By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
April 29, 2009 - The Marine Corps commandant today confirmed a suspected case of what the U.S. Homeland Security Council now is calling H1N1 flu, but has been known as "swine flu," at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif. A male Marine reported to a medical clinic on base over the weekend complaining of flu-like symptoms. Initial test results indicate the H1N1 virus, and the service is waiting for further results from testing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway said.
The Marine, along with his roommate, are quarantined in the barracks, Conway said, adding that the roommate has shown no symptoms and the infected Marine is recovering.
"He's doing fine," the general said. "He's up and about. He said he feels pretty good. The doctors tell us that at this point, there appears to be no threat to him in terms of loss of life."
Doctors at the base also identified and restricted the activities of 37 other Marines who may have had contact with the infected Marine. The 37 are not officially quarantined, but are not allowed in public places such as unit formations and dining facilities.
The infected Marine was not given Tamiflu, an anti-viral drug used to prevent the flu, because he was past the point in his illness at which the medicine would have been effective, Conway said. All of the other Marines involved are taking Tamiflu.
The southern-California base is about 200 miles from the Mexican border, but the Marine had not visited Mexico, Conway said.
Marine doctors should receive the test results from the CDC in the next two days.
This case comes on the heels of two military family members in Texas, both teenage boys, with confirmed cases this month. Both boys have made full recoveries.
Defense Department officials say they are monitoring the outbreak closely, with a primary focus on protecting the military population.
Two prescription anti-viral drugs, Relenza and Tamiflu, already are standard stock at U.S. military treatment facilities, and larger quantities are stockpiled at several sites in the United States and overseas, officials said.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Official Explains Proposed Post-9/11 GI Bill Transferability Rules
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
April 29, 2009 - With the Department of Veterans Affairs ready to begin accepting sign-ups for the Post-9/11 GI Bill May 1, the Defense Department is working to get word out on its proposed policy regarding the bill's transferability provisions to help servicemembers decide if the new benefit is right for them. Bob Clark, the Pentagon's assistant director for accessions policy, called the Post-9/11 GI Bill that takes effect Aug. 1 an important new benefit. In addition to providing broader educational benefits, it includes a provision that enables enrollees to transfer their benefits to immediate family members.
This long-sought-after provision is expected to be a boom for the military, Clark said, attracting and retaining the skilled force it needs.
"The Post-9/11 GI Bill is going to be an extremely good benefit to attract bright, young Americans to serve in the military," he said.
"The transferability is going to be a tool that will allow us to retain members who have earned that great benefit and share it with their family members and continue to serve," Clark said. "This gives them the opportunity to share those benefits that they have earned with those they love."
The rules for Post-9/11 GI Bill transferability are in the final stages, and Clark said the Defense Department expects few changes, if any.
In a nutshell, any enlisted or commissioned member of the armed forces serving on active duty or in the Selected Reserve on or after Aug. 1 will be eligible to transfer their benefits – as long as they qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill in the first place and meet specific service requirements, Clark explained.
He emphasized that, by law, anyone who has retired or separated from the service before that date – even if it's July 31 – won't be entitled to transfer their benefits. Also excluded will be members of the Individual Ready Reserve and Fleet Reserve.
Most servicemembers who have at least six years of military service as of Aug. 1 and agree to serve an additional four years qualify, he said. But the Defense Department has proposed measures to cover several categories of servicemembers whose circumstances don't fit neatly into this formula.
For example, those with at least 10 years of service – but who can't serve an additional four years because of a service or Defense Department policy –also would qualify, Clark said. They must, however, serve the maximum time allowed before separating from the military, he said.
"What we did not want to do was to penalize those people who had a service policy or statute that would not permit them to commit for the full four years," Clark explained.
Another Pentagon proposal would cover servicemembers who will reach the 20-year service mark, making them retirement-eligible, between Aug. 1, 2009, and Aug. 1, 2013.
Clark explained the breakdown, which basically enables those affected to transfer benefits as long as they complete 20 years of service:
-- Those eligible for retirement on Aug. 1, 2009, would be eligible to transfer their benefits with no additional service requirement.
-- Those with an approved retirement date after Aug. 1, 2009, and before July 1, 2010, would qualify with no additional service.
-- Those eligible for retirement after Aug. 1, 2009, but before Aug. 1, 2010, would qualify with one additional year of service after electing to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
-- Those eligible for retirement between Aug. 1, 2010, and July 31, 2011, would qualify with two additional years of service after electing to transfer.
-- Those eligible to retire between Aug. 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012, would qualify with three additional years of service after electing to transfer.
The servicemember's 36 months of benefits – the equivalent of four nine-month academic years – could be transferred to a spouse, one or more children or any combination, Clark said. The family member must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System to receive the benefits.
Servicemembers also have the option to use some benefits themselves and transfer what they haven't used to one or more family members.
Even after transferring the benefits, they remain the "property" of the servicemember who earned them, who can revoke them or redesignate who receives them at any time.
More details about the Post-9/11 GI Bill are posted on the Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs Web sites, and the Pentagon's proposed transferability policy is on the Defense Department site.
American Forces Press Service
April 29, 2009 - With the Department of Veterans Affairs ready to begin accepting sign-ups for the Post-9/11 GI Bill May 1, the Defense Department is working to get word out on its proposed policy regarding the bill's transferability provisions to help servicemembers decide if the new benefit is right for them. Bob Clark, the Pentagon's assistant director for accessions policy, called the Post-9/11 GI Bill that takes effect Aug. 1 an important new benefit. In addition to providing broader educational benefits, it includes a provision that enables enrollees to transfer their benefits to immediate family members.
This long-sought-after provision is expected to be a boom for the military, Clark said, attracting and retaining the skilled force it needs.
"The Post-9/11 GI Bill is going to be an extremely good benefit to attract bright, young Americans to serve in the military," he said.
"The transferability is going to be a tool that will allow us to retain members who have earned that great benefit and share it with their family members and continue to serve," Clark said. "This gives them the opportunity to share those benefits that they have earned with those they love."
The rules for Post-9/11 GI Bill transferability are in the final stages, and Clark said the Defense Department expects few changes, if any.
In a nutshell, any enlisted or commissioned member of the armed forces serving on active duty or in the Selected Reserve on or after Aug. 1 will be eligible to transfer their benefits – as long as they qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill in the first place and meet specific service requirements, Clark explained.
He emphasized that, by law, anyone who has retired or separated from the service before that date – even if it's July 31 – won't be entitled to transfer their benefits. Also excluded will be members of the Individual Ready Reserve and Fleet Reserve.
Most servicemembers who have at least six years of military service as of Aug. 1 and agree to serve an additional four years qualify, he said. But the Defense Department has proposed measures to cover several categories of servicemembers whose circumstances don't fit neatly into this formula.
For example, those with at least 10 years of service – but who can't serve an additional four years because of a service or Defense Department policy –also would qualify, Clark said. They must, however, serve the maximum time allowed before separating from the military, he said.
"What we did not want to do was to penalize those people who had a service policy or statute that would not permit them to commit for the full four years," Clark explained.
Another Pentagon proposal would cover servicemembers who will reach the 20-year service mark, making them retirement-eligible, between Aug. 1, 2009, and Aug. 1, 2013.
Clark explained the breakdown, which basically enables those affected to transfer benefits as long as they complete 20 years of service:
-- Those eligible for retirement on Aug. 1, 2009, would be eligible to transfer their benefits with no additional service requirement.
-- Those with an approved retirement date after Aug. 1, 2009, and before July 1, 2010, would qualify with no additional service.
-- Those eligible for retirement after Aug. 1, 2009, but before Aug. 1, 2010, would qualify with one additional year of service after electing to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
-- Those eligible for retirement between Aug. 1, 2010, and July 31, 2011, would qualify with two additional years of service after electing to transfer.
-- Those eligible to retire between Aug. 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012, would qualify with three additional years of service after electing to transfer.
The servicemember's 36 months of benefits – the equivalent of four nine-month academic years – could be transferred to a spouse, one or more children or any combination, Clark said. The family member must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System to receive the benefits.
Servicemembers also have the option to use some benefits themselves and transfer what they haven't used to one or more family members.
Even after transferring the benefits, they remain the "property" of the servicemember who earned them, who can revoke them or redesignate who receives them at any time.
More details about the Post-9/11 GI Bill are posted on the Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs Web sites, and the Pentagon's proposed transferability policy is on the Defense Department site.
Retro Space Crew Module Undergoes Tests at Navy Facility
By Samantha L. QuigleyAmerican Forces Press Service
April 29, 2009 - When future astronauts prepare to go to the moon or to a rendezvous with the International Space Station, their craft will look suspiciously familiar. Appearing to be a larger version of the Apollo spacecraft's crew module, the new Orion spacecraft is historical in its conical design.
"We know a lot about the aerodynamic properties of this shape," said Alan Rhodes, NASA's Constellation Program test and verification officer. "It's a great, great craft for space.
"It's not a great boat," he deadpanned.
Because the new spacecraft replaces the space shuttle, which has landed on runways, the Constellation Project team needs to be able to tell today's astronauts what to expect when they splash down in the ocean after a mission. The team also needs to develop best practices for getting the astronauts out of the capsule and recovering the vehicle after splashdown.
Toward those goals, the Orion crew module was brought to the calm waters of the test pond at the Naval Surface Warfare Center's Carderock Division in Bethesda, Md., in late March.
No people have been aboard the capsule for any of the testing there, however. That will come later. Preliminary tests results have been gained through observation and instrumentation.
"The key here is safety," Rhodes said. "It's kind of ... 'learn as quick as possible,' but we've got to make sure we're safe, because we don't want anybody getting hurt with this."
Developing best practices for deploying the module's floatation collar is much safer in the pond's calm waters than in 10-foot seas, Rhodes explained.
The procedure began by lowering the 18,000-pound module into the water while team members guided it toward the center with ropes. Once it was in position, two teams of Air Force pararescuemen in rigid, inflatable Zodiac boats attached a sea anchor before deploying and inflating an 18-inch floatation collar. The sea anchor is the first step to slowing the motion of the capsule, which helps to make the crew more comfortable, officials explained.
Once inflated and attached to the module, the blue-and-yellow collar stabilizes the craft further and provides the recovery crew a platform from which to help the astronauts out of the vehicle.
"The Air Force guys are able to use this test pool to test out all the procedures they're going to want to use when we go to the ocean," Rhodes said.
They also got to test out a procedure they hope they won't have to use when the main hatch on the side of the module failed to open properly during the tests. This glitch, which later was easily explained, had the recovery crew looking to the alternate hatch on top of the vehicle.
"On top, ... there's a secondary hatch called the docking hatch," Rhodes said. "That'll be the hatch they use to enter the space station [or] to attach themselves to the lunar lander [or] the Martian vehicles. It also is a secondary egress path."
The team also should be able to tell the astronauts what to expect in different sea states, he said.
"It helps us understand, 'We think you will have this probability of being sick due to the motions.' 'We think you'll be able to move based on our interpretation of these motions in these manners,'" Rhodes explained.
When all the testing on the Orion crew module is complete the Constellation Project team will have developed best practices for retrieving the crew and recovering the capsule in just about any sea state, Rhodes said.
"It's extremely important to us to make sure that they can [recover the vehicle and crew] in 10-, 12-, and 14-foot seas," said Don Pearson, project manager for the post-landing test. "The reason for that is we want to have what's called a very high launch probability. Any day of the year I want to be able to launch my spacecraft from Kennedy [Space Center]. We have to be able to say, 'Yeah, we've got really rough weather off Boston, but not a problem. We could still pick you guys up [if the capsule splashed down there]. Let's go. Let's launch today.'"
While the capsule has a retro look, sentiment was not what led NASA to resume water landings upon re-entry; it was practicality. While the Russian space program has the expansive, soft soils of Kazakhstan on which to land their Soyuz spacecraft, the United States is not so fortunate.
"Weight is the biggest issue, and a system that can keep the astronauts safe landing on land," said Navy Cmdr. Andy Quiett, the Defense Department's liaison to NASA for the Constellation Program. "We don't have quite that big a [piece of] real estate in the U.S.
"There are several landing sites that they've evaluated," he continued, "and NASA made the call that weight costs money to put [the capsule] into orbit and to have a system to protect the capsule for a land landing. I know the astronaut office wants the safest landing they can have, and the water landing provides that."
The last splashdown of a crew module was Apollo 17, Quiett said. That was Dec. 19, 1972.
The team's consensus during a post-test debrief was that all had gone well and they were on the right track. That didn't mean they were done, however. The group took a break before returning to the pond to run through the same exercise at night.
U.S. Needs 'Pragmatic, Clear-Eyed' Defense Strategy, Flournoy Says
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
April 29, 2009 - Defense Department officials should center strategy on smarter, more pragmatic engagement and closer cooperation with other U.S. government agencies and foreign allies, a top Pentagon official said. Michele Flournoy, undersecretary of Defense for policy, today summarized the department's approach as it gears up to conduct the strategic review it provides to Congress every four years.
"We need to look forward in a very pragmatic, clear-eyed way and develop the capabilities we need to respond across the spectrum to make sure the United States is well positioned to maintain its security and advance security in a changing world," she told an audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies here.
Flournoy added that the United States is facing "one of the most daunting inheritances in generations," and must address difficult questions about balancing present needs with preparing for an uncertain and complex future.
Outlining her views on U.S. defense strategy, Flournoy said pragmatism, engagement in critical parts of the globe, a more balanced use of the government's tools, revitalizing relations with allies and a "whole-of-government" posture should underpin the approach.
But before highlighting the principles that likely will inform the department's congressionally mandated Quadrennial Defense Review, Flournoy described current and emerging challenges, and the broad trends that "fuel and complicate" them.
Providing a thumbnail sketch of the present security landscape, she cited wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the nearly 200,000 U.S. troops deployed in harm's way fighting a broad war against extremism, and the planned military drawdown in Iraq and increased presence in Afghanistan.
While the two wars constitute elements of the security picture, they are not the "sum total," Flournoy said. "We are going to seek to better address both the needs of today's conflicts but also tomorrow's threats," she added.
Other key security challenges include violent extremist movements, the spread of weapons of mass destruction, rising powers with sophisticated weapons and increasing encroachment across the so-called global commons, which include air, sea, space, cyberspace, she said.
Additionally, in contrast to the international dynamics of the past, in which strong countries were likely to pose security challenges, weak or failed states now represent significant cause for concern, she said.
"Historically, most security challenges have come from aggressive, powerful states overstepping the bounds of international norms and international law," she said. "We are now in a world where many of the threats we face will come from state weakness and the inability states to meet the basic needs of their population."
Flournoy said a number of factors are affecting the security challenges, including the global economic downturn, climate change, cultural and demographic shifts, increasing scarcity of resources and the spread of destabilizing technologies.
"These challenges are fueled and complicated by a number of powerful trends that are reshaping the international landscape," she said.
While there is no easy solution for challenges this vast and complex, Flournoy said, the example of America's ability to emerge from post-World War II challenges demonstrates the United States' resilience.
"We've faced a whole magnitude of challenges, and we have both survived and thrived," she said.
The Defense Department will submit to Congress its 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review that assesses department strategy and priorities early next year, according to a department news release.
American Forces Press Service
April 29, 2009 - Defense Department officials should center strategy on smarter, more pragmatic engagement and closer cooperation with other U.S. government agencies and foreign allies, a top Pentagon official said. Michele Flournoy, undersecretary of Defense for policy, today summarized the department's approach as it gears up to conduct the strategic review it provides to Congress every four years.
"We need to look forward in a very pragmatic, clear-eyed way and develop the capabilities we need to respond across the spectrum to make sure the United States is well positioned to maintain its security and advance security in a changing world," she told an audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies here.
Flournoy added that the United States is facing "one of the most daunting inheritances in generations," and must address difficult questions about balancing present needs with preparing for an uncertain and complex future.
Outlining her views on U.S. defense strategy, Flournoy said pragmatism, engagement in critical parts of the globe, a more balanced use of the government's tools, revitalizing relations with allies and a "whole-of-government" posture should underpin the approach.
But before highlighting the principles that likely will inform the department's congressionally mandated Quadrennial Defense Review, Flournoy described current and emerging challenges, and the broad trends that "fuel and complicate" them.
Providing a thumbnail sketch of the present security landscape, she cited wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the nearly 200,000 U.S. troops deployed in harm's way fighting a broad war against extremism, and the planned military drawdown in Iraq and increased presence in Afghanistan.
While the two wars constitute elements of the security picture, they are not the "sum total," Flournoy said. "We are going to seek to better address both the needs of today's conflicts but also tomorrow's threats," she added.
Other key security challenges include violent extremist movements, the spread of weapons of mass destruction, rising powers with sophisticated weapons and increasing encroachment across the so-called global commons, which include air, sea, space, cyberspace, she said.
Additionally, in contrast to the international dynamics of the past, in which strong countries were likely to pose security challenges, weak or failed states now represent significant cause for concern, she said.
"Historically, most security challenges have come from aggressive, powerful states overstepping the bounds of international norms and international law," she said. "We are now in a world where many of the threats we face will come from state weakness and the inability states to meet the basic needs of their population."
Flournoy said a number of factors are affecting the security challenges, including the global economic downturn, climate change, cultural and demographic shifts, increasing scarcity of resources and the spread of destabilizing technologies.
"These challenges are fueled and complicated by a number of powerful trends that are reshaping the international landscape," she said.
While there is no easy solution for challenges this vast and complex, Flournoy said, the example of America's ability to emerge from post-World War II challenges demonstrates the United States' resilience.
"We've faced a whole magnitude of challenges, and we have both survived and thrived," she said.
The Defense Department will submit to Congress its 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review that assesses department strategy and priorities early next year, according to a department news release.
Quadrennial Defense Review Fact Sheet Available on Defenselink
American Forces Press Service
April 29, 2009 - People who are interested in learning more about the Defense Department's Quadrennial Defense Review process can do so by just accessing the QDR fact sheet that was posted today on Defenselink, the Pentagon's public-internet web page.
To access the fact sheet, simply select the "press advisories" button located in the left column of the page, or click on the web link attached below.
"The QDR takes a long-term, strategic view of the Department of Defense and will explore ways to balance achieving success in current conflicts with preparing for long-term challenges," Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III stated in a Defense Department news release issued April 23.
The QDR "will also look at ways to institutionalize irregular warfare capabilities while maintaining the United States' existing strategic and technological edge in traditional warfare," Lynn said in the release.
The QDR is performed every four years; previous QDRs were conducted in 1997, 2001, and 2006.
The purpose of the QDR is "to assess the threats and capabilities the nation faces, and then integrate strategies, resources, forces, and capabilities necessary to prevent conflict or conclude it on terms that are favorable to the nation now and in the future," Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated in an April 23 news release.
April 29, 2009 - People who are interested in learning more about the Defense Department's Quadrennial Defense Review process can do so by just accessing the QDR fact sheet that was posted today on Defenselink, the Pentagon's public-internet web page.
To access the fact sheet, simply select the "press advisories" button located in the left column of the page, or click on the web link attached below.
"The QDR takes a long-term, strategic view of the Department of Defense and will explore ways to balance achieving success in current conflicts with preparing for long-term challenges," Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III stated in a Defense Department news release issued April 23.
The QDR "will also look at ways to institutionalize irregular warfare capabilities while maintaining the United States' existing strategic and technological edge in traditional warfare," Lynn said in the release.
The QDR is performed every four years; previous QDRs were conducted in 1997, 2001, and 2006.
The purpose of the QDR is "to assess the threats and capabilities the nation faces, and then integrate strategies, resources, forces, and capabilities necessary to prevent conflict or conclude it on terms that are favorable to the nation now and in the future," Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated in an April 23 news release.
MILITARY CONTRACTS April 29, 2009
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ENGINEERING AND SUPPORT CENTER, HUNTSVILLE
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded eight contracts with a shared capacity of $650 million to eight contractors who will perform utility monitoring and control systems work throughout the continental U.S. and overseas.
These contracts are for the procurement and installation of utility monitoring and control systems; heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to include chiller/boiler systems installation and/or integration, supervisory control and data acquisition systems; and other automated control systems including fire alarm and life safety systems, chemical/biological/radiological contaminant detection/filtration/response, utilities (electric/gas/water/steam) metering; electronic security systems; and security and/or force protection measures worldwide.
The multiple award task order indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity service contracts have a three-year base period and one optional two-year period for a total of five years. The total capacity of these contracts is $650 million, with shared capacity among eight contractors: Ameresco, Inc., Framingham, Mass.; Honeywell Products, Inc., Austin, Texas; Johnson Controls Building Automation, Huntsville, Ala.; Siemens government Services, Inc., Reston, Va.; TAC Americas, Carrollton, Texas; Teng & Associates, Inc., Chicago, Ill.; Trane U.S. Inc., La Crosse, Wis.; and Williams Electric Company, Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Fla. The Huntsville Center solicited this acquisition on a competitive basis.
U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Boeing Co., of St. Louis, is being awarded a one-year, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with four annual options. The contract has predominantly firm fixed price items, and a not-to-exceed value of $250,000,000. The contract is for Mid Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System (MEUAS) Information Gathering, Target Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Services in support of the U.S. Special Operations Command Program Executive Office - Fixed Wing. The work will be performed in St. Louis and overseas locations and is expected to be completed by Apr. 30, 2014. This contract was awarded through full and open competition. The contract number is H92222-09-D-0015.
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to Rolls-Royce Corp., of Indianapolis, Ind., for a maximum of $79,764,987. This requirement will cover 27 initial spare engines in support of the C-130J unique systems in support of U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and two foreign military sales cases for Norway and India. The entire amount has been obligated. 330 ACSG/GFKA, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8504-07-D-0001).
ARMY
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.., Hurst, Texas was awarded on Apr. 27, 2009 a $ 60,302,880 firm fixed price contract for the production of 24 Bell 407 helicopters for the country of Iraq, with an option to purchase up to 26 additional 407 helicopters. This contract will have a 27 month period of performance for the base requirement and up to a 13 month additional period of performance if the option is exercised. Work is to be performed in Alliance, Texas, (55 precent) and Mirabel, Canada, (45 precent) with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2012. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-09-C-0160).
Lockheed Martin Corp., Maritime Systems & Sensors, Liverpool N.Y., was awarded $ 20,674,214 firm fixed price contract for procuring spares for the twelve (12) initial production Enhanced AN/TPQ-36 Radar Systems. Work is to be performed in Liverpool, N.Y., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2010. One sole source bid solicited and one bid received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-06-C-T004).
Contrack International, Inc., McLean, Va. was awarded on Apr. 24, 2009 a $ 28,436,732 firm fixed price contract for its medium load concrete aircraft pavement including but not limited to aprons and connecting asphalt taxiways, modifications and additions to a munitions area and taxiways, lighting, markings, tiedowns, grounding point, water and sewer distribution and storm water drainage for rotary wing aircraft. Work is to be performed in Afghanistan with an estimated completion date of Feb. 01, 2010. U.S. Corps of Engineers, Winchester, Va., is the contracting activity (W912ER-09-C-0018).
The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pa., was awarded on Apr. 24, 2009 a $ 22,947,428 firm fixed price contracts for MH-47G remanufacture for three (3) MH-47E Aircraft into a MH-47G Extra Airframe Configuration. Work is to be performed in Philadelphia, Pa., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 15, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid received. Aviation Integration Directorate, Fort Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-04-G-0023).
Head, Inc. Columbus, Ohio, was awarded on Apr. 24, 2009 a $ 11,614,400 firm fixed price contract to remove and replace the Combat Readiness Training Center ramp and airfield lighting, Phase I and Phase II. Work is to be performed in Savannah, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 20, 2009. Fourteen (14) bids were solicited and thirteen (13) bids were received. USPFO for Georgia, Atlanta, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912JM-09-C-0010).
Balfour-Walton JV, Dallas Texas, was awarded on Apr. 24, 2009 a $ 1,382,000 ECI construction, fixed price incentive contract to replace a hospital at Ft. Riley, Kan. Work is to be performed in Fort Riley, Kan., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 29, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web and seven (7) bids received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Kansas City District, Kansas City Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-09-C-4024).
DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc St. Louis Mo., was awarded on Apr. 23, 2009 a $ 22,419,508 firm-fixed-price/ Indefinite Quantity contract for 317 M989A1 Heavy Mobility Ammunition Trailers (HEMAT's are being purchase via Delivery Order 0009 on the above referenced IDIQ. Work is to be performed in St. Louis, Mo., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 02, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-05-D-0332).
AM General, LLC South Bend, Ind., was awarded on Apr. 23, 2009 a $ 14,001,542 firm fixed contract to add 88 each High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) to contract. Work is to be performed in Mishawaka, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid received. TACOM Warren, AMSTA-AQ-ATCA, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S001).
ACC Construction Co., Inc, Augusta, Ga., was awarded on Apr. 32, 2009 a $ 16,409,480 firm fixed price for the design and construction of the tactical equipment maintenance facility, Grow the Force-Unit Operations-Phase C. Work is to be performed in Fort Campbell, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 16, 2010. Four bids were solicited and two bids received. Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0042).
The Joint Venture of CUh2A Smith Carter Hemisphere, Lawrenceville, N.J., was awarded on Apr. 16, 2009 a firm fixed price contract for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) design contract. Exercise Options: CLIN 0011, 0012, 0013, 0014, 0015, 0016, 0017, 0018, 0020. Work is to be performed in Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 29, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web and six (6) bids received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers- Baltimore District, Baltimore Md., is the contracting activity (W912DR-06-C-0009).
NAVY
Straub Construction Co., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $24,839,000 for firm fixed price task order #0003 under a multiple award construction contract for repair and renovation of Building 232 (Spanagel Hall) and Building 235 (Root Hall), at the Naval Post Graduate School, Calif. The work will provide repairs and renovation to comply with current critical safety and building codes, and reconfigure deteriorated steam heating with a code complaint hydronic system. Mechanical upgrades and fire sprinkler system, fire protection system, HAZMAT abatement and associated interior renovation of the existing spaces shall also be completed. Work will be performed in Monterey, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Apr. 2014. Contract funds will 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 (N62473-08-D-8616).
ITT Corp., Alexandria, Va., is being awarded a $17,628,729 cost plus fixed fee contract for research and development support services in the areas of: systems engineering and research support in modeling and simulation; intelligent information systems; virtual and augmented reality systems and applications. This contract contains four 12-month options, which is exercised, would bring the total cumulative value of the contract to $94,167,918. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., and work is expected to be completed Sept. 2010 (Sept 2014 with options). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was competitively procured under NRL solicitation number N00173-08-R-JS09, with one offer received. The Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00173-09-C-2038).
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Bethpage, N.Y., is being awarded a $9,861,389 cost plus fixed fee contract for products and engineering services in support of the EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) Integrated Product Team. The level of effort is expected to be 73,571 hours and includes design, development, integration, test and distribution of Electronic Attack Unit software, technical evaluations and testing of changes, and will support follow-on test and evaluation integration and test. Work will be performed at Point Mugu, Calif., (85 percent); Bethpage, N.Y., (10 percent); and China Lake, Calif., (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in April 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to the FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity (N68936-09-D-0026).
SyQwest Inc., Warwick, R.I. is being awarded an $8,264,980 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity, firm fixed price contract for the repair and restoration of DT-699 High Frequency Sail Array (HFSA) Hydrophone Modules and TR-364 HFSA Projectors. Work will be performed in Warwick, R.I., and is expected to be completed by April 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $50,000 will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities, with two offers received. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport is the contracting activity (N66604-09-D-0200).
MacGregor Inc., Cedar Knolls, N.J., is being awarded a $6,096,547 firm fixed price contract for the procurement of two twin boom level luffing cargo handling cranes. The work to be performed under this contract includes crane procurement and transportation of the cranes, removal and disposal of existing cranes, refurbishment of existing boom stands and crane bases and providing pre-work for a stabilization system. Work will be performed in Cheatham Annex, Williamsburg, Va., and is expected to be completed by March 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was negotiated under Other Than Full and Open Competition in accordance with FAR 6.302-1(a)(1)(2), "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements". The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Navy Crane Center, Portsmouth, Va., is the contracting activity (Contract Number N62470-09-C-7006).
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Inc., Newport News, Va., was awarded a $6,000,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-2100) for emergent and supplemental work for the accomplishment of the fiscal year 2008 Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA) of USS Enterprise (CVN 65). The CVN 65 FY08 EDSRA is a ship depot availability of approximately 16-month duration. EDSRAs are similar to overhauls in that they restore the ship, including all subsystems that affect combat capability and safety, to established performance standards. Additionally, an EDSRA provides an opportunity to perform hull inspections and recoating, and other maintenance related evolutions below the waterline that cannot be accomplished while the ship is waterborne. The EDSRA provides sufficient time to perform more extensive propulsion plant repairs and testing than is possible during an Extended Selected Restricted Availability (ESRA). Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by Aug 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
ENGINEERING AND SUPPORT CENTER, HUNTSVILLE
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded eight contracts with a shared capacity of $650 million to eight contractors who will perform utility monitoring and control systems work throughout the continental U.S. and overseas.
These contracts are for the procurement and installation of utility monitoring and control systems; heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to include chiller/boiler systems installation and/or integration, supervisory control and data acquisition systems; and other automated control systems including fire alarm and life safety systems, chemical/biological/radiological contaminant detection/filtration/response, utilities (electric/gas/water/steam) metering; electronic security systems; and security and/or force protection measures worldwide.
The multiple award task order indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity service contracts have a three-year base period and one optional two-year period for a total of five years. The total capacity of these contracts is $650 million, with shared capacity among eight contractors: Ameresco, Inc., Framingham, Mass.; Honeywell Products, Inc., Austin, Texas; Johnson Controls Building Automation, Huntsville, Ala.; Siemens government Services, Inc., Reston, Va.; TAC Americas, Carrollton, Texas; Teng & Associates, Inc., Chicago, Ill.; Trane U.S. Inc., La Crosse, Wis.; and Williams Electric Company, Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Fla. The Huntsville Center solicited this acquisition on a competitive basis.
U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Boeing Co., of St. Louis, is being awarded a one-year, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with four annual options. The contract has predominantly firm fixed price items, and a not-to-exceed value of $250,000,000. The contract is for Mid Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System (MEUAS) Information Gathering, Target Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Services in support of the U.S. Special Operations Command Program Executive Office - Fixed Wing. The work will be performed in St. Louis and overseas locations and is expected to be completed by Apr. 30, 2014. This contract was awarded through full and open competition. The contract number is H92222-09-D-0015.
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to Rolls-Royce Corp., of Indianapolis, Ind., for a maximum of $79,764,987. This requirement will cover 27 initial spare engines in support of the C-130J unique systems in support of U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and two foreign military sales cases for Norway and India. The entire amount has been obligated. 330 ACSG/GFKA, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8504-07-D-0001).
ARMY
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.., Hurst, Texas was awarded on Apr. 27, 2009 a $ 60,302,880 firm fixed price contract for the production of 24 Bell 407 helicopters for the country of Iraq, with an option to purchase up to 26 additional 407 helicopters. This contract will have a 27 month period of performance for the base requirement and up to a 13 month additional period of performance if the option is exercised. Work is to be performed in Alliance, Texas, (55 precent) and Mirabel, Canada, (45 precent) with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2012. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-09-C-0160).
Lockheed Martin Corp., Maritime Systems & Sensors, Liverpool N.Y., was awarded $ 20,674,214 firm fixed price contract for procuring spares for the twelve (12) initial production Enhanced AN/TPQ-36 Radar Systems. Work is to be performed in Liverpool, N.Y., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2010. One sole source bid solicited and one bid received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-06-C-T004).
Contrack International, Inc., McLean, Va. was awarded on Apr. 24, 2009 a $ 28,436,732 firm fixed price contract for its medium load concrete aircraft pavement including but not limited to aprons and connecting asphalt taxiways, modifications and additions to a munitions area and taxiways, lighting, markings, tiedowns, grounding point, water and sewer distribution and storm water drainage for rotary wing aircraft. Work is to be performed in Afghanistan with an estimated completion date of Feb. 01, 2010. U.S. Corps of Engineers, Winchester, Va., is the contracting activity (W912ER-09-C-0018).
The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pa., was awarded on Apr. 24, 2009 a $ 22,947,428 firm fixed price contracts for MH-47G remanufacture for three (3) MH-47E Aircraft into a MH-47G Extra Airframe Configuration. Work is to be performed in Philadelphia, Pa., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 15, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid received. Aviation Integration Directorate, Fort Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-04-G-0023).
Head, Inc. Columbus, Ohio, was awarded on Apr. 24, 2009 a $ 11,614,400 firm fixed price contract to remove and replace the Combat Readiness Training Center ramp and airfield lighting, Phase I and Phase II. Work is to be performed in Savannah, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 20, 2009. Fourteen (14) bids were solicited and thirteen (13) bids were received. USPFO for Georgia, Atlanta, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912JM-09-C-0010).
Balfour-Walton JV, Dallas Texas, was awarded on Apr. 24, 2009 a $ 1,382,000 ECI construction, fixed price incentive contract to replace a hospital at Ft. Riley, Kan. Work is to be performed in Fort Riley, Kan., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 29, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web and seven (7) bids received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Kansas City District, Kansas City Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-09-C-4024).
DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc St. Louis Mo., was awarded on Apr. 23, 2009 a $ 22,419,508 firm-fixed-price/ Indefinite Quantity contract for 317 M989A1 Heavy Mobility Ammunition Trailers (HEMAT's are being purchase via Delivery Order 0009 on the above referenced IDIQ. Work is to be performed in St. Louis, Mo., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 02, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-05-D-0332).
AM General, LLC South Bend, Ind., was awarded on Apr. 23, 2009 a $ 14,001,542 firm fixed contract to add 88 each High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) to contract. Work is to be performed in Mishawaka, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid received. TACOM Warren, AMSTA-AQ-ATCA, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S001).
ACC Construction Co., Inc, Augusta, Ga., was awarded on Apr. 32, 2009 a $ 16,409,480 firm fixed price for the design and construction of the tactical equipment maintenance facility, Grow the Force-Unit Operations-Phase C. Work is to be performed in Fort Campbell, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 16, 2010. Four bids were solicited and two bids received. Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0042).
The Joint Venture of CUh2A Smith Carter Hemisphere, Lawrenceville, N.J., was awarded on Apr. 16, 2009 a firm fixed price contract for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) design contract. Exercise Options: CLIN 0011, 0012, 0013, 0014, 0015, 0016, 0017, 0018, 0020. Work is to be performed in Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 29, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web and six (6) bids received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers- Baltimore District, Baltimore Md., is the contracting activity (W912DR-06-C-0009).
NAVY
Straub Construction Co., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $24,839,000 for firm fixed price task order #0003 under a multiple award construction contract for repair and renovation of Building 232 (Spanagel Hall) and Building 235 (Root Hall), at the Naval Post Graduate School, Calif. The work will provide repairs and renovation to comply with current critical safety and building codes, and reconfigure deteriorated steam heating with a code complaint hydronic system. Mechanical upgrades and fire sprinkler system, fire protection system, HAZMAT abatement and associated interior renovation of the existing spaces shall also be completed. Work will be performed in Monterey, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Apr. 2014. Contract funds will 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 (N62473-08-D-8616).
ITT Corp., Alexandria, Va., is being awarded a $17,628,729 cost plus fixed fee contract for research and development support services in the areas of: systems engineering and research support in modeling and simulation; intelligent information systems; virtual and augmented reality systems and applications. This contract contains four 12-month options, which is exercised, would bring the total cumulative value of the contract to $94,167,918. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., and work is expected to be completed Sept. 2010 (Sept 2014 with options). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was competitively procured under NRL solicitation number N00173-08-R-JS09, with one offer received. The Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00173-09-C-2038).
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Bethpage, N.Y., is being awarded a $9,861,389 cost plus fixed fee contract for products and engineering services in support of the EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) Integrated Product Team. The level of effort is expected to be 73,571 hours and includes design, development, integration, test and distribution of Electronic Attack Unit software, technical evaluations and testing of changes, and will support follow-on test and evaluation integration and test. Work will be performed at Point Mugu, Calif., (85 percent); Bethpage, N.Y., (10 percent); and China Lake, Calif., (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in April 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to the FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity (N68936-09-D-0026).
SyQwest Inc., Warwick, R.I. is being awarded an $8,264,980 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity, firm fixed price contract for the repair and restoration of DT-699 High Frequency Sail Array (HFSA) Hydrophone Modules and TR-364 HFSA Projectors. Work will be performed in Warwick, R.I., and is expected to be completed by April 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $50,000 will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities, with two offers received. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport is the contracting activity (N66604-09-D-0200).
MacGregor Inc., Cedar Knolls, N.J., is being awarded a $6,096,547 firm fixed price contract for the procurement of two twin boom level luffing cargo handling cranes. The work to be performed under this contract includes crane procurement and transportation of the cranes, removal and disposal of existing cranes, refurbishment of existing boom stands and crane bases and providing pre-work for a stabilization system. Work will be performed in Cheatham Annex, Williamsburg, Va., and is expected to be completed by March 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was negotiated under Other Than Full and Open Competition in accordance with FAR 6.302-1(a)(1)(2), "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements". The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Navy Crane Center, Portsmouth, Va., is the contracting activity (Contract Number N62470-09-C-7006).
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Inc., Newport News, Va., was awarded a $6,000,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-2100) for emergent and supplemental work for the accomplishment of the fiscal year 2008 Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA) of USS Enterprise (CVN 65). The CVN 65 FY08 EDSRA is a ship depot availability of approximately 16-month duration. EDSRAs are similar to overhauls in that they restore the ship, including all subsystems that affect combat capability and safety, to established performance standards. Additionally, an EDSRA provides an opportunity to perform hull inspections and recoating, and other maintenance related evolutions below the waterline that cannot be accomplished while the ship is waterborne. The EDSRA provides sufficient time to perform more extensive propulsion plant repairs and testing than is possible during an Extended Selected Restricted Availability (ESRA). Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by Aug 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Face of Defense: Small-town America Leads Marine to Big-time Success
By Marine Corps Cpl. Casey JonesSpecial to American Forces Press Service
April 29, 2009 - All across the United States, from coast to coast and from border to border, you'll find thousands of small, one-stoplight towns where livestock outnumber people. In these tiny towns -- just like Clarks Hill, S.C., population 376 -- your neighbors either are friends, family or both, and you usually never have to think twice about leaving your door unlocked at night.
Marine Corps Chief Warrant Office 4 Rodney Freeman, a 40-year-old Clarks Hill native and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense officer with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, credits his great-grandmother and being raised in small-town America for his success in the Marine Corps.
"My great-grandmother embedded in me some extremely valuable core traits," Freeman said. "She instilled in me discipline, a good work ethic, caring for others and a sense of family [and] unity."
Freeman, who's been in the Marine Corps for 21 years, said being a Marine has been one of his wisest decisions, and that he has enjoyed his time in service.
"Those values my grandmother instilled in me definitely made boot camp and being a Marine easier," Freeman said. "From my perspective, I believe that the majority of good Marines are the product of a good upbringing."
Freeman said as a teenager he was certain he wanted to become a Marine. He never second-guessed the decision.
"The Marine Corps caught my attention when I was in the 11th grade," he said. "I was at a baseball game when I saw a reservist Marine in dress blues. He didn't say a single word; he didn't have to. He just stood there with a high-and-tight, looking lean and mean. He didn't say anything. It's just the way he carried himself."
Courage, one of the core values he learned as a young boy, has been especially important to Freeman throughout his time in the Corps.
"One of the most challenging situations in the Marine Corps is having the courage to stand up to those who are senior to you," Freeman said. "To address issues that you feel are unfair, and not to just give up because they don't particularly agree with you. You just have to continue to fight for what you believe in."
While Freeman was in Iraq preparing for a flight to another location, he sparked up a conversation with a younger Marine. He asked the Marine a common question: "What do you do?"
The Marine then gave a common response, "Nothing much, sir."
"What do you mean by nothing much?" Freeman asked.
"Well, sir, I would rather do other things, I would rather [leave here]."
Freeman told him he was an important asset, and that's why he was doing that particular job. Then the Marine finally told him his exact job description.
"Sir, removing and loading dead, blood-dripping bodies from aircraft and vehicles gets really tiring," the Marine said.
At that instant, Freeman said, he realized how strong and selfless Marines are.
"It really dawned on me at that point. To be a Marine, or to be a servicemember, period, is special because we're all willing to give the ultimate sacrifice, which takes a lot of courage," Freeman said.
Freeman said after he serves his final two years in Indian Head, Md., working with the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, he plans to return to some small town in the Carolinas or Georgia.
"I'm not one of those guys who chase dollars," Freeman said. "So right now, I'm looking to do my dream job of becoming a Junior ROTC teacher, which would give me the opportunity to mentor, lead, and hopefully help out some young men and women."
(Marine Corps Cpl. Casey Jones serves with the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force.)
Obama Taps Stockton for Senior Pentagon Posting
American Forces Press Service
April 29, 2009 - President Barack Obama has nominated a senior research scholar at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation for a senior civilian position at the Pentagon. If Paul N. Stockton's nomination is confirmed by the Senate, he will replace Paul McHale, who resigned as the assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and Americas' security affairs.
Congress established the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense in December 2002. Aligned within the Pentagon's policy directorate, the office provides supervision for the Defense Department's homeland defense activities.
April 29, 2009 - President Barack Obama has nominated a senior research scholar at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation for a senior civilian position at the Pentagon. If Paul N. Stockton's nomination is confirmed by the Senate, he will replace Paul McHale, who resigned as the assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and Americas' security affairs.
Congress established the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense in December 2002. Aligned within the Pentagon's policy directorate, the office provides supervision for the Defense Department's homeland defense activities.
Fort Sill Spouses Go Through 'Field Exercises'
By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service
April 29, 2009 - More than 300 military spouses attended one of two "Field Exercises" recently at Fort Sill, Okla., designed to assist them in dealing with life while their deployed spouses are away. Starlett "Star" Henderson and Tara Crooks, founders of the Army Wife Network, created the program so deployment-weary spouses could enjoy a break and connect with other spouses facing similar challenges.
"The Field Exercises were created to empower and rejuvenate military spouses," Crooks said. "We are devoted to changing the lives of our warriors and their families through a sincere desire to help military spouses where it matters most: in the field. These families deserve a night of appreciation and pampering. They need information and an opportunity to meet other spouses in order to succeed in military life."
The April 23-24 event featured tips and shared experiences, allowing spouses to learn about deployment survival resources while empowering them to make the right choices in their relationships, careers and personal lives and encouraging an outlet for relief and creativity in the often-stressful military lifestyle.
"We talked about the myths surrounding deployment, reintegration and ideas for staying connected," Crooks said. "After the break, we went over themed care-package ideas and talked about ways to send care packages and get others involved."
Book lists for military spouses and children also were shared at the event. As an added bonus, registered guests received giveaways such as an iPod Touch, a digital camera, pearl earrings and spa certificates, and they also got well-stocked gift bags containing massage gel, key chains, books and snacks for them and their servicemember spouses.
"Overall, this opportunity for sharing information, trading ideas and strategies, networking and building lasting relationships was a free 'time-out' for them," Crooks said.
Attendees of the event were pleased.
"I attended both days," Carol Herrick, a Fort Sill Army spouse, said. "I enjoyed spending time with other Army spouses who have experienced deployment and this challenging Army lifestyle. Tara and Star are high-energy, and you feel instantly connected to them as they tell their story."
Carla S. Norris, another Fort Sill Army wife, agreed.
"The information about resources that are available was so vast," Norris said. "Even as a spouse who has been in the Army for 15 years, I learned about resources that I had not previously been aware of. It was wonderful to share the camaraderie with other spouses. The Field Exercises were a very enjoyable event!"
Previous "Field Exercises" have taken place at Fort Stewart, Ga.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Hood, Texas; and Fort Campbell, Ky. The Army Wife Network will visit Fort Bliss, Texas, on June 4 and 5 for Field Exercises.
"Field Exercises will always be about getting servicemembers and families together to see the faces of individuals who also experience military culture shock and to allow networking for long-lasting, satisfying relationships on their post or in their community," Crooks said. "Without the support of sponsors like USAA, these exercises would not be possible."
American Forces Press Service
April 29, 2009 - More than 300 military spouses attended one of two "Field Exercises" recently at Fort Sill, Okla., designed to assist them in dealing with life while their deployed spouses are away. Starlett "Star" Henderson and Tara Crooks, founders of the Army Wife Network, created the program so deployment-weary spouses could enjoy a break and connect with other spouses facing similar challenges.
"The Field Exercises were created to empower and rejuvenate military spouses," Crooks said. "We are devoted to changing the lives of our warriors and their families through a sincere desire to help military spouses where it matters most: in the field. These families deserve a night of appreciation and pampering. They need information and an opportunity to meet other spouses in order to succeed in military life."
The April 23-24 event featured tips and shared experiences, allowing spouses to learn about deployment survival resources while empowering them to make the right choices in their relationships, careers and personal lives and encouraging an outlet for relief and creativity in the often-stressful military lifestyle.
"We talked about the myths surrounding deployment, reintegration and ideas for staying connected," Crooks said. "After the break, we went over themed care-package ideas and talked about ways to send care packages and get others involved."
Book lists for military spouses and children also were shared at the event. As an added bonus, registered guests received giveaways such as an iPod Touch, a digital camera, pearl earrings and spa certificates, and they also got well-stocked gift bags containing massage gel, key chains, books and snacks for them and their servicemember spouses.
"Overall, this opportunity for sharing information, trading ideas and strategies, networking and building lasting relationships was a free 'time-out' for them," Crooks said.
Attendees of the event were pleased.
"I attended both days," Carol Herrick, a Fort Sill Army spouse, said. "I enjoyed spending time with other Army spouses who have experienced deployment and this challenging Army lifestyle. Tara and Star are high-energy, and you feel instantly connected to them as they tell their story."
Carla S. Norris, another Fort Sill Army wife, agreed.
"The information about resources that are available was so vast," Norris said. "Even as a spouse who has been in the Army for 15 years, I learned about resources that I had not previously been aware of. It was wonderful to share the camaraderie with other spouses. The Field Exercises were a very enjoyable event!"
Previous "Field Exercises" have taken place at Fort Stewart, Ga.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Hood, Texas; and Fort Campbell, Ky. The Army Wife Network will visit Fort Bliss, Texas, on June 4 and 5 for Field Exercises.
"Field Exercises will always be about getting servicemembers and families together to see the faces of individuals who also experience military culture shock and to allow networking for long-lasting, satisfying relationships on their post or in their community," Crooks said. "Without the support of sponsors like USAA, these exercises would not be possible."
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
MILITARY CONTRACTS April 28, 2009
NAVY
Humphrey Mechanical, Inc., Jacksonville, N.C.; MechWorks Mechanical Contractors, Inc.,* Beaufort, N.C.; North State Mechanical, Inc.,* Jacksonville, N.C.; R & W Construction Co. Inc.,* Jacksonville, N.C.; T. A. Woods Company, Wilmington, N.C.; and Virtexco Corp., Norfolk, Va., are each being awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity multiple award construction contract for mechanical construction type projects at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. The total contract amount for all six contracts combined, including the base period and four option years, is $300,000,000. The work to be performed provides for mechanical construction services including demolition, repair, replacement, modification, and new installation of various mechanical systems including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, boilers, high pressure steam distribution, electrical distribution, motors, generators, potable water distribution, sanitary sewer, storm water control, communications, and incidental work such as general construction, specialty trades, and removal of asbestos or lead contaminated materials. Work will be performed in Jacksonville N.C. (75 percent) and Cherry Point, N.C. (25 percent), and work expected to be completed April 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of this fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce! Online website, with 11 proposals received. These six 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 (contract numbers N40085-09-D-5340/5341/5342/5343/5344/5345).
Bulltrack-Watts, A Joint Venture*, Marysville, Calif., is being awarded a $20,681,900 firm fixed price contract to repave runway, taxiway and aprons at Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. The work to be performed provides for sawcutting and cold mill planing the existing asphalt concrete pavement of the runway, taxiway, and aprons. Also, includes restriping the runway, taxiway and aprons, including runway threshold markings and other airfield pavement markings. Work will be performed in Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii and is expected to be completed by February 2010. Funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online Website with seven bids received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii is the contracting activity (N62478-09-C-1486).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to Northrop Grumman Corporation of Bethpage, New York for a maximum of $49,750,000. This action will provide for the Small Unmanned Aerial System Research and Evaluation program which will provide focus on the translation of promising basis and applied research into technology solutions for well-defined military needs and to affect rapid transition of small unmanned aerial system concepts and component improvements to warfighter applications. At this time, $5,000,000 has been obligated. AFRL/PKVC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8650-09-D-3940)
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to multiple contractors for a maximum $48,000,000. Mark G. Miller, Inc. of Layton, Utah, SoBran, Inc. of Dayton, Ohio,, White Dot Solutions, Inc. of Salt Lake City, Utah, Gauss Management Research and Engineering of Ogden, Utah, and Tybrin Corporation of Fort Walton Beach, Florida are the contractors. This action will provide engineering and related services in the development and sustainment of software engineering support for the 309th Software Maintenance Group. At this time, $5000 has been obligated. OO-ALC/PKES, Hill Air Force Base, Utah is the contracting activity. (FA 8224-09-D-0002, FA8224-09-D-0003, FA8224-09-D-004, FA8224-09-D-0005, FA8224-09-D-0006)
The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed fee letter contract to the Utah State University Research Foundation of Logan, Utah for $48,000,000. This action will provide algorithm generation, implementation test and assessment for the Third Generation Infrared System program as well as the testing, characterization, and calibration of the Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload program. At this time, $1,148,050 has been obligated. SMC/XRC of El Segundo, California is the contracting activity. (FA8814-09-D-0001)
The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price contract with Lockheed Martin Corporation of Marietta, Georgia for $29,190,170. This modification will exercise an option to purchase equipment. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. ASC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8625-06-C-6456)
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Signature Flight Support Corp., Savannah, Georgia is being awarded a maximum $19,614,659 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other location of is in Georgia. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 31, 2013. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-09-D-0125).
Humphrey Mechanical, Inc., Jacksonville, N.C.; MechWorks Mechanical Contractors, Inc.,* Beaufort, N.C.; North State Mechanical, Inc.,* Jacksonville, N.C.; R & W Construction Co. Inc.,* Jacksonville, N.C.; T. A. Woods Company, Wilmington, N.C.; and Virtexco Corp., Norfolk, Va., are each being awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity multiple award construction contract for mechanical construction type projects at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. The total contract amount for all six contracts combined, including the base period and four option years, is $300,000,000. The work to be performed provides for mechanical construction services including demolition, repair, replacement, modification, and new installation of various mechanical systems including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, boilers, high pressure steam distribution, electrical distribution, motors, generators, potable water distribution, sanitary sewer, storm water control, communications, and incidental work such as general construction, specialty trades, and removal of asbestos or lead contaminated materials. Work will be performed in Jacksonville N.C. (75 percent) and Cherry Point, N.C. (25 percent), and work expected to be completed April 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of this fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce! Online website, with 11 proposals received. These six 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 (contract numbers N40085-09-D-5340/5341/5342/5343/5344/5345).
Bulltrack-Watts, A Joint Venture*, Marysville, Calif., is being awarded a $20,681,900 firm fixed price contract to repave runway, taxiway and aprons at Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. The work to be performed provides for sawcutting and cold mill planing the existing asphalt concrete pavement of the runway, taxiway, and aprons. Also, includes restriping the runway, taxiway and aprons, including runway threshold markings and other airfield pavement markings. Work will be performed in Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii and is expected to be completed by February 2010. Funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online Website with seven bids received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii is the contracting activity (N62478-09-C-1486).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to Northrop Grumman Corporation of Bethpage, New York for a maximum of $49,750,000. This action will provide for the Small Unmanned Aerial System Research and Evaluation program which will provide focus on the translation of promising basis and applied research into technology solutions for well-defined military needs and to affect rapid transition of small unmanned aerial system concepts and component improvements to warfighter applications. At this time, $5,000,000 has been obligated. AFRL/PKVC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8650-09-D-3940)
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to multiple contractors for a maximum $48,000,000. Mark G. Miller, Inc. of Layton, Utah, SoBran, Inc. of Dayton, Ohio,, White Dot Solutions, Inc. of Salt Lake City, Utah, Gauss Management Research and Engineering of Ogden, Utah, and Tybrin Corporation of Fort Walton Beach, Florida are the contractors. This action will provide engineering and related services in the development and sustainment of software engineering support for the 309th Software Maintenance Group. At this time, $5000 has been obligated. OO-ALC/PKES, Hill Air Force Base, Utah is the contracting activity. (FA 8224-09-D-0002, FA8224-09-D-0003, FA8224-09-D-004, FA8224-09-D-0005, FA8224-09-D-0006)
The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed fee letter contract to the Utah State University Research Foundation of Logan, Utah for $48,000,000. This action will provide algorithm generation, implementation test and assessment for the Third Generation Infrared System program as well as the testing, characterization, and calibration of the Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload program. At this time, $1,148,050 has been obligated. SMC/XRC of El Segundo, California is the contracting activity. (FA8814-09-D-0001)
The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price contract with Lockheed Martin Corporation of Marietta, Georgia for $29,190,170. This modification will exercise an option to purchase equipment. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. ASC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8625-06-C-6456)
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Signature Flight Support Corp., Savannah, Georgia is being awarded a maximum $19,614,659 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other location of is in Georgia. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 31, 2013. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-09-D-0125).
82nd Airborne Does Team-Building with a Few Twists
By Spc. Benjamin WatsonSpecial to American Forces Press Service
April 28, 2009 - How does this sound for your morning physical training session? Begin by carrying a canoe over muddy slopes in the dark, race in two-man teams through the forest to a river bank; then paddle your canoe nearly six miles down a cold and muddy river; next, put on your body armor, full rucksack and advanced combat helmet and push a tire up and down three-and-a-half miles of hills as the sun rises above the trees and out of the morning fog.
You could call it adventurous. Lt. Col. Robert J. Neitzel, chief of operations for the 82nd Airborne Division, does. He described the workout as "adventure PT," or a series of team-oriented challenges meant to work the upper body and test the overall physical fitness of his paratroopers.
On April 23, soldiers assigned to the Division's operations team found out exactly how exhausting and beneficial Neitzel's "adventure PT" could be.
"First and foremost, most people don't have a lot of experience canoeing," Neitzel, a native of Horicon, Wisc., said, "so just the simple fact of going straight down a river that's got a current and has a lot of twists to it, these guys have to talk to each other."
"Canoeing isn't something that we do on a regular basis," said Capt. Evan Hessel, battle captain with "The Team" and Portland, Ore. native, "so really for the first 30 minutes, you're really getting to know your teammate and basically getting in sync. It was not easy right off the bat."
Hessel's teammate was Staff Sgt. Kenneth J. Ciszek, a communications sergeant with "The Team."
"He's a good guy," Hessel said, "and he's from New York so he's got a little bit of experience outdoors – New York upstate, not the city."
Hessel said he hadn't been in a canoe since he was 12 years old.
"The river's a different animal, especially before the sun comes up," he said. "We ran into the bank a couple times, into a few branches, even a few trees that had fallen down. Luckily, I was not in one of the canoes that had, you might say, taken a swim. But I know a couple of the guys did just that."
One challenge few had planned for was a short, but intimidating waterfall. Teams could either try their hand at going through it, or disembark on the bank and walk their canoe around it before returning to the river.
Almost all of the teams chose to go around, taking the lost time in stride.
However, 1st Lt. Yonel Charles, a Miami native and battle captain with "The Team," and teammate, Maj. Charles D. Bovey, native of Everett, Wash., and shift director for the headquarter's Joint Operations Cell, elected to proceed right on through the falls.
To their surprise, they kept their canoe afloat. They were so surprised, in fact, they started cheering and high-fiving each other. Then their canoe flipped and they were suddenly shoulder-deep in the cold water of Fort Bragg's Little River.
But despite their spill at the waterfall, Bovey and Charles finished in second place.
Capt. Ben Salt, a native of Crantock, Cornwall, England, a captain in the British Army attached to "The Team," and his teammate, Capt. Jose. J. Hernandez, battle captain with "The Team" and native of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, finished the day's events in third place, but not before having to rally from an early last place position.
"We were second in the water," Salt said, "then we went to last and had to learn how to steer. At one point, we were about 300 meters behind everyone."
Once the teams exited the river, their positions were established. Teams did not pass each other on the long, tiresome push to the finish line.
After letting the tire fall at the end, Salt announced, "It feels like I just did one-thousand push-ups."
The team of Hessel and Ciszek came in fourth place, appearing more than happy to be done taking turns pushing their heavy, awkward tire up and down hills.
"This was definitely a team-building, cohesion event," Hessel said, referring to the persistence and communication "adventure PT" requires, "because everybody's done a ruck-run, but not everybody's done a ruck-run while pushing a tire."
Neitzel and his teammate, Capt. James G. Repshire, a battle captain on "The Team," finished first, crossing the line at almost exactly 8 a.m.
"Both of them are kind of woodsmenesque, so they've got it going on," Bovey said of Neitzel and Repshire.
As a trophy, Neitzel and Repshire – or "Team Awesome" – were given a customized ping-pong paddle with the words "The Team" written across its face with a marker.
"In everything we do, we always focus on team work," Neitzel said, wrapping up the morning with a few words for his paratroopers – nearly all of whom are deploying together very soon to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
"We're more than one person or just an entity," he said as everyone stood in a huddle, sore but pleased with what they'd accomplished as a team. "If you look at what we are, we are 'The Team.' It's everybody and what they contribute."
(U.S. Army Spc. Benjamin Watson serves with 49th Public Affairs Detachment (Airborne)
Nominees Look Forward to Supporting Defense Department, Troops
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
April 28, 2009 - President Barack Obama's nominees for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs and General Counsel of the Department of the Army said they are looking forward to executing their new positions if confirmed. "If I am confirmed ... I look forward to continuing to work with the members of the Senate and House and their staffs to solve problems, implement legislation and provide needed information in a timely fashion," Elizabeth King, the nominee for assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, told the Senate Armed Services Committee during her nomination hearing today.
"I hope to foster a strong partnership between Congress and the Defense Department so that together we can reach the common goal of meeting the needs of the men and women in uniform who tirelessly serve our nation."
King currently serves as counsel and senior policy advisor on defense, foreign affairs and veterans for Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island.
In introducing King, Reed said she had an extraordinary grasp of the legislative issues and process. "She is also outstanding in terms of her intelligence, her integrity, her judgment, and her commitment to the men and women who serve in the military forces," King said.
Donald Remy, nominated for general counsel of the department of the Army, served in the Army and as a civil servant in both the Department of the Army and the Justice Department.
"I want to assure the committee that I am committed to working cooperatively with the judge advocate general to provide expert, timely, value-added advice to the Army secretary and the Army staff," Remy told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing this morning.
Remy said he is also dedicated to assisting the department's efforts to assure that the acquisition process for materiel and services is efficient, effective and compliant with laws and regulations.
"I am committed to making certain that the Army's transformation is accomplished consistent with the rule of law and a practical understanding of the issues affecting our all-volunteer force and their families," Remy added. "America's army is pivotal to the strength of our nation.
"In an ever-changing global dynamic, the Army continues to adapt its aim to achieve and maintain balance for the 21st century," he added. "The issues – particularly legal issues – are complex, challenging and, in some instances, unprecedented."
Remy, a cum laude graduate of Howard University Law School, is a former Army officer whose father is a retired Army master sergeant. While serving in the Army, Remy was assigned to the Pentagon where he advised senior Army officials on legal and policy issues related to major weapons acquisition systems.
When he worked for the Justice Department, Remy served as senior counsel for policy and as deputy assistant attorney general for torts and federal program branches in the civil division.
American Forces Press Service
April 28, 2009 - President Barack Obama's nominees for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs and General Counsel of the Department of the Army said they are looking forward to executing their new positions if confirmed. "If I am confirmed ... I look forward to continuing to work with the members of the Senate and House and their staffs to solve problems, implement legislation and provide needed information in a timely fashion," Elizabeth King, the nominee for assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, told the Senate Armed Services Committee during her nomination hearing today.
"I hope to foster a strong partnership between Congress and the Defense Department so that together we can reach the common goal of meeting the needs of the men and women in uniform who tirelessly serve our nation."
King currently serves as counsel and senior policy advisor on defense, foreign affairs and veterans for Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island.
In introducing King, Reed said she had an extraordinary grasp of the legislative issues and process. "She is also outstanding in terms of her intelligence, her integrity, her judgment, and her commitment to the men and women who serve in the military forces," King said.
Donald Remy, nominated for general counsel of the department of the Army, served in the Army and as a civil servant in both the Department of the Army and the Justice Department.
"I want to assure the committee that I am committed to working cooperatively with the judge advocate general to provide expert, timely, value-added advice to the Army secretary and the Army staff," Remy told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing this morning.
Remy said he is also dedicated to assisting the department's efforts to assure that the acquisition process for materiel and services is efficient, effective and compliant with laws and regulations.
"I am committed to making certain that the Army's transformation is accomplished consistent with the rule of law and a practical understanding of the issues affecting our all-volunteer force and their families," Remy added. "America's army is pivotal to the strength of our nation.
"In an ever-changing global dynamic, the Army continues to adapt its aim to achieve and maintain balance for the 21st century," he added. "The issues – particularly legal issues – are complex, challenging and, in some instances, unprecedented."
Remy, a cum laude graduate of Howard University Law School, is a former Army officer whose father is a retired Army master sergeant. While serving in the Army, Remy was assigned to the Pentagon where he advised senior Army officials on legal and policy issues related to major weapons acquisition systems.
When he worked for the Justice Department, Remy served as senior counsel for policy and as deputy assistant attorney general for torts and federal program branches in the civil division.
General Retires, Readies to Become Ambassador to Afghanistan
By Fred W. Baker IIIAmerican Forces Press Service
April 28, 2009 - Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry retired here today, 24 hours before being sworn in as the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan. Until today, Eikenberry served as the deputy chairman of the NATO Military Committee in Brussels, Belgium. Tomorrow he will be sworn in by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as ambassador.
"I'll make this very brief. [My wife] and I are very eager to enjoy our 24-hour vacation," the general joked during his retirement ceremony held at the Hall of Heroes in the Pentagon.
Eikenberry has spent more than 35 years in the Army and recently served two tours in Afghanistan. In his job at NATO, Eikenberry was heavily involved in the NATO international security assistance force mission and regularly traveled to Afghanistan.
Joint Chiefs Chairman Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, who presided over the ceremony, said Eikenberry was the right man for the job.
"Karl Eikenberry's talents are ideally suited to the president's new comprehensive strategy, in which we must get the civilian piece of our efforts right," Mullen said. "To plan real seeds of success in this region: opportunity, education and hope."
In Afghanistan, Eikenberry served as the commander of Combined Forces Command and as the security coordinator and chief of the office of military cooperation in Kabul.
In other political-military roles he served as the defense attaché at the U.S. embassy in Beijing, and as the Defense Department's senior country director for China and Taiwan.
Eikenberry is a U.S. military academy graduate and holds master's degrees from Harvard University in East Asian studies and from Stanford University in political science. He also earned an advanced degree in Chinese history from Nanjing University in the China. He has authored several articles on military training and tactics, history, and Asia-Pacific security issues.
"Karl's experience as a soldier-scholar will be crucial to fostering the strong civil-military relationship required to tip the balance, enable good governance to take root and hold," Mullen said. "He knows the enemy, he knows our allies, and he knows himself."
Mullen said Eikenberry's appointment comes at a critical time when civil-military operations have become more vital to success in Afghanistan.
Mullen, who just returned from a trip to the region, said that the challenges there will not be fixed my military solutions alone.
"Our success, which is really the success of the people, truly hinges upon our ability to build civilian capacity," Mullen said.
Eikenberry praised the new strategy for Afghanistan and expressed confidence it its ability to bring stability there.
"I look forward to working with old and with new teammates as we move forward to implement the president's new strategy under extraordinarily difficult conditions," he said.
Agencies Team Up to Improve Missile Defense Training
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
April 28, 2009 - A group of U.S. military organizations are teaming up to develop improved, better-integrated missile defense training, senior civilian officials said today. The in-progress initiative is called, "All Things Missile," Patrick A. McVay, joint exercises and training director at U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, near Omaha, Neb., told reporters during a telephone interview.
The goal, McVay said, is to develop new missile defense simulated training exercises that are more realistic, efficient and joint. One of U.S. Stratcom's missions is to synchronize global missile defense plans and operations.
The envisioned new system, McVay said, will consolidate training capabilities for integrated tactical warning/attack assessment, ballistic missile defense systems and tactical engagement simulations.
"I don't want to call 'All Things Missile' a system; it is a system of systems, if you will, or a single training capability that will go across all those capabilities," McVay explained.
McVay said current planning calls for introduction of the new training capability in about two years.
The new capability will employ the internet and the global information grid, McVay said, to enable distribution "to any training requirement from anyone in the 'All Things Missile' community of interest."
Today's missile defense training system also lacks cross-organizational capability, McVay said.
"If I'm using it, then (U.S.) Northcom can't train on it, or the guy on the Aegis (guided-missile) cruiser can't train on it," McVay said of the current system.
McVay co-hosted the interview with Gregory F. Knapp, executive director of U.S. Joint Forces Command's Joint Warfighting Center and Joint Training Directorate in Suffolk, Va.
U.S. Joint Forces Command, based at Norfolk, Va., is supporting Stratcom's "All Things Missile" training initiative, Knapp said. Jfcom is the defense department's joint-force training and capabilities-development organization.
"No (training) task happens in isolation; it's always done in some kind of global context," Knapp said. "The way we build the training environment allows us to bring in scenarios with very complex, multi-dimensional context, like what happens in the real world."
Introducing a better-integrated, more-realistic training system, Knapp added, should also improve the missile defense community's operational capability.
Other participants in the training initiative include the Missile Defense Agency at the Pentagon, several combatant commands and the military service branches. The MDA's mission is to develop and field an integrated, layered, ballistic missile defense system to defend the United States, its deployed forces and allies.
American Forces Press Service
April 28, 2009 - A group of U.S. military organizations are teaming up to develop improved, better-integrated missile defense training, senior civilian officials said today. The in-progress initiative is called, "All Things Missile," Patrick A. McVay, joint exercises and training director at U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, near Omaha, Neb., told reporters during a telephone interview.
The goal, McVay said, is to develop new missile defense simulated training exercises that are more realistic, efficient and joint. One of U.S. Stratcom's missions is to synchronize global missile defense plans and operations.
The envisioned new system, McVay said, will consolidate training capabilities for integrated tactical warning/attack assessment, ballistic missile defense systems and tactical engagement simulations.
"I don't want to call 'All Things Missile' a system; it is a system of systems, if you will, or a single training capability that will go across all those capabilities," McVay explained.
McVay said current planning calls for introduction of the new training capability in about two years.
The new capability will employ the internet and the global information grid, McVay said, to enable distribution "to any training requirement from anyone in the 'All Things Missile' community of interest."
Today's missile defense training system also lacks cross-organizational capability, McVay said.
"If I'm using it, then (U.S.) Northcom can't train on it, or the guy on the Aegis (guided-missile) cruiser can't train on it," McVay said of the current system.
McVay co-hosted the interview with Gregory F. Knapp, executive director of U.S. Joint Forces Command's Joint Warfighting Center and Joint Training Directorate in Suffolk, Va.
U.S. Joint Forces Command, based at Norfolk, Va., is supporting Stratcom's "All Things Missile" training initiative, Knapp said. Jfcom is the defense department's joint-force training and capabilities-development organization.
"No (training) task happens in isolation; it's always done in some kind of global context," Knapp said. "The way we build the training environment allows us to bring in scenarios with very complex, multi-dimensional context, like what happens in the real world."
Introducing a better-integrated, more-realistic training system, Knapp added, should also improve the missile defense community's operational capability.
Other participants in the training initiative include the Missile Defense Agency at the Pentagon, several combatant commands and the military service branches. The MDA's mission is to develop and field an integrated, layered, ballistic missile defense system to defend the United States, its deployed forces and allies.
Air Force One Flight Opportunity Causes New York City Confusion
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
April 28, 2009 - The White House expressed regret yesterday over a photo opportunity involving Air Force One that stirred up confusion and fear in New York City. The Presidential Airlift Group flew the VC-25 presidential aircraft, escorted by an F-16 fighter jet, over the city between 10 and 10:30 yesterday morning, said Gary T. Strasburg, chief of the Air Force's Environmental Public Affairs.
The mission was conducted "in conjunction with normally scheduled continuation training for assigned aircrew members," and coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration, Strasburg said.
This mission was coordinated for the Upper New York Bay, south of the Holland Tunnel and in the Newark Bay north of the Staten Island Expressway, he said.
But New Yorkers who observed the flight found it all too reminiscent of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks that took down both World Trade Center towers.
Louis Caldera, director of the White House Military Office, expressed regret yesterday over approving the mission.
"I take responsibility for that decision," he said in a written statement.
"While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it's clear that the mission created confusion and disruption," he said. "I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused."
American Forces Press Service
April 28, 2009 - The White House expressed regret yesterday over a photo opportunity involving Air Force One that stirred up confusion and fear in New York City. The Presidential Airlift Group flew the VC-25 presidential aircraft, escorted by an F-16 fighter jet, over the city between 10 and 10:30 yesterday morning, said Gary T. Strasburg, chief of the Air Force's Environmental Public Affairs.
The mission was conducted "in conjunction with normally scheduled continuation training for assigned aircrew members," and coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration, Strasburg said.
This mission was coordinated for the Upper New York Bay, south of the Holland Tunnel and in the Newark Bay north of the Staten Island Expressway, he said.
But New Yorkers who observed the flight found it all too reminiscent of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks that took down both World Trade Center towers.
Louis Caldera, director of the White House Military Office, expressed regret yesterday over approving the mission.
"I take responsibility for that decision," he said in a written statement.
"While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it's clear that the mission created confusion and disruption," he said. "I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused."
DoD Announces Additional $835 Million in Recovery Act Projects
The Department of Defense (DoD) announced today details of more than 850 facility improvement projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The $835 million allocated to these new projects represents the balance of the ARRA funds provided to the DoD for construction and repair projects, and is in addition to the approximate $6.1 billion contained in the first infrastructure investment list announced on March 20, 2009.
All of the new projects will be conducted at Army and Army National Guard facilities in 37 states and the District of Columbia. More than half of the $835 million will be spent in five states: Texas ($155 million), Kentucky ($83 million), North Carolina ($83 million), Oklahoma ($66 million) and Hawaii ($59 million). In addition to making much-needed improvements to military installations, an additional $346 million will be spent on energy-related projects enabling the DoD to lead the way in the national effort to achieve greater energy independence.
Representing less than 1 percent of the entire $787 billion ARRA package, the overall $7.4 billion investment in defense-related projects will further the legislation's stated goal of stimulating the American economy through job creation, while improving the quality of life for service members, their families, and DoD civilian workers.
The DoD intends to spend ARRA funds as quickly as possible with full transparency and accountability. To view a complete list of the specific projects announced today, please visit http://www.defenselink.mil/recovery and http://www.recovery.gov . The DoD will continue to use these websites to post future announcements related to ARRA funding.
All of the new projects will be conducted at Army and Army National Guard facilities in 37 states and the District of Columbia. More than half of the $835 million will be spent in five states: Texas ($155 million), Kentucky ($83 million), North Carolina ($83 million), Oklahoma ($66 million) and Hawaii ($59 million). In addition to making much-needed improvements to military installations, an additional $346 million will be spent on energy-related projects enabling the DoD to lead the way in the national effort to achieve greater energy independence.
Representing less than 1 percent of the entire $787 billion ARRA package, the overall $7.4 billion investment in defense-related projects will further the legislation's stated goal of stimulating the American economy through job creation, while improving the quality of life for service members, their families, and DoD civilian workers.
The DoD intends to spend ARRA funds as quickly as possible with full transparency and accountability. To view a complete list of the specific projects announced today, please visit http://www.defenselink.mil/recovery and http://www.recovery.gov . The DoD will continue to use these websites to post future announcements related to ARRA funding.
Nominee for Navy Secretary Vows to Support Sailors, Marines
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
April 28, 2009 - President Barack Obama's nominee for Navy Secretary pledged to address the service's acquisition process to ensure sailors, Marines, and taxpayers aren't shortchanged. Former Mississippi Gov. Raymond Mabus Jr., acknowledged the Department of the Navy faces complex challenges.
"One of the important [challenges] is gaining control of an acquisition process which, far too often, overpromises and under prices; breaks, sometimes spectacularly, budgets and schedules; ups requirements while lowering quantities; and resists accountability," said former Mississippi Gov. Raymond Mabus Jr.
Mabus told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing this morning that if confirmed, that would be one of his areas of concentration.
"I look forward to working with the members of this committee to make sure we don't shortchange our sailors, Marines and taxpayers because of an out-of-control process," he said.
Mabus noted the contributions made by the men and women of the Navy and Marine Corps. "Thousands of brave Marines and sailors are engaged, in Iraq and Afghanistan, while courageous thousands more carry out hazardous duties around the globe," he said. "These incredible, wonderful young Americans all volunteered to serve and are defending and representing the United States and all of us."
He also outlined the importance of the department to the nation's interests around the world.
"The Navy and the Marine Corps play critical roles in our nation's service, fighting America's wars, projecting power where needed, protecting the sea lanes, delivering disaster relief, cooperating with other countries, in efforts to multiply force, trying and preventing conflicts from arising or from turning into things which are larger, more dangerous and harder to control, providing training and other assistance, to nations around the globe, and doing many of these things in a sea-based, minimum-footprint way," he said.
The nominee said the office for which he is being considered has many facets, ranging from "making sure that the Navy and Marine Corps recruit, train and retain exceptional forces, to ensuring that those forces have enough of the right equipment, to do their job, to caring for them and their families daily and especially in times of crisis, to working with Congress and the other services and the larger Department of Defense."
Mabus, a former naval surface warfare officer, called the experience one of the most profound of his life. "It helped me so much in the other things that I have undertaken," he said.
He also served as Mississippi's state auditor and U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia. It was his stint as governor, however, that taught him that one person can't do everything alone.
"Cooperation and collaboration, especially with the legislative branch, is crucial if anything is to be accomplished," he said.
Robert O. Work also addressed the committee today. Work, who is nominated to be the next undersecretary of the Navy, said he looks forward to helping Mabus lead the Navy and Marine Corps and working with members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, if they are both confirmed.
"If confirmed, I believe that my life-long experience – first as an active-duty dependent, then a military officer ... a father of a military family; and leader, strategist, and analyst – well-prepares me to contribute to these decisions," Work said.
"I will also work hard with the secretary of the Navy to ensure that our nearly 11,000 wounded warriors receive the best care possible, and that the families of our fallen are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve," he said.
The retired Marine, who followed in his father's footsteps and served in the Corps for 27 years, said that he's mindful of what looks to be an especially challenging fiscal and budgetary environment.
"The incoming secretary and undersecretary will be forced to make hard decisions about the future of the Navy and Marine Corps," he said. "However, I pledge not to enter this important job with any preconceived notions or positions.
"I'll listen to the best available civilian and military advice and, when asked, give ... honest, pragmatic advice and counsel to the secretary of the Navy [and] the secretary of Defense, and the president," he added.
The Senate Armed Services Committee also heard testimony from nominees for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, General Counsel of the Department of the Army, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
American Forces Press Service
April 28, 2009 - President Barack Obama's nominee for Navy Secretary pledged to address the service's acquisition process to ensure sailors, Marines, and taxpayers aren't shortchanged. Former Mississippi Gov. Raymond Mabus Jr., acknowledged the Department of the Navy faces complex challenges.
"One of the important [challenges] is gaining control of an acquisition process which, far too often, overpromises and under prices; breaks, sometimes spectacularly, budgets and schedules; ups requirements while lowering quantities; and resists accountability," said former Mississippi Gov. Raymond Mabus Jr.
Mabus told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing this morning that if confirmed, that would be one of his areas of concentration.
"I look forward to working with the members of this committee to make sure we don't shortchange our sailors, Marines and taxpayers because of an out-of-control process," he said.
Mabus noted the contributions made by the men and women of the Navy and Marine Corps. "Thousands of brave Marines and sailors are engaged, in Iraq and Afghanistan, while courageous thousands more carry out hazardous duties around the globe," he said. "These incredible, wonderful young Americans all volunteered to serve and are defending and representing the United States and all of us."
He also outlined the importance of the department to the nation's interests around the world.
"The Navy and the Marine Corps play critical roles in our nation's service, fighting America's wars, projecting power where needed, protecting the sea lanes, delivering disaster relief, cooperating with other countries, in efforts to multiply force, trying and preventing conflicts from arising or from turning into things which are larger, more dangerous and harder to control, providing training and other assistance, to nations around the globe, and doing many of these things in a sea-based, minimum-footprint way," he said.
The nominee said the office for which he is being considered has many facets, ranging from "making sure that the Navy and Marine Corps recruit, train and retain exceptional forces, to ensuring that those forces have enough of the right equipment, to do their job, to caring for them and their families daily and especially in times of crisis, to working with Congress and the other services and the larger Department of Defense."
Mabus, a former naval surface warfare officer, called the experience one of the most profound of his life. "It helped me so much in the other things that I have undertaken," he said.
He also served as Mississippi's state auditor and U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia. It was his stint as governor, however, that taught him that one person can't do everything alone.
"Cooperation and collaboration, especially with the legislative branch, is crucial if anything is to be accomplished," he said.
Robert O. Work also addressed the committee today. Work, who is nominated to be the next undersecretary of the Navy, said he looks forward to helping Mabus lead the Navy and Marine Corps and working with members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, if they are both confirmed.
"If confirmed, I believe that my life-long experience – first as an active-duty dependent, then a military officer ... a father of a military family; and leader, strategist, and analyst – well-prepares me to contribute to these decisions," Work said.
"I will also work hard with the secretary of the Navy to ensure that our nearly 11,000 wounded warriors receive the best care possible, and that the families of our fallen are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve," he said.
The retired Marine, who followed in his father's footsteps and served in the Corps for 27 years, said that he's mindful of what looks to be an especially challenging fiscal and budgetary environment.
"The incoming secretary and undersecretary will be forced to make hard decisions about the future of the Navy and Marine Corps," he said. "However, I pledge not to enter this important job with any preconceived notions or positions.
"I'll listen to the best available civilian and military advice and, when asked, give ... honest, pragmatic advice and counsel to the secretary of the Navy [and] the secretary of Defense, and the president," he added.
The Senate Armed Services Committee also heard testimony from nominees for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, General Counsel of the Department of the Army, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Defense Acquisition Chief Cites Successes, Challenges
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2009 - The Defense Department directorate that procures warfighters' weapons systems has achieved much success in recent years, the organization's departing chief said here today. For example, the mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle program, known by the acronym MRAP, is an important achievement that saves servicemembers' lives, John J. Young Jr., undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, told Pentagon reporters.
The V-shaped hulls of heavy-duty MRAPs protect U.S. servicemembers against roadside bombs.
"I always had every dollar I needed to go do the things that needed to be done to make the MRAP program successful," Young told reporters. He has served as the Pentagon's top acquisition official since November 2007.
Additionally, Young said, remote-controlled aerial surveillance and attack drones procured in recent years have greatly enhanced military missions in overseas combat zones.
The MRAP and aerial-drone programs, Young said, are elements of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' acquisition priorities benefitting warfighters that were carried over during the transition from the Bush administration to the Obama administration.
Gates' dedication to acquisition reform and his willingness to confront programs that produce cost-overruns or simply don't perform, Young said, highlight the secretary's desire to ensure that weapons and equipment programs meet requirements without wasting taxpayer dollars.
Yet, although the acquisitions community continues to provide the best weapons and equipment for warfighters, Young said, factors outside the procurement realm pose challenges for future success.
For example, the defense acquisition effort is hampered by an annual budget-construction process, said Young, who recommends going to a five-year budget cycle. More often than not, funding provided through the one-year budget cycle "is accurate and executable," while funding for follow-on years in the one-year budgets "are estimates, at best," he said.
"There are just so many benefits of having a true multi-year budget," Young said.
Young said he'd like to bolster the department's government-civilian acquisition ranks, but, for various reasons, including a higher private-industry pay scale for such experts, it's been difficult to do so.
The acquisition system also is slowed down by time-consuming internal reviews and an excessive regulatory-oversight process, Young said.
"I need more time for program managers to run their programs," Young said. Acquisition officials, he said, likely spend a third or more of their time defending budgets and answering "what if" questions posed by multiple organizations inside and outside the Pentagon.
"Something about that has got to change to a degree that lets them go spend a vast majority of their time running their program on a daily basis," Young said.
Young's successor, Ashton B. Carter, received U.S. Senate confirmation April 23 to become the next undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.
American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2009 - The Defense Department directorate that procures warfighters' weapons systems has achieved much success in recent years, the organization's departing chief said here today. For example, the mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle program, known by the acronym MRAP, is an important achievement that saves servicemembers' lives, John J. Young Jr., undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, told Pentagon reporters.
The V-shaped hulls of heavy-duty MRAPs protect U.S. servicemembers against roadside bombs.
"I always had every dollar I needed to go do the things that needed to be done to make the MRAP program successful," Young told reporters. He has served as the Pentagon's top acquisition official since November 2007.
Additionally, Young said, remote-controlled aerial surveillance and attack drones procured in recent years have greatly enhanced military missions in overseas combat zones.
The MRAP and aerial-drone programs, Young said, are elements of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' acquisition priorities benefitting warfighters that were carried over during the transition from the Bush administration to the Obama administration.
Gates' dedication to acquisition reform and his willingness to confront programs that produce cost-overruns or simply don't perform, Young said, highlight the secretary's desire to ensure that weapons and equipment programs meet requirements without wasting taxpayer dollars.
Yet, although the acquisitions community continues to provide the best weapons and equipment for warfighters, Young said, factors outside the procurement realm pose challenges for future success.
For example, the defense acquisition effort is hampered by an annual budget-construction process, said Young, who recommends going to a five-year budget cycle. More often than not, funding provided through the one-year budget cycle "is accurate and executable," while funding for follow-on years in the one-year budgets "are estimates, at best," he said.
"There are just so many benefits of having a true multi-year budget," Young said.
Young said he'd like to bolster the department's government-civilian acquisition ranks, but, for various reasons, including a higher private-industry pay scale for such experts, it's been difficult to do so.
The acquisition system also is slowed down by time-consuming internal reviews and an excessive regulatory-oversight process, Young said.
"I need more time for program managers to run their programs," Young said. Acquisition officials, he said, likely spend a third or more of their time defending budgets and answering "what if" questions posed by multiple organizations inside and outside the Pentagon.
"Something about that has got to change to a degree that lets them go spend a vast majority of their time running their program on a daily basis," Young said.
Young's successor, Ashton B. Carter, received U.S. Senate confirmation April 23 to become the next undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.
Tuskegee Airmen Use Social Media to Share Experiences
By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2009 - As the Defense Department ventures into social media, even the famed Tuskegee Airmen are using popular social media tools to engage others and inform the world about their service to their country. When four Tuskegee Airmen participated in a trip to Southwest Asia to visit with U.S., joint and coalition forces and thank them for their service, an Air Force public affairs officer accompanying the airmen reported about their trip through Facebook and Twitter.
"Troops are following this journey on Facebook," Maj. Andra Higgs, director of public affairs for 4th Air Force and assigned to Air Forces Central Command for this trip, said during a "DoD Live" bloggers roundtable April 24. "We've got this capacity now to communicate by way of satellite around the world in real time."
Higgs said he used Twitter to provide instant updates on the Tuskegee Airmen's activities.
"I'm taken aback by the technology of the young people, the technological expertise. ... It's mind boggling," said retired Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson, one of four airmen participating in the trip. Jefferson served during World War II as a P-51 fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group's 301st Fighter Squadron in Ramitelli, Italy, and said his experience in uniform provided many opportunities for him.
"Coming through the Tuskegee Airmen experience in World War II was the greatest thing that ever happened to me," he said. "It opened up vistas, opened up windows. It opened up doors to succeed in later life."
Jefferson flew 18 long-range escort missions for B-17 and B-24 bombers, providing protection from enemy aircraft. On Aug. 12, 1944, three days prior to the invasion of Southern France, Jefferson was shot down by ground fire. He was captured by German troops and spent nine months as a prisoner of war, but was liberated by American forces on April 29, 1945.
Jefferson said his visit with troops was a great way to see how "they're carrying on the traditions of our country."
"It was an inspiration to see these young people carrying on the tradition of the 332nd Fighter Group and the Expeditionary Wing," Jefferson said.
The airmen of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing in today's combat theater share a piece of history with the Tuskegee Airmen; they fight under the same designator that the airmen used in World War II.
Jefferson was discharged from active duty in 1947 and retired from the reserves in 1969 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Following the war, he became an elementary school science teacher in Detroit, and he retired as an assistant principal in 1979.
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2009 - As the Defense Department ventures into social media, even the famed Tuskegee Airmen are using popular social media tools to engage others and inform the world about their service to their country. When four Tuskegee Airmen participated in a trip to Southwest Asia to visit with U.S., joint and coalition forces and thank them for their service, an Air Force public affairs officer accompanying the airmen reported about their trip through Facebook and Twitter.
"Troops are following this journey on Facebook," Maj. Andra Higgs, director of public affairs for 4th Air Force and assigned to Air Forces Central Command for this trip, said during a "DoD Live" bloggers roundtable April 24. "We've got this capacity now to communicate by way of satellite around the world in real time."
Higgs said he used Twitter to provide instant updates on the Tuskegee Airmen's activities.
"I'm taken aback by the technology of the young people, the technological expertise. ... It's mind boggling," said retired Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson, one of four airmen participating in the trip. Jefferson served during World War II as a P-51 fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group's 301st Fighter Squadron in Ramitelli, Italy, and said his experience in uniform provided many opportunities for him.
"Coming through the Tuskegee Airmen experience in World War II was the greatest thing that ever happened to me," he said. "It opened up vistas, opened up windows. It opened up doors to succeed in later life."
Jefferson flew 18 long-range escort missions for B-17 and B-24 bombers, providing protection from enemy aircraft. On Aug. 12, 1944, three days prior to the invasion of Southern France, Jefferson was shot down by ground fire. He was captured by German troops and spent nine months as a prisoner of war, but was liberated by American forces on April 29, 1945.
Jefferson said his visit with troops was a great way to see how "they're carrying on the traditions of our country."
"It was an inspiration to see these young people carrying on the tradition of the 332nd Fighter Group and the Expeditionary Wing," Jefferson said.
The airmen of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing in today's combat theater share a piece of history with the Tuskegee Airmen; they fight under the same designator that the airmen used in World War II.
Jefferson was discharged from active duty in 1947 and retired from the reserves in 1969 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Following the war, he became an elementary school science teacher in Detroit, and he retired as an assistant principal in 1979.
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
Missing Soldier's Family Receives His Distinguished Service Cross
By Benjamin AbelSpecial to American Forces Press Service
April 27, 2009 - The history of the U.S. Army Special Forces Regiment is short in relation to that of the rest of the Army, but it's long enough for fierce battles to become old war stories and for training missions to be lost to the vagueness of time and personal recollection. But for the men who have worn the Green Beret, the memories of their Special Forces brothers, especially those missing in action and killed in combat, will never fade.
And so, though it took 42 years to happen, Special Forces senior leaders were asked to stand during the second annual Special Forces Symposium here April 22 as the Army officially awarded the Distinguished Service Cross to the family of Army Maj. Jack T. Stewart, 5th Special Forces Group, who went missing during a ferocious engagement in Vietnam.
On March 24, 1967, two American Green Berets joined with South Vietnamese soldiers to conduct a helicopter assault near the Cambodian border. The combined unit, a mobile strike force company, included then-Capt. Jack Stewart and Staff Sgt. Roger Hallberg. After landing near Bu Dop in Phuoc Long province, their patrol was greeted by enemy automatic weapons fire, requiring Hallberg to return to the rear area to report on the contact with the North Vietnamese army force.
During the firefight, Stewart rallied his men to secure a helicopter landing zone against an advancing enemy force later estimated to be two heavily armed battalions, greatly outnumbering Stewart's men. Stewart was last seen by American forces as he and Hallberg provided cover to retreating members of their company.
Diane Hasner, Stewart's former wife; son Troy Stewart and daughter Karen Kelly; Barbara Stewart Pratt, his sister; and Kermit Stewart, his cousin, represented the Stewart family at the ceremony and accepted the Distinguished Service Cross on behalf of the missing Green Beret.
Speaking on behalf of the family during the ceremony, Kermit Stewart recounted the Stewart family's uniformed service to the nation during the Revolutionary War, through the Civil War, both world wars, Korea and Vietnam.
In a brief humorous moment, Kermit paralleled the 55 years required for Ezekiel Stewart to receive a pension for his service with the New Jersey State Volunteers during the American Revolution to the 42 years between the disappearance of Maj. Jack Stewart and the awarding of the Distinguished Service Cross.
"I don't know why it takes the Stewarts so long to be recognized for their service," Kermit said, "but we finally get there."
Wearing a red, white and blue scarf embroidered with Major Stewart's name, unit and date of his disappearance, Hasner spoke of the importance of the award and ceremony to give closure the missing Green Beret.
"This has been a long time coming," Hasner said. "It's time for closure for family, friends and the men involved in the situation that day."
One of the men involved in the action that day was John M. Throckmorton, the lone survivor of the firefight. In the days following the fateful mission, then-2nd Lieutenant Throckmorton submitted Stewart and Hallberg for valor awards. After meeting the Hallberg family four years ago and learning that neither man had been awarded for their heroism in 1967, Throckmorton resubmitted paperwork that led to Hallberg being awarded the Silver Star and the eventual awarding of the Distinguished Service Cross to Stewart.
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the Army, and it is awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force.
(Benjamin Abel is deputy public affairs officer for the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, N.C.)
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