32nd Brigade Family Readiness Group among best in nation

Date: December 29, 2009
By Sgt. Andy Poquette
Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs

The Family Readiness Group for the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team has been named the best in the Army National Guard for 2009, and will be one of seven reserve component family readiness groups to receive a Department of Defense award in February. "I am so thankful our Red Arrow soldiers have the best family readiness program in the nation," said Col. Steven Bensend, commander of the 32nd Brigade from Iraq. "Our soldiers did a great job over here because of the great work done to support their families back in Wisconsin."

"It's pretty exciting," said Janell Kellett, lead volunteer for the 32nd Brigade's family readiness group. "I've been calling all my volunteers."

Kellett oversees volunteers representing family readiness groups for 27 units deployed with the 32nd Brigade - including units from the 64th Troop Command and the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade - along with some additional groups representing units that provided individual Soldiers to augment the brigade.

The Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Awards were established in 2000 to recognize the top unit in each Reserve component - Army and Air National Guard, Army and Air Force Reserve, Navy and Marine Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve - that demonstrates outstanding family readiness while maintaining superior mission readiness. Each Reserve component selects its winner from among a large pool of nominees; final nominees are forwarded to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs for final approval.

Criteria to be considered for the award includes demonstrating the link between family readiness and mission readiness, such as having family points of contact and care plans; implementing programs and services that improve quality of life and support attracting and keeping Soldiers; ensuring that unit members have fair access to benefits and entitlements; and ensuring that National Guard families are seamlessly integrated with the total force, in part by collaborating with local bases or active component units and also by reducing family readiness issues that may interfere with a Soldier's deployment.

According to the Army National Guard panel which determined the final selection, the 32nd Brigade Family Readiness Group exceeded the criteria guidance.

"The incredible amount of time and effort our family volunteers gave is overwhelming," he said. "There is no award that can adequately thank them for that sacrifice," said Bensend.

Kellett said that the award shows the volunteers that their hard work has been recognized. "Our unit leads have done some amazing work," she said. "This reinforces that they've been doing phenomenal work. Everyone pitches in to have a successful program. This shows that the Army National Guard leadership here appreciates what we do. We want to serve the families; we want to serve the community."

The 32nd Brigade's Family Readiness Group launched a community service campaign, "Moving Forward, Giving Back" in May 2008 when the brigade began preparing for its current deployment. The initiative was developed to bring together families of Soldiers who have deployed in the past with families experiencing their first deployment, as well as to provide a focus outside of deployment concerns. Kellett reiterated that the program will continue after the brigade returns next year - in fact, even the homecoming will provide an opportunity for families to give back.

"We'll be doing a food pantry collection," she explained. "It's just another opportunity for military families to give back."

This award is the fourth presented to a Wisconsin Army National Guard Family Readiness Group in recent years. The 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Family Readiness Group won the award in 2005, followed by the 2nd Battalion, 128th Infantry Family Readiness Group in 2006 and the 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery Family Readiness Group in 2007. Like the 32nd Brigade Family Readiness Group this year, those groups were serving deployed battalions during the time they won the award.

Kellett was the battalion lead volunteer for the 2nd Battalion, 128th Infantry when it won the Reserve Family Readiness Award in 2006, and said much of what was learned then has been applied to this family group.

"We wanted to ensure we worked as a team," she explained. "We pulled all the battalion leads together and made sure they had what they needed. They spoke to their unit leads to make sure everyone was on the same page. That's what makes the group strong and more successful."

Bensend said that lengthy Guard deployments cannot succeed without effective family programs. "When our Soldiers know their families are being supported back home, they can focus on their missions overseas," he explained. "Family readiness groups are really supporting the mission, too.

The award ceremony will be held in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes at 10 a.m. on Feb. 12, 2010. In addition to an engraved plaque and framed certificate, the unit will receive a cash award from the Military Officers Association of America.

Military Health Benefits Update

TRICARE Expanded Benefits and Customer Service in 2009

December 29, 2009: The past year has been a busy one for TRICARE with the introduction of a new Web-based counseling program and major enhancements to several other TRICARE benefits.

Introduced Aug. 1, 2009, the TRICARE Assistance Program (TRIAP) uses today’s constantly evolving Web-based technologies to bring short-term professional counseling assistance closer to the people who often need it most: service members and veterans recently returned from overseas and their families who’ve persevered through the deployment.

TRIAP is available in the United States to active duty service members, those eligible for the Transition Assistance Management Program (TAMP) and members enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select. It is also available to their spouses, no matter their age, and other eligible family members 18 years of age or older.

From the comfort of their homes, or anywhere else, beneficiaries with a computer, Webcam and the associated software can speak “face-to-face” with a licensed counselor over the Internet at any time of the day or night. Eligible beneficiaries can get more information about TRIAP and other behavioral health resources at www.tricare.mil/mentalhealth.

ECHO benefit increases

TRICARE has increased the amount it pays for certain Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) benefits. ECHO assists eligible family members of active duty sponsors who are diagnosed with moderate or severe mental retardation, a serious physical disability, or an extraordinary physical or psychological condition.

The total TRICARE cost share for training, rehabilitation, special education, and assistive technology devices was increased to $36,000 per fiscal year. This covers institutional care in private, nonprofit, public and state institutions and facilities and, if appropriate, transportation to and from such institutions and facilities. To learn more about ECHO, go to www.tricare.mil/echo.

Standard preventive care enhanced

Getting clinical preventive services can help prevent major health problems. In September 2009 TRICARE waived all cost shares for Standard beneficiaries for colorectal cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer screenings, immunizations and well-child visits for children under 6 years of age. Also, for all beneficiaries over age 6, when a visit to a health care provider includes one or more of the benefits listed above, the cost share for the visit is waived. Other services provided during the same visit are subject to cost shares and deductibles.

New Active Duty Dental Program

On Aug. 1, 2009, TRICARE launched a new dental program for active duty service members. The Active Duty Dental Program is designed for service members assigned to locations with no access to a military dental facility, and those referred by their dental treatment facility (DTF) to the civilian network for specialty care or due to unavailability of timely DTF appointments.

For more information about this new dental program, go to http://www.addp-ucci.com/

OTC meds available without copay

Due to positive feedback and cost savings, TRICARE’s over-the-counter (OTC) medication demonstration was continued. The demonstration allows TRICARE beneficiaries to substitute certain prescription drugs with over-the-counter versions for zero copay.

OTC medications are generally less expensive than their prescription versions, by as much as 400 percent in some cases.

To get the covered OTC allergy medications cetirizine and loratadine, and heartburn medications (proton-pump inhibitors) Prilosec OTC and its generic form omeprazole with no out-of-pocket costs, beneficiaries still need a prescription from their health care provider specifically for the OTC drug. After submitting the prescription at any TRICARE retail network pharmacy or through the TRICARE mail-order pharmacy, the prescription for the OTC medication is filled at no cost.

For more information about the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, go to www.tricare.mil/pharmacy
After a busy year in 2009, TRICARE is looking forward to an equally productive 2010. Keep an eye on www.tricare.mil/pressroom for news throughout the year and get benefit information direct from TRICARE via e-mail by signing up at www.tricare.mil/subscriptions

Guard Members Respond to Holiday Storms

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

Dec. 29, 2009 - More than 100 National Guard soldiers and airmen responded over the holiday and through the weekend to support callouts by governors in four Midwest states hit by severe winter weather. The National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., reported that Guard members were first summoned to preposition equipment in preparation for the storm, which produced blizzard conditions in some areas and deposited record-breaking snow and ice throughout much of the nation.

Some areas closed roadways and airports. News agencies reported that at least 21 deaths were caused by roadway accidents. Localized power outages occurred and many holiday travelers were stranded at shuttered airports and slowed by snow-covered roads and accidents.

Texas officials reported that Gov. Rick Perry activated state resources, including Texas National Guard personnel, high profile vehicles and other resources to assist motorists and communities in Lubbock and the surrounding area.

Officials at the Texas Joint Forces Headquarters reported that at least 36 Guard members supported local responses to road closures, accidents and power outages in areas including Lubbock, Post and Wichita Falls.

In Nebraska, Guard members helped local emergency medical personnel access hard-to-reach areas in Lincoln by providing and operating four-wheel-drive Humvees.

At least 18 Oklahoma Guard members on Christmas Day patrolled interstates to transport stranded travelers to safety after record snowfalls closed major highways and roadways throughout the state Dec. 24.

In South Dakota, Gov. Mike Rounds declared a state of emergency Dec. 22, and at least 90 Guard members helped prepare their state for storm response.

In addition, Army Guard search and rescue crews searched for missing people in Colorado and Maryland.

Colorado Guard members flew an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter to assist emergency responders looking for two skiers in Lake County. Officials reported that the skiers were found and transported to a local command post where they were treated for cold weather injuries.

Guard Bureau officials reported that Maryland Guard members flew an OH-58 to assist emergency responders searching for an 11-year-old girl who was reported abducted from her home Dec. 25. The crew was released by the Wicomico County Sheriff that day.

(Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith serves with the National Guard Bureau.)

Three Vaccines Now Available at TRICARE Network Pharmacies

December 29, 2009: TRICARE beneficiaries can now receive select vaccines with no out-of-pocket expense at retail pharmacies.For the first time ever, beneficiaries can visit TRICARE retail network pharmacies to receive seasonal flu, H1N1 flu and pneumonia vaccines at no cost. This expanded coverage is available to all TRICARE beneficiaries eligible to use the TRICARE retail pharmacy benefit.

Other vaccines must still be administered in a doctor’s office or authorized convenience clinic to be fully covered by TRICARE’s preventive health services cost-share waiver.

“Vaccines are the most effective defense against the seasonal and H1N1 flu and pneumonia,” said Rear Adm. Thomas McGinnis, TRICARE’s chief pharmacy officer. “We hope this new, convenient and affordable option encourages TRICARE beneficiaries to get their vaccinations.”

To receive the vaccines, beneficiaries can call their local TRICARE retail network pharmacy to make sure it participates in the vaccine program and has the vaccine in stock. To locate a participating retail network pharmacy, go to http://www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE or call Express Scripts at 877-363-1303.

U.S. Will Strengthen Defenses, Obama Says

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Dec. 28, 2009 - In addition to strengthening defenses, the United States will seek out those who wish Americans harm "anywhere they are plotting attacks against the U.S. homeland," President Barack Obama said in Hawaii today. The president spoke about the steps the government will take in the wake of the attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound U.S. commercial aircraft on Christmas Day. Nigerian national Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is accused of trying to blow up Northwest Flight 253.

"The American people should be assured that we will do everything in our power to keep you and your family safe and secure during this busy holiday season," Obama said.

The president directed the national security team "to keep up the pressure on those who would attack our country."

Information is still coming out about the incident. "Those who would slaughter innocent men, women and children must know that the United States will do more than simply strengthen our defenses: We will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, dismantle and defeat the violent extremists who threaten us," he said.

The president said as soon as he heard of the attempt he ordered enhanced screening of all flights. He also ordered more federal air marshals on flights entering and leaving the United States.

He also has ordered reviews of the incident. One on the so-called watch list and the other on all screening policies, technologies and procedures related to air travel. "We need to find out how the suspect was able to bring dangerous explosives aboard an aircraft and what additional steps we can take to deter future attacks," Obama said.

The president called for the American people to remain vigilant. A passenger stopped the suspect from blowing up the plane. "This incident, like several that have preceded it – demonstrate that an alert and courageous citizenry are far more resilient than an isolated extremist," he said.

The nation will do all it can to defeat these threats. "As Americans, we will never give in to fear or division," the president said. "We will be guided by our hopes, our unity and our deeply held values."

MILITARY CONTRACTS

NAVY

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $98,000,000 modification to the previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for special tooling and special test equipment required for the manufacture of Joint Strike Fighter Air System low rate initial production aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in November 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-08-C-0028).

McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., St. Louis,Mo., is being awarded a $54,119,479 advance acquisition contract for long lead materials and effort associated with the full rate production and delivery of Lot 35 F/A-18 and E/A-18G aircraft. Work will be performed in El Segundo, Calif. (85 percent); Brooklyn Heights, Ohio (8 percent); Torrance, Calif. (3 percent); Ontario, Canada (3 percent); and St. Louis, Mo. (1 percent). Work is expected to be completed in December 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-10-C-0017).

Bell-Boeing Joint Program Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $29,387,585 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement to support the Naval Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Squadron by providing on-site flight test management, flight test engineering, design engineering and related efforts to support the conduct of flight and ground testing for the MV-22 tilt rotor aircraft. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md. (70 percent); Philadelphia, Pa. (19 percent); and Fort Worth, Texas (11 percent). Work is expected to be completed in December 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-07-G-0008).

Bell-Boeing Joint Program Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $25,862,655 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to exercise an option to a previously awarded delivery order placed against a previously issued basic ordering agreement. This option provides engineering and technical services for the Navy and Air Force in support of the V-22 flight control system and on-aircraft avionics software. This effort supports configuration changes to the software of the V-22 aircraft for avionics and flight controls; flight test planning; coordination of changed avionics and flight control configurations; and upgrade planning of avionics and flight controls, including performance of qualification testing and integration testing on software products. Work will be performed in Philadelphia, Pa. (90 percent), and Fort Worth, Texas (10 percent). Work is expected to be completed in December 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $6,079,429 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-07-G-0008).

DynCorp International, LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $16,902,377 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to exercise an option for maintenance services in support of the Kuwait Air Force F/A-18 program under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Kuwait (90 percent) and Fort Worth, Texas (10 percent). Work is expected to be completed in December 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-06-C-0308).

Kalman and Co., Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded a task order in the amount of $6,921,545, exclusive of options. The scope of this effort is to provide ongoing business and analytical support to Marine Corps Systems Command, program manager, infantry combat equipment, combat equipment support systems (CESS). Objectives of this initiative include specialized analysis supporting CESS as it develops and refines the Marine Corps' requirements for asset management and logistics support improvements through the consolidation of equipment. This requirement is an ongoing effort to assess current support practices, benchmark efficiencies, and validate course of action alternatives through applied analytical methods. Within this task area are requirements to support multiple program initiatives; documentation development; research; production and fielding decisions; logistics support; Naval Logistics Integration support; and on-site representation. Work will be performed at Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., and Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, Ga., with field service representatives at I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), II MEF, III MEF, Hawaii and Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow, Calif. Work is expected to be completed by Jan. 29, 2011. Contract funds will expire Sept. 30, 2010. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-03-A-5158-0026).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

LB&B Associates Inc., Columbia, Md., a HUBZone business, is being awarded a minimum $14,104,128 firm-fixed-price contract for fuel services to include aircraft refueling, bulk storage and distribution, ground fuel delivery, etc. Other location of performance is California. Using service is Navy. The original proposal was web solicited with four responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is April 2018. The Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-10-C-5024).

Resource Center*, Jamestown, N.Y., is being awarded a maximum $5,058,802 firm-fixed-price, total set-aside, long-term contract for lap belt restraints. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. The original proposal was web solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract is exercising the second option year period. The date of performance completion is Dec. 26, 2010. The Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va., is the contracting activity (SPM4A7-08-D-0074).

AIR FORCE

Northrop Grumman Corp., Rolling Meadows, Ill., has been awarded a $5,910,145 contract, option exercise, to provide contractor logistics support for the LITENING advanced targeting pod. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 647 AESS/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (F33657-98-C-2020).

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY

Miltec Corp., Huntsville, Ala., is being awarded a sole-source modification to continue performing work under its competitively awarded, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (HQ0006-07-D-0004). Miltec will continue the planning and preparation of flight test payloads for the Missile Defense Agency Producibility and Manufacturing Directorate's Flight Experiment #2. The work will be performed in Huntsville, Ala. The performance period is being extended to March 21, 2012. The contract amount is being raised to $9,809,673 from the previous contract amount of $4,809,673. Obligations will be made using fiscal year 2010 research, development, test and evaluation funds. The Missile Defense Agency is the contracting activity.

Marines Serve in Afghanistan With Pride

By Marine Lance Cpl. Walter Marino
Special to American Forces Press Service

Dec. 28, 2009 - Marines of 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion are serving in southern Afghanistan with pride, despite the hardship of being away from their families during the holidays. The Marines are working hard, building observational posts, searching for improvised explosive devices and providing route clearance.

"I didn't join the Marine Corps during a time of war not to fight," said Cpl. Aaron A. Bennet, a heavy equipment operator.

"It was time to do my part," he said.

Marines deploy to Afghanistan knowing they may not see loved ones for up to a year. Yet, the positive is found.

"My wife and I say it's not going to kill us, only make us stronger," Bennet said. "Some relationships get stagnant. But we know what it's like to truly miss each other."

Bennet said he got married knowing the possibility of spending long periods of time away from his wife.

"My wife understood why I wanted to deploy," the Spring, Texas, native said. "She told me, 'I know you joined the Marine Corps to fight. Who am I to tell you not to fight?'"

Some Marines subscribe their own meaning to the word sacrifice.

"Sacrifice isn't a real sacrifice unless you believe in the people you're with and the mission at hand," said Cpl. Jonathan Lehman, a combat engineer.

No doubt the Marines in Afghanistan will miss their families this holiday season. But, they are with a different kind of family in Afghanistan, said Col. Randall P. Newman, Regimental Combat Team 7's commander.

"My fellow Marines get me through this, along with mail from home," Newman said.

Receiving mail from home, Newman said, "makes me feel closer to my family."

Lehman has his plans set for next year's holiday season, he said.

"Next year's Christmas will be quite the experience," he said. "It will be me and my wife's first Christmas as a family."

Lehman also said he looks forward to next Christmas as a time to spoil his 4-year-old daughter.

(Marine Lance Cpl. Walter Marino serves with 1st Marine Division's Regimental Combat Team 7 public affairs.)

DoD Looks at Long-term Health Effects of Burn Pits

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Dec. 28, 2009 - The Defense Department has launched a study on the possible long-term effects of the smoke emitted from burn pits used in overseas locations such as Iraq. Armed services medical officials are conducting studies on the health outcomes of individuals that have been deployed to identify any health conditions associated with smoke exposure.

Burn pit smoke can cause some acute health effects in some people, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said today. These can include eye irritation, upper respiratory ailments and coughing.

"To date, we don't have any information on any longer-term health risks that may be associated with burn pit smoke inhalation," Whitman said.

This is the second study of the effects inhaling burn pit smoke may have. The first study used an Environmental Protection Agency risk assessment method to determine what effects the smoke at Balad Air Base, Iraq, had on personnel exposed to it.

"We determined at that time, that there was no long-term health effects that were expected due to inhalation of burn pit smoke to the personnel assigned there," Whitman said.

However, there has been persistent concern about the possible effects, prompting the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center study. "The department's No. 1 priority is the health of our servicemembers," Whitman said. "Whenever concerns of this nature are raised we want to make sure they are being addressed properly and when appropriate studied for any long-term effects."

The Defense Department recognizes that some individuals may be more susceptible to the effects of burn pits because of genetics or pre-existing health conditions. Other factors may contribute to long-term effects including smoking, inhaling dust particles and working around heavy machinery.

The health centers expect a preliminary report out early next year.

Soldier Aims to Scale Earth's Highest Peak

By Army Pfc. J. Princeville Lawrence
Special to American Forces Press Service

Dec. 28, 2009 - Toward the end of every soldier's deployment comes the time to decide what's next. Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Bari, a medic serving with the 34th Infantry Division here, plans to climb mountains after he departs Iraq.

Bari intends to start small as part of his ultimate goal of scaling the world's highest peak: 29,029-feet-high Mount Everest in Nepal.

Bari found his calling in the woods of northern Minnesota last fall.

"I started rock climbing up in Duluth in the summer and fall of 2008," the St. Louis Park, Minn., native said. "And really, I instantly fell in love with rock climbing."

A trudging expedition along the Appalachian Trail in the eastern United States soon followed.

"I really enjoyed the terrain, the angles that you take going up and down hills, especially wearing a pack," Bari said.

Bari and his friends began to talk about taking a rock-climbing trip, but a different kind of challenge interrupted his plans: a deployment to Iraq.

Bari's pre-deployment training brought him to Fort Lewis, Wash., where the looming, white specter of 14,411-feet-high Mount Rainier sat teasingly on the horizon.

"The first time I saw Mount Rainier, I had that instant when I was like: 'Wow, I'd really like to see what it's like on top of that thing,'" Bari said.

While at Fort Lewis, Bari immersed himself in books on mountaineering and its myriad dangers: frigid cold, glaciers, crevasses, high-altitude sickness and falling. It wasn't until Bari's four-day pass that he was able to attempt to climb the mountain. Because of inclement weather, he only was able to reach 8,000 feet up Mount Ranier. Nevertheless, he remained undeterred for future challenges.

Bari continues to train for future mountain-climbing expeditions while deployed in Iraq by running 35 to 45 miles a week.

Leg strength, he said, is "the power that's going to get you up the mountain."

Once his Iraq deployment ends, Bari plans to climb Pikes Peak located near Colorado Springs, Colo. Pikes Peak, which tops off near 14,115 feet, is Bari's warm-up exercise prior to scaling 14,505-feet-high Mount Whitney in California.

After climbing Mount Whitney this summer, Bari said he plans to tackle Alaska's 20,320-feet-high Mount McKinley in the summer of 2011, where he can gain experience working with ropes amid ice and glaciers.

Scaling Mount McKinley "will be the last major training piece before making an attempt at Everest," Bari pointed out.

Ever since New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay first scaled Everest's craggy summit in May 1953, more than 2,700 adventurers have crawled their way up the peak. The mountain is so high, and the trail is so long, that to climb straight through is both foolhardy and dangerous.

"You don't start right at the base camp and go straight to the top," Bari explained. "You go up a little bit, set up a camp and get used to that elevation."

While Bari currently has "absolutely zero" mountain-climbing experience, he noted that he also lacked any serious long-distance running experience before participating in his first 26-mile marathon.

Bari has "kinda lost track" of how many marathons he has run since his first, although he estimates the total to be somewhere close to 20.

Bari hopes that his mountain-climbing plans blossom similarly.

And while there are many things Bari cannot control over the next two years during his mountain-climbing quests, his plan appears to be rock-solid: start at the bottom, and through hard work and effort and sweat, climb your way to the top.

(Army Pfc. J. Princeville Lawrence serves with the 34th Infantry Division public affairs office.)

Identity Theft

Jeff Allan is a native of Boston, Massachusetts. After a tour in the United States Marine Corps, he spent the following 11 years as an expatriate in Asia. While in Asia, Jeff honed his skills in the enterprise technology area, becoming an authority on information technology security among other things. During this time he also worked as the director of business development with some of the most recognized global technology giants, including some who like to identify themselves with three letter acronyms. Jeff has spoken professionally about the topics of security technology, organizational security policy, and the future of digital security to government bodies in the United States, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. Jeff Allan is the author of Identity Uprising.


According to the book description of Identity Uprising, “Over 350,000 Americans have their identity stolen every year. What would you do if one day you learned that you no longer had control over your own identity? Industry acclaimed expert Jeff Allan shows you proven strategies to both safeguard your identity, and also how to regain control if your identity is stolen.”

MILITARY CONTRACTS December 24, 2009

Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va. (SPM8EG-08-D-0002); W.S. Darley & Co.*, Itasca, Ill. (SPM8EG-08-D-0003); and Safeware, Inc.*, Landover, Md. (SPM8EG-08-D-0004), are each being awarded a maximum $800,000,000 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for a tailored logistics support program for fire and emergency services for military installations located in the southeast region of the United States. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the first option year period. The original proposal was web solicited with 12 responses. The date of performance completion is Dec. 27, 2010. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, is the contracting activity.

Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va. (SPM8EG-08-D-0005); W.S. Darley & Co.*, Itasca, Ill. (SPM8EG-08-D-0006); and Safeware, Inc.*, Landover, Md. (SPM8EG-08-D-0007), are each being awarded a maximum $800,000,000 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for a tailored logistics support program for fire and emergency services for military installations located in the northeast region of the United States. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the first option year period. The original proposal was web solicited with 12 responses. The date of performance completion is Dec. 27, 2010. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, is the contracting activity.

Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va. (SPM8EG-08-D-0008); L.N. Curtis & Sons*, Oakland, Calif. (SPM8EG-08-D-0009); and W.S. Darley & Co.*, Itasca, Ill. (SPM8EG-08-D-0011), are each being awarded a maximum $800,000,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for a tailored logistics support program for fire and emergency services for military installations located in the capital/Great Lakes region of the United States. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the first option year period. The original proposal was web solicited with 12 responses. The date of performance completion is Dec. 27, 2010. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, is the contracting activity.

Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va. (SPM8EG-08-D-0012); L.N. Curtis & Sons*, Oakland, Calif. (SPM8EG-08-D-0013); and W.S. Darley & Co.*, Itasca, Ill. (SPM8EG-08-D-0015), are each being awarded a maximum $800,000,000 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for a tailored logistics support program for fire and emergency services for military installations located in the Midwest region of the United States. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the first option year period. The original proposal was web solicited with 12 responses. The date of performance completion is Dec. 27, 2010. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, is the contracting activity.

Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va. (SPM8EG-08-D-0016); W.S. Darley & Co.*, Itasca, Ill. (SPM8EG-08-D-0017); and The Mallory Co.*, Longview, Wash. (SPM8EG-08-D-0018), are each being awarded a maximum $800,000,000 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for a tailored logistics support program for fire and emergency services for military installations located in the western region of the United States. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the first option year period. The original proposal was web solicited with 12 responses. The date of performance completion is Dec. 27, 2010. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Systems Integration, Owego, N.Y., is being awarded a maximum $68,279,698 sole-source firm-fixed-price contract for receiver transmitters and processors. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is December 2013. The Defense Logistics Agency, Philadelphia, is the contracting activity (N00019-06-C-0098).

General Electric Co., Aircraft Engine Business Group, Lynn, Mass., is being awarded a maximum $48,769,848 sole-source firm-fixed-price requirement-type contract for engines. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. The original proposal was solicited through the DLA Internet Bid Board System with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is July 29, 2010. The Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va., is the contracting activity (SPM400-00-D9403).

EG&G Technical Services, Inc., Germantown, Md., is being awarded a maximum $29,189,192 fixed-price, incentive (firm target), award-fee hybrid contract for material distribution services. Other location of performance is Jacksonville, Fla. Using service is Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Distribution Center, New Cumberland, Pa. The original proposal was web solicited with eight responses. This is a five-year contract with one-year base and four one-year option periods. The date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2014. The Defense Distribution Center, New Cumberland, Pa., is the contracting activity (SP3300-10-C-0006).

Ohkosh Corp, Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $26,829,775 firm-fixed-price contract for axle assemblies. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Dec. 10, 2010. The Defense Logistics Agency Warren, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (SPRDL1-10-C-0018).

Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $22,211,122 total set-aside, sole-source, undefinitized delivery-order contract for sustainment spare parts. Another location of performance is Detroit, Mich. Using service is Army. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Oct. 2, 2010. The Defense Logistics Agency Warren, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0111-VD01).

Breeze-Eastern*, Union, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $11,049,860 sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract for cargo hooks. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There were originally two proposals solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2012. The Defense Supply Center Richmond, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (SPRRA1-09-R-0025).

Hutchinson Industries, Trenton, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $8,255,629 sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract for wheel and tire assemblies. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses. The date of performance completion is July 21, 2010. The Defense Logistics Agency Warren, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (SPRDL1-10-C-0029).

AIR FORCE

Boeing Co., Wichita Falls, Kan., was awarded a $750,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the Engineering Sustainment Program to provide engineering design, engineering support and technical support services for the modernization and sustainment of the B-52 weapon system. At this time, $22,012,244.85 has been obligated. 327 ACSG/PK, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8107-09-D-0001).

United Technologies Corp, Pratt & Whitney, East Hartford, Conn., was awarded a $95,409,543 modified contract for eight Lot 10 F119-PW-100 install engines for the F-22 weapon system. At this time, $25,000,000 has been obligated. 478 AESG/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8611-09-C-2901).

Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems, Clearfield, Utah, was awarded a $16,281,151 firm-fixed-price contract for the exercise of options 12 and13 for the Propulsion System Rocket Engine Life Extension Program on the ICBM prime integrated contract. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 00-ALC/526th ICBMSG/PKE, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (F42610-98-C-0001).

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $7,225,051 contract for modification to incorporate Engineering Change Proposal 2746 for the procurement of 35 wide angle raster heads up display units for Peace Onyx IV F-16 aircraft for the government of Turkey. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 312 AES/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8615-07-C-6034).

BMC Software Distribution, Inc., Houston, Texas, was awarded a $5,642,770.14 firm-fixed contract to procure BMC software products, support and maintenance for the Combat Information Transport Systems program office. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 753 ELSG/PK, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity (W91QUZ-07-A-0006).

32nd Brigade wrapping things up in Iraq

December 24, 2009: The Wisconsin Army National Guard's 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team is upbeat about spending the holidays on deployment in Iraq, in part because everyone knows what the new year will bring. "Right now we're in the midst of transferring our missions all over Iraq to our replacement unit from the 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the Texas National Guard," explained Lt. Col. Tim Donovan, public affairs officer for the 32nd Brigade. "So as we complete that process, which is called 'relief in place,' we'll have a formal transfer of authority ceremony. At that point the mission is theirs and we're cleared to go home."

Donovan said the 32nd Brigade will move south into Kuwait to process out of theater and fly into Wisconsin sometime in January. The various units in the brigade will spend perhaps up to a week at Fort McCoy to de-mobilize, "to reverse the process that brought us onto active duty in February," Donovan said. "Then we're finished."

Even with that good news just around the corner, leaders in the brigade are taking steps to ensure Soldiers have a merry Christmas.

"Our commanders all over Iraq, wherever the 32nd Brigade Soldiers are working, are doing the best they can to create some kind of holiday atmosphere," Donovan said. "Here in Baghdad we're going to have a Christmas party on Christmas night at the chapel - just an informal way to get together with our Soldiers and the Soldiers who are replacing us, and celebrate Christmas as best we can a long way from home."

Donovan said the brigade is working hard to ensure that the 72nd Brigade is fully prepared to pick up where the 32nd will leave off.

"We're all in this to make a difference," he said. "We're thankful we made a difference here in Iraq."

Making a difference half a world away does not come without cost, Donovan noted, though he said the brigade is thankful it has not lost any Soldiers in Iraq due to hostile action. The cost comes in time lost with families, he explained, and time missed from civilian employment.

"We're going to give the people of Wisconsin their money's worth from our deployment," Donovan said, "by making sure that we left Iraq a better place than when we found it."

Study Takes Closer Look at Non-Combat Burn Hazards

Health.mil Staff

December 23, 2009 In a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, researchers from the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR) in San Antonio analyzed non-combat burn epidemiology among active duty service members deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, using similar civilian burn data as context.

During the Vietnam War, more than half of the evacuated burn casualties were burned outside of combat-related activities. Initial reports from current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have revealed that more than one-third of burn injuries are classified as non-combat.

Between March 2003 and June 2008, the study examined data from burn causalities evacuated to the USAISR, which is the sole U.S. military burn center.

The data was then used to characterize deployed military burn risks in comparison to the risks observed in the U.S. civilian population, to determine which environment was more or less dangerous for unintentional burns. Civilian burn data was extracted from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and statistics published by the American Burn Association.

Of 688 burn causalities admitted to the USAIR during the study, 180 of the cases were considered non-combat. Waste burning, handling ammunition, and fueling generators were some of the major causes of burning incidents for those deployed.

Researchers concluded that the prevalence of non-combat burn injuries in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom was about 20 patients per 100,000 per year, compared to almost seven patients per 100,000 per year for civilians. Therefore, service members are almost three times more likely to suffer unintentional burning than a similar civilian cohort. The increased risk was found to be proportionately mitigated by the specific requirements of their environment.

The most commonly burned body area for service members were the hands, totaling 67 percent of the casualties, significantly more than the civilian burn population. Wearing gloves to protect from burns to the hands and developing other fire safety procedures will potentially reduce the number of non-combat burning incidents in military operations.

Minnesotans Pack Cookies for Deployed Soldiers

By Army Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey
Special to American Forces Press Service

Dec. 24, 2009 - Mention "Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar" around a native Minnesotan in Iraq, and you're almost guaranteed a glazed-eyed expression and rambling murmurs of longing. Say "10,000 cookies" right after, and you might need to find them a chair. Yet, that's the number of cookies volunteers from several charitable and patriotic organizations – and many Sweet Martha's employees – gathered Dec. 19 to pack up and send to troops deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom with the Minnesota National Guard's 34th Infantry Division.

As part of the event, soldiers here hopped on Skype and got a chance to ogle the buckets as they were being prepared.

Volunteers from all over participated on the Minnesota side. Cadets from St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights, Minn. – where the event was held – pitched in and even added notes to each package for the soldiers.

Members of the Minnesota Patriot Guard – the Minnesota-based arm of the Patriot Guard Riders, who attend funerals of servicemembers – shared table space with Blue Star Moms, a service organization of military mothers. They were joined by local members of the Vietnams Veterans Association and local exchange clubs.

Even board member Bill Popp of the National Basketball Association's Minnesota Timberwolves showed up to support the troops and say a few words over Skype.

Army Spc. LaFena Washington, a human resources specialist from Minnetonka, Minn., said she was especially touched by the singing and guitar playing of Joshua Revak, himself a veteran of recent conflicts. Revak serenaded several of the soldiers over Skype, and spent a considerable amount of time at the Skype terminal chatting with and singing to them.

It was the first time Washington had ever used Skype, she said. That Saturday night, if not for a friend encouraging her to come participate, otherwise would have been a movie and popcorn night.

"I'm so glad I did this," she said after passing the headset on to the next soldier. "It was worth missing movie night. The fact they had a veteran playing for us really stood out, and that people took time out to come over and talk to us. I was really impressed."

Army Staff Sgt. Paul Gudding, who works in the 34th Infantry Division's personnel section, followed Washington.

"It was just nice to see that a bunch of people got on," said the Moorhead, Minn. native. "It was a little hometown experience."

Organizer Brad Walton said the event carried on a tradition started in 2006 when a Marine returning soon to Iraq called in to his radio show on WCCO in Minneapolis. When Walton asked him what he could do to help the troops, the Marine simply replied, "Chocolate chip cookies."

Walton immediately thought of Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar, and owner Martha Rossini-Olson jumped at the idea, Walton said.

That first batch saw 10,000 cookies heading out to the troops, and now another 10,000 are shipping overseas.

"About a month ago, as I thought of you and the Red Bulls and all the troops, I reflected back to 2006 and the cookies for the troops," Walton wrote in an e-mail to Army Chaplain (Lt. Col) John Morris, 34th Infantry Division chaplain, in early December. "I called Martha Rossini of Sweet Martha fame and asked her if she was once again up for doing what we did with the Blue Star Moms and all back in 2006."

Of course, her enthusiasm for the idea was as great in 2009 as in 2006. They would even throw in an added bonus, Walton noted in the e-mail: milk.

Gudding was happy at the idea of the milk when volunteers showed it off to him over Skype. "It'll be nice to have some real milk," he said.

In the end, it comes down to basic gratitude, on both ends.

"We are all so indebted to all of you for your service," Walton said, with Rossini-Olson nodding agreement next to him. "It's just our way of saying thank you."

On the other end, once those cookies have reached the troops, the volunteers and organizers are sure to have that thank you returned to them, perhaps not 10,000 times in words, but certainly in 10,000 moments of enjoyment.

(Army Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey serves in Multinational Division South.)

Airmen, 'Soldier Santas' Conduct Toy Drop

By Air Force Capt. Lauri Turpin
Special to American Forces Press Service

Dec. 24, 2009 - You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. But on Dec. 6, it was not a team of reindeer, but Air Force Maj. Jeff Dasher, a navigator in the 95th Airlift Squadron here, who guided the mission for the 440th Airlift Wing's C-130 Hercules that flew a group of "Soldier Santas" across the morning sky. One might say he was born for this mission.

"It's the name," Dasher said with a chuckle. "I had to be on this flight."

His flight was part of the 12th annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop, a program sponsored by Fort Bragg, N.C., and Pope Air Force Base officials providing toys to needy children in the Fayetteville, N.C., area. The toys, donated by the participating servicemembers, are delivered to children in time for Christmas.

More than 1,200 Army paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division and 18th Airborne Corps suited up in their jump gear to be a part of the charity event, which brought participants from as far away as Germany.

Air Force Col. Merle Hart, 440th Airlift Wing commander, greeted the paratroopers as they checked their gear and marched toward the flightline to board Dasher's C-130.

"I'm proud that the 440th can be a part of this operation," Hart said. "This is a great outreach that our soldiers can provide and a token of our support to the children of other military members and the local community."

This year, the 440th Airlift Wing, in conjunction with the Air National Guard's 145th Airlift Wing from Charlotte, N.C., and the Air Force Reserve's 910th Airlift Wing from Youngstown, Ohio, provided airlift for the day's event.

Since its inception 12 years ago, the program has become so popular that Army paratroopers have to win a lottery to participate. To enter the lottery, each paratrooper must buy a toy for one of the needy area children. Though only 1,200 lucky winners actually jump, far more choose to participate and bring donated gifts to Fort Bragg.

For more than 1,000 children, these soldiers and airmen flew in a promise to them that they would have a very merry Christmas.

"They have a massive wrapping session," said Air Force Lt. Col. William Whittenberger, 440th Operations Group commander. "A lot of the wives and families help out. It becomes a big party."

Whittenberger was mission commander for this year's Toy Drop and also flew one of the C-130s.

"We've got 1,200 troops to drop in a fairly short time frame, so we're doing a parallel running course that's 17 miles long, and it is about 12 minutes from takeoff to drop," he said. "Our goal is five minutes between each air frame."

For Army Pfc. Caleb Wood, a 20-year-old soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, it would be only his sixth jump. Along with other members of his chalk, Wood waited in the passenger terminal shelter on the Pope flightline as other soldiers prepared their gear.

"It's my first year doing this," Wood said. "I bought a tricycle to support the event."

As Wood stood in line for his turn, Army 1st Lt. Judith Wood from 126th Transportation Company, 82nd Sustainment Brigade, waited for her turn to climb inside the fuselage of a C-130 to jump.

"I enjoy this because it's a rush, and it's great for the kids," she said. "I hope I'm here again next year. They tell you not to look down, but when you're there, you can't help it. We ask ourselves why we're doing this, but when we jump, it's all worth it."

Seated on the bleachers set out in the red sand against the stark winter-blue sky, family members waited alongside the Sicily Drop Zone on the far side of Fort Bragg for their loved ones. As the C-130 approached, they held up their hands to shield their eyes against the glare of the sun. The plane flew in smoothly, and one by one, the dark silhouettes of the soldiers dipped out of the plane and snapped straight, as one after another their parachutes ballooned into perfect mushrooms.

The line of parachutes stretched along the field as those soldiers who had already completed their flight marched in formation past the bleachers.

Meghan Scott and her husband, Army Capt. Andrew Scott of the Air Defense Battalion, donated a Candyland game.

"[My husband] loves to jump, and it's a great way to help out," she said. "We're very fortunate to live the way we do, so this is just a small way to give back."

(Air Force Capt. Lauri Turpin serves with the 440th Airlift Wing.)

USO Offers Respite From Traveling Frenzy

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

Dec. 24, 2009 - As the rest of Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport bustled with holiday travelers yesterday, its USO Lounge offered military travelers -- many returning home from overseas deployments -- a welcome sanctuary of solace. The lounge is conveniently positioned near the international departure gates on the airport's lower level. Yet, to the dozens of servicemembers who took refuge here yesterday afternoon, it felt a world away from the frenzied holiday travelers, beeping airport carts and blaring overhead speaker announcements.

Marine Corps Gunnery Sgts. Nao Lewis and Rachel Gause, both transiting home from Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, were relieved to arrive at the festively decorated lounge shortly after their Air Mobility Command charter flight landed at 1 a.m.

They'd already been traveling for days; their flight from Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan was delayed after a record-breaking snowfall brought East Coast airports to a standstill. Now, all that stood between them and their families at Camp Lejeune, N.C., was a 15-hour layover before a short connecting flight.

Lewis couldn't think of any place better to wile away than hours than at the USO.

"This is a nice, quite place, where they let you take a load off your feet," he said, looking up from his laptop computer as he took advantage of the USO's free Wi-Fi service. "It's quiet here. It's a place you can feel comfortable and know your stuff is safe."

Three paid staffers, reinforced by an army of 230 volunteers, keep the lounge bustling from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and through the night whenever an Air Mobility Command flight arrives in the late or early-morning hours.

When a severe snowstorm hit during the past weekend, the lounge went into 24/7 operations, using every bit of floor space to accommodate stranded military travelers. The airport management offered up additional space, and volunteers poured into the facility to pitch in any way they could.

Airman Ronald Carr, who just finished Air Force basic training, grew up in a military family that taught him to appreciate the USO.

"It's good to know that this is basically an all-volunteer operation, with a volunteer staff and donations that keep it running," he said. "It makes me feel good about my service, knowing that people care about what I do."

Army Pfc. Taylor Walther, a California National Guardsman returning home for a holiday break from training at Fort Eustis, Va., said he's already had the chance to check out several USO facilities, and never walks away disappointed.

"They're all good. When you go there, they're all friendly, they all tell you to help yourself and make yourself at home," he said.

"Home" is exactly how Mississippi Army National Guardsman Jamie Peters, returning home via BWI airport from a deployment in Afghanistan, said he feels when he steps foot into a USO facility.

"They treat you just like family when you come in," he said. "They give you a place to watch TV, use the wireless or just relax. They're really a blessing to us."

"When you go into a USO, you get a welcoming sense," said Army Spc. Gerald Reed, an Army reservist from Upper Marlboro, Md., traveling with his 2-year-old daughter, Chris, to spend the holidays in Raleigh-Durham, N.C.

"It's a friendly environment, staffed by overall, good people."

Among them is Geraldine Verrier, who started volunteering at the Baltimore USO when her Army Reserve husband deployed to Yemen shortly after 9/11. Eight years later, she still spends one morning each week at the lounge, greeting military travelers and showing them amenities that include a baggage storage room, reclining lounge chairs, an X-box video game system and a children's room.

"We're here to provide them some peace and tranquility, and to make sure they know someone cares about them and wants to help make them comfortable," Verrier said. "It can be a small thing – even just making a cup of coffee for them. But you never really know how much that cup of coffee might mean to them."

Twyla Hirrilinger has spent a lifetime of volunteer service, but said she'd be pressed to find a more fulfilling way to give of her time, or to a more appreciative group to serve.

"When [the troops] come in here, they thank me just for being there. It gives you chills," she said. "I just love doing this. Being here makes me feel happy."

TRICARE Dental Offers Options to Repair Tooth Loss

December 24, 2009: Tooth loss can be a difficult and sometimes embarrassing condition. Quality of life, confidence or daily functioning can be affected by the loss of permanent teeth. TRICARE wants beneficiaries to know that conventional crown and bridge treatment and dentures aren’t the only options to address tooth loss. Dental implants are an option for medically qualified candidates. A thorough dental evaluation is required to determine whether a patient is a good candidate for dental implants. Good candidates for a dental implant are non-smokers with healthy gums and adequate bone remaining in the area where the implant will be placed.

A dental implant is a replacement for the root portion of a natural tooth and is surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, below the gum line. After a healing period, the implant supports a crown or bridge, or secures a denture firmly in place.

Beneficiaries considering dental implants should speak with their dentist about the total cost of the procedure to determine their out-of-pocket expenses. On average, dental implants cost approximately $1,500 to $3,500 per tooth replacement. Beneficiaries should plan ahead to properly budget their annual dental benefit.

To learn more about TRICARE’s dental benefits visit http://www.tricare.mil/dental.

Civilians Provide Holiday Cheer to Troops, Families

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

Dec. 24, 2009 - Servicemembers and their families continue to enjoy tremendous support from American civilians, but at no time of the year is that support greater than during the holidays. "We learn of citizens' efforts to support our troops every year, but this year there seems to be a real outpouring of support from not only citizens and nonprofit organizations, but also businesses," said Adrien Starks, chief of the community relations civic outreach team for the office of the assistant secretary of defense for public affairs. "I don't think people have any idea about the amount of support the American people are giving our troops."

Operation Gratitude, with donations from American Veterans Traveling Tribute and Sands Resorts, was able to send special care packages to two lucky servicemembers. The packages were sent in honor of the organization reaching its 500,000th package milestone.

American Veterans Traveling Tribute is a veteran-owned project that provides communities with a forum to "Honor-Respect-Remember" those who have given their lives for their country.

Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon, in cooperation with shipping company DGL, has shipped 500 live Christmas trees to troops in the Middle East. Unilever employees also have shown incredible support for the troops by providing warehouse space for packaging, shipping and mailing thousands of care packages.

Another organization, Trees for Troops, also is sending live trees to more than 50 military facilities in the United States and overseas. The organization teamed up with FedEx and the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation to send the 15,000 live trees.

"FedEx and its team members are pleased to support Trees for Troops, delivering holiday cheer to military men, women and families," Douglas G. Duncan, president and CEO of FedEx Freight, said in a news release. "Now in its fifth year, this program provides us the opportunity to say thanks to those who serve our country in the Armed Forces."

Operation MOMs Cookies is sending a "Box of Home" to nearly 1,500 troops this holiday season. Each box will contain a miniature, decorated Christmas tree, a stocking handcrafted by volunteers, an American flag and items requested by the servicemember or their families.

"This year's box also includes a unique gift," Debbie Trippiedi, founder of Operation MOMs Cookies, said in a news release. The gift is the CD, 'Not Alone,' an original country rock ballad written by Brent James and Kevin Wright and recorded by Righteous Hillbillies for inclusion in the 2009 Box of Home.

Because keeping families connected is so important, especially during the holiday season, Operation Homelink and Raytheon presented 150 refurbished computers with webcams to Fort Benning and Georgia National Guard families on Dec. 12.

"Having this computer is a great comfort," Grace Melendrez, wife of William Melendrez, told Operation Uplink officials when the computers were distributed. "This is our first Christmas apart, so it will be hard. His being able to see my 3-year-old son on Christmas will make all the difference in the world."

Melendrez's husband is deployed with the 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

Operation Homefront has teamed with retailers to provide support to many servicemembers and their families this holiday season.

A partnership with Dollar Tree resulted in about $6 million worth of customer-donated toys for military children across the United States.

A $1.1 million donation from Wal-Mart helped to provide toys and books for military kids, $1,000 shopping events for 50 military families nationwide and gift cards for families, which were distributed through local Operation Homefront chapters. Those caring for wounded warriors received special gift kits.

These programs are a sampling of the support Operation Homefront provides to servicemembers and their families.

Headed up by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter John Ondrasik of "Five for Fighting" fame, a group of comedians gave their time to create the third edition of "CD for the Troops" project, "Stand Up For Troops." The project is the result of a partnership between Ondrasik, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Aware Records and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.

"This year we've gone for laughs with bits from world class comics -- Chris Rock, Ray Romano, Jeff Foxworthy, Dana Carvey, Adam Sandler, Dennis Miller, and more," Ondrasik said.

All active duty military members and veterans with valid military identification can log on to AAFES.com and download the comedy routines as well as an Ondrasik song from the award-winning documentary "Brothers at War."

The previous two CDs have music selections from various artists.

"Military families are being embraced more and more by our communities," Starks said. "Based on the anecdotal stories I hear from the families, the acts of kindness couldn't come at more opportune times. Homes are being saved, children are being reminded that their deployed parent still loves them, and spouses back home are being supported in their communities."

Highly decorated Army Colonel dies in Texas

WACO, Texas – A man considered to be the country's most decorated soldier has died.

Oak Crest Funeral Home in Waco, Texas, says retired Col. Robert Lewis Howard died Wednesday. He was 70. The funeral home obituary said that at the time of his death he was the most decorated American soldier.

Howard served in the Army from 1956 to 1992. He was nominated three times for the Medal of Honor, the nation's most prestigious award for combat veterans. He was awarded it once, for his bravery in Vietnam during a mission to rescue a missing soldier in enemy territory.

He was wounded 14 times in Vietnam and was awarded eight Purple Hearts.

Howard will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. No date has been set.

Obama Taps Winnefeld to Head Northcom, NORAD

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Dec. 23, 2009 - President Barack Obama has nominated Navy Vice Adm. James A. "Sandy" Winnefeld Jr. to be the next commander of U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command. If approved by the Senate, Winnefeld would receive his fourth star. He currently is director of strategic plans and policy at the Joint Staff and senior member of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations Military Staff Committee.

Winnefeld would be the second sailor to command NORAD, the U.S.-Canadian command charged with the missions of aerospace warning and aerospace control for North America. He would succeed Air Force Gen. Victor E. "Gene" Renuart Jr. in both jobs.

Both commands are based in Colorado Springs, Colo.

U.S. Northern Command stood up Oct. 1, 2002, to provide command and control of Defense Department homeland defense efforts and to coordinate defense support of civil authorities in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.

Winnefeld is an ROTC graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology and has served as a naval aviator. He served with two fighter squadrons and as an instructor at the Navy Fighter Weapons School.

He commanded Fighter Squadron 211, the USS Cleveland and the USS Enterprise. He commanded the "Big E" during Sept. 11, 2001, and launched aircraft in support of Operation Enduring Freedom against al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

He commanded Carrier Strike Group 2/Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Before taking his current job, he served as the commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, NATO Allied Joint Command Lisbon and Striking and Support Forces NATO.

Renuart has commanded Northcom and NORAD since Oct. 1, 2007. He was commissioned in the Air Force in 1971, and served in the United States, Europe, Southwest Asia and the Pacific. Renuart served as the director of operations for U.S. Central Command during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was responsible for helping to plan and execute all joint and allied combat operations.

Renuart also served as the director of strategic plans and policy before serving as senior military assistant to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.