By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 11, 2008 - A critical illness can stretch any family emotionally and financially, but when the patient is a child, the potential stresses are even greater. The Believe In Tomorrow National Children's Foundation is helping ease those burdens. It provides, free of charge, hospital and retreat housing, as well as support services to children facing life-threatening illnesses and their families, and it offers priority to military families.
"Our programs prioritize U.S. military families who have children being treated for life-threatening illnesses," Brian Morrison, founder and president of the foundation, said. "We believe in keeping families together during a child's medical crisis and that the gentle cadence of normal family life has a powerful influence on the healing process."
Founded in 1982, the foundation developed the concept for the first pediatric retreat facilities in the country, Morrison said. Since then, the Believe In Tomorrow National Children's Foundation has provided more than 300,000 overnight accommodations to families.
The foundation offers six retreat facilities. All are near the Atlantic Ocean or in the mountains of Maryland and North Carolina.
Two houses opening this year, the Believe In Tomorrow House at Pinnacle Falls in North Carolina, and the Believe In Tomorrow House on the Bay in Maryland, are for use by military families exclusively as part of the foundation's military housing initiative, Morrison said.
"(The) retreat housing provides families with the opportunity to escape from the stressful routine of medical treatments," he said. "Families are encouraged to use our retreat facilities on an ongoing basis, free of charge, to renew themselves mentally and physically while spending quality time together."
The foundation's two major hospital housing facilities are located in Baltimore near the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. Both provide extended stay options for families.
"We believe that the highest standards of service and unparalleled hospitality help to create a unique healing environment where families find hope and comfort," he said.
Morrison said he hopes his foundation's recent affiliation with the Defense Department's America Supports You program will help spread the word about support services it offers to eligible military families. America Supports You connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Reservists Comparable to Active-Duty Soldiers, Enlisted Leader Says
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 8, 2008 - The Army Reserve has evolved into an operational force that is endowed with training, leadership and skills comparable to the active-duty component, the Army Reserve's senior enlisted soldier said. Command Sgt. Maj. Leon Caffie said he was impressed by the quality of reservists he met over the holidays in Afghanistan and Iraq, and during a massive re-enlistment ceremony in Iraq in which he participated during January.
"You can go to the theater, ... and you can't distinguish between the active-duty, National Guard or Army Reserve soldiers because that skill set and that quality is so much higher (than in the past)," he said.
Evidence of parity among Army components is an encouraging shift for Caffie, who joined the reserves after serving as an active soldier in Vietnam. The leisurely Army Reserve of yore, Caffie recalled, was a far cry from the active Army of his Vietnam service.
"I got shipped to 4th Infantry Division, which was a combat division, and I arrived via C-120," Caffie said, describing his active-duty Vietnam deployment in a Feb. 4 interview. "The first sergeant said, 'Here's your weapon; there's a rucksack down the flight pad for you.' So I went down there, sat on that flight pad, (and the) helicopter came in late that afternoon, picked me up, (and) took me to the jungle."
In contrast, Caffie's recollections of the Army Reserve he entered several years later elicits memories of a military component that was akin to a social club, replete with a party planning committee and annual training that felt like summer camp.
"I tell you, it was an eye-opening experience for a person coming off active duty and going into the reserve-component unit," Caffie told American Forces Press Service.
"Typically, you showed up for 7 o'clock formation, where they called roll. Everybody answered 'here' or 'present,'" he continued. "Then they scattered like quail."
Caffie dismissed this "legacy" Army Reserve -- with training that lasted one weekend a month in addition to two weeks of annual training -- as a strategic force that was irrelevant at best.
"You went to a military installation that you weren't really welcome at -- it was probably more intruding than anything -- and (active-duty soldiers) tolerate you for two weeks," Caffie said, describing annual reserve training that often depended on weapons and equipment cast off or borrowed from an active unit.
Quoting his boss, Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, Caffie said, "The only business that was taken care of during that two-week period was planning of the unit party on Thursday the day before you leave.
"Everybody had their directions; (we knew) who was buying beer, steaks, charcoal," he said. "After the party, everybody loaded the car and went back home -- another successful summer camp where you really didn't accomplish anything."
The turning point came in the early 1990s, when Army Reserve soldiers started being mobilized into operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Caffie said. The operations revealed an Army Reserve that was ill-equipped, poorly trained and insufficiently led.
"We had created this strategic force that was really not relevant at all. You had a bunch of numbers, but as far as training and capability, performance at that level wasn't expected," he said. "That changed drastically when the Army Reserve as a whole went from a strategic force to an operational force, and you have seen a significant change in how we do stuff as Army Reserve soldiers."
In a dramatic departure from the "summer camp" era, today's reservists have been deployed up to four times, Caffie said. Others have made significant personal sacrifices by deploying for a year at a time, he said.
"The combat experience of Army Reserve soldiers is phenomenal," he said. "Today's Army Reserve force is by far the best led, skilled and equipped Army Reserve I have ever been associated with."
Despite dramatic improvements to equipment and training, Caffie said the Army Reserve's greatest resource is the young people who "raised their hand and volunteer to serve."
But the pool of talented young men and women is in high demand in every industrial sector, Caffie conceded. The Army Reserve not only is vying for young talent alongside other military branches, but also competes with the private and public sectors, Caffie said. Making the pursuit more difficult are strict standards placed on potential recruits. According statistics by U.S. Army Recruiting Command, of 10 potential recruits in the 17-to-42-year-old demographic, only three qualify for service. A criminal record, obesity or other eliminators can preclude service.
While the reserves ostensibly are interested in the same limited resources as other branches, Caffie suggested the best-suited members of the Army Reserve possess an extra quality.
"I think what makes a suitable Army Reserve soldier is a young person who has some goals and objectives that go beyond being active-duty military. Whether they're going to work in an insurance company or work in their father's or mother's business, they've got some career goals other than going active duty," he said. "Those kids make a tremendous asset for being recruited for the Army Reserve, because they maintain the community connectivity."
In addition to holding community ties and bringing civilian-acquired skills to their military service, Caffie emphasized that Army Reserve soldiers have the same set of principles that permeates other services.
"I will put the young men and women of the U.S. Army Reserve up against any branch of the United States military," Caffie said, "in terms of their leadership, their professionalism and their continued service."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 8, 2008 - The Army Reserve has evolved into an operational force that is endowed with training, leadership and skills comparable to the active-duty component, the Army Reserve's senior enlisted soldier said. Command Sgt. Maj. Leon Caffie said he was impressed by the quality of reservists he met over the holidays in Afghanistan and Iraq, and during a massive re-enlistment ceremony in Iraq in which he participated during January.
"You can go to the theater, ... and you can't distinguish between the active-duty, National Guard or Army Reserve soldiers because that skill set and that quality is so much higher (than in the past)," he said.
Evidence of parity among Army components is an encouraging shift for Caffie, who joined the reserves after serving as an active soldier in Vietnam. The leisurely Army Reserve of yore, Caffie recalled, was a far cry from the active Army of his Vietnam service.
"I got shipped to 4th Infantry Division, which was a combat division, and I arrived via C-120," Caffie said, describing his active-duty Vietnam deployment in a Feb. 4 interview. "The first sergeant said, 'Here's your weapon; there's a rucksack down the flight pad for you.' So I went down there, sat on that flight pad, (and the) helicopter came in late that afternoon, picked me up, (and) took me to the jungle."
In contrast, Caffie's recollections of the Army Reserve he entered several years later elicits memories of a military component that was akin to a social club, replete with a party planning committee and annual training that felt like summer camp.
"I tell you, it was an eye-opening experience for a person coming off active duty and going into the reserve-component unit," Caffie told American Forces Press Service.
"Typically, you showed up for 7 o'clock formation, where they called roll. Everybody answered 'here' or 'present,'" he continued. "Then they scattered like quail."
Caffie dismissed this "legacy" Army Reserve -- with training that lasted one weekend a month in addition to two weeks of annual training -- as a strategic force that was irrelevant at best.
"You went to a military installation that you weren't really welcome at -- it was probably more intruding than anything -- and (active-duty soldiers) tolerate you for two weeks," Caffie said, describing annual reserve training that often depended on weapons and equipment cast off or borrowed from an active unit.
Quoting his boss, Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, Caffie said, "The only business that was taken care of during that two-week period was planning of the unit party on Thursday the day before you leave.
"Everybody had their directions; (we knew) who was buying beer, steaks, charcoal," he said. "After the party, everybody loaded the car and went back home -- another successful summer camp where you really didn't accomplish anything."
The turning point came in the early 1990s, when Army Reserve soldiers started being mobilized into operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Caffie said. The operations revealed an Army Reserve that was ill-equipped, poorly trained and insufficiently led.
"We had created this strategic force that was really not relevant at all. You had a bunch of numbers, but as far as training and capability, performance at that level wasn't expected," he said. "That changed drastically when the Army Reserve as a whole went from a strategic force to an operational force, and you have seen a significant change in how we do stuff as Army Reserve soldiers."
In a dramatic departure from the "summer camp" era, today's reservists have been deployed up to four times, Caffie said. Others have made significant personal sacrifices by deploying for a year at a time, he said.
"The combat experience of Army Reserve soldiers is phenomenal," he said. "Today's Army Reserve force is by far the best led, skilled and equipped Army Reserve I have ever been associated with."
Despite dramatic improvements to equipment and training, Caffie said the Army Reserve's greatest resource is the young people who "raised their hand and volunteer to serve."
But the pool of talented young men and women is in high demand in every industrial sector, Caffie conceded. The Army Reserve not only is vying for young talent alongside other military branches, but also competes with the private and public sectors, Caffie said. Making the pursuit more difficult are strict standards placed on potential recruits. According statistics by U.S. Army Recruiting Command, of 10 potential recruits in the 17-to-42-year-old demographic, only three qualify for service. A criminal record, obesity or other eliminators can preclude service.
While the reserves ostensibly are interested in the same limited resources as other branches, Caffie suggested the best-suited members of the Army Reserve possess an extra quality.
"I think what makes a suitable Army Reserve soldier is a young person who has some goals and objectives that go beyond being active-duty military. Whether they're going to work in an insurance company or work in their father's or mother's business, they've got some career goals other than going active duty," he said. "Those kids make a tremendous asset for being recruited for the Army Reserve, because they maintain the community connectivity."
In addition to holding community ties and bringing civilian-acquired skills to their military service, Caffie emphasized that Army Reserve soldiers have the same set of principles that permeates other services.
"I will put the young men and women of the U.S. Army Reserve up against any branch of the United States military," Caffie said, "in terms of their leadership, their professionalism and their continued service."
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Gates Discusses Missile Issues With Russian Official
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 9, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates discussed ballistic missile defense issues with Sergey B. Ivanov, Russia's deputy prime minister, here today. Both men took advantage of attending the 44th Munich Conference on Strategy Policy, to continue informal U.S.-Russian defense talks.
"We discussed a lot of serious issues," Ivanov said to reporters traveling with Gates. "We have a lot in common, particularly in non-proliferation, but also in the future arms reductions talks and, of course, missile defense talks. We will stay in contact."
Gates said to reporters later that no matter what the Russians say about missile defense in public, "I think there is still an interest in pursuing the dialogue, and we are doing that."
Gates said he takes advantage of every opportunity to explain the Russia the purpose of the missile defense system, and to assure the system is not a threat to Russia. He said the Russians seem to think that what he and Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of state, put in front of President Vladimir Putin last year was "diluted" in the written version.
"We've tried to make clear is that the only thing different was to state the obvious, that if there were to be any reciprocal arrangements involving a Russian presence that it would require the approval of the Polish and Czech governments," Gates said. "That kind of goes without saying; they are sovereign states."
During the same interview Gates said that it is the U.S. position that Croatia, Albania and Macedonia are ready to join the NATO alliance. U.S. view is the three are ready for membership. He said the United States in principle wants to further the transatlantic aspirations of Ukraine and Georgia.
"It's not secret that there are differences of view here in Europe on this subject," he said.
Finally, the secretary said that he will speak about training for NATO personnel assigned to Afghanistan. He said the NATO forces, especially the operations military liaison teams, or OMLTs, and provincial reconstruction teams, must be trained to the same high standards.
OMLTS – pronounced omelets – have between 16 and 19 teams. They are the trainers for the Afghan army and police.
"I think training to a high level is important especially the OMLTs because they are the ones who will train the Afghans, so we want to make sure everybody is up to the same standard," the secretary said.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 9, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates discussed ballistic missile defense issues with Sergey B. Ivanov, Russia's deputy prime minister, here today. Both men took advantage of attending the 44th Munich Conference on Strategy Policy, to continue informal U.S.-Russian defense talks.
"We discussed a lot of serious issues," Ivanov said to reporters traveling with Gates. "We have a lot in common, particularly in non-proliferation, but also in the future arms reductions talks and, of course, missile defense talks. We will stay in contact."
Gates said to reporters later that no matter what the Russians say about missile defense in public, "I think there is still an interest in pursuing the dialogue, and we are doing that."
Gates said he takes advantage of every opportunity to explain the Russia the purpose of the missile defense system, and to assure the system is not a threat to Russia. He said the Russians seem to think that what he and Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of state, put in front of President Vladimir Putin last year was "diluted" in the written version.
"We've tried to make clear is that the only thing different was to state the obvious, that if there were to be any reciprocal arrangements involving a Russian presence that it would require the approval of the Polish and Czech governments," Gates said. "That kind of goes without saying; they are sovereign states."
During the same interview Gates said that it is the U.S. position that Croatia, Albania and Macedonia are ready to join the NATO alliance. U.S. view is the three are ready for membership. He said the United States in principle wants to further the transatlantic aspirations of Ukraine and Georgia.
"It's not secret that there are differences of view here in Europe on this subject," he said.
Finally, the secretary said that he will speak about training for NATO personnel assigned to Afghanistan. He said the NATO forces, especially the operations military liaison teams, or OMLTs, and provincial reconstruction teams, must be trained to the same high standards.
OMLTS – pronounced omelets – have between 16 and 19 teams. They are the trainers for the Afghan army and police.
"I think training to a high level is important especially the OMLTs because they are the ones who will train the Afghans, so we want to make sure everybody is up to the same standard," the secretary said.
MILITARY CONTRACTS
ARMY
Combat Support Associates, Orange, Calif., was awarded on Feb. 7, 2008, a $31,369,682 cost-plus-award-fee contract for the execution of a contract modification to definitize, incorporate the terms, conditions and price negotiated and agreed to between personnel assigned to the Army Directorate of Contracting in Kuwait. Work will be performed at Capt Arifjan, Kuwait, and is expected to be completed by Sep. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four bids were solicited on Oct. 30, 1998, and four bids were received. The U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity DASA02-99-C-1234.
SUMMA Technology, Inc., Huntsville, Ala., was awarded on Feb. 6, 2008, a $27,760,040 five-year-firm-fixed price contract for the container roll in/out platform. Work will be performed in Cullman, Ala., and is expected to be completed by Jun. 30, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Dec. 21, 2005, and six bids were received. The U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity W56HZV-06-D-0269.
Combat Support Associates, Orange, Calif., was awarded on Feb. 7, 2008, a $6,104,098 cost-plus-award-fee contract for the execution of a contract modification to definitize, incorporate the terms, conditions and price negotiated and agreed to between personnel assigned to the Army Directorate of Contracting in Kuwait. Work will be performed at Capt Arifjan, Kuwait, and is expected to be completed by Sep. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four bids were solicited on Oct. 30, 1998, and four bids were received. The U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity DASA02-99-C-1234.
AIR FORCE
CSC Applied Technologies LLC of Forth Worth, Texas, is being awarded a contract for $29,583,353. This action provides for flight operations support and base operation support at Vance AFB, Okla., to include, but not limited to aircraft maintenance, airfield management, custodial, engineering, community services, and communication information technology services. At this time no funds have been obligated. AETC CONS/LGCK, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-08-C-0007).
Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems of Marietta, Georgia, is being awarded a contract modification for $18,038,169. This action will exercise period three options to purchase the following: technical and engineering data one lot; logistics support data one lot; reliability and maintainability program one lot; FSR monthly recurring-two personnel two each; GMSA monthly recurring one personnel. At this time $4,446,724 has been obligated. USAF/AFMC Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8625-06-C-6456).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Wellstone Apparel, LLC, Greenville, S.C., is being awarded a maximum $28,276,560 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for Army combat uniform coats. Other locations of performance are Alabama and Mississippi. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0420).
Tullahoma Industries, LLC, Tullahoma, Tenn., is being awarded a maximum $23,441,820 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for Army combat uniform coats. Other locations of performance are Alabama and Tennessee. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0427).
Fox Apparel, Asheboro, N.C.., is being awarded a maximum $22,804,560 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for Army combat uniform coats. Other locations of performance are in N. C. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0421).
AmeriQual Group, LLC, Evansville, Ind., is being awarded a maximum $20,543,600 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for Meals Ready-to-Eat. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Federal Civilian Agencies. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2008. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa.
(SPM3S1-06-D-Z103).
Sopakco Inc., Mullins S.C., is being awarded a maximum $20,474,600 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for Meals Ready-to-Eat. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2008. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z104).
Bethel Industries, Inc., Jersey City, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $16,074,000 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for Army combat uniform coats. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0418).
Bremen-Bowdon Investment Co., Inc., Bowdon, Ga.,* is being awarded a maximum $15,960,000 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for Army combat uniform coats. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0419).
The Warnick Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, is being awarded a maximum $10,195,900 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for Meals Ready-to-Eat. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2008. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z105).
Sidran, Inc., Farmers Branch, Texas, is being awarded a maximum $7,854,600 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for Army combat uniform coats. Other locations of performance are in Texas. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM200-05-D-0422).
Allegheny Petroleum Products Co., Wilmerding, Pa., is being awarded a maximum $6,071,372.64 indefinite quantity contract for oil products. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. This proposal was originally solicited with 6 responses. This contract represents a base with two one-year option periods. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of
performance completion is Feb. 7, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va. (SPM4A6-08-D-0115).
Chevron Product Co., Cumming, Ga., is being awarded a maximum $5,760,950 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for oil products. Other locations of performance are Oregon, and South Carolina. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. There were originally 161 proposals solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Apr.30, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va. (Sp0600-08-D-0753).
NAVY
General Dynamics, Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn., is being awarded a $25,375,000 firm-fixed-price delivery order under the previously awarded multiple award indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (MAC) (N00024-04-D-4408) for the preparation and accomplishment of the FY08 docking selected restricted availability of USS San Juan (SSN 751) at the Naval Submarine Base, New London, Conn. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $28,692,750. Work will be performed in New London, Conn., and work is expected to be completed by May 2008. Contract funds in the amount of $25,375,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C. is the contracting activity.
Fluke Electronics Corp., Everett, Wash., is being awarded a $10,975,940 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of up to 475 Fluke 5700EP calibrators. Work will be performed in Everett, Wash., and work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-08-D-0011).
Combat Support Associates, Orange, Calif., was awarded on Feb. 7, 2008, a $31,369,682 cost-plus-award-fee contract for the execution of a contract modification to definitize, incorporate the terms, conditions and price negotiated and agreed to between personnel assigned to the Army Directorate of Contracting in Kuwait. Work will be performed at Capt Arifjan, Kuwait, and is expected to be completed by Sep. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four bids were solicited on Oct. 30, 1998, and four bids were received. The U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity DASA02-99-C-1234.
SUMMA Technology, Inc., Huntsville, Ala., was awarded on Feb. 6, 2008, a $27,760,040 five-year-firm-fixed price contract for the container roll in/out platform. Work will be performed in Cullman, Ala., and is expected to be completed by Jun. 30, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Dec. 21, 2005, and six bids were received. The U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity W56HZV-06-D-0269.
Combat Support Associates, Orange, Calif., was awarded on Feb. 7, 2008, a $6,104,098 cost-plus-award-fee contract for the execution of a contract modification to definitize, incorporate the terms, conditions and price negotiated and agreed to between personnel assigned to the Army Directorate of Contracting in Kuwait. Work will be performed at Capt Arifjan, Kuwait, and is expected to be completed by Sep. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four bids were solicited on Oct. 30, 1998, and four bids were received. The U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity DASA02-99-C-1234.
AIR FORCE
CSC Applied Technologies LLC of Forth Worth, Texas, is being awarded a contract for $29,583,353. This action provides for flight operations support and base operation support at Vance AFB, Okla., to include, but not limited to aircraft maintenance, airfield management, custodial, engineering, community services, and communication information technology services. At this time no funds have been obligated. AETC CONS/LGCK, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-08-C-0007).
Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems of Marietta, Georgia, is being awarded a contract modification for $18,038,169. This action will exercise period three options to purchase the following: technical and engineering data one lot; logistics support data one lot; reliability and maintainability program one lot; FSR monthly recurring-two personnel two each; GMSA monthly recurring one personnel. At this time $4,446,724 has been obligated. USAF/AFMC Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8625-06-C-6456).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Wellstone Apparel, LLC, Greenville, S.C., is being awarded a maximum $28,276,560 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for Army combat uniform coats. Other locations of performance are Alabama and Mississippi. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0420).
Tullahoma Industries, LLC, Tullahoma, Tenn., is being awarded a maximum $23,441,820 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for Army combat uniform coats. Other locations of performance are Alabama and Tennessee. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0427).
Fox Apparel, Asheboro, N.C.., is being awarded a maximum $22,804,560 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for Army combat uniform coats. Other locations of performance are in N. C. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0421).
AmeriQual Group, LLC, Evansville, Ind., is being awarded a maximum $20,543,600 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for Meals Ready-to-Eat. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Federal Civilian Agencies. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2008. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa.
(SPM3S1-06-D-Z103).
Sopakco Inc., Mullins S.C., is being awarded a maximum $20,474,600 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for Meals Ready-to-Eat. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2008. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z104).
Bethel Industries, Inc., Jersey City, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $16,074,000 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for Army combat uniform coats. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0418).
Bremen-Bowdon Investment Co., Inc., Bowdon, Ga.,* is being awarded a maximum $15,960,000 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for Army combat uniform coats. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM100-05-D-0419).
The Warnick Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, is being awarded a maximum $10,195,900 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for Meals Ready-to-Eat. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Dec. 31, 2008. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z105).
Sidran, Inc., Farmers Branch, Texas, is being awarded a maximum $7,854,600 firm fixed price, partial set aside contract for Army combat uniform coats. Other locations of performance are in Texas. Using service is Army. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Feb. 8, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM200-05-D-0422).
Allegheny Petroleum Products Co., Wilmerding, Pa., is being awarded a maximum $6,071,372.64 indefinite quantity contract for oil products. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. This proposal was originally solicited with 6 responses. This contract represents a base with two one-year option periods. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of
performance completion is Feb. 7, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va. (SPM4A6-08-D-0115).
Chevron Product Co., Cumming, Ga., is being awarded a maximum $5,760,950 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for oil products. Other locations of performance are Oregon, and South Carolina. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. There were originally 161 proposals solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Date of performance completion is Apr.30, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va. (Sp0600-08-D-0753).
NAVY
General Dynamics, Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn., is being awarded a $25,375,000 firm-fixed-price delivery order under the previously awarded multiple award indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (MAC) (N00024-04-D-4408) for the preparation and accomplishment of the FY08 docking selected restricted availability of USS San Juan (SSN 751) at the Naval Submarine Base, New London, Conn. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $28,692,750. Work will be performed in New London, Conn., and work is expected to be completed by May 2008. Contract funds in the amount of $25,375,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C. is the contracting activity.
Fluke Electronics Corp., Everett, Wash., is being awarded a $10,975,940 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of up to 475 Fluke 5700EP calibrators. Work will be performed in Everett, Wash., and work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-08-D-0011).
Why We Serve: Small-Town Marine Broadens Horizons in Iraq
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 8, 2008 - With the aid of an unmanned aerial vehicle -- what she refers to as "a little bird with a video camera" -- Marine Sgt. LaDilvia S. Gregg used her eyes to safeguard troops on the ground. As an imagery analyst in Iraq in 2005, Gregg often spent 12-hour days scouring before-and-after photos while looking for changes to the landscape. These subtle "disturbances" are sometimes the only evidence that an improvised explosive device, the deadly roadside bomb responsible for the most U.S. deaths and injuries in Iraq, is buried underground.
Gregg, a modest Marine whose efforts to sniff out IEDs likely saved U.S. troops' lives and limbs, is one of 10 servicemembers selected to tell the military's story to the American public. As a member of the Defense Department's "Why We Serve" outreach program, Gregg shares her tale of service at community and business events, veterans' organizations and other gatherings.
From a Marine base in Taqaddum, Gregg issued advice to ground forces in Iraq based on aesthetic details imperceptible to untrained eyes. Gregg said that about half the time her analyses proved nothing more than red herrings: landscapes seemingly altered by insurgent handiwork actually were changed by natural forces -- a breeze that scattered dirt, a road surface muddied by a rain shower.
"Sometimes you feel like you're wasting a unit's time because they don't find anything," she said. "It is hard to tell whether it was an old IED hole, a new IED hole, or if it's nothing at all.
"But sometimes," she continued, "it could be an IED troops dug up before, and insurgents put another one in the hole."
With 50-percent accuracy, Gregg protected ground forces from deadly buried homemade bombs from a bird's-eye view. In addition, Gregg and her team, using images taken near Iraq's border with Syria, helped troops interdict rogue trucks smuggling tons of stolen oil.
"That was another big success we had," she recalled. "We saved the Iraqis a lot of money."
Like many other servicemembers, Gregg's desire to enlist was born of a hope to gain worldly experience -- and practical training -- she couldn't receive in her small hometown. After graduating from high school, the Florence, S.C., native worked in a local bowling alley. Gregg said she moved beyond her hometown, but that she wasn't yet prepared for college.
Having settled on enlisting, but unsure of which branch she'd enter, Gregg met with recruiters from each service before making her decision. The Marine Corps captured her attention, she said, because people regaled her with stories about the difficulty of the Corps and the level of commitment it demanded from Marines.
The prospect of becoming a member of what she considered the most challenging branch motivated Gregg instead of intimidating her. "That's why I did it. It was the most challenging service," she recalled. "I was going to join the Army, but I went with the Marines. If you tell me I can't do something, I'm going to do it just to show you that I can."
In August 2001, Gregg began her service 160 miles from home at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, S.C. A month later, the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks shook the nation and set in motion events that ensured Gregg would see unfamiliar parts of the world.
During her first tour in Taqaddum, Gregg provided troops a set of eyes in the sky; in her second deployment, however, Gregg served fellow Marines on a more gut level. As the "chow NCO," or the noncommissioned officer in charge of dining facilities, Gregg worked nonstop from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., seven days a week. She moved 700 pounds of food throughout "chow halls each day. To ensure the health of her Marine comrades, Gregg was responsible for enforcing strict regulations for food quality.
In the meantime during deployments, the ambitious Marine dedicated a daily three hours to studying schoolwork through the American Military School, through which she hopes to earn an associate's degree in accounting. In addition, Gregg wants a bachelor's degree in intelligence, perhaps parlaying her education into a career at the Defense Intelligence Agency. "Maybe I'll be coming back to the Pentagon," she said.
But before transitioning into the civilian sector -- which the Marine says she's in no rush to do -- Gregg will embark on her third deployment to Taqaddum in April.
"I love going on deployments. People think it's bad being away from your family, but you're with your unit so much that it becomes your family," she said. "It's like being with your sisters and brothers; it's like a big sleepover in the girls' barracks, staying up all night talking. It's like having a home away from home."
If not for the Marines, Gregg said, she likely would have given in to the complacency of easy life in her hometown.
"I would probably still be sitting at home working at the same bowling alley I was at before I left," she said. "The Marine Corps gave me initiative to challenge myself. I don't think I would have challenged myself as much as a civilian."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 8, 2008 - With the aid of an unmanned aerial vehicle -- what she refers to as "a little bird with a video camera" -- Marine Sgt. LaDilvia S. Gregg used her eyes to safeguard troops on the ground. As an imagery analyst in Iraq in 2005, Gregg often spent 12-hour days scouring before-and-after photos while looking for changes to the landscape. These subtle "disturbances" are sometimes the only evidence that an improvised explosive device, the deadly roadside bomb responsible for the most U.S. deaths and injuries in Iraq, is buried underground.
Gregg, a modest Marine whose efforts to sniff out IEDs likely saved U.S. troops' lives and limbs, is one of 10 servicemembers selected to tell the military's story to the American public. As a member of the Defense Department's "Why We Serve" outreach program, Gregg shares her tale of service at community and business events, veterans' organizations and other gatherings.
From a Marine base in Taqaddum, Gregg issued advice to ground forces in Iraq based on aesthetic details imperceptible to untrained eyes. Gregg said that about half the time her analyses proved nothing more than red herrings: landscapes seemingly altered by insurgent handiwork actually were changed by natural forces -- a breeze that scattered dirt, a road surface muddied by a rain shower.
"Sometimes you feel like you're wasting a unit's time because they don't find anything," she said. "It is hard to tell whether it was an old IED hole, a new IED hole, or if it's nothing at all.
"But sometimes," she continued, "it could be an IED troops dug up before, and insurgents put another one in the hole."
With 50-percent accuracy, Gregg protected ground forces from deadly buried homemade bombs from a bird's-eye view. In addition, Gregg and her team, using images taken near Iraq's border with Syria, helped troops interdict rogue trucks smuggling tons of stolen oil.
"That was another big success we had," she recalled. "We saved the Iraqis a lot of money."
Like many other servicemembers, Gregg's desire to enlist was born of a hope to gain worldly experience -- and practical training -- she couldn't receive in her small hometown. After graduating from high school, the Florence, S.C., native worked in a local bowling alley. Gregg said she moved beyond her hometown, but that she wasn't yet prepared for college.
Having settled on enlisting, but unsure of which branch she'd enter, Gregg met with recruiters from each service before making her decision. The Marine Corps captured her attention, she said, because people regaled her with stories about the difficulty of the Corps and the level of commitment it demanded from Marines.
The prospect of becoming a member of what she considered the most challenging branch motivated Gregg instead of intimidating her. "That's why I did it. It was the most challenging service," she recalled. "I was going to join the Army, but I went with the Marines. If you tell me I can't do something, I'm going to do it just to show you that I can."
In August 2001, Gregg began her service 160 miles from home at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, S.C. A month later, the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks shook the nation and set in motion events that ensured Gregg would see unfamiliar parts of the world.
During her first tour in Taqaddum, Gregg provided troops a set of eyes in the sky; in her second deployment, however, Gregg served fellow Marines on a more gut level. As the "chow NCO," or the noncommissioned officer in charge of dining facilities, Gregg worked nonstop from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., seven days a week. She moved 700 pounds of food throughout "chow halls each day. To ensure the health of her Marine comrades, Gregg was responsible for enforcing strict regulations for food quality.
In the meantime during deployments, the ambitious Marine dedicated a daily three hours to studying schoolwork through the American Military School, through which she hopes to earn an associate's degree in accounting. In addition, Gregg wants a bachelor's degree in intelligence, perhaps parlaying her education into a career at the Defense Intelligence Agency. "Maybe I'll be coming back to the Pentagon," she said.
But before transitioning into the civilian sector -- which the Marine says she's in no rush to do -- Gregg will embark on her third deployment to Taqaddum in April.
"I love going on deployments. People think it's bad being away from your family, but you're with your unit so much that it becomes your family," she said. "It's like being with your sisters and brothers; it's like a big sleepover in the girls' barracks, staying up all night talking. It's like having a home away from home."
If not for the Marines, Gregg said, she likely would have given in to the complacency of easy life in her hometown.
"I would probably still be sitting at home working at the same bowling alley I was at before I left," she said. "The Marine Corps gave me initiative to challenge myself. I don't think I would have challenged myself as much as a civilian."
NATO Leader Expresses Cautious Optimism About Afghanistan
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 8, 2008 - NATO's secretary general said today he is "cautiously optimistic" on the reconstruction and development fronts in Afghanistan. "When it comes to access to health care, infant mortality rates, education, women's rights (and) economic growth, things are getting steadily better for the Afghan people," Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said during a news conference at the alliance's defense ministerial conference here, which Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is attending.
De Hoop Scheffer said this morning's meeting, which included discussion of non-NATO nations supplying troops to the alliance's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, went very well.
"All in all, I heard a unified national community, a determination to improve coordination between us in support of the priorities of the Afghan government, and a clear commitment that we are in this for the long haul," he said. "The Afghan people should not have shimmer of doubt about that."
The ministers stressed the importance of naming what de Hoop Scheffer called "a weighty" individual to head up the United Nations mission in Afghanistan. The individual would work to coordinate international and nongovernmental aid with the needs of the Afghan government. The secretary general specified the individual chosen would work with the Afghan government, and would not in any way supercede or compromise Afghan sovereignty.
Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak attended the morning meeting.
"I think Defense Minister Wardak heard commitments by his ISAF colleagues to step up efforts to train and equip the Afghan security forces," de Hoop Scheffer said. "We know this is the future for Afghanistan. This is why nations must and will provide more training teams to support the Afghan National Army."
NATO efforts in Afghanistan are only part of the story, the secretary general noted.
"Let me stress again this must be a comprehensive effort. This is a NATO effort, but NATO is only in the lead in security," he said. "The United Nations, the European Union, the World Bank, the donors and first and foremost the Afghans themselves must take their full responsibilities -- with NATO support -- wherever we can."
The defense ministers also discussed a number of other NATO issues, including NATO policy on cyber defense, de Hoop Scheffer said. A reporter asked if NATO would invoke Article 5 of the treaty if a country came under cyber attack. Article 5 is the heart of the alliance that holds an attack on one nation is an attack on all.
"(Cyber defense) was discussed, not in relationship, by the way, with Article 5. Article 5 was not mentioned," he said.
Cyber defense is a national responsibility, "but here again, NATO can offer first of all consultations; that is what NATO is for in the case of serious cyber attacks," de Hoop Scheffer said. NATO has expertise to lend to nations under computer assault, including mobile teams that the alliance used to help Estonia when it came under attack last year.
The ministers also discussed ballistic missile defense with an eye on the ongoing discussions between the United States and the Czech Republic and Poland. There is a technical level to the discussions in NATO to determine what NATO's responsibility would be for a site in Europe, the secretary general said.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 8, 2008 - NATO's secretary general said today he is "cautiously optimistic" on the reconstruction and development fronts in Afghanistan. "When it comes to access to health care, infant mortality rates, education, women's rights (and) economic growth, things are getting steadily better for the Afghan people," Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said during a news conference at the alliance's defense ministerial conference here, which Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is attending.
De Hoop Scheffer said this morning's meeting, which included discussion of non-NATO nations supplying troops to the alliance's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, went very well.
"All in all, I heard a unified national community, a determination to improve coordination between us in support of the priorities of the Afghan government, and a clear commitment that we are in this for the long haul," he said. "The Afghan people should not have shimmer of doubt about that."
The ministers stressed the importance of naming what de Hoop Scheffer called "a weighty" individual to head up the United Nations mission in Afghanistan. The individual would work to coordinate international and nongovernmental aid with the needs of the Afghan government. The secretary general specified the individual chosen would work with the Afghan government, and would not in any way supercede or compromise Afghan sovereignty.
Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak attended the morning meeting.
"I think Defense Minister Wardak heard commitments by his ISAF colleagues to step up efforts to train and equip the Afghan security forces," de Hoop Scheffer said. "We know this is the future for Afghanistan. This is why nations must and will provide more training teams to support the Afghan National Army."
NATO efforts in Afghanistan are only part of the story, the secretary general noted.
"Let me stress again this must be a comprehensive effort. This is a NATO effort, but NATO is only in the lead in security," he said. "The United Nations, the European Union, the World Bank, the donors and first and foremost the Afghans themselves must take their full responsibilities -- with NATO support -- wherever we can."
The defense ministers also discussed a number of other NATO issues, including NATO policy on cyber defense, de Hoop Scheffer said. A reporter asked if NATO would invoke Article 5 of the treaty if a country came under cyber attack. Article 5 is the heart of the alliance that holds an attack on one nation is an attack on all.
"(Cyber defense) was discussed, not in relationship, by the way, with Article 5. Article 5 was not mentioned," he said.
Cyber defense is a national responsibility, "but here again, NATO can offer first of all consultations; that is what NATO is for in the case of serious cyber attacks," de Hoop Scheffer said. NATO has expertise to lend to nations under computer assault, including mobile teams that the alliance used to help Estonia when it came under attack last year.
The ministers also discussed ballistic missile defense with an eye on the ongoing discussions between the United States and the Czech Republic and Poland. There is a technical level to the discussions in NATO to determine what NATO's responsibility would be for a site in Europe, the secretary general said.
Guard Units Respond to Tornadoes, Snowstorms
By Tech. Sgt. Mike R. Smith, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 8, 2008 - Nearly 300 members of the National Guard responded to call-ups from governors in seven states over the last week after tornadoes hit the South and snowstorms blanketed the West. National Guard units responded in Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee after an unseasonable string of winter thunderstorms and tornadoes charged through communities Feb. 5 and left large swaths of destruction, death and injuries.
In Kentucky, up to 139 guardsmen with 32 humvees, two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, a heavy equipment wrecker, a fuel tanker and a bus deployed to tornado damaged areas.
The Kentucky Guard provided emergency power for the Muhenberg Water Company and operated a mobile command post in Muhenberg County. Soldiers of the 307th Maintenance Company supported state and local law enforcement agencies at traffic control points.
In Arkansas, Army National Guard soldiers aided victims of a devastating tornado that touched down in Atkins. Arkansas National Guard troops from the 142nd Fires Brigade were called out late Feb. 5, and reported to disaster sites in the early hours of Feb. 6.
The soldiers provided a 5,000-gallon water truck to Clinton and two 500-gallon water trailers and a generator to the Town of Mountain View. Guard aviation assets provided aerial reconnaissance for Gov. Mike Beebe and the state's Department of Emergency Management. Twenty-eight guardsmen performed search and rescue missions in Atkins on Wednesday and aided with cleanup missions, through Friday.
The Tennessee National Guard operated five UH-60s in aerial assessment missions. In addition, 24 guardsmen supported civilian emergency response agencies with debris removal. Many are currently operating from a support base and civilian shelter at the Lafayette Armory.
Additional Tennessee guardsmen are planning to supply emergency power for the Red Boiling Springs Water System and a hospital in Hartsville. Up to 150 guardsmen are also planning to support debris removal operations in Macon, Trousdale and Sumner counties.
In the West, where heavy snowfalls stranded residents and motorists, National Guard units in Wisconsin, Oregon, New Mexico and Idaho were slowing or halting their operations Friday after several days of emergency response missions.
After the winter storms stranded an estimated 800 motorists on a 19-mile stretch of Interstate-90 in Wisconsin, 68 Wisconsin National Guard soldiers and airmen deployed and conducted health and wellness checks and delivered about 5,000 bottles of water and about 350 packaged meals to stranded victims. The Guard also flew aerial surveillance missions for emergency response personnel.
Thirty-four members of the Oregon National Guard cleared snow away from roadways and utilities. Soldiers were operating two Army Guard mine detectors to locate fire hydrants, water covers and pipes.
New Mexico National Guardsmen provided assistance to the town of Chama after Gov. Bill Richardson declared a state of emergency for Rio Arriba County. Twenty-seven Soldiers were assisting local residents with snow removal.
In Idaho, 63 Guardsmen deployed Feb. 2 to remove snow from the roofs of nine schools in the northern part of the state after four feet of snow crippled school systems in three counties.
(Tech Sgt. Mike R. Smith is assigned to the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 8, 2008 - Nearly 300 members of the National Guard responded to call-ups from governors in seven states over the last week after tornadoes hit the South and snowstorms blanketed the West. National Guard units responded in Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee after an unseasonable string of winter thunderstorms and tornadoes charged through communities Feb. 5 and left large swaths of destruction, death and injuries.
In Kentucky, up to 139 guardsmen with 32 humvees, two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, a heavy equipment wrecker, a fuel tanker and a bus deployed to tornado damaged areas.
The Kentucky Guard provided emergency power for the Muhenberg Water Company and operated a mobile command post in Muhenberg County. Soldiers of the 307th Maintenance Company supported state and local law enforcement agencies at traffic control points.
In Arkansas, Army National Guard soldiers aided victims of a devastating tornado that touched down in Atkins. Arkansas National Guard troops from the 142nd Fires Brigade were called out late Feb. 5, and reported to disaster sites in the early hours of Feb. 6.
The soldiers provided a 5,000-gallon water truck to Clinton and two 500-gallon water trailers and a generator to the Town of Mountain View. Guard aviation assets provided aerial reconnaissance for Gov. Mike Beebe and the state's Department of Emergency Management. Twenty-eight guardsmen performed search and rescue missions in Atkins on Wednesday and aided with cleanup missions, through Friday.
The Tennessee National Guard operated five UH-60s in aerial assessment missions. In addition, 24 guardsmen supported civilian emergency response agencies with debris removal. Many are currently operating from a support base and civilian shelter at the Lafayette Armory.
Additional Tennessee guardsmen are planning to supply emergency power for the Red Boiling Springs Water System and a hospital in Hartsville. Up to 150 guardsmen are also planning to support debris removal operations in Macon, Trousdale and Sumner counties.
In the West, where heavy snowfalls stranded residents and motorists, National Guard units in Wisconsin, Oregon, New Mexico and Idaho were slowing or halting their operations Friday after several days of emergency response missions.
After the winter storms stranded an estimated 800 motorists on a 19-mile stretch of Interstate-90 in Wisconsin, 68 Wisconsin National Guard soldiers and airmen deployed and conducted health and wellness checks and delivered about 5,000 bottles of water and about 350 packaged meals to stranded victims. The Guard also flew aerial surveillance missions for emergency response personnel.
Thirty-four members of the Oregon National Guard cleared snow away from roadways and utilities. Soldiers were operating two Army Guard mine detectors to locate fire hydrants, water covers and pipes.
New Mexico National Guardsmen provided assistance to the town of Chama after Gov. Bill Richardson declared a state of emergency for Rio Arriba County. Twenty-seven Soldiers were assisting local residents with snow removal.
In Idaho, 63 Guardsmen deployed Feb. 2 to remove snow from the roofs of nine schools in the northern part of the state after four feet of snow crippled school systems in three counties.
(Tech Sgt. Mike R. Smith is assigned to the National Guard Bureau.)
Face of Defense: Soldier Returns to Service After Two-Decade Break
By Pfc. April Campbell, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service
Iraq, Feb. 7, 2008 - In a room lit only by sunlight streaming in, a soldier bites through the plastic wrapper of a package of pencils. With children waiting excitedly in the adjoining rooms, there is not time to waste pulling out a knife. The morning's mission, delivering presents to village school children in Bayrk, Iraq, was a far cry from Army Sgt. Jeff Wilkerson's previous two jobs as a beverage distribution operations manager and a hotel valet supervisor.
Wilkerson, 43, who spent almost four years in the Army during the 1980s, said he was happy to return to being a soldier -- a job and life he loves.
After separating from the Army in 1986, Wilkerson, a Las Vegas native who serves as an M1-A2 Abrams tank gunner for Multinational Division Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Platoon, Company D, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, said he missed being in the military, and that during his break in service he carried on the values of discipline and upholding standards that he had learned during his first enlistment.
"I regretted getting out every day," he said. "When I was in the civilian world, people told me I acted like I was in the military."
Wilkerson decided to re-enlist after the Army raised its maximum enlistment age to 42.
"I've got a 21-year-old son, and there are kids (serving) who are younger than him," he said. "I'm still in shape and capable of doing a good job. Maybe my service will mean that another young guy his age will be able to return to his family."
Before being transferred to his current platoon, Wilkerson was assigned to the company's 3rd Platoon. Upon learning Wilkerson would be joining the unit in January 2007, 1st Lt. Matthew Vigeant, a Nashua, N.H., native who serves as 3rd Platoon leader, was a bit nervous about having an older soldier coming on board.
"I'm really big about doing (physical fitness training)," Vigeant said, "and I wasn't sure a brand-new 43-year-old soldier would be able to keep up."
It was not long, however, before Wilkerson, who can outrun many in his platoon, put Vigeant's worries to rest.
When a soldier known as "Old Man" in the platoon puts a lot of effort into keeping fit, Wilkerson said, younger soldiers are encouraged to keep up and excel in their physical fitness. "I hope I'm giving the young kids motivation to better themselves," he added.
The sergeant's leaders recognize his work ethic and positive attitude.
"Wilkerson is the best soldier I've ever worked with," Vigeant said. "His impact on the other guys has been huge, by both talking to them one on one and setting an example."
Getting to know and become friends with fellow soldiers is a big part of Army life, Wilkerson said, adding that adjusting to more distant work relationships during his years in the civilian world was difficult at times. He said he was pleased to see that being in the military again has provided him with the camaraderie he missed after he left the service more than 20 years ago.
"The friendship of fellow soldiers did not change (while I was a civilian)," he added.
One soldier Wilkerson has befriended is Spc. Derek Massy, a Paso Robles, Calif., native, who serves as an M1-A2 Abrams tank leader with the company's 2nd Platoon. The two met at the Warrior Transition Course in Santa Fe, N.M., which is set up for soldiers who are returning to the Army after having separated from the service.
While the two soldiers do not work in the same operational area here, they live in the same barracks warehouse and find time after daily missions to catch up. The two joke about the age difference between them and the other soldiers.
"We'll tease each other about being older, saying things like 'How's your hip?' or 'Where's the wheelchair you came here in?'" Massy said.
Wilkerson also enjoys the work he is doing in Fahama, a rural region in the Istaqlal district of Baghdad, during his deployment.
"My favorite part of the job is getting on the ground and interacting with the people, especially the kids," he said. "I'm always handing out candy. I like to see the smiles on their faces."
One child in the village of Jalatah, even recognizes Wilkerson and comes over to say hello to him when the unit stops there, he added.
In the long run, Wilkerson said, he plans to serve his country until retirement. He hopes to earn the rank of sergeant first class, if not higher, before that time comes.
"As long as the Army allows me to stay in," he said, "I want to stay."
Meanwhile, back in the Bayrk schoolhouse, smiling children swarm around Wilkerson and his fellow soldiers as they pass out school supplies and stuffed animals they brought with them. The "Old Man" returns the children's smiles with one of his own.
(Army Pfc. April Campbell serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Iraq, Feb. 7, 2008 - In a room lit only by sunlight streaming in, a soldier bites through the plastic wrapper of a package of pencils. With children waiting excitedly in the adjoining rooms, there is not time to waste pulling out a knife. The morning's mission, delivering presents to village school children in Bayrk, Iraq, was a far cry from Army Sgt. Jeff Wilkerson's previous two jobs as a beverage distribution operations manager and a hotel valet supervisor.
Wilkerson, 43, who spent almost four years in the Army during the 1980s, said he was happy to return to being a soldier -- a job and life he loves.
After separating from the Army in 1986, Wilkerson, a Las Vegas native who serves as an M1-A2 Abrams tank gunner for Multinational Division Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Platoon, Company D, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, said he missed being in the military, and that during his break in service he carried on the values of discipline and upholding standards that he had learned during his first enlistment.
"I regretted getting out every day," he said. "When I was in the civilian world, people told me I acted like I was in the military."
Wilkerson decided to re-enlist after the Army raised its maximum enlistment age to 42.
"I've got a 21-year-old son, and there are kids (serving) who are younger than him," he said. "I'm still in shape and capable of doing a good job. Maybe my service will mean that another young guy his age will be able to return to his family."
Before being transferred to his current platoon, Wilkerson was assigned to the company's 3rd Platoon. Upon learning Wilkerson would be joining the unit in January 2007, 1st Lt. Matthew Vigeant, a Nashua, N.H., native who serves as 3rd Platoon leader, was a bit nervous about having an older soldier coming on board.
"I'm really big about doing (physical fitness training)," Vigeant said, "and I wasn't sure a brand-new 43-year-old soldier would be able to keep up."
It was not long, however, before Wilkerson, who can outrun many in his platoon, put Vigeant's worries to rest.
When a soldier known as "Old Man" in the platoon puts a lot of effort into keeping fit, Wilkerson said, younger soldiers are encouraged to keep up and excel in their physical fitness. "I hope I'm giving the young kids motivation to better themselves," he added.
The sergeant's leaders recognize his work ethic and positive attitude.
"Wilkerson is the best soldier I've ever worked with," Vigeant said. "His impact on the other guys has been huge, by both talking to them one on one and setting an example."
Getting to know and become friends with fellow soldiers is a big part of Army life, Wilkerson said, adding that adjusting to more distant work relationships during his years in the civilian world was difficult at times. He said he was pleased to see that being in the military again has provided him with the camaraderie he missed after he left the service more than 20 years ago.
"The friendship of fellow soldiers did not change (while I was a civilian)," he added.
One soldier Wilkerson has befriended is Spc. Derek Massy, a Paso Robles, Calif., native, who serves as an M1-A2 Abrams tank leader with the company's 2nd Platoon. The two met at the Warrior Transition Course in Santa Fe, N.M., which is set up for soldiers who are returning to the Army after having separated from the service.
While the two soldiers do not work in the same operational area here, they live in the same barracks warehouse and find time after daily missions to catch up. The two joke about the age difference between them and the other soldiers.
"We'll tease each other about being older, saying things like 'How's your hip?' or 'Where's the wheelchair you came here in?'" Massy said.
Wilkerson also enjoys the work he is doing in Fahama, a rural region in the Istaqlal district of Baghdad, during his deployment.
"My favorite part of the job is getting on the ground and interacting with the people, especially the kids," he said. "I'm always handing out candy. I like to see the smiles on their faces."
One child in the village of Jalatah, even recognizes Wilkerson and comes over to say hello to him when the unit stops there, he added.
In the long run, Wilkerson said, he plans to serve his country until retirement. He hopes to earn the rank of sergeant first class, if not higher, before that time comes.
"As long as the Army allows me to stay in," he said, "I want to stay."
Meanwhile, back in the Bayrk schoolhouse, smiling children swarm around Wilkerson and his fellow soldiers as they pass out school supplies and stuffed animals they brought with them. The "Old Man" returns the children's smiles with one of his own.
(Army Pfc. April Campbell serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team.)
Police Corruption
Editor's Note: The guest is a former servicemember.
February 8, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) The February 13, 2008 program of Conversations with Cops at the Watering Hole focuses on Police Corruption with special guest Lieutenant Stephen Beeler, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (ret.).
Program Date: February 13, 2008
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Police Corruption
Guests: Lieutenant Stephen Beeler
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement
About the Guest
In 1962, Stephen Beeler joined the United States Army, serving in Germany. After his discharge in 1965, he joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. During his law enforcement career he served in patrol, administration, court services, community relations, press liaison and hostage negotiations. In 1986, he retired because of a duty-related injury. From 1987 to 1995, he was the business manager for the Arizona Department of Corrections in Winslow. Stephen Beeler has a Masters Degree from Pepperdine University at Malibu and a Masters Certificate from Loyola University, Los Angeles. Stephen Beeler is the author of The Firestone Syndrome.
About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.
About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.
Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
February 8, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) The February 13, 2008 program of Conversations with Cops at the Watering Hole focuses on Police Corruption with special guest Lieutenant Stephen Beeler, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (ret.).
Program Date: February 13, 2008
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Police Corruption
Guests: Lieutenant Stephen Beeler
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement
About the Guest
In 1962, Stephen Beeler joined the United States Army, serving in Germany. After his discharge in 1965, he joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. During his law enforcement career he served in patrol, administration, court services, community relations, press liaison and hostage negotiations. In 1986, he retired because of a duty-related injury. From 1987 to 1995, he was the business manager for the Arizona Department of Corrections in Winslow. Stephen Beeler has a Masters Degree from Pepperdine University at Malibu and a Masters Certificate from Loyola University, Los Angeles. Stephen Beeler is the author of The Firestone Syndrome.
About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.
About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.
Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Friday, February 08, 2008
America Supports You: Group Facilitates Valentine's Day Greetings
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 7, 2008 - Letting servicemembers know they're not forgotten this Valentine's Day couldn't be easier, thanks to a national troop-support group's online care package program. Operation Homefront's "eCarePackage" program allows American citizens to send care packages to servicemembers and their families. The program also is available for military families to send and receive packages.
"(Servicemembers and their families) just have to register, but it's completely secure," said Meredith Leyva, founder of Operation Homefront. "We don't share any private information, not even first names."
When servicemembers or their family members register, they're assigned a number that becomes their eCarePackage identity. Registered users can pass that number to friends and family members, who then can use it to send care packages they create from the requestor's wish list.
Civilians can choose to send packages to servicemembers from specific states, branch of service, or even current duty station. The option to make it a birthday gift also is available.
The program, which began in time for Christmas 2006 and offers specific products for each major holiday, has a wide variety of products from which to choose, thanks to donors. Candy is available, as well as small pillows and "fun stuff," Leyva said.
"You're going to get some fun, higher-end stuff," she said. "It's a heck of a lot cheaper for a servicemember to send a care package this way, since all our care package products are donated."
The only cost to senders is shipping, and even that is discounted.
"We actually have got a deal with DHL, so we do tend to get cheaper rates in general, and we pass that on," Leyva said. "And, because we do have the direct partnership with DHL, we have been able to get valentine stuff out to Iraq as quickly as three days, but it's not guaranteed."
Though there's no cutoff date for sending eCarePackages to or from Iraq, Leyva emphasized that sooner always is better than later.
Another feature offered through the program is the opportunity for senders and recipients to connect via e-mail.
"We like to encourage 'thank You' notes," Leyva said. "They end up striking up a great conversation with the one who sent the care package."
Notes also can be included in the care packages, she said.
Operation Homefront is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 7, 2008 - Letting servicemembers know they're not forgotten this Valentine's Day couldn't be easier, thanks to a national troop-support group's online care package program. Operation Homefront's "eCarePackage" program allows American citizens to send care packages to servicemembers and their families. The program also is available for military families to send and receive packages.
"(Servicemembers and their families) just have to register, but it's completely secure," said Meredith Leyva, founder of Operation Homefront. "We don't share any private information, not even first names."
When servicemembers or their family members register, they're assigned a number that becomes their eCarePackage identity. Registered users can pass that number to friends and family members, who then can use it to send care packages they create from the requestor's wish list.
Civilians can choose to send packages to servicemembers from specific states, branch of service, or even current duty station. The option to make it a birthday gift also is available.
The program, which began in time for Christmas 2006 and offers specific products for each major holiday, has a wide variety of products from which to choose, thanks to donors. Candy is available, as well as small pillows and "fun stuff," Leyva said.
"You're going to get some fun, higher-end stuff," she said. "It's a heck of a lot cheaper for a servicemember to send a care package this way, since all our care package products are donated."
The only cost to senders is shipping, and even that is discounted.
"We actually have got a deal with DHL, so we do tend to get cheaper rates in general, and we pass that on," Leyva said. "And, because we do have the direct partnership with DHL, we have been able to get valentine stuff out to Iraq as quickly as three days, but it's not guaranteed."
Though there's no cutoff date for sending eCarePackages to or from Iraq, Leyva emphasized that sooner always is better than later.
Another feature offered through the program is the opportunity for senders and recipients to connect via e-mail.
"We like to encourage 'thank You' notes," Leyva said. "They end up striking up a great conversation with the one who sent the care package."
Notes also can be included in the care packages, she said.
Operation Homefront is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
Soldiers Learn to Assist With Surgeries
By Elaine Wilson
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 7, 2008 - Up front and in the spotlight, surgeons often are revered by patients and grateful family members for their lifesaving skills and knowledge. However, other lifesaving medical professionals are working just as hard out of the spotlight and behind the operating room doors.
The Army's operating room specialists, known as "68 Deltas," are trained at the Army Medical Department Center and School here and are responsible for everything from holding retractors and passing instruments to sterilizing equipment and preparing specimens for the lab. Their tasks may sound simple in comparison to those of a highly trained surgeon's, but, in their case, looks are deceiving.
"If an operating room specialist isn't doing his or her job correctly by maintaining sterile technique, then infection rates in the hospital will rise," said Lt. Col. Kathleen McArthur, chief of the 68 Delta branch.
McArthur oversees the operating room specialist training program, which comprises two phases and trains about 400 students a year. The first nine-week phase consists primarily of classroom instruction that culminates in a 72-hour field training exercise at nearby Camp Bullis.
"Our students learn how to carry out their job from the first step, which is setting up the case cart for the operation with a perioperative nurse," McArthur said.
Once the surgery begins, operating room specialists must know how to set up a sterile field, pass instruments to a surgeon, apply dressings, take care of a specimen, and then tear down the room and take equipment to central materiel service for sterilization. Specialists also learn to sterilize equipment.
"The course is very challenging," said student Pvt. Tommy Chavez. "But I'm enjoying it. I've always been interested in the medical field."
The job is not for the faint of heart or weak-stomached, so new students are shown graphic pictures and video of surgeries so they can get a glimpse of what is to come.
"It's common for students to pass out, even out in the field," McArthur said. "Some people have a blood aversion, and others just get nervous the first time they're in a surgical setting."
Phase Two is 10 weeks in length. Students apply their new knowledge and skills in surgical settings at large Army medical centers or at small Army community hospitals. This phase can occur at any of 14 military medical facilities throughout the nation, including Brooke Army Medical Center here, which is a Level One trauma center.
"Students see gunshots, motor vehicle accidents and burns at BAMC," McArthur said. "It's very similar to the environment in a combat situation and is good preparation for deployment."
Course leaders always keep an eye on the battlefield and work to weave lessons learned in Iraq into the curriculum to ensure students are ready for any situation.
"Many of our instructors have deployed and share pictures and knowledge that we integrate with the classes," McArthur said.
The operating room specialist role grows in intensity during deployments. The specialists may serve with a forward surgical team, assisting with life-sustaining surgeries, or a combat support hospital farther away from the front lines.
"You have to be able to keep a cool head, which is why realistic training, like we have here, is so important," McArthur said.
After training, students are equipped with the knowledge to assist with all types of operations, including orthopedics, cardio-thoracic, neurosurgery, podiatry, vascular, opthalmic and general surgery. As they gain more experience, "they are given more responsibility such as patient transportation, setting up surgical suites, operating surgical equipment and helping to monitor blood loss," McArthur said.
Upon graduation, 68 Deltas are expected to demonstrate, under the direct supervision of a registered nurse, entry-level operating room specialist skills in the operating room and central materiel service, she said.
While surgeons may garner the spotlight, the Army's operating room specialists play a vital role in the supporting cast of a medical team.
"I am pleased to say that the OR branch is staffed with stellar, combat-seasoned NCOs, officers who are leaders in perioperative nursing, and extremely gifted civilian instructors and staff," said Col. Patricia Patrician, chief of the Department of Nursing Science. "We really can accept no less than that to train those who care for the American soldier."
(Elaine Wilson works at the Fort Sam Houston Public Information Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 7, 2008 - Up front and in the spotlight, surgeons often are revered by patients and grateful family members for their lifesaving skills and knowledge. However, other lifesaving medical professionals are working just as hard out of the spotlight and behind the operating room doors.
The Army's operating room specialists, known as "68 Deltas," are trained at the Army Medical Department Center and School here and are responsible for everything from holding retractors and passing instruments to sterilizing equipment and preparing specimens for the lab. Their tasks may sound simple in comparison to those of a highly trained surgeon's, but, in their case, looks are deceiving.
"If an operating room specialist isn't doing his or her job correctly by maintaining sterile technique, then infection rates in the hospital will rise," said Lt. Col. Kathleen McArthur, chief of the 68 Delta branch.
McArthur oversees the operating room specialist training program, which comprises two phases and trains about 400 students a year. The first nine-week phase consists primarily of classroom instruction that culminates in a 72-hour field training exercise at nearby Camp Bullis.
"Our students learn how to carry out their job from the first step, which is setting up the case cart for the operation with a perioperative nurse," McArthur said.
Once the surgery begins, operating room specialists must know how to set up a sterile field, pass instruments to a surgeon, apply dressings, take care of a specimen, and then tear down the room and take equipment to central materiel service for sterilization. Specialists also learn to sterilize equipment.
"The course is very challenging," said student Pvt. Tommy Chavez. "But I'm enjoying it. I've always been interested in the medical field."
The job is not for the faint of heart or weak-stomached, so new students are shown graphic pictures and video of surgeries so they can get a glimpse of what is to come.
"It's common for students to pass out, even out in the field," McArthur said. "Some people have a blood aversion, and others just get nervous the first time they're in a surgical setting."
Phase Two is 10 weeks in length. Students apply their new knowledge and skills in surgical settings at large Army medical centers or at small Army community hospitals. This phase can occur at any of 14 military medical facilities throughout the nation, including Brooke Army Medical Center here, which is a Level One trauma center.
"Students see gunshots, motor vehicle accidents and burns at BAMC," McArthur said. "It's very similar to the environment in a combat situation and is good preparation for deployment."
Course leaders always keep an eye on the battlefield and work to weave lessons learned in Iraq into the curriculum to ensure students are ready for any situation.
"Many of our instructors have deployed and share pictures and knowledge that we integrate with the classes," McArthur said.
The operating room specialist role grows in intensity during deployments. The specialists may serve with a forward surgical team, assisting with life-sustaining surgeries, or a combat support hospital farther away from the front lines.
"You have to be able to keep a cool head, which is why realistic training, like we have here, is so important," McArthur said.
After training, students are equipped with the knowledge to assist with all types of operations, including orthopedics, cardio-thoracic, neurosurgery, podiatry, vascular, opthalmic and general surgery. As they gain more experience, "they are given more responsibility such as patient transportation, setting up surgical suites, operating surgical equipment and helping to monitor blood loss," McArthur said.
Upon graduation, 68 Deltas are expected to demonstrate, under the direct supervision of a registered nurse, entry-level operating room specialist skills in the operating room and central materiel service, she said.
While surgeons may garner the spotlight, the Army's operating room specialists play a vital role in the supporting cast of a medical team.
"I am pleased to say that the OR branch is staffed with stellar, combat-seasoned NCOs, officers who are leaders in perioperative nursing, and extremely gifted civilian instructors and staff," said Col. Patricia Patrician, chief of the Department of Nursing Science. "We really can accept no less than that to train those who care for the American soldier."
(Elaine Wilson works at the Fort Sam Houston Public Information Office.)
Army Continues to Treat Blast-Related Injuries
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 7, 2008 - The Army is aggressively diagnosing and treating soldiers who suffer concussive injuries and stress related to blast attacks, the Army's surgeon general said today. Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Eric B. Schoomaker, Army surgeon general and commander of U.S. Army Medical Command, told reporters during a media roundtable at the Pentagon today that issues stemming from such combat conditions are a "great concern" to soldiers, their families and the American public.
"We know the importance of prevention of these injuries and illnesses; we know the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment of both concussive and post-traumatic stress symptoms," Schoomaker said. "And we are aggressively executing programs that are designed to educate, to prevent, to screen and to provide the appropriate care in a timely fashion for all of these deployment-related stresses and injuries."
Concussive injuries and their psychological responses are "not new concepts to us," the general said. He noted that concussions occur domestically -- on America's highways and sports fields -- as often as they do in combat, and that referring to them as the war's "signature injury" is a mischaracterization.
Schoomaker said he doesn't believe the war on terror has produced any one signature injury. But he believes there is a signature weapon used by insurgents: a blast.
"It's being used very effectively in combat," he said. "It blinds our soldiers in some cases if they're unprotected. It deafens them. If it defeats our protective equipment, it may cause a mild concussive injury all the way to a very severe penetrating head injury."
The general said military health care professionals must identify and treat blast-related injuries as soon as possible after the event.
"Doing an effective screening as close as possible to the actual event and then making a decision whether that soldier should take a knee and step out of the battle so that they can recover ... is our most important goal," he said
Schoomaker said the Army created initiatives to increase the rapidity and efficiency of treatment, including arming medics to allow them to more safely treat wounded troops in combat zones, providing servicemembers with improved first aid kits, and training troops in medical techniques. In addition, in 2007 the Army instituted an 800,000-strong chain-teaching initiative -- from the most seasoned commander down to the most junior soldiers -- on concussive injuries and post-traumatic stress.
Army health officials are looking into the role context plays in a concussive injury and its aftermath, Schoomaker said, which may be a more significant factor than originally thought. To illustrate the importance of context, the general made an analogy to a quarterback who is hit hard in the course of a football game. Regaining consciousness while surrounded by thousands of sympathetic fans is a vastly different context from awakening in a combat zone, surrounded by the wounded bodies of your battle buddies, he said.
While screenings performed immediately after returning from deployment might be successful in identifying physical symptoms, the process might allow gaps in detecting latent symptoms related to context. Because certain emotional symptoms related to concussive injuries or combat stress emerge later than their physical counterparts, Schoomaker said, he advocates an additional screening three to six months after deployments. Identifying the root of emotional symptoms may help affected servicemembers avoid family, social, alcohol or other problems resulting from a lack of proper diagnosis and treatment.
Army Col. (Dr.) Loree Sutton said 10 to 15 percent of those with concussive injuries display "persistent symptoms," generally cases when the physical injury is complicated by psychological issues. Sutton is chief of the Defense Department's newly created Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. The center reflects the department's effort to step up the quality of care for wounded warriors and their families.
"We need to ensure that we ... put out the message in general that concussions heal in the vast majority of cases, and that's a good-news story," she said. "In that small minority of cases where symptoms persist, we need to take a comprehensive, holistic view."
Schoomaker emphasized the military health community's dedication to caring for injured servicemembers.
"America can truly be assured that we are not going to rest until all our soldiers who have been wounded or are injured or are ill in the service to the nation are cared for both competently and compassionately," he said. "They'll receive the best support from the United States Army, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 7, 2008 - The Army is aggressively diagnosing and treating soldiers who suffer concussive injuries and stress related to blast attacks, the Army's surgeon general said today. Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Eric B. Schoomaker, Army surgeon general and commander of U.S. Army Medical Command, told reporters during a media roundtable at the Pentagon today that issues stemming from such combat conditions are a "great concern" to soldiers, their families and the American public.
"We know the importance of prevention of these injuries and illnesses; we know the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment of both concussive and post-traumatic stress symptoms," Schoomaker said. "And we are aggressively executing programs that are designed to educate, to prevent, to screen and to provide the appropriate care in a timely fashion for all of these deployment-related stresses and injuries."
Concussive injuries and their psychological responses are "not new concepts to us," the general said. He noted that concussions occur domestically -- on America's highways and sports fields -- as often as they do in combat, and that referring to them as the war's "signature injury" is a mischaracterization.
Schoomaker said he doesn't believe the war on terror has produced any one signature injury. But he believes there is a signature weapon used by insurgents: a blast.
"It's being used very effectively in combat," he said. "It blinds our soldiers in some cases if they're unprotected. It deafens them. If it defeats our protective equipment, it may cause a mild concussive injury all the way to a very severe penetrating head injury."
The general said military health care professionals must identify and treat blast-related injuries as soon as possible after the event.
"Doing an effective screening as close as possible to the actual event and then making a decision whether that soldier should take a knee and step out of the battle so that they can recover ... is our most important goal," he said
Schoomaker said the Army created initiatives to increase the rapidity and efficiency of treatment, including arming medics to allow them to more safely treat wounded troops in combat zones, providing servicemembers with improved first aid kits, and training troops in medical techniques. In addition, in 2007 the Army instituted an 800,000-strong chain-teaching initiative -- from the most seasoned commander down to the most junior soldiers -- on concussive injuries and post-traumatic stress.
Army health officials are looking into the role context plays in a concussive injury and its aftermath, Schoomaker said, which may be a more significant factor than originally thought. To illustrate the importance of context, the general made an analogy to a quarterback who is hit hard in the course of a football game. Regaining consciousness while surrounded by thousands of sympathetic fans is a vastly different context from awakening in a combat zone, surrounded by the wounded bodies of your battle buddies, he said.
While screenings performed immediately after returning from deployment might be successful in identifying physical symptoms, the process might allow gaps in detecting latent symptoms related to context. Because certain emotional symptoms related to concussive injuries or combat stress emerge later than their physical counterparts, Schoomaker said, he advocates an additional screening three to six months after deployments. Identifying the root of emotional symptoms may help affected servicemembers avoid family, social, alcohol or other problems resulting from a lack of proper diagnosis and treatment.
Army Col. (Dr.) Loree Sutton said 10 to 15 percent of those with concussive injuries display "persistent symptoms," generally cases when the physical injury is complicated by psychological issues. Sutton is chief of the Defense Department's newly created Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. The center reflects the department's effort to step up the quality of care for wounded warriors and their families.
"We need to ensure that we ... put out the message in general that concussions heal in the vast majority of cases, and that's a good-news story," she said. "In that small minority of cases where symptoms persist, we need to take a comprehensive, holistic view."
Schoomaker emphasized the military health community's dedication to caring for injured servicemembers.
"America can truly be assured that we are not going to rest until all our soldiers who have been wounded or are injured or are ill in the service to the nation are cared for both competently and compassionately," he said. "They'll receive the best support from the United States Army, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs."
Gates Urges Passage of Supplemental War Funds
By Sgt. Sara Moore, USA
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today urged Congress to provide the remaining balance of President Bush's fiscal 2008 supplemental funding request for the global war on terror, saying the delay in funding is damaging the Defense Department's operations at home and abroad. "Delay is degrading our ability to operate and sustain the force at home and in theater and is making it difficult to manage this department in a way that is fiscally sound," Gates said at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The Department of Defense is like the world's biggest supertanker. It cannot turn on a dime, and it cannot be steered like a skiff."
The department is waiting on approval of $102.5 billion from the 2008 supplemental request. President Bush asked for $189.4 billion for the war on terror for fiscal 2008. In December, Congress approved $86.8 billion of that request and deferred work on the remaining $102.5 billion.
In his testimony defending the fiscal 2009 defense budget request of $515.4 billion, Gates also said he was unable to provide a realistic estimate of costs for the war on terror for fiscal 2009. The administration has asked Congress for a $70 billion emergency "bridge fund" for the first quarter of fiscal 2009, which would cover operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through December.
The Defense Department has tried to be very open with Congress about the war costs, Gates said, but it cannot provide an estimate for 2009 war costs until leaders know when and if the department will receive the 2008 supplemental funds, and what adjustments commanders will recommend to troop levels in Iraq. When pressed, Gates said 2009 war operations could cost around $170 billion, but he stressed that he has no confidence in that figure due to these unknown factors.
Gates also pointed out that nearly three-quarters of the fiscal 2009 supplemental request will be spent by the next administration, which makes it even more difficult to make an accurate projection of what will be needed.
"While I would like to be in a position to give you a realistic estimate of what the department will need for FY 2009 supplemental funds, I simply cannot at this point," Gates said. "There are too many significant variables in play."
The overall defense budget request for fiscal 2009 represents about 3.4 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product, Gates said. This compares to levels during the Korean and Vietnam wars, when the percentages of the GDP going to defense were 14 percent and 9 percent, respectively. The request includes $183.8 billion for strategic modernization; $158.3 billion for operations and training; $149.4 billion for military pay, health care, housing and quality of life for servicemembers and families; and $20.5 billion to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps.
The budget request must be considered in light of the current strategic landscape, in which old hatreds and conflicts have combined with new threats and forces of instability, Gates said. Current challenges include terrorism, extremism, and violent jihadism; ethnic, tribal and sectarian conflict; proliferation of dangerous weapons and materials; failed and failing states; nations discontented with their role in the international order; and rising and resurgent powers whose future paths are uncertain, he said.
"In light of this strategic environment, we must make the choices and investments necessary to protect the security, prosperity and freedom of Americans for the next generation," Gates said.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today urged Congress to provide the remaining balance of President Bush's fiscal 2008 supplemental funding request for the global war on terror, saying the delay in funding is damaging the Defense Department's operations at home and abroad. "Delay is degrading our ability to operate and sustain the force at home and in theater and is making it difficult to manage this department in a way that is fiscally sound," Gates said at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The Department of Defense is like the world's biggest supertanker. It cannot turn on a dime, and it cannot be steered like a skiff."
The department is waiting on approval of $102.5 billion from the 2008 supplemental request. President Bush asked for $189.4 billion for the war on terror for fiscal 2008. In December, Congress approved $86.8 billion of that request and deferred work on the remaining $102.5 billion.
In his testimony defending the fiscal 2009 defense budget request of $515.4 billion, Gates also said he was unable to provide a realistic estimate of costs for the war on terror for fiscal 2009. The administration has asked Congress for a $70 billion emergency "bridge fund" for the first quarter of fiscal 2009, which would cover operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through December.
The Defense Department has tried to be very open with Congress about the war costs, Gates said, but it cannot provide an estimate for 2009 war costs until leaders know when and if the department will receive the 2008 supplemental funds, and what adjustments commanders will recommend to troop levels in Iraq. When pressed, Gates said 2009 war operations could cost around $170 billion, but he stressed that he has no confidence in that figure due to these unknown factors.
Gates also pointed out that nearly three-quarters of the fiscal 2009 supplemental request will be spent by the next administration, which makes it even more difficult to make an accurate projection of what will be needed.
"While I would like to be in a position to give you a realistic estimate of what the department will need for FY 2009 supplemental funds, I simply cannot at this point," Gates said. "There are too many significant variables in play."
The overall defense budget request for fiscal 2009 represents about 3.4 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product, Gates said. This compares to levels during the Korean and Vietnam wars, when the percentages of the GDP going to defense were 14 percent and 9 percent, respectively. The request includes $183.8 billion for strategic modernization; $158.3 billion for operations and training; $149.4 billion for military pay, health care, housing and quality of life for servicemembers and families; and $20.5 billion to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps.
The budget request must be considered in light of the current strategic landscape, in which old hatreds and conflicts have combined with new threats and forces of instability, Gates said. Current challenges include terrorism, extremism, and violent jihadism; ethnic, tribal and sectarian conflict; proliferation of dangerous weapons and materials; failed and failing states; nations discontented with their role in the international order; and rising and resurgent powers whose future paths are uncertain, he said.
"In light of this strategic environment, we must make the choices and investments necessary to protect the security, prosperity and freedom of Americans for the next generation," Gates said.
Joint Chiefs Chairman Urges Passage of Fiscal 2009 Defense Budget
By Sgt. Sara Moore, USA
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2008 - The Defense Department will continue to need the support of Congress and the American public to sustain the success it has achieved in the war on terror so far -- success that, though impressive, is still tenuous, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today. Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, defending the $515.4 billion fiscal 2009 defense budget request President Bush submitted to Congress on Feb. 4. The budget includes a 3.4 percent military pay raise, a 2.9 percent civilian raise, money to continue to grow the Army and Marine Corps, and a funding increase to maintain readiness. The administration also requested a $70 billion emergency supplemental request for the war on terror in fiscal 2009.
Mullen noted that budgets are really a type of strategy, and this budget "reveals great balance in our strategy for the future -- a realization that, while we continue to fight and develop counterinsurgency warfare, we must also prepare for, build for, and train for a broad spectrum of traditional warfighting missions."
To sustain the force and prepare for future requirements, this budget includes more than $180 billion for strategic modernization, including $3.6 billion for the Army to continue to develop future combat systems and another $3.5 billion to procure 20 more F-22 fighters and another $700 million in research and development, Mullen said. The budget also includes money to continue to build the next-generation aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer, increased spending on missile defense, funding to complete the stand-up of U.S. Africa Command, and more than $20 billion to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps.
Mullen acknowledged that the fiscal 2009 budget doesn't include any big surprises, but said that is because the department has looked at all its requirements and has a good handle on where it should go fiscally.
The United States has made significant progress in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mullen said. In Iraq, violence is down, business is on the rise, and al Qaeda is on the run. He praised commanders on the ground for their innovative techniques and use of surge forces to improve security. Progress in Afghanistan has been mixed, but the coalition is doing all it can and the additional 3,000 Marines being sent there will make a big difference, he said.
But progress in both countries is still tenuous, and conditions on the ground could change at any time, he said.
Mullen also cautioned about long-term risks the United States faces to its security commitments around the world if the Defense Department doesn't address the toll that ongoing combat operations are taking on military forces, gear and families.
"The well is deep, but it is not infinite," he said.
DoD and Congress must work together to reduce Army deployments to 12 months from the present 15-month tours, restore the Marine Corps' expeditionary capabilities, and stay dominant at sea, in space, and in cyberspace, Mullen said. Also, the department needs to do a better job at identifying and treating wounded servicemembers, especially those who suffer from conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.
The admiral also urged Congress to enhance quality of life for military family members by broadening federal hiring preferences for military spouses and expanding child care benefits.
The U.S. military is still the most powerful, capable force on Earth, Mullen said. This power is a testament to the brave, talented men and women who serve in the military, but also to the support of Congress and the American people, who have invested heavily in national defense, he said.
"We will continue to need that support, for however powerful we may be today, that power is not assured tomorrow," Mullen said.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2008 - The Defense Department will continue to need the support of Congress and the American public to sustain the success it has achieved in the war on terror so far -- success that, though impressive, is still tenuous, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today. Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, defending the $515.4 billion fiscal 2009 defense budget request President Bush submitted to Congress on Feb. 4. The budget includes a 3.4 percent military pay raise, a 2.9 percent civilian raise, money to continue to grow the Army and Marine Corps, and a funding increase to maintain readiness. The administration also requested a $70 billion emergency supplemental request for the war on terror in fiscal 2009.
Mullen noted that budgets are really a type of strategy, and this budget "reveals great balance in our strategy for the future -- a realization that, while we continue to fight and develop counterinsurgency warfare, we must also prepare for, build for, and train for a broad spectrum of traditional warfighting missions."
To sustain the force and prepare for future requirements, this budget includes more than $180 billion for strategic modernization, including $3.6 billion for the Army to continue to develop future combat systems and another $3.5 billion to procure 20 more F-22 fighters and another $700 million in research and development, Mullen said. The budget also includes money to continue to build the next-generation aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer, increased spending on missile defense, funding to complete the stand-up of U.S. Africa Command, and more than $20 billion to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps.
Mullen acknowledged that the fiscal 2009 budget doesn't include any big surprises, but said that is because the department has looked at all its requirements and has a good handle on where it should go fiscally.
The United States has made significant progress in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mullen said. In Iraq, violence is down, business is on the rise, and al Qaeda is on the run. He praised commanders on the ground for their innovative techniques and use of surge forces to improve security. Progress in Afghanistan has been mixed, but the coalition is doing all it can and the additional 3,000 Marines being sent there will make a big difference, he said.
But progress in both countries is still tenuous, and conditions on the ground could change at any time, he said.
Mullen also cautioned about long-term risks the United States faces to its security commitments around the world if the Defense Department doesn't address the toll that ongoing combat operations are taking on military forces, gear and families.
"The well is deep, but it is not infinite," he said.
DoD and Congress must work together to reduce Army deployments to 12 months from the present 15-month tours, restore the Marine Corps' expeditionary capabilities, and stay dominant at sea, in space, and in cyberspace, Mullen said. Also, the department needs to do a better job at identifying and treating wounded servicemembers, especially those who suffer from conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.
The admiral also urged Congress to enhance quality of life for military family members by broadening federal hiring preferences for military spouses and expanding child care benefits.
The U.S. military is still the most powerful, capable force on Earth, Mullen said. This power is a testament to the brave, talented men and women who serve in the military, but also to the support of Congress and the American people, who have invested heavily in national defense, he said.
"We will continue to need that support, for however powerful we may be today, that power is not assured tomorrow," Mullen said.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Women in Combat Compendium
These facts involving women in combat are: Women comprise approximately 15 percent of the U.S. Army today, and as of September 2007, 70 Army women have been killed and a significantly larger number wounded; the American public is vaguely aware of this state of affairs and has raised no outcry. The nature of the current battlefield makes it impossible to apply the existing rules for excluding women from combat without serious reduction in combat capabilities, degrading the professional development and thus status of women, and producing a potentially serious reduction in overall readiness. Two major conclusions are reached: (1) the nature of combat for the U.S. Army has changed, and the existing rules governing the employment of women do not fit this new situation; and (2) there is not the slightest doubt that women can perform their assigned duties in the combat zone, including engaging in combat actions essential to their personal and unit’s self-defense, with skill and valor equal to their male comrades.
READ ON
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?PubID=830
READ ON
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?PubID=830
Face of Defense: Sergeant's Art Funds Surgeries for Needy Children
By Senior Airman Tabitha Kuykendall, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2008 - Where most just see trash, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Robert Sommers, of 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here, sees possibility. On any given day, the squadron's noncommissioned officer in charge of operations management can be found sorting through leftover wood scraps and paints in his shop to create paintings and donate the proceeds to help pay for heart surgeries for children whose parents are unable to pay for the surgeries themselves.
"Possibilities are endless; everybody has a talent and can use it to help others who are less fortunate," Sommers said. "This is what I am trying to do."
The Children's Heart Ward is a facility that houses infants and children who need surgery to correct heart defects stemming from a combination of inherited genes and environmental factors, such as illness or mothers being exposed to chemicals during pregnancy.
Two local doctors perform these surgeries free of charge. But an oxygenator -- a disposable piece of equipment that serves as the lung during cardiac surgery and is designed to expose the blood to oxygen and remove carbon dioxide -- is needed for each operation, and each costs $560.
The Manas Air Base Outreach Society has addressed that need with its Children's Heart Ward focus group. Airmen raise money to pay for the oxygenators and sometimes for other types of surgeries so more children can be assisted. Since the foundation stood up, 97 surgeries have been supported, most by covering the cost of an oxygenator.
During his five-month tour, Sommers' donated proceeds have paid for three oxygenators.
"There are many people in this world who by some circumstance are less fortunate than we are," he said. "I viewed this tour as a possibility to help a few of these people."
Command Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Sirois, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, said Sommers embodies the spirit of service of today's airmen.
"He epitomizes our Air Force core value of service before self," she said. "Not only did he honorably serve our great Air Force here at Manas Air Base, but also he represented our enlisted corps extremely well to our Kyrgyz hosts."
Sommers said it's simply a matter of human nature to help others in need.
"It has really brought an incredible amount of joy to my heart to know that I could use a talent that the good Lord gave me to assist someone else," he said. "There are ample opportunities for all of us to do the same. Use your talents to help someone else, and then you will be blessed. You'll experience some of the best feelings of your life as you serve others in need."
(Air Force Senior Airman Tabitha Kuykendall serves with 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2008 - Where most just see trash, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Robert Sommers, of 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here, sees possibility. On any given day, the squadron's noncommissioned officer in charge of operations management can be found sorting through leftover wood scraps and paints in his shop to create paintings and donate the proceeds to help pay for heart surgeries for children whose parents are unable to pay for the surgeries themselves.
"Possibilities are endless; everybody has a talent and can use it to help others who are less fortunate," Sommers said. "This is what I am trying to do."
The Children's Heart Ward is a facility that houses infants and children who need surgery to correct heart defects stemming from a combination of inherited genes and environmental factors, such as illness or mothers being exposed to chemicals during pregnancy.
Two local doctors perform these surgeries free of charge. But an oxygenator -- a disposable piece of equipment that serves as the lung during cardiac surgery and is designed to expose the blood to oxygen and remove carbon dioxide -- is needed for each operation, and each costs $560.
The Manas Air Base Outreach Society has addressed that need with its Children's Heart Ward focus group. Airmen raise money to pay for the oxygenators and sometimes for other types of surgeries so more children can be assisted. Since the foundation stood up, 97 surgeries have been supported, most by covering the cost of an oxygenator.
During his five-month tour, Sommers' donated proceeds have paid for three oxygenators.
"There are many people in this world who by some circumstance are less fortunate than we are," he said. "I viewed this tour as a possibility to help a few of these people."
Command Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Sirois, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, said Sommers embodies the spirit of service of today's airmen.
"He epitomizes our Air Force core value of service before self," she said. "Not only did he honorably serve our great Air Force here at Manas Air Base, but also he represented our enlisted corps extremely well to our Kyrgyz hosts."
Sommers said it's simply a matter of human nature to help others in need.
"It has really brought an incredible amount of joy to my heart to know that I could use a talent that the good Lord gave me to assist someone else," he said. "There are ample opportunities for all of us to do the same. Use your talents to help someone else, and then you will be blessed. You'll experience some of the best feelings of your life as you serve others in need."
(Air Force Senior Airman Tabitha Kuykendall serves with 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs.)
National Guard Responds to Tornado Disaster
By Tech. Sgt. Mike R. Smith, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2008 - More than 160 National Guard members turned out today to support recovery missions in three states hit by a violent string of tornadoes last night. The National Guard Bureau reported that Guard members were called out to perform search and rescue missions, provide security at traffic control points, and to support civilian authorities in other ways in Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Many of the Guard soldiers who responded were undergoing pre-deployment training at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., about five miles from one of the areas hit by a tornado.
At least 52 deaths have been blamed on the unseasonably early storms that swept across Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky.
In Kentucky, 112 Guard members with 16 Humvees and other equipment responded to emergency support requests after the tornados and severe thunderstorms caused widespread power outages and damage to homes and businesses. Central City officials called for Guard support after a tornado struck Muhlenberg County. The Kentucky Guard Mobile Command Post is being deployed to Muhlenberg County to provide phones and data capability to the county government.
Thirty-three soldiers from the Louisville-based 223rd Military Police Company, which was in Greenville for pre-deployment training, assisted the Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement in Central City. They were later relieved by 24 soldiers from the 307th Maintenance Company.
The 307th also is operating Guard heavy equipment, including 15 Humvees, a wrecker and a bus. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, were on standby with four Army Guard helicopters: two UH-60s and two OH-58s.
In Monroe Country, the 623rd Field Artillery is providing 22 soldiers and four Humvees for security support to the Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement in Tompkinsville and Gamaliel. The unit will provide 24-hour security operations there.
The 63rd Aviation Brigade has provided 10 soldiers and two UH-60s to fly Gov. Steve Beshear as well as Kentucky Guard and Emergency Management officials to assess the disaster areas.
The 149th Brigade Support Battalion, located in Bowling Green, was tasked to provide six soldiers to prepare equipment for a potential response in western Kentucky and as a possible relief force for the 307th and 623rd.
In Tennessee, about 20 Guard members with two heavy wreckers were helping local crews restore power by transporting support vehicles through storm-damaged areas to work sites. The Tennessee Guard also had one UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter providing aerial search and damage assessment for Gov. Phil Bredesen and emergency management personnel. The Tennessee Guard also set up three armories as Red Cross shelters.
In Arkansas, officials reported that 28 soldiers from the 142nd Fires Brigade, stationed at Fort Smith, were dispatched with nine Humvees to the town of Atkins, northwest of Little Rock. There, Guard members were assisting search and rescue personnel and removing debris from the area where officials said the first tornados touched down in the state. A half dozen counties were hit by the storms.
Maj. Keith Moore, an Arkansas Guard spokesman, said Gov. Mike Beebe declared states of emergency for some of the damaged areas. He said the Army Guard was operating two UH-60s to assist the governor and emergency management personnel who were assessing the damage.
In Mississippi, officials at the state Army Guard's Southaven Armory reported minor damage from a tornado that struck in Southaven. Mississippi Guard members were assessing damage to the armory and its equipment, but no requests for Guard support have yet been reported.
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mike R. Smith serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 6, 2008 - More than 160 National Guard members turned out today to support recovery missions in three states hit by a violent string of tornadoes last night. The National Guard Bureau reported that Guard members were called out to perform search and rescue missions, provide security at traffic control points, and to support civilian authorities in other ways in Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Many of the Guard soldiers who responded were undergoing pre-deployment training at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., about five miles from one of the areas hit by a tornado.
At least 52 deaths have been blamed on the unseasonably early storms that swept across Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky.
In Kentucky, 112 Guard members with 16 Humvees and other equipment responded to emergency support requests after the tornados and severe thunderstorms caused widespread power outages and damage to homes and businesses. Central City officials called for Guard support after a tornado struck Muhlenberg County. The Kentucky Guard Mobile Command Post is being deployed to Muhlenberg County to provide phones and data capability to the county government.
Thirty-three soldiers from the Louisville-based 223rd Military Police Company, which was in Greenville for pre-deployment training, assisted the Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement in Central City. They were later relieved by 24 soldiers from the 307th Maintenance Company.
The 307th also is operating Guard heavy equipment, including 15 Humvees, a wrecker and a bus. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, were on standby with four Army Guard helicopters: two UH-60s and two OH-58s.
In Monroe Country, the 623rd Field Artillery is providing 22 soldiers and four Humvees for security support to the Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement in Tompkinsville and Gamaliel. The unit will provide 24-hour security operations there.
The 63rd Aviation Brigade has provided 10 soldiers and two UH-60s to fly Gov. Steve Beshear as well as Kentucky Guard and Emergency Management officials to assess the disaster areas.
The 149th Brigade Support Battalion, located in Bowling Green, was tasked to provide six soldiers to prepare equipment for a potential response in western Kentucky and as a possible relief force for the 307th and 623rd.
In Tennessee, about 20 Guard members with two heavy wreckers were helping local crews restore power by transporting support vehicles through storm-damaged areas to work sites. The Tennessee Guard also had one UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter providing aerial search and damage assessment for Gov. Phil Bredesen and emergency management personnel. The Tennessee Guard also set up three armories as Red Cross shelters.
In Arkansas, officials reported that 28 soldiers from the 142nd Fires Brigade, stationed at Fort Smith, were dispatched with nine Humvees to the town of Atkins, northwest of Little Rock. There, Guard members were assisting search and rescue personnel and removing debris from the area where officials said the first tornados touched down in the state. A half dozen counties were hit by the storms.
Maj. Keith Moore, an Arkansas Guard spokesman, said Gov. Mike Beebe declared states of emergency for some of the damaged areas. He said the Army Guard was operating two UH-60s to assist the governor and emergency management personnel who were assessing the damage.
In Mississippi, officials at the state Army Guard's Southaven Armory reported minor damage from a tornado that struck in Southaven. Mississippi Guard members were assessing damage to the armory and its equipment, but no requests for Guard support have yet been reported.
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mike R. Smith serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
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