AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to McDonnell Douglas Corporation of Long Beach California for an amount not to exceed $2,950,000,000. This is an undefinitized contract action for the procurement of 15 C-17 aircraft. At this time, $114,550,000 has been obligated. 516 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8614-06-D-2006).
The Air Force is modifying a fixed price economic price adjustment contract with Lockheed Martin Corporation of Marietta, Ga. for $299,848,783. This action exercise options for Lot 3 for the C-5M reliability enhancements and re-engining program. At this time $25,272,726 has been obligated. 716 AESG/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8625-07-C-6471, P00011).
The Air Force is modifying an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract with Lockheed Martin Corporation of Marietta, Ga., for a maximum of $86,200,000. This contract action is for interim contractor support for the C-5 reliability enhancements and re-engining program. At this time $25,272,726 has been obligated. 716 AESG/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8625-09-C-6485)
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
River Trading Co., LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio* is being awarded a maximum $26,906,000 firm fixed price contract for bituminous coal. Other location of performance is West Virginia. Using services are Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 167 proposals solicited with seven responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is May 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-09-D-0653).
Wellstone Apparel, Greenvile, S.C.* is being awarded a maximum $15,622,332 firm fixed price, partial set aside, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for Army combat uniform coat and trousers. Other location of performance is in Texas. Using service is Army. This contract was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the fourth option period. The date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0420).
Tullahoma Industries, Tullahoma, Tenn.* is being awarded a maximum $14,981,538 firm fixed price, partial set aside, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for Army combat uniform coat and trousers. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This contract was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the fourth option period. The date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0427).
Fox Apparel, Asheboro, N.C.* is being awarded a maximum $12,542,508 firm fixed price, partial set aside, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for Army combat uniform trousers. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This contract was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the fourth option period. The date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0421).
Bethel Industries, Inc., Jersey City, N.J.* is being awarded a maximum $8,840,700 firm fixed price, partial set aside, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for Army combat uniform coats. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This contract was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the fourth option period. The date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0418).
Bremen Bowden Investment Co., Inc., Bowden, Ga.* is being awarded a maximum $8,778,000 firm fixed price, partial set aside, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for Army combat uniform coats. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This contract was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the fourth option period. The date of performance completion is February 8, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0419).
Unionvale Coal Co., Ligonier, Pa.* is being awarded a maximum $5,017,500 firm fixed price contract for bituminous coal. Other location of performance is W.Va. Using service is Navy. There were originally 167 proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is May 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-09-D-0656).
NAVY
Barnhart Inc.*, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $22,990,658 for firm-fixed price task order #0002 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award construction contract (N62473-08-D-8608) for design and construction of the Berthing Lima Conversion at Naval Base Coronado. The work to be performed provides for the complete design and construction of buildings and facilities upgrades to Berth Lima to accommodate CVN planned incremental availabilities (industrial maintenance activities) and cold-iron berthing. Project includes the construction of a security building, a restroom/payphone building, pump house building, two steel watch towers, two guard houses, security fencing, high mast security lighting, and surveillance infrastructure. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed by March 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.
Fluke Electronics Corp., Everett, Wash., is being awarded a $14,632,600 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for manufacture of voltage standards to support the general purpose electronic test equipment weapons system. Work will be performed at Everett, Wash., and work is expected to be completed by January 2014. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured, with eight companies solicited and one offer received. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity (N00104-09-D-D006).
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GMBH, Neuenburg, Germany, is being awarded an $8,235,924 firm-fixed-price, delivery order under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-06-D-1020) for the procurement of 49,614 units of Grenade, 66mm, Smoke Screening IR, Vehicle Launched MK1 Mod 0, DODIC GG24. Work will be performed in Germany; and is expected to be completed by Sept. 11, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with two proposals solicited and two offers received. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Hydraulics International, Inc.*, Chatsworth, Calif., is being awarded a $7,172,371 firm-fixed-price contract for 30 electric hydraulic carts for the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 aircraft (26) and the U.S. Air Force CV-22 aircraft (4). In addition, this contract provides for the procurement of 31 diesel hydraulic carts for the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 aircraft (24) and the U.S. Air Force CV-22 aircraft (7). Work will be performed in Chatsworth, Calif., and is expected to be completed in March 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $5,637,946 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Marine Corps ($5,854,975; 82 percent) and the Air Force ($1,317,396; 18 percent). This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-09-C-0125).
Alliant Techsystems Inc., Mesa, Ariz. is being awarded a $7,015,100 modification to previously awarded contract (N00164-05-C-0026) for production of a quantity of 58,000 each MK266 30mm high explosive incendiary-trace (HEI-T) ammunition to support the LPD class ships. The requirements are for manufacture of the MK266 HEI-T ammunition in support of Navy 2T conventional ammunition systems, Navy Picatinny Detachment, through the Joint Special Operations Department of Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division. Work will be performed in Elk River, Minn., and is expected to be completed by August 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity for contract N0016405-C-0026.
ARMY
L3 Communications Corp., Arlington, Texas, was awarded on Feb. 5, 2009, an $8,857,563 mixed line items/primarily fixed price incentive fee contract for aviation combined arms tactical trainer engineering change proposals for synthetic environment (SE) core support tasks, SE core v1.0 spiral upgrade, king pin replacement and Longbow Lot 6.1/10 retrofits. Also establish calendar year 2009 crew day travel rates. Work is to be performed at Arlington, Texas (75 percent), and Orlando, Fla. (25 percent), with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. Fifteen bids were solicited and two bids received. Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting office (N61339-00-C-0002).
Kipper Tool Co., Gainesville, Ga., was awarded on Feb. 5, 2009, a $6,668,856 firm/fixed/price requirements contract for vehicle mounted mine detector tool set, quantity is 1 for delivery order 0098. Work is to be performed at Gainesville, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2014. Ten bids were solicited and one bid received. Tank & Automotive Command (TACOM) Rock Island, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (DAAE20-03-D-0089).
AM General, LLC, South Bend, Ind., was awarded on Feb. 4, 2009, a $15,253,377 firm/fixed/price contract converting line item 9014BN from a M1165A1 High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle to a M1165A1B3 High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle. Work is to be performed at Mishawaka, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid received. Tank & Automotive Command (TACOM) Warren, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S0001).
General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), Needham, Mass., was awarded on Feb. 4, 2009, a $10,044,924.82 IDIQ firm/fixed/price contract in which the project manager, network service center performance work statement addresses the installation information infrastructure modernization program effort to engineer, furnish, install, secure, test, document, migrate and cutover a turn-key solution to upgrade the existing infrastructure and facilities at Fort Knox. Work will be performed at Fort Knox, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 30, 2011. Ten bids were solicited and seven bids received. Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Commercial Contracting Center, ITEC4, Alexandria, Va., is the contracting activity (W91QUZ-06-D-0025).
Friday, February 06, 2009
Southern Command Builds Latin American Capacity Through NCOs
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - The nation's senior military officer emphasized the importance of Latin America to U.S. security interests yesterday, and U.S. Southern Command's top noncommissioned officer is busy promoting that effort where the rubber hits the road: within the NCO ranks. The days of "looking east and west more than north and south" to promote U.S. security are gone, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said yesterday at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. "We need to pay more attention to our neighbors and the security issues and the economic issues that are associated with not just Mexico, but with [all of] Latin America."
Navy Adm. James Stavridis, Southcom's commander, and his staff work tirelessly to promote security cooperation Stavridis called critical to security, stability and prosperity in Central and South America and the Caribbean.
A big part of that equation is helping partner nations build capacity within their militaries so they're better able to confront threats ranging from illicit trafficking to narco-terrorism.
As Southcom's top NCO, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael M. Balch supports that effort by helping militaries maximize what for many was a virtually untapped capability: their NCO corps.
The concept of a professional NCO corps wasn't always universally embraced in the region, he conceded. Some countries feared that it would undermine officers' authority over enlistees and conscripts. But Balch and his predecessors, along with the Southcom staff, pointed to the U.S. military as an example of the strengths NCOs can bring to the force.
"If you want to have a strong military, you have to have a strong noncommissioned officer corps," Balch said he explains during visits through the region. "The noncommissioned officer corps doesn't take power from the officer corps. It complements the officer corps so you can accomplish things together."
No country within Latin America demonstrates that complement as convincingly as Colombia.
"If you go back and look at Colombia in the mid-90s, it was a state in crisis," Balch said. The drug trade and guerilla insurgencies such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia terrorist group, or FARC, had taken siege. President Alvaro Uribe was elected in 2002, promising to apply military pressure to crack down on the FARC and other outlawed groups.
But at the time, Colombia's NCO corps had little authority and played only a minimal role in preparing and leading troops. Gen. Carlos Ospina, Colombia's defense chief at the time, turned to Southcom for help.
The Colombians created the new rank of command sergeant major, and U.S. Army Special Forces troops helped set up a pilot sergeants major course to train them. The instruction didn't focus on tactical-level skills such as weapons firing and maintenance and map-reading. "Those skills are pretty fundamental to the military," Bacher said.
"As you transition to higher levels of leadership, the question becomes: 'How do you become an asset and a multiplier to your military institution, your command and your commander?'" he said.
"So we are trying to teach senior NCOs the skill set to become stronger noncommissioned officers, to complement the officer corps, to then in turn help make the army stronger overall," he said. "What we are doing is really focused at the operational and strategic level, rather than the tactical level, of leadership in managing and leading forces."
The initial course proved so successful that the Colombians eventually took it over themselves. With ongoing support and mentorship from Southcom, the Colombian military runs two 11-week classes every year.
Hoping to build on this success when he joined the command in 2004, Balch encouraged the Colombians to expand the course to include Colombian navy, marine and air force NCOs. From there, he helped Colombia involve other countries.
"We took the course and made it joint, and then went back and asked if they would be willing to invite international partners to attend the course," he said.
Today, every 45-member class includes three to four NCOs from Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, El Salvador, Honduras or other partner nations.
The dynamic brought an unanticipated bonus, Balch said. Partner nations hand-picked their best, brightest and most experienced NCOs to send to Colombia's course. The Colombians reciprocated by raising their own standards -- bringing new prestige to its NCO corps and the program overall.
"So it was a win-win for everyone," Balch said.
The Colombians experienced a dramatic improvement in their NCO corps. "And they have a lot of good reason to want to improve their NCO corps," Balch said. "They are a nation that has been at war for a long time. On any given day, the Colombian army is led by hundreds and hundreds of platoons that don't have platoon leaders. So the strength in their NCO corps has been vitally important to them."
Meanwhile, the Colombian army made major reforms as it improved its effectiveness against the FARC.
"Through planned assistance, we began to help them build their capabilities, and they have been highly successful," Balch said. "Colombia is the finest example of a nation helping itself. They have really helped themselves, and they are in a better way than they have been in many, many years. They are on the verge of success."
Meanwhile, international students who attended Colombia's sergeants major course took the concepts they learned back to their own militaries. This, Balch said, created a ripple effect throughout the region.
For example, Honduras started its own senior NCO academy, modeled after Colombia's, to develop its NCOs. The Ecuadoran defense minister was so impressed with what he heard that he created a senior enlisted advisor position on his staff to focus on NCO issues.
Southcom continued offering assistance and support to countries that requested it, and sponsoring conferences and other forums to promote NCO professionalization.
U.S. Army South will sponsor the fifth annual conference for senior enlisted leaders of Caribbean and Central and South American armies in June in Santiago, Chile, Balch said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force has provided NCO development in Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago and Honduras. A session at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras that delivered leadership training to NCOs from 16 countries proved "very, very successful," Balch said.
Relationships forged through these courses and conferences -- but more importantly, the professional leadership skills they provide -- go a long way toward training and professionalizing a new breed of NCOs, Balch said.
"Colombia is probably the model of how to accomplish U.S. government objectives without the employment of a force on force," he said. "We work very hard on building partnership capacity in the NCO corps in the region, and it's been very successful."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - The nation's senior military officer emphasized the importance of Latin America to U.S. security interests yesterday, and U.S. Southern Command's top noncommissioned officer is busy promoting that effort where the rubber hits the road: within the NCO ranks. The days of "looking east and west more than north and south" to promote U.S. security are gone, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said yesterday at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. "We need to pay more attention to our neighbors and the security issues and the economic issues that are associated with not just Mexico, but with [all of] Latin America."
Navy Adm. James Stavridis, Southcom's commander, and his staff work tirelessly to promote security cooperation Stavridis called critical to security, stability and prosperity in Central and South America and the Caribbean.
A big part of that equation is helping partner nations build capacity within their militaries so they're better able to confront threats ranging from illicit trafficking to narco-terrorism.
As Southcom's top NCO, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael M. Balch supports that effort by helping militaries maximize what for many was a virtually untapped capability: their NCO corps.
The concept of a professional NCO corps wasn't always universally embraced in the region, he conceded. Some countries feared that it would undermine officers' authority over enlistees and conscripts. But Balch and his predecessors, along with the Southcom staff, pointed to the U.S. military as an example of the strengths NCOs can bring to the force.
"If you want to have a strong military, you have to have a strong noncommissioned officer corps," Balch said he explains during visits through the region. "The noncommissioned officer corps doesn't take power from the officer corps. It complements the officer corps so you can accomplish things together."
No country within Latin America demonstrates that complement as convincingly as Colombia.
"If you go back and look at Colombia in the mid-90s, it was a state in crisis," Balch said. The drug trade and guerilla insurgencies such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia terrorist group, or FARC, had taken siege. President Alvaro Uribe was elected in 2002, promising to apply military pressure to crack down on the FARC and other outlawed groups.
But at the time, Colombia's NCO corps had little authority and played only a minimal role in preparing and leading troops. Gen. Carlos Ospina, Colombia's defense chief at the time, turned to Southcom for help.
The Colombians created the new rank of command sergeant major, and U.S. Army Special Forces troops helped set up a pilot sergeants major course to train them. The instruction didn't focus on tactical-level skills such as weapons firing and maintenance and map-reading. "Those skills are pretty fundamental to the military," Bacher said.
"As you transition to higher levels of leadership, the question becomes: 'How do you become an asset and a multiplier to your military institution, your command and your commander?'" he said.
"So we are trying to teach senior NCOs the skill set to become stronger noncommissioned officers, to complement the officer corps, to then in turn help make the army stronger overall," he said. "What we are doing is really focused at the operational and strategic level, rather than the tactical level, of leadership in managing and leading forces."
The initial course proved so successful that the Colombians eventually took it over themselves. With ongoing support and mentorship from Southcom, the Colombian military runs two 11-week classes every year.
Hoping to build on this success when he joined the command in 2004, Balch encouraged the Colombians to expand the course to include Colombian navy, marine and air force NCOs. From there, he helped Colombia involve other countries.
"We took the course and made it joint, and then went back and asked if they would be willing to invite international partners to attend the course," he said.
Today, every 45-member class includes three to four NCOs from Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, El Salvador, Honduras or other partner nations.
The dynamic brought an unanticipated bonus, Balch said. Partner nations hand-picked their best, brightest and most experienced NCOs to send to Colombia's course. The Colombians reciprocated by raising their own standards -- bringing new prestige to its NCO corps and the program overall.
"So it was a win-win for everyone," Balch said.
The Colombians experienced a dramatic improvement in their NCO corps. "And they have a lot of good reason to want to improve their NCO corps," Balch said. "They are a nation that has been at war for a long time. On any given day, the Colombian army is led by hundreds and hundreds of platoons that don't have platoon leaders. So the strength in their NCO corps has been vitally important to them."
Meanwhile, the Colombian army made major reforms as it improved its effectiveness against the FARC.
"Through planned assistance, we began to help them build their capabilities, and they have been highly successful," Balch said. "Colombia is the finest example of a nation helping itself. They have really helped themselves, and they are in a better way than they have been in many, many years. They are on the verge of success."
Meanwhile, international students who attended Colombia's sergeants major course took the concepts they learned back to their own militaries. This, Balch said, created a ripple effect throughout the region.
For example, Honduras started its own senior NCO academy, modeled after Colombia's, to develop its NCOs. The Ecuadoran defense minister was so impressed with what he heard that he created a senior enlisted advisor position on his staff to focus on NCO issues.
Southcom continued offering assistance and support to countries that requested it, and sponsoring conferences and other forums to promote NCO professionalization.
U.S. Army South will sponsor the fifth annual conference for senior enlisted leaders of Caribbean and Central and South American armies in June in Santiago, Chile, Balch said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force has provided NCO development in Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago and Honduras. A session at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras that delivered leadership training to NCOs from 16 countries proved "very, very successful," Balch said.
Relationships forged through these courses and conferences -- but more importantly, the professional leadership skills they provide -- go a long way toward training and professionalizing a new breed of NCOs, Balch said.
"Colombia is probably the model of how to accomplish U.S. government objectives without the employment of a force on force," he said. "We work very hard on building partnership capacity in the NCO corps in the region, and it's been very successful."
Defense Department Offers Tax Preparation Help
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - With April 15 looming, the Defense Department is on call to take the sting out of tax return preparation for servicemembers. "Each of the legal offices provides some form of tax preparation assistance," Air Force Lt. Col. Don Svendsen, executive director for the Armed Forces Tax Council, said. "People that are doing the return preparation have been trained [and] certified by the [Internal Revenue Service].
"Usually we can prepare the return right there on the spot," he added.
To make sure that a return can be finished in one visit to a tax center, Svendsen suggests making sure to bring certain documents to the appointment.
"For starters, we need them to bring their Social Security cards," he said, adding that all family members' cards need to be present to ensure accuracy. "They need their W-2s, and they need any other documents that are going to be tax related that they may have gotten in the mail.
"There is nothing more frustrating to the member than to visit the tax center and then realize he or she forgot a document," he said.
To keep those occurrences to a minimum, the tax centers on military installations have packets to help servicemembers get organized and think through what they need to bring with them, Svendsen said.
As fast and easy as the tax centers aim to make the process, situations arise that can make filing a tax return difficult. Deployments, for instance, don't always happen conveniently with the normal tax-filing season, Svendsen said.
Congress, however, has authorized a filing extension for troops serving in a combat zone. It also has granted troops a certain amount of time after leaving the combat zone in which to square away any tax issues.
"Fortunately, Congress has given us an extension. When you go ... into that combat zone, the clock stops for tax purposes," Svendsen said. "Let's say a member enters a combat zone on the 14th of April, one day before the tax-filing deadline. They're down there for an entire year [and] ... come back out the following April 14.
"They get a minimum of 180 days to file the earlier tax return, plus they get 180 days, probably more, for the current tax return," he added.
The stop on the tax clock also can apply to IRA contributions for servicemembers and spouses, Svendsen said.
And, all pay for noncommissioned officers – and much of the pay for officers -- while serving in a combat zone in 2008 is tax-free, he said.
"If the member is an enlisted member, all pay is going to be tax-free," Svendsen said. "In this case, all really does mean all. If a member is in the combat zone, and they re-enlist and receive a re-enlistment bonus, the entire amount of the bonus is going to be tax-free."
For officers serving in a combat zone, pay up to the maximum enlisted amount will be tax-free, he added.
However, service in a combat zone can affect a servicemembers' ability to claim the Earned Income Credit. The tax credit is for low- to moderate-income working people and families. Recent changes continue to make this credit a possibility for servicemembers who have served in a combat zone, Svendsen said.
Those tax changes and others of interest to military members may be found in IRS Publication 3, "Armed Forces' Tax Guide," available on the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov.
Military tax center volunteers can help answer any questions about those changes, including a first-time homebuyer credit and economic stimulus checks, Svendsen said.
For those servicemembers who want to prepare their own tax returns, MilitaryOneSource.com provides online tax return software.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - With April 15 looming, the Defense Department is on call to take the sting out of tax return preparation for servicemembers. "Each of the legal offices provides some form of tax preparation assistance," Air Force Lt. Col. Don Svendsen, executive director for the Armed Forces Tax Council, said. "People that are doing the return preparation have been trained [and] certified by the [Internal Revenue Service].
"Usually we can prepare the return right there on the spot," he added.
To make sure that a return can be finished in one visit to a tax center, Svendsen suggests making sure to bring certain documents to the appointment.
"For starters, we need them to bring their Social Security cards," he said, adding that all family members' cards need to be present to ensure accuracy. "They need their W-2s, and they need any other documents that are going to be tax related that they may have gotten in the mail.
"There is nothing more frustrating to the member than to visit the tax center and then realize he or she forgot a document," he said.
To keep those occurrences to a minimum, the tax centers on military installations have packets to help servicemembers get organized and think through what they need to bring with them, Svendsen said.
As fast and easy as the tax centers aim to make the process, situations arise that can make filing a tax return difficult. Deployments, for instance, don't always happen conveniently with the normal tax-filing season, Svendsen said.
Congress, however, has authorized a filing extension for troops serving in a combat zone. It also has granted troops a certain amount of time after leaving the combat zone in which to square away any tax issues.
"Fortunately, Congress has given us an extension. When you go ... into that combat zone, the clock stops for tax purposes," Svendsen said. "Let's say a member enters a combat zone on the 14th of April, one day before the tax-filing deadline. They're down there for an entire year [and] ... come back out the following April 14.
"They get a minimum of 180 days to file the earlier tax return, plus they get 180 days, probably more, for the current tax return," he added.
The stop on the tax clock also can apply to IRA contributions for servicemembers and spouses, Svendsen said.
And, all pay for noncommissioned officers – and much of the pay for officers -- while serving in a combat zone in 2008 is tax-free, he said.
"If the member is an enlisted member, all pay is going to be tax-free," Svendsen said. "In this case, all really does mean all. If a member is in the combat zone, and they re-enlist and receive a re-enlistment bonus, the entire amount of the bonus is going to be tax-free."
For officers serving in a combat zone, pay up to the maximum enlisted amount will be tax-free, he added.
However, service in a combat zone can affect a servicemembers' ability to claim the Earned Income Credit. The tax credit is for low- to moderate-income working people and families. Recent changes continue to make this credit a possibility for servicemembers who have served in a combat zone, Svendsen said.
Those tax changes and others of interest to military members may be found in IRS Publication 3, "Armed Forces' Tax Guide," available on the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov.
Military tax center volunteers can help answer any questions about those changes, including a first-time homebuyer credit and economic stimulus checks, Svendsen said.
For those servicemembers who want to prepare their own tax returns, MilitaryOneSource.com provides online tax return software.
Mullen: Investing in Military Members Critical
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - Investing in servicemembers and keeping them "whole" is a critical defense expenditure, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told members of the Princeton University ROTC here yesterday. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen spoke about the health of the U.S. forces and its importance to him during open lectures to the ROTC "Tiger Battalion" and with faculty at the university's Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs.
"They are the most combat-hardened force we've ever had," Mullen told the cadets who will join the 2.2 million military men and women upon graduation. "If we get it right with them, the future will be fine."
The U.S. financial crisis and expected cuts in the defense budget will affect equipment procurement, Mullen said. "We may not get the stuff – the equipment -- as rapidly as we want," he said. "But at the center of all that is the people. Investing there and keeping that whole is critical."
The department is making investments now that will offer significant defense capabilities in 20 years, but will have to make tough choices in the years ahead, he said.
"Part of my job is to tell the American people, in addition to the president, 'This is what I need for national security,'" Mullen said. "I take that responsibility seriously. If I'm unable to do what I'm asked to do, you'll be the first to know."
The strain on the force is a concern, Mullen said, recounting a visit to Fort Stewart, Ga., where about half of a brigade had just returned from their fourth deployment.
"These are young people who would like to meet someone and start a family, or if they have a family would like to spend time with them," the chairman said. "The pressure we put on them has been extraordinary. And yet their resilience has been unmatched.
"They know they have made a difference and they are very proud of what they have done. What we need to do is give them the time they need at home."
Active duty military units spend a year deployed and a year at home. Reserve units are spending a year deployed and three years home. The plan is to increase the time spent at home, Mullen said.
Young men and women in the military are asked to shoulder a lot of responsibility quickly. "I am fond of reminding people -- even those in the military -- that when you go anywhere in the military, whether an aircraft squadron, a battalion or a ship, the average age is about 21," he said.
Mullen pointed out another asset of U.S. forces -- their diversity.
"There's a tremendous amount of strength in our diversity as a military, across every aspect -- geographically, ethnically, gender-wise," Mullen said. That diversity is an example to the world, he said.
The chairman also emphasized the responsibility Americans have to those wounded in action and the families of those killed.
"Their American dream has not changed. Their path to that may have been modified, but the dream hasn't changed," he said. "We need, as a country, to ensure that those dreams are realized. They are the ones who have sacrificed so much, and they are the face of these wars that I see all the time. It is part of who we are as a military."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - Investing in servicemembers and keeping them "whole" is a critical defense expenditure, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told members of the Princeton University ROTC here yesterday. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen spoke about the health of the U.S. forces and its importance to him during open lectures to the ROTC "Tiger Battalion" and with faculty at the university's Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs.
"They are the most combat-hardened force we've ever had," Mullen told the cadets who will join the 2.2 million military men and women upon graduation. "If we get it right with them, the future will be fine."
The U.S. financial crisis and expected cuts in the defense budget will affect equipment procurement, Mullen said. "We may not get the stuff – the equipment -- as rapidly as we want," he said. "But at the center of all that is the people. Investing there and keeping that whole is critical."
The department is making investments now that will offer significant defense capabilities in 20 years, but will have to make tough choices in the years ahead, he said.
"Part of my job is to tell the American people, in addition to the president, 'This is what I need for national security,'" Mullen said. "I take that responsibility seriously. If I'm unable to do what I'm asked to do, you'll be the first to know."
The strain on the force is a concern, Mullen said, recounting a visit to Fort Stewart, Ga., where about half of a brigade had just returned from their fourth deployment.
"These are young people who would like to meet someone and start a family, or if they have a family would like to spend time with them," the chairman said. "The pressure we put on them has been extraordinary. And yet their resilience has been unmatched.
"They know they have made a difference and they are very proud of what they have done. What we need to do is give them the time they need at home."
Active duty military units spend a year deployed and a year at home. Reserve units are spending a year deployed and three years home. The plan is to increase the time spent at home, Mullen said.
Young men and women in the military are asked to shoulder a lot of responsibility quickly. "I am fond of reminding people -- even those in the military -- that when you go anywhere in the military, whether an aircraft squadron, a battalion or a ship, the average age is about 21," he said.
Mullen pointed out another asset of U.S. forces -- their diversity.
"There's a tremendous amount of strength in our diversity as a military, across every aspect -- geographically, ethnically, gender-wise," Mullen said. That diversity is an example to the world, he said.
The chairman also emphasized the responsibility Americans have to those wounded in action and the families of those killed.
"Their American dream has not changed. Their path to that may have been modified, but the dream hasn't changed," he said. "We need, as a country, to ensure that those dreams are realized. They are the ones who have sacrificed so much, and they are the face of these wars that I see all the time. It is part of who we are as a military."
Military Meals for Storm Victims Are Safe, Officials Say
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - Though some of them contain peanut butter, the 660,000 packaged military meals the Defense Logistics Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency are shipping to Kentucky and Arkansas storm victims are safe, officials here said. The meals -- known as "Meals, Ready to Eat," or "MREs" -- will replace the commercial meal kits that have been distributed to the storm victims.
DLA's Defense Distribution Center in New Cumberland, Pa., is arranging shipment of the meals, scheduled for delivery today.
A recent Food and Drug Administration recall of some products containing peanut butter has prompted the Defense Logistics Agency and its industry partners to increase surveillance of the peanut butter suppliers to ensure the products are safe to consume, DLA officials said in a statement released today.
"All military MREs are safe," the statement said. "While many of the meals contain peanut butter, they do not contain peanut butter products recalled by the Food and Drug Administration, according to the manufacturers of the MREs."
In addition, 1.5 million self-contained packaged meals, a commercial version of the military MREs, are being readied for distribution to FEMA. Although some of these meals also contain peanut butter, officials said, the manufacturers have certified that the meals do not contain products recalled by the FDA.
Many residents of Kentucky and Arkansas have been without power for prolonged periods since a late-January storm.
Feb. 6, 2009 - Though some of them contain peanut butter, the 660,000 packaged military meals the Defense Logistics Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency are shipping to Kentucky and Arkansas storm victims are safe, officials here said. The meals -- known as "Meals, Ready to Eat," or "MREs" -- will replace the commercial meal kits that have been distributed to the storm victims.
DLA's Defense Distribution Center in New Cumberland, Pa., is arranging shipment of the meals, scheduled for delivery today.
A recent Food and Drug Administration recall of some products containing peanut butter has prompted the Defense Logistics Agency and its industry partners to increase surveillance of the peanut butter suppliers to ensure the products are safe to consume, DLA officials said in a statement released today.
"All military MREs are safe," the statement said. "While many of the meals contain peanut butter, they do not contain peanut butter products recalled by the Food and Drug Administration, according to the manufacturers of the MREs."
In addition, 1.5 million self-contained packaged meals, a commercial version of the military MREs, are being readied for distribution to FEMA. Although some of these meals also contain peanut butter, officials said, the manufacturers have certified that the meals do not contain products recalled by the FDA.
Many residents of Kentucky and Arkansas have been without power for prolonged periods since a late-January storm.
Mullen Addresses Need for 'Whole Government' Approach
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - All portions of the U.S. government have a role in dealing with any instability that results from the world's financial crisis, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here yesterday. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen gave a public talk sponsored by Princeton University and the Woodrow Wilson School, visited with the college's ROTC detachment and participated in a roundtable discussion with the faculty.
In his remarks, the chairman expressed concern about the militarization of U.S. foreign policy.
"What is overarching is the global financial crisis," Mullen said. "I worry a great deal as we work our way through this – and I think it's going to take longer rather than shorter to do that. I worry about the effect that will have on instability throughout the world."
The chairman noted that throughout history, the United States hasn't been good about predicting where instability will occur. "As this crisis really takes hold, there will be places that become unstable that we haven't anticipated," he said. "We need a whole-of-government approach."
The United States military is a force for freedom and good in the world, Mullen said, but it's not the solution to every problem. "The United States military is necessary, but it is not sufficient alone," Mullen said. He pointed out that the American military is stretched and is doing missions that servicemembers have not been trained to do.
"They are an incredible group of young people who are incredibly adaptive and creative and innovative, and they do this unbelievably well," he said. "But we need to back off of that over time."
Other Cabinet-level departments – State, Treasury, Commerce, Justice – have the proper expertise for "soft-power" missions and need to have personnel able to deploy to address these problems, Mullen said. "But in my opinion," he added, "we are a good decade away from creating a capability in our other departments."
For example, he said, employees in the Agriculture Department do not expect to deploy to Afghanistan. "So I've got soldiers in the [National] Guard who are farmers in Texas and Missouri and Iowa, and they are going to Afghanistan to work on agriculture because it is what we need, because that's the economic base of the country," he said.
In a later interview, the chairman used Iraq as an example. One of the lessons of that conflict, he said, has been the multiplying effect that State Department officials serving at joint security stations have had on the situation. State officials are experts in governance and negotiation in a way that military personnel are not, the admiral said, yet in the first call for civilian volunteers to serve in Iraq, "half of them were from the Department of Defense, which is another extension of the military, and these are people who are available and accept orders and go do it."
Mullen said the government must work to generate the necessary capacity to bring soft-power expertise into implementation of U.S. foreign policy. "And we're going to need it right now," he said. "The president, the leaders of agencies, everybody has to be committed to generating this capacity down through the agencies."
Mullen told the Princeton audience that there are plenty of places to serve, and that the world needs the expertise and commitment of Americans.
"In my view, it is at the base of who we are -- when we are in trouble, to be able to rise up and serve and make a difference," he said. "You can serve in our own country or globally, but you are needed."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - All portions of the U.S. government have a role in dealing with any instability that results from the world's financial crisis, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here yesterday. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen gave a public talk sponsored by Princeton University and the Woodrow Wilson School, visited with the college's ROTC detachment and participated in a roundtable discussion with the faculty.
In his remarks, the chairman expressed concern about the militarization of U.S. foreign policy.
"What is overarching is the global financial crisis," Mullen said. "I worry a great deal as we work our way through this – and I think it's going to take longer rather than shorter to do that. I worry about the effect that will have on instability throughout the world."
The chairman noted that throughout history, the United States hasn't been good about predicting where instability will occur. "As this crisis really takes hold, there will be places that become unstable that we haven't anticipated," he said. "We need a whole-of-government approach."
The United States military is a force for freedom and good in the world, Mullen said, but it's not the solution to every problem. "The United States military is necessary, but it is not sufficient alone," Mullen said. He pointed out that the American military is stretched and is doing missions that servicemembers have not been trained to do.
"They are an incredible group of young people who are incredibly adaptive and creative and innovative, and they do this unbelievably well," he said. "But we need to back off of that over time."
Other Cabinet-level departments – State, Treasury, Commerce, Justice – have the proper expertise for "soft-power" missions and need to have personnel able to deploy to address these problems, Mullen said. "But in my opinion," he added, "we are a good decade away from creating a capability in our other departments."
For example, he said, employees in the Agriculture Department do not expect to deploy to Afghanistan. "So I've got soldiers in the [National] Guard who are farmers in Texas and Missouri and Iowa, and they are going to Afghanistan to work on agriculture because it is what we need, because that's the economic base of the country," he said.
In a later interview, the chairman used Iraq as an example. One of the lessons of that conflict, he said, has been the multiplying effect that State Department officials serving at joint security stations have had on the situation. State officials are experts in governance and negotiation in a way that military personnel are not, the admiral said, yet in the first call for civilian volunteers to serve in Iraq, "half of them were from the Department of Defense, which is another extension of the military, and these are people who are available and accept orders and go do it."
Mullen said the government must work to generate the necessary capacity to bring soft-power expertise into implementation of U.S. foreign policy. "And we're going to need it right now," he said. "The president, the leaders of agencies, everybody has to be committed to generating this capacity down through the agencies."
Mullen told the Princeton audience that there are plenty of places to serve, and that the world needs the expertise and commitment of Americans.
"In my view, it is at the base of who we are -- when we are in trouble, to be able to rise up and serve and make a difference," he said. "You can serve in our own country or globally, but you are needed."
Toys for Tots Successful Despite Slow Economy
By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - Sixteen million new toys were distributed to 7.6 million children over the Christmas holiday through the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The program's aim is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to children in communities where campaigns are conducted.
The 2008 campaign took place in 657 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
"This was a very successful campaign," retired Marine Corps Maj. William J. Grein, vice president of marketing and development for the Toys for Tots Foundation, said. "We were very pleased with the outcome. We feel we touched a lot of needy families over the holidays."
The American people and the campaign's corporate sponsors are to be applauded for their compassion and generosity during tough economic times, he said.
"Toy donations were slightly down, but we did see an increase in cash contributions," Grein said. "This was a very interesting year. Our feelings were, maybe folks couldn't afford to buy a $20 toy, but still were willing to make a $10 or $15 donation."
Despite the economy, the campaign was successful because of outstanding efforts on the part of local Toys for Tots campaign coordinators, the Marine Forces Reserve and the staff of the Toys for Tots Foundation, campaign officials said.
"We are dealing with children that don't often understand the result of a bad economy," Grein said. "They just can't rationalize it. All they know, all they see is Christmas is a time when Santa comes and when good things happen. They want to be a part of that. As a parent, I would be crushed if I was not able to give a gift to my child at Christmas. This program brings hope and smiles to parents and children."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - Sixteen million new toys were distributed to 7.6 million children over the Christmas holiday through the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The program's aim is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to children in communities where campaigns are conducted.
The 2008 campaign took place in 657 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
"This was a very successful campaign," retired Marine Corps Maj. William J. Grein, vice president of marketing and development for the Toys for Tots Foundation, said. "We were very pleased with the outcome. We feel we touched a lot of needy families over the holidays."
The American people and the campaign's corporate sponsors are to be applauded for their compassion and generosity during tough economic times, he said.
"Toy donations were slightly down, but we did see an increase in cash contributions," Grein said. "This was a very interesting year. Our feelings were, maybe folks couldn't afford to buy a $20 toy, but still were willing to make a $10 or $15 donation."
Despite the economy, the campaign was successful because of outstanding efforts on the part of local Toys for Tots campaign coordinators, the Marine Forces Reserve and the staff of the Toys for Tots Foundation, campaign officials said.
"We are dealing with children that don't often understand the result of a bad economy," Grein said. "They just can't rationalize it. All they know, all they see is Christmas is a time when Santa comes and when good things happen. They want to be a part of that. As a parent, I would be crushed if I was not able to give a gift to my child at Christmas. This program brings hope and smiles to parents and children."
New Navy Ship's Cost Overstated in News Reports, Official Says
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - The projected unit cost of the next-generation U.S. Navy destroyer is much lower than the figures being cited in some news reports, a senior Defense Department official said here yesterday. The DDG-1000 is a high-tech, guided-missile destroyer that is envisioned to eventually replace the Arleigh Burke class of warships developed 30 years ago.
The Pentagon would pay between $2.2 to $2.5 billion for each new DDG-1000 ship after the regular production line is up and running, John J. Young Jr., undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics told reporters at the Pentagon.
Young said he disagrees with news reports that say DDG-1000 vessels would cost up to $7 billion per copy.
"There's no basis for any [cost] projection that this ship is going to cost 5 or 6 or 7 billion dollars," Young said.
The cost of a first prototype, or lead, DDG-1000 ship is about $3.3 billion because the government pays for the initial drawings and production set-up, Young said. The unit cost of follow-on ships would decrease due to industrial economies of scale, he said.
Conversely, unit production costs can rise if the number of items to manufacture is reduced from the original schedule, Young explained.
The DDG-1000 series is designated the Zumwalt class, named after late Navy Adm. Elmo Zumwalt Jr. The new ships feature computer-aided design, modular construction, high-tech armaments and radar, as well as a unique, streamlined hull design.
Originally, 32 DDG-1000 vessels were to be built at shipyards in Maine and Mississippi. Recent production plans called for two ships to be built.
However, the DDG-1000 is on hold for now, as Pentagon and interagency officials re-examine the project, Young said.
"Aside from the warfighting analysis, we do need to do some producibility analysis, manufacturing analysis and cost analysis," he said.
Some officials suggest that modifying Arleigh Burke class ships would be a less expensive way to create a new vessel, Young said. That approach, he said, wouldn't produce as much cost savings as imagined, and would result in a vessel possessing undesirable mass without the capabilities of the DDG-1000.
"You cannot do that without significant changes in that ship," Young said of proposals to rework Arleigh Burke ships to create a new vessel. "You will have to add cooling capacity; you will have to add electrical generating capacity," as well as upgraded radar equipment.
And, the Arleigh Burke class destroyer "has already gained weight because it is 30 years into its service life and ships are designed with a certain amount of weight-carrying capacity," he said.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2009 - The projected unit cost of the next-generation U.S. Navy destroyer is much lower than the figures being cited in some news reports, a senior Defense Department official said here yesterday. The DDG-1000 is a high-tech, guided-missile destroyer that is envisioned to eventually replace the Arleigh Burke class of warships developed 30 years ago.
The Pentagon would pay between $2.2 to $2.5 billion for each new DDG-1000 ship after the regular production line is up and running, John J. Young Jr., undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics told reporters at the Pentagon.
Young said he disagrees with news reports that say DDG-1000 vessels would cost up to $7 billion per copy.
"There's no basis for any [cost] projection that this ship is going to cost 5 or 6 or 7 billion dollars," Young said.
The cost of a first prototype, or lead, DDG-1000 ship is about $3.3 billion because the government pays for the initial drawings and production set-up, Young said. The unit cost of follow-on ships would decrease due to industrial economies of scale, he said.
Conversely, unit production costs can rise if the number of items to manufacture is reduced from the original schedule, Young explained.
The DDG-1000 series is designated the Zumwalt class, named after late Navy Adm. Elmo Zumwalt Jr. The new ships feature computer-aided design, modular construction, high-tech armaments and radar, as well as a unique, streamlined hull design.
Originally, 32 DDG-1000 vessels were to be built at shipyards in Maine and Mississippi. Recent production plans called for two ships to be built.
However, the DDG-1000 is on hold for now, as Pentagon and interagency officials re-examine the project, Young said.
"Aside from the warfighting analysis, we do need to do some producibility analysis, manufacturing analysis and cost analysis," he said.
Some officials suggest that modifying Arleigh Burke class ships would be a less expensive way to create a new vessel, Young said. That approach, he said, wouldn't produce as much cost savings as imagined, and would result in a vessel possessing undesirable mass without the capabilities of the DDG-1000.
"You cannot do that without significant changes in that ship," Young said of proposals to rework Arleigh Burke ships to create a new vessel. "You will have to add cooling capacity; you will have to add electrical generating capacity," as well as upgraded radar equipment.
And, the Arleigh Burke class destroyer "has already gained weight because it is 30 years into its service life and ships are designed with a certain amount of weight-carrying capacity," he said.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Buffalo Soldier Statue Rededication Opens Black History Month Observance
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - The active-duty grandson of a Buffalo Soldier joined Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. here today to rededicate a statue honoring the soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments, all-black units made up of former slaves, freemen and black Civil war soldiers. The rededication of the Army's Eddie Dixon replica Buffalo Soldier statue at the Pentagon kicked off the Army's Black History Month commemoration.
"It is a time for all of us to celebrate the past, present and future contributions of all African-Americans to this nation," Casey said during the ceremony.
The Buffalo Soldiers were highly respected for their tenacity and bravery on the plains during the westward movement and in the Spanish-American War and World War I before being disbanded during World War II.
"They answered the call to service, and in doing so, left an inspiring legacy," Casey said.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Greg Browne, an operations noncommissioned officer at the U.S. Army Reserve Command at Fort McPherson, Ga., is among those younger generations who followed the Buffalo Soldiers' example. His grandfather, Pfc. Sylvanus S. Browne, served with the 9th Cavalry at the turn of the century, and became a commissioned officer in 1917.
The younger Browne said his grandfather's stories about his service filled him with pride and inspired him to join the Army. He enlisted in 1981, the same year his grandfather died, and he has worn the uniform through 28 years of combined active-duty and reserve service.
Today's ceremony felt great, he said, because it ensures the story of the Buffalo Soldiers -- his own family's story -- lives on.
"This is a story that must be told," he said. "I am going to carry it everywhere I go. I want my children to know. I think we have a responsibility to let the ones who come after us to know the history."
At the center of that story, Browne said, is the Buffalo Soldiers' commitment to service when the country needed them.
"It's something very, very strong and very, very powerful, and our family cherishes it," he said. "Everyone needs to serve the country."
Browne and Casey both noted President Barack Obama's call during his inaugural address for all Americans to serve in some capacity. Casey called it striking that Obama had highlighted "the willingness of our armed forces to sacrifice to find meaning in something greater than ourselves" as an example to the country.
The Buffalo Soldiers statue, and the story of service behind it, "represents the very heart of our president's call," Casey said.
"It represents service to the nation during a tough time -- service by Americans determined to make a better future for those who follow them," he added.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - The active-duty grandson of a Buffalo Soldier joined Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. here today to rededicate a statue honoring the soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments, all-black units made up of former slaves, freemen and black Civil war soldiers. The rededication of the Army's Eddie Dixon replica Buffalo Soldier statue at the Pentagon kicked off the Army's Black History Month commemoration.
"It is a time for all of us to celebrate the past, present and future contributions of all African-Americans to this nation," Casey said during the ceremony.
The Buffalo Soldiers were highly respected for their tenacity and bravery on the plains during the westward movement and in the Spanish-American War and World War I before being disbanded during World War II.
"They answered the call to service, and in doing so, left an inspiring legacy," Casey said.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Greg Browne, an operations noncommissioned officer at the U.S. Army Reserve Command at Fort McPherson, Ga., is among those younger generations who followed the Buffalo Soldiers' example. His grandfather, Pfc. Sylvanus S. Browne, served with the 9th Cavalry at the turn of the century, and became a commissioned officer in 1917.
The younger Browne said his grandfather's stories about his service filled him with pride and inspired him to join the Army. He enlisted in 1981, the same year his grandfather died, and he has worn the uniform through 28 years of combined active-duty and reserve service.
Today's ceremony felt great, he said, because it ensures the story of the Buffalo Soldiers -- his own family's story -- lives on.
"This is a story that must be told," he said. "I am going to carry it everywhere I go. I want my children to know. I think we have a responsibility to let the ones who come after us to know the history."
At the center of that story, Browne said, is the Buffalo Soldiers' commitment to service when the country needed them.
"It's something very, very strong and very, very powerful, and our family cherishes it," he said. "Everyone needs to serve the country."
Browne and Casey both noted President Barack Obama's call during his inaugural address for all Americans to serve in some capacity. Casey called it striking that Obama had highlighted "the willingness of our armed forces to sacrifice to find meaning in something greater than ourselves" as an example to the country.
The Buffalo Soldiers statue, and the story of service behind it, "represents the very heart of our president's call," Casey said.
"It represents service to the nation during a tough time -- service by Americans determined to make a better future for those who follow them," he added.
High School Students Take Day to Learn About 'IT' Jobs
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - IT, or information technology, was the topic today for about 100 students, mostly from area high schools, as officials at the Pentagon hosted the 3rd annual IT Job Shadow Day. The day was designed to give students a unique opportunity to observe the federal IT work force and learn about federal agencies in support of the Federal Chief Information Officers Council's Information Technology Job Shadow Day.
It also helps to attract future federal IT employees to repopulate the work force, which could possibly lose a large portion of its members to retirement, said Joyce France, director of the Defense Department's Chief Information Officer Management Services.
"Currently, [the Defense Department's] civilian IT work force demographics mirror those of the overall federal work force," she said. "Both have a large retirement-eligible population -- over a third of the IT work force is over age 50." The department employs more than 3 million people, all of whom use information technology in the course of their jobs, she noted.
"From the desktop computer, to the most complex business and war-fighting systems," she said, "we are dependent on IT to perform our mission."
While the Defense Department competes with the rest of the federal government and the private sector for the highly skilled employees with the necessary business, technology and acquisition competencies, France said, she's seen a trend since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
"We are finding that ... today's high school students have a sincere interest in wanting to serve their country by working for the federal government," she said. "Particularly at [the Defense Department], there is a real sense of mission, and the IT professional can play a critical role in helping the warfighters protect our nation."
The students, about 40 more than last year, spent the day with several Defense Department components in the national capital region. They learned about cyber security, forensics and the kinds of jobs the IT career field offers. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Indianapolis also hosted students from two high schools, France said, and 36 department agencies and 36 high schools overall participated in the IT Job Shadow Day.
"Each year, we continue to increase participation in IT Job Shadow Day and plan to expand the event worldwide," she added.
"I hoped to gain more knowledge about this field and working with the Department of Defense," said Sami Omer, a junior at Edison High School in Springfield, Va. "Actually talking to people who do work with the Department of Defense, [gave me] some of the inside tips and tricks and how to get your foot in the door. It's definitely been very insightful."
Omer, who is interested in pursuing a career in information assurance, already had made up his mind that he was going to work for the government and work in the IT career field. The IT Job Shadow Day only served to reinforce that decision, he said.
Judson Wheeler, a senior, said he plans on becoming an Army Ranger, but if that doesn't work out, today's event has sparked an interest in the IT field.
"The forensic guy in there was actually pretty interesting," Judson said. "I might actually do that, kind of like a special agent-type thing, but working with IT." Judson splits his school day between Robert E. Lee High School and Edison Academy, where he participates in Army Junior ROTC. Both schools are in Springfield, Va.
Thomas Sterling agreed the opportunity gave him some background he wouldn't have been able to get any other way.
"I kind of want to integrate IT with military applications," he said. "[The day] gave me more of a background, something that you wouldn't get from Web pages or pamphlets. It was more in-depth." Sterling, a senior, splits his day between South Lakes High School in Reston, Va., and Chantilly Academy's Air Force Junior ROTC program in Chantilly, Va. He's applied to the Air Force Academy and received a congressional nomination.
The Pentagon's 3rd annual IT Job Shadow Day was co-sponsored by the Association for Federal Information Resources Management and by Junior Achievement.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - IT, or information technology, was the topic today for about 100 students, mostly from area high schools, as officials at the Pentagon hosted the 3rd annual IT Job Shadow Day. The day was designed to give students a unique opportunity to observe the federal IT work force and learn about federal agencies in support of the Federal Chief Information Officers Council's Information Technology Job Shadow Day.
It also helps to attract future federal IT employees to repopulate the work force, which could possibly lose a large portion of its members to retirement, said Joyce France, director of the Defense Department's Chief Information Officer Management Services.
"Currently, [the Defense Department's] civilian IT work force demographics mirror those of the overall federal work force," she said. "Both have a large retirement-eligible population -- over a third of the IT work force is over age 50." The department employs more than 3 million people, all of whom use information technology in the course of their jobs, she noted.
"From the desktop computer, to the most complex business and war-fighting systems," she said, "we are dependent on IT to perform our mission."
While the Defense Department competes with the rest of the federal government and the private sector for the highly skilled employees with the necessary business, technology and acquisition competencies, France said, she's seen a trend since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
"We are finding that ... today's high school students have a sincere interest in wanting to serve their country by working for the federal government," she said. "Particularly at [the Defense Department], there is a real sense of mission, and the IT professional can play a critical role in helping the warfighters protect our nation."
The students, about 40 more than last year, spent the day with several Defense Department components in the national capital region. They learned about cyber security, forensics and the kinds of jobs the IT career field offers. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Indianapolis also hosted students from two high schools, France said, and 36 department agencies and 36 high schools overall participated in the IT Job Shadow Day.
"Each year, we continue to increase participation in IT Job Shadow Day and plan to expand the event worldwide," she added.
"I hoped to gain more knowledge about this field and working with the Department of Defense," said Sami Omer, a junior at Edison High School in Springfield, Va. "Actually talking to people who do work with the Department of Defense, [gave me] some of the inside tips and tricks and how to get your foot in the door. It's definitely been very insightful."
Omer, who is interested in pursuing a career in information assurance, already had made up his mind that he was going to work for the government and work in the IT career field. The IT Job Shadow Day only served to reinforce that decision, he said.
Judson Wheeler, a senior, said he plans on becoming an Army Ranger, but if that doesn't work out, today's event has sparked an interest in the IT field.
"The forensic guy in there was actually pretty interesting," Judson said. "I might actually do that, kind of like a special agent-type thing, but working with IT." Judson splits his school day between Robert E. Lee High School and Edison Academy, where he participates in Army Junior ROTC. Both schools are in Springfield, Va.
Thomas Sterling agreed the opportunity gave him some background he wouldn't have been able to get any other way.
"I kind of want to integrate IT with military applications," he said. "[The day] gave me more of a background, something that you wouldn't get from Web pages or pamphlets. It was more in-depth." Sterling, a senior, splits his day between South Lakes High School in Reston, Va., and Chantilly Academy's Air Force Junior ROTC program in Chantilly, Va. He's applied to the Air Force Academy and received a congressional nomination.
The Pentagon's 3rd annual IT Job Shadow Day was co-sponsored by the Association for Federal Information Resources Management and by Junior Achievement.
MILITARY CONTRACTS February 5, 2009
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $11,760,286 firm fixed price contract for snow blowers. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. There were originally two proposals solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jan. 15, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-01-D-0066-0023).
NACCO Material Handling Group, Greenville, N.C., is being awarded a maximum $7,307,085 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for forklifts. Other location of performance is Kentucky. Using service is Air Force. There were originally two proposals solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Mar. 15, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-01-D-0054).
Signature Flight Support Corp., Bedford, Mass., is being awarded a maximum $6,712,764 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other location of performance is in Massachusetts. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Mar. 31, 2013. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-09-D-0041).
NAVY
Rolls-Royce Engine Services, Oakland, Calif; StandardAero (San Antonio), Inc., San Antonio, Texas; and Wood Group Turbopower, LLC; Miami Lakes, Fla., are each being awarded firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts to provide depot-level repair for the T56 Series III engine. The award for Rolls-Royce Engine Services is $36,379,415; for StandardAero, Inc., it is $43,165,973; and for Wood Group Turbopower, LLC it is $47,608,704. The three major modules of the engine to be maintained and repaired under this contract will be (a maximum annual quantity of) 160 Power Sections, 180 Reduction Gear Assemblies, and 140 Torquemeters. Depot-level repair of T56 Series III engine modules is required to support fielded P-3 and derivative aircraft, as well as T56-powered C-130 and C-2 aircraft. Place of performance for Rolls-Royce Engine Services is Oakland, Calif.; for StandardAero, it is San Antonio, Texas; and for Wood Group LLC, it is Miami Lakes, Fla. These contracts are expected to be completed in February 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $5,816,296 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were competitively procured via electronic Request for Proposal and four offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-09-D-0013; N00019-09-D-0014; N00019-09-D-0012, respectively).
Canadian Commercial Corp., General Dynamics Land Systmes - Canada (GDLS-C) is being awarded a $26,791,877 firm fixed priced modification to delivery order #0004 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of Authorized Stockage List and Prescribed Load List parts to support 673 MRAP vehicles. The staging of these parts allows vehicles that have been damaged to be brought back to full mission capable in a minimal amount of time. GDLS-C uses a multitude of suppliers for these parts, both U.S. based and abroad. 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.
EnVetCo, Inc.*, New Bern, N.C.; Futron-SDVS LLC JV*, Wilmington, N.C.; International Public Works, LLC*, Mount Pleasant, S.C.; and Robra Construction, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va., are each being awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity multiple award construction contract for general building type projects at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Base Cherry Point. The maximum dollar value, for the base period for all four contracts combined is $20,000,000. The total contract amount for all four contracts combined, including the base period and four option years, is $100,000,000. Futron-SDVS LLC JV is being awarded task order #0001 at $374,278 for interior and exterior repairs to Building 2628 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by Aug. 2009. All work on this contract will be performed in Jacksonville and Cherry Point, N.C., and work is expected to be completed Jan. 2014. Contract funds for task order #0001 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 16 proposals received. These four contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-09-D-5336/5337/5338/5339).
L-3 Services, Inc., Germantown, Md., is being awarded an $11,842,031 task order #0070 under previously awarded firm fixed price contract (M67854-02-A-9010) to provide acquisition, logistics, and administrative support as program management assistance for the Program Manager for Training Systems (PM TRASYS) located at the Central Fla., Research Park, Orlando, Fla. PM TRASYS continues to support Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) and Training Education Command (TECOM) requirements to identify, develop, and field material and non-material solutions as the training systems manager. This support task includes work across the Live Training Systems functional and project teams; Live Training Systems Integrated Program Management, Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) Systems, Range Instrumentation Systems (RIS), Range Training Aides Devices & Simulations (RTADS), Field Operations, and emerging hybrid live-simulated training environments. The focus for Live Training Systems efforts responds to requirements requested by TECOM to support pre-deployment training/alternate training venues and the Marine Corps' operational force capabilities. This includes providing program, logistics, and administrative support for mapping MCSC Product Groups systems acquisition to training requirements, determination of most efficient training methodologies, and implementation and technical documentation for acquisition of training systems and training support. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., and work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $11,660,572 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Harris Corp., RF Communications Division, Rochester, N.Y., is being awarded a $9,419,550 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity, firm fixed price contract for man pack radios, dismount kits and extended warranties. Harris Corp. will be required to deliver up to 250 Falcon III AN/PRC-117G Man Pack Radios, up to 250 dismount kits, and up to 250 extended warranties (7years) if maximum quantities are ordered. This effort is in support of the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) in deployed locations worldwide. Without these radios and the associated warranties, the TACP airmen can not perform their mission which is the terminal control of combat aircraft supporting close air support missions directly in support of ground forces. The work will be performed in Rochester, N.Y., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-09-D-JS08).
George Mason University, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $7,176,093 cost no fee research and development contract for counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) research. The contractor will perform research and develop models and methods to enhance the ability of The Joint Improvise Explosive Device Defeat Organization Operations Research Systems Analysis to execute its mission. This contract contains options which, if exercised, will bring the total value of the contract to $10,395,241. Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va., (96 percent) and Bowie Md., (4 percent), and work is expected to be completed Jan. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at end of current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under an Office of Naval Research Broad Agency Announcement 08-001 Long Range Broad Agency Announcement for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology dated Sept. 5, 2007. Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Va., is the contract activity (N00014-09-C-0419).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems of San Diego, Calif., for an amount not to exceed $81,273,117. This effort is for two MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and two Mobile Ground Control Stations for the Italy Foreign Military Sales customer. At this time $40,049,760 has been obligated. 703 AESG/SYF, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8620-05-G-3028).
The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed fee contract to Boeing Satellite Systems Inc., of El Segundo, Calif., for $10,248,866. This action will develop a system concept through the performance of trade studies, modeling and simulation, system analysis, and requirements definition to provide a comprehensive approach that addresses formulation of an architecture providing high-value capabilities for the Department of Defense. Det 8 AFRL/RVKS, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico is the contracting activity (FA9453-09-C-0338).
Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $11,760,286 firm fixed price contract for snow blowers. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. There were originally two proposals solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jan. 15, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-01-D-0066-0023).
NACCO Material Handling Group, Greenville, N.C., is being awarded a maximum $7,307,085 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for forklifts. Other location of performance is Kentucky. Using service is Air Force. There were originally two proposals solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Mar. 15, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-01-D-0054).
Signature Flight Support Corp., Bedford, Mass., is being awarded a maximum $6,712,764 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other location of performance is in Massachusetts. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Mar. 31, 2013. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-09-D-0041).
NAVY
Rolls-Royce Engine Services, Oakland, Calif; StandardAero (San Antonio), Inc., San Antonio, Texas; and Wood Group Turbopower, LLC; Miami Lakes, Fla., are each being awarded firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts to provide depot-level repair for the T56 Series III engine. The award for Rolls-Royce Engine Services is $36,379,415; for StandardAero, Inc., it is $43,165,973; and for Wood Group Turbopower, LLC it is $47,608,704. The three major modules of the engine to be maintained and repaired under this contract will be (a maximum annual quantity of) 160 Power Sections, 180 Reduction Gear Assemblies, and 140 Torquemeters. Depot-level repair of T56 Series III engine modules is required to support fielded P-3 and derivative aircraft, as well as T56-powered C-130 and C-2 aircraft. Place of performance for Rolls-Royce Engine Services is Oakland, Calif.; for StandardAero, it is San Antonio, Texas; and for Wood Group LLC, it is Miami Lakes, Fla. These contracts are expected to be completed in February 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $5,816,296 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were competitively procured via electronic Request for Proposal and four offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-09-D-0013; N00019-09-D-0014; N00019-09-D-0012, respectively).
Canadian Commercial Corp., General Dynamics Land Systmes - Canada (GDLS-C) is being awarded a $26,791,877 firm fixed priced modification to delivery order #0004 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of Authorized Stockage List and Prescribed Load List parts to support 673 MRAP vehicles. The staging of these parts allows vehicles that have been damaged to be brought back to full mission capable in a minimal amount of time. GDLS-C uses a multitude of suppliers for these parts, both U.S. based and abroad. 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.
EnVetCo, Inc.*, New Bern, N.C.; Futron-SDVS LLC JV*, Wilmington, N.C.; International Public Works, LLC*, Mount Pleasant, S.C.; and Robra Construction, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va., are each being awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity multiple award construction contract for general building type projects at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Base Cherry Point. The maximum dollar value, for the base period for all four contracts combined is $20,000,000. The total contract amount for all four contracts combined, including the base period and four option years, is $100,000,000. Futron-SDVS LLC JV is being awarded task order #0001 at $374,278 for interior and exterior repairs to Building 2628 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by Aug. 2009. All work on this contract will be performed in Jacksonville and Cherry Point, N.C., and work is expected to be completed Jan. 2014. Contract funds for task order #0001 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 16 proposals received. These four contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-09-D-5336/5337/5338/5339).
L-3 Services, Inc., Germantown, Md., is being awarded an $11,842,031 task order #0070 under previously awarded firm fixed price contract (M67854-02-A-9010) to provide acquisition, logistics, and administrative support as program management assistance for the Program Manager for Training Systems (PM TRASYS) located at the Central Fla., Research Park, Orlando, Fla. PM TRASYS continues to support Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) and Training Education Command (TECOM) requirements to identify, develop, and field material and non-material solutions as the training systems manager. This support task includes work across the Live Training Systems functional and project teams; Live Training Systems Integrated Program Management, Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) Systems, Range Instrumentation Systems (RIS), Range Training Aides Devices & Simulations (RTADS), Field Operations, and emerging hybrid live-simulated training environments. The focus for Live Training Systems efforts responds to requirements requested by TECOM to support pre-deployment training/alternate training venues and the Marine Corps' operational force capabilities. This includes providing program, logistics, and administrative support for mapping MCSC Product Groups systems acquisition to training requirements, determination of most efficient training methodologies, and implementation and technical documentation for acquisition of training systems and training support. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., and work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $11,660,572 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Harris Corp., RF Communications Division, Rochester, N.Y., is being awarded a $9,419,550 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity, firm fixed price contract for man pack radios, dismount kits and extended warranties. Harris Corp. will be required to deliver up to 250 Falcon III AN/PRC-117G Man Pack Radios, up to 250 dismount kits, and up to 250 extended warranties (7years) if maximum quantities are ordered. This effort is in support of the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) in deployed locations worldwide. Without these radios and the associated warranties, the TACP airmen can not perform their mission which is the terminal control of combat aircraft supporting close air support missions directly in support of ground forces. The work will be performed in Rochester, N.Y., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-09-D-JS08).
George Mason University, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $7,176,093 cost no fee research and development contract for counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) research. The contractor will perform research and develop models and methods to enhance the ability of The Joint Improvise Explosive Device Defeat Organization Operations Research Systems Analysis to execute its mission. This contract contains options which, if exercised, will bring the total value of the contract to $10,395,241. Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va., (96 percent) and Bowie Md., (4 percent), and work is expected to be completed Jan. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at end of current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under an Office of Naval Research Broad Agency Announcement 08-001 Long Range Broad Agency Announcement for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology dated Sept. 5, 2007. Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Va., is the contract activity (N00014-09-C-0419).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems of San Diego, Calif., for an amount not to exceed $81,273,117. This effort is for two MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and two Mobile Ground Control Stations for the Italy Foreign Military Sales customer. At this time $40,049,760 has been obligated. 703 AESG/SYF, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8620-05-G-3028).
The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed fee contract to Boeing Satellite Systems Inc., of El Segundo, Calif., for $10,248,866. This action will develop a system concept through the performance of trade studies, modeling and simulation, system analysis, and requirements definition to provide a comprehensive approach that addresses formulation of an architecture providing high-value capabilities for the Department of Defense. Det 8 AFRL/RVKS, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico is the contracting activity (FA9453-09-C-0338).
Troop-support Group Specializes in Adaptive Clothing
By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - A troop-support group that provides clothing specially adapted for wounded troops recovering in military hospitals, will roll out a new line of garments later this year. "We are working on wheelchair garments and halo shirts," Michele Cuppy, president of Sew Much Comfort, said. "We are also working on dress pants that will look more like off-the-rack pants. With the talented seamstresses we have, we will be taking special requests for these items."
Since 2004, Sew Much Comfort, based in Burnsville, Minn., has provided adaptive clothing and comfort accessories to injured servicemembers throughout the United States, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. The clothing, made using fabric-fastener openings, allows injured servicemembers to dress themselves easily and provides ready access to the injury or wound area by the servicemember, medical staff or family.
In 2006, Sew Much Comfort volunteers received top honors from the "Newman's Own Awards" program and were invited to the White House by then-President George W. Bush.
The groups' major focus this year is to incorporate wheelchair and dress pants garments into their clothing line, as well as to become more "visible and available" at all the major military hospitals across the world, Cuppy said.
"We want to make sure, no matter what the wound or injury is, troops know that there is clothing available for them," she said. "We believe these new garments will allow injured servicemembers to easily dress themselves and feel more comfortable in public. All garments appear as normal civilian attire, which makes possible a more natural and comfortable recovery."
Lisa Schroeder of Beaumont, Calif., whose son, Army Sgt. Christopher Schroeder, broke his arm in Iraq, said she was very pleased with the clothing her son received last year.
"Our son broke his right elbow and left wrist in Iraq and was flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for surgeries," Schroeder said. "My worries were for his recovery and how soon we could arrive to help him. We had no time to think of practicalities like clothing. Sew Much Comfort adaptive shirts were one of the biggest blessings for him. He wanted some 'real' shirts to wear while recovering, and we were so happy when someone brought the care package of shirts to his room."
With the help of more than 1,500 volunteer seamstresses, Sew Much Comfort made nearly 30,000 pieces of adaptive clothing and comfort accessories last year. Cuppy said the program's seamstresses are the driving force behind her organization.
Sew Much Comfort volunteers include ambassadors who deliver the clothing to the hospitals. Medical personnel also call and request clothing to be sent to them, Cuppy noted. This year, Sew Much Comfort has added an online order form on its Web site so servicemembers can order clothing directly.
"With our distribution facility, we are able to grab from the shelves and ship in two to three days," Cuppy said.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - A troop-support group that provides clothing specially adapted for wounded troops recovering in military hospitals, will roll out a new line of garments later this year. "We are working on wheelchair garments and halo shirts," Michele Cuppy, president of Sew Much Comfort, said. "We are also working on dress pants that will look more like off-the-rack pants. With the talented seamstresses we have, we will be taking special requests for these items."
Since 2004, Sew Much Comfort, based in Burnsville, Minn., has provided adaptive clothing and comfort accessories to injured servicemembers throughout the United States, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. The clothing, made using fabric-fastener openings, allows injured servicemembers to dress themselves easily and provides ready access to the injury or wound area by the servicemember, medical staff or family.
In 2006, Sew Much Comfort volunteers received top honors from the "Newman's Own Awards" program and were invited to the White House by then-President George W. Bush.
The groups' major focus this year is to incorporate wheelchair and dress pants garments into their clothing line, as well as to become more "visible and available" at all the major military hospitals across the world, Cuppy said.
"We want to make sure, no matter what the wound or injury is, troops know that there is clothing available for them," she said. "We believe these new garments will allow injured servicemembers to easily dress themselves and feel more comfortable in public. All garments appear as normal civilian attire, which makes possible a more natural and comfortable recovery."
Lisa Schroeder of Beaumont, Calif., whose son, Army Sgt. Christopher Schroeder, broke his arm in Iraq, said she was very pleased with the clothing her son received last year.
"Our son broke his right elbow and left wrist in Iraq and was flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for surgeries," Schroeder said. "My worries were for his recovery and how soon we could arrive to help him. We had no time to think of practicalities like clothing. Sew Much Comfort adaptive shirts were one of the biggest blessings for him. He wanted some 'real' shirts to wear while recovering, and we were so happy when someone brought the care package of shirts to his room."
With the help of more than 1,500 volunteer seamstresses, Sew Much Comfort made nearly 30,000 pieces of adaptive clothing and comfort accessories last year. Cuppy said the program's seamstresses are the driving force behind her organization.
Sew Much Comfort volunteers include ambassadors who deliver the clothing to the hospitals. Medical personnel also call and request clothing to be sent to them, Cuppy noted. This year, Sew Much Comfort has added an online order form on its Web site so servicemembers can order clothing directly.
"With our distribution facility, we are able to grab from the shelves and ship in two to three days," Cuppy said.
Logistics Agency Leads in Recruiting Students With Disabilities
By Tonya Johnson
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - The Defense Logistics Agency hired 91 college students with disabilities under the federal government's Workforce Recruitment Program in 2008, more than any other federal agency. The jointly sponsored Defense and Labor department program matches students with disabilities with internships at government agencies or private-sector companies. Since it started in 1995, about 4,500 students have participated, and more than 350 of them have been interns at DLA, officials said.
The Army hired the most WRP interns from 2004 to 2007, Famia Magana, director of DLA's Equal Employment Office, said. With 86 hires in 2008, the Army had the second-highest total in the federal government. Magana said DLA officials set a goal to make the most WRP hires in 2008.
"The fact that we have achieved No. 1 status within the federal government for the 2008 WRP cycle means that what we're doing is working," Magana said. "Last year, we came in second place and hired 51 students." The agency's strategy, implemented over the past five years, is driving better results, she said.
"We have dramatically increased the agency's participation in this program and increased the participation of individuals with disabilities and targeted disabilities within DLA," she added.
The Workforce Recruitment Program is the only recruitment and referral program that connects federal-sector employers nationwide with highly motivated post-secondary students and recent graduates with disabilities, Eric Spanbauer, manager of DLA's disability program and WRP, said. "[These students] are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs anywhere in the enterprise," he said.
The program helps DLA officials meet the agency's goal of a 3 percent representation of people with targeted disabilities within its work force, he added.
Representatives from DLA headquarters and the field activities visit colleges and universities to meet students and explain the agency's mission during the recruitment phase of the program's cycle.
Students wishing to participate in WRP must be enrolled at an accredited institution on a full-time basis and be seeking an undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degree. The 14-week summer program offers interns a chance to participate annually until the summer after graduation.
DLA interns have worked in a variety of offices, including public affairs, human resources, general counsel and equal employment opportunity, and most come in at the GS-4 or GS-5 level.
One of the goals of the program is for interns eventually to be hired as full-time employees, Magana said. Many WRP interns who meet eligibility requirements can be hired noncompetitively through the Schedule A hiring authority. Interns also can apply for the DLA Corporate Intern Program, a two-year training program that employees enter as GS-7s and graduate from as GS-11s, with experience in multiple areas of the agency's business operations.
Magana said she encourages hiring officials and managers to take advantage of WRP and has received positive feedback from both interns and supervisors who have participated in the program.
"I would challenge DLA hiring officials to consider WRP candidates to fill their hiring needs," she said. "They are highly qualified, and their turnover rate is low once they get their foot in the door and show their capabilities."
Defense Department officials allocate the number of individuals an agency can hire under this program each year based on a dollar value. If an agency does not hire the interns allocated, then other agencies can receive the additional unused funds. Agencies also have the option of hiring more individuals than the Defense Department will pay for under the Workforce Recruitment Program by funding the extra positions themselves.
In 2008, DLA received $640,000 to hire students under the Workforce Recruitment Program. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia and the Defense Distribution Center each hired 19 interns. The two organizations also requested additional slots -- DSCP and DDC funded two and three interns, respectively, from their own budgets.
DLA's 2009 allocation calls for 68 funded positions, but Magana said she hopes the agency can surpass last year's results and hire more than 91.
"The number of WRP hires is only limited by how the agency embraces the program," she said. "It just makes sense to hire qualified people from this program to work in different occupations to support the warfighter."
The program kicks off in mid-March, when hiring officials can access a database of more than 1,800 students screened to participate in the program.
(Tonya Johnson works at the Defense Logistics Agency public affairs office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - The Defense Logistics Agency hired 91 college students with disabilities under the federal government's Workforce Recruitment Program in 2008, more than any other federal agency. The jointly sponsored Defense and Labor department program matches students with disabilities with internships at government agencies or private-sector companies. Since it started in 1995, about 4,500 students have participated, and more than 350 of them have been interns at DLA, officials said.
The Army hired the most WRP interns from 2004 to 2007, Famia Magana, director of DLA's Equal Employment Office, said. With 86 hires in 2008, the Army had the second-highest total in the federal government. Magana said DLA officials set a goal to make the most WRP hires in 2008.
"The fact that we have achieved No. 1 status within the federal government for the 2008 WRP cycle means that what we're doing is working," Magana said. "Last year, we came in second place and hired 51 students." The agency's strategy, implemented over the past five years, is driving better results, she said.
"We have dramatically increased the agency's participation in this program and increased the participation of individuals with disabilities and targeted disabilities within DLA," she added.
The Workforce Recruitment Program is the only recruitment and referral program that connects federal-sector employers nationwide with highly motivated post-secondary students and recent graduates with disabilities, Eric Spanbauer, manager of DLA's disability program and WRP, said. "[These students] are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs anywhere in the enterprise," he said.
The program helps DLA officials meet the agency's goal of a 3 percent representation of people with targeted disabilities within its work force, he added.
Representatives from DLA headquarters and the field activities visit colleges and universities to meet students and explain the agency's mission during the recruitment phase of the program's cycle.
Students wishing to participate in WRP must be enrolled at an accredited institution on a full-time basis and be seeking an undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degree. The 14-week summer program offers interns a chance to participate annually until the summer after graduation.
DLA interns have worked in a variety of offices, including public affairs, human resources, general counsel and equal employment opportunity, and most come in at the GS-4 or GS-5 level.
One of the goals of the program is for interns eventually to be hired as full-time employees, Magana said. Many WRP interns who meet eligibility requirements can be hired noncompetitively through the Schedule A hiring authority. Interns also can apply for the DLA Corporate Intern Program, a two-year training program that employees enter as GS-7s and graduate from as GS-11s, with experience in multiple areas of the agency's business operations.
Magana said she encourages hiring officials and managers to take advantage of WRP and has received positive feedback from both interns and supervisors who have participated in the program.
"I would challenge DLA hiring officials to consider WRP candidates to fill their hiring needs," she said. "They are highly qualified, and their turnover rate is low once they get their foot in the door and show their capabilities."
Defense Department officials allocate the number of individuals an agency can hire under this program each year based on a dollar value. If an agency does not hire the interns allocated, then other agencies can receive the additional unused funds. Agencies also have the option of hiring more individuals than the Defense Department will pay for under the Workforce Recruitment Program by funding the extra positions themselves.
In 2008, DLA received $640,000 to hire students under the Workforce Recruitment Program. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia and the Defense Distribution Center each hired 19 interns. The two organizations also requested additional slots -- DSCP and DDC funded two and three interns, respectively, from their own budgets.
DLA's 2009 allocation calls for 68 funded positions, but Magana said she hopes the agency can surpass last year's results and hire more than 91.
"The number of WRP hires is only limited by how the agency embraces the program," she said. "It just makes sense to hire qualified people from this program to work in different occupations to support the warfighter."
The program kicks off in mid-March, when hiring officials can access a database of more than 1,800 students screened to participate in the program.
(Tonya Johnson works at the Defense Logistics Agency public affairs office.)
Face of Defense: Sergeant Gives Kidney to Fellow Airman
By Air Force Master Sgt. Darryl Bush
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - On April 30, 2008, Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Jones became what some would call the "ultimate wingman." Jones, a senior controller in the Maintenance Operations Center of the 58th Maintenance Operations Squadron here, gave one of his kidneys to Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam Johnson, a fellow controller who had been in total renal failure for more than 22 months.
Johnson was suffering from a rare autoimmune disease known as IgA nephropathy, which meant his body had turned against itself and his immune system was killing his own kidneys. He was undergoing long and painful dialysis treatments to remove the toxins from his blood that his kidneys no longer could.
"Adam would come to work on Monday and he would just be puffy. There's no other way to describe it," Air Force Maj. Mark O'Reilly, 58th MOS commander, said. "His skin was ashen, and there were bags under his eyes, but through it all, he never let it affect him or his professionalism."
Johnson's family all submitted to screening tests, but none were found to be a viable donor. Six members of the 58th MOS also volunteered to undergo screening; however, all but one were quickly eliminated. The sixth, another MOC controller, passed all but the last test before finding out that she, too, was not a viable donor.
After almost 18 months of dialysis, the prospects of finding a kidney were starting to dim.
Then, in the summer of 2007, Jones joined the MOC team as a weapons system controller. He heard about Johnson's fight for life and his need for a kidney, and without any hesitation, he volunteered to undergo the screening process.
The screening process is long and arduous. Besides the many compatibility tests and invasive procedures to ensure a donor kidney will be accepted by its host body, potential donors also must undergo many hours of counseling and psychological screenings. The tests are for the safety of both the donor and the recipient and are meant to ensure the donation is being made under proper legal and ethical circumstances.
For Jones, this meant that many tests had to be performed after long nights as the senior controller during the midnight shift. Then, finally, on April 1, doctors cleared Jones to donate one of his kidneys to Johnson.
"At first, I thought it was an April Fools joke," Jones said.
The surgery took place April 30. For six hours, doctors worked to remove the kidney from Jones and implant it into Johnson.
"The kidney 'pinked up' immediately," Lorissa Johnson, the recipient's wife, said. "Before long, the color returned to Adam's face and his energy started coming back. He had so much energy the nurses had to threaten to tie him down to keep him in bed!"
Meanwhile, recovery for Jones was painful, at times making even breathing unbearable. Family, friends and members of the 58th MOS stood by him, and despite the struggles, Jones never complained or regretted the decision.
"I felt that, for whatever reason, I was meant to be in the MOC and to help [Johnson]," Jones said.
Johnson said he'll always feel gratitude toward Jones.
"It is truly a humbling experience to have to ask someone outside of my family to give up an organ," he said. "[Jones'] decision to donate rescued me from a miserable existence on dialysis. His gift gave me my life back and saved my military career, and I will always be grateful for that."
Both sergeants have fully recovered and continue to work side by side in the MOC.
(Air Force Master Sgt. Darryl Bush serves in the 58th Maintenance Operations Squadron.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - On April 30, 2008, Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Jones became what some would call the "ultimate wingman." Jones, a senior controller in the Maintenance Operations Center of the 58th Maintenance Operations Squadron here, gave one of his kidneys to Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam Johnson, a fellow controller who had been in total renal failure for more than 22 months.
Johnson was suffering from a rare autoimmune disease known as IgA nephropathy, which meant his body had turned against itself and his immune system was killing his own kidneys. He was undergoing long and painful dialysis treatments to remove the toxins from his blood that his kidneys no longer could.
"Adam would come to work on Monday and he would just be puffy. There's no other way to describe it," Air Force Maj. Mark O'Reilly, 58th MOS commander, said. "His skin was ashen, and there were bags under his eyes, but through it all, he never let it affect him or his professionalism."
Johnson's family all submitted to screening tests, but none were found to be a viable donor. Six members of the 58th MOS also volunteered to undergo screening; however, all but one were quickly eliminated. The sixth, another MOC controller, passed all but the last test before finding out that she, too, was not a viable donor.
After almost 18 months of dialysis, the prospects of finding a kidney were starting to dim.
Then, in the summer of 2007, Jones joined the MOC team as a weapons system controller. He heard about Johnson's fight for life and his need for a kidney, and without any hesitation, he volunteered to undergo the screening process.
The screening process is long and arduous. Besides the many compatibility tests and invasive procedures to ensure a donor kidney will be accepted by its host body, potential donors also must undergo many hours of counseling and psychological screenings. The tests are for the safety of both the donor and the recipient and are meant to ensure the donation is being made under proper legal and ethical circumstances.
For Jones, this meant that many tests had to be performed after long nights as the senior controller during the midnight shift. Then, finally, on April 1, doctors cleared Jones to donate one of his kidneys to Johnson.
"At first, I thought it was an April Fools joke," Jones said.
The surgery took place April 30. For six hours, doctors worked to remove the kidney from Jones and implant it into Johnson.
"The kidney 'pinked up' immediately," Lorissa Johnson, the recipient's wife, said. "Before long, the color returned to Adam's face and his energy started coming back. He had so much energy the nurses had to threaten to tie him down to keep him in bed!"
Meanwhile, recovery for Jones was painful, at times making even breathing unbearable. Family, friends and members of the 58th MOS stood by him, and despite the struggles, Jones never complained or regretted the decision.
"I felt that, for whatever reason, I was meant to be in the MOC and to help [Johnson]," Jones said.
Johnson said he'll always feel gratitude toward Jones.
"It is truly a humbling experience to have to ask someone outside of my family to give up an organ," he said. "[Jones'] decision to donate rescued me from a miserable existence on dialysis. His gift gave me my life back and saved my military career, and I will always be grateful for that."
Both sergeants have fully recovered and continue to work side by side in the MOC.
(Air Force Master Sgt. Darryl Bush serves in the 58th Maintenance Operations Squadron.)
Kentucky Guard Delivers Meals, Water to Storm Victims
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - Kentucky National Guard troops are delivering record numbers of meals and bottled water as part of the relief effort supporting citizens affected by last week's ice storm. "This is a huge undertaking on the part of the Kentucky Guard," Air Force Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, the state's adjutant general, said. "Our citizen-soldiers have delivered more than 450,000 meals so far to local communities, and we are on schedule to bring in 285,000 meals every day in the foreseeable future."
In addition to the meals, nearly a million bottles of water have been handed out in regions where residents have no access to clean water. A half- million bottles of water are coming in on a daily basis.
"We are working around the clock to get critical supplies to the citizens of Kentucky," Tonini said. "There is nothing more important than making sure everyone has food and water and a way to keep warm."
About 4,000 Kentucky National Guard troops remain on duty, removing debris and running communications sites in addition to delivering essential supplies. Most of the effort is in western Kentucky, where dozens of communities remain without power.
Restoration of electric power to water plants, communications facilities, shelters and homes remains a top priority. Troops are working with state and local crews in clearing road and gaining access to damaged power transmission lines. Guard members also are conducting wellness checks. Eighty-nine of Kentucky's 120 counties have been cleared or do not require assistance.
(From a Kentucky National Guard news release.)
Feb. 5, 2009 - Kentucky National Guard troops are delivering record numbers of meals and bottled water as part of the relief effort supporting citizens affected by last week's ice storm. "This is a huge undertaking on the part of the Kentucky Guard," Air Force Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, the state's adjutant general, said. "Our citizen-soldiers have delivered more than 450,000 meals so far to local communities, and we are on schedule to bring in 285,000 meals every day in the foreseeable future."
In addition to the meals, nearly a million bottles of water have been handed out in regions where residents have no access to clean water. A half- million bottles of water are coming in on a daily basis.
"We are working around the clock to get critical supplies to the citizens of Kentucky," Tonini said. "There is nothing more important than making sure everyone has food and water and a way to keep warm."
About 4,000 Kentucky National Guard troops remain on duty, removing debris and running communications sites in addition to delivering essential supplies. Most of the effort is in western Kentucky, where dozens of communities remain without power.
Restoration of electric power to water plants, communications facilities, shelters and homes remains a top priority. Troops are working with state and local crews in clearing road and gaining access to damaged power transmission lines. Guard members also are conducting wellness checks. Eighty-nine of Kentucky's 120 counties have been cleared or do not require assistance.
(From a Kentucky National Guard news release.)
Pirate Hijacking Resolved Peacefully; U.S. Monitors Situation
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - Pirates today released the Ukrainian ship Faina, which they had held for ransom along with its 21-member crew and cargo since hijacking the vessel off the coast of Somalia in September. The ship's crew was released unharmed, and the U.S. military is monitoring the situation, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters.
"I think that it is always a good outcome when there are not lives that are lost," Whitman said of the hijacking's peaceful outcome.
Seagoing pirates operating off the coasts of Somalia and Yemen have preyed on commercial shipping, often holding captured vessels, cargoes and crews for millions of dollars in ransom money. The problem seemed to worsen until last month's stand-up of a multinational, anti-pirate consortium known as Combined Task Force 151.
The pirates who hijacked the Faina reportedly were paid a sizable ransom that was air-dropped aboard the hijacked vessel.
The pirates may have gotten away in this instance, but that doesn't take away from the fact that piracy is a crime, Whitman said.
Piracy "is a troubling and concerning activity, as we've talked about in the past; it's an illegal activity," Whitman said.
"But, I guess if there's any silver lining," Whitman continued, "it's that in most of these cases to date, [the] crews have ultimately been released unharmed."
The Faina was transporting an estimated $30 million of Russian military equipment to Kenya when it was intercepted Sept. 25 by pirates cruising off the coast of Somalia.
Kenya is an east African nation that faces the Indian Ocean. Kenya's neighbors include Ethiopia and Somalia to the north and northeast, Uganda and Sudan to the northwest, and Tanzania to the south.
U.S. authorities were not concerned that the military equipment aboard the Faina was to be delivered to Kenya, a U.S. ally in the region, officials said. In fact, the Kenyan government announced recently that it would try pirates captured by the U.S. military.
The key Pentagon concern in the days after the Faina's hijacking was that the ship's cargo could be sold to terrorists.
"Our concern is making sure that this cargo does not end up in the hands of anyone who would use it in a way that would be destabilizing to the region, and we have committed significant resources to make sure those objectives are met," Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters Sept. 30.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 5, 2009 - Pirates today released the Ukrainian ship Faina, which they had held for ransom along with its 21-member crew and cargo since hijacking the vessel off the coast of Somalia in September. The ship's crew was released unharmed, and the U.S. military is monitoring the situation, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters.
"I think that it is always a good outcome when there are not lives that are lost," Whitman said of the hijacking's peaceful outcome.
Seagoing pirates operating off the coasts of Somalia and Yemen have preyed on commercial shipping, often holding captured vessels, cargoes and crews for millions of dollars in ransom money. The problem seemed to worsen until last month's stand-up of a multinational, anti-pirate consortium known as Combined Task Force 151.
The pirates who hijacked the Faina reportedly were paid a sizable ransom that was air-dropped aboard the hijacked vessel.
The pirates may have gotten away in this instance, but that doesn't take away from the fact that piracy is a crime, Whitman said.
Piracy "is a troubling and concerning activity, as we've talked about in the past; it's an illegal activity," Whitman said.
"But, I guess if there's any silver lining," Whitman continued, "it's that in most of these cases to date, [the] crews have ultimately been released unharmed."
The Faina was transporting an estimated $30 million of Russian military equipment to Kenya when it was intercepted Sept. 25 by pirates cruising off the coast of Somalia.
Kenya is an east African nation that faces the Indian Ocean. Kenya's neighbors include Ethiopia and Somalia to the north and northeast, Uganda and Sudan to the northwest, and Tanzania to the south.
U.S. authorities were not concerned that the military equipment aboard the Faina was to be delivered to Kenya, a U.S. ally in the region, officials said. In fact, the Kenyan government announced recently that it would try pirates captured by the U.S. military.
The key Pentagon concern in the days after the Faina's hijacking was that the ship's cargo could be sold to terrorists.
"Our concern is making sure that this cargo does not end up in the hands of anyone who would use it in a way that would be destabilizing to the region, and we have committed significant resources to make sure those objectives are met," Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters Sept. 30.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Taking Care of Our Own Must Take Priority, Mullen Says
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 4, 2009 - As the nation enters its eighth year of war, the military's highest-ranking officer says he is concerned about the health of the armed forces, and he wants to ensure the country takes care of its men and women in uniform. "We are asking an extraordinary amount from them, and they are giving it in ways that are so, so very special," Adm. Mike Mullen, 17th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Feb. 2 at Grove City College, Pa., delivering the 2008-2009 Pew Memorial Lecture.
"We have asked our young men and women to deploy in ways they never could have imagined – active duty, reserve and Guard – and they have stood up to the challenge," he said. Yet multiple deployments of 12 to 15 months, he noted, have taken a toll on servicemembers and their families.
"I was with 500 soldiers not too long ago, many of whom had just gotten back from Iraq, and I asked them how many deployments they had been on," Mullen said. "Forty to 50 percent of the soldiers in the room at an all-hands call had just completed their fourth deployment. That is not much time at home; that is not much time raising kids; that is not much time just taking a break."
The chairman said he finds the force "incredibly resilient, and at the same time, very pressed."
"We need to pay attention to the entirety of our people and their families and the programs which support them in order to make sure that they are well-positioned for the future," Mullen said. The totality of that support, he said, will determine whether or not they remain in the military.
Life-long support is especially important for wounded servicemembers, their families, and the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. "We are a wealthy enough country, even in these financially difficult times, to make sure they are taken care of and their needs are met for the rest of their lives," he said, drawing applause from the estimated 700 Grove City College students and guests.
The chairman said a community-based approach is needed to provide support, because the Defense Department and the Veterans Affairs Department can't do it all. "It's really DoD, the VA and literally communities throughout the country reaching out and touching these people to make sure their needs are met," he said.
Mullen pointed out that the Army's suicide rate now exceeds the national norm. He said suicide is a huge challenge that military leaders are focused on to find near-term and long-term solutions.
"Part of it has got to be the pressure of these constant deployments into combat, where young individuals ... whose lives change forever see things and do things they had never imagined," the chairman said. "We have got to be able to support those individuals in ways that, in some cases, we haven't quite figured out yet."
In a speech at the Reserve Officers Association earlier in the day, Mullen said there is a need to double the amount of "dwell time," or time a servicemember spends at home.
"Right now, for the most part on the active side, you're home about as long as you've been deployed," he said. "We have the goal on the reserve and Guard sides to be one year out, five years back. We're clearly not there."
Identifying troops suffering from post-traumatic stress is another challenge facing the military, Mullen said.
"I've been told by enough by young soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that they just check the block and move through [the health assessment], because they know if they check the wrong block, they're not going to be able to go home," the chairman told the reserve officers.
He said the stigma associated with post-traumatic stress till is significant, and military leaders need to work to eliminate people's unwillingness to seek help. They have to figure out a way to get every single person, not just those who raise their hand, to go through a meaningful assessment for post-traumatic stress disorder, Mullen said.
For example, he said, soldiers coming back from a horrendous combat tour get out and fly home. They've been through hell. Things have affected them in ways that they can't even see. They've seen buddies die, and they have the nightmares that go with it. Now, the structure the military provided is gone. They may or may not have family there to support them. They're alone.
"Right now, we only track individuals for 120 days when they get out," Mullen said. "We've got to have a tracking system that stays in touch with individuals so they know where the life lines are. It needs to be transparent and seamless so that we make sure we can support individuals who have sacrificed so much."
While the military has come a long way and understands post-traumatic stress better than a few years ago, he said, there's still a long way to go.
"I am 100 percent convinced that no matter what happens, if we get it right for our people and our families, we'll be able to continue to sustain and develop a military second to none," he said.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 4, 2009 - As the nation enters its eighth year of war, the military's highest-ranking officer says he is concerned about the health of the armed forces, and he wants to ensure the country takes care of its men and women in uniform. "We are asking an extraordinary amount from them, and they are giving it in ways that are so, so very special," Adm. Mike Mullen, 17th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Feb. 2 at Grove City College, Pa., delivering the 2008-2009 Pew Memorial Lecture.
"We have asked our young men and women to deploy in ways they never could have imagined – active duty, reserve and Guard – and they have stood up to the challenge," he said. Yet multiple deployments of 12 to 15 months, he noted, have taken a toll on servicemembers and their families.
"I was with 500 soldiers not too long ago, many of whom had just gotten back from Iraq, and I asked them how many deployments they had been on," Mullen said. "Forty to 50 percent of the soldiers in the room at an all-hands call had just completed their fourth deployment. That is not much time at home; that is not much time raising kids; that is not much time just taking a break."
The chairman said he finds the force "incredibly resilient, and at the same time, very pressed."
"We need to pay attention to the entirety of our people and their families and the programs which support them in order to make sure that they are well-positioned for the future," Mullen said. The totality of that support, he said, will determine whether or not they remain in the military.
Life-long support is especially important for wounded servicemembers, their families, and the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. "We are a wealthy enough country, even in these financially difficult times, to make sure they are taken care of and their needs are met for the rest of their lives," he said, drawing applause from the estimated 700 Grove City College students and guests.
The chairman said a community-based approach is needed to provide support, because the Defense Department and the Veterans Affairs Department can't do it all. "It's really DoD, the VA and literally communities throughout the country reaching out and touching these people to make sure their needs are met," he said.
Mullen pointed out that the Army's suicide rate now exceeds the national norm. He said suicide is a huge challenge that military leaders are focused on to find near-term and long-term solutions.
"Part of it has got to be the pressure of these constant deployments into combat, where young individuals ... whose lives change forever see things and do things they had never imagined," the chairman said. "We have got to be able to support those individuals in ways that, in some cases, we haven't quite figured out yet."
In a speech at the Reserve Officers Association earlier in the day, Mullen said there is a need to double the amount of "dwell time," or time a servicemember spends at home.
"Right now, for the most part on the active side, you're home about as long as you've been deployed," he said. "We have the goal on the reserve and Guard sides to be one year out, five years back. We're clearly not there."
Identifying troops suffering from post-traumatic stress is another challenge facing the military, Mullen said.
"I've been told by enough by young soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that they just check the block and move through [the health assessment], because they know if they check the wrong block, they're not going to be able to go home," the chairman told the reserve officers.
He said the stigma associated with post-traumatic stress till is significant, and military leaders need to work to eliminate people's unwillingness to seek help. They have to figure out a way to get every single person, not just those who raise their hand, to go through a meaningful assessment for post-traumatic stress disorder, Mullen said.
For example, he said, soldiers coming back from a horrendous combat tour get out and fly home. They've been through hell. Things have affected them in ways that they can't even see. They've seen buddies die, and they have the nightmares that go with it. Now, the structure the military provided is gone. They may or may not have family there to support them. They're alone.
"Right now, we only track individuals for 120 days when they get out," Mullen said. "We've got to have a tracking system that stays in touch with individuals so they know where the life lines are. It needs to be transparent and seamless so that we make sure we can support individuals who have sacrificed so much."
While the military has come a long way and understands post-traumatic stress better than a few years ago, he said, there's still a long way to go.
"I am 100 percent convinced that no matter what happens, if we get it right for our people and our families, we'll be able to continue to sustain and develop a military second to none," he said.
MILITARY CONTRACTS February 4, 2008
NAVY
P&L General Contractors, Inc.*, Oak Harbor, Wash.; RMA Land Construction, Inc.*, Seattle, Wash.; Southwest Construction*, Bremerton, Wash. ; Newton Severson JV*, Bremerton, Wash.; Diversified Maintenance Systems, Inc.*, Salt Lake City, Utah; and Performance Systems, Inc.*, Fruitland, Idaho, are each being awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity multiple award construction contract for new construction, renovation, alteration, demolition and repair work at various locations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for general building type projects (new construction, renovation, alteration, and repair of facilities and infrastructure, roofing, demolition, and routine renovation) including but not limited to: 1) administrative and industrial facilities, 2) housing renovation, 3) child care centers, 4) lodges, 5) recreation and fitness facilities, 6) retail complexes, 7) warehouses, 8) housing offices, 9) housing offices, 10) community centers, 11) and commercial, manufacturing and industrial buildings. The maximum dollar value, including the base period and three option years, for all six contracts combined is $60,000,000. Each contractor is being awarded the minimum guarantee of $15,000. Contract funds for Task Order 0001 (minimum guarantee) will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. All work will be performed in the NAVFAC Northwest AOR, including but not limited to, Wash., (94 percent), Ore., (2 percent), Idaho, (2 percent), Mont., (1 percent), and Alaska, (1 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 48 months, with an expected completion date of Feb. 2013. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 16 proposals received. These six contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity (N44255-09-D-4007/4008/ 4009/4010/4011/4012).
Engineering-Environmental Management, Inc., Englewood, Colo., is being awarded a maximum $20,000,000 firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity architect/engineering contract for environmental planning and engineering services for National Environmental Policy Act and Executive Order 12114 environmental effects abroad of major Federal actions in the NAVFAC Atlantic area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed includes Categorical Exclusions, Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Reviews, and Environmental Studies. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Atlantic AOR including, but not limited to Va., (50 percent) Calif., (20 percent), N.C., (10 percent), Fla. (10 percent), and Wash. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the NAVFAC e-solicitation websitewith five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N62470-09-D-2003).
Guam Shipyard, Santa Rita, Guam, is being awarded an $8,952,117 firm fixed price contract for a regular overhaul of Military Sealift Command ammunition ship USNS Shasta (T-AE 33). This regular overhaul includes cleaning, and inspecting tanks and spaces, underwater hull cleaning and painting, and numerous inspections and certifications. The ship's primary mission is to deliver ammunition, provisions, stores, spare parts, potable water and petroleum to the Navy's carrier strike groups and other naval forces at sea. The contract includes options that, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $10,929,307. Work will be performed in Santa Rita, Guam, and is expected to be completed within 55 calendar days. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole source procurement. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Fleet Support Command, a field activity of Military Sealift Command, is the contracting activity (N40446-09-C-0003).
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $5,718,669 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity time and material contract (N00019-07-D-0005) for non-recurring efforts in support of the planned retrofit of MH-60S aircraft 1 – 119 to improve operational and warfighting capabilities. Specifically, this modification provides for the design and development of retrofit kits; purchase of four retrofit kits for the performance of two separate validation and verifications; and preparation and delivery of two routine action technical directives for the MH-60S Warfighter Operational Safety Improvement Program. Work will be performed in Stratford, Conn., (84.5 percent); Coronado, Calif., (12.2 percent); and Lexington, Ky., (3.3 percent), and is expected to be completed in Jun. 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.
ARMY
Arkansas State University, State University, Ark., was awarded on Feb. 3, 2009, a $6,032,115 cost contract to research and develop a laser based multicolor, real-time, remote sensor capable of detecting an explosive substance from a distance of 100 meters. Work is to be performed at Arkansas State University, State University, Ark., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 3, 2013. Bids were solicited on the Web with nine bids received. CECOM Acquisition Center Washington, Alexandria, Va., is the contracting activity (W909MY-09-C-0001).
Raytheon Co., AMDS, Andover, Mass., was awarded on Feb. 2, 2009, a $39,097,211 firm fixed price (letter contract modification) for procurement, installation, and testing of 3 PATRIOT Radar Enhancement Phase 3/Classification, Discrimination, and Identification Phase 3 modification kits for Taiwan radars. Work is to be performed at Andover, Mass., with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2015. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command, Contracting Center, Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-07-C-0151).
Fraunhofer USA Inc., Newark, Del., was awarded on Feb. 2, 2009, a $5,049,782 cost plus fixed fee contract for the Accelerated manufacture of Pharmaceuticals (AMP) Program which seeks to produce therapeutics or vaccines "on demand" in large quantity, at low cost to interdict both established and new biological threats. Work is to be performed at Newark, Del., (86.33 precent), Plymouth Meeting, Pa., (9.71 precent), Dover, Del., (3.48 precent), and Brookline, Mass., (0.48 precent), with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid received. Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (HDTRA1-07-C-0054).
Alliant Techsystems, Plymouth, Minn., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2009, a $5,617,694 base cost plus incentive fee, option I cost plus award fee, option II-IV firm fixed price contract for 155mm M549 System development and demonstration award. Work is to be performed at Plymouth, Minn., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 30, 2011. Bids were solicited on the Web with five bids received. The Army Contracting Command, Joint Munitions & Lethality Contracting Center, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-06-C-0130).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc., Tustin, Calif., is being awarded a maximum $36,000,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for radiology systems, subsystems and components. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. This proposal was originally Web solicited on FedBizOpps with 27 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Feb. 3, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM2D1-09-D-8322).
P&L General Contractors, Inc.*, Oak Harbor, Wash.; RMA Land Construction, Inc.*, Seattle, Wash.; Southwest Construction*, Bremerton, Wash. ; Newton Severson JV*, Bremerton, Wash.; Diversified Maintenance Systems, Inc.*, Salt Lake City, Utah; and Performance Systems, Inc.*, Fruitland, Idaho, are each being awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity multiple award construction contract for new construction, renovation, alteration, demolition and repair work at various locations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for general building type projects (new construction, renovation, alteration, and repair of facilities and infrastructure, roofing, demolition, and routine renovation) including but not limited to: 1) administrative and industrial facilities, 2) housing renovation, 3) child care centers, 4) lodges, 5) recreation and fitness facilities, 6) retail complexes, 7) warehouses, 8) housing offices, 9) housing offices, 10) community centers, 11) and commercial, manufacturing and industrial buildings. The maximum dollar value, including the base period and three option years, for all six contracts combined is $60,000,000. Each contractor is being awarded the minimum guarantee of $15,000. Contract funds for Task Order 0001 (minimum guarantee) will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. All work will be performed in the NAVFAC Northwest AOR, including but not limited to, Wash., (94 percent), Ore., (2 percent), Idaho, (2 percent), Mont., (1 percent), and Alaska, (1 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 48 months, with an expected completion date of Feb. 2013. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 16 proposals received. These six contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity (N44255-09-D-4007/4008/ 4009/4010/4011/4012).
Engineering-Environmental Management, Inc., Englewood, Colo., is being awarded a maximum $20,000,000 firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity architect/engineering contract for environmental planning and engineering services for National Environmental Policy Act and Executive Order 12114 environmental effects abroad of major Federal actions in the NAVFAC Atlantic area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed includes Categorical Exclusions, Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Reviews, and Environmental Studies. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Atlantic AOR including, but not limited to Va., (50 percent) Calif., (20 percent), N.C., (10 percent), Fla. (10 percent), and Wash. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the NAVFAC e-solicitation websitewith five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N62470-09-D-2003).
Guam Shipyard, Santa Rita, Guam, is being awarded an $8,952,117 firm fixed price contract for a regular overhaul of Military Sealift Command ammunition ship USNS Shasta (T-AE 33). This regular overhaul includes cleaning, and inspecting tanks and spaces, underwater hull cleaning and painting, and numerous inspections and certifications. The ship's primary mission is to deliver ammunition, provisions, stores, spare parts, potable water and petroleum to the Navy's carrier strike groups and other naval forces at sea. The contract includes options that, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $10,929,307. Work will be performed in Santa Rita, Guam, and is expected to be completed within 55 calendar days. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole source procurement. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Fleet Support Command, a field activity of Military Sealift Command, is the contracting activity (N40446-09-C-0003).
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $5,718,669 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity time and material contract (N00019-07-D-0005) for non-recurring efforts in support of the planned retrofit of MH-60S aircraft 1 – 119 to improve operational and warfighting capabilities. Specifically, this modification provides for the design and development of retrofit kits; purchase of four retrofit kits for the performance of two separate validation and verifications; and preparation and delivery of two routine action technical directives for the MH-60S Warfighter Operational Safety Improvement Program. Work will be performed in Stratford, Conn., (84.5 percent); Coronado, Calif., (12.2 percent); and Lexington, Ky., (3.3 percent), and is expected to be completed in Jun. 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.
ARMY
Arkansas State University, State University, Ark., was awarded on Feb. 3, 2009, a $6,032,115 cost contract to research and develop a laser based multicolor, real-time, remote sensor capable of detecting an explosive substance from a distance of 100 meters. Work is to be performed at Arkansas State University, State University, Ark., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 3, 2013. Bids were solicited on the Web with nine bids received. CECOM Acquisition Center Washington, Alexandria, Va., is the contracting activity (W909MY-09-C-0001).
Raytheon Co., AMDS, Andover, Mass., was awarded on Feb. 2, 2009, a $39,097,211 firm fixed price (letter contract modification) for procurement, installation, and testing of 3 PATRIOT Radar Enhancement Phase 3/Classification, Discrimination, and Identification Phase 3 modification kits for Taiwan radars. Work is to be performed at Andover, Mass., with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2015. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command, Contracting Center, Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-07-C-0151).
Fraunhofer USA Inc., Newark, Del., was awarded on Feb. 2, 2009, a $5,049,782 cost plus fixed fee contract for the Accelerated manufacture of Pharmaceuticals (AMP) Program which seeks to produce therapeutics or vaccines "on demand" in large quantity, at low cost to interdict both established and new biological threats. Work is to be performed at Newark, Del., (86.33 precent), Plymouth Meeting, Pa., (9.71 precent), Dover, Del., (3.48 precent), and Brookline, Mass., (0.48 precent), with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid received. Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (HDTRA1-07-C-0054).
Alliant Techsystems, Plymouth, Minn., was awarded on Jan. 29, 2009, a $5,617,694 base cost plus incentive fee, option I cost plus award fee, option II-IV firm fixed price contract for 155mm M549 System development and demonstration award. Work is to be performed at Plymouth, Minn., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 30, 2011. Bids were solicited on the Web with five bids received. The Army Contracting Command, Joint Munitions & Lethality Contracting Center, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-06-C-0130).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc., Tustin, Calif., is being awarded a maximum $36,000,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for radiology systems, subsystems and components. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. This proposal was originally Web solicited on FedBizOpps with 27 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Feb. 3, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM2D1-09-D-8322).
Guard Leaders Discuss Successes, Challenges
By Air Force Master Sgt. Greg Rudl
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 4, 2009 - Having enough equipment for domestic response missions, providing support services to warriors and families, and forging international partnerships were just a few of the topics discussed here yesterday by leaders of the National Guard's Army and Air Force components during a panel hosted by the Reserve Officers Association. Maj. Gen. Raymond W. Carpenter, special assistant to the director of the Army National Guard, touted the effectiveness of the Guard's agriculture development teams in Afghanistan. He also said the Army Guard's equipment shortfall is being addressed.
"The governors looked to the National Guard for support in their domestic missions, ... and in some cases they were handicapped, because they didn't have the equipment necessary to respond," he said. "That, along with transformation, generated an initiative to equip the National Guard."
Almost $24 billion of equipment has been appropriated for the Army Guard since 2003, with another $5 billion expected this year, Carpenter said. He added that the Army Guard now is doing a better job than it used to in tracking equipment from acquisition to delivery.
Air Force Maj. Gen Emmett R. Titshaw Jr., who served until recently as acting director of the Air National Guard, talked about the Air Guard's three enduring priorities: winning the war on terrorism and defending the home front, developing adaptable citizen-airmen, and understanding the transition from a platform-based organization to one based on capabilities.
More than 11,000 Air National Guard members are mobilized, Titshaw said, and of those, 8,700 volunteered for duty. The Air Guard must maintain that citizen-warrior spirit of volunteerism, he said.
Titshaw also addressed the Air Guard's recapitalization needs. "The procurement holiday of the '90s has created the dynamic that we are seeing [today]," he said.
"In 2005, the National Guard had 19 F-16 units. In 2018, we'll have four," Titshaw said. "We'll have to find a way to address that. Part of the answer is that we'll have to transition from platform-centric organization to capabilities-based organizations."
In these tough budgetary times, the military's reserve components offer great value, the general said, and he told the audience to seize the opportunity.
"We can deliver combat capability for this nation," he said, "and we can do it in a cost-effective manner."
Air Force Maj. Gen Kelly K. McKeague, chief of staff of the National Guard Bureau, said the Commission on the National Guard and Reserve recognized the "great operational force that the Guard and Reserve offers."
He noted that about 10,000 Guard members on domestic-response duty, many of them helping people in Kentucky, Missouri and Arkansas, cope with the effects of a massive ice storm.
The Guard's 54 joint-force headquarters in states and territories will provide support services to help Guard members and their families cope with deployments, McKeague said.
"Because our reservists are dispersed and often far away from a [Department of Veterans Affairs] facility or an active-duty installation, ... our colleagues up here all share a common vision" that they should have access to all the warrior and family care programs that their active-duty counterparts receive at military installations in large cities, he said.
(Air Force Master Sgt. Greg Rudl serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 4, 2009 - Having enough equipment for domestic response missions, providing support services to warriors and families, and forging international partnerships were just a few of the topics discussed here yesterday by leaders of the National Guard's Army and Air Force components during a panel hosted by the Reserve Officers Association. Maj. Gen. Raymond W. Carpenter, special assistant to the director of the Army National Guard, touted the effectiveness of the Guard's agriculture development teams in Afghanistan. He also said the Army Guard's equipment shortfall is being addressed.
"The governors looked to the National Guard for support in their domestic missions, ... and in some cases they were handicapped, because they didn't have the equipment necessary to respond," he said. "That, along with transformation, generated an initiative to equip the National Guard."
Almost $24 billion of equipment has been appropriated for the Army Guard since 2003, with another $5 billion expected this year, Carpenter said. He added that the Army Guard now is doing a better job than it used to in tracking equipment from acquisition to delivery.
Air Force Maj. Gen Emmett R. Titshaw Jr., who served until recently as acting director of the Air National Guard, talked about the Air Guard's three enduring priorities: winning the war on terrorism and defending the home front, developing adaptable citizen-airmen, and understanding the transition from a platform-based organization to one based on capabilities.
More than 11,000 Air National Guard members are mobilized, Titshaw said, and of those, 8,700 volunteered for duty. The Air Guard must maintain that citizen-warrior spirit of volunteerism, he said.
Titshaw also addressed the Air Guard's recapitalization needs. "The procurement holiday of the '90s has created the dynamic that we are seeing [today]," he said.
"In 2005, the National Guard had 19 F-16 units. In 2018, we'll have four," Titshaw said. "We'll have to find a way to address that. Part of the answer is that we'll have to transition from platform-centric organization to capabilities-based organizations."
In these tough budgetary times, the military's reserve components offer great value, the general said, and he told the audience to seize the opportunity.
"We can deliver combat capability for this nation," he said, "and we can do it in a cost-effective manner."
Air Force Maj. Gen Kelly K. McKeague, chief of staff of the National Guard Bureau, said the Commission on the National Guard and Reserve recognized the "great operational force that the Guard and Reserve offers."
He noted that about 10,000 Guard members on domestic-response duty, many of them helping people in Kentucky, Missouri and Arkansas, cope with the effects of a massive ice storm.
The Guard's 54 joint-force headquarters in states and territories will provide support services to help Guard members and their families cope with deployments, McKeague said.
"Because our reservists are dispersed and often far away from a [Department of Veterans Affairs] facility or an active-duty installation, ... our colleagues up here all share a common vision" that they should have access to all the warrior and family care programs that their active-duty counterparts receive at military installations in large cities, he said.
(Air Force Master Sgt. Greg Rudl serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
General Does Part to Reduce Mental Health Stigma
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 4, 2009 - Army Maj. Gen. David Blackledge is doing his part to reduce the social stigma attached to seeking mental health treatment for war-related stress. The general suffered from post-traumatic stress after surviving a near-death experience during his first deployment to Iraq in 2004. Now he willingly shares his tale of recovery and hopes his example will help others in dealing with war's invisible wounds.
"I felt it was critical that we had senior leaders experiencing [post-traumatic stress] come forward," Blackledge, the Army's assistant deputy chief of staff for mobilization and reserve issues, said in an interview at the Pentagon last week.
The wife of a military member suffering from war trauma used Blackledge's story to spur on her spouse to seek treatment, Blackledge said.
"She said, 'My husband was suffering from this, and when I showed him the article in the paper about you coming forward, he said that if a two-star general can get help, then maybe I can too,'" he said.
Blackledge's story begins in Iraq in February 2004, when he was working there as a civil affairs commander. He was leading a team to Iskandariyah to meet with tribal sheiks when their convoy was ambushed with smalls-arms fire. The attack killed the interpreter sitting near Blackledge and blew out a tire on their vehicle, causing it to roll.
The survivors of the attack regrouped and escaped to a nearby checkpoint. Blackledge suffered a broken back and ribs, and other physical injuries. He was put in a body cast at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, and remained there for several days before arriving at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.
"Within a day of me being at Walter Reed, a psychiatrist came to me ... and talked to me about what was going on. He also told me what to expect," Blackledge recalled. "I told him at the time that the ambush kept replaying in my mind."
The psychiatrist told Blackledge his re-experiencing of the incident was normal, and he provided the general with mental techniques to help gain control of his memories.
"He said to basically picture it as a movie, and when it intrudes, tell yourself, 'I don't want watch the movie right now,' and kind of click it off," he said, adding that the medical staffer also explained to Blackledge and his wife what they could expect over the course of rehabilitation.
The psychiatrist continued to work with the general, who began experiencing nightmares, hyper-alertness and other post-traumatic stress symptoms, he said.
The general added that the psychiatrist also was savvy enough to know how to record the medical information so that Blackledge would not risk harming his career advancement or prospects for future security clearances.
"It seemed logical to me, because there was a concern at that time about how these things would be recorded in your record," Blackledge said, noting that the process has improved significantly since his injuries.
Fifteen months after the ambush, Blackledge again deployed to command a civil affairs unit in Iraq. While at a meeting in Amman, Jordan, in November 2005, Blackledge was in one of the three hotels targeted in a coordinated bombing that killed 60 people and injured more than 100.
When Blackledge returned from that deployment, he again suffered from nightmares and hyper-alertness, as well as sleeplessness and a shortened attention span.
"This time, my concern was not my career, but, 'Is this how I'm going to be for the rest of my life?'" he said.
Blackledge again sought mental health treatment – this time at the Pentagon clinic – where a doctor explained that the therapy he'd begun after his ambush had been interrupted by the second deployment.
"He said, 'Let's start over again, and we'll guarantee you're much better at the end of it,'" Blackledge recalled.
In July 2007, the Army launched a chain-teaching program to help soldiers and their families identify symptoms and seek treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and mild traumatic brain injury.
When Blackledge began incorporating his own experience into the lessons he delivered, he realized the ripple effect that speaking out can have.
"As I gave that instruction to my headquarters staff, I kind of interspersed it with what I'd been through," he recalled. "As I started inserting my own experiences, people started raising their hands and saying, 'I had that same thing happen to me.'"
Blackledge since has volunteered to help Army Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Loree Sutton, a psychiatrist who heads the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, in her campaign to urge post-traumatic stress sufferers to share their stories.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 4, 2009 - Army Maj. Gen. David Blackledge is doing his part to reduce the social stigma attached to seeking mental health treatment for war-related stress. The general suffered from post-traumatic stress after surviving a near-death experience during his first deployment to Iraq in 2004. Now he willingly shares his tale of recovery and hopes his example will help others in dealing with war's invisible wounds.
"I felt it was critical that we had senior leaders experiencing [post-traumatic stress] come forward," Blackledge, the Army's assistant deputy chief of staff for mobilization and reserve issues, said in an interview at the Pentagon last week.
The wife of a military member suffering from war trauma used Blackledge's story to spur on her spouse to seek treatment, Blackledge said.
"She said, 'My husband was suffering from this, and when I showed him the article in the paper about you coming forward, he said that if a two-star general can get help, then maybe I can too,'" he said.
Blackledge's story begins in Iraq in February 2004, when he was working there as a civil affairs commander. He was leading a team to Iskandariyah to meet with tribal sheiks when their convoy was ambushed with smalls-arms fire. The attack killed the interpreter sitting near Blackledge and blew out a tire on their vehicle, causing it to roll.
The survivors of the attack regrouped and escaped to a nearby checkpoint. Blackledge suffered a broken back and ribs, and other physical injuries. He was put in a body cast at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, and remained there for several days before arriving at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.
"Within a day of me being at Walter Reed, a psychiatrist came to me ... and talked to me about what was going on. He also told me what to expect," Blackledge recalled. "I told him at the time that the ambush kept replaying in my mind."
The psychiatrist told Blackledge his re-experiencing of the incident was normal, and he provided the general with mental techniques to help gain control of his memories.
"He said to basically picture it as a movie, and when it intrudes, tell yourself, 'I don't want watch the movie right now,' and kind of click it off," he said, adding that the medical staffer also explained to Blackledge and his wife what they could expect over the course of rehabilitation.
The psychiatrist continued to work with the general, who began experiencing nightmares, hyper-alertness and other post-traumatic stress symptoms, he said.
The general added that the psychiatrist also was savvy enough to know how to record the medical information so that Blackledge would not risk harming his career advancement or prospects for future security clearances.
"It seemed logical to me, because there was a concern at that time about how these things would be recorded in your record," Blackledge said, noting that the process has improved significantly since his injuries.
Fifteen months after the ambush, Blackledge again deployed to command a civil affairs unit in Iraq. While at a meeting in Amman, Jordan, in November 2005, Blackledge was in one of the three hotels targeted in a coordinated bombing that killed 60 people and injured more than 100.
When Blackledge returned from that deployment, he again suffered from nightmares and hyper-alertness, as well as sleeplessness and a shortened attention span.
"This time, my concern was not my career, but, 'Is this how I'm going to be for the rest of my life?'" he said.
Blackledge again sought mental health treatment – this time at the Pentagon clinic – where a doctor explained that the therapy he'd begun after his ambush had been interrupted by the second deployment.
"He said, 'Let's start over again, and we'll guarantee you're much better at the end of it,'" Blackledge recalled.
In July 2007, the Army launched a chain-teaching program to help soldiers and their families identify symptoms and seek treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and mild traumatic brain injury.
When Blackledge began incorporating his own experience into the lessons he delivered, he realized the ripple effect that speaking out can have.
"As I gave that instruction to my headquarters staff, I kind of interspersed it with what I'd been through," he recalled. "As I started inserting my own experiences, people started raising their hands and saying, 'I had that same thing happen to me.'"
Blackledge since has volunteered to help Army Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Loree Sutton, a psychiatrist who heads the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, in her campaign to urge post-traumatic stress sufferers to share their stories.
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