By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 4, 2008 - If the Southeast is taking a one-two-three combination punch from tropical storms this month, then Florida is the boxer in the middle trying to dodge the destructive swings. As Tropical Storm Hanna set its sights on the mid-Atlantic coastline, the Florida National Guard continued what has become weeks of ongoing vigilance during the peak of the 2008 hurricane season.
After wrapping up recovery efforts for flooding from Tropical Storm Fay in late August, the Florida National Guard immediately sent aircraft and communications equipment -- along with the personnel to operate them -- to Louisiana to assist with Hurricane Gustav missions.
Florida dispatched a C-23 Sherpa airplane to southern Louisiana on Aug. 31 to help with medical evacuations of special-needs patients, and deployed four of its Regional Emergency Response Network trailers to the area to help first responders communicate after the storm, Army Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett, Florida's adjutant general, said during a state-level news conference Sept. 1.
But as the central Gulf Coast began to clean up after the Category 2 Hurricane Gustav struck, all eyes were on three other storms churning their way through the Atlantic: Hanna, Ike and Josephine.
Full-time Guard personnel across the state ensured plans, equipment and personnel were ready if any of the storms strengthened and threatened Florida. If needed, more than 9,000 members of the Florida National Guard could immediately be called for disaster recovery missions.
Yesterday morning in West Palm Beach, soldiers from the 254th Transportation Battalion tracked Hanna's progress and made sure their equipment – including high-water military vehicles – was ready for action.
"In the last four years, we've supported at least eight hurricanes throughout the whole state," Army Maj. Jeffrey Strickle, 254th Battalion executive officer, said in his office at the Callaway Armory in West Palm Beach.
Strickle and his administration staff were checking the latest update of Hanna's track on the National Hurricane Center's Web site. By comparing the newest update to previous models, they noted the storm appeared to be veering east and farther away from Florida's coastline.
That updated path prediction was good news for Florida, but Strickle noted Tropical Storm Ike was not far behind, and its track put it as a strengthening hurricane moving toward Florida's southern tip. And beyond Ike on the Atlantic weather chart was Tropical Storm Josephine.
The 254th Transportation Battalion was ready and waiting regardless of what's coming, Strickle said. He explained that although the unit has more than 150 soldiers deployed to Afghanistan, it could call up more than 220 soldiers immediately for storm recovery missions.
military police from the battalion are available for security assistance missions, the transportation companies have military tractor trucks ready for hauling supplies such as ice or water, and the entire battalion is "well versed" in operating distribution points during emergencies.
The battalion's contingent of high-water vehicles – including light medium tactical vehicles, or LMTVs – are prepared for driving through flooded areas if needed after a storm passes.
After Tropical Storm Fay brought heavy rain to much of Florida, members of the 254th used the high-water vehicles in four South Florida counties to help emergency first responders perform damage and flood assessment. One of their missions – along with soldiers from the Guard's 116th Field Artillery Regiment – was to help evacuate flood victims in Okeechobee County.
"Overall, it wasn't bad, but there certainly was a need in certain remote areas in each county," Strickle said, noting the local emergency operations centers were reassured by the Guard's presence.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert Talent, truckmaster for the battalion's 218th Transportation Company, helped with the assessment missions and noted the LMTVs can traverse areas flooded with several feet of water. The battalion's new vehicles are perfect for storm recovery in Florida, he said.
"The LMTV is very useful, because it is so versatile," he explained, pointing out the five high-water trucks in the motor pool behind the West Palm Beach armory. "It can haul cargo and hold passengers. Everything is already prepared. They are ready. These are brand-new vehicles. These are ready to go at all times. Everything is 'green status.'"
Army Staff Sgt. Mike Neal, a West Palm Beach resident, acts as the unofficial "stormtracker" for the unit. He follows the tracks of the storms on the Internet several times each day, and provides updates to senior leadership at the armory.
Although he has no meteorological training, Neal said that like many Floridians, he follows storm formation in the tropics throughout hurricane season and prepares his family in case he has to leave for disaster recovery with the National Guard.
"Basically, from June until the end of October, you have to be ready for anything," Neal explained. "My wife and I stock up on supplies and water. If you've been down here for a long time, it's just second-nature. You just have to have a bag packed and be ready to go at any time."
By this morning, Tropical Storm Hanna was projected to pass to the east of Florida and head north toward North Carolina, but Ike, now a hurricane, was moving west toward the Bahamas, according to the National Hurricane Center.
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa serves in the Florida National Guard Public Affairs Office.)
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Cheney Condemns Russia's 'Illegitimate, Unilateral' Aggression
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 4, 2008 - Vice President Richard B. Cheney arrived in Georgia today, delivering "a message of friendship" from the U.S. and condemning Russia's "illegitimate, unilateral" aggression against the former Soviet republic last month. "Americans are acutely conscious of the great trials your country has faced over the last four weeks, and we stand in solidarity with the people of Georgia," Cheney said at a news conference in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.
Russian forces invaded Georgia last month and continue to maintain a military presence there in defiance of a cease-fire deal reached Aug. 13. Moscow further angered the international community last week when it officially recognized the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.
Cheney said the United States is coming to Georgia's aid as it works to recover from the Russian invasion and its "illegitimate, unilateral attempt to change your country's borders by force that has been universally condemned by the free world."
"Now, it is the responsibility of the free world to rally to the side of Georgia," the vice president said.
Cheney's visit to Tbilisi comes a day after President Bush pledged to provide $1 billion in recovery aid to Georgia. Funding will support reconstruction, humanitarian needs and the resettlement of displaced persons, Cheney said.
Assistance promised yesterday will supplement the more than 2 million pounds of humanitarian supplies the U.S. military has delivered so far.
Meanwhile, Pentagon Spokesman Bryan Whitman today said the Defense Department will conduct assessments in days ahead to study Georgia's future security needs
"We'll certainly be looking at the long-term security needs of Georgia, and what role the Defense Department might have in assisting in that," he said.
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 4, 2008 - Vice President Richard B. Cheney arrived in Georgia today, delivering "a message of friendship" from the U.S. and condemning Russia's "illegitimate, unilateral" aggression against the former Soviet republic last month. "Americans are acutely conscious of the great trials your country has faced over the last four weeks, and we stand in solidarity with the people of Georgia," Cheney said at a news conference in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.
Russian forces invaded Georgia last month and continue to maintain a military presence there in defiance of a cease-fire deal reached Aug. 13. Moscow further angered the international community last week when it officially recognized the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.
Cheney said the United States is coming to Georgia's aid as it works to recover from the Russian invasion and its "illegitimate, unilateral attempt to change your country's borders by force that has been universally condemned by the free world."
"Now, it is the responsibility of the free world to rally to the side of Georgia," the vice president said.
Cheney's visit to Tbilisi comes a day after President Bush pledged to provide $1 billion in recovery aid to Georgia. Funding will support reconstruction, humanitarian needs and the resettlement of displaced persons, Cheney said.
Assistance promised yesterday will supplement the more than 2 million pounds of humanitarian supplies the U.S. military has delivered so far.
Meanwhile, Pentagon Spokesman Bryan Whitman today said the Defense Department will conduct assessments in days ahead to study Georgia's future security needs
"We'll certainly be looking at the long-term security needs of Georgia, and what role the Defense Department might have in assisting in that," he said.
Three Missing WWII Sailors Are Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of three U.S. servicemen, missing from World War Two, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors.
They are Ensign Irvin A.R. Thompson, of Hudson County, N.J.; Ensign Eldon P. Wyman, of Portland, Ore.; and Fireman 2nd Class Lawrence A. Boxrucker, of Dorchester, Wis.; all U.S. Navy. Boxrucker will be buried on Sept. 6 in Dorchester, and the funerals for Thompson and Wyman are being set by their families.
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941, the battleship USS Oklahoma suffered multiple torpedo hits and capsized. As a result, 429 sailors and Marines died. Following the attack, 36 of these servicemen were identified and the remaining 393 were buried as unknowns in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.
In 2003, an independent researcher contacted the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) with information he believed indicated that one of the USS Oklahoma casualties who was buried as an unknown could be positively identified. After reviewing the case, JPAC exhumed the casket, and discovered that it contained what is believed to be the remains of at least 28 other men in addition to the three identified.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in the identification of remains for Thompson, Wyman and Boxrucker. Additional remains that could not be attributed to these servicemen will undergo further analysis.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
They are Ensign Irvin A.R. Thompson, of Hudson County, N.J.; Ensign Eldon P. Wyman, of Portland, Ore.; and Fireman 2nd Class Lawrence A. Boxrucker, of Dorchester, Wis.; all U.S. Navy. Boxrucker will be buried on Sept. 6 in Dorchester, and the funerals for Thompson and Wyman are being set by their families.
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941, the battleship USS Oklahoma suffered multiple torpedo hits and capsized. As a result, 429 sailors and Marines died. Following the attack, 36 of these servicemen were identified and the remaining 393 were buried as unknowns in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.
In 2003, an independent researcher contacted the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) with information he believed indicated that one of the USS Oklahoma casualties who was buried as an unknown could be positively identified. After reviewing the case, JPAC exhumed the casket, and discovered that it contained what is believed to be the remains of at least 28 other men in addition to the three identified.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in the identification of remains for Thompson, Wyman and Boxrucker. Additional remains that could not be attributed to these servicemen will undergo further analysis.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
Citizen-Soldiers Distribute Food, Water, Ice as Louisiana Recovers
By Army Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 4, 2008 - Like a scene from pit road during a stock car race, cars and trucks formed a line as National Guard soldiers, looking like pit crew members, gave away packaged meals and water to Louisiana residents suffering from damage left in Hurricane Gustav's wake. That was the scene at one of many distribution points set up across the state to help citizens recover from the storm and deal with the loss of electrical power.
"I think it's great," Floyd Wagner of Killian, La., said, commenting on the food and water he was about to receive. "[Louisiana residents] need all the help they can get, because everybody in the community needs it."
Two tractor trailer trucks delivered more than 6,000 boxes yesterday afternoon, each box containing 12 meals. Later, a tractor-trailer load of bottled water arrived.
Depending on the specific distribution point, citizens could receive water, ice, food or tarps.
First in line here was Ruby Mayeaux of Livingston. She said she was driving by and saw the trucks arrive at a local kennel club. "The Lord blessed me," she said of her prized position in line.
Radio reports said lines at some distribution points were nine hours long. Within an hour, the line at the Livingston distribution point extended a mile down the exit ramp to Interstate 12; another line extended about a half mile on the overpass.
The National Guard soldiers said they are happy to deliver the food and water.
"It feels really good that we can help out," said Army Pvt. Marvin Warner of Vidalia, La., as he helped stack the boxes of meals. Warner is a driver for the 1086th Transportation Company.
"It's pretty fun going to different places every day," said Warner, who has been to five towns since Aug. 28. Warner is a physical therapy major at University of Louisiana Monroe when not serving in the Guard.
Army Spc. Zachary Morrison of the Tennessee National Guard said he takes honor in helping his fellow Americans. "It's good to help Americans in their time of need," he said as he directed the drivers to pit road.
"It's good to help, but home is home. It's good to help Americans when you can," said Morrison, an infantryman with Headquarters Troop, 2nd Battalion, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
(Army Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry serves with the 120th Public Affairs Detachment.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 4, 2008 - Like a scene from pit road during a stock car race, cars and trucks formed a line as National Guard soldiers, looking like pit crew members, gave away packaged meals and water to Louisiana residents suffering from damage left in Hurricane Gustav's wake. That was the scene at one of many distribution points set up across the state to help citizens recover from the storm and deal with the loss of electrical power.
"I think it's great," Floyd Wagner of Killian, La., said, commenting on the food and water he was about to receive. "[Louisiana residents] need all the help they can get, because everybody in the community needs it."
Two tractor trailer trucks delivered more than 6,000 boxes yesterday afternoon, each box containing 12 meals. Later, a tractor-trailer load of bottled water arrived.
Depending on the specific distribution point, citizens could receive water, ice, food or tarps.
First in line here was Ruby Mayeaux of Livingston. She said she was driving by and saw the trucks arrive at a local kennel club. "The Lord blessed me," she said of her prized position in line.
Radio reports said lines at some distribution points were nine hours long. Within an hour, the line at the Livingston distribution point extended a mile down the exit ramp to Interstate 12; another line extended about a half mile on the overpass.
The National Guard soldiers said they are happy to deliver the food and water.
"It feels really good that we can help out," said Army Pvt. Marvin Warner of Vidalia, La., as he helped stack the boxes of meals. Warner is a driver for the 1086th Transportation Company.
"It's pretty fun going to different places every day," said Warner, who has been to five towns since Aug. 28. Warner is a physical therapy major at University of Louisiana Monroe when not serving in the Guard.
Army Spc. Zachary Morrison of the Tennessee National Guard said he takes honor in helping his fellow Americans. "It's good to help Americans in their time of need," he said as he directed the drivers to pit road.
"It's good to help, but home is home. It's good to help Americans when you can," said Morrison, an infantryman with Headquarters Troop, 2nd Battalion, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
(Army Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry serves with the 120th Public Affairs Detachment.)
Face of Defense: Soldier Trains Others to Move Past Fear
By Army Sgt. Whitney Houston
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 4, 2008 - Army Staff Sgt. Lonny Steele helps his fellow soldiers succeed in one of the most difficult forms of warfare: close-combat fighting. As the combatives instructor for the 25th Infantry Division's 225th Brigade Support Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Steele trains soldiers to overcome the many physical and psychological barriers associated with close combat.
"He helps soldiers overcome what psychologists call the universal human phobia, which is doing violence upon another human – especially in hand-to-hand combat," said Army Lt. Col. Mark Collins, of Phoenix, commander of 225th BSB. "If you look at the difficulty of killing in proximity to distance, the closer you get, the more difficult it becomes to do violence to another human being, and he helps bridge that psychology gap through his close-combat training."
Steele, of Honolulu, said he gains a sense of pride and accomplishment by sharing his knowledge with fellow soldiers in his weekly combatives class.
"I like training the soldiers," he said. "A lot of them come here with the attitude that they don't want to learn it, or that it's boring. But by the end of the day, they are glad that they came – and they can't wait to come back next week – and I like that I can give something back to the soldiers."
And his students appreciate the skills and techniques Steele teaches. "Sergeant Steele's leadership style always motivates soldiers and drives them to be the best," said Army Spc. Daniel Randall of Chicago, who is assigned to the 225th BSB. "He leads by example, and he's not afraid to get his hands dirty."
Steele strives to teach soldiers in such a way that they can then help each other. "I don't expect them to just learn the moves," he said. "They have to learn to be the trainer for other soldiers."
Besides teaching combatives, Steele also serves as Collins's personal security detachment noncommissioned officer in charge.
"He's an outstanding [NCO], and he enables me to do a lot of things," Collins said. "He keeps me out of trouble when we are dismounted during operations."
As if those two jobs weren't enough, Steele's strong Polynesian roots have landed him doing a lot of artistic tribal woodwork for his battalion as well.
"I got started doing woodwork when we performed a dance called Toa O Taji, which translates from Samoan to 'Warriors of Taji,'" Steele said. "So, I made the tribal sticks, and they liked them. From there, I branched off to warrior weapons, picture frames and whatever you can think of."
Regardless of the heavy workload, Steele said, he feels privileged to have gained his knowledge through the military and looks to a bright future.
"I was fortunate to go to all of these schools and be certified in different things," he said. "I'm very happy where I am."
(Army Sgt. Whitney Houston serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team).
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 4, 2008 - Army Staff Sgt. Lonny Steele helps his fellow soldiers succeed in one of the most difficult forms of warfare: close-combat fighting. As the combatives instructor for the 25th Infantry Division's 225th Brigade Support Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Steele trains soldiers to overcome the many physical and psychological barriers associated with close combat.
"He helps soldiers overcome what psychologists call the universal human phobia, which is doing violence upon another human – especially in hand-to-hand combat," said Army Lt. Col. Mark Collins, of Phoenix, commander of 225th BSB. "If you look at the difficulty of killing in proximity to distance, the closer you get, the more difficult it becomes to do violence to another human being, and he helps bridge that psychology gap through his close-combat training."
Steele, of Honolulu, said he gains a sense of pride and accomplishment by sharing his knowledge with fellow soldiers in his weekly combatives class.
"I like training the soldiers," he said. "A lot of them come here with the attitude that they don't want to learn it, or that it's boring. But by the end of the day, they are glad that they came – and they can't wait to come back next week – and I like that I can give something back to the soldiers."
And his students appreciate the skills and techniques Steele teaches. "Sergeant Steele's leadership style always motivates soldiers and drives them to be the best," said Army Spc. Daniel Randall of Chicago, who is assigned to the 225th BSB. "He leads by example, and he's not afraid to get his hands dirty."
Steele strives to teach soldiers in such a way that they can then help each other. "I don't expect them to just learn the moves," he said. "They have to learn to be the trainer for other soldiers."
Besides teaching combatives, Steele also serves as Collins's personal security detachment noncommissioned officer in charge.
"He's an outstanding [NCO], and he enables me to do a lot of things," Collins said. "He keeps me out of trouble when we are dismounted during operations."
As if those two jobs weren't enough, Steele's strong Polynesian roots have landed him doing a lot of artistic tribal woodwork for his battalion as well.
"I got started doing woodwork when we performed a dance called Toa O Taji, which translates from Samoan to 'Warriors of Taji,'" Steele said. "So, I made the tribal sticks, and they liked them. From there, I branched off to warrior weapons, picture frames and whatever you can think of."
Regardless of the heavy workload, Steele said, he feels privileged to have gained his knowledge through the military and looks to a bright future.
"I was fortunate to go to all of these schools and be certified in different things," he said. "I'm very happy where I am."
(Army Sgt. Whitney Houston serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team).
National Guard Troops in Four States Prepare for Hanna
By Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 4, 2008 - Four states along the East Coast are employing their National Guards as Tropical Storm Hanna nears. Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina have almost 40,000 Army and Air National Guard members available to their governors, if needed. This includes almost 11,000 in North Carolina, 9,000 in Florida, 11,000 in South Carolina and 9,000 in Georgia.
"The National Guard is pre-positioning several multifunction force packages of trained people and equipment that will be used for transportation, distribution of supplies, ground evacuation, swift water rescue and security of impacted areas," said Army Maj. Randall Short, a public affairs officer with the National Guard Bureau.
Florida and Georgia expect to avoid a hit from Hanna, but two Air National Guard units in those states have evacuated their aircraft nonetheless. The 125th Fighter Wing in Jacksonville, Fla., has evacuated 13 F-15 aircraft to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah, Ga., has evacuated four C-130 aircraft to McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville, Tenn.
In South Carolina, Gov. Mark Sanford announced in a briefing today that about 250 soldiers from the South Carolina National Guard will remain on standby. He also asked for the voluntary evacuation of Georgetown and Horry counties in the northeast section of the state. Three emergency shelters in those areas would be opened for anyone needing assistance.
At McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., the Army National Guard plans to shelter all of its aviation assets on base, while the 169th Fighter Wing will keep 12 of its F-16s in hangars. The unit's 12 remaining F-16s and one C-130 will be evacuated to Texas tomorrow, said Air Force Maj. Jim St. Clair, a public affairs officer with the South Carolina National Guard.
In North Carolina, Gov. Mike Easley ordered 270 Guard members to state active duty yesterday in preparation for the storm. Guard members will start arriving for duty today and will be in place tomorrow, said Army Maj. Matt Handley, the state public affairs officer for the North Carolina National Guard.
The North Carolina National Guard will field several multifunction force packages of about 50 personnel each, capable of providing security, ground evacuation, transportation, and equipped with swift-water rescue personnel, according to a news release from the state.
Other Guard members will provide logistics support, and six UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters are on standby to conduct missions if needed, the release stated.
North Carolina Guard planners also met with state emergency management personnel over the last several days to finalize plans as the storm approached. All state active duty missions are coordinated through the state emergency management agency.
The North Carolina Guard has mobilized for numerous hurricanes and brings a great deal of knowledge and expertise to these types of operations, Handley said. The last deployment for a hurricane was in 2006, when North Carolina mobilized about 220 personnel for Tropical Storm Ernesto.
Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine declared a state of emergency in his state today in anticipation of Hanna. He authorized state agencies to identify and preposition resources for quick response anywhere they are needed in Virginia, according to a news release from the governor's office.
The Virginia Emergency Operations Center has increased its operations in response to this declaration, and the Virginia National Guard has personnel alerted and on standby for potential response and recovery missions associated with the storm, the release stated.
"Current forecasts predict Hanna will bring tropical-storm-force winds to Virginia, causing coastal flooding and the very real possibility of tornadoes and power outages," Kaine said in a news release. "Virginians should listen to their local government representatives and local news media for instructions for the duration of the storm."
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported today that the center of Hanna was located about 205 miles east of Nassau and about 670 miles south-southeast of Wilmington, N.C. The storm is moving toward the northwest at about 14 mph, a pace expected to continue for the next couple of days with a gradual increase in speed, according to NOAA.
On this track, the center of Hanna will be near the southeast coast of the United States by late tomorrow.
(Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 4, 2008 - Four states along the East Coast are employing their National Guards as Tropical Storm Hanna nears. Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina have almost 40,000 Army and Air National Guard members available to their governors, if needed. This includes almost 11,000 in North Carolina, 9,000 in Florida, 11,000 in South Carolina and 9,000 in Georgia.
"The National Guard is pre-positioning several multifunction force packages of trained people and equipment that will be used for transportation, distribution of supplies, ground evacuation, swift water rescue and security of impacted areas," said Army Maj. Randall Short, a public affairs officer with the National Guard Bureau.
Florida and Georgia expect to avoid a hit from Hanna, but two Air National Guard units in those states have evacuated their aircraft nonetheless. The 125th Fighter Wing in Jacksonville, Fla., has evacuated 13 F-15 aircraft to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah, Ga., has evacuated four C-130 aircraft to McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville, Tenn.
In South Carolina, Gov. Mark Sanford announced in a briefing today that about 250 soldiers from the South Carolina National Guard will remain on standby. He also asked for the voluntary evacuation of Georgetown and Horry counties in the northeast section of the state. Three emergency shelters in those areas would be opened for anyone needing assistance.
At McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., the Army National Guard plans to shelter all of its aviation assets on base, while the 169th Fighter Wing will keep 12 of its F-16s in hangars. The unit's 12 remaining F-16s and one C-130 will be evacuated to Texas tomorrow, said Air Force Maj. Jim St. Clair, a public affairs officer with the South Carolina National Guard.
In North Carolina, Gov. Mike Easley ordered 270 Guard members to state active duty yesterday in preparation for the storm. Guard members will start arriving for duty today and will be in place tomorrow, said Army Maj. Matt Handley, the state public affairs officer for the North Carolina National Guard.
The North Carolina National Guard will field several multifunction force packages of about 50 personnel each, capable of providing security, ground evacuation, transportation, and equipped with swift-water rescue personnel, according to a news release from the state.
Other Guard members will provide logistics support, and six UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters are on standby to conduct missions if needed, the release stated.
North Carolina Guard planners also met with state emergency management personnel over the last several days to finalize plans as the storm approached. All state active duty missions are coordinated through the state emergency management agency.
The North Carolina Guard has mobilized for numerous hurricanes and brings a great deal of knowledge and expertise to these types of operations, Handley said. The last deployment for a hurricane was in 2006, when North Carolina mobilized about 220 personnel for Tropical Storm Ernesto.
Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine declared a state of emergency in his state today in anticipation of Hanna. He authorized state agencies to identify and preposition resources for quick response anywhere they are needed in Virginia, according to a news release from the governor's office.
The Virginia Emergency Operations Center has increased its operations in response to this declaration, and the Virginia National Guard has personnel alerted and on standby for potential response and recovery missions associated with the storm, the release stated.
"Current forecasts predict Hanna will bring tropical-storm-force winds to Virginia, causing coastal flooding and the very real possibility of tornadoes and power outages," Kaine said in a news release. "Virginians should listen to their local government representatives and local news media for instructions for the duration of the storm."
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported today that the center of Hanna was located about 205 miles east of Nassau and about 670 miles south-southeast of Wilmington, N.C. The storm is moving toward the northwest at about 14 mph, a pace expected to continue for the next couple of days with a gradual increase in speed, according to NOAA.
On this track, the center of Hanna will be near the southeast coast of the United States by late tomorrow.
(Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
MILITARY CONTRACTS September 4, 2008
Navy
Navistar Defense LLC, Warrenville, Ill., is being awarded a $752,042,549 firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0009 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for the procurement of Category I (CAT I) Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) low rate initial production vehicles with engineering change proposal upgrades for enhanced maneuverability and associated non-recurring engineering costs. This order will also be used to support the procurement of additional CAT I MRAP vehicles to provide protection of U.S. military personnel supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Work will be performed in WestPoint, Miss., and work is expected to be completed Feb. 2009. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Canadian Commercial Corp., General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada, London, Ontario Canada, is being awarded a $7,723,145 firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0005 under a previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of five test vehicles with engineering change proposal upgrades for enhanced maneuverability and associated non-recurring engineering costs. Work will be performed in Durban, South Africa, (80 percent), and London, Ontario, Canada, (20 percent), and work is expected to be completed no later than Jan. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Force Protection Industries, Inc., Ladson, S.C., is being awarded $7,230,897 for firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0013 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5031) for the purchase of five test vehicles with engineering change proposal upgrades for enhanced maneuverability and associated non-recurring engineering costs. Work will be performed in, Ladson, S.C., and work is expected to be completed no later than Jan. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
IMPACT Science & Technology, Nashua, N.H., is being awarded a $28,447,410 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-6319) for the production and support of 550 JCREW 2.1 Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) electronic warfare systems to meet urgent DoD requirements in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Vehicle mounted CREW systems are one element of the DoD's Joint Counter RCIED electronic warfare program. Spiral 2.1 CREW systems are vehicle mounted electronic jammers designed to prevent the initiation of radio-controlled Improvised Explosive Devices. This contract is for the urgent procurement and support of CREW systems, to be used by forces in each of the military services of the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The Navy manages the joint CREW program for Office of the Secretary of Defense Joint IED Defeat Organization. Work will be performed in Nashua, N.H., (86 percent) and Dover, N.H., (14 percent), and is expected to be completed by Jan. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Tetra Tech EC, Inc., Santa Ana, Calif., is being awarded $6,343,703 for firm-fixed-price task order #0002 under a previously awarded environmental multiple award contract (N62473-08-D-8823) for Fisher and Spear Avenues sanitary and storm drain removal at Hunters Point Shipyard. The work to be performed provides for continuing the base-wide sewer sanitary system and storm drain time-critical removal action in Work Areas 15 and 26 (Fisher and Spear Avenues). The contractor will remove the sewer and storm drain lines depicted by the Design Plan. Both Spear and Fisher Avenues are part of the main utility and transportation corridor through the shipyard. Coordination efforts will be required to control access to the radiological work area and reroute transportation and utilities during this removal action. Work will be performed in San Francisco, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.
Air Force
Science Applications International Corp., of San Diego, Calif., is being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for a maximum of $49 million. This action will provide research and development under BAA entitled "High Energy Research and Application (HERA)," Call 0001 entitled HERA/High power microwave technologies. This effort will advance the state-of-art and scientific knowledge in directed energy Technology such as high power electromagnetic source development, pulsed power and pulsed power systems, and prime power systems. At this time $550,000 has been obligated. Air Force Research Laboratory/RDKP, Det 8 Directorate of Contracting, Kirtland AFB, N.M., is the contracting activity (FA9451-08-D-0170).
The Air Force is modifying cost plus award fee contract with the Boeing Co., of Anaheim, Calif., for $16,707,177. This action will provide survivable communications for U.S. Armed Forces, the Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals (FAB-T) must update new platform requirements and Advanced EHF (AEHF) system interface. At this time $6,997,080 has been obligated. Electronic Systems Center, Air Force Materiel Command, USAF, 653d ELSG/PK, Hancom AFB, Mass., is the contracting activity (F19628-02-C-0048, P00146).
Battelle Memorial Institute of Columbus, Ohio, is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for an estimated $9,567,490. This contract action will develop effective and valid methods for measuring chemical agents, and toxic industrial chemicals and materials and their metabolites in biological fluids, assure the quality of these methods, transfer these methods to other public health organizations, and apply these methods to incidents of suspected exposure. 55th Contracting Squadron, 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-00-D-3180, Delivery Order: 0559).
Battelle Memorial Institute of Columbus, Ohio, is being awarded a cost plus fixed-fee contract for an estimated $7,021,916. This action will provide research and develop laboratory, dosimetric, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) procedures, emergency response training, and advanced techniques for CBRN risk characterization, risk assessment, risk mitigation, and risk management. At this time $503,382 has been obligated. 55th Contracting Squadron, 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-00-D-3180, Delivery Order: 0563).
Army
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., El Segundo, Calif., was awarded on Sept. 2, 2008, a $7,532,649 cost/plus/fixed fee contract to develop and demonstrate the ability of the Rapid Eye program to rapidly deliver a persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability anywhere on the globe through the use of a launch system and the ability to remain on-station until relieved or the mission is completed. Work will be performed in Frederica, Del., Elsinore, Calif., Tustin, Calif., Glenbrook, Nev., Torrance, Calif., Ronkonkoma, N.Y., El Segundo, Calif., San Diego, Calif., and Palmdale, Calif., with an estimated date of completion Feb. 11, 2011. Bids were solicited Broad Agency Announcement and five bids were received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR011-08-C-0108).
Watts-Weitz, Novato, Calif., was awarded on Aug. 29, 2008 a $51,301,000 construction/firm/fixed price contract for the construction of a combat support brigade at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Work will be performed in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 11, 2011. Bids were solicited via web and two bids were received. US Army Corp of Engineers, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-08-D-0057).
Protective Apparel Corp of America, Jacksboro, Tenn., was awarded on Sept. 3, 2008, a $ 8,246,400 firm/fixed price contract to provide body armor for Iraq Ministry of Interior security forces. Work will be performed in Jacksboro, Tenn., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2009. Bids were solicited via web and eleven bids were received. Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq/Joint Contracting Command-Iraq (MNSTC-1/JCC-1), Baghdad, Iraq, is the contracting activity (GS-07F-9075G).
Oshkosh Truck Corporation, Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded on Sept. 3, 2008 a, $82,652,531 firm/fixed price contract. This modification is for the RECAP of 292 HEMMT A4 vehicles. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2008. One bid was solicited and one was received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV07-C-0248).
Honeywell International Inc, Albuquerque, N.M., was awarded on Sept. 3, 2008, a $11,000,000 cost/plus/fixed fee contract for the design, development, integration, testing and qualification, delivery and support for the upgrade of the OH-Kiowa Warrior aircraft Control Display System four (CDS4) Improved Master Processor Unit (IMCPU) to the CDS IMCPU configuration. Work will be performed in Albuquerque, N.M., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command, AMSAM-AC-AR-B, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0024).
Sampson Construction Co., Inc, Lincoln, Neb., was awarded on Sept. 3, 2008 a, $13,386,147 firm/fixed price contract for the construction of a base civil engineering administration facility, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. Work will be performed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S. D., with an estimated completion date of May 24, 2010. Bids were solicited via web and four bids were received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Neb., is the contracting activity (W9128F-08-C-0022).
DRS Sensors & Targeting Systems, Optronics Division, Palm Bay, Fla., was awarded on Sept. 3, 2008, a $ 40,842,948 firm/fixed price new work modification under the authority of unusual and compelling urgency for 4,229 Driver's Vision Enhancer (DVE) B-Kits (sensor assembly, display control module, and cabling) for the Mine Resident Ambush Protected (MRAP) Program. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2008. Bids were solicited via web and three bids were received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-04-C-J202).
Correction: Simmonds Precision Products Inc, Vergennes, Vt., was awarded Aug 27, 2008, a $31,706,454 five- year- firm- fixed- price indefinite -quantity contract for the procurement of integrated vehicle health management system kits, ground support equipment kits and deployment spares in support for the UH-60 aircraft. Work will be performed in Vergennes, Vt., with an estimated completion date of Jul. 31, 2013. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM), is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-D-0224).
Navistar Defense LLC, Warrenville, Ill., is being awarded a $752,042,549 firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0009 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for the procurement of Category I (CAT I) Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) low rate initial production vehicles with engineering change proposal upgrades for enhanced maneuverability and associated non-recurring engineering costs. This order will also be used to support the procurement of additional CAT I MRAP vehicles to provide protection of U.S. military personnel supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Work will be performed in WestPoint, Miss., and work is expected to be completed Feb. 2009. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Canadian Commercial Corp., General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada, London, Ontario Canada, is being awarded a $7,723,145 firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0005 under a previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of five test vehicles with engineering change proposal upgrades for enhanced maneuverability and associated non-recurring engineering costs. Work will be performed in Durban, South Africa, (80 percent), and London, Ontario, Canada, (20 percent), and work is expected to be completed no later than Jan. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Force Protection Industries, Inc., Ladson, S.C., is being awarded $7,230,897 for firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0013 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5031) for the purchase of five test vehicles with engineering change proposal upgrades for enhanced maneuverability and associated non-recurring engineering costs. Work will be performed in, Ladson, S.C., and work is expected to be completed no later than Jan. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
IMPACT Science & Technology, Nashua, N.H., is being awarded a $28,447,410 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-6319) for the production and support of 550 JCREW 2.1 Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) electronic warfare systems to meet urgent DoD requirements in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Vehicle mounted CREW systems are one element of the DoD's Joint Counter RCIED electronic warfare program. Spiral 2.1 CREW systems are vehicle mounted electronic jammers designed to prevent the initiation of radio-controlled Improvised Explosive Devices. This contract is for the urgent procurement and support of CREW systems, to be used by forces in each of the military services of the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The Navy manages the joint CREW program for Office of the Secretary of Defense Joint IED Defeat Organization. Work will be performed in Nashua, N.H., (86 percent) and Dover, N.H., (14 percent), and is expected to be completed by Jan. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Tetra Tech EC, Inc., Santa Ana, Calif., is being awarded $6,343,703 for firm-fixed-price task order #0002 under a previously awarded environmental multiple award contract (N62473-08-D-8823) for Fisher and Spear Avenues sanitary and storm drain removal at Hunters Point Shipyard. The work to be performed provides for continuing the base-wide sewer sanitary system and storm drain time-critical removal action in Work Areas 15 and 26 (Fisher and Spear Avenues). The contractor will remove the sewer and storm drain lines depicted by the Design Plan. Both Spear and Fisher Avenues are part of the main utility and transportation corridor through the shipyard. Coordination efforts will be required to control access to the radiological work area and reroute transportation and utilities during this removal action. Work will be performed in San Francisco, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.
Air Force
Science Applications International Corp., of San Diego, Calif., is being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for a maximum of $49 million. This action will provide research and development under BAA entitled "High Energy Research and Application (HERA)," Call 0001 entitled HERA/High power microwave technologies. This effort will advance the state-of-art and scientific knowledge in directed energy Technology such as high power electromagnetic source development, pulsed power and pulsed power systems, and prime power systems. At this time $550,000 has been obligated. Air Force Research Laboratory/RDKP, Det 8 Directorate of Contracting, Kirtland AFB, N.M., is the contracting activity (FA9451-08-D-0170).
The Air Force is modifying cost plus award fee contract with the Boeing Co., of Anaheim, Calif., for $16,707,177. This action will provide survivable communications for U.S. Armed Forces, the Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals (FAB-T) must update new platform requirements and Advanced EHF (AEHF) system interface. At this time $6,997,080 has been obligated. Electronic Systems Center, Air Force Materiel Command, USAF, 653d ELSG/PK, Hancom AFB, Mass., is the contracting activity (F19628-02-C-0048, P00146).
Battelle Memorial Institute of Columbus, Ohio, is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for an estimated $9,567,490. This contract action will develop effective and valid methods for measuring chemical agents, and toxic industrial chemicals and materials and their metabolites in biological fluids, assure the quality of these methods, transfer these methods to other public health organizations, and apply these methods to incidents of suspected exposure. 55th Contracting Squadron, 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-00-D-3180, Delivery Order: 0559).
Battelle Memorial Institute of Columbus, Ohio, is being awarded a cost plus fixed-fee contract for an estimated $7,021,916. This action will provide research and develop laboratory, dosimetric, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) procedures, emergency response training, and advanced techniques for CBRN risk characterization, risk assessment, risk mitigation, and risk management. At this time $503,382 has been obligated. 55th Contracting Squadron, 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-00-D-3180, Delivery Order: 0563).
Army
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., El Segundo, Calif., was awarded on Sept. 2, 2008, a $7,532,649 cost/plus/fixed fee contract to develop and demonstrate the ability of the Rapid Eye program to rapidly deliver a persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability anywhere on the globe through the use of a launch system and the ability to remain on-station until relieved or the mission is completed. Work will be performed in Frederica, Del., Elsinore, Calif., Tustin, Calif., Glenbrook, Nev., Torrance, Calif., Ronkonkoma, N.Y., El Segundo, Calif., San Diego, Calif., and Palmdale, Calif., with an estimated date of completion Feb. 11, 2011. Bids were solicited Broad Agency Announcement and five bids were received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR011-08-C-0108).
Watts-Weitz, Novato, Calif., was awarded on Aug. 29, 2008 a $51,301,000 construction/firm/fixed price contract for the construction of a combat support brigade at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Work will be performed in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 11, 2011. Bids were solicited via web and two bids were received. US Army Corp of Engineers, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-08-D-0057).
Protective Apparel Corp of America, Jacksboro, Tenn., was awarded on Sept. 3, 2008, a $ 8,246,400 firm/fixed price contract to provide body armor for Iraq Ministry of Interior security forces. Work will be performed in Jacksboro, Tenn., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2009. Bids were solicited via web and eleven bids were received. Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq/Joint Contracting Command-Iraq (MNSTC-1/JCC-1), Baghdad, Iraq, is the contracting activity (GS-07F-9075G).
Oshkosh Truck Corporation, Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded on Sept. 3, 2008 a, $82,652,531 firm/fixed price contract. This modification is for the RECAP of 292 HEMMT A4 vehicles. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2008. One bid was solicited and one was received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV07-C-0248).
Honeywell International Inc, Albuquerque, N.M., was awarded on Sept. 3, 2008, a $11,000,000 cost/plus/fixed fee contract for the design, development, integration, testing and qualification, delivery and support for the upgrade of the OH-Kiowa Warrior aircraft Control Display System four (CDS4) Improved Master Processor Unit (IMCPU) to the CDS IMCPU configuration. Work will be performed in Albuquerque, N.M., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command, AMSAM-AC-AR-B, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0024).
Sampson Construction Co., Inc, Lincoln, Neb., was awarded on Sept. 3, 2008 a, $13,386,147 firm/fixed price contract for the construction of a base civil engineering administration facility, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. Work will be performed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S. D., with an estimated completion date of May 24, 2010. Bids were solicited via web and four bids were received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Neb., is the contracting activity (W9128F-08-C-0022).
DRS Sensors & Targeting Systems, Optronics Division, Palm Bay, Fla., was awarded on Sept. 3, 2008, a $ 40,842,948 firm/fixed price new work modification under the authority of unusual and compelling urgency for 4,229 Driver's Vision Enhancer (DVE) B-Kits (sensor assembly, display control module, and cabling) for the Mine Resident Ambush Protected (MRAP) Program. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2008. Bids were solicited via web and three bids were received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-04-C-J202).
Correction: Simmonds Precision Products Inc, Vergennes, Vt., was awarded Aug 27, 2008, a $31,706,454 five- year- firm- fixed- price indefinite -quantity contract for the procurement of integrated vehicle health management system kits, ground support equipment kits and deployment spares in support for the UH-60 aircraft. Work will be performed in Vergennes, Vt., with an estimated completion date of Jul. 31, 2013. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM), is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-D-0224).
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Bush Cites 'Excellent' Hurricane Gustav Response Efforts
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 3, 2008 - President Bush praised federal, state and local government efforts to assist the people of the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Gustav during his visit to the emergency operations center in Baton Rouge, La., today. "All in all, the response has been excellent," Bush told reporters during a news conference that included Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. Bush was briefed about the post-Gustav situation by emergency response officials.
However, "there is more work to be done," Bush said. "And, that's why I came down here with members of the federal government to listen and to figure out how to help."
Hurricane Gustav turned out to be a less-powerful storm than Katrina, which in late August 2005 flooded most of New Orleans and devastated large swaths of the Gulf Coast.
Nonetheless, Baton Rouge, the state capital, and parts of Louisiana farther west were pummeled by Gustav's 100-mph-plus winds and slashing rain. Bush has visited several regional emergency response centers since Gustav made landfall near Cocodrie, La., Sept. 1.
State and local governments and the federal government, Bush said, were able to work effectively together in response to Hurricane Gustav.
"We're much better-coordinated this time than we were with Katrina," Bush said. However, hundreds of thousands of Louisianans have been left without power in Gustav's wake.
"One of the key things that needs to happen is they've got to get electricity up here in Louisiana, get moving as fast as possible," Bush said. "The governor understands it's a problem, his team understands it's a problem, and I understand it's a problem."
Jindal also discussed the need, Bush said, to release some oil from the nation's strategic reserve to assist a local business.
"Last night we got a request from a company doing business here in Louisiana and we met that request, ... so oil was released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. And, we will continue to do that upon requests by companies," Bush said.
Bush thanked everyone for their hard work in Louisiana since Gustav barreled ashore.
"I can't thank you all enough for working as hard as you are," Bush said. "Looking around, I can see that some people may not have much sleep recently."
Thousands of National Guard members were mobilized in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other states to deal with Gustav's wrath. U.S. Northern Command aerial assets were employed to evacuate elderly and severely ill persons out of the path of the storm.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates authorized a call-up of up to 50,000 National Guard personnel to assist in the storm's aftermath, if necessary.
Meanwhile, officials are preparing for Tropical Storm Hanna, which is now passing through the Bahamas. Hanna is currently projected to make landfall somewhere between South Florida and the Carolinas Sept. 5.
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 3, 2008 - President Bush praised federal, state and local government efforts to assist the people of the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Gustav during his visit to the emergency operations center in Baton Rouge, La., today. "All in all, the response has been excellent," Bush told reporters during a news conference that included Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. Bush was briefed about the post-Gustav situation by emergency response officials.
However, "there is more work to be done," Bush said. "And, that's why I came down here with members of the federal government to listen and to figure out how to help."
Hurricane Gustav turned out to be a less-powerful storm than Katrina, which in late August 2005 flooded most of New Orleans and devastated large swaths of the Gulf Coast.
Nonetheless, Baton Rouge, the state capital, and parts of Louisiana farther west were pummeled by Gustav's 100-mph-plus winds and slashing rain. Bush has visited several regional emergency response centers since Gustav made landfall near Cocodrie, La., Sept. 1.
State and local governments and the federal government, Bush said, were able to work effectively together in response to Hurricane Gustav.
"We're much better-coordinated this time than we were with Katrina," Bush said. However, hundreds of thousands of Louisianans have been left without power in Gustav's wake.
"One of the key things that needs to happen is they've got to get electricity up here in Louisiana, get moving as fast as possible," Bush said. "The governor understands it's a problem, his team understands it's a problem, and I understand it's a problem."
Jindal also discussed the need, Bush said, to release some oil from the nation's strategic reserve to assist a local business.
"Last night we got a request from a company doing business here in Louisiana and we met that request, ... so oil was released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. And, we will continue to do that upon requests by companies," Bush said.
Bush thanked everyone for their hard work in Louisiana since Gustav barreled ashore.
"I can't thank you all enough for working as hard as you are," Bush said. "Looking around, I can see that some people may not have much sleep recently."
Thousands of National Guard members were mobilized in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other states to deal with Gustav's wrath. U.S. Northern Command aerial assets were employed to evacuate elderly and severely ill persons out of the path of the storm.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates authorized a call-up of up to 50,000 National Guard personnel to assist in the storm's aftermath, if necessary.
Meanwhile, officials are preparing for Tropical Storm Hanna, which is now passing through the Bahamas. Hanna is currently projected to make landfall somewhere between South Florida and the Carolinas Sept. 5.
MILITARY CONTRACTS September 3, 2008
Navy
American Systems, Chantilly, Va.; Square D, Palatine, Ill.; and Weston Solutions, San Antonio, Texas, are each being awarded a firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract in support of the Advance Metering Infrastructure Program at U.S. Navy and Marine Corps installations worldwide. The work to be performed provides for services for the design, procurement, installation, testing, and sustainment of building level advanced metering solutions in support of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for Navy and Marine Corps requirements on a worldwide basis. This will allow the Navy and Marine Corps to cost-effectively allocate and manage electricity, natural gas, steam, and water commodities. The maximum dollar value for all three contracts is $250,000,000. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps installations worldwide, and work is expected to be Sept. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with seven proposals received. These three contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Specialty Center Acquisitions, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62583-08-D-0136/0137/0138).
Rockwell Collins Government Systems, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded an $8,162,000 firm-fixed-priced order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-08-G-0016) for services in support of the FY 2008 ARC-210 Radio hardware design changes to evolve the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) satellite communication waveform capability in the next generation tactical networking radio, RT-1939(C) radio system. Tasking includes program management, system engineering, hardware development, and data deliverables. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is expected to be completed in Aug. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity.
Square D Co., Palatine, Ill., is being awarded $6,000,000 for firm-fixed price task order #0004 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N62473-07-D-4012) for the repair/overhaul of Mobile Utility Support Equipment (MUSE) substations and generators from Rota, Spain in support of the Global War on Terror. The work to be performed provides for the repair and overhaul of MUSE transportable substations. Completed work shall provide a professional appearance, reliable operation at rated capacity, structural integrity, and corrosion control. Work will be performed in Cerritos and Bakersfield, Calif., and is expected to be completed by September 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Specialty Center Acquisitions, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity.
Correction: L-3 Services, Inc., Marlton, N.J., contract (N68936-08-D-0027) awarded Aug. 29, 2008, should have stated the work percentage in Camarillo, Calif., as 61% not 67%.
Air Force
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Herndon, Va., is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for $21,490,004. This action will provide Program Executive Office (PEO) Ammunition and Joint Munitions and Lethality Office Cycle Management Command with strategic planning, studies, and analysis. At this time $596,666 has been obligated. 55th Contracting Squadron, 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380, Delivery Order: 0274).
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Herndon, Va., is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for $7,632,519. The action will provide Electronic Weapons (EW) analysis and support of Air Force systems. At this time $386,473 has been obligated. 55th Contracting Squadron, 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380, Delivery Order: 0273).
The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price contract with Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., of Hurst, Texas, for an estimated $7,605,799. The contractor shall provide 64 each TH-1H/Huey-II tailboom structural assembly, part number 212-030-100-245 and associated non-recurring engineering as part of the Tailboom Assembly Modification Program. At this time all funds have been obligated. 580th ACSG/GFKAB, Robins AFB, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8509-08-C-0017-P00001).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Sysco FoodServices of Hampton Roads, Inc., Suffolk, Va. is being awarded a maximum $15,875,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, prime vendor contract for total food and beverage support. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. This contract is exercising the third option year. The original proposal was DIBBS solicited with 2 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is September 4, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM300-08-D-3146).
Army
Vetco, Watertown, N.Y., was awarded on Aug. 29, 2008, a $ 15,045,820 firm/fixed price contract for construction of the 300-member Army Reserve Center, consisting of a training building, an organizational maintenance shop, and an unheated storage building at Fort Drum, N.Y. Work will be performed in Fort Drum, N. Y., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 10, 2010. Bids were solicited via Internet and two bids were received. Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (912QR-08-C-0031).
General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc., Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on
Aug. 29, 2008, a $9,342,000 cost/plus/fixed fee contract for System Technical support (STS) for the Abrams Tank program to include field service representatives to the Australian Tank program. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM-Warren, AMSTA-AQ-AHLC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-07-C-0046).
AM General, LLC, South Bend, Ind., was awarded on Aug. 29, 2008, a $533,553,384 firm/fixed price contract for EA High Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vechile (HMMWV). Work will be performed in Mishawaka, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM-Warren, AMSTA-AQ-AHLC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S001).
General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc., Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on
Aug. 29, 2008, a $5,900,000 cost/plus/fixed fee contract for System Technical support (STS) for the Abrams Tank program to include field service representative to support Leave Behind Equipment (LBE) at Fort Carson, Colo. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM-Warren, AMSTA-AQ-AHLC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-07-C-0046).
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., Oak Brook, Ill., was awarded on Aug. 29, 2008, a $6,211,115 firm/fixed price contract for maintenance dredging of the Arthur Kill Reach of the N.Y. & N.J. channels and Raritan River N.J. Work will be performed in N.Y. & N.J., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 17, 2008. Twenty three bids were solicited and three bids were received. Corp of Engineers, N.Y. City, N.Y., is the contracting activity (W912DS-07-C-0017).
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., was awarded on
Sept. 1, 2008, a $16,975,000 firm/fixed price contract. This procurement is for non-recurring engineering, integration and qualification of modernized target acquisition designation sight/pilot's night vision sensor selected obsolescence replacement components. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. US Army Aviation and Missile Command, AMSAM-AC-AP-B, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-06-C-0169).
W.M. Jordan Co., Inc, Newport News, Va., was awarded on Sept. 2, 2008, a $35,104,000 firm /fixed price contract. Construct a 600- person Air Force/Navy dormitory at Fort Lee, Va. The project includes design and complete construction with a furniture option. Work will be performed in Fort Lee, Va., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 30, 2010. One hundred and thirteen bids were solicited and nine bids were received. US Army Engineer District, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (W91236-08-C-0062).
American Systems, Chantilly, Va.; Square D, Palatine, Ill.; and Weston Solutions, San Antonio, Texas, are each being awarded a firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract in support of the Advance Metering Infrastructure Program at U.S. Navy and Marine Corps installations worldwide. The work to be performed provides for services for the design, procurement, installation, testing, and sustainment of building level advanced metering solutions in support of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for Navy and Marine Corps requirements on a worldwide basis. This will allow the Navy and Marine Corps to cost-effectively allocate and manage electricity, natural gas, steam, and water commodities. The maximum dollar value for all three contracts is $250,000,000. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps installations worldwide, and work is expected to be Sept. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with seven proposals received. These three contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Specialty Center Acquisitions, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62583-08-D-0136/0137/0138).
Rockwell Collins Government Systems, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded an $8,162,000 firm-fixed-priced order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-08-G-0016) for services in support of the FY 2008 ARC-210 Radio hardware design changes to evolve the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) satellite communication waveform capability in the next generation tactical networking radio, RT-1939(C) radio system. Tasking includes program management, system engineering, hardware development, and data deliverables. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is expected to be completed in Aug. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity.
Square D Co., Palatine, Ill., is being awarded $6,000,000 for firm-fixed price task order #0004 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N62473-07-D-4012) for the repair/overhaul of Mobile Utility Support Equipment (MUSE) substations and generators from Rota, Spain in support of the Global War on Terror. The work to be performed provides for the repair and overhaul of MUSE transportable substations. Completed work shall provide a professional appearance, reliable operation at rated capacity, structural integrity, and corrosion control. Work will be performed in Cerritos and Bakersfield, Calif., and is expected to be completed by September 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Specialty Center Acquisitions, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity.
Correction: L-3 Services, Inc., Marlton, N.J., contract (N68936-08-D-0027) awarded Aug. 29, 2008, should have stated the work percentage in Camarillo, Calif., as 61% not 67%.
Air Force
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Herndon, Va., is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for $21,490,004. This action will provide Program Executive Office (PEO) Ammunition and Joint Munitions and Lethality Office Cycle Management Command with strategic planning, studies, and analysis. At this time $596,666 has been obligated. 55th Contracting Squadron, 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380, Delivery Order: 0274).
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Herndon, Va., is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for $7,632,519. The action will provide Electronic Weapons (EW) analysis and support of Air Force systems. At this time $386,473 has been obligated. 55th Contracting Squadron, 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380, Delivery Order: 0273).
The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price contract with Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., of Hurst, Texas, for an estimated $7,605,799. The contractor shall provide 64 each TH-1H/Huey-II tailboom structural assembly, part number 212-030-100-245 and associated non-recurring engineering as part of the Tailboom Assembly Modification Program. At this time all funds have been obligated. 580th ACSG/GFKAB, Robins AFB, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8509-08-C-0017-P00001).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Sysco FoodServices of Hampton Roads, Inc., Suffolk, Va. is being awarded a maximum $15,875,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, prime vendor contract for total food and beverage support. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. This contract is exercising the third option year. The original proposal was DIBBS solicited with 2 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is September 4, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM300-08-D-3146).
Army
Vetco, Watertown, N.Y., was awarded on Aug. 29, 2008, a $ 15,045,820 firm/fixed price contract for construction of the 300-member Army Reserve Center, consisting of a training building, an organizational maintenance shop, and an unheated storage building at Fort Drum, N.Y. Work will be performed in Fort Drum, N. Y., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 10, 2010. Bids were solicited via Internet and two bids were received. Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (912QR-08-C-0031).
General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc., Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on
Aug. 29, 2008, a $9,342,000 cost/plus/fixed fee contract for System Technical support (STS) for the Abrams Tank program to include field service representatives to the Australian Tank program. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM-Warren, AMSTA-AQ-AHLC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-07-C-0046).
AM General, LLC, South Bend, Ind., was awarded on Aug. 29, 2008, a $533,553,384 firm/fixed price contract for EA High Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vechile (HMMWV). Work will be performed in Mishawaka, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM-Warren, AMSTA-AQ-AHLC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S001).
General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc., Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on
Aug. 29, 2008, a $5,900,000 cost/plus/fixed fee contract for System Technical support (STS) for the Abrams Tank program to include field service representative to support Leave Behind Equipment (LBE) at Fort Carson, Colo. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM-Warren, AMSTA-AQ-AHLC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-07-C-0046).
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., Oak Brook, Ill., was awarded on Aug. 29, 2008, a $6,211,115 firm/fixed price contract for maintenance dredging of the Arthur Kill Reach of the N.Y. & N.J. channels and Raritan River N.J. Work will be performed in N.Y. & N.J., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 17, 2008. Twenty three bids were solicited and three bids were received. Corp of Engineers, N.Y. City, N.Y., is the contracting activity (W912DS-07-C-0017).
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., was awarded on
Sept. 1, 2008, a $16,975,000 firm/fixed price contract. This procurement is for non-recurring engineering, integration and qualification of modernized target acquisition designation sight/pilot's night vision sensor selected obsolescence replacement components. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. US Army Aviation and Missile Command, AMSAM-AC-AP-B, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-06-C-0169).
W.M. Jordan Co., Inc, Newport News, Va., was awarded on Sept. 2, 2008, a $35,104,000 firm /fixed price contract. Construct a 600- person Air Force/Navy dormitory at Fort Lee, Va. The project includes design and complete construction with a furniture option. Work will be performed in Fort Lee, Va., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 30, 2010. One hundred and thirteen bids were solicited and nine bids were received. US Army Engineer District, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (W91236-08-C-0062).
Chairman Expresses Confidence U.S., Iraq Will Agree on Troop Status
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 3, 2008 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff expressed confidence yesterday that Washington and Baghdad will reach an agreement before the year's end on the future role of U.S. forces in Iraq. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen also discussed his outlook on past and present U.S. humanitarian relief missions in a Pentagon Channel podcast interview.
Mullen praised the bilateral dialogue between the U.S. and Iraq, where Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice paid a one-day visit last month to discuss the status of forces agreement with Iraqi counterparts.
"There's actually great debate about this right now, and I think that's pretty healthy," Mullen said.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has expressed the desire for Iraqi sovereignty and independence, which the United States encourages, Mullen said.
"That's one of the things that we've encouraged as his burgeoning democracy comes forward," he said.
The deadline for a United Nations mandate allowing the U.S. and Iraq to negotiate a status of forces deal is Dec. 31, after which American forces may not legally remain in Iraq without an agreement in place.
"We really need to make sure that that agreement is in place," Mullen said. "And from my view -- while certainly it's not done, because people are still working it -- it's all headed in the right direction."
Meanwhile, coalition forces handed over provincial control of Anbar province to Iraqis this week, a development that Mullen said indicates continued security improvement.
"Two years ago, not many of us would have thought that possible," he said, referring to the handover of what formerly was one of the most violent regions of Iraq. "I'm hopeful we can move forward and continue to reduce our force levels there."
On humanitarian relief, Mullen said the U.S. military's flexibility enables it to intervene swiftly in the wake of natural or other disasters.
"It says a lot about what our capability is, what our flexibility is, and also our presence, our engagement around the world, because we've been able to respond very quickly, typically by air and by sea," he said.
The chairman added that the average servicemember engaged in a relief effort later describes it as a source of pride.
"Typically, they tell you that they've never been prouder of carrying out a mission than when they were able to carry out this kind of humanitarian mission and disaster relief," he said.
Mullen cited the U.S. relief roles following earthquakes in China and Pakistan, and a humanitarian mission after a cyclone hit Burma and a tsunami struck Indonesia.
"It's the kind of engagement and support that has an impact not just in the disaster, but has an impact on the long-term relationships," he said, citing the United States' ongoing mission in Georgia as an example.
"I think it says a lot about the United States military," Mullen said, "and a lot about the United States of America: that we care, that we are engaged in a way that has a positive impact on lives."
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 3, 2008 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff expressed confidence yesterday that Washington and Baghdad will reach an agreement before the year's end on the future role of U.S. forces in Iraq. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen also discussed his outlook on past and present U.S. humanitarian relief missions in a Pentagon Channel podcast interview.
Mullen praised the bilateral dialogue between the U.S. and Iraq, where Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice paid a one-day visit last month to discuss the status of forces agreement with Iraqi counterparts.
"There's actually great debate about this right now, and I think that's pretty healthy," Mullen said.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has expressed the desire for Iraqi sovereignty and independence, which the United States encourages, Mullen said.
"That's one of the things that we've encouraged as his burgeoning democracy comes forward," he said.
The deadline for a United Nations mandate allowing the U.S. and Iraq to negotiate a status of forces deal is Dec. 31, after which American forces may not legally remain in Iraq without an agreement in place.
"We really need to make sure that that agreement is in place," Mullen said. "And from my view -- while certainly it's not done, because people are still working it -- it's all headed in the right direction."
Meanwhile, coalition forces handed over provincial control of Anbar province to Iraqis this week, a development that Mullen said indicates continued security improvement.
"Two years ago, not many of us would have thought that possible," he said, referring to the handover of what formerly was one of the most violent regions of Iraq. "I'm hopeful we can move forward and continue to reduce our force levels there."
On humanitarian relief, Mullen said the U.S. military's flexibility enables it to intervene swiftly in the wake of natural or other disasters.
"It says a lot about what our capability is, what our flexibility is, and also our presence, our engagement around the world, because we've been able to respond very quickly, typically by air and by sea," he said.
The chairman added that the average servicemember engaged in a relief effort later describes it as a source of pride.
"Typically, they tell you that they've never been prouder of carrying out a mission than when they were able to carry out this kind of humanitarian mission and disaster relief," he said.
Mullen cited the U.S. relief roles following earthquakes in China and Pakistan, and a humanitarian mission after a cyclone hit Burma and a tsunami struck Indonesia.
"It's the kind of engagement and support that has an impact not just in the disaster, but has an impact on the long-term relationships," he said, citing the United States' ongoing mission in Georgia as an example.
"I think it says a lot about the United States military," Mullen said, "and a lot about the United States of America: that we care, that we are engaged in a way that has a positive impact on lives."
Chrysler Earns Top Employer-Support Award
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 3, 2008 - Defense officials have chosen Chrysler to receive the department's top employer-support award for providing exceptional financial and emotional support to its employees who deploy as National Guard or reserve members. Chrysler will receive the Freedom Award along with 14 other companies in a ceremony Sept. 18 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center here. The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to recognize exceptional support from the employer community.
The automaker provides pay differential and full benefits for up to 48 months of military service for all its Guard and reserve employees.
"The fact that Chrysler made up my pay was a huge help, because I don't think I could've made it financially without them," said Navy Reserve Petty Officer 2nd Class Theresa Jones, a Chrysler employee who has spent two years away from work fulfilling reserve duties.
In addition to providing pay and benefits, the Chrysler Veterans Committee regularly collects items and sends comfort packages to deployed employees and other servicemembers.
"It was so nice to receive care packages from my colleagues at Chrysler while I was serving in Iraq," Jones said in a news release. "They even sent me a microwave so we could pop our own popcorn!"
Robert Nardelli, Chrysler's chairman and chief executive officer, signed a military support agreement in May that pledged the company's commitment to supporting employees who are called into military service.
"I just want to thank all the men and women who give of themselves, who are apart from their families, who are enduring tremendous hardship to maintain the freedom, the democracy on which this country was founded," Nardelli said at the May 5 signing of the ESGR 5-Star military Support Agreement.
Meanwhile, Chrysler is sponsoring an ongoing program called "Freedom Calls" to allow families of deployed troops to participate in a video-teleconference with their loved ones in Iraq.
The Freedom Award recognizes U.S. employers that rise above the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
As shown by testimony from Air Force Tech Sgt. Robert Langlois, who has spent an average of 100 days a year on security-force tours in Germany, his national service likely wouldn't have been possible without Chrysler's exceptional support.
"If not for the incredible support of Chrysler, both financially and emotionally, I don't think I could've stayed in uniform serving this country," he said in a statement. "I'm so very thankful to them."
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 3, 2008 - Defense officials have chosen Chrysler to receive the department's top employer-support award for providing exceptional financial and emotional support to its employees who deploy as National Guard or reserve members. Chrysler will receive the Freedom Award along with 14 other companies in a ceremony Sept. 18 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center here. The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to recognize exceptional support from the employer community.
The automaker provides pay differential and full benefits for up to 48 months of military service for all its Guard and reserve employees.
"The fact that Chrysler made up my pay was a huge help, because I don't think I could've made it financially without them," said Navy Reserve Petty Officer 2nd Class Theresa Jones, a Chrysler employee who has spent two years away from work fulfilling reserve duties.
In addition to providing pay and benefits, the Chrysler Veterans Committee regularly collects items and sends comfort packages to deployed employees and other servicemembers.
"It was so nice to receive care packages from my colleagues at Chrysler while I was serving in Iraq," Jones said in a news release. "They even sent me a microwave so we could pop our own popcorn!"
Robert Nardelli, Chrysler's chairman and chief executive officer, signed a military support agreement in May that pledged the company's commitment to supporting employees who are called into military service.
"I just want to thank all the men and women who give of themselves, who are apart from their families, who are enduring tremendous hardship to maintain the freedom, the democracy on which this country was founded," Nardelli said at the May 5 signing of the ESGR 5-Star military Support Agreement.
Meanwhile, Chrysler is sponsoring an ongoing program called "Freedom Calls" to allow families of deployed troops to participate in a video-teleconference with their loved ones in Iraq.
The Freedom Award recognizes U.S. employers that rise above the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
As shown by testimony from Air Force Tech Sgt. Robert Langlois, who has spent an average of 100 days a year on security-force tours in Germany, his national service likely wouldn't have been possible without Chrysler's exceptional support.
"If not for the incredible support of Chrysler, both financially and emotionally, I don't think I could've stayed in uniform serving this country," he said in a statement. "I'm so very thankful to them."
USAA Aligns the Stars to Salute the Troops on ABC, Sunday, September 7 9/8c
September 3, 2008 -- A diverse cross-section of America’s most popular performers and entertainers – including Toby Keith, Janet Jackson, ZZ Top, Jessica Simpson, Snoop Dogg and others – are coming together on the same stage for one night only at an all-star salute to the nation’s military men and women.
America United in Support of Our Troops - is all about standing together as a nation to say a very heartfelt 'thank you' to the men and women of the U.S. military
USAA, a diversified financial services firm, is honored to present America United In Support of Our Troops, airing on ABC Sunday, September 7, at 9 p.m. Eastern/8 p.m. Central.
Other performers and celebrities slated to appear include country musician Clint Black, comedians Carlos Mencia and Kathy Griffin, and many more. Filmed in front of audiences in Iraq, Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Fort Campbell, Ky., the show features popular music, celebrity cameos, tributes to the troops, and heart-warming stories.
“America United in Support of Our Troops - is all about standing together as a nation to say a very heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the men and women of the U.S. military,” said USAA President and CEO Joe Robles. “USAA has proudly served our nation’s military families for 86 years, and it is our honor to sponsor this tribute. We hope Americans will tune in this Sunday, support our troops and enjoy this terrific show.”
The show will be re-broadcast Monday, Sept. 8 for military members serving overseas and on ships at sea through the American Forces Radio and Television Service.
The only full-service insurance, banking and investment company dedicated to serving the military, USAA has many employees who have served in the military or have a direct connection to those in uniform.
For more information regarding the show and how to thank the troops, visit www.usaa.com/salute.
About USAA
USAA, a diversified financial services group of companies, is the leading provider of financial planning, insurance, investments, and banking products to members of the U.S. military and their families. Named by BusinessWeek as No. 1 Customer Service Champ in 2007 and 2008, USAA provides highly competitive financial products to its 6.4 million members. For more information about USAA, or to learn more about membership, visit www.usaa.com.
America United in Support of Our Troops - is all about standing together as a nation to say a very heartfelt 'thank you' to the men and women of the U.S. military
USAA, a diversified financial services firm, is honored to present America United In Support of Our Troops, airing on ABC Sunday, September 7, at 9 p.m. Eastern/8 p.m. Central.
Other performers and celebrities slated to appear include country musician Clint Black, comedians Carlos Mencia and Kathy Griffin, and many more. Filmed in front of audiences in Iraq, Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Fort Campbell, Ky., the show features popular music, celebrity cameos, tributes to the troops, and heart-warming stories.
“America United in Support of Our Troops - is all about standing together as a nation to say a very heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the men and women of the U.S. military,” said USAA President and CEO Joe Robles. “USAA has proudly served our nation’s military families for 86 years, and it is our honor to sponsor this tribute. We hope Americans will tune in this Sunday, support our troops and enjoy this terrific show.”
The show will be re-broadcast Monday, Sept. 8 for military members serving overseas and on ships at sea through the American Forces Radio and Television Service.
The only full-service insurance, banking and investment company dedicated to serving the military, USAA has many employees who have served in the military or have a direct connection to those in uniform.
For more information regarding the show and how to thank the troops, visit www.usaa.com/salute.
About USAA
USAA, a diversified financial services group of companies, is the leading provider of financial planning, insurance, investments, and banking products to members of the U.S. military and their families. Named by BusinessWeek as No. 1 Customer Service Champ in 2007 and 2008, USAA provides highly competitive financial products to its 6.4 million members. For more information about USAA, or to learn more about membership, visit www.usaa.com.
Louisiana Guard Reacts to Damage, Assesses Needs
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 3, 2008 - In response to flooding yesterday in West Monroe, La., the Louisiana National Guard delivered 58,000 sandbags throughout the night, with 50,000 more expected to be delivered today. More than 20 engineer work teams are moving throughout the state to support efforts to assess what needs to be done in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav's Sept. 1 landfall.
National Guard personnel are deploying to assist with secondary road and tree clearing, debris and trash removal, water and food distribution, evacuee return efforts, generator and power support, transportation and search and rescue.
Security at shelters and hospitals continues to be a priority, as well as hourly patrols to ensure the security of property as residents begin returning to their homes. Soldiers also are helping local police with curfew enforcement to curtail looting and preventing accidents in areas where traffic lights are still out.
"These highly trained and professional citizen-soldiers are willing and prepared to defend themselves and protect the lives of other Louisiana residents," said Army Capt. Taysha Deaton Gibbes, deputy public affairs officer for the Louisiana National Guard. "National Guardsmen are working closely with local policemen to provide security, supply and water distribution, transportation, and other assistance as locations and requirements are determined."
The Louisiana National Guard's 62nd Civil Support Team based at the Gillis W. Long Center in Carville, La., is in Terrebonne Parish today conducting environmental assessments and identifying potential hazards that may have been caused by wind and rain from Hurricane Gustav. The 19-member team is working with the parish's Emergency Operations Center, helping to provide them with communications, and assisting in damage assessment.
"We will stay here in Terrebonne until our mission is complete and all environmental concerns have been addressed," Army 2nd Lt. Jacob L. Witte, team leader, said.
Several Civil support teams have been brought into the state through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual-support agreement among states. The 7th Civil Support Team has brought 17 members from Missouri to Rapides Parish, and the 45th Civil Support Team from Tennessee is in Lafourche Parish with its 22-member crew.
(From a Louisiana National Guard news release.)
Sept. 3, 2008 - In response to flooding yesterday in West Monroe, La., the Louisiana National Guard delivered 58,000 sandbags throughout the night, with 50,000 more expected to be delivered today. More than 20 engineer work teams are moving throughout the state to support efforts to assess what needs to be done in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav's Sept. 1 landfall.
National Guard personnel are deploying to assist with secondary road and tree clearing, debris and trash removal, water and food distribution, evacuee return efforts, generator and power support, transportation and search and rescue.
Security at shelters and hospitals continues to be a priority, as well as hourly patrols to ensure the security of property as residents begin returning to their homes. Soldiers also are helping local police with curfew enforcement to curtail looting and preventing accidents in areas where traffic lights are still out.
"These highly trained and professional citizen-soldiers are willing and prepared to defend themselves and protect the lives of other Louisiana residents," said Army Capt. Taysha Deaton Gibbes, deputy public affairs officer for the Louisiana National Guard. "National Guardsmen are working closely with local policemen to provide security, supply and water distribution, transportation, and other assistance as locations and requirements are determined."
The Louisiana National Guard's 62nd Civil Support Team based at the Gillis W. Long Center in Carville, La., is in Terrebonne Parish today conducting environmental assessments and identifying potential hazards that may have been caused by wind and rain from Hurricane Gustav. The 19-member team is working with the parish's Emergency Operations Center, helping to provide them with communications, and assisting in damage assessment.
"We will stay here in Terrebonne until our mission is complete and all environmental concerns have been addressed," Army 2nd Lt. Jacob L. Witte, team leader, said.
Several Civil support teams have been brought into the state through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual-support agreement among states. The 7th Civil Support Team has brought 17 members from Missouri to Rapides Parish, and the 45th Civil Support Team from Tennessee is in Lafourche Parish with its 22-member crew.
(From a Louisiana National Guard news release.)
America Supports You: Online Radio Show Gives Voice to Military Community
By Jamie Findlater
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 2, 2008 - The host of a radio program available worldwide on the Internet gives servicemembers a chance to tell their stories. "This is one way that I can serve the military," Dave Whitten, host of "Voice of the Troops," a weekly hour-long show on Phoenix station KFNX and carried on the station's Web site, said in an "ASY Live" BlogTalkRadio interview.
"ASY Live" is part of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which connects American citizens and companies with servicemembers at home and abroad.
"I grew up in a very military household," Whitten said. "I always kick myself for not serving."
The idea started for Whitten a year and a half ago, he said, after listening to the radio and television and sensing a need to bring to light the voice of the individual servicemember.
"You hear all the bad stuff that goes on," he said. "Let's face it, war is not pretty. ... But you never [get] to hear the good stories about the good things that our troops [are] doing."
on the program airs Sundays at 7 p.m. PST and is available on the Web at www.1100kfnx.com.
"I give them an hour every week to talk about whatever they want without cutting them up into sound bites," Whitten said. Topics range from post-traumatic stress disorder to military history.
"On one of our most memorable shows, we had two of the remaining five Navajo code talkers talking about how they saved countless numbers of Marine lives in the Pacific Theater," he said. "What was really interesting was that many of these guys were in their mid-80s, and you never know, this might be the last time we capture this. I was told by another Marine, "You guys have captured a part of history."
It's important, especially with current conflicts, to talk to those who are directly affected, Whitten said.
"Kimberly Dozier was a CBS News reporter that we had on our show recently to talk about her experience," he said. "Kimberly and her video crew were involved in an [improvised explosive device] explosion over in Iraq and almost lost her life. [As a] matter of a fact, her photographer and sound person did lose their lives, and she knows first-hand the type of quality care that military survivors received. We got her on the show to talk about how the military doctors got her back to normal."
The show also discusses recent topics of interest and the important ramifications of new military policy.
"Recently, we had a show with two colonels, Kevin and Kate Voight, who talked about their experience serving as intel officers based in Baghdad, Iraq," he said. "Now that Army rules have changed, they can actually serve in a combat area together and have their own housing. It's a way to attract qualified people, because they can have the 15 months of actually functioning as a husband and wife."
Voice of the Troops also brings to light plans for future development of new capabilities. For example, he said, he has lined up Air Force Maj. Gen. William T. Lord, commander of the Air Force's provisional Cyberspace Command, as a guest for an upcoming program to talk about the importance of defending the nation's computer systems from adversaries.
Whitten said he appreciates that programs like America Supports You work to get the message out to servicemembers about programs like his.
"We are proud to work with programs like America Supports You, [which] has done a phenomenal job in garnering the support of people throughout the nation," Whitten said. "We need to help [the public] understand that there is a need out there. We still have men and women in a combat zone, and my hat's off to ASY for what they do."
(Jamie Findlater works in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 2, 2008 - The host of a radio program available worldwide on the Internet gives servicemembers a chance to tell their stories. "This is one way that I can serve the military," Dave Whitten, host of "Voice of the Troops," a weekly hour-long show on Phoenix station KFNX and carried on the station's Web site, said in an "ASY Live" BlogTalkRadio interview.
"ASY Live" is part of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which connects American citizens and companies with servicemembers at home and abroad.
"I grew up in a very military household," Whitten said. "I always kick myself for not serving."
The idea started for Whitten a year and a half ago, he said, after listening to the radio and television and sensing a need to bring to light the voice of the individual servicemember.
"You hear all the bad stuff that goes on," he said. "Let's face it, war is not pretty. ... But you never [get] to hear the good stories about the good things that our troops [are] doing."
on the program airs Sundays at 7 p.m. PST and is available on the Web at www.1100kfnx.com.
"I give them an hour every week to talk about whatever they want without cutting them up into sound bites," Whitten said. Topics range from post-traumatic stress disorder to military history.
"On one of our most memorable shows, we had two of the remaining five Navajo code talkers talking about how they saved countless numbers of Marine lives in the Pacific Theater," he said. "What was really interesting was that many of these guys were in their mid-80s, and you never know, this might be the last time we capture this. I was told by another Marine, "You guys have captured a part of history."
It's important, especially with current conflicts, to talk to those who are directly affected, Whitten said.
"Kimberly Dozier was a CBS News reporter that we had on our show recently to talk about her experience," he said. "Kimberly and her video crew were involved in an [improvised explosive device] explosion over in Iraq and almost lost her life. [As a] matter of a fact, her photographer and sound person did lose their lives, and she knows first-hand the type of quality care that military survivors received. We got her on the show to talk about how the military doctors got her back to normal."
The show also discusses recent topics of interest and the important ramifications of new military policy.
"Recently, we had a show with two colonels, Kevin and Kate Voight, who talked about their experience serving as intel officers based in Baghdad, Iraq," he said. "Now that Army rules have changed, they can actually serve in a combat area together and have their own housing. It's a way to attract qualified people, because they can have the 15 months of actually functioning as a husband and wife."
Voice of the Troops also brings to light plans for future development of new capabilities. For example, he said, he has lined up Air Force Maj. Gen. William T. Lord, commander of the Air Force's provisional Cyberspace Command, as a guest for an upcoming program to talk about the importance of defending the nation's computer systems from adversaries.
Whitten said he appreciates that programs like America Supports You work to get the message out to servicemembers about programs like his.
"We are proud to work with programs like America Supports You, [which] has done a phenomenal job in garnering the support of people throughout the nation," Whitten said. "We need to help [the public] understand that there is a need out there. We still have men and women in a combat zone, and my hat's off to ASY for what they do."
(Jamie Findlater works in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Gates OKs Call-up of 50,000 Guard Troops for Hurricane Support
By Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 2, 2008 - Up to 50,000 National Guard personnel can be called up for the response to Hurricane Gustav if needed, a National Guard Bureau official said yesterday. "They will operate under the control of the governors through the adjutants general," Air Force Maj. Gen. William Etter, director of domestic operations for the National Guard Bureau, said at a media briefing held by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates authorized the call-up Aug. 31 for a period ending Sept. 15.
Etter said the National Guard has more than 14,000 citizen-soldiers and -airmen deployed to the Gulf Coast, and "we are poised to flex this number as required."
"Their response so far has been superb, and no effort has been spared to ensure the safety, security and well being of the citizens of the Gulf Coast," he said.
Etter praised the Guard's interagency partners for their teamwork. "We all recognized ... early on the potential seriousness of this storm and started coordination to support the affected states," he said. "And right now, we believe we have had a rapid, effective response to the storm."
Over the weekend, the National Guard evacuated more than 17,000 citizens from New Orleans and almost 600 special-needs patients regionally.
Current operations include 24-hour security patrols in New Orleans. Also, 350 buses with National Guard drivers are pre-positioned to conduct a post-landfall evacuation if needed.
The National Guard has more than 3,800 highwater vehicles and 86 helicopters in the region, ready to deploy as needed, Etter said.
In addition to its response to Hurricane Gustav, the National Guard is preparing for the potential landfall of Tropical Storm Hanna.
(Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 2, 2008 - Up to 50,000 National Guard personnel can be called up for the response to Hurricane Gustav if needed, a National Guard Bureau official said yesterday. "They will operate under the control of the governors through the adjutants general," Air Force Maj. Gen. William Etter, director of domestic operations for the National Guard Bureau, said at a media briefing held by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates authorized the call-up Aug. 31 for a period ending Sept. 15.
Etter said the National Guard has more than 14,000 citizen-soldiers and -airmen deployed to the Gulf Coast, and "we are poised to flex this number as required."
"Their response so far has been superb, and no effort has been spared to ensure the safety, security and well being of the citizens of the Gulf Coast," he said.
Etter praised the Guard's interagency partners for their teamwork. "We all recognized ... early on the potential seriousness of this storm and started coordination to support the affected states," he said. "And right now, we believe we have had a rapid, effective response to the storm."
Over the weekend, the National Guard evacuated more than 17,000 citizens from New Orleans and almost 600 special-needs patients regionally.
Current operations include 24-hour security patrols in New Orleans. Also, 350 buses with National Guard drivers are pre-positioned to conduct a post-landfall evacuation if needed.
The National Guard has more than 3,800 highwater vehicles and 86 helicopters in the region, ready to deploy as needed, Etter said.
In addition to its response to Hurricane Gustav, the National Guard is preparing for the potential landfall of Tropical Storm Hanna.
(Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Air Guard Assists Thousands Displaced by Gustav
By Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 2, 2008 - With tens of thousands of Gulf Coast residents in the potential path of Hurricane Gustav during the Labor Day weekend, Air National Guard members put aside their last-minute school shopping and backyard picnics to bring their states' Guard airpower to the displaced. Taking to the skies Aug. 30 and 31 were Air Guard aeromedical evacuation squadrons from at least four states. They deployed their aircrews, aircraft and medical specialists to a mobile air staging facility in Carswell, Texas. In total, the team air evacuated more than 473 patients. At least seven other states prepared aeromedical teams to respond to calls for emergency assistance.
In all, the National Guard's soldiers and airmen helped evacuate nearly 17,000 Gulf Coast residents via the skies and roadways, including 325 special-needs patients, from New Orleans before the storm's arrival yesterday.
A medical team of Air Guard members including five C-130 Hercules aircraft and a Delaware Air Guard C-130 and airmen from West Virginia, Oklahoma and Tennessee helped airlift at least 247 patients from Beaumont, Texas. The patients were medically assessed, monitored and flown out of the storm's path to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. The highly trained flight medics then boarded their aircraft and flew to Belle Chasse Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base outside New Orleans to assist in the Guard's continued Gustav relief missions.
"The Air National Guard medical community is honored and humbled to bring our medical talent and compassion to communities in times of need," said Air Force Col. (Dr.) Constance McNabb, Texas Military Forces joint surgeon, in a state news release. "Helping other people is why Guard medics serve."
On the receiving end, more than 160 Kentucky Air Guard members in Louisville assisted thousands of displaced people who were flown out of New Orleans on commercial aircraft to the Kentucky Air National Guard Base there. They were then taken by bus to Red Cross shelters at the Louisville fairgrounds and in Lexington.
"Kentucky is a reception state to displaced persons being evacuated from New Orleans via commercial airlines," Air Force Capt. Dale Greer, Kentucky Guard spokesman, said. He reported that the hurricane evacuation was a multi-agency effort calling on the resources of federal, state and local governments, as well as the American Red Cross.
Other Air Guard members at McGee Tyson Air Guard Base in Knoxville, Tenn., and in Nashville and Memphis, received similar evacuee missions at their bases.
Still other Air Guard units positioned their states' assets around the nation to better support potential storm-damaged states after Gustav's landfall.
In West Virginia, Air Guard aircrews and their C-130s from the 130th Airlift Wing in Charleston transported a special joint National Guard communications support team with their radio, telephone, video and satellite equipment to Little Rock, Ark., Aug. 31.
A Mississippi C-17 Globemaster III transport jet and aircrew of the 172nd Airlift Wing – which flies the nation's aeromedical evacuation missions from Balad Air Base, Iraq – flew to Anchorage, Alaska, and delivered two Army Guard HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to Jackson, Miss.
In Sioux City, Iowa, an aircrew from the 185th Air Refueling Wing flew their KC-135 Stratotanker and transported 50 Army Guard members and equipment from the state to Alexandria, La.
In all, Guard officials said nearly 14,000 National Guard airmen and soldiers were positioned with their equipment over the holiday weekend.
The Kansas Air Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing, which flew the state's 35th Infantry Division advance-party soldiers to Alexandria, La. -- Two Nevada Air Guard aircrews and C-130s from the 152nd Airlift Wing flew to the Gulf Coast area to prepare for airlift missions.
The New York Air Guard deployed 15 aeromedical airmen from the 109th Airlift Wing, as well as two HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopters and 16 airmen from the 106th Rescue Wing. In Mississippi, the 186th Air Refueling Wing in Meridian was on full alert with an RC-26 reconnaissance aircraft and aircrew to assist in hurricane response missions. The California Air Guard deployed 19 airmen, including pararescuemen and two HH-60s, and was planning to deploy additional Airmen, aircraft and pararescue equipment to the Gulf Coast.
(Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 2, 2008 - With tens of thousands of Gulf Coast residents in the potential path of Hurricane Gustav during the Labor Day weekend, Air National Guard members put aside their last-minute school shopping and backyard picnics to bring their states' Guard airpower to the displaced. Taking to the skies Aug. 30 and 31 were Air Guard aeromedical evacuation squadrons from at least four states. They deployed their aircrews, aircraft and medical specialists to a mobile air staging facility in Carswell, Texas. In total, the team air evacuated more than 473 patients. At least seven other states prepared aeromedical teams to respond to calls for emergency assistance.
In all, the National Guard's soldiers and airmen helped evacuate nearly 17,000 Gulf Coast residents via the skies and roadways, including 325 special-needs patients, from New Orleans before the storm's arrival yesterday.
A medical team of Air Guard members including five C-130 Hercules aircraft and a Delaware Air Guard C-130 and airmen from West Virginia, Oklahoma and Tennessee helped airlift at least 247 patients from Beaumont, Texas. The patients were medically assessed, monitored and flown out of the storm's path to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. The highly trained flight medics then boarded their aircraft and flew to Belle Chasse Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base outside New Orleans to assist in the Guard's continued Gustav relief missions.
"The Air National Guard medical community is honored and humbled to bring our medical talent and compassion to communities in times of need," said Air Force Col. (Dr.) Constance McNabb, Texas Military Forces joint surgeon, in a state news release. "Helping other people is why Guard medics serve."
On the receiving end, more than 160 Kentucky Air Guard members in Louisville assisted thousands of displaced people who were flown out of New Orleans on commercial aircraft to the Kentucky Air National Guard Base there. They were then taken by bus to Red Cross shelters at the Louisville fairgrounds and in Lexington.
"Kentucky is a reception state to displaced persons being evacuated from New Orleans via commercial airlines," Air Force Capt. Dale Greer, Kentucky Guard spokesman, said. He reported that the hurricane evacuation was a multi-agency effort calling on the resources of federal, state and local governments, as well as the American Red Cross.
Other Air Guard members at McGee Tyson Air Guard Base in Knoxville, Tenn., and in Nashville and Memphis, received similar evacuee missions at their bases.
Still other Air Guard units positioned their states' assets around the nation to better support potential storm-damaged states after Gustav's landfall.
In West Virginia, Air Guard aircrews and their C-130s from the 130th Airlift Wing in Charleston transported a special joint National Guard communications support team with their radio, telephone, video and satellite equipment to Little Rock, Ark., Aug. 31.
A Mississippi C-17 Globemaster III transport jet and aircrew of the 172nd Airlift Wing – which flies the nation's aeromedical evacuation missions from Balad Air Base, Iraq – flew to Anchorage, Alaska, and delivered two Army Guard HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to Jackson, Miss.
In Sioux City, Iowa, an aircrew from the 185th Air Refueling Wing flew their KC-135 Stratotanker and transported 50 Army Guard members and equipment from the state to Alexandria, La.
In all, Guard officials said nearly 14,000 National Guard airmen and soldiers were positioned with their equipment over the holiday weekend.
The Kansas Air Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing, which flew the state's 35th Infantry Division advance-party soldiers to Alexandria, La. -- Two Nevada Air Guard aircrews and C-130s from the 152nd Airlift Wing flew to the Gulf Coast area to prepare for airlift missions.
The New York Air Guard deployed 15 aeromedical airmen from the 109th Airlift Wing, as well as two HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopters and 16 airmen from the 106th Rescue Wing. In Mississippi, the 186th Air Refueling Wing in Meridian was on full alert with an RC-26 reconnaissance aircraft and aircrew to assist in hurricane response missions. The California Air Guard deployed 19 airmen, including pararescuemen and two HH-60s, and was planning to deploy additional Airmen, aircraft and pararescue equipment to the Gulf Coast.
(Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
America Supports You: Troop-Support Group Gets Grant to Go Green
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 2, 2008 - The future is getting "greener," and so are the houses Homes for Our Troops will build in the future, thanks to a $1 million grant from The Sierra Club Foundation. The grant will allow the organization to build environment-friendly homes.
"We are excited to increase the green building we incorporate into the homes we build for the severely injured veterans we assist," said John Gonsalves, Homes for Our Troops president and founder. "This grant will allow us to incorporate state-of-the-art building techniques and materials such as geothermal heating systems and photovoltaic solar panels to give our veterans the long-term economic and environmental benefits of green building."
The Sierra Club Foundation is happy to help Homes for Our Troops in that endeavor and give back to servicemembers and their families at the same time.
"We're thrilled to be able to give back to families that have given so much to our country," said Peter Martin, director of The Sierra Club Foundation. "We hope this project will demonstrate how easy it is to save energy at home. We can lower our energy bills, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and create jobs in the green building sector at the same time."
Spread over three years, the grant also will allow Homes for Our Troops to reach out to educate the public and builders about green building, said Dawn Teixeira, the troop-support organization's vice president.
"What we'll do with the grant is pretty much educate ourselves and create a program to kind of start our homes to be green," Teixeira said. "We kind of are hoping to use these houses also as a teaching tool."
The program to begin making the houses Homes for Our Troops builds greener already is in the works, and Teixeira said she anticipates the first of the environmentally conscious homes will appear within the next year. The potential exists for all of the 100 homes the organization plans to build over the next three years to be green homes, she added.
Going green isn't without geographic challenges, however.
For instance, a home the organization recently built and presented to an injured veteran in Denver is "green." Denver, with 300 days of sun each year, is perfect for solar energy technology, Teixeira said.
"Minnesota on the other hand, is not," she said, referring to a home that was presented to another injured veteran in St. Paul yesterday. "So, we [had] to use different technologies."
Homes for Our Troops officials hope to work with companies trying to market green technologies to take some of the challenge out of the equation. The partnership seems serendipitous.
"There are so many companies out there that have these products that are not in the market place," Teixeira said. "We think that we're the perfect vehicle to help them get them out there."
Homes for Our Troops, a supporter of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, has completed 30 homes since October 2005 for veterans seriously injured while serving in the global war on terrorism. America Supports You connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 2, 2008 - The future is getting "greener," and so are the houses Homes for Our Troops will build in the future, thanks to a $1 million grant from The Sierra Club Foundation. The grant will allow the organization to build environment-friendly homes.
"We are excited to increase the green building we incorporate into the homes we build for the severely injured veterans we assist," said John Gonsalves, Homes for Our Troops president and founder. "This grant will allow us to incorporate state-of-the-art building techniques and materials such as geothermal heating systems and photovoltaic solar panels to give our veterans the long-term economic and environmental benefits of green building."
The Sierra Club Foundation is happy to help Homes for Our Troops in that endeavor and give back to servicemembers and their families at the same time.
"We're thrilled to be able to give back to families that have given so much to our country," said Peter Martin, director of The Sierra Club Foundation. "We hope this project will demonstrate how easy it is to save energy at home. We can lower our energy bills, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and create jobs in the green building sector at the same time."
Spread over three years, the grant also will allow Homes for Our Troops to reach out to educate the public and builders about green building, said Dawn Teixeira, the troop-support organization's vice president.
"What we'll do with the grant is pretty much educate ourselves and create a program to kind of start our homes to be green," Teixeira said. "We kind of are hoping to use these houses also as a teaching tool."
The program to begin making the houses Homes for Our Troops builds greener already is in the works, and Teixeira said she anticipates the first of the environmentally conscious homes will appear within the next year. The potential exists for all of the 100 homes the organization plans to build over the next three years to be green homes, she added.
Going green isn't without geographic challenges, however.
For instance, a home the organization recently built and presented to an injured veteran in Denver is "green." Denver, with 300 days of sun each year, is perfect for solar energy technology, Teixeira said.
"Minnesota on the other hand, is not," she said, referring to a home that was presented to another injured veteran in St. Paul yesterday. "So, we [had] to use different technologies."
Homes for Our Troops officials hope to work with companies trying to market green technologies to take some of the challenge out of the equation. The partnership seems serendipitous.
"There are so many companies out there that have these products that are not in the market place," Teixeira said. "We think that we're the perfect vehicle to help them get them out there."
Homes for Our Troops, a supporter of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, has completed 30 homes since October 2005 for veterans seriously injured while serving in the global war on terrorism. America Supports You connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
U.S. Military Aircraft, Ships Continue Georgian Missions
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 2, 2008 - U.S. military aircraft and ships continue to bring humanitarian supplies to Georgia, defense officials said today. The humanitarian need still exists in the former Soviet republic, and the United States will continue sending help "as long as it's needed," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.
Russian troops continue to be in violation of the cease-fire agreement signed in August, Whitman said. "There has been some progress, but they remain in violation," he said.
So far, 62 air sorties have flown humanitarian aid to Georgia, and two ships – the USS McFaul and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas – have delivered 1,138 short tons of supplies to the country. The McFaul and Dallas have finished their missions to Georgia, and the USS Mount Whitney will deliver humanitarian supplies in the next few days, Whitman said.
He called Russian charges that the deliveries contained weapons "false, untrue, unfounded, accusations without merit." All of the supplies delivered to Georgia have been to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the country that the Russian invasion caused, he emphasized.
About 100 American servicemembers and DoD civilians are in Georgia coordinating the missions, officials said, working closely with U.S. embassy personnel and the Georgian government to prioritize the needs.
The flights and ships are delivering cots, tents, humanitarian daily rations, comfort packs, medical supplies and other humanitarian goods.
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 2, 2008 - U.S. military aircraft and ships continue to bring humanitarian supplies to Georgia, defense officials said today. The humanitarian need still exists in the former Soviet republic, and the United States will continue sending help "as long as it's needed," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.
Russian troops continue to be in violation of the cease-fire agreement signed in August, Whitman said. "There has been some progress, but they remain in violation," he said.
So far, 62 air sorties have flown humanitarian aid to Georgia, and two ships – the USS McFaul and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas – have delivered 1,138 short tons of supplies to the country. The McFaul and Dallas have finished their missions to Georgia, and the USS Mount Whitney will deliver humanitarian supplies in the next few days, Whitman said.
He called Russian charges that the deliveries contained weapons "false, untrue, unfounded, accusations without merit." All of the supplies delivered to Georgia have been to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the country that the Russian invasion caused, he emphasized.
About 100 American servicemembers and DoD civilians are in Georgia coordinating the missions, officials said, working closely with U.S. embassy personnel and the Georgian government to prioritize the needs.
The flights and ships are delivering cots, tents, humanitarian daily rations, comfort packs, medical supplies and other humanitarian goods.
Corps of Engineers Surveys New Orleans Levee System in Gustav's Wake
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 2, 2008 - Army Corps of Engineers teams have fanned out across New Orleans to survey the 350 miles of levees, floodgates and floodwalls that protect New Orleans, while expressing cautious optimism that the reinforced system successfully withstood Hurricane Gustav. "All indications are that the system held, as expected," Amanda Jones, a Corps spokeswoman, said from the Corps' Vicksburg, Miss., district office.
Jones reported water overwashing levees in some areas, but said no breaches have been identified in the system that's been heavily reinforced since Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005.
The Corps has about 30 people on the ground assessing the network and expected to do a flyover of the region today, Jones said. Additional Corps members are expected to arrive within the next day or two to step up those assessments.
But by all indications, Jones said, the reinforced system appears to have stood up to its first post-Katrina test as Hurricane Gustav made landfall yesterday as a Category 2 hurricane.
Corps staffers rode out Gustav at each of three outfall canals in New Orleans as well as the Harvey Canal and at all locks.
In dramatic footage captured by a television news crew, William Zar from the Corps' New Orleans District Office dove into Industrial Canal's choppy waters to secure a 500-gallon diesel fuel tank that had broken loose and threatened to ram a floodwall. Zar was patrolling the area in the Corps' tugboat Kent when he spotted the tank.
Last night, Corps workers closed gates to the London and 17th Street canals in the face of rising water, Jones said. The gates will be reopened as water levels drop, she added. The levees along the 17th Street Canal broke during Hurricane Katrina, contributing to widespread flooding.
Army Maj. Gen. Don Riley, the Corps' deputy commander, expressed optimism yesterday that New Orleans had survived Hurricane Gustav, but said it's still too soon to declare victory.
"There is still a danger, clearly, because of the wind and the wave wash that's occurring, and the tremendous pressure that's against all of the levees and floodwalls," he said at a Federal Emergency Management Agency briefing in Washington. "Until that abates, I think there's still danger. But we're confident they will withstand the erosion and the forces they see right now."
The Corps is halfway through a six-year project to strengthen the Crescent City's hurricane defenses, Corps of Engineers officials reported. So far, 220 miles of floodwalls and levees have been repaired and restored, with I-walls replaced with stronger T-walls at breach sites, floodwalls armored and transition points strengthened between floodwalls and levees, officials said. In addition, 18 interior pump stations have been repaired and improved, with eight more under construction and four in the design phase.
In preparation for Gustav, the Corps followed its emergency response plan, alerting its emergency command posts, stationing liaisons in all 13 of Louisiana's coastal parishes for redundant communications and preparing to operate canal gates.
The Corps also pre-positioned supplies, rocks, sand, bastions and equipment, and had 400 4,000-to-7,000-pound sandbags filled and ready for use. As a flood-fighting measure, workers placed sand baskets along an 1,800-foot section of the Industrial Canal's west floodwall. They also tested gates and temporary pumping stations – each capable of pumping 16,000 cubic feet of water per second -- at the three outfall canals.
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 2, 2008 - Army Corps of Engineers teams have fanned out across New Orleans to survey the 350 miles of levees, floodgates and floodwalls that protect New Orleans, while expressing cautious optimism that the reinforced system successfully withstood Hurricane Gustav. "All indications are that the system held, as expected," Amanda Jones, a Corps spokeswoman, said from the Corps' Vicksburg, Miss., district office.
Jones reported water overwashing levees in some areas, but said no breaches have been identified in the system that's been heavily reinforced since Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005.
The Corps has about 30 people on the ground assessing the network and expected to do a flyover of the region today, Jones said. Additional Corps members are expected to arrive within the next day or two to step up those assessments.
But by all indications, Jones said, the reinforced system appears to have stood up to its first post-Katrina test as Hurricane Gustav made landfall yesterday as a Category 2 hurricane.
Corps staffers rode out Gustav at each of three outfall canals in New Orleans as well as the Harvey Canal and at all locks.
In dramatic footage captured by a television news crew, William Zar from the Corps' New Orleans District Office dove into Industrial Canal's choppy waters to secure a 500-gallon diesel fuel tank that had broken loose and threatened to ram a floodwall. Zar was patrolling the area in the Corps' tugboat Kent when he spotted the tank.
Last night, Corps workers closed gates to the London and 17th Street canals in the face of rising water, Jones said. The gates will be reopened as water levels drop, she added. The levees along the 17th Street Canal broke during Hurricane Katrina, contributing to widespread flooding.
Army Maj. Gen. Don Riley, the Corps' deputy commander, expressed optimism yesterday that New Orleans had survived Hurricane Gustav, but said it's still too soon to declare victory.
"There is still a danger, clearly, because of the wind and the wave wash that's occurring, and the tremendous pressure that's against all of the levees and floodwalls," he said at a Federal Emergency Management Agency briefing in Washington. "Until that abates, I think there's still danger. But we're confident they will withstand the erosion and the forces they see right now."
The Corps is halfway through a six-year project to strengthen the Crescent City's hurricane defenses, Corps of Engineers officials reported. So far, 220 miles of floodwalls and levees have been repaired and restored, with I-walls replaced with stronger T-walls at breach sites, floodwalls armored and transition points strengthened between floodwalls and levees, officials said. In addition, 18 interior pump stations have been repaired and improved, with eight more under construction and four in the design phase.
In preparation for Gustav, the Corps followed its emergency response plan, alerting its emergency command posts, stationing liaisons in all 13 of Louisiana's coastal parishes for redundant communications and preparing to operate canal gates.
The Corps also pre-positioned supplies, rocks, sand, bastions and equipment, and had 400 4,000-to-7,000-pound sandbags filled and ready for use. As a flood-fighting measure, workers placed sand baskets along an 1,800-foot section of the Industrial Canal's west floodwall. They also tested gates and temporary pumping stations – each capable of pumping 16,000 cubic feet of water per second -- at the three outfall canals.
Mississippi Guard Responds to Hurricane Gustav
By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 2, 2008 - Labor Day began here yesterday with pounding rain and high-velocity winds from a hurricane that many believed would match the devastation that Hurricane Katrina wrought three years ago, but the coast is clear today and damage was minimal from the weaker-than-expected Hurricane Gustav. After an assessment of the area, senior officials from the Mississippi National Guard's joint task force headquarters here said the storm was not as intense as forecasters anticipated, and the city should be back to business as usual by the end of the week.
"It was a relief, but not a surprise," said Army Brig. Gen. Ben Gaston, the task force commander. "The Mississippi Gulf was very lucky."
Gustav struck the Gulf Coast yesterday morning. Heavy rain and tornado warnings were in effect for most of the day as the hurricane traveled west into Louisiana and Texas.
Many of Gulfport's citizens evacuated over the weekend, but as they return throughout the week, they'll find that all the traffic lights are operating, few power lines are down, and little debris pollutes the streets. Schools should be in session, and most shops and businesses could be open as early as tomorrow, Gaston said.
With the exception of the roads flooding along the beach, which the Guardsmen had anticipated, the infrastructure is in good condition, he said.
"We had a pretty good read on what the storm surge was going to be, so we really didn't have any major surprises," the general said.
Although Gustav didn't have the impact of Katrina, the seasoned Guardsmen were prepared for the worst. The state's citizen-soldiers and -airmen are familiar with natural disasters and hurricanes.
"We've had a number of devastating storms dating back to the 1960s," Gaston said. "We understand what disaster recovery means to the state."
When the local power grid comes up, the Guard troops should be able to stand down and let the local authorities take over. But until then, they will focus on distributing water, food and ice and conducting presence patrols. They'll also assist local authorities with traffic control points, Gaston said.
"Showing a presence is the most important aspect of our mission right now," he said. "As long as we're showing a presence here, the [citizens] feel safe and protected. Military presence does deter theft and crime."
The citizen-soldiers and -airmen were alerted for their current mission Aug. 28 and began pre-positioning immediately at the Gulfport Army National Guard Readiness Center, Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, and at Vancleave Middle School in Jackson County. After President Bush declared a national state of emergency along the Gulf Coast a day later, the Guardsmen began personal evacuation notifications, eventually evacuating about 2,800 people here.
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 2, 2008 - Labor Day began here yesterday with pounding rain and high-velocity winds from a hurricane that many believed would match the devastation that Hurricane Katrina wrought three years ago, but the coast is clear today and damage was minimal from the weaker-than-expected Hurricane Gustav. After an assessment of the area, senior officials from the Mississippi National Guard's joint task force headquarters here said the storm was not as intense as forecasters anticipated, and the city should be back to business as usual by the end of the week.
"It was a relief, but not a surprise," said Army Brig. Gen. Ben Gaston, the task force commander. "The Mississippi Gulf was very lucky."
Gustav struck the Gulf Coast yesterday morning. Heavy rain and tornado warnings were in effect for most of the day as the hurricane traveled west into Louisiana and Texas.
Many of Gulfport's citizens evacuated over the weekend, but as they return throughout the week, they'll find that all the traffic lights are operating, few power lines are down, and little debris pollutes the streets. Schools should be in session, and most shops and businesses could be open as early as tomorrow, Gaston said.
With the exception of the roads flooding along the beach, which the Guardsmen had anticipated, the infrastructure is in good condition, he said.
"We had a pretty good read on what the storm surge was going to be, so we really didn't have any major surprises," the general said.
Although Gustav didn't have the impact of Katrina, the seasoned Guardsmen were prepared for the worst. The state's citizen-soldiers and -airmen are familiar with natural disasters and hurricanes.
"We've had a number of devastating storms dating back to the 1960s," Gaston said. "We understand what disaster recovery means to the state."
When the local power grid comes up, the Guard troops should be able to stand down and let the local authorities take over. But until then, they will focus on distributing water, food and ice and conducting presence patrols. They'll also assist local authorities with traffic control points, Gaston said.
"Showing a presence is the most important aspect of our mission right now," he said. "As long as we're showing a presence here, the [citizens] feel safe and protected. Military presence does deter theft and crime."
The citizen-soldiers and -airmen were alerted for their current mission Aug. 28 and began pre-positioning immediately at the Gulfport Army National Guard Readiness Center, Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, and at Vancleave Middle School in Jackson County. After President Bush declared a national state of emergency along the Gulf Coast a day later, the Guardsmen began personal evacuation notifications, eventually evacuating about 2,800 people here.
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