Thursday, September 17, 2009

Amazon Top 50 Reviewer Praises Leadership: Texas Hold ‘em Style

Editor's Note: One of the co-authors is a former servicemember.

Charles Ashbacher, a Top 50 Reviewer on Amazon.com posted a review of Leadership Texas Hold ‘em Style. According to Amazon.com, a “Top 50 Reviewer” identifies Ashbacher as having “helped their fellow customers make informed purchase decisions on Amazon.com with their consistently helpful, high-quality reviews.” Charles Ashbacher has reviewed over 4,800 books and received nearly 14,000 votes from readers with an 88% ranking as finding his reviews helpful.

He said, in part, about
Leadership: Texas Hold ‘em Style, “This is without question one of the best books on effective leadership ever written and it is profound and entertaining as one of the most unusual yet best possible analogies is used.” And, “Many books on leadership tend to be correct in their content but dull in their delivery. In this case the content is superb and the delivery is even beyond that, the comparisons between poker and quality leadership are apt, educational and make this book one that should be read, re-read and intellectually digested.”

ABOUT THE BOOK
Using poker as analogy for
leadership, Captain Andrew Harvey, CPD (ret.), Ed.D. and Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA found the right mix of practical experience and academic credentials to write a definitive book for leaders. Working together, Harvey and Foster have written Leadership: Texas Hold em Style. Most often leaders find they are given a set of resources people, equipment, funds, experience and a mission. As Foster noted, "You're dealt a certain hand. How you play that hand as a leader determines your success."

MORE INFORMATION
www.pokerleadership.com

MILITARY CONTRACTS September 17, 2009

UNITED STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND
Alliance Contractor Team of Leesburg, Va., is being awarded an estimated $1,580,619,789 firm fixed-price contract for international airlift services with a minimum guarantee of $327,824,214. Team members include: American Airlines, Inc. of Ft. Worth, Texas, Arrow Air, Inc., of Miami, Fla., ASTAR Air Cargo, Inc., of Florence, Ky., Delta Air Lines, Inc. of Atlanta, Ga., Evergreen International Airlines, Inc., of McMinnville, Ore., North American Airlines, Inc., of Jamaica, N.Y., Northwest Airlines, Inc., of St. Paul, Minn., United Airlines, Inc. of Elk Grove Village, Ill., US Airways, Inc., of Phoenix, Ariz., and World Airways, Inc., of Peachtree City, Ga. Work will be performed at worldwide locations, and is expected to be completed September 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Electronic proposals were solicited and 30 proposals received. The contracting activity is U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (HTC711-09-D-5004).

Federal Express Charter Programs Team Arrangement of Memphis, Tenn., is being awarded an estimated $1,510,516,838 firm fixed-price contract for international airlift services with a minimum guarantee of $222,565,273. Team members include: Air Transport International LLC of Little Rock, Ark., Atlas Air, Inc. of Purchase, N.Y., Continental Airlines, Inc., of Houston, Texas, Federal Express Corporation of Memphis, Tenn., Omni Air International, Inc. of Tulsa, Okla., and Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc., of Purchase, N.Y. Work will be performed at worldwide locations, and is expected to be completed September 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Electronic proposals were solicited and 30 proposals received. The contracting activity is U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (HTC711-09-D-5005).

Lynden Air Cargo LLC of Anchorage, Alaska, is being awarded an estimated $51,739,903 firm fixed-price contract for international airlift services with a minimum guarantee of $3,700. Work will be performed at worldwide locations, and is expected to be completed September 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Electronic proposals were solicited and 30 proposals received. The contracting activity is U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (HTC711-09-D-5009).

Miami Air International, Inc. of Miami, Fla., is being awarded an estimated $38,232,127 firm fixed-price contract for International Airlift Services with a minimum guarantee of $1,003,700. Work will be performed at worldwide locations, and is expected to be completed September 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Electronic proposals were solicited and 30 proposals received. The contracting activity is U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., (HTC711-09-D-5010).

The UPS Contractor Team of Louisville, Ky., is being awarded an estimated $331,662,972.56 firm fixed-price contract for International Airlift Services with a minimum guarantee of $74,394,266.69. Team members include: ABX Air, Inc., of Wilmington, Ohio, Alaska Airlines, Inc., of Seattle, Wash., Kalitta Air LLC of Ypsilanti Mich., National Air Cargo Group, Inc, dba National Airlines, of Ypsilanti, Mich., Northern Air Cargo of Anchorage, Alaska, Ryan International Airlines, Inc., of Rockford Ill., Southern Air, Inc. of Norwalk, Conn., and United Parcel Service Company of Louisville, Ky. Work will be performed at worldwide locations, and is expected to be completed September 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Electronic proposals were solicited and 30 proposals received. The contracting activity is U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (HTC711-09-D-5006).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Science Applications International Corp., Fairfield, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $1,050,000,000 maintenance, repair & operations prime vendor, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for supplies. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. The original proposal was Web solicited with seven responses. This contract is exercising the fifth option year period. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is September 10, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-02-D-0121).

Northrop Grumman Corp., Rolling Meadows, Ill. is being awarded a maximum $27,950,000 firm fixed price, sole source, undefinitized contract action against a Basic Ordering Agreement for acquisition of four weapon replaceable assemblies. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. There was one proposal originally solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Philadelphia (DSCR-ZCC), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPRPA1-09-G-004Z-5000).

Hamilton Sundstrand Corp., Windsor Locks, Conn. is being awarded a maximum $25,018,380 firm fixed price, sole source contract for replenishment supplies. Other location of performance is Ariz. Using service is Air Force and FMS line items for Saudi Arabia, Portugal, South Korea, Egypt, Norway and The Netherlands. There was one proposal originally solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is May 31, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Philadelphia (DSCR-ZBAA), Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. (SPRTA1-09-C-0202).

Excel Garment Manufacturing, Inc., El Paso, Texas* is being awarded a maximum $8,203,104 firm fixed price, total set aside contract for airmen battle uniforms. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 26 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract includes a base and four one-year options and is exercising the second option year period. The date of performance completion is September 24, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM1C1-07-D-1501).

MOOG Inc., East Aurora, N.Y. is being awarded a maximum $6,190,360 firm fixed price contract for swashplate actuators in support of V22 aircraft. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is June 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Philadelphia (DSCR-ZC), Philadelphia, Pa., (SPRPA1-09-C-THA6).

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a maximum $6,125,322 firm fixed price, sole source contract for blade extenders in support of CH-53E aircraft. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is December 30, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Philadelphia (DSCR-ZC), Philadelphia, Pa., (N00383-06-G-006F-THFD).

NAVY
General Construction Co., Poulsbo, Wash. (N62478-09-D-4014); Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co., Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii (N62478-09-D-4015); Manson – Nan Hawaii JV, Honolulu, Hawaii (N62478-09-D-4016); Nova Group, Inc., Napa, Calif. (N62478-09-D-4017); Triton Marine Construction Corp., Bremerton, Wash. (N62478-09-D-4018); and Watts – Healy Tibbitts, A JV, Honolulu, Hawaii (N62478-09-D-4019), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award construction contract for various waterfront construction projects at various locations in the State of Hawaii. The work to be performed provides for the acquisition of new construction, repair, alteration of waterfront related structures/facilities and dredging work based on design build, two phase design build, modified design build or full plans and specifications for Department of Defense infrastructure. The maximum dollar value for all six contracts combined is $500,000,000. Work will be performed in the State of Hawaii, and work is expected to be completed Sept. 2014. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Hawaii, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity.

General Electric Co., Aircraft Engines Business Group, Lynn, Mass., is being awarded a $39,725,834 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-06-C-0088) to provide additional F414-GE-400 spare engines and modules for the Navy. The F414-GE-400 engine powers the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft. This modification provides for the procurement of eight spare F414-GE-400 engines; seven engine fan modules; five engine high pressure combuster (HPC) modules; three combuster modules; and four low pressure turbine (LPT) modules. Work will be performed in Lynn, Mass. (49 percent); Madisonville, Ky. (21 percent); Hooksett, N.H. (12 percent); Albuquerque, N.M. (7 percent); Rutland, Vt. (5 percent); Dayton, Ohio (2 percent); Wilmington, N.C. (2 percent); Evandale, Ohio (1 percent); and Bromont, Canada (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2011. 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.

L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, LP, Waco, Texas, is being awarded a $39,683,810 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract (N00019-05-D-0008) to provide special structural inspection kit installations for the P-3C sustainment, modification and installation program . Work will be performed in Waco, Texas, and is expected to be completed in July 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $7,052,295 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Simmonds Precision Products, Inc., DBA Goodrich Fuel and Utility Systems, Vergennes, Vt., is being awarded a $14,722,837 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-06-C-0298) for the procurement of various integrated mechanical diagnostics system kits and parts in support of MH-60R/S helicopters. Work will be performed in Vergennes, Vt., and is expected to be completed in December 2010. 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.

Parsons Infrastructure & Technology Group Inc., Pasadena, Calif., is being awarded a $13,920,894 modification under a previously awarded multiple award contract (N00178-05-D-4487) firm-fixed price task order to exercise option period 1 which provides for engineering and program support for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic. The work to be performed provides for the following professional engineering services in support of capital improvement projects: technical, project management, and data management to support planning, design, and post construction award for the Navy and Marine Corp clients within NAVFAC mid-Atlantic area of responsibility. The total cumulative task order amount after exercise of this option will be $29,078,968. The task order also contains two unexercised options, which if exercised would increase cumulative task order value to $59,951,007. Work will be performed in Va. (70 percent) and N.C. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

Magnum, Inc.*, Warminster, Pa., is being awarded a $9,015,950 firm-fixed-price construction contract for renovation of Aviation Support Facility Hangar 1811 at McGuire Air Force Base. The work to be performed provides for renovations including removal and replacement of interior building systems and building envelope components including new hangar doors, new standing seam roofing, new split face block façade with new windows, expansion of existing aircraft parking, new fire protection, and heating ventilation and air conditioning systems. The contract also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $10,107,950. Work will be performed in Burlington County, N.J., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2011. 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 six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-09-C-7009).

The MIL Corp., Bowie, Md., is being awarded an $8,151,986 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide engineering support for the development, integration, and procurement of mission systems integration on airborne and shipboard platforms. This effort will support the Mission Systems Engineering Branch of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. The estimated level of effort for this contract is 107,000 man-hours. Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Md. (70 percent) and St. Inigoes, Md. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals and three offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-09-C-0096).

ARMY
Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $56,712,499 firm-fixed-price contract for 15mm Excalibur Clock IA-2 Projectiles (500 units). Work is to be performed in Tucson, Ariz., (29 percent), McAlester, Okla., (1 percent), Farmington, New Mexico., (10 percent), Niceville, Fla., (6 percent), Healdsburg, Calif., (13 percent), Anniston, Ala., (5 percent), Cincinnati, Ohio., (4 percent), Anaheim, Calif., (11 percent), Williamsport, Pa., (2 percent), Joplin, Mo., (2 percent), Lowell, Mass., (2 percent), Minneapolis, Minn., (1 percent), Karlskoga, Sweden., (ten percent), United Kingdom., (4 percent), with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2011. One bid solicited with one bid received. Army Contracting Command, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-07-C-0100).

W.G. Yates & Sons Construction Co., Philadelphia, Miss., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $21,754,000 firm-fixed-price contract. The project consists of the design and construction of Armed Forces Reserve Center, Jonesboro, Arkansas. Primary facilities include an Armed Forces Reserve Center with training building, vehicle maintenance shop, and organization unit storage. Work is to be performed in Jonesboro, Ark., with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2011. Bids were solicited via FedTeds with eight bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-09-C-0078).

Pease Construction, Inc., Lakewood, Wash., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $ 20,178,729 firm-fixed-price contract for the renovation and expansion child development center at Fort Lewis and renovations of three CDC's and expansion of one youth center. Work is to be performed in Fort Lewis, Wash., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2011. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, Seattle, Wash., is the contracting activity (W912DC-09-C-0026).

Kipper Tool Co., Gainesville, Ga., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $ 18,672,060 firm-fixed-price contract for 2 each of Stryker special tools set system. Work is to be performed in Gainesville, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2014. Two bids were solicited with two bids received. TACOM, AMSTA-LC-CTC, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (DAAE20-03-D-0085).

DeMaria Building Co., Detroit, Mich., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $15,236,000 firm-fixed-price contract for FY09 VA boiler plant replacement project, Virginia Medical Center. Work is to be performed in, Battle Creek, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 15, 2011. Nine Bids solicited with four bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit, Mich., is the contracting activity (W911XK-09-C-0036).

Carlson Construction Corp., Joliet, Ill., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $8,677,675 firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction of 23 new four bedroom single family houses. Work includes extending existing utilities and street systems from existing FY07 family housing projects to service the 23 homes. Houses are 2,150 square feet each and are all sized for Senior NCO's and Company Grade Officers. Work is to be performed in Fort McCoy, Wis., with an estimated completion date of Apr. 28, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with nine bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, Omaha, Neb., is the contracting activity (W9128F-09-C-0043).

Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc., Columbia, Md., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $5,797,936 firm-fixed-price contract for the theater provided equipment refurbishment of 105 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles. Work is to be performed in Kuwait, with an estimated completion date of Jan, 31, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with four bids received. TACOM, Contracting Center, Warren, AMSCC-TAC-ATBD, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-07-D-0136).

Patton-Tully Marine, LLC., Memphis, Tenn., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $5,668,503 firm-fixed-price contract for River Rock Removal, Upper Mississippi River Miles 46-38 and 81-78. Work is to be performed in Missouri countries of Cape Girardeau, Miss., Perry and Scott and Illinois counties on Alexander and Union, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with one bid received. U.S. army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, St. Louis, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912P9-09-C-0428).

AM General, LLC., South Bend, Ind., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2009 a $283,031,875 firm-fixed-price contract to add 1,746 each High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles to contract. Work is to be performed in Mishawaka, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited with one bid received. TACOM Warren, AMSTA-AQ-ATCA, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S001).

Endicott Construction Corp., Wakefield, Mass., was awarded on Sept.15, 2009 a $19,037,700 firm-fixed-price contract for the Joint Satellite Communication Engineering Center, Communications, Command, Control, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Campus. Work is to be performed in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. One Hundred Forty-four bids were solicited with 17 bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (W912BU-09-C-0048).

ECC International, Burlingham, Calif., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2009 a $12,090,082 firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction of the counter narcotics police of Afghanistan Forward Operating Base in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Work is to be performed in Kandahar, Afghanistan., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 02, 2010. Five bids were solicited with three bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Afghanistan., is the contracting activity (W917PM-07-D-C-0015).

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2009 a $24,626,524 firm-fixed-price contract for two MH-60S overseas contingency operation aircraft for the Navy. Work is to be performed in Stratford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, CCAM-BH-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Marshall Dubas Construction-Martin Harris a Joint Venture, Half Moon Bay, Calif., was awarded on Set. 15, 2009 a $10,457,518 firm-fixed-price contract to construct Camp Parks Readiness Center Project #060304A. Work is to be performed in Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, Calif., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 5, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with nine bids received. National Guard Bureau California, San Luis Obispo, Calif., is the contracting activity (W912LA-09-C-0005).

Bison Construction, Inc., Stanley, New Mexico., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2009 a $7,932,000 firm-fixed-price best value contract. This is a fully-designed project. The work consists of constructing a 37,000 square foot two-story facility, Joint Air Ground Center, for the 9th Air Support Operations Squadron located at Fort Hood Texas. Work is to be performed in Fort Hood, Texas., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 26, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with ten bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, Omaha, Neb., is the contracting activity (W9128F-09-C-0042).

LMG Construction Services LLC., Kansas City, Mo., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2009 a $7,800,937 construction, firm-fixed-price contract to construct a mine detection training facility. Work is to be performed in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 31, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with eight bids received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Kansas City District, CECT-NWK-M, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-09-C-4013).

Harkins Development Corp., Sanford, Fla., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2009 a $7,460,948 firm-fixed-price contract for the design/build of a single story 22,317 square foot concrete block facility on concrete floor slab with split face brick stucco exterior finish and sloping standing seam metal roof. This project also includes associated design and construction for outdoor play environment, site work and paving. Work is to be performed at Hurlburt Field, Fla., with an estimated completion date of June 3, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with 18 bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile, Regional Contracting Center, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-09-C-0074).

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC., Oak Brook, Ill., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2009 a $6,875,140 firm-fixed-price contract for the maintenance dredging in Fresh Kill Reach, Arthur Kill, New York and New Jersey Channels Federal Navigation Project. Work is to be performed in Arthur Kill New York and New Jersey Channels., with an estimated completion date Apr. 10, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CENAN-CT, New York City, N.Y., is the contracting activity (W912DS-09-C-0011).

Country Music Stars Lead Effort to Benefit Military Medicine

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 17, 2009 - Grammy Award-winning country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are teaming up with civilian and military medical experts to further medical innovations and quality-of-life research for America's battle-wounded, ill and injured warriors. The country stars and the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine will present "Country United," a symposium and awards gala here Nov. 6 and 7. TriWest Healthcare Alliance is sponsoring the two-day event.

"While only 1 percent of the U.S. population volunteers to serve in our armed forces, it is the responsibility of the remaining 99 percent of us -- as they protect and defend our freedom with their lives -- to assure they receive the best possible care," said David J. McIntyre Jr., president and CEO of TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

The Nov. 6 symposium will bring together leading experts to help expedite innovations in military medical treatment and research. Military and civilian researchers and clinicians as well as policymakers will engage in panel discussions on post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury, military and civilian efforts in humanitarian aid and disaster response, and joint efforts to combat global infectious diseases.

The medical experts will include Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Dr. Robert Ursano, founding director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Dr. W. Craig Vanderwagen, former assistant secretary for Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services; Dr. James Kelly, director of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence; and Congressman Joe Wilson, member of the House Armed Services Committee and Congressional Brain Injury Task Force.

"I can personally attest to the tremendous value and effectiveness of military-civilian collaborations," Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway personal transporter, said. Kamen and his company, DEKA, have partnered with military researchers to create advanced new prosthetics, including a robotic arm.

"By working together, we can create incredible advances in medical technology that benefit not only our military men and women, but also civilians," he said.

The symposium also will encourage public and private collaborations to accelerate advances in care for wounded, ill and injured warriors and civilians, officials said.

Faith Hill will be the luncheon keynote speaker, joined by Army Lt. Col. Gregory Gadson. Gadson, who lost his legs to a roadside bomb in Baghdad, was credited by the New York Giants as the inspiration for their victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Military and civilian heroes will be recognized the following evening at the Country United awards gala hosted by Emmy Award-winning NBC and HBO Sports broadcaster Bob Costas. The gala will include an awards dinner, with a "Visionary Award" presentation by Kamen, and silent and live auctions, culminating in performances by Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, the Warren Brothers and friends.

European Missile Plan Offers Better Defense, Gates Says

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 17, 2009 - Changing threats and emerging technologies drove the decision to restructure the European missile defense plan, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. "I believe this new approach provides a better missile defense capability for our forces in Europe, for our European allies and eventually for our homeland than the program I recommended almost three years ago," Gates said in a briefing at the Pentagon. "It is more adapted to the threat we see developing and takes advantage of new technical capabilities available to us today."

In December 2006, Gates recommended to then-President George W. Bush that the United States should put advanced radars in the Czech Republic and 10 ground-based interceptors in Poland.

That was when intelligence officials gauged the development of Iran's intercontinental ballistic missile as the foremost threat to the United States and its allies.

Now, intelligence reports paint a different picture – that the country is moving faster to develop its shorter-range missiles.

Gates responded by recommending to President Barack Obama that the United States now begin phasing in a missile defense system that puts radars and missiles in place sooner that are more suited to protect against the current threat. Plans are then to continue building on the system to increase its range of defense capabilities.

The president today announced his support of the plan.

"This new approach will provide capabilities sooner, build on proven systems, and offer greater defenses against the threat of missile attack than the 2007 European missile defense program," Obama said today.

Driving the initial phase of the new plan is deploying the Navy's Aegis weapons-system-equipped ships to the region by 2011. These are equipped with the Standard Missile 3 interceptor, which has had several successful tests in the past two years. They will be supported by some forward-position Army radar systems.

This will give the military a smaller range of detection and protection, but is enough initially to protect U.S. troops and allies against Iran's shorter range missiles.

"We can now field initial elements of the system to protect our forces in Europe and our allies roughly six to seven years earlier than the previous plan," Gates said.

As the SM-3 is improved, defense officials will look for positions in Europe to put them on the ground. Talks already are under way with both Poland and the Czech Republic, Gates said.

Additional sensors and more interceptors will be added and by 2020 the system will grow to cover all of Europe and have the capability to knock down multiple targets. It also will give the military the flexibility to move some of its assets to different fronts to combat new threats, Gates said.

"This gives us at least some capability early on and then an increasingly enhanced capability through this entire period," Gates said.

Flexibility is key to the plan, officials said. Originally, the plan centered on the idea of defending against three to five missiles fired from a single rogue nation. Now they believe the United States could have to defend against several missiles simultaneously.

This makes the SM-3 ideal for the job as it is more deployable and cheaper for the military to use against such threats. One Aegis ship can carry about 100 of the interceptors. Also, SM-3s cost about $10 million each, as opposed to a ground-based interceptor -- like those now on standby in Alaska and California -- that top out at about $70 million.

Another feature of the new system is that other countries can combine their radars and interceptors with the United States to increase its range. Many countries already use the Aegis system, and the Japanese already have promised $1 billion toward the development of the improved SM-3, officials said.

"This is a significant opportunity to work in a global construct to both field and fund and maintain this capability in a way that we had not been able to do in the past," said Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also at today's briefing. "We are looking at other partners, both in the sensor and the weapons side, because it does not have to be just American weapons and just American sensors."

Marine Celebrates Three Decades of Service

By Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jason Hernandez
Special to American Forces Press Service

Iraq, Sept. 17, 2009 - People have the option of serving two to four years in the U.S. military, but some choose to serve many more. One Marine here decided that a few years of service just wasn't enough. Col. Catherine Chase, the assistant chief of staff for the administrative office with II Marine Expeditionary Force, has been serving in the Marine Corps for nearly 30 years.

"I remember thinking that 20 years was going to be a long time," Chase said. "But looking back after almost 30, it really has gone by pretty quickly; it's hard to believe."

Chase received her commission as an officer in 1981.

"While I was in college I had a choice of either joining the Navy or joining the Marine Corps," Chase said. "Being from a family where my father, my grandfather and my granduncle were all Marines, the decision was already made."

She served on active duty during her first five years in the Marines, and her first duty station was at Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island, S.C.

While at Parris Island, she helped to rewrite the basic training curriculum, allowing female recruits to train, fire and qualify with standard-issue service rifles as men do. She was able to do this while holding the positions of series commander and training company commander, molding young women into Marines.

"It was encouraging to watch the maturing of the Marine Corps," Chase recalled. "To watch the realization that women could contribute significantly to the Marine Corps was truly an amazing experience."

Years after her exit from active duty and entrance into the reserves, Chase found herself serving at a mobilization station in support of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Not long after the Gulf War ended, Chase earned her master's degree in business and pursued her civilian career while remaining in the reserve.

"I love being in the Marine Corps," she added. "It's good to know that I'm making a valuable contribution to my country."

As Chase's Marine Corps experience winds down and she prepares to retire, she can do so knowing that she'll not only be taking the valuable lessons she's learned in the Marine Corps back to her civilian career, but she'll also be walking away knowing she has made a difference within the Marine Corps community, she said.

"I personally do not believe I could have gotten as far in my civilian career without the lessons I first learned in the Corps," Chase said. "It has always provided a valuable set of skills for me. But one of the most important things I intend to take away from the Marine Corps is the memories of the stellar Marines that I've worked with over the years and all of my accomplishments during that time."

(Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jason Hernandez serves in Multinational Force West.)

Obama Announces Changes for European Missile Defense

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 17, 2009 - President Barack Obama today announced he is restructuring plans for a missile defense system in Europe that provides greater flexibility and promises faster deployment of current technologies. "This new approach will provide capabilities sooner, build on proven systems, and offer greater defenses against the threat of missile attack than the 2007 European missile defense program," Obama said.

The 2007 plan, put in place by the Bush Administration, called for fixed radars to be positioned in the Czech Republic, and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland.

U.S defense officials said the system would protect its allies in Europe and the United States against ballistic missile attacks launched from the Middle East, specifically Iran.

The new plan is based on recent intelligence reports that reassess Iran's weapons capabilities to show short-and medium-range ballistic missiles to be developing more rapidly than projected, and intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities developing much slower than estimated.

Under the new plan, the United States will begin building the missile defense system in a phased approach. First, by 2011, it will field its current radars and interceptors, such as the Navy's Aegis-equipped ships, with the Standard Missile 3 interceptor. The system has proven its capabilities in the past few years, specifically when it stopped a crippled reconnaissance satellite over the Pacific Ocean before it re-entered Earth's atmosphere in February 2008.

This puts in place a defense system in northern and southern Europe that can protect against the more immediate threats from Iran nearly seven years earlier than the plan for installing the ground-based interceptors in Poland, officials said.

The plan is to then build on the system, eventually installing some ground-based radars and interceptors, enlarging the defense system's range, and continuing to augment the system with sea-based systems that can position themselves according to the threat.

"To put it simply, our new missile defense architecture in Europe will provide stronger, smarter and swifter defenses of American forces and America's allies," Obama said. "It is more comprehensive than the previous program; it deploys capabilities that are proven and cost-effective; and it sustains and builds upon our commitment to protect the U.S. homeland against long-range ballistic missile threats; and it ensures and enhances the protection of all our NATO allies."

The new plan alleviates some concerns of Russian leaders, who strongly opposed the positioning of the ground-based interceptors and radar system so near its borders.

U.S. officials traveled several times to Moscow to discuss the system's intention with the Kremlin. The United States offered to allow Russia to have representatives at each site, if the host nation agreed, to provide technical monitoring of activities. The United States promised it would not make the sites operational until the Iranians had tested a missile that could reach most of Western Europe, including parts of Russia.

Still, defense officials said it is likely Russia will not fully embrace any U.S. plans for a missile defense system in Europe.

But, Obama said, as long as Iran continues its nuclear weapons program, the United States will continue to develop its missile defense capabilities in the region.

"Our clear and consistent focus has been the threat posed by Iran's ballistic missile program, and that continues to be our focus and the basis of the program that we're announcing today," the president said. "In confronting that threat, we welcome Russia's cooperation to bring its missile defense capabilities into a broader defense of our common strategic interests, even as ... we continue our shared efforts to end Iran's illicit nuclear program."

Remains of Civil War Soldier Return Home on Anniversary

By Air Force Senior Airman Jameel Moses
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 17, 2009 - The remains of a Union Civil War soldier found at the Antietam National Battlefield here will be buried today in his home state of New York on the 147th anniversary of the battle, the Civil War's bloodiest day. The remains of the soldier, believed to be between 17 and 19 years old when he was killed, were transferred Sept. 15 from the Antietam National Cemetery Lodge to the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, N.Y. He will be buried with full military honors.

"It is right and fitting that today's citizen-soldiers from New York state bring home this unknown New York volunteer of the Civil War," Army Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto, the New York adjutant general, said. "The Soldier's Creed reminds all American soldiers that we never leave a fallen comrade behind. This is a way for soldiers of today to care for a fallen comrade from our past."

The New York National Guard accepted the transfer of the soldier's remains from the Maryland National Guard, which also conducted the honors ceremony at Antietam.

The remains were escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders Association for the 330-mile trip to the New York State Military Museum, where they lie in repose today with a military honor guard.

"The majority of the men who came here and were killed, did not have the opportunity to go back home," said J.W. Howard, superintendent of the Antietam National Battlefield and Antietam National Cemetery. "In our national cemetery, there are over 1,500 unknown graves and you do not know who these young men were, and yet you knew they came here and made this sacrifice. The idea of being able to send him home was something the entire staff stood behind. It was the right thing to do."

The soldier's remains were discovered by a hiker from Oklahoma who was walking along the battlefield last October.

The hiker was walking on a trail running through the Miller cornfield, where the bloodiest fighting of the 12-hour battle occurred, Howard said. A pile of dirt that a groundhog had dug caught his eye. After a closer look, the hiker realized what he had stumbled upon.

The remains included more than 400 bone fragments from 24 different bones, seven coat buttons, two New York state cuff buttons from the left sleeve, six trouser buttons, a leather strap and a belt buckle. They were placed into a box made by a carpenter at Antietam from a walnut tree cut down on the battlefield.

The uniform items will be buried along with the soldier.

"We consider this to be a part of his uniform he was wearing when he died," Howard said. "They should be buried with him."

(Air Force Senior Airman Jameel Moses serves in the National Guard Bureau.)