By Navy Seaman William Selby
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 28, 2008 - The Coast Guard received a large budget increase for fiscal 2009 as part of the Consolidated Security Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act, a senior Coast Guard officer said last week. "In our operating expenses account and appropriation, we were appropriated $43.6 million to enhance maritime safety, security, and stewardship," Coast Guard Rear Adm. Keith Taylor, assistant commandant for resources and chief financial officer, said to online journalists during a teleconference Oct. 24.
Taylor said the money will allow the Coast Guard to hire about 500 new maritime inspectors, maritime investigators, and boat crew and boarding team members. The funding also will enhance the Coast Guard's ability to manage rule-making projects and provide for training and support, he said.
"There has been a dramatic increase in the amount of maritime trade over the last 10 years, as well as the use of our maritime transportation system," Taylor said. "This growth in this area will allow us to add capacity, to meet the requirements that we have, and begin to address the shortfalls that we have in this area."
In addition to maritime support, he said, the budget addresses Coast Guard requirements in other areas including inspection, command and control, and intelligence.
To fulfill inspection requirements for the U.S. towing-vessel fleet, Taylor said, the Coast Guard has increased its capacity to provide armed-boat escorts and to carry out security boardings. The service also is enhancing its ability to test contingency plans that address environmental hazards in the port and coastal regions, he added.
"It's allowing us to ... continue to beat all the mission demands we have across all threats and all hazards," the admiral said. "It's allowing us to keep critical acquisition projects on track, and being able to continue to deliver new assets to the men and women of the Coast Guard, so they can meet mission demands."
The Coast Guard received $38.1 million to help the Coast Guard establish comprehensive intelligence and awareness regimens. The funds will provide 100 more positions and enhance cryptologic service groups, which provide intelligence and maritime domain awareness efforts, he said.
The Coast Guard also plans to add more than 200 "watch standers" at command centers nationwide, Taylor said, to improve situational awareness and monitor the new rescue circuits.
Taylor said the increased budget will allow the Coast Guard to keep critical projects on schedule and meet mission demands.
(Navy Seaman William Selby serves in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Transportation Command Delivers on Promises, General Says
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 28, 2008 - As far as Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb is concerned, U.S. Transportation Command is "a championship team" that delivers on its promises. TransCom, which McNabb commands, came into existence in 1987 during a time of reform and emphasis on joint capabilities following the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986. Its mission is simple: deploy warfighters, sustain them, and bring them home.
The command and its service components – the Air Force's Air Mobility Command, the Navy's Military Sealift Command and the Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command – are responsible for the U.S. Military's transportation needs. Whether it's shipping bullets and beans to U.S. Central Command or household goods from Japan, the command has a hand in it.
The effort is staggering, with 138,000 servicemembers and civilians involved in the effort. Commercial industry partners also shoulder a significant load.
TransCom synchronizes and coordinates the transportation mission. It works with the other combatant commands to best fulfill their transportation requests. And the personnel of the command have demonstrated to the other combatant command that they know what they are doing.
"When we first started, commanders would call and say they needed this many C-17 [transport jets]," said Navy Capt. Chuck Baldwin, the senior Deployment Distribution Operations Center chief. "Now they just tell us what capability they need transported and when they need it. We do the rest."
The solution to transportation needs may be airlift, it may be sealift, or it may be a combination of the two. The delivery could be made by commercial ships or airplanes or by Military assets. The command determines what makes the best sense.
But the bottom line of every decision is what the warfighters need, TransCom officials said. For example, the command shipped the first mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles to U.S. Central Command via air because leaders wanted these vehicles immediately. The vehicles have been successful in protecting the lives of American servicemembers who were exposed to roadside bombs and car bombs. Once the first vehicles satisfied immediate needs, TransCom transported the vast majority of the vehicles via ship.
In another case, it made sense to airdrop humanitarian daily rations to Afghans, even though sending the rations via ship was just a fraction of the cost.
The operations center is a large, dimly lit room in the command's headquarters here. Military and civilian personnel man the facility 24/7, keeping an eye on every military mission globally.
And that footprint is huge. Air Mobility Command has 1,322 aircraft. On any given day, planners schedule 900 sorties, including air refueling missions. An Air Mobility Command aircraft is taking off or landing every 90 seconds. With 123,600 personnel, the command is the largest portion of the TransCom team.
The Navy's Military Sealift Command is the next-largest component, with a civilian and Military force of about 8,100 people. Only about 20 percent of the command's capacity is dedicated to Transportation Command; the rest goes to replenishing the U.S. Navy's combat ships. One Sealift Command roll-on/roll-off ship can carry the same load as 400 C-17s, or enough to move all the equipment of an Army brigade combat team. On any given day, 35 sealift command ships are loading, off-loading or underway in support of the TransCom mission.
The Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command has about 4,900 military and civilian personnel. On any given day, the command honchos 100 rail car shipments, 1,961 shipments of household goods, almost 300 privately owned vehicles and 2,298 domestic freight shipments. In addition, the command runs the ports in U.S. Central Command.
TransCom also places a heavy reliance on commercial air and sea carriers. More than 90 percent of Military personnel moves are via commercial air carriers. Commercial shipping lines carry most of the food, fuel and supplies needed.
The members of Transportation Command and its service partners continue to improve service and programs in place, officials said. TransCom officials are working with the Defense Department's office of program analysis and evaluation on a study of mobility capabilities and requirements to be finished in May.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 28, 2008 - As far as Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb is concerned, U.S. Transportation Command is "a championship team" that delivers on its promises. TransCom, which McNabb commands, came into existence in 1987 during a time of reform and emphasis on joint capabilities following the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986. Its mission is simple: deploy warfighters, sustain them, and bring them home.
The command and its service components – the Air Force's Air Mobility Command, the Navy's Military Sealift Command and the Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command – are responsible for the U.S. Military's transportation needs. Whether it's shipping bullets and beans to U.S. Central Command or household goods from Japan, the command has a hand in it.
The effort is staggering, with 138,000 servicemembers and civilians involved in the effort. Commercial industry partners also shoulder a significant load.
TransCom synchronizes and coordinates the transportation mission. It works with the other combatant commands to best fulfill their transportation requests. And the personnel of the command have demonstrated to the other combatant command that they know what they are doing.
"When we first started, commanders would call and say they needed this many C-17 [transport jets]," said Navy Capt. Chuck Baldwin, the senior Deployment Distribution Operations Center chief. "Now they just tell us what capability they need transported and when they need it. We do the rest."
The solution to transportation needs may be airlift, it may be sealift, or it may be a combination of the two. The delivery could be made by commercial ships or airplanes or by Military assets. The command determines what makes the best sense.
But the bottom line of every decision is what the warfighters need, TransCom officials said. For example, the command shipped the first mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles to U.S. Central Command via air because leaders wanted these vehicles immediately. The vehicles have been successful in protecting the lives of American servicemembers who were exposed to roadside bombs and car bombs. Once the first vehicles satisfied immediate needs, TransCom transported the vast majority of the vehicles via ship.
In another case, it made sense to airdrop humanitarian daily rations to Afghans, even though sending the rations via ship was just a fraction of the cost.
The operations center is a large, dimly lit room in the command's headquarters here. Military and civilian personnel man the facility 24/7, keeping an eye on every military mission globally.
And that footprint is huge. Air Mobility Command has 1,322 aircraft. On any given day, planners schedule 900 sorties, including air refueling missions. An Air Mobility Command aircraft is taking off or landing every 90 seconds. With 123,600 personnel, the command is the largest portion of the TransCom team.
The Navy's Military Sealift Command is the next-largest component, with a civilian and Military force of about 8,100 people. Only about 20 percent of the command's capacity is dedicated to Transportation Command; the rest goes to replenishing the U.S. Navy's combat ships. One Sealift Command roll-on/roll-off ship can carry the same load as 400 C-17s, or enough to move all the equipment of an Army brigade combat team. On any given day, 35 sealift command ships are loading, off-loading or underway in support of the TransCom mission.
The Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command has about 4,900 military and civilian personnel. On any given day, the command honchos 100 rail car shipments, 1,961 shipments of household goods, almost 300 privately owned vehicles and 2,298 domestic freight shipments. In addition, the command runs the ports in U.S. Central Command.
TransCom also places a heavy reliance on commercial air and sea carriers. More than 90 percent of Military personnel moves are via commercial air carriers. Commercial shipping lines carry most of the food, fuel and supplies needed.
The members of Transportation Command and its service partners continue to improve service and programs in place, officials said. TransCom officials are working with the Defense Department's office of program analysis and evaluation on a study of mobility capabilities and requirements to be finished in May.
Working Dogs, Handlers Share Special Bond
By Susan Huseman
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 28, 2008 - A military working dog team here is waiting to find out whether a canine warrior will be awarded the Combat Action Badge. Army Staff Sgt. Cully Parr, a dog handler with the 554th Military Police Company Military Working Dog Section, was deployed to Afghanistan with Rex, an 11-year-old Belgium Malinois shepherd, when they were attacked by insurgents.
"We were caught up in a two-hour firefight – where we were engaged by the enemy with indirect fire and small arms fire – during a town hall meeting for the local Afghan community," Parr said. "For over a week we went out to villages and informed the people about the meeting. We had humanitarian aid, such as rice and other supplies, for them at the meeting to take back to their villages."
But during the meeting, enemy fighters attacked. "The first thing I did was get Rex behind a pillar, and I took up a position next to him," Parr said. Despite the ensuing chaos, Rex, a patrol and explosive detection dog, never budged. "That's where obedience training comes into play," Parr said. "He's got to stay there, so he doesn't risk getting injured."
Now back at Stuttgart, garrison life for the two might not be nearly as exciting, but it certainly isn't dull. The day starts early, at 5:30 a.m., when the dogs get the first of two feedings. Training follows.
"Obedience training is a daily occurrence," Parr said. "We'll also set up a problem where we train on odor, whether it is explosive or narcotics. We're always training to go downrange, though. We have dogs and handlers going out about every six months."
For a dog, the training is anything but work. "Everything we do is about play. When we're out looking for explosives, it's all play," Parr said. "Each dog has a little toy they're working for, whether it is a ball, a kong or a tug toy. When they find the odor, they'll sit on that odor, and then they get their toy. Rex has a rubber tug toy and loves it."
Training is a big part of the day, but there are other duties, Parr noted, including "a lot of paperwork that comes with the job."
"Everything we do with the dogs is annotated," Parr said. "We'll also get out on the gates, do fence-line checks and back patrols up when responding to alarms. We're also constantly checking the mail that's coming into the [Regional Post Office]."
The section also puts on demonstrations. "The main purpose of the demos is to allow the units to see what we're capable of doing, whether it's detection, bite work or obedience," Parr explained. "It allows them to see how they can use us when they go downrange. There are times when we're asked to do something out of the capabilities of the dog. For example, our dogs aren't trained to search mine fields. That's a different kind of dog."
Besides training, the handlers also care for the dogs. Eleven dogs are now at the kennel, as two soldiers and their dogs are deployed.
"We're responsible for training one dog, but we're responsible for the care and maintenance of at least one more," said Army Spc. Damen Tokarz, also of the 554th MP Company.
"It's a lot of work keeping the dogs groomed and cleaning the kennels," he said. "We clean their runs every day, scrub them from top to bottom and disinfect once a week, bathe the dogs a minimum of once every two weeks, brush them at least every other day, feed, water and give them their medicine." They also take the dogs that don't have handlers out for exercise.
He's not complaining, though.
"Being a dog handler is a thoroughly enjoyable job, but it's physically, mentally and emotionally demanding," Tokarz said.
When the dogs have dental or veterinary appointments, the handlers are there right alongside their dogs. The U.S. Army Europe military Working Dog Program is in the process of making sure all dogs have a gastropexy operation, a surgical procedure performed on large-breed dogs to prevent bloat, a life-threatening condition in which the stomach flips over and expands, trapping air and gases in the stomach.
Tokarz took his dog, Cedo, an 8-year-old German shepherd, and Rex to the vet clinic on Oct. 15 for the procedure. "Tonight I will be with Cedo and Rex for 24 hours," he said. "I'll check on them every half hour to make sure they're OK. It's not required, but we love and care for our dogs."
The emotional bond between handler and dog is a strong one. Just ask Army Staff Sgt. Moreno Thomas, who recently arrived in Stuttgart with his dog, Brando, from Fort Myer, Va.
When dog handlers relocate, their dogs typically do not go with them, Thomas said. "Ours is a rare case," he said. "I am one of the fortunate ones who was able to bring my dog with me."
Brando, a 7-year-old German shepherd, is Thomas' second dog. "My first dog, Fox, had hip dysplasia. He had to be put down. It's hard, especially when it's your first dog. That's why I wanted to [move] with Brando, so when he has to retire, I'd be able to adopt him."
(Susan Huseman works in the U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 28, 2008 - A military working dog team here is waiting to find out whether a canine warrior will be awarded the Combat Action Badge. Army Staff Sgt. Cully Parr, a dog handler with the 554th Military Police Company Military Working Dog Section, was deployed to Afghanistan with Rex, an 11-year-old Belgium Malinois shepherd, when they were attacked by insurgents.
"We were caught up in a two-hour firefight – where we were engaged by the enemy with indirect fire and small arms fire – during a town hall meeting for the local Afghan community," Parr said. "For over a week we went out to villages and informed the people about the meeting. We had humanitarian aid, such as rice and other supplies, for them at the meeting to take back to their villages."
But during the meeting, enemy fighters attacked. "The first thing I did was get Rex behind a pillar, and I took up a position next to him," Parr said. Despite the ensuing chaos, Rex, a patrol and explosive detection dog, never budged. "That's where obedience training comes into play," Parr said. "He's got to stay there, so he doesn't risk getting injured."
Now back at Stuttgart, garrison life for the two might not be nearly as exciting, but it certainly isn't dull. The day starts early, at 5:30 a.m., when the dogs get the first of two feedings. Training follows.
"Obedience training is a daily occurrence," Parr said. "We'll also set up a problem where we train on odor, whether it is explosive or narcotics. We're always training to go downrange, though. We have dogs and handlers going out about every six months."
For a dog, the training is anything but work. "Everything we do is about play. When we're out looking for explosives, it's all play," Parr said. "Each dog has a little toy they're working for, whether it is a ball, a kong or a tug toy. When they find the odor, they'll sit on that odor, and then they get their toy. Rex has a rubber tug toy and loves it."
Training is a big part of the day, but there are other duties, Parr noted, including "a lot of paperwork that comes with the job."
"Everything we do with the dogs is annotated," Parr said. "We'll also get out on the gates, do fence-line checks and back patrols up when responding to alarms. We're also constantly checking the mail that's coming into the [Regional Post Office]."
The section also puts on demonstrations. "The main purpose of the demos is to allow the units to see what we're capable of doing, whether it's detection, bite work or obedience," Parr explained. "It allows them to see how they can use us when they go downrange. There are times when we're asked to do something out of the capabilities of the dog. For example, our dogs aren't trained to search mine fields. That's a different kind of dog."
Besides training, the handlers also care for the dogs. Eleven dogs are now at the kennel, as two soldiers and their dogs are deployed.
"We're responsible for training one dog, but we're responsible for the care and maintenance of at least one more," said Army Spc. Damen Tokarz, also of the 554th MP Company.
"It's a lot of work keeping the dogs groomed and cleaning the kennels," he said. "We clean their runs every day, scrub them from top to bottom and disinfect once a week, bathe the dogs a minimum of once every two weeks, brush them at least every other day, feed, water and give them their medicine." They also take the dogs that don't have handlers out for exercise.
He's not complaining, though.
"Being a dog handler is a thoroughly enjoyable job, but it's physically, mentally and emotionally demanding," Tokarz said.
When the dogs have dental or veterinary appointments, the handlers are there right alongside their dogs. The U.S. Army Europe military Working Dog Program is in the process of making sure all dogs have a gastropexy operation, a surgical procedure performed on large-breed dogs to prevent bloat, a life-threatening condition in which the stomach flips over and expands, trapping air and gases in the stomach.
Tokarz took his dog, Cedo, an 8-year-old German shepherd, and Rex to the vet clinic on Oct. 15 for the procedure. "Tonight I will be with Cedo and Rex for 24 hours," he said. "I'll check on them every half hour to make sure they're OK. It's not required, but we love and care for our dogs."
The emotional bond between handler and dog is a strong one. Just ask Army Staff Sgt. Moreno Thomas, who recently arrived in Stuttgart with his dog, Brando, from Fort Myer, Va.
When dog handlers relocate, their dogs typically do not go with them, Thomas said. "Ours is a rare case," he said. "I am one of the fortunate ones who was able to bring my dog with me."
Brando, a 7-year-old German shepherd, is Thomas' second dog. "My first dog, Fox, had hip dysplasia. He had to be put down. It's hard, especially when it's your first dog. That's why I wanted to [move] with Brando, so when he has to retire, I'd be able to adopt him."
(Susan Huseman works in the U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Public Affairs Office.)
Group Surpasses $2 Million in Grants for Military Children
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 28, 2008 - "Our Military Kids," a nonprofit support group, recently reached a new milestone: $2 million in grants awarded for sports, fine arts and tutoring programs. "The Our Military Kids grant program has been a wonderful way for Americans to thank our men and women serving our country overseas by providing direct and tangible support to their children at home," said Linda Davidson, Our Military Kids co-founder. "The military families participating in the grant program have been extremely grateful."
Our Military Kids, a Virginia-based organization, awarded its new milestone grant on Oct. 20. It awarded its first grant in April 2005, and surpassed $1 million in grants seven months ago.
The organization provides grants to children of deployed and severely injured National Guard and Reserve members. Grants are up to $500 per child, with recipients receiving an average of $350.
Davidson and Gail Kruzel founded Our Military Kids in response to the stories they heard about hardships National Guard and Reserve families face during overseas deployments. Many of these families live too far from a military base to take advantage of low-cost programs offered there, and rely on access to programs available in their own communities, they explained.
It's often difficult for children of deployed Guard or Reserve personnel to play on local sports teams, participate in community arts programs, or get academic tutoring because fees for these activities can be prohibitive. This is particularly true for families who experience a loss of income when their loved one leaves a civilian job for active duty.
"We heard stories of families second-mortgaging their homes in order to keep their children involved in their activities, or dropping activities completely because of the cost," Kruzel said. "At a time when children most need stability and routine, the extracurricular programs that provide these essentials are being taken from them."
Davidson attributed the success of Our Military Kids to the many generous contributors who have joined in the mission of providing support and recognition to the children of those who wear the military uniform.
"We are most proud of the fact that we have never turned away a single eligible child," Kruzel said. "These parents are making enormous sacrifices for our country, and it is our honor and duty to minimize the sacrifices their children must make at home during their parent's absence."
(From an Our Military Kids news release.)
Oct. 28, 2008 - "Our Military Kids," a nonprofit support group, recently reached a new milestone: $2 million in grants awarded for sports, fine arts and tutoring programs. "The Our Military Kids grant program has been a wonderful way for Americans to thank our men and women serving our country overseas by providing direct and tangible support to their children at home," said Linda Davidson, Our Military Kids co-founder. "The military families participating in the grant program have been extremely grateful."
Our Military Kids, a Virginia-based organization, awarded its new milestone grant on Oct. 20. It awarded its first grant in April 2005, and surpassed $1 million in grants seven months ago.
The organization provides grants to children of deployed and severely injured National Guard and Reserve members. Grants are up to $500 per child, with recipients receiving an average of $350.
Davidson and Gail Kruzel founded Our Military Kids in response to the stories they heard about hardships National Guard and Reserve families face during overseas deployments. Many of these families live too far from a military base to take advantage of low-cost programs offered there, and rely on access to programs available in their own communities, they explained.
It's often difficult for children of deployed Guard or Reserve personnel to play on local sports teams, participate in community arts programs, or get academic tutoring because fees for these activities can be prohibitive. This is particularly true for families who experience a loss of income when their loved one leaves a civilian job for active duty.
"We heard stories of families second-mortgaging their homes in order to keep their children involved in their activities, or dropping activities completely because of the cost," Kruzel said. "At a time when children most need stability and routine, the extracurricular programs that provide these essentials are being taken from them."
Davidson attributed the success of Our Military Kids to the many generous contributors who have joined in the mission of providing support and recognition to the children of those who wear the military uniform.
"We are most proud of the fact that we have never turned away a single eligible child," Kruzel said. "These parents are making enormous sacrifices for our country, and it is our honor and duty to minimize the sacrifices their children must make at home during their parent's absence."
(From an Our Military Kids news release.)
Russians Know Missile Defenses Not Aimed at Them, Gates Says
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 28, 2008 - The next president will "take a fresh look" at plans for a missile defense system in Eastern Europe, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today, but he dismissed Russian objections to the system as politically based. Gates said at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace he's confident the Russians know the proposed missile defense system in Eastern Europe does not threaten them. He called objections that 10 missile-defense interceptors would jeopardize Russia's arsenal "laughable."
"I think we've leaned forward pretty far and have been open with them about what we intend to do," Gates said. "I think we have gone a long way toward providing the necessary assurances to Russia that this system is not aimed at them, but is aimed at a very limited threat coming from Iran."
Gates noted proposals the United States has offered to help reassure Russia. One would allow Russia to have representatives at each site, if the host nation agreed, to provide technical monitoring of activities. Another would be to base a common-data-sharing center in Moscow.
He said he assured Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin when Putin was president that the United States would not make the sites operational until the Iranians had tested a missile that could reach most of Western Europe, including parts of Russia.
"We have provided transparency in a number of ways," Gates said. While the Russian military "has shown some interest in this," Russians have "chosen to make an issue of the notion," for political reasons, he said.
Meanwhile, Gates said, he believes it's likely the United States and Russia will arrive at an agreement when the Moscow Treaty expires. President Bush and Putin signed the Moscow Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions in 2002, calling for both countries to reduce their strategic nuclear warheads to a level of 1,700 to 2,200 by 2012.
Gates said he believes there's "a willingness and ability to make deeper reductions," but said any new agreement must include the same verification procedures included in previous arms-control agreements.
But Gates said he'd like to see one big difference. "I'm not sure agreements the size of a telephone book that take years and years to negotiate are in the interest of either party," he said. "It ought to be an agreement that is shorter, simpler and easier to adjust to real-world conditions than most of the strategic arms agreements that we have seen in the last 40 years."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 28, 2008 - The next president will "take a fresh look" at plans for a missile defense system in Eastern Europe, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today, but he dismissed Russian objections to the system as politically based. Gates said at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace he's confident the Russians know the proposed missile defense system in Eastern Europe does not threaten them. He called objections that 10 missile-defense interceptors would jeopardize Russia's arsenal "laughable."
"I think we've leaned forward pretty far and have been open with them about what we intend to do," Gates said. "I think we have gone a long way toward providing the necessary assurances to Russia that this system is not aimed at them, but is aimed at a very limited threat coming from Iran."
Gates noted proposals the United States has offered to help reassure Russia. One would allow Russia to have representatives at each site, if the host nation agreed, to provide technical monitoring of activities. Another would be to base a common-data-sharing center in Moscow.
He said he assured Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin when Putin was president that the United States would not make the sites operational until the Iranians had tested a missile that could reach most of Western Europe, including parts of Russia.
"We have provided transparency in a number of ways," Gates said. While the Russian military "has shown some interest in this," Russians have "chosen to make an issue of the notion," for political reasons, he said.
Meanwhile, Gates said, he believes it's likely the United States and Russia will arrive at an agreement when the Moscow Treaty expires. President Bush and Putin signed the Moscow Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions in 2002, calling for both countries to reduce their strategic nuclear warheads to a level of 1,700 to 2,200 by 2012.
Gates said he believes there's "a willingness and ability to make deeper reductions," but said any new agreement must include the same verification procedures included in previous arms-control agreements.
But Gates said he'd like to see one big difference. "I'm not sure agreements the size of a telephone book that take years and years to negotiate are in the interest of either party," he said. "It ought to be an agreement that is shorter, simpler and easier to adjust to real-world conditions than most of the strategic arms agreements that we have seen in the last 40 years."
First-Timers Win 33rd Running of Marine Corps Marathon
By Tim Hipps
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 28, 2008 - First-time marathoners with strong military ties won the men's and women's open divisions of the 33rd Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 26. Andrew Dumm, 23, of Washington, D.C., won the men's race with a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, 42 seconds.
He was recruited by his older brother, fifth-place finisher Air Force 1st Lt. Brian Dumm, 25, who is stationed at Molesworth Air Force Base in England, and their father, Kenneth, to make his 26.2-mile race debut in "The People's Marathon." They also were joined at several points on the course by their oldest brother, Tim, who ran onto the streets to urge them along.
Cate Fenster, 37, of Wooster, Ohio, and the daughter of a former Army Ranger, won the women's division with a time of 2:39:32. "I was crying in pain coming up that last hill, the last 200 yards," Fenster said.
She held off runner-up Lindsay Wilkins to win the women's race by 11 seconds.
"At Mile 26, I was crying. I felt good for most of the way, but about Mile 20, I could feel the bricks coming," Fenster said. "I was kind of shocked to win. I'm on Cloud 9."
Fenster is a neurobiology and physiology instructor at the College of Wooster on assignment at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. She was born in Frankfurt, Germany, and remembers running with her father through boot camp-like training exercises as a girl.
"On the weekends, dad would always want to go out on some adventure," Fenster recalled of her father, Gary Pichon, who she said served in the Army from 1969 through 1973. "You always had to end up freezing or crying or cold or hungry or caught in some crazy storm for it to be complete. So my husband is always telling me, 'We are not going on one of your dad's-style adventures.' Dad doesn't do those adventures any more, though, because he's 62. He's slowed down some."
Andrew Dumm also slowed down some during the second half of the race, but he managed to win by 1 minute, 10 seconds over runner-up Fred Joslyn, 24, of Rochester, Mich., who finished in 2:23:52.
"I knew it was my first [marathon], and I knew it was going to be OK if I hit the wall, because you usually do in your first marathon," Andrew said. "So I was expecting and fearing that would happen, but being my first marathon also freed me up a little bit to make kind of a bold move."
Brian Dumm, a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, was elated to watch his brother Andrew, a University of Virginia graduate, run to victory.
"When he took off and went to the front, I couldn't have been happier for him," Brian said of Andrew, who holds the University of Virginia's second-fastest 10-kilometer time of 28:59, set at the Stanford Invitational. "We trade off the family records. I've got the 5K; he's got the 10K."
Brian won the armed forces division and finished sixth overall in the 2007 Marine Corps Marathon. This year, he finished second in the armed forces division.
The event that featured 18,281 runners and wheelchair finishers started and ended at the Marine Corps War Memorial and wound around several of Washington's most famous monuments. It marked the first time the Dumm brothers had run a race together since they were cross-country teammates at nearby Robinson Secondary School.
Army 2nd Lt. Kenneth Foster set the pace for a lead pack of five runners through the first 11 miles. He finished 10th overall in 2:29:59 and was the first Army soldier to cross the finish line.
"I just started running for the All-Army marathon team and this is my first Marine Corps Marathon," said Foster, 22, who ran four seasons of cross country for Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa., where he holds the 10-kilometer school record of 33:25. "I'm also trying to qualify for the Army World Class Athlete Program."
Foster ran the 2006 Philadelphia Marathon in 2:43:41 and completed the 2007 chase around the City of Brotherly Love in 2:32:50. At Marine Corps, he knocked almost three more minutes off his personal-best time.
"I was on the lead pack for the first 12 miles – then my pace started to drift off, but I was really happy with the way I performed today," said Foster, whose sights are set on qualifying for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Team Trials. "That's been my goal ever since I was a freshman in college.
"When I was younger," he continued, "I was a little bit naïve, and I wanted to be the new Steve Prefontaine and dominate the 5K, but I just never had that turnover, so that led me to the marathon."
Andrew Dumm joined Foster in the lead pack during the sixth mile and made his winning move near the 12-mile mark while running in East Potomac Park along the Potomac River and around Hains Point.
"That's a pretty early spot for a move, but I just wanted to use Hains Point, because that's a little bit of a lonely stretch of the race to make a move," Dumm said. "It's a pretty good psychological area to do so."
Dumm surged past a stage band playing the theme song from "Rocky" near the 13.1-mile mark and maintained a 150-meter lead the rest of the way. He exchanged high-fives with his brother as they passed each other while running in opposite directions through Crystal City late in the race.
"I was actually pretty surprised at about the halfway point that I had a little bit of a gap," Andrew said. "Once I had that, and I had the crowd behind me, it was just a long 13 miles. Coming back to Crystal City, that is a long bridge with no water stops, no spectators, and a couple of hills.
"Once I got into Crystal City, I knew I had about five miles left and I could probably dig it out," he said. "Once I got across that physical and mental bridge, I knew I was going to be OK."
Navy Seaman Corey Duquette, 26, of Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., finished third overall and won the armed forces men's division with a time of 2:24:38; he was followed by Jaron Hawkins, 25, of Frostburg, Md., in 2:25:17; and Brian Dumm in 2:25:58.
Wilkins, 30, of Arlington, Va., finished second among women with a personal-best time of 2:49:04, and was followed by Melissa Tanner, 27, of Bethesda, Md.; Abigail Stiles, 28, of Newport, R.I.; and Rebekah Potts, of Chapel Hill, N.C.
"I cramped on the hill and just couldn't get that extra kick in," Wilkins said of running the final stretch. "I could see her. She was so close. I just didn't have that little extra."
Results of the 33rd running of the Marine Corps Marathon with names, ages, hometowns and times of the top 10 men's and women's finishers:
MEN
1. Andrew Dumm, 23, Washington, D.C., 2 hours, 22 minutes, 42 seconds;
2. Fred Joslyn, 24, Rochester, Mich., 2:23:52;
3. Corey Duquette, 26, Pensacola, Fla., 2:24:38;
4. Jaron Hawkins, 25, Frostburg, Md., 2:25:17;
5. Brian Dumm, 25, Fairfax, Va., 2:25:58;
6. Jose Mirando, 37, Mexico, 2:26:50;
7. Alejandro Valdez, 32, Mexico, 2:27:38;
8. William Christian, 25, APO, 2:27:54;
9. Michael Wardian, Arlington, Va., 2:28:24;
10. Kenneth Foster, Brookville, Pa., 2:29:59.
WOMEN
1. Cate Fenster, 37, Wooster, Ohio, 2:48:53;
2. Lindsay Wilkins, 30, Arlington, Va., 2:49:04;
3. Melissa Tanner, 27, Bethesda, Md., 2:51:43;
4. Abigail Stiles, 28, Newport, R.I., 2:54:45;
5. Rebekah Potts, 26, Chapel Hill, N.C., 2:55:42;
6. Mary Beth Muething, 30, Arlington, Va., 2:55:52;
7. Jaymee Marty, 41, Sacramento, Calif., 2:57:02;
8. Meghan Ridgeley, 29, Reston, Va., 2:58:03;
9. Shawna Wilskey, 36, Burlington, Wash., 2:58:04;
10. Jilane Rodgers, 24, Washington, D.C., 2:58:12.
(Tim Hipps works at the U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 28, 2008 - First-time marathoners with strong military ties won the men's and women's open divisions of the 33rd Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 26. Andrew Dumm, 23, of Washington, D.C., won the men's race with a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, 42 seconds.
He was recruited by his older brother, fifth-place finisher Air Force 1st Lt. Brian Dumm, 25, who is stationed at Molesworth Air Force Base in England, and their father, Kenneth, to make his 26.2-mile race debut in "The People's Marathon." They also were joined at several points on the course by their oldest brother, Tim, who ran onto the streets to urge them along.
Cate Fenster, 37, of Wooster, Ohio, and the daughter of a former Army Ranger, won the women's division with a time of 2:39:32. "I was crying in pain coming up that last hill, the last 200 yards," Fenster said.
She held off runner-up Lindsay Wilkins to win the women's race by 11 seconds.
"At Mile 26, I was crying. I felt good for most of the way, but about Mile 20, I could feel the bricks coming," Fenster said. "I was kind of shocked to win. I'm on Cloud 9."
Fenster is a neurobiology and physiology instructor at the College of Wooster on assignment at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. She was born in Frankfurt, Germany, and remembers running with her father through boot camp-like training exercises as a girl.
"On the weekends, dad would always want to go out on some adventure," Fenster recalled of her father, Gary Pichon, who she said served in the Army from 1969 through 1973. "You always had to end up freezing or crying or cold or hungry or caught in some crazy storm for it to be complete. So my husband is always telling me, 'We are not going on one of your dad's-style adventures.' Dad doesn't do those adventures any more, though, because he's 62. He's slowed down some."
Andrew Dumm also slowed down some during the second half of the race, but he managed to win by 1 minute, 10 seconds over runner-up Fred Joslyn, 24, of Rochester, Mich., who finished in 2:23:52.
"I knew it was my first [marathon], and I knew it was going to be OK if I hit the wall, because you usually do in your first marathon," Andrew said. "So I was expecting and fearing that would happen, but being my first marathon also freed me up a little bit to make kind of a bold move."
Brian Dumm, a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, was elated to watch his brother Andrew, a University of Virginia graduate, run to victory.
"When he took off and went to the front, I couldn't have been happier for him," Brian said of Andrew, who holds the University of Virginia's second-fastest 10-kilometer time of 28:59, set at the Stanford Invitational. "We trade off the family records. I've got the 5K; he's got the 10K."
Brian won the armed forces division and finished sixth overall in the 2007 Marine Corps Marathon. This year, he finished second in the armed forces division.
The event that featured 18,281 runners and wheelchair finishers started and ended at the Marine Corps War Memorial and wound around several of Washington's most famous monuments. It marked the first time the Dumm brothers had run a race together since they were cross-country teammates at nearby Robinson Secondary School.
Army 2nd Lt. Kenneth Foster set the pace for a lead pack of five runners through the first 11 miles. He finished 10th overall in 2:29:59 and was the first Army soldier to cross the finish line.
"I just started running for the All-Army marathon team and this is my first Marine Corps Marathon," said Foster, 22, who ran four seasons of cross country for Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa., where he holds the 10-kilometer school record of 33:25. "I'm also trying to qualify for the Army World Class Athlete Program."
Foster ran the 2006 Philadelphia Marathon in 2:43:41 and completed the 2007 chase around the City of Brotherly Love in 2:32:50. At Marine Corps, he knocked almost three more minutes off his personal-best time.
"I was on the lead pack for the first 12 miles – then my pace started to drift off, but I was really happy with the way I performed today," said Foster, whose sights are set on qualifying for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Team Trials. "That's been my goal ever since I was a freshman in college.
"When I was younger," he continued, "I was a little bit naïve, and I wanted to be the new Steve Prefontaine and dominate the 5K, but I just never had that turnover, so that led me to the marathon."
Andrew Dumm joined Foster in the lead pack during the sixth mile and made his winning move near the 12-mile mark while running in East Potomac Park along the Potomac River and around Hains Point.
"That's a pretty early spot for a move, but I just wanted to use Hains Point, because that's a little bit of a lonely stretch of the race to make a move," Dumm said. "It's a pretty good psychological area to do so."
Dumm surged past a stage band playing the theme song from "Rocky" near the 13.1-mile mark and maintained a 150-meter lead the rest of the way. He exchanged high-fives with his brother as they passed each other while running in opposite directions through Crystal City late in the race.
"I was actually pretty surprised at about the halfway point that I had a little bit of a gap," Andrew said. "Once I had that, and I had the crowd behind me, it was just a long 13 miles. Coming back to Crystal City, that is a long bridge with no water stops, no spectators, and a couple of hills.
"Once I got into Crystal City, I knew I had about five miles left and I could probably dig it out," he said. "Once I got across that physical and mental bridge, I knew I was going to be OK."
Navy Seaman Corey Duquette, 26, of Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., finished third overall and won the armed forces men's division with a time of 2:24:38; he was followed by Jaron Hawkins, 25, of Frostburg, Md., in 2:25:17; and Brian Dumm in 2:25:58.
Wilkins, 30, of Arlington, Va., finished second among women with a personal-best time of 2:49:04, and was followed by Melissa Tanner, 27, of Bethesda, Md.; Abigail Stiles, 28, of Newport, R.I.; and Rebekah Potts, of Chapel Hill, N.C.
"I cramped on the hill and just couldn't get that extra kick in," Wilkins said of running the final stretch. "I could see her. She was so close. I just didn't have that little extra."
Results of the 33rd running of the Marine Corps Marathon with names, ages, hometowns and times of the top 10 men's and women's finishers:
MEN
1. Andrew Dumm, 23, Washington, D.C., 2 hours, 22 minutes, 42 seconds;
2. Fred Joslyn, 24, Rochester, Mich., 2:23:52;
3. Corey Duquette, 26, Pensacola, Fla., 2:24:38;
4. Jaron Hawkins, 25, Frostburg, Md., 2:25:17;
5. Brian Dumm, 25, Fairfax, Va., 2:25:58;
6. Jose Mirando, 37, Mexico, 2:26:50;
7. Alejandro Valdez, 32, Mexico, 2:27:38;
8. William Christian, 25, APO, 2:27:54;
9. Michael Wardian, Arlington, Va., 2:28:24;
10. Kenneth Foster, Brookville, Pa., 2:29:59.
WOMEN
1. Cate Fenster, 37, Wooster, Ohio, 2:48:53;
2. Lindsay Wilkins, 30, Arlington, Va., 2:49:04;
3. Melissa Tanner, 27, Bethesda, Md., 2:51:43;
4. Abigail Stiles, 28, Newport, R.I., 2:54:45;
5. Rebekah Potts, 26, Chapel Hill, N.C., 2:55:42;
6. Mary Beth Muething, 30, Arlington, Va., 2:55:52;
7. Jaymee Marty, 41, Sacramento, Calif., 2:57:02;
8. Meghan Ridgeley, 29, Reston, Va., 2:58:03;
9. Shawna Wilskey, 36, Burlington, Wash., 2:58:04;
10. Jilane Rodgers, 24, Washington, D.C., 2:58:12.
(Tim Hipps works at the U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command.)
Gates Calls Nulke Capability Critical to Deterrence, Reasuring Allies
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 28, 2008 - Calling nuclear weapons one of the world's "messy realities," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today that as long as others who could potentially threaten the United States possess or seek them, it's critical that the United States does as well, and that they be kept safe, secure and reliable. "As long as others have nuclear weapons, we must maintain some level of these weapons ourselves," Gates noted in a speech to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. This, he said, "will deter potential adversaries while reassuring over two dozen allies and partners who rely on the U.S. strategic umbrella for their own security."
The United States soon will have 75 percent fewer nuclear weapons than at the end of the Cold War, he said. But while endorsing more non-nuclear deterrence and response options, Gates said modern-day threats require the country to preserve what former President Clinton called a "lead and hedge strategy."
"We'll lead the way in reducing our arsenal, but we must always hedge against the dangerous and unpredictable world," he said.
"The power of nuclear weapons and their strategic impact is a genie that cannot be put back in the bottle, at least for a very long time," he said. "While we have a long-term goal of abolishing nuclear weapons once and for all, given the world in which we live, we have to be realistic about that proposition."
The secretary cited threats posed by rising and resurgent powers, rouge nations pursuing nuclear weapons, proliferation and international terrorism.
"There is no way to ignore efforts by rogue states such as North Korea and Iran to develop and deploy nuclear weapons, or Russian and Chinese strategic modernization programs," he said. "As long as other nations have or seek nuclear weapons – and can potentially threaten us, our allies and friends – then we must have a deterrent capacity that makes it clear that challenging the United States in the nuclear arena, or with weapons of mass destruction, could result in an overwhelming, catastrophic response."
The United States continues to keep the number of nuclear states as limited as possible, Gates said, citing "real successes" during the past 45 years through nonproliferation and arms-control efforts. He noted that many countries have opted not to seek nuclear weapons, recognizing that the U.S. nuclear capability protects them.
"Our nuclear umbrella – our extended deterrent – underpins our alliances in Europe and the Pacific and enables our friends, especially those worried about Tehran and Pyongyang, to continue to rely on our nuclear deterrent rather than to develop their own," he said.
But possessing nuclear weapons means accepting the responsibilities involved, Gates said, citing problems that arose last year over the Air Force's handling of nuclear weapons and related material.
He cited remedies being put into place:
-- A new office within the Air Staff will focus exclusively on nuclear policy and oversight and report directly to the Air Force chief of staff.
-- The Air Force's proposed Global Strike Command would bring all nuclear weapons and material supporting U.S. Strategic Command under one entity.
-- The Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., has been revitalized and expanded, with clearly understood chains of command to prevent repeats of pass problems.
-- The Air Force is undergoing a full review to provide better control of nuclear-related components, and placing them under the Nuclear Weapons Center's control.
-- A new, centralized process within the Air Force will ensure proper handling of nuclear material and provide expanded training for those charged with securing it.
Gates conceded the effort will be "a long-term process," but said he is confident the Air Force "is now moving in the right direction." He expressed thanks to the airmen working to return the Air Force's nuclear mission "to the standards of excellence for which it was known throughout the Cold War."
Meanwhile, Gates said, he looks forward to recommendations from a task force he formed to review nuclear enterprise oversight.
Gates confirmed that U.S. nuclear weapons are safe, secure and reliable, but said failure to look ahead to the future leaves a "bleak" long-term prognosis. No one has designed a new nuclear weapon in the United States since the 1980s, and veteran nuclear weapons designers and technicians are steadily moving into retirement, with no one following behind.
"The United States is the only declared nuclear power that is neither modernizing its nuclear arsenal nor has the capability to produce a new nuclear warhead," Gates said. He also expressed concern that the country is not replacing its existing stockpile.
Congress's refusal to fund a joint Defense Department and Energy Department program to field a safer, more secure warhead leaves the United States lacking, he said.
"The program we propose is not about new capabilities," he said. "It is about safety, security and reliability. It is about the future credibility of our nuclear deterrent, and it deserves urgent attention."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 28, 2008 - Calling nuclear weapons one of the world's "messy realities," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today that as long as others who could potentially threaten the United States possess or seek them, it's critical that the United States does as well, and that they be kept safe, secure and reliable. "As long as others have nuclear weapons, we must maintain some level of these weapons ourselves," Gates noted in a speech to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. This, he said, "will deter potential adversaries while reassuring over two dozen allies and partners who rely on the U.S. strategic umbrella for their own security."
The United States soon will have 75 percent fewer nuclear weapons than at the end of the Cold War, he said. But while endorsing more non-nuclear deterrence and response options, Gates said modern-day threats require the country to preserve what former President Clinton called a "lead and hedge strategy."
"We'll lead the way in reducing our arsenal, but we must always hedge against the dangerous and unpredictable world," he said.
"The power of nuclear weapons and their strategic impact is a genie that cannot be put back in the bottle, at least for a very long time," he said. "While we have a long-term goal of abolishing nuclear weapons once and for all, given the world in which we live, we have to be realistic about that proposition."
The secretary cited threats posed by rising and resurgent powers, rouge nations pursuing nuclear weapons, proliferation and international terrorism.
"There is no way to ignore efforts by rogue states such as North Korea and Iran to develop and deploy nuclear weapons, or Russian and Chinese strategic modernization programs," he said. "As long as other nations have or seek nuclear weapons – and can potentially threaten us, our allies and friends – then we must have a deterrent capacity that makes it clear that challenging the United States in the nuclear arena, or with weapons of mass destruction, could result in an overwhelming, catastrophic response."
The United States continues to keep the number of nuclear states as limited as possible, Gates said, citing "real successes" during the past 45 years through nonproliferation and arms-control efforts. He noted that many countries have opted not to seek nuclear weapons, recognizing that the U.S. nuclear capability protects them.
"Our nuclear umbrella – our extended deterrent – underpins our alliances in Europe and the Pacific and enables our friends, especially those worried about Tehran and Pyongyang, to continue to rely on our nuclear deterrent rather than to develop their own," he said.
But possessing nuclear weapons means accepting the responsibilities involved, Gates said, citing problems that arose last year over the Air Force's handling of nuclear weapons and related material.
He cited remedies being put into place:
-- A new office within the Air Staff will focus exclusively on nuclear policy and oversight and report directly to the Air Force chief of staff.
-- The Air Force's proposed Global Strike Command would bring all nuclear weapons and material supporting U.S. Strategic Command under one entity.
-- The Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., has been revitalized and expanded, with clearly understood chains of command to prevent repeats of pass problems.
-- The Air Force is undergoing a full review to provide better control of nuclear-related components, and placing them under the Nuclear Weapons Center's control.
-- A new, centralized process within the Air Force will ensure proper handling of nuclear material and provide expanded training for those charged with securing it.
Gates conceded the effort will be "a long-term process," but said he is confident the Air Force "is now moving in the right direction." He expressed thanks to the airmen working to return the Air Force's nuclear mission "to the standards of excellence for which it was known throughout the Cold War."
Meanwhile, Gates said, he looks forward to recommendations from a task force he formed to review nuclear enterprise oversight.
Gates confirmed that U.S. nuclear weapons are safe, secure and reliable, but said failure to look ahead to the future leaves a "bleak" long-term prognosis. No one has designed a new nuclear weapon in the United States since the 1980s, and veteran nuclear weapons designers and technicians are steadily moving into retirement, with no one following behind.
"The United States is the only declared nuclear power that is neither modernizing its nuclear arsenal nor has the capability to produce a new nuclear warhead," Gates said. He also expressed concern that the country is not replacing its existing stockpile.
Congress's refusal to fund a joint Defense Department and Energy Department program to field a safer, more secure warhead leaves the United States lacking, he said.
"The program we propose is not about new capabilities," he said. "It is about safety, security and reliability. It is about the future credibility of our nuclear deterrent, and it deserves urgent attention."
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
MILITARY CONTRACTS October 28, 2008
USSOCOM
Assessment and Training Solutions Consulting Corp. of Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded a $26,840,222.72, firm fixed price contract for a base year with four one-year options to provide medical instruction and medical support services in support of U.S. Army Special Forces Command's Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center and U.S. Army Special Operations Command's Acquisitions and Contracting Office. The work will be performed at Fort Bragg, N.C., and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2013. This contract was awarded through a small business set-aside. The contract number is H92239-09-C-0001.
NAVY
General Dynamics, Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn is being awarded a $10,250,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-4005) for non-nuclear maintenance and repair support at the Naval Submarine Support Facility (NSSF), Naval Submarine Base, New London, Conn. Under the terms of the contract, Electric Boat will continue to provide services required to support planned and emergent non-nuclear maintenance and repair for operational nuclear submarines, floating dry-docks, support & service craft and other platforms and equipment at NSSF. Work will be performed in New London, Conn., and is expected to be completed bySeptember 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $10,250,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C. is the contracting activity.
Canadian Commercial Corp, General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada, is being awarded an $8,060,000 firm fixed priced modification to delivery order #0004 under a previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of engineering change proposal upgrades for enhanced maneuverability and associated non-recurring engineering costs to 100 vehicles. Work will be performed in Durban, South Africa, and work is expected to be completed April 24, 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.
Air Force
The Air Force is modifying a cost plus award fee and cost plus fixed fee contract with Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. of Littleton, Colo., for $7,259,874. The Mobile Consolidated Command Center (MCCC) FY09 and FY10 3400 sustainment effort provides depot level support and some organizational level support required to sustain the US Northern Command MCCC platforms. This effort will provide MCCC program management support, on-site support, engineering hardware and software support, depot repair and schedule depot maintenance, configuration management, logistic/warehousing support, product management, quality assurance support, and material purchase for the MCCC platform. This effort also provides project engineering for support with finance, program control, planning, quality assurance, data management, security, and contracts. In addition to the MCCC platform, this effort also supports the MCCC System Integration Laboratory and the 153rd Command and Control Squadron, FE Warren AFB. Lastly, this effort will provide the man hours needed to support Exercise Granit Hammer. The FY09 and FY10 Replenishment Spares labor hours will provide management of depot and unit spares, to include items in the repair cycle and costs associated with packaging, handling, shipping and transportation of spares assets. The MCCC Digital Small Switch (DSS-2A) effort will upgrade/replace existing Defense Red Switch Network components with modern components. The DSS-2A effort will provide: 1) Migration path for converged networks; 2) potential migration to new-centric capability; 3) higher systems capacities and improved reliability; 4) simplication of logistics support; 5) Alleviates obsolescence concerns. At this time all funds have been obligated. 850 ELSG/PK, Peterson AFB, Colo., is the contracting activity (F19628-00-C-0019; Modification No.: P00144).
Assessment and Training Solutions Consulting Corp. of Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded a $26,840,222.72, firm fixed price contract for a base year with four one-year options to provide medical instruction and medical support services in support of U.S. Army Special Forces Command's Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center and U.S. Army Special Operations Command's Acquisitions and Contracting Office. The work will be performed at Fort Bragg, N.C., and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2013. This contract was awarded through a small business set-aside. The contract number is H92239-09-C-0001.
NAVY
General Dynamics, Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn is being awarded a $10,250,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-4005) for non-nuclear maintenance and repair support at the Naval Submarine Support Facility (NSSF), Naval Submarine Base, New London, Conn. Under the terms of the contract, Electric Boat will continue to provide services required to support planned and emergent non-nuclear maintenance and repair for operational nuclear submarines, floating dry-docks, support & service craft and other platforms and equipment at NSSF. Work will be performed in New London, Conn., and is expected to be completed bySeptember 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $10,250,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C. is the contracting activity.
Canadian Commercial Corp, General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada, is being awarded an $8,060,000 firm fixed priced modification to delivery order #0004 under a previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of engineering change proposal upgrades for enhanced maneuverability and associated non-recurring engineering costs to 100 vehicles. Work will be performed in Durban, South Africa, and work is expected to be completed April 24, 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.
Air Force
The Air Force is modifying a cost plus award fee and cost plus fixed fee contract with Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. of Littleton, Colo., for $7,259,874. The Mobile Consolidated Command Center (MCCC) FY09 and FY10 3400 sustainment effort provides depot level support and some organizational level support required to sustain the US Northern Command MCCC platforms. This effort will provide MCCC program management support, on-site support, engineering hardware and software support, depot repair and schedule depot maintenance, configuration management, logistic/warehousing support, product management, quality assurance support, and material purchase for the MCCC platform. This effort also provides project engineering for support with finance, program control, planning, quality assurance, data management, security, and contracts. In addition to the MCCC platform, this effort also supports the MCCC System Integration Laboratory and the 153rd Command and Control Squadron, FE Warren AFB. Lastly, this effort will provide the man hours needed to support Exercise Granit Hammer. The FY09 and FY10 Replenishment Spares labor hours will provide management of depot and unit spares, to include items in the repair cycle and costs associated with packaging, handling, shipping and transportation of spares assets. The MCCC Digital Small Switch (DSS-2A) effort will upgrade/replace existing Defense Red Switch Network components with modern components. The DSS-2A effort will provide: 1) Migration path for converged networks; 2) potential migration to new-centric capability; 3) higher systems capacities and improved reliability; 4) simplication of logistics support; 5) Alleviates obsolescence concerns. At this time all funds have been obligated. 850 ELSG/PK, Peterson AFB, Colo., is the contracting activity (F19628-00-C-0019; Modification No.: P00144).
Monday, October 27, 2008
Readjusting to Family Life Requires Communication
By Mary Markos
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 27, 2008 - All Eva Creel wanted for 12 months was for her husband to come home from Afghanistan to be by her side. When he returned, she found she wanted nothing more than her own personal space. Creel – like many spouses of soldiers returning fro deployments – discovered firsthand that the rush of emotions after redeployment can both draw a couple together and pull them apart.
"When they're gone, you miss them terribly, but you become very independent," she said. "I had my routine, my schedule and my plans. He kind of got in the way of all those things."
Redeployment is an overwhelming joy and a rollercoaster ride of emotions, including everything from feelings of guilt from a newfound independence to the insecurity and frustration of getting to know one another again. But these emotions are 100 percent normal, according to Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) David Scheider, deputy chaplain for the U.S. Army Garrison here.
The key to getting back on track, he said, is communicating expectations and emotions with one another.
During extended separations, Scheider said, it is common for couples to develop unrealistic expectations of a physical and emotional reunion. One of the most common types of expectation building is for soldiers to develop an unrealistic image of their spouse in their minds. A very high number of deployed troops do this, the chaplain said.
"There is really not much of a place to get away from it all [while deployed]," he explained, "So they develop a place in their brain to go to, in their memories. And they start to build this safe place. The star of that safe place in their mind is usually their [spouse].
"After awhile, they'll begin to develop this expectation of [the spouse] as this perfect person," he continued. "It is totally unrealistic. It is half fantasy and half reality."
Back at home, Creel said, a spouse may experience the same thing.
"I did turn him into this perfect husband [during the deployment]," she admitted. "The reality is different."
To prevent reality shock from upending the marriage, the soldier and spouse should reevaluate the "fantasy" image they have created of their loved one, Scheider said. Because everyone changes during deployments, he said, couples must evaluate the reality of who they have become and get to know each other again when they're reunited after a deployment.
In doing so, he added, they shouldn't take anything for granted. Couples should communicate even the most obvious expectations and desires, even something as simple how much time you expect to spend alone together or who will take out the trash, the chaplain said.
Some spouses look forward to handing over the job of disciplinarian and household organizer to the redeploying soldier, Scheider said, but recently returned servicemembers often can't make this decision because they are unsure of what the rules were in their absence, or what the rules should be. At the same time the spouse is ready to hand off the disciplinarian hat, the soldier, having missed birthdays and other important family events, is ready to make up for lost time by overindulging the child.
Talk, talk and more talk is the key, Scheider said, as maintaining open communication – detailing both large and small expectations – is one of the only ways to weather the emotional storm of reintegrating.
Another sticking point, the chaplain said, is when increasingly confident spouses who have grown independent during the deployment, begin to resent when their redeployed soldiers expect them to put their lives on hold and devote all of their time to them.
While each couple will experience variations of these common scenarios, each relationship and every individual is unique, Scheider said. The bottom line and the driving factor for a smooth reintegration, he said, is to make reconnecting as a couple a top priority.
Soldiers may find themselves feeling both hurt and proud that their spouse coped so well without them, the chaplain noted. They may question whether or not they are needed in the relationship, and may even feel like an outsider in the family. Spouses should understand these feelings and attempt to make the soldier feel needed, he advised.
Both spouses will need affirmation that their relationship is as strong as ever, or at least growing, Scheider said, but connecting on an emotional level after redeployment may take some time. Soldiers who experienced a high level of stress during the deployment may feel shame for something they did or guilt for something they did not do in combat. This can be a contentious area, the chaplain said.
"The most hurtful thing [to a spouse can be] wanting to have that significant reconnection, waiting for this time to really sit down and talk, and [the soldier] stiff-arms her, thinking, 'I want to protect her from who I am,'" he explained.
While spouses may be curious about their soldier's experiences, the chaplain said, the best thing they offer the servicemember is space to work through their feelings. Spouses should avoid asking questions about what happened in combat and never should pressure the soldier for details, he said.
Soldiers still struggling after six weeks, Scheider said, should seek help.
Throughout reintegration, as soldiers readjust to their new home life, they may seek a comrade in arms to confide in and relate to, the chaplain said. This may leave the spouse feeling unloved and alone.
"It calls into question the whole relationship -- the loyalty and the bond," he said. Soldiers, he added, should resist the urge to close their circle of support to only those they served with.
And just as soldiers do, he noted, spouses learn to rely on those around them for support and assistance during the deployment. When troops return, they may experience hurt feelings and disappointment if those support groups begin to crumble.
"I had a few friends whose husbands were deployed at the same time as mine," Creel said. "We were like family. We talked to each other every day. They were in my routine. But when our husbands came back, we barely talked to each other. It is sad that you lose that friendship."
It is important, however, Scheider said, for the marriage, not the friendships, to be the couple's main priority.
For couples who still are having trouble reconnecting on an emotional level after six weeks, Scheider suggested reaching out for professional help.
"Healthy couples," he said, "gang up on the problem, not each other."
(Mary Markos works in the U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 27, 2008 - All Eva Creel wanted for 12 months was for her husband to come home from Afghanistan to be by her side. When he returned, she found she wanted nothing more than her own personal space. Creel – like many spouses of soldiers returning fro deployments – discovered firsthand that the rush of emotions after redeployment can both draw a couple together and pull them apart.
"When they're gone, you miss them terribly, but you become very independent," she said. "I had my routine, my schedule and my plans. He kind of got in the way of all those things."
Redeployment is an overwhelming joy and a rollercoaster ride of emotions, including everything from feelings of guilt from a newfound independence to the insecurity and frustration of getting to know one another again. But these emotions are 100 percent normal, according to Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) David Scheider, deputy chaplain for the U.S. Army Garrison here.
The key to getting back on track, he said, is communicating expectations and emotions with one another.
During extended separations, Scheider said, it is common for couples to develop unrealistic expectations of a physical and emotional reunion. One of the most common types of expectation building is for soldiers to develop an unrealistic image of their spouse in their minds. A very high number of deployed troops do this, the chaplain said.
"There is really not much of a place to get away from it all [while deployed]," he explained, "So they develop a place in their brain to go to, in their memories. And they start to build this safe place. The star of that safe place in their mind is usually their [spouse].
"After awhile, they'll begin to develop this expectation of [the spouse] as this perfect person," he continued. "It is totally unrealistic. It is half fantasy and half reality."
Back at home, Creel said, a spouse may experience the same thing.
"I did turn him into this perfect husband [during the deployment]," she admitted. "The reality is different."
To prevent reality shock from upending the marriage, the soldier and spouse should reevaluate the "fantasy" image they have created of their loved one, Scheider said. Because everyone changes during deployments, he said, couples must evaluate the reality of who they have become and get to know each other again when they're reunited after a deployment.
In doing so, he added, they shouldn't take anything for granted. Couples should communicate even the most obvious expectations and desires, even something as simple how much time you expect to spend alone together or who will take out the trash, the chaplain said.
Some spouses look forward to handing over the job of disciplinarian and household organizer to the redeploying soldier, Scheider said, but recently returned servicemembers often can't make this decision because they are unsure of what the rules were in their absence, or what the rules should be. At the same time the spouse is ready to hand off the disciplinarian hat, the soldier, having missed birthdays and other important family events, is ready to make up for lost time by overindulging the child.
Talk, talk and more talk is the key, Scheider said, as maintaining open communication – detailing both large and small expectations – is one of the only ways to weather the emotional storm of reintegrating.
Another sticking point, the chaplain said, is when increasingly confident spouses who have grown independent during the deployment, begin to resent when their redeployed soldiers expect them to put their lives on hold and devote all of their time to them.
While each couple will experience variations of these common scenarios, each relationship and every individual is unique, Scheider said. The bottom line and the driving factor for a smooth reintegration, he said, is to make reconnecting as a couple a top priority.
Soldiers may find themselves feeling both hurt and proud that their spouse coped so well without them, the chaplain noted. They may question whether or not they are needed in the relationship, and may even feel like an outsider in the family. Spouses should understand these feelings and attempt to make the soldier feel needed, he advised.
Both spouses will need affirmation that their relationship is as strong as ever, or at least growing, Scheider said, but connecting on an emotional level after redeployment may take some time. Soldiers who experienced a high level of stress during the deployment may feel shame for something they did or guilt for something they did not do in combat. This can be a contentious area, the chaplain said.
"The most hurtful thing [to a spouse can be] wanting to have that significant reconnection, waiting for this time to really sit down and talk, and [the soldier] stiff-arms her, thinking, 'I want to protect her from who I am,'" he explained.
While spouses may be curious about their soldier's experiences, the chaplain said, the best thing they offer the servicemember is space to work through their feelings. Spouses should avoid asking questions about what happened in combat and never should pressure the soldier for details, he said.
Soldiers still struggling after six weeks, Scheider said, should seek help.
Throughout reintegration, as soldiers readjust to their new home life, they may seek a comrade in arms to confide in and relate to, the chaplain said. This may leave the spouse feeling unloved and alone.
"It calls into question the whole relationship -- the loyalty and the bond," he said. Soldiers, he added, should resist the urge to close their circle of support to only those they served with.
And just as soldiers do, he noted, spouses learn to rely on those around them for support and assistance during the deployment. When troops return, they may experience hurt feelings and disappointment if those support groups begin to crumble.
"I had a few friends whose husbands were deployed at the same time as mine," Creel said. "We were like family. We talked to each other every day. They were in my routine. But when our husbands came back, we barely talked to each other. It is sad that you lose that friendship."
It is important, however, Scheider said, for the marriage, not the friendships, to be the couple's main priority.
For couples who still are having trouble reconnecting on an emotional level after six weeks, Scheider suggested reaching out for professional help.
"Healthy couples," he said, "gang up on the problem, not each other."
(Mary Markos works in the U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr Public Affairs Office.)
America Supports You: Care Package Site Provides Ideas
By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 27, 2008 - Whether you are a young soldier leaving boot camp for a tour in Germany or a seasoned military police officer working in Iraq, receiving a care package from home can be a huge pick-me-up. A Web site launched in September provides many ideas to families and friends wanting to send care packages to love ones stationed abroad. Abby Tymchak of Wayne, N.J., was inspired to create the site, called "The Soldiers Family," when she found out her husband, Army Sgt. Scott Kowalski, was being deployed overseas for at least a year. Initially, she said, she did not want to think about the deployment, but after reality set in, she realized their relationship was going to be through the mail for a year.
"One of the things my husband stressed to me on his first deployment in 2003 to Cuba was how much care packages from home helped him," Tymchak said. "He wanted me to send him lots of care packages, because they really help him to keep going."
In collecting and packing items for her husband, Tymchak started gathering ideas from friends who had deployed spouses and friends in the military who had been deployed themselves. With so much information, Tymchak said, she wanted to share it with others. She decided to launch the Web site to share ideas, she said.
"I have been building this Web site since the beginning of summer, and I was finally ready to launch it in late September," Tymchak said. "I set up the Web site in a way so that everyone -- including friends, parents, spouses and children -- can go to it and get ideas as well as share their ideas on the Web site forum."
Tymchak's Web site not only gives care package ideas for spouses, children, family and friends, but also shares holiday care package ideas, such as sending a soldier "Halloween in a Box," filled with tricks and treats. The Web site also includes a list of items commonly requested by deployed servicemembers and provides information on how to package and ship care packages.
"My Web site is not only a place to get information, but a place that everyone can share their own ideas," Tymchak said. "It's not just for friends and family of servicemembers, but the servicemembers themselves can submit ideas and talk about things they received that meant a lot to them."
The Web site does not currently mail care packages, but Tymchak has not ruled out the idea.
"I am always keeping my options open, and that might become a possibility," she said. "This Web site will continue to be a work in progress as I continue to create new ideas for those out there who are a part of our military."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 27, 2008 - Whether you are a young soldier leaving boot camp for a tour in Germany or a seasoned military police officer working in Iraq, receiving a care package from home can be a huge pick-me-up. A Web site launched in September provides many ideas to families and friends wanting to send care packages to love ones stationed abroad. Abby Tymchak of Wayne, N.J., was inspired to create the site, called "The Soldiers Family," when she found out her husband, Army Sgt. Scott Kowalski, was being deployed overseas for at least a year. Initially, she said, she did not want to think about the deployment, but after reality set in, she realized their relationship was going to be through the mail for a year.
"One of the things my husband stressed to me on his first deployment in 2003 to Cuba was how much care packages from home helped him," Tymchak said. "He wanted me to send him lots of care packages, because they really help him to keep going."
In collecting and packing items for her husband, Tymchak started gathering ideas from friends who had deployed spouses and friends in the military who had been deployed themselves. With so much information, Tymchak said, she wanted to share it with others. She decided to launch the Web site to share ideas, she said.
"I have been building this Web site since the beginning of summer, and I was finally ready to launch it in late September," Tymchak said. "I set up the Web site in a way so that everyone -- including friends, parents, spouses and children -- can go to it and get ideas as well as share their ideas on the Web site forum."
Tymchak's Web site not only gives care package ideas for spouses, children, family and friends, but also shares holiday care package ideas, such as sending a soldier "Halloween in a Box," filled with tricks and treats. The Web site also includes a list of items commonly requested by deployed servicemembers and provides information on how to package and ship care packages.
"My Web site is not only a place to get information, but a place that everyone can share their own ideas," Tymchak said. "It's not just for friends and family of servicemembers, but the servicemembers themselves can submit ideas and talk about things they received that meant a lot to them."
The Web site does not currently mail care packages, but Tymchak has not ruled out the idea.
"I am always keeping my options open, and that might become a possibility," she said. "This Web site will continue to be a work in progress as I continue to create new ideas for those out there who are a part of our military."
Student Linguists Meet High Standards at Language Institute
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 27, 2008 - If the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center is a national treasure, as its commandant said, then its students are the jewels. "The students are some of the best and the brightest that [the Defense Department] has," said Army Col. Sue Ann Sandusky, a 1992 graduate of DLI's French program. "They learn a language to a standard that the vast majority of university languages don't even come close to achieving in a four-year program."
The need for more linguists in what DLI officials consider "Category IV" languages -- Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, Korean and Japanese -- requires students to be at the top of their games. Learning these, and the Category III languages, which include Dari, Pashto, and Persian Farsi, are no walk in the park.
It takes a student 64 weeks of intensive study to meet DLI's proficiency standards in a Category IV language. Those weeks are filled with a minimum of six to eight hours of instruction in the language and its culture a day, plus weekend assignments. Students also must maintain military fitness standards.
Those studying Category I languages -- Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese -- or Category II languages -- German and Indonesian -- don't have it any easier just because the languages aren't considered as complicated. They have to achieve the same proficiency in fewer weeks.
"They [all] have to work very hard when they get here. There are no free rides," Sandusky said. "[You can't just] eat your language jelly beans and suddenly come out speaking at a [proficient] level."
In fact, on a four-point grading scale, an A-minus isn't worthy of the dean's list or honor roll, she said.
"A 3.5 is almost the minimum you need to really ensure success," she said. "You have to be aiming for very close to perfection."
Of the roughly 3,000 DLI students from all the services, 92 percent are studying Category III and IV languages.
"[The students] are pretty precious resources," said retired Army Col. Donald Fischer, DLI provost and past commandant. "They're probably among the smartest of American youth. [They achieve] very high levels of proficiency in a very short amount of time."
While the students, of course, have a distinct role in their success, exceptionally qualified instructors, the curriculum, and technology play vital roles as well.
Nearly all of the more than 1,700 international faculty members are native speakers who hail from 100 countries to teach the 24 different languages offered at the institute. This mix of ethnicities and cultures provides not only invaluable resources for the students but contributes to the rich diversity in the city of Monterey, known as the "Language Capital of the World."
Combining instructor experience with technology takes the experience to the next level for the students, who walk the campus with tablet computers and iPods, both of which are loaded with language lessons. Other technologies, including "smart boards" in the wireless classrooms, contribute to an interactive learning environment, Fischer said.
"That marriage of teacher and student and curriculum and resources, and the impact of group around [the students] can really motivate a person," Fischer said. "They come out of here a much different person."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 27, 2008 - If the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center is a national treasure, as its commandant said, then its students are the jewels. "The students are some of the best and the brightest that [the Defense Department] has," said Army Col. Sue Ann Sandusky, a 1992 graduate of DLI's French program. "They learn a language to a standard that the vast majority of university languages don't even come close to achieving in a four-year program."
The need for more linguists in what DLI officials consider "Category IV" languages -- Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, Korean and Japanese -- requires students to be at the top of their games. Learning these, and the Category III languages, which include Dari, Pashto, and Persian Farsi, are no walk in the park.
It takes a student 64 weeks of intensive study to meet DLI's proficiency standards in a Category IV language. Those weeks are filled with a minimum of six to eight hours of instruction in the language and its culture a day, plus weekend assignments. Students also must maintain military fitness standards.
Those studying Category I languages -- Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese -- or Category II languages -- German and Indonesian -- don't have it any easier just because the languages aren't considered as complicated. They have to achieve the same proficiency in fewer weeks.
"They [all] have to work very hard when they get here. There are no free rides," Sandusky said. "[You can't just] eat your language jelly beans and suddenly come out speaking at a [proficient] level."
In fact, on a four-point grading scale, an A-minus isn't worthy of the dean's list or honor roll, she said.
"A 3.5 is almost the minimum you need to really ensure success," she said. "You have to be aiming for very close to perfection."
Of the roughly 3,000 DLI students from all the services, 92 percent are studying Category III and IV languages.
"[The students] are pretty precious resources," said retired Army Col. Donald Fischer, DLI provost and past commandant. "They're probably among the smartest of American youth. [They achieve] very high levels of proficiency in a very short amount of time."
While the students, of course, have a distinct role in their success, exceptionally qualified instructors, the curriculum, and technology play vital roles as well.
Nearly all of the more than 1,700 international faculty members are native speakers who hail from 100 countries to teach the 24 different languages offered at the institute. This mix of ethnicities and cultures provides not only invaluable resources for the students but contributes to the rich diversity in the city of Monterey, known as the "Language Capital of the World."
Combining instructor experience with technology takes the experience to the next level for the students, who walk the campus with tablet computers and iPods, both of which are loaded with language lessons. Other technologies, including "smart boards" in the wireless classrooms, contribute to an interactive learning environment, Fischer said.
"That marriage of teacher and student and curriculum and resources, and the impact of group around [the students] can really motivate a person," Fischer said. "They come out of here a much different person."
Face of Defense: Translator Assists Iraqis, Soldiers
By Army Spc. Justin Snyder
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 27, 2008 - Army Spc. Wilson Alnar does a lot of talking. That's because he's a translator with the Multinational Division Center Public Affairs Office. "It's my job to be that bridge between the Iraqi people and the coalition forces," said Alnar, an Atlanta resident and native of Sudan who speaks Arabic fluently.
When the Army first arrived in Iraq in 2003, the communication barrier between Iraqis and soldiers was a big issue. In February 2003, the Army Reserve came up with a positive solution with adaptation of the "translator aide" military occupational specialty. Native speakers of Arabic, Dari and Pashto were recruited and inserted into the Individual Ready Reserve. In 2005, a report was submitted to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and then in February 2006, the program became official and was expanded to all components of the Army.
Soldiers in this specialty read, write and understand foreign languages, and they interpret for troops operating on the streets of foreign countries. Alnar, who had been working as a custodian at an Atlanta school since 2002, learned of the program after talking with a friend who was serving in the Army.
"One of my friends deployed to Iraq in 2005 as an interpreter. When he came back in 2006, he started telling me how great it was and about the opportunities I would have," Alnar said. "I already spoke Arabic, so it seemed like the perfect job. It was my chance to do my part for the country and the Army."
But first, he had to convince his wife that it was a good idea.
"She was not too enthused with the idea of me in the Army," Alnar said. "It took a while, but eventually she gave in. Now she, along with my daughter, are very proud and supportive."
Alnar joined the Army in 2006, and after basic training, he took a six-week advanced individual training course at Fort Jackson, S.C.
Although he was already fluent in Arabic, the official language of Sudan, the dialect in his native country is slightly different from Iraq's. The course allowed him to brush up on his knowledge and skills about Iraq by learning more about the culture and practicing with Iraqi dialect.
"The Arabic language is one of the hardest languages there is to master," Alnar said. "It took me almost 18 years, compared to the four to five years with English, to really become fluent.
"It's just like in the United States" he continued, "where people in the south speak a little differently than the people in the north. The dialect was a little different than what I was used to in Sudan, but I caught on quickly."
Deployed to Iraq since early August, Alnar now finds himself using his language skills to help in the war on terrorism and the rebuilding efforts here.
When he's not putting his interpretation skills to use in the field, he translates documents from Arabic to English and serves as an advisor to his fellow soldiers, teaching them about the Arab culture. He also assembles reports of Web site and news station monitoring to help inform the command of reports by the Iraqi media.
However, he said, he doesn't feel that any one of these jobs is his most important responsibility.
"First and foremost, I'm a soldier," Alnar said. "I do a lot of things, but I'm still trained as a soldier, and I need to be ready at all times."
Alnar said he hopes to go to college when he redeploys next year, but not before he leaves his mark in this country.
"I have a very important job, because good communication is needed," he said. "I want to do well so I can help the soldiers accomplish their mission and also help the Iraqis get their needs across. I'm gaining more experience every day, and I'm looking forward to a long career in the Army."
(Army Spc. Justin Snyder serves in the Multinational Division Center Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Oct. 27, 2008 - Army Spc. Wilson Alnar does a lot of talking. That's because he's a translator with the Multinational Division Center Public Affairs Office. "It's my job to be that bridge between the Iraqi people and the coalition forces," said Alnar, an Atlanta resident and native of Sudan who speaks Arabic fluently.
When the Army first arrived in Iraq in 2003, the communication barrier between Iraqis and soldiers was a big issue. In February 2003, the Army Reserve came up with a positive solution with adaptation of the "translator aide" military occupational specialty. Native speakers of Arabic, Dari and Pashto were recruited and inserted into the Individual Ready Reserve. In 2005, a report was submitted to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and then in February 2006, the program became official and was expanded to all components of the Army.
Soldiers in this specialty read, write and understand foreign languages, and they interpret for troops operating on the streets of foreign countries. Alnar, who had been working as a custodian at an Atlanta school since 2002, learned of the program after talking with a friend who was serving in the Army.
"One of my friends deployed to Iraq in 2005 as an interpreter. When he came back in 2006, he started telling me how great it was and about the opportunities I would have," Alnar said. "I already spoke Arabic, so it seemed like the perfect job. It was my chance to do my part for the country and the Army."
But first, he had to convince his wife that it was a good idea.
"She was not too enthused with the idea of me in the Army," Alnar said. "It took a while, but eventually she gave in. Now she, along with my daughter, are very proud and supportive."
Alnar joined the Army in 2006, and after basic training, he took a six-week advanced individual training course at Fort Jackson, S.C.
Although he was already fluent in Arabic, the official language of Sudan, the dialect in his native country is slightly different from Iraq's. The course allowed him to brush up on his knowledge and skills about Iraq by learning more about the culture and practicing with Iraqi dialect.
"The Arabic language is one of the hardest languages there is to master," Alnar said. "It took me almost 18 years, compared to the four to five years with English, to really become fluent.
"It's just like in the United States" he continued, "where people in the south speak a little differently than the people in the north. The dialect was a little different than what I was used to in Sudan, but I caught on quickly."
Deployed to Iraq since early August, Alnar now finds himself using his language skills to help in the war on terrorism and the rebuilding efforts here.
When he's not putting his interpretation skills to use in the field, he translates documents from Arabic to English and serves as an advisor to his fellow soldiers, teaching them about the Arab culture. He also assembles reports of Web site and news station monitoring to help inform the command of reports by the Iraqi media.
However, he said, he doesn't feel that any one of these jobs is his most important responsibility.
"First and foremost, I'm a soldier," Alnar said. "I do a lot of things, but I'm still trained as a soldier, and I need to be ready at all times."
Alnar said he hopes to go to college when he redeploys next year, but not before he leaves his mark in this country.
"I have a very important job, because good communication is needed," he said. "I want to do well so I can help the soldiers accomplish their mission and also help the Iraqis get their needs across. I'm gaining more experience every day, and I'm looking forward to a long career in the Army."
(Army Spc. Justin Snyder serves in the Multinational Division Center Public Affairs Office.)
Warfighters Drive Acquisition From 'Bottom Up'
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 27, 2008 - A new approach to acquisition that puts warfighters, not program managers, in the driver's seat is paying off by ensuring deployed troops have the tools they need to succeed in combat, the 82nd Airborne Division's deputy commander said. Army Brig. Gen. Thomas Mayville told reporters traveling here Oct. 23 with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates that a "bottom-up" approach to acquisition -- with deployed troops identifying what they need -- makes the process faster and more responsive.
During their most recent deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, 82nd Division soldiers received 173 new items ranging from uniform items to weapons to lasers and night-vision devices they felt would help them on the battlefield.
Now that they're back at their home station and in a "reset" mode, the equipment keeps rolling in as the division prepares for its next deployments. The 3rd Brigade Combat Team is slated to deploy to Iraq in November, and the 1st and 4th BCTs will follow, probably in summer or fall. The division headquarters expects to deploy in the spring, but is awaiting a Pentagon decision that would make it official.
"As we fight the war downrange, we have a whole lot of people working with us, trying to make sure we get the equipment we need to accomplish our job and do our mission," said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel, the division's top enlisted soldier.
Mayville and Capel said they remember the days when new gear and equipment arrived at units without notice, and seemingly with no input from the troops who would use it.
"We got stuff on the shelf that we probably didn't need, and it is still on the shelf," Capel recalled. Not so with today's acquisitions, which he said are getting used or added on to existing equipment, vehicles or weapons as quickly as they arrive.
"Everybody is using it, because they are the ones who said we need it," Capel said.
"Today in the theater, if you have a requirement, ... [or] figure out that you need something new, ... you write it down and the institution figures out how to get you a prototype," Mayville said. "It is fundamentally different than what I remember as a youngster, when things were just kind of dreamed up from above and came down to us.
"Now," he said, "it is a survey that goes from the field back to the Army that generates those requirements."
The requesters, in turn, evaluate the equipment and gear to determine if it will benefit other soldiers. "Everybody [who] goes downrange becomes a test bed for something," Mayville said. "If you dreamed it up, invariably you become the test bed, because it was your idea."
One example of a bottom-up request came from a young warrant officer who recommended mounting a hoist in every UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. This would essentially make every UH-60 medevac capable, able to hoist someone from the ground, without sacrificing crew space inside the aircraft, Mayville said.
"It was a brilliant idea," he said. U.S. Army Forces Command and the Army Aviation Center are evaluating the proposal to determine if it has Armywide application.
Mayville cited other new technologies that are bringing unprecedented capabilities to warfighters. The Excalibur autonomous-guided projectile, fired from the M777 howitzer, uses Global Positioning System technology to alter course when it confirms an enemy target. "The level of precision in this thing is phenomenal," Mayville said.
The Rover III system is providing front-line forces the capability to receive imagery directly from unmanned and manned aircraft. Companies and platoons using the system can tap into real-time video feeds available only at the brigade level just two years ago.
"I think that's an example of technology that you are able to push down things further and further to units that are very necessary for a decentralized fight," Mayville said.
Meanwhile, the division's 3rd brigade is working on a company fusion net to take on its upcoming deployment. As envisioned, the system would enable each company to mine national data bases directly for the intelligence it needs – such as to identify a suspect it has photographed.
"What is cut out are all the tiers of analysts," Mayville said. "The fundamental message is that it is the folks in the theater, doing what they are doing, that is ... driving most of these requirements."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 27, 2008 - A new approach to acquisition that puts warfighters, not program managers, in the driver's seat is paying off by ensuring deployed troops have the tools they need to succeed in combat, the 82nd Airborne Division's deputy commander said. Army Brig. Gen. Thomas Mayville told reporters traveling here Oct. 23 with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates that a "bottom-up" approach to acquisition -- with deployed troops identifying what they need -- makes the process faster and more responsive.
During their most recent deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, 82nd Division soldiers received 173 new items ranging from uniform items to weapons to lasers and night-vision devices they felt would help them on the battlefield.
Now that they're back at their home station and in a "reset" mode, the equipment keeps rolling in as the division prepares for its next deployments. The 3rd Brigade Combat Team is slated to deploy to Iraq in November, and the 1st and 4th BCTs will follow, probably in summer or fall. The division headquarters expects to deploy in the spring, but is awaiting a Pentagon decision that would make it official.
"As we fight the war downrange, we have a whole lot of people working with us, trying to make sure we get the equipment we need to accomplish our job and do our mission," said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel, the division's top enlisted soldier.
Mayville and Capel said they remember the days when new gear and equipment arrived at units without notice, and seemingly with no input from the troops who would use it.
"We got stuff on the shelf that we probably didn't need, and it is still on the shelf," Capel recalled. Not so with today's acquisitions, which he said are getting used or added on to existing equipment, vehicles or weapons as quickly as they arrive.
"Everybody is using it, because they are the ones who said we need it," Capel said.
"Today in the theater, if you have a requirement, ... [or] figure out that you need something new, ... you write it down and the institution figures out how to get you a prototype," Mayville said. "It is fundamentally different than what I remember as a youngster, when things were just kind of dreamed up from above and came down to us.
"Now," he said, "it is a survey that goes from the field back to the Army that generates those requirements."
The requesters, in turn, evaluate the equipment and gear to determine if it will benefit other soldiers. "Everybody [who] goes downrange becomes a test bed for something," Mayville said. "If you dreamed it up, invariably you become the test bed, because it was your idea."
One example of a bottom-up request came from a young warrant officer who recommended mounting a hoist in every UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. This would essentially make every UH-60 medevac capable, able to hoist someone from the ground, without sacrificing crew space inside the aircraft, Mayville said.
"It was a brilliant idea," he said. U.S. Army Forces Command and the Army Aviation Center are evaluating the proposal to determine if it has Armywide application.
Mayville cited other new technologies that are bringing unprecedented capabilities to warfighters. The Excalibur autonomous-guided projectile, fired from the M777 howitzer, uses Global Positioning System technology to alter course when it confirms an enemy target. "The level of precision in this thing is phenomenal," Mayville said.
The Rover III system is providing front-line forces the capability to receive imagery directly from unmanned and manned aircraft. Companies and platoons using the system can tap into real-time video feeds available only at the brigade level just two years ago.
"I think that's an example of technology that you are able to push down things further and further to units that are very necessary for a decentralized fight," Mayville said.
Meanwhile, the division's 3rd brigade is working on a company fusion net to take on its upcoming deployment. As envisioned, the system would enable each company to mine national data bases directly for the intelligence it needs – such as to identify a suspect it has photographed.
"What is cut out are all the tiers of analysts," Mayville said. "The fundamental message is that it is the folks in the theater, doing what they are doing, that is ... driving most of these requirements."
MILITARY CONTRACTS October 27, 2008
NAVY
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Newport News, Va. is being awarded a $300,705,466 cost plus fixed fee contract for continuation of the refueling complex overhaul advance-planning efforts for the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and its reactor plants. This effort will continue to provide for advanced planning, shipchecks, design, documentation, engineering, procurement, fabrication and preliminary shipyard or support facility work to prepare for and make ready for the refueling, overhaul, modernization and routine work. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-07-C-2117).
Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc., Columbia, Md., is being awarded an $8,475,973 modification to a previously awarded cost plus fixed fee contract (N00421-05-C-0002) to exercise an option for engineering and logistics services in support of the Light Airborne Multi-purpose System MKIII AN/SRQ-4 data link. The estimated level of effort for this option is 124,000 man-hours. Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Md. (51 percent) and St. Inigoes, Md. (49 percent) and is expected to be completed in October 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, St. Inigoes, Md., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
AmeriQual Group, LLC D/B/A AmeriQual Packaging, Evansville, Ind. is being awarded a maximum $174,320,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for delivery of Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) and Humanitarian Daily Ration (HDR). There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 3 proposals solicited with 3 responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is December 31, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z103).
Sopakco Inc., Mullins, S.C.* is being awarded a maximum $154,257,500 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for delivery of Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) and Humanitarian Daily Ration (HDR). There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 3 proposals solicited with 3 responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is December 31, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z104).
The Wornick Company, Cincinnati, Ohio is being awarded a maximum $138,012,500 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for delivery of Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) and Humanitarian Daily Ration (HDR). There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 3 proposals solicited with 3 responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is December 31, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z105).
Jianas Brothers Packaging Company, Kansas City, Mo.** is being awarded a maximum $7,369,320 firm fixed price, total set-aside, indefinite quantity contract for delivery of Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) food components. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 7 proposals solicited with 5 responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is November 13, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z119).
Air Force
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics of Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for a maximum of $30 million. The objective of the VAATE Phase II and III program is to develop revolutionary and innovative Technology by the 2017 timeframe that will provide a 10X increase in turbo-propulsion affordable capability when carped to a year 2000 state-of-the-art baseline engine. To achieve this goal, the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Propulsion Directorate (RZ) has committed resources to the development of an advanced Technology base for aero-thermodynamics and innovative structures, the development of advanced components, and the assessment and verification of these components in TRL—6 demonstrator engines. The VAATE Program is structured in three phases to achieve 4X (2009), 6X (2013) and 10X (2017) increases in affordable capability, major U.S. turbine engine and weapon system contractors have planned their future turbine engine and weapon system contractors have planned their future turbo-propulsion research and development consistent with the goals of the VAATE Program. Efforts sought under the announcement were to address turbine engine technologies necessary to meet the VAATE Phase II and/or make progress towards Phase III goals. The technologies proposed may apply to more than one capability area and as such may be considered a pervasive Technology. Examples of these technologies are Modeling and Simulation, Emissions and Noise, High Impact Technologies, Manufacturing Technology, Materials, Safety and Readiness and Cost Reduction. There were six areas of research on this effort as follows: Strike/Persistent Engagement, Multi-Mission Mobility, Persistent Agile Combat Support/Enterprise and Platform Enablers (ACS/EPE C2ISR (P-C21SR), Responsive Space Access (RSA), Agile Combat Support/Enterprise and Platform Enablers (ACS/EPE), Air Superiority/Protection. At this time $1,000 has been obligated. AFRL/PKPB, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-09-D-2926).
The Air Force is modifying a cost plus award fee contract by exercising an option with Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp of Herndon, Va., for a total estimated cost of $7,600,477.68. This action will provide USSTRATCOM Intelligence Enterprise Support (UIES), for option period two to extend performance period for FY09 (CLIN's 2001 through 2006). The contract is for operations, maintenance, and management of the intelligence information Technology networks and intelligence applications through system administration, database management, software maintenance and enhancements, and communications security, etc. At this time $200 has been obligated. 55th Contracting Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (FA4600-07-C-0001, Modification No.: P00031).
The Air Force is modifying a Time & Materials contract with Spectrum Communications, Inc., of Hampton, Va., for an estimated $6,353,224. This action will provide Performance Work Statement entitled 'Air Force Distributed Common Ground Station (AF DCGS) Regional Chief Information Assurance Officer, Site Information Assurance, and Developmental Security Manager Support of the AF DCGS Information Assurance Program". At this time $4,375,000 has been obligated. AF ISR Agency, A7KA, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (GS-35F-0445N, Task Order FA7037-09-F-0021).
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Newport News, Va. is being awarded a $300,705,466 cost plus fixed fee contract for continuation of the refueling complex overhaul advance-planning efforts for the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and its reactor plants. This effort will continue to provide for advanced planning, shipchecks, design, documentation, engineering, procurement, fabrication and preliminary shipyard or support facility work to prepare for and make ready for the refueling, overhaul, modernization and routine work. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-07-C-2117).
Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc., Columbia, Md., is being awarded an $8,475,973 modification to a previously awarded cost plus fixed fee contract (N00421-05-C-0002) to exercise an option for engineering and logistics services in support of the Light Airborne Multi-purpose System MKIII AN/SRQ-4 data link. The estimated level of effort for this option is 124,000 man-hours. Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Md. (51 percent) and St. Inigoes, Md. (49 percent) and is expected to be completed in October 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, St. Inigoes, Md., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
AmeriQual Group, LLC D/B/A AmeriQual Packaging, Evansville, Ind. is being awarded a maximum $174,320,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for delivery of Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) and Humanitarian Daily Ration (HDR). There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 3 proposals solicited with 3 responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is December 31, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z103).
Sopakco Inc., Mullins, S.C.* is being awarded a maximum $154,257,500 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for delivery of Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) and Humanitarian Daily Ration (HDR). There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 3 proposals solicited with 3 responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is December 31, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z104).
The Wornick Company, Cincinnati, Ohio is being awarded a maximum $138,012,500 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for delivery of Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) and Humanitarian Daily Ration (HDR). There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 3 proposals solicited with 3 responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is December 31, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z105).
Jianas Brothers Packaging Company, Kansas City, Mo.** is being awarded a maximum $7,369,320 firm fixed price, total set-aside, indefinite quantity contract for delivery of Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) food components. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 7 proposals solicited with 5 responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is November 13, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z119).
Air Force
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics of Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for a maximum of $30 million. The objective of the VAATE Phase II and III program is to develop revolutionary and innovative Technology by the 2017 timeframe that will provide a 10X increase in turbo-propulsion affordable capability when carped to a year 2000 state-of-the-art baseline engine. To achieve this goal, the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Propulsion Directorate (RZ) has committed resources to the development of an advanced Technology base for aero-thermodynamics and innovative structures, the development of advanced components, and the assessment and verification of these components in TRL—6 demonstrator engines. The VAATE Program is structured in three phases to achieve 4X (2009), 6X (2013) and 10X (2017) increases in affordable capability, major U.S. turbine engine and weapon system contractors have planned their future turbine engine and weapon system contractors have planned their future turbo-propulsion research and development consistent with the goals of the VAATE Program. Efforts sought under the announcement were to address turbine engine technologies necessary to meet the VAATE Phase II and/or make progress towards Phase III goals. The technologies proposed may apply to more than one capability area and as such may be considered a pervasive Technology. Examples of these technologies are Modeling and Simulation, Emissions and Noise, High Impact Technologies, Manufacturing Technology, Materials, Safety and Readiness and Cost Reduction. There were six areas of research on this effort as follows: Strike/Persistent Engagement, Multi-Mission Mobility, Persistent Agile Combat Support/Enterprise and Platform Enablers (ACS/EPE C2ISR (P-C21SR), Responsive Space Access (RSA), Agile Combat Support/Enterprise and Platform Enablers (ACS/EPE), Air Superiority/Protection. At this time $1,000 has been obligated. AFRL/PKPB, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-09-D-2926).
The Air Force is modifying a cost plus award fee contract by exercising an option with Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp of Herndon, Va., for a total estimated cost of $7,600,477.68. This action will provide USSTRATCOM Intelligence Enterprise Support (UIES), for option period two to extend performance period for FY09 (CLIN's 2001 through 2006). The contract is for operations, maintenance, and management of the intelligence information Technology networks and intelligence applications through system administration, database management, software maintenance and enhancements, and communications security, etc. At this time $200 has been obligated. 55th Contracting Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (FA4600-07-C-0001, Modification No.: P00031).
The Air Force is modifying a Time & Materials contract with Spectrum Communications, Inc., of Hampton, Va., for an estimated $6,353,224. This action will provide Performance Work Statement entitled 'Air Force Distributed Common Ground Station (AF DCGS) Regional Chief Information Assurance Officer, Site Information Assurance, and Developmental Security Manager Support of the AF DCGS Information Assurance Program". At this time $4,375,000 has been obligated. AF ISR Agency, A7KA, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (GS-35F-0445N, Task Order FA7037-09-F-0021).
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Bush Endorses NATO Membership for Albania, Croatia
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 26, 2008 - President Bush kicked off the weekend by signing agreements endorsing Albania and Croatia as NATO members and called on other Balkan and former Soviet countries to join the alliance. Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen joined the president for the Oct. 24 White House ceremony as he signed the protocols alongside NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.
"With today's ceremony, we celebrate two young and vigorous democracies seeking to assume new responsibilities in a time of terrorism and a time of war," Bush said. "We strengthen America's partnership with nations that once found themselves in the shackles of communism. We rejoice in taking a major step toward welcoming the people of Albania and Croatia into the greatest alliance for freedom the world has ever known."
NATO voted at its Bucharest summit in April to invite both Albania and Croatia to join NATO, but other member nations must sign the accession protocols before they become official.
"The invitation to join NATO is recognition of the difficult reforms these countries have undertaken on the path to prosperity and peace," Bush said. "In return, NATO membership offers the promise of security and stability. The United States and our NATO allies will stand united in defense of our fellow members."
NATO membership will ensure the people of Albania and Croatia know that "ff any nation threatens their security, every member of our Alliance will be at their side," he said.
The president called their entry into NATO "an historic step for the Balkans," noting that within a decade the region has "transformed itself from a land consumed by war to a contributor to international peace and stability."
"The people of Albania and Croatia are helping move the world closer to a great triumph of history - a Europe that is whole, a Europe that is free and a Europe that is at peace," he said.
Bush reiterated U.S. support for others to join NATO, including Georgia, Ukraine, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, and Serbia if it chooses. These countries "remember the pain of tyranny," and, as a result, "treasure the blessings of liberty," he said.
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer called the U.S. signing of the accession protocols particularly significant in light of the U.S. role in NATO.
Albania's and Croatia's membership in NATO "will strengthen our common effort to safeguard and promote security and stability," he said. "Both countries have set an example for others to follow and we will encourage and support all those who aspire that same goal."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 26, 2008 - President Bush kicked off the weekend by signing agreements endorsing Albania and Croatia as NATO members and called on other Balkan and former Soviet countries to join the alliance. Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen joined the president for the Oct. 24 White House ceremony as he signed the protocols alongside NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.
"With today's ceremony, we celebrate two young and vigorous democracies seeking to assume new responsibilities in a time of terrorism and a time of war," Bush said. "We strengthen America's partnership with nations that once found themselves in the shackles of communism. We rejoice in taking a major step toward welcoming the people of Albania and Croatia into the greatest alliance for freedom the world has ever known."
NATO voted at its Bucharest summit in April to invite both Albania and Croatia to join NATO, but other member nations must sign the accession protocols before they become official.
"The invitation to join NATO is recognition of the difficult reforms these countries have undertaken on the path to prosperity and peace," Bush said. "In return, NATO membership offers the promise of security and stability. The United States and our NATO allies will stand united in defense of our fellow members."
NATO membership will ensure the people of Albania and Croatia know that "ff any nation threatens their security, every member of our Alliance will be at their side," he said.
The president called their entry into NATO "an historic step for the Balkans," noting that within a decade the region has "transformed itself from a land consumed by war to a contributor to international peace and stability."
"The people of Albania and Croatia are helping move the world closer to a great triumph of history - a Europe that is whole, a Europe that is free and a Europe that is at peace," he said.
Bush reiterated U.S. support for others to join NATO, including Georgia, Ukraine, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, and Serbia if it chooses. These countries "remember the pain of tyranny," and, as a result, "treasure the blessings of liberty," he said.
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer called the U.S. signing of the accession protocols particularly significant in light of the U.S. role in NATO.
Albania's and Croatia's membership in NATO "will strengthen our common effort to safeguard and promote security and stability," he said. "Both countries have set an example for others to follow and we will encourage and support all those who aspire that same goal."
Friday, October 24, 2008
Gates Gets Update on Army Special Ops Capabilities, Challenges
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 24, 2008 - With arguably the most heavily stressed troops anywhere, the commander of Army Special Operations Command updated Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates yesterday about ongoing missions and progress in growing the force to keep pace with ever-increasing requirements. Army Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner briefed Gates during his visit here about ongoing operations and progress in boosting manpower across the Army special operations community. This elite force includes Special Forces, Ranger, special operations aviation, psychological operations, civil affairs, signal and combat service support soldiers.
Wagner said he and Gates talked about the "quality of the people and their dedication to what they are doing," and the contributions they are making in the global war on terror. They also discussed improved coordination between the intelligence communities and the military – an initiative Wagner told reporters is "enabling us to do things much more effectively and efficiently, and saving the lives of soldiers."
Army special operations forces are deployed to 45 countries around the globe, with about 80 percent of those troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. "We're heavily deployed ... [and have been] continuously engaged since the beginning of the war," Wagner said.
In fact, most of his troops have been deployed 30 to 70 percent of the time since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks – more than even the most heavily taxed conventional forces. So, as he talked with Gates yesterday about ongoing missions, the discussion moved to the critical next question: How can Army Special Operations Command keep up the pace of operations without driving this highly skilled force into the ground, or out of the Army altogether?
A saving grace -- one Wagner said he credits Gates with supporting -- has been authorization to grow the force 43 percent by 2013. "That's pretty significant," he said, noting that he has 5,000 more people now than in 2001.
All five active-duty Special Forces groups will receive an additional battalion, beginning with the 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Campbell, Ky. In addition, each Ranger battalion will get an extra company. Reconnaissance and intelligence forces will be upgraded from detachments to companies. A new special operations aviation battalion, at Fort Lewis, Wash., brings additional capability to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
Meanwhile, Wagner cited "dramatic increases" in the command's civil affairs and psychological operations forces. Historically, the lion's share of both organizations has been in the Army Reserve, but Wagner said both the active and reserve components are boosting their numbers.
The 95th civil Affairs Brigade, the only active-duty civil affairs unit, went from 208 soldiers in 2001 to almost 900 today. In addition, plans call for an additional civil affairs battalion dedicated to U.S. Africa Command, and one or two more 32-man companies within each other battalion. Ultimately, Wagner said, he expects the number of active-duty civil affairs troops to increase to more than 1,400 by 2013 or 2014.
Psychological operations also have experienced "phenomenal growth," Wagner said, from just under 1,300 troops in 2001 to more than 2,132 authorized today. That number will increase by almost 150 in fiscal 2009, but Wagner said it could go as high as 2,740.
Even while adding 5,000 authorized slots in the last seven years, Army Special Operations Command increased its unit strength from 97 percent in 2001 to more than 100 percent today, Wagner said.
"The recruiting piece is not a problem," he said. "There are lots of people who are fully qualified and want to join the force. We still are very selective in who we allow to come into the force, and we are able to grow and still meet all those standards."
Gates got firsthand exposure to the force's capabilities yesterday as he talked with the troops about their experiences, their training and their missions.
He told reporters he was particularly struck by the level of questioning he received when he had lunch with about 10 Special Forces noncommissioned officers. "They talked about problems," he said. "They asked me about my view of the challenges they were going to face down the road in different countries. The meeting was very geopolitical."
Also impressive, he said, was the depth of their language capabilities. One soldier Gates met speaks both Korean and Arabic. Another speaks three different Arabic dialects. "All of that is really impressive," the secretary said.
While he is gratified to be able to attract new recruits, Wagner said, he's far more interested in retaining the highly skilled, combat-experienced ones he already has.
"Our job is not recruiting," he said. "It's the retention of senior-grade people, because our force is about senior people."
Special Forces troops are typically more senior than those in other Army units, he explained. Soldiers typically join the force at the sergeant first class or captain levels. The typical Special Forces NCO is 33 years old with 12 years of service; the typical warrant officer is 39 years old with 18 years of service. A full one-third of Special Forces soldiers are eligible to retire.
The challenge, Wagner said, is to keep these soldiers in the Army despite repeated deployments and heavy operational demands.
"These people have put their lives on hold for seven years," Wagner said. "Most Americans are at home every night. These people have spent between 30 and 70 percent of their time deployed since the towers were struck."
Another challenge is the big dollars the private sector is willing to pay for their skills. Wagner called financial incentives the Army offers "very important to retaining the force," but said he'd like to see them raised even higher.
"Take a warrant officer pilot with 25 years flying," he said. "How much is he worth to you? How much would you pay to keep that guy from his 25th to his 30th year, and how much does it cost to replace him?
"The cheapest thing you can do, and the most right thing, would be to pay him enough to make him stay from the 25th to the 30th year," Wagner said. "He deserves it. And we need him."
Whatever incentives the Army pays its special operators, Wagner said, it's less than they deserve – and not really the reason they stay on duty.
"Ultimately, they stay with the force because they believe in what they are doing and they think it's important," he said. "And if we think what they are doing is important, we ought to recognize it."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 24, 2008 - With arguably the most heavily stressed troops anywhere, the commander of Army Special Operations Command updated Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates yesterday about ongoing missions and progress in growing the force to keep pace with ever-increasing requirements. Army Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner briefed Gates during his visit here about ongoing operations and progress in boosting manpower across the Army special operations community. This elite force includes Special Forces, Ranger, special operations aviation, psychological operations, civil affairs, signal and combat service support soldiers.
Wagner said he and Gates talked about the "quality of the people and their dedication to what they are doing," and the contributions they are making in the global war on terror. They also discussed improved coordination between the intelligence communities and the military – an initiative Wagner told reporters is "enabling us to do things much more effectively and efficiently, and saving the lives of soldiers."
Army special operations forces are deployed to 45 countries around the globe, with about 80 percent of those troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. "We're heavily deployed ... [and have been] continuously engaged since the beginning of the war," Wagner said.
In fact, most of his troops have been deployed 30 to 70 percent of the time since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks – more than even the most heavily taxed conventional forces. So, as he talked with Gates yesterday about ongoing missions, the discussion moved to the critical next question: How can Army Special Operations Command keep up the pace of operations without driving this highly skilled force into the ground, or out of the Army altogether?
A saving grace -- one Wagner said he credits Gates with supporting -- has been authorization to grow the force 43 percent by 2013. "That's pretty significant," he said, noting that he has 5,000 more people now than in 2001.
All five active-duty Special Forces groups will receive an additional battalion, beginning with the 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Campbell, Ky. In addition, each Ranger battalion will get an extra company. Reconnaissance and intelligence forces will be upgraded from detachments to companies. A new special operations aviation battalion, at Fort Lewis, Wash., brings additional capability to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
Meanwhile, Wagner cited "dramatic increases" in the command's civil affairs and psychological operations forces. Historically, the lion's share of both organizations has been in the Army Reserve, but Wagner said both the active and reserve components are boosting their numbers.
The 95th civil Affairs Brigade, the only active-duty civil affairs unit, went from 208 soldiers in 2001 to almost 900 today. In addition, plans call for an additional civil affairs battalion dedicated to U.S. Africa Command, and one or two more 32-man companies within each other battalion. Ultimately, Wagner said, he expects the number of active-duty civil affairs troops to increase to more than 1,400 by 2013 or 2014.
Psychological operations also have experienced "phenomenal growth," Wagner said, from just under 1,300 troops in 2001 to more than 2,132 authorized today. That number will increase by almost 150 in fiscal 2009, but Wagner said it could go as high as 2,740.
Even while adding 5,000 authorized slots in the last seven years, Army Special Operations Command increased its unit strength from 97 percent in 2001 to more than 100 percent today, Wagner said.
"The recruiting piece is not a problem," he said. "There are lots of people who are fully qualified and want to join the force. We still are very selective in who we allow to come into the force, and we are able to grow and still meet all those standards."
Gates got firsthand exposure to the force's capabilities yesterday as he talked with the troops about their experiences, their training and their missions.
He told reporters he was particularly struck by the level of questioning he received when he had lunch with about 10 Special Forces noncommissioned officers. "They talked about problems," he said. "They asked me about my view of the challenges they were going to face down the road in different countries. The meeting was very geopolitical."
Also impressive, he said, was the depth of their language capabilities. One soldier Gates met speaks both Korean and Arabic. Another speaks three different Arabic dialects. "All of that is really impressive," the secretary said.
While he is gratified to be able to attract new recruits, Wagner said, he's far more interested in retaining the highly skilled, combat-experienced ones he already has.
"Our job is not recruiting," he said. "It's the retention of senior-grade people, because our force is about senior people."
Special Forces troops are typically more senior than those in other Army units, he explained. Soldiers typically join the force at the sergeant first class or captain levels. The typical Special Forces NCO is 33 years old with 12 years of service; the typical warrant officer is 39 years old with 18 years of service. A full one-third of Special Forces soldiers are eligible to retire.
The challenge, Wagner said, is to keep these soldiers in the Army despite repeated deployments and heavy operational demands.
"These people have put their lives on hold for seven years," Wagner said. "Most Americans are at home every night. These people have spent between 30 and 70 percent of their time deployed since the towers were struck."
Another challenge is the big dollars the private sector is willing to pay for their skills. Wagner called financial incentives the Army offers "very important to retaining the force," but said he'd like to see them raised even higher.
"Take a warrant officer pilot with 25 years flying," he said. "How much is he worth to you? How much would you pay to keep that guy from his 25th to his 30th year, and how much does it cost to replace him?
"The cheapest thing you can do, and the most right thing, would be to pay him enough to make him stay from the 25th to the 30th year," Wagner said. "He deserves it. And we need him."
Whatever incentives the Army pays its special operators, Wagner said, it's less than they deserve – and not really the reason they stay on duty.
"Ultimately, they stay with the force because they believe in what they are doing and they think it's important," he said. "And if we think what they are doing is important, we ought to recognize it."
Department Salutes Best Anti-Drug Programs at Red Ribbon Week Observance
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 24, 2008 - The Defense Department recognized military agencies for their outstanding anti-drug programs at a Pentagon ceremony today. Hosted by Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England, this year's event is the department's 18th observance of Red Ribbon Week, an annual campaign that runs through Oct. 31.
Red Ribbon Week advocates youth drug abstinence. It was established in 1988 in honor of fallen U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration special agent Enrique "Kiki" S. Camerena, who was kidnapped, tortured and murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985.
Combating drugs is important for the Department of Defense and for the nation, England said.
"Abuse of drugs and alcohol and tobacco ruins people's lives," England said, noting that adolescents and young people in particular are highly susceptible to using drugs.
Through random testing and anti-substance abuse education campaigns the Defense Department has achieved great success against drugs during the past 25 to 30 years, England said.
In 1980, he said, nearly 30 percent of servicemembers used drugs, and today the percentage of drug users in the military has dropped below 1 percent.
This year's Secretary of Defense Community Drug Awareness Award recipients are:
-- The 3rd Corps and Fort Hood, Texas, Army Substance Abuse Program;
-- The Camp Pendleton, Calif., Drug Demand Reduction Campaign;
-- Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic, Norfolk, Va.
-- 319th Air Refueling Wing, Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.
-- The Alabama National Guard Counterdrug Program, Drug Demand Reduction, Montgomery, Ala.
-- Defense Logistics Agency's Defense Supply Center, Columbus, Ohio
Since 2001, DoD also has presented the Fulcrum Shield Award for Excellence in Youth Anti-Drug Programs to military-affiliated youth organizations. This year's winner is the Douglas County Young Marines, Douglas County, Colo.
Established in 1958, the Young Marines is a nonprofit youth organization that teaches young people from ages 8 to 18 how to gain self-confidence and be responsible. The Young Marines is the U.S. Marine Corps' official community youth program, as well as the focus of its youth drug demand reduction efforts.
Healthy, drug-free troops and young civilian citizens "win the nation's battles" and prevent societal decay, England said.
Yet, "just because we've made great progress doesn't mean that we can rest on this" war against drugs, England said. "The Red Ribbon campaign is critical to our success."
The event also featured Geneva Camarena, the the widow of fallen Drug Enforcement Administration special agent who was the inspiration for Red Ribbon Week, as one of the guest speakers. She praised her late husband's work, noting that the former Marine gave his life to safeguard young people against drug traffickers.
Geneva Camerena now heads the Enrique Camarena Educational Foundation, which is pledged to eradicate drug abuse among the nation's youth and to honor fallen and injured heroes in the fight against illegal drugs.
"We must take care of our children," she said.
John P. Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, noted that the nation's drug-enforcement agencies have had a long partnership with the Defense Department. Youth drug use in the United States has declined nearly 25 percent over the past six years, Walters said.
Walters also highlighted the recent decline in opium production in Afghanistan, noting this event represents the liberation of Afghans and others from a poisonous substance. Heroin is made from opium-producing poppy seeds that are grown by some farmers in Afghanistan. The war against drugs, Walters said, also is a battle against false information being spread by those who profit from the drug trade.
Walters also praised the Defense Department as a model employer that has a zero-tolerance attitude regarding drug use.
Another guest, Michele M. Leonhart, acting administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, said DoD's efforts are "making a difference" during the war on drugs. A number of key Afghan and Colombian drug kingpins, she said, are being extradited to the United States for trial on drug-trafficking charges.
Drugs are a menace that threatens America's youth, Leonhart said. Young people shouldn't experiment with drugs, she said, because drug use negatively affects their still-developing brains.
Retired Army Maj. Gen. Arthur T. Dean, chairman and chief executive officer of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, also said a few words at the Pentagon awards ceremony. CADCA is a nonprofit group that works with local communities and the federal government to promote anti-drug awareness among the nation's youth.
"Coming back to the Pentagon and being a part of this special Red Ribbon event is truly an honor," Dean said, noting his organization encourages young people to live drug-free lifestyles.
"Zero-tolerance in young people, as it relates to illegal drugs, is the standard," Dean said.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 24, 2008 - The Defense Department recognized military agencies for their outstanding anti-drug programs at a Pentagon ceremony today. Hosted by Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England, this year's event is the department's 18th observance of Red Ribbon Week, an annual campaign that runs through Oct. 31.
Red Ribbon Week advocates youth drug abstinence. It was established in 1988 in honor of fallen U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration special agent Enrique "Kiki" S. Camerena, who was kidnapped, tortured and murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985.
Combating drugs is important for the Department of Defense and for the nation, England said.
"Abuse of drugs and alcohol and tobacco ruins people's lives," England said, noting that adolescents and young people in particular are highly susceptible to using drugs.
Through random testing and anti-substance abuse education campaigns the Defense Department has achieved great success against drugs during the past 25 to 30 years, England said.
In 1980, he said, nearly 30 percent of servicemembers used drugs, and today the percentage of drug users in the military has dropped below 1 percent.
This year's Secretary of Defense Community Drug Awareness Award recipients are:
-- The 3rd Corps and Fort Hood, Texas, Army Substance Abuse Program;
-- The Camp Pendleton, Calif., Drug Demand Reduction Campaign;
-- Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic, Norfolk, Va.
-- 319th Air Refueling Wing, Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.
-- The Alabama National Guard Counterdrug Program, Drug Demand Reduction, Montgomery, Ala.
-- Defense Logistics Agency's Defense Supply Center, Columbus, Ohio
Since 2001, DoD also has presented the Fulcrum Shield Award for Excellence in Youth Anti-Drug Programs to military-affiliated youth organizations. This year's winner is the Douglas County Young Marines, Douglas County, Colo.
Established in 1958, the Young Marines is a nonprofit youth organization that teaches young people from ages 8 to 18 how to gain self-confidence and be responsible. The Young Marines is the U.S. Marine Corps' official community youth program, as well as the focus of its youth drug demand reduction efforts.
Healthy, drug-free troops and young civilian citizens "win the nation's battles" and prevent societal decay, England said.
Yet, "just because we've made great progress doesn't mean that we can rest on this" war against drugs, England said. "The Red Ribbon campaign is critical to our success."
The event also featured Geneva Camarena, the the widow of fallen Drug Enforcement Administration special agent who was the inspiration for Red Ribbon Week, as one of the guest speakers. She praised her late husband's work, noting that the former Marine gave his life to safeguard young people against drug traffickers.
Geneva Camerena now heads the Enrique Camarena Educational Foundation, which is pledged to eradicate drug abuse among the nation's youth and to honor fallen and injured heroes in the fight against illegal drugs.
"We must take care of our children," she said.
John P. Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, noted that the nation's drug-enforcement agencies have had a long partnership with the Defense Department. Youth drug use in the United States has declined nearly 25 percent over the past six years, Walters said.
Walters also highlighted the recent decline in opium production in Afghanistan, noting this event represents the liberation of Afghans and others from a poisonous substance. Heroin is made from opium-producing poppy seeds that are grown by some farmers in Afghanistan. The war against drugs, Walters said, also is a battle against false information being spread by those who profit from the drug trade.
Walters also praised the Defense Department as a model employer that has a zero-tolerance attitude regarding drug use.
Another guest, Michele M. Leonhart, acting administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, said DoD's efforts are "making a difference" during the war on drugs. A number of key Afghan and Colombian drug kingpins, she said, are being extradited to the United States for trial on drug-trafficking charges.
Drugs are a menace that threatens America's youth, Leonhart said. Young people shouldn't experiment with drugs, she said, because drug use negatively affects their still-developing brains.
Retired Army Maj. Gen. Arthur T. Dean, chairman and chief executive officer of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, also said a few words at the Pentagon awards ceremony. CADCA is a nonprofit group that works with local communities and the federal government to promote anti-drug awareness among the nation's youth.
"Coming back to the Pentagon and being a part of this special Red Ribbon event is truly an honor," Dean said, noting his organization encourages young people to live drug-free lifestyles.
"Zero-tolerance in young people, as it relates to illegal drugs, is the standard," Dean said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
