Joint Task Force Southern Border Conducts Medevac in Arizona Mountains

June 26, 2026 | By Sgt. 1st Class Alon Humphrey, Operation Ardent Vanguard |

Service members assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border conducted an aeromedical evacuation after receiving a request to assist a civilian who was experiencing a medical emergency while supporting border barrier construction in a remote mountainous area of southern Arizona, June 17. 

This medevac highlights the unique military capabilities that Joint Task Force Southern Border brings in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection as a part of Operation Ardent Vanguard. 

The task force received the request in the early afternoon, when officials reported that a civilian contractor required urgent medical assistance while in a mountainous terrain inaccessible to conventional emergency response vehicles. 

The service members coordinated with CBP personnel and approved the launch of a War Department medical evacuation aircraft. Initial reports indicated that first responders were hiking to the patient's location while working to determine an exact position. 

"JTF-SB responded to this mission, preserving the life of the civilian upon request of the CBP," said Army Master Sgt. Andrew VanMeter, the chief medical noncommissioned officer for the task force. 

VanMeter said that, although the remote location was inaccessible to civilian aeromedical and ground teams, the Joint Task Force Southern Border was uniquely qualified for the mission because of the patient's remote location and the lack of landing zones. 

The medical evacuation aircraft arrived on station, established visual contact with personnel on the ground and then conducted hoist operations. Aircrews successfully recovered the patient from the mountainside and began transport toward definitive medical care. 

During the flight, adverse weather conditions in Tucson, Arizona, required adjustments to the patient transfer plan. The aircraft landed at an alternate location, where the patient was transferred to civilian emergency medical services for continued transportation to a local hospital. 

Army Sgt. 1st Class Christian Castillo, a flight medic assigned to Foxtrot Company, 3rd Battalion, 501st Assault Helicopter Battalion, said hoist rescues require a significantly different approach than traditional medical evacuation operations. 

"Unlike a standard medevac call, where we can land the aircraft, and I can access all my gear, a hoist requires inserting with minimal equipment," Castillo said. "Because of that limitation, my mindset immediately shifts to executing the foundational knowledge of tactical combat casualty care." 

Castillo said successful hoist operations depend on extensive preparation before an emergency happens. 

"Executing a 160-foot hoist mission requires a layered approach to training, well before the actual mission occurs," he said. "It involves consistently practicing hoist operations during routine training flights and conducting integrated training with the ground forces."

The team also conducted a thorough analysis of the operational area beforehand to anticipate the environmental and tactical conditions it could encounter on scene. 

The most unique aspect of this mission was the crew dynamic; this was the first operational flight for the crew's junior pilot after completing his training with the unit. As for the personnel in the back of the aircraft, Castillo and Army Spc. Kierstann Knowles, the crew chief, had previously executed a hoist rescue together. They said that shared experience was critical.

The mission highlights Joint Task Force Southern Border's ability to rapidly integrate with federal, state and local partners, its readiness, aviation capabilities, and its commitment to preserving life and enabling mission success along the southern border.

Arizona Army National Guard hosts, takes part in Native American Gourd Ceremony

By Army Sgt. Crystal Reidy

128th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP NAVAJO TRAINING CENTER, Ariz. - Arizona Army National Guard members got a taste of traditional tribal life in a ceremonial Gourd Dance performed by dozens of Native American Indian dancers at the parade field here, recently.

“It is a real joy to continue to host this amazing ceremony again this year,” said Lt. Col. Dale Oldham, commander of the training center. “It has great significance to our nation and our community.”

The Gourd Dance is done to welcome home troops after war, said Army Master Sgt. Freddie Hatathlie, the noncommissioned officer in charge of engineering operations, adding that traditionally, the dance was for men only.

“We now allow women to participate because they are a part of the military,” said Hatathlie. “Any warrior coming home can participate.”

The Gourd Dance, which originates from the Plaines tribes, has been passed down from generation to generation, said Hatathlie. The dance is now open it to everyone.

“We want to share our traditions and cultures so more people understand us,” said Hatathlie.

 Many of the dancers are veterans of the United States armed forces and participated in conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan, said Oldham. This is the third annual Gourd Dance ceremony.

 Since its beginning as an Army depot in 1942, Native Americans helped build, sustain and establish what today’s Camp Navajo is, said Oldham.

“Navajo and Hopi Indians built, worked and lived on this institution,” said Oldham.

The five-hour event started at 9 a.m. with opening ceremonies, prayers, dancing, a community lunch and then the dancing resumed. As many as 200 people attended the gathering.

“This event shows the increased interest in the Native American contribution,” said Oldham. “We are proud of this event and look forward to hosting it every year.”

Arizona Aims to End Scams, Predatory Lending to Troops, Veterans

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

Dec. 11, 2008 - Financial scams and predatory lending against servicemembers and veterans is so common that the Arizona attorney general has created an advisory board to stop it. "We got so many complaints that were related to either veterans or active-duty military on our consumer line that I felt it was necessary to set up this coordinating council," Terry Goddard said. "It's been very, very rewarding already and its only had one meeting."

Goddard, a retired Navy Reserve commander and Arizona's attorney general for the last six years, said he was sure some of the complaints his office receives were being covered by other entities. But it became clear that wasn't the case, he said.

To address the steady flow of similar complaints, including pay-day lending issues, mortgage and housing problems and other consumer scams, Goddard created the Attorney General's military and Veterans Advisory Council.

The council's first meeting on Nov. 12 included representatives from veterans groups and the military and resulted in an "explosion of additional ideas," Goddard said, adding that his office had been unaware of a problem with questionable charitable solicitations.

The problem occurs when charities solicit money from the general public on the premise of supporting troops and veterans. Some are legitimate and put the money to good use. Others, however, flirt with breaking the law because very little of the funds collected are used for the stated purpose.

"Although we've been working in that area, we were not aware how much of that directly applies to veterans and [servicemembers]," he said. "Something we're doing through our military and Veterans Council is to make sure that we get the word out about those charities that really aren't producing much benefit for the troops.

"I think it's important that the contributors know," he added.

The council also is ready to tackle the problem of foreclosure rescue schemes targeting servicemembers and veterans who find themselves facing foreclosure. The "rescuers" often grab the title to the house rather than actually fulfilling their promise to help to save it, Goddard said.

Payday loans, something regulated by both the federal and Arizona governments, are another problem the council is looking into. The loans typically carry exorbitant interest rates and can land military families or veterans in debt quickly.

"The protections are good, and they help establish a new standard of what would be expected from a short-term, small-dollar lender, but it apparently didn't solve the problem," Goddard said. "What we found is veterans are still vulnerable, [as are] families.

"They're really scurrilous schemes, and we're real concerned about them, and they seem to particularly target the military and the areas around bases," he added.

While the first meeting and the members' initial reactions were positive, Goddard said, he's not ready to market his ideas to his counterparts in other states just yet.

"I'm taking the cue ... from the veterans groups and the active-duty military," he said. "If their feedback after a couple of meetings is that this is working and this is of value, then I plan to go on the road and tell the National Association of Attorneys General that it's something that they really ought to try and duplicate."

More information on the council and consumer scams targeting veterans and servicemembers is available on the Arizona attorney general's Web site.

MILITARY CONTRACTS October 31, 2008

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY

Raytheon Missile Systems Co., Arizona, is being awarded a $441,900,000 (maximum) indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for development and test of the Ballistic Missile Defense System Multiple Kill Vehicle Payload System. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona and is expected to be complete by December 2011. This is a sole source contract award. The contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (HQ0147-09-D-0001). The contract will be incrementally funded. The Task Order 0001 negotiated value is $54,013,313 with a period of performance of 1 Nov. 2008 through 1 Nov. 2009. We anticipate funding approximately $24,000,000 at time of award. Both FY09 and FY10 research, development, test and evaluation funds will be used.

NAVY

BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services, Rockville, Md., is being awarded a $55,000,000 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (N00421-06-D-0038) to exercise an option for engineering, analytical and manufacturing to support aging aircraft. Work will be performed in various locations throughout the United States (80 percent) and Rockville, Md. (20 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 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.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Maritime Systems & Sensors, Baltimore, Md., is being awarded a $37,500,000 Basic Ordering Agreement for Post-Shakedown Availability (PSA) on the Littoral Combat Ship, USS Freedom (LCS-1). The orders to be issued will encompass services which support the total PSA effort which include, but are not limited to program management, advance planning, engineering, material kitting, liaison, scheduling and participation in PSA planning conferences and design reviews, and preparation of documentation as required by the Contract Data Requirement List. The orders will also encompass material and labor to perform the PSA for LCS 1, all testing, including post repair trials required to verify the accuracy and completion of all shipyard industrial work, non-standard equipment when approved, and technical manuals for non-standard equipment. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif. (53 percent) and Norfolk, Va. (47 percent), and is expected to be completed by January 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-G-2300).

Walton Construction Co., LLC, Harahan, La., is being awarded a $34,020,000 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed price contract (N69450-08-C-1759) to exercise an option which provides for the design and construction of two barracks at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $59,280,000. Work will be performed at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity.

LTM, Inc.*, Havelock, N.C., is being awarded a $25,345,721 ceiling priced modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00421-01-D-0101) to exercise an option for approximately 353,600 hours of maintenance planning and design interface technical/management support services for the Fleet Readiness Center(FRC) East, Cherry Point, N.C. These services include evaluating initial designs and proposed design changes, maintenance planning, and sustaining maintenance plans. Work will be performed at FRC East, Cherry Point, N.C. (99 percent), and at various locations across the United States (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Lejeune Support Services, LLC, Sterling, Va., is being awarded $14,047,049 under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-deliver/indefinite-quantity contract (N62470-05-D-4192) to exercise option year four for facilities maintenance and repair and heavy equipment repair at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River, Jacksonville, N.C. The work to be performed includes all labor, materials, tools, equipment, supervision, technical expertise, transportation and management necessary to operate, maintain, and repair the facilities, roads, grounds, equipment, and utilities and perform other specialized functions, such as locksmith services, machinery, sign fabrication, etc. After exercise of this option, the total cumulative contract amount will be $75,704,122. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and work is expected to be completed Oct. 31, 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The solicitation was available for full and open competition, and three proposals were received. Award was made to Lejeune Support Services, LLC on Jan. 26, 2005. The Officer in Charge of Construction, Marine Corps Installations East, is the administering contracting activity.

McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $5,841,577 order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-05-G-0026) for near and long term requirements to continue the analysis required for an efficient and orderly shutdown of the T-45 production line transition Phase II and the associated post-production support efforts for the T-45 A/C aircraft series. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. (77 percent) and Warton, Lancashire, UK (23 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $1,653,085 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Turbo Combustor Technology, Inc., Stuart, Fla.* is being awarded a maximum $10,640,000 firm fixed price, total set-aside contract for aircraft engine platform equipment. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. There were originally three proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is November 30, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va., (SPM4A7-09-C-0003).

ARMY

AeroVironment Incorporated, Sun Valley, Calif., was awarded Oct. 30, 2008, a $5,810,622 firm/fixed/price contract. This effort is to procure research, development, test & evaluation digital data link effort for the Raven RQ-11B unmanned aircraft System. Work will be performed in Simi Valley, Calif., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. US Army Contracting Command Aviation & Missile Command/AMSCC/AMC/ARA, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-05-C-0338).

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).

Arizona Guard Evacuates Victims of Canyon Flooding

By Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
Special to American Forces Press Service

Aug. 19, 2008 - At least 14 Arizona Army National Guard soldiers and two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters continued to assist in the evacuation and emergency care of residents and campers near the Grand Canyon yesterday after heavy rains overflowed the Redlands Earthen Dam and cut off routes to a remote village and reservation. Officials said the Arizona Guard's 98th Aviation Troop Command airlifted more than 174 people since Aug. 17 from the Supai Village area, which is a popular summer tourist destination for paddlers and hikers at the Grand Canyon. Roads and foot paths to the area were closed from heavy rains and flooding, which cut off access for nearly 400 local residents, an unknown number of campers and Havasupai tribal members.

Supai is located inside the Grand Canyon and is normally accessible only by foot, horseback or helicopter.

Guard officials said the Arizona Guard is working through the state's Department of Emergency Management to support state and local responders. The Coconino County Sheriff's Office is directing air-rescue missions that include the two Army Guard Black Hawks and a rescue helicopter from the Department of Public Safety.

"We pride ourselves in Arizona of being a statewide network that can assist with any type of emergency," said Air Force Maj. Paul Aguirre, an Arizona Guard spokesman. "This includes the federal, county and state assets that are all working diligently to make sure the people of northern Arizona are safe."

Aguirre said the Arizona Guard aircrews were assisting in the evacuation of the remaining people yesterday including searches for hikers, rafters and campers in need of assistance.

Other Guard members will continue to work with the Department of Emergency Management to ensure those evacuated remain safe and cared for and that evacuee shelters are properly maintained, Aguirre said.

(Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith is assigned to the National Guard Bureau.)

America Supports You: Arizona Support Group Receives Recognition

American Forces Press Service

June 18, 2008 - A congressman from Arizona has recognized a group from his state for its continued dedication to supporting the troops. U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell honored Packages From Home on June 14 for its efforts and continued support for the nation's servicemembers and for their dedication in providing care packages to U.S. troops.

Packages From Home 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.

Mitchell recognized Kathleen Lewis and Lisa Benson -- president and executive director, respectively, of Packages From Home -- in a Flag Day ceremony at the state capitol. The three participated in the unveiling of a poster-sized replica of the new Arizona state flag stamp.

Packages from Home has sent more than 140,000 packages to U.S. troops over the past four years. The group also has provided tons of equipment for the troops to use in rest centers in Iraq.

DoD Announces Grant Awards for The 2008 ROTC Language and Culture Project

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced today the award of eight major grants totaling $3.07 million dollars, as part of the 2008 Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Language and Culture Project, sponsored by the National Security Education Program, on behalf of the Defense Language Office. This year's recipients include Arizona State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Louisiana State University, North Georgia College and State University, Texas A&M University, The University of South Florida, The University of Utah, and The Virginia Military Institute.

The ROTC Language and Culture Project provides opportunities for ROTC Cadets and Midshipmen to study the languages and cultures of world regions critical to U.S. national security, and prepares them to respond to the global challenges of the 21st century. Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness David S. C. Chu emphasized that "increasing the number of less commonly taught languages in college curricula remains a challenge in which we are actively engaged. This is another program that will ensure our forces have language and cultural capabilities necessary for today's global operations."

Each university will offer something unique to the two-year-old program.

Arizona State University's Critical Languages Institute offers students Tadjik, Uzbek, Tatar, or Russian, and allows participants to travel to the region for cultural immersion.

Georgia Institute of Technology will use grant funds to develop semester and year-long study abroad opportunities in Korea and the Middle East for students pursuing technical degrees.

Louisiana State University offers Arabic and Chinese through their Global Studies Residential Hall with residential advisors who will also serve as language tutors, and will fully fund study abroad experiences for participants.

North Georgia College and State University will develop a creative recruiting strategy to attract cadets and midshipmen from across the state to study Chinese.

Texas A&M University offers study abroad scholarships and other opportunities for students to study Arabic and Chinese.

The University of South Florida was selected to receive a planning award which will cover costs associated with aiding and building critical language programs.

The University of Utah will offer participating ROTC students the option to choose from strategic languages including Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Persian, Hindu-Urdi and Pashto.

The Virginia Military Institute plans to develop and staff supplementary writing, reading, and oral/aural centers to help their students gain proficiency in Arabic, and provide summer scholarship support for selected students with allotments targeted to science and engineering majors.

Each program will also benefit from association with the National Security Education Program–National Flagship Language Program and have access to successfully proven practices in language curriculum development. Last year a total of two million dollars was awarded to Indiana University, San Diego State University, the University of Mississippi, and the University of Texas-Austin.

Civilian Visitors Get Feel for Navy Life on USS George Washington

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

April 22, 2008 - Forty-eight business, civic and local government leaders visited the USS George Washington about 80 miles off shore from here April 20, and a lucky dozen got to spend the night on the ship. "It reminds me that the best and the brightest are right here representing our country," said Neal Denton, a senior vice president of government relations and strategic partnerships for the American Red Cross, based in Washington, D.C.

Denton and the other visitors are participating in the 75th iteration of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, a defense secretary-sponsored program for America's leaders interested in expanding their knowledge of the military and national defense. JCOC is the oldest existing Pentagon outreach program.

The USS George Washington is here on its way to its eventual new home port in Japan. It will replace the USS Kitty Hawk based there now. JCOC participants toured the ship talking to sailors and meeting its leaders.

An aircraft glitch led to a small group of participants spending the night on the ship and having the rare opportunity to watch night operations aboard the aircraft carrier.

One participant likened the incredible synchronicity of the flight operations to a "high-risk ballet."

But, equally fascinating for the group was walking up to the bridge and finding Seaman James Holzmann, a 19-year-old from Arizona with only two years in the Navy, driving the ship.

The George Washington's flight deck is 4.5 acres. The ship can accommodate about 6,000 sailors. It can distill 400,000 gallons of water a day, serves 18,000 meals daily, and is held together by 60,000 tons of structural steel.

Denton said that he was struck by how everyone on the ship worked together despite the enormity of its daily operations.

"This is a city, and everyone has a job and everyone has a responsibility and knows each other and knows what their jobs are and how they rely on each other," Denton said. "I guess I just didn't perceive it like that, as a city where everyone here has a role to play in making sure this thing ticks from the first thing in the morning until they all go down to bed at night."

A former Army enlisted man, Denton said the best part of his visit was in the galley with the sailors. In fact, he said, getting back in touch with the troops was one of his main motivations for joining the JCOC trip, he said.

"I love some of these guys here. I had some of the best conversations. That was my favorite part. Sitting at the tables talking with them," Denton said. "This was a chance to sort of reconnect with what is going on in today's service.

"There has been so much discussion in Washington -- public policy decision makers who are trying to find their way into making the right decisions now -- and I like to be engaged in their conversations. Now I feel like I'm engaged in those conversations with a different pool of knowledge than I had before.

"I feel as though I know a heck of a lot more now than I did before," Denton said.

John Stross, the owner of Leverock's Restaurant, in St. Petersburg, Fla., said he was impressed with the efficiency of the air operations. It takes only 45 seconds for crews to clear the landing strip between planes during the day. At night it still takes only minutes.

Crews in different colored shirts, each with their own meaning, move around the deck with precision speed, moving planes, pulling chains and cables, and sending signals with colored flash cones.

No detail is too small on the spotless ship. Sailors on their hands and knees scrub the insides of divots in the deck to secure chains tied to the planes. Dirt can settle inside the indentations and stick to the planes' tires.

Debris on a tire could find its way onto the landing strip and into one of the jet engines, causing a "blowout" requiring the engine to be rebuilt. Each engine costs more than $1 million, an officer explained.

"If I could run my restaurant as efficiently as they run their flight operations, I would never put out a bad meal," Stross said.

The longtime business owner used a seafood restaurant analogy to give credit to the ship's leaders.

"I believe the fish stinks from the head down. I think that great leaders make great organizations," Stross said. "My hat is off not only to the enlisted people, but especially to the officers and the [noncommissioned officers] who, to use Army terms, have made these enlisted people the best that they can be.

"I think, in interacting with the people, at times if you didn't see ... the rank or the brass they wore on their uniforms, you might not know the difference," said he added.

Karen Johnson, senior vice president with Valente and Associates, a government affairs firm based in Washington, D.C., was all smiles when she came off the flight deck after the night operations ended.

"I thought it was incredible. Seriously, you could just feel it in your gut when they landed and when they took off. It was the most amazing feeling," Johnson said as she tried in vain to put her hair back in some sort of order.

At this point, it was nearly 10 p.m. local time. The group had left at 4 a.m. two days earlier and had not seen a bed since. They spent the first day of their trip in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, reviewing military operations there, before boarding an all-night flight to Rio de Janeiro, where they waited all day for their flight to the ship.

But, Johnson summed up her opportunity on the ship in one sentence as she wrestled to shove her hair up under the souvenir conference hat.

"It was worth a bad hair day," she said.

Last Colorado Air Guard MIA Laid to Rest in Arlington Cemetery

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

April 4, 2008 - The remains of Colorado Air National Guard Maj. Perry H. Jefferson, who vanished during an observation flight 39 years ago over the jungles of South Vietnam, were at last laid to rest yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery. Three days of events here were a high-profile attempt to put closure to a missing-in-action mystery, but what exactly happened to the intelligence officer and his Army Reserve pilot, then-1st Lt. Arthur Ecklund, during their fateful observation flight may never be known.

A closed-casket viewing was held at a funeral home here April 1. Families, fellow servicemembers, veterans and friends to both men attended full-honors funerals April 2 and 3, which started at the Old Post Chapel on Fort Myer, Va., followed by platoon, band and caisson escorts to their gravesites on the nation's most sacred property.

Ecklund was interred at Arlington on April 2; he was previously interred in Knoxville, Ill., by his family in 2004. The Reservist attended Arizona State University and was drafted in 1966. He attended helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft training prior to his combat deployment.

More than 150 people attended Jefferson's services here, including nearly 100 from Colorado who watched the state's reported last Guard Vietnam MIA put to rest.

Jefferson was an intelligence officer at Colorado's 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron, which flew the F-100C Super Saber. He received his bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist College and worked for Aramco in the Middle East before joining the Air Guard. His wife, Sylvia, died in 1992.

Jefferson and 375 other Colorado Air Guard members deployed to Phan Rang, Vietnam, in April 1968. They were the first Air Guard fighter squadron assigned to active duty in Vietnam.

For retired Col. Don Neary, an F-100 pilot who served with Jefferson, thinking of his friend still brought up a mix of tears and happy memories of home at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., and deployed to Vietnam.

Neary said Jefferson didn't need to fly on visual reconnaissance missions from Phan Rang.

"I think what his motivation was he probably wanted to be a pilot, ... but also the aircraft was our forward air control airplane," Neary said. "I think it gave him an appreciation for us, and he went out to get that experience for when he would come in and brief us in the morning."

On April 3, 1969, 37-year-old Jefferson was flying aboard an O-1 Bird Dog observation aircraft piloted by 24-year-old Ecklund. They never returned to their base.

Defense officials said a three-day search found no evidence of a crash, and hostile forces in the area prevented other searches. Both men were listed as MIA.

"We were within a month of coming home," said Maj. Gen. John L. France in "Colorado Pride," a Colorado Air Guard history book.

France was the unit's operations officer in Vietnam and later served as Colorado's adjutant general. In the book, he shares the moments leading up to Jefferson's disappearance.

"Clyde Seiler and Don Neary were on (an F-100) mission together; Clyde got shot down and went into the jungle, ... (and with) no parachute, he didn't get out. ... Then, we lost Perry Jefferson a few days after Clyde. It was a rough time," France said.

The unit returned home in April 1969, and the Air Guard members who served at Phan Rang were immortalized later in the National Guard Heritage Series painting "Scramble at Phan Rang."

Across the nation, 22,745 Army and Air Guardsmen mobilized during the Vietnam War. More than 9,000 deployed to Vietnam.

Jefferson's and Ecklund's case remained unsolved, and there were even rumors of them being seen after the fateful flight.

After defense officials received human remains in 1984 from a suspected military crash, eyewitnesses were interviewed. One witness said the aircraft crashed on a mountainside, and that the pilots died and were buried there. An excavation led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command uncovered the aircraft's wreckage, but no human remains were found at the crash site.

In 2000, the remains turned over in 1984 were identified as Ecklund's.

Defense officials said Jefferson's remains were not identified until 2007, after a Vietnamese national living in California turned them in.

The day before Jefferson's interment ceremony, visiting Colorado Guard members walked among blossoming cherry trees to the Vietnam War Memorial to lay a wreath. They also located Jefferson's name on the dark granite and took a rubbing for their military museum.

"Perry was everybody's friend. ... He took off on a normal observation run and never returned. He just vanished," France said.

The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office's Web site states "efforts continue to recover nearly 1,800 Americans who remain unaccounted for from Vietnam."

(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mike R. Smith serves at the National Guard Bureau.)