By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2009 - Legend has it that when the French invaded Egypt in 1798, artillerymen used the Sphinx for target practice and shot the nose off of it. Laurie Rush wants to make sure American troops traveling to Egypt for the upcoming Bright Star military exercise don't make the same impression.
Rush, the cultural resources program manager at Fort Drum, N.Y., has put together a deck of cards for servicemembers that urges them to respect Egyptian heritage. She was the brains behind a similar deck distributed to servicemembers deploying to Iraq.
The cards are part of the Defense Department's Legacy Resource Management Program, which is aimed at preserving natural and cultural resources. Archeologists from around the world are working together to preserve mankind's common heritage.
The effort will include distributing 10,000 decks of cards to Americans and, perhaps, international servicemembers who will deploy to the "Land of the Pharaohs," Rush said in an interview. "The cards have English and Arabic, so it's a good way to spread the word," Rush said.
The Bright Star exercise will begin in September, but servicemembers will start arriving for planning sessions months earlier. Personnel deploying to Bright Star will receive instruction in safeguarding artifacts and archeologically sensitive sites. The cards will serve as a reminder of those lessons.
Each card has a photograph of the gold funerary mask of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, also known as King Tut, on one side. On the other, each card has a different photo and factoid on Egyptian history or generic tips to preserve archeological treasures. For example, the five of hearts has a picture of the temple of Abu Simbel and the words "Protecting archeological sites helps preserve them for future generations."
The nine of spades has a shot of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter and the caption, "Helicopter rotor wash can damage archeological sites. Locate your [landing zones] a safe distance away from known sites."
"In Egypt, we need our people to really pay attention to their surroundings," Rush said. "If they are in areas where the ground is more than just sand, they need to be as careful as they can be."
Egypt is one of the world's oldest civilizations. People have lived along the Nile River for at least 8,000 years, and great cities rose and fell along the banks of the river. It's not uncommon for visitors there to stumble upon an artifact.
Being mindful of artifacts is more than just being careful in the field, Rush said. Egyptian grave robbers and artifact scavengers sell antiquities.
"Aside from the fact that many of these artifacts are fakes, the Egyptian government and the U.S. military has severe penalties for anyone caught buying or selling these goods," Rush said.
These artifacts often are all that remain of ancient civilizations, Rush said. Professional archeologists who find artifacts in place can fill in gaps in human history.
Rush worked with experts at the Colorado State University. James A. Zeidler and Tracy Wagner were responsible for the final design and production of the decks.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Suicide Prevention Hotline Saves Veterans' Lives
By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2009 - Help is only a phone call away for military veterans considering suicide.
Nearly 100,000 veterans, family members or friends of veterans have reached out for help by calling the Department of Veterans Affairs suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK. The hotline was launched July 2007.
The VA initiative is part of a collaborative effort with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a nationwide network of 133 crisis centers. Calls automatically are routed to the nearest center based on the caller's area code.
The hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is staffed by trained mental health professionals prepared to deal with immediate crisis. Although the lifeline isn't restricted to military veterans only, callers are prompted to "please press 1 now" if they are a U.S. military veteran or are calling about a veteran. Callers who press 1 are transferred to the nearest VA call center.
More than 2,600 veterans have been "rescued" through the hotline, according to a recent VA statement.
"I urge veterans and their loved ones to take advantage of our suicide-prevention program," VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said in the statement. "Help for these heroes is a phone call away."
An estimated 5,000 veterans commit suicide annually, with Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans 35 percent more likely to commit suicide than the general population. VA statistics show that between 2002 and 2006, more than 250 veterans who left the military after Sept. 11, 2001, committed suicide.
The trend has grown within the active-duty military rank,s too. A steady increase in suicides among veterans and active-duty members has been persistent in recent years. The Army recently announced 2008 as its highest suicide year since 1980, with at least 128 soldiers confirmed to have taken their own lives, while 15 other cases are pending investigations.
VA, the Defense Department and local communities are making it a point to understand suicide and determine better prevention methods. Defense leaders, including Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have voiced concerns for short- and long-term solutions.
"We have got to be able to support those individuals in ways that, in some cases, we haven't quite figured out yet," Mullen said during a lecture at Grove City College, Pa., earlier this month.
Mullen routinely advocates for solutions to increase the amount of rest and time at home troops have in between deployments. Officials recognize the high tempo of deployment rotations as being a likely factor for the increased suicide rates.
VA and active-duty military officials are working with outside research organizations to improve their programs and lower the numbers. The Army and National Institute of Mental Health recently launched a five-year research initiative to gain a better understanding in the hope of preventing suicides in the military and nation.
To identify and treat at-risk patients, prevention efforts and initiatives are in place in each of VA's 153 medical centers and more than 750 outpatient clinics across the nation. Also, suicide prevention coordinators are on hand at each facility.
Troubled veterans, whether they call the suicide prevention hotline or walk in, receive follow-up care almost immediately. Preliminary evaluations occur within 24 hours of requests, and referrals are given for mental health appointments. Comprehensive evaluations are conducted within 14 days, with emergency cases handled immediately.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2009 - Help is only a phone call away for military veterans considering suicide.
Nearly 100,000 veterans, family members or friends of veterans have reached out for help by calling the Department of Veterans Affairs suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK. The hotline was launched July 2007.
The VA initiative is part of a collaborative effort with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a nationwide network of 133 crisis centers. Calls automatically are routed to the nearest center based on the caller's area code.
The hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is staffed by trained mental health professionals prepared to deal with immediate crisis. Although the lifeline isn't restricted to military veterans only, callers are prompted to "please press 1 now" if they are a U.S. military veteran or are calling about a veteran. Callers who press 1 are transferred to the nearest VA call center.
More than 2,600 veterans have been "rescued" through the hotline, according to a recent VA statement.
"I urge veterans and their loved ones to take advantage of our suicide-prevention program," VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said in the statement. "Help for these heroes is a phone call away."
An estimated 5,000 veterans commit suicide annually, with Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans 35 percent more likely to commit suicide than the general population. VA statistics show that between 2002 and 2006, more than 250 veterans who left the military after Sept. 11, 2001, committed suicide.
The trend has grown within the active-duty military rank,s too. A steady increase in suicides among veterans and active-duty members has been persistent in recent years. The Army recently announced 2008 as its highest suicide year since 1980, with at least 128 soldiers confirmed to have taken their own lives, while 15 other cases are pending investigations.
VA, the Defense Department and local communities are making it a point to understand suicide and determine better prevention methods. Defense leaders, including Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have voiced concerns for short- and long-term solutions.
"We have got to be able to support those individuals in ways that, in some cases, we haven't quite figured out yet," Mullen said during a lecture at Grove City College, Pa., earlier this month.
Mullen routinely advocates for solutions to increase the amount of rest and time at home troops have in between deployments. Officials recognize the high tempo of deployment rotations as being a likely factor for the increased suicide rates.
VA and active-duty military officials are working with outside research organizations to improve their programs and lower the numbers. The Army and National Institute of Mental Health recently launched a five-year research initiative to gain a better understanding in the hope of preventing suicides in the military and nation.
To identify and treat at-risk patients, prevention efforts and initiatives are in place in each of VA's 153 medical centers and more than 750 outpatient clinics across the nation. Also, suicide prevention coordinators are on hand at each facility.
Troubled veterans, whether they call the suicide prevention hotline or walk in, receive follow-up care almost immediately. Preliminary evaluations occur within 24 hours of requests, and referrals are given for mental health appointments. Comprehensive evaluations are conducted within 14 days, with emergency cases handled immediately.
Center Tracks Icebergs to Ensure Safety at Sea
By John Ohab
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2009 - A multiagency center operated by the Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Coast Guard provides continuous tracking and monitoring of ice movements to support national interests throughout the world. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Gary Premo, a senior ice analyst at the National Ice Center, was interviewed on "Armed with Science: Research and Applications for the Modern Military" on BlogTalkRadio.com on Feb. 11 about the NIC's role in analyzing ice movements for safety of navigation and operations and in monitoring the changing Arctic climate.
"We record the ice change on a global scale. We also provide tactical support to the Navy and government agencies," Premo said.
Premo is an aerographer's mate, jokingly known as "weather guessers" in the Navy. They draw on extensive training in meteorology and oceanography to assess weather situations and provide commanders with tactical support. They can specialize in a variety of fields, including ice monitoring, aviation weather, hydrography, and anti-submarine and mine warfare.
Premo explained the breadth of factors that must be considered when monitoring ice, including variation in climate, currents and topography.
"To know a certain area, you have to know its climatological features dealing with weather, its wind regimes, and you have to know how to read the weather charts," Premo said.
Ice analysts rely on a wide array of satellite imaging and geospatial information technologies housed at the NOAA's Satellite Operations Facility. These tools include high-resolution synthetic aperture radar, infrared imagery, and passive microwave sensors for positional analysis of ice structures.
NIC also developed and maintains a system for naming Antarctic ice structures that have broken free from land. Icebergs that are at least 10 nautical miles at their longest axis are named and tracked through the open water until they melt below this threshold.
"We're actually the agency that does it globalwide. If you see a named iceberg in the news, that's actually us doing it," Premo said.
In addition to tracking ice movements, NIC provides tactical analyses and daily forecasts of ice conditions in the Arctic, Antarctica and the Great Lakes. The Fractures/Leads and Polynyas product is used by the U.S. Navy to identify ice fractures and aid in submarine surfacing. NIC makes daily sea ice edge measurements and ice consolidation data available to the public.
"The edge line is probably one of our most used products downloaded off our Web [site] and used by our customers," Premo said.
Premo described some of the climate changes observed in the Arctic over the past decade, including a decrease in "multiyear ice", the ice that historically survives the yearly summer melt.
"More and more of that multiyear ice has been diminishing," Premo said. "When you actually go into a melt season, that multiyear [ice] becomes smaller and smaller, which is making the Arctic more open water -- "sea ice free" as we call it -- and that's been happening over the last decade."
(John Ohab holds a doctorate in neuroscience and works for the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2009 - A multiagency center operated by the Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Coast Guard provides continuous tracking and monitoring of ice movements to support national interests throughout the world. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Gary Premo, a senior ice analyst at the National Ice Center, was interviewed on "Armed with Science: Research and Applications for the Modern Military" on BlogTalkRadio.com on Feb. 11 about the NIC's role in analyzing ice movements for safety of navigation and operations and in monitoring the changing Arctic climate.
"We record the ice change on a global scale. We also provide tactical support to the Navy and government agencies," Premo said.
Premo is an aerographer's mate, jokingly known as "weather guessers" in the Navy. They draw on extensive training in meteorology and oceanography to assess weather situations and provide commanders with tactical support. They can specialize in a variety of fields, including ice monitoring, aviation weather, hydrography, and anti-submarine and mine warfare.
Premo explained the breadth of factors that must be considered when monitoring ice, including variation in climate, currents and topography.
"To know a certain area, you have to know its climatological features dealing with weather, its wind regimes, and you have to know how to read the weather charts," Premo said.
Ice analysts rely on a wide array of satellite imaging and geospatial information technologies housed at the NOAA's Satellite Operations Facility. These tools include high-resolution synthetic aperture radar, infrared imagery, and passive microwave sensors for positional analysis of ice structures.
NIC also developed and maintains a system for naming Antarctic ice structures that have broken free from land. Icebergs that are at least 10 nautical miles at their longest axis are named and tracked through the open water until they melt below this threshold.
"We're actually the agency that does it globalwide. If you see a named iceberg in the news, that's actually us doing it," Premo said.
In addition to tracking ice movements, NIC provides tactical analyses and daily forecasts of ice conditions in the Arctic, Antarctica and the Great Lakes. The Fractures/Leads and Polynyas product is used by the U.S. Navy to identify ice fractures and aid in submarine surfacing. NIC makes daily sea ice edge measurements and ice consolidation data available to the public.
"The edge line is probably one of our most used products downloaded off our Web [site] and used by our customers," Premo said.
Premo described some of the climate changes observed in the Arctic over the past decade, including a decrease in "multiyear ice", the ice that historically survives the yearly summer melt.
"More and more of that multiyear ice has been diminishing," Premo said. "When you actually go into a melt season, that multiyear [ice] becomes smaller and smaller, which is making the Arctic more open water -- "sea ice free" as we call it -- and that's been happening over the last decade."
(John Ohab holds a doctorate in neuroscience and works for the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)
Reserve Component Units Recognized for Superb Family Support
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2009 - Seven National Guard and reserve units received recognition for their support of families of deployed troops at a Pentagon ceremony today. Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, hosted the annual Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Awards presentation, which highlighted the best National Guard and reserve unit family readiness support programs in 2008.
The awardees constitute "a mirror image of all of those units throughout our country" that labor to assist the families of deployed National Guard members and reservists, Hall said.
Each recognized unit received an engraved wood Defense Department plaque and a certificate signed by Hall. Award recipients also received a certificate and $1,000 from the Military Officers Association of America.
The military's aircraft, ships, tanks and other equipment have little value without the servicemembers who operate and maintain them, Hall pointed out.
"People are the key, and always have been the key, and that's what this ceremony today is about," Hall said. That's why, he added, it's important to support the families of deployed soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guard members who perform vital wartime missions.
Having deployed to Iraq in 2003, Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Keough Cofield knows what it's like to serve in a war zone. Today, Cofield is a family program liaison with the 3rd Brigade, 98th Division, 108th Training Command, based at Lexington, Ky. The 108th was among the awardees at today's Pentagon ceremony.
"It's definitely an honor to win this [award]," Cofield said, noting that his unit established an informational Web site for families of deployed servicemembers.
"Families can go online and click on a link and find all of the resources that are available to them," Cofield said, such as the USO and the Red Cross.
When he was in Iraq, Cofield recalled being comforted by the thought that there were family support personnel ready to assist his family.
"Knowing that there were individuals back home taking care of my family put my mind at ease and let me focus on the mission at hand," he said.
Cofield's family support assistant, Chevonne Baxter, echoed his comments. "Helping families is very important, because they are the soldier's support system," she said. "If family isn't taken care of, the soldier will worry.
"We're going to make sure that the families are taken care of in support of that soldier," she said.
The 108th's family support program operates a monthly family newsletter, Baxter said, and families of deployed servicemembers are frequently contacted via e-mail "to see if everything is running smoothly."
Other units recognized at the ceremony include:
--Army National Guard: 263d Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Anderson, S.C.;
-- Navy Reserve: Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24, Huntsville, Ala.;
--Marine Corps Reserve: 6th Engineer Support Battalion, Portland, Ore.;
-- Air National Guard: 153d Airlift Wing, Cheyenne, Wyo.;
--Air Force Reserve: 439th Airlift Wing, Springfield, Mass.;
--Coast Guard Reserve: Port Security Unit 309, Port Clinton, Ohio.
The department's Reserve Family Readiness Awards program was established in 2000. Robust family support programs are important and vital to mission success, officials said, as significant numbers of servicemembers have deployed overseas in support of the global war on terrorism.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2009 - Seven National Guard and reserve units received recognition for their support of families of deployed troops at a Pentagon ceremony today. Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, hosted the annual Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Awards presentation, which highlighted the best National Guard and reserve unit family readiness support programs in 2008.
The awardees constitute "a mirror image of all of those units throughout our country" that labor to assist the families of deployed National Guard members and reservists, Hall said.
Each recognized unit received an engraved wood Defense Department plaque and a certificate signed by Hall. Award recipients also received a certificate and $1,000 from the Military Officers Association of America.
The military's aircraft, ships, tanks and other equipment have little value without the servicemembers who operate and maintain them, Hall pointed out.
"People are the key, and always have been the key, and that's what this ceremony today is about," Hall said. That's why, he added, it's important to support the families of deployed soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guard members who perform vital wartime missions.
Having deployed to Iraq in 2003, Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Keough Cofield knows what it's like to serve in a war zone. Today, Cofield is a family program liaison with the 3rd Brigade, 98th Division, 108th Training Command, based at Lexington, Ky. The 108th was among the awardees at today's Pentagon ceremony.
"It's definitely an honor to win this [award]," Cofield said, noting that his unit established an informational Web site for families of deployed servicemembers.
"Families can go online and click on a link and find all of the resources that are available to them," Cofield said, such as the USO and the Red Cross.
When he was in Iraq, Cofield recalled being comforted by the thought that there were family support personnel ready to assist his family.
"Knowing that there were individuals back home taking care of my family put my mind at ease and let me focus on the mission at hand," he said.
Cofield's family support assistant, Chevonne Baxter, echoed his comments. "Helping families is very important, because they are the soldier's support system," she said. "If family isn't taken care of, the soldier will worry.
"We're going to make sure that the families are taken care of in support of that soldier," she said.
The 108th's family support program operates a monthly family newsletter, Baxter said, and families of deployed servicemembers are frequently contacted via e-mail "to see if everything is running smoothly."
Other units recognized at the ceremony include:
--Army National Guard: 263d Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Anderson, S.C.;
-- Navy Reserve: Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24, Huntsville, Ala.;
--Marine Corps Reserve: 6th Engineer Support Battalion, Portland, Ore.;
-- Air National Guard: 153d Airlift Wing, Cheyenne, Wyo.;
--Air Force Reserve: 439th Airlift Wing, Springfield, Mass.;
--Coast Guard Reserve: Port Security Unit 309, Port Clinton, Ohio.
The department's Reserve Family Readiness Awards program was established in 2000. Robust family support programs are important and vital to mission success, officials said, as significant numbers of servicemembers have deployed overseas in support of the global war on terrorism.
Senior Leaders Examine 2010 Defense Budget Choices
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2009 - Senior defense leaders are taking a serious and critical look at the president's fiscal 2010 defense budget request, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said here today. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, the combatant commanders, and other civilian and military leaders from the Defense Department are discussing department-related issues, including the budget, during the Defense Senior Leadership Conference, Morrell said at a news conference.
Morrell said the secretary is reshaping the request to reflect current and future realities.
"He wants to make sure the budget balances the demands of the wars we are currently fighting and the future threats we may face," he said. "Of course, he is acutely aware that we are crafting this budget in the midst of a global financial crisis, so it must not only be militarily responsible, but also fiscally realistic."
Gates said in testimony before Congress last month that the department is ready to make the tough choices in the defense budget. The senior leader conference is looking at the budget with this in mind.
"First, we must make tough choices about programs suffering from serious execution problems," Morrell said. "Second, we have to find new ways of doing business more efficiently and cost-effectively. And third, the services must strive to be as joint in their acquisitions as they are in their operations."
The secretary has said he wants the combatant commanders to explore new ideas. "We need to look for cost efficiencies, and we need to be more joint in how we acquire [capabilities]," Morrell said.
The secretary often has mentioned that military services must depend on other services for capabilities. If one service is building a capability, another service does not have to duplicate it.
"The services clearly have been extraordinarily joint in their operations since Operation Enduring Freedom began in late 2001," Morrell said. "They have been increasingly joint in other aspects as well.
"[The secretary] really does believe that we need to put service interests aside as much as we can when it comes to budgeting and acquisitions and so forth, and work more jointly and not see ourselves as separate stovepipe budgets, but one larger defense budget that looks out for our collective capabilities and risks."
Morrell also discussed the Defense Department portion of the economic stimulus package. The White House asked for -- and the department delivered -- a list of military construction projects that could be part of the stimulus bill now being voted on by Congress. "The [Defense Department] portion of the stimulus package ... totals a little more than $7 billion," Morrell said.
If President Barack Obama signs the legislation, the Defense Department will receive the money for near-term construction projects "that could make a difference in the lives of our servicemembers and their families," Morrell said, such as barracks, medical clinics and child care centers.
"For us, anything helps," Morrell said. "It does help us address the needs of our servicemembers and their families, and for that we are thankful. ... And we look forward to executing that money as soon as we get it, because we think it can make a difference not only in their lives, but in the near-term economic state of the country, as well. We can put people to work and do these military construction projects in the next six to 18 months, and hopefully have an impact."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2009 - Senior defense leaders are taking a serious and critical look at the president's fiscal 2010 defense budget request, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said here today. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, the combatant commanders, and other civilian and military leaders from the Defense Department are discussing department-related issues, including the budget, during the Defense Senior Leadership Conference, Morrell said at a news conference.
Morrell said the secretary is reshaping the request to reflect current and future realities.
"He wants to make sure the budget balances the demands of the wars we are currently fighting and the future threats we may face," he said. "Of course, he is acutely aware that we are crafting this budget in the midst of a global financial crisis, so it must not only be militarily responsible, but also fiscally realistic."
Gates said in testimony before Congress last month that the department is ready to make the tough choices in the defense budget. The senior leader conference is looking at the budget with this in mind.
"First, we must make tough choices about programs suffering from serious execution problems," Morrell said. "Second, we have to find new ways of doing business more efficiently and cost-effectively. And third, the services must strive to be as joint in their acquisitions as they are in their operations."
The secretary has said he wants the combatant commanders to explore new ideas. "We need to look for cost efficiencies, and we need to be more joint in how we acquire [capabilities]," Morrell said.
The secretary often has mentioned that military services must depend on other services for capabilities. If one service is building a capability, another service does not have to duplicate it.
"The services clearly have been extraordinarily joint in their operations since Operation Enduring Freedom began in late 2001," Morrell said. "They have been increasingly joint in other aspects as well.
"[The secretary] really does believe that we need to put service interests aside as much as we can when it comes to budgeting and acquisitions and so forth, and work more jointly and not see ourselves as separate stovepipe budgets, but one larger defense budget that looks out for our collective capabilities and risks."
Morrell also discussed the Defense Department portion of the economic stimulus package. The White House asked for -- and the department delivered -- a list of military construction projects that could be part of the stimulus bill now being voted on by Congress. "The [Defense Department] portion of the stimulus package ... totals a little more than $7 billion," Morrell said.
If President Barack Obama signs the legislation, the Defense Department will receive the money for near-term construction projects "that could make a difference in the lives of our servicemembers and their families," Morrell said, such as barracks, medical clinics and child care centers.
"For us, anything helps," Morrell said. "It does help us address the needs of our servicemembers and their families, and for that we are thankful. ... And we look forward to executing that money as soon as we get it, because we think it can make a difference not only in their lives, but in the near-term economic state of the country, as well. We can put people to work and do these military construction projects in the next six to 18 months, and hopefully have an impact."
Decision Pending on Status of Suspected Somali Pirates
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2009 - The 16 suspected pirates captured by American ships yesterday and Feb. 11 have been transferred to the USNS Lewis and Clark, defense officials said today. The suspects -- all believed to be Somali -- are being treated properly and humanely, Defense Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said during a Pentagon news conference.
The suspects will "remain aboard that ship until information and evidence is assembled and evaluated and a decision is ultimately made regarding their future transfer," Morrell said.
Servicemembers in Task Force 151 -- the anti-piracy group operating in the Gulf of Aden -- will compile the evidence in each case and determine if there is ample evidence to recommend prosecution.
"If there isn't, we will likely repatriate these individuals -- of course, minus the weapons that they were apprehended with," Morrell said.
The United States has a memorandum of understanding with Kenya on the piracy issue. Under the agreement, any pirates captured would be brought to justice in Kenya. Prosecuting these men will show there is a price to criminal behavior on the high seas, Defense Department officials said.
"The commander of the task force is ultimately responsible for determining whether or not these individuals will be taken to Kenya for adjudication or whether they -- some of them or all of them -- can be released," Morrell said.
The U.S. decision is being made even as a Russian cruiser seized 10 suspected pirates in the Gulf of Aden. The Russian cruiser is part of a multinational effort to stop piracy in the region. The ships operate under a United Nations Security Council resolution.
"Overall, this speaks to the fact that the task force is aggressively patrolling this body of water as, frankly, are many other nations that are not a part of this task force, all in response to an international cry to do more to protect cargo and other material and individuals being shipped through there," Morrell said.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2009 - The 16 suspected pirates captured by American ships yesterday and Feb. 11 have been transferred to the USNS Lewis and Clark, defense officials said today. The suspects -- all believed to be Somali -- are being treated properly and humanely, Defense Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said during a Pentagon news conference.
The suspects will "remain aboard that ship until information and evidence is assembled and evaluated and a decision is ultimately made regarding their future transfer," Morrell said.
Servicemembers in Task Force 151 -- the anti-piracy group operating in the Gulf of Aden -- will compile the evidence in each case and determine if there is ample evidence to recommend prosecution.
"If there isn't, we will likely repatriate these individuals -- of course, minus the weapons that they were apprehended with," Morrell said.
The United States has a memorandum of understanding with Kenya on the piracy issue. Under the agreement, any pirates captured would be brought to justice in Kenya. Prosecuting these men will show there is a price to criminal behavior on the high seas, Defense Department officials said.
"The commander of the task force is ultimately responsible for determining whether or not these individuals will be taken to Kenya for adjudication or whether they -- some of them or all of them -- can be released," Morrell said.
The U.S. decision is being made even as a Russian cruiser seized 10 suspected pirates in the Gulf of Aden. The Russian cruiser is part of a multinational effort to stop piracy in the region. The ships operate under a United Nations Security Council resolution.
"Overall, this speaks to the fact that the task force is aggressively patrolling this body of water as, frankly, are many other nations that are not a part of this task force, all in response to an international cry to do more to protect cargo and other material and individuals being shipped through there," Morrell said.
Guard, Reserve Members Score Support from USA Basketball
By Jessica Gonzalez
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2009 - On the eve of the highly anticipated National Basketball Association's All-Star weekend, the managing director of the Men's USA Basketball National Team signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve statement of support here yesterday. Jerry Colangelo was joined by political, business and military officials from throughout Arizona.
ESGR is a Defense Department organization that works to promote cooperation and understanding between Guard and Reserve members and their civilian employers, and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.
The occasion represented USA Basketball's continued recognition of the nearly 700,000 citizen-soldiers and -airmen that have gone to war for the United States since Sept. 11, 2001.
ESGR State Chairman Scott Essex thanked USA Basketball and other supporting businesses on behalf of nearly 13,000 Arizona National Guard and Reserve members. He also recognized the dozens of volunteers that help ESGR achieve its employer-outreach goals.
Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon extended the city's support for Arizona's servicemembers and veterans by offering the city and its resources in recognition and respect for their sacrifices, at one point noting that there is nothing more important to the city of Phoenix than assisting servicemembers in need.
Phoenix was the first major city in Arizona to support employees activated into service by providing differential pay to prevent financial hardship while deployed, officials said.
Reflecting on his world travels, Colangelo noted the pride he felt as an American overseas. He said he encountered servicemembers from foreign nations who spoke of the respect they had for America and how much its military aided in the protection of the world.
Colangelo also pointed out how much it meant to him and USA Basketball to be a part of ESGR. Supporting the Guard and Reserve, a seemingly basic responsibility of employers, took on a new meaning with USA Basketball's statement of support.
Colangelo said he hopes his organization's participation in this program will help other companies see the need to reform or establish their own polices.
(Jessica Gonzalez serves in the Arizona National Guard.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2009 - On the eve of the highly anticipated National Basketball Association's All-Star weekend, the managing director of the Men's USA Basketball National Team signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve statement of support here yesterday. Jerry Colangelo was joined by political, business and military officials from throughout Arizona.
ESGR is a Defense Department organization that works to promote cooperation and understanding between Guard and Reserve members and their civilian employers, and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.
The occasion represented USA Basketball's continued recognition of the nearly 700,000 citizen-soldiers and -airmen that have gone to war for the United States since Sept. 11, 2001.
ESGR State Chairman Scott Essex thanked USA Basketball and other supporting businesses on behalf of nearly 13,000 Arizona National Guard and Reserve members. He also recognized the dozens of volunteers that help ESGR achieve its employer-outreach goals.
Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon extended the city's support for Arizona's servicemembers and veterans by offering the city and its resources in recognition and respect for their sacrifices, at one point noting that there is nothing more important to the city of Phoenix than assisting servicemembers in need.
Phoenix was the first major city in Arizona to support employees activated into service by providing differential pay to prevent financial hardship while deployed, officials said.
Reflecting on his world travels, Colangelo noted the pride he felt as an American overseas. He said he encountered servicemembers from foreign nations who spoke of the respect they had for America and how much its military aided in the protection of the world.
Colangelo also pointed out how much it meant to him and USA Basketball to be a part of ESGR. Supporting the Guard and Reserve, a seemingly basic responsibility of employers, took on a new meaning with USA Basketball's statement of support.
Colangelo said he hopes his organization's participation in this program will help other companies see the need to reform or establish their own polices.
(Jessica Gonzalez serves in the Arizona National Guard.)
MILITARY CONTRACTS February 13, 2009
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
United Technologies, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a minimum $120,526,032 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity, sole source contract for engines. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Navy and Air Force. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification is exercising the fifth option period of a ten-year contract with a three-year base period and provisions for seven one-year option periods. The date of performance completion is Feb. 14, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Richmond, Richmond, Va., (SPM400-01-D-9405).
Pepco Energy Services, Inc., Arlington, Va., is being awarded a maximum $7,623,859 firm fixed price contract for electrical services. Other locations of performance are Md., and New Jersey. Using services are Army, Air Force, and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 81 proposals solicited with 16 responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jun. 30, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-05-G-8029 D.O. 0011).
Owens & Minor, Mechanicsville, Va., is being awarded a maximum $396,081,495 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Pa., Mich., Tenn., Va., Ill., N.J., Ky., Ind., N.C., Md., and Wis. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Federal Civilian Agencies, Coast Guard, and other Non-DoD Agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7000).
Cardinal Health 200 Inc., McGaw Park, Ill., is being awarded a maximum $396,081,495 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Md., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Tenn., Ill., Mo., Mass., N.J., Minn., Ind., Ky., and Mich. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7001).
Owens & Minor, Mechanicsville, Va., is being awarded a maximum $206,681,129 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Ga., Ala., Mass., N.C., Va., Miss., Tenn., Okla., Texas, Fla., Md., La., and New Jersey. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7002).
Cardinal Health 200 Inc., McGaw Park, Ill., is being awarded a maximum $206,681,129 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Fla., Texas, N.C., La., Tenn., and Ga. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian cgencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7003).
Owens & Minor, Mechanicsville, Va. is being awarded a maximum $201,422,492 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Colorado, Missouri, California, Oklahoma, Arizona, Utah, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with 2 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is October 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM200-05-D-7004).
Cardinal Health 200 Inc., McGaw Park, Ill. is being awarded a maximum $201,422,492 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Minnesota, Nebraska, Arizona, Missouri, California, Washington, Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Arkansas. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with 2 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is October 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM200-05-D-7005).
Owens & Minor, Mechanicsville, Va., is being awarded a maximum $100,000,000 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Penn., Mich., Tenn., Va., Ill., N.J., Ky., Ind., N.C., Md., and Wis. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7006).
Midwest Medical Supply Co., Earth City, Mo.*, is being awarded a maximum $100,000,000 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, back-up prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Conn., Ill., Mo., and Ind. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7007).
Owens & Minor, Mechanicsville, Va., is being awarded a maximum $100,000,000 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, back-up prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Ga., Ala., Mass., N.C., Va., Miss., Tenn., Okla., Texas, Fla., Md., La., and N.J. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7008).
American Medical Depot, Opa Locka, Fla.*, is being awarded a maximum $100,000,000 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, back-up prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other location of performance is Fla. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7009).
Owens & Minor, Mechanicsville, Va., is being awarded a maximum $100,000,000 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, back-up prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Colo., Miss., Calif., Okla., Ariz., Utah, Ill., Iowa, Minn., Neb., Ore., and Washington. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7010).
Cardinal Health 200 Inc., McGaw Park, Ill., is being awarded a maximum $100,000,000 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, back-up prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Minn., Neb. Ariz., Miss., Calif., Washington, Colo., Kan., Utah and Ark. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7011).
UNITED STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND
Horizon Lines, LLC, of Charlotte, N.C. 28211-3487, is being awarded a $100,000,000.00 fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for sea and intermodal freight service between U.S. West Coast Ports to/from Hawaii, U.S. West Coast Ports to/from Guam, and Alaska Ports to/from Guam. Work is expected to start Mar. 16, 2009 and the contract is expected to be completed Nov. 2009. Orders placed against this contract will be funded at the time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition with four bids received. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., 62225, (HTC711-09-D-0010).
American Roll-On Roll-Off Carriers of Park Ridge, NJ 07656, is being awarded a $40,000,000.00 fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for sea and intermodal freight service between U.S. West Coast Ports to/from Guam. Work is expected to start Mar. 16, 2009, and the contract is expected to be completed Nov. 2009. Orders placed against this contract will be funded at the time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition with four bids received. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., 62225, (HTC711-09-D-0009).
Matson Navigation Co., Inc., of Oakland, Calif., 94607, is being awarded a $100,000,000.00 fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for sea and intermodal freight service between U.S. West Coast Ports to/from Hawaii, and U.S. West Coast Ports to/from Guam. Work is expected to start March 16, 2009, and the contract is expected to be completed Nov. 2009. Orders placed against this contract will be funded at the time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition with four bids received. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., 62225, (HTC711-09-D-0008).
Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines, LLC, of Corte Madera, Calif., 94925, is being awarded a $60,000,000.00 fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for sea and intermodal freight service between U.S. West Coast Ports to/from Hawaii. Work is expected to start March 16, 2009, and the contract is expected to be completed Nov. 2009. Orders placed against this contract will be funded at the time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition with four bids received. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., 62225, (HTC711-09-D-0007).
NAVY
Horus Vision, LLC*, San Bruno, Calif., is being awarded a not-to-exceed ceiling $49,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement, delivery, maintenance, and logistical support of the Scout Sniper Observation Telescope (SSOT). The SSOT is a lightweight variable power telescope tripod mounted devise that will replace the out-dated M49 Sniper 20x power fixed telescope throughout the United States Marine Corps. This contract is a five year IDIQ contract with a not-to-exceed value of $49,000,000, with a minimum buy of 100 SSOT systems within the first year. Work will be performed in San Bruno, Calif., and is expected to be completed by five years from date of contract award. The information contained in this announcement is unclassified. Contract funds in the amount of$7,810,335 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured, with proposals solicited via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online, with five offers received. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity for contract number (M67854-09-D-1016).
TLD America Corp., Windsor, Conn., is being awarded a $39,540,902 fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for the procurement of Large Landbased Tow Tractors (LLTTs) which are used to safely move aircraft weighing up to 350,000 lbs. This contract provides for a minimum quantity of five pilot production units and up to 200 production LLTTs. In addition this contract provides for associated technical and logistics data and training in support of the LLTT. Work will be performed in Sherbrooke, QC, Canada, and is expected to be completed in Feb. 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured by electronic request for proposals and five offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-09-D-0093).
McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $10,416,712 cost plus fixed fee, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to provide program management, logistics, and engineering services and incidental materials and technical data in support of F/A-18 aircraft of the Governments of Switzerland, Finland, Canada, Kuwait, Australia, Malaysia, and Spain F/A-18 aircraft program. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo., and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. This contract combines purchases for the Governments of Switzerland ($3,182,560; 30.55 percent); Finland ($2,220,600; 21.32 percent); Canada ($1,621,000; 15.56 percent), Kuwait ($1,297,000; 12.45 percent); Australia ($927,200; 8.90 percent); Malaysia ($806,352; 7.74 percent); and Spain ($362,000; 3.48 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-09-D-0010).
General Electric Co., Aircraft Engines Business Group, Lynn, Mass., is being awarded a $6,387,870 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed price contract (N00019-06-C-0088) to provide technical, engineering and component life cycle management in support of the Fiscal Year 2009 F414-GE-400 Engine Component Improvement Program. The F414-GE-400 engine powers the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft. Work will be performed in Lynn, Mass., (90 percent); Johnson City, N.Y., (4 percent); East Aurora, N.Y., (4 percent); and Evendale, Ohio, (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
ARMY
Alliant Lake City Small Caliber Ammunition Company Co., LLC, Independence, Mo., was awarded on Feb 12, 2009, a $7,371,596 firm fixed price requirements contract for which project funds will modify the basic mechanical and electrical refurbishment to accommodate the green bullet design. Work is to be performed at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, Independence, Mo., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (DAAA09-99-D-0016).
Benchmark Contracting, Inc., Las Vegas, Nev., was awarded on Feb. 12, 2009, a $5,720,000 firm fixed price contract. The project is an 18,000 square foot dining facility that will be constructed using a pre-engineered building with reinforced foundation and floor slab, structural steel frames, metal exterior walls, standing seam metal roof, all required utilities, communication support, fire detection/protections, parking, site improvements, landscaping, and all other necessary support. Work is to be performed at Creech Air Force Base, Clark County, Nev., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 15, 2009. Bids were solicited on the Web with 20 bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles, Calif., is the contracting activity (W912PL-09-C-0005).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is modifying a cost plus award fee contract with Lockheed Martin-Integrated Systems and Solutions, Colorado Springs, Colo., for an estimated $7,343,360. This contract action awards the continuing systems engineering and program management support for the CCIC2s program under the Integrated Space Command and Control. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 850 ELSG/PK, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the contracting activity (F19628-00-C-0019, P00155).
United Technologies, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a minimum $120,526,032 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity, sole source contract for engines. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Navy and Air Force. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification is exercising the fifth option period of a ten-year contract with a three-year base period and provisions for seven one-year option periods. The date of performance completion is Feb. 14, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Richmond, Richmond, Va., (SPM400-01-D-9405).
Pepco Energy Services, Inc., Arlington, Va., is being awarded a maximum $7,623,859 firm fixed price contract for electrical services. Other locations of performance are Md., and New Jersey. Using services are Army, Air Force, and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 81 proposals solicited with 16 responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jun. 30, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-05-G-8029 D.O. 0011).
Owens & Minor, Mechanicsville, Va., is being awarded a maximum $396,081,495 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Pa., Mich., Tenn., Va., Ill., N.J., Ky., Ind., N.C., Md., and Wis. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Federal Civilian Agencies, Coast Guard, and other Non-DoD Agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7000).
Cardinal Health 200 Inc., McGaw Park, Ill., is being awarded a maximum $396,081,495 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Md., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Tenn., Ill., Mo., Mass., N.J., Minn., Ind., Ky., and Mich. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7001).
Owens & Minor, Mechanicsville, Va., is being awarded a maximum $206,681,129 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Ga., Ala., Mass., N.C., Va., Miss., Tenn., Okla., Texas, Fla., Md., La., and New Jersey. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7002).
Cardinal Health 200 Inc., McGaw Park, Ill., is being awarded a maximum $206,681,129 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Fla., Texas, N.C., La., Tenn., and Ga. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian cgencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7003).
Owens & Minor, Mechanicsville, Va. is being awarded a maximum $201,422,492 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Colorado, Missouri, California, Oklahoma, Arizona, Utah, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with 2 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is October 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM200-05-D-7004).
Cardinal Health 200 Inc., McGaw Park, Ill. is being awarded a maximum $201,422,492 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Minnesota, Nebraska, Arizona, Missouri, California, Washington, Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Arkansas. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with 2 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is October 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM200-05-D-7005).
Owens & Minor, Mechanicsville, Va., is being awarded a maximum $100,000,000 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Penn., Mich., Tenn., Va., Ill., N.J., Ky., Ind., N.C., Md., and Wis. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7006).
Midwest Medical Supply Co., Earth City, Mo.*, is being awarded a maximum $100,000,000 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, back-up prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Conn., Ill., Mo., and Ind. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7007).
Owens & Minor, Mechanicsville, Va., is being awarded a maximum $100,000,000 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, back-up prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Ga., Ala., Mass., N.C., Va., Miss., Tenn., Okla., Texas, Fla., Md., La., and N.J. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7008).
American Medical Depot, Opa Locka, Fla.*, is being awarded a maximum $100,000,000 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, back-up prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other location of performance is Fla. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7009).
Owens & Minor, Mechanicsville, Va., is being awarded a maximum $100,000,000 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, back-up prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Colo., Miss., Calif., Okla., Ariz., Utah, Ill., Iowa, Minn., Neb., Ore., and Washington. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7010).
Cardinal Health 200 Inc., McGaw Park, Ill., is being awarded a maximum $100,000,000 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery, back-up prime vendor contract for medical and surgical supplies. Other locations of performance are Minn., Neb. Ariz., Miss., Calif., Washington, Colo., Kan., Utah and Ark. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies, Coast Guard, and other non-DoD agencies. The original proposal was FedBizOps solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the second option period. The date of performance completion is Oct. 19, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM200-05-D-7011).
UNITED STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND
Horizon Lines, LLC, of Charlotte, N.C. 28211-3487, is being awarded a $100,000,000.00 fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for sea and intermodal freight service between U.S. West Coast Ports to/from Hawaii, U.S. West Coast Ports to/from Guam, and Alaska Ports to/from Guam. Work is expected to start Mar. 16, 2009 and the contract is expected to be completed Nov. 2009. Orders placed against this contract will be funded at the time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition with four bids received. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., 62225, (HTC711-09-D-0010).
American Roll-On Roll-Off Carriers of Park Ridge, NJ 07656, is being awarded a $40,000,000.00 fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for sea and intermodal freight service between U.S. West Coast Ports to/from Guam. Work is expected to start Mar. 16, 2009, and the contract is expected to be completed Nov. 2009. Orders placed against this contract will be funded at the time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition with four bids received. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., 62225, (HTC711-09-D-0009).
Matson Navigation Co., Inc., of Oakland, Calif., 94607, is being awarded a $100,000,000.00 fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for sea and intermodal freight service between U.S. West Coast Ports to/from Hawaii, and U.S. West Coast Ports to/from Guam. Work is expected to start March 16, 2009, and the contract is expected to be completed Nov. 2009. Orders placed against this contract will be funded at the time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition with four bids received. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., 62225, (HTC711-09-D-0008).
Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines, LLC, of Corte Madera, Calif., 94925, is being awarded a $60,000,000.00 fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for sea and intermodal freight service between U.S. West Coast Ports to/from Hawaii. Work is expected to start March 16, 2009, and the contract is expected to be completed Nov. 2009. Orders placed against this contract will be funded at the time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition with four bids received. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., 62225, (HTC711-09-D-0007).
NAVY
Horus Vision, LLC*, San Bruno, Calif., is being awarded a not-to-exceed ceiling $49,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement, delivery, maintenance, and logistical support of the Scout Sniper Observation Telescope (SSOT). The SSOT is a lightweight variable power telescope tripod mounted devise that will replace the out-dated M49 Sniper 20x power fixed telescope throughout the United States Marine Corps. This contract is a five year IDIQ contract with a not-to-exceed value of $49,000,000, with a minimum buy of 100 SSOT systems within the first year. Work will be performed in San Bruno, Calif., and is expected to be completed by five years from date of contract award. The information contained in this announcement is unclassified. Contract funds in the amount of$7,810,335 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured, with proposals solicited via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online, with five offers received. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity for contract number (M67854-09-D-1016).
TLD America Corp., Windsor, Conn., is being awarded a $39,540,902 fixed price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for the procurement of Large Landbased Tow Tractors (LLTTs) which are used to safely move aircraft weighing up to 350,000 lbs. This contract provides for a minimum quantity of five pilot production units and up to 200 production LLTTs. In addition this contract provides for associated technical and logistics data and training in support of the LLTT. Work will be performed in Sherbrooke, QC, Canada, and is expected to be completed in Feb. 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured by electronic request for proposals and five offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-09-D-0093).
McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $10,416,712 cost plus fixed fee, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to provide program management, logistics, and engineering services and incidental materials and technical data in support of F/A-18 aircraft of the Governments of Switzerland, Finland, Canada, Kuwait, Australia, Malaysia, and Spain F/A-18 aircraft program. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo., and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. This contract combines purchases for the Governments of Switzerland ($3,182,560; 30.55 percent); Finland ($2,220,600; 21.32 percent); Canada ($1,621,000; 15.56 percent), Kuwait ($1,297,000; 12.45 percent); Australia ($927,200; 8.90 percent); Malaysia ($806,352; 7.74 percent); and Spain ($362,000; 3.48 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-09-D-0010).
General Electric Co., Aircraft Engines Business Group, Lynn, Mass., is being awarded a $6,387,870 modification to a previously awarded firm fixed price contract (N00019-06-C-0088) to provide technical, engineering and component life cycle management in support of the Fiscal Year 2009 F414-GE-400 Engine Component Improvement Program. The F414-GE-400 engine powers the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft. Work will be performed in Lynn, Mass., (90 percent); Johnson City, N.Y., (4 percent); East Aurora, N.Y., (4 percent); and Evendale, Ohio, (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
ARMY
Alliant Lake City Small Caliber Ammunition Company Co., LLC, Independence, Mo., was awarded on Feb 12, 2009, a $7,371,596 firm fixed price requirements contract for which project funds will modify the basic mechanical and electrical refurbishment to accommodate the green bullet design. Work is to be performed at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, Independence, Mo., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (DAAA09-99-D-0016).
Benchmark Contracting, Inc., Las Vegas, Nev., was awarded on Feb. 12, 2009, a $5,720,000 firm fixed price contract. The project is an 18,000 square foot dining facility that will be constructed using a pre-engineered building with reinforced foundation and floor slab, structural steel frames, metal exterior walls, standing seam metal roof, all required utilities, communication support, fire detection/protections, parking, site improvements, landscaping, and all other necessary support. Work is to be performed at Creech Air Force Base, Clark County, Nev., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 15, 2009. Bids were solicited on the Web with 20 bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles, Calif., is the contracting activity (W912PL-09-C-0005).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is modifying a cost plus award fee contract with Lockheed Martin-Integrated Systems and Solutions, Colorado Springs, Colo., for an estimated $7,343,360. This contract action awards the continuing systems engineering and program management support for the CCIC2s program under the Integrated Space Command and Control. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 850 ELSG/PK, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the contracting activity (F19628-00-C-0019, P00155).
'Honest Abe' Served Nation as Captain Lincoln
By Renee Hylton
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2009 - Many people know Abraham Lincoln as the 16th American president or the man who brought an end to slavery. But not many know of his military service. Abraham Lincoln, who is considered by many historians and political scientists to be the greatest U.S. president, was born 200 years ago yesterday in a one-room Kentucky log cabin.
"Honest Abe" was the real thing -- a self-educated man of the people who rose to greatness, guiding the country through the long and bloody Civil War that marked his presidency.
Many historians believe the outcome of the war might have been different if Lincoln had not been president. Over the years, historians have speculated that without Lincoln's political skills, northern states would have agreed to make peace rather than seek victory on the battlefield.
Between his inauguration in 1861 and his assassination in 1865, Lincoln became a student of military tactics and strategy. However, Lincoln was not without military experience of his own. In 1832, he served in the Illinois militia for three months during the Black Hawk War.
Lincoln, known for his humor and willingness to poke fun at himself, downplayed his military service. He once declared in a congressional debate: "I fought, bled, and came away. ... I had a good many bloody struggles with the mosquitoes."
In addition to serving as a private, Lincoln also was elected company commander. During this time, many militia companies elected their officers.
Thirty years later, his three months in the field as an officer and a private likely influenced his attitude toward the great armies of citizen-soldiers -- who fought on both sides in the Civil War.
As the nation celebrates the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth, the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War is not far behind. It probably will be commemorated, in the words of Lincoln's second inaugural address, now chiseled on the walls of his memorial, "with malice toward none, with charity for all."
(Renee Hylton is a historian for the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 13, 2009 - Many people know Abraham Lincoln as the 16th American president or the man who brought an end to slavery. But not many know of his military service. Abraham Lincoln, who is considered by many historians and political scientists to be the greatest U.S. president, was born 200 years ago yesterday in a one-room Kentucky log cabin.
"Honest Abe" was the real thing -- a self-educated man of the people who rose to greatness, guiding the country through the long and bloody Civil War that marked his presidency.
Many historians believe the outcome of the war might have been different if Lincoln had not been president. Over the years, historians have speculated that without Lincoln's political skills, northern states would have agreed to make peace rather than seek victory on the battlefield.
Between his inauguration in 1861 and his assassination in 1865, Lincoln became a student of military tactics and strategy. However, Lincoln was not without military experience of his own. In 1832, he served in the Illinois militia for three months during the Black Hawk War.
Lincoln, known for his humor and willingness to poke fun at himself, downplayed his military service. He once declared in a congressional debate: "I fought, bled, and came away. ... I had a good many bloody struggles with the mosquitoes."
In addition to serving as a private, Lincoln also was elected company commander. During this time, many militia companies elected their officers.
Thirty years later, his three months in the field as an officer and a private likely influenced his attitude toward the great armies of citizen-soldiers -- who fought on both sides in the Civil War.
As the nation celebrates the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth, the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War is not far behind. It probably will be commemorated, in the words of Lincoln's second inaugural address, now chiseled on the walls of his memorial, "with malice toward none, with charity for all."
(Renee Hylton is a historian for the National Guard Bureau.)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Satellite Collision Debris May Affect Space Operations, Cartwright Says
By Air Force Master Sgt. Adam M. Stump
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - The collision yesterday of two communication satellites has left a debris pattern that may affect future space operations, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said at a symposium here today co-sponsored by the George C. Marshall Institute and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Space Enterprise Council. U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, speaking on the national security ramifications of the collision between an American and a Russian satellite, said the event shows the need for better information sharing and space situational awareness.
The American satellite, owned by Iridium Satellite of Bethesda, Md., weighed about 1,200 pounds and collided with a Russian satellite that had been nonoperational for more than a decade. The crash happened 491 miles above Siberia. The collision was confirmed when the active U.S. satellite did not report in and the debris field was picked up by sensors.
"My worry is that debris field is going to be up there for about a year, so we're going to have to play a little bit of dodgeball," Cartwright said. "It's going to be a problem because it will take a month or two for the debris to settle down and for us to understand the scope of the field to be able to track it and understand where at least the larger objects are."
The debris will be around for some time because the satellites were in a high orbit around the earth, Cartwright said. Once the debris field has stabilized, there will be a pattern that all countries can use to navigate around, he said.
"It's a field of debris out there that's going to be out there for many years," he said. "The good news is once it's stabilized, it's relatively predictable. The bad news is, it's a large area. If we're denied that large area for use, it becomes a problem."
Many of the commercial and national security satellites, particularly communications satellites, rely on certain spacing between other objects in order to be effective, Cartwright said. Losing a spot because of debris could have a financial or operational impact on anyone wanting to use the space, he said.
"If that's going to be long term, that's a problem for us," he said.
The general said he hopes the incident will result in a better exchange of satellite orbit data between countries.
"I'd like to be able to find a way, not only with Russia, but with other nations to make sure that our exchange of data is more complete," he said. "We would be remiss to not take advantage of this and turn it into good."
The growing number of satellites require improved information sharing, Cartwright said. "It is a crowded place out there today," he said. "There is just no way around that. The need, first and foremost, for better situational awareness out there is something you have to actively pursue."
The need for space situational awareness has changed drastically in recent years, the general said. "It was acceptable five years ago to know something was out there and check on it every couple weeks," he said. "Those days are just not tolerable anymore."
Whereas countries previously could wait a few days or weeks to get satellites stabilized in their orbits, the current congestion in space pushes that timeframe down to seconds and minutes, he said.
(Air Force Master Sgt. Adam M. Stump is assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - The collision yesterday of two communication satellites has left a debris pattern that may affect future space operations, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said at a symposium here today co-sponsored by the George C. Marshall Institute and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Space Enterprise Council. U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, speaking on the national security ramifications of the collision between an American and a Russian satellite, said the event shows the need for better information sharing and space situational awareness.
The American satellite, owned by Iridium Satellite of Bethesda, Md., weighed about 1,200 pounds and collided with a Russian satellite that had been nonoperational for more than a decade. The crash happened 491 miles above Siberia. The collision was confirmed when the active U.S. satellite did not report in and the debris field was picked up by sensors.
"My worry is that debris field is going to be up there for about a year, so we're going to have to play a little bit of dodgeball," Cartwright said. "It's going to be a problem because it will take a month or two for the debris to settle down and for us to understand the scope of the field to be able to track it and understand where at least the larger objects are."
The debris will be around for some time because the satellites were in a high orbit around the earth, Cartwright said. Once the debris field has stabilized, there will be a pattern that all countries can use to navigate around, he said.
"It's a field of debris out there that's going to be out there for many years," he said. "The good news is once it's stabilized, it's relatively predictable. The bad news is, it's a large area. If we're denied that large area for use, it becomes a problem."
Many of the commercial and national security satellites, particularly communications satellites, rely on certain spacing between other objects in order to be effective, Cartwright said. Losing a spot because of debris could have a financial or operational impact on anyone wanting to use the space, he said.
"If that's going to be long term, that's a problem for us," he said.
The general said he hopes the incident will result in a better exchange of satellite orbit data between countries.
"I'd like to be able to find a way, not only with Russia, but with other nations to make sure that our exchange of data is more complete," he said. "We would be remiss to not take advantage of this and turn it into good."
The growing number of satellites require improved information sharing, Cartwright said. "It is a crowded place out there today," he said. "There is just no way around that. The need, first and foremost, for better situational awareness out there is something you have to actively pursue."
The need for space situational awareness has changed drastically in recent years, the general said. "It was acceptable five years ago to know something was out there and check on it every couple weeks," he said. "Those days are just not tolerable anymore."
Whereas countries previously could wait a few days or weeks to get satellites stabilized in their orbits, the current congestion in space pushes that timeframe down to seconds and minutes, he said.
(Air Force Master Sgt. Adam M. Stump is assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs Office.)
Project Sanctuary Provides Retreat for Military Families
By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - Whether it's sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows in the winter or standing in the middle of a creek fishing during the summer, a Colorado troop-support group is promising a week-long retreat full of fun and relaxation for 80 deserving military families this year. Project Sanctuary will give the military families a five-night, all-expenses-paid, therapeutic retreat in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The retreats will be co-hosted by the YMCA of the Rockies at the Snow Mountain Ranch near Winter Park, Colo.
"The stress on military families is enormous," Kristi Kinnison, director of development at Project Sanctuary, said. "We want to honor and help these families, relieving the stresses that they feel as a result of deployment."
Founded in November 2007, Project Sanctuary began offering military retreats in 2008 to support returning troops by strengthening the family as a whole. Combining medical and psychological services with group dynamics, team building, personal care and coping skills, these retreats offer fun, enjoyable, constructive opportunities for service personnel to reconnect with their loved ones, while providing support for positive reintegration into civilian life, Kinnison said.
Eight retreats are planned for this year, and 10 to 12 families will go together on each retreat. Snow Mountain Ranch allows each family to have its own cabin and then join the group at least daily in a lodge that houses the staff and volunteers. The lodge is the central meeting point for the entire retreat.
"Putting the families together helps them to know that they are not alone," Kinnison said. "Having the families experience a retreat together creates lasting support systems, creating a network with other families. Another benefit of bringing the families together helps bring different service branches together."
The retreats are based on using leisure, recreation and play to reduce barriers to participation and provide opportunities where the individual and families may choose to participate.
"All retreats will help families find peace within everyday rituals, including preparing meals and doing dishes," Kinnison said. "In the summertime, we take families hiking, white-water rafting, horseback riding and rock climbing, [and we also have] hay rides and roast marshmallows around campfires. In the winter, families go skiing, tubing [and] snowmobiling, experience sleigh rides, and build snowmen. Each family is given ample time to do their own thing and the facility is ideal as it includes many other recreational facilities."
Michelle Bruce, who attended the retreat last year with her husband, Air Force Tech. Sgt. David D. Bruce, and their three children, said she initially was skeptical of the retreat.
"We wondered what the organization was trying to sell," Bruce said. "To our complete surprise, we truly enjoyed ourselves. It was so wonderful. My husband, Dave, had just returned from deployment, a week prior to us going. As with many families, we were having a bit of a hard time reintegrating back to living together. The retreat was so fun, relaxing and romantic for Dave and me. It was truly life-changing for all of us."
Michelle Briggs, whose husband, Robert Briggs, is in the Iowa National Guard's 224th Combat Engineers, agreed.
"Bob was severely injured when a [rocket-propelled grenade] entered his [forward operating base] in Ramadi, Iraq," she said. "I have always been searching for retreats or meetings on how to help our family rebuild.
"For our family," Briggs continued, "Project Sanctuary was a hope with help of rebuilding our family, to show our kids that their dad is getting better, that he is still their dad. While we were there, our entire family hiked up a mountain, some two miles, and we did it as a whole family. We fished as a whole family again. We did everything as a whole family. This is what we are trying to do to help our family be whole again."
All retreats are in Colorado, and most participants reside in Colorado. Project Sanctuary tries to include at least one out-of-state family per retreat.
Program officials take retreat applications on a first-come, first-served basis. All servicemembers are considered, but servicemembers who recently have returned from deployment are ideal candidates, Kinnison said. Families may apply for a retreat by filling out an application at the Project Sanctuary Web site.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - Whether it's sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows in the winter or standing in the middle of a creek fishing during the summer, a Colorado troop-support group is promising a week-long retreat full of fun and relaxation for 80 deserving military families this year. Project Sanctuary will give the military families a five-night, all-expenses-paid, therapeutic retreat in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The retreats will be co-hosted by the YMCA of the Rockies at the Snow Mountain Ranch near Winter Park, Colo.
"The stress on military families is enormous," Kristi Kinnison, director of development at Project Sanctuary, said. "We want to honor and help these families, relieving the stresses that they feel as a result of deployment."
Founded in November 2007, Project Sanctuary began offering military retreats in 2008 to support returning troops by strengthening the family as a whole. Combining medical and psychological services with group dynamics, team building, personal care and coping skills, these retreats offer fun, enjoyable, constructive opportunities for service personnel to reconnect with their loved ones, while providing support for positive reintegration into civilian life, Kinnison said.
Eight retreats are planned for this year, and 10 to 12 families will go together on each retreat. Snow Mountain Ranch allows each family to have its own cabin and then join the group at least daily in a lodge that houses the staff and volunteers. The lodge is the central meeting point for the entire retreat.
"Putting the families together helps them to know that they are not alone," Kinnison said. "Having the families experience a retreat together creates lasting support systems, creating a network with other families. Another benefit of bringing the families together helps bring different service branches together."
The retreats are based on using leisure, recreation and play to reduce barriers to participation and provide opportunities where the individual and families may choose to participate.
"All retreats will help families find peace within everyday rituals, including preparing meals and doing dishes," Kinnison said. "In the summertime, we take families hiking, white-water rafting, horseback riding and rock climbing, [and we also have] hay rides and roast marshmallows around campfires. In the winter, families go skiing, tubing [and] snowmobiling, experience sleigh rides, and build snowmen. Each family is given ample time to do their own thing and the facility is ideal as it includes many other recreational facilities."
Michelle Bruce, who attended the retreat last year with her husband, Air Force Tech. Sgt. David D. Bruce, and their three children, said she initially was skeptical of the retreat.
"We wondered what the organization was trying to sell," Bruce said. "To our complete surprise, we truly enjoyed ourselves. It was so wonderful. My husband, Dave, had just returned from deployment, a week prior to us going. As with many families, we were having a bit of a hard time reintegrating back to living together. The retreat was so fun, relaxing and romantic for Dave and me. It was truly life-changing for all of us."
Michelle Briggs, whose husband, Robert Briggs, is in the Iowa National Guard's 224th Combat Engineers, agreed.
"Bob was severely injured when a [rocket-propelled grenade] entered his [forward operating base] in Ramadi, Iraq," she said. "I have always been searching for retreats or meetings on how to help our family rebuild.
"For our family," Briggs continued, "Project Sanctuary was a hope with help of rebuilding our family, to show our kids that their dad is getting better, that he is still their dad. While we were there, our entire family hiked up a mountain, some two miles, and we did it as a whole family. We fished as a whole family again. We did everything as a whole family. This is what we are trying to do to help our family be whole again."
All retreats are in Colorado, and most participants reside in Colorado. Project Sanctuary tries to include at least one out-of-state family per retreat.
Program officials take retreat applications on a first-come, first-served basis. All servicemembers are considered, but servicemembers who recently have returned from deployment are ideal candidates, Kinnison said. Families may apply for a retreat by filling out an application at the Project Sanctuary Web site.
MILITARY CONTRACTS February 12, 2009
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to ITT Corp., of Clifton, New Jersey for a maximum of $99,867,795 which covers the contract for 36 months. This action will support foreign military sales to Turkey. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 542 CBSSS/PKS, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8540-09-C-0002).
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to Research Associates for Defense Conversion, Inc. of Marcy, N.Y. for a maximum of $8,681,323. This action will provide design, develop and test advanced technical audio technology software to meet current and future audio exploitation requirements in support of both military and law enforcement missions. At this time, only $2,818,089 has been obligated. Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, New York is the contracting activity (FA8750-09-C-0067).
DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY
ActioNet Inc., Fairfax, Va., is being awarded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with firm-fixed-price and cost reimbursable line items. The contract is for support personnel to implement and maintain the portion of the DISA Information System Infrastructure over which the DISA Information Systems Center has operational responsibility, known as the Core Enterprise Network (CORENet). The total ceiling of this contract is $78,660,729 over the two year base period plus three (one year) options. The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, National Capital Region, is the contracting activity (HC1047-09-D-0001).
ARMY
Lobar, Inc., Dillsburg, Pa., was awarded on Feb 11, 2009, an $11,435,000 firm fixed price contract for construction of an Army Reserve Center at Letterkenny, Pa. Estimated completion date is Jun 30, 2010. Bids were solicited on FedBizOpps with 11 bids received. Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting agency (W912QR-09-C-0018).
Hutchinson Industries, Trenton, N.J., was awarded on Feb. 11, 2009, a $9,602,715.43 firm fixed price contract for wheel and tire assemblies, potential quantity: 9,863. Work is to be performed at Trenton, N.J., with an estimated completion date of Dec 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid received. Tank & Automotive Command-Warren, Mich., is the contracting agency (W56HZV-09-C-0288).
Army Armaments Incorporated, Hunt Valley, Md., was awarded on Feb. 11, 2009, a $9,323,216 cost plus fixed fee contract modification that exercises options for additional engineering services hours for Laser Designator Low Rate Initial Production and Tactical Common Data Link Interoperability Compliance and Universal Ground Control Station / Universal Ground Data Terminal Integration in support of the Shadow 200 Unmanned Aerial System. Work is to be performed at Hunt Valley, Md., with an estimated completion date of Apr. 30, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0033).
NAVY
Northrop Grumman Corp., Electronic Systems Defensive Systems Div., Rolling Meadows, Ill., is being awarded a $10,339,316 cost plus fixed fee, firm fixed fixed price indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to provide software and hardware upgrades and services in support of the Litening Targeting Pod used for the EA-6B, AV-8B and F/A-18 aircraft. Services to be provided include defining requirements, designing functional enhancements, testing developmental operational flight programs (OFPs), delivery of six completed OFPs for Fleet use, and incidental services, studies, analysis and demonstrations. The estimated level of effort for this contract is 22,341 man-hours. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Ill., (75 percent) and China Lake, Calif., (25 percent), and is expected to be completed in Feb. 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity (N68936-09-D-0022).
MKI Systems Woodbridge, Va., is being awarded a $9,268,615 task order to provide professional technical support to the Ground Transportation and Engineer Systems (GTES), MRAP JPMO. This includes contractor support directly to the PM; MRAP Category I, Category II, and Category III Leaders; Systems Integration and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) Manager; PM for Spiral Development; Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Manager and Functional Leaders for Acquisition, Logistics, Engineering, Test & Evaluation and Safety. This effort builds upon existing contract support that will remain in place. The MRAP Vehicle Program has seen significant increases in the numbers of vehicles required, the volume of activities associated with Acquisition Category (ACAT) 1D transition and the demands for rapid acquisition and fielding of MRAP vehicles. Contract support under this task order will include comprehensive professional program management services for all MRAP vehicles and associated systems. Key support includes preparation and updates of ACAT 1D acquisition documentation and other business and administrative services; engineering services and requirements analysis including spiral technology development/insertion; GFE integration; test and evaluation; production support; logistics analysis support, FMS and JPMO security. Many of the programs under this PM include high priority United States Marine Corps (USMC), Joint Service and FMS requirements with extensive Congressional, Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Navy (DoN) and USMC interest. Work will be performed in Stafford, Va. Work is expected to be completed in Nov. 2009. Contract funds will expire: $9,268,615 on 30 Sept. 2009. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-02-A-9008-0071).
Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Pascagoula, Miss., is being awarded an $8,999,980 modification to previously awarded contract for systems engineering, design and technical services to support the detail design and construction of the DDG 1000 Zumwalt Class Destroyers. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Miss., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-06-C-2304).
EG&G Technical Services, Inc. Germantown, Md., is being awarded an $8,900,613 task order to provide immediate and on-going acquisition and technical support to the Joint Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Program (JMVP). This includes contractor support directly to the Joint Program Manager (JPM), deputies, and product and functional team leaders. This effort will include comprehensive Joint Program Management services for all MRAP vehicles and systems, systems engineering and production support, test and evaluation, integration, transportation, logistics, and acquisition management support. Key events include expedited testing, integration, fielding, and training for MRAP vehicles; concurrent integration of system and component improvements to both MRAP and related low density vehicles, and comprehensive assessments, selection, and fielding of other Improvised Explosive Device (IED) countermeasure equipment, all in response to Urgent Universal Needs Statements (UUNS) generated by the Operating Forces (OPFORs). The Secretary of Defense designated the JMVP the highest priority DoD acquisition program. The program has exceptionally high Congressional, DoD, and joint Service interest and requires a highly competent and agile program management structure to respond to a myriad of urgent and priority requests for information and action. The program has transitioned from a Component rapid deployment capability to an ACAT ID program that is currently producing, fielding, upgrading, and sustaining life-saving vehicles for Warfighters. Work will be performed in Stafford, VA. Work is expected to be completed in November 2009. Contract funds will expire on Sept. 30, 2009. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-02-A-9011-0076).
Nan Inc., dba Ocean House Builders, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819, is being awarded firm fixed price Task Order 0004 at $8,825,260 under an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity design-build multiple award construction contract for construction of a new Youth Center at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Work will be performed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Hawaii, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (contract number N62478-08-D-4009).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Thermo Pac LLC, Stone Mountain, Ga., is being awarded a maximum $23,473,590 firm fixed price contract for various food items. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Navy, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. There were originally 30 proposals solicited with 3 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Feb. 13, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z135).
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to ITT Corp., of Clifton, New Jersey for a maximum of $99,867,795 which covers the contract for 36 months. This action will support foreign military sales to Turkey. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 542 CBSSS/PKS, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8540-09-C-0002).
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to Research Associates for Defense Conversion, Inc. of Marcy, N.Y. for a maximum of $8,681,323. This action will provide design, develop and test advanced technical audio technology software to meet current and future audio exploitation requirements in support of both military and law enforcement missions. At this time, only $2,818,089 has been obligated. Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, New York is the contracting activity (FA8750-09-C-0067).
DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY
ActioNet Inc., Fairfax, Va., is being awarded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with firm-fixed-price and cost reimbursable line items. The contract is for support personnel to implement and maintain the portion of the DISA Information System Infrastructure over which the DISA Information Systems Center has operational responsibility, known as the Core Enterprise Network (CORENet). The total ceiling of this contract is $78,660,729 over the two year base period plus three (one year) options. The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, National Capital Region, is the contracting activity (HC1047-09-D-0001).
ARMY
Lobar, Inc., Dillsburg, Pa., was awarded on Feb 11, 2009, an $11,435,000 firm fixed price contract for construction of an Army Reserve Center at Letterkenny, Pa. Estimated completion date is Jun 30, 2010. Bids were solicited on FedBizOpps with 11 bids received. Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting agency (W912QR-09-C-0018).
Hutchinson Industries, Trenton, N.J., was awarded on Feb. 11, 2009, a $9,602,715.43 firm fixed price contract for wheel and tire assemblies, potential quantity: 9,863. Work is to be performed at Trenton, N.J., with an estimated completion date of Dec 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid received. Tank & Automotive Command-Warren, Mich., is the contracting agency (W56HZV-09-C-0288).
Army Armaments Incorporated, Hunt Valley, Md., was awarded on Feb. 11, 2009, a $9,323,216 cost plus fixed fee contract modification that exercises options for additional engineering services hours for Laser Designator Low Rate Initial Production and Tactical Common Data Link Interoperability Compliance and Universal Ground Control Station / Universal Ground Data Terminal Integration in support of the Shadow 200 Unmanned Aerial System. Work is to be performed at Hunt Valley, Md., with an estimated completion date of Apr. 30, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0033).
NAVY
Northrop Grumman Corp., Electronic Systems Defensive Systems Div., Rolling Meadows, Ill., is being awarded a $10,339,316 cost plus fixed fee, firm fixed fixed price indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to provide software and hardware upgrades and services in support of the Litening Targeting Pod used for the EA-6B, AV-8B and F/A-18 aircraft. Services to be provided include defining requirements, designing functional enhancements, testing developmental operational flight programs (OFPs), delivery of six completed OFPs for Fleet use, and incidental services, studies, analysis and demonstrations. The estimated level of effort for this contract is 22,341 man-hours. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Ill., (75 percent) and China Lake, Calif., (25 percent), and is expected to be completed in Feb. 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity (N68936-09-D-0022).
MKI Systems Woodbridge, Va., is being awarded a $9,268,615 task order to provide professional technical support to the Ground Transportation and Engineer Systems (GTES), MRAP JPMO. This includes contractor support directly to the PM; MRAP Category I, Category II, and Category III Leaders; Systems Integration and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) Manager; PM for Spiral Development; Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Manager and Functional Leaders for Acquisition, Logistics, Engineering, Test & Evaluation and Safety. This effort builds upon existing contract support that will remain in place. The MRAP Vehicle Program has seen significant increases in the numbers of vehicles required, the volume of activities associated with Acquisition Category (ACAT) 1D transition and the demands for rapid acquisition and fielding of MRAP vehicles. Contract support under this task order will include comprehensive professional program management services for all MRAP vehicles and associated systems. Key support includes preparation and updates of ACAT 1D acquisition documentation and other business and administrative services; engineering services and requirements analysis including spiral technology development/insertion; GFE integration; test and evaluation; production support; logistics analysis support, FMS and JPMO security. Many of the programs under this PM include high priority United States Marine Corps (USMC), Joint Service and FMS requirements with extensive Congressional, Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Navy (DoN) and USMC interest. Work will be performed in Stafford, Va. Work is expected to be completed in Nov. 2009. Contract funds will expire: $9,268,615 on 30 Sept. 2009. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-02-A-9008-0071).
Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Pascagoula, Miss., is being awarded an $8,999,980 modification to previously awarded contract for systems engineering, design and technical services to support the detail design and construction of the DDG 1000 Zumwalt Class Destroyers. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Miss., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-06-C-2304).
EG&G Technical Services, Inc. Germantown, Md., is being awarded an $8,900,613 task order to provide immediate and on-going acquisition and technical support to the Joint Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Program (JMVP). This includes contractor support directly to the Joint Program Manager (JPM), deputies, and product and functional team leaders. This effort will include comprehensive Joint Program Management services for all MRAP vehicles and systems, systems engineering and production support, test and evaluation, integration, transportation, logistics, and acquisition management support. Key events include expedited testing, integration, fielding, and training for MRAP vehicles; concurrent integration of system and component improvements to both MRAP and related low density vehicles, and comprehensive assessments, selection, and fielding of other Improvised Explosive Device (IED) countermeasure equipment, all in response to Urgent Universal Needs Statements (UUNS) generated by the Operating Forces (OPFORs). The Secretary of Defense designated the JMVP the highest priority DoD acquisition program. The program has exceptionally high Congressional, DoD, and joint Service interest and requires a highly competent and agile program management structure to respond to a myriad of urgent and priority requests for information and action. The program has transitioned from a Component rapid deployment capability to an ACAT ID program that is currently producing, fielding, upgrading, and sustaining life-saving vehicles for Warfighters. Work will be performed in Stafford, VA. Work is expected to be completed in November 2009. Contract funds will expire on Sept. 30, 2009. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-02-A-9011-0076).
Nan Inc., dba Ocean House Builders, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819, is being awarded firm fixed price Task Order 0004 at $8,825,260 under an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity design-build multiple award construction contract for construction of a new Youth Center at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Work will be performed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Hawaii, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (contract number N62478-08-D-4009).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Thermo Pac LLC, Stone Mountain, Ga., is being awarded a maximum $23,473,590 firm fixed price contract for various food items. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Navy, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. There were originally 30 proposals solicited with 3 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Feb. 13, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-06-D-Z135).
Electronic Warfare Offers New Jobs for Tech-savvy Professionals
By Jamie Findlater
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - A new career field makes room for 1,600 full-time electronic warfare professionals for the active-duty Army, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard, a senior officer said yesterday during a Defense Department Bloggers Roundtable conference call. The "29-series" electronic warfare specialty became an official career path Jan. 26, said Col. Laurie G. Moe Buckhout, chief of the electronic warfare division in Army Operations, Readiness and Mobilization.
"There's been a sea change, a huge paradigm shift in the understanding of electronic warfare," she said. "For decades, it's been run from the air, and now that you have an asymmetric ground battle -- not the Cold War anymore -- people are beginning to understand that there are a plethora of targets in any square kilometer on the ground, ... and we have to protect ourselves and be able to attack from a ground point of view."
Creation of the career field gives the Army the largest professional electronic warfare cadre of all of the services, and arguably one of the largest among the NATO countries, Buckhout said.
The new positions will be distributed throughout the force, from the four-star-command level down to battalions, and most electronic warfare practitioners will be in brigade combat teams, she added.
"A brigade combat team will have an enlisted, warrant, and officer at each team who is in charge of the nonkinetics within the targeting cell," Buckout explained. "[The Army's Training and Doctrine Command] spent a couple of years analyzing this beast inside and out, and the final analysis was we simply have to have electronic warfare officers, and the Army has to bite the bullet in force structure to build them in."
An electronic warfare noncommissioned officer can rise to be a sergeant major, a warrant officer can rise to be the W-4 or W-5 rank, and a commissioned officer can rise to be a lieutenant colonel or colonel, Buckhout said.
A number of pilot courses are running at Fort Sill, Okla., to train soldiers in the field of electronic warfare. One officer pilot course has been completed, another is under way, and warrant and enlisted courses are planned for April, the colonel said.
"We're getting a whole lot of volunteers from the field every day," she said. "NCOs, officers and warrants all want to play in this, because they see it as certainly the way ahead to go from kinetics to non kinetics."
The young officers and enlisted soldiers looking to join the career field see it as a way to expand into whole new technologies, Buckhout told the bloggers.
The colonel cited the words of President Barack Obama in explaining the new direction. "We must adapt and make tradeoffs among systems originally designed for the Cold War and those required for current and future challenges," she said, quoting Obama. "We need greater investment in advanced technology, ... like unmanned aerial vehicles and electronic warfare capabilities."
The Army's new electronic warfare career field puts those words to work, Buckhout said. "Like the new commander in chief said," she told the bloggers, "this is a way to get out of old-style Cold War business and to get into something new. That is right in line with the Army way ahead, our mantra is change."
For two years, Fort Sill has been running a skill-identifier course to train interested servicemembers, some of whom are Navy and Air Force members who have been filling necessary electronic warfare slots for the Army.
"They have trained a couple of thousand joint personnel, and in fact, all of the Navy and Air Force guys who go over to theater to fill in as Army [electronic warfare officers] go through those courses, because they do such a good job and bring them up to speed on ground [electronic warfare]."
Ground electronic warfare is different, she said, because of the need to find very specific target areas.
"The Air Force and the Navy have for a long time been flying high-altitude, airborne electronic attack capabilities ... that have a huge footprint on the ground," Buckhout explained. Many of these capabilities were designed to suppress enemy air defense, protecting strategic assets, bombers and long-range strike capabilities from ground-to-air missiles and other ground-to-air threats.
"If we want to go after a target on the ground,... or if we want to stop an [improvised explosive device] from blowing up,... [for the] Air Force or the Navy airborne platforms, it's like trying to hit a mosquito with a sledgehammer."
The Army needs to "apply surgical on-the-ground assets to complement the capability of emitters and collectors to target enemy communications," she added.
In future years, Buckhout explained, the career field will continue to grow.
"The field first started with IEDs as the focal point, but we quickly learned that they were just the tip of the iceberg," she said. "We are seeing electronic attacks [on communications]. We're seeing directed energy capabilities. We're seeing laser capabilities. We have something called active denial systems that puts out a directed energy pulse that is harmless, but not something you want to get in front of.
"There's a whole lot of technology in the area. Again, it's not something that most folks are reading about in the Washington Post..., but it's actually very accessible. It's at high-technology levels that can be quickly used by the services."
For more information, soldiers can contact Army Lt. Col. Frederick Harper at the Computer-Network Operations-Electronic Warfare Proponent at 913-684-8538 or frederick-harper@us.army.mil, or Army Lt. Col. James Looney, Fires Center of Excellence director of training and doctrine, at 580-442-2832 or james.looney@us.army.mil.
(Jamie Findlater works in the Defense Media Activity's new media directorate.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - A new career field makes room for 1,600 full-time electronic warfare professionals for the active-duty Army, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard, a senior officer said yesterday during a Defense Department Bloggers Roundtable conference call. The "29-series" electronic warfare specialty became an official career path Jan. 26, said Col. Laurie G. Moe Buckhout, chief of the electronic warfare division in Army Operations, Readiness and Mobilization.
"There's been a sea change, a huge paradigm shift in the understanding of electronic warfare," she said. "For decades, it's been run from the air, and now that you have an asymmetric ground battle -- not the Cold War anymore -- people are beginning to understand that there are a plethora of targets in any square kilometer on the ground, ... and we have to protect ourselves and be able to attack from a ground point of view."
Creation of the career field gives the Army the largest professional electronic warfare cadre of all of the services, and arguably one of the largest among the NATO countries, Buckhout said.
The new positions will be distributed throughout the force, from the four-star-command level down to battalions, and most electronic warfare practitioners will be in brigade combat teams, she added.
"A brigade combat team will have an enlisted, warrant, and officer at each team who is in charge of the nonkinetics within the targeting cell," Buckout explained. "[The Army's Training and Doctrine Command] spent a couple of years analyzing this beast inside and out, and the final analysis was we simply have to have electronic warfare officers, and the Army has to bite the bullet in force structure to build them in."
An electronic warfare noncommissioned officer can rise to be a sergeant major, a warrant officer can rise to be the W-4 or W-5 rank, and a commissioned officer can rise to be a lieutenant colonel or colonel, Buckhout said.
A number of pilot courses are running at Fort Sill, Okla., to train soldiers in the field of electronic warfare. One officer pilot course has been completed, another is under way, and warrant and enlisted courses are planned for April, the colonel said.
"We're getting a whole lot of volunteers from the field every day," she said. "NCOs, officers and warrants all want to play in this, because they see it as certainly the way ahead to go from kinetics to non kinetics."
The young officers and enlisted soldiers looking to join the career field see it as a way to expand into whole new technologies, Buckhout told the bloggers.
The colonel cited the words of President Barack Obama in explaining the new direction. "We must adapt and make tradeoffs among systems originally designed for the Cold War and those required for current and future challenges," she said, quoting Obama. "We need greater investment in advanced technology, ... like unmanned aerial vehicles and electronic warfare capabilities."
The Army's new electronic warfare career field puts those words to work, Buckhout said. "Like the new commander in chief said," she told the bloggers, "this is a way to get out of old-style Cold War business and to get into something new. That is right in line with the Army way ahead, our mantra is change."
For two years, Fort Sill has been running a skill-identifier course to train interested servicemembers, some of whom are Navy and Air Force members who have been filling necessary electronic warfare slots for the Army.
"They have trained a couple of thousand joint personnel, and in fact, all of the Navy and Air Force guys who go over to theater to fill in as Army [electronic warfare officers] go through those courses, because they do such a good job and bring them up to speed on ground [electronic warfare]."
Ground electronic warfare is different, she said, because of the need to find very specific target areas.
"The Air Force and the Navy have for a long time been flying high-altitude, airborne electronic attack capabilities ... that have a huge footprint on the ground," Buckhout explained. Many of these capabilities were designed to suppress enemy air defense, protecting strategic assets, bombers and long-range strike capabilities from ground-to-air missiles and other ground-to-air threats.
"If we want to go after a target on the ground,... or if we want to stop an [improvised explosive device] from blowing up,... [for the] Air Force or the Navy airborne platforms, it's like trying to hit a mosquito with a sledgehammer."
The Army needs to "apply surgical on-the-ground assets to complement the capability of emitters and collectors to target enemy communications," she added.
In future years, Buckhout explained, the career field will continue to grow.
"The field first started with IEDs as the focal point, but we quickly learned that they were just the tip of the iceberg," she said. "We are seeing electronic attacks [on communications]. We're seeing directed energy capabilities. We're seeing laser capabilities. We have something called active denial systems that puts out a directed energy pulse that is harmless, but not something you want to get in front of.
"There's a whole lot of technology in the area. Again, it's not something that most folks are reading about in the Washington Post..., but it's actually very accessible. It's at high-technology levels that can be quickly used by the services."
For more information, soldiers can contact Army Lt. Col. Frederick Harper at the Computer-Network Operations-Electronic Warfare Proponent at 913-684-8538 or frederick-harper@us.army.mil, or Army Lt. Col. James Looney, Fires Center of Excellence director of training and doctrine, at 580-442-2832 or james.looney@us.army.mil.
(Jamie Findlater works in the Defense Media Activity's new media directorate.)
Lynn, Other New Defense Leaders Assume Posts
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - Just like any other federal employee, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III had to in-process through personnel and take the oath of office before starting work this morning, Pentagon officials said. The Senate confirmed Lynn by a vote of 93-4 yesterday. As deputy secretary he will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the department.
Lynn served as the Defense Department's comptroller during the Clinton administration.
The deputy secretary joins three other officials in President Barack Obama's administration who have begun serving in Pentagon posts: Robert Hale, comptroller; Michele Flournoy, undersecretary for policy; and Jeh Charles Johnson as general counsel. The Senate confirmed all three Feb. 9, and they began work the next day, Pentagon officials said.
After leaving the Clinton administration in 2001, Lynn was a senior vice president at the Raytheon Company. Because he served as a lobbyist for the defense contractor, Lynn required a waiver from Obama before being considered as deputy secretary. Concerns about this delayed his confirmation.
Lynn will recuse himself from any Defense Department decisions pertaining to Raytheon, the fifth-largest company doing business with the department with around $12 billion in contracts.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - Just like any other federal employee, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III had to in-process through personnel and take the oath of office before starting work this morning, Pentagon officials said. The Senate confirmed Lynn by a vote of 93-4 yesterday. As deputy secretary he will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the department.
Lynn served as the Defense Department's comptroller during the Clinton administration.
The deputy secretary joins three other officials in President Barack Obama's administration who have begun serving in Pentagon posts: Robert Hale, comptroller; Michele Flournoy, undersecretary for policy; and Jeh Charles Johnson as general counsel. The Senate confirmed all three Feb. 9, and they began work the next day, Pentagon officials said.
After leaving the Clinton administration in 2001, Lynn was a senior vice president at the Raytheon Company. Because he served as a lobbyist for the defense contractor, Lynn required a waiver from Obama before being considered as deputy secretary. Concerns about this delayed his confirmation.
Lynn will recuse himself from any Defense Department decisions pertaining to Raytheon, the fifth-largest company doing business with the department with around $12 billion in contracts.
Oklahoma Guard Aids Community After Devastating Tornado
By Army Capt. Geoff Legler
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - Tornado season in Oklahoma started more than a month early Feb. 10, as a tornado struck the town of Lone Grove. The Category 3 tornado damaged or destroyed more than 100 homes and local businesses and took the lives of at least nine residents.
Local and state emergency management officials spent the evening searching the hardest-hit areas for survivors before forwarding a request to Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry for a limited call-up of Oklahoma National Guard members to assist local law enforcement.
Army 1st Lt. Jeremy Gonzalez and 27 other local Guard members reported yesterday to the Oklahoma Army National Guard Armory in Ardmore, where they received a mission briefing before making the six-mile drive to Lone Grove.
By 10 a.m., the soldiers were providing security at entry control points near the hardest-hit areas of Lone Grove.
Army Spc. Timothy Steely was assigned to an entry control point less than a mile from a 60-unit mobile home park that was destroyed by the half-mile-wide twister.
Steely, who returned from an eight-month deployment to Iraq in October, said he was glad to be of help to people in his local area during this difficult time.
"I spent eight months trying to make Iraq a safer place, and now I am more than happy to be here helping my fellow Oklahomans when they need it most," he said.
That afternoon, Henry thanked the Oklahoma Guard for its quick response and said the citizen-soldiers of Oklahoma are always there when the state and its people need them.
Army Col. Robbie Asher, the Oklahoma Guard's chief of staff, praised the quick response of local Guard members.
"Once again, the men and women of the Oklahoma National Guard have answered the call from their citizens," he said, "and they responded in the most efficient manner that I have witnessed in many years. The Oklahoma National Guard is a community-based organization. We could not exist without the support of our local communities, and we will always be there to support them when they need it most."
Oklahoma Guard soldiers are scheduled to be in Lone Grove until Feb. 16, when the governor will re-evaluate the security situation to determine if they should remain on state active duty any longer.
(Army Capt. Geoff Legler serves in the Oklahoma National Guard public affairs office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - Tornado season in Oklahoma started more than a month early Feb. 10, as a tornado struck the town of Lone Grove. The Category 3 tornado damaged or destroyed more than 100 homes and local businesses and took the lives of at least nine residents.
Local and state emergency management officials spent the evening searching the hardest-hit areas for survivors before forwarding a request to Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry for a limited call-up of Oklahoma National Guard members to assist local law enforcement.
Army 1st Lt. Jeremy Gonzalez and 27 other local Guard members reported yesterday to the Oklahoma Army National Guard Armory in Ardmore, where they received a mission briefing before making the six-mile drive to Lone Grove.
By 10 a.m., the soldiers were providing security at entry control points near the hardest-hit areas of Lone Grove.
Army Spc. Timothy Steely was assigned to an entry control point less than a mile from a 60-unit mobile home park that was destroyed by the half-mile-wide twister.
Steely, who returned from an eight-month deployment to Iraq in October, said he was glad to be of help to people in his local area during this difficult time.
"I spent eight months trying to make Iraq a safer place, and now I am more than happy to be here helping my fellow Oklahomans when they need it most," he said.
That afternoon, Henry thanked the Oklahoma Guard for its quick response and said the citizen-soldiers of Oklahoma are always there when the state and its people need them.
Army Col. Robbie Asher, the Oklahoma Guard's chief of staff, praised the quick response of local Guard members.
"Once again, the men and women of the Oklahoma National Guard have answered the call from their citizens," he said, "and they responded in the most efficient manner that I have witnessed in many years. The Oklahoma National Guard is a community-based organization. We could not exist without the support of our local communities, and we will always be there to support them when they need it most."
Oklahoma Guard soldiers are scheduled to be in Lone Grove until Feb. 16, when the governor will re-evaluate the security situation to determine if they should remain on state active duty any longer.
(Army Capt. Geoff Legler serves in the Oklahoma National Guard public affairs office.)
Vella Gulf Crew Captures More Pirates in Gulf of Aden
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - American forces operating in the Gulf of Aden have foiled another instance of piracy and captured nine suspects, Defense Department officials said today. The Navy's USS Vella Gulf added to its haul of pirates after foiling an attack on the Marshall Islands-registered motor vessel Polaris yesterday, when the crew of the guided-missile cruiser captured seven pirates.
The Vella Gulf is the flagship of Task Force 151, which has been operating in the region since Jan. 8.
The Vella Gulf received a distress call from the motor vessel Premdivya, an Indian-flagged vessel transiting the region, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said. The radio message said the ship was under attack by individuals in a small skiff who were attempting to board the vessel.
The Vella Gulf launched a helicopter to the scene. "When the helicopter arrived, it signaled the skiff to stop immediately," Whitman said. "The skiff did not stop, and so the helicopter fired a warning shot."
The suspects, who are assumed to be Somali, continued to flee. The helicopter crew fired a second warning shot, and the skiff stopped.
"The Vella Gulf and a second destroyer --– the USS Mahan --– closed immediately and intercepted the skiff," Whitman said. "They searched it and seized weapons, including a rocket-propelled-grenade launcher."
The boarding parties took the pirates aboard the Vella Gulf. They will remain aboard the ship until they are transferred to the supply ship USNS Lewis and Clark.
U.S. officials are collecting the necessary evidence and will make a decision regarding further transfers, Whitman said.
The United States signed a memorandum with the government of Kenya to prosecute pirates. "We've not yet had the chance to work out all the details of the implementation," Whitman said.
The spokesman stressed that these men are not prisoners of war and are suspected pirates conducting criminal activity.
"One of the ways we want to stem this type of activity is to ensure there is a cost to being pirates," he said. "We have proceeded with countries in the region to identify ways to bring them to justice."
Anti-piracy American forces in the region are operating under a United Nations Security Council resolution. Countries and organizations around the world are contributing to this effort.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - American forces operating in the Gulf of Aden have foiled another instance of piracy and captured nine suspects, Defense Department officials said today. The Navy's USS Vella Gulf added to its haul of pirates after foiling an attack on the Marshall Islands-registered motor vessel Polaris yesterday, when the crew of the guided-missile cruiser captured seven pirates.
The Vella Gulf is the flagship of Task Force 151, which has been operating in the region since Jan. 8.
The Vella Gulf received a distress call from the motor vessel Premdivya, an Indian-flagged vessel transiting the region, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said. The radio message said the ship was under attack by individuals in a small skiff who were attempting to board the vessel.
The Vella Gulf launched a helicopter to the scene. "When the helicopter arrived, it signaled the skiff to stop immediately," Whitman said. "The skiff did not stop, and so the helicopter fired a warning shot."
The suspects, who are assumed to be Somali, continued to flee. The helicopter crew fired a second warning shot, and the skiff stopped.
"The Vella Gulf and a second destroyer --– the USS Mahan --– closed immediately and intercepted the skiff," Whitman said. "They searched it and seized weapons, including a rocket-propelled-grenade launcher."
The boarding parties took the pirates aboard the Vella Gulf. They will remain aboard the ship until they are transferred to the supply ship USNS Lewis and Clark.
U.S. officials are collecting the necessary evidence and will make a decision regarding further transfers, Whitman said.
The United States signed a memorandum with the government of Kenya to prosecute pirates. "We've not yet had the chance to work out all the details of the implementation," Whitman said.
The spokesman stressed that these men are not prisoners of war and are suspected pirates conducting criminal activity.
"One of the ways we want to stem this type of activity is to ensure there is a cost to being pirates," he said. "We have proceeded with countries in the region to identify ways to bring them to justice."
Anti-piracy American forces in the region are operating under a United Nations Security Council resolution. Countries and organizations around the world are contributing to this effort.
Pacific Command Boss Shares Strategic Goals
By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - U.S. Pacific Command remains vigilant toward the Chinese military while also working toward building a cooperative relationship, Pacom's top officer told Defense Department bloggers and online journalists yesterday. "When I talk to Chinese military and diplomatic leaders about the growth of their military, they come back and say to me [that] all they want to do is protect what is theirs, Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating said during a Defense Department Bloggers Roundtable conference call. "We certainly understand that as a strategic goal. We share that same strategic goal."
Keating said Pacom officials are encouraging China to work with them. "We want them to understand that there is plenty of area for us to cooperate so as to develop better understanding between their military and ours," the admiral said.
Despite a willingness to work with China's military, Keating said, Pacom still is watching the development of Chinese submarine technology closely. "We're keeping a very close eye on both their numbers, their quantity and their quality," Keating said. "Their quantity is increasing gradually; their quality is not insignificant."
He added that the U.S. Navy enjoys a dramatic technological advantage over all other countries that have submarines. More than 250 submarines maneuver in Pacom's area of responsibility on a given day, Keating said.
Meeting challenges in the Pacific, however, requires multiple partnerships, Keating said. The Asia-Pacific region is home to more than 3.5 billion people, and it encompasses more than half of the Earth's surface. Pacom officials are working on multilateral solutions with all allies, partners and other countries in the region so that they can meet challenges together, he said.
"We are committed to security, stability and prosperity," Keating said. "A word that we hear from time to time by other countries in our AOR is they want to be a part of the 'coalition of the committed,' not just part of the 'coalition of the willing,' and we think that is a good phrase."
To encourage that growth, every day, "members of our command are taking part in bilateral and multilateral activities that support Pacific Command's commitment to an engagement strategy based on partnership, readiness and presence," Keating said.
Keeping maritime domain and the lanes of commerce open and accessible is one of the principal goals for partner nations, Keating said.
"Tens of millions of containers transit the waters of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean each year," he said. "Our interest in maritime domain security is profound." Roughly 80 percent of the oil that passes through the Strait of Malacca is bound for China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, he added.
To help increase understanding of Pacom's mission, Keating pointed the bloggers to the command's social media presence.
"We're embracing the new technology," he said. "The value we place upon our ability to spread information in an accurate, timely manner ... is very high. And we're doing our best to use the media that are available - to use old and new."
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the Defense Media Activity's new media directorate.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - U.S. Pacific Command remains vigilant toward the Chinese military while also working toward building a cooperative relationship, Pacom's top officer told Defense Department bloggers and online journalists yesterday. "When I talk to Chinese military and diplomatic leaders about the growth of their military, they come back and say to me [that] all they want to do is protect what is theirs, Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating said during a Defense Department Bloggers Roundtable conference call. "We certainly understand that as a strategic goal. We share that same strategic goal."
Keating said Pacom officials are encouraging China to work with them. "We want them to understand that there is plenty of area for us to cooperate so as to develop better understanding between their military and ours," the admiral said.
Despite a willingness to work with China's military, Keating said, Pacom still is watching the development of Chinese submarine technology closely. "We're keeping a very close eye on both their numbers, their quantity and their quality," Keating said. "Their quantity is increasing gradually; their quality is not insignificant."
He added that the U.S. Navy enjoys a dramatic technological advantage over all other countries that have submarines. More than 250 submarines maneuver in Pacom's area of responsibility on a given day, Keating said.
Meeting challenges in the Pacific, however, requires multiple partnerships, Keating said. The Asia-Pacific region is home to more than 3.5 billion people, and it encompasses more than half of the Earth's surface. Pacom officials are working on multilateral solutions with all allies, partners and other countries in the region so that they can meet challenges together, he said.
"We are committed to security, stability and prosperity," Keating said. "A word that we hear from time to time by other countries in our AOR is they want to be a part of the 'coalition of the committed,' not just part of the 'coalition of the willing,' and we think that is a good phrase."
To encourage that growth, every day, "members of our command are taking part in bilateral and multilateral activities that support Pacific Command's commitment to an engagement strategy based on partnership, readiness and presence," Keating said.
Keeping maritime domain and the lanes of commerce open and accessible is one of the principal goals for partner nations, Keating said.
"Tens of millions of containers transit the waters of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean each year," he said. "Our interest in maritime domain security is profound." Roughly 80 percent of the oil that passes through the Strait of Malacca is bound for China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, he added.
To help increase understanding of Pacom's mission, Keating pointed the bloggers to the command's social media presence.
"We're embracing the new technology," he said. "The value we place upon our ability to spread information in an accurate, timely manner ... is very high. And we're doing our best to use the media that are available - to use old and new."
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the Defense Media Activity's new media directorate.)
Army Recruiting Remains on Track Despite Challenges
By J.D. Leipold
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - Despite challenges in recruiting 17- to 24-year-olds, Army leaders said yesterday the service is on track to meet recruiting goals this year, and will not lower standards to do so. The Army faces major challenges in recruiting from the under-24 demographic group, due to education, health and conduct deficiencies, said Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, commanding general of U.S. Army Accessions Command.
Those challenges, he told reporters at a Pentagon media roundtable discussion, disqualify seven of 10 military applicants.
"We think education is a strategic issue for the country," Freakley said. "Nationally, we have a 70 percent high school graduation rate. We have not lowered our standards, but the goals from the Office of the Secretary of Defense are that 90 percent of those who come in the all-volunteer force have graduated from high school."
Last year, 83 percent of Army recruits were high school graduates.
"Our second challenge is with health," Freakley said. "Of 32 million 17- to 24-year-olds, 3.2 million of them are childhood obese -- that's 10 percent. Several years ago, one in 20 Americans was obese, but that's closing in soon on one in four."
Freakley said many of those 3.2 million have childhood diabetes or muscular skeletal issues and that the youth of today have 8 percent less bone mass, which translates to stress fractures from running and more youth using prescription drugs.
The third issue the Army is facing is bad conduct. Young people disqualify themselves from entering the military because of events that happened in middle or high school.
"We're trying to change the landscape as we look and work in this environment," the general said. "Educationally, we have a program, 'March to Success' which helps young people get online and do better with standardized tests.
"We have a 'Planning for Life' program where we go into schools and talk about strong bodies, strong minds, strong souls and try to keep them focused on completing high school," Freakley added. "Our recruiters are getting into schools, serving as role models and counselors, setting standards and examples, so we're working on this in every way we can."
To put the matter in context, Freakley cited two famous war heroes. "Audie Murphy, World War II Medal of Honor awardee, and Alvin York, World War I Medal of Honor awardee, would not be eligible to come into today's Army," he said.
Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, commander of U.S. Army Recruiting Command, said the Army took in 170,000 men and women last year, which is about the size of the population of Newport News, Va.
So far in fiscal 2009, which began in October, the regular Army is at about 105 percent of goal, and the Army Reserve is at 112 percent of its goal, Bostick said.
"It's the best start we've had in about six years," he said. "I'm fully confident we'll accomplish the 78,000 mission for the regular Army and 26,500 mission for the Army Reserves."
Bostick said recruiting has gone especially well in the medical and Special Forces areas, adding that in 2008 a medical recruiting brigade consisting of five medical battalions scattered throughout the country was stood up. He also said the Army has achieved 100 percent success with Special Forces recruiting and created a special missions brigade. Recruitment of chaplains and warrant officers also has been high.
While the poor economy has created hardships on soldiers as it has every American, Bostick said, historically, as unemployment rises, the Army tends to see improvement in some areas of recruiting. Yet, "less than three out of 10 young men and women are qualified to serve, so we still must deal with that, whether it's education, obesity or misconduct as they were growing up."
Even so, he said, the quality of the U.S. soldier has never been better.
"Everyone who serves in the Army is fully qualified to serve. One hundred percent of our soldiers have high school diplomas or GEDs," Bostick said. "The aptitude of our soldiers is higher than the average American walking the streets throughout the cities and towns across America, and eight of 10 soldiers require no waivers."
The general added that the Army has what he considers a very sound process that looks at young Americans and makes the determination that if they made a mistake in their lives and recovered from it, they deserve an opportunity to serve.
For potential recruits who've made more serious mistakes, Bostick said, the applicants go through a 10-level decision process ending with him or another general officer who makes the final determination on suitability, whether the waiver is for medical or character reasons.
Maj. Gen. Arthur M. Bartell, who is charged with recruiting officers as commander of U.S. Army Cadet Command, said the Army was on track to meet its mission of commissioning 4,500 officers for fiscal 2009. For fiscal 2010, that number will increase to 5,100, and in fiscal 2011, officer growth will top out at 5,350.
"More than 60 percent of our lieutenants come through the ROTC program," he said. "In a word, what makes the ROTC experience special is diversity – that's geographic, educational, gender and ethnic diversity. Diversity exposes young Americans to a community of ideas that we find in our traditional college campus environment."
Characteristics of athleticism, high mental aptitude and leadership are characteristics the Army wants its future officers to possess, he said, adding that ROTC is present at 273 colleges and universities and represented in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Bartell said the Army hasn't had to change its standards of quality for new officers, nor does he see that changing in the future, despite recruiting challenges.
(J.D. Leipold works at Army News Service.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - Despite challenges in recruiting 17- to 24-year-olds, Army leaders said yesterday the service is on track to meet recruiting goals this year, and will not lower standards to do so. The Army faces major challenges in recruiting from the under-24 demographic group, due to education, health and conduct deficiencies, said Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, commanding general of U.S. Army Accessions Command.
Those challenges, he told reporters at a Pentagon media roundtable discussion, disqualify seven of 10 military applicants.
"We think education is a strategic issue for the country," Freakley said. "Nationally, we have a 70 percent high school graduation rate. We have not lowered our standards, but the goals from the Office of the Secretary of Defense are that 90 percent of those who come in the all-volunteer force have graduated from high school."
Last year, 83 percent of Army recruits were high school graduates.
"Our second challenge is with health," Freakley said. "Of 32 million 17- to 24-year-olds, 3.2 million of them are childhood obese -- that's 10 percent. Several years ago, one in 20 Americans was obese, but that's closing in soon on one in four."
Freakley said many of those 3.2 million have childhood diabetes or muscular skeletal issues and that the youth of today have 8 percent less bone mass, which translates to stress fractures from running and more youth using prescription drugs.
The third issue the Army is facing is bad conduct. Young people disqualify themselves from entering the military because of events that happened in middle or high school.
"We're trying to change the landscape as we look and work in this environment," the general said. "Educationally, we have a program, 'March to Success' which helps young people get online and do better with standardized tests.
"We have a 'Planning for Life' program where we go into schools and talk about strong bodies, strong minds, strong souls and try to keep them focused on completing high school," Freakley added. "Our recruiters are getting into schools, serving as role models and counselors, setting standards and examples, so we're working on this in every way we can."
To put the matter in context, Freakley cited two famous war heroes. "Audie Murphy, World War II Medal of Honor awardee, and Alvin York, World War I Medal of Honor awardee, would not be eligible to come into today's Army," he said.
Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, commander of U.S. Army Recruiting Command, said the Army took in 170,000 men and women last year, which is about the size of the population of Newport News, Va.
So far in fiscal 2009, which began in October, the regular Army is at about 105 percent of goal, and the Army Reserve is at 112 percent of its goal, Bostick said.
"It's the best start we've had in about six years," he said. "I'm fully confident we'll accomplish the 78,000 mission for the regular Army and 26,500 mission for the Army Reserves."
Bostick said recruiting has gone especially well in the medical and Special Forces areas, adding that in 2008 a medical recruiting brigade consisting of five medical battalions scattered throughout the country was stood up. He also said the Army has achieved 100 percent success with Special Forces recruiting and created a special missions brigade. Recruitment of chaplains and warrant officers also has been high.
While the poor economy has created hardships on soldiers as it has every American, Bostick said, historically, as unemployment rises, the Army tends to see improvement in some areas of recruiting. Yet, "less than three out of 10 young men and women are qualified to serve, so we still must deal with that, whether it's education, obesity or misconduct as they were growing up."
Even so, he said, the quality of the U.S. soldier has never been better.
"Everyone who serves in the Army is fully qualified to serve. One hundred percent of our soldiers have high school diplomas or GEDs," Bostick said. "The aptitude of our soldiers is higher than the average American walking the streets throughout the cities and towns across America, and eight of 10 soldiers require no waivers."
The general added that the Army has what he considers a very sound process that looks at young Americans and makes the determination that if they made a mistake in their lives and recovered from it, they deserve an opportunity to serve.
For potential recruits who've made more serious mistakes, Bostick said, the applicants go through a 10-level decision process ending with him or another general officer who makes the final determination on suitability, whether the waiver is for medical or character reasons.
Maj. Gen. Arthur M. Bartell, who is charged with recruiting officers as commander of U.S. Army Cadet Command, said the Army was on track to meet its mission of commissioning 4,500 officers for fiscal 2009. For fiscal 2010, that number will increase to 5,100, and in fiscal 2011, officer growth will top out at 5,350.
"More than 60 percent of our lieutenants come through the ROTC program," he said. "In a word, what makes the ROTC experience special is diversity – that's geographic, educational, gender and ethnic diversity. Diversity exposes young Americans to a community of ideas that we find in our traditional college campus environment."
Characteristics of athleticism, high mental aptitude and leadership are characteristics the Army wants its future officers to possess, he said, adding that ROTC is present at 273 colleges and universities and represented in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Bartell said the Army hasn't had to change its standards of quality for new officers, nor does he see that changing in the future, despite recruiting challenges.
(J.D. Leipold works at Army News Service.)
Arkansas Guard Supplies Generators to Ice-stricken School District
By Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - Generators from the Arkansas Air National Guard have enabled the school district here to resume classes after an 11-day break. Classes were cancelled after an ice storm swept through northeastern Arkansas Jan. 26. About 500,000 state residents lost power as a result.
Arkansas Guard officials said 13 generators were brought in Feb. 9 from the 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith, on the other side of the state, and hooked up later that day.
The generators were accompanied by 15 unit members, and were set up at both the high school and elementary school campuses.
"These guys came in and did a professional job, and we appreciate them so much," Ed Winberry, the school superintendent, told the Piggott Times. "They left two technicians with us to keep things running smoothly."
He added that only 31 students were absent from classes in an area where power has not returned for many residents.
"Do what you need to do. We'll have school, and if you can't get them here, we understand," Winberry told the parents of absent students.
In addition to power generation, about 150 Arkansas Guard members remain on state active duty to distribute blankets and cots and provide shelter, shower and laundry facilities.
(Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - Generators from the Arkansas Air National Guard have enabled the school district here to resume classes after an 11-day break. Classes were cancelled after an ice storm swept through northeastern Arkansas Jan. 26. About 500,000 state residents lost power as a result.
Arkansas Guard officials said 13 generators were brought in Feb. 9 from the 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith, on the other side of the state, and hooked up later that day.
The generators were accompanied by 15 unit members, and were set up at both the high school and elementary school campuses.
"These guys came in and did a professional job, and we appreciate them so much," Ed Winberry, the school superintendent, told the Piggott Times. "They left two technicians with us to keep things running smoothly."
He added that only 31 students were absent from classes in an area where power has not returned for many residents.
"Do what you need to do. We'll have school, and if you can't get them here, we understand," Winberry told the parents of absent students.
In addition to power generation, about 150 Arkansas Guard members remain on state active duty to distribute blankets and cots and provide shelter, shower and laundry facilities.
(Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Face of Defense: Air Guardsman's Entrepreneurial Approach Earns Safety Award
By Air Force Capt. Lynn Lee
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 11, 2009 - A revolutionary, entrepreneurial approach to safety program management has earned induction into the Air Force Safety Hall of Fame for an Air National Guard officer here. Air Force Lt. Col. Edward Vaughan, former deputy director of safety for the Air National Guard, was recognized at a ceremony here Feb. 6 for his "unique contribution to safety and the U.S. Air Force mishap prevention program ... resulting in enduring and significant advances to safety."
An F-16 fighter pilot, Vaughan previously served combat flying tours with Indiana and New York Air National Guard flying squadrons in Iraq. In 2008, he transferred to the Colorado Guard, but he's currently serving on active duty at the Air War College here, participating in the Center for Strategy and Technology's future studies think tank known as Blue Horizons.
Vaughan credits his "Disruptive Solutions Process" for his widespread success. DSP invests small amounts of resources in many innovative ideas from the field and develops those that show success and return on investment.
An entrepreneurial leader, Vaughan created the joint-service, see-and-avoid, civil and military mid-air collision avoidance Web portal used at more than 100 Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps bases. He also created the online segment of Air Force and joint-service Maintenance Resource Management, which is credited with a 75 percent reduction in Class A accidents due to maintenance. A Class A accident involves loss of life or more than $1 million in damage.
Vaughan also leveraged the Air Force's existing bird aircraft strike hazard capabilities into an interagency avian flu tracking and predicting model. He built an unprecedented interdepartmental team, including experts from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, Department of Agriculture, National Atmospheric and Oceanographic Administration, Centers for Disease Control, Federal Aviation Administration, Defense Department and others. The result is the dBird.us portal, scheduled for integration into existing pandemic prediction programs.
All combined, Vaughan's Air National Guard programs are credited with saving millions of taxpayer dollars, and at least several lives.
Last month, the Defense Safety Oversight Council approved funding to apply an Air National Guard fatigue mitigation program called FlyAwake throughout the Defense Department. The program is another spin-off of Vaughan's DSP process, which originated at the 201st Airlift Squadron of the District of Columbia Air National Guard. This marks the eighth time since 2005 that the DSOC has supported an Air National Guard safety initiative.
Joseph Angello, executive secretary of the DSOC, said the Guard programs continue to receive his support because Vaughan's team reliably delivers.
Vaughan's DSP appears simple in its approach, but it achieves remarkable results.
"To tighten our [observe, orient, decide and act] loop, we've adopted a lean, asymmetric acquisition approach – Contracting 2.0, if you will – pursuing many small solutions from small firms in parallel, often capitalizing on existing commercial technologies," he said. "And by driving the funding requirements and time-to-market for all solutions toward zero, our failures are just as valuable as our successes. If even only one succeeds, then the whole portfolio is productive for the taxpayer."
Vaughan said his team evaluates the best ideas against existing military requirements and then executes the solution. That means working closely with contracting officers, finance experts, academia, the scientific community and other governmental departments to leverage existing capabilities against the new ideas efficiently and effectively.
"It may take the military many years to design, develop, fund and field a major weapons system, like an aircraft," he said. "The acquisition process for these huge programs is mind-numbing. So any opportunity we have to deliver fast, effective capability to warfighters right now is a must-do."
Vaughan, who in 2007 became the first Air National Guard member awarded the Air Force Chief of Staff Individual Safety Trophy, said these awards recognize the innovation, hard work and tenacity of the 106,800 men and women of the Air National Guard.
"Those dedicated warfighters, often deployed in harm's way around the globe, expect and deserve the best possible service from their National Guard Bureau," he said. "Our role is simply to bring their visions to a practical reality."
(Air Force Capt. Lynn Lee serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 11, 2009 - A revolutionary, entrepreneurial approach to safety program management has earned induction into the Air Force Safety Hall of Fame for an Air National Guard officer here. Air Force Lt. Col. Edward Vaughan, former deputy director of safety for the Air National Guard, was recognized at a ceremony here Feb. 6 for his "unique contribution to safety and the U.S. Air Force mishap prevention program ... resulting in enduring and significant advances to safety."
An F-16 fighter pilot, Vaughan previously served combat flying tours with Indiana and New York Air National Guard flying squadrons in Iraq. In 2008, he transferred to the Colorado Guard, but he's currently serving on active duty at the Air War College here, participating in the Center for Strategy and Technology's future studies think tank known as Blue Horizons.
Vaughan credits his "Disruptive Solutions Process" for his widespread success. DSP invests small amounts of resources in many innovative ideas from the field and develops those that show success and return on investment.
An entrepreneurial leader, Vaughan created the joint-service, see-and-avoid, civil and military mid-air collision avoidance Web portal used at more than 100 Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps bases. He also created the online segment of Air Force and joint-service Maintenance Resource Management, which is credited with a 75 percent reduction in Class A accidents due to maintenance. A Class A accident involves loss of life or more than $1 million in damage.
Vaughan also leveraged the Air Force's existing bird aircraft strike hazard capabilities into an interagency avian flu tracking and predicting model. He built an unprecedented interdepartmental team, including experts from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, Department of Agriculture, National Atmospheric and Oceanographic Administration, Centers for Disease Control, Federal Aviation Administration, Defense Department and others. The result is the dBird.us portal, scheduled for integration into existing pandemic prediction programs.
All combined, Vaughan's Air National Guard programs are credited with saving millions of taxpayer dollars, and at least several lives.
Last month, the Defense Safety Oversight Council approved funding to apply an Air National Guard fatigue mitigation program called FlyAwake throughout the Defense Department. The program is another spin-off of Vaughan's DSP process, which originated at the 201st Airlift Squadron of the District of Columbia Air National Guard. This marks the eighth time since 2005 that the DSOC has supported an Air National Guard safety initiative.
Joseph Angello, executive secretary of the DSOC, said the Guard programs continue to receive his support because Vaughan's team reliably delivers.
Vaughan's DSP appears simple in its approach, but it achieves remarkable results.
"To tighten our [observe, orient, decide and act] loop, we've adopted a lean, asymmetric acquisition approach – Contracting 2.0, if you will – pursuing many small solutions from small firms in parallel, often capitalizing on existing commercial technologies," he said. "And by driving the funding requirements and time-to-market for all solutions toward zero, our failures are just as valuable as our successes. If even only one succeeds, then the whole portfolio is productive for the taxpayer."
Vaughan said his team evaluates the best ideas against existing military requirements and then executes the solution. That means working closely with contracting officers, finance experts, academia, the scientific community and other governmental departments to leverage existing capabilities against the new ideas efficiently and effectively.
"It may take the military many years to design, develop, fund and field a major weapons system, like an aircraft," he said. "The acquisition process for these huge programs is mind-numbing. So any opportunity we have to deliver fast, effective capability to warfighters right now is a must-do."
Vaughan, who in 2007 became the first Air National Guard member awarded the Air Force Chief of Staff Individual Safety Trophy, said these awards recognize the innovation, hard work and tenacity of the 106,800 men and women of the Air National Guard.
"Those dedicated warfighters, often deployed in harm's way around the globe, expect and deserve the best possible service from their National Guard Bureau," he said. "Our role is simply to bring their visions to a practical reality."
(Air Force Capt. Lynn Lee serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
USS Vella Gulf Crew Captures Pirates in Gulf of Aden
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 11, 2009 - The crew of the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf apprehended seven pirates in the Gulf of Aden today after responding to a distress call from a nearby merchant vessel. The event marks the first time Combined Task Force 151, a multinational effort to fight piracy in the region, has apprehended suspected pirates, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command officials said.
At about 3 p.m., the Marshall Islands-flagged motor vessel Polaris sent a distress call to all ships in the area, reporting that a small skiff containing seven suspected pirates had attempted a forcible boarding of their vessel using a ladder. Polaris crew members removed the ladder before pirates could come aboard, officials said.
Vella Gulf responded immediately and intercepted the skiff and several men on fitting the physical descriptions given by Polaris crew members. A Vella Gulf visit, board, search and seizure team conducted a consensual boarding and found several weapons.
Polaris met up with Vella Gulf, and the crew provided positive visual identification of the suspected pirates. The suspects were brought onboard Vella Gulf, where they were processed and are being held until they are transferred to a temporary holding facility onboard the supply ship USNS Lewis and Clark.
(From a U.S. Naval Forces Central Command news release.)
Feb. 11, 2009 - The crew of the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf apprehended seven pirates in the Gulf of Aden today after responding to a distress call from a nearby merchant vessel. The event marks the first time Combined Task Force 151, a multinational effort to fight piracy in the region, has apprehended suspected pirates, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command officials said.
At about 3 p.m., the Marshall Islands-flagged motor vessel Polaris sent a distress call to all ships in the area, reporting that a small skiff containing seven suspected pirates had attempted a forcible boarding of their vessel using a ladder. Polaris crew members removed the ladder before pirates could come aboard, officials said.
Vella Gulf responded immediately and intercepted the skiff and several men on fitting the physical descriptions given by Polaris crew members. A Vella Gulf visit, board, search and seizure team conducted a consensual boarding and found several weapons.
Polaris met up with Vella Gulf, and the crew provided positive visual identification of the suspected pirates. The suspects were brought onboard Vella Gulf, where they were processed and are being held until they are transferred to a temporary holding facility onboard the supply ship USNS Lewis and Clark.
(From a U.S. Naval Forces Central Command news release.)
Organization Plans 'Valentines for Veterans' Concerts
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 11, 2009 - A nonprofit organization and officials from four Veterans Affairs hospitals joined forces to plan four free "Valentines for Veterans" concerts to show appreciation to veterans and their families. "Our hope is that the concerts will boost awareness of local VA medical centers, increase understanding of the issues facing severely wounded veterans as well as their families, and encourage people to visit hospitalized veterans or consider volunteering at their local VA," Mike Lynch, executive director of Help Hospitalized Veterans, said.
The free concerts -- scheduled for four cities over three days, starting tomorrow -- are for veterans and their families only, Lynch said.
The concerts are part of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week, an official VA program that is celebrated at Veterans Affairs medical centers across the country. Formerly called No Greater Love Week, it dates back as far as 1978. The Valentines for Veterans concert series started in 2007, and was inspired by a love story between a severely wounded Iraq combat veteran and his wife.
Concert organizers met the young man and his wife on Valentine's Day 2006 when he was being treated at the VA medical facility in Prescott, Ariz. They were so compelled by the couple's story that they wanted to do something the following Valentine's Day to honor the two and all the young men and women who have been injured from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
After the success of prior concerts and the overwhelmingly positive reception from veterans, their families and community members alike, concert organizers said they've have already begun looking to add additional cities across the United States for the 2010 series.
This year's concert schedule kicks off tomorrow in Tampa, Fla., where The Spinners and Little Anthony and the Imperials will perform at the Florida State Fairgrounds for an anticipated crowd of 5,000 veterans and family members.
Two concerts are scheduled Feb. 13. More than 1,000 people are expected to enjoy The Tams and The Embers at the Cultural and Civic Auditorium in Charleston, S.C. At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, more than 800 people are expected to enjoy Little Anthony and the Imperials.
On Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, the concert series concludes in Prescott, Ariz., where about 1,500 people are expected to see Russell Thompkins Jr. and The New Stylistics at Yavapai College Performance Hall.
In addition to the Valentines for Veterans concerts, Help Hospitalized Veterans sponsors several other national events with VA, such as the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival and the National Veterans Golden Age Games.
For complimentary concert tickets and more information, contact Lovell Henderson at 216-701-6511.
Feb. 11, 2009 - A nonprofit organization and officials from four Veterans Affairs hospitals joined forces to plan four free "Valentines for Veterans" concerts to show appreciation to veterans and their families. "Our hope is that the concerts will boost awareness of local VA medical centers, increase understanding of the issues facing severely wounded veterans as well as their families, and encourage people to visit hospitalized veterans or consider volunteering at their local VA," Mike Lynch, executive director of Help Hospitalized Veterans, said.
The free concerts -- scheduled for four cities over three days, starting tomorrow -- are for veterans and their families only, Lynch said.
The concerts are part of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week, an official VA program that is celebrated at Veterans Affairs medical centers across the country. Formerly called No Greater Love Week, it dates back as far as 1978. The Valentines for Veterans concert series started in 2007, and was inspired by a love story between a severely wounded Iraq combat veteran and his wife.
Concert organizers met the young man and his wife on Valentine's Day 2006 when he was being treated at the VA medical facility in Prescott, Ariz. They were so compelled by the couple's story that they wanted to do something the following Valentine's Day to honor the two and all the young men and women who have been injured from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
After the success of prior concerts and the overwhelmingly positive reception from veterans, their families and community members alike, concert organizers said they've have already begun looking to add additional cities across the United States for the 2010 series.
This year's concert schedule kicks off tomorrow in Tampa, Fla., where The Spinners and Little Anthony and the Imperials will perform at the Florida State Fairgrounds for an anticipated crowd of 5,000 veterans and family members.
Two concerts are scheduled Feb. 13. More than 1,000 people are expected to enjoy The Tams and The Embers at the Cultural and Civic Auditorium in Charleston, S.C. At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, more than 800 people are expected to enjoy Little Anthony and the Imperials.
On Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, the concert series concludes in Prescott, Ariz., where about 1,500 people are expected to see Russell Thompkins Jr. and The New Stylistics at Yavapai College Performance Hall.
In addition to the Valentines for Veterans concerts, Help Hospitalized Veterans sponsors several other national events with VA, such as the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival and the National Veterans Golden Age Games.
For complimentary concert tickets and more information, contact Lovell Henderson at 216-701-6511.
Air Force Reinstates Good Conduct Medal for Enlisted Members
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 11, 2009 - The Air Force has reinstated its Good Conduct Medal for exemplary service by enlisted airmen, senior military officials announced here today.
Reinstatement of the medal is effective today, officials said. The Air Force Uniform Board announced on Feb. 6, 2006, that the Good Conduct Medal would no longer be awarded. It was thought at the time that the award wasn't needed because nearly all Air Force members are exemplary performers. Previous awardees were permitted to wear the medal.
Meanwhile, the other armed services continued to award Good Conduct Medals to their enlisted members, said Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, chief of the Air Force's manpower, personnel and services directorate.
Airmen -- who often serve in war zones alongside their Army, Navy, and Marine Corps counterparts as part of the joint-force team -- also deserve recognition for their good service, Newton said.
"Airmen are striving to do the very same thing that their battle buddies are doing in other services," the three-star general said.
Award of the Good Conduct Medal to deserving airmen, Newton said, also is part of the Air Force's illustrious heritage.
The idea to reinstate the Good Conduct Medal surfaced during an awards and decorations meeting on Jan. 7, 2008. Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley signed off on the change on Nov. 22.
Airmen generally are eligible to earn the Good Conduct Medal if they exhibit exemplary behavior over a three-year period. The award features a sky-blue ribbon with two vertical red, white and blue stripes. Suspended from the ribbon is a round, golden medal featuring the image of an eagle, around which are inscribed the words, "Efficiency," "Honor" and "Fidelity."
Subsequent awards of the medal are represented by a "cluster" device.
After reintroduction of the Good Conduct Medal was approved, time was required to work out administrative procedures, said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, the Air Force's top noncommissioned officer. Qualified airmen, McKinley said, will receive the award retroactively to 2006.
Some airmen felt that the discontinuance of the Good Conduct Medal was an act of "taking something away" from them, he said. "This is an enlisted medal," McKinley said, "and we are taking care of the enlisted force."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 11, 2009 - The Air Force has reinstated its Good Conduct Medal for exemplary service by enlisted airmen, senior military officials announced here today.
Reinstatement of the medal is effective today, officials said. The Air Force Uniform Board announced on Feb. 6, 2006, that the Good Conduct Medal would no longer be awarded. It was thought at the time that the award wasn't needed because nearly all Air Force members are exemplary performers. Previous awardees were permitted to wear the medal.
Meanwhile, the other armed services continued to award Good Conduct Medals to their enlisted members, said Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, chief of the Air Force's manpower, personnel and services directorate.
Airmen -- who often serve in war zones alongside their Army, Navy, and Marine Corps counterparts as part of the joint-force team -- also deserve recognition for their good service, Newton said.
"Airmen are striving to do the very same thing that their battle buddies are doing in other services," the three-star general said.
Award of the Good Conduct Medal to deserving airmen, Newton said, also is part of the Air Force's illustrious heritage.
The idea to reinstate the Good Conduct Medal surfaced during an awards and decorations meeting on Jan. 7, 2008. Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley signed off on the change on Nov. 22.
Airmen generally are eligible to earn the Good Conduct Medal if they exhibit exemplary behavior over a three-year period. The award features a sky-blue ribbon with two vertical red, white and blue stripes. Suspended from the ribbon is a round, golden medal featuring the image of an eagle, around which are inscribed the words, "Efficiency," "Honor" and "Fidelity."
Subsequent awards of the medal are represented by a "cluster" device.
After reintroduction of the Good Conduct Medal was approved, time was required to work out administrative procedures, said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, the Air Force's top noncommissioned officer. Qualified airmen, McKinley said, will receive the award retroactively to 2006.
Some airmen felt that the discontinuance of the Good Conduct Medal was an act of "taking something away" from them, he said. "This is an enlisted medal," McKinley said, "and we are taking care of the enlisted force."
Defense Language Institute Rolls Out New Programs
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 11, 2009 - The Defense Department's premier language school in Monterey, Calif., has launched several new initiatives designed to foster language and cultural outreach from as close as its backyard all the way to troops stationed in South Korea. One domestically focused program the Defense Language Institute, or DLI, rolled out recently is a weekly AM radio program called Salute to the Armed Forces.
The host, Army Sgt. 1st Class Brian Lamar, said the show is designed to connect military and civilian cultures.
"I want to show the local community that servicemembers are not only defending our nation, but are also real people with families who have many of the same problems in life," he said.
Lamar will interview uniformed servicemember guests on Wednesdays, discussing a range of topics that span military life. In the show's debut last week, two military moms spoke about the difficulties of balancing their military and family lives.
Tonight, Army Sgt. 1st Class Kristi Folowell is slated to speak about her career as a military linguist and her experience in Iraq. A live stream of the show can be heard from 6-8 p.m. at http://www.knry.com/StreamingMain.htm.
Meanwhile, DLI has launched two linguistic and cultural programs that now are accessible to the public.
"Legends and Folktales" is an interactive Web site that features animated versions of stories that form the cultural foundations of nearly three dozen countries. Short, narrated flash-animation films give viewers a rudimentary understanding of some of the ancient stories that still resonate strongly in national identities today. The films are available at http://fieldsupport.lingnet.org/products/LF1.
Similarly, DLI's "Countries in Perspective" is a Web-based tool designed to provide basic facts about countries and their geography, history, economy, society and security arrangements. The program, available at http://www.lingnet.org/areaStudies/perspectives/default.asp, is objective and fact-based, and doesn't editorialize, according to a DLI news release.
DLI officials also announced they've begun testing its Beta version of a Korean language and culture guide. These guides, known as Headstart Programs, already are available in Iraqi, Dari, Pashtu, Farsi and Chinese. The kits provide nonlinguist servicemembers a computer-based, self-paced method of receiving the equivalent of the first two weeks of training that students receive at the DLI campus.
The self-guided program takes 80 to 100 hours to complete, according to a DLI news release, and can be obtained at https://lmds.dliflc.edu/home.aspx.
"After completing the course, soldiers should be able to hit the ground in a new country with enough language skills to conduct business and have limited communication with civilians in the local language," the release states.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 11, 2009 - The Defense Department's premier language school in Monterey, Calif., has launched several new initiatives designed to foster language and cultural outreach from as close as its backyard all the way to troops stationed in South Korea. One domestically focused program the Defense Language Institute, or DLI, rolled out recently is a weekly AM radio program called Salute to the Armed Forces.
The host, Army Sgt. 1st Class Brian Lamar, said the show is designed to connect military and civilian cultures.
"I want to show the local community that servicemembers are not only defending our nation, but are also real people with families who have many of the same problems in life," he said.
Lamar will interview uniformed servicemember guests on Wednesdays, discussing a range of topics that span military life. In the show's debut last week, two military moms spoke about the difficulties of balancing their military and family lives.
Tonight, Army Sgt. 1st Class Kristi Folowell is slated to speak about her career as a military linguist and her experience in Iraq. A live stream of the show can be heard from 6-8 p.m. at http://www.knry.com/StreamingMain.htm.
Meanwhile, DLI has launched two linguistic and cultural programs that now are accessible to the public.
"Legends and Folktales" is an interactive Web site that features animated versions of stories that form the cultural foundations of nearly three dozen countries. Short, narrated flash-animation films give viewers a rudimentary understanding of some of the ancient stories that still resonate strongly in national identities today. The films are available at http://fieldsupport.lingnet.org/products/LF1.
Similarly, DLI's "Countries in Perspective" is a Web-based tool designed to provide basic facts about countries and their geography, history, economy, society and security arrangements. The program, available at http://www.lingnet.org/areaStudies/perspectives/default.asp, is objective and fact-based, and doesn't editorialize, according to a DLI news release.
DLI officials also announced they've begun testing its Beta version of a Korean language and culture guide. These guides, known as Headstart Programs, already are available in Iraqi, Dari, Pashtu, Farsi and Chinese. The kits provide nonlinguist servicemembers a computer-based, self-paced method of receiving the equivalent of the first two weeks of training that students receive at the DLI campus.
The self-guided program takes 80 to 100 hours to complete, according to a DLI news release, and can be obtained at https://lmds.dliflc.edu/home.aspx.
"After completing the course, soldiers should be able to hit the ground in a new country with enough language skills to conduct business and have limited communication with civilians in the local language," the release states.
End Strength Mitigates Army Guard's January Recruiting Shortfall
By Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 11, 2009 - The Army National Guard missed its recruiting goal for January, but it remains slightly over its congressionally mandated end strength of 358,200, an Army Guard official confirmed yesterday. "We're paying a success dividend," said Army Lt. Col. Ron Walls, chief of recruiting and retention for the Army National Guard. "Our numbers are off the program goal, but that's OK, because of where we are with our end strength. We have never been more whole than we are right now from a readiness perspective."
According to figures the Defense Department released yesterday, the Army Guard signed up 4,913 new soldiers, 88 percent of its goal of 5,577 enlistees. The Air National Guard got 896 new airmen, 127 percent of its goal of 703 enlistees.
With 366,009 soldiers currently assigned, the Army Guard is at 102 percent of its end-strength goal for this fiscal year.
Walls said the Army Guard has been able to drive up end strength through its innovative recruiting programs, such as G-RAP and Active First, and re-enlistment rates that have remained steady despite an increasing operational tempo.
"We will focus on where we are," he said. "And right now, we are above in end strength, and our quality marks are stronger than ever, and we will use that to our advantage."
Walls added that the Army Guard's quality marks have not been this high since 2003.
"We are now fine-tuning what we have," he said.
While going after this quality market, Walls said, the Army Guard will continue to "shape our incentives based on funding availability and focus heavily on soldiers in formations already."
"They pay the price," he said. "They are part of a team already, and there are dollars associated with them from a training perspective." Keeping trained soldiers helps with readiness, and "there is goodness in that as well," Walls said.
In the future, Walls predicted, the Army Guard will continue to provide incentives to a variety of populations from high-schoolers to 40-year-olds.
"We're looking at that now as far as innovative measures to reach those populations and give them the opportunity to serve in our formations," he said.
With the nation's focus shifting to the economy, Walls said, the Army Guard must come up with new incentive programs that don't involve money to gain accessions.
And because of that, he said, the Army Guard will not rest on its laurels.
"The ingenuity of the team that we have here at the Guard Bureau is never ending," Walls said. "It's about what we do with what we have right now. And we always have more innovative programs in the hopper."
(Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 11, 2009 - The Army National Guard missed its recruiting goal for January, but it remains slightly over its congressionally mandated end strength of 358,200, an Army Guard official confirmed yesterday. "We're paying a success dividend," said Army Lt. Col. Ron Walls, chief of recruiting and retention for the Army National Guard. "Our numbers are off the program goal, but that's OK, because of where we are with our end strength. We have never been more whole than we are right now from a readiness perspective."
According to figures the Defense Department released yesterday, the Army Guard signed up 4,913 new soldiers, 88 percent of its goal of 5,577 enlistees. The Air National Guard got 896 new airmen, 127 percent of its goal of 703 enlistees.
With 366,009 soldiers currently assigned, the Army Guard is at 102 percent of its end-strength goal for this fiscal year.
Walls said the Army Guard has been able to drive up end strength through its innovative recruiting programs, such as G-RAP and Active First, and re-enlistment rates that have remained steady despite an increasing operational tempo.
"We will focus on where we are," he said. "And right now, we are above in end strength, and our quality marks are stronger than ever, and we will use that to our advantage."
Walls added that the Army Guard's quality marks have not been this high since 2003.
"We are now fine-tuning what we have," he said.
While going after this quality market, Walls said, the Army Guard will continue to "shape our incentives based on funding availability and focus heavily on soldiers in formations already."
"They pay the price," he said. "They are part of a team already, and there are dollars associated with them from a training perspective." Keeping trained soldiers helps with readiness, and "there is goodness in that as well," Walls said.
In the future, Walls predicted, the Army Guard will continue to provide incentives to a variety of populations from high-schoolers to 40-year-olds.
"We're looking at that now as far as innovative measures to reach those populations and give them the opportunity to serve in our formations," he said.
With the nation's focus shifting to the economy, Walls said, the Army Guard must come up with new incentive programs that don't involve money to gain accessions.
And because of that, he said, the Army Guard will not rest on its laurels.
"The ingenuity of the team that we have here at the Guard Bureau is never ending," Walls said. "It's about what we do with what we have right now. And we always have more innovative programs in the hopper."
(Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
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