Navy
United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney, Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $98,894,306 modification to a previously awarded cost plus incentive fee contract (N00019-07-C-0098) to exercise an option for the procurement of one Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) propulsion system, one STOVL initial spare module, initial spare parts, and associated sustainment efforts for the U.S. Navy. In addition, this modification provides for special tooling and test equipment and a low rate initial production proposal and planning effort for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Conn. (70 percent); Bristol, United Kingdom (19 percent); and Indianapolis, Ind. (11 percent) and is expected to be completed in February 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.
Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., being awarded a $52,328,604 modification (#P00124) to previously awarded cost plus award fee contract (M67004-99-C-0002) to incorporate funds for the exercise of an option for the Maritime Prepositioning Ships Program, the Marine Corps Prepositioning Program-Norway, and other logistics support which includes logistics services that cover maintenance, supply support, inventory management, IT support, preservation, packing and packaging, organic support, and shipping and receiving, both in CONUS and OCONUS. This modification increases the basic value of the contract to a new total of $810,234,260. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Fla. (75 percent); various locations in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan (17 percent); aboard 16 MPS ships (7 percent); in six locations in Norway (1 percent); and work is expected to be completed by July 13, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The United States Marine Corps, Blount Island Command, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity.
BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $15,977,851 modification to previously awarded contract N00024-05-C-4403 for the USS Nassau (LHA-4) FY09 planned maintenance availability. There are 30+ work items that are repair, replace, preserve, install, clean in nature. In addition, the contractor will perform support services for several alteration installation teams and Norfolk Naval Shipyard work. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and is expected to be completed by February 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $15,905,566 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.
Lockheed Martin Services, Inc., Greenville, S.C., is being awarded an $11,822,675 not-to-exceed modification to a previously awarded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for Special Structural Inspection Kit (SSIK) Revision 7 inspection/ installation on five P-3 aircraft. Work will be performed in Greenville, S.C., and is expected to be completed in June 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 (N00019-05-D-0013).
Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded an $11,276,395 modification to previously awarded contract to exercise an option for technical engineering support for the ESSM. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz. (45 percent); Camden, Ark. (2 percent); Andover, Mass. (10 percent); Australia (11 percent); Canada (7 percent); Denmark (1 percent); Greece (1 percent); Germany (8 percent); The Netherlands (6 percent); Norway (5 percent); Spain (3 percent); and Turkey (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by November 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $349,968 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-07-C-5432).
Air Force
The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price and cost plus fixed fee contract with Thales-Raytheon Systems, Fullerton, Calif. for $6,604,990. This contract will provide sector/systems sustainment, engineering support, and materials to support sustainment of the Battle Control System-fixed system, which provides NORAD and PACOM commanders with a viable, interoperable, open architecture air defense and control platform in support of NORAD's Homeland Defense. At this time, all the money has been obligated. HQ Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. is the contracting activity. (FA8722-06-C-001, Modification P00017).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Foster-Caviness Company, Inc., Colfax, N.C.* is being awarded a maximum $14,100,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, total set aside contract for fresh fruit and vegetable support. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and USDA School Lunch Participants. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 2 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising first option period. The date of performance completion is May 29, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM300-08-D-P002).
Produce Source Partners, Newport News, Va.* is being awarded a maximum $10,350,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, total set aside contract for fresh fruit and vegetable support. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy and Marine Corps. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 3 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising first option period. The date of performance completion is May 29, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM300-08-D-P001).
Army
Summa Technology Inc, Huntsville, Ala., was awarded on Nov 21, 2008 a, $39,999,694 five-year firm fixed price contract for a container Roll In/Out Platform. The estimated Five Year total was 3,270. Work will be performed in Cullman, Ala., with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2012. Bids solicited were via the Web and six bids were received. US Army TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-06-D-0269).
Thales-Raytheon Systems Co., LLC, Fullerton, Calif., was awarded on Sept 25, 2008, a modification for $22,316,182.00 with the total of %75,510,390.00 firm fixed price contract for 264 Radar Processors and 47 Radar Processors Spare Kits in support of the Firefinder AN/TPQ-36 Radar Processors replacement program. Work will be performed in Fullerton, Calif., with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2010. This was a sole source contract. Communications-Electronics Command, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-06-C-M207 P00020).
Rolls-Royce Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind., was awarded on Nov 20, 2008 a, $11,050,725 firm fixed price contract, to analyze, test, repair and overhaul of 117 each T63-A-720 Gas Turbine Engines applicable to the OH-58 Kiowa Helicopters. Work will be performed in Neosho, Mo., and Oakland, Calif., with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. US Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-09-C-0001).
Mississippi Limestone Corp, Friars Point, Miss., was awarded on Nov 20, 2008 a, $9,802,332 firm fixed price contract for flood control, Mississippi River & Tributaries, Articulated Concrete Matter Castings, Delta, La. Work will be performed in Vidalia, La., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 10, 2009. Bids solicited were via the FedBizOpps and two bids were received. Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg Contracting Office, Vicksburg, Miss., is the contracting activity (W912EE-09-C-0001).
BAE Systems, Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Nashua, NH was awarded on Sept 25, 2008, a fixed price contract for $11,221,000.00 with a not to exceed total of $22,900,000.00 firm for 73 Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasure/Common Missile Warning Systems A-Kits for the CH-47 aircraft. Work will be performed in Nashua, N.H., with an estimated completion date of July 25, 2009. This was a sole source contract. Communications-Electronics Command, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-08-C-T213).
.W. LaQuay Dredging, Inc, Port Lavaca, Texas, was awarded on Nov 20, 2008 a, $10,796,000 firm fixed price contract. Gulf Intercostals Waterways, Texas in Nueces, Kleberg, Kennedy, Willacy, and Cameron Counties, Texas, Corpus Christi Bay to Port Isabel, Pipeline Dredging. Work will be performed in Nueces County, Texas, Kleberg County, Texas, Kennedy, Texas, Willacy County, Texas and Cameron County, Texas, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2009. Eighteen bids were solicited and two bids were received. US Army Engineer District, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W912HY-09-C-0005).
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Learning Lessons in the American Expeditionary Forces
If history has shown anything, it has underlined both the importance and difficulty of preparing for the unexpected. A trained and ready Army must possess a sound doctrine, competent leaders, and effective, rugged equipment. Just as important to success is the Army’s capacity to change. It must be able to rapidly adapt existing organizations, tactics, techniques, and procedures to meet the demands of emerging situations. How our military leaders did just that in the past is the subject of this focused essay.
World War I—“The Great War”—was no less of a contingency operation than the many smaller overseas missions that the U.S. Army has undertaken over the past decade. While the general nature of that earlier conflict was well known to the U.S. Army’s leaders prior to the deployment of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) to Europe in 1917, many of the specifics involved with raising a force that could fight effectively in the harsh trench warfare environment of that period were not. In fact, the small size of America’s prewar Army and the desperate need of its European allies for fighting forces meant that large numbers of U.S. Army troops entered combat with minimal preparation for the task at hand. The ability of American units and their commanders to identify problems and correct them in a systematic fashion thus became critical to the AEF’s growing effectiveness and ultimate success on the battlefield.
As we commemorate the eightieth anniversary of this nation’s involvement in World War I, it is entirely appropriate to recall our earlier experience to determine what might be relevant today. The “intellectual fieldcraft” that served the AEF so well during World War I remains a vital part of our heritage, one that ultimately led to the establishment of the Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL). Similarly, the Army’s postwar attempt to generalize from that earlier experience—always a more difficult chore—also contains lessons for those seeking answers to the future from our most recent efforts in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Southeastern Europe. We are pleased to offer this study, as we feel it may prove useful to those currently grappling with change throughout the Army.
READ ON
http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/aef/aef.htm
World War I—“The Great War”—was no less of a contingency operation than the many smaller overseas missions that the U.S. Army has undertaken over the past decade. While the general nature of that earlier conflict was well known to the U.S. Army’s leaders prior to the deployment of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) to Europe in 1917, many of the specifics involved with raising a force that could fight effectively in the harsh trench warfare environment of that period were not. In fact, the small size of America’s prewar Army and the desperate need of its European allies for fighting forces meant that large numbers of U.S. Army troops entered combat with minimal preparation for the task at hand. The ability of American units and their commanders to identify problems and correct them in a systematic fashion thus became critical to the AEF’s growing effectiveness and ultimate success on the battlefield.
As we commemorate the eightieth anniversary of this nation’s involvement in World War I, it is entirely appropriate to recall our earlier experience to determine what might be relevant today. The “intellectual fieldcraft” that served the AEF so well during World War I remains a vital part of our heritage, one that ultimately led to the establishment of the Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL). Similarly, the Army’s postwar attempt to generalize from that earlier experience—always a more difficult chore—also contains lessons for those seeking answers to the future from our most recent efforts in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Southeastern Europe. We are pleased to offer this study, as we feel it may prove useful to those currently grappling with change throughout the Army.
READ ON
http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/aef/aef.htm
Humanitarian Efforts Aid Diplomacy, Hospital Ship Commander Says
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 23, 2008 - The Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy helped care for more than 90,000 patients and helped spread diplomacy throughout the U.S. Pacific Command during a four-month stint in the region this summer, the ship's commanding officer said Nov. 21.
"This is an opportunity for America to put our best foot forward and an opportunity for citizens to be proud to be Americans because of what we're doing for these nations," Navy Capt. James P. Rice said. "All of this is to make it a better world; it's really as simple as that."
Rice spoke to a handful of alumni of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, a Defense Department community outreach program, from the ship, which is now docked at its home port here.
The ship concluded its part of the Pacific Partnership 2008 mission in September after it provided medical, dental and engineering support to thousands in the Western Pacific countries of the Philippines, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea and Micronesia. More than 75,000 medical patients were treated, more than 14,000 dental patients were seen and more than 1,300 surgeries were conducted. The ship provided an estimated $20 million in health care, Rice said.
Twenty-six engineering projects were completed, ranging from of a waste water treatment facility in the Philippines to the construction of a community center in Papua New Guinea.
The ship is now docked here and running with minimal staff, but is on "Alert 5" status, ready to get underway in five days to provide combat trauma support. It also can be tasked to help with humanitarian missions or disaster relief here and abroad if needed, Rice said.
A converted oil tanker, the USNS Mercy was commissioned in November 1986. Its first humanitarian mission was to the Philippines in 1987. It was activated in support of Operation Desert Storm in 1990. Rice told the group that Navy officials began to understand the strategic importance of providing humanitarian relief after the tsunami that struck in the Indian Ocean in 2004. The Mercy was activated then to aid relief efforts there.
The Mercy deployed again in 2006 for five months to Southeast Asia, and "the rest is history," Rice said.
The ship provides a full spectrum of medicine, limited only by the specialists officials can get on board, Rice said. It works in partnership with other nations, host nations and nongovernmental agencies to provide care.
"Our partners bring capabilities to us that expand our ability to provide care," Rice said.
This past mission's partner nations included medical staff from Australia, Canada, Chile, India, Indonesia, Singapore, New Zealand, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
The Mercy team was also joined by volunteers from NGOs such as Operation Smile, Project Hope, University of California Pre-dental Society, East Meets West and International Relief Teams.
In addition to direct medical care, the ship also provides capacity building projects such as preventative medicine and environmental health in projects that include water sanitation, engineering and veterinarian assistance.
Officials have also begun to look at "strategic capacity building," Rice said, taking on projects that will affect the host nation over a longer term, such as 10 or 20 years later.
"We're always going to provide direct care. But what are we going to do to help develop that host nation?" Rice said.
The recently concluded Pacific Partnership mission included helping medical officials in Timor-Leste develop a five-year budget for their hospital and prioritize the purchase of equipment and capabilities to develop their national hospital.
In Papua New Guinea, a country with only 12 dentists, the medical staff sponsored a four-day dental symposium and donated the resources to teach dentists and 25 dental students and technicians to help to build the country's dental capabilities.
The missions help to develop relationships and strengthen friendships between host nations and the United States and its partner nations, Rice said. The visits also help to prepare the participating countries for providing disaster relief assistance should the need arise.
"It is better to practice working together when it is calm than when all craziness is breaking loose," Rice said.
The U.S. humanitarian mission has evolved, Rice said, from acting as a "benevolent" country coming to the host nation's aid to helping to propel the host nation forward.
"We really didn't quite get it yet," he said of operations before that adjustment in focus. "It's not about us. It's about them." Now, officials work to build the country and make it stronger without "stepping on toes," he said.
"This isn't a military mission. It is purely a humanitarian mission," Rice said. But, he added, such missions can contribute to stability. "If a country is stable, it is less likely to allow a terrorist organization to take root," he said. "It has a big benefit for our overarching national strategic objectives."
The Mercy is one of two Navy hospital ships. Its sister ship, the USNS Comfort, is based out of Baltimore, and is slated to deploy to West Africa on a similar mission next year. The Mercy will deploy again in 2010.
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 23, 2008 - The Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy helped care for more than 90,000 patients and helped spread diplomacy throughout the U.S. Pacific Command during a four-month stint in the region this summer, the ship's commanding officer said Nov. 21.
"This is an opportunity for America to put our best foot forward and an opportunity for citizens to be proud to be Americans because of what we're doing for these nations," Navy Capt. James P. Rice said. "All of this is to make it a better world; it's really as simple as that."
Rice spoke to a handful of alumni of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, a Defense Department community outreach program, from the ship, which is now docked at its home port here.
The ship concluded its part of the Pacific Partnership 2008 mission in September after it provided medical, dental and engineering support to thousands in the Western Pacific countries of the Philippines, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea and Micronesia. More than 75,000 medical patients were treated, more than 14,000 dental patients were seen and more than 1,300 surgeries were conducted. The ship provided an estimated $20 million in health care, Rice said.
Twenty-six engineering projects were completed, ranging from of a waste water treatment facility in the Philippines to the construction of a community center in Papua New Guinea.
The ship is now docked here and running with minimal staff, but is on "Alert 5" status, ready to get underway in five days to provide combat trauma support. It also can be tasked to help with humanitarian missions or disaster relief here and abroad if needed, Rice said.
A converted oil tanker, the USNS Mercy was commissioned in November 1986. Its first humanitarian mission was to the Philippines in 1987. It was activated in support of Operation Desert Storm in 1990. Rice told the group that Navy officials began to understand the strategic importance of providing humanitarian relief after the tsunami that struck in the Indian Ocean in 2004. The Mercy was activated then to aid relief efforts there.
The Mercy deployed again in 2006 for five months to Southeast Asia, and "the rest is history," Rice said.
The ship provides a full spectrum of medicine, limited only by the specialists officials can get on board, Rice said. It works in partnership with other nations, host nations and nongovernmental agencies to provide care.
"Our partners bring capabilities to us that expand our ability to provide care," Rice said.
This past mission's partner nations included medical staff from Australia, Canada, Chile, India, Indonesia, Singapore, New Zealand, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
The Mercy team was also joined by volunteers from NGOs such as Operation Smile, Project Hope, University of California Pre-dental Society, East Meets West and International Relief Teams.
In addition to direct medical care, the ship also provides capacity building projects such as preventative medicine and environmental health in projects that include water sanitation, engineering and veterinarian assistance.
Officials have also begun to look at "strategic capacity building," Rice said, taking on projects that will affect the host nation over a longer term, such as 10 or 20 years later.
"We're always going to provide direct care. But what are we going to do to help develop that host nation?" Rice said.
The recently concluded Pacific Partnership mission included helping medical officials in Timor-Leste develop a five-year budget for their hospital and prioritize the purchase of equipment and capabilities to develop their national hospital.
In Papua New Guinea, a country with only 12 dentists, the medical staff sponsored a four-day dental symposium and donated the resources to teach dentists and 25 dental students and technicians to help to build the country's dental capabilities.
The missions help to develop relationships and strengthen friendships between host nations and the United States and its partner nations, Rice said. The visits also help to prepare the participating countries for providing disaster relief assistance should the need arise.
"It is better to practice working together when it is calm than when all craziness is breaking loose," Rice said.
The U.S. humanitarian mission has evolved, Rice said, from acting as a "benevolent" country coming to the host nation's aid to helping to propel the host nation forward.
"We really didn't quite get it yet," he said of operations before that adjustment in focus. "It's not about us. It's about them." Now, officials work to build the country and make it stronger without "stepping on toes," he said.
"This isn't a military mission. It is purely a humanitarian mission," Rice said. But, he added, such missions can contribute to stability. "If a country is stable, it is less likely to allow a terrorist organization to take root," he said. "It has a big benefit for our overarching national strategic objectives."
The Mercy is one of two Navy hospital ships. Its sister ship, the USNS Comfort, is based out of Baltimore, and is slated to deploy to West Africa on a similar mission next year. The Mercy will deploy again in 2010.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Face of Defense: Recruiter Deploys as Career Counselor
By Army Pfc. Terence Ewings
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 21, 2008 - Army Sgt. 1st Class Charles Washington, a career counselor attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, mentors soldiers and puts them into a position for future success. Washington is a recruiter assigned to the 3rd Army Medical Recruiting Command. He volunteered to deploy with the Long Knife Brigade as part of an individual augmentee program, which allows a recruiter to go overseas and work as a career counselor during a combat tour.
"I volunteered for this program so that I can share my experiences with the men and women that have questions about deployments," he said. "Being a career counselor is somewhat similar to recruiting. You talk to the soldiers and help them make a decision with their best interest in mind."
The former ammunition specialist from Lewisville, Ga., found his passion in recruiting when he was selected to serve at his first recruiting station in Youngstown, Ohio.
"It was hard at first, but I think recruiting came to me naturally," Washington said. "Taking a young man or woman and teaching them to be a soldier gives me a good feeling to be a part of that."
He speaks of his soldiers with pride, and he shows it by wearing his recruiter's ring, which came with his Glen E. Morrell Award for excelling at recruiting.
"Washington has been a great asset to the team, and he's very successful at what he does," Army Master Sgt. Keith Green, the brigade's head career counselor, said. "He counsels soldiers just like we do, and helps them with their future plans."
After this deployment, with his seven years of recruiting experience, Washington said he plans on going back to a recruiting station and becoming a recruiting trainer so that he can share his knowledge with future soldiers and their families back home.
(Army Pfc. Terence Ewings serves with the 1st Cavalry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 21, 2008 - Army Sgt. 1st Class Charles Washington, a career counselor attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, mentors soldiers and puts them into a position for future success. Washington is a recruiter assigned to the 3rd Army Medical Recruiting Command. He volunteered to deploy with the Long Knife Brigade as part of an individual augmentee program, which allows a recruiter to go overseas and work as a career counselor during a combat tour.
"I volunteered for this program so that I can share my experiences with the men and women that have questions about deployments," he said. "Being a career counselor is somewhat similar to recruiting. You talk to the soldiers and help them make a decision with their best interest in mind."
The former ammunition specialist from Lewisville, Ga., found his passion in recruiting when he was selected to serve at his first recruiting station in Youngstown, Ohio.
"It was hard at first, but I think recruiting came to me naturally," Washington said. "Taking a young man or woman and teaching them to be a soldier gives me a good feeling to be a part of that."
He speaks of his soldiers with pride, and he shows it by wearing his recruiter's ring, which came with his Glen E. Morrell Award for excelling at recruiting.
"Washington has been a great asset to the team, and he's very successful at what he does," Army Master Sgt. Keith Green, the brigade's head career counselor, said. "He counsels soldiers just like we do, and helps them with their future plans."
After this deployment, with his seven years of recruiting experience, Washington said he plans on going back to a recruiting station and becoming a recruiting trainer so that he can share his knowledge with future soldiers and their families back home.
(Army Pfc. Terence Ewings serves with the 1st Cavalry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team.)
Department Defers F-22 Funding Decision to Next Administration
By Sara Moore
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 21, 2008 - To avoid unnecessary taxpayer spending, the Defense Department is only partially funding the expansion of F-22 Raptor aircraft production, leaving the decision for further expansion to the incoming administration. John J. Young Jr., undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, told members of the air and land forces subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee in a Nov. 19 hearing that he has approved $50 million for advance procurement for four F-22s. DoD will include the purchase of these four aircraft in the second fiscal 2009 supplemental budget request, he said.
The decision on whether to use the rest of the $140 million allocated in the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act for advance procurement for up to 16 more F-22s will be up to the Obama administration in January, Young said. Procurement of the four F-22s provides a bridge to give the new administration every option with the program, he said.
"The department is acting responsibly, consistent with [Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates'] commitment and congressional direction, seeking to ensure that each tax dollar is used carefully and efficiently," he said.
DoD is delaying the advance procurement on the remaining 16 aircraft to save taxpayer money should the Obama administration decide not to purchase the aircraft, Young said. However, he acknowledged, if the new administration delays its decision on the F-22s past January, it could face higher costs from the manufacturers.
The NDAA authorizes advance procurement for the F-22s until March, and if the decision on the remaining aircraft doesn't come until then, there is a very real chance the cost for the planes could go up, Young said. However, he cautioned that the estimates for those higher prices are based on industry estimates that haven't been negotiated.
"I'm not ignoring the industry estimates, but I'm also not granting them credibility, and so ... if we do nothing until March, I could face -- and that's what I was told by industry -- a cost, which I would seek to negotiate away on behalf of the government," Young said.
Countering committee members' claims that he was acting in defiance of Congress by not funding all 20 aircraft, Young said the law doesn't require him to buy the planes all at once, and his goal is to save the taxpayers money.
"Can I buy that advance procurement as four plus 16, instead of 20, and impose no additional cost on the taxpayer and preserve the total flexibility and option of the next administration to come and discuss with the Congress whether they want to buy the airplanes behind the advance procurement? And that is the option, having convinced myself that that is possible, we sought to execute," he said.
DoD has done a legitimate analysis of the F-22 program, and though some Air Force officials may disagree, Gates believes the department is on its way to the right mix of aircraft, Young said.
"From Secretary Gates down, there has been a hard look at that analysis and a view that it is a higher priority to do other things in the Defense Department than buy additional F-22s at this time," he said.
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 21, 2008 - To avoid unnecessary taxpayer spending, the Defense Department is only partially funding the expansion of F-22 Raptor aircraft production, leaving the decision for further expansion to the incoming administration. John J. Young Jr., undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, told members of the air and land forces subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee in a Nov. 19 hearing that he has approved $50 million for advance procurement for four F-22s. DoD will include the purchase of these four aircraft in the second fiscal 2009 supplemental budget request, he said.
The decision on whether to use the rest of the $140 million allocated in the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act for advance procurement for up to 16 more F-22s will be up to the Obama administration in January, Young said. Procurement of the four F-22s provides a bridge to give the new administration every option with the program, he said.
"The department is acting responsibly, consistent with [Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates'] commitment and congressional direction, seeking to ensure that each tax dollar is used carefully and efficiently," he said.
DoD is delaying the advance procurement on the remaining 16 aircraft to save taxpayer money should the Obama administration decide not to purchase the aircraft, Young said. However, he acknowledged, if the new administration delays its decision on the F-22s past January, it could face higher costs from the manufacturers.
The NDAA authorizes advance procurement for the F-22s until March, and if the decision on the remaining aircraft doesn't come until then, there is a very real chance the cost for the planes could go up, Young said. However, he cautioned that the estimates for those higher prices are based on industry estimates that haven't been negotiated.
"I'm not ignoring the industry estimates, but I'm also not granting them credibility, and so ... if we do nothing until March, I could face -- and that's what I was told by industry -- a cost, which I would seek to negotiate away on behalf of the government," Young said.
Countering committee members' claims that he was acting in defiance of Congress by not funding all 20 aircraft, Young said the law doesn't require him to buy the planes all at once, and his goal is to save the taxpayers money.
"Can I buy that advance procurement as four plus 16, instead of 20, and impose no additional cost on the taxpayer and preserve the total flexibility and option of the next administration to come and discuss with the Congress whether they want to buy the airplanes behind the advance procurement? And that is the option, having convinced myself that that is possible, we sought to execute," he said.
DoD has done a legitimate analysis of the F-22 program, and though some Air Force officials may disagree, Gates believes the department is on its way to the right mix of aircraft, Young said.
"From Secretary Gates down, there has been a hard look at that analysis and a view that it is a higher priority to do other things in the Defense Department than buy additional F-22s at this time," he said.
Warrior Care: Conference Promotes Focus on Wellness, Resiliency
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 21, 2008 - Shifting the military culture as it pertains to mental health from an illness-based medical model to one that focuses on wellness and resilience was the focus of a three-day conference hosted here this week by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. The "Warrior Resilience Conference: Partnership with the Line" was held Nov. 18-20.
Army Brig. Gen. Loree K. Sutton, director of the centers of excellence, said Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have made it clear the commitment to the cultural change starts at the top in the Defense Department.
"This transformation reflects our commitment to support leaders in optimizing health, mitigating risks, and intervening early to prevent illness whenever possible," Sutton said in a welcome to participants. "As Secretary Gates and Chairman Mullen have emphasized, seeking help is a sign of profound courage and strength."
That's the message the center hopes to spread through its "Real Warriors, Real Battles, Real Strength" campaign, said Navy Cmdr. Anthony A. Arita, director of clearinghouse, outreach and advocacy for the centers of excellence.
The campaign, recommended by a mental health task force, has the confidence of top leadership, Arita said. In fact, he said, Mullen has characterized seeking help for mental health issues as an act of courage that the military's leaders need to undertake as a model.
A quote from the chairman on a briefing slide underscored the admiral's view: "You can't expect a private or a specialist to be willing to seek counseling when his or her captain, colonel, or general won't do it."
A stigma attached to seeking mental health care permeates the military culture and stands as a barrier to servicemembers seeking the help they need, a DoD task force on mental health concluded. The "Real Warriors, Real Battles, Real Strength" campaign was created to break down those barriers and promote resilience, recovery and reintegration, Arita said.
"I would suggest stigma poses a barrier to building resilience," Arita said. "Some of the goals we have with regard to this campaign are to normalize psychological health [and to] normalize the symptoms that commonly are reported following one's return from deployment, building a culture of psychological responsibility.
"That's the commitment that we all have in putting psychological health issues on equal par with physical," he continued. "Just as we invest our time and energies to keeping physically healthy, we need to have that similar investment in those things that keep us psychologically fit, psychologically healthy, and psychologically resilient."
Through its campaign, the center hopes to build this resiliency by creating awareness and understanding and by modeling support, including highlighting warriors' stories.
"Through the power of sharing one's battle, one's sense of strength, we're able to mobilize hope and inspire others," Arita said. "We hope to model, for those who are in leadership positions ... what it means to demonstrate strength, courage and a commitment to one's psychological health."
He encouraged warriors willing to share their stories to get in contact with the center. He also asked for anyone interested in becoming part of the campaign to contact the center at DCOE.RealWarriors@tma.osd.mil.
No magic solution exists to ensure servicemembers are resilient regarding the effects of combat on their mental health, Sutton said.
"I guess the overarching message is, 'Get connected, get plugged in,'" she said. "It's the isolation that puts folks most at risk."
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 21, 2008 - Shifting the military culture as it pertains to mental health from an illness-based medical model to one that focuses on wellness and resilience was the focus of a three-day conference hosted here this week by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. The "Warrior Resilience Conference: Partnership with the Line" was held Nov. 18-20.
Army Brig. Gen. Loree K. Sutton, director of the centers of excellence, said Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have made it clear the commitment to the cultural change starts at the top in the Defense Department.
"This transformation reflects our commitment to support leaders in optimizing health, mitigating risks, and intervening early to prevent illness whenever possible," Sutton said in a welcome to participants. "As Secretary Gates and Chairman Mullen have emphasized, seeking help is a sign of profound courage and strength."
That's the message the center hopes to spread through its "Real Warriors, Real Battles, Real Strength" campaign, said Navy Cmdr. Anthony A. Arita, director of clearinghouse, outreach and advocacy for the centers of excellence.
The campaign, recommended by a mental health task force, has the confidence of top leadership, Arita said. In fact, he said, Mullen has characterized seeking help for mental health issues as an act of courage that the military's leaders need to undertake as a model.
A quote from the chairman on a briefing slide underscored the admiral's view: "You can't expect a private or a specialist to be willing to seek counseling when his or her captain, colonel, or general won't do it."
A stigma attached to seeking mental health care permeates the military culture and stands as a barrier to servicemembers seeking the help they need, a DoD task force on mental health concluded. The "Real Warriors, Real Battles, Real Strength" campaign was created to break down those barriers and promote resilience, recovery and reintegration, Arita said.
"I would suggest stigma poses a barrier to building resilience," Arita said. "Some of the goals we have with regard to this campaign are to normalize psychological health [and to] normalize the symptoms that commonly are reported following one's return from deployment, building a culture of psychological responsibility.
"That's the commitment that we all have in putting psychological health issues on equal par with physical," he continued. "Just as we invest our time and energies to keeping physically healthy, we need to have that similar investment in those things that keep us psychologically fit, psychologically healthy, and psychologically resilient."
Through its campaign, the center hopes to build this resiliency by creating awareness and understanding and by modeling support, including highlighting warriors' stories.
"Through the power of sharing one's battle, one's sense of strength, we're able to mobilize hope and inspire others," Arita said. "We hope to model, for those who are in leadership positions ... what it means to demonstrate strength, courage and a commitment to one's psychological health."
He encouraged warriors willing to share their stories to get in contact with the center. He also asked for anyone interested in becoming part of the campaign to contact the center at DCOE.RealWarriors@tma.osd.mil.
No magic solution exists to ensure servicemembers are resilient regarding the effects of combat on their mental health, Sutton said.
"I guess the overarching message is, 'Get connected, get plugged in,'" she said. "It's the isolation that puts folks most at risk."
DoD Takes Steps to Defend Cyberspace Warfighting Domain
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 21, 2008 - Cyberspace is a warfighting domain, and the Defense Department is taking steps to defend this crucial capability, a Pentagon spokesman said today. "We are aware of a global virus for which there are some public alerts, and we've seen some of these on our networks, and we are taking steps to identify and mitigate the virus," Bryan Whitman said. "We do aggressively monitor our networks for intrusions and take adequate steps to protect them."
Public alerts on this global virus threat urge all computer users to take precautions. Users should have current anti-viral software programs and anti-spyware installed in their computers, and information technology specialists should ensure that no infected hardware can breach DoD systems, Whitman said.
Whitman would not go into specifics about what the department is doing about the virus. "We don't discuss any specific defensive measures that we are taking or may be taking to protect and defend our networks," he said.
DoD's global information grid includes more than 15,000 networks and about 7 million information technology devices, Pentagon officials said.
Grid defenders regularly send guidance to commands about current threats and measures for users to take to ensure information systems remain secure. "It's the responsibility of every user to help protect the network," Whitman said. "This is something that requires us to have constant vigilance."
The threat comes from a variety of sources, the spokesman said. "It includes everything from recreational hackers to the self-styled cyber-vigilantes," Whitman said. It also emanates from various groups with nationalistic or ideological agendas, as well as "transnational actors or transnational states," he added.
"This is not a Defense Department issue. It's not even a government issue. It is an international issue – a world issue," Whitman said. "Anyone who uses computers and is on a network is susceptible."
U.S. Strategic Command is the lead agency for DoD's computer network defense effort. Under Stratcom, the Joint Task Force Global Network Operations handles protection. That group interfaces with other agencies.
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 21, 2008 - Cyberspace is a warfighting domain, and the Defense Department is taking steps to defend this crucial capability, a Pentagon spokesman said today. "We are aware of a global virus for which there are some public alerts, and we've seen some of these on our networks, and we are taking steps to identify and mitigate the virus," Bryan Whitman said. "We do aggressively monitor our networks for intrusions and take adequate steps to protect them."
Public alerts on this global virus threat urge all computer users to take precautions. Users should have current anti-viral software programs and anti-spyware installed in their computers, and information technology specialists should ensure that no infected hardware can breach DoD systems, Whitman said.
Whitman would not go into specifics about what the department is doing about the virus. "We don't discuss any specific defensive measures that we are taking or may be taking to protect and defend our networks," he said.
DoD's global information grid includes more than 15,000 networks and about 7 million information technology devices, Pentagon officials said.
Grid defenders regularly send guidance to commands about current threats and measures for users to take to ensure information systems remain secure. "It's the responsibility of every user to help protect the network," Whitman said. "This is something that requires us to have constant vigilance."
The threat comes from a variety of sources, the spokesman said. "It includes everything from recreational hackers to the self-styled cyber-vigilantes," Whitman said. It also emanates from various groups with nationalistic or ideological agendas, as well as "transnational actors or transnational states," he added.
"This is not a Defense Department issue. It's not even a government issue. It is an international issue – a world issue," Whitman said. "Anyone who uses computers and is on a network is susceptible."
U.S. Strategic Command is the lead agency for DoD's computer network defense effort. Under Stratcom, the Joint Task Force Global Network Operations handles protection. That group interfaces with other agencies.
Warrior, Survivor Care Program Provides Key to Airman's Recovery
By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 21, 2008 - The Air Force Warrior and Survivor Care Program is reaching out to wounded airmen from the point injury on the battlefield and throughout their rehabilitation and reintegration and beyond, the program's manager said yesterday. The program's success relies largely on family liaison officers and community readiness consultants, John Beckett said in a "Dot Mil Docs" radio interview on BlogTalkRadio.com.
"The backbone of that entire program is what we call the family liaison officer," he said. "The family liaison officer is assigned to a family to be their personalized assistant, if you will, to help with anything that the family may need."
The family liaison officers are crucial players at the very beginning of an airmen's recovery, Beckett said. "We wanted to alleviate all of the logistical concerns at the very beginning and provide assistance while their servicemember is in the hospital," he said.
The family liaison officers provide access to many key programs to assist airmen and their families.
"Family liaison officers have access to airmen and family readiness center consultants, who have access to almost any type of benefit information or resources," Beckett explained. "They are pretty much a one-stop shop for the family and the wounded airman."
The program has access to resources to help airmen and their families with financial, spiritual and child care needs, among others. "Our charter is to do whatever the family needs, and that is what we try to do," Beckett said.
The Warrior and Survivor Program started in the late 1990s as the Air Force Survivor Assistance Program, but when Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom started, Beckett said, the program changed to provide assistance to wounded, ill or injured airmen and their families.
During hospitalization and after an airman is released from the hospital, Air Force community readiness consultants are engaged to help airmen and their families. They're equipped to provide resume- writing services, financial support and a host of other things an airman or family member may need, Beckett said.
He added that he draws enormous strength from the airmen making their way through their rehabilitation process.
"What amazes me is the resiliency that our airmen have," he said. "I have seen people who have been burned over 80 percent of their body, and they get up and talk about what they can do and what they want to offer back the Air Force. It amazes me -- their dedication, their resiliency and how, despite what they have given, they want to give back."
One airman, in particular, who was blinded and lost an arm to a roadside-bomb explosion, is an inspiration to him, Beckett said. "When you listen to him talk, he doesn't talk about what he gave up, but [rather] he talks about what he can give," he told "Dot Mil Docs" listeners.
The Air Force can learn some valuable lessons from these wounded, ill and injured airmen, Beckett said.
"The Air Force policy is ... to keep people on active duty that would like to remain on active duty," he said. "It could mean a limited assignment status, or it could mean retraining to another job. Our wounded airmen offer a lot of valuable experience for the Air Force, and our goal is for them to remain on active duty, if that is want they want to do."
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg is assigned to the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 21, 2008 - The Air Force Warrior and Survivor Care Program is reaching out to wounded airmen from the point injury on the battlefield and throughout their rehabilitation and reintegration and beyond, the program's manager said yesterday. The program's success relies largely on family liaison officers and community readiness consultants, John Beckett said in a "Dot Mil Docs" radio interview on BlogTalkRadio.com.
"The backbone of that entire program is what we call the family liaison officer," he said. "The family liaison officer is assigned to a family to be their personalized assistant, if you will, to help with anything that the family may need."
The family liaison officers are crucial players at the very beginning of an airmen's recovery, Beckett said. "We wanted to alleviate all of the logistical concerns at the very beginning and provide assistance while their servicemember is in the hospital," he said.
The family liaison officers provide access to many key programs to assist airmen and their families.
"Family liaison officers have access to airmen and family readiness center consultants, who have access to almost any type of benefit information or resources," Beckett explained. "They are pretty much a one-stop shop for the family and the wounded airman."
The program has access to resources to help airmen and their families with financial, spiritual and child care needs, among others. "Our charter is to do whatever the family needs, and that is what we try to do," Beckett said.
The Warrior and Survivor Program started in the late 1990s as the Air Force Survivor Assistance Program, but when Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom started, Beckett said, the program changed to provide assistance to wounded, ill or injured airmen and their families.
During hospitalization and after an airman is released from the hospital, Air Force community readiness consultants are engaged to help airmen and their families. They're equipped to provide resume- writing services, financial support and a host of other things an airman or family member may need, Beckett said.
He added that he draws enormous strength from the airmen making their way through their rehabilitation process.
"What amazes me is the resiliency that our airmen have," he said. "I have seen people who have been burned over 80 percent of their body, and they get up and talk about what they can do and what they want to offer back the Air Force. It amazes me -- their dedication, their resiliency and how, despite what they have given, they want to give back."
One airman, in particular, who was blinded and lost an arm to a roadside-bomb explosion, is an inspiration to him, Beckett said. "When you listen to him talk, he doesn't talk about what he gave up, but [rather] he talks about what he can give," he told "Dot Mil Docs" listeners.
The Air Force can learn some valuable lessons from these wounded, ill and injured airmen, Beckett said.
"The Air Force policy is ... to keep people on active duty that would like to remain on active duty," he said. "It could mean a limited assignment status, or it could mean retraining to another job. Our wounded airmen offer a lot of valuable experience for the Air Force, and our goal is for them to remain on active duty, if that is want they want to do."
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg is assigned to the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Staying Power: Wounded Marines Ordered to do Their Part to Recover
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 21, 2008 - Marine Capt. Ray Baronie was traveling in a convoy in Ramadi, Iraq, on Dec. 1, 2005 when an anti-tank round blasted his truck. Baronie's legs were shattered, his body cut and bloodied. His driver was killed. The truck rolled onto its side, and then he was shot at. But really hard times didn't hit until Baronie came back to the United States.
"That's really when hell started. In one year, I had 46 surgeries," he said.
Baronie's right leg was amputated above the knee. He lost major muscle from both legs. He can tap his thigh bone through the skin on the back of his left leg. He now walks with the help of a cane and a prosthetic right leg. Scars cover his arms.
But Baronie's injuries haven't stopped him from stepping in front of a Marine formation and continuing his active duty. In fact, quite the opposite. His injuries have uniquely qualified him to run one of three companies in the U. S. military designed to house and care for seriously wounded Marines.
Remarkably, Baronie was offered the job while he was still in the hospital recovering from his wounds. He now commands 100 or so Marines who make up Company A, Wounded Warrior Battalion East, part of the Wounded Warrior Regiment stood up at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., by order of the commandant of the Marine Corps in April 2007.
"I had to get better because I had to get back to work," Baronie said. "How fast could I get back to work? That's what it came down to. I think me knowing that I had a job sped up my recovery."
Overwatch Key to Recovery
The Wounded Warrior Regiment comprises two battalions, one on the East Coast here on Camp LeJeune, N.C., and one on the West Coast on Camp Pendleton, Calif., and a third company in Hawaii. It is the realization of the Marine Corps' historic push to accommodate the influx of seriously wounded Marines since the start of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Each provides coverage for Marines receiving care in their areas. The battalion here has oversight of more than 300 Marines who are recovering this side of the Mississippi River. The West Coast battalion has oversight of about 200 recovering Marines.
To date, more than 6,600 Marines have received Purple Hearts since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. About 1,200 are seriously injured and still on active duty in various stages of their recovery.
Baronie is one of the Marine Corps' nearly 3,000 injured who have returned to active duty. And he is not the only leader in the company who was injured in combat.
"The first sergeant got wacked with an [rocket-propelled grenade], the gunny got blown up in Afghanistan ... and all three of my platoon sergeants have either gotten shot or blown up," Baronie said.
In these units, Marines spend their days concentrating on healing and transitioning to the next phase of their lives, whether that means recovering and staying on active duty or leaving the service.
A morning muster inside the dayroom starts each day here at about 7:30. Marines attend, if they are physically able. Every day company leadership visits each of the Marines, ensuring they are on the road to recovery. Nine squad leaders are responsible for about 10 Marines each.
"I think that's the key piece -- seeing them every single day. You can see if they're having a problem. You can see if they're depressed. You can see if they're over-medicated. That's the beauty of this place," Baronie said.
Activity as Therapy
The Marines occupy the two sets of barracks here. The more seriously injured are housed with the command staff. Others live across base. Married Marines live in town. Most receive medical support at Naval Hospital Camp LeJeune, but many go off base for specialty care. Others are sent to major medical treatment facilities across the United States.
During the day, Marines attend medical appointments and physical therapy, or meet with counselors and specialists. Of the Marines here, about two-thirds have jobs. If they are attending the local college, that counts as their job, Baronie said. Some have jobs in the barracks, others around base. One works in traffic court. Others help teachers at the local elementary school.
Staying active is key to healing, Baronie said. It is dangerous for Marines to stay isolated in their rooms for hours or days at a time. Baronie said he doesn't want any "professional X-Box players."
The battalion staff work out of temporary trailers arranged in a horse-shoe pattern beside 1940s-era red brick barracks. Wooden wheelchair ramps snake between the buildings. A new $27 million barracks complex is under construction that will move the Marines closer to the hospital and other treatment facilities on base. The West Coast battalion has a similar barracks construction project planned.
Three nurse case managers make sure Marines keep their appointments. This is sometimes difficult because medications and brain injuries muddle appointment dates and times for the Marines. More than three-quarters of them suffer from post traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury, Baronie said.
Baronie cuts them no slack, though, for missed appointments. "The reason why you were sent here wasn't to pull triggers," he tells the Marines. "It wasn't to go into the field. It is to heal. You go to your appointments. You have to do your part to get better."
If that sounds strict, it is. But that's because Baronie is looking out for the Marines. Just as other units prepare their troops for war, he prepares his Marines for the next stage of their lives.
"I try not to call them wounded warriors. I call them Marines," Baronie said.
Planning for the Future
"Life doesn't stop when you get wounded. You've got to have some type of responsibility and, whether you choose to stay in the Marine Corps or move into civilian life, you're still going to have to press forward," Baronie said.
"What happens when you go into the civilian world and that corporation you work for ... is trying to make money and you don't come to work? They might not care that you're wounded. You may hear two words -- you're fired."
The career planner for the company is himself an injured Marine who has stayed on active duty with a permanent disability, working limited duty. Marine Corps leadership has vowed to keep all injured Marines on active duty who can still work in some capacity. The limited duty assignment allows the Marine to receive a disability assignment from the service, for later benefits, but to stay on active duty in a job they can perform. The Marine can later decide to leave the service if he or she finds the circumstances too difficult.
For many, that next step is sometimes a greater dilemma than their recovery. Mixed emotions swell as they are forced to reconcile what they want to do with what their bodies will now allow them to do.
"These guys are torn right now because all of them are grunts (infantrymen). They left high school and didn't want to go to college. They wanted to join the Marine Corps and they wanted to shoot and blow up stuff," Baronie said. "And now ... they may be able to stay in the Marine Corps, but they know that they won't be able to go back to that grunt community. They'll be found unfit to do that strenuous [job]."
The career planner, a Veterans Affairs representative and a "transition coordinator" all work from the battalion's resource center in the barracks. They help the Marines look at their decisions from more than an emotional perspective. They map out college plans or suggest other training programs, career paths, benefits and other financial incentives that are available, so that the Marines can look at the big picture.
Injuries Add Credibility
For Baronie, the difficulty is relaying to the Marines that they still can contribute to the mission, even if they're not on the front lines.
"Trying to get these guys to understand that just because you're not sweating, freezing, starving, and miserable in a grunt community, you can still participate and contribute to the Marine Corps mission," Baronie said. "Helping them understand that right now is the hardest thing."
Baronie's decision to stay in was easy, he said. As an adjutant, or an administrative officer, he is still able to handle the work.
"It was a slam dunk (decision) to stay in ... since my job is administrative in nature," Baronie said. "I can punch this keyboard until my hand turns blue and I can still be a good adjutant. I can still do legal, I can still count Marines. I can still do all that."
Still, Baronie's crutches bother him; it's hard to carry stuff. And, he looks different. But what bothers him most is that it's hard to return a fellow Marine's salute.
He's not sure if he will stay in past his next assignment.
"Right now, I know I am contributing to the Marine Corps in this capacity. I'm putting a lot of hours in a day and taking care of my guys to the best of my ability," he said. "If I go to another unit and that training is going 45 miles an hour and I'm only good with 30, I will walk away. I will not stick around for the sake of sticking around.
"If the Marine Corps mission is slacking because of me, it will be time for me to go," Baronie said.
But for now, as Baronie moves around his company, inspecting repairs, talking to Marines and stopping in their small kitchen to see what is cooking, it is clear that he is one of them.
His injuries give him credibility. They know he has "been there" and do not hesitate to pull him aside to talk. Sometimes it's about problems. Sometimes it's just to talk.. Occasionally a "wheelchair jousting" match will break out in the halls, or -- Marines being Marines -- they begin good-naturedly beating each other with their crutches.
For Baronie and his Marines, this is home. "I don't want to work anywhere else. I love just coming to work and hanging out with them. These guys are awesome," he said.
(Editor's note: This is the latest in a series of AFPS articles about seriously injured servicemembers who are returning to active duty.)
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 21, 2008 - Marine Capt. Ray Baronie was traveling in a convoy in Ramadi, Iraq, on Dec. 1, 2005 when an anti-tank round blasted his truck. Baronie's legs were shattered, his body cut and bloodied. His driver was killed. The truck rolled onto its side, and then he was shot at. But really hard times didn't hit until Baronie came back to the United States.
"That's really when hell started. In one year, I had 46 surgeries," he said.
Baronie's right leg was amputated above the knee. He lost major muscle from both legs. He can tap his thigh bone through the skin on the back of his left leg. He now walks with the help of a cane and a prosthetic right leg. Scars cover his arms.
But Baronie's injuries haven't stopped him from stepping in front of a Marine formation and continuing his active duty. In fact, quite the opposite. His injuries have uniquely qualified him to run one of three companies in the U. S. military designed to house and care for seriously wounded Marines.
Remarkably, Baronie was offered the job while he was still in the hospital recovering from his wounds. He now commands 100 or so Marines who make up Company A, Wounded Warrior Battalion East, part of the Wounded Warrior Regiment stood up at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., by order of the commandant of the Marine Corps in April 2007.
"I had to get better because I had to get back to work," Baronie said. "How fast could I get back to work? That's what it came down to. I think me knowing that I had a job sped up my recovery."
Overwatch Key to Recovery
The Wounded Warrior Regiment comprises two battalions, one on the East Coast here on Camp LeJeune, N.C., and one on the West Coast on Camp Pendleton, Calif., and a third company in Hawaii. It is the realization of the Marine Corps' historic push to accommodate the influx of seriously wounded Marines since the start of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Each provides coverage for Marines receiving care in their areas. The battalion here has oversight of more than 300 Marines who are recovering this side of the Mississippi River. The West Coast battalion has oversight of about 200 recovering Marines.
To date, more than 6,600 Marines have received Purple Hearts since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. About 1,200 are seriously injured and still on active duty in various stages of their recovery.
Baronie is one of the Marine Corps' nearly 3,000 injured who have returned to active duty. And he is not the only leader in the company who was injured in combat.
"The first sergeant got wacked with an [rocket-propelled grenade], the gunny got blown up in Afghanistan ... and all three of my platoon sergeants have either gotten shot or blown up," Baronie said.
In these units, Marines spend their days concentrating on healing and transitioning to the next phase of their lives, whether that means recovering and staying on active duty or leaving the service.
A morning muster inside the dayroom starts each day here at about 7:30. Marines attend, if they are physically able. Every day company leadership visits each of the Marines, ensuring they are on the road to recovery. Nine squad leaders are responsible for about 10 Marines each.
"I think that's the key piece -- seeing them every single day. You can see if they're having a problem. You can see if they're depressed. You can see if they're over-medicated. That's the beauty of this place," Baronie said.
Activity as Therapy
The Marines occupy the two sets of barracks here. The more seriously injured are housed with the command staff. Others live across base. Married Marines live in town. Most receive medical support at Naval Hospital Camp LeJeune, but many go off base for specialty care. Others are sent to major medical treatment facilities across the United States.
During the day, Marines attend medical appointments and physical therapy, or meet with counselors and specialists. Of the Marines here, about two-thirds have jobs. If they are attending the local college, that counts as their job, Baronie said. Some have jobs in the barracks, others around base. One works in traffic court. Others help teachers at the local elementary school.
Staying active is key to healing, Baronie said. It is dangerous for Marines to stay isolated in their rooms for hours or days at a time. Baronie said he doesn't want any "professional X-Box players."
The battalion staff work out of temporary trailers arranged in a horse-shoe pattern beside 1940s-era red brick barracks. Wooden wheelchair ramps snake between the buildings. A new $27 million barracks complex is under construction that will move the Marines closer to the hospital and other treatment facilities on base. The West Coast battalion has a similar barracks construction project planned.
Three nurse case managers make sure Marines keep their appointments. This is sometimes difficult because medications and brain injuries muddle appointment dates and times for the Marines. More than three-quarters of them suffer from post traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury, Baronie said.
Baronie cuts them no slack, though, for missed appointments. "The reason why you were sent here wasn't to pull triggers," he tells the Marines. "It wasn't to go into the field. It is to heal. You go to your appointments. You have to do your part to get better."
If that sounds strict, it is. But that's because Baronie is looking out for the Marines. Just as other units prepare their troops for war, he prepares his Marines for the next stage of their lives.
"I try not to call them wounded warriors. I call them Marines," Baronie said.
Planning for the Future
"Life doesn't stop when you get wounded. You've got to have some type of responsibility and, whether you choose to stay in the Marine Corps or move into civilian life, you're still going to have to press forward," Baronie said.
"What happens when you go into the civilian world and that corporation you work for ... is trying to make money and you don't come to work? They might not care that you're wounded. You may hear two words -- you're fired."
The career planner for the company is himself an injured Marine who has stayed on active duty with a permanent disability, working limited duty. Marine Corps leadership has vowed to keep all injured Marines on active duty who can still work in some capacity. The limited duty assignment allows the Marine to receive a disability assignment from the service, for later benefits, but to stay on active duty in a job they can perform. The Marine can later decide to leave the service if he or she finds the circumstances too difficult.
For many, that next step is sometimes a greater dilemma than their recovery. Mixed emotions swell as they are forced to reconcile what they want to do with what their bodies will now allow them to do.
"These guys are torn right now because all of them are grunts (infantrymen). They left high school and didn't want to go to college. They wanted to join the Marine Corps and they wanted to shoot and blow up stuff," Baronie said. "And now ... they may be able to stay in the Marine Corps, but they know that they won't be able to go back to that grunt community. They'll be found unfit to do that strenuous [job]."
The career planner, a Veterans Affairs representative and a "transition coordinator" all work from the battalion's resource center in the barracks. They help the Marines look at their decisions from more than an emotional perspective. They map out college plans or suggest other training programs, career paths, benefits and other financial incentives that are available, so that the Marines can look at the big picture.
Injuries Add Credibility
For Baronie, the difficulty is relaying to the Marines that they still can contribute to the mission, even if they're not on the front lines.
"Trying to get these guys to understand that just because you're not sweating, freezing, starving, and miserable in a grunt community, you can still participate and contribute to the Marine Corps mission," Baronie said. "Helping them understand that right now is the hardest thing."
Baronie's decision to stay in was easy, he said. As an adjutant, or an administrative officer, he is still able to handle the work.
"It was a slam dunk (decision) to stay in ... since my job is administrative in nature," Baronie said. "I can punch this keyboard until my hand turns blue and I can still be a good adjutant. I can still do legal, I can still count Marines. I can still do all that."
Still, Baronie's crutches bother him; it's hard to carry stuff. And, he looks different. But what bothers him most is that it's hard to return a fellow Marine's salute.
He's not sure if he will stay in past his next assignment.
"Right now, I know I am contributing to the Marine Corps in this capacity. I'm putting a lot of hours in a day and taking care of my guys to the best of my ability," he said. "If I go to another unit and that training is going 45 miles an hour and I'm only good with 30, I will walk away. I will not stick around for the sake of sticking around.
"If the Marine Corps mission is slacking because of me, it will be time for me to go," Baronie said.
But for now, as Baronie moves around his company, inspecting repairs, talking to Marines and stopping in their small kitchen to see what is cooking, it is clear that he is one of them.
His injuries give him credibility. They know he has "been there" and do not hesitate to pull him aside to talk. Sometimes it's about problems. Sometimes it's just to talk.. Occasionally a "wheelchair jousting" match will break out in the halls, or -- Marines being Marines -- they begin good-naturedly beating each other with their crutches.
For Baronie and his Marines, this is home. "I don't want to work anywhere else. I love just coming to work and hanging out with them. These guys are awesome," he said.
(Editor's note: This is the latest in a series of AFPS articles about seriously injured servicemembers who are returning to active duty.)
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Defense Secretary Meets With Obama Transition Team
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 20, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates wrapped up his first session today with President-elect Barack Obama's transition team leaders, sharing insights about the initial challenges the new defense team will likely face, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said. Gates met for about 45 minutes this morning at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., with John White and Michele Flournoy, the transition team leaders, before boarding a flight for a meeting here on Afghanistan's Regional Command South.
Morrell characterized today's transition session, likely the first of regular meetings, as "very positive," and noted that it demonstrated mutual commitment to a smooth transition.
The far-ranging discussion touched on the nuts and bolts items such as how the Defense Department is organized and operates. But Gates also offered his personal assessment of how the department has changed, the impact of those changes, and the first major challenges the new administration is likely to confront, Morrell said.
Morrell emphasized that the transition process involves much more than briefings and briefing papers. "This transition is about working together to make sure that the new team is ready to assume the full responsibilities of this office," he said. "And reading briefing papers ain't gonna cut it."
The transition will require close cooperation between the outgoing and incoming team "about what the challenges are that we are dealing with and what the challenges are we expect to be dealing with," he said.
The transition team started working in the Pentagon earlier this week, and expressed appreciation today for the reception its members have received, Morrell said.
"We have been assisting them in every way possible, from making sure they have all the administrative support they could possibly need, to arranging initial meetings with senior defense leaders such as Secretary Gates," he said during yesterday's Pentagon news briefing.
"We are totally committed to ensuring the transition of leadership in this department is as soon and seamless as it can be," Morrell said. "Our troops on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve it, and our nation's security demands it."
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 20, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates wrapped up his first session today with President-elect Barack Obama's transition team leaders, sharing insights about the initial challenges the new defense team will likely face, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said. Gates met for about 45 minutes this morning at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., with John White and Michele Flournoy, the transition team leaders, before boarding a flight for a meeting here on Afghanistan's Regional Command South.
Morrell characterized today's transition session, likely the first of regular meetings, as "very positive," and noted that it demonstrated mutual commitment to a smooth transition.
The far-ranging discussion touched on the nuts and bolts items such as how the Defense Department is organized and operates. But Gates also offered his personal assessment of how the department has changed, the impact of those changes, and the first major challenges the new administration is likely to confront, Morrell said.
Morrell emphasized that the transition process involves much more than briefings and briefing papers. "This transition is about working together to make sure that the new team is ready to assume the full responsibilities of this office," he said. "And reading briefing papers ain't gonna cut it."
The transition will require close cooperation between the outgoing and incoming team "about what the challenges are that we are dealing with and what the challenges are we expect to be dealing with," he said.
The transition team started working in the Pentagon earlier this week, and expressed appreciation today for the reception its members have received, Morrell said.
"We have been assisting them in every way possible, from making sure they have all the administrative support they could possibly need, to arranging initial meetings with senior defense leaders such as Secretary Gates," he said during yesterday's Pentagon news briefing.
"We are totally committed to ensuring the transition of leadership in this department is as soon and seamless as it can be," Morrell said. "Our troops on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve it, and our nation's security demands it."
Multinational Exercise Sparks Change for Africa
By Maj. Eric Hilliard
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 20, 2008 - U.S. Africa Command wrapped up a 14-nation exercise here today that leaders say was a big step forward in increasing African nations' ability to manage their own security. The exercise, known as Flintlock 09, was developed as a joint multinational exercise to improve information sharing at the operational and tactical levels across the Saharan region while fostering increased collaboration and coordination. Effective military-to-military training and multinational regional cooperation were the keys to success, Africom officials said.
The exercise's focus was on counter-terrorism efforts, but it encompassed much more, organizers said.
"Flintlock brought the expertise and experience from each nation together so that the entire team could benefit," Gen. William "Kip" Ward, Africom commander, told participants in a video message. "By working alongside each other, you helped improve the security capacity and capability of all the participating nations."
Africom leaders consider the ability to work together, with Africans leading the way, as essential to ensuring the common goal of a stable and secure Africa. This includes stemming the flow of illicit arms, goods and people, preventing outlaws from establishing sanctuaries in the Trans-Saharan region, multinational efforts to respond to natural disasters and more, they said.
Niger Army Maj. Toure Seydou Abdel Aziz said his participation in the exercise would foster better relations for his country and its surrounding neighbors to protect the region.
"My main role as a military officer is to keep Niger's territory safe," Aziz said. " On a larger scale, we also must help our neighbors keep their territories safe from terrorism. Flintlock helps Niger by creating a link with our partners and helping us learn about each other. This way, by us knowing each other now, we will be able to work better together in the future."
More than 200 people participated in Flintlock, a part of Africom's Operation Enduring Freedom-Trans Sahara, which provides military support to State Department programs that, together, aim to enhance regional security in Africa by also addressing economic and social development, as well as things like disaster preparedness and medical emergencies.
The exercise consisted of small-unit combined training and activities involving U.S. special operation forces and partner nation militaries throughout the region. Among other things, the exercise included the first-ever deployment of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command's CV-22 Osprey to the African continent. It also included training in crisis response and medical and veterinary skills in the hopes of extending those skills to Africa's rural people.
The exercise included a Multinational Coordination Center where military leaders collaborated and developed concepts and plans with delegations from six African nations and five European nations. A religious lay leader was there to bridge cultural and language gaps.
"I'm especially impressed with some of the frank discussions taking place amongst the African partner nation representatives gathered here," said U.S. Navy Capt. Steve Wisotzki, commandant of the Multinational Coordination Center for the exercise. "We've really tried hard to foster an environment that emphasizes our core shared values and interests, while not allowing ourselves to be distracted too much by the changing political landscapes on all sides."
"The camaraderie we've shared during the exercise, both professionally and personally, has been refreshingly heartfelt," said Wisotzki, the commandant of the exercise. "There's no doubt that the seeds of change have been sown, and that the new energy that Africom brings to the continent is being absorbed by all. It's been a great exercise and incredibly rewarding for me to be a part of it. I look forward to continuing the effort."
"What we did here was to essentially design a framework for cooperation," Army Lt. Col. Peter Tate said of the center. "The MCC concept in this environment is a new model. We are all learning, together, how to make it work."
With multiple nations from various walks of life and several faiths participating in the exercise, the planners of the Flintlock 09 exercise listened to feedback from the previous exercise two years ago and dedicated a room in the multinational coordination center for prayer and reflection.
U.S. Army Capt. Michael Corley helped lead the religious services. "They welcomed my insights into what I felt were the best ways to extend the freedom to practice religion to our partner nations. I think providing this opportunity... was one of best things the command could have done. Feedback from those who took advantage of the prayer room was overwhelmingly positive. It went that extra effort to show that the U.S.... practices what it preaches when it comes to encouraging freedom of religious expression.
"Serving as a religious minority group lay-leader during Flintlock 09 was truly one of the best efforts I have ever had the pleasure of participating in during my military career," Corley added.
During the closing ceremonies for the center yesterday, Maj. Gen. Anthony Jackson, Africom director of operations and logistics, commented about the cultural differences between the United States and some of the other militaries.
"As many of you have expressed, and as I have heard on numerous occasions throughout my travels to Africa and other countries around the world, is that we Americans are very end-result oriented and will take the fastest route possible to achieve an objective," Jackson said. "We sometimes do not take the time to take into consideration the cultural sensitivities that could often hinder us from achieving that objective. I hope that during the course of this exercise, our team leaders spent as much time listening as they did leading."
Maj. Gen. Edward Leacock, deputy director of Africom's Intelligence and Knowledge Development Division, told participants he hoped the exercise "sets a strong precedent for future U.S. Africa Command engagements where the U.S. military will actively seek the partnership of African stakeholders to meet common challenges."
Leacock added that he hoped a multinational force "will help our partner nations stand together to boldly confront the humanitarian crises in the Sahel and African Sahara regions."
(Maj. Eric Hilliard works in the U.S. Africa Command public affairs office).
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 20, 2008 - U.S. Africa Command wrapped up a 14-nation exercise here today that leaders say was a big step forward in increasing African nations' ability to manage their own security. The exercise, known as Flintlock 09, was developed as a joint multinational exercise to improve information sharing at the operational and tactical levels across the Saharan region while fostering increased collaboration and coordination. Effective military-to-military training and multinational regional cooperation were the keys to success, Africom officials said.
The exercise's focus was on counter-terrorism efforts, but it encompassed much more, organizers said.
"Flintlock brought the expertise and experience from each nation together so that the entire team could benefit," Gen. William "Kip" Ward, Africom commander, told participants in a video message. "By working alongside each other, you helped improve the security capacity and capability of all the participating nations."
Africom leaders consider the ability to work together, with Africans leading the way, as essential to ensuring the common goal of a stable and secure Africa. This includes stemming the flow of illicit arms, goods and people, preventing outlaws from establishing sanctuaries in the Trans-Saharan region, multinational efforts to respond to natural disasters and more, they said.
Niger Army Maj. Toure Seydou Abdel Aziz said his participation in the exercise would foster better relations for his country and its surrounding neighbors to protect the region.
"My main role as a military officer is to keep Niger's territory safe," Aziz said. " On a larger scale, we also must help our neighbors keep their territories safe from terrorism. Flintlock helps Niger by creating a link with our partners and helping us learn about each other. This way, by us knowing each other now, we will be able to work better together in the future."
More than 200 people participated in Flintlock, a part of Africom's Operation Enduring Freedom-Trans Sahara, which provides military support to State Department programs that, together, aim to enhance regional security in Africa by also addressing economic and social development, as well as things like disaster preparedness and medical emergencies.
The exercise consisted of small-unit combined training and activities involving U.S. special operation forces and partner nation militaries throughout the region. Among other things, the exercise included the first-ever deployment of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command's CV-22 Osprey to the African continent. It also included training in crisis response and medical and veterinary skills in the hopes of extending those skills to Africa's rural people.
The exercise included a Multinational Coordination Center where military leaders collaborated and developed concepts and plans with delegations from six African nations and five European nations. A religious lay leader was there to bridge cultural and language gaps.
"I'm especially impressed with some of the frank discussions taking place amongst the African partner nation representatives gathered here," said U.S. Navy Capt. Steve Wisotzki, commandant of the Multinational Coordination Center for the exercise. "We've really tried hard to foster an environment that emphasizes our core shared values and interests, while not allowing ourselves to be distracted too much by the changing political landscapes on all sides."
"The camaraderie we've shared during the exercise, both professionally and personally, has been refreshingly heartfelt," said Wisotzki, the commandant of the exercise. "There's no doubt that the seeds of change have been sown, and that the new energy that Africom brings to the continent is being absorbed by all. It's been a great exercise and incredibly rewarding for me to be a part of it. I look forward to continuing the effort."
"What we did here was to essentially design a framework for cooperation," Army Lt. Col. Peter Tate said of the center. "The MCC concept in this environment is a new model. We are all learning, together, how to make it work."
With multiple nations from various walks of life and several faiths participating in the exercise, the planners of the Flintlock 09 exercise listened to feedback from the previous exercise two years ago and dedicated a room in the multinational coordination center for prayer and reflection.
U.S. Army Capt. Michael Corley helped lead the religious services. "They welcomed my insights into what I felt were the best ways to extend the freedom to practice religion to our partner nations. I think providing this opportunity... was one of best things the command could have done. Feedback from those who took advantage of the prayer room was overwhelmingly positive. It went that extra effort to show that the U.S.... practices what it preaches when it comes to encouraging freedom of religious expression.
"Serving as a religious minority group lay-leader during Flintlock 09 was truly one of the best efforts I have ever had the pleasure of participating in during my military career," Corley added.
During the closing ceremonies for the center yesterday, Maj. Gen. Anthony Jackson, Africom director of operations and logistics, commented about the cultural differences between the United States and some of the other militaries.
"As many of you have expressed, and as I have heard on numerous occasions throughout my travels to Africa and other countries around the world, is that we Americans are very end-result oriented and will take the fastest route possible to achieve an objective," Jackson said. "We sometimes do not take the time to take into consideration the cultural sensitivities that could often hinder us from achieving that objective. I hope that during the course of this exercise, our team leaders spent as much time listening as they did leading."
Maj. Gen. Edward Leacock, deputy director of Africom's Intelligence and Knowledge Development Division, told participants he hoped the exercise "sets a strong precedent for future U.S. Africa Command engagements where the U.S. military will actively seek the partnership of African stakeholders to meet common challenges."
Leacock added that he hoped a multinational force "will help our partner nations stand together to boldly confront the humanitarian crises in the Sahel and African Sahara regions."
(Maj. Eric Hilliard works in the U.S. Africa Command public affairs office).
MILITARY CONTRACTS November 20, 2008
UNITED STATES SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
Military Professional Resources Incorporated, an L3 Communications Co., of Alexandria, Va., was awarded a $75,000,000 maximum order amount increase to its indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for global media development, production and dissemination in support of U.S. Special Operations Command. The work will be performed in Tampa, Fla., and other locations and will expire Jun. 12, 2010. The ceiling increase will be accomplished by issuing modification P00010 to contract number H92222-05-D-0012 on an other than full and open competition basis.
ARMY
General Dynamics Land Systems Division, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on Nov. 18, 2008, a $63,658,800 firm fixed fee price contract for exercise option for contract funding for the labor to reset180 Abrams M1A2 System Enhanced Package (SEP) v1 to M1A2 SEP v2 tanks. Work will be performed in Tallahassee, Fla., Anniston, Ala., Scranton, Pa., and Sterling Heights, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-06-G-0006).
NAVY
L-3 Services, Inc., Unidyne Division, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $46,670,682 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity, cost plus fixed fee contract for engineering services to operate and maintain the Technology Center for Cables and Connectors (TC3) facility located at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division (NUWC), Newport. Efforts will include: TC3 facilities maintenance and operation, parts procurement and logistic services, fabrication services, research and development services, test and evaluation services, reliability maintainability availability services, programmatic support, and in-service engineering activity services in support of sensors and sonar systems. Work will be performed in Newport, R.I., (50 percent); New London, Conn., (20 percent); and Norfolk, Va., (30 percent), and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities and the NUWC contracts website, with one offer received. NUWC, Newport, R.I., is the contracting activity (N66604-09-D-0537).
Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $43,819,373 modification under previously awarded contract for planning yard, design, configuration management and logistics support for new construction, operational, conversion and decommissioning submarines, and modernization support for operational submarines to support SSN 688, SEAWOLF, VIRGINIA, SSBN, TRIDENT UK, and SSGN Class submarines. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $26,291,624 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-06-C-2105).
Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., 85756 is being awarded a $40,000,000 cost plus fixed fee contract for engineering and technical services to support standard Missile Production Programs. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $334,400,000. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy (64 precent) and the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program countries (36 precent). Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz.; and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-C-5303).
American Security Programs, Inc.,* Dulles, Va., is being awarded $29,737,877 to exercise option 2 under a previously awarded combined firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity regional security services contract (N69450-07-D-1261). The work includes guard and non-guard services and the work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to, entry control point (ECP) services such as identification checks, fixed vehicle inspections, commercial vehicle inspections, and emergency ECP closures; and roving guard services such as surveillance detection and mobile vehicle inspections. Work will be performed in the Southeast region at the following installations: NSA Orlando, Fla.; CBC Gulfport, Miss.; NAS Meridian, Miss.; NWS Charleston, S.C.; NSA Athens, Ga.; NAS Atlanta, Ga.; NSA Panama City, Fla.; NAS Whiting Field, Fla.; and NAS Kingsville, Texas. The work is expected to be completed by Nov. 2009. The award of this option brings the total contract value to $60,039,396. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity.
W. M. Jordan Co., Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $27,058,406 firm fixed price contract for the design and construction of a Special Boat Team Operations Facility at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, Va. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and is expected to be completed by May 2010. The contract also contains two unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $27,606,860. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-09-C-5025).
Virtual Media Integration, Ltd.,* Pensacola, Fla., is being awarded an $8,319,720 firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for the procurement of 5 pre-production Computed Radiography System units and up to 100 production units. The Computed Radiography System is a portable nondestructive testing technique used for processing radiographic film. These systems will be used to inspect for defects and perform alignment measurements. Work will be performed in Pensacola, Fla., and is expected to be completed in September 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $430,720 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via electronic request for proposal, and five offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J. is the contracting activity (N68335-09-D-0007).
BAE Systems, Armament Systems Division, Minneapolis, Minn., is being awarded a $7,500,000 modification to previously awarded contract to exercise an option for engineering services to support operations and capabilities of the MK 45 Naval Gun System, including system engineering and ammunition integration. Work will be performed in Minneapolis, Minn. (87.1 precent) and Louisville, Ky. (12.9 precent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $600,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-08-C-5407).
Team BOS Sigonella, Joint Venture of Gemmo/Del-Jen, Inc./LA.RA S.r.l., Vicenza, Italy, is being awarded a $6,748,021 firm fixed price contract for Base Operating and Support (BOS) services at Naval Air Station, Sigonella. The work to be performed provides for all labor, supervision, tools, materials, equipment and transportation necessary to provide BOS Services for the Naval Air Station Sigonella and supported installations. The contract also contains four unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $46,944,564. Work will be performed in Sicily, Italy, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2009 (Nov. 2013 with options). Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website, with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Europe and Southwest Asia, is the contracting activity (N33191-09-D-0103).
Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors (MS2) – Maritime Security & Ship Systems, Baltimore, Md., is being awarded a $6,275,000modification to previously awarded contract for design agent engineering services to support the MK 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) Program. Work will be performed in Baltimore, Md., (84 precent) and Ventura, Calif., (16 precent), and is expected to be completed by May 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-04-C-5453).
Military Professional Resources Incorporated, an L3 Communications Co., of Alexandria, Va., was awarded a $75,000,000 maximum order amount increase to its indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for global media development, production and dissemination in support of U.S. Special Operations Command. The work will be performed in Tampa, Fla., and other locations and will expire Jun. 12, 2010. The ceiling increase will be accomplished by issuing modification P00010 to contract number H92222-05-D-0012 on an other than full and open competition basis.
ARMY
General Dynamics Land Systems Division, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on Nov. 18, 2008, a $63,658,800 firm fixed fee price contract for exercise option for contract funding for the labor to reset180 Abrams M1A2 System Enhanced Package (SEP) v1 to M1A2 SEP v2 tanks. Work will be performed in Tallahassee, Fla., Anniston, Ala., Scranton, Pa., and Sterling Heights, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-06-G-0006).
NAVY
L-3 Services, Inc., Unidyne Division, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $46,670,682 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity, cost plus fixed fee contract for engineering services to operate and maintain the Technology Center for Cables and Connectors (TC3) facility located at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division (NUWC), Newport. Efforts will include: TC3 facilities maintenance and operation, parts procurement and logistic services, fabrication services, research and development services, test and evaluation services, reliability maintainability availability services, programmatic support, and in-service engineering activity services in support of sensors and sonar systems. Work will be performed in Newport, R.I., (50 percent); New London, Conn., (20 percent); and Norfolk, Va., (30 percent), and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities and the NUWC contracts website, with one offer received. NUWC, Newport, R.I., is the contracting activity (N66604-09-D-0537).
Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $43,819,373 modification under previously awarded contract for planning yard, design, configuration management and logistics support for new construction, operational, conversion and decommissioning submarines, and modernization support for operational submarines to support SSN 688, SEAWOLF, VIRGINIA, SSBN, TRIDENT UK, and SSGN Class submarines. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $26,291,624 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-06-C-2105).
Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., 85756 is being awarded a $40,000,000 cost plus fixed fee contract for engineering and technical services to support standard Missile Production Programs. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $334,400,000. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy (64 precent) and the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program countries (36 precent). Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz.; and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-C-5303).
American Security Programs, Inc.,* Dulles, Va., is being awarded $29,737,877 to exercise option 2 under a previously awarded combined firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity regional security services contract (N69450-07-D-1261). The work includes guard and non-guard services and the work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to, entry control point (ECP) services such as identification checks, fixed vehicle inspections, commercial vehicle inspections, and emergency ECP closures; and roving guard services such as surveillance detection and mobile vehicle inspections. Work will be performed in the Southeast region at the following installations: NSA Orlando, Fla.; CBC Gulfport, Miss.; NAS Meridian, Miss.; NWS Charleston, S.C.; NSA Athens, Ga.; NAS Atlanta, Ga.; NSA Panama City, Fla.; NAS Whiting Field, Fla.; and NAS Kingsville, Texas. The work is expected to be completed by Nov. 2009. The award of this option brings the total contract value to $60,039,396. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity.
W. M. Jordan Co., Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $27,058,406 firm fixed price contract for the design and construction of a Special Boat Team Operations Facility at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, Va. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and is expected to be completed by May 2010. The contract also contains two unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $27,606,860. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-09-C-5025).
Virtual Media Integration, Ltd.,* Pensacola, Fla., is being awarded an $8,319,720 firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for the procurement of 5 pre-production Computed Radiography System units and up to 100 production units. The Computed Radiography System is a portable nondestructive testing technique used for processing radiographic film. These systems will be used to inspect for defects and perform alignment measurements. Work will be performed in Pensacola, Fla., and is expected to be completed in September 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $430,720 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via electronic request for proposal, and five offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J. is the contracting activity (N68335-09-D-0007).
BAE Systems, Armament Systems Division, Minneapolis, Minn., is being awarded a $7,500,000 modification to previously awarded contract to exercise an option for engineering services to support operations and capabilities of the MK 45 Naval Gun System, including system engineering and ammunition integration. Work will be performed in Minneapolis, Minn. (87.1 precent) and Louisville, Ky. (12.9 precent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $600,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-08-C-5407).
Team BOS Sigonella, Joint Venture of Gemmo/Del-Jen, Inc./LA.RA S.r.l., Vicenza, Italy, is being awarded a $6,748,021 firm fixed price contract for Base Operating and Support (BOS) services at Naval Air Station, Sigonella. The work to be performed provides for all labor, supervision, tools, materials, equipment and transportation necessary to provide BOS Services for the Naval Air Station Sigonella and supported installations. The contract also contains four unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $46,944,564. Work will be performed in Sicily, Italy, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2009 (Nov. 2013 with options). Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website, with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Europe and Southwest Asia, is the contracting activity (N33191-09-D-0103).
Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors (MS2) – Maritime Security & Ship Systems, Baltimore, Md., is being awarded a $6,275,000modification to previously awarded contract for design agent engineering services to support the MK 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) Program. Work will be performed in Baltimore, Md., (84 precent) and Ventura, Calif., (16 precent), and is expected to be completed by May 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-04-C-5453).
Reserve Affairs Chief Explains New Directive to Guard Leaders
By Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 20, 2008 - Recent changes in how the military's reserve components are recognized are larger than any in recent history, a senior Defense Department official said here yesterday. Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, told the Air National Guard's top officers and command chief master sergeants at their annual senior leadership meeting that a recent Defense Department directive recognizes the reserve components as operational reserves.
"It's an extremely important document," he said, explaining that the directive defines what an operational reserve is for future administrations, including how to fund, man and equip forces and how to support families and employers.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates signed DoD Directive 1200.17, "Managing the Reserve Components as an Operational Force," Oct. 29.
The new document states that the reserve components "provide operational capabilities and strategic depth to meet U.S. defense requirements across the full spectrum of conflict," and that the active and reserve components "are integrated as a total force based on the attributes of the particular component and individual competencies."
The directive also states that the service secretaries must ensure that their reserve components "participate across the full spectrum of missions at home and abroad in providing operational capabilities according to the national defense strategy, their service force management plans, and operational requirements."
They are further instructed to integrate the active and reserve components and execute resources to support a "train-mobilize-deploy construct."
In short, the directive outlines nine official policies that recognize the National Guard and the service's reserve forces and their state and federal missions as part of an integrated and operational total force.
Other policies set forth rules governing the use of the reserve components and address how Guard and reserve families are cared for.
Army Col. Doug Currel, chief of strategic plans and policy for the Army National Guard, said the directive shows how much DoD relies on the Guard and reserve.
"It's also a recognition of the quality that the Guard has provided to the Army and the Air Force," he said. Hall called changes to family support for the reserve components one of the most important aspects of the directive, citing as examples the Yellow Ribbon and Center for Excellence programs, which provide deployment and reintegration support for reserve-component servicemembers and their families. "That kind of support needs to continue for the families," he said.
(Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 20, 2008 - Recent changes in how the military's reserve components are recognized are larger than any in recent history, a senior Defense Department official said here yesterday. Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, told the Air National Guard's top officers and command chief master sergeants at their annual senior leadership meeting that a recent Defense Department directive recognizes the reserve components as operational reserves.
"It's an extremely important document," he said, explaining that the directive defines what an operational reserve is for future administrations, including how to fund, man and equip forces and how to support families and employers.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates signed DoD Directive 1200.17, "Managing the Reserve Components as an Operational Force," Oct. 29.
The new document states that the reserve components "provide operational capabilities and strategic depth to meet U.S. defense requirements across the full spectrum of conflict," and that the active and reserve components "are integrated as a total force based on the attributes of the particular component and individual competencies."
The directive also states that the service secretaries must ensure that their reserve components "participate across the full spectrum of missions at home and abroad in providing operational capabilities according to the national defense strategy, their service force management plans, and operational requirements."
They are further instructed to integrate the active and reserve components and execute resources to support a "train-mobilize-deploy construct."
In short, the directive outlines nine official policies that recognize the National Guard and the service's reserve forces and their state and federal missions as part of an integrated and operational total force.
Other policies set forth rules governing the use of the reserve components and address how Guard and reserve families are cared for.
Army Col. Doug Currel, chief of strategic plans and policy for the Army National Guard, said the directive shows how much DoD relies on the Guard and reserve.
"It's also a recognition of the quality that the Guard has provided to the Army and the Air Force," he said. Hall called changes to family support for the reserve components one of the most important aspects of the directive, citing as examples the Yellow Ribbon and Center for Excellence programs, which provide deployment and reintegration support for reserve-component servicemembers and their families. "That kind of support needs to continue for the families," he said.
(Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Program Addresses Wounded, Ill, Injured Servicemembers' Needs
By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 20, 2008 - More than 1,900 wounded servicemen and women have benefited from their enrollment in a specialized health program to meet their unique needs during their rehabilitative process. "As we began seeing more wounded servicemembers returning to our region, we identified some unique needs that they faced as they went on about the business of healing," Thomas Carrato, program officer for Health Net Federal Services, said in a Nov. 18 "Dot Mil Docs" interview on BlogTalkRadio.com.
This specialized care program was created in early 2007 when officials at Tricare, the Defense Department's health care program, recognized a real need to meet the needs of wounded, ill and injured servicemen and women, he said.
One of the issues they discovered while providing care was the discovery that the wounded, ill or injured servicemembers were receiving medical treatment at many different points without proper coordination.
"We found out that there was need to coordinate across those many systems to make sure that our warriors were getting all of the care they need to support their healing," Carrato said.
One need the program addresses, he said, is having a health care coordinator who serves as a single point of contact for wounded warriors or their families in coordinating care. This added benefit allows warriors and their families to focus on the healing process rather than dealing with administrative health related tasks, he said.
Other Health Net Federal Services programs that aid wounded, ill and injured servicemembers include the organization's support of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
"In 2007, Health Net Federal Services partnered with the PVA to assist them in opening the first-of-its-kind vocational/employment counseling center for veterans with spinal cord injuries," Carrato said.
The center, located in the Richmond Veterans Affairs facility, increases employment opportunities for veterans with spinal cord injuries, Carrato said. "To date, 24 veterans have been employed through this program," he noted. "It is a very rewarding program, and Health Net is very proud to support it."
With 124,000 providers in its network, Health Net Federal Services is the managed support contractor for the Tricare North region, representing 23 states and the District of Columbia. Health Net is the longest-serving managed support contractor, supporting Tricare and DoD for the past 20 years.
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg is assigned to the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 20, 2008 - More than 1,900 wounded servicemen and women have benefited from their enrollment in a specialized health program to meet their unique needs during their rehabilitative process. "As we began seeing more wounded servicemembers returning to our region, we identified some unique needs that they faced as they went on about the business of healing," Thomas Carrato, program officer for Health Net Federal Services, said in a Nov. 18 "Dot Mil Docs" interview on BlogTalkRadio.com.
This specialized care program was created in early 2007 when officials at Tricare, the Defense Department's health care program, recognized a real need to meet the needs of wounded, ill and injured servicemen and women, he said.
One of the issues they discovered while providing care was the discovery that the wounded, ill or injured servicemembers were receiving medical treatment at many different points without proper coordination.
"We found out that there was need to coordinate across those many systems to make sure that our warriors were getting all of the care they need to support their healing," Carrato said.
One need the program addresses, he said, is having a health care coordinator who serves as a single point of contact for wounded warriors or their families in coordinating care. This added benefit allows warriors and their families to focus on the healing process rather than dealing with administrative health related tasks, he said.
Other Health Net Federal Services programs that aid wounded, ill and injured servicemembers include the organization's support of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
"In 2007, Health Net Federal Services partnered with the PVA to assist them in opening the first-of-its-kind vocational/employment counseling center for veterans with spinal cord injuries," Carrato said.
The center, located in the Richmond Veterans Affairs facility, increases employment opportunities for veterans with spinal cord injuries, Carrato said. "To date, 24 veterans have been employed through this program," he noted. "It is a very rewarding program, and Health Net is very proud to support it."
With 124,000 providers in its network, Health Net Federal Services is the managed support contractor for the Tricare North region, representing 23 states and the District of Columbia. Health Net is the longest-serving managed support contractor, supporting Tricare and DoD for the past 20 years.
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg is assigned to the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Chairman Notes Military Family Appreciation Week
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 20, 2008 - Military Family Appreciation Week begins tomorrow, and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, issued a message today noting the observance. Here is the text of the chairman's message:
"This month, as we celebrate our blessings, and give thanks for our freedom to enjoy them, we take great pride in honoring November 21-28, 2008 as Military Family Appreciation Week.
"Families serve just as their uniformed service members do. And the Military family has rarely faced as many challenges as our families do today. After seven years of war, hundreds of thousands of families have served through multiple deployments in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, as well as many other locations throughout the globe.
"But the love and support of our Military families do more than allow us to serve abroad. Our families serve at the very center of American society. They are the bedrock of a free republic which provides for a common defense – and their commitment to the values of hard work, self-sacrifice, and moral virtue is a source of great pride and inspiration for us all.
"And, in this service, some families have suffered great loss – the kind of heart-wrenching loss that echoes for generations. We as a Nation owe the families of the wounded, and the fallen, a lifetime of gratitude and respect for a debt which we can never fully repay.
"On behalf of my family and those of the Joint Chiefs, to all our Military families, past and present, we thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your love. You truly are a wellspring of our Nation's honor, courage, and strength. With you by our side, we accomplish far more than we ever could alone."
Nov. 20, 2008 - Military Family Appreciation Week begins tomorrow, and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, issued a message today noting the observance. Here is the text of the chairman's message:
"This month, as we celebrate our blessings, and give thanks for our freedom to enjoy them, we take great pride in honoring November 21-28, 2008 as Military Family Appreciation Week.
"Families serve just as their uniformed service members do. And the Military family has rarely faced as many challenges as our families do today. After seven years of war, hundreds of thousands of families have served through multiple deployments in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, as well as many other locations throughout the globe.
"But the love and support of our Military families do more than allow us to serve abroad. Our families serve at the very center of American society. They are the bedrock of a free republic which provides for a common defense – and their commitment to the values of hard work, self-sacrifice, and moral virtue is a source of great pride and inspiration for us all.
"And, in this service, some families have suffered great loss – the kind of heart-wrenching loss that echoes for generations. We as a Nation owe the families of the wounded, and the fallen, a lifetime of gratitude and respect for a debt which we can never fully repay.
"On behalf of my family and those of the Joint Chiefs, to all our Military families, past and present, we thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your love. You truly are a wellspring of our Nation's honor, courage, and strength. With you by our side, we accomplish far more than we ever could alone."
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
New Effort Taps Best Commercial Practices for Defense Acquisition
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 19, 2008 - When a shopper goes online to make a purchase, a click of the mouse will identify which retailers offer the product and at what price, and how much they'll charge to deliver it to the buyer's doorstep. U.S. Transportation Command's new Corporate Services Vision is bringing that model to the military acquisition process, a senior Transcom official said here today.
The initiative taps into the best practices being perfected in the commercial sector and puts them at the fingertips of warfighters and those who support them, said Robert J. Osborn II, Transcom's deputy director for distribution portfolio management, command, control, communications and computer systems.
Corporate Services Vision is in the process of being rolled out, and will streamline the processes used to do everything from arranging troop transportation to ordering spare parts and tracking their delivery, Osborn said. Instead of having to go into different systems to order equipment and track shipments, users will have access to a virtual one-stop shopping experience.
"Today, if you are trying to order transportation for something, track your shipment [or] find out if it has been delivered, there are multiple systems you have to log onto to get the information you need," Osborn said. "Then it is up to you as the user to collate that information."
Corporate Services Vision is changing that, integrating myriad redundant and often incompatible systems into a single operation across the enterprise, he said. This will simplify the acquisition process, saving money and making many of the steps all but transparent to the user.
Osborn compared the effort to what a consumer experiences when buying an item online. The buyer simply keys in an item name to determine which vendors offer the product and at what price. Then, the buyer selects a vendor and designates how quickly he wants delivery and how much it will cost. Finally, the buyer pays by credit card and receives a code to track the shipment to delivery.
The queries that drive these transactions – to vendors and transportation companies – are transparent to the user.
That's what the Corporate Services Vision will bring warfighters, Osborn said. "We are changing the onus of you as a user [having] to go to different systems to find out your information," he said. "Now you will log onto a Web site, a browser we are providing, and you will be able to conduct business based on what capabilities you need."
Ultimately, this will benefit warfighters by allowing them to concentrate on their mission, not on how to get what they need to accomplish it, he said.
"If you are at the front of the spear out in the field trying to do your job, now that information is being given to you so you can concentrate on making the right decision based on what your job is, rather than spending your time trying to get information," Osborn said.
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 19, 2008 - When a shopper goes online to make a purchase, a click of the mouse will identify which retailers offer the product and at what price, and how much they'll charge to deliver it to the buyer's doorstep. U.S. Transportation Command's new Corporate Services Vision is bringing that model to the military acquisition process, a senior Transcom official said here today.
The initiative taps into the best practices being perfected in the commercial sector and puts them at the fingertips of warfighters and those who support them, said Robert J. Osborn II, Transcom's deputy director for distribution portfolio management, command, control, communications and computer systems.
Corporate Services Vision is in the process of being rolled out, and will streamline the processes used to do everything from arranging troop transportation to ordering spare parts and tracking their delivery, Osborn said. Instead of having to go into different systems to order equipment and track shipments, users will have access to a virtual one-stop shopping experience.
"Today, if you are trying to order transportation for something, track your shipment [or] find out if it has been delivered, there are multiple systems you have to log onto to get the information you need," Osborn said. "Then it is up to you as the user to collate that information."
Corporate Services Vision is changing that, integrating myriad redundant and often incompatible systems into a single operation across the enterprise, he said. This will simplify the acquisition process, saving money and making many of the steps all but transparent to the user.
Osborn compared the effort to what a consumer experiences when buying an item online. The buyer simply keys in an item name to determine which vendors offer the product and at what price. Then, the buyer selects a vendor and designates how quickly he wants delivery and how much it will cost. Finally, the buyer pays by credit card and receives a code to track the shipment to delivery.
The queries that drive these transactions – to vendors and transportation companies – are transparent to the user.
That's what the Corporate Services Vision will bring warfighters, Osborn said. "We are changing the onus of you as a user [having] to go to different systems to find out your information," he said. "Now you will log onto a Web site, a browser we are providing, and you will be able to conduct business based on what capabilities you need."
Ultimately, this will benefit warfighters by allowing them to concentrate on their mission, not on how to get what they need to accomplish it, he said.
"If you are at the front of the spear out in the field trying to do your job, now that information is being given to you so you can concentrate on making the right decision based on what your job is, rather than spending your time trying to get information," Osborn said.
Serving those who serve -- Major Tammy Duckworth
Below is a link to USAA's Veterans Day keynote address by Illinois National Guard Maj Tammy Duckworth, current Director of Illinois Veterans Affairs. Her speech on the theme "Commitment to Service" was too good to keep to ourselves so I wanted to share it with you in hopes you could spread the reach of her message. Director Duckworth's comments on the value of our servicemembers and how they guarantee their work with their lives is powerful -- especially when you consider her personal sacrifice and the loss of both legs when her Blackhawk helicopter was hit with an RPG. Because of her loss, she speaks personally and powerfully to the strength of our military and the teamwork, courage and sacrifice they display on the frontlines every day.
www.tinyurl.com/usaavetsday
www.tinyurl.com/usaavetsday
MILITARY CONTRACTS November 19, 2008
NAVY
Baldi Bros. Inc.,* Beaumont, Calif.; Hal Hays Construction, Inc.,* Riverside, Calif.; Pave-Tech, Inc.,* Carlsbad, Calif.; Reyes Construction, Inc., Pomona, Calif.; and Sundt Construction, Inc., Tempe, Ariz., 85282-1903, are each being awarded a firm fixed price indefinite delivery indefinite quantity multiple award construction contract for airfield paving and heavy duty paving for military operation vehicles at various locations within the Southwest. The maximum contract amount for all five contracts combined is not to exceed $250,000,000. Work will be performed within the Southwest, including but not limited to Arizona, (12 percent), Calif., (80 percent), New Mexico, (1 percent), Nevada, (5 percent), Utah (1 percent), and Colorado, (1 percent), and work is expected to be completed November 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured as an unrestricted two phase best value design build via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website, with 10 proposals received. These five contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-09-D-1603/1604/1605/1606/1607).
The General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (GDAIS), Pittsfield, Mass., is being awarded a $52,253,352 modification (#P00013) under previously awarded contract (N00030-08-C-0041) for FY09-FY11 U.S. and U.K. TRIDENT II (D5) fire control system (FCS) and the U.S. SSGN attack weapon control system (AWCS) support. These efforts include: US/UK weapon control systems (WCS) and weapon control training system (WCTS) operational support, US/UK WCS operational support, US/UK WCS and navigation system repair and return (R&R), FCS software 344 (Mk 6 life extension (LE) development, US/UK Mk 98 Mod 8/9 FCS development, engineered refueling overhaul service, Mk 98 Mod 4, 5, 6 and 7 FCS updates, AWCS training unique, and strategic weapon system training unique. Work will be performed in Pittsfield, Mass., and work is expected to be completed Apr. 1, 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $25,799,969 will expire at the end of current fiscal year. The Navy's Strategic Systems Programs, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity.
Canadian Commercial Corp., General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada, Ontario, Canada, is being awarded a $49,504,000 firm fixed priced modification to delivery order #0004 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of technical service representatives and trainers for OCONUS deployment. Work will be performed in areas of Operation Enduring Freedom, and work is expected to be completed no later than Jan. 2, 2010. 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.
Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co. Inc., Navigation Systems Div., Woodland Hills, Calif., is being awarded a $16,009,084 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed price contract (N00019-08-C-0004) for the production and delivery of AN/UPX-24(V) interrogator sets for the Navy (2) and the government of Australia (3); 1 AN/UPX-24(V) installation and checkout spare for the government of Australia; and 9 AN/UPX-24(V) retrofit kits for the Navy. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed in Sept. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $925,734 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Navy ($8,500,260; 53 percent) and the government of Australia ($7,508,824; 47 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
SERCO Inc., Reston, Va., is being awarded an $8,091,185 cost plus fixed fee, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity, firm fixed price contract for technical, analytical, engineering, logistics, and related effort in support of the implementation of the Navy Pricefighter Program. This contract includes a one-year base period, and four option periods, which if exercised, would bring the total estimated value of the contract to $41,984,118. Work will be performed at Reston, Va., (75 percent); Mechanicsburg, Pa., (8 percent); Philadelphia, Pa., (7 percent); and Norfolk, Va., (10 percent), and work is expected to be completed by May 2014. The contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was awarded competitively through Navy Electronic Commerce Online, with one offer received. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity (N00189-09-D-Z009).
Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $6,633,757 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-2105) to provide for the engineering, technical, trade, and program management support of industrial type work performed on behalf of operational, decommissioning, and submarines undergoing availabilities conversion. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
AIR FORCE
Boeing Co., St Louis, Mo., is being awarded a Cost plus Fixed Fee contract for $48,999,974. This action will provide for an automated aerial refueling Phase II integrator. At this point, $1,150,224 has been obligated. AFRL/PKVC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8650-09-C-3902).
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., Herndon, Va. is being awarded a Cost plus Fixed Fee, Indefinite-Delivery Requirements Contract for $12,560,195. This action will provide survivability and vulnerability technical analyses for Air Combat Command and combat Air Force missions. At this point, $744,351 has been obligated. 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380).
MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc., of Canoga Park, Calif., is being awarded a $12,214,532 cost plus fixed fee contract to develop, fabricate, and test a liquid propellant divert and attitude control system. Award is in response to the Broad Agency Announcement HQ0006-06-MP-BAA. Work will be performed at Canoga Park, Calif., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 2009. The Missile Defense Agency, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (HQ0006-08-C-0044). The contract will be incrementally funded by $2,000,000 using Fiscal Year 2008 Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation funds.
Baldi Bros. Inc.,* Beaumont, Calif.; Hal Hays Construction, Inc.,* Riverside, Calif.; Pave-Tech, Inc.,* Carlsbad, Calif.; Reyes Construction, Inc., Pomona, Calif.; and Sundt Construction, Inc., Tempe, Ariz., 85282-1903, are each being awarded a firm fixed price indefinite delivery indefinite quantity multiple award construction contract for airfield paving and heavy duty paving for military operation vehicles at various locations within the Southwest. The maximum contract amount for all five contracts combined is not to exceed $250,000,000. Work will be performed within the Southwest, including but not limited to Arizona, (12 percent), Calif., (80 percent), New Mexico, (1 percent), Nevada, (5 percent), Utah (1 percent), and Colorado, (1 percent), and work is expected to be completed November 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured as an unrestricted two phase best value design build via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website, with 10 proposals received. These five contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-09-D-1603/1604/1605/1606/1607).
The General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (GDAIS), Pittsfield, Mass., is being awarded a $52,253,352 modification (#P00013) under previously awarded contract (N00030-08-C-0041) for FY09-FY11 U.S. and U.K. TRIDENT II (D5) fire control system (FCS) and the U.S. SSGN attack weapon control system (AWCS) support. These efforts include: US/UK weapon control systems (WCS) and weapon control training system (WCTS) operational support, US/UK WCS operational support, US/UK WCS and navigation system repair and return (R&R), FCS software 344 (Mk 6 life extension (LE) development, US/UK Mk 98 Mod 8/9 FCS development, engineered refueling overhaul service, Mk 98 Mod 4, 5, 6 and 7 FCS updates, AWCS training unique, and strategic weapon system training unique. Work will be performed in Pittsfield, Mass., and work is expected to be completed Apr. 1, 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $25,799,969 will expire at the end of current fiscal year. The Navy's Strategic Systems Programs, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity.
Canadian Commercial Corp., General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada, Ontario, Canada, is being awarded a $49,504,000 firm fixed priced modification to delivery order #0004 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of technical service representatives and trainers for OCONUS deployment. Work will be performed in areas of Operation Enduring Freedom, and work is expected to be completed no later than Jan. 2, 2010. 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.
Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co. Inc., Navigation Systems Div., Woodland Hills, Calif., is being awarded a $16,009,084 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed price contract (N00019-08-C-0004) for the production and delivery of AN/UPX-24(V) interrogator sets for the Navy (2) and the government of Australia (3); 1 AN/UPX-24(V) installation and checkout spare for the government of Australia; and 9 AN/UPX-24(V) retrofit kits for the Navy. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed in Sept. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $925,734 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Navy ($8,500,260; 53 percent) and the government of Australia ($7,508,824; 47 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
SERCO Inc., Reston, Va., is being awarded an $8,091,185 cost plus fixed fee, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity, firm fixed price contract for technical, analytical, engineering, logistics, and related effort in support of the implementation of the Navy Pricefighter Program. This contract includes a one-year base period, and four option periods, which if exercised, would bring the total estimated value of the contract to $41,984,118. Work will be performed at Reston, Va., (75 percent); Mechanicsburg, Pa., (8 percent); Philadelphia, Pa., (7 percent); and Norfolk, Va., (10 percent), and work is expected to be completed by May 2014. The contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was awarded competitively through Navy Electronic Commerce Online, with one offer received. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity (N00189-09-D-Z009).
Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $6,633,757 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-2105) to provide for the engineering, technical, trade, and program management support of industrial type work performed on behalf of operational, decommissioning, and submarines undergoing availabilities conversion. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
AIR FORCE
Boeing Co., St Louis, Mo., is being awarded a Cost plus Fixed Fee contract for $48,999,974. This action will provide for an automated aerial refueling Phase II integrator. At this point, $1,150,224 has been obligated. AFRL/PKVC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8650-09-C-3902).
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., Herndon, Va. is being awarded a Cost plus Fixed Fee, Indefinite-Delivery Requirements Contract for $12,560,195. This action will provide survivability and vulnerability technical analyses for Air Combat Command and combat Air Force missions. At this point, $744,351 has been obligated. 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380).
MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc., of Canoga Park, Calif., is being awarded a $12,214,532 cost plus fixed fee contract to develop, fabricate, and test a liquid propellant divert and attitude control system. Award is in response to the Broad Agency Announcement HQ0006-06-MP-BAA. Work will be performed at Canoga Park, Calif., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 2009. The Missile Defense Agency, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (HQ0006-08-C-0044). The contract will be incrementally funded by $2,000,000 using Fiscal Year 2008 Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation funds.
Vice Chairman Returns From Trip Designed to Entertain, Showcase Troops
By Air Force Master Sgt. Adam M. Stump
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 19, 2008 - Back home after an eight-day trip that included some out-of-the-way locations, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said he found troops to be motivated and saw some eyes opened to the work U.S. servicemembers are doing.
Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright took three congressional staff members, an employer of Army National Guardsmen and five United Service Organizations entertainers on his Nov. 9-16 trip.
The general said his trip was designed to get some recognition for the forces for the job they're doing and bring them a "slice of home" with some entertainment. The vice chairman's tour included stops at Thule Air Base, Greenland, and three locations in Alaska — places people usually don't visit when the weather gets cold.
"We spent a significant amount of time and focus going to places that people don't normally visit," the general said.
He said these trips offer the opportunity to thank troops for their service and help people understand their contribution is important no matter where they are, whether it's the missile fields, the radar sites or the demilitarized zone in Korea.
The general said he found troops still are motivated to do their respective missions.
"I found a substantial motivation inside the forces, including Iraq and Afghanistan, all over the world and found people believed what they were doing was making a difference," the vice chairman said. "I did find varying levels of satisfaction about what they were accomplishing, which I wouldn't have expected to not find. But by and large, the more opportunity they have to do their mission, the more opportunity they have to both interact with allies and locals, the more satisfied they were."
Cartwright said he did find obstacles to overcome, including getting greater mobility in Afghanistan and seemingly everyone wanting more intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability. But overall, he said, morale was good.
"The forces that are out there that have been on repeated deployments are getting tired, but it's not detracting from their motivation or their job performance," the general said. "If we can get the time at home to start to grow a little bit, I think it will make a big difference in retention, on their mental health, their perspective about being in an all-volunteer force and staying for extended periods of time in the military."
Cartwright also said the mood of troops in Iraq has changed since he was there a year ago.
"[Last year], there was a light at the end of the tunnel, but we weren't sure what the light was," he said. "This year, it was very clear that we are on a path to move forward in Iraq, because we have fundamentally changed the mission out there and the perspective of the warfighters about why they were there and what they were there to do."
Along with the mood change, Cartwright said, the U.S. troops are seeing greater capability out of their Iraqi counterparts.
"Their confidence in the Iraqi military and police was substantially higher than anything I'd seen in the past," the general said.
In Afghanistan, Cartwright said, significant challenges remain.
"Even if we have troop increases, there's still a substantial amount of work to be done," he said. "Everybody there that I talked to believed there was a way forward in Afghanistan, but it was going to take longer and it was going to take substantially greater resources because of what is needed in the way of an infrastructure base to build from."
Cartwright said trips like these are important because of what he sees when he looks in young troops' eyes.
"You feed off their energy," the general said. "There's no way you cannot do that. No matter how far removed I am from my first tour, I can see myself. You also see in their eyes the fact that they're starting to understand other perspectives than their own."
The vice chairman said it also was important for the congressional staffers he brought along to interact with the troops, sometimes one-on-one, to "see morale levels for themselves." He said the staffers were able to talk to both senior leaders and the warfighting privates in an unscripted environment.
"They're better served and we're better served for them understanding what's going on out there," the general said.
Cartwright said bringing the Guard employer, Patrick Smith, was important so he could see the mission first-hand. Although Smith has a medical background, Cartwright said, he brought Smith to several locations with different missions so he could see the other pieces of the Defense Department mission.
"If we just take him to one spot [and] say, 'Here's the mission that relates to what you and your people will do,' I think he misses the bigger picture," the general said.
Cartwright said one of the most surprising aspects of the trip was seeing the interaction between rappers D-Roc and Kaine of The Ying Yang Twins, whom he called "patriotic Americans," and the troops.
"It's similar to what you see when you take entertainers into the hospital the first time," the general said. "If they're sincere about what they're doing and their visit, it will change them. There was a two-way exchange with The Ying Yang Twins. They converted an awful lot of people who looked at them with skepticism, and they got converted by seeing people out there serving their country and making a difference."
(Air Force Master Sgt. Adam M. Stump is assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 19, 2008 - Back home after an eight-day trip that included some out-of-the-way locations, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said he found troops to be motivated and saw some eyes opened to the work U.S. servicemembers are doing.
Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright took three congressional staff members, an employer of Army National Guardsmen and five United Service Organizations entertainers on his Nov. 9-16 trip.
The general said his trip was designed to get some recognition for the forces for the job they're doing and bring them a "slice of home" with some entertainment. The vice chairman's tour included stops at Thule Air Base, Greenland, and three locations in Alaska — places people usually don't visit when the weather gets cold.
"We spent a significant amount of time and focus going to places that people don't normally visit," the general said.
He said these trips offer the opportunity to thank troops for their service and help people understand their contribution is important no matter where they are, whether it's the missile fields, the radar sites or the demilitarized zone in Korea.
The general said he found troops still are motivated to do their respective missions.
"I found a substantial motivation inside the forces, including Iraq and Afghanistan, all over the world and found people believed what they were doing was making a difference," the vice chairman said. "I did find varying levels of satisfaction about what they were accomplishing, which I wouldn't have expected to not find. But by and large, the more opportunity they have to do their mission, the more opportunity they have to both interact with allies and locals, the more satisfied they were."
Cartwright said he did find obstacles to overcome, including getting greater mobility in Afghanistan and seemingly everyone wanting more intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability. But overall, he said, morale was good.
"The forces that are out there that have been on repeated deployments are getting tired, but it's not detracting from their motivation or their job performance," the general said. "If we can get the time at home to start to grow a little bit, I think it will make a big difference in retention, on their mental health, their perspective about being in an all-volunteer force and staying for extended periods of time in the military."
Cartwright also said the mood of troops in Iraq has changed since he was there a year ago.
"[Last year], there was a light at the end of the tunnel, but we weren't sure what the light was," he said. "This year, it was very clear that we are on a path to move forward in Iraq, because we have fundamentally changed the mission out there and the perspective of the warfighters about why they were there and what they were there to do."
Along with the mood change, Cartwright said, the U.S. troops are seeing greater capability out of their Iraqi counterparts.
"Their confidence in the Iraqi military and police was substantially higher than anything I'd seen in the past," the general said.
In Afghanistan, Cartwright said, significant challenges remain.
"Even if we have troop increases, there's still a substantial amount of work to be done," he said. "Everybody there that I talked to believed there was a way forward in Afghanistan, but it was going to take longer and it was going to take substantially greater resources because of what is needed in the way of an infrastructure base to build from."
Cartwright said trips like these are important because of what he sees when he looks in young troops' eyes.
"You feed off their energy," the general said. "There's no way you cannot do that. No matter how far removed I am from my first tour, I can see myself. You also see in their eyes the fact that they're starting to understand other perspectives than their own."
The vice chairman said it also was important for the congressional staffers he brought along to interact with the troops, sometimes one-on-one, to "see morale levels for themselves." He said the staffers were able to talk to both senior leaders and the warfighting privates in an unscripted environment.
"They're better served and we're better served for them understanding what's going on out there," the general said.
Cartwright said bringing the Guard employer, Patrick Smith, was important so he could see the mission first-hand. Although Smith has a medical background, Cartwright said, he brought Smith to several locations with different missions so he could see the other pieces of the Defense Department mission.
"If we just take him to one spot [and] say, 'Here's the mission that relates to what you and your people will do,' I think he misses the bigger picture," the general said.
Cartwright said one of the most surprising aspects of the trip was seeing the interaction between rappers D-Roc and Kaine of The Ying Yang Twins, whom he called "patriotic Americans," and the troops.
"It's similar to what you see when you take entertainers into the hospital the first time," the general said. "If they're sincere about what they're doing and their visit, it will change them. There was a two-way exchange with The Ying Yang Twins. They converted an awful lot of people who looked at them with skepticism, and they got converted by seeing people out there serving their country and making a difference."
(Air Force Master Sgt. Adam M. Stump is assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs Office.)
Defense Department Launches 'Wounded Warrior Diaries'
By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 19, 2008 - Defense Department officials today launched the "Wounded Warrior Diaries," a multimedia Web tribute in which American servicemembers wounded in combat share stories of their service, including their hard-won battles on the road to recovery and the ups and downs of life in the wake of injury. Located at http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2008/0908_wwd/index.html, the Wounded Warrior Diaries feature videos of servicemembers relaying their stories in their own words. The videos are accompanied by a written account of their experiences. The site launched with four diaries, and a new diary will be added each month.
"The diaries are intended to be sources of strength, encouragement and reassurance for other wounded troops and their families," Navy Lt. Cmdr. Brook DeWalt, DoD's director of new media, said. "They illustrate the ultimate triumph over injury – returning to full and active lives through hard work and the support of loved ones, the community and the military family."
In addition, the process of creating the diaries is meant to be therapeutic for the servicemembers, DeWalt said, noting that in some cases, their spouses and children take part in the interviews. "Finally," he added, "the diaries are created to honor the service, sacrifice, courage and determination of all who voluntarily serve in harm's way."
The Wounded Warrior Diaries' launch in November is part of DoD's Warrior Care Month.
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 19, 2008 - Defense Department officials today launched the "Wounded Warrior Diaries," a multimedia Web tribute in which American servicemembers wounded in combat share stories of their service, including their hard-won battles on the road to recovery and the ups and downs of life in the wake of injury. Located at http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2008/0908_wwd/index.html, the Wounded Warrior Diaries feature videos of servicemembers relaying their stories in their own words. The videos are accompanied by a written account of their experiences. The site launched with four diaries, and a new diary will be added each month.
"The diaries are intended to be sources of strength, encouragement and reassurance for other wounded troops and their families," Navy Lt. Cmdr. Brook DeWalt, DoD's director of new media, said. "They illustrate the ultimate triumph over injury – returning to full and active lives through hard work and the support of loved ones, the community and the military family."
In addition, the process of creating the diaries is meant to be therapeutic for the servicemembers, DeWalt said, noting that in some cases, their spouses and children take part in the interviews. "Finally," he added, "the diaries are created to honor the service, sacrifice, courage and determination of all who voluntarily serve in harm's way."
The Wounded Warrior Diaries' launch in November is part of DoD's Warrior Care Month.
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Multinational Conference Focuses on Joint Solutions
By Sara Moore
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 19, 2008 - Representatives of the United States and its allies are meeting in Oslo, Norway, this week in an effort to develop joint solutions to common defense challenges.
About 230 participants from 33 countries are meeting at the Concept Development and Experimentation Conference to focus on the problems facing their armed forces and to develop partnerships to solve those problems in the long term, officials said.
This year's conference, which began yesterday, deals with unconventional enemies and terror networks, strategic communications and military support for stabilization and reconstruction efforts, Navy Rear Adm. Dan Davenport, director of joint concept development and experimentation for U.S. Joint Forces Command, said in a teleconference from Norway.
The conference is an opportunity to bring together experts in concept development and experimentation from the multinational community, Davenport said. Concept development and experimentation, he explained, is a process of developing solutions to military problems by looking at all aspects of the problem -- including doctrine, training, organization and policy issues -- and then testing those solutions to ensure they meet the need.
Collaborating with interagency and international partners throughout the process is important, he said, because the United States is conducting more joint operations, and will continue to do so.
"We need to have solutions that work for everybody that will be involved in those operations, for all the players," he said. "So it's important to get the different expertise and perspectives and their requirements incorporated throughout the experiment to make sure we get the proper solutions."
Conference participants are sharing lessons learned from past operations and working in focus groups on developing solutions to current challenges, Davenport said. However, since these challenges will need long-term solutions, the most important result of the conference will be the creation of international partnerships that can take the work beyond the focus groups, he said.
"We can't expect that we will solve these kind of problems in a two-day conference, so what we hope to do is build those partnerships and continue that work once we leave here," he said.
Davenport said he hopes to establish important partnerships at the conference, and to bring back insights to incorporate into Joint Forces Command's experimentation work. Joint Forces Command already has established partnerships with many of the nations involved in the conference and works with them in experimentation, he noted.
"We're not only more efficient, but more effective by working with those partners," he said.
The results of this conference are important, Davenport said, because concept development and experimentation is a starting point for solving problems facing the Defense Department.
"It's a source of innovation, and it provides a focused effort early in the solution development process for DoD to provide foundational solutions, and that's both in terms of the concepts and capabilities," he said.
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 19, 2008 - Representatives of the United States and its allies are meeting in Oslo, Norway, this week in an effort to develop joint solutions to common defense challenges.
About 230 participants from 33 countries are meeting at the Concept Development and Experimentation Conference to focus on the problems facing their armed forces and to develop partnerships to solve those problems in the long term, officials said.
This year's conference, which began yesterday, deals with unconventional enemies and terror networks, strategic communications and military support for stabilization and reconstruction efforts, Navy Rear Adm. Dan Davenport, director of joint concept development and experimentation for U.S. Joint Forces Command, said in a teleconference from Norway.
The conference is an opportunity to bring together experts in concept development and experimentation from the multinational community, Davenport said. Concept development and experimentation, he explained, is a process of developing solutions to military problems by looking at all aspects of the problem -- including doctrine, training, organization and policy issues -- and then testing those solutions to ensure they meet the need.
Collaborating with interagency and international partners throughout the process is important, he said, because the United States is conducting more joint operations, and will continue to do so.
"We need to have solutions that work for everybody that will be involved in those operations, for all the players," he said. "So it's important to get the different expertise and perspectives and their requirements incorporated throughout the experiment to make sure we get the proper solutions."
Conference participants are sharing lessons learned from past operations and working in focus groups on developing solutions to current challenges, Davenport said. However, since these challenges will need long-term solutions, the most important result of the conference will be the creation of international partnerships that can take the work beyond the focus groups, he said.
"We can't expect that we will solve these kind of problems in a two-day conference, so what we hope to do is build those partnerships and continue that work once we leave here," he said.
Davenport said he hopes to establish important partnerships at the conference, and to bring back insights to incorporate into Joint Forces Command's experimentation work. Joint Forces Command already has established partnerships with many of the nations involved in the conference and works with them in experimentation, he noted.
"We're not only more efficient, but more effective by working with those partners," he said.
The results of this conference are important, Davenport said, because concept development and experimentation is a starting point for solving problems facing the Defense Department.
"It's a source of innovation, and it provides a focused effort early in the solution development process for DoD to provide foundational solutions, and that's both in terms of the concepts and capabilities," he said.
Face of Defense: Soldier, Family Find Helpful 'Source'
By Army Sgt. Whitney Houston
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 19, 2008 - Being separated from family can trigger stress and anxiety for deployed servicemembers, especially when children are involved. But one military family has found a valuable source of help online. The Military OneSource site offers around-the-clock information on parenting, child care, military life, relocation, work, education programs and more.
"Military OneSource was described to me in such a way that if a deployed soldier had a need, like a busted water heater in his house, OneSource could get a plumber out to the house to get it fixed," said Army Maj. Allan Dollison, who is on his second deployment in four years.
Dollison said his wife, Martha, uses the site to keep their children occupied while he is away from home.
"My wife got online and found out about a scholarship program they have that engages children in sporting activities," Dollison said. "So she applied for the scholarship and got it. So now the Army, through Military OneSource, is paying for my kids to get karate lessons, which is really cool, and I'm very thankful that they were able to do that."
Karate keeps their children -- Robert, 8, and Alicia, 9 -- busy three times a week, Dollison said. The classes also instill the importance of hard work and physical fitness, which drives them to excel in other areas.
"They actually competed in a karate tournament yesterday," Dollison said. "You know, they go to school and take these classes three times a week, so their minds are off the fact that their daddy is away from home. My son just won student of the month for September at his school, so they seem to be excelling despite the fact that I'm not there."
Knowing his family is cared for back home is comforting and enables him to focus on his job, Dollison said.
"As a civilian, I am a deputy district attorney for Humboldt County, Calif.," Dollison said. In Iraq, he's assigned to 4th Infantry Division and Multinational Division Baghdad's 425th Civil Affairs Battalion.
The demands on Dollison's time may be high, he said, but programs like Military OneSource give him the peace of mind to stay focused on his mission.
(Army Sgt. Whitney Houston serves in the Multinational Division Baghdad Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 19, 2008 - Being separated from family can trigger stress and anxiety for deployed servicemembers, especially when children are involved. But one military family has found a valuable source of help online. The Military OneSource site offers around-the-clock information on parenting, child care, military life, relocation, work, education programs and more.
"Military OneSource was described to me in such a way that if a deployed soldier had a need, like a busted water heater in his house, OneSource could get a plumber out to the house to get it fixed," said Army Maj. Allan Dollison, who is on his second deployment in four years.
Dollison said his wife, Martha, uses the site to keep their children occupied while he is away from home.
"My wife got online and found out about a scholarship program they have that engages children in sporting activities," Dollison said. "So she applied for the scholarship and got it. So now the Army, through Military OneSource, is paying for my kids to get karate lessons, which is really cool, and I'm very thankful that they were able to do that."
Karate keeps their children -- Robert, 8, and Alicia, 9 -- busy three times a week, Dollison said. The classes also instill the importance of hard work and physical fitness, which drives them to excel in other areas.
"They actually competed in a karate tournament yesterday," Dollison said. "You know, they go to school and take these classes three times a week, so their minds are off the fact that their daddy is away from home. My son just won student of the month for September at his school, so they seem to be excelling despite the fact that I'm not there."
Knowing his family is cared for back home is comforting and enables him to focus on his job, Dollison said.
"As a civilian, I am a deputy district attorney for Humboldt County, Calif.," Dollison said. In Iraq, he's assigned to 4th Infantry Division and Multinational Division Baghdad's 425th Civil Affairs Battalion.
The demands on Dollison's time may be high, he said, but programs like Military OneSource give him the peace of mind to stay focused on his mission.
(Army Sgt. Whitney Houston serves in the Multinational Division Baghdad Public Affairs Office.)
Group Plans Employment, Training Office for Veterans
By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 19, 2008 - A San Francisco-based group has announced plans to open an employment and training office for Bay Area veterans. "We are opening this new satellite office in Oakland to make it easier for veterans to access veteran-specific employment and training services in their community," explained Amy N. Fairweather, director of the Iraq Veteran Project for the "Swords to Plowshares" veteran support organization.
"We see a growing number of veterans in the East Bay, and we want to make employment and training services as convenient and accessible as possible," she said.
The services offered at the Oakland office will include one-on-one employment counseling, interview coaching and assistance with job search and costs. The new office also will reach out to employers in the community and secure interviews for clients.
"We also hope to have our other service departments visit that office periodically to provide help with GI Bill and [Veterans Affairs Department] benefits," Fairweather said.
Swords to Plowshares helps veterans with health and social services, transitional and permanent housing, employment and training and through its Iraq Veteran Project.
"We launched the Iraq Veteran Project in 2005 to better meet the needs of a new and unique population of post-9/11 veterans," Fairweather said. The Iraq Veteran Project staff provides resources and referrals to veterans of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and their families, including help with navigating educational benefits, accessing VA care and finding veterans services where they live, she added.
Michael Ergo, a former Marine sergeant, recently used the group's employment training program to complete a paralegal certificate course at San Francisco State University.
"When I went in to see them, I asked if they had any legal training programs to put me in," Ergo said. "They found the paralegal program within an hour. I was enrolled within a week. Swords to Plowshares definitely care about their clients. I got the impression that they were eager to help me and did not consider it a burden to serve me."
A handful of Vietnam veterans established Swords to Plowshares in 1974. Today, a staff of 85 helps veterans with transitional and supportive housing, mental health care, employment and training, legal services and case management.
In additional to its local services, Swords to Plowshares now provides legal representation for VA claims and discharge review services to post-9/11 veterans regardless of where they live. The group also has developed military and veteran cultural competency training for clinicians and first responders to give them a basic understanding of resources and issues.
"Of course, we continue to provide our local services to veterans of all eras, but hope that by intervening as soon as possible, we will prevent this new generation of combat veterans from some of the suffering their chronically homeless predecessors continue to endure," Fairweather said.
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 19, 2008 - A San Francisco-based group has announced plans to open an employment and training office for Bay Area veterans. "We are opening this new satellite office in Oakland to make it easier for veterans to access veteran-specific employment and training services in their community," explained Amy N. Fairweather, director of the Iraq Veteran Project for the "Swords to Plowshares" veteran support organization.
"We see a growing number of veterans in the East Bay, and we want to make employment and training services as convenient and accessible as possible," she said.
The services offered at the Oakland office will include one-on-one employment counseling, interview coaching and assistance with job search and costs. The new office also will reach out to employers in the community and secure interviews for clients.
"We also hope to have our other service departments visit that office periodically to provide help with GI Bill and [Veterans Affairs Department] benefits," Fairweather said.
Swords to Plowshares helps veterans with health and social services, transitional and permanent housing, employment and training and through its Iraq Veteran Project.
"We launched the Iraq Veteran Project in 2005 to better meet the needs of a new and unique population of post-9/11 veterans," Fairweather said. The Iraq Veteran Project staff provides resources and referrals to veterans of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and their families, including help with navigating educational benefits, accessing VA care and finding veterans services where they live, she added.
Michael Ergo, a former Marine sergeant, recently used the group's employment training program to complete a paralegal certificate course at San Francisco State University.
"When I went in to see them, I asked if they had any legal training programs to put me in," Ergo said. "They found the paralegal program within an hour. I was enrolled within a week. Swords to Plowshares definitely care about their clients. I got the impression that they were eager to help me and did not consider it a burden to serve me."
A handful of Vietnam veterans established Swords to Plowshares in 1974. Today, a staff of 85 helps veterans with transitional and supportive housing, mental health care, employment and training, legal services and case management.
In additional to its local services, Swords to Plowshares now provides legal representation for VA claims and discharge review services to post-9/11 veterans regardless of where they live. The group also has developed military and veteran cultural competency training for clinicians and first responders to give them a basic understanding of resources and issues.
"Of course, we continue to provide our local services to veterans of all eras, but hope that by intervening as soon as possible, we will prevent this new generation of combat veterans from some of the suffering their chronically homeless predecessors continue to endure," Fairweather said.
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