Pilot Missing In Action From The Korean War Is Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

He is Capt. William K. Mauldin, U.S. Air Force, of Pickens, S.C. He will be buried on July 18 in Easley, S.C.

On Feb. 21, 1952, Mauldin departed Kimpo Air Base, South Korea, on an aerial reconnaissance mission of enemy targets in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (D.P.R.K.). While over Odong-ni, Mauldin's RF-51 Mustang was hit by enemy fire and crashed near Sinan-ri, Hoeyang County, D.P.R.K. An aerial search of the crash site was conducted that day and the next, but found no evidence that Mauldin escaped the aircraft before it crashed.

Between 1991-94, North Korea turned over to the U.S. 208 boxes of remains believed to contain the remains of 200-400 U.S. servicemen. One set of remains turned over in 1993 included fragments of aircrew life-support equipment, and were reported to be those of an American pilot recovered near Sinan-ri.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA in the identification of Mauldin's remains.

For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.

America Supports You: PGA Tour Hosts Wounded Warriors at Barbecue

By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

July 3, 2008 - Wounded warriors and the PGA tour kicked off their Independence Day celebration a couple of days early with food and festivities yesterday at Mologne House, on the Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus here. The event was sponsored by the PGA's "Birdies for the Brave" program, which falls under PGA Tour Charity Inc. and is the tour's primary program for supporting military members and their families.

More than 200 recovering servicemembers and their families attended the celebration and were treated to the traditional holiday grub of burgers and hot dogs. Troops showcased their golf skills, or lack thereof, teeing off in practice nets and putting on practice greens. They also received hats, golf towels, ball markers, and other PGA logo apparel and souvenirs.

Several big names in golf, including PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, made the trip down from the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club, in Bethesda, Md., to show their support and appreciation for the troops.

"Support for the military is a big part of what the PGA Tour is all about," said Finchem, who's been working with the Defense Department's America Supports You program and other home-front organizations for the past few years. "All of us at the tour are privileged to help out and show our support any way we can."

Players are committed to giving the PGA Tour the opportunity to give support, Finchem noted, adding that the tour raised $2.5 million for charity last year. "The players really believe in pushing the opportunities before us to recognize and support wounded warriors and their families," he said.

Pro golfer Kevin Streelman said he and his wife, Courtney, try to attend as many charity events as they can. As a rookie on the tour, "it's eye-opening in a lot of ways to see how powerful the PGA Tour is and the many different avenues they go through to put smiles on people's faces."

For Dan Nevins, the tour's community outreach manager and host of the event, the barbecue and festivities were particularly close to home. The retired Army staff sergeant lost both of his legs below the knee from injuries he suffered in November 2004 in Iraq, and he spent 22 months in Mologne House during his rehabilitation.

"I know what most of you are going through," Nevins said during his remarks to the crowd. "I'm a wounded warrior, first and foremost, and I know firsthand the courage, faith and perseverance it takes to carry on from day to day."

During his time at Walter Reed, Nevins met PGA players at similar charity and fundraising events, and he eventually was invited to play golf with them. Playing golf was his favorite form of rehabilitation, Nevins said.

"The support the tour provided me and my fellow wounded warriors here at Walter Reed was incredible and helped build mind and body in immeasurable ways," he said. "I am truly honored to be part of an organization that does so much for our men and women in uniform and their families."

Air Force Senior Airman Christian Ivory and Air Force Airman 1st Class Craig Larcenaire shared Nevin's appreciation and gratitude for the tour. Both were injured in an accident in Italy and have been rehabilitating at Mologne House for three months.

"A barbecue and some golf is definitely a great way to kick off the Fourth of July weekend," Larcenaire said. "Events like this really help troops' morale and state of mind as we work through our injuries."

Ivory admitted he's not much of a golfer. "But just coming out here and hanging out with [the players] in this environment is very cool," he said. "I like the fact that they came out here to lend the time, hang out and just talk with us -- that they care enough to tell us things are going to get better."

MILITARY CONTRACTS July 3, 2005

ARMY

Point Blank Body Armor, Inc., Pompano Beach, Fla., was awarded on Jul. 2, 2008, an $86,184,060 firm-fixed price contract for improved outer tactical vests. Work will be performed in Pompano Beach, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two bids were solicited on Mar. 18, 2008, and two bids were received. U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-07-C-0085).

Global Fleet Sales, Inc., Charlottesville, Va., was awarded on Jul. 1, 2008, a $10,390,250 firm-fixed price contract for mobile maintenance vehicles. Work will be performed in Thailand and is expected to be completed by Feb. 4, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on May 18, 2006, and nine bids were received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (WHZV-06-D-G002).

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on Jul. 2, 2008, a $9,800,000 firm-fixed price contract for UH-60M upgrade long lead parts. Work will be performed in Stratford, Conn., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Oct. 20, 2005. U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

McTech Corp., North Kansas City, Mo., was awarded on Jul. 1, 2008, a $7,950,730 firm-fixed price contract for construction of a child development center. Work will be performed at Fort Riley, Kan., and is expected to be completed by Sep. 16, 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four bids were solicited on Apr.l 3, 2008, and two bids were received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-08-D-0030).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Valero Marketing & Supply Co., San Antonio, Texas is being awarded a maximum $45,978,408.00 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are in Pasadena, Texas. Using service is the Government of Israel. This proposal was originally Web solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Aug. 13, 2008. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-08-D-0495).

Isobunkers, LLC., Norfolk, Va.*, is being awarded a maximum $20,620,737.57 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are in Puerto Rico, Ky. and Fla. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. There were originally 55 proposals solicited with 18 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Apr. 30, 2011. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-08-D-0358).

Midstream Fuel Service LLC., Houston, Texas *, is being awarded a maximum $5,787,527.11 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are in Ala., Fla., and Mis. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. There were originally 55 proposals solicited with 18 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Apr. 30, 2011. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-08-D-0362).

Navy

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Group, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded $19,739,625 for a 15 month extension of order #0002 under previously awarded Basic Ordering Agreement (N00383-07-G-003M) for repair of 11 line items used on the J-52 engine, powering the EA-6B aircraft. Additionally, Pratt & Whitney will provide manufacturing, engineering, and technical support to the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast with a goal of improving monthly output. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Fla., and work is expected to be completed Jun. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This is a sole-source requirement. The Naval Inventory Control Point, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

Bell-Boeing Tiltrotor Team, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $14,288,800 for ceiling priced delivery order #0275 under previously awarded contract (N00383-03-G-001B) for repairable spare components of the CV-22 aircraft such as blade assemblies and pendulum assemblies. The work will be performed in Hurst, Texas, and work is expected to be completed Dec. 2011. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this non-competitive requirement and one offer was received. The Naval Inventory Control Point, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY

Textron Defense Systems, Wilmington, Mass., is being awarded a $3,170,000 increment of a $21,303,000 other transaction for prototypes agreement for phase two of the High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System. Work will be performed in Wilmington, Mass., (66 percent), Cambridge, Mass., (13 percent), Vienna, Va., (9 percent), Bridgeton, Mo., (9 percent), Albuquerque, N.M., (1 percent), and Charlestown, Mass., (less than 1 percent), and is expected to be completed in Aug. 2009. Funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This is a sole source award. The contracting activity is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., (HR0011-08-9-0006).

More Than 1,100 Troops in Iraq to Re-enlist in Independence Day Ceremony

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

July 3, 2008 - More than 1,100 servicemembers stationed in Iraq will celebrate the nation's birthday tomorrow by re-enlisting, the senior enlisted leader for Multinational Force Iraq said today. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin L. Hill said 1,157 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines will re-enlist at the Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory, in Baghdad. This may be the largest re-enlistment ceremony since the all-volunteer force began in 1973, Hill said via phone from Baghdad.

This is becoming an annual blockbuster event for the command. Last year, 588 servicemembers re-enlisted.

"We are extremely proud of the accomplishments we have made in security on the ground as well as proud of all of our great warriors for the work they are doing since they arrived in theater," Hill said. "We recognize the sacrifices they make and the sacrifices their families and communities make as they serve in Iraq."

These servicemembers know the cost of war and they are still re-enlisting, Hill said. Some serve in "the most austere conditions -- meaning they are in patrol bases and combat outposts," he noted. Some of the re-enlisting servicemembers are in places where the troops "hot-bunk it" -- that is, they take turns using limited sleeping space -- and burn human waste because they lack plumbing. Others are based in more comfortable surroundings.

The vast majority of the servicemembers tell Hill and others that they are re-enlisting because "they are doing what they joined the military to do," he said.

"If they joined to be a rifleman, they're doing it in combat," the sergeant major said. "If they joined to fix helicopters, they're doing it and doing it in combat."

Often in years past, he said, some warriors probably felt they weren't doing what they joined the military to do, he said.

"Now, since we've been fighting this global war on terrorism ... these warriors are doing what they joined to do," he explained. "They can see the fruit of their labor and see the fruit of the sacrifices of those who have gone before them. It makes them feel good about what they are doing."

The ceremony will be broadcast on the Pentagon Channel, Hill said. Multinational Force Iraq Commander Army Gen. David H. Petraeus will preside. Hill and Petraeus will speak at the ceremony, then Petraeus will administer the oath of enlistment.

A 50-gun salute will honor of the nation's birthday, and then all will sing "God Bless America." The ceremony will end with a medley of service songs.

All components of the military are represented in the ceremony. Officials said 738 active-duty soldiers, 188 National Guard soldiers, and 122 Army Reserve soldiers are re-enlisting, along with 54 Marines, 39 sailors and 16 airmen.

Montana Guard Starts Pilot Program on Post-Deployment Stress

By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

July 3, 2008 - TriWest and the Montana Army and Air National Guard recently launched a pilot program to help Guard members and their families deal with post-deployment stress. TriWest administers the military's Tricare health care program in 21 western states.

The program gives servicemembers at armories in Helena and Great Falls, Mont., face-to-face and confidential opportunities with TriWest mental health providers to discuss post-deployment stress issues. The providers also participate in monthly unit-level health training.

Post-traumatic stress is a disorder more and more common in servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. In April 2006, the Montana National Guard formed a task force to evaluate the care and needs of Guardsmen returning from deployments, said Army Capt. Jeremy Hedges, manager of the post-deployment health reassessment program for the Montana National Guard.

The task force made 14 recommendations to change existing post-deployment programs, including mandated enrollment in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system, mental health-focused training, and the TriWest pilot program, according to a progress report issued in May.

The task force found that the Montana Guard was following all of the state's guidelines, but that guidelines fell short of taking care of returned veterans, Hedges said.

Cooperation with TriWest, the state of Montana and the National Guard led to the commitment to implement all 14 recommendations. Hedges said officials hope the changes and the TriWest program will aid in providing immediate service and early detection.

"This program has the potential to save lives," he said. "If a Guardsman has thoughts of suicide or is in a risk category, these professionals will be able to diagnose and talk to him, and immediate referrals will be made for the Guardsman to seek further treatment."

The program began June 1 and is scheduled to continue through the end of the year. The task force will track progress and feedback, with hopes to secure a long-term commitment from TriWest and other sources, Hedges said.