Panther Strike exercise evolves, challenges MI Soldiers taking part

By Army Sgt. Whitney Houston

128th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP WILLIAMS, Utah - Panther Strike, a military intelligence training exercise that began more than a decade ago as a battalion-sized exercise, has evolved since then into a an event with close to 700 military intelligence soldiers, trainers and professionals participating from 14 states, Guam, Canada, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, making it one of the largest exercise of its kind in the U.S.

From the beginning stages of planning for this year’s exercise, hosted by the Utah Army National Guard’s 142nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 300th Military Intelligence Brigade, the goal has been to expand the size and scope to make it into the one of the premier MI training events, said Army Lt. Col. Joseph Green, commander of the 142nd MI Bn.

 To accomplish that, planners shifted the focus of the exercise from a relatively small exercise focused on human intelligence gathering, to a large-scale, multi-discipline exercise that incorporates human intelligence, signals intelligence, counterintelligence, and imagery intelligence, all acting at the same time in a real-world, deployment-based scenario, to prepare MI Soldiers for the kinds of missions they face when deployed., said Green.

 Incorporating that into a single, cohesive has its difficulties including the creation of an opposition force, fully fleshed out with roles that military intelligence Soldiers can collect information about, analyze, and then act on.

“All of that is a very complex kind of thing to try to draw up and manage and so creating a (training) insurgency that can be (used) by all those different disciplines has been difficult,” said Green.

 Despite the inherent difficulties with creating a training scenario beneficial to all MI disciplines, Panther Strike leadership and planners maintained high expectations for the exercise’s current and future roles.

“We have a big vision for the exercise to be a mechanism to train our Soldiers to be mobilization-ready and prepared in their collective military intelligence tasks,” said Green. “That’s what I think we’ve achieved with this version of Panther Strike, and from here on out the brigade is intent on keeping the same kind of blueprint, still moving it around to its battalions, but keeping it at this level.”

That’s a big change from previous Panther Strike exercises.

“In previous years, there was more of an emphasis on Warrior Tasks and battle drills than you see in Panther Strike 2012,” said Army Capt. Timothy Kelley, plans and operations officer with the 142nd MI Bn. and the lead planner for this year’s exercise. “We really wanted to make this an intelligence-centered exercise.”

Soldiers spent the first week of the exercise training on equipment and tactics unique to their specialties.  During the second week, the Soldiers moved to a forward operating base on Camp Williams and training transitioned from the classroom setting to a hands-on scenario in which Soldiers could put to use their skills—and the prior week’s training— into practice.

 The result was a much more engaging exercise for those participating.

“Panther Strike was awesome,” said Army Pfc. Keiyonna Lighten, an intelligence analyst with Company B, 48th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. “Anytime we have exercises that combine a lot of experience from different groups and different intelligence professionals from across the country, it’s going to contribute to your success and your development as a Soldier.”

Kelley, and those involved in planning and putting Panther Strike together, worked hard to create a training environment that is intelligence-centric, that revolves around the skills, equipment, and knowledge that Soldiers of all intelligence fields would benefit from.

“By making Panther Strike more of an intelligence exercise, we’ve gotten a lot of attention from within the intelligence community, and a lot of support,” he said. “For example, Intelligence and Security Command has a lot of resources and assets that we have been able to tap into and coordinate for this exercise. A lot of our training teams that came out are INSCOM teams, or are from INSCOM units, which brings a level of legitimacy to the exercise.”

Camp Williams itself has even benefited from Panther Strike, and those physical improvements will trickle down to all MI Soldiers who come to Utah to train. One such resource created to enhance the training experience of Panther Strike participants is a detainee holding area connected to the training FOB on the camp.

“They’re being used in Afghanistan, and for this exercise we were able to get some to Utah, emplaced and operational, for Panther Strike,” said Kelley. “They will stay here and remain an asset for the intelligence courses that the 640th Regional Training Institute conducts throughout the year,” he said.

 And preparations are already underway for next year’s exercise.

“I think next year’s Panther Strike audience will have a fantastic experience as well,” Kelley said.

Wyoming Guard supports Utah during major earthquake exercise

By Army National Guard Capt. Tim Lockwood

Wyoming National Guard

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (4/20/12) – Members of the Wyoming National Guard supported their neighbors in Utah recently as they helped them train and prepare for potential natural disasters, specifically those that could affect the Salt Lake City area.

The Guard members are spending three days participating in Utah Shakeout, a large scale, multi-agency disaster exercise in Utah.

Local, state and federal agencies simulated a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hitting the Wasatch Valley area April 19, which included the metropolitan Salt Lake City area. A disaster of that magnitude has the potential to leave nearly 86,000 people displaced if it were to actually occur.

"This exercise for us is about the state of Wyoming helping out its neighbors to the west," said Army Maj. Gen. Luke Reiner, adjutant general of the Wyoming National Guard. "We know that Salt Lake City sits on a significant fault and we're told it's only a matter of time until it goes – not if, but when."

 Organizations, schools and individuals across Utah simulated everything from setting up shelters to taking cover during the earthquake. As part of the exercise, Wyoming's Joint Task Force Cowboy, the T71 Joint Incident Site Communications Capability, and 84th Civil Support Team, all deployed in an effort to support exercise operations.

Task Force Cowboy and the JISCC are based at Camp Williams, Utah for the exercise and have been providing support for emergency operations of civilian authorities and Utah National Guard members by helping with the processing and tasking of additional military units that are flowing into the area.

"A devastating earthquake in this area is a real possibility," said Col. Shelley Campbell, the commander of JTF Cowboy. "This training exercise is providing our Guard members valuable insight into assisting a large scale, multi-agency disaster exercise.

"We need to be prepared to respond and support our neighbors in their time of need," she said. "We are here to help civilian authorities practice in saving lives and mitigating damage."

The JTF and JISCC are performing joint reception staging and onward integration, functions. That means the task force is welcoming units from others states such as Idaho and Colorado as they arrive. The JTF then provides situational and priority information briefings to each force package before providing them their assignments for assisting local authorities.

"This is good training for our Joint Task Force, which we know we will be utilizing in the event of a disaster in Wyoming or neighboring states," Reiner said. "They are doing great. They are receiving a lot of good training and there is a lot of communication going on up and down the line, which is absolutely key."

Reiner added the key to a synchronized response is common understanding of the situation.

"There is focus on maintaining a common operating picture, which means every civilian, every emergency responder, every Soldier and Airman should see and know the same information as everyone else," he said.

The 84th CST is providing a different type of assistance to the communities of Utah affected by the simulated quake. They are supporting areas southeast of Salt Lake City with search and rescue efforts and the identification and mitigation of hazardous materials.

In addition, personnel with the Wyoming Joint Force Headquarters Joint Operations Center have been supporting the exercise from Cheyenne. They provide the support necessary for the deployed Wyoming Guard members in the areas of personnel tracking, logistics and information.

According to exercise organizers, the main goal of the Utah Shakeout is to get residents prepared for major earthquakes and help government agencies, private organizations and emergency personnel coordinate how to handle a disaster recovery.

Face of Defense: Guardsman Succeeds on Battlefield, Gridiron

By Ashley Schiller
Special to American Forces Press Service

Nov. 10, 2008 - A member of the Utah National Guard's 19th Special Forces Group received the Meritorious Service Medal here Nov. 1 at halftime of a Utah State University football game in front of thousands of appreciative fans – and his teammates.

Army Sgt. Michael Green, who received the medal for service in Afghanistan as an intelligence noncommissioned officer, is a lineman for the Utah State Aggies.

The 6-foot-4-inch, 300-pound offensive tackle served for nine months in Afghanistan before coming to Utah State to pursue a master's degree in political science.

He described several parallels between playing football and serving in the military.

"Communication is huge in the military," he said. "You've got to communicate with other units as you coordinate efforts, just like you have to communicate here as you coordinate on the offensive line."

Both create a feeling of camaraderie, he said, and require precise planning and intensity.

"You should play every play like it's life or death, which is the same as in the military," Green said.

Although he faced some life-threatening situations in Afghanistan -- a suicide bomber attacked his base on his second day in the country -- Green said he mostly was away from direct combat. He served as an analyst, receiving and processing reports from intelligence collectors on the ground and in the sky.

"I would read the reports and try to figure out what each one meant and what was going on," he said. "I'd plot them on a map or on a computer and then look for patterns, similarities or dissimilarities. It was taking all the pieces of the puzzle and putting them together. We had to find where the intelligence gaps were, and then focus efforts to try to find out that information."

Many soldiers become desensitized to the danger surrounding them, Green said. He compared the experience of leaving the base to driving on the freeway.

"The freeway is very fast-paced, with a lot of moving things," Green said. "It's very dangerous, but you have control with your steering wheel, so you feel like you mitigate the risk. It's the same thing as going 'outside the wire.' You have controls with your helicopters [and] other units, and you have your gun with you. You're focused on the mission at hand, so you ignore some of the dangers.

"But there are times when you'll feel it," he continued, "just like when you see a car accident and you hear on the news that someone died. Sometimes it will be closer to you; you'll be in the car accident, and the person next to you will die. That's kind of how I correlate it."

Green's time in Afghanistan made him more grateful for simple things such as paved roads, flushing toilets and comfortable beds. "I also got a real good appreciation for white bread and soft Wonder Bread," he said.

Despite the sacrifices, "serving in the military was worth it, just like playing football is worth it," he said.

And football apparently is worth it, whether he plays or not. Although Green has not yet played in a USU game, he fills an important role on the team as a scout player. He prepares the defense for the games by studying and then running the opposing team's plays during practice.

Green has dressed for several games over the past few years, thus fulfilling his childhood dream of running through the tunnel onto the field. Last fall's season opener, especially, made an impact on him.

"It was indescribable," he recalled. "The game brought a pretty big crowd. When you practice in the stadium, you don't realize how big it is. But when you go out in a game and you see all the people out there, you're like 'Wow.' It's a whole different experience."

Whether or not he gets the opportunity to run through the tunnel again this season, Green said, he believes he has had a fulfilling experience.

"I love the game," he said. "It's pretty cool to come out every day and put on the helmet and play when I'm almost 25 years old. It gives me something to do so I don't get in trouble." He said he also appreciates the "instant friendships" he made at the new school.

In addition to the friendships he's made, Green said playing for the Aggies has helped with his leadership, something that hasn't gone unnoticed by USU head coach Brent Guy.

"It's a unique situation to have a player who has served his country," Guy said. "Mike brings a different maturity that you normally don't have, and with that comes added leadership. It is a different experience for some of our younger players to be playing with a military veteran, especially with the theater of serving in Afghanistan."

Green, a pilot, is now nearly finished with his master's degree. His thesis focuses on government regulation, specifically the Federal Aviation Administration.

Green's next stop will be law school. He is applying to a variety of schools all over the country, but said he would like to stay in Utah, and that he someday may want to run for public office.

(Ashley Schiller works in the Utah State University Athletic Media Relations Office.)

MILITARY CONTRACTS August 22, 2008

Army

Nakaya Construction, L.L.C., Bountiful, Utah, was awarded on Aug. 20, 2008, a $10,779,567 firm fixed price contract for renovation of the Baker Laboratory facility at the U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground installation where the work will be performed. The estimated completion date is May 1, 2010. 16 bids were solicited with four bids received. Mission & Installation Contracting Command, Dugway Proving Ground Directorate of Contracting, Dugway, Utah is the contracting activity (W911S6-08-C-0006).

ALLIANT AMMUNITION AND POWDER COMPANY LLC, Radford, Va., was awarded on Aug. 14, 2008, a $63,000,000 cost plus fixed fee contract for nitric acid concentrator / sulfuric acid concentrator balance of design, construction, and prove out. Work with be performed at the Radford Army Ammunication Plant, Radford, Va., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 31, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid received. Headquarters, Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (DAAA09-03-E-0001).

Phil Howry Co., Austin, Texas, was awarded on Aug. 21, 2008, a $8,118,209 firm fixed price contract for the construction of a one-story facility with reinforced concrete foundation and floor slabs, masonry walls and standing seam metal roof. The facility consists of a 60 ft. x 60 ft. x 60 ft. simulator bay, briefing rooms, conference room, mass briefing area and computer room. The project also includes site preparation, seismic requirements, fire protection, communications support, generator and all supporting utilities. Work will be performed at the Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, with an estimated completion date of Mar. 1, 2010. 10 bids were solicited and seven bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (W912PP-08-C-0019).

BAE SYSTEMS ORDNANCE SYSTEMS INC. (OSI), Kingsport, Tenn., was awarded on Aug. 21, 2008, a $5, 691,704.74 firm-fixed price – requirements contract for production and supply of 354,182 pounds of composition C-4, class 3 (tagged) to support the M112 demo charge production at Milan Army Ammunition Plant. Work will be performed at Holston Army Ammunition Plant, Kingsport, Tenn., with an estimated completion date of May 30, 2009. One bid solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (DAAA09-03-D-0007).

NAVY

Alliant Techsystems, Inc., Woodland Hills, Calif., is being awarded a $96,820,977 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the design, development, integration, and test of the Multi-Stage Supersonic Target (MSST). The MSST will represent a two-stage anti-ship cruise missile, consisting of a two-stage unmanned aerial target, a launcher, and associated support equipment. A total of two engineering evaluation units and seven engineering development models will be built as part of the effort. The MSST will provide threat representation for the developmental and operational testing of a major weapon system. Work will be performed in Sacramento, Calif., (38.9 percent); Woodland Hills, Calif., (32 percent); Plymouth, Minn., (19.2 percent); Elkton, Md., (5.1 percent); and Wichita, Kan., (4.8 percent), and is expected to be completed in Sept. 2012. Contract funds in the amount of $10,000,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via electronic request for proposal and three offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-08-C-0058).

Nammo Talley, Inc., Mesa Ariz., is being awarded a maximum $51,764,684 (base and options) cost-plus-fixed-fee with fixed-price incentive (firm target) line items contract for the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) and Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of the Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW II) launchers and Fire From Enclosure (FFE) assault rounds and associated data rights. The SDD phase will consist of 18 Launchers and 165 FFE assault rounds; the LRIP phase will consist of 130 launchers and 750 FFE assault rounds; the data rights consists of associated Government Purpose Rights. Work will be performed in Mesa, Ariz., and the expected date of completion is Feb. 2011 (Feb. 2012 with options exercised). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-08-C-1123).

Raytheon Co., Goleta, Calif., is being awarded a $13,704,876 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-05-G-0008). This delivery order is for the procurement of 174 AN/ALR-67(V)3 Enhanced Integrated Antenna Detector Radar Warning Receivers and 173 AN/ALR-67(V)3 Enhanced Antenna Detector Radar Warning Receiver Systems in support of the Canadian Forces for the F/A-18 aircraft; and 6 Integrated Microwave Integrated Circuits in support of the Swiss Army Armasuisse for the F/A-18 aircraft. This contract combines purchases for the Government of Canada ($13,590,350; 99 percent) and the Government of Switzerland, ($114,526; 1 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Lansdale, Pa., (75 percent) and El Segundo, Calif., (25 percent), and is expected to be completed in Mar. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

EG&G Technical Services Inc., Gaithersburg, Md.; General Dynamics Information Technology, Fairfax, Va.; Lockheed Martin Services Inc., Cherry Hill, N.J.; Technical Software Services Inc., Pensacola, Fla.; Raytheon Technical Services Co., Reston, Va.; Carley Corp., Orlando, Fla.; are each being awarded indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts for education/training products and support services managed by the Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC) Pensacola, Fla., for the Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education (MPT&E) Enterprise. EG&G Technical Services is being awarded $7,804,540 and the contracts estimated value if all options are exercised is $41,548,586. General Dynamics Information Technology is being awarded $8,779,415 and the contracts estimated value if all options are exercised is $46,382,282. Lockheed Martin Services, Inc. is being awarded $7,055,205 and the contracts estimated value if all options are exercised is $36,740,443. Technical Software Services Inc. is being awarded $8,103,248 and the contracts estimated value if all options are exercised is $43,160,222. Raytheon Technical Services Co. is being awarded $8,464,798 and the contracts estimated value if all options are exercised is $42,688,034. Carley Corp. is being awarded $8,659,388 and the contracts estimated value if all options are exercised is $45,982,559. Work is to be performed in Gaithersburg, Md.; Fairfax, Va.; Cherry Hill, N.J.; Pensacola, Fla.; Reston, Va.; and Orlando, Fla., and work is expected to be complete Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This requirement was competitively procured and solicited through NAVY Electronic Commerce Online, with 18 offers received. The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Contracting Department Philadelphia Division, is the contracting activity. (EG&G Technical Services Inc., N00189-08-D-Z033; General Dynamics Information Technology, N00189-08-D-Z034; Lockheed Martin Services Inc., N00189-08-D-Z035; Technical Software Services Inc., N00189-08-D-Z036; Raytheon Technical Services Co., N00189-08-D-Z038; Carley Corp., N00189-08-D-Z040)

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Exide Technologies Inc., Alpharetta, Ga., is being awarded a maximum $26,704,667 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for storage batteries. Other location of performance is Manchester, Iowa. Using services are Army, NAVY, and Marine Corps. There were four proposals originally solicited with two responses. This contract has a base period of one year and four one-year option periods. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Aug. 21, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Richmond (DESR), Richmond, Va., (SPM4L1-08-D-0023).

Air BP, Warrenville, Ill. is being awarded a maximum $12,446,821 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for jet fuel. Other location of performance is Grand Junction, Colorado. Using services are Army, NAVY, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies and National Guard. There was 1 proposal originally solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Sept. 30, 2012. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-D-0053).

Company Focuses on Families to Support Military Employees

By Sara Moore
American Forces Press Service

Aug. 13, 2008 - Kim Robinson knows that when military members deploy, they face a lot of stress overseas on top of worrying about their families at home. To help alleviate that stress, Robinson has committed to do what he can to ease the burden on the families of his employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Robinson's company, Robinson Transport, of Salina, Utah, provides $1,000 a month to the families of employees who are deployed with the National Guard or Reserve. This money is meant to supplement the family's income, and the company still pays all company bonuses, as well as full life, health and dental insurance for the deployed employee.

For its efforts to support employees who serve in the reserve forces, Robinson Transport is receiving the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The award is the highest honor a company can receive for its support of military employees.

Robinson Transport has seven employees in the National Guard or Reserve, all of whom have been deployed within the last five years, Robinson said, adding that he's happy to do what he can to support his employees while they're serving the country.

"They're over there fighting for my freedoms, which I enjoy very much, and they're leaving their families and their wives, and most of them have smaller children," he said. "They're over there worrying about their life for one thing, but on the other hand, they're worrying about what their children and their wives are going through. If I can help them that way, then that's a little less worry that they have."

Robinson Transport, which has about 130 employees, also supports its deployed employees by keeping in close contact with them via e-mail, and the company has contributed $5,000 to provide faster Internet service to deployed personnel.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Roger Orton, who has served for 33 years in the Utah National Guard, nominated Robinson Transport for the Freedom Award because he saw their dedication to military personnel firsthand. Orton has been a truck driver with Robinson for 26 years, and in 2006 he was deployed to Afghanistan. While he was gone, someone from the company called his wife at least twice a week to check on her. They also paid her the $1,000 a month, even though Orton told his boss that he actually made more money while deployed than he'd been earning at Robinson Transport.

"I asked them why they thought they needed to do that, and they said it was to ease the pain of us being gone and that it was a small price to pay for what we were doing," Orton said. "It's too bad all employers aren't this good to work for, and it's easy to see how easy it is to work for them for 26 years."

Orton said that several other members of his unit also work for Robinson, and the company always has accommodated them when it came to taking time off for drill weekends and summer training. He said when he came back from Afghanistan, he talked to the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve representative from Utah, who told him that he had received many letters telling him how supportive Robinson Transport is of its military employees.

Orton said he enjoys working for Robinson because the management is caring and supportive. "You go to work every morning knowing that you work for good people," he said. "There's no other employer that tops them. They deserve the red carpet treatment from the Army for what they do."

Having employees who also serve in the military, like Orton, is helpful to the company, Robinson said. "They're all pretty humble people anyway, but when they come back they're so appreciative," he said of the National Guard and Reserve employees. "With the other people listening to them out there on a daily basis, I think it makes the other people better Americans and makes them appreciate what they really have here."

Robinson said he's always thought of himself as patriotic, but was completely surprised to hear his company was receiving the Freedom Award.

"It's a great honor for me to be selected as one of the recipients," he said. "For my employees to nominate me for that, that was an awesome thing. I'm just proud to be a part of it."

Robinson Transport will receive the Freedom Award, along with 14 other companies, in a ceremony Sept. 18 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center here. The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to recognize exceptional support from the employer community.

MILITARY CONTRACTS May 8, 2008

AIR FORCE

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems of Clearfield, Utah, is being awarded a modified firm fixed prices contract for $50,130,567. This contract action will provide a procurement of 280 ICBM Security Modernization Program (ISMP) launch facility secondary door or Fast B-plug element. At this time $50,130,567 has been obligated. Hill AFB, Utah, is the contracting activity (F42610-98-C-0001).

NAVY

Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, Archbald, Pa., is being awarded a $19,927,908 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-05-D-0020) for the procurement of 11,466 laser guided training rounds. Work will be performed in Archbald, Pa., and work is expected to be completed in Sept. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $881,166 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded a $9,977,168 modification to delivery order #0014 under their existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-04-D-5016) task order 0014, modification 17. This modification will extend armor installation and retrofit of Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement vehicles in Iraq. Work will be performed in Iraq, and work for this delivery order is expected to be completed by Jan. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

ARMY

Navistar Defense, LLC, Warrenville, Ill., was awarded on May 6, 2008, an $11,083,714 firm-fixed price contract for liter fuel truck, liter water trucks, and spares for the trucks, all with radio frequency identification tags. Work will be performed primarily in Warrenville, Ill., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Eight bids were solicited on Sept. 7, 2007, and one bid was received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-07-D-G089).

Raytheon Missile Systems Co., Tucson, Ariz., was awarded on May 7, 2008, a $9,395,581 firm-fixed price contract with cost-plus-fixed fee items for griffin munitions and engineering services. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Feb. 5, 2008. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-08-C-0252).

Thales-Raytheon Systems Co., LLC, Fullerton, Calif., was awarded on May 7, 2008, a $7,067,435 firm-fixed price contract for the firefinder AN/TPQ-37 operations control group obsolete parts replacement program. Work will be performed in Fullerton, Calif., and is expected to be completed by May 6, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Nov. 20, 2007.CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J. is the contracting activity (W15P7T-06-D-T001).

MILITARY CONTRACTS May 6, 2008

AIR FORCE

Helicopter Tech., Inc., of King of Prussia, Penn.; Logistics Specialties, Inc., of Layton, Utah; ES3 Prime Logistics Group, Inc., of San Diego, Calif.; and Eagle Tool and Machine Co., Inc., of Springfield, Ohio, are being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for $1,500,000,000. This action will provide support and source for competitive Air Force and DLA land gear (709 Air Force, and 371 DLA items). At this time $8,000,000 has been obligated. Hill AFB, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8203-08-D-0001, FA8203-08-D-0002, FA8203-08-D-0003, FA8203-08-D-0004).

ARMY

AM General, LLC, South Bend, Ind., was awarded on May 2, 2008, a $522,399,722 firm-fixed price contract for adding 3,216 EA High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles to contract. Work will be performed in Mishawaka, Ind., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Mar. 17, 2006. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S001).

Alliant Lake City Small Caliber Ammunition Co., LLC, Independence, Mo., was awarded on May 5, 2008, a $49,757,522 firm-fixed price contract for small caliber ammunition. Work will be performed in Independence, Mo., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Jan. 2, 2008. U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (DAAA09-99-D-0016).

Straub Construction, Inc., Bonsall, Calif., was awarded on May 2, 2008, a $10,058,017 firm-fixed price contract for construction of a combat search and rescue C-130 maintenance hanger. Work will be performed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by Aug. 8, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Dec. 10, 2007, and nine bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Los Angeles, Calif., is the contracting activity (W912PL-08-C-0010).

NAVY

A BRDC Joint Venture, Clairton, Pa.; Islands Mechanical Contractor, Inc., Jacksonville, Fla.; Ratcliff Construction, Inc., Orange Park, Fla.; and Toltest, Inc., Maumee, Ohio, are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award design-build construction contract for general building type projects at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay. The work to be performed is for general building type projects (new construction, renovation, alteration, and repair of facilities and infrastructure, roofing, demolition, and routine renovation) including but not limited to: 1) aviation and aircraft facilities, 2) marine facilities, 3) barracks and personnel housing facilities, 4) administrative facilities, 5) warehouses and supply facilities, 6) training facilities, 7) personnel support and service facilities, 8) security level facilities, 9) abatement and handling of hazardous/regulated materials. Each contract consists of a base year and four option years for a maximum of 60 months or a maximum value of $50,000,000 for all contracts, whichever comes first with a guaranteed minimum of $10,000 for each contract. The aggregate of $50,000,000 will potentially be shared among all four contractors. A BRDC Joint Venture is being awarded the initial task order in the amount of $19,836 (including the minimum guarantee) for the design and construction of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant shower enclosures at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by Oct. 2008. The remaining three contractors are being awarded the minimum guarantee of $10,000. Work will be performed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of May 2009, (May 2013, with options exercised). Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The basic contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with five proposals received. These four contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (contract numbers N69450-08-D-1274/1275/1276/1277).

Special Tactical Services, LLC (STS)*, Va., Beach, Va., is being awarded a $6,437,479 not-to-exceed modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N61339-07-D-0016) to exercise an option for course instructors for various crew-served weapons courses in support of the Center for Security Forces, Little Creek, Va. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., (46 percent); Norfolk, Va., (40 percent); and Camp Lejuene, N.C., (14 percent), and work is expected to be completed in Apr. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity.

U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND

Honeywell International of Phoenix, Az., is being awarded a maximum of $48,945,029, Firm-Fixed price Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for Engine and Maintenance Support for the T55-GA-714A Engines and Components used on the MH-47G Helicopters. The work will primarily be performed at Greer, S.C., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was awarded as a sole source. The contract number is H92241-08-D-0006.

Unionvale Coal Co., Ligonier, Pa.*, is being awarded a maximum $7,917,000 firm fixed price contract for bituminous coal. Other location of performance is in West Va. Using service is Navy. There were originally 160 proposals solicited with 1 response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is May 31, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-08-D-0655).

Miss Utah Credits Military Service With Her Civilian Success

By Jamie Findlater
Special to American Forces Press Service

May 5, 2008 - As the reigning Miss Utah and as a combat medic who has deployed to Afghanistan with her National Guard unit, Sgt. Jill Stevens said her experiences as a soldier have helped her in her civilian life. In an interview on the "ASY Live" program on BlogTalkRadio.com, Stevens said her experience from November 2003 to April 2005 taking care of up to 40 patients on any given day at the Bagram Air Base medical aid station gave her the determination and adaptability that are paramount to her success in other aspects of her life.

"Being a solider, you are really trained to adapt to any situation," she said, "and it has really prepared me for civilian life."

Stevens, who serves in the Utah National Guard's 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, joined the National Guard in 2001. She said her military life and her civilian life aren't as different as some people might think.

"A lot of people think these paths are so different and that I live a dichotomy, but there's a reason I am involved in both organizations," she said. "Both the military and the Miss America Association promote education [and] teach you to be a leader, think on your feet and stay in shape and, above all, to serve your country," she said.

During her service in Afghanistan, Stevens said, she developed a great deal of pride for her country, particularly for the women who serve in the military. During her deployment, she competed in the inaugural marathon race at Bagram and was the first woman to finish. Stevens now has completed 14 marathons, and she said the one in Afghanistan "was one of the toughest."

"Here I was a woman, running in a country where women were mistreated, defiled and oppressed. ... I was angered as I was running, but at the same time proud -- proud to be not only an American woman but an American soldier fighting for their worth," she said.

She said she thought of Afghanistan's women every step of the way, and it carried her to the finish line.

"We are making a difference," she said. "I know these women are realizing their worth, and some are taking a stand to determine their place in the world."

During her deployment, Stevens said, it was important to keep morale high for the continued strength of the force.

"I was there to take care of the physical injuries," she said, "but I also really saw the emotional side. I saw firsthand that keeping the morale high really helps our soldiers perform better."

"ASY Live" on BlogTalkRadio.com is part of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. Stevens recalled the touches from home that helped her most during her deployment.

"Thoughtful gifts meant a lot to me -- favorite foods or an encouraging e-mail was great, [because] it meant so much that they took time to think about me," she explained. She took the importance of boosting morale a step further with her own personal cause to encourage her fellow servicemembers.

"Since we had electricity over there, I was like, 'Mom, send me a bread machine!' she said. "Whenever I heard they were having a rough day, I baked bread for the soldiers ... just to boost their spirits."

Another important memory of her deployment, Stevens said, was the opportunity to interact with local children despite the language barrier.

"You speak different languages; you've grown up in really different cultures," she said. "We would communicate with the kids by smiling and making funny faces."

Back in the United States after her deployment, Stevens acknowledged, she had the wrong idea about pageants before she got involved in that aspect of her life.

"All I thought these girls did was just wave their hand and look pretty, and that was not something I wanted to be associated with," she said.

That was before she learned that pageant titleholders can make a difference by their ability to serve as spokeswomen and form organizations. "I love to serve, I love to give back," she said. "That's why I am a soldier and a nurse."

The realization that a pageant title could help her make a difference, Stevens said, is when she "learned how to put on make-up instead of camouflage paint."

Stevens said she was impressed by the support she received from other soldiers when she decided to pursue the Miss America title.

"I have brothers and sisters around the world that are so supportive, and I know that whatever it is, they've got your back," she said.

During her pageant, she recalled, 100 soldiers were in the audience, cheering her on. "I didn't know half of them," she said, "but they came to support another soldier.

This continued support from her "family" of servicemembers is now an important part of who she is and will help keep her focused toward her next goal, said Stevens, who will hold her Miss Utah title until July.

"There is so much negative publicity on the news today, and optimism is important," she said. Looking forward, Stevens said, she will rely on her military experience and connection to maintain her optimism and carry her into her next endeavor.

"Wherever you go, if you wear the uniform or sport the military ID card, you connect with people immediately," she said. "I know that will always be a part of me."

(Jamie Findlater works in the New Media branch of American Forces Information Service.)