By Al Laxamana
Special to American Forces Press Service
Dec. 31, 2008 - Like many high school seniors, Megan Schlotthauer wasn't sure what she wanted to do after graduation. Her grades weren't the best, and college is expensive. Searching for a purpose, the 17-year-old decided to explore her options in the Army Reserve.
"I was looking at the community colleges, and thought I would go there," she said. "Then I was talking to some people I know who are in the Navy Reserve, and some friends who have been in the military, and I thought that's what I wanted to do."
She presented the idea to her mother, Lisa Altoon, who wasn't receptive to the notion of her cheerleader daughter joining the Army.
"I was dead set against it from the beginning," she said.
Altoon, like many parents, was concerned about the possibility of Megan deploying to a combat zone. That is, until she met her daughter's recruiter, Army Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Dean of the Fremont, Calif., recruiting station. Dean proved to be a persuasive recruiter.
After learning about the Army Reserve, Altoon, a postal carrier in Fremont, decided that she, too, would become a soldier. Until recently, someone her age with no prior service would have been too old to enlist. Since the Army increased its maximum age to 42 in 2006, however, the door was wide open for the 39-year-old.
Mother and daughter enlisted in the same military occupational specialty -- computer information specialist -- and were assigned to the same unit, the 351st Civil Affairs Command in Mountain View, Calif.
Though Altoon originally was skeptical about her daughter joining, she said being in the same Reserve unit has its advantages.
"I'm a mom," she said. "This will give me a chance to protect her and keep an eye on her."
Altoon began basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., in October, followed by advanced individual training at Fort Gordon, Ga., to train as a computer specialist. Schlotthauer leaves for Fort Jackson in August.
Both soldiers said they're aware they might be deployed in support of the global war on terrorism, but insist they'll be ready if that time comes.
"Honestly, if I'm meant to go to Iraq, I'll go to Iraq," Schlotthauer said.
Her mother, and now her fellow soldier, agreed. "If it's meant for me to go, then that's what's going to happen," Altoon said.
(Al Laxamana serves in the Fresno Recruiting Battalion.)
Showing posts with label civil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label civil. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
New Unified Command Plan Spells Out Responsibilities, Missions
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 23, 2008 - President George W. Bush has signed an updated unified command plan that codifies U.S. Africa Command, shifts responsibility for parts of the Caribbean Sea to U.S. Northern Command and assigns cyberspace and pandemic influenza missions to other combatant commanders. The revised plan, which Bush signed Dec. 17, is the key strategic document that spells out the missions, responsibilities and geographical boundaries of each functional and geographic combatant command within the U.S. military, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman explained.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Joint Staff led the review process, with input from every combatant commander and service chief and much of the Defense Department leadership.
Mullen submitted the plan through Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to the president for final approval, officials said. Congress received notice of the revisions yesterday.
Major changes to the plan include:
-- Codifying Africom, which became fully operational-capable Oct. 1, as a geographic combatant command by assigning specific missions, responsibilities and geographic boundaries;
-- Shifting the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands from U.S. Southern Command's to U.S. Northern Command's area of responsibility;
-- Assigning every combatant commander responsibility for planning and conducting military support for stability, security, transition, reconstruction operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief;
-- Assigning central planning authorities for several global missions, including pandemic influenza response, cyberspace operations, global operations against terrorist networks, combating weapons of mass destruction and global missile defense; and
-- Codify U.S. Pacific Command's responsibility for homeland defense operations in Hawaii, Guam and other U.S. territories within its area of responsibility.
The plan codifies a new "pandemic influenza" mission and tasks Northcom to plan departmentwide efforts in support of the U.S. government response to an outbreak. U.S. Strategic Command is assigned responsibility for the department's cyberspace mission, Whitman said.
Meanwhile, U.S. Special Operations Command is assigned responsibility for global operations against terrorist networks, and Stratcom becomes responsible for combating weapons of mass destruction and global missile defense.
"This is a new concept," Whitman said of the synchronized global planning construct. "What it means is the assignment of responsibilities to a single coordinator to coordinate missions that exceed the responsibility of any one commander."
The new document is the first unified command plan to assign all combatant commanders responsibility for missions ranging from stability operations to humanitarian and disaster relief. The goal, Whitman explained, is to give added emphasis on these areas to head off problems "before they reach crisis proportions."
"If all the combatant commanders are out there conducting stability operations, this can have the effect of strengthening governance and really preventing the creation of these ungoverned spaces ... that are troublesome and are used as safe havens for terrorist activities," he said.
The realignment of Northcom's boundary is designed to improve the department's effectiveness in its homeland defense and support to civil authorities missions, officials said. The revision follows Gates' decision in August 2007 to task Northcom to provide civil support if requested by the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico in the event of a natural disaster.
Meanwhile, assignment of the cyberspace mission to Stratcom recognizes cyberspace as a warfighting domain critical to joint military operations, officials said. The revised unified command plan will give new emphasis to this capability, they said, ensuring it is protected, defended and leveraged for the United States.
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 23, 2008 - President George W. Bush has signed an updated unified command plan that codifies U.S. Africa Command, shifts responsibility for parts of the Caribbean Sea to U.S. Northern Command and assigns cyberspace and pandemic influenza missions to other combatant commanders. The revised plan, which Bush signed Dec. 17, is the key strategic document that spells out the missions, responsibilities and geographical boundaries of each functional and geographic combatant command within the U.S. military, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman explained.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Joint Staff led the review process, with input from every combatant commander and service chief and much of the Defense Department leadership.
Mullen submitted the plan through Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to the president for final approval, officials said. Congress received notice of the revisions yesterday.
Major changes to the plan include:
-- Codifying Africom, which became fully operational-capable Oct. 1, as a geographic combatant command by assigning specific missions, responsibilities and geographic boundaries;
-- Shifting the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands from U.S. Southern Command's to U.S. Northern Command's area of responsibility;
-- Assigning every combatant commander responsibility for planning and conducting military support for stability, security, transition, reconstruction operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief;
-- Assigning central planning authorities for several global missions, including pandemic influenza response, cyberspace operations, global operations against terrorist networks, combating weapons of mass destruction and global missile defense; and
-- Codify U.S. Pacific Command's responsibility for homeland defense operations in Hawaii, Guam and other U.S. territories within its area of responsibility.
The plan codifies a new "pandemic influenza" mission and tasks Northcom to plan departmentwide efforts in support of the U.S. government response to an outbreak. U.S. Strategic Command is assigned responsibility for the department's cyberspace mission, Whitman said.
Meanwhile, U.S. Special Operations Command is assigned responsibility for global operations against terrorist networks, and Stratcom becomes responsible for combating weapons of mass destruction and global missile defense.
"This is a new concept," Whitman said of the synchronized global planning construct. "What it means is the assignment of responsibilities to a single coordinator to coordinate missions that exceed the responsibility of any one commander."
The new document is the first unified command plan to assign all combatant commanders responsibility for missions ranging from stability operations to humanitarian and disaster relief. The goal, Whitman explained, is to give added emphasis on these areas to head off problems "before they reach crisis proportions."
"If all the combatant commanders are out there conducting stability operations, this can have the effect of strengthening governance and really preventing the creation of these ungoverned spaces ... that are troublesome and are used as safe havens for terrorist activities," he said.
The realignment of Northcom's boundary is designed to improve the department's effectiveness in its homeland defense and support to civil authorities missions, officials said. The revision follows Gates' decision in August 2007 to task Northcom to provide civil support if requested by the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico in the event of a natural disaster.
Meanwhile, assignment of the cyberspace mission to Stratcom recognizes cyberspace as a warfighting domain critical to joint military operations, officials said. The revised unified command plan will give new emphasis to this capability, they said, ensuring it is protected, defended and leveraged for the United States.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Admiral Pledges Ongoing Support of Humanitarian Efforts
By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 12, 2008 - Humanitarian missions will be an important element of U.S. 4th Fleet's long-term planning efforts, the fleet commander told bloggers and online journalists yesterday. Navy Rear Adm. Joseph Kernan, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet, pledged his commitment to humanitarian efforts like the recent Continuing Promise 2008, a humanitarian and civic-assistance deployment to the Southern Command area that wrapped up in early December.
"We're going to continue every year ... to do an exercise like a Continuing Promise, and also every asset that goes into the region or the theater is going to do Continuing Promise-like activities, whether it's humanitarian, whether it's a construction project or things of that nature," the admiral said.
The Continuing Promise Caribbean Phase, aboard USS Kearsarge, was the second of two humanitarian and civic assistance deployments to the Southern Command area of focus for 2008. The first Continuing Promise deployment was conducted by USS Boxer to the Pacific.
Kearsarge's mission was to conduct joint civil-military operations, as well as veterinary, medical, dental and civil-engineer support to six partner nations. The goal was to send a message of compassion, support and commitment to Central and South America and the Caribbean, Kernan said.
"We went down there in Continuing Promise with no intent. ... We didn't invite presidents of countries to visit, but I'll tell you, after [we were] there for about a week, presidents of countries showed up in three different places," Kernan said.
The admiral said one of the presidents who visited, President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, was impressed when he saw the efforts to help his country.
Kernan said what most impressed him during the deployment was the young sailors who unselfishly volunteered their time to help others in need.
"When the youth go in there, 17- to 24-year-olds, hundreds of them ashore, ... [it accomplishes] two things," Kernan said. "Number one, they can connect to the people, the young generation of that country; and number two, it tells them that these are the types of people that are going to lead America, and this is where their values and their interests are -- and it was unbelievable."
Kernan continued to witness his sailors' volunteerism throughout the deployment, particularly following the devastating path of destruction left by tropical storms Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Hurricane Ike. "If you went to Haiti ... it would bring a tear to your eye [to see] the hundreds of sailors that volunteered every day to go ashore in the hot sun and carry 110-pound bags," he said.
On Sept. 12, U.S. 4th Fleet diverted Kearsarge from Santa Marta, Colombia, to assist the U.S. Agency for International Development in recovery efforts. During the six-day diversion to Haiti, Kearsarge transported food, cargo and equipment between Port-au-Prince and Gonaives, Jeremie, Saint Marc, Port de Paix, Jacmel and Les Cayes.
The admiral said that while sailors aboard Kearsarge taught him valuable lessons in humanity, so did nongovernmental organizations such as Operation Smile and Operation Hope that participated in Continuing Promise. Additionally, Brazil, Canada, France, Nethrlands and Spain also joined in the humanitarian efforts.
"You've got to be really inclusive of all of the countries, and we invite them on every single mission to come with us and be a part of what we're doing, so the country that we're working in can see that their country is also contributing to the humanitarian efforts," Kernan said.
This type of partner-nation building continues despite Kearsarge's completion of its four-month deployment. Kernan added that U.S. 4th Fleet is offering cyber-medicine in El Salvador.
"We ... [left] audio-video equipment [with the] doctors in El Salvador ... People up here in [Naval Station Mayport, Fla.] can watch what they're doing and advise them on how to conduct the particular procedures, so it's kind of our way to do persistence without actually being there," Kernan said.
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg works in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 12, 2008 - Humanitarian missions will be an important element of U.S. 4th Fleet's long-term planning efforts, the fleet commander told bloggers and online journalists yesterday. Navy Rear Adm. Joseph Kernan, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet, pledged his commitment to humanitarian efforts like the recent Continuing Promise 2008, a humanitarian and civic-assistance deployment to the Southern Command area that wrapped up in early December.
"We're going to continue every year ... to do an exercise like a Continuing Promise, and also every asset that goes into the region or the theater is going to do Continuing Promise-like activities, whether it's humanitarian, whether it's a construction project or things of that nature," the admiral said.
The Continuing Promise Caribbean Phase, aboard USS Kearsarge, was the second of two humanitarian and civic assistance deployments to the Southern Command area of focus for 2008. The first Continuing Promise deployment was conducted by USS Boxer to the Pacific.
Kearsarge's mission was to conduct joint civil-military operations, as well as veterinary, medical, dental and civil-engineer support to six partner nations. The goal was to send a message of compassion, support and commitment to Central and South America and the Caribbean, Kernan said.
"We went down there in Continuing Promise with no intent. ... We didn't invite presidents of countries to visit, but I'll tell you, after [we were] there for about a week, presidents of countries showed up in three different places," Kernan said.
The admiral said one of the presidents who visited, President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, was impressed when he saw the efforts to help his country.
Kernan said what most impressed him during the deployment was the young sailors who unselfishly volunteered their time to help others in need.
"When the youth go in there, 17- to 24-year-olds, hundreds of them ashore, ... [it accomplishes] two things," Kernan said. "Number one, they can connect to the people, the young generation of that country; and number two, it tells them that these are the types of people that are going to lead America, and this is where their values and their interests are -- and it was unbelievable."
Kernan continued to witness his sailors' volunteerism throughout the deployment, particularly following the devastating path of destruction left by tropical storms Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Hurricane Ike. "If you went to Haiti ... it would bring a tear to your eye [to see] the hundreds of sailors that volunteered every day to go ashore in the hot sun and carry 110-pound bags," he said.
On Sept. 12, U.S. 4th Fleet diverted Kearsarge from Santa Marta, Colombia, to assist the U.S. Agency for International Development in recovery efforts. During the six-day diversion to Haiti, Kearsarge transported food, cargo and equipment between Port-au-Prince and Gonaives, Jeremie, Saint Marc, Port de Paix, Jacmel and Les Cayes.
The admiral said that while sailors aboard Kearsarge taught him valuable lessons in humanity, so did nongovernmental organizations such as Operation Smile and Operation Hope that participated in Continuing Promise. Additionally, Brazil, Canada, France, Nethrlands and Spain also joined in the humanitarian efforts.
"You've got to be really inclusive of all of the countries, and we invite them on every single mission to come with us and be a part of what we're doing, so the country that we're working in can see that their country is also contributing to the humanitarian efforts," Kernan said.
This type of partner-nation building continues despite Kearsarge's completion of its four-month deployment. Kernan added that U.S. 4th Fleet is offering cyber-medicine in El Salvador.
"We ... [left] audio-video equipment [with the] doctors in El Salvador ... People up here in [Naval Station Mayport, Fla.] can watch what they're doing and advise them on how to conduct the particular procedures, so it's kind of our way to do persistence without actually being there," Kernan said.
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg works in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Gates Offers Gratitude to Troops, Families in Thanksgiving Message
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 25, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates expressed his gratitude to the nation's servicemembers and their families in his annual Thanksgiving Day message.
Here is the text of the secretary's message:
"In this season of hope, I want to say how uplifting it has been to get to know so many soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines during the last 24 months.
"Many of you are far from home, and I'm sure there's no place you would rather be than with your loved ones. But know that they, and all Americans, are free and secure because of what the men and women of the U.S. military are doing all over the world – from Fort Lewis to Fort Drum, from Korea to Kosovo, from Bagram to Baghdad.
"The holidays are a time to reflect on the kind of nation we are: a nation whose character and decency are embodied in our armed forces. Those who risk life and limb every time they set foot "outside the wire." The medical personnel, engineers, and civil affairs teams who improve the lives of thousands. And all are volunteers.
"To the families of our forces: thank you for sharing your loved ones to defend us all. To our troops: we admire your selflessness and pray for your success and safe return home. And to all: happy holidays."
Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
Nov. 25, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates expressed his gratitude to the nation's servicemembers and their families in his annual Thanksgiving Day message.
Here is the text of the secretary's message:
"In this season of hope, I want to say how uplifting it has been to get to know so many soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines during the last 24 months.
"Many of you are far from home, and I'm sure there's no place you would rather be than with your loved ones. But know that they, and all Americans, are free and secure because of what the men and women of the U.S. military are doing all over the world – from Fort Lewis to Fort Drum, from Korea to Kosovo, from Bagram to Baghdad.
"The holidays are a time to reflect on the kind of nation we are: a nation whose character and decency are embodied in our armed forces. Those who risk life and limb every time they set foot "outside the wire." The medical personnel, engineers, and civil affairs teams who improve the lives of thousands. And all are volunteers.
"To the families of our forces: thank you for sharing your loved ones to defend us all. To our troops: we admire your selflessness and pray for your success and safe return home. And to all: happy holidays."
Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Guardsmen Find Parallels in Ukraine's Disaster Relief Efforts
By Army 2nd Lt. Will Martin
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 18, 2008 - For California National Guardsmen, the annual fire season has rendered moot the question of whether natural disasters will strike the state. No longer do they ask "if," but only "when" and "where." On the eve of Vigilant Guard '09, the National Guard's weeklong emergency-response training exercise, California Guardsmen learned their Ukrainian counterparts face a similar burden on their own native soil.
Each summer in western Ukraine, floods hammer the region surrounding the Carpathian Mountains, and this July especially heavy rains brought a record deluge, causing the worst financial damage in more than 100 years.
On Nov. 12, at the Joint Force Headquarters here, Ukrainian delegates prepared for Vigilant Guard by briefing Army Maj. Gen. William H. Wade II, California's adjutant general, and other key leadership on the difficult lessons gleaned from the recent catastrophic floods.
"The damage was equal to approximately 1 billion U.S. dollars," said Maj. Gen. Vasyl Kvashuk, director of the Ukrainian army's civil protection department, through a translator. "In my opinion, people were not informed [in a timely manner] about the flooding."
Kvashuk said many Ukrainian officials failed to disseminate information about the threat of floods, and more importantly, on what people should do once heavy waters struck the villages at the base of the mountains.
"We lost 40 lives," Kvashuk said. "We lost both children and adult persons during the flood."
Many well-meaning citizens, Kvashuk said, actually caused further damage to life and property due to ignorance on how to respond properly. In one instance, a man overpopulated his small boat with neighbors. The boat capsized, drowning all eight passengers.
Ukraine is one of two nations participating in the California National Guard's Partnership for Peace program, the other being Nigeria.
Just as officials in California do, Ukrainian officials are learning to deal with their natural disasters through "real-world emergencies."
"It's not [ideal] to learn from your current emergencies," Kvashuk said, but he also noted that the transcarpathian region, the nation's most frequently flooded area, reacted best to the severe torrent in July, embracing the inevitability of the floods as an opportunity to improve their responsiveness.
That desire to bolster their readiness brought the Ukrainians – and a host of other nations – to California to participate in Vigilant Guard, which offers participants a close-to-real-world training environment in a simulated earthquake scenario.
"We initiated a partnership with the National Guard of California 15 years ago," Kvashuk said, expressing his gratitude for the training benefits generated by the alliance. "We have learned much from our partnership."
(Army 2nd Lt. Will Martin serves with the California National Guard.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Nov. 18, 2008 - For California National Guardsmen, the annual fire season has rendered moot the question of whether natural disasters will strike the state. No longer do they ask "if," but only "when" and "where." On the eve of Vigilant Guard '09, the National Guard's weeklong emergency-response training exercise, California Guardsmen learned their Ukrainian counterparts face a similar burden on their own native soil.
Each summer in western Ukraine, floods hammer the region surrounding the Carpathian Mountains, and this July especially heavy rains brought a record deluge, causing the worst financial damage in more than 100 years.
On Nov. 12, at the Joint Force Headquarters here, Ukrainian delegates prepared for Vigilant Guard by briefing Army Maj. Gen. William H. Wade II, California's adjutant general, and other key leadership on the difficult lessons gleaned from the recent catastrophic floods.
"The damage was equal to approximately 1 billion U.S. dollars," said Maj. Gen. Vasyl Kvashuk, director of the Ukrainian army's civil protection department, through a translator. "In my opinion, people were not informed [in a timely manner] about the flooding."
Kvashuk said many Ukrainian officials failed to disseminate information about the threat of floods, and more importantly, on what people should do once heavy waters struck the villages at the base of the mountains.
"We lost 40 lives," Kvashuk said. "We lost both children and adult persons during the flood."
Many well-meaning citizens, Kvashuk said, actually caused further damage to life and property due to ignorance on how to respond properly. In one instance, a man overpopulated his small boat with neighbors. The boat capsized, drowning all eight passengers.
Ukraine is one of two nations participating in the California National Guard's Partnership for Peace program, the other being Nigeria.
Just as officials in California do, Ukrainian officials are learning to deal with their natural disasters through "real-world emergencies."
"It's not [ideal] to learn from your current emergencies," Kvashuk said, but he also noted that the transcarpathian region, the nation's most frequently flooded area, reacted best to the severe torrent in July, embracing the inevitability of the floods as an opportunity to improve their responsiveness.
That desire to bolster their readiness brought the Ukrainians – and a host of other nations – to California to participate in Vigilant Guard, which offers participants a close-to-real-world training environment in a simulated earthquake scenario.
"We initiated a partnership with the National Guard of California 15 years ago," Kvashuk said, expressing his gratitude for the training benefits generated by the alliance. "We have learned much from our partnership."
(Army 2nd Lt. Will Martin serves with the California National Guard.)
Sunday, November 09, 2008
DoD Announces $400 Million Investment To Basic Research
The Department of Defense today announced plans to invest an additional $400 million over the next five years to support basic research at academic institutions.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates secured the additional funding in the fiscal 2009 President's budget request to Congress to expand research into new and emerging scientific areas and to foster fundamental discoveries related to the DoD's most challenging technical problems. The DoD published a 'Strategic Plan For Basic Research' last summer, which built the case for this effort. Acknowledging this need, Congress authorized and appropriated funds to support these significant increases in basic research investment.
By making these additional investments, the DoD aims to "sustain and strengthen the nation's commitment to long-term basic research", as recommended by the National Research Council's 'Rising Above the Gathering Storm' report and to address similar recommendations from numerous other independent national security and scientific advisory groups.
"These new grants will lead to discoveries in fundamental fields which underpin many of the technologically complex systems fielded in today's Armed Forces," said William Rees, Jr., the deputy under secretary of defense for laboratories and basic sciences.
The anticipated awards will be intended for individual investigators and provide sufficient funding to support a cadre of graduate students working with the faculty member to make substantial and sustained progress in research areas of importance to the DoD. Merit-based awards, based on peer review, will support projects beginning in fiscal 2009 that will be funded for five years. Exceptionally meritorious projects that can be completed in less time will also be considered for funding.
Projects will be based on numerous academic disciplines, including: physics, ocean science, chemistry, electrical engineering, materials science, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, information sciences, civil engineering, mathematics, chemical engineering, geosciences, atmospheric science, and aeronautical engineering.
Topics for the initial funding will focus on the following areas of technical challenge: counter weapons of mass destruction (WMD), network sciences, energy and power management, quantum information sciences, human sciences, science of autonomy, information assurance, biosensors and bio-inspired systems, information fusion and decision science, and energy and power management.
DoD research offices that will make the awards, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of sufficiently high quality proposals, include the Army Research Office http://www.aro.army.mil/ , the Office of Naval Research http://www.onr.navy.mil/ and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research http://www.afosr.af.mil/ .
Information on specific program announcements and solicitations supported by this funding can be found at http://www.grants.gov , as well as at the respective research office Web sites.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates secured the additional funding in the fiscal 2009 President's budget request to Congress to expand research into new and emerging scientific areas and to foster fundamental discoveries related to the DoD's most challenging technical problems. The DoD published a 'Strategic Plan For Basic Research' last summer, which built the case for this effort. Acknowledging this need, Congress authorized and appropriated funds to support these significant increases in basic research investment.
By making these additional investments, the DoD aims to "sustain and strengthen the nation's commitment to long-term basic research", as recommended by the National Research Council's 'Rising Above the Gathering Storm' report and to address similar recommendations from numerous other independent national security and scientific advisory groups.
"These new grants will lead to discoveries in fundamental fields which underpin many of the technologically complex systems fielded in today's Armed Forces," said William Rees, Jr., the deputy under secretary of defense for laboratories and basic sciences.
The anticipated awards will be intended for individual investigators and provide sufficient funding to support a cadre of graduate students working with the faculty member to make substantial and sustained progress in research areas of importance to the DoD. Merit-based awards, based on peer review, will support projects beginning in fiscal 2009 that will be funded for five years. Exceptionally meritorious projects that can be completed in less time will also be considered for funding.
Projects will be based on numerous academic disciplines, including: physics, ocean science, chemistry, electrical engineering, materials science, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, information sciences, civil engineering, mathematics, chemical engineering, geosciences, atmospheric science, and aeronautical engineering.
Topics for the initial funding will focus on the following areas of technical challenge: counter weapons of mass destruction (WMD), network sciences, energy and power management, quantum information sciences, human sciences, science of autonomy, information assurance, biosensors and bio-inspired systems, information fusion and decision science, and energy and power management.
DoD research offices that will make the awards, contingent upon the receipt and evaluation of sufficiently high quality proposals, include the Army Research Office http://www.aro.army.mil/ , the Office of Naval Research http://www.onr.navy.mil/ and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research http://www.afosr.af.mil/ .
Information on specific program announcements and solicitations supported by this funding can be found at http://www.grants.gov , as well as at the respective research office Web sites.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Iraqi, American Firefighters Combine Forces for Airfield Protection
By Air Force Master Sgt. Brian Davidson
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 31, 2008 - As senior government leaders hammer out a new Status of Forces Agreement that will set the path for future American and Iraqi military policies, a group of American and Iraqi firefighters have already developed a working relationship that protects people, structures and aircraft here at Baghdad International Airport. U.S. Air National Guard firefighters from the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron are working with Iraqi air force firefighters from New al Muthana Air Base, learning how to collaborate to protect life and property in the event of any type of ground or in-flight emergency.
The most recent training paired the American and Iraqi firefighters in an exercise where they practiced the procedures for rescuing the flight crew from a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft in the event of a fire in the cargo hold.
The training began with the firefighters meeting for a briefing to discuss the objectives of the exercise including aircrew egress procedures and how to integrate their rescue and firefighting processes.
"We used an Iraqi air force C-130 for the training, and the Iraqi firefighters took the lead in entering the aircraft," said Chief Master Sgt. John Cinquemani, 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. "It's important to learn about each other's capabilities and become familiar with the different equipment that's used so we can integrate into one team in the event of any type of emergency. We have to have one common goal and one common process in order to save lives and get the job done."
Working firefighting activities at an airport offers a unique set of challenges and dangers as compared to a regular city fire department, said Cinquemani, who is deployed from the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York where he serves as the full-time fire chief for the Guard Base as well as Stewart International Airport.
With more than 37 years as a firefighter and 23 years as a fire chief, Cinquemani understands those challenges and dangers, and pushes both the American and Iraqi firefighters to learn how to work together.
To that end, the chief is planning weekly training and exercises that will encompass a vast range of crisis scenarios and push the firefighters to perform as a seamless team.
"If we have an emergency on the Iraqi air force side of the airfield or involving an Iraqi aircraft, then they will take the lead and we will back them up," he said. "If it involves an American aircraft, they have our backs—and it takes constant training be ready."
When the training began, the call went out over the radio announcing an emergency response to a simulated fire aboard the Iraqi aircraft. The Iraqi and American fire trucks rolled out across the taxiway and took staggered positions around the aircraft. With the Americans wearing silver protective suits and the Iraqis wearing black, they worked together to pull hoses off the Iraqi trucks and prepare to enter the aircraft.
The Iraqis manned the hoses and stood by as American firefighters counted down and then yanked open the aircraft door. The Iraqis immediately pushed through the opening with their hoses and began clearing procedures, followed by their American back-up.
Once the aircraft was cleared, the teams gathered to discuss what they did well, and what they could do better.
"We still have to overcome the language barrier and do better in coordinating our actions so we all move and act together," said Staff Sgt. Jason Ankenbauer, 447th ECES firefighter, who is deployed from the 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif.
"When you are dealing with an aircraft fire, there are lots of other things to consider including the fact that you have to work very quickly—not only to save lives but because it's a three-dimensional environment and there are always going to be other activities around the emergency area and multiple aircraft overhead that are waiting to land," he said.
Their training also will allow them to be better prepared to assist civilian Iraqi firefighters on the Baghdad International Airport side of the flightline in the event of a major civilian aircraft crash, fire or mass-casualty incident, Ankenbauer said.
Cinquemani praised the firefighters for staying focused on their task, and doing their best to move as a team. He then explained that he is working on a project to make sure all American and Iraqi firefighters get the same self-contained breathing equipment so they can more effectively team-up while working and training together.
Cinquemani's plans for additional exercises and training include scenarios that will call upon American and Iraqi firefighters as well as medical personnel from the 447th Expeditionary Medical Squadron.
"The Iraqi air force firefighters are obviously very proud of their accomplishments, and every step we take with them in training is another step towards their capability to take over all of the military emergency services activities here," he said. "Each of their accomplishments also brings them one step closer to becoming a fully independent and operational air force."
(Master Sgt. Brian Davidson serves with the 447th Air Expeditionary Group.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 31, 2008 - As senior government leaders hammer out a new Status of Forces Agreement that will set the path for future American and Iraqi military policies, a group of American and Iraqi firefighters have already developed a working relationship that protects people, structures and aircraft here at Baghdad International Airport. U.S. Air National Guard firefighters from the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron are working with Iraqi air force firefighters from New al Muthana Air Base, learning how to collaborate to protect life and property in the event of any type of ground or in-flight emergency.
The most recent training paired the American and Iraqi firefighters in an exercise where they practiced the procedures for rescuing the flight crew from a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft in the event of a fire in the cargo hold.
The training began with the firefighters meeting for a briefing to discuss the objectives of the exercise including aircrew egress procedures and how to integrate their rescue and firefighting processes.
"We used an Iraqi air force C-130 for the training, and the Iraqi firefighters took the lead in entering the aircraft," said Chief Master Sgt. John Cinquemani, 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. "It's important to learn about each other's capabilities and become familiar with the different equipment that's used so we can integrate into one team in the event of any type of emergency. We have to have one common goal and one common process in order to save lives and get the job done."
Working firefighting activities at an airport offers a unique set of challenges and dangers as compared to a regular city fire department, said Cinquemani, who is deployed from the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York where he serves as the full-time fire chief for the Guard Base as well as Stewart International Airport.
With more than 37 years as a firefighter and 23 years as a fire chief, Cinquemani understands those challenges and dangers, and pushes both the American and Iraqi firefighters to learn how to work together.
To that end, the chief is planning weekly training and exercises that will encompass a vast range of crisis scenarios and push the firefighters to perform as a seamless team.
"If we have an emergency on the Iraqi air force side of the airfield or involving an Iraqi aircraft, then they will take the lead and we will back them up," he said. "If it involves an American aircraft, they have our backs—and it takes constant training be ready."
When the training began, the call went out over the radio announcing an emergency response to a simulated fire aboard the Iraqi aircraft. The Iraqi and American fire trucks rolled out across the taxiway and took staggered positions around the aircraft. With the Americans wearing silver protective suits and the Iraqis wearing black, they worked together to pull hoses off the Iraqi trucks and prepare to enter the aircraft.
The Iraqis manned the hoses and stood by as American firefighters counted down and then yanked open the aircraft door. The Iraqis immediately pushed through the opening with their hoses and began clearing procedures, followed by their American back-up.
Once the aircraft was cleared, the teams gathered to discuss what they did well, and what they could do better.
"We still have to overcome the language barrier and do better in coordinating our actions so we all move and act together," said Staff Sgt. Jason Ankenbauer, 447th ECES firefighter, who is deployed from the 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif.
"When you are dealing with an aircraft fire, there are lots of other things to consider including the fact that you have to work very quickly—not only to save lives but because it's a three-dimensional environment and there are always going to be other activities around the emergency area and multiple aircraft overhead that are waiting to land," he said.
Their training also will allow them to be better prepared to assist civilian Iraqi firefighters on the Baghdad International Airport side of the flightline in the event of a major civilian aircraft crash, fire or mass-casualty incident, Ankenbauer said.
Cinquemani praised the firefighters for staying focused on their task, and doing their best to move as a team. He then explained that he is working on a project to make sure all American and Iraqi firefighters get the same self-contained breathing equipment so they can more effectively team-up while working and training together.
Cinquemani's plans for additional exercises and training include scenarios that will call upon American and Iraqi firefighters as well as medical personnel from the 447th Expeditionary Medical Squadron.
"The Iraqi air force firefighters are obviously very proud of their accomplishments, and every step we take with them in training is another step towards their capability to take over all of the military emergency services activities here," he said. "Each of their accomplishments also brings them one step closer to becoming a fully independent and operational air force."
(Master Sgt. Brian Davidson serves with the 447th Air Expeditionary Group.)
Friday, October 24, 2008
Gates Gets Update on Army Special Ops Capabilities, Challenges
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 24, 2008 - With arguably the most heavily stressed troops anywhere, the commander of Army Special Operations Command updated Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates yesterday about ongoing missions and progress in growing the force to keep pace with ever-increasing requirements. Army Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner briefed Gates during his visit here about ongoing operations and progress in boosting manpower across the Army special operations community. This elite force includes Special Forces, Ranger, special operations aviation, psychological operations, civil affairs, signal and combat service support soldiers.
Wagner said he and Gates talked about the "quality of the people and their dedication to what they are doing," and the contributions they are making in the global war on terror. They also discussed improved coordination between the intelligence communities and the military – an initiative Wagner told reporters is "enabling us to do things much more effectively and efficiently, and saving the lives of soldiers."
Army special operations forces are deployed to 45 countries around the globe, with about 80 percent of those troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. "We're heavily deployed ... [and have been] continuously engaged since the beginning of the war," Wagner said.
In fact, most of his troops have been deployed 30 to 70 percent of the time since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks – more than even the most heavily taxed conventional forces. So, as he talked with Gates yesterday about ongoing missions, the discussion moved to the critical next question: How can Army Special Operations Command keep up the pace of operations without driving this highly skilled force into the ground, or out of the Army altogether?
A saving grace -- one Wagner said he credits Gates with supporting -- has been authorization to grow the force 43 percent by 2013. "That's pretty significant," he said, noting that he has 5,000 more people now than in 2001.
All five active-duty Special Forces groups will receive an additional battalion, beginning with the 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Campbell, Ky. In addition, each Ranger battalion will get an extra company. Reconnaissance and intelligence forces will be upgraded from detachments to companies. A new special operations aviation battalion, at Fort Lewis, Wash., brings additional capability to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
Meanwhile, Wagner cited "dramatic increases" in the command's civil affairs and psychological operations forces. Historically, the lion's share of both organizations has been in the Army Reserve, but Wagner said both the active and reserve components are boosting their numbers.
The 95th civil Affairs Brigade, the only active-duty civil affairs unit, went from 208 soldiers in 2001 to almost 900 today. In addition, plans call for an additional civil affairs battalion dedicated to U.S. Africa Command, and one or two more 32-man companies within each other battalion. Ultimately, Wagner said, he expects the number of active-duty civil affairs troops to increase to more than 1,400 by 2013 or 2014.
Psychological operations also have experienced "phenomenal growth," Wagner said, from just under 1,300 troops in 2001 to more than 2,132 authorized today. That number will increase by almost 150 in fiscal 2009, but Wagner said it could go as high as 2,740.
Even while adding 5,000 authorized slots in the last seven years, Army Special Operations Command increased its unit strength from 97 percent in 2001 to more than 100 percent today, Wagner said.
"The recruiting piece is not a problem," he said. "There are lots of people who are fully qualified and want to join the force. We still are very selective in who we allow to come into the force, and we are able to grow and still meet all those standards."
Gates got firsthand exposure to the force's capabilities yesterday as he talked with the troops about their experiences, their training and their missions.
He told reporters he was particularly struck by the level of questioning he received when he had lunch with about 10 Special Forces noncommissioned officers. "They talked about problems," he said. "They asked me about my view of the challenges they were going to face down the road in different countries. The meeting was very geopolitical."
Also impressive, he said, was the depth of their language capabilities. One soldier Gates met speaks both Korean and Arabic. Another speaks three different Arabic dialects. "All of that is really impressive," the secretary said.
While he is gratified to be able to attract new recruits, Wagner said, he's far more interested in retaining the highly skilled, combat-experienced ones he already has.
"Our job is not recruiting," he said. "It's the retention of senior-grade people, because our force is about senior people."
Special Forces troops are typically more senior than those in other Army units, he explained. Soldiers typically join the force at the sergeant first class or captain levels. The typical Special Forces NCO is 33 years old with 12 years of service; the typical warrant officer is 39 years old with 18 years of service. A full one-third of Special Forces soldiers are eligible to retire.
The challenge, Wagner said, is to keep these soldiers in the Army despite repeated deployments and heavy operational demands.
"These people have put their lives on hold for seven years," Wagner said. "Most Americans are at home every night. These people have spent between 30 and 70 percent of their time deployed since the towers were struck."
Another challenge is the big dollars the private sector is willing to pay for their skills. Wagner called financial incentives the Army offers "very important to retaining the force," but said he'd like to see them raised even higher.
"Take a warrant officer pilot with 25 years flying," he said. "How much is he worth to you? How much would you pay to keep that guy from his 25th to his 30th year, and how much does it cost to replace him?
"The cheapest thing you can do, and the most right thing, would be to pay him enough to make him stay from the 25th to the 30th year," Wagner said. "He deserves it. And we need him."
Whatever incentives the Army pays its special operators, Wagner said, it's less than they deserve – and not really the reason they stay on duty.
"Ultimately, they stay with the force because they believe in what they are doing and they think it's important," he said. "And if we think what they are doing is important, we ought to recognize it."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 24, 2008 - With arguably the most heavily stressed troops anywhere, the commander of Army Special Operations Command updated Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates yesterday about ongoing missions and progress in growing the force to keep pace with ever-increasing requirements. Army Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner briefed Gates during his visit here about ongoing operations and progress in boosting manpower across the Army special operations community. This elite force includes Special Forces, Ranger, special operations aviation, psychological operations, civil affairs, signal and combat service support soldiers.
Wagner said he and Gates talked about the "quality of the people and their dedication to what they are doing," and the contributions they are making in the global war on terror. They also discussed improved coordination between the intelligence communities and the military – an initiative Wagner told reporters is "enabling us to do things much more effectively and efficiently, and saving the lives of soldiers."
Army special operations forces are deployed to 45 countries around the globe, with about 80 percent of those troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. "We're heavily deployed ... [and have been] continuously engaged since the beginning of the war," Wagner said.
In fact, most of his troops have been deployed 30 to 70 percent of the time since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks – more than even the most heavily taxed conventional forces. So, as he talked with Gates yesterday about ongoing missions, the discussion moved to the critical next question: How can Army Special Operations Command keep up the pace of operations without driving this highly skilled force into the ground, or out of the Army altogether?
A saving grace -- one Wagner said he credits Gates with supporting -- has been authorization to grow the force 43 percent by 2013. "That's pretty significant," he said, noting that he has 5,000 more people now than in 2001.
All five active-duty Special Forces groups will receive an additional battalion, beginning with the 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Campbell, Ky. In addition, each Ranger battalion will get an extra company. Reconnaissance and intelligence forces will be upgraded from detachments to companies. A new special operations aviation battalion, at Fort Lewis, Wash., brings additional capability to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
Meanwhile, Wagner cited "dramatic increases" in the command's civil affairs and psychological operations forces. Historically, the lion's share of both organizations has been in the Army Reserve, but Wagner said both the active and reserve components are boosting their numbers.
The 95th civil Affairs Brigade, the only active-duty civil affairs unit, went from 208 soldiers in 2001 to almost 900 today. In addition, plans call for an additional civil affairs battalion dedicated to U.S. Africa Command, and one or two more 32-man companies within each other battalion. Ultimately, Wagner said, he expects the number of active-duty civil affairs troops to increase to more than 1,400 by 2013 or 2014.
Psychological operations also have experienced "phenomenal growth," Wagner said, from just under 1,300 troops in 2001 to more than 2,132 authorized today. That number will increase by almost 150 in fiscal 2009, but Wagner said it could go as high as 2,740.
Even while adding 5,000 authorized slots in the last seven years, Army Special Operations Command increased its unit strength from 97 percent in 2001 to more than 100 percent today, Wagner said.
"The recruiting piece is not a problem," he said. "There are lots of people who are fully qualified and want to join the force. We still are very selective in who we allow to come into the force, and we are able to grow and still meet all those standards."
Gates got firsthand exposure to the force's capabilities yesterday as he talked with the troops about their experiences, their training and their missions.
He told reporters he was particularly struck by the level of questioning he received when he had lunch with about 10 Special Forces noncommissioned officers. "They talked about problems," he said. "They asked me about my view of the challenges they were going to face down the road in different countries. The meeting was very geopolitical."
Also impressive, he said, was the depth of their language capabilities. One soldier Gates met speaks both Korean and Arabic. Another speaks three different Arabic dialects. "All of that is really impressive," the secretary said.
While he is gratified to be able to attract new recruits, Wagner said, he's far more interested in retaining the highly skilled, combat-experienced ones he already has.
"Our job is not recruiting," he said. "It's the retention of senior-grade people, because our force is about senior people."
Special Forces troops are typically more senior than those in other Army units, he explained. Soldiers typically join the force at the sergeant first class or captain levels. The typical Special Forces NCO is 33 years old with 12 years of service; the typical warrant officer is 39 years old with 18 years of service. A full one-third of Special Forces soldiers are eligible to retire.
The challenge, Wagner said, is to keep these soldiers in the Army despite repeated deployments and heavy operational demands.
"These people have put their lives on hold for seven years," Wagner said. "Most Americans are at home every night. These people have spent between 30 and 70 percent of their time deployed since the towers were struck."
Another challenge is the big dollars the private sector is willing to pay for their skills. Wagner called financial incentives the Army offers "very important to retaining the force," but said he'd like to see them raised even higher.
"Take a warrant officer pilot with 25 years flying," he said. "How much is he worth to you? How much would you pay to keep that guy from his 25th to his 30th year, and how much does it cost to replace him?
"The cheapest thing you can do, and the most right thing, would be to pay him enough to make him stay from the 25th to the 30th year," Wagner said. "He deserves it. And we need him."
Whatever incentives the Army pays its special operators, Wagner said, it's less than they deserve – and not really the reason they stay on duty.
"Ultimately, they stay with the force because they believe in what they are doing and they think it's important," he said. "And if we think what they are doing is important, we ought to recognize it."
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Gates Visits Fort Bragg to Meet With Soldiers, Spouses
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 23, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived at the home of the 82nd Airborne Division and Army Special Operations Command this morning to spend the day meeting troops preparing for or recently returned from combat deployments to get a firsthand update on their operations, requirements and concerns. The secretary was slated to kick off his first visit here at neighboring Pope Air Force Base, where he will preside over a naturalization ceremony for about 40 servicemembers.
"They represent all the services and come from 26 countries on five continents," Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said yesterday. "The melting pot is clearly alive and well in the United States military, and the country as a whole, for that matter."
Later today, Gates will meet with "All American" Division soldiers who will demonstrate preparations for their upcoming deployment with weapons training, convoy operations and other activities, Morrell said.
The division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team is scheduled to deploy to Iraq in November. The Defense Department announced Sept. 30 that the division's 4th and 1st brigade combat teams will deploy to Iraq during a window that begins this winter and continues through summer.
Gates also will meet with an array of Army Special Operations Command units that Morrell noted deploy regularly to "Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots around the world."
The Army element of U.S. Special Operations Command, its largest, includes Special Forces, Ranger, special operations aviation, psychological operations, civil affairs, and signal and combat service support troops.
Gates will lunch privately with soldiers, then meet with about a dozen 3rd Brigade Combat Team spouses. The session will be closed to observers and the media, Morrell explained, with Gates in a "receiving mode," soliciting candid views about issues ranging from stress on the force to family support services.
These sessions have proven invaluable in the past, Morrell said, giving the secretary insights he might not get elsewhere. They've valuable in "drawing his attention to problems that they may be having that he may not be aware of," Morrell said yesterday.
They've also been the source of new ideas. For example, Gates first heard a recommendation that Montgomery GI Bill benefits be transferrable to family members during a meeting with a military spouses' group at Fort Hood, Texas. The secretary then pitched the idea to President Bush, who liked the concept so much he included it in his State of the Union address, and ultimately signed the measure into law.
For Gates, spending time with troops and their families is the best part of his job, Morrell said. During his 23 months as defense secretary, Gates has visited 108 installations, ships, forward operating bases, provincial reconstruction teams, joint security stations and wounded warrior facilities.
Gates regularly seeks out sessions with servicemembers and their families during these visits, preferring smaller forums to promote an open exchange, Morrell said.
"His visits with ... troops and their family members are really very, very valuable for him for a variety of reasons, one of which is they really buoy his spirits and they re-energize him to come back and move this bureaucracy so that it is more responsive to the needs of the warfighter," Morrell said. "Clearly, he is buoyed by the time he spends with the troopers."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 23, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived at the home of the 82nd Airborne Division and Army Special Operations Command this morning to spend the day meeting troops preparing for or recently returned from combat deployments to get a firsthand update on their operations, requirements and concerns. The secretary was slated to kick off his first visit here at neighboring Pope Air Force Base, where he will preside over a naturalization ceremony for about 40 servicemembers.
"They represent all the services and come from 26 countries on five continents," Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said yesterday. "The melting pot is clearly alive and well in the United States military, and the country as a whole, for that matter."
Later today, Gates will meet with "All American" Division soldiers who will demonstrate preparations for their upcoming deployment with weapons training, convoy operations and other activities, Morrell said.
The division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team is scheduled to deploy to Iraq in November. The Defense Department announced Sept. 30 that the division's 4th and 1st brigade combat teams will deploy to Iraq during a window that begins this winter and continues through summer.
Gates also will meet with an array of Army Special Operations Command units that Morrell noted deploy regularly to "Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots around the world."
The Army element of U.S. Special Operations Command, its largest, includes Special Forces, Ranger, special operations aviation, psychological operations, civil affairs, and signal and combat service support troops.
Gates will lunch privately with soldiers, then meet with about a dozen 3rd Brigade Combat Team spouses. The session will be closed to observers and the media, Morrell explained, with Gates in a "receiving mode," soliciting candid views about issues ranging from stress on the force to family support services.
These sessions have proven invaluable in the past, Morrell said, giving the secretary insights he might not get elsewhere. They've valuable in "drawing his attention to problems that they may be having that he may not be aware of," Morrell said yesterday.
They've also been the source of new ideas. For example, Gates first heard a recommendation that Montgomery GI Bill benefits be transferrable to family members during a meeting with a military spouses' group at Fort Hood, Texas. The secretary then pitched the idea to President Bush, who liked the concept so much he included it in his State of the Union address, and ultimately signed the measure into law.
For Gates, spending time with troops and their families is the best part of his job, Morrell said. During his 23 months as defense secretary, Gates has visited 108 installations, ships, forward operating bases, provincial reconstruction teams, joint security stations and wounded warrior facilities.
Gates regularly seeks out sessions with servicemembers and their families during these visits, preferring smaller forums to promote an open exchange, Morrell said.
"His visits with ... troops and their family members are really very, very valuable for him for a variety of reasons, one of which is they really buoy his spirits and they re-energize him to come back and move this bureaucracy so that it is more responsive to the needs of the warfighter," Morrell said. "Clearly, he is buoyed by the time he spends with the troopers."
Friday, October 10, 2008
Program Sets Shape for Future Humanitarian Operations
By Tim Kilbride
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 10, 2008 - The National Defense University is leading a coalition of businesses, foreign governments, nonprofit groups, universities, federal agencies and the U.S. military to assemble solutions for helping people who live in stressed environments, the program's director told military bloggers Oct. 8. Linton Wells, distinguished research fellow and force transformation chair at the university, leads the STAR-TIDES program, short for Sustainable Technologies, Accelerated Research - Transportable Infrastructures for Development and Emergency Support.
Broadly stated, Wells said, STAR-TIDES' mission is to facilitate assistance to stressed populations in a rapid, but affordable and sustainable manner. He defined stressed populations as those that are "post-war, post-disaster or impoverished."
The program has no mandate to develop, produce or deploy technology or resources, Wells said. Rather, it encourages information sharing, expansion of social networks and identification of effective humanitarian assistance solutions.
STAR-TIDES is a knowledge repository, not a field activity, Wells said. "We try to pull together information about what's happening in this space," he explained, "[and] make it available to decision makers and those who work in the field."
Improvements in this area support the Defense Department's missions of building partnership capacity, providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, stabilizing and rebuilding, and supporting civil authorities, Wells explained.
The program has three broad focus areas, Wells said: enhancing the ability of civilian coalitions to operate in stressed environments; extending the military's ability to operate in partnership with civilian organizations; and economizing in logistics and supply-chain management.
Within that focus, he added, the program pursues seven "buckets" of infrastructure solutions: cooking, heating, cooling and lighting, integrated combustion, power, sanitation, shelter and water.
Private-sector and academic experts recommend technologies and pursue research and development, Wells said. "It's been just really interesting to see some of the ideas that come up," he added.
Solutions have to be individually tailored to apply across a range of environments, Wells noted. Part of his team's research, he said, involves testing potential solutions across four case studies: refugee support in Africa, stabilization reconstruction in Afghanistan, defense support to civil authorities in case of a major disaster in the national capital region, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in tropical regions such as Central America or the Western Pacific.
The scale of the solutions required depends on the environment in which agencies would be working and the expected duration of the crisis, Wells said.
In any given scenario, Wells said, the question becomes how to find the right mix of business, government and civil society elements that need to work together to solve the problem.
In the Central American case, for example, officials would need to identify the affected country's equivalent of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, determine what local languages need to be spoken, and find out which nongovernmental organizations operate there, Wells said. Next, officials would determine how entities such as the U.S. Agency for International Development and U.S. Southern Command would work with them.
"We're trying to take a holistic approach to this," Wells said.
Wells described a layered process of identifying infrastructure solutions, checking them against likely scenarios and determining a supply-chain model. But that work is only one portion of the equation, he said. Other factors include:
-- Establishing and maintaining social networks must be so the agencies involved are comfortable working together;
-- Developing policy, operating procedures and legal frameworks so organizations can proceed confidently; and
-- Conducting training and education regularly so that lessons become institutionalized.
Developing those solutions requires enormous brainpower and brainstorming, Wells said.
"The heart of STAR-TIDES is a broad coalition of several hundred people and organizations that range from Iceland to Singapore," he said. "There are a lot of different folks involved."
(Tim Kilbride works in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 10, 2008 - The National Defense University is leading a coalition of businesses, foreign governments, nonprofit groups, universities, federal agencies and the U.S. military to assemble solutions for helping people who live in stressed environments, the program's director told military bloggers Oct. 8. Linton Wells, distinguished research fellow and force transformation chair at the university, leads the STAR-TIDES program, short for Sustainable Technologies, Accelerated Research - Transportable Infrastructures for Development and Emergency Support.
Broadly stated, Wells said, STAR-TIDES' mission is to facilitate assistance to stressed populations in a rapid, but affordable and sustainable manner. He defined stressed populations as those that are "post-war, post-disaster or impoverished."
The program has no mandate to develop, produce or deploy technology or resources, Wells said. Rather, it encourages information sharing, expansion of social networks and identification of effective humanitarian assistance solutions.
STAR-TIDES is a knowledge repository, not a field activity, Wells said. "We try to pull together information about what's happening in this space," he explained, "[and] make it available to decision makers and those who work in the field."
Improvements in this area support the Defense Department's missions of building partnership capacity, providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, stabilizing and rebuilding, and supporting civil authorities, Wells explained.
The program has three broad focus areas, Wells said: enhancing the ability of civilian coalitions to operate in stressed environments; extending the military's ability to operate in partnership with civilian organizations; and economizing in logistics and supply-chain management.
Within that focus, he added, the program pursues seven "buckets" of infrastructure solutions: cooking, heating, cooling and lighting, integrated combustion, power, sanitation, shelter and water.
Private-sector and academic experts recommend technologies and pursue research and development, Wells said. "It's been just really interesting to see some of the ideas that come up," he added.
Solutions have to be individually tailored to apply across a range of environments, Wells noted. Part of his team's research, he said, involves testing potential solutions across four case studies: refugee support in Africa, stabilization reconstruction in Afghanistan, defense support to civil authorities in case of a major disaster in the national capital region, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in tropical regions such as Central America or the Western Pacific.
The scale of the solutions required depends on the environment in which agencies would be working and the expected duration of the crisis, Wells said.
In any given scenario, Wells said, the question becomes how to find the right mix of business, government and civil society elements that need to work together to solve the problem.
In the Central American case, for example, officials would need to identify the affected country's equivalent of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, determine what local languages need to be spoken, and find out which nongovernmental organizations operate there, Wells said. Next, officials would determine how entities such as the U.S. Agency for International Development and U.S. Southern Command would work with them.
"We're trying to take a holistic approach to this," Wells said.
Wells described a layered process of identifying infrastructure solutions, checking them against likely scenarios and determining a supply-chain model. But that work is only one portion of the equation, he said. Other factors include:
-- Establishing and maintaining social networks must be so the agencies involved are comfortable working together;
-- Developing policy, operating procedures and legal frameworks so organizations can proceed confidently; and
-- Conducting training and education regularly so that lessons become institutionalized.
Developing those solutions requires enormous brainpower and brainstorming, Wells said.
"The heart of STAR-TIDES is a broad coalition of several hundred people and organizations that range from Iceland to Singapore," he said. "There are a lot of different folks involved."
(Tim Kilbride works in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Gates Tours Bondsteel, Gjilan During Kosovo Visit
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 7, 2008 - Flying over Kosovo, it's hard to believe that this new country was the site of suffering. Livestock graze in the fields, and new construction is building factories, barns and apartment buildings. Farmers run tractors over fields, tilling and fertilizing them in advance of winter. Small fires burn off the chaff from the last corn or wheat crop.
This was not what Kosovo looked like in March 1999. That was when the Serbian military cut through the province and drove more than 100,000 Kosovar Albanians from their homes. NATO – with United Nations approval – launched an air campaign against the Serb military that finally drove the Serbs from the nation in June.
Those flying over Kosovo then saw pillars of smoke from farmhouses and uninhabited towns. Whole portions of cities were emptied. The fields were untended, and houses sported blue roofs – tarps spread over blown-up buildings to protect them from the elements.
The United Nations asked NATO to establish the Kosovo Force to provide security and allow stability to grow. KFOR, as it's called, has been in operation ever since. The current peace in Kosovo is a testament to the force's success.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates toured Camp Bondsteel, met with servicemembers there and in Gjilan and saw for himself the changes KFOR has brought to this nation. He met with members of the 110th Maneuver Enhanced Brigade during his trip.
The Americans are part of the 16th rotation of troops into Kosovo. Part of the Missouri National Guard, the brigade also contains elements from Alabama, Illinois, South Dakota, California, Texas and New Mexico. The medical establishment is from the Army Reserve. All of them come under the command of Multinational Task Force East, based at Camp Bondsteel.
The U.S. unit has responsibility for the eastern part of Kosovo, but is on call if needed anywhere in the country, said the unit's commander, Army Brig. Gen. Larry D. King, during an interview with reporters traveling with Gates. The people of Kosovo believe Americans are their saviors, the general said. The main street in the capital of Pristina is named after President Bill Clinton. Kids seeing Americans in uniform wave, and all ethnicities understand the Americans are in the country for their safety, King said.
The American troops work with those other nationalities and with Kosovo's security forces. The biggest danger the KFOR faces today is the ready availability of weapons, ammunition and explosives in the region. King said his explosive ordnance disposal teams have had to blow up World War I munitions. The emptying of Albania's arsenals in the 1990s put hundreds of thousands of weapons on the street. A large black market weapons business – featuring rocket-propelled grenades, missile systems and hand grenades – operates in Kosovo, officials said. Weapons smuggling has increased over the years, following traditional land routes through the region.
The citizen-soldier background of the American unit helps in accomplishing the mission, King said. "We have a depth of civilian experiences that feed into [mission accomplishment]," he said. "It's a civil-military mission with high-intensity information operations."
Many of the soldiers with the unit do these same jobs in civilian life.
"They are the people back in Missouri launching the campaigns to get people to wear seat belts, not drink and drive or use a child seat," he said. "These types of campaigns are what we use to influence the Kosovars."
Peace and stability have come to Kosovo, which declared its independence from Serbia in February. Keeping the country stable and giving the Kosovars the time to get civilian infrastructure in place is KFOR's mission.
For the most part, the NATO soldiers work in a permissive environment. Maneuver units patrol in Humvees and soft caps. Soldiers patrol the streets carrying only 9 mm pistols. They have interceptor ballistic armor and heavier weapons in their vehicles if they need them, but haven't had to use them during this rotation, said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Lederle, the senior enlisted advisor for the brigade.
"Our troops are absolutely motivated and excited about what they are doing on this mission," Lederle said. "This is really a mission of intellect, because the soldier has to think about everything they do and what the second- or third- or sometimes even the fourth-order effects what they do will have on the population, because this part of the world really doesn't forget."
The unit went through five months of training before deploying. Most of that was hammering home that soldiers have to use common sense and understand the culture before making decisions, Lederle said.
"We know how to escalate," the sergeant major said. "In this situation, with these people, we have to know how to de-escalate."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 7, 2008 - Flying over Kosovo, it's hard to believe that this new country was the site of suffering. Livestock graze in the fields, and new construction is building factories, barns and apartment buildings. Farmers run tractors over fields, tilling and fertilizing them in advance of winter. Small fires burn off the chaff from the last corn or wheat crop.
This was not what Kosovo looked like in March 1999. That was when the Serbian military cut through the province and drove more than 100,000 Kosovar Albanians from their homes. NATO – with United Nations approval – launched an air campaign against the Serb military that finally drove the Serbs from the nation in June.
Those flying over Kosovo then saw pillars of smoke from farmhouses and uninhabited towns. Whole portions of cities were emptied. The fields were untended, and houses sported blue roofs – tarps spread over blown-up buildings to protect them from the elements.
The United Nations asked NATO to establish the Kosovo Force to provide security and allow stability to grow. KFOR, as it's called, has been in operation ever since. The current peace in Kosovo is a testament to the force's success.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates toured Camp Bondsteel, met with servicemembers there and in Gjilan and saw for himself the changes KFOR has brought to this nation. He met with members of the 110th Maneuver Enhanced Brigade during his trip.
The Americans are part of the 16th rotation of troops into Kosovo. Part of the Missouri National Guard, the brigade also contains elements from Alabama, Illinois, South Dakota, California, Texas and New Mexico. The medical establishment is from the Army Reserve. All of them come under the command of Multinational Task Force East, based at Camp Bondsteel.
The U.S. unit has responsibility for the eastern part of Kosovo, but is on call if needed anywhere in the country, said the unit's commander, Army Brig. Gen. Larry D. King, during an interview with reporters traveling with Gates. The people of Kosovo believe Americans are their saviors, the general said. The main street in the capital of Pristina is named after President Bill Clinton. Kids seeing Americans in uniform wave, and all ethnicities understand the Americans are in the country for their safety, King said.
The American troops work with those other nationalities and with Kosovo's security forces. The biggest danger the KFOR faces today is the ready availability of weapons, ammunition and explosives in the region. King said his explosive ordnance disposal teams have had to blow up World War I munitions. The emptying of Albania's arsenals in the 1990s put hundreds of thousands of weapons on the street. A large black market weapons business – featuring rocket-propelled grenades, missile systems and hand grenades – operates in Kosovo, officials said. Weapons smuggling has increased over the years, following traditional land routes through the region.
The citizen-soldier background of the American unit helps in accomplishing the mission, King said. "We have a depth of civilian experiences that feed into [mission accomplishment]," he said. "It's a civil-military mission with high-intensity information operations."
Many of the soldiers with the unit do these same jobs in civilian life.
"They are the people back in Missouri launching the campaigns to get people to wear seat belts, not drink and drive or use a child seat," he said. "These types of campaigns are what we use to influence the Kosovars."
Peace and stability have come to Kosovo, which declared its independence from Serbia in February. Keeping the country stable and giving the Kosovars the time to get civilian infrastructure in place is KFOR's mission.
For the most part, the NATO soldiers work in a permissive environment. Maneuver units patrol in Humvees and soft caps. Soldiers patrol the streets carrying only 9 mm pistols. They have interceptor ballistic armor and heavier weapons in their vehicles if they need them, but haven't had to use them during this rotation, said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Lederle, the senior enlisted advisor for the brigade.
"Our troops are absolutely motivated and excited about what they are doing on this mission," Lederle said. "This is really a mission of intellect, because the soldier has to think about everything they do and what the second- or third- or sometimes even the fourth-order effects what they do will have on the population, because this part of the world really doesn't forget."
The unit went through five months of training before deploying. Most of that was hammering home that soldiers have to use common sense and understand the culture before making decisions, Lederle said.
"We know how to escalate," the sergeant major said. "In this situation, with these people, we have to know how to de-escalate."
Friday, October 03, 2008
MILITARY CONTRACTS October 3, 2008
Navy
John C. Grimberg Co., Inc., Rockville, Md.; The Haskell Co., Jacksonville, Fla.; Hourigan Construction Corp., Richmond, Va.; Archer Western, Chicago, Ill.; and M.A., Mortenson, Minneapolis, Minn., were each awarded an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity multiple award construction contract on Sept, 30, 2008, for administrative construction type projects at Navy and Marine Corps installations within the NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic area of responsibility, including Maine, N.H., N.Y., N.J., Pa., R.I., Conn., Mass., Vt., Del., N.C., Va., and W.Va. The work to be performed provides for new construction, demolition, alteration repair, for administrative buildings, systems and infrastructure and may include Civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and communication systems. The maximum dollar value for all five contracts combined is $450,000,000. John C. Grimberg is being awarded task order #0001 at $7,950,000 for interior/exterior repairs to Building 705 and 706 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by Dec. 2009. The task order also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised would increase the cumulative value of the task order to $8,350,000. All work on this contract will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities in the Hampton Roads area (80 percent), North East area (10 percent), and N.C., area (10 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of Sept. 2013. Contract funds for task order #0001 will not expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2008. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 17 proposals received. These five contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-08-D-9736/9737/9738/9739/9740).
Pacific Program-Design Management Services J/V, Pasadena, Calif., was awarded a firm fixed price, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity architect/engineer contract with a maximum amount of $100,000,000 for Program Support Services for various projects covered by the Defense Policy Review Initiative and other projects in the NAVFAC Pacific area of responsibility. The work to be performed provides for program management support services, design management support services and other support services including, but not limited to, planning support, Geographical Information System support, surveying support, real estate support and environmental support. Task Order #0001 at $5,285,840 to provide support to NAVFAC Pacific in managing the DPRI program and other projects under the cognizance of NAVFAC Pacific at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was awarded. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $5,285,840 expired at the end of Fiscal Year 2008. The primary project locations for work on this contract are in Guam, (80 percent), Hawaii, (10 percent), and may include work in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, (7 percent), and locations anywhere in the Pacific and Indian Oceans (NAVFAC Pacific's AOR) (3 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2013. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-08-D-0009).
orrester Construction Co., Rockville, Md., was awarded a $63,046,000 firm fixed price contract on Sept. 30, 2009, for the modernization of Building W200 at the Washington Navy Yard. The work to be performed provides for the full building renovation and modernization of Building W200 including programming, design, base building renovations, and fit out of all tenant spaces, relocating the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to temporary swing space, demolishing elevated crosswalk to Building 219, and the addition of 240 parking spaces to Garage 405. The existing building consists of 21,461 gross square meters of primarily office space, teaching spaces, and storage spaces. The total area for this facility at the conclusion of renovations will provide 25,983 gross square meters in Building W200 of primarily office space. The contractor will provide all project management, labor, supervision, tools, materials, equipment and transportation necessary to perform the requirements. Work will be performed in Wash., D.C., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $17,120,940 will expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2008. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Wash., D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-08-C-0029).
Correction: Contract awarded Sept. 30, 2008, to Kira, Inc., Miami, Fla., should have indicated that they are a small business.
Army
Northrop Grumman Technical Services, Sierra Vista Garden Cannon, Ariz., was awarded Oct. 1, 2008, a $47,530,000 cost plus fixed price contract for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance surge requirement. Work will be performed in Sierra Vista Garden Cannon, Ariz., with estimated and completion date of Apr. 30, 2015. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0025).
TtecEC-Tesoro Join Venture, Norcross, Ga., was awarded on Sept. 30, 2008, a $34,273,000 firm fixed price contract. The purpose of this project is to completely renovate, restore and modernize the late 1960's era barracks at Fort Gordon, Georgia Buildings to present day barracks standards. Work will be performed in Fort Gordon, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 25, 2010. Four bids were solicited and three bids were received. US Army Engineer District, Fort Gordon, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0058).
Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., was awarded Sept. 30, 2008, a $31,351,426 firm-fixed-price contract to award of US Army/Air Force and Un-manned Aerial Systems M299 Launchers Electronic Assemblies (LEAs) and associated spares. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., with estimated and completion date of April 30, 2015. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. (W31P4Q-07-C-0154).
Kellogg, Brown & Root Services Inc, Houston Texas, was awarded Oct. 1, 2008, a $29,408,968 firm fixed price contract for Fiscal Year 2008 Task order 0016, Kosovo Support Services. Work will be performed in Heidelberg, Germany, Houston, Texas, Kosovo, Romania and Bulgaria, with estimated and completion date of Jul. 31, 2011. Sixty-six bids were solicited and three bids were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Programs Center, Winchester, Va., is the contracting activity (W912ER-05-D-0003).
The Davis Group Inc, Sanford, Fla., was awarded Sept. 30, 2008, a $28,000,000
Indefinite delivery Indefinite Quantity firm fixed price contract for construction of administrative facilities in southwest region such as (Ariz., Ark., Calif., La., N.M., N.V., Okla., and Texas). Work will be determined with each task order southwest region such as (Ariz., Ark., Calif., La., N.M., N.V., Okla., and Texas), with estimated and completion date of Sept. 29, 2008. Bids were solicited Phase 2-5 offerors and Bids were received phase 2-5 offerors. U.S. Army Engineers District, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-08D-0078).
Sauer Inc, Jacksonville, Fla., was awarded on Sept. 30, 2008, a $20,993,600 firm/fixed/price contract for design and construct barracks complex consisting of four barracks building totaling 70,272 square feet for 192 Soldiers assigned to the Echelon Above Brigade stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga. Work will be performed in Fort Stewart, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 2, 2010. Four bids were solicited and two bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0061).
AAI Corp., Hunt Valley, Md., was awarded on Oct. 2, 2008, a $15,490,745 firm fixed fee price contract for engineering change proposals. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Md., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-06-C-0190).
Atherton Construction Inc, Las Vegas, Nev., was awarded on Sept. 29, 2008, a $15,000,744 firm fixed fee price contract for Whole House Remodel, Wayne Manor Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. Work will be performed in Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 29, 2010. Bids were solicited via the Web and one bid was received. Corp of Engineer, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-08-C-0060).
TtecEC-Tesoro Join Venture, Norcross, Ga., was awarded on Sept. 30, 2008, a $14,747,900 firm fixed price contract. To replace all existing deteriorated and failed components such as fire alarm system to meet current life and safety standards. Work will be performed in Fort Gordon, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 28, 2010. Four bids were solicited and two bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Fort Gordon, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0058).
Kidde Technologies Inc, Goleta, Calif., was awarded on Oct. 1, 2008, a $13,474,144 firm fixed price contract. This action is to procure 2,360 each Stryker Tire Fire Suppression Kit. This contract is also to cover some miscellaneous spares and support items for the Stryker Tire Suppression Kits. Work will be performed in Goleta, Calif., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., Norfolk is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-C-B001).
Kjaer Group Inc, Arlington, Va., was awarded on Sept. 29, 2008, a $9,604,582 firm fixed price contract for the four lots of spares in support of Mobile Maintenance and Light Tactical Vehicles for Afghanistan work will be performed in Arlington, Va., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 23, 2009. Bids were solicited via the Web and two bids were received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0703).
IBM Corporation, Fairfax, Va., was awarded on Oct. 1, 2008, a $8,539,154 firm fixed price contract for the hardware/software Maintenance and Technical Support Services for U.S. Army Information Technology Agency, Data Center Services Directorate. This delivery order is subject to availability of funds. Work will be performed in Washington, DC, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013. Bids were solicited via the Web and one bid was received. Contracting Center of Excellence, The Pentagon, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (W912QUZ-06D-0010).
QSS Group Inc, Lanham, Md., was awarded on Sept. 28, 2008, a $9,077,923 time material contract for IT Application Support Services to execute Logistics, Acquisition, Research & Development, and Information Management Tech (IM&T). Work will be performed in Warren, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 28, 2011. Five bids were solicited and three bids were received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W912CH-06-A-L001).
Lockheed Martin Corp., Missile and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., was awarded on Oct. 1, 2008, a $5,533,887 cost plus fixed fee contract. The Lockheed martin led team will develop and demonstrate a Video and Image Retrieval and analysis tool system for video data exploitation that enables an analyst to rapidly find video content of intrest fro archives containing thousands of hours of video data, and to provide alerts to the analysts of events of interest during live operations. Work will be performed in Cherry Hill, N.J., Orlando, Fla., Philadelphia, Pa., Pittsburgh, Pa., and Littleton, Colo., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 29, 2010. Bids were solicited via the Web and twenty bids were received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-09-C-0027).
Air Force
L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., is having an option exercised on a current contract for $23,620,000. This action is for the exercise option IX under the contract for Contractor Logistics Support for the C-12 Aircraft for Pacific Air Force, Air Force Material Command, Defense Intelligence Agency and Defense Security Corporation Agency, consisting of maintenance, repair and support functions for the 2009 fiscal year (1 Oct. 08 through 30 Sept. 09). Tinker AFB, OK, is the contracting activity F34601-00-C-0111-P00462.
Civil Air Patrol, Inc., of Maxwell Air Force Base Ala., is being awarded a cooperative agreement modification to a current contract for $6,100,500. This modification will increase funding for FY 2009 Civil Air Patrol operation and maintenance and counter-drug activities, drug demand reduction program, support to CAP-USAF State Directors, and support to the AFROTC/CAP flying orientation program for all AFROTC detachments as authorized by 10 U.S.C. 9442(b), 10 U.S.C. 9444(a), and 10 U.S.C. 9444(b). $6,100,500.02 has been obligated. Maxwell AFB, AL is the contracting activity F41689-00-2-0001-A00206.
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Integrated Systems Sector of San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a contract modification for $23,187,000. This action will provide for Long Lead associated with 5 Global Hawk Air Vehicles. At this time $23,187,000 has been obligated. Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, is the contracting activity FA8620-08-C-3001.
UNITED STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND
CAV International Inc., of Colorado Springs, CO 80920-4162, is being awarded a $15,509,395 fixed price modification. This contract modification will exercise option year three to provide continuing Air Terminal and Ground Handling Services on behalf of the Air Mobility Command in support of the Department of Defense Airlift System at Kuwait International Airport Abdullah Al Mubarak Airbase, Kuwait and will be completed Sept. 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott AFB, Ill., 62225 (FA4428-06-C-0005).
John C. Grimberg Co., Inc., Rockville, Md.; The Haskell Co., Jacksonville, Fla.; Hourigan Construction Corp., Richmond, Va.; Archer Western, Chicago, Ill.; and M.A., Mortenson, Minneapolis, Minn., were each awarded an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity multiple award construction contract on Sept, 30, 2008, for administrative construction type projects at Navy and Marine Corps installations within the NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic area of responsibility, including Maine, N.H., N.Y., N.J., Pa., R.I., Conn., Mass., Vt., Del., N.C., Va., and W.Va. The work to be performed provides for new construction, demolition, alteration repair, for administrative buildings, systems and infrastructure and may include Civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and communication systems. The maximum dollar value for all five contracts combined is $450,000,000. John C. Grimberg is being awarded task order #0001 at $7,950,000 for interior/exterior repairs to Building 705 and 706 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by Dec. 2009. The task order also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised would increase the cumulative value of the task order to $8,350,000. All work on this contract will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities in the Hampton Roads area (80 percent), North East area (10 percent), and N.C., area (10 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of Sept. 2013. Contract funds for task order #0001 will not expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2008. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 17 proposals received. These five contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-08-D-9736/9737/9738/9739/9740).
Pacific Program-Design Management Services J/V, Pasadena, Calif., was awarded a firm fixed price, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity architect/engineer contract with a maximum amount of $100,000,000 for Program Support Services for various projects covered by the Defense Policy Review Initiative and other projects in the NAVFAC Pacific area of responsibility. The work to be performed provides for program management support services, design management support services and other support services including, but not limited to, planning support, Geographical Information System support, surveying support, real estate support and environmental support. Task Order #0001 at $5,285,840 to provide support to NAVFAC Pacific in managing the DPRI program and other projects under the cognizance of NAVFAC Pacific at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was awarded. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $5,285,840 expired at the end of Fiscal Year 2008. The primary project locations for work on this contract are in Guam, (80 percent), Hawaii, (10 percent), and may include work in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, (7 percent), and locations anywhere in the Pacific and Indian Oceans (NAVFAC Pacific's AOR) (3 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2013. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-08-D-0009).
orrester Construction Co., Rockville, Md., was awarded a $63,046,000 firm fixed price contract on Sept. 30, 2009, for the modernization of Building W200 at the Washington Navy Yard. The work to be performed provides for the full building renovation and modernization of Building W200 including programming, design, base building renovations, and fit out of all tenant spaces, relocating the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to temporary swing space, demolishing elevated crosswalk to Building 219, and the addition of 240 parking spaces to Garage 405. The existing building consists of 21,461 gross square meters of primarily office space, teaching spaces, and storage spaces. The total area for this facility at the conclusion of renovations will provide 25,983 gross square meters in Building W200 of primarily office space. The contractor will provide all project management, labor, supervision, tools, materials, equipment and transportation necessary to perform the requirements. Work will be performed in Wash., D.C., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $17,120,940 will expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2008. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Wash., D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-08-C-0029).
Correction: Contract awarded Sept. 30, 2008, to Kira, Inc., Miami, Fla., should have indicated that they are a small business.
Army
Northrop Grumman Technical Services, Sierra Vista Garden Cannon, Ariz., was awarded Oct. 1, 2008, a $47,530,000 cost plus fixed price contract for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance surge requirement. Work will be performed in Sierra Vista Garden Cannon, Ariz., with estimated and completion date of Apr. 30, 2015. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0025).
TtecEC-Tesoro Join Venture, Norcross, Ga., was awarded on Sept. 30, 2008, a $34,273,000 firm fixed price contract. The purpose of this project is to completely renovate, restore and modernize the late 1960's era barracks at Fort Gordon, Georgia Buildings to present day barracks standards. Work will be performed in Fort Gordon, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 25, 2010. Four bids were solicited and three bids were received. US Army Engineer District, Fort Gordon, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0058).
Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., was awarded Sept. 30, 2008, a $31,351,426 firm-fixed-price contract to award of US Army/Air Force and Un-manned Aerial Systems M299 Launchers Electronic Assemblies (LEAs) and associated spares. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., with estimated and completion date of April 30, 2015. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. (W31P4Q-07-C-0154).
Kellogg, Brown & Root Services Inc, Houston Texas, was awarded Oct. 1, 2008, a $29,408,968 firm fixed price contract for Fiscal Year 2008 Task order 0016, Kosovo Support Services. Work will be performed in Heidelberg, Germany, Houston, Texas, Kosovo, Romania and Bulgaria, with estimated and completion date of Jul. 31, 2011. Sixty-six bids were solicited and three bids were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Programs Center, Winchester, Va., is the contracting activity (W912ER-05-D-0003).
The Davis Group Inc, Sanford, Fla., was awarded Sept. 30, 2008, a $28,000,000
Indefinite delivery Indefinite Quantity firm fixed price contract for construction of administrative facilities in southwest region such as (Ariz., Ark., Calif., La., N.M., N.V., Okla., and Texas). Work will be determined with each task order southwest region such as (Ariz., Ark., Calif., La., N.M., N.V., Okla., and Texas), with estimated and completion date of Sept. 29, 2008. Bids were solicited Phase 2-5 offerors and Bids were received phase 2-5 offerors. U.S. Army Engineers District, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-08D-0078).
Sauer Inc, Jacksonville, Fla., was awarded on Sept. 30, 2008, a $20,993,600 firm/fixed/price contract for design and construct barracks complex consisting of four barracks building totaling 70,272 square feet for 192 Soldiers assigned to the Echelon Above Brigade stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga. Work will be performed in Fort Stewart, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 2, 2010. Four bids were solicited and two bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0061).
AAI Corp., Hunt Valley, Md., was awarded on Oct. 2, 2008, a $15,490,745 firm fixed fee price contract for engineering change proposals. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Md., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-06-C-0190).
Atherton Construction Inc, Las Vegas, Nev., was awarded on Sept. 29, 2008, a $15,000,744 firm fixed fee price contract for Whole House Remodel, Wayne Manor Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. Work will be performed in Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 29, 2010. Bids were solicited via the Web and one bid was received. Corp of Engineer, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-08-C-0060).
TtecEC-Tesoro Join Venture, Norcross, Ga., was awarded on Sept. 30, 2008, a $14,747,900 firm fixed price contract. To replace all existing deteriorated and failed components such as fire alarm system to meet current life and safety standards. Work will be performed in Fort Gordon, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 28, 2010. Four bids were solicited and two bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Fort Gordon, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0058).
Kidde Technologies Inc, Goleta, Calif., was awarded on Oct. 1, 2008, a $13,474,144 firm fixed price contract. This action is to procure 2,360 each Stryker Tire Fire Suppression Kit. This contract is also to cover some miscellaneous spares and support items for the Stryker Tire Suppression Kits. Work will be performed in Goleta, Calif., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., Norfolk is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-C-B001).
Kjaer Group Inc, Arlington, Va., was awarded on Sept. 29, 2008, a $9,604,582 firm fixed price contract for the four lots of spares in support of Mobile Maintenance and Light Tactical Vehicles for Afghanistan work will be performed in Arlington, Va., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 23, 2009. Bids were solicited via the Web and two bids were received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0703).
IBM Corporation, Fairfax, Va., was awarded on Oct. 1, 2008, a $8,539,154 firm fixed price contract for the hardware/software Maintenance and Technical Support Services for U.S. Army Information Technology Agency, Data Center Services Directorate. This delivery order is subject to availability of funds. Work will be performed in Washington, DC, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013. Bids were solicited via the Web and one bid was received. Contracting Center of Excellence, The Pentagon, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (W912QUZ-06D-0010).
QSS Group Inc, Lanham, Md., was awarded on Sept. 28, 2008, a $9,077,923 time material contract for IT Application Support Services to execute Logistics, Acquisition, Research & Development, and Information Management Tech (IM&T). Work will be performed in Warren, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 28, 2011. Five bids were solicited and three bids were received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W912CH-06-A-L001).
Lockheed Martin Corp., Missile and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., was awarded on Oct. 1, 2008, a $5,533,887 cost plus fixed fee contract. The Lockheed martin led team will develop and demonstrate a Video and Image Retrieval and analysis tool system for video data exploitation that enables an analyst to rapidly find video content of intrest fro archives containing thousands of hours of video data, and to provide alerts to the analysts of events of interest during live operations. Work will be performed in Cherry Hill, N.J., Orlando, Fla., Philadelphia, Pa., Pittsburgh, Pa., and Littleton, Colo., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 29, 2010. Bids were solicited via the Web and twenty bids were received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-09-C-0027).
Air Force
L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., is having an option exercised on a current contract for $23,620,000. This action is for the exercise option IX under the contract for Contractor Logistics Support for the C-12 Aircraft for Pacific Air Force, Air Force Material Command, Defense Intelligence Agency and Defense Security Corporation Agency, consisting of maintenance, repair and support functions for the 2009 fiscal year (1 Oct. 08 through 30 Sept. 09). Tinker AFB, OK, is the contracting activity F34601-00-C-0111-P00462.
Civil Air Patrol, Inc., of Maxwell Air Force Base Ala., is being awarded a cooperative agreement modification to a current contract for $6,100,500. This modification will increase funding for FY 2009 Civil Air Patrol operation and maintenance and counter-drug activities, drug demand reduction program, support to CAP-USAF State Directors, and support to the AFROTC/CAP flying orientation program for all AFROTC detachments as authorized by 10 U.S.C. 9442(b), 10 U.S.C. 9444(a), and 10 U.S.C. 9444(b). $6,100,500.02 has been obligated. Maxwell AFB, AL is the contracting activity F41689-00-2-0001-A00206.
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Integrated Systems Sector of San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a contract modification for $23,187,000. This action will provide for Long Lead associated with 5 Global Hawk Air Vehicles. At this time $23,187,000 has been obligated. Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, is the contracting activity FA8620-08-C-3001.
UNITED STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND
CAV International Inc., of Colorado Springs, CO 80920-4162, is being awarded a $15,509,395 fixed price modification. This contract modification will exercise option year three to provide continuing Air Terminal and Ground Handling Services on behalf of the Air Mobility Command in support of the Department of Defense Airlift System at Kuwait International Airport Abdullah Al Mubarak Airbase, Kuwait and will be completed Sept. 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott AFB, Ill., 62225 (FA4428-06-C-0005).
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Ward Discusses U.S. Africa Command's Goals
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 2, 2008 - Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward gets a bit hot under the collar when he confronts the myths about U.S. Africa Command, America's newest unified command. Ward, the commander of AfriCom, takes every opportunity to emphasize the new organization in no way represents a "militarization" of U.S. foreign policy on the continent.
The command was not formed to protect America's oil supply, it is not going to set up bases, posts or airfields and base American troops in Africa, and it has no intention of moving from its Stuttgart, Germany, headquarters any time in the foreseeable future, he points out with regularity.
The general remained excited – but in a good way – when he discussed the reality of Africa Command and its potential during an interview following the unfurling of the command's colors yesterday in the Pentagon.
The command is responsible for areas formerly covered by U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Pacific Command, and is the American military's sixth unified geographic command. But it is unique. The command is the first joint service combatant command with an interagency organization.
From the beginning, Ward said, interagency partners were going to be integral parts of AfriCom. The deputy commander is Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates – a career foreign service officer who has spent two decades on the continent. State Department officials head other civil-military organizations in the command.
The U.S. Agency for International Development also has supplied personnel to Africa Command. USAID officials have worked delivering humanitarian supplies after disasters around the globe and have a wealth of knowledge about Africa. Other agencies – the Commerce, Treasury and Homeland Security departments among them – also are players in the command.
Integration of interagency members into the staff is a priority for Ward, he said, because he already sees benefits.
"As we define and plan our work, it is better informed because we understand what is being done by other members of our government," Ward said. The command can ensure their work is complementary to all the other programs the U.S. government has on the continent.
And those efforts are really the main focus in Africa. Combating the spread of AIDS, managing rural development, encouraging good governance, combating trafficking in humans, helping internally displaced people and refugees and more take up the lion's share of U.S. money spent in Africa.
Africa Command must be in line with all these programs, Ward said.
"What we do has to be within the construct of the stated foreign policy objectives," he explained. For example, he said, AfriCom does not have a policy on Darfur -- the United States government has a Darfur policy. If any U.S. policy on the continent has a military component, the general said, then Africa Command would focus on that.
The military will seek to help other agency efforts, not to replace them, Ward said. The military is not the development authority for Africa, he noted. "That's our USAID teammates," Ward said. "They didn't come to the command so that we now take over development. They are here so we are more cognizant of developmental activities as we go on."
For example, if U.S. Africa Command sponsors a peacekeeping training exercise with an African nation and some infrastructure must be built to support it, USAID personnel can help pinpoint where it will do the most good for follow-on use, the general said. "If we don't have that dialogue, if we don't have that communication, we may never know that, and we've lost an opportunity," he said.
The same holds true with the command's ability to provide humanitarian support. USAID provides the vast majority of medical and veterinary aid.
"If our military doctors can bring added value to those other programs, then that's what we want to do," he said. "But we have to know it in advance so it will bring greater value to the totality of U.S. government efforts."
Ward said he understands that the interagency partners are the experts on the continent. The command covers 53 nations, and the vastness of the continent means that a policy that works in Botswana probably won't work in Burkina Faso. The interagency partners know the area, they know the leaders, they know the people, and they can point the military to the best use of its resources, he said.
What the military brings to the equation is expertise in planning, logistics and training, and the resources to make things happen, Ward said. If USAID, for example, must get 300,000 humanitarian daily rations to a disaster area quickly, then its leaders can turn to U.S. Africa Command for assistance.
"If we can bring a capability to one of our interagency partners, then I think we ought to do that," Ward said. "But I draw a distinction between leading that effort and supporting that effort. If we have a capability that one of our interagency partners lacks, and we can come in and support their overall efforts, then that is something that we should look to do."
By working in a focused manner day-to-day with interagency partners, other organizations and the African nations, Ward said, the hope is that AfriCom, over time, will help to bring about a more secure and stable environment to allow stability to flourish on the continent.
The command is focused on Africa and listens to African leaders in a way that hasn't happened in the past, Ward said. The key phrase for the command is "sustained security engagement," he said, acknowledging that the "sustained" portion has not always happened, as a lack of follow-up in the past led to new capabilities decaying before they could take root. "Going back so that things can be built upon, that's what's different," Ward said.
To illustrate his point that the command will work to enhance Africans' ability to take charge of their security, Ward recalled a request from an African nation for some assistance. The nation was readying to deploy peacekeepers, he said, and needed help in how to load aircraft for deployment – how to palletize goods, how to tie things down, how to safeguard hazardous substances and so on. The command sent a U.S. Army lieutenant, an Army sergeant and an Air Force sergeant to the country, where they spent three weeks training the nation's loadmasters.
Along the way, the Americans learned some of the local language and customs. "At the end, the crewmen were able to do the mission professionally and with all safeguards," Ward said. "I got a letter from the chief of defense asking if he could have the same three guys back so he could train more. These are relationships being developed."
The team will go back, and later another team will go in, and still another will visit. The follow-up is as important as the original capability, Ward said, and these are capabilities that the nations ask for.
American servicemembers work side by side with African militaries, and they tell Ward how rewarding that work is for them.
"Helping these militaries provide their own security may mean we are not there reacting to a situation," Ward said. "[American servicemembers are] doing it in such a way that they are preventing something rather than to try to stop something or react to something. They really appreciated it."
Ward spoke of visiting one U.S. unit that served in Iraq, then Afghanistan, and was now part of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa in Djibouti.
"To an individual, they thought what they were doing mattered and made a difference, and [that] what they were doing helped promote stability instead of having to intervene to bring stability back," Ward said. "It goes back to our primary work trying to prevent conflict as opposed to having to react to a conflict. The young men and women who are doing it are happy to be involved in those tasks."
The command is small – roughly 2,000 servicemembers in all of Africa, with most concentrated in the Horn of Africa. The command spends more time listening to partners and friends on the continent, and then moves out accordingly. "We do this based on what they ask us to do in their support – on their behalf," Ward said.
Ward said it's important to understand there are other viewpoints and to try to see situations as your friends see them.
"The idea of getting out of your foxhole and going downrange and looking back at it from the perspective of others is important," he said. "This will help us succeed."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 2, 2008 - Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward gets a bit hot under the collar when he confronts the myths about U.S. Africa Command, America's newest unified command. Ward, the commander of AfriCom, takes every opportunity to emphasize the new organization in no way represents a "militarization" of U.S. foreign policy on the continent.
The command was not formed to protect America's oil supply, it is not going to set up bases, posts or airfields and base American troops in Africa, and it has no intention of moving from its Stuttgart, Germany, headquarters any time in the foreseeable future, he points out with regularity.
The general remained excited – but in a good way – when he discussed the reality of Africa Command and its potential during an interview following the unfurling of the command's colors yesterday in the Pentagon.
The command is responsible for areas formerly covered by U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Pacific Command, and is the American military's sixth unified geographic command. But it is unique. The command is the first joint service combatant command with an interagency organization.
From the beginning, Ward said, interagency partners were going to be integral parts of AfriCom. The deputy commander is Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates – a career foreign service officer who has spent two decades on the continent. State Department officials head other civil-military organizations in the command.
The U.S. Agency for International Development also has supplied personnel to Africa Command. USAID officials have worked delivering humanitarian supplies after disasters around the globe and have a wealth of knowledge about Africa. Other agencies – the Commerce, Treasury and Homeland Security departments among them – also are players in the command.
Integration of interagency members into the staff is a priority for Ward, he said, because he already sees benefits.
"As we define and plan our work, it is better informed because we understand what is being done by other members of our government," Ward said. The command can ensure their work is complementary to all the other programs the U.S. government has on the continent.
And those efforts are really the main focus in Africa. Combating the spread of AIDS, managing rural development, encouraging good governance, combating trafficking in humans, helping internally displaced people and refugees and more take up the lion's share of U.S. money spent in Africa.
Africa Command must be in line with all these programs, Ward said.
"What we do has to be within the construct of the stated foreign policy objectives," he explained. For example, he said, AfriCom does not have a policy on Darfur -- the United States government has a Darfur policy. If any U.S. policy on the continent has a military component, the general said, then Africa Command would focus on that.
The military will seek to help other agency efforts, not to replace them, Ward said. The military is not the development authority for Africa, he noted. "That's our USAID teammates," Ward said. "They didn't come to the command so that we now take over development. They are here so we are more cognizant of developmental activities as we go on."
For example, if U.S. Africa Command sponsors a peacekeeping training exercise with an African nation and some infrastructure must be built to support it, USAID personnel can help pinpoint where it will do the most good for follow-on use, the general said. "If we don't have that dialogue, if we don't have that communication, we may never know that, and we've lost an opportunity," he said.
The same holds true with the command's ability to provide humanitarian support. USAID provides the vast majority of medical and veterinary aid.
"If our military doctors can bring added value to those other programs, then that's what we want to do," he said. "But we have to know it in advance so it will bring greater value to the totality of U.S. government efforts."
Ward said he understands that the interagency partners are the experts on the continent. The command covers 53 nations, and the vastness of the continent means that a policy that works in Botswana probably won't work in Burkina Faso. The interagency partners know the area, they know the leaders, they know the people, and they can point the military to the best use of its resources, he said.
What the military brings to the equation is expertise in planning, logistics and training, and the resources to make things happen, Ward said. If USAID, for example, must get 300,000 humanitarian daily rations to a disaster area quickly, then its leaders can turn to U.S. Africa Command for assistance.
"If we can bring a capability to one of our interagency partners, then I think we ought to do that," Ward said. "But I draw a distinction between leading that effort and supporting that effort. If we have a capability that one of our interagency partners lacks, and we can come in and support their overall efforts, then that is something that we should look to do."
By working in a focused manner day-to-day with interagency partners, other organizations and the African nations, Ward said, the hope is that AfriCom, over time, will help to bring about a more secure and stable environment to allow stability to flourish on the continent.
The command is focused on Africa and listens to African leaders in a way that hasn't happened in the past, Ward said. The key phrase for the command is "sustained security engagement," he said, acknowledging that the "sustained" portion has not always happened, as a lack of follow-up in the past led to new capabilities decaying before they could take root. "Going back so that things can be built upon, that's what's different," Ward said.
To illustrate his point that the command will work to enhance Africans' ability to take charge of their security, Ward recalled a request from an African nation for some assistance. The nation was readying to deploy peacekeepers, he said, and needed help in how to load aircraft for deployment – how to palletize goods, how to tie things down, how to safeguard hazardous substances and so on. The command sent a U.S. Army lieutenant, an Army sergeant and an Air Force sergeant to the country, where they spent three weeks training the nation's loadmasters.
Along the way, the Americans learned some of the local language and customs. "At the end, the crewmen were able to do the mission professionally and with all safeguards," Ward said. "I got a letter from the chief of defense asking if he could have the same three guys back so he could train more. These are relationships being developed."
The team will go back, and later another team will go in, and still another will visit. The follow-up is as important as the original capability, Ward said, and these are capabilities that the nations ask for.
American servicemembers work side by side with African militaries, and they tell Ward how rewarding that work is for them.
"Helping these militaries provide their own security may mean we are not there reacting to a situation," Ward said. "[American servicemembers are] doing it in such a way that they are preventing something rather than to try to stop something or react to something. They really appreciated it."
Ward spoke of visiting one U.S. unit that served in Iraq, then Afghanistan, and was now part of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa in Djibouti.
"To an individual, they thought what they were doing mattered and made a difference, and [that] what they were doing helped promote stability instead of having to intervene to bring stability back," Ward said. "It goes back to our primary work trying to prevent conflict as opposed to having to react to a conflict. The young men and women who are doing it are happy to be involved in those tasks."
The command is small – roughly 2,000 servicemembers in all of Africa, with most concentrated in the Horn of Africa. The command spends more time listening to partners and friends on the continent, and then moves out accordingly. "We do this based on what they ask us to do in their support – on their behalf," Ward said.
Ward said it's important to understand there are other viewpoints and to try to see situations as your friends see them.
"The idea of getting out of your foxhole and going downrange and looking back at it from the perspective of others is important," he said. "This will help us succeed."
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
MILITARY CONTRACTS September 9, 2008
Army
Harris Corp., Government Communications Systems, Div, Melbourne, Fla., was awarded on Aug. 28, 2008, a $7,494,831 indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for applied IT solutions to support unclassified web portal and related efforts. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Fla., Chantilly, Va., Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Mo., Los Cruzes, N.M., and Bethesda, Md., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2013. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. National Geospatial Intelligence Agency/ACI is the contracting activity (HM1571-08-D-0007).
DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., St Louis, Mo., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $8,694,734 letter contract will be firm fixed price contract. This contract is for the production effort of six (6) M1000 Heavy Equipment Transporter System (HET) trailers, including field service representatives support for the M1000 throughout HETS testing, system support package and parts support throughout HETS testing and a logistics package update. Work will be performed in West Plains, Mo., with an estimated completion of Jun. 5, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0626).
Don Jon Marine Co., Inc., Hillside, N.J., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $7,128,260 firm fixed price contract for maintenance dredging in Newark Bay, N.J. Work will be performed in Newark Bay, N.J., with an estimated completion date of June 17, 2008. Twenty-three bids were solicited and three bids were received. Corps of Engineers, New York City, N.Y., is the contracting activity (W912DS-08-C-0024).
Golden Rule Construction Company Inc, Sioux Falls, S.D., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $7,464,073 firm fixed price contract for construction services for project number LUXC 001390 to replace the base civil engineer maintenance complex at 114th Fighter Wing, Sioux Falls, S.D. Work will be performed in Sioux Falls, S.D., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2009. Bids solicited via the Web and six bids were received. National Guard Bureau S.D., is the contracting activity (W912MM-08-C-0003).
Advanced Semiconductors, Inc., North Hollywood, Calif., was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $8,714,475 firm fixed price contract. This acquisition is a sole source country directed action for cables, boxes and auxiliary equipment. Work will be performed in Fort Monmouth, N.J., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 9, 2010. Bids solicited one Sole Source and one bid was received. CECOM Acquisition Center Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-08-C-D281).
General Dynamics Network Systems, Needham, Mass., was awarded on Sept. 2, 2008, a $6,000,000 firm/fixed price contract. This modification is for continuing efforts to survey, plan, design, install, and implement the Information Technology Systems and Infrastructure (ITS&I) for wedges-2-5 tenants as part of an ongoing modernization of the Pentagon IT infrastructure. Work will be performed in Arlington, Va., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. Pentagon Renovation & Construction Program Office, Arlington Va., is the contracting activity (MDA947-98-C-2002).
FLIR Systems, Inc, Wilsonville, Ore., was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $96,625,080 firm/fixed price contract for Starfire III sensors and, related cables and hardware, for the Rapid Aerostat initial deployment sensor components. Work will be performed in Wilsonville, Ore., with an estimated completion date of Jul. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (W9113M-07-D-0004).
The Ginn Group Inc, Peachtree City, Ga., was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $13,359,452 cost/plus/award/fee contract for facilities maintenance services at Fort Knox, Ky., during the period Dec 1, 2006, through Sept. 30, 2007 with four one-year option periods through Sept. 30, 20011. Subject to the availability work will be performed in Fort Knox, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2011. Bids were solicited via Website Single Face to Industry Army and thirteen bids were received. Mission and Installation Contracting Command Center, Fort Knox, Ky., is the contracting activity (W9124D-06-C-0040).
NAVY
PAE Government Services, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., is being awarded a not to exceed $10,000,000 modification under a previously awarded indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract (N33191-07-D-1503) to exercise option one for a job order contract at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. The work to be performed provides for all managerial, supervision, labor, engineering services, tools, materials, equipment and transportation necessary to accomplish a broad range of design/build, repair, renovation and minor construction work on real property. After exercise of this option, the total cumulative contract value will not exceed $20,000,000. Work will be performed in Djibouti, Africa, and expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Europe and Southwest Asia, Naples, Italy, is the contracting activity.
Reid Middleton, Inc., Everett Wash., is being awarded a maximum $7,500,000 firm-fixed price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity architect/engineering contract for civil/structural projects in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest area of responsibility. The work to be performed provides for new designs, evaluations, studies for maintenance, construction, equipment installation, repair and replacement of a wide range of facilities and structures, with an emphasis on aircraft runways and facilities, air traffic control towers, aircraft runway projects including combat loading area, direct refueling facilities, runway lighting, and structural designs for new and existing facilities. Work will be performed at various NAVY and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Northwest AOR including, but not limited to Washington, (87 percent), Oregon, (2 percent), Idaho, (2 percent), Alaska, (2 percent), Montana, (1 percent), Colorado, (1 percent), Nevada, (1 percent), Wyoming, (1 percent), North Dakota (1 percent), South Dakota, (1 percent), and Utah, (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the NAVFAC e-solicitation website with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity (N44255-08-D-3012).
PC QUINN LLC* (mentor-protege agreement between PC Mechanical Inc., the protege and Quinn Co., the mentor), Santa Maria, Calif., is being awarded a $7,000,000 firm fixed price contract modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the repair/overhaul and preventative maintenance and service of automotive vehicles, motorized and non-motorized construction equipment, material/weight handling equipment and International Standard Organization shipping containers for the Naval Facilities Expeditionary Logistics Center Mobile. After award of this modification the total cumulative contract amount will be $30,870,692. Work will be performed in Santa Maria, Calif., and Gulfport, Miss., and is expected to be completed by Mar. 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Specialty Center Acquisitions, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity (N47408-04-D-8516).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
BAE Systems Survivability Systems, LLC, Fairfield, Ohio is being awarded a maximum $9,849,246 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity, sole-source, un-definitized bilateral contract modification for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Replacement (MRAP) spare parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army and Marine Corps. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Feb. 10, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Columbus, Columbus, Ohio (SPM750-05-D-7426).
Harris Corp., Government Communications Systems, Div, Melbourne, Fla., was awarded on Aug. 28, 2008, a $7,494,831 indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for applied IT solutions to support unclassified web portal and related efforts. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Fla., Chantilly, Va., Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Mo., Los Cruzes, N.M., and Bethesda, Md., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2013. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. National Geospatial Intelligence Agency/ACI is the contracting activity (HM1571-08-D-0007).
DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., St Louis, Mo., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $8,694,734 letter contract will be firm fixed price contract. This contract is for the production effort of six (6) M1000 Heavy Equipment Transporter System (HET) trailers, including field service representatives support for the M1000 throughout HETS testing, system support package and parts support throughout HETS testing and a logistics package update. Work will be performed in West Plains, Mo., with an estimated completion of Jun. 5, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0626).
Don Jon Marine Co., Inc., Hillside, N.J., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $7,128,260 firm fixed price contract for maintenance dredging in Newark Bay, N.J. Work will be performed in Newark Bay, N.J., with an estimated completion date of June 17, 2008. Twenty-three bids were solicited and three bids were received. Corps of Engineers, New York City, N.Y., is the contracting activity (W912DS-08-C-0024).
Golden Rule Construction Company Inc, Sioux Falls, S.D., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $7,464,073 firm fixed price contract for construction services for project number LUXC 001390 to replace the base civil engineer maintenance complex at 114th Fighter Wing, Sioux Falls, S.D. Work will be performed in Sioux Falls, S.D., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2009. Bids solicited via the Web and six bids were received. National Guard Bureau S.D., is the contracting activity (W912MM-08-C-0003).
Advanced Semiconductors, Inc., North Hollywood, Calif., was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $8,714,475 firm fixed price contract. This acquisition is a sole source country directed action for cables, boxes and auxiliary equipment. Work will be performed in Fort Monmouth, N.J., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 9, 2010. Bids solicited one Sole Source and one bid was received. CECOM Acquisition Center Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-08-C-D281).
General Dynamics Network Systems, Needham, Mass., was awarded on Sept. 2, 2008, a $6,000,000 firm/fixed price contract. This modification is for continuing efforts to survey, plan, design, install, and implement the Information Technology Systems and Infrastructure (ITS&I) for wedges-2-5 tenants as part of an ongoing modernization of the Pentagon IT infrastructure. Work will be performed in Arlington, Va., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. Pentagon Renovation & Construction Program Office, Arlington Va., is the contracting activity (MDA947-98-C-2002).
FLIR Systems, Inc, Wilsonville, Ore., was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $96,625,080 firm/fixed price contract for Starfire III sensors and, related cables and hardware, for the Rapid Aerostat initial deployment sensor components. Work will be performed in Wilsonville, Ore., with an estimated completion date of Jul. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (W9113M-07-D-0004).
The Ginn Group Inc, Peachtree City, Ga., was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $13,359,452 cost/plus/award/fee contract for facilities maintenance services at Fort Knox, Ky., during the period Dec 1, 2006, through Sept. 30, 2007 with four one-year option periods through Sept. 30, 20011. Subject to the availability work will be performed in Fort Knox, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2011. Bids were solicited via Website Single Face to Industry Army and thirteen bids were received. Mission and Installation Contracting Command Center, Fort Knox, Ky., is the contracting activity (W9124D-06-C-0040).
NAVY
PAE Government Services, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., is being awarded a not to exceed $10,000,000 modification under a previously awarded indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract (N33191-07-D-1503) to exercise option one for a job order contract at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. The work to be performed provides for all managerial, supervision, labor, engineering services, tools, materials, equipment and transportation necessary to accomplish a broad range of design/build, repair, renovation and minor construction work on real property. After exercise of this option, the total cumulative contract value will not exceed $20,000,000. Work will be performed in Djibouti, Africa, and expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Europe and Southwest Asia, Naples, Italy, is the contracting activity.
Reid Middleton, Inc., Everett Wash., is being awarded a maximum $7,500,000 firm-fixed price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity architect/engineering contract for civil/structural projects in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest area of responsibility. The work to be performed provides for new designs, evaluations, studies for maintenance, construction, equipment installation, repair and replacement of a wide range of facilities and structures, with an emphasis on aircraft runways and facilities, air traffic control towers, aircraft runway projects including combat loading area, direct refueling facilities, runway lighting, and structural designs for new and existing facilities. Work will be performed at various NAVY and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Northwest AOR including, but not limited to Washington, (87 percent), Oregon, (2 percent), Idaho, (2 percent), Alaska, (2 percent), Montana, (1 percent), Colorado, (1 percent), Nevada, (1 percent), Wyoming, (1 percent), North Dakota (1 percent), South Dakota, (1 percent), and Utah, (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the NAVFAC e-solicitation website with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity (N44255-08-D-3012).
PC QUINN LLC* (mentor-protege agreement between PC Mechanical Inc., the protege and Quinn Co., the mentor), Santa Maria, Calif., is being awarded a $7,000,000 firm fixed price contract modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the repair/overhaul and preventative maintenance and service of automotive vehicles, motorized and non-motorized construction equipment, material/weight handling equipment and International Standard Organization shipping containers for the Naval Facilities Expeditionary Logistics Center Mobile. After award of this modification the total cumulative contract amount will be $30,870,692. Work will be performed in Santa Maria, Calif., and Gulfport, Miss., and is expected to be completed by Mar. 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Specialty Center Acquisitions, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity (N47408-04-D-8516).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
BAE Systems Survivability Systems, LLC, Fairfield, Ohio is being awarded a maximum $9,849,246 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity, sole-source, un-definitized bilateral contract modification for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Replacement (MRAP) spare parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army and Marine Corps. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Feb. 10, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Columbus, Columbus, Ohio (SPM750-05-D-7426).
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Louisiana Guard Reacts to Damage, Assesses Needs
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 3, 2008 - In response to flooding yesterday in West Monroe, La., the Louisiana National Guard delivered 58,000 sandbags throughout the night, with 50,000 more expected to be delivered today. More than 20 engineer work teams are moving throughout the state to support efforts to assess what needs to be done in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav's Sept. 1 landfall.
National Guard personnel are deploying to assist with secondary road and tree clearing, debris and trash removal, water and food distribution, evacuee return efforts, generator and power support, transportation and search and rescue.
Security at shelters and hospitals continues to be a priority, as well as hourly patrols to ensure the security of property as residents begin returning to their homes. Soldiers also are helping local police with curfew enforcement to curtail looting and preventing accidents in areas where traffic lights are still out.
"These highly trained and professional citizen-soldiers are willing and prepared to defend themselves and protect the lives of other Louisiana residents," said Army Capt. Taysha Deaton Gibbes, deputy public affairs officer for the Louisiana National Guard. "National Guardsmen are working closely with local policemen to provide security, supply and water distribution, transportation, and other assistance as locations and requirements are determined."
The Louisiana National Guard's 62nd Civil Support Team based at the Gillis W. Long Center in Carville, La., is in Terrebonne Parish today conducting environmental assessments and identifying potential hazards that may have been caused by wind and rain from Hurricane Gustav. The 19-member team is working with the parish's Emergency Operations Center, helping to provide them with communications, and assisting in damage assessment.
"We will stay here in Terrebonne until our mission is complete and all environmental concerns have been addressed," Army 2nd Lt. Jacob L. Witte, team leader, said.
Several Civil support teams have been brought into the state through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual-support agreement among states. The 7th Civil Support Team has brought 17 members from Missouri to Rapides Parish, and the 45th Civil Support Team from Tennessee is in Lafourche Parish with its 22-member crew.
(From a Louisiana National Guard news release.)
Sept. 3, 2008 - In response to flooding yesterday in West Monroe, La., the Louisiana National Guard delivered 58,000 sandbags throughout the night, with 50,000 more expected to be delivered today. More than 20 engineer work teams are moving throughout the state to support efforts to assess what needs to be done in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav's Sept. 1 landfall.
National Guard personnel are deploying to assist with secondary road and tree clearing, debris and trash removal, water and food distribution, evacuee return efforts, generator and power support, transportation and search and rescue.
Security at shelters and hospitals continues to be a priority, as well as hourly patrols to ensure the security of property as residents begin returning to their homes. Soldiers also are helping local police with curfew enforcement to curtail looting and preventing accidents in areas where traffic lights are still out.
"These highly trained and professional citizen-soldiers are willing and prepared to defend themselves and protect the lives of other Louisiana residents," said Army Capt. Taysha Deaton Gibbes, deputy public affairs officer for the Louisiana National Guard. "National Guardsmen are working closely with local policemen to provide security, supply and water distribution, transportation, and other assistance as locations and requirements are determined."
The Louisiana National Guard's 62nd Civil Support Team based at the Gillis W. Long Center in Carville, La., is in Terrebonne Parish today conducting environmental assessments and identifying potential hazards that may have been caused by wind and rain from Hurricane Gustav. The 19-member team is working with the parish's Emergency Operations Center, helping to provide them with communications, and assisting in damage assessment.
"We will stay here in Terrebonne until our mission is complete and all environmental concerns have been addressed," Army 2nd Lt. Jacob L. Witte, team leader, said.
Several Civil support teams have been brought into the state through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual-support agreement among states. The 7th Civil Support Team has brought 17 members from Missouri to Rapides Parish, and the 45th Civil Support Team from Tennessee is in Lafourche Parish with its 22-member crew.
(From a Louisiana National Guard news release.)
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