By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
July 16, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates yesterday said diplomacy and development should lead American efforts abroad, and he warned against a "creeping militarization" of U.S. foreign policy. "Broadly speaking, when it comes to America's engagement with the rest of the world, it is important that the military is -- and is clearly seen to be -- in a supporting role to civilian agencies," he said.
In a speech interrupted several times by rousing applause, Gates told the audience at a dinner organized by the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign that America cannot simply "kill or capture our way to victory" over the long term.
"What the Pentagon calls 'kinetic' operations should be subordinate to measures to promote participation in government, economic programs to spur development, and efforts to address the grievances that often lie at the heart of insurgencies and among the discontented from which terrorists recruit," he said.
In remarks imbued with a spirit of cooperation between the departments of Defense and State -- a relationship that in the past has been marked by contention, Gates said -- the defense secretary hailed his working relationship with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who had presented him the group's leadership award earlier in the evening.
"Our diplomatic leaders -- be they in ambassadors' suites or on the seventh floor of the State Department -- must have the resources and political support needed to fully exercise their statutory responsibilities in leading American foreign policy," Gates said.
This year's presidential budget proposal accounts for the addition of 1,100 Foreign Service officers -- the general practitioners of American diplomacy -- in addition to 300 U.S. Agency for International Development personnel and a response corps of civilian experts that can deploy on short notice, requests that Gates praised.
He also expressed optimism that an increase in the civilian foreign affairs budget is receiving support on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation that would triple humanitarian spending in Pakistan.
For far too long, Gates said, America's civilian institutions of diplomacy and development -- which lack the ready-made political constituency enjoyed by major weapons systems -- have been chronically undermanned and underfunded in comparison to defense spending.
"I cannot pretend to know right dollar amount," Gates said, referring to the budgetary needs of civilian institutions, "I know it's a good deal more than the one percent of the federal budget that it is right now.
"A steep increase of these capabilities is well within reach, as long as there is the political will and the wisdom to do it," he added.
With invigorated emphasis on counterinsurgency, which includes operations that combine elements of military and civilian affairs, U.S. servicemembers are performing functions that formerly were the exclusive province of civilian agencies and institutions, Gates said.
"This has led to concern among many organizations ... about what's seen as a creeping 'militarization' of some aspects of America's foreign policy," he said.
But Gates added that this scenario can be avoided by putting in place the right leadership, adequate funding of civilian agencies, effective coordination on the ground, and a clear understanding of the authorities, roles, and missions of military versus civilian efforts, and how they are able, or unable, to fit together.
"We know that at least in the early phases of any conflict, contingency, or natural disaster, the U.S. military -- as has been the case throughout our history -- will be responsible for security, reconstruction, and providing basic sustenance and public services," he said.
"Building the security capacity of other nations through training and equipping programs has emerged as a core and enduring military requirement," he continued, "though none of these programs go forward without the approval of the secretary of state."
Gates added that the U.S. will always need Foreign Service officers to conduct professional diplomacy, advance American interests, and strengthen the nation's international partnerships. Likewise, he said, barring a radical change in human nature, the U.S. will require military members to deter and, if necessary, defeat aggression from hostile states and forces indefinitely.
"The challenge facing our institutions," he said "is to adapt to new realities while preserving those core competencies and institutional traits that have made them so successful in the past."
Friday, July 18, 2008
Department of Defense Partners With Universities For Social Science Research
The DoD has launched a university-based social science initiative to support basic research in topic areas of importance to current and future U.S. national security.
The initiative, called Minerva, will support multi- and interdisciplinary and cross-institutional efforts addressing a range of social science topic areas. It will bring together universities, research institutions and individual scholars into a partnership to tackle topics of interest to DoD. For example, DoD could pursue topics such as foreign military and technology research, terrorism or cultural studies. The initial funding is $10-20 million annually.
The objectives include:
-To foster and improve the Defense Department's social science intellectual capital and ability to understand and address security challenges.
-To support and develop basic research and expertise within the social sciences community in subject areas which may provide insight to current and future challenges.
-To improve the Defense Department's relationship with the social science community.
To achieve the secretary of defense's vision, DoD will pilot a number of approaches for engaging the social science community. This multi-pronged strategy will enable the department to solicit a broad range of proposals from the social science community and to leverage the expertise and infrastructures of a wide range of existing mechanisms for funding basic research.
The Minerva initiative will have several components to solicit and manage proposals. The first of these has been released through a DoD broad agency announcement (BAA). Additionally, DoD signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Science Foundation on July 2, 2008, to work together on a range of projects related to DoD's Minerva initiative, which might include a solicitation of proposals. Submission to DoD's open BAA will not preclude any offerer from submitting proposals to future solicitations.
Remarks by Secretary of Defense Gates on the Minerva initiative may be found at http://www.defenselink.mil/speeches/speech.aspx?speechid=1228 .
The currently open DoD BAA may be found at: http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?Action=6&Page=8 .
The initiative, called Minerva, will support multi- and interdisciplinary and cross-institutional efforts addressing a range of social science topic areas. It will bring together universities, research institutions and individual scholars into a partnership to tackle topics of interest to DoD. For example, DoD could pursue topics such as foreign military and technology research, terrorism or cultural studies. The initial funding is $10-20 million annually.
The objectives include:
-To foster and improve the Defense Department's social science intellectual capital and ability to understand and address security challenges.
-To support and develop basic research and expertise within the social sciences community in subject areas which may provide insight to current and future challenges.
-To improve the Defense Department's relationship with the social science community.
To achieve the secretary of defense's vision, DoD will pilot a number of approaches for engaging the social science community. This multi-pronged strategy will enable the department to solicit a broad range of proposals from the social science community and to leverage the expertise and infrastructures of a wide range of existing mechanisms for funding basic research.
The Minerva initiative will have several components to solicit and manage proposals. The first of these has been released through a DoD broad agency announcement (BAA). Additionally, DoD signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Science Foundation on July 2, 2008, to work together on a range of projects related to DoD's Minerva initiative, which might include a solicitation of proposals. Submission to DoD's open BAA will not preclude any offerer from submitting proposals to future solicitations.
Remarks by Secretary of Defense Gates on the Minerva initiative may be found at http://www.defenselink.mil/speeches/speech.aspx?speechid=1228 .
The currently open DoD BAA may be found at: http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?Action=6&Page=8 .
Thursday, July 17, 2008
America Supports You: Holistic Support Helps Wounded Vets Reintegrate
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
July 16, 2008 - Wounded veterans and their families looking for help reentering civilian life can turn to an organization in Huntsville, Ala., that takes a holistic approach to that task. "Still Serving Veterans" enables and empowers wounded veterans and their families by helping them reintegrate into the work force and community via counseling, coaching, guiding, job transition, and assistance in obtaining all Veterans Affairs benefits to which they are entitled, Werner W. Baker, the organization's executive director, said.
This holistic approach begins with a case manager, who documents individual needs, desires, abilities and limitations of the veteran or spouse, Baker explained. Those notations help case managers offer career development guidance and determine any other needed courses of action.
"We work with other organizations ... to help provide and coordinate our services to veterans," Baker said. "We also seek out grants in the accomplishment of these efforts."
Since the organization's start in 2006, Still Serving Veterans has worked with more than 500 veterans and families in need of counseling, job development, training and employment, with priority given to severely wounded veterans. All of those services have been provided at no cost to the participants.
Still Serving Veterans is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
The organization hopes this affiliation will help spread the word. "[The hope is it] will allow Still Serving Veterans more visibility across the nation, thus having more veterans in need of services avail themselves [of our] services," Baker said.
American Forces Press Service
July 16, 2008 - Wounded veterans and their families looking for help reentering civilian life can turn to an organization in Huntsville, Ala., that takes a holistic approach to that task. "Still Serving Veterans" enables and empowers wounded veterans and their families by helping them reintegrate into the work force and community via counseling, coaching, guiding, job transition, and assistance in obtaining all Veterans Affairs benefits to which they are entitled, Werner W. Baker, the organization's executive director, said.
This holistic approach begins with a case manager, who documents individual needs, desires, abilities and limitations of the veteran or spouse, Baker explained. Those notations help case managers offer career development guidance and determine any other needed courses of action.
"We work with other organizations ... to help provide and coordinate our services to veterans," Baker said. "We also seek out grants in the accomplishment of these efforts."
Since the organization's start in 2006, Still Serving Veterans has worked with more than 500 veterans and families in need of counseling, job development, training and employment, with priority given to severely wounded veterans. All of those services have been provided at no cost to the participants.
Still Serving Veterans is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
The organization hopes this affiliation will help spread the word. "[The hope is it] will allow Still Serving Veterans more visibility across the nation, thus having more veterans in need of services avail themselves [of our] services," Baker said.
MILITARY CONTRACTS July 15, 2008
NAVY
BAE Systems, Inc., Austin, Texas is being awarded a $49,952,872 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for procurement of Driver's Ground Mobility Visual Augmentation System (DR-GMVAS) and associated data. The DR-GMVAS is a vehicle mounted thermal imaging system that enhances visual range and image detection on the road ahead and road behind in all light and weather conditions. The system fuses infrared and low-light images and transmits the enhanced images to a monitor inside the vehicle. Work will be performed in Austin, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Jul. 2013. Contract funds in the amount of $1,394,050 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with nine proposals solicited and one offer was received via FedBizOpps. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-08-D-JQ02).
Raytheon Corp., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded $34,078,711 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price long term requirements contract (N00383-03-D-006A) to exercise a three year option period for Performance Based Logistics support for repair of H-60 AAS-44 forward looking infrared radar units. Work will be performed at McKinney, Texas, and work is expected to be completed by Sep. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This offer was not awarded competitively. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.
The Applied Research Laboratory at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, is being awarded a $26,193,985 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for approximately 232,200 staff hours of research and development and specialized engineering services in core competency areas: ocean environmental effects, astronomical research, advanced electro optical systems, laser, (Light Detection and Ranging) and remote sensing detection systems, and research in various engineering programs to support sensors, communications, and information technology. These capabilities have been established and maintained at the Applied Research Laboratory, University of Hawaii and are determined to be essential to the NAVY's needs essential to support numerous specific programs managed by different technical sponsor organizations. Work will be performed in Honolulu, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-08-D-6323).
W. M. Schlosser Co., Inc., Hyattsville, Md., is being awarded an $11,977,000 firm-fixed price contract for design and construction of a Turbo Prop Jet Engine Test Facility at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. The facility will include four turboshaft engine test cell enclosures for testing four turbo shaft engine types: T58, T64, T400 and T700. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-08-C-1410).
Compass Systems, Inc.*, Lexington Park, Md., is being awarded a $9,020,396 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00421-07-C-0011) to exercise an option for research and development for various Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (C4ISR&T) programs, sensors, mission and targeting systems, communication suites, and small aircraft vehicle systems. These efforts are in support of the Roll-On Roll-Off Sensor System for the Contingency Airborne Response Program. Work will be performed in Yuma, Ariz., (45 percent), Washington, D.C., (25 percent), Reston, Va., (25 percent), and Patuxent River, Md., (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in Jul. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $1,832,144 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
MKI Systems Inc., Woodbridge, Va., is being awarded $6,068,278 for task order #0068 under previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (M67854-02-A-9008) to provide professional support to the Joint Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Program. The Contractor shall provide expert support directly to the Joint Program Manager (JPM) and Deputy PMs; Assistant PMs for vehicles including Cougar; RG-33; MAXXPro; RG-31; Caiman; Buffalo and MRAP II; and the following functional managers: Integration and Government Furnished Equipment, International Programs, Acquisition, Contracts, Production/Quality, Logistics, Engineering (including Spiral Development) and Test & Evaluation. Work will be performed in Stafford, Va., and work is expected to be completed in Jan. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $6,068,278.00 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Saft America Inc., Valdese, N.C., is being awarded a maximum $64,892,611.68 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity contract for batteries. Using services are Army, NAVY, Air Force and Marine Corps. There were originally four proposals solicited with two responses. This contract has a base period of two years and three one-year options. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance is Jul. 16, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va., (SPM4LG-08-D-0013).
Air Force
The Air Force is modifying a cost plus fixed fee with performance incentives contract with McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Boeing Co., of St. Louis, Mo., not to exceed $6.8 million. This contract action will identify, define, design, and test a solution common to the Small Diameter Bomb, Increment I (SDB I) Guided Test Vehicle and tactical weapon in accordance with findings and recommendations for the fusing system failure investigation. The solution shall be verified to ensure that SDB I system performance is not degraded and complies with the SDB I System Performance Specification (SPS) while complying with current safety requirements. At this time $3.4 million has been obligated. 918 ARSG/PK, Eglin, Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8681-06-C-0210, P00036).
BAE Systems, Inc., Austin, Texas is being awarded a $49,952,872 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for procurement of Driver's Ground Mobility Visual Augmentation System (DR-GMVAS) and associated data. The DR-GMVAS is a vehicle mounted thermal imaging system that enhances visual range and image detection on the road ahead and road behind in all light and weather conditions. The system fuses infrared and low-light images and transmits the enhanced images to a monitor inside the vehicle. Work will be performed in Austin, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Jul. 2013. Contract funds in the amount of $1,394,050 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with nine proposals solicited and one offer was received via FedBizOpps. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-08-D-JQ02).
Raytheon Corp., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded $34,078,711 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price long term requirements contract (N00383-03-D-006A) to exercise a three year option period for Performance Based Logistics support for repair of H-60 AAS-44 forward looking infrared radar units. Work will be performed at McKinney, Texas, and work is expected to be completed by Sep. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This offer was not awarded competitively. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.
The Applied Research Laboratory at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, is being awarded a $26,193,985 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for approximately 232,200 staff hours of research and development and specialized engineering services in core competency areas: ocean environmental effects, astronomical research, advanced electro optical systems, laser, (Light Detection and Ranging) and remote sensing detection systems, and research in various engineering programs to support sensors, communications, and information technology. These capabilities have been established and maintained at the Applied Research Laboratory, University of Hawaii and are determined to be essential to the NAVY's needs essential to support numerous specific programs managed by different technical sponsor organizations. Work will be performed in Honolulu, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-08-D-6323).
W. M. Schlosser Co., Inc., Hyattsville, Md., is being awarded an $11,977,000 firm-fixed price contract for design and construction of a Turbo Prop Jet Engine Test Facility at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. The facility will include four turboshaft engine test cell enclosures for testing four turbo shaft engine types: T58, T64, T400 and T700. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-08-C-1410).
Compass Systems, Inc.*, Lexington Park, Md., is being awarded a $9,020,396 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00421-07-C-0011) to exercise an option for research and development for various Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (C4ISR&T) programs, sensors, mission and targeting systems, communication suites, and small aircraft vehicle systems. These efforts are in support of the Roll-On Roll-Off Sensor System for the Contingency Airborne Response Program. Work will be performed in Yuma, Ariz., (45 percent), Washington, D.C., (25 percent), Reston, Va., (25 percent), and Patuxent River, Md., (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in Jul. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $1,832,144 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
MKI Systems Inc., Woodbridge, Va., is being awarded $6,068,278 for task order #0068 under previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (M67854-02-A-9008) to provide professional support to the Joint Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Program. The Contractor shall provide expert support directly to the Joint Program Manager (JPM) and Deputy PMs; Assistant PMs for vehicles including Cougar; RG-33; MAXXPro; RG-31; Caiman; Buffalo and MRAP II; and the following functional managers: Integration and Government Furnished Equipment, International Programs, Acquisition, Contracts, Production/Quality, Logistics, Engineering (including Spiral Development) and Test & Evaluation. Work will be performed in Stafford, Va., and work is expected to be completed in Jan. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $6,068,278.00 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Saft America Inc., Valdese, N.C., is being awarded a maximum $64,892,611.68 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity contract for batteries. Using services are Army, NAVY, Air Force and Marine Corps. There were originally four proposals solicited with two responses. This contract has a base period of two years and three one-year options. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance is Jul. 16, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va., (SPM4LG-08-D-0013).
Air Force
The Air Force is modifying a cost plus fixed fee with performance incentives contract with McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Boeing Co., of St. Louis, Mo., not to exceed $6.8 million. This contract action will identify, define, design, and test a solution common to the Small Diameter Bomb, Increment I (SDB I) Guided Test Vehicle and tactical weapon in accordance with findings and recommendations for the fusing system failure investigation. The solution shall be verified to ensure that SDB I system performance is not degraded and complies with the SDB I System Performance Specification (SPS) while complying with current safety requirements. At this time $3.4 million has been obligated. 918 ARSG/PK, Eglin, Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8681-06-C-0210, P00036).
Iranian Threat Justifies Missile Defense, General Says
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
July 15, 2008 - Iran's launch of a missile with a 2,000-kilometer range last week is a concrete example of the threat the world faces from missile proliferation, the chief of the Missile Defense Agency said here today. Air Force Lt. Gen. Henry A. "Trey" Obering, said the United States is concerned specifically about the threat posed by developments North Korea and Iran are making in their missile programs.
"Iran is working on an extended-range version of the Shahab-3 and a new 2,000-kilometer medium-range ballistic missile, which they term the Ashura," the general said at a news conference.
Iran also claimed that it had successfully launched an exploratory space vehicle in February, which, analysts concluded, also was a Shahab-3.
Last week, Iran launched several short- and medium-range ballistic missiles capable of striking Israel and the U.S. bases in the Middle East. Longer-ranged missiles are capable of striking Europe.
The U.S. concern with the spread of the technology was such that the current and previous administrations invested in fielding the missile defense program. "We needed to protect the United States and then to expand that protection for our deployed forces and our allies and friends in the European theater," Obering said.
The layered missile defense strategy melds boost-phase defense, mid-course defense and terminal-stage defense together. Various systems from ground-based interceptors, to airborne lasers to sea-based platforms provide protection against a rogue regime trying to launch one or two missiles at the United States or its allies.
U.S. officials are making great progress in integrating the missile defense systems with NATO programs, the general said. Obering discussed some of the systems' successes.
"In the boost phase, we've had great success with the airborne laser," he said. The laser is mounted in a Boeing 747 and fires through the nose of the aircraft to destroy missiles just launching.
"We have generated the power that we needed on the ground in a 747 fuselage mock-up, and we've also flown the aircraft," he said. "We've demonstrated the tracking laser performance and an atmospheric compensation laser performance. All that goes together to show that we can shoot down a boosting missile. And we're on track to do that next year in a flight test."
Thirty interceptor missiles at bases in Alaska and California make up the only defense the United States has against long-range missiles, Obering said.
As time goes on, the general said, U.S. defense planners are concerned where countries like Iran and North Korea will go. They worry that the missile proliferators will develop more and more complex countermeasures to go along with their missiles. The agency is working to counter those moves, the general said.
Terminal-phase defense soon will receive another arrow in the quiver, as the agency prepares to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense system. The THAAD, which will come on line in the next year, shoots down missiles just inside and outside the atmosphere.
Other agency projects include the launch of two space-tracking and surveillance system satellites and a test of missile interceptors scheduled July 18, Obering said.
Tests have indicated the systems are working.
"Overall, since 2001, we have now conducted 35 of 43 successful hit-to-kill intercepts," Obering said.
American Forces Press Service
July 15, 2008 - Iran's launch of a missile with a 2,000-kilometer range last week is a concrete example of the threat the world faces from missile proliferation, the chief of the Missile Defense Agency said here today. Air Force Lt. Gen. Henry A. "Trey" Obering, said the United States is concerned specifically about the threat posed by developments North Korea and Iran are making in their missile programs.
"Iran is working on an extended-range version of the Shahab-3 and a new 2,000-kilometer medium-range ballistic missile, which they term the Ashura," the general said at a news conference.
Iran also claimed that it had successfully launched an exploratory space vehicle in February, which, analysts concluded, also was a Shahab-3.
Last week, Iran launched several short- and medium-range ballistic missiles capable of striking Israel and the U.S. bases in the Middle East. Longer-ranged missiles are capable of striking Europe.
The U.S. concern with the spread of the technology was such that the current and previous administrations invested in fielding the missile defense program. "We needed to protect the United States and then to expand that protection for our deployed forces and our allies and friends in the European theater," Obering said.
The layered missile defense strategy melds boost-phase defense, mid-course defense and terminal-stage defense together. Various systems from ground-based interceptors, to airborne lasers to sea-based platforms provide protection against a rogue regime trying to launch one or two missiles at the United States or its allies.
U.S. officials are making great progress in integrating the missile defense systems with NATO programs, the general said. Obering discussed some of the systems' successes.
"In the boost phase, we've had great success with the airborne laser," he said. The laser is mounted in a Boeing 747 and fires through the nose of the aircraft to destroy missiles just launching.
"We have generated the power that we needed on the ground in a 747 fuselage mock-up, and we've also flown the aircraft," he said. "We've demonstrated the tracking laser performance and an atmospheric compensation laser performance. All that goes together to show that we can shoot down a boosting missile. And we're on track to do that next year in a flight test."
Thirty interceptor missiles at bases in Alaska and California make up the only defense the United States has against long-range missiles, Obering said.
As time goes on, the general said, U.S. defense planners are concerned where countries like Iran and North Korea will go. They worry that the missile proliferators will develop more and more complex countermeasures to go along with their missiles. The agency is working to counter those moves, the general said.
Terminal-phase defense soon will receive another arrow in the quiver, as the agency prepares to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense system. The THAAD, which will come on line in the next year, shoots down missiles just inside and outside the atmosphere.
Other agency projects include the launch of two space-tracking and surveillance system satellites and a test of missile interceptors scheduled July 18, Obering said.
Tests have indicated the systems are working.
"Overall, since 2001, we have now conducted 35 of 43 successful hit-to-kill intercepts," Obering said.
America Supports You: Marine Parents to Learn, Bond at Conference
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
July 15, 2008 - Hundreds of military family members will gather next week for Marine Parents United's 5th Annual Marine Family Conference, where they'll have opportunities aimed at helping them better understand military life. "The conference will provide educational and social opportunities to encourage attendees to both understand and support their Marine and the commitment he [or] she made to the [Marine Corps]," said Joyce Gilmour, the organization's treasurer.
The conference fulfills Marine Parents United's mission statement of hosting an annual educational and networking conference to offer guidance to Marine families, though each year's event is open to anyone interested in attending, she said.
This year's event, which is being held in the Metro Washington area, begins July 23 and ends July 27.
Participants will take part in educational workshops, including how to recognize post-traumatic stress disorder and the issues surrounding its diagnosis. The audience will hear from a clinical psychologist and a representative of a ministerial nonprofit troop-support group.
Other workshops will offer tips on the best ways to support a servicemember and how to find troop-support organizations most beneficial to a specific situation. Participants also can learn about combat injuries and advancements in rehabilitation technologies as well as what the life of a Marine is like "from recruitment to retirement," from Marine Gunnery Sgt. Will Price.
Though the last presentation focuses on the life of a Marine, Gilmour said she believes anyone will learn more about military life from Price.
The conference is set to offer some less academic events as well. Marine Parents United will screen HBO's "Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq," and host a two-hour live radio broadcast titled "Talk With Heroes."
The weekend includes a good bit of socializing, as well.
Tours will enable participants to visit various historical military sites around the nation's capital. One of these outings will take the group to Arlington National Cemetery where, as in years past, the group will honor the nation's fallen warriors.
"This year we will have a dove release at Section 60, and then will be placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns," Gilmour said. Section 60 is the area of Arlington National Cemetery dedicated to servicemembers who lost their lives in Iraq.
This is just one of the events that will give participants a chance to get to know each other better, and the bonds formed during the weekend endure, she said.
"There will be a lot of time to get to know other people from all over the United States, swap stories and share experiences," she added. "Some folks are just beginning the rollercoaster ride of a military family, [but] lots of us are at different parts of the journey."
Registration for the conference is still open at $150 for the whole weekend and can be completed through the Marine Parents United Web site. "The fee covers [conference space] rental at the hotel, food and audiovisual equipment," Gilmour said.
Those attending and wanting to stay at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles, where the conference is being held, should call Gilmour directly. Her contact information is available on the Marine Parents United Web site.
Marine Parents United 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
July 15, 2008 - Hundreds of military family members will gather next week for Marine Parents United's 5th Annual Marine Family Conference, where they'll have opportunities aimed at helping them better understand military life. "The conference will provide educational and social opportunities to encourage attendees to both understand and support their Marine and the commitment he [or] she made to the [Marine Corps]," said Joyce Gilmour, the organization's treasurer.
The conference fulfills Marine Parents United's mission statement of hosting an annual educational and networking conference to offer guidance to Marine families, though each year's event is open to anyone interested in attending, she said.
This year's event, which is being held in the Metro Washington area, begins July 23 and ends July 27.
Participants will take part in educational workshops, including how to recognize post-traumatic stress disorder and the issues surrounding its diagnosis. The audience will hear from a clinical psychologist and a representative of a ministerial nonprofit troop-support group.
Other workshops will offer tips on the best ways to support a servicemember and how to find troop-support organizations most beneficial to a specific situation. Participants also can learn about combat injuries and advancements in rehabilitation technologies as well as what the life of a Marine is like "from recruitment to retirement," from Marine Gunnery Sgt. Will Price.
Though the last presentation focuses on the life of a Marine, Gilmour said she believes anyone will learn more about military life from Price.
The conference is set to offer some less academic events as well. Marine Parents United will screen HBO's "Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq," and host a two-hour live radio broadcast titled "Talk With Heroes."
The weekend includes a good bit of socializing, as well.
Tours will enable participants to visit various historical military sites around the nation's capital. One of these outings will take the group to Arlington National Cemetery where, as in years past, the group will honor the nation's fallen warriors.
"This year we will have a dove release at Section 60, and then will be placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns," Gilmour said. Section 60 is the area of Arlington National Cemetery dedicated to servicemembers who lost their lives in Iraq.
This is just one of the events that will give participants a chance to get to know each other better, and the bonds formed during the weekend endure, she said.
"There will be a lot of time to get to know other people from all over the United States, swap stories and share experiences," she added. "Some folks are just beginning the rollercoaster ride of a military family, [but] lots of us are at different parts of the journey."
Registration for the conference is still open at $150 for the whole weekend and can be completed through the Marine Parents United Web site. "The fee covers [conference space] rental at the hotel, food and audiovisual equipment," Gilmour said.
Those attending and wanting to stay at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles, where the conference is being held, should call Gilmour directly. Her contact information is available on the Marine Parents United Web site.
Marine Parents United 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.
Language Program Launches Web Site to Aid Deploying Troops
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
July 15, 2008 - A Defense Department program that provides cultural and linguistic training to soon-to-deploy military personnel has activated a new Web site. Launched this month, the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center's new online resource offers deploying servicemembers easier access to hundreds of linguistic materials, free of charge, according to a DLIFLC news release.
Language lessons can be viewed, downloaded, and ordered at www.dliflc.edu under the "Products" tab. Aspiring students must register and receive DLIFLC account approval before placing an order.
Among other curricula, the Web site offers Language Survival Kits: pocket-size booklets with audio CDs in more than 30 languages that outline common greetings, military commands, medical vocabulary and other useful phrases in the native tongue of the students' destination.
The Monterey, Calif.-based language institute also offers new Headstart language DVD programs that use cutting-edge technology and computer animation to teach 80 hours of self-paced lessons and are designed to teach survival phrases in Iraqi Arabic and in Afghan Dari and Pashto, the release states.
The institute is a component of a comprehensive Defense Department language roadmap published in January 2005 and the National Security Language Initiative that President Bush proposed a year ago.
Gail H. McGinn, deputy undersecretary of defense for plans, oversees the Defense Department's foreign-area officer program, a linguistics initiative that embeds cultural and linguistic specialists with military members in their region of expertise.
McGinn said language has a unique ability to connect U.S. operators with their foreign counterparts and local civilians.
"To be able to communicate with the people, to understand what they're saying, to understand what they're thinking, to understand what their habits are and the correct way to interact with people is incredibly important," she said during an interview with American Forces Press Service in December.
The cooperation among federal agencies, Congress and the White House on linguistic initiatives underscores the increasingly prominent role language skills play in U.S. missions at home and abroad.
"Deficits in foreign language learning and teaching negatively affect our national security, diplomacy, law enforcement, intelligence communities and cultural understanding," a National Security Language Initiative fact sheet on the State Department Web site states.
"The NSLI will dramatically increase the number of Americans learning critical need foreign languages ... through new and expanded programs from kindergarten through university and into the work force," according to the fact sheet.
American Forces Press Service
July 15, 2008 - A Defense Department program that provides cultural and linguistic training to soon-to-deploy military personnel has activated a new Web site. Launched this month, the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center's new online resource offers deploying servicemembers easier access to hundreds of linguistic materials, free of charge, according to a DLIFLC news release.
Language lessons can be viewed, downloaded, and ordered at www.dliflc.edu under the "Products" tab. Aspiring students must register and receive DLIFLC account approval before placing an order.
Among other curricula, the Web site offers Language Survival Kits: pocket-size booklets with audio CDs in more than 30 languages that outline common greetings, military commands, medical vocabulary and other useful phrases in the native tongue of the students' destination.
The Monterey, Calif.-based language institute also offers new Headstart language DVD programs that use cutting-edge technology and computer animation to teach 80 hours of self-paced lessons and are designed to teach survival phrases in Iraqi Arabic and in Afghan Dari and Pashto, the release states.
The institute is a component of a comprehensive Defense Department language roadmap published in January 2005 and the National Security Language Initiative that President Bush proposed a year ago.
Gail H. McGinn, deputy undersecretary of defense for plans, oversees the Defense Department's foreign-area officer program, a linguistics initiative that embeds cultural and linguistic specialists with military members in their region of expertise.
McGinn said language has a unique ability to connect U.S. operators with their foreign counterparts and local civilians.
"To be able to communicate with the people, to understand what they're saying, to understand what they're thinking, to understand what their habits are and the correct way to interact with people is incredibly important," she said during an interview with American Forces Press Service in December.
The cooperation among federal agencies, Congress and the White House on linguistic initiatives underscores the increasingly prominent role language skills play in U.S. missions at home and abroad.
"Deficits in foreign language learning and teaching negatively affect our national security, diplomacy, law enforcement, intelligence communities and cultural understanding," a National Security Language Initiative fact sheet on the State Department Web site states.
"The NSLI will dramatically increase the number of Americans learning critical need foreign languages ... through new and expanded programs from kindergarten through university and into the work force," according to the fact sheet.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Navy Names Two Virginia Class Submarines
The Navy announced today that the next two Virginia-class attack submarines will be named the USS Minnesota and the USS North Dakota.
The selection of Minnesota, designated SSN 783, honors the state's citizens and their continued support to our nation's military. Minnesota has a long tradition of honoring its veterans of wars past and present. The state is proud to be home to 46 Medal of Honor recipients that span from the Civil War to the Vietnam War.
This will be the third ship to bear the state name. The first USS Minnesota, a sailing steam frigate, was commissioned in 1857 and served during the Civil War, remaining in service until her decommissioning in 1898. The second Minnesota was commissioned in 1907. On December 16, 1907 she departed Hampton Roads as one of the 16 battleships of the Great White Fleet sent by President Theodore Roosevelt on a voyage around the world. She continued her service through World War I, and was decommissioned in 1921.
The selection of the North Dakota, designated SSN 784, honors the state's citizens and veterans and their strong military support and heritage from the Frontier Wars through the Cold War and currently the Global War on Terrorism. Seventeen North Dakotans have received the Medal of Honor for actions in combat,including Master Sgt. Woodrow W. Keeble who posthumously received the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony on March 3, 2008. This is the second ship to bear the name North Dakota. The first ship, the Delaware-class battleship USS North Dakota , was in service from 1910 through 1923.
These next-generation attack submarines will provide the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. They will have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that will enable them to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.
North Dakota and Minnesota will have the capability to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; special forces delivery and support; and mine delivery and minefield mapping.
The Virginia-class is 7,800-tons and 377 feet in length, has a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. It is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship – reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.
The selection of Minnesota, designated SSN 783, honors the state's citizens and their continued support to our nation's military. Minnesota has a long tradition of honoring its veterans of wars past and present. The state is proud to be home to 46 Medal of Honor recipients that span from the Civil War to the Vietnam War.
This will be the third ship to bear the state name. The first USS Minnesota, a sailing steam frigate, was commissioned in 1857 and served during the Civil War, remaining in service until her decommissioning in 1898. The second Minnesota was commissioned in 1907. On December 16, 1907 she departed Hampton Roads as one of the 16 battleships of the Great White Fleet sent by President Theodore Roosevelt on a voyage around the world. She continued her service through World War I, and was decommissioned in 1921.
The selection of the North Dakota, designated SSN 784, honors the state's citizens and veterans and their strong military support and heritage from the Frontier Wars through the Cold War and currently the Global War on Terrorism. Seventeen North Dakotans have received the Medal of Honor for actions in combat,including Master Sgt. Woodrow W. Keeble who posthumously received the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony on March 3, 2008. This is the second ship to bear the name North Dakota. The first ship, the Delaware-class battleship USS North Dakota , was in service from 1910 through 1923.
These next-generation attack submarines will provide the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. They will have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that will enable them to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.
North Dakota and Minnesota will have the capability to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; special forces delivery and support; and mine delivery and minefield mapping.
The Virginia-class is 7,800-tons and 377 feet in length, has a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. It is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship – reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.
'Troops to Teachers' Translates Military Experience to Classroom
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
July 15, 2008 - About 60 servicemembers preparing to retire or separate from the military got the word loud and clear during a recent Transition Assistance Program workshop here: If Uncle Sam can't have you any more, the public school system would love to have you. School districts around the country are desperate for the maturity and experience troops have gained through military service, said Robert Henry, who coordinates the Troops to Teachers Program for Maryland and the District of Columbia.
The Defense Department launched the Troops to Teachers program in 1994 to attract departing military members into teaching positions in low-income and underprivileged school districts. Fourteen years later, the program has placed more than 11,000 former troops into public schools nationwide, Henry told the group. Almost half the TTT teachers work in high schools, 30 percent in middle schools and about 20 percent in elementary schools. More than 80 percent of them are men, compared to about 25 percent of traditional teachers.
To qualify for the program, candidates need a bachelor's degree and teacher certification that the Troops to Teachers program can help finance, Henry said.
A retired Navy petty officer first class, Henry called the Troops to Teachers program a great opportunity for former servicemembers who enjoy working with young people and want to continue serving their communities.
He called former troops prime candidates for teaching jobs -- particularly in math, the sciences and special education -- who bring a unique quality to their classrooms.
"They have real-world experience, and they bring a level of maturity, along with good communications skills," he said. "Most have a sense of service and want to continue to give back to the community.
"But beyond that," he continued, "troops bring a sense of commitment to mission accomplishment. For them, failure is not an option. There's a kind of mentality they bring to the job that means they will do whatever they need to do to get something done and to do it right."
Participants in the program say military service gave them the skills they needed for the job: discipline, patience and a readiness to face challenges. They also report a personal satisfaction that comes with working with young people, Henry said.
Seventy-five percent of TTT teachers were still teaching five years after going through the program, Henry said. After 10 years, 60 percent were still involved in education, as teachers or administrators.
Among them is Ernie Jackson, who returned to his hometown of Port Jervis, N.Y., in 2000 to teach fifth grade and special education. Jackson, who retired as an Army infantry officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel, said he found the Troops to Teachers program a good way to transition into the education field.
Jackson said he drew on his 20 years of military experience as he moved into the classroom, tapping into the management skills the Army taught him, along with the ability to work under pressure and deal with people. He said he applied the Army's way of training troops, emphasizing group dynamics and team building -- "skills you need in life, but that you can't get on the Internet or on a cell phone."
Jackson said that as he rose through the education ranks, becoming a vice principal, then a principal, he got the satisfaction from his interactions with his students.
"You change kids' lives," he said. "It's a great opportunity to make a difference in a young person's life. And there's a tremendous amount of gratification that comes with that."
Now a principal who hires teachers, Jackson said he seeks out former servicemembers through the Troops to Teachers program. "Having time in the military gives them a definite edge in my book," he said. "I find there are a lot of parallels between teaching and the military. We need servicemen and women to become teachers."
Jackson isn't alone in praising the Troops to Teachers program. School districts rave about the teachers they recruited through the program, Henry told the Fort Meade troops. Ninety percent of principals report that TTT teachers are more effective than traditional teachers, particularly in classroom management and student discipline. Eight-nine percent of principals said TTT teachers have a greater impact than other teachers with equal teaching experience on student achievement.
"The school districts that have us all want more of us," Henry told students at the Fort Meade transition workshop. "It's a great opportunity to build on the military skills and experience you have built, and to use them in a meaningful way as you begin a new career."
American Forces Press Service
July 15, 2008 - About 60 servicemembers preparing to retire or separate from the military got the word loud and clear during a recent Transition Assistance Program workshop here: If Uncle Sam can't have you any more, the public school system would love to have you. School districts around the country are desperate for the maturity and experience troops have gained through military service, said Robert Henry, who coordinates the Troops to Teachers Program for Maryland and the District of Columbia.
The Defense Department launched the Troops to Teachers program in 1994 to attract departing military members into teaching positions in low-income and underprivileged school districts. Fourteen years later, the program has placed more than 11,000 former troops into public schools nationwide, Henry told the group. Almost half the TTT teachers work in high schools, 30 percent in middle schools and about 20 percent in elementary schools. More than 80 percent of them are men, compared to about 25 percent of traditional teachers.
To qualify for the program, candidates need a bachelor's degree and teacher certification that the Troops to Teachers program can help finance, Henry said.
A retired Navy petty officer first class, Henry called the Troops to Teachers program a great opportunity for former servicemembers who enjoy working with young people and want to continue serving their communities.
He called former troops prime candidates for teaching jobs -- particularly in math, the sciences and special education -- who bring a unique quality to their classrooms.
"They have real-world experience, and they bring a level of maturity, along with good communications skills," he said. "Most have a sense of service and want to continue to give back to the community.
"But beyond that," he continued, "troops bring a sense of commitment to mission accomplishment. For them, failure is not an option. There's a kind of mentality they bring to the job that means they will do whatever they need to do to get something done and to do it right."
Participants in the program say military service gave them the skills they needed for the job: discipline, patience and a readiness to face challenges. They also report a personal satisfaction that comes with working with young people, Henry said.
Seventy-five percent of TTT teachers were still teaching five years after going through the program, Henry said. After 10 years, 60 percent were still involved in education, as teachers or administrators.
Among them is Ernie Jackson, who returned to his hometown of Port Jervis, N.Y., in 2000 to teach fifth grade and special education. Jackson, who retired as an Army infantry officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel, said he found the Troops to Teachers program a good way to transition into the education field.
Jackson said he drew on his 20 years of military experience as he moved into the classroom, tapping into the management skills the Army taught him, along with the ability to work under pressure and deal with people. He said he applied the Army's way of training troops, emphasizing group dynamics and team building -- "skills you need in life, but that you can't get on the Internet or on a cell phone."
Jackson said that as he rose through the education ranks, becoming a vice principal, then a principal, he got the satisfaction from his interactions with his students.
"You change kids' lives," he said. "It's a great opportunity to make a difference in a young person's life. And there's a tremendous amount of gratification that comes with that."
Now a principal who hires teachers, Jackson said he seeks out former servicemembers through the Troops to Teachers program. "Having time in the military gives them a definite edge in my book," he said. "I find there are a lot of parallels between teaching and the military. We need servicemen and women to become teachers."
Jackson isn't alone in praising the Troops to Teachers program. School districts rave about the teachers they recruited through the program, Henry told the Fort Meade troops. Ninety percent of principals report that TTT teachers are more effective than traditional teachers, particularly in classroom management and student discipline. Eight-nine percent of principals said TTT teachers have a greater impact than other teachers with equal teaching experience on student achievement.
"The school districts that have us all want more of us," Henry told students at the Fort Meade transition workshop. "It's a great opportunity to build on the military skills and experience you have built, and to use them in a meaningful way as you begin a new career."
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Giant Squids Land at Dover Air Force Base
By Air Force Master Sgt. Veronica A. Aceveda and Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu
Special to American Forces Press Service
July 14, 2008 - A 326th Airlift Squadron aircrew landed at Dover Air Force Base, Del., July 11 with two giant squids in its cargo compartment. The two sea creatures were transported in a C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft from Europe and will be delivered to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The female preserved specimen, which will become the largest on display in the United States, measures 24 and a half feet long. The male is 9 feet long.
"My daughter is going to think I am the coolest dad ever," said Air Force Master Sgt. Phillip Vicker, a 326th AS loadmaster whose mission was to load and balance all of the cargo, including the squids, onto the aircraft.
Even though none of the aircrew or passengers could physically see the squids, Vicker said, everyone could still see the long box labeled with 'giant squids' stickers.
"They were really pumped up about it; they kept asking, 'Are those really squids in there?'" he said. "Even we didn't believe it when we first saw it on the cargo manifest."
The shipping container for the pair of squids was not as long as the actual bodies inside. The project manager at the Smithsonian, Elizabeth Musteen, said this was because the specimens' arms and tentacles were folded over the top of their mantles. However, when on display, the female will be fully expanded horizontally, and the male will be encased in a vertical state, she added.
"These specimens, brought up in deep-sea fishing nets off the coast of northern Spain, are expected to be a main attraction," Musteen said.
The giant squids will make their public debut Sept. 27, when the Smithsonian opens its new Sant Ocean Hall, an exhibition area designed to support ocean education.
"I can't wait to take the family to the display," said Air Force Maj. Mark Chagaris, one of the C-17 pilots who brought the deep ocean dwellers to the United States. "I can say, 'Your daddy helped bring that over here.'"
After unloading the squids from the C-17, four 436th Aerial Port Squadron airmen prepared the squids for transport to the Smithsonian by truck.
"There's nothing we can't handle," said Air Force Airman 1st Class David Strong, one of the four ramp services specialists who moved the 10-tentacled creatures. "If there's anything that needs to be shipped, we take care of it."
Dover's porters work for the world's largest aerial port, and are trained to load or unload cargo weighing 5 to 2 million pounds, and many have experience moving odd objects.
Air Force Senior Airman Michael Goicoechea, a ramp services specialist who helped to move the giant squids, said he has moved cargo ranging from submarines and Stryker vehicles to helicopters and Humvees.
"I was stationed previously at Kadena Air Base, Japan," he said. "But, I've moved more cargo working at Dover Air Force Base in five months than my two years in Kadena, and this is my first squid!"
While not trained to receive every single package, aerial port airmen here deal with all kinds of unexpected cargo.
"That is why our job is never boring," said Tech. Sgt. Steven Braddick, ramp services specialist shift supervisor, who has seen Air Force jets transport dolphins and parts for the space shuttle. "We're always learning and training throughout our career field, because who knows what else we'll be loading?"
(Air Force Master Sgt. Veronica A. Aceveda serves with the 512th Airlift Wing, and Air Force Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu serves with the 436th Airlift Wing.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
July 14, 2008 - A 326th Airlift Squadron aircrew landed at Dover Air Force Base, Del., July 11 with two giant squids in its cargo compartment. The two sea creatures were transported in a C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft from Europe and will be delivered to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The female preserved specimen, which will become the largest on display in the United States, measures 24 and a half feet long. The male is 9 feet long.
"My daughter is going to think I am the coolest dad ever," said Air Force Master Sgt. Phillip Vicker, a 326th AS loadmaster whose mission was to load and balance all of the cargo, including the squids, onto the aircraft.
Even though none of the aircrew or passengers could physically see the squids, Vicker said, everyone could still see the long box labeled with 'giant squids' stickers.
"They were really pumped up about it; they kept asking, 'Are those really squids in there?'" he said. "Even we didn't believe it when we first saw it on the cargo manifest."
The shipping container for the pair of squids was not as long as the actual bodies inside. The project manager at the Smithsonian, Elizabeth Musteen, said this was because the specimens' arms and tentacles were folded over the top of their mantles. However, when on display, the female will be fully expanded horizontally, and the male will be encased in a vertical state, she added.
"These specimens, brought up in deep-sea fishing nets off the coast of northern Spain, are expected to be a main attraction," Musteen said.
The giant squids will make their public debut Sept. 27, when the Smithsonian opens its new Sant Ocean Hall, an exhibition area designed to support ocean education.
"I can't wait to take the family to the display," said Air Force Maj. Mark Chagaris, one of the C-17 pilots who brought the deep ocean dwellers to the United States. "I can say, 'Your daddy helped bring that over here.'"
After unloading the squids from the C-17, four 436th Aerial Port Squadron airmen prepared the squids for transport to the Smithsonian by truck.
"There's nothing we can't handle," said Air Force Airman 1st Class David Strong, one of the four ramp services specialists who moved the 10-tentacled creatures. "If there's anything that needs to be shipped, we take care of it."
Dover's porters work for the world's largest aerial port, and are trained to load or unload cargo weighing 5 to 2 million pounds, and many have experience moving odd objects.
Air Force Senior Airman Michael Goicoechea, a ramp services specialist who helped to move the giant squids, said he has moved cargo ranging from submarines and Stryker vehicles to helicopters and Humvees.
"I was stationed previously at Kadena Air Base, Japan," he said. "But, I've moved more cargo working at Dover Air Force Base in five months than my two years in Kadena, and this is my first squid!"
While not trained to receive every single package, aerial port airmen here deal with all kinds of unexpected cargo.
"That is why our job is never boring," said Tech. Sgt. Steven Braddick, ramp services specialist shift supervisor, who has seen Air Force jets transport dolphins and parts for the space shuttle. "We're always learning and training throughout our career field, because who knows what else we'll be loading?"
(Air Force Master Sgt. Veronica A. Aceveda serves with the 512th Airlift Wing, and Air Force Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu serves with the 436th Airlift Wing.)
America Supports You: Airgas, Operation Homefront Bond to Help Vets
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
July 14, 2008 - In the next three years, an untold number of veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will benefit from a new partnership between two organizations who share only geographic proximity and a desire to honor servicemembers. Airgas, a distributor of industrial, medical, specialty gases, and welding and safety products, recently launched what its chairman and chief executive officer described as a long-term program.
"We're kicking off a three-year program the way we look at it," Peter McCausland said, "but we're thinking that it's going to be a long-term program for Airgas."
The program began with Airgas' pledge to donate $100,000 a year for three years to Operation Homefront, a troop-support organization. The guidelines for the use of the funding stipulate that 70 percent of the funds must directly benefit wounded veterans or their families, McCausland said.
Another piece of the program is the company's commitment to hire 100 veterans of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in conjunction with Operation Homefront.
"We have over 15,000 employees, and the least we can do is make room for 100 veterans," McCausland said. "We felt like we wanted to do something tangible for individuals, and we have a lot of veterans in Airgas, so we know that they'll be happy."
For veterans who think they might be interested in learning the welding trade, Airgas also is offering its "Welding 101" course. While the company doesn't actually do welding, it also has the facilities, courses and certified welding engineers needed to offer the two days of classroom instruction and hands-on experience that serve as a good way to gauge interest in pursuing the trade further.
"The two days can get them started, and then we can direct them from there to the American Welding Society and other kinds of resources," McCausland said. "A lot of big companies run welding schools."
Operation Homefront is pleased with the opportunities the new partnership offers veterans, said Amy Palmer, the troop-support organization's chief operating officer.
"Airgas' 'Welding 101' is a significant training opportunity for many wounded warriors who need help finding a lucrative and steady job as they enter the civilian world," she said. "We appreciate Airgas' generous support for our job placement efforts for injured veterans who are transitioning to the civilian world."
At the community level, each of Airgas' 22 operating units across the country will develop relationships with local Operation Homefront representatives to work on events to support the organization through fundraising, direct assistance to veterans and other programs, he added.
The idea for the program grew from McCausland's wife's philanthropic activities benefitting veterans. Her work with veterans' causes may be a direct correlation to their son's service in Iraq. The former Marine's four-month deployment began on the fifth day of the war.
"My wife was very concerned about veterans from these two wars and the toll that it's taken them and their families," the Airgas chairman said. "We started to look for organizations around the country that would be [a good] fit for Airgas and that are providing services to veterans of these two conflicts and their families.
"Operation Homefront was one of about four or five of these organizations that we vetted, and we felt that it came out way ahead," McCausland added.
While Airgas is just kicking off the program with Operation Homefront, McCausland said his company is approaching it as a long-term commitment.
"We're very grateful for what these people and their families have done for the country, and this is just a way for Airgas to give back and show our collective support," he said.
Eligible veterans interested in participating in Airgas' welding training course or possible employment with Airgas should contact Operation Homefront, McCausland added.
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
July 14, 2008 - In the next three years, an untold number of veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will benefit from a new partnership between two organizations who share only geographic proximity and a desire to honor servicemembers. Airgas, a distributor of industrial, medical, specialty gases, and welding and safety products, recently launched what its chairman and chief executive officer described as a long-term program.
"We're kicking off a three-year program the way we look at it," Peter McCausland said, "but we're thinking that it's going to be a long-term program for Airgas."
The program began with Airgas' pledge to donate $100,000 a year for three years to Operation Homefront, a troop-support organization. The guidelines for the use of the funding stipulate that 70 percent of the funds must directly benefit wounded veterans or their families, McCausland said.
Another piece of the program is the company's commitment to hire 100 veterans of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in conjunction with Operation Homefront.
"We have over 15,000 employees, and the least we can do is make room for 100 veterans," McCausland said. "We felt like we wanted to do something tangible for individuals, and we have a lot of veterans in Airgas, so we know that they'll be happy."
For veterans who think they might be interested in learning the welding trade, Airgas also is offering its "Welding 101" course. While the company doesn't actually do welding, it also has the facilities, courses and certified welding engineers needed to offer the two days of classroom instruction and hands-on experience that serve as a good way to gauge interest in pursuing the trade further.
"The two days can get them started, and then we can direct them from there to the American Welding Society and other kinds of resources," McCausland said. "A lot of big companies run welding schools."
Operation Homefront is pleased with the opportunities the new partnership offers veterans, said Amy Palmer, the troop-support organization's chief operating officer.
"Airgas' 'Welding 101' is a significant training opportunity for many wounded warriors who need help finding a lucrative and steady job as they enter the civilian world," she said. "We appreciate Airgas' generous support for our job placement efforts for injured veterans who are transitioning to the civilian world."
At the community level, each of Airgas' 22 operating units across the country will develop relationships with local Operation Homefront representatives to work on events to support the organization through fundraising, direct assistance to veterans and other programs, he added.
The idea for the program grew from McCausland's wife's philanthropic activities benefitting veterans. Her work with veterans' causes may be a direct correlation to their son's service in Iraq. The former Marine's four-month deployment began on the fifth day of the war.
"My wife was very concerned about veterans from these two wars and the toll that it's taken them and their families," the Airgas chairman said. "We started to look for organizations around the country that would be [a good] fit for Airgas and that are providing services to veterans of these two conflicts and their families.
"Operation Homefront was one of about four or five of these organizations that we vetted, and we felt that it came out way ahead," McCausland added.
While Airgas is just kicking off the program with Operation Homefront, McCausland said his company is approaching it as a long-term commitment.
"We're very grateful for what these people and their families have done for the country, and this is just a way for Airgas to give back and show our collective support," he said.
Eligible veterans interested in participating in Airgas' welding training course or possible employment with Airgas should contact Operation Homefront, McCausland added.
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.
Monday, July 14, 2008
MILITARY CONTRACTS July 14, 2008
AIR FORCE
AECOM Government Services (AGS) of Fort Worth, Texas; Computer Support Services (CS); Defense Support Services (DS2) of Greenville, S.C.; DynCorp International, LLC of Fort Worth, Texas; L3 Communications, Integrated Systems, Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss.; Lear Siegler Services, Inc. of Austin, Texas; Northrop Grumman Technical Services (NGTS) of Linthicum, Md.; and Kent Construction Company, Incorporated of Smyrna, Del., are being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for a maximum of $10.12 billion. The Contract Field Teams (CFT) Program accomplishes depot and organizational level inspection, maintenance, modification and repair at operational Government locations worldwide. The program supports AIR FORCE requirements at each of the Air Logistics Centers (ALCs), Air Combat Command (ACC), Air Mobility Command (AMC), AIR FORCE Reserves (AFRES) and Air National Guard (ANG). CFT contracts are also used to support requirements generated by the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other Federal agencies. The CFT program provides a rapid deployment capability to field necessary skilled technicians on site anywhere in the free world to support the Government's war readiness and posture planning needs. Quantity of the services required is determined at the time the requirement is generated and will be cited on each order. At this time $280,000 has been obligated. (AGS – FA8108-08-D-0002; CSS – FA8108-08-D0001; DSS – FA8108-08-D0003; DynCorp International, LLC -- FA8108-08-D0004; L3 Communications -- FA8108-08-D0005; LSI -- FA8108-08-D0006; NGTS -- FA8108-08-D0007)
Kay and Associates (KAI) of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; MA Support Services of Denton, Texas; MacAulay Brown, Inc., of Dayton, Ohio; and CSE Corporation of Alexandria Va., are being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for a maximum of $10.12 billion. The Contract Field Teams (CFT) Program accomplishes depot and organizational level inspection, maintenance, modification and repair at operational Government locations worldwide. The program supports AIR FORCE requirements at each of the Air Logistics Centers (ALCs), Air Combat Command (ACC), Air Mobility Command (AMC), AIR FORCE Reserves (AFRES) and Air National Guard (ANG). CFT contracts are also used to support requirements generated by the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other Federal Agencies. The CFT program provides a rapid deployment capability to field necessary skilled technicians on site anywhere in the free world to support the Government's war readiness and posture planning needs. Quantity of the services required is determined at the time the requirement is generated and will be cited on each order. 327 ASW/FT; Tinker AFB; Midwest City, Okla., is the contracting activity (Kay and Associates – FA8108-08-D-0008; M1 Support Services -- FA8108-08-D-0009; MacAulay Brown, Inc. -- FA8108-08-D-0010; VSE Corporation -- FA8108-08-D-0011).
Army
David Boland, Inc., Titusville, Fla., was awarded on July 9, 2008, a $28,357,000.00 firm fixed price contract for construction of an aviation support facility at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Work is expected to be completed by Jan. 23, 2010. Bids were solicited via the Web with six bids received. National Guard Bureau Missouri, Jefferson City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912NS-08-C-0001).
Rentenbach Constructors Inc., Knoxville, Tenn., was awarded on July 11, 2008, a $13,208,000.00 firm fixed price contract for design and construction of a new 32,400 square foot troop medical/dental clinic (17,000 sf Medical and 15,400 sf Dental), at Harmony Church, Fort Benning, Ga. This project will provide medical and dental support of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) 2005 troop movement efforts of the Armor School from Fort Knox, Ky. Three bids were solicited and three bids were received. Work will be performed at Fort Benning, Ga., with an expected completion date of Jan. 22, 2010. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-08-C-0036).
AECOM Government Services (AGS) of Fort Worth, Texas; Computer Support Services (CS); Defense Support Services (DS2) of Greenville, S.C.; DynCorp International, LLC of Fort Worth, Texas; L3 Communications, Integrated Systems, Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss.; Lear Siegler Services, Inc. of Austin, Texas; Northrop Grumman Technical Services (NGTS) of Linthicum, Md.; and Kent Construction Company, Incorporated of Smyrna, Del., are being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for a maximum of $10.12 billion. The Contract Field Teams (CFT) Program accomplishes depot and organizational level inspection, maintenance, modification and repair at operational Government locations worldwide. The program supports AIR FORCE requirements at each of the Air Logistics Centers (ALCs), Air Combat Command (ACC), Air Mobility Command (AMC), AIR FORCE Reserves (AFRES) and Air National Guard (ANG). CFT contracts are also used to support requirements generated by the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other Federal agencies. The CFT program provides a rapid deployment capability to field necessary skilled technicians on site anywhere in the free world to support the Government's war readiness and posture planning needs. Quantity of the services required is determined at the time the requirement is generated and will be cited on each order. At this time $280,000 has been obligated. (AGS – FA8108-08-D-0002; CSS – FA8108-08-D0001; DSS – FA8108-08-D0003; DynCorp International, LLC -- FA8108-08-D0004; L3 Communications -- FA8108-08-D0005; LSI -- FA8108-08-D0006; NGTS -- FA8108-08-D0007)
Kay and Associates (KAI) of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; MA Support Services of Denton, Texas; MacAulay Brown, Inc., of Dayton, Ohio; and CSE Corporation of Alexandria Va., are being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for a maximum of $10.12 billion. The Contract Field Teams (CFT) Program accomplishes depot and organizational level inspection, maintenance, modification and repair at operational Government locations worldwide. The program supports AIR FORCE requirements at each of the Air Logistics Centers (ALCs), Air Combat Command (ACC), Air Mobility Command (AMC), AIR FORCE Reserves (AFRES) and Air National Guard (ANG). CFT contracts are also used to support requirements generated by the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other Federal Agencies. The CFT program provides a rapid deployment capability to field necessary skilled technicians on site anywhere in the free world to support the Government's war readiness and posture planning needs. Quantity of the services required is determined at the time the requirement is generated and will be cited on each order. 327 ASW/FT; Tinker AFB; Midwest City, Okla., is the contracting activity (Kay and Associates – FA8108-08-D-0008; M1 Support Services -- FA8108-08-D-0009; MacAulay Brown, Inc. -- FA8108-08-D-0010; VSE Corporation -- FA8108-08-D-0011).
Army
David Boland, Inc., Titusville, Fla., was awarded on July 9, 2008, a $28,357,000.00 firm fixed price contract for construction of an aviation support facility at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Work is expected to be completed by Jan. 23, 2010. Bids were solicited via the Web with six bids received. National Guard Bureau Missouri, Jefferson City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912NS-08-C-0001).
Rentenbach Constructors Inc., Knoxville, Tenn., was awarded on July 11, 2008, a $13,208,000.00 firm fixed price contract for design and construction of a new 32,400 square foot troop medical/dental clinic (17,000 sf Medical and 15,400 sf Dental), at Harmony Church, Fort Benning, Ga. This project will provide medical and dental support of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) 2005 troop movement efforts of the Armor School from Fort Knox, Ky. Three bids were solicited and three bids were received. Work will be performed at Fort Benning, Ga., with an expected completion date of Jan. 22, 2010. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-08-C-0036).
Partnership to Help Army Reserve, D.C. Police Share Same Talent Pool
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
July 14, 2008 - The adage, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em," got a new twist today as the Army Reserve and the Metropolitan Police of the District of Columbia signed a partnership deal so they can recruit, hire and train people for both organizations. MPDC became the first law enforcement agency to partner with the Army Reserve in a unique arrangement that Army Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, called a win-win for the military as well as the police. Instead of competing for the same talent pool, they can now join forces to fill their ranks and train their members.
The agreement, signed at the Metropolitan Police Academy here, enables Army Reserve recruiters to refer recruits signing on as military police or active-duty military police joining the Army Reserve for civilian jobs with the MPDC. Similarly, the police department can refer its members for Army Reserve jobs.
The arrangement will enable the two organizations to help each other fill critical shortages while also taking advantage of the training and experience base both provide their members, Stultz said.
Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, noted today that the Army Reserve and MPDC are looking for recruits with many of the same attributes. Both want honest, drug-free members who know how to lead as well as follow and love their country and communities, he said.
Army 1st Sgt. Ryan Ervin of the 200th Military Police Command at Fort Meade, Md., also an MPDC officer, said the Metropolitan Police Department and Army Reserve both stand to benefit from sharing the professional, career-minded and goal-oriented recruits each attracts. Army experience gives police recruits an ability to think on their feet, work within a command structure and show flexibility when it's needed, he said.
Meanwhile, Stultz said, civilian police experience brings strong negotiating, interrogation and crime scene investigation skills to the Army Reserve.
The MPDC partnership is the Army Reserve's fifth so far, but about 50 others are in the works and nearly 150 additional employers have expressed interest in forming one.
What makes the concept so popular, even in the face of reserve deployments, is that it helps employers realize the upside of hiring Army Reservists, Stultz said. "Don't look at the Reserve as a drain on your force. Look at it as a value added," he said he tells employers.
As the long list of employers considering new partnerships grows, it's evident that employers already recognize the attributes Army Reservists bring to their work force, said Army Col. Dianna Cleven, an Office of the Army Reserve director. The advantage of partnerships, she said, is that it provides a formal structure so employers can find and tap into the Army Reserve's talent base while also providing an avenue for Army Reservists to link up with potential employers.
"It's a mechanism to link reservists looking for jobs in specific skills," Cleven said. "We're providing that mechanism through these partnerships that helps them connect the dots."
The MPDC, which needs to recruit about 350 police officers a year, sees the Army Reserve as a prime recruiting ground, Assistant Chief Joshua Ederheimer said during today's partnership signing ceremony at the Metropolitan Police Academy. He noted that the two organizations share a cultural ethos of service and sacrifice, with their members understanding and accepting personal risk to protect their fellow citizens.
Meanwhile, because the Army Reserve provides 93 percent of the Army's total military police force, its members who report for duty with the MPDC arrive with extensive military police training already under their belts.
Some arrive after active-duty assignments in military police units. Others are new recruits who attend basic training, then advanced individual training in military police skills before reporting to their Army Reserve units and starting their civilian careers.
"By that time, he is not just a high school graduate. Now he is a soldier," Stultz said. "He's got discipline. He's got leadership. He's got a work ethic and he's had training. Then (MPDC) can take him and develop him further."
MPDC Chief Cathy Lanier called the new partnership "a very significant and important step for us" that will help her department recruit and retain the high-skilled work force it it needs. "It will help make our force stronger and our city safer," she said.
Lanier can look within her own force for a glimpse into what the new partnership will offer. One of her officers, Greg Naguerka, arrived at the Metropolitan Police Academy in 2005 with seven years of military police experience that he said gave him a big leg up over his fellow police cadets.
Now an Army Reserve staff sergeant with the 200th Military Police Command at Fort Meade, Md., Nagurerka said his Army experience made him mentally prepared and physically fit for his police training and provided a strong foundation for his police career.
Army Sgt. Scott Dignan served with the MPDC for six years before joining the Army Reserve 12 years ago, and said the military has trained and tested him in ways that have boosted his civilian career.
"It has opened my eyes to a whole different way of leading and has been a true asset to me," said Dignan, now a lieutenant with the Metropolitan Police Department. "Between the leadership training and the deployments, it has taught me a lot about myself and given me experience that's been invaluable."
Stultz called today's signing ceremony a big day not just for the Army Reserve, but for the Army as a whole, which counts on its citizen-soldiers to sustain the all-volunteer force. To do that, he said, the Army Reserve needs to work cooperatively with civilian employers.
"A number of employers out there are saying that this is a great idea," and a way to attract everything from truck drivers to medical technologists to engineers to law enforcement officers to their work forces. "You name it, we've got it," Stultz said. "Partnerships help provide the conduit."
American Forces Press Service
July 14, 2008 - The adage, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em," got a new twist today as the Army Reserve and the Metropolitan Police of the District of Columbia signed a partnership deal so they can recruit, hire and train people for both organizations. MPDC became the first law enforcement agency to partner with the Army Reserve in a unique arrangement that Army Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, called a win-win for the military as well as the police. Instead of competing for the same talent pool, they can now join forces to fill their ranks and train their members.
The agreement, signed at the Metropolitan Police Academy here, enables Army Reserve recruiters to refer recruits signing on as military police or active-duty military police joining the Army Reserve for civilian jobs with the MPDC. Similarly, the police department can refer its members for Army Reserve jobs.
The arrangement will enable the two organizations to help each other fill critical shortages while also taking advantage of the training and experience base both provide their members, Stultz said.
Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, noted today that the Army Reserve and MPDC are looking for recruits with many of the same attributes. Both want honest, drug-free members who know how to lead as well as follow and love their country and communities, he said.
Army 1st Sgt. Ryan Ervin of the 200th Military Police Command at Fort Meade, Md., also an MPDC officer, said the Metropolitan Police Department and Army Reserve both stand to benefit from sharing the professional, career-minded and goal-oriented recruits each attracts. Army experience gives police recruits an ability to think on their feet, work within a command structure and show flexibility when it's needed, he said.
Meanwhile, Stultz said, civilian police experience brings strong negotiating, interrogation and crime scene investigation skills to the Army Reserve.
The MPDC partnership is the Army Reserve's fifth so far, but about 50 others are in the works and nearly 150 additional employers have expressed interest in forming one.
What makes the concept so popular, even in the face of reserve deployments, is that it helps employers realize the upside of hiring Army Reservists, Stultz said. "Don't look at the Reserve as a drain on your force. Look at it as a value added," he said he tells employers.
As the long list of employers considering new partnerships grows, it's evident that employers already recognize the attributes Army Reservists bring to their work force, said Army Col. Dianna Cleven, an Office of the Army Reserve director. The advantage of partnerships, she said, is that it provides a formal structure so employers can find and tap into the Army Reserve's talent base while also providing an avenue for Army Reservists to link up with potential employers.
"It's a mechanism to link reservists looking for jobs in specific skills," Cleven said. "We're providing that mechanism through these partnerships that helps them connect the dots."
The MPDC, which needs to recruit about 350 police officers a year, sees the Army Reserve as a prime recruiting ground, Assistant Chief Joshua Ederheimer said during today's partnership signing ceremony at the Metropolitan Police Academy. He noted that the two organizations share a cultural ethos of service and sacrifice, with their members understanding and accepting personal risk to protect their fellow citizens.
Meanwhile, because the Army Reserve provides 93 percent of the Army's total military police force, its members who report for duty with the MPDC arrive with extensive military police training already under their belts.
Some arrive after active-duty assignments in military police units. Others are new recruits who attend basic training, then advanced individual training in military police skills before reporting to their Army Reserve units and starting their civilian careers.
"By that time, he is not just a high school graduate. Now he is a soldier," Stultz said. "He's got discipline. He's got leadership. He's got a work ethic and he's had training. Then (MPDC) can take him and develop him further."
MPDC Chief Cathy Lanier called the new partnership "a very significant and important step for us" that will help her department recruit and retain the high-skilled work force it it needs. "It will help make our force stronger and our city safer," she said.
Lanier can look within her own force for a glimpse into what the new partnership will offer. One of her officers, Greg Naguerka, arrived at the Metropolitan Police Academy in 2005 with seven years of military police experience that he said gave him a big leg up over his fellow police cadets.
Now an Army Reserve staff sergeant with the 200th Military Police Command at Fort Meade, Md., Nagurerka said his Army experience made him mentally prepared and physically fit for his police training and provided a strong foundation for his police career.
Army Sgt. Scott Dignan served with the MPDC for six years before joining the Army Reserve 12 years ago, and said the military has trained and tested him in ways that have boosted his civilian career.
"It has opened my eyes to a whole different way of leading and has been a true asset to me," said Dignan, now a lieutenant with the Metropolitan Police Department. "Between the leadership training and the deployments, it has taught me a lot about myself and given me experience that's been invaluable."
Stultz called today's signing ceremony a big day not just for the Army Reserve, but for the Army as a whole, which counts on its citizen-soldiers to sustain the all-volunteer force. To do that, he said, the Army Reserve needs to work cooperatively with civilian employers.
"A number of employers out there are saying that this is a great idea," and a way to attract everything from truck drivers to medical technologists to engineers to law enforcement officers to their work forces. "You name it, we've got it," Stultz said. "Partnerships help provide the conduit."
Pentagon Funds National Security Research
By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service
July 14, 2008 - The Defense Department is continuing its efforts to finance university research on national security-related issues, a senior Pentagon official said. The Minerva Initiative is an effort to build the Defense Department's capacity to reach out to the academic community for research in social science topics of interest to national security both present and future, Thomas Mahnken, deputy assistant secretary of defense for policy planning, said in a teleconference with online journalists and bloggers July 10.
Mahnken said the project has multiple strands, such as an agreement with the National Science Foundation and "broad agency announcements that seek research proposals in specific areas of study.
A memorandum of understanding recently signed between DoD and that the National Science Foundation allows researchers to apply for grants to study subjects that may be of interest to U.S. national security. Officials anticipate the agreement will fund work leading to new knowledge about topics such as religious fundamentalism, terrorism and cultural change.
"It covers DoD funding of existing proposals that have come into NSF," Mahnken explained. "It envisions the possibility of workshops; it envisions the possibility of solicitation for proposals; it includes ... a number of venues for DoD and NSF to work together in this area."
Mahnken noted that they are committed to getting grants for research under broad agency announcements by the end of the calendar year. "That's our commitment; we have timelines in place to make that happen," Mahnken said.
The basic research will be long-term, and some of the awards will be for five years with the possibility of renewal.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' vision behind the Minerva Initiative was to build capacity between academia and the U.S. government, Mahnken said. "Minerva's focus is on basic research and developing the skills in academia and the insight in academia that we need to understand other cultures for a variety of purposes," he explained.
He added that some relationships between parts of academia and parts of the government could be strengthened and the Minerva Initiative is a part of that effort.
"Mahnken said the Pentagon's policy office looks to academia to fill key positions. "We recruit a lot of political scientists, and folks in international relations," he said. "We recruit a sprinkling of historians, a smattering of economists, and we have a lot of folks who have foreign language skills, but we have only a handful of folks who have foreign language skills in particularly difficult languages such as Mandarin Chinese and Arabic.
Mahnken said the Defense Department's work force benefits from a strong relationship with academia. "One way to think about the desirable outcome is that 10 years from now we [will] have a much more diverse work force in terms of disciplinary backgrounds; we [will] have a work force that is used to thinking about a whole range of issues," he said.
He added that the future government work force will benefit from this initiative by being better informed and being connected to a vibrant discussion, research and debate on important issues.
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg works for the New Media branch of the Defense Media Activity.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
July 14, 2008 - The Defense Department is continuing its efforts to finance university research on national security-related issues, a senior Pentagon official said. The Minerva Initiative is an effort to build the Defense Department's capacity to reach out to the academic community for research in social science topics of interest to national security both present and future, Thomas Mahnken, deputy assistant secretary of defense for policy planning, said in a teleconference with online journalists and bloggers July 10.
Mahnken said the project has multiple strands, such as an agreement with the National Science Foundation and "broad agency announcements that seek research proposals in specific areas of study.
A memorandum of understanding recently signed between DoD and that the National Science Foundation allows researchers to apply for grants to study subjects that may be of interest to U.S. national security. Officials anticipate the agreement will fund work leading to new knowledge about topics such as religious fundamentalism, terrorism and cultural change.
"It covers DoD funding of existing proposals that have come into NSF," Mahnken explained. "It envisions the possibility of workshops; it envisions the possibility of solicitation for proposals; it includes ... a number of venues for DoD and NSF to work together in this area."
Mahnken noted that they are committed to getting grants for research under broad agency announcements by the end of the calendar year. "That's our commitment; we have timelines in place to make that happen," Mahnken said.
The basic research will be long-term, and some of the awards will be for five years with the possibility of renewal.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' vision behind the Minerva Initiative was to build capacity between academia and the U.S. government, Mahnken said. "Minerva's focus is on basic research and developing the skills in academia and the insight in academia that we need to understand other cultures for a variety of purposes," he explained.
He added that some relationships between parts of academia and parts of the government could be strengthened and the Minerva Initiative is a part of that effort.
"Mahnken said the Pentagon's policy office looks to academia to fill key positions. "We recruit a lot of political scientists, and folks in international relations," he said. "We recruit a sprinkling of historians, a smattering of economists, and we have a lot of folks who have foreign language skills, but we have only a handful of folks who have foreign language skills in particularly difficult languages such as Mandarin Chinese and Arabic.
Mahnken said the Defense Department's work force benefits from a strong relationship with academia. "One way to think about the desirable outcome is that 10 years from now we [will] have a much more diverse work force in terms of disciplinary backgrounds; we [will] have a work force that is used to thinking about a whole range of issues," he said.
He added that the future government work force will benefit from this initiative by being better informed and being connected to a vibrant discussion, research and debate on important issues.
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg works for the New Media branch of the Defense Media Activity.)
Reserve Airmen Combat Wild Fires
By Navy Seaman William Selby
Special to American Forces Press Service
July 14, 2008 - It's not always easy for members of the 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to remember they're an Air Force Reserve unit. "We really feel like an active-duty unit, because we're constantly busy," Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Flight, the unit's chief loadmaster, told online journalists and bloggers in a July 10 teleconference. "But this is our choice and we really enjoy what we do."
The 302nd, which combats land fires using aerial delivery, has helped to fight the wild fires in Southern California.
"One of our specialized missions is the modular airborne fire fighting system, or MAFFS, which more or less supplements the commercial air tankers in combating the wild land fires with safe aerial delivery of the fire retardant," Air Force Lt. Col. Ronald Wilt, 302nd Operations Group commander, said. The 302nd Airlift Winghas one of only eight C-130s that can perform this specialized mission, Flight said.
MAFFS is a self–contained, reusable 3,000 gallon system that stores and disperses fire retardant. "[The retardant] comes out and lays down, at first, in a bright red, basically to identify where it has been," Wilt explained. The color fades away after about five days, he added, and then the retardant acts as a fertilizer and promotes growth in the area.
At 28,000-pound load of retardant can be released in about eight seconds, Wilt said.
"When the retardant leaves the aircraft itself, the engineering design is such that it tries to maintain a center of gravity," he said. Each of five tanks holds 500 gallons of retardant, with the other 500 gallons in the tubes, he added.
The timing between touchdown and takeoff with a new load of retardant is very important when combating the fire, Wilt said.
"I've had as little as 11 minutes between touchdown and takeoff," he said, "but it's [usually] probably 20 to 25 minutes to get back in the battle with the fire."
Though the mission means working long days in temperatures of 100 degrees or more, Flight said, the airmen are happy to do it. "We really enjoy being together and working this mission, because it's our most rewarding mission," he said.
(Navy Seaman William Selby works for New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
July 14, 2008 - It's not always easy for members of the 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to remember they're an Air Force Reserve unit. "We really feel like an active-duty unit, because we're constantly busy," Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Flight, the unit's chief loadmaster, told online journalists and bloggers in a July 10 teleconference. "But this is our choice and we really enjoy what we do."
The 302nd, which combats land fires using aerial delivery, has helped to fight the wild fires in Southern California.
"One of our specialized missions is the modular airborne fire fighting system, or MAFFS, which more or less supplements the commercial air tankers in combating the wild land fires with safe aerial delivery of the fire retardant," Air Force Lt. Col. Ronald Wilt, 302nd Operations Group commander, said. The 302nd Airlift Winghas one of only eight C-130s that can perform this specialized mission, Flight said.
MAFFS is a self–contained, reusable 3,000 gallon system that stores and disperses fire retardant. "[The retardant] comes out and lays down, at first, in a bright red, basically to identify where it has been," Wilt explained. The color fades away after about five days, he added, and then the retardant acts as a fertilizer and promotes growth in the area.
At 28,000-pound load of retardant can be released in about eight seconds, Wilt said.
"When the retardant leaves the aircraft itself, the engineering design is such that it tries to maintain a center of gravity," he said. Each of five tanks holds 500 gallons of retardant, with the other 500 gallons in the tubes, he added.
The timing between touchdown and takeoff with a new load of retardant is very important when combating the fire, Wilt said.
"I've had as little as 11 minutes between touchdown and takeoff," he said, "but it's [usually] probably 20 to 25 minutes to get back in the battle with the fire."
Though the mission means working long days in temperatures of 100 degrees or more, Flight said, the airmen are happy to do it. "We really enjoy being together and working this mission, because it's our most rewarding mission," he said.
(Navy Seaman William Selby works for New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Mullen Meets with Pakistani Leaders
By army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
July 12, 2008 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff met with Pakistan's military and civilian leaders here today to discuss issues concerning Pakistan's lack of pressure toward insurgents flowing from their border into Afghanistan. During Navy Adm. Mike Mullen's brief stop in Pakistan, which lasted less than a day, he met with President Pervez Musharraf; Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani; Mahmud Ali Durrani, national security advisor to the prime minister; and army Chief of Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
The admiral discussed a wide array of security issues, along with his growing concern for the lack of pressure on Pakistan's side of the border, Navy Capt. John Kirby, a spokesman for Mullen, said.
U.S. military officials attribute the border issue as one of the main causes for the recent spike in violence throughout southern and eastern Afghanistan.
The chairman has kept the details of these discussions private, but stressed that Pakistan's leaders are aware of U.S. concerns and the challenges both countries face in the border region. Pakistani officials said they are working to address those challenges, Kirby said.
"The new Pakistan government has a very difficult challenge and continues to work its way through, but has to enforce making sure foreign fighters don't exist out there and make sure the insurgents don't have the freedom of movement across the border," Mullen said during an interview with reporters July 10 in Afghanistan.
Mullen said he was pleased with the outcome of his meetings today and looks forward to taking any opportunity to meet with Pakistani leaders, Kirby said.
American Forces Press Service
July 12, 2008 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff met with Pakistan's military and civilian leaders here today to discuss issues concerning Pakistan's lack of pressure toward insurgents flowing from their border into Afghanistan. During Navy Adm. Mike Mullen's brief stop in Pakistan, which lasted less than a day, he met with President Pervez Musharraf; Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani; Mahmud Ali Durrani, national security advisor to the prime minister; and army Chief of Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
The admiral discussed a wide array of security issues, along with his growing concern for the lack of pressure on Pakistan's side of the border, Navy Capt. John Kirby, a spokesman for Mullen, said.
U.S. military officials attribute the border issue as one of the main causes for the recent spike in violence throughout southern and eastern Afghanistan.
The chairman has kept the details of these discussions private, but stressed that Pakistan's leaders are aware of U.S. concerns and the challenges both countries face in the border region. Pakistani officials said they are working to address those challenges, Kirby said.
"The new Pakistan government has a very difficult challenge and continues to work its way through, but has to enforce making sure foreign fighters don't exist out there and make sure the insurgents don't have the freedom of movement across the border," Mullen said during an interview with reporters July 10 in Afghanistan.
Mullen said he was pleased with the outcome of his meetings today and looks forward to taking any opportunity to meet with Pakistani leaders, Kirby said.
California Air Guard Unit Hosts Fire Retardant Reloading Station
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Jill Jamgochian
Special to American Forces Press Service
July 11, 2008 - The 146th Airlift Wing at this station in Port Hueneme isn't equipped to drop fire retardant, but the California Air National Guard unit has found another mission that will keep them involved in the effort to battle wildfires. The wing has performed fire retardant reload operations for C-130H aircraft equipped with modular airborne firefighting systems, or MAFFS, for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection since July 5.
"The additional reloading station allows the entire state of California to be more readily protected," said Air Force Maj. Bryan Allen, the wing's command post chief. "It allows at least twice as much retardant to be dropped in nearly half the time each day."
The 146th reload operation, which has two reloading pits, is an additional location to the primary operation at McClellan Air Park, about 400 miles north of Port Hueneme.
"The aircraft take off out of McClellan for their first launch, drop their first load, and fly here to reload retardant and refuel," said Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Ervin, the 146th Airlift Wing mission commander for reload operations. "The aircraft are dropping retardant down here on the Gap and Piute fires."
The 146th has eight new C-130 "J" models, which are currently unable to support the current MAFFS 1 system, Allen said. The "J" models are 15 feet longer than the older "H" models, so MAFFS 1 does not fit into the new aircraft.
"Even though we're not dropping retardant, the 146th is providing support by transporting portable reloading facilities, maintenance equipment and personnel," Allen said. "Any time the other MAFFS wings are unable to transport equipment, we'll support their efforts with our C-130Js."
The 146th also has logistical support personnel at McClellan Air Park and support staff at the Air Expeditionary Group in Boise, Idaho, assisting with ground operations, intelligence and command support, Allen said.
The wing's J-model C-130s are awaiting the MAFFS 2, an updated version of the 30-year-old MAFFS 1, which boasts a fully self-contained system that employs an on-board compressor system replacing the ground support equipment requirements of the original MAFFS. A self-contained compressor eliminates the necessity of ground support compressors.
"This wing has been at the forefront of the MAFFS mission since its inception, and to continue in this support role is vital to serving the state in this time of need," Air Force Lt. Col. Marilyn Rios, 146th Airlift Wing vice commander. "The final stages of certifying MAFFS 2 are imminent, and we hope to be able to utilize this state-of-the-art equipment in conjunction with the technology of the new C-130 J-model aircraft as soon as possible."
The current MAFFS mission for the California wildfires is near a historical 1 million gallons of retardant dropped since the four MAFFS units from the Air Guard and Air Force Reserve were activated in late June.
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Jill Jamgochian serves with the California National Guard.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
July 11, 2008 - The 146th Airlift Wing at this station in Port Hueneme isn't equipped to drop fire retardant, but the California Air National Guard unit has found another mission that will keep them involved in the effort to battle wildfires. The wing has performed fire retardant reload operations for C-130H aircraft equipped with modular airborne firefighting systems, or MAFFS, for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection since July 5.
"The additional reloading station allows the entire state of California to be more readily protected," said Air Force Maj. Bryan Allen, the wing's command post chief. "It allows at least twice as much retardant to be dropped in nearly half the time each day."
The 146th reload operation, which has two reloading pits, is an additional location to the primary operation at McClellan Air Park, about 400 miles north of Port Hueneme.
"The aircraft take off out of McClellan for their first launch, drop their first load, and fly here to reload retardant and refuel," said Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Ervin, the 146th Airlift Wing mission commander for reload operations. "The aircraft are dropping retardant down here on the Gap and Piute fires."
The 146th has eight new C-130 "J" models, which are currently unable to support the current MAFFS 1 system, Allen said. The "J" models are 15 feet longer than the older "H" models, so MAFFS 1 does not fit into the new aircraft.
"Even though we're not dropping retardant, the 146th is providing support by transporting portable reloading facilities, maintenance equipment and personnel," Allen said. "Any time the other MAFFS wings are unable to transport equipment, we'll support their efforts with our C-130Js."
The 146th also has logistical support personnel at McClellan Air Park and support staff at the Air Expeditionary Group in Boise, Idaho, assisting with ground operations, intelligence and command support, Allen said.
The wing's J-model C-130s are awaiting the MAFFS 2, an updated version of the 30-year-old MAFFS 1, which boasts a fully self-contained system that employs an on-board compressor system replacing the ground support equipment requirements of the original MAFFS. A self-contained compressor eliminates the necessity of ground support compressors.
"This wing has been at the forefront of the MAFFS mission since its inception, and to continue in this support role is vital to serving the state in this time of need," Air Force Lt. Col. Marilyn Rios, 146th Airlift Wing vice commander. "The final stages of certifying MAFFS 2 are imminent, and we hope to be able to utilize this state-of-the-art equipment in conjunction with the technology of the new C-130 J-model aircraft as soon as possible."
The current MAFFS mission for the California wildfires is near a historical 1 million gallons of retardant dropped since the four MAFFS units from the Air Guard and Air Force Reserve were activated in late June.
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Jill Jamgochian serves with the California National Guard.)
America Supports You: Company Accelerates Deployment Guide Update
By Sharon Foster
Special to American Forces Press Service
July 11, 2008 - A company that publishes an annual deployment guide has sped up its schedule to release the 2009 guide this fall. AmeriForce Publishing is changing its production schedule to get the 2009 guide out early because large-scale troop rotations are taking place later this year, Julie Miller, senior sales manager for AmeriForce Publishing, said.
"Our servicemembers and their families need all the help we can offer," she said. "We believe that by providing this publication this fall and updating the topics in the guide to remain current, we are providing the kind of support our servicemembers and families need and deserve."
The 2009 deployment guide will address such issues as how to prepare families for deployment, how children cope with deployment, how families can remain in contact during separation and how families can create and maintain family rituals.
"This year, we are offering an updated and improved design to our guide, as well," said Sara Graves, managing editor at AmeriForce Publishing. "In addition, as the times have changed, so have the issues servicemembers and their families face following a lengthy deployment. Therefore, to remain current, we are including updated information."
The deployment guide was first published at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 in response to a direct request by the military community, Miller said. AmeriForce Publishing already was well known for its relocation guides and other resource magazines. In the years since then, the company has had to reprint the deployment guide up to twice a year to meet unit demand, Miller said. The guide features and is supported by paid advertisements.
In 2005 and 2006, the guide won the prestigious Society of Government Travel Professional Award.
The spring 2008 deployment guide can be viewed at www.ameriforce.net/deployment/.
Special to American Forces Press Service
July 11, 2008 - A company that publishes an annual deployment guide has sped up its schedule to release the 2009 guide this fall. AmeriForce Publishing is changing its production schedule to get the 2009 guide out early because large-scale troop rotations are taking place later this year, Julie Miller, senior sales manager for AmeriForce Publishing, said.
"Our servicemembers and their families need all the help we can offer," she said. "We believe that by providing this publication this fall and updating the topics in the guide to remain current, we are providing the kind of support our servicemembers and families need and deserve."
The 2009 deployment guide will address such issues as how to prepare families for deployment, how children cope with deployment, how families can remain in contact during separation and how families can create and maintain family rituals.
"This year, we are offering an updated and improved design to our guide, as well," said Sara Graves, managing editor at AmeriForce Publishing. "In addition, as the times have changed, so have the issues servicemembers and their families face following a lengthy deployment. Therefore, to remain current, we are including updated information."
The deployment guide was first published at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 in response to a direct request by the military community, Miller said. AmeriForce Publishing already was well known for its relocation guides and other resource magazines. In the years since then, the company has had to reprint the deployment guide up to twice a year to meet unit demand, Miller said. The guide features and is supported by paid advertisements.
In 2005 and 2006, the guide won the prestigious Society of Government Travel Professional Award.
The spring 2008 deployment guide can be viewed at www.ameriforce.net/deployment/.
Enlisted Delegation Visits Chinese Counterparts
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
July 11, 2008 - The difference between the noncommissioned officers of the People's Liberation Army and those of the U.S. military is the difference between technicians and leaders, the senior enlisted leader of U.S. Pacific Command said after a visit to China. Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. James A. Roy recently led the first NCO delegation to the People's Republic of China. The visit is part of broadened Sino-U.S. military-to-military contacts.
"We are interested in working with the Chinese to build a cordial relationship," Roy said during a recent interview. "That's what we hope to come out of this. We hope this encourages transparency."
U.S. military leaders such as Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, commander of PaCom and Roy's boss, have such a military relationship at their level and want to expand it.
"We do this with our mid-grade officers and at the strategic level," Roy said. "What we want is to expand this at the tactical level, so to speak, so U.S. and Chinese troops can work together in exercises or peacekeeping operations."
The delegation consisted of 12 senior NCOs who arrived in China on June 16 for a five-day visit. "We included all services," Roy said. While it wasn't a conscious decision, the delegation also represented the diversity of the U.S. military, he added.
The delegation visited 179th Infantry Battalion of the People's Liberation Army in Nanjing. "We visited with their soldiers and saw the command brief," Roy said. "We observed the soldiers in physical training. We visited their dormitories and dining facility and ate with some of them."
Roy said he was struck by the difference in philosophy between U.S. and Chinese NCOs. "If I had to sum up their enlisted corps, I would say they are technicians," he said. The Chinese have six different grades, with Grades 1 and 2 being junior NCOs, Grades 3 and 4 as a mid-level tier, and Grades 5 and 6 being senior.
The delegation visited the NCO Academy at Wuhan, and the training was mostly technical. "They made it very plain that their NCOs are technicians," he said. "NCOs are leaders in any U.S. organization, and we stress that in all our NCO professional military education."
The opportunities to visit with Chinese NCOs were limited. "It was not as much as we wanted to or expected, and there were just as many or more officers than NCOs when we were able to visit with them," Roy said. "At the social events the delegation attended, the members of the officer corps always outnumbered the enlisted."
In China, officers do many of the leadership jobs that NCOs routinely do in the U.S. forces. Officers lead infantry squads -- a job done by corporals or sergeants in the U.S. military. Officers command every Chinese tank and are crew chiefs for the Chinese military's aircraft.
The relationship between officers and enlisted personnel also is different in the Chinese military. "Our officers and NCOs have a mutual respect between two professional corps, and the mission is paramount," Roy said. "I didn't get that sense in China. I got the sense that it was not about the mission, but serving the person above you. [The U.S. NCO-officer] relationship is built on what's best for the mission, and we support each other by supporting the mission."
To be fair, he said, this may be because the idea of NCOs is relatively new for the People's Liberation Army. It has only been since 1998 that any professional NCO corps has emerged. "We didn't meet with any Grade 5 or 6 NCOs, although we heard about them," Roy said.
U.S. Pacific Command will host a reciprocal visit later this year, the chief said. NCOs will be part of a Chinese delegation led by a major general and senior colonels.
"What we're trying to do is establish a relationship with them," he said. "It gives us a better understanding of them and them a better understanding of us. The hope of the command is, the more military-to-military engagements that we have, the more open they will become, the more transparent."
The delegation met many Chinese soldiers, a few Chinese airmen and one Chinese sailor.
"We would like to visit with the Navy and the Air Force, which we did not get the opportunity to do," Roy said. "We're going to open our doors so they can visit our Navy and Air Force, and we hope they would do the same in the future."
American Forces Press Service
July 11, 2008 - The difference between the noncommissioned officers of the People's Liberation Army and those of the U.S. military is the difference between technicians and leaders, the senior enlisted leader of U.S. Pacific Command said after a visit to China. Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. James A. Roy recently led the first NCO delegation to the People's Republic of China. The visit is part of broadened Sino-U.S. military-to-military contacts.
"We are interested in working with the Chinese to build a cordial relationship," Roy said during a recent interview. "That's what we hope to come out of this. We hope this encourages transparency."
U.S. military leaders such as Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, commander of PaCom and Roy's boss, have such a military relationship at their level and want to expand it.
"We do this with our mid-grade officers and at the strategic level," Roy said. "What we want is to expand this at the tactical level, so to speak, so U.S. and Chinese troops can work together in exercises or peacekeeping operations."
The delegation consisted of 12 senior NCOs who arrived in China on June 16 for a five-day visit. "We included all services," Roy said. While it wasn't a conscious decision, the delegation also represented the diversity of the U.S. military, he added.
The delegation visited 179th Infantry Battalion of the People's Liberation Army in Nanjing. "We visited with their soldiers and saw the command brief," Roy said. "We observed the soldiers in physical training. We visited their dormitories and dining facility and ate with some of them."
Roy said he was struck by the difference in philosophy between U.S. and Chinese NCOs. "If I had to sum up their enlisted corps, I would say they are technicians," he said. The Chinese have six different grades, with Grades 1 and 2 being junior NCOs, Grades 3 and 4 as a mid-level tier, and Grades 5 and 6 being senior.
The delegation visited the NCO Academy at Wuhan, and the training was mostly technical. "They made it very plain that their NCOs are technicians," he said. "NCOs are leaders in any U.S. organization, and we stress that in all our NCO professional military education."
The opportunities to visit with Chinese NCOs were limited. "It was not as much as we wanted to or expected, and there were just as many or more officers than NCOs when we were able to visit with them," Roy said. "At the social events the delegation attended, the members of the officer corps always outnumbered the enlisted."
In China, officers do many of the leadership jobs that NCOs routinely do in the U.S. forces. Officers lead infantry squads -- a job done by corporals or sergeants in the U.S. military. Officers command every Chinese tank and are crew chiefs for the Chinese military's aircraft.
The relationship between officers and enlisted personnel also is different in the Chinese military. "Our officers and NCOs have a mutual respect between two professional corps, and the mission is paramount," Roy said. "I didn't get that sense in China. I got the sense that it was not about the mission, but serving the person above you. [The U.S. NCO-officer] relationship is built on what's best for the mission, and we support each other by supporting the mission."
To be fair, he said, this may be because the idea of NCOs is relatively new for the People's Liberation Army. It has only been since 1998 that any professional NCO corps has emerged. "We didn't meet with any Grade 5 or 6 NCOs, although we heard about them," Roy said.
U.S. Pacific Command will host a reciprocal visit later this year, the chief said. NCOs will be part of a Chinese delegation led by a major general and senior colonels.
"What we're trying to do is establish a relationship with them," he said. "It gives us a better understanding of them and them a better understanding of us. The hope of the command is, the more military-to-military engagements that we have, the more open they will become, the more transparent."
The delegation met many Chinese soldiers, a few Chinese airmen and one Chinese sailor.
"We would like to visit with the Navy and the Air Force, which we did not get the opportunity to do," Roy said. "We're going to open our doors so they can visit our Navy and Air Force, and we hope they would do the same in the future."
Become a Private Investigator
July, 12, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) On July 18, 2008, Conversations with Cops at the Watering Hole will feature a conversation with Jimmie Mesis on how to become a private investigator.
Program Date: July 18, 2008
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Become a Private Investigator
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2008/07/19/Become-a-Private-Investigator
About the Guest
Jimmie Mesis is probably one the most recognized and respected private investigators throughout the United States and abroad. For the last 28 years, he has created and sold numerous companies related to the field of investigations including several investigative agencies that have generated millions of dollars in revenue. He currently owns a marketing consulting firm, several Internet based companies including his latest venture, PI Gear, a discount surveillance equipment company.
However, he and his investigator wife, Rosemarie are best known as the owners of PI Magazine, the only international trade publication of private investigators. In less than 4 years the magazine has grown from less than 1,000 readers to over 30,000 readers with subscribers in 22 countries. Jimmie Mesis is the recipient of numerous awards including, Investigator of the Year Award, Speaker of the Year, and the recipient of the Hal Lipset Award for Investigative Excellence presented to him by the World Association of Detectives.
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 E. Foster 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, law enforcement 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
Program Date: July 18, 2008
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Become a Private Investigator
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2008/07/19/Become-a-Private-Investigator
About the Guest
Jimmie Mesis is probably one the most recognized and respected private investigators throughout the United States and abroad. For the last 28 years, he has created and sold numerous companies related to the field of investigations including several investigative agencies that have generated millions of dollars in revenue. He currently owns a marketing consulting firm, several Internet based companies including his latest venture, PI Gear, a discount surveillance equipment company.
However, he and his investigator wife, Rosemarie are best known as the owners of PI Magazine, the only international trade publication of private investigators. In less than 4 years the magazine has grown from less than 1,000 readers to over 30,000 readers with subscribers in 22 countries. Jimmie Mesis is the recipient of numerous awards including, Investigator of the Year Award, Speaker of the Year, and the recipient of the Hal Lipset Award for Investigative Excellence presented to him by the World Association of Detectives.
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 E. Foster 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, law enforcement 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
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