World War II Veteran Copes with Memories Through Golden Age Games

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

June 5, 2009 - Nearly 65 years ago, Robert Blatnik found himself fighting for his life on a beach in Normandy, France, on what he called a day of miracles for those who survived. Today, Blatnik talks openly about the U.S. and allied invasion on June 6, 1944, as well as other World War II campaigns he was part of. He explains the amphibious landings, the paratroopers overhead, and how, even after all these years, he's still amazed that he lived to tell his experiences. However, it took almost 60 years of harboring those memories before he could ever really open up, he said.

"Up until about six years ago, I couldn't even talk about it," the retired soldier said of his D-Day and World War II experiences. "It was only when I got involved with the [Department of Veterans Affairs] and Golden Age Games that I was able to relate and talk about things."

The VA and National Veterans Golden Age Games have given Blatnik an outlet and release for his painful memories. Meeting fellow World War II veterans, as well as veterans from later wars, has showed him that he's not alone, the Rowlett, Texas, native said. He's learned that other veterans have gone through similar distress.

"I've met these guys from all over the country who've been through all kinds of things," he said. "And going to the VA and taking part in the games has kind of opened me up a little bit."

The energetic 89-year-old talks easily about being missing in action for four days in a North African desert, and says proudly that Gen. George S. Patton wouldn't fight the Germans in Sicily without Blatnik's 1st Infantry Division. He'll tell you how nothing in the world ever will compare to the barrage of German artillery he encountered on D-Day.

Blatnik admits to suffering the occasional flashback of combat or random bout of anger, but the Golden Age Games keep him focused, he said.

"The games are great for guys like me," he said. "There's no better therapy in the world than training for and competing in the Golden Age Games."

Blatnik trains for the games all year to relieve stress and improve his fitness, he said. He swims and exercises six days a week, and this year, in the 23rd annual games, he participated in the shot put, discus, shuffleboard and swimming events, he said proudly.

"I even bought my own discus and shot put to practice with," he said, adding that he also works out at local VA hospital.

Although the competitions can be pretty intense, Blatnik said, obviously nothing compares to the shelling of artillery rounds that greeted him and his fellow troops on D-Day. Omaha Beach was black and smoky and riddled with dust, he said. "How the hell I survived -- how anyone survived and got off that damn beach alive -- is a miracle," he said.

Blatnik eventually was medically retired after being wounded in Cologne, Germany, in November 1944. He retired again from the U.S. Postal Service in Ohio, and then relocated to south Texas where he was a volunteer fireman and paramedic.

He survived some of the bloodiest combat in modern military history, and was awarded the Silver Star and multiple Purple Hearts. He was even given an award in Ohio for rescuing a young couple from a house fire in 1963, he said.

But despite his decades of selfless service and personal sacrifice, it wasn't until he found the Golden Age Games that he felt a sense of closure, he said.

"I owe the VA and the games a lot," he said. "They gave me a way to relate and meet people who understand."

The Golden Age Games are open to all U.S. military veterans ages 55 and older who receive care at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility. The games are co-sponsored by the VA, the Help Hospitalized Veterans non-profit group and the Veterans Canteen Service. The Games also are a qualifying event every other year for the National Senior Olympic Games.

MILITARY CONTRACTS June 5, 2009

NAVY
Jacobs Technology, Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn., is being awarded a $170,647,013 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for system engineering services in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD). Efforts to be provided include design studies and evaluations associated with research, development, production, and operations of weapons and weapons systems. The estimated level of effort for this requirement is 1,727,809 man-hours. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif., (83 percent) and Pt. Mugu, Calif., (17 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic Request for Proposals, with five offers received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity (N68936-09-D-0040).

Adept Process Services, Inc., Imperial Beach, Calif., (N55236-09-D-0003); Delphinus Engineering, Inc., Eddystone, Pa., (N55236-09-D-0005); Epsilon Systems Solutions, Inc., San Diego, Calif., (N55236-09-D-0006); Fraser's Boiler Services, Inc., San Diego, Calif., (N55236-09-D-0007); Integrated Marine Services, Inc., Chula Vista, Calif., (N55236-09-D-0008); Marine Group Boat Works, Inc., Chula Vista, Calif., (N55236-09-D-0009); Miller Marine, Inc., National City, Calif. (N55236-09-D-0010); Nielsen Beaumont Marine, Inc., San Diego, Calif., (N55236-09-D-0011); South Bay Boiler Repair, Inc., National City, Calif., (N55236-09-D-0012), are each being awarded a indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract - Lot I, for marine boatyard services and industrial support for boats, craft, lighterage or service craft less than 50 feet in length. Al Larson Boat Shop, Inc., Terminal Island, Calif., (N55236-09-D-0004); Epsilon Systems Solutions, Inc., San Diego, Calif., (N55236-09-D-0013); Fraser's Boiler Services, Inc., San Diego, Calif., (N55236-09-! D-0014); Marine Group Boat Works, Inc., Chula Vista, Calif., (N55236-09-D-0015); Miller Marine, Inc., National City, Calif., (N55236-09-D-0016); South Bay Boiler Repair, Inc., National City, Calif., (N55236-09-D-0017), are each being awarded a indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract - Lot II, for marine boatyard services and industrial support for boats, craft, lighterage or service craft greater than 50 feet in length. Each contractor shall furnish the necessary management, material support services, labor, supplies, and equipment deemed necessary to provide marine boatyard and industrial support which includes specific modifications, upgrades, service life extension and repairs to non-commissioned boats, craft, lighterage and service craft and their associated systems and periodic maintenance primarily in support of San Diego area Naval Facilities boats, craft, lighterage, and service craft custodians. The maximum value for each contract under Lot I is $58,300,000. The maximum value for each contract under Lot II is $139,000,000. Each contract has four additional option years to be exercised. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., or contractor's facility along the west coast. Work is expected to be completed Jun. 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $27,000 for Lot I! and $18 ,000 for Lot II and contract funds in the amount of $3,000, for minimum obligation for each contract, will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was competitively procured and advertised via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with 20 proposals solicited and 15 offers received. The Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

Sierra Nevada Corp., Sparks, Nev., is being awarded a $36,479,655 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-only contract for production of Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) 3.1 dismounted systems to meet urgent requirements of the Department of Defense in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The dismounted JCREW systems are critical to protecting U.S. personnel from the threat posed by improvised explosive devices. Dismounted JCREW systems are electronic jammers designed to prevent the initiation of radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (RCIED). This contract is for the urgent procurement and support of JCREW systems, to be used by forces in each of the military services of the Central Command area of responsibility. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $248,312,153. Work will be performed in Sparks, Nev. (90 percent) and Rancho Cordova, Calif., (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three proposals solicited and three offers received. Contract funds will not expire at the end o! f the cu rrent fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-C-6306).

Praxis, Inc., Alexandria, Va., is being awarded a $14,159,541 cost-plus-fixed-fee term contract for research, development and engineering support for specialized aerospace systems. The requirement is for highly skilled personnel to support applied research and development programs. The support includes system engineering and applications-oriented activities to preserve and enhance a strong aerospace systems technology base and to provide expert capabilities in the development, acquisition and operation of aerospace systems. This contract contains options, which if exercised, will bring the total cumulative value of this contract to $75,926.335. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., and work is expected to be completed June 2010 (June 2014 with options exercised). Contract funds in the amount of $85,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was competitively procured under Naval Research Laboratory solicitation number N00173-08-R-SE08, for which two offer were received. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00173-09-C-6004).

Marvin Engineering Co., Inc.*, Inglewood, Calif., is being awarded a $9,544,705 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00421-06-C-0050) to exercise an option for 328 production BRU-32B/A ejector bomb racks for the Navy (299) and the Royal Australian Air Force, (29) for the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. Work will be performed in Inglewood, Calif., and is expected to be completed in Jun. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy, ($8,700,813; 91 percent) and the Government of Australia, ($843,892; 9 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va., is being awarded a $7,500,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity cost type contract for services as requested for all specific product areas and specific technical capabilities related to the research and development (R&D) needs of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division. This will entail performing R&D with regard to technologies related to Navy ships and combat systems. Specific tasks will range from applied research, and or exploratory development through technology assessments and engineering studies in support of surface combat systems development. Work will be performed in Blacksburg, Va., and is expected to be completed by May 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Va. is the contracting activity (N00178-09-D-3017).

General Dynamics C4 Systems, Scottsdale, Ariz., is being awarded a $6,782,874 modification to previously awarded time and material contract (M67854-02-C-2052) to increase field service support for the Combat Operations Center for Operation Enduring Freedom. Work will be performed in Afghanistan, and is expected to be completed by May 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

BAE Systems TSS Inc., Rockville, Md., is being awarded a $6,144,776 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-F-B062) to provide engineering, technical, professional and operations support services for the Navy Above-Water Sensors Program. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $2,546,376 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Kaba Mas LLC, Lexington, Ky., is being awarded a maximum $8,919,600 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract for high security digital combination locks. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. The proposal was originally Web solicited with two responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jun. 4, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM5L5-09-D-0058).

AIR FORCE

The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed fee contract with BBN Technologies Corp., of Cambridge, Mass., for an estimated $29,711,669. This action is for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's machine reading program. The purpose of this effort is to develop a prototype machine reading system that transforms prose into knowledge that can be interpreted by an Artificial Intelligence application. At this time, $3,389,759 has been obligated. AFRL/RIKF, Rome, N.Y., is the contracting activity (FA8750-09-C-0179).

New Jersey Group Honors High School Students Joining Military

By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service

June 4, 2009 - During this season of graduation celebrations, high school seniors heading off to college normally are held in high regard by their teachers, families and friends. Sometimes overlooked are those seniors choosing to bypass college to serve their country. A man from Camden, N.J., started a crusade in his community to make sure these seniors also were recognized for their "honorable" career choice of joining the U.S. military.

"To join the military and serve your country is an awesome feat," said Ken Hartman, founder of Our Community Salutes, a troop-support group. "To serve your country at a time of war says a lot about your character and how much you love your country. This should never go unnoticed. Many high schools do not recognize or honor these students. I want this to change."

Hartman, also a member of the Cherry Hill School Board in Camden, decided to set up a committee and began mobilizing businesses, colleges, educators and veterans groups to plan and fund the county's first High School Enlistee Recognition Ceremony. The ceremony took place June 2, honoring 44 Camden County high school seniors who enlisted in the armed forces.

More than 220 people attended the event, including active duty servicemembers, veterans, college representatives, state lawmakers and special guest Army Maj. Gen. William Monk III, commanding general of the 99th Regional Support Command.

Many in attendance said the event was a success.

"These seniors have a tremendous challenge ahead of them," said Army Lt. Col. Ronald Tuczak, commander of the Army Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Battalion. "[Considering] what they are about to undertake, what they are about to be charged with, this event can only inspire them. These kids need all the support they can get, especially from the start. I had to be a part of this. "

Jennifer Grimaldi, a counselor at Haddonfield High School and past president of the Camden County School Counselors Association, also attended the event.

"This was a great opportunity for school counselors to show their support for these students," Grimaldi said. "We really wanted to be a part of this. School counselors support these enlistees just like we support our students going off to college. Both groups will make a positive impact on our world."

Retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Al Bancroft also wanted to thank the seniors' families. "I have so much admiration for these young people," he said. "Their families have given them the support they need to move forward, and I know they will continue to uplift them. I am very proud of all of them."

A Marine Corps brass quartet performed for the reception, which was followed by a dinner ceremony. All parents of enlistees received the pamphlet, "A Parent's Guide to Education in the U.S. Armed Services." Each senior received a proclamation from the state senate and a commemorative gold coin.

"It was a tremendous evening," Hartman said. "The combination of everyone that attended made it perfect for the seniors. This was a chance to recognize all of them before the start of their service. We will continue to do this each year, and hope other communities will follow."

Senior Veterans Forge New Friendships at Golden Age Games

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

June 4, 2009 - At first glance, Angelo Athas and Harry R. Johnson looked as though they'd known each other their entire lives. They looked more like teenagers than senior citizens, talking and laughing and joking as they waited for their turn at shuffleboard. But the truth is they met just this week, and their quick bond developed through mutual experiences in their military service as well as their passion for competing each year in the National Veterans Golden Age Games, they said.

"It seems as though we've known each other for years," said Johnson, 76, a Navy veteran who served during the Korean War era. "That's one thing about the people you meet [at the Golden Age Games]; everyone enjoys each other's company and meeting fellow veterans."

Forging new bonds and reuniting with old friends has been a common theme among the senior veterans competing here this week in the 23rd Annual National Golden Age Games. And although many of them haven't served in the military or been a part of a team in decades, the camaraderie and brotherhood of the military community never really goes away.

Johnson served from 1951 to 1954, spending much of that time on a Navy destroyer in the Pacific Ocean. He said he and his shipmates were like one big family. But he found a new extended family after nearly 54 years when he decided to compete in the Golden Age Games for the first time in 2008, the Chula Vista, Calif., native said.

"This kind of camaraderie and easiness is something you tend to miss from the service once you go into the civilian world," he said, adding how much he's enjoyed being here for his second Golden Age Games.

More than 700 veterans, representing 38 states and every major American conflict from World War II to the Persian Gulf War are participating in this year's games. New bonds are being built at every event, said Athas, an 83-year-old Army and World War II veteran.

Even in the hotel where most of the veterans here are staying, new friendships are being made, as veterans can be found in the lobby and hallways playing dominoes or spades or having a cup of coffee with one another.

"[The Golden Age Games] gives us an opportunity to meet new friends, new acquaintances, and not only that, you have the camaraderie of being fellow veterans," Athas said.

But although they have their military experiences in common, "the old days" aren't talked about as much as one may think, said Athas, a Garland, Texas, native. Just knowing that so many other people can relate is enough to build new friendships, he said.

"We come here not to rehash what we did in the old days," he explained. "We come here to make new memories with our new friends. You look forward to seeing them next year."

The Golden Age Games are open to all U.S. military veterans 55 and older who receive care at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility. The games are co-sponsored by the VA, the Help Hospitalized Veterans nonprofit organization and the Veterans Canteen Service. They also serve as a qualifying event every other year for the National Senior Olympic Games.

Inbound Soldiers Will Help Afghan Mentoring, General Says

By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service

June 4, 2009 - Inbound soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team will be a welcome addition for the Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix mission of mentoring and training Afghan soldiers and police officers, the task force commander said. "I think the additional soldiers, mainly the 4th Brigade out of the 82nd, which is going to be the second brigade to fall under Phoenix, is going to be a great help to allow us to meet the requirements to staff the different ... embedding training teams and police mentor teams," Army Brig. Gen. Steven Huber told participants in a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable June 2.

Huber said the task force's efforts are geared to helping Afghanistan's security forces build sustainable capacity and attain the capability to protect the Afghan populace.

Huber, a 30-year member of the Illinois National Guard, said about 3,000 Guardsmen from Illinois serve in CJTF Phoenix, along with another 4,000 U.S. servicemembers and coalition and Afghan partners.

Despite those numbers, Huber said, the task force lacks the resources to meet all of the current requirements for the police districts that they are asked to cover.

"That causes us to make smaller teams," he explained, "and some -- very few, but some districts ... go uncovered or are delayed in getting their mentors."

When the 82nd Airborne Division brigade arrives, Huber said, CJTF Phoenix should be able to satisfy its current mentoring and training responsibilities. Another brigade may be necessary later if Afghanistan's army continues to grow beyond the current projection of 134,000 soldiers, he said.

Huber said the effort to grow Afghanistan's security forces is on track. "It takes awhile, but training and fielding of units and equipment does take awhile, even in the United States," he said. For example, he said, the effort to equip Afghanistan's security forces with M-16 rifles is about one-third complete, and the Afghans now are receiving other equipment as well, such as Humvees.

"We've just started turning over those to them in lieu of their pickup trucks," he said, "which they really love and prefer to drive."

Noting that a force needs good leaders to be effective, Huber cited the June 2 opening of a new noncommissioned officers academy for Afghan sergeants major and first sergeants as an important development.

"I think that's a huge step towards building an NCO corps that actually runs the army or makes it operate, and then allowing the officers to do the planning and guiding for the military," the general said.

(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)

MILITARY CONTRACTS June 4, 2009

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Hartland Fuel Products, LLC, Onalaska, Wis.*, is being awarded a maximum $54,990,903 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are various military and federal civilian locations in Oklahoma, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Kansas. Using services are Army, Air Force and federal civilian agencies. There were 48 responses to the original proposed solicitation. The date of performance completion is Jun. 30, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-09-D-4533).

Southern Counties Oil, Co.,/dba SC Fuels, Orange, Calif.*, is being awarded a maximum $13,370,337 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are various military and federal civilian locations throughout Midwestern states. Using services are Army and federal civilian agencies. There were 48 responses to the original proposed solicitation. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jun. 30, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-09-D-4538).

ARMY
Eyak Technology, LLC Dulles, Va., was awarded on Jun. 2, 2009 a $42,994,648 commercial firm-fixed-price contract for the Project Manager Defense Wide Transmission Systems, under the auspices of the Project Management Office Defense Communication and Army Transmission Systems, has a requirement to procure, deploy, and maintain 970 Combat Service Support Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATS), manufactured by L-3 Global Communications Systems. These VSATS are for the Army modular was fighting force and other tactical and logistics units, mostly deploys to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. Work is to be performed in Victor, N.Y., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2010. Bids were solicited using ASFI and FedBizOpps with three bids received. Army Contracting Command, Alexandria, Va., is the contracting activity (W91QUZ-09-C-0028).

Jacobs-Tetra Tech EC Joint Venture, Lincoln, Mass., was awarded on Jun. 2, 2009 a $27,188,894 cost reimbursable contract for the total environmental restoration at New Bedford Harbor Superfund site to perform additional work associated with the dredging, treatment, transport, and disposal of the upper harbor of the Acushnet River. Work is to be performed in New Bedford, Mass., with an estimated completion date of May 26, 2013. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with three bids received. Corps of Engineers-New England District, Concord Mass., is the contracting activity (DACW33-03-D-0006).

Tyonek Fabrication Corp., Madison, Ala., was awarded on Jun. 2, 2009 a $6,822,000 firm-fixed-price contract for 344 each, de-ice control and indicator unit, NSN 1680-01-541-1782 / PR 53251000 for the UH-60 A/L Blackhawk. Work is to be performed in Madison, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aviation & Missile Command Contracting Center, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-04-D-0061).

URS Group, Inc., Columbus, Ohio was awarded on Jun. 2, 2009 a $6,065,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the development of 35 percent design documents for the FY11 military construction Army 59044, United States Military Academy Science Center. Work is to be performed in West Point, N.Y., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 2, 2010. Proposals were solicited using FedBizOpps with thirty-two (32) proposals received. Corp of Engineers, CENAN-CT, New York, N.Y., is the contracting activity (W912DS-09-C-0008).

Parsons Infrastructure and Technology Group, Inc., Pasadena, Calif., was awarded on Jun. 1, 2009 a $69,469,476 cost-plus-award-fee (base year) and firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for base operations and services in support of all National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's East facilities to include Bethesda, Washington Navy Yard, and Springfield campuses. Work is to be performed in Bethesda, Md., (35 percent), Springfield, Va., (35 percent), and Washington, D.C., (30 percent) with an estimated completion date of Apr. 28, 2013. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with six bids received. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, ACF-N, Springfield, Va., is the contracting activity (HM0176-09-C-0001).

Bell Helicopter Textron Incorp., Hurst, Texas was awarded on Jun. 1, 2009 a $51,460,178 firm-fixed-price contract for the purchase of 5 each bell helicopter 412EP aircrafts along with logistical support, spare parts package, special tools, and training. Work is to be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (4 percent), Piney Flats, Tenn., (8 percent), and Quebec, Canada (88 percent) with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-09-C-0173).

Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Co., Andover, Mass., was awarded on Jun. 1, 2009 a $5,924,428 cost-plus-fixed-fee, level-of-effort contract for FY09 Patriot engineering services contract option award for 34,963 man-hours effort. Work is to be performed in Andover, Mass., (21.44 percent), Burlington, Mass., (0.24 percent), Huntsville, Ala., (46.17 percent) and Tewksbury, Mass., (32.17%) with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2014. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-09-C-0057).

NAVY
Iridium Government Services, LLC, Tempe Ariz., is being awarded a $21,688,808 indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity cost type contract to provide enhanced Iridium services in support of over-the-horizon, tactical communications in support of expeditionary maneuver warfare and distributed operations. Iridium will provide a communications capability that will support multiple user nets. They will design, develop, fabricate and deliver a distributed tactical communications system to support the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory experimentation. Work will be performed in Bethesda Md., (75 percent and Tempe Ariz., (25 percent)), and is expected to be completed by May 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $200,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Va., is the contracting activity (N00178-09-D-3007).

The Center for Transportation and Environment, Inc., Atlanta, Ga., is being awarded an $8,327,359 cost no fee contract for research and development into hydrogen generation using digester gas, hydrogen fuel cell-powered material handling equipment, and hydrogen fuel cell powered bus at Fort Lewis, Wash. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $8,504,859. Work will be performed at Ft. Lewis, Wash., (25 percent), Chicago, Ill., (20 percent), Allentown, Pa., (20 percent), Golden, Colo., (20 percent), and Latham, N.Y., (15 percent), and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2012. Contract funds in the amount of $7,847,359 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with five offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-09-C-GS18).

Science Applications International Corp., St. Petersburg, Fla., is being awarded a $5,556,809 firm-fixed-price contract for the fabrication, assembly, and testing of compact solid state antennas in support of the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) system, including the Marine Corps Composite Track Network (CTN) and the U.S. Army Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS). The CEC compact solid state antenna is a small, lightweight antenna that supports mobile applications of the CEC system, including the Marine Corps CTN and the U.S. Army JLENS system. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $18,409,860. Work will be performed in St. Petersburg, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Jun. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured through full and open competition via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online and Federal Business Opportunities websites, with two proposals received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-C-5213).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Western Petroleum Co., Eden Prairie, Minn.*, is being awarded a maximum $7,379,126 fixed price with economic price adjustment for fuel. Other locations of performance are various military and federal civilian locations throughout Midwestern states. Using service is Army. There were 48 responses to the original proposed solicitation. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jun. 30, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-09-D-4537).

AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems, Inc. of Bethesda, Md., and L-3 Services, Inc. of Alexandria, Va. This contract action is for the USAFE advisory and assistance services contract shall serve as a vehicle to provide broad technical and analytical services, to support and improve policy development; decision making; management and administration; program and or project management and administration as well as improve the operation of systems. At this time, $5,000 has been obligated. 700 CS, APO, AE is the contracting activity (FA5613-09-D-5001, FA5613-09-D-5000).

The Air Force is awarding a broad agency contract to SRI International, of Menlo Park, Calif., for an estimated $43,796,834. This action is for the development of a prototype machine reading called Flexible Acquisition and Understanding System for text. At this time, $4,000,000 has been obligated. AFRL/RIKF, Rome, New York is the contracting activity (FA8750-09-C-0181).

The Air Force is awarding a cost plus incentive fee contract to Lockheed Martin Corp., of Gaithersburg, Md. This contract action will transfer the satellite broadcast management functions of the Global Broadcast Services to the Defense Enterprise Computing Center with new hardware and software architecture by FY 2010. At this time, $5,931,000 has been obligated. 653 ELSG/KCK, Bedford, Mass., is the contracting activity (FA8726-09-C-0006).

Army Announces Decision To Delay Inactivation of V Corps Headquarters

The Department of the Army announced today that Secretary of the Army Pete Geren has delayed the inactivation of the V Corps Headquarters and the conversion of U.S. Army Europe Headquarters into a deployable field army headquarters. A corps headquarters is the primary organization that synchronizes the operations of Army, joint, and coalition forces within its designated area of responsibility. This decision will allow time for the Army to assess its overall command and control requirements.

The decision is not tied to any other force structure or stationing issues. The one-year retention of V Corps Headquarters in Germany does not fall under the 2005 Base Closure and Realignment Commission, nor will it have any impact on the two heavy brigade combat teams currently stationed in Europe.

This action is part of a larger effort to relieve the extraordinary demands that are being placed on the Army's corps headquarters and that have reduced 'dwell time' to unacceptably low levels. Geren's decision calls for the delay of force structure actions for the V Corps and U.S. Army Europe Headquarters for a period of one year, from July 2009 to July 2010. Under this directive, both organizations will remain in their current approved designs and at current resourcing levels. V Corps Headquarters will maintain its current military authorization of 411 personnel, and U.S. Army Europe Headquarters will retain its current military authorization of 377 personnel.

When the inactivation of V Corps was announced last year, certain staff sections were merged to create efficiencies as the inactivation date approached. The inactivation delay does not affect those mergers.

At this point, V Corps Headquarters will continue to provide oversight of its subordinate units, and will continue to report to the commanding general, U.S. Army Europe. V Corps' priority function will be to ensure units that deploy from Europe for operational missions are trained and ready. Both V Corps and U.S. Army Europe Headquarters will continue to operate under their current structures.

The Army leadership is committed to informing all members of the U.S. Army Europe family (soldiers, family members, civilian employees, and the public) as developments occur.

For more information please call LTC Lee Packnett, Office of Public Affairs, Media Relations Division, (703) 614-2487.

Obama in the Right Place

President Obama spoke in Cairo today.

The military history of Egypt since WWII illustrates everything wrong with the Muslim world today. Over the course of the Cold War, Egypt received billions in Soviet hardware, from small arms to tanks to cutting edge radars. During the 50's and 60's thousands of Soviet advisers helped train the Egyptian army.


In is masterpiece on the subject, Kenneth Pollack detailed Egypt's colossal military failures, not only against Israel, but also in Yemen, where that country was involved in an eight year insurgency. Historian Michael Oren points out that the Vietnam war could easily be called 'America's Yemen'. The Egyptians also failed to live up to their potential in Operation Desert Storm. Two Egyptian divisions fought with American forces. Their officers lacked initiative, insisted in deploying the entire division to attack minor Iraqi positions, and in one case, would not advance without a direct order from President Mubarak.


In his own book, 'The Crossing of the Suez', General Saad el Shazli descibes how the operation was meticulously planned down to the minute, and brilliantly executed. Several divisions were put on the east bank of the canal within 12 hours, and the ensuing counterattack saw the destruction of three Israeli armored brigades. However, after the initial success the Egyptian operation lacked purpose and Egyptian commanders were unable to adapt to Israeli tactical changes. Seeking to take pressure off Syria, whose own offensive had floundered, President Sadat ordered a thrust deep into the Sinai. Israel armor and air power chopped Egyptian armored units to bits. Israel forces, led by the great Arial Sharon, crossed the Suez, and at the Battle of the Chinese Farm, utterly destroyed what remained of the Egyptian army.


The flaws of the army seem to be replicated in the rest of Egyptian society.

Egypt's is a corrupt government, a nation stagnated by judenhaus on one end, and the failed ideology of Arab-Marxism on the other. Any election would no doubt put the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood to office. With no other option the United States supports the cleptocracy of Hosni Mubarak. We also supported the Shah of Iran.

For more about Will, visit http://www.gulfwarone.com/. His novel, 'A Line Through the Desert' can be purchased here.

City in Oklahoma Appoints Ambassador to Military Families

By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service

June 3, 2009 - Having been part of their tightly knit community all her life, Teresa Vance always has had an interest in military families. Her father made a career out of the Army, serving in World War II and Korea. Her husband was a career surface warfare officer in the Navy, and her son spent four years in the Marine Corps. "I have not been in active duty service, but I have served on the home front by supporting my husband's military career, raising two very well-adjusted Navy 'brats' and helping other military families find ways to meet the challenges of the military lifestyle," Vance said.

From 1999 through 2002, Vance had what she considered her "dream job" as a deployment specialist at the Navy Fleet and Family Service Center in Norfolk, Va. This position gave her the opportunity to work with commands, servicemembers and military families.

After her husband's retirement, the couple moved to Lahoma, Okla., outside of Enid, where they both grew up. She quickly accepted a position as Family Readiness Group trainer with the Oklahoma National Guard.

"This gave me an opportunity to still work with military families," Vance said. "Throughout my husband's career, I have been an involved spouse and advocate for quality-of-life issues facing military families. I still wanted that connection after he retired."

Through her work with the Oklahoma National Guard and the Enid City Council, Vance was instrumental in getting the community to start recognizing Military Spouse Appreciation Day and Military Appreciation Month every year.

"She has always advised me on issues relating to military families," Eric Benson, Enid city manager, said. "She has the compassion and she has the drive to get things done. You can depend on her."

Honoring her steadfast work with military families, Vance was appointed last month by the Enid City Commission as Enid's ambassador to military families.

"This new leadership role fits her perfectly," Benson said. "She has always advised me on military issues, so I wanted to make it official. I was a former base commander, and I've known her husband for four years, so I've always known her capabilities. I know the value of her in this new role, and I know she understands the military and the community. It just made good sense to do this."

The goals of Vance's new position are to build upon existing partnerships between the city and servicemembers and families associated with Vance Air Force Base, the National Guard armory and the U.S. Army Reserve Center. She will market and promote Enid to local military families, asking them to participate in events throughout the community. She will survey local military spouse organizations to get their input on issues most important to them, and she'll also act as city representative at military events.

"This ambassadorship is just the latest in a long list of efforts to continually improve the quality of life of servicemembers and their families that live in our community," Vance said. "Enid has always been supportive of our military. We understand the military has an important economic impact on our community and our community's identity. For 41 consecutive years, we've held an enlisted appreciation night."

Vance said she believes she will bring a different perspective to the city's partnership with military families because she really has "been there, done that."

"With my personal background and professional experience, I can relate to the challenges that military families face with each relocation to a new community," Vance said. "My goal is to have military families' stay here in Enid [be] a positive one. A local community's support can have a big impact on a military family's quality of life, whether they are stationed here for a short time or extended duty."

Face of Defense: Paratrooper, Ex-boxer, Earns Citizenship

By Army Spc. Michael J. MacLeod
Special to American Forces Press Service

June 3, 2009 - Irony, our English teachers told us, often is confused with odd coincidence. Just ask Army Pfc. Wenderson Jangada of the 82nd Airborne Division, who will tell you it is ironic that the benefits of enlisting in the U.S. Army can be more significant to immigrants than to citizens. Jangada, who became a U.S. citizen in Raleigh, N.C., on May 22, has a knack for linguistics. Not only does he speak six languages, but he also has written an historic novel about Attila the Hun.

The well-spoken, 34-year-old Brazilian immigrant who serves with 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, also is a former professional boxer.

Every enlistee has a story, but the tracks laid by older enlistees often are the most colorful. Jangada's is a love story, for a woman and a country.

"I was in Paris sparring the French heavyweight champion and teaching soldiers in the French Foreign Legion to box when I met my wife," he said.

A likely story.

"I met him at a bar," said Susan Jangada. An American from the small town of Linn Grove, Ind., she was a star volleyball player, the second best pro "middle" in all of France.

Jangada introduced himself and gave the attractive American his phone number. She stuck it in her pocket, she said, intending to throw it away at first chance.

"I didn't want anything to do with someone I met at a bar, and besides, I didn't want to be tied down in France," she said, noting the irony.

Jangada began his fighting career studying muay thai at Chute Boxe, the same Brazilian gym that spawned mixed martial-arts champs Wanderlei and Anderson Silva.

People said he had "heavy hands."

"Anyone you touch, you put to sleep," a friend said of Jangada's quick knockouts. He suggested the 6-foot-5-inch, 230-pound Brazilian try boxing.

Jangada's first boxing match ended in a knockout. "I broke the guy's nose and knocked him down. There was blood everywhere. But I had no technique," he said.

He became a student of the sport. He trained hard, went pro and became the transcontinental heavyweight champion for 2001 and 2002. He aspired to make Brazil's Olympic team, but the soccer-loving country had no money for boxers.

A friend suggested he move to Europe. "There are too many obstacles for foreigners to fight in the U.S.," Jangada said. "Europe is easier, and the money's the same."

Coincidentally, a certain pro volleyball player from Indiana was in Paris at the same time. The phone number that she intended to throw away — the one a friend encouraged her to dial, the number she texted two weeks later — would connect her to her future husband and father of her children.

Now pregnant with the couple's second child, Susan Jangada recounted their journey to her husband's enlistment in the Army and eventual U.S. citizenship as one that only true love could endure.

A doctor advised Jangada to quit boxing before recurring health issues became serious. Facing similar issues on the court, Susan Jangada suggested that starting a family would be easier in the United States.

"She took me to a Starbucks and fed me cheesecake and hot chocolate. I could not believe how good it was, and this came from America," he said, laughing. "I wanted to go to this country."

Each went home -- Jangada to Brazil for a visa, Susan to Indiana, where she worked three jobs to save money to start a family.

"It took seven months for him to get the visa interview," Susan Jagada said. Once his application was approved, he was in Indiana within 24 hours. The couple was married two weeks later on Nov. 27, 2005.

Jangada submitted paperwork for a green card so that he could find work. Susan took a job in Shreveport, La., coaching college volleyball, but the $15,000 salary wasn't enough. The couple moved in with Susan's parents, and Susan taught high school as a substitute teacher. When she landed a coaching job at Houston Baptist University, a Division One school with a more generous salary, the couple moved again.

"But I was pregnant, and my husband wanted to take care of me and the baby," she said. A short while later, Jangada's green card was approved.

"I went to the Marine recruiter, but since I did not speak any English, they would not take me. They suggested I try the Army," Jangada said. He guessed his way through the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and passed.

"He asked me what job he should choose in the Army, and I suggested cook, plumber or electrician," Susan Jangada said. "Anything but infantry."

Jungata chose infantry. "I am a fighter," he said. "I want to be in the lead. It's my nature."

At basic training, he learned his sixth language – English – from fellow recruits and earned Soldier of the Cycle honors. Airborne school was easy, the ex-athlete said, though he acknowledged landings for the big man always were hard.

Assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 82nd's 1-504th, Jangada was hand-picked by Army Sgt. Maj. Frank Hacker to serve on the team that provides security for the battalion's senior leaders.

"I was impressed with his boxing background and the way he presented himself," said Hacker, who, with his wife, attended Jangada's citizenship ceremony. "The man knows six languages, and now he is teaching himself Arabic — not just to speak it, but to read and write it."

Jangada said it just makes sense to him. "It is like in boxing," he explained. "When I am deployed, my opponent will speak Arabic. I want to know him."

Set to deploy to Iraq in August with 1st Brigade, Jangada said he believes that, in his absence, his pregnant wife and 16-month-old daughter will be well cared for by the Army family. With readily available health care, his steady Army income, and other resources available to his family, he will be able to stay focused on his job, he said. When he returns from Iraq, he may use his GI Bill to go to college, he added.

"I come into the Army, and they don't care that I am not a citizen. They accept me anyway," he said. Even better, the Army made it easy for him to become a citizen, he noted.

"I am so grateful for all that I received that I will put my life on the line for this country," Jangada said.

"Sometimes I can't believe that he used to be a professional boxer," his wife said. "But then we run into some of his old acquaintances, and they holler, 'Jangada, where have you been?' And they cannot believe he is in the Army."

Life is full of the unexpected, she said.

(Army Spc. Michael J. MacLeod serves with the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team public affairs office.)

Wounded Veteran Hopes to Inspire Others in Mountain Quest

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

June 3, 2009 - The loss of his right arm while serving in Iraq made something as simple as eating a challenge for retired Marine Capt. Jonathan F. Kuniholm, who recently set out with three other wounded veterans to conquer Mount McKinley, also known as "Denali" because it's located in Alaska's Denali National Park and Reserve. "Following the loss of my right arm in Iraq on New Year's Day 2005, the most basic of things became a challenge -- writing my name, putting on a pair of pants in the morning, tying my shoes, cutting a steak," he said. "After putting up a ceiling fan that spring with my 5-year-old son, I realized that as long as I was patient enough, I could do whatever I wanted."

By the end of that year, Kuniholm had resumed many of the things he'd done before his injury, though he finds some activities difficult enough that he doesn't pursue them much, including playing the guitar or sports with his son.

In fact, it's affected just about every other area of his life as well.

"All of it is impacted in some way, from the moment I get up in the morning," he said. "I can do many things, ... and many take much longer or I do inexpertly."

Kuniholm was dismounted from a riverine craft on the shore of the Euphrates River south of Haditha, Iraq, when insurgents used a homemade bomb to initiate what he described as a sophisticated ambush on the platoon. The platoon, which was not his assigned unit, handled the ambush effectively, but three servicemembers suffered serious injuries and one was killed. One sailor, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Juan Rubio, earned a Silver Star during the engagement.

Kuniholm had played his guitar the night before in a talent show. He described himself as pretty rusty, since he hadn't played in months. In retrospect, he said, it was interesting, considering what would happen the next day.

"It took about a year before I was done with surgeries, fitted with prostheses, and ready to get back to my life," Kuniholm said. "Prosthetic arms are, as I discovered, still very much a work in progress, and if you want to call that part of my rehabilitation, my work to improve prosthetic arms continues."

This, he said, has become his new calling in life. Realizing the deficiencies in prosthetic arms, he began working as an engineer on the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Revolutionizing Prosthetics 2009 program. He also started Open Prosthetics Project, a nonprofit group, to further innovations in arm prosthetics.

"While my professional goal is to improve the technology amputees all over the world use to replace their arms, I have a new personal goal as well," Kuniholm said.

Human beings are incredibly resilient and capable of nearly anything they set their minds to, he said.

"People with disabilities have a greater set of challenges, and while the road may be longer and harder, [we] have just as few limits to what we can achieve," he said. "Climbing Denali is a task that many able-bodied folks would never undertake. By being part of a team tackling that task while sharing the additional challenges of disability, I hope to inspire others with similar challenges.

"I hope as well to remove the limits placed on their expectations of what they can achieve," he added. "This won't make getting dressed, eating, or anything else any easier, but it's my hope that it will make any challenge seem possible and less of a chore to undertake."

Kuniholm already has started to set an example for others who have disabilities and big dreams.

With the help of his flight instructor, he recently renewed his pilot's license and has returned to flying as a private pilot. Earning a private pilot's license is possible for those with disabilities who have never flown before, he said.

The successes occasionally are tempered by the public's reaction, which he said his cousin likened to being out and about with a pregnant woman.

"It's undeniable [that I'm missing an arm], and many people assume that this fact means you want to talk about it," Kuniholm said. "As you might imagine, being involved in prosthetic arm research, I'll always talk about prosthetic arms, but I have had that conversation before, and sometimes it's nice to talk about something else."

Kuniholm lives in Durham, N.C., with his wife, Michele, and son, Sam, 7. He served as the engineer officer and platoon commander of the 2nd Platoon, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, attached to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, in Iraq's Anbar province from Aug. 17, 2004, until his injury.

He is part of a seven-member team -- four wounded veterans, two mentors and one guide – whose attempt to reach North America's highest peak began this week.

Senior Veterans Compete to Win at Golden Age Games

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

June 3, 2009 - Military veterans competing in the National Veterans Golden Age Games each year have their own reasons for participating. Some come out for the camaraderie, while others come to socialize and catch up with old friends. But others simply come to win.

This year's 23rd Annual National Golden Age Games here are no different.

"I train for the games all year long," Don Starler, a 74-year-old Korean War-era veteran, said. "Working out and staying in shape is a large part of my life, and I love to compete."

With 19 years of experience in the Golden Age Games, Starler is a fierce competitor who's tallied more than 50 medals. He's competed in a variety of events throughout the years, and has even qualified for the National Senior Olympics. His favorite events, he said, are the shot put, discus throw and cycling.

And despite having to learn to deal with a pacemaker over the past two years of games, he's still focused on competing and winning gold. Back home in California, he works out every morning at his local Veterans Affairs hospital and urges other veterans regularly to make stronger efforts to improve their health and fitness. He credits the Golden Age Games for keeping him motivated.

"The Golden Age Games keeps me in shape all year long, because I work at it," he said. "It's definitely fun, and it's good to keep going and pushing yourself for as long as you can."

Even if senior veterans can't compete in the physical competitions, Starler said, the less-strenuous games are just as fun to compete in and train for. This year's games feature checkers, bowling, shuffleboard and table tennis as well as the biking, swimming and running events.

"There's a huge variety of events here to participate in, and if you're good at them, compete," he said. "If you're not good at them, start training and practicing. You'll be happy you gave it a shot."

Samuel J. Hicks Jr. is one of the younger competitors at 57, and is competing in his third Golden Age Games. The retired Marine said his first experience was an overall good time, and he quickly learned that even beyond youth, the spirit of competition never really dies.

"My first year was fun, because I just came out and enjoyed myself," the Fresno, Calif., native said. "But then I quickly found out these guys are out for blood, and they want yours. They want that medal.

"It's competitive," Hicks said, "but it's for a good purpose and to have a good time."

Hicks shared Starler's sentiment that the need to stay active and goal-oriented doesn't go away with time. Being involved in as many activities as possible leads to a longer, healthier life, he added.

"You don't have to be the strongest or the fastest," he said. "You just have to keep yourself going and motivated. You'll be healthier and feel better about yourself."

Frank Dixon, a 28-year Air Force veteran, got into the Golden Age Games to give him a goal to work toward in his workouts. Before he learned about the games, he said, he trained for his health. Though that's reason enough to stay fit, he added, he now he has an objective and a new mission.

"The games provide me with a positive reward for training and aids my physical condition," Dixon, 63, said. "Hopefully, the event inspires my grandchildren to live an active life."

Fitness is such a big part of Dixon's life, he said, that he feels guilty on the occasional day he misses a workout.

"Once you get into the routine, focusing on your health is easy," he said. "Just give the games and competition a shot and start out easy. Eventually, you may get into the medal running."

The Golden Age Games are open to all U.S. military veterans 55 and older who receive care at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility. The games are co-sponsored by the VA, the Help Hospitalized Veterans nonprofit group and the Veterans Canteen Service. The games also are a qualifying event every other year for the National Senior Olympic Games.

Demonstration to Showcase Life-saving Information-sharing Technologies

American Forces Press Service

June 3, 2009 - Wildfires in California, hurricanes battering the East Coast and insurgents attacking a U.S. convoy are among simulated real-time events that will put life-saving information-sharing technologies on center stage during the Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration scheduled June 15-25. New and emerging technologies are positioned for testing as military members, emergency first responders and coalition partners determine which technologies could solve their near-term information-sharing and communications problems, officials said.

The annual event, directed by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, evaluates cutting-edge information technology that focuses on criteria defined by combatant commanders and government agencies, organizers said. Technologies are approved for participation because they address a new information-sharing capability or might improve an existing capability, officials explained.

U.S. Joint Forces Command is the host combatant command for the event, and its Joint Systems Integration Center in Suffolk, Va., is among the sites for demonstration events. Other sites include the Naval Surface Warfare Center's Dahlgren Division at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Va., and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific at San Diego State University in California.

"Coalition participation is the cornerstone of U.S. CWID 2009 and the entire CWID enterprise," said Army Lt. Gen. Carroll F. Pollett, director of the Defense Information Systems Agency, which manages the demonstration's daily operations.

U.S. Joint Forces Command is the primary site, and command officials will work with coalition partners running their own interoperability trials and assessments, targeting information technologies that can be moved into operational use within 18 months of the execution period, officials said.

At Dahlgren's execution site, the battle lab will host various simulated military combat operations centers. Visitors to the demonstration will see a cross-section of real-world warfighters collaborating in real time on military activities and national emergency scenarios, officials said.

On the West Coast, the Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific will team with the San Diego Office of Disaster Preparedness and San Diego State University to find potential solutions to local emergency response capability gaps, officials said.

U.S. Northern Command in Colorado Springs, Colo., also will collaborate with the Pacific center. Northcom is the demonstration's primary homeland security and homeland defense site.

The air operations center at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., will set the stage for interactive support technology development and interoperability during the demonstration. Hanscom provides warfighting commanders with battlefield situational awareness and information on the global information grid, officials said.

Registration information is accessible on the CWID Web site.

(From a Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration Joint Management Office news release.)

MILITARY CONTRACTS June 3, 2009

NAVY
L. C. Gaskins Construction Co., Jacksonville, Fla., (N69450-09-D-1270); DCK North America LLC, Large, Pa., (N69450-09-D-1271); DTC Engineers & Constructors, LLC Hamden, Conn., (N69450-09-D-1272); Harry Pepper & Associates, Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., (N69450-09-D-1273); and Sauer, Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., (N69450-09-D-1274), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award design-build construction contract for general building type projects at Department of Defense activities within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast area of responsibility of Southern Fla., and Andros Island, Bahamas. The work to be performed provides for general building type projects (new construction, renovation, alteration, and repair of facilities and infrastructure, roofing, demolition, and routine renovation) including but not limited to: aviation and aircraft facilities, marine facilities, barracks and personnel housing facilities, administrative facilities, warehouses and supply facilities, training facilities, personnel support and service facilities, security level facilities, abatement and handling of hazardous/regulated materials. Projects may also require comprehensive interior design and incorporation of sustainable features. The maximum dollar value, including the base period and four option years, for all five multiple award contracts combined is $100,000,000. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of Jun. 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 20 proposals received. These five contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity.

Alutiiq 3SG, LLC*, Anchorage, Alaska, is being awarded an $86,675,584 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for logistics product data lifecycle management services and products in support of the Naval Air Systems command's Logistics Product Data Division. Work will be performed in Cherry Point, N.C., (41 percent); North Island, Calif., (32 percent); Jacksonville, Fla., (10 percent); Patuxent River, Md., (8 percent); China Lake, Calif., (6 percent); and Lakehurst, N.J., (3 percent), and is expected to be completed in Jun. 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under an electronic request for proposals as a 100 percent small business set-aside; two offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-09-D-0011).

Suffolk Construction Co., Inc., Boston, Mass., is being awarded a $12,969,443 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a new Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) at the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany. The project will include the design and construction of the BEQ, associated storage, utilities, parking, site improvements, built-in equipment requirements, access, and anti-terrorism force protection. Work will be performed in Albany, Ga., and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online Website with 21 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-09-C-1757).

Solpac Construction Inc., dba Soltek Pacific Construction, Co., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded an $11,392,000 modification to exercise Option Items 3, 4, 5, and 6 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62473-08-D-8615) firm-fixed price task order which provides for the construction of ordnance storage facilities at the Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake. The work to be performed under these options provides for construction of pre-engineered metal buildings and earth covered type "E" magazines, access roads, parking expansion, site improvements, and utilities (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and telephone) to support the building facilities, fencing and incidental related work. The total task order amount after exercise of these options will be $18,989,500. Work will be performed in China Lake, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-08-D-8615).

B.E. Meyers & Co., Inc.*, Redmond, Wash., is being awarded a $8,991,185 firm-fixed-price contract for fabrication and delivery of GLARE LA-9/P Laser Systems for Navy forces in support of Naval Sea Systems Command, PEO Littoral and Mine Warfare, Anti-Terrorism Afloat Program. The GLARE LA-9/P laser system is a Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation illuminator system that emits a highly visible green beam when focused on surfaces, or used within fog and smoke. The systems' purpose is to hail and warn coalition forces, non-combatants, and enemy forces entering restricted areas thus providing enhanced Force Protection for security operations. Work will be performed in Redmond, Wash., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $8,991,185 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Va., is the contracting activity (N00178-09-C-3014).

Kollmorgen Corp., Electro-Optical Division, Northampton, Mass., is being awarded a $6,743,386 modification to previously awarded contract (N66604-05-C-0572) for spare parts that includes 12 units of infra red module assemblies, ten Type 8 field change kits and one operator viewer as a provisioned item for the Integrated Submarine Imaging System (ISIS) is to be the imaging system for all Navy submarines. The Type 8 Mod 4 periscope set with its infrared imaging capabilities is to be the ISIS Sensor #1 on SSN 688 and SSN 21 class submarines. The purpose of this contract is to convert Type 8B Mod 3 masts from the fleet into Type 8K Mod 4 visual masts. Work will be performed in Northampton, Mass., and is expected to be completed by Aug. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE
The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price contract with L-3 Communications Integrated Systems of Greenville, Texas for an estimated $81,000,000. This contract modification is for non recurring engineering from preliminary design review through critical design review to include both A & B kits for the Airborne Information Management System for the VC-25A aircraft. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 727 ACSG/PKB, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8106-08-C0005, P00010).

The Air Force is awarding a time and material, cost reimbursement no fee contract to Scientific Research Corp., of Atlanta, Ga., for an amount not to exceed $30,000,000. This contract action will provide for engineering services for the AN/ALR-46/69 Class IV warning receiver for Air Force. At this time, $25,000 has been obligated. 542 CBSG/PKS, Robins Air Force Base Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8523-09-D-0001)).

Missile Defense Agency Contract Award
Raytheon Missile Systems Co., of Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a sole-source, cost-plus-award-fee contract modification under contract HQ0276-08-C-0001 for $49,642,186. The services are to continue the Block IIA Standard Missile – 3 cooperative development technology developments. This sole source award is a modification to extend the CLIN 0003 period of performance through Oct. 31, 2009. The amount obligated on this action is $16,521,739 using fiscal year 2009 research, development, test and evaluation funds. The Missile Defense Agency is the contracting activity (HQ0276-08-C-0001).

Joint War Games Test Today's, Tomorrow's Security Challenges

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

June 3, 2009 - A series of seminar-type, joint-force war games being held at McLean, Va., have reached the midway point, senior U.S. military officers said here today. The war games began May 31 and are slated to conclude June 5.

The U.S. military "had a great model for deterrence" during the Cold War, Navy Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward, deputy commander for U.S. Joint Forces Command, based at Norfolk, Va., said during a conference call with reporters. That model mostly was based on the use of conventional military forces to deter the Soviet Union.

Fast-forwarding to the war games' purpose of examining today's threats and those anticipated for tomorrow, Harward posited to reporters: "How does this deterrence work when we're dealing with nonstate actors who are empowered with technology and weapons that have significant impact upon the tactical and operational, if not the strategic level?"

The McLean war games look ahead to 2020 and feature scenarios that pit U.S. joint forces against three types of threats: a globally networked terrorist threat, a peer competitor, and a failed or failing state, said Navy Rear Adm. Dan W. Davenport, chief of Joint Forces Command's joint concept development and experimentation directorate.

These scenarios, Davenport noted, include military challenges involving "the ground domain, the maritime domain, the air domain, the space domain, and the cyber domain."

The war game situations also involve scenarios featuring conventional warfare, irregular warfare, and hybrid warfare, which is a mix of conventional and irregular warfare, Davenport said.

Today's national security environment is much more complex than that of 20 years ago, Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis, commander of U.S Joint Forces Command, remarked May 12 at the annual Joint Warfighting conference in Virginia Beach, Va.

The emergence of global terrorism, the likelihood that weaker or failed states will rely on hybrid warfare to battle U.S. forces, and the possibility that a near-peer competitor may one day challenge U.S. national security interests, Mattis said at the conference, are driving efforts to develop a new, balanced and comprehensive strategy that addresses all of those scenarios.

"Our predicaments today are complex, but I do not believe they are more complex than many that civilizations have faced in the past," Mattis told conference attendees.

Input from the war games will be used with other material for the Defense Department's Quadrennial Defense Review, a congressionally mandated report that's prepared every four years that also seeks to predict future threats while balancing U.S. military capabilities to confront them.

It's too early in the war games' process to announce any conclusions, Davenport said, noting that the data first need to be shifted and analyzed. An unclassified report on the war games should become available at end of July, he said.

Vice President, Deputy Secretary Present Top Environmental Awards

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

June 3, 2009 - Vice President Joe Biden praised winners of the 2009 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards today for leading the way in environmental stewardship as they lead the way in the nation's defense. Biden joined Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III in the Pentagon auditorium to recognize installations and teams he said are excelling in an area most people in the general public would never expect.

"This is an outfit that does it all," Biden said. "When I look at the accomplishments of the teams we honor today, I am genuinely impressed by how our nation's armed forces, while fighting two wars overseas and many other contingencies across the globe, can still lead the fight for effective environmental stewardship."

Biden noted that the Defense Department, as the United States' largest employer, land owner and energy consumer, is making "a gigantic impact" in committing to environmental protection.

Today's winners have stood above the rest in protecting wetlands, promoting recycling programs and preserving archeological sites through "innovation, improvising as well as simple, plain hard work," he said. "But they don't stand alone," he said, pointing to the extensive environmental focus throughout the department.

"You have also demonstrated that in our military, you don't need to wear a green beret to be proud of being green," he said.

The $4.3 billion proposed for the department's environmental programs in fiscal 2010 will continue this effort, Biden said. "It's a big deal what you are doing, and we have a shot at doing so much more," he said.

Lynn lauded the commitment this year's awardees have demonstrated to environmental preservation. "They developed and implemented innovative techniques to eliminate waste production, use green alternatives in weapons systems development, reduce pollution and the consumption of energy and natural resources," he said.

"Since the Department of Defense is the single-largest consumer of energy in United States, it is important that we also be a leader in efficiency and in using renewable fuels," he said.

Ashton B. Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, opened today's ceremony noting the lasting impact the awardees' "extraordinary contributions" will have.

"The men and women we honor today are committed to maintaining and restoring our natural resources, not only to address the complex security challenges of today, but to ensure that generations to come will benefit from our nation's unquantifiable richness," he said.

The following environmental award winners were honored today:

-- Camp Ripley Maneuver and Training Center, a Minnesota Army National Guard facility, was the winner in the Large Installation Natural Resources Conservation category. With more than 19 miles of Mississippi River frontage, it was recognized for its role in protecting the river and its delicate ecosystem.

-- Fort Drum Cultural Resources Team, Fort Drum,, N.Y., won in the Team/Individual Cultural Resources Management category. The team was honored for its role in protecting more than 240 prehistoric and 700 historic archeological sites, as well as six districts on the National Register of Historic Places.

-- U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg, Germany, won in the Overseas Installation Environmental Quality category. The post was honored for its environmental management system that promotes pollution prevention, recycling, public health, and conservation.

-- Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., won in the Non-Industrial Installation Pollution Prevention category. The base was recognized for its combined pollution prevention efforts credited with reducing hazardous waste, solid waste, air and water contaminants and other pollutants.

-- Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., won in the Installation Cultural Resources Management category. The base was honored for implementing an integrated cultural resources management plan that protects and preserves more than 1,600 irreplaceable archeological resources and historic properties, 14 rock art sites and other cultural assets.

-- Environmental Management Division, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, won in the Industrial Installation Environmental Quality category. The division was recognized for environmental excellence in managing nearly 1 million acres of the Utah Test and Training Range as it supported five wings and about 40 tenant units.

-- The 14th Civil Engineer Squadron Pollution Prevention Team, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., won in the Team/Individual Pollution Prevention category. The team was honored for its environmental program management efforts that include an innovative glass recycling program, increased use of biodiesel and other alternative energy sources and Earth Day-related education outreach.

-- Defense Depot Memphis, Tenn., won in the Installation Environmental Restoration category. The facility, which closed in 1997 under a Base Realignment and Closure program, was cited for applying innovation and forward thinking to speed clean-up operations and successful land reuse.

The secretary of defense has been recognizing installations, teams and individuals for outstanding achievement in environmental management each year since 1962. A panel of experts representing federal and state agencies, academia, and the public selected this year's winners.

That War in Afghanistan

The incomperable Ralph Peters has been arguing of late that our effort to build a democracy in Afghanistan was a mistake. Rather, he says we should have gone into Afghanistan in 2001 with the object of destroying the Taliban and al Qaeda, leaving a smoldering ruin in our wake (note, unable to find the link at this time).

This seems fundamentally right. Afghanistan is a patchwork of ethno-tribal groups without a unifying language or culture, and no tradition of good government. We are now the fourth (at least) great power to try to tame it, the other three being the USSR, Britain, and Macedonia.

American forces in Afghanistan are now commanded by General Stanley McChrystal, who oversaw special operations in Iraq for five years. In this effort, he helped form a special operations task force known by many names. When this outfit was called Task Force 145, it inflicted a series of devastating defeats on al Qaeda in and around Baghdad, culminating with the killing of the notorious abu Musab al Zarqawi.

Perhaps this was the strategy the United States should have employed in Afghanistan all along. Rather than send several brigades to the country, a much smaller force based around special forces groups, backed by say, a few air assault battalions, waging a brutal shadow war could have done the job better.

For more about Will, visit http://www.gulfwarone.com/. His novel, 'A Line Through the Desert' can be purchased here.

Navy Aircraft Joins Search For Missing Air France Aircraft

American Forces Press Service

June 2, 2009 - A U.S. Navy aircrew today joined the international search for survivors and debris from an Air France aircraft that went missing yesterday off the Brazilian coast, U.S. Southern Command officials announced. A U.S. Navy P-3C Orion and its 21 crewmembers reported to Augusto Severo Airfield in Natal, Brazil, yesterday and joined search operations for Air France Flight 447 today, officials said.

The crew deployed from its forward operating location in Comalapa Air Base, El Salvador, where it was supporting regional illicit trafficking detection and reporting operations, officials said.

U.S. Southern Command dispatched the aircraft and crew after Brazilian officials accepted the command's offer to assist with the search.

Southcom also directed a combat rescue officer from Joint Task Force-Bravo, located at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras, to Recife, Brazil. There, he will help the Brazilian Rescue Coordination Center coordinate rescue assets, officials said.

Air traffic controllers lost contact with the Air France Airbus A330-200 aircraft during a severe lightning storm after takeoff from Rio de Janiero. The aircraft, bound for Paris, disappeared with 228 passengers aboard.

A Brazilian air force crew reported today that they had spotted debris floating in the South Atlantic that could have come from the aircraft.

Pakistani Battle for Malakand

Via Bill Roggio, we learn that the Pakistani Army continues to pound Taliban fighters in Swat Valley and other areas of Malakand, claiming to have killed more than 1200.

American intelligence sources dismiss these numbers as 'wildly exaggerated'.

But these numbers may be accurate. The Taliban has been standing their ground, with large firefights raging up and down the Swat Valley. They have also counterattacked. on 31 May the Taliban struck a Pakistani paramilitary camp in South Waziristan, suffering as many as 50 dead. The recent spate of suicide bombings, and kidnappings suggest the Taliban may be desperate to turn the tide.

Also, the Pakistani Army is a very well armed and trained professional force, they are as capable of laying down an artillery barrage or overlapping fields of fire as anyone.

History shows it is possible to kill insurgent forces in large numbers. During Operation Cast Lead, the Israelis killed more than 700 Hamas gunmen in more than three weeks of fighting in Gaza. More than 700 Hezbollah gunmen were killed during the 2006 Lebanon War.

There are also reports that the Taliban is pulling out of the Swat Valley.

Only time will tell. Whatever the success of this operation, it does not change the fundamental conflict in Pakistan between the Islamist Taliban and the moderate intelligentsia, formerly represented by the late Benazir Bhutto. The army stands in the middle. Right now they fight the Taliban.

Gates Gets Up-close Look at U.S. Missile Defense

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

June 2, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates stepped down inside a missile silo here yesterday to get an up-close look at the system he says will protect the United States from an intercontinental ballistic missile threat. Gates stopped here on his way back from an Asia security summit in Singapore, where North Korea's recent nuclear and missile tests dominated the discussions of defense ministers from countries across the region.

Fort Greely, about 100 miles into the Alaskan interior from Fairbanks, is home to one of two ground-based, midcourse defense units housing missile interceptors on the West Coast. The other is at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

The stop was planned before North Korea's recent actions that have caused alarm across the international community, Gates said. But now, he said, the hour-long stop here took on greater importance.

Gates acknowledged on the way here today during a stop in the Philippines that there are signs the North Koreans are "doing something" with another ballistic missile, but said it is unclear what they are doing. But he expressed confidence that this system could stop any potential threat from North Korea.

"If there were a launch from a rogue state such as North Korea, I have good confidence that we would be able to deal with it," Gates said.

The unit here is the same one that successfully intercepted a mock enemy missile in a December 2008 test, employing a synchronized network of sensors in what officials called the largest and most complex test of the missile defense system to date.

"We have a good capability here," Gates said after a tour of the site. "I think knowing that we have this and that it becomes more effective in each passing day should be a source of comfort to the American people in an uncertain world."

Sixteen interceptors are in the ground here, with plans to add two more. Combined with those at Vandenberg Air Force Base, the United States will have 30 such interceptor systems. More could be added if needed, Gates said.

In a brief meeting with reporters, Gates said he has planned nearly $1 billion in the 2010 budget for the development of ground-based interceptors. The budget also allows for developing other missile technologies that protect troops in the field, ships at sea and provide theater defense, he added.

The secretary also said he would like to develop a defense system in Europe with radars in Russia and interceptors in Poland and the Czech Republic.

A robust missile defense system for the United States at least should take care of tactical and theater needs and also offer protection against a limited intercontinental ballistic missile threat, Gates said.

North Korea's recent actions have boosted support for the missile defense system, Gates said.

"In the past, there have been a number of skeptics of missile defense on Capitol Hill," he said, "and I haven't heard much out of those folks lately. If anything, I think what the North Koreans have done has won more adherence to the importance of our having at least a limited missile defense capability in the Congress."

Work began on the missile defense installation at Fort Greely in the summer of 2002, originally planning for up to 30 anti-ballistic missiles there by 2010.

The missile defense system is designed to defend the United States against intermediate- and long-range ballistic missile attacks in the midcourse phase of flight, or while they are arching in the exoatmosphere -- the region of space just outside the Earth's atmosphere.

The 54-foot-6-inch interceptors look like missiles, but no explosive warheads are attached. The main body acts as a booster vehicle to propel into space the embedded kill vehicle, a 150-pound "smart bullet" that basically steers itself into the path of the oncoming warhead, causing an explosion on impact.

Gates, a former Air Force officer who more than 40 years ago worked with nuclear missiles, was asked by a local journalist what he thought of the interceptor he'd seen in the silo here.

"You know, a missile looks like a missile," he joked. "You just make sure the pointy end is up."

Gates Stops in Alaska to Talk with Troops

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

June 2, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates stopped here briefly yesterday on the final leg of a week-long trip to the Asia-Pacific region. In one of the base's new C-17 Globemaster III hangars, flanked by F-22 and F-15 fighter jets, Gates met with about 300 airmen, soldiers, Marines and even a few sailors in his trademark town-hall fashion.

Going into the meeting, the secretary predicted he might have to field some tough questions about his recent proposed cuts to some Air Force programs in the fiscal 2010 defense budget.

"Given the maintenance problems on my plane the last week, I'm really happy to be here today," the secretary joked, referring to a mechanical delay in Singapore. "I'm confident that there was absolutely no connection between those maintenance problems and my decisions on the Air Force budget."

On the more serious side, Gates told those gathered that he wanted to hear what they need to do their jobs that they're not getting now, and what the Defense Department leadership can do better for families.

"What I'm here for, as I am at every military facility I visit, is for field-ground truth, as opposed to the slides that I get at the Department of Defense," Gates said.

Before taking questions, though, the secretary praised the work of those serving in Alaska, calling the mission vital for North America and the Pacific.

"I believe that as the polar ice cap continues to melt, competition for arctic resources will intensify, potentially raising new unprecedented economic, political and perhaps even security problems," Gates said. "I think your role here will become even more important as time goes on."

The first question at the secretary's town hall sessions typically comes slowly, but there was an even longer pause than usual when he opened the floor here.

"The first one's the hardest," the secretary joked again.

Finally, a Marine sergeant from an antiterrorism battalion opened with a question on the fighting in Pakistan and how it would effect deployments to Afghanistan.

Gates said the actions of the Pakistanis over the past few weeks have been encouraging, as they fight to regain control of ground gained recently by the Taliban.

"As is so often the case, the extremists overplayed their hand, and when they occupied a district that was only a few dozens of miles from Islamabad, I think it really got the attention of the Pakistani government," Gates said. "So now we're seeing the Pakistani army and its political leaders acting in harmony and really taking the fight to the enemy, and I think they've really made some significant progress. I'm more encouraged about he situation in Pakistan than I have been in quite a while."

Gates said the fighting in Pakistan would not affect U.S. deployments to Afghanistan.

The wait for a second question took even longer, as many of the troops simply grinned at each other.

"Your commanders are just going to be overwhelmed to know that everything here at Elmendorf and Fort Richardson is just perfect," Gates said and laughed.

Finally, the question came out about cuts to the Air Force budget. An Air Force officer asked if the United States would be ready for a more conventional fight, as opposed to the counter-insurgency operations it is running in Iraq and Afghanistan, after the proposed cuts take effect.

Gates said that his proposed budget actually added money to some programs while cutting or stopping those that did not provide the greatest possible versatility for the greatest range of conflict.

He said that even a future conventional conflict likely would involve some kinds of asymmetric fighting, and that with the current funding programs in place, the United States will remain dominant in the air for at least the next two decades.

"In 2020, the United states will have roughly 1,200 fifth-generation combat aircraft. The Chinese will have zero," Gates said. "In 2025, the Chinese will have a few hundred. We will have 1,700, ... plus another 1,000 fourth-generation aircraft. So both our numerical and our technological edge will remain extremely strong and far superior to that of any potential competitor for at least the next 15 to 20 years.

"I'm confident we will have the country protected and prevail wherever along that spectrum of conflict we end up fighting," Gates said.

Only a few other questions were asked about a tactical transport system, the fielding of improved personal weapons and the need for predictability in returning from deployments. Gates then finished the town hall by shaking hands, presenting coins and having his photo taken by every troop there.

Before the town hall session, Gates lunched privately, as is customary, with about a dozen airmen and soldiers.

After the brief stop, the secretary flew from here by C-17 to Fort Greely, about 100 miles into the Alaskan interior from Fairbanks, and home to one of two ground-based midcourse defense units housing missile interceptors on the West Coast.

Senior Veterans Set to Compete in Golden Age Games

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

June 1, 2009 - Nearly 700 American military veterans from conflicts ranging from World War II to the Persian Gulf war arrived here today to prove that their best days are still ahead of them as they prepare to compete in the 23rd Annual National Veterans Golden Age Games. The games are the world's largest sports and recreational competition for veterans ages 55 and older. They will begin tomorrow and will run through June 5. Athletes compete in swimming, bicycling, shuffleboard, air rifle and many other events in various divisions based on their ages and handicaps. Separate divisions include ambulatory, visually-impaired and wheelchair.

"The Golden Age Games are a marvelous way to get out of the house and get some fellowship and camaraderie," said Kenneth Kenney, a 70-year-old retired airman. "You really miss the team-building and camaraderie you experience in the military once you're away from it."

Kenney said before he began training for the games two years ago, there wasn't a whole lot to keep him busy at home in Cheyenne, Wyo. But that changed after he learned about the games from some fellow veterans at his local Veterans Affairs hospital. Since then, the Vietnam War veteran has been swimming, walking and lifting weights regularly in anticipation of this year's competition. Training is a part of his every day life again, he said.

"The games keep us active and gives us something to look forward to and shoot for," he said. "I'll be a part of these games every year until I just can't compete anymore."

"Rolling" Joe Velasquez, 60, said the games are specifically geared towards veterans like Kenney and himself. Having the games to look forward to and train for each year has made drastic improvements in the lives of elder veterans, Velasquez said.

"Just look around the room and at the field of competitors," said the California native and retired Navy senior chief. "They're healthier, they're working out and training and they're happier than they've been in years.

Also, many of the competitors don't have a lot of family and live in convalescence homes. So even though the competitors are trying to outdo one another, when they compete, they're forging important bonds and friendships, he added.

After 21 years of involvement and three years of competing in the Veterans Golden Age Games, Velasquez said he's seen first-hand the positive impact the games have on his fellow veterans. But what he looks forward to the most is the smiling faces of the competitors.

"People tell me every year that the two things they look forward to in life as they get older are: waking up in the morning and competing in the Golden Age Games in the summer," he said. "You know their lives are better because of these games."

The Golden Age Games are open to all U.S. military veterans ages 55 and older who receive care at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility. The games are co-sponsored by the VA, the Help Hospitalized Veterans non-profit organization and the Veterans Canteen Service. The Games are also a qualifying event every other year for the National Senior Olympic Games.