for 10 minutes. This contract contains an option, which if exercised, would bring the value of the contract to $6,352,707. Work will be performed in Linthicum Md (56 percent); Plano, Texas (31 percent); Wilmington, Del. (8 percent); and Thorofare, N.J. (5 percent), and work is expected to be completed Sept 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under ONR Broad Agency Announcement BAA 107-029. Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (N00014-08-C-0609).

Air force

The
Air force is modifying a cost plus award fee contract by exercising an option with Space Coast launch Services (SCLS) of Patrick AFB, Fla., for $40,169,397. This action provides for launch operations support. The mission of the launch operations support program is to provide operations maintenance and engineering support to critical launch, spacecraft and ordnance facilities and support systems owned by the 45th Space Wing. These facilities and systems are vital to the support of Department of Defense, civil and commercial space launch processing at Cape Canaveral Air force Station, Florida. The launch operations support contractor (LOSC) is responsible for planning and executing all preventive and corrective maintenance and performing configuration changes to LOSC facilities and systems necessary to achieve the greatest operational availability for mission support. This action awards the FY08 option for launch support, the third of ten contract options. At this time no funds have been obligated. 45th Contracting Squadron (LGCZL), Patrick AFB, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA2521-05-C-0008, Modification P00063).

Reliance Steel and Aluminum Co. of Salt Lake City, Utah; TW Metals of Carol Stream, Ill.; and Western States Metals of Salt Lake City, Utah, are being awarded a firm fixed price contract for a maximum of $15 million. The Metals Strategic Sourcing contract will support quarterly forecasts buys, the just-in-time busing workloads, local manufacture support, and other metal needs to the 309th MXW. Each delivery order will specify the metal types and quantities needed. At this time $39.651.84 has been obligated. OO-ALC/PKESA, Hill AFB, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8224-08-D-0014-0001, FA8224-08-D-0015-0001, FA8224-08-D-0016-0001).

Army

Kinsley Construction Company Inc, York, Pa., was awarded on Sept. 22, 2008, a $26,757,786 firm/fixed/price contract for a followon Project167 th Airlift Wing Base conversion from C-130 to C-5 Aircrafts. Work will be performed in Martinsburg, W.Va., with an estimated completion date of April, 2010. Proposals solicited were two-phase design build source selections, and three proposals were received. National Guard Bureau, Buckhannon, W. Va., is the contracting activity (W912L8-08-C-0016).

R. C. Construction Company Inc, Greenwood, Miss., was awarded on Sept. 23, 2008, a $21,555,595 firm/fixed/fee price contract to construct a permanent general purpose warehouse approximately 165,000 square feet, with 20-foot clear stacking height, weather sealed truck doors, loading/unloading docks with dock levelers, connection to all utilities and paved roadways and hard stand aprons. Work will be performed in Robins
Air force Base, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 20, 2010. Proposals solicited were sixty-two and five proposals were received. US Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-08-C-0058).

L-3 services Inc, Reston, Va., was awarded on Sept. 21, 2008, a $15,986,165 labor/hour contract. The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to provide the Joint Staff with It systems integration services in order to support its current transformation to a network-centric environment on the Secure Internet Protocol Network (SIPRNET) infrastructure. Work will be performed in Wash ., with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2009. Bids were solicited via FedBizOpps Synopsis and Sol and one bid was received. W91WAW Contracting center of Excellence is the contracting activity (W91WAW-08-C-0102).

Tunista Inc, Anchorage, Alaska, was awarded on Sept. 22, 2008, a $11,969,314 firm fixed fee price contract for design /construct unit operations facilities (PN68853) Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Work will be performed in Fort Wainwright, Alaska with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2010. Bids were solicited via the Web and two bids were received. US
Army Engineer District, Elmendorf, Alaska, is the contracting activity (W911KB-08-C-0025).

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products Inc, Burlington, Vt., was awarded on Sept. 23, 2008, a $9,952,145 firm fixed fee price contract for procuring 829 each M2 machine guns. Work will be performed in Saco, Maine, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. One was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM LCMC, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52H09-07-C-0125).

Cycle Construction, Kenner, La., was awarded on Sept. 22, 2008, a $9,737,000 firm fixed price contract for SCADA-Remote Automation of 2 new pump stations and 5 existing pump stations at various locations in the New Orleans vicinity. Work will be performed in Jefferson and other parishes, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 15, 2009. Bids were solicited via Matoc-Hubzone Small Business Firm and three bids were received. US
Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, La., is the contracting activity (W912P8-08-D-0065).

ECC International LLC, Burlingame, Calif., was awarded on Sept. 20, 2009, a $9,130,978 firm fixed price contract for design and construction of facilities to support the Counter Narcotic Police Headquarters Compound, Kabul, Afghanistan. Work will be performed in Kabul, Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 20, 2009. Bids were solicited via the Web and three bids were received. US
Army Engineer District, Afghanistan, is the contracting activity (W917PM-07-D-0015).

OCCI Inc, Fulton, Mo., was awarded on Sept. 22, 2008, a $7,996,741 firm fixed price contract. The work consists of the rehabilitation of sector gates for the Colorado River Locks, East and West Locks. Work will be performed in Matagorda County, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2009. Bids were solicited via Unrestricted Procurement and two bids were received. USA Engineer District, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W912HY-08-C-0032).

General Dynamics Land Systems Inc, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on Sept. 23, 2008, a $6,500,000 firm fixed price contract for system technical support (STS) for the Abrams tank program to include support to previously produced vehicles, specifically, conversion of M1A1 technical manuals and backlog data to two-level maintenance. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-07-C-0046).

LUHR Bros., Inc, Columbia, Ill., was awarded on Sept. 19, 2008, a $6,220,000 firm fixed price contract. The work consists of dredging approximately 2,000,000 cubic yards of material to be used for placement area levee rehabilitation and construction. Work will be performed in Galveston County, Texas with an estimated completion date of Sept. 15, 2009. Bids were solicited via Unrestricted Procurement and six bids were received. US Engineer District, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W912H-08-C-0029).

U.S. Troops Help Build Afghan Air Corps

By Navy Seaman William Selby
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 24, 2008 - A team of 170 U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have been tasked with recruiting, training and equipping the Afghan National
Army Air Corps. "Our goal is to develop this Air Corps to be fully independent and fully operational, capable to meet (the) security requirements of Afghanistan," Air Force Maj. Gen. Jay H. Lindell told bloggers during a teleconference yesterday from Afghanistan. Lindell is commander of Combined Air Transition Force, Combined Security Transition Command.

The air transition force is is developing mobility missions including presidential airlift, medical evacuation, casualty evacuation, and a general battlefield and logistical support capability, Lindell said.

The force is insisting on qualified recruits to populate the Air Corps, and only the top 20 percent that come through the Kabul
Military Training Center are selected, he said.

New recruits tapped to be airmen or technicians must be literate, with at least an eighth grade education, he said.

While most of the Afghan airmen lack additional formal education, they are motivated and eager to learn, Lindell said.

"Their motivation and their willingness and desire to learn, and desire to be part of this National
Army Air Corps, makes up for maybe their lack of education," he said.

Even among those selected for the overall Air Corps, pilot selection requires another layer of filtering. Out of the 105 pilot candidates, Lindell said only the 48 most qualified will attend training in the United States next year.

"All have university degrees, and all are recommended by commanders, and all have passed an initial medical screening exam," he said.

Further tests will include a flight aptitude exam and a board selection process to see who is the most qualified.

The transition force also has helped supply newer aircraft, which was an area of concern for the Afghans.

"Currently, we have 27 total aircraft with the National
Army Air Corps, and we do have a campaign plan that builds this Air Corps over the next eight years," Lindell said. "We will build it to roughly 125 aircraft throughout our campaign plan."

The number of aircraft already has tripled since September 2007, with planes coming from the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, the United Arab Emirates, and Ukraine, Lindell said. The aircraft from the Slovak Republic, Czech Republic and Ukraine were refurbished and financed through the Afghan Security Forces Fund, while the others were donated by the United Arab Emirates, he said.

(
Navy Seaman William Selby works for the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)