By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 11, 2009 - President Barack Obama's latest efforts to look after home renters gives military members additional protection if the homes they rent are foreclosed, a Defense Department official said today. The president's Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009 was signed into law on May 20. The legislation ensures that renters aren't forced out of their homes if foreclosure occurs and a new landlord takes over.
Renters in every state now have more time to find new homes. The new law greatly benefits the military, as the vast majority of active duty servicemembers rent homes throughout the United States, said Army Col. Shawn Shumake, director of legal policy in the Pentagon's personnel and readiness office.
While about 65 percent of the U.S. population own their homes, only about 25 percent of servicemembers are homeowners, so, foreclosure of rented homes potentially can affect most of the military, Shumake said.
"We've got a lot of folks out there that find that they are in really difficult positions, because their landlords are foreclosed on," he explained in a Pentagon Channel interview. "This law provides them a measure of security and protection they didn't previously have."
The legislation gives renters the right to stay in their homes throughout the duration of their lease, he said, unless the new owner is moving into the home or if the renter is renting under a month-to-month lease. Still, the new law gives renters at least 90 days before they can be evicted, he noted.
"This act is a protection that's really powerful and important, and a great help to our servicemembers," the colonel said. "This provides renters some particular [and] some important rights so they're not kicked out on the street with no notice."
Before the law went into effect, only individual state protection was available, or none at all, Shumake said. There was no consistency from state to state in the rights people had to fight immediate eviction after foreclosure.
The inconsistency may have been difficult on military members, many of whom are transferred from one state to another every two to three years. The federal law now provides a baseline of protection for all renters, no matter where they live in the United States, he said.
"There was no uniformity or anything you could count on," Shumake said. "[The law] now makes things the same across the country, and it at least gives you some basics that you know are there. At the very least, you know you're going to get that 90 days of protection."
The act is one of several laws that ensure military members are taken care of as they move from state to state to new duty stations, Shumake said. He noted the Joint Federal Travel Regulation, which defines financial benefits awarded to servicemembers upon changing duty stations.
The regulation was amended in July because of the rising foreclosure rates to allow the federal government to financially support local moves by military members. So, if one of the two exceptions occurs and servicemembers are forced to move from their home, the government may pay for the move, he said.
The regulation and Obama's new legislation go "hand in glove," Shumake said.
Military members faced with such uncertainty are in the best possible position with the two protections, he said.
For more information, servicemembers should contact their local legal office.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
North Korean Rhetoric Bears Watching, Gates Says
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
June 11, 2009 - Because it comes from what he called "an unpredictable regime," bellicose rhetoric from North Korea needs to be watched closely, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. North Korean officials have said that all agreements – including the armistice that halted the Korean War in 1953 – are null and void, and have threatened acts of war if the United Nations goes forward with sanctions.
North Korea reportedly tested an atomic weapon last month and has launched a number of missiles. The country has withdrawn from the Six-Party Talks with China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and the United States.
"It's a very unpredictable regime, so it is probably not wise just to dismiss out-of-hand the rhetoric," Gates said. "I think we will just have to see. I think everyone is watching very closely."
But Gates also said intelligence does not indicate warlike changes in the North Korean military dispositions. "I don't think that there has been a commensurate change in the posture of the North Korean military that would suggest an intent to undertake operations," he said.
Intelligence information indicates that North Korea is not mobilizing troops or moving troops and equipment, the secretary said. "[North Korean] military operations are pretty routine at this point, so that's a source of some comfort," he said, "but again, they are so unpredictable you can't completely discount them."
Officials repeatedly have said that the preferred solution in North Korea is diplomacy, and that U.S. officials will work with allies to bring the North Koreans back to the negotiating table.
Gates is here to attend a conference of NATO defense ministers
American Forces Press Service
June 11, 2009 - Because it comes from what he called "an unpredictable regime," bellicose rhetoric from North Korea needs to be watched closely, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. North Korean officials have said that all agreements – including the armistice that halted the Korean War in 1953 – are null and void, and have threatened acts of war if the United Nations goes forward with sanctions.
North Korea reportedly tested an atomic weapon last month and has launched a number of missiles. The country has withdrawn from the Six-Party Talks with China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and the United States.
"It's a very unpredictable regime, so it is probably not wise just to dismiss out-of-hand the rhetoric," Gates said. "I think we will just have to see. I think everyone is watching very closely."
But Gates also said intelligence does not indicate warlike changes in the North Korean military dispositions. "I don't think that there has been a commensurate change in the posture of the North Korean military that would suggest an intent to undertake operations," he said.
Intelligence information indicates that North Korea is not mobilizing troops or moving troops and equipment, the secretary said. "[North Korean] military operations are pretty routine at this point, so that's a source of some comfort," he said, "but again, they are so unpredictable you can't completely discount them."
Officials repeatedly have said that the preferred solution in North Korea is diplomacy, and that U.S. officials will work with allies to bring the North Koreans back to the negotiating table.
Gates is here to attend a conference of NATO defense ministers
Senate Confirms McChrystal, Stavridis, Fraser Nominations
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
June 11, 2009 - The Senate confirmed Army Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal yesterday to receive his fourth star and serve as commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force. The Senate also confirmed Navy Adm. James Stavridis as commander of U.S. European Command and supreme allied commander for Europe, NATO's top military post. Air Force Lt. Gen. Douglas M. Fraser was confirmed for promotion to general and to take the post Stavridis will vacate as commander of U.S. Southern Command.
All three nominations were confirmed unanimously.
McChrystal will succeed Army Gen. David D. McKiernan as top commander in Afghanistan. Stavridis will replace the retiring Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock as the senior NATO and U.S. European Command officer.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced at a May 11 news conference that he'd recommended President Barack Obama nominate McChrystal to the Afghanistan post. "I believe that our mission [in Afghanistan] requires new thinking and new approaches from our military leaders," Gates told reporters. "Today, we have a new policy set by our new president. We have a new strategy, a new mission and a new ambassador. I believe that new military leadership is needed."
Gates also announced his recommendation of Army Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez, his senior military advisor, for a new position under McChrystal. En route to Brussels, Belgium, for a NATO defense ministers conference, Gates said today that Rodriguez first will serve as deputy commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan while a new NATO command structure is put in place there. Once the new headquarters is formed, Gates said, Rodriguez would serve under McChrystal in a strictly NATO capacity as day-to-day commander of the tactical effort in Afghanistan.
Speaking at his confirmation hearing June 2, McChrystal outlined the challenges in Afghanistan.
"Afghans face a combination of challenges – a resilient Taliban insurgency, increasing levels of violence, [a] lack of governance capability, persistent corruption, lack of development in key areas, illicit narcotics and malign influences from other countries," he said. "There is no simple answer. We must conduct a holistic counterinsurgency campaign, and we must do it well."
McChrystal will assume command as more than 21,000 additional U.S. military personnel are slated to finish deploying to Afghanistan by October.
Before serving as director of the Joint Staff, McChrystal was the commander of Joint Special Operations command. He's spent the majority of his military career commanding special operations and airborne infantry units.
American Forces Press Service
June 11, 2009 - The Senate confirmed Army Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal yesterday to receive his fourth star and serve as commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force. The Senate also confirmed Navy Adm. James Stavridis as commander of U.S. European Command and supreme allied commander for Europe, NATO's top military post. Air Force Lt. Gen. Douglas M. Fraser was confirmed for promotion to general and to take the post Stavridis will vacate as commander of U.S. Southern Command.
All three nominations were confirmed unanimously.
McChrystal will succeed Army Gen. David D. McKiernan as top commander in Afghanistan. Stavridis will replace the retiring Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock as the senior NATO and U.S. European Command officer.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced at a May 11 news conference that he'd recommended President Barack Obama nominate McChrystal to the Afghanistan post. "I believe that our mission [in Afghanistan] requires new thinking and new approaches from our military leaders," Gates told reporters. "Today, we have a new policy set by our new president. We have a new strategy, a new mission and a new ambassador. I believe that new military leadership is needed."
Gates also announced his recommendation of Army Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez, his senior military advisor, for a new position under McChrystal. En route to Brussels, Belgium, for a NATO defense ministers conference, Gates said today that Rodriguez first will serve as deputy commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan while a new NATO command structure is put in place there. Once the new headquarters is formed, Gates said, Rodriguez would serve under McChrystal in a strictly NATO capacity as day-to-day commander of the tactical effort in Afghanistan.
Speaking at his confirmation hearing June 2, McChrystal outlined the challenges in Afghanistan.
"Afghans face a combination of challenges – a resilient Taliban insurgency, increasing levels of violence, [a] lack of governance capability, persistent corruption, lack of development in key areas, illicit narcotics and malign influences from other countries," he said. "There is no simple answer. We must conduct a holistic counterinsurgency campaign, and we must do it well."
McChrystal will assume command as more than 21,000 additional U.S. military personnel are slated to finish deploying to Afghanistan by October.
Before serving as director of the Joint Staff, McChrystal was the commander of Joint Special Operations command. He's spent the majority of his military career commanding special operations and airborne infantry units.
Gates Urges Orderly Reduction in NATO's Kosovo Force
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
June 11, 2009 - With NATO defense ministers having agreed to reduce the alliance's military presence in Kosovo from 14,000 to 10,000 troops by the year's end, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today urged that the reduction take place as an organized process. On the first day of an alliance defense ministers conference here, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer announced the force reduction today, noting that Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock, NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe, has proposed moving toward a deterrent presence in Kosovo that will require fewer troops in the country.
Gates said that any NATO drawdown in the country should be accomplished in an organized and coherent alliance process, and not by countries leaving unilaterally.
"The irony is [that] two years ago, everybody was worried about us pulling out, and I came to these meetings and said our policy will be, 'In together, out together,'" the secretary said in an interview with reporters traveling with him. "Now I'm in the position of worrying that some of them will leave prematurely. So the same phrase still applies: In together, out together."
Unilateral withdrawal leaves other nations exposed if there is too little time to plan, Gates said. "Just unilaterally just pulling up stakes is not the way you behave as a part of an alliance," he said.
De Hoop Scheffer said 14,000 NATO troops currently are in Kosovo, a number that is due to drop to 10,000 by Jan. 1. The United States has 1,483 troops – mostly National Guardsmen – deployed to Kosovo. The headquarters for the U.S. effort in the nation is at Camp Bondsteel. In addition, 33 NATO and non-NATO allies have troops in the country.
De Hoop Scheffer said NATO will remain in Kosovo and is committed to a safe and secure country. "We will remain for the security of the majority and minority alike," he said during a NATO news conference.
The decision is a reflection of how far Kosovo and the region have come, he noted. While much work remains, "the region and international players are on the right track," the secretary general said.
NATO's North Atlantic Council must approve the proposal. There are further plans to draw the numbers down to 6,500 and then to 2,500, but this will happen only if conditions warrant it and only after the North Atlantic Council approves, NATO officials said.
The mission in Kosovo began in 1999 after Serbian troops began a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the ethnic Albanians in the country. NATO has led the security force – dubbed K-FOR – under a United Nations mandate.
American Forces Press Service
June 11, 2009 - With NATO defense ministers having agreed to reduce the alliance's military presence in Kosovo from 14,000 to 10,000 troops by the year's end, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today urged that the reduction take place as an organized process. On the first day of an alliance defense ministers conference here, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer announced the force reduction today, noting that Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock, NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe, has proposed moving toward a deterrent presence in Kosovo that will require fewer troops in the country.
Gates said that any NATO drawdown in the country should be accomplished in an organized and coherent alliance process, and not by countries leaving unilaterally.
"The irony is [that] two years ago, everybody was worried about us pulling out, and I came to these meetings and said our policy will be, 'In together, out together,'" the secretary said in an interview with reporters traveling with him. "Now I'm in the position of worrying that some of them will leave prematurely. So the same phrase still applies: In together, out together."
Unilateral withdrawal leaves other nations exposed if there is too little time to plan, Gates said. "Just unilaterally just pulling up stakes is not the way you behave as a part of an alliance," he said.
De Hoop Scheffer said 14,000 NATO troops currently are in Kosovo, a number that is due to drop to 10,000 by Jan. 1. The United States has 1,483 troops – mostly National Guardsmen – deployed to Kosovo. The headquarters for the U.S. effort in the nation is at Camp Bondsteel. In addition, 33 NATO and non-NATO allies have troops in the country.
De Hoop Scheffer said NATO will remain in Kosovo and is committed to a safe and secure country. "We will remain for the security of the majority and minority alike," he said during a NATO news conference.
The decision is a reflection of how far Kosovo and the region have come, he noted. While much work remains, "the region and international players are on the right track," the secretary general said.
NATO's North Atlantic Council must approve the proposal. There are further plans to draw the numbers down to 6,500 and then to 2,500, but this will happen only if conditions warrant it and only after the North Atlantic Council approves, NATO officials said.
The mission in Kosovo began in 1999 after Serbian troops began a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the ethnic Albanians in the country. NATO has led the security force – dubbed K-FOR – under a United Nations mandate.
Rewards for Terror
Fox reports this morning that four terrorists have been relocated to Bermuda.
Easy enough formula, wage war against the US, get relocated to an island Paradise.
For more about Will, visit http://www.gulfwarone.com/. His novel, 'A Line Through the Desert' can be purchased here.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Defense Travel System to Modify Reservation Process
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
June 10, 2009 - Minor changes are scheduled to take place within the Defense Department's travel reservation system later this summer to support the Transportation Security Administration's new pre-flight screening program, a Defense Department official said today. Under the current format, when travelers arrange flight, hotel and rental car reservations online at the Defense Travel System Web site, the only personal information the site processes through to the vendors is the traveler's first name, last name and middle initial. But after the system and Web site modifications take effect, the traveler's date of birth and gender will be included to comply with the TSA's Secure Flight Program, said Pam Mitchell, director of the Defense Travel Management Office.
Defense travelers will be prompted by a pop-up screen from the DTS Web site to add the information, as well as to enter their name as it appears on their government-issued identification card. The change will be minimally inconvenient to the traveler, as the information will be entered only once then saved to their profile, Mitchell said.
The program is an outcome of the 9/11 Commission, and it basically streamlines the process of identifying potential passengers deemed a match on the FBI-generated watch list screened by the airlines, Paul Leyh, the program's director, said.
Before the program officially began last month, the various airlines each had their own screening processes, which was inconsistent and inconvenient for many travelers, Leyh said. It's not uncommon for a passenger's information to be identified as a match on one airline's list but cleared through another's, he added.
"From carrier to carrier, because the process is different, it's inconsistent across all carriers," he said. "Throughout the world there are hundreds of carriers, and it could be kind of a crap shoot for people. But with Secure Flight, it's going to be the same process for that person regardless of the carrier."
With the Secure Flight Program, the TSA eventually will become the sole prescreening agency for all airline passengers. The program officially started in May with several domestic airlines, but within 18 months, every airline – international and domestic – that travels within, to, from and over the United States will be phased into the program, he said.
This will improve the safety of more than 2.5 million people, Leyh added. Also, travelers who've been misidentified as a close-enough match on the watch list can apply for a redress number through TSA to prevent future inconveniences. If cleared, the redress number also will be added to their profile in DTS.
"With nearly every commercial airline participating, watch list matching is going to be more effective, which is going to allow us to clear more people and focus on those potential travelers that are considered as a close enough match," he said.
The program will virtually go unnoticed by the passengers, officials said, as no changes to the airline check-in or security checkpoint procedures are involved. Once defense travelers make the initial modifications to their profile on the DTS Web site, officials added, the program's changes will not affect them unless their information matches the watch list.
American Forces Press Service
June 10, 2009 - Minor changes are scheduled to take place within the Defense Department's travel reservation system later this summer to support the Transportation Security Administration's new pre-flight screening program, a Defense Department official said today. Under the current format, when travelers arrange flight, hotel and rental car reservations online at the Defense Travel System Web site, the only personal information the site processes through to the vendors is the traveler's first name, last name and middle initial. But after the system and Web site modifications take effect, the traveler's date of birth and gender will be included to comply with the TSA's Secure Flight Program, said Pam Mitchell, director of the Defense Travel Management Office.
Defense travelers will be prompted by a pop-up screen from the DTS Web site to add the information, as well as to enter their name as it appears on their government-issued identification card. The change will be minimally inconvenient to the traveler, as the information will be entered only once then saved to their profile, Mitchell said.
The program is an outcome of the 9/11 Commission, and it basically streamlines the process of identifying potential passengers deemed a match on the FBI-generated watch list screened by the airlines, Paul Leyh, the program's director, said.
Before the program officially began last month, the various airlines each had their own screening processes, which was inconsistent and inconvenient for many travelers, Leyh said. It's not uncommon for a passenger's information to be identified as a match on one airline's list but cleared through another's, he added.
"From carrier to carrier, because the process is different, it's inconsistent across all carriers," he said. "Throughout the world there are hundreds of carriers, and it could be kind of a crap shoot for people. But with Secure Flight, it's going to be the same process for that person regardless of the carrier."
With the Secure Flight Program, the TSA eventually will become the sole prescreening agency for all airline passengers. The program officially started in May with several domestic airlines, but within 18 months, every airline – international and domestic – that travels within, to, from and over the United States will be phased into the program, he said.
This will improve the safety of more than 2.5 million people, Leyh added. Also, travelers who've been misidentified as a close-enough match on the watch list can apply for a redress number through TSA to prevent future inconveniences. If cleared, the redress number also will be added to their profile in DTS.
"With nearly every commercial airline participating, watch list matching is going to be more effective, which is going to allow us to clear more people and focus on those potential travelers that are considered as a close enough match," he said.
The program will virtually go unnoticed by the passengers, officials said, as no changes to the airline check-in or security checkpoint procedures are involved. Once defense travelers make the initial modifications to their profile on the DTS Web site, officials added, the program's changes will not affect them unless their information matches the watch list.
MILITARY CONTRACTS June 10, 2009
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Capy Machine, Melville, N.Y.*, is being awarded a maximum $2,227,505,000 firm fixed price, total set aside, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for nacelle thrust fittings for A-10 aircraft. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. There were originally three proposals solicited with two responses. The date of performance completion is Jun. 10, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency (DSCR Ogden), Hill AFB, Utah (SPRHA4-09-D-0003).
BAE Systems Information and Electronics, Totowa, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $46,497,512 firm fixed price, sole source contract for spare parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Dec. 30, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Distribution Center Robins AFB, Ga., (F09603-03-D-0001-0365).
Valero Marketing & Supply Co., San Antonio, Texas is being awarded a maximum $15,673,310 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for fuel. Other location of performance is Corpus Christi, Texas. Using service is Foreign Military Sales. The original proposal was Web solicited with three responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Oct. 31, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-D-0454).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to the Raytheon Co. of McKinney, Texas for an amount not to exceed $87,327,441. This action will provide 35 multi-spectral targeting systems Model A, 25 multi-spectral targeting systems, 25 multi-spectral targeting systems -B pre-production units including onerRetrofit gyro and one retrofit imager, and associated multi-spectral targeting systems replaceable unit spares and containers to support the Predator/Reaper program. At this time, $14,094,649 has been obligated. 703'd ASG, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8620-06-G-4041).
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to Alloy Surface Co., Inc., of Chester Township, Pa. This contract action provides for the MJU-50/B infrared countermeasures decoy consists of aluminum cartridge case purged with nitrogen and containing a payload of stacked special material elements which react with air. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 784 CBSG/PK, Hill Air Force Base, Utah is the contracting activity (FA8213-09-C-0051).
NAVY
University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif., is being awarded a $7,227,980 firm-fixed-price contract for a program of family support services in support of the Department of Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. The services include group level briefings for pre- and post-deployment military and family, individual consultations, skill-building sessions for families, and multi-session family interventions. The services also include consultation to military staff, schools, family, and community on parenting and combating stress, traumatic grief, and other deployment-related stresses. Work will be performed at the following military locations: Headquarters Marine Corps and the Wounded Warrior Regiment in Quantico, Va.; Marine Corps Bases in Hawaii, Okinawa, Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif., Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Camp Lejeune, N.C., as well as the WW Battalion's in Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejeune; Naval Stations Norfolk, Va. and San Diego, Calif.; the Naval Special Warfare sites in Coronado, Calif. and Little Creek/Dam Neck, Va.; Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.; and the Naval Construction Battalion Commands in Gulfport, Miss., and Port Hueneme, Calif. Work is expected to be completed in Jun. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-source requirement in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(2), "Unusual and Compelling Urgency," as implemented by FAR 6.302-2. The Fleet a! nd Indus trial Supply Center Norfolk Contracting Department, Philadelphia Office, is the contracting activity (N00189-09-C-Z057).
Capy Machine, Melville, N.Y.*, is being awarded a maximum $2,227,505,000 firm fixed price, total set aside, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for nacelle thrust fittings for A-10 aircraft. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. There were originally three proposals solicited with two responses. The date of performance completion is Jun. 10, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency (DSCR Ogden), Hill AFB, Utah (SPRHA4-09-D-0003).
BAE Systems Information and Electronics, Totowa, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $46,497,512 firm fixed price, sole source contract for spare parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Dec. 30, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Distribution Center Robins AFB, Ga., (F09603-03-D-0001-0365).
Valero Marketing & Supply Co., San Antonio, Texas is being awarded a maximum $15,673,310 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for fuel. Other location of performance is Corpus Christi, Texas. Using service is Foreign Military Sales. The original proposal was Web solicited with three responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Oct. 31, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-D-0454).
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to the Raytheon Co. of McKinney, Texas for an amount not to exceed $87,327,441. This action will provide 35 multi-spectral targeting systems Model A, 25 multi-spectral targeting systems, 25 multi-spectral targeting systems -B pre-production units including onerRetrofit gyro and one retrofit imager, and associated multi-spectral targeting systems replaceable unit spares and containers to support the Predator/Reaper program. At this time, $14,094,649 has been obligated. 703'd ASG, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8620-06-G-4041).
The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed price contract to Alloy Surface Co., Inc., of Chester Township, Pa. This contract action provides for the MJU-50/B infrared countermeasures decoy consists of aluminum cartridge case purged with nitrogen and containing a payload of stacked special material elements which react with air. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 784 CBSG/PK, Hill Air Force Base, Utah is the contracting activity (FA8213-09-C-0051).
NAVY
University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif., is being awarded a $7,227,980 firm-fixed-price contract for a program of family support services in support of the Department of Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. The services include group level briefings for pre- and post-deployment military and family, individual consultations, skill-building sessions for families, and multi-session family interventions. The services also include consultation to military staff, schools, family, and community on parenting and combating stress, traumatic grief, and other deployment-related stresses. Work will be performed at the following military locations: Headquarters Marine Corps and the Wounded Warrior Regiment in Quantico, Va.; Marine Corps Bases in Hawaii, Okinawa, Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif., Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Camp Lejeune, N.C., as well as the WW Battalion's in Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejeune; Naval Stations Norfolk, Va. and San Diego, Calif.; the Naval Special Warfare sites in Coronado, Calif. and Little Creek/Dam Neck, Va.; Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.; and the Naval Construction Battalion Commands in Gulfport, Miss., and Port Hueneme, Calif. Work is expected to be completed in Jun. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-source requirement in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(2), "Unusual and Compelling Urgency," as implemented by FAR 6.302-2. The Fleet a! nd Indus trial Supply Center Norfolk Contracting Department, Philadelphia Office, is the contracting activity (N00189-09-C-Z057).
May Recruiting Shows Across-the-Board Success
American Forces Press Service
June 10, 2009 - May was a banner recruiting month for every military service, but especially for the Marine Corps, which topped its active-duty goal by 42 percent and its Marine Corps Reserve goal by 12 percent, Defense Department officials announced today. The Marine recruiting successes represent a particularly high point among across-the-board recruiting successes in which every service met or exceeded its May active-duty goal, officials said.
The reserve components reported similar progress. The three components that fell short of their projected May goals did so because only because they already have reached 112 percent of their year-to-date goals, officials explained.
The Army exceeded its active-duty goal by 4 percent, recruiting 4,044 soldiers. The Marine Corps reported 2,146 active-duty accessions, 42 percent above its goal of 1,516.
Meanwhile, the Navy and Air Force met their monthly active-duty goals, with 2,542 and 2,289 accessions, respectively.
In the reserve components, the Marine Corps Reserve reported 1,196 accessions, 212 percent of its May goal. The Air Force Reserve exceeded its goal by 7 percent, with 770 accessions. The Navy Reserve met its goal, recruiting 574 sailors.
Three reserve components that reported lower-than-initially-expected May recruiting figures all have achieved 112 percent of their year-to-date projections, officials said.
The Army National Guard signed on 3,026 members, 83 percent of its initial May goal. The Air National Guard, with 766 accessions, met 95 percent of its original goal. The Army Reserve recruited 3,178 members, 96 percent of its initial goal.
Officials noted that the May statistics represent the last monthly recruiting efforts before the 2009 high school graduations. This is expected to usher in a busy recruiting month as new graduates join the military.
Marine 1st Lt. Brian Block, a Marine Corps spokesman, called the May recruiting statistics particularly noteworthy because they were achieved without sacrificing quality.
"It says a lot about the organization of the Marine Corps and the tradition we have carried since we were originally founded," he said. "We take the best and the brightest. And what ultimately attracts people to the Marine Corps is the honor of carrying the title 'Marine.'"
National Guard Bureau spokesman Army Col. Jamie Davis called recruiting successes in the Army and Air Guard an encouraging sign of "the level of support and patriotism that American citizens have for their country."
Army Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, lauded continued recruiting successes in the Army Reserve. He noted that the Army Reserve reached its new 206,000-member end-strength objective a year ahead of schedule. During fiscal 2008, the Army Reserve exceeded its goals by recruiting more than 44,000 soldiers and re-enlisting more than 16,000 soldiers, he said.
June 10, 2009 - May was a banner recruiting month for every military service, but especially for the Marine Corps, which topped its active-duty goal by 42 percent and its Marine Corps Reserve goal by 12 percent, Defense Department officials announced today. The Marine recruiting successes represent a particularly high point among across-the-board recruiting successes in which every service met or exceeded its May active-duty goal, officials said.
The reserve components reported similar progress. The three components that fell short of their projected May goals did so because only because they already have reached 112 percent of their year-to-date goals, officials explained.
The Army exceeded its active-duty goal by 4 percent, recruiting 4,044 soldiers. The Marine Corps reported 2,146 active-duty accessions, 42 percent above its goal of 1,516.
Meanwhile, the Navy and Air Force met their monthly active-duty goals, with 2,542 and 2,289 accessions, respectively.
In the reserve components, the Marine Corps Reserve reported 1,196 accessions, 212 percent of its May goal. The Air Force Reserve exceeded its goal by 7 percent, with 770 accessions. The Navy Reserve met its goal, recruiting 574 sailors.
Three reserve components that reported lower-than-initially-expected May recruiting figures all have achieved 112 percent of their year-to-date projections, officials said.
The Army National Guard signed on 3,026 members, 83 percent of its initial May goal. The Air National Guard, with 766 accessions, met 95 percent of its original goal. The Army Reserve recruited 3,178 members, 96 percent of its initial goal.
Officials noted that the May statistics represent the last monthly recruiting efforts before the 2009 high school graduations. This is expected to usher in a busy recruiting month as new graduates join the military.
Marine 1st Lt. Brian Block, a Marine Corps spokesman, called the May recruiting statistics particularly noteworthy because they were achieved without sacrificing quality.
"It says a lot about the organization of the Marine Corps and the tradition we have carried since we were originally founded," he said. "We take the best and the brightest. And what ultimately attracts people to the Marine Corps is the honor of carrying the title 'Marine.'"
National Guard Bureau spokesman Army Col. Jamie Davis called recruiting successes in the Army and Air Guard an encouraging sign of "the level of support and patriotism that American citizens have for their country."
Army Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, lauded continued recruiting successes in the Army Reserve. He noted that the Army Reserve reached its new 206,000-member end-strength objective a year ahead of schedule. During fiscal 2008, the Army Reserve exceeded its goals by recruiting more than 44,000 soldiers and re-enlisting more than 16,000 soldiers, he said.
Mullen: Warfighters, Families, Wounded Warriors Drive Budget Request
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
June 10, 2009 - The nation's top military officer told Congress yesterday the fiscal 2010 defense budget request puts money where it's needed: to recruit and retain the quality troops and their families who form the foundation of the all-volunteer force. But Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee he's particularly proud of funds dedicated to carrying for wounded warriors.
"There is, in my view, no higher duty for this nation, or for those of us in leadership positions, than to care for those who sacrifice so much and who must now face lives forever changed by wounds both seen and unseen," Mullen told the Senate panel during a budget hearing.
Mullen thanked Congress for its continued support for wounded troops as well as families of the fallen. "Our commitment to all of them must be for the remainder of their lives," he said.
The fiscal 2010 budget request builds on support already in place by allocating funds to:
-- Complete construction of additional wounded warrior complexes;
-- Expand the pilot program designed to expedite the processing of injured troops through the disability evaluation system;
-- Increase the number of mental-health professionals assigned to deployed units; and
-- Devote more resources to the study and treatment of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries.
Mullen praised other provisions in the budget that support what he called "the people account," improving servicemembers' quality of life through better pay, health care and other benefits.
These efforts, he reminded the panel, correlate directly to recruiting and retention, and to the success of the all-volunteer force.
"It is the recruit and the retain choices of our families -- and, quite frankly, American citizens writ large -- that will make or break the all-volunteer force," he said. "They will be less inclined to make those decisions should we not be able to offer them viable career options, adequate health care, suitable housing, advanced education and the promise of a prosperous life long after they've taken off the uniform."
Gates echoed this sentiment, telling the senators the budget request reaffirms U.S. commitment to taking care of the all-volunteer force, which he said "represents America's greatest strategic asset."
"As Admiral Mullen says, if we don't get the 'people' part of this business right, none of the other decisions will matter," Gates told the panel.
Other decisions represented in the budget request ensure the force is better balanced – not only so it's better postured for current and future threats, but also so it reduces stress on its members.
"After nearly eight years of war, we are the most capable and combat-experienced military we've ever been, [and] certainly, without question, the world's best counterinsurgency force," Mullen said. "Yet for all this success, we are pressed and still lack a proper balance, between [operational] tempo and home tempo, between unconventional and conventional capabilities, between readiness today and readiness tomorrow."
Mullen lauded the budget request's larger investments in "critical enablers," such as servicemembers skilled in aviation, special operations, cyber operations, civil affairs and language skills.
Another key initiative, which the Army announced last week, will cap the number of brigade combat teams at 45 – a goal to be reached in fiscal 2010 with the activation of the 1st Armored Division's 2nd Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas. This adjustment, Mullen told the senators, "helps ensure our ability to impact the fight sooner, increase dwell time and reduce our overall demand on equipment."
In addition to better positioning the military for the current conflicts and those on the horizon, Mullen said, the budget request includes a unique provision that authorizes Gates to transfer funds to the State Department as required to cover the costs of reconstruction, security and stabilization efforts. This, he said, recognizes the capabilities nonmilitary players can bring to the fight.
"It puts more civilian professionals alongside warfighters in more places like Iraq and Afghanistan," Mullen said. "I've said it before, but it bears repeating. More boots on the ground are important, but they will never be completely sufficient. We need people with graphing tablets and shovels and teaching degrees. We need bankers and farmers and law enforcement experts."
Gates said America owes its servicemembers the support they need to succeed in their missions and the quality of life they and their families have earned.
"As I told a group of soldiers in Afghanistan, they have done their job," he said. "Now it is time for us in Washington to do ours."
American Forces Press Service
June 10, 2009 - The nation's top military officer told Congress yesterday the fiscal 2010 defense budget request puts money where it's needed: to recruit and retain the quality troops and their families who form the foundation of the all-volunteer force. But Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee he's particularly proud of funds dedicated to carrying for wounded warriors.
"There is, in my view, no higher duty for this nation, or for those of us in leadership positions, than to care for those who sacrifice so much and who must now face lives forever changed by wounds both seen and unseen," Mullen told the Senate panel during a budget hearing.
Mullen thanked Congress for its continued support for wounded troops as well as families of the fallen. "Our commitment to all of them must be for the remainder of their lives," he said.
The fiscal 2010 budget request builds on support already in place by allocating funds to:
-- Complete construction of additional wounded warrior complexes;
-- Expand the pilot program designed to expedite the processing of injured troops through the disability evaluation system;
-- Increase the number of mental-health professionals assigned to deployed units; and
-- Devote more resources to the study and treatment of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries.
Mullen praised other provisions in the budget that support what he called "the people account," improving servicemembers' quality of life through better pay, health care and other benefits.
These efforts, he reminded the panel, correlate directly to recruiting and retention, and to the success of the all-volunteer force.
"It is the recruit and the retain choices of our families -- and, quite frankly, American citizens writ large -- that will make or break the all-volunteer force," he said. "They will be less inclined to make those decisions should we not be able to offer them viable career options, adequate health care, suitable housing, advanced education and the promise of a prosperous life long after they've taken off the uniform."
Gates echoed this sentiment, telling the senators the budget request reaffirms U.S. commitment to taking care of the all-volunteer force, which he said "represents America's greatest strategic asset."
"As Admiral Mullen says, if we don't get the 'people' part of this business right, none of the other decisions will matter," Gates told the panel.
Other decisions represented in the budget request ensure the force is better balanced – not only so it's better postured for current and future threats, but also so it reduces stress on its members.
"After nearly eight years of war, we are the most capable and combat-experienced military we've ever been, [and] certainly, without question, the world's best counterinsurgency force," Mullen said. "Yet for all this success, we are pressed and still lack a proper balance, between [operational] tempo and home tempo, between unconventional and conventional capabilities, between readiness today and readiness tomorrow."
Mullen lauded the budget request's larger investments in "critical enablers," such as servicemembers skilled in aviation, special operations, cyber operations, civil affairs and language skills.
Another key initiative, which the Army announced last week, will cap the number of brigade combat teams at 45 – a goal to be reached in fiscal 2010 with the activation of the 1st Armored Division's 2nd Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas. This adjustment, Mullen told the senators, "helps ensure our ability to impact the fight sooner, increase dwell time and reduce our overall demand on equipment."
In addition to better positioning the military for the current conflicts and those on the horizon, Mullen said, the budget request includes a unique provision that authorizes Gates to transfer funds to the State Department as required to cover the costs of reconstruction, security and stabilization efforts. This, he said, recognizes the capabilities nonmilitary players can bring to the fight.
"It puts more civilian professionals alongside warfighters in more places like Iraq and Afghanistan," Mullen said. "I've said it before, but it bears repeating. More boots on the ground are important, but they will never be completely sufficient. We need people with graphing tablets and shovels and teaching degrees. We need bankers and farmers and law enforcement experts."
Gates said America owes its servicemembers the support they need to succeed in their missions and the quality of life they and their families have earned.
"As I told a group of soldiers in Afghanistan, they have done their job," he said. "Now it is time for us in Washington to do ours."
Face of Defense: Doctor Applies Traumatic Brain Injury Experience to Mission
By Donna MilesAmerican Forces Press Service
June 10, 2009 - When Army Col. (Dr.) Kenneth Lee began evaluating more than 3,000 Wisconsin Army National Guardsmen called to duty last fall in the state's largest operational deployment since World War II to ensure their medical readiness, he approached the task with unique and personal insights. Lee, who holds the Wisconsin Guard's top medical post as the state surgeon, had to determine the deployability of about 600 members of the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team who had been classified on their medical records as "ambers."
Between their initial alert last year and early this year, when they moved to their mobilization station at Fort Bliss, Texas, Lee had to put these soldiers into one of two categories: "green" if they were deployable or "red" for they weren't.
It was a tough call, he admits, because many of the soldiers didn't want to confess to issues that might keep them from deploying with their units. Some hid musculoskeletal or other injuries for fear they'd be forced out of the military if deemed nondeployable. Others acknowledged they had medical issues, but hadn't addressed them because they had no health insurance or couldn't spare time away from their civilian jobs to get treated.
But the bigger challenge, Lee said, was identifying troops with mental-health issues, including post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries. Lee calls these "the invisible wounds" of war – issues that don't mean a soldier can't deploy, but that have to be weighed when making that determination.
Lee is no stranger to these signs. In his civilian capacity, he's the chief of the spinal cord injury division at the Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center in Milwaukee. About 30 percent of the veterans he works with, regardless of what conflict they served in, exhibit symptoms of PTSD or TBI or both, he said.
As he evaluated the Guardsmen's medical records and met with them to discuss their individual cases, Lee said he understood all too well their reluctance to acknowledge these symptoms – in many instances, even to themselves.
Many, like him, had served previous deployments in Iraq or Afghanistan. And many, like Lee, had experienced battlefield trauma.
Lee and two of his soldiers were severely wounded when a suicide bomber attacked their three-vehicle convoy on the airport road outside Baghdad International Airport. The incident occurred on April 12, 2004 – a day Lee now refers to as his "Alive Day."
"That's the day I was supposed to have been dead, but somehow survived," he said. "It's my Alive Day, and I celebrate it every year now, just like my birthday."
Lee was medically evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, then spent four months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here undergoing five surgeries and extensive rehabilitation therapy. As he recuperated from shrapnel wounds that took a big chunk out of his knee and ripped open his skull, Lee told his medical providers he wanted nothing more than to return to Iraq.
"I wanted so badly to go back to Iraq to be with my soldiers," he said.
But Lee's physicians, family and friends noticed what he wouldn't admit. He suffered from head-splitting headaches. He laughed less. And his once-razor-sharp mind now struggled to remember the simplest of things.
But Lee admits now he wasn't willing to acknowledge that something was amiss. His rehabilitative counselors convinced him to take a neuro-psychology test. Unfortunately, "I didn't test fine," Lee said. The test confirmed a mild case of TBI.
"Severe TBI is easy to see. You have deformed skulls, facial defects, severe speech impediments," Lee said. "It's pretty easy to pick these cases up, so you can bring people in and start treating them."
Moderate TBI is a more difficult to identify. "People with moderate TBI might not have physical defects," Lee said. "But once you start interacting with them, you see that there's a disconnect between their speech and thought processes. It's something you pick up on."
Mild TBI is the most challenging to recognize, he said, expressing concern that many soldiers don't realize they are experiencing it. And once it's diagnosed, he added, there's no specific therapy to treat it.
Lee initially struggled with depression after his diagnosis, then decided to take matters into his own hands. He got counseling. He resisted prescription medications, fearing the side effects and risk of addiction, and using only over-the-counter drugs when his headaches pounded.
He began reading one novel after another to keep his brain exercised. And he turned to a notebook and his BlackBerry to make up for his short-term memory loss.
"I write everything down," he said. "I e-mail myself constantly so I don't forget anything."
Lee admits he initially wondered if he'd be capable of returning to his civilian job at the VA hospital. But now that he's back and keeping up with his heavy patient load, he said, he's brought a new sense of connection to the patients he works with every day. "I have so much more understanding as I deal with them," he said, "because of what I went through."
As a final step toward recovery, Lee set out to repair the family relationships he admits he had come dangerously close to destroying as he struggled with denial, anger and self-pity.
Looking back now, Lee said, he never realized how much his family had endured during his deployment as they worried about his safety and well-being. But exacerbating it, he said, was his attitude when he came home.
"It was all about me," he said. "It took a long time for me to realize the collateral damage I was causing at home by telling them they didn't understand without realizing what they had gone through themselves."
Lee finally faced that fact when he found his wife alone in the garage, crying. He said turning the focus away from himself and toward those he loves actually strengthened his family as it helped him turn the corner. "That has had a huge impact on my recovery," he said.
Another big impact has been sharing his story. Lee lectures regularly about his personal experience with TBI and the challenges of reintegrating back into his family and professional life. He's also a regular at the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic and the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, where he talks freely about his own experiences.
"It's therapy for me to talk about it," he said. "Every time I give a talk, I feel a little sense of calm."
Lee said he drew on his newfound understanding as he reviewed the cases of National Guard members late last year and earlier this year to determine if they were medically fit to deploy. He encouraged those with symptoms of TBI to get screened, and to seek treatment if they tested positive. Unlike the active Army, where a commander can order his soldiers to take these steps, the reserve components only can recommend it, Lee explained, because the Guardsmen and reservists have to cover the cost if they're not on active duty.
"It hurts for me to tell them they have to do that," Lee said. "There's a huge discrepancy." Yet Lee said he's amazed how many of the Guard members followed up on his recommendation so they could be cleared to deploy.
Mild TBI and PTSD don't have to be deployment show-stoppers if they're addressed, Lee attested. He himself is a "deployable asset," and could be eligible to be mobilized as soon as this year. If called up, he said, he feels he's up to the challenge and ready to go, and that in many respects it will bring a sense of closure to his last deployment, which ended so abruptly.
"This is a problem with many of our combat wounded, who never really felt they came home to reconnect the dots in their life," he said. "Going back would be a way to reconnect the dots and move on."
Wounded Warriors Participate in Virginia's 'Ride 2 Recovery'
By Sharon FosterAmerican Forces Press Service
June 10, 2009 - Many cheering and excited Virginians lined the route of the "Ride 2 Recovery" Memorial Challenge bicycle ride, in which 35 wounded warriors took part last month. This is the second year the ride was held in Virginia.
"The event was very successful," said John Wordin, executive director of Ride 2 Recovery. "Participating in this ride changed the lives of the wounded warriors in a very positive way. To see their transformation over the course of six days was truly inspiring."
After leaving the National Memorial Parade here May 25, cyclists traveled through Manassas, Fredericksburg, Ashland, Williamsburg, Jamestown and Hampton on their 350-mile bicycle journey before reaching Virginia Beach on May 30. The cyclists were greeted with a concert featuring 2008 American Idol winner David Cook.
Other notable supporters of this year's Virginia Ride 2 Recovery Memorial Challenge included Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, actor Gary Sinise and country music artist Lee Greenwood.
In each Virginia town the cyclists passed through, the American Legion Auxiliary provided support, including community fundraising dinners. The USO used its traveling canteen to provide rest stops.
"We were delighted to participate in this bicycle ride for our wounded warriors," said Jeff Hill, U.S. regional vice president for the USO. "One of our programs is Operation Enduring Care. We sponsor many outings with wounded warriors to boost their morale. They have always been our highest priority. To see these servicemembers start this bicycle journey, some full of doubt, then to see them finish with a great sense of accomplishment and achievement was incredible."
Fifty cyclists, including the general public, participated in the ride. One wounded warrior who had turned to cycling as a way to boost his physical and mental rehabilitation was exhilarated.
"My experience was awesome," said Army Sgt. Juan Alcivar, who was shot in the leg by a sniper in Bagdad and lost his right femur. "I didn't think I was going to make it. All the new friends I made helped me. Now, I love to ride my bike. It was just awesome."
The Ride 2 Recovery organization hosts bicycle rides for wounded warriors across the country every year. The Ride 2 Recovery California Challenge will take place Oct. 4 through Oct. 10, starting in San Francisco and ending in Los Angeles. The group plans a Ride 2 Recovery Florida Challenge in December.
The troop-support group raises funds for "spinning recovery labs" and outdoor cycling programs at warrior transition units across the country.
"Our mission has always been to improve the health and wellness of wounded warriors by providing life-changing experiences for them," Wordin said.
Army Anthropologists Apply Science to Uniform Fit
American Forces Press Service
June 10, 2009 - The Army and Marine Corps are surveying their populations to better design clothing to fit warfighters for the next 10 to 15 years. "You're literally measuring thousands of people for hundreds of body dimensions," said Claire Gordon, senior scientist in biological anthropology at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center in Natick, Mass.
Gordon, who holds a doctorate in biological anthropology, explained the effort in a June 3 "DoDLive" webcast of "Armed With Science: Research and Applications for the Modern Military."
"We'll build databases for those two groups," she said, "and then those will be used for the next 10 or 15 years to design virtually everything that we buy off the shelf or design from scratch."
The Army last surveyed its population in 1988, and the Marine Corps conducted its last survey in 1994. "We've had an increasing difference between the components and between the services," Gordon said. "And we've had a change in Army [body measurement] in the last 20 years, so we have to update both of those databases."
Gordon has played an important role in dressing warfighters for more than 20 years. "Pretty much anything you see on the TV that's associated with a soldier was built on a database that we created in 1988," Gordon said.
The Army has maintained an anthropometric database – the scientific term for a database derived from body measurements -- since World War II. "Our database right now is comprised of about 132 body dimensions on more than 9,000 soldiers," Gordon said. "And we have whole-body scans and faces as well."
To optimize the safety and performance of soldiers, Army anthropologists conduct research on human body size and shape variations that influence the design and sizing of everything a soldier wears, carries, flies, drives, works at or lives in, Gordon said.
"The Army is required to accommodate at least 90 percent of its population off the shelf with no customized sizing, and that's for clothing and equipment. For life-protecting equipment, as much as 98 percent of the people we have to fit off the shelf," Gordon said. "So, it's not as if you could just go from one store and walk three doors down and get something that fits better. You've got a one-stop shop, and we've got to fit everybody."
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
June 10, 2009 - The Army and Marine Corps are surveying their populations to better design clothing to fit warfighters for the next 10 to 15 years. "You're literally measuring thousands of people for hundreds of body dimensions," said Claire Gordon, senior scientist in biological anthropology at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center in Natick, Mass.
Gordon, who holds a doctorate in biological anthropology, explained the effort in a June 3 "DoDLive" webcast of "Armed With Science: Research and Applications for the Modern Military."
"We'll build databases for those two groups," she said, "and then those will be used for the next 10 or 15 years to design virtually everything that we buy off the shelf or design from scratch."
The Army last surveyed its population in 1988, and the Marine Corps conducted its last survey in 1994. "We've had an increasing difference between the components and between the services," Gordon said. "And we've had a change in Army [body measurement] in the last 20 years, so we have to update both of those databases."
Gordon has played an important role in dressing warfighters for more than 20 years. "Pretty much anything you see on the TV that's associated with a soldier was built on a database that we created in 1988," Gordon said.
The Army has maintained an anthropometric database – the scientific term for a database derived from body measurements -- since World War II. "Our database right now is comprised of about 132 body dimensions on more than 9,000 soldiers," Gordon said. "And we have whole-body scans and faces as well."
To optimize the safety and performance of soldiers, Army anthropologists conduct research on human body size and shape variations that influence the design and sizing of everything a soldier wears, carries, flies, drives, works at or lives in, Gordon said.
"The Army is required to accommodate at least 90 percent of its population off the shelf with no customized sizing, and that's for clothing and equipment. For life-protecting equipment, as much as 98 percent of the people we have to fit off the shelf," Gordon said. "So, it's not as if you could just go from one store and walk three doors down and get something that fits better. You've got a one-stop shop, and we've got to fit everybody."
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
Education Activity Lowers Kindergarten Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
June 10, 2009 - Kindergartens at many Department of Defense Education Activity schools will have fewer students per teacher when classes resume in the fall. A student-to-teacher ratio that has ranged from 24-to-1 to 29-to-1 will drop to 18-to-1.
"We've made the decision to place an additional classroom teacher and an additional full-time teacher aide into the kindergarten classrooms that have the highest kindergarten enrollment," said Charlie Toth, the activity's principal deputy director and associate director for education. The 18-1 ratio not only accommodates smaller class sizes, but also increases contact time between students and qualified teachers, he added.
The changes initially will be made in schools with the most crowded kindergarten classes that have the additional classroom space the new ratio would require, Toth said. It will start with 19 classrooms in 14 schools and will expand as facilities allow, Toth said. The schools are in Germany, England, Italy, the Mediterranean and Japan, as well as two schools in the Georgia/Alabama district and one in North Carolina.
The program requires no additional funds, Toth said. "It's a reallocation and a refocus on our existing resources to plan the execution of this initiative," he explained.
The lower ratio allows teachers more time for more individualized instruction, said Lori Pickel, the Department of Defense Education Activity's childhood education coordinator.
"It increases the 'face time' that kids get," she said. "It's an opportunity for us not only to have the individual instruction ... but those very important conversations that happen between adults and children, and for the teacher to model and to help kids get more out of not only the academic piece of school, but how to interact and survive through school."
To determine the new ratio's effectiveness, officials are developing a systemwide, standards-driven assessment process to measure student achievement in kindergarten through second grade. Activity officials will evaluate the program anecdotally for the next two to three years until the formal assessment is complete, Toth said.
American Forces Press Service
June 10, 2009 - Kindergartens at many Department of Defense Education Activity schools will have fewer students per teacher when classes resume in the fall. A student-to-teacher ratio that has ranged from 24-to-1 to 29-to-1 will drop to 18-to-1.
"We've made the decision to place an additional classroom teacher and an additional full-time teacher aide into the kindergarten classrooms that have the highest kindergarten enrollment," said Charlie Toth, the activity's principal deputy director and associate director for education. The 18-1 ratio not only accommodates smaller class sizes, but also increases contact time between students and qualified teachers, he added.
The changes initially will be made in schools with the most crowded kindergarten classes that have the additional classroom space the new ratio would require, Toth said. It will start with 19 classrooms in 14 schools and will expand as facilities allow, Toth said. The schools are in Germany, England, Italy, the Mediterranean and Japan, as well as two schools in the Georgia/Alabama district and one in North Carolina.
The program requires no additional funds, Toth said. "It's a reallocation and a refocus on our existing resources to plan the execution of this initiative," he explained.
The lower ratio allows teachers more time for more individualized instruction, said Lori Pickel, the Department of Defense Education Activity's childhood education coordinator.
"It increases the 'face time' that kids get," she said. "It's an opportunity for us not only to have the individual instruction ... but those very important conversations that happen between adults and children, and for the teacher to model and to help kids get more out of not only the academic piece of school, but how to interact and survive through school."
To determine the new ratio's effectiveness, officials are developing a systemwide, standards-driven assessment process to measure student achievement in kindergarten through second grade. Activity officials will evaluate the program anecdotally for the next two to three years until the formal assessment is complete, Toth said.
Shooting customers is bad for business
Strategy & Tactics, a magazine for which I write, recently published an issue examining the Chinese military buildup. Accompanying the lead article was a game in which two players can simulate a war between the United States and China.
In the comments section of S&T's site, one player decribes how any Chinese move is hampered by Japan's suprisingly large fleet numbering more than 40 surface combatants including five destroyers based on our own state of the art Arleigh Burke Class.
One is tempted to invoke Japan's recent pacifism, but does anyone really beleive they would sit itdly by as China gobbled up, say Taiwan? And of course, there is the American Pacific Fleet.
China's massive naval expansion is aimed at something, but what? Maybe it's just an old fashioned grab at prestige like the battleship races before WWI. Great nations, afterall, have big fleets.
Would whatever goal the Chinese have be worth a war with the United States? Anyone reading this is wearing, or has within arms reach, some product made in China. How long would it take for a boycott of Chinese goods to bankrupt the country. Chinese nationalism may be all well and good, but is gaining Taiwan worth losing your vacation house and second car?
It is not hard to imagine a group of important businessmen, with interests in Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai and San Francisco, sitting communist party functionaries down and explaining to them that shooting one's customers is bad for business.
Of course, all this assumes China is a rational actor.
For more about Will, visit http://www.gulfwarone.com/. His novel, 'A Line Through the Desert' can be purchased here.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Naval Historian Highlights Significance of World War II Battle
By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 9, 2009 - The U.S. Navy learned significant lessons during a pivotal World War II engagement, an award-winning historian told online journalists and bloggers last week during a conference call commemorating the battle's 67th anniversary. ”Operationally, ... the lesson was we needed more carriers," Robert J. Cressman said. "We were literally fighting a catch-up war, because the Japanese had more carriers than we did."
Also among the lessons learned, Cressman said, was the need to provide more protection for strike groups.
"Tactically, I think one of the things we learned at Midway was the whole business of defending our various strike groups," he said, "because we had just too few fighters. And so not only did we need more aircraft carriers, but we needed more fighters on those decks to [protect] our attack groups."
Regarded as the turning point in the Pacific during World War II, the Battle of Midway took place June 4-7, 1942. An important marker in the nation's naval heritage, the battle changed the course of the war in the Pacific within just a few days. It came a month after the Battle of Coral Sea, the war's first engagement between carrier forces.
"In terms of employing carrier air groups, the U.S. Navy was much more flexible than the Japanese," Cressman said. "Had the Japanese had that flexibility after Coral Sea, they might have taken the air group off of the Shokaku and parked it on the Zuikaku for the operations, giving them one more carrier."
However, he added, the Japanese didn't practice that tactic. "Whereas the Americans were able to put together an air group, literally at the last minute, to put on board Yorktown, that enabled her to participate in the Battle of Midway."
Though the U.S. Navy was able to put together an air group, coordination and communication were the two biggest lessons learned from the battle, Cressman said. The U.S. aircraft carriers Hornet, Enterprise and Yorktown all were supposed to have coordinated cover, he explained, but only Yorktown's group had fighter cover that worked by trying to keep the Japanese fighters off the torpedo planes.
"The way things worked out, the Hornet fighters ended up getting lost and flying to nowhere," he said. "The Enterprise fighters ended up following the Hornet torpedo planes. There was a great need shown at Midway for much better communication in terms of letting people know where they were and what they needed to do. That was one of the big lessons."
Cressman said fate played a hand for Navy Lt. Cmdr. C. Wade McClusky to spot the Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer Arashi. At that time, he said, a U.S. submarine, the Nautilus -- the slowest, least maneuverable, noisiest boat in the Pacific Fleet -- had intercepted the Japanese fleet.
"They ... popped up right in the middle of it," he said. "And they caused all kinds of consternation because, you know, a submarine periscope in the middle of a force of carriers is not something you want to see. And so the Japanese were really busy trying to drive off this sub."
At the time of the interception, Arashi was detached from the Japanese fleet to either sink or drive off Nautilus.
"And once they figured they'd done the job -- which of course, they hadn't, because Nautilus was still very much alive -- they set course to return to the Kido Butai, the carrier task force, at top speed," Cressman said. "And of course, when a ship is moving across the ocean at top speed, it tends to leave a pretty good wake behind her. And that was what McClusky spotted, was the wake from the Arashi."
Cressman added that the training, the courage and the dedication to duty of the men who fought on both sides in the Battle of Midway made it a battle worth commemorating.
"I think it's a triumph of training, of courage on our side, and you know, there was certainly an equal amount of courage and bravery on the other side as well," he said. "I mean, when you're flying a torpedo plane, you have to fly basically low and on a steady course so you don't deviate to miss your target. And both the Japanese and the American torpedo pilots were extremely brave and courageous in carrying out their jobs."
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 9, 2009 - The U.S. Navy learned significant lessons during a pivotal World War II engagement, an award-winning historian told online journalists and bloggers last week during a conference call commemorating the battle's 67th anniversary. ”Operationally, ... the lesson was we needed more carriers," Robert J. Cressman said. "We were literally fighting a catch-up war, because the Japanese had more carriers than we did."
Also among the lessons learned, Cressman said, was the need to provide more protection for strike groups.
"Tactically, I think one of the things we learned at Midway was the whole business of defending our various strike groups," he said, "because we had just too few fighters. And so not only did we need more aircraft carriers, but we needed more fighters on those decks to [protect] our attack groups."
Regarded as the turning point in the Pacific during World War II, the Battle of Midway took place June 4-7, 1942. An important marker in the nation's naval heritage, the battle changed the course of the war in the Pacific within just a few days. It came a month after the Battle of Coral Sea, the war's first engagement between carrier forces.
"In terms of employing carrier air groups, the U.S. Navy was much more flexible than the Japanese," Cressman said. "Had the Japanese had that flexibility after Coral Sea, they might have taken the air group off of the Shokaku and parked it on the Zuikaku for the operations, giving them one more carrier."
However, he added, the Japanese didn't practice that tactic. "Whereas the Americans were able to put together an air group, literally at the last minute, to put on board Yorktown, that enabled her to participate in the Battle of Midway."
Though the U.S. Navy was able to put together an air group, coordination and communication were the two biggest lessons learned from the battle, Cressman said. The U.S. aircraft carriers Hornet, Enterprise and Yorktown all were supposed to have coordinated cover, he explained, but only Yorktown's group had fighter cover that worked by trying to keep the Japanese fighters off the torpedo planes.
"The way things worked out, the Hornet fighters ended up getting lost and flying to nowhere," he said. "The Enterprise fighters ended up following the Hornet torpedo planes. There was a great need shown at Midway for much better communication in terms of letting people know where they were and what they needed to do. That was one of the big lessons."
Cressman said fate played a hand for Navy Lt. Cmdr. C. Wade McClusky to spot the Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer Arashi. At that time, he said, a U.S. submarine, the Nautilus -- the slowest, least maneuverable, noisiest boat in the Pacific Fleet -- had intercepted the Japanese fleet.
"They ... popped up right in the middle of it," he said. "And they caused all kinds of consternation because, you know, a submarine periscope in the middle of a force of carriers is not something you want to see. And so the Japanese were really busy trying to drive off this sub."
At the time of the interception, Arashi was detached from the Japanese fleet to either sink or drive off Nautilus.
"And once they figured they'd done the job -- which of course, they hadn't, because Nautilus was still very much alive -- they set course to return to the Kido Butai, the carrier task force, at top speed," Cressman said. "And of course, when a ship is moving across the ocean at top speed, it tends to leave a pretty good wake behind her. And that was what McClusky spotted, was the wake from the Arashi."
Cressman added that the training, the courage and the dedication to duty of the men who fought on both sides in the Battle of Midway made it a battle worth commemorating.
"I think it's a triumph of training, of courage on our side, and you know, there was certainly an equal amount of courage and bravery on the other side as well," he said. "I mean, when you're flying a torpedo plane, you have to fly basically low and on a steady course so you don't deviate to miss your target. And both the Japanese and the American torpedo pilots were extremely brave and courageous in carrying out their jobs."
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
Gates Travels to Europe for NATO Discussions
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
June 9, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will depart for NATO meetings in the Netherlands and Belgium this evening. Operations in Afghanistan will top the discussions in Maastricht, while the focus in Brussels will include other issues of interest to NATO, such as Russia, missile defense, Kosovo and Georgia, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.
"They will discuss a range of organizational and security issues confronting the alliance," he said during a news conference. "But as you might expect, the NATO operations in Afghanistan will likely dominate their discussions."
The secretary will first visit Maastricht, where Dutch leaders will host a meeting of defense ministers with troops in Afghanistan's Regional Command South. The secretary will then move to the quarterly NATO defense ministers conference at the alliance headquarters in Brussels.
About 56,000 U.S. servicemembers are in Afghanistan, with the number projected to grow to 68,000 by the end of the year. The 33,000 NATO and allied troops in the nation is to grow to 35,000.
Most of the U.S. forces going into the country are moving in to Regional Command South. Marine units already have started operations in the region, even as more flow in – a thousand Marines are arriving this week, Pentagon officials said. The 2nd Infantry Division's 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team will deploy to Regional Command South in July. Soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team are to arrive in Afghanistan by the end of August to serve as trainers for the Afghan army and police.
Most of the fighting in Afghanistan is in regional commands South and East. Some 80 percent of the attacks are in 15 percent of the districts. Some of the increase is because coalition and Afghan forces are operating in areas where they had never been before, especially in Regional Command South, Defense Department officials said.
Deaths of noncombatants are a particular sore point in Afghanistan. But in 2009, civilian deaths are down 27 percent from this time last year. At the same time, deaths of U.S. and NATO International Security Assistance Force personnel are up 27 percent, and deaths of Afghan security forces are up a third over last year.
American Forces Press Service
June 9, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will depart for NATO meetings in the Netherlands and Belgium this evening. Operations in Afghanistan will top the discussions in Maastricht, while the focus in Brussels will include other issues of interest to NATO, such as Russia, missile defense, Kosovo and Georgia, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.
"They will discuss a range of organizational and security issues confronting the alliance," he said during a news conference. "But as you might expect, the NATO operations in Afghanistan will likely dominate their discussions."
The secretary will first visit Maastricht, where Dutch leaders will host a meeting of defense ministers with troops in Afghanistan's Regional Command South. The secretary will then move to the quarterly NATO defense ministers conference at the alliance headquarters in Brussels.
About 56,000 U.S. servicemembers are in Afghanistan, with the number projected to grow to 68,000 by the end of the year. The 33,000 NATO and allied troops in the nation is to grow to 35,000.
Most of the U.S. forces going into the country are moving in to Regional Command South. Marine units already have started operations in the region, even as more flow in – a thousand Marines are arriving this week, Pentagon officials said. The 2nd Infantry Division's 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team will deploy to Regional Command South in July. Soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team are to arrive in Afghanistan by the end of August to serve as trainers for the Afghan army and police.
Most of the fighting in Afghanistan is in regional commands South and East. Some 80 percent of the attacks are in 15 percent of the districts. Some of the increase is because coalition and Afghan forces are operating in areas where they had never been before, especially in Regional Command South, Defense Department officials said.
Deaths of noncombatants are a particular sore point in Afghanistan. But in 2009, civilian deaths are down 27 percent from this time last year. At the same time, deaths of U.S. and NATO International Security Assistance Force personnel are up 27 percent, and deaths of Afghan security forces are up a third over last year.
NORAD Flight Exercises Planned for Washington Area
American Forces Press Service
June 9, 2009 - The Defense Department will conduct two training exercises involving aircraft here tomorrow. The first exercise by the North American Aerospace Defense Command and its regional component will occur between midnight and 6 a.m. EDT, followed by another exercise between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The exercises comprise a series of training flights held in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Capital Region Command Center, the Joint Air Defense Operations Center, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard and CONR's Northeast Air Defense Sector.
Both the early morning exercise Falcon Virgo and the daytime Amalgam Arrow are designed to hone NORAD's intercept and identification operations, as well as procedural tests of the NCR Visual Warning System, officials said.
Exercise Falcon Virgo will include two Civil Air Patrol Cessna aircraft, two Air Force F-16s and a Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter. Residents may see these aircraft approaching and flying in the vicinity during the late-night and early morning hours.
Aircraft participating in Exercise Amalgam Arrow include a C-21 Lear 35, a C-172 Cessna and an Air Force F-16. Residents may also see these aircraft approaching and flying in the vicinity of the nation's capital.
June 9, 2009 - The Defense Department will conduct two training exercises involving aircraft here tomorrow. The first exercise by the North American Aerospace Defense Command and its regional component will occur between midnight and 6 a.m. EDT, followed by another exercise between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The exercises comprise a series of training flights held in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Capital Region Command Center, the Joint Air Defense Operations Center, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard and CONR's Northeast Air Defense Sector.
Both the early morning exercise Falcon Virgo and the daytime Amalgam Arrow are designed to hone NORAD's intercept and identification operations, as well as procedural tests of the NCR Visual Warning System, officials said.
Exercise Falcon Virgo will include two Civil Air Patrol Cessna aircraft, two Air Force F-16s and a Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter. Residents may see these aircraft approaching and flying in the vicinity during the late-night and early morning hours.
Aircraft participating in Exercise Amalgam Arrow include a C-21 Lear 35, a C-172 Cessna and an Air Force F-16. Residents may also see these aircraft approaching and flying in the vicinity of the nation's capital.
Gates, Mullen: Proposed Budget Balances Current, Future Requirements
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
June 9, 2009 - The fiscal 2010 defense budget request is a "reform budget" that builds on lessons learned on the battlefield to shape the military to confront other potential threats around the world, now and in the future, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told Congress today. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee the proposed budget focuses on three basic priorities:
-- Reaffirming support to the all-volunteer force, which Gates called "America's greatest strategic asset";
-- Rebalancing defense programs to fight and win the current and future engagements while providing a hedge against other contingencies; and
-- Overhauling procurement, acquisition and contracting systems to reform how and what the department buys.
"This budget is less about numbers than it is about how the military thinks about the nature of war and prepares for the future, about how we take care of our people and institutionalize support for the warfighter in the long term," Gates said.
It's also, he said, "about the role of the services and how we can buy weapons as jointly as we fight, [and] about reforming our requirements and acquisition processes."
Gates told the committee he took what he heard from troops on the ground to heart in hammering out the request. He called the straightforward reports he got from these troops "the greatest single source for ideas" on what the department needs to do operationally, as well as institutionally.
"As I told a group of soldiers in Afghanistan, they have done their job. Now it is time for us in Washington to do ours," he said. "In many respects, this budget builds on all the meetings I have had with troops and commanders, and everything that I have learned over the past two and a half years, all underpinning this budget's three principal objectives."
Mullen noted that more than one-third of the budget is devoted to what he called "the people account" that addresses the needs of "our top strategic priority."
"The best way to guarantee our future security is to support our troops and their families," he said. He lauded provisions of the request that support health care, housing, advanced education and other measures that will enhance recruiting and retention.
Meanwhile, Gates said the budget aims to ensure the sustainability of defense programs – eliminating waste and "requirements creep" while terminating some programs and bringing costs down in others. It also helps to posture the military for the wars it's most likely to fight in the future, he added, while funding modernization programs to sustain advances for those potential future conflicts.
"Decisions to curtail or eliminate a program were based solely on its relevance and on its execution," Mullen said. "The same can be said for those we decided to keep. If we are what we buy, I believe the force we are asking you to help us buy today is the right one, both for the world we are living in and the world we may find ourselves living in 20 to 30 years down the road."
Mullen said the request provides the proper balance between conventional and unconventional capabilities.
"The work of defending this nation does not fit nicely into any one bucket. It spans the entire spectrum of conflict," he told the committee. "We must be ready to deter and win all wars, big and small, near and far. With this budget submission, the nation is getting the military it needs for that challenge. It's getting a strategy for the future."
In the meantime, the admiral said, the budget applies lessons learned on the battlefield, and institutionally at the Pentagon, to win the current conflicts.
"The responsibility of this department first and foremost is to fight and win the nation's wars, not just prepare for them," he said. "We have to do better."
Gates urged the committee to look at the budget as a whole rather than zeroing in on individual line items that don't reflect the big-picture objectives they support. He cautioned the panel against padding the budget in the wrong areas.
"A dollar spent for capabilities excess to our real needs is a dollar taken from capability we do need – often to sustain our men and women in combat and bring them home safely," he said.
American Forces Press Service
June 9, 2009 - The fiscal 2010 defense budget request is a "reform budget" that builds on lessons learned on the battlefield to shape the military to confront other potential threats around the world, now and in the future, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told Congress today. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee the proposed budget focuses on three basic priorities:
-- Reaffirming support to the all-volunteer force, which Gates called "America's greatest strategic asset";
-- Rebalancing defense programs to fight and win the current and future engagements while providing a hedge against other contingencies; and
-- Overhauling procurement, acquisition and contracting systems to reform how and what the department buys.
"This budget is less about numbers than it is about how the military thinks about the nature of war and prepares for the future, about how we take care of our people and institutionalize support for the warfighter in the long term," Gates said.
It's also, he said, "about the role of the services and how we can buy weapons as jointly as we fight, [and] about reforming our requirements and acquisition processes."
Gates told the committee he took what he heard from troops on the ground to heart in hammering out the request. He called the straightforward reports he got from these troops "the greatest single source for ideas" on what the department needs to do operationally, as well as institutionally.
"As I told a group of soldiers in Afghanistan, they have done their job. Now it is time for us in Washington to do ours," he said. "In many respects, this budget builds on all the meetings I have had with troops and commanders, and everything that I have learned over the past two and a half years, all underpinning this budget's three principal objectives."
Mullen noted that more than one-third of the budget is devoted to what he called "the people account" that addresses the needs of "our top strategic priority."
"The best way to guarantee our future security is to support our troops and their families," he said. He lauded provisions of the request that support health care, housing, advanced education and other measures that will enhance recruiting and retention.
Meanwhile, Gates said the budget aims to ensure the sustainability of defense programs – eliminating waste and "requirements creep" while terminating some programs and bringing costs down in others. It also helps to posture the military for the wars it's most likely to fight in the future, he added, while funding modernization programs to sustain advances for those potential future conflicts.
"Decisions to curtail or eliminate a program were based solely on its relevance and on its execution," Mullen said. "The same can be said for those we decided to keep. If we are what we buy, I believe the force we are asking you to help us buy today is the right one, both for the world we are living in and the world we may find ourselves living in 20 to 30 years down the road."
Mullen said the request provides the proper balance between conventional and unconventional capabilities.
"The work of defending this nation does not fit nicely into any one bucket. It spans the entire spectrum of conflict," he told the committee. "We must be ready to deter and win all wars, big and small, near and far. With this budget submission, the nation is getting the military it needs for that challenge. It's getting a strategy for the future."
In the meantime, the admiral said, the budget applies lessons learned on the battlefield, and institutionally at the Pentagon, to win the current conflicts.
"The responsibility of this department first and foremost is to fight and win the nation's wars, not just prepare for them," he said. "We have to do better."
Gates urged the committee to look at the budget as a whole rather than zeroing in on individual line items that don't reflect the big-picture objectives they support. He cautioned the panel against padding the budget in the wrong areas.
"A dollar spent for capabilities excess to our real needs is a dollar taken from capability we do need – often to sustain our men and women in combat and bring them home safely," he said.
Gates Expresses Confidence in U.S. Missile Defenses
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
June 9, 2009 - Amid speculation that North Korea could be preparing for another missile test, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told Congress today he's confident the United States has the missile defenses in place to defend itself, if necessary. "I have confidence that if North Korea launched a long-range missile in the direction of the United States, that we would have a high probability of being able to fend ourselves against it," he told the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee.
Gates told the panel about his visit last week to Fort Greely, Alaska, one of two U.S. sites where ground-based interceptors are based.
"The judgment and the advice that I got was that the 30 silos that we have now, or are under construction, are fully adequate to protect us against a North Korean threat for a number of years," he said. It would be easy to resume the program and expand the number of silos in the event that the threat evolves to the point that those defenses seem insufficient, he added.
"If the circumstances should change in a way that leads people to believe that we need more interceptors than the 30, then there's plenty of room at Fort Greely to expand," the secretary said.
Gates called the Fort Greely system "immensely capable," but emphasized that it remains a developmental system.
The proposed fiscal 2010 budget provides robust funding to further develop and test the interceptors at Fort Greely and at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., he noted.
"As new interceptors with new capabilities that are more sophisticated are developed, we will put those into the silos and take the old interceptors out," he said. "This is not a static system," he said, "but something that is undergoing continuing improvement."
American Forces Press Service
June 9, 2009 - Amid speculation that North Korea could be preparing for another missile test, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told Congress today he's confident the United States has the missile defenses in place to defend itself, if necessary. "I have confidence that if North Korea launched a long-range missile in the direction of the United States, that we would have a high probability of being able to fend ourselves against it," he told the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee.
Gates told the panel about his visit last week to Fort Greely, Alaska, one of two U.S. sites where ground-based interceptors are based.
"The judgment and the advice that I got was that the 30 silos that we have now, or are under construction, are fully adequate to protect us against a North Korean threat for a number of years," he said. It would be easy to resume the program and expand the number of silos in the event that the threat evolves to the point that those defenses seem insufficient, he added.
"If the circumstances should change in a way that leads people to believe that we need more interceptors than the 30, then there's plenty of room at Fort Greely to expand," the secretary said.
Gates called the Fort Greely system "immensely capable," but emphasized that it remains a developmental system.
The proposed fiscal 2010 budget provides robust funding to further develop and test the interceptors at Fort Greely and at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., he noted.
"As new interceptors with new capabilities that are more sophisticated are developed, we will put those into the silos and take the old interceptors out," he said. "This is not a static system," he said, "but something that is undergoing continuing improvement."
MILITARY CONTRACTS June 9, 2009
ARMY
ITT Corp., Fort Wayne, Ind., was awarded on Jun. 4, 2009 a $363,120,648 24-month-base-firm-fixed-price contract for a single channel ground Airborne Radio System Baseline Systems Control, system enhancements and logistics support to ITT. The base year quantities are 58,000 receiver transmitters, 34,800 VAA/INCs and 34,800 radio frequency amps. Work is to be performed in Fort Wayne, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 04, 2011. Bids were solicited on IBOP with two bids received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-09-C-J002).
Raytheon Missile System Co., Tucson, Ariz., was awarded on Jun. 5, 2009 a $14,489,999 firm-fixed-price with cost-plus-fixed-fee line items contract for Griffin A & B munitions and engineering services. Work is to be performed in Tucson, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2010. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aviation and Missile Contracting Center, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-09-C-0517).
The Osborne Co., Inc.., Eden, N.C., was awarded on Jun. 5, 2009 a $ 9,435,634 firm-fixed-price contract that includes the design site preparation and construction of a training support center and a covered storage shed. Supporting facilities include, but are not limited to, utilities, electrical service, exterior and security lighting, fire protection and alarm systems, security fencing and gates, water, gas, sewer, oil water separates, storm drainage and site improvements. Accessibility for individuals with disabilities will be provided. Antiterrorism/Force Protection measures shall also be included in the facility design in accordance with applicable criteria. Air Conditioning (estimated 90 Tons). Work is to be performed in Fort Bragg, N.C., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2010. Six proposals solicited with five proposals received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-09-D-0015).
Argon ST, Inc., Mountain View, Calif., was awarded on Jun. 4, 2009 a $ 8,287,604 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the research and development services, supplies and material for thirty-six (36) months to perform the technical on-site inspection/Wildcat Technology Enabler Phase 3.4 effort. Work is to be performed in Mountain View, Calif., with an estimated completion date of June 04, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with two bids received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-09-C-P010).
Rohn Products International, LC, Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc., Maitland, Fla., was awarded on Jun. 04, 2009 a $ 6,243,280 firm-fixed-price contract for 10M quick erect towers- 20 each, 20M quick erect towers-20 each, 45M self tower-25 each and 75M self tower support tower-15 each. Work is to be performed in Maitland, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Apr. 20, 2010. One sole source bid was solicited with one bid received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-09-C-D250).
NAVY
Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $56,368,520 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-5401) for the production of 90 Block 1 MK-44 Mod 2 rolling airframe missile (RAM) guided missile round pack (GMRP) all-up-rounds (AURs), and 40 ordnance alteration kits. The RAM guided missile weapon system is co-developed and co-produced under a NATO cooperative program between the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany. RAM is a missile system designed to provide anti-ship missile defense for multiple ship platforms. This contract modification includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this modification to $118,045,720. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., (49.7 percent); Ottobrunn, Germany, (42.7 percent); Rocket City, W.Va., (4.5 percent); and Andover, Mass., (3.1 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2011. Contract modification funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea System Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Alion Science and Technology Corp., Washington, D.C., is being awarded an $8,622,204 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-09-F-B008) for support to the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program office. The support areas relevant to the LCS for this effort include program planning and management, business and financial management planning and execution, systems engineering, test and evaluation engineering, life cycle engineering and support, logistics and operation support, configuration and data management engineering, and combat systems development. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price contract with Lockheed Martin Corp., of Marietta, Ga., for $38,365,541. The contract modification is to definitized several Undefinitized Contract Actions, recognize offsets costs, and add additional requirements pertaining to the Norway Foreign Military Sales program for aircraft support. At this time, $44,012,920 has been obligated. USAF/AFMC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8625-06-C-6456, P00078).
The Air Force is modigying a cost-plus fixed/award fee contract with Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., of Sunnyvale, Calif., for $10,022,512. This contract action will provide sustainment support for the Mission Control Segment hardware maintenance, Mission Control Segment software and database maintencance, systems engineering integration and test and Mission Control Segment technical manual services. At this time, $9,036,221 has been obligated. SMC SLG/PKM, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the contracting activity (FA8823-06-C-0002, P00043).
ITT Corp., Fort Wayne, Ind., was awarded on Jun. 4, 2009 a $363,120,648 24-month-base-firm-fixed-price contract for a single channel ground Airborne Radio System Baseline Systems Control, system enhancements and logistics support to ITT. The base year quantities are 58,000 receiver transmitters, 34,800 VAA/INCs and 34,800 radio frequency amps. Work is to be performed in Fort Wayne, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 04, 2011. Bids were solicited on IBOP with two bids received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-09-C-J002).
Raytheon Missile System Co., Tucson, Ariz., was awarded on Jun. 5, 2009 a $14,489,999 firm-fixed-price with cost-plus-fixed-fee line items contract for Griffin A & B munitions and engineering services. Work is to be performed in Tucson, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2010. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aviation and Missile Contracting Center, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-09-C-0517).
The Osborne Co., Inc.., Eden, N.C., was awarded on Jun. 5, 2009 a $ 9,435,634 firm-fixed-price contract that includes the design site preparation and construction of a training support center and a covered storage shed. Supporting facilities include, but are not limited to, utilities, electrical service, exterior and security lighting, fire protection and alarm systems, security fencing and gates, water, gas, sewer, oil water separates, storm drainage and site improvements. Accessibility for individuals with disabilities will be provided. Antiterrorism/Force Protection measures shall also be included in the facility design in accordance with applicable criteria. Air Conditioning (estimated 90 Tons). Work is to be performed in Fort Bragg, N.C., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2010. Six proposals solicited with five proposals received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-09-D-0015).
Argon ST, Inc., Mountain View, Calif., was awarded on Jun. 4, 2009 a $ 8,287,604 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the research and development services, supplies and material for thirty-six (36) months to perform the technical on-site inspection/Wildcat Technology Enabler Phase 3.4 effort. Work is to be performed in Mountain View, Calif., with an estimated completion date of June 04, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with two bids received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-09-C-P010).
Rohn Products International, LC, Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc., Maitland, Fla., was awarded on Jun. 04, 2009 a $ 6,243,280 firm-fixed-price contract for 10M quick erect towers- 20 each, 20M quick erect towers-20 each, 45M self tower-25 each and 75M self tower support tower-15 each. Work is to be performed in Maitland, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Apr. 20, 2010. One sole source bid was solicited with one bid received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-09-C-D250).
NAVY
Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $56,368,520 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-5401) for the production of 90 Block 1 MK-44 Mod 2 rolling airframe missile (RAM) guided missile round pack (GMRP) all-up-rounds (AURs), and 40 ordnance alteration kits. The RAM guided missile weapon system is co-developed and co-produced under a NATO cooperative program between the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany. RAM is a missile system designed to provide anti-ship missile defense for multiple ship platforms. This contract modification includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this modification to $118,045,720. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., (49.7 percent); Ottobrunn, Germany, (42.7 percent); Rocket City, W.Va., (4.5 percent); and Andover, Mass., (3.1 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2011. Contract modification funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea System Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Alion Science and Technology Corp., Washington, D.C., is being awarded an $8,622,204 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-09-F-B008) for support to the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program office. The support areas relevant to the LCS for this effort include program planning and management, business and financial management planning and execution, systems engineering, test and evaluation engineering, life cycle engineering and support, logistics and operation support, configuration and data management engineering, and combat systems development. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price contract with Lockheed Martin Corp., of Marietta, Ga., for $38,365,541. The contract modification is to definitized several Undefinitized Contract Actions, recognize offsets costs, and add additional requirements pertaining to the Norway Foreign Military Sales program for aircraft support. At this time, $44,012,920 has been obligated. USAF/AFMC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8625-06-C-6456, P00078).
The Air Force is modigying a cost-plus fixed/award fee contract with Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., of Sunnyvale, Calif., for $10,022,512. This contract action will provide sustainment support for the Mission Control Segment hardware maintenance, Mission Control Segment software and database maintencance, systems engineering integration and test and Mission Control Segment technical manual services. At this time, $9,036,221 has been obligated. SMC SLG/PKM, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the contracting activity (FA8823-06-C-0002, P00043).
Wounded Recruiting Office Shooting Victim Praises Army for Support
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
June 9, 2009 - A soldier wounded last week during an attack at a recruiting office in Little Rock, Ark., that claimed a fellow soldier's life expressed no bitterness today at his attacker, and said the incident has done nothing to dampen his desire to serve in the Army. Army Pvt. Quinton Ezeagwula, 18, spoke publicly about the incident for the first time since he was gunned down outside an Army recruiting office June 1. He is recovering from gunshot wounds to his neck, back and buttocks.
Army Pvt. William Long, 23, was killed in the attack. He was buried yesterday at Camp Robinson, Ark.
Abdulhakim Muhammad, the alleged shooter, was arrested shortly after the attack. He faces charges of capital murder and committing a terroristic act.
President Barack Obama released a statement shortly after the incident. "I am deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence against two brave young soldiers who were doing their part to strengthen our armed forces and keep our country safe," he said. "I would like to wish Quinton Ezeagwula a speedy recovery, and to offer my condolences and prayers to William Long's family as they mourn the loss of their son."
Asked by a reporter today about his recovery, the understated Ezeagwula stated simply, "I'm doing fine, sir."
Ezeaguwula said he joined the military because he "wanted to be able to help my family out," and thought the Army sounded like a good way to do so.
"I actually learned to love the Army," he told reporters today.
Ezeaguwula expressed thanks about the Army's support since the incident. "I really appreciate what they have done for my family and for Private Long's family," he said.
His mother, who joined him at the news conference, echoed her son's thanks and said the experience reaffirmed her confidence that the Army will look out for him.
"I really would like to commend the Army for everything they have done for us," said his mother, who was not identified by name. She said the support Army caregivers have provided her son makes her feel "very secure about my son being in their care."
"I couldn't ask for a better person than God himself," she said. The soldier's mother added that she's happy her son wants to continue his Army service.
"I feel very good about him staying in the Army and wanting to represent the United States," she said. "I think that's a wonderful thing."
She said she hopes the incident sends a message that the United States "is going to step up to the plate and take whatever necessary steps need to be taken to protect Americans."
"You just can't [launch an attack] like that and think it's OK," she said.
Still, she said, she harbors "no ill feelings" toward her son's attacker.
"I just pray that justice be served," she said, adding that she hopes the outcome will "be fair."
Ezeagwula and Long recently completed basic training and infantry training and were serving a temporary recruiting assignment before moving on to their first assignments. Once he recovers, Ezeagwula will continue to his assignment at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
American Forces Press Service
June 9, 2009 - A soldier wounded last week during an attack at a recruiting office in Little Rock, Ark., that claimed a fellow soldier's life expressed no bitterness today at his attacker, and said the incident has done nothing to dampen his desire to serve in the Army. Army Pvt. Quinton Ezeagwula, 18, spoke publicly about the incident for the first time since he was gunned down outside an Army recruiting office June 1. He is recovering from gunshot wounds to his neck, back and buttocks.
Army Pvt. William Long, 23, was killed in the attack. He was buried yesterday at Camp Robinson, Ark.
Abdulhakim Muhammad, the alleged shooter, was arrested shortly after the attack. He faces charges of capital murder and committing a terroristic act.
President Barack Obama released a statement shortly after the incident. "I am deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence against two brave young soldiers who were doing their part to strengthen our armed forces and keep our country safe," he said. "I would like to wish Quinton Ezeagwula a speedy recovery, and to offer my condolences and prayers to William Long's family as they mourn the loss of their son."
Asked by a reporter today about his recovery, the understated Ezeagwula stated simply, "I'm doing fine, sir."
Ezeaguwula said he joined the military because he "wanted to be able to help my family out," and thought the Army sounded like a good way to do so.
"I actually learned to love the Army," he told reporters today.
Ezeaguwula expressed thanks about the Army's support since the incident. "I really appreciate what they have done for my family and for Private Long's family," he said.
His mother, who joined him at the news conference, echoed her son's thanks and said the experience reaffirmed her confidence that the Army will look out for him.
"I really would like to commend the Army for everything they have done for us," said his mother, who was not identified by name. She said the support Army caregivers have provided her son makes her feel "very secure about my son being in their care."
"I couldn't ask for a better person than God himself," she said. The soldier's mother added that she's happy her son wants to continue his Army service.
"I feel very good about him staying in the Army and wanting to represent the United States," she said. "I think that's a wonderful thing."
She said she hopes the incident sends a message that the United States "is going to step up to the plate and take whatever necessary steps need to be taken to protect Americans."
"You just can't [launch an attack] like that and think it's OK," she said.
Still, she said, she harbors "no ill feelings" toward her son's attacker.
"I just pray that justice be served," she said, adding that she hopes the outcome will "be fair."
Ezeagwula and Long recently completed basic training and infantry training and were serving a temporary recruiting assignment before moving on to their first assignments. Once he recovers, Ezeagwula will continue to his assignment at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Mullen Covers Range of Issues in Latest Podcast
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
June 9, 2009 - North Korea, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and military health care are among the topics the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff talks about in his latest podcast. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen's podcasts are available on the Pentagon Channel's Web site, http://www.pentagonchannel.mil.
In a podcast recorded today, Mullen said North Korea's nuclear weapon ambitions could lead to instability. He called the country's alleged test of a nuclear weapon two weeks ago "another example of the belligerence and the ability of North Korea to destabilize the region."
"From the military perspective, certainly we've got a significant capability in the region," he said, "and our readiness levels are such that it is balanced against the overall requirements there as we watch North Korea." But he added that diplomacy is the right approach for now. "And that path is the one that everyone's on," he said, referring to the United States, the United Nations and a host of American allies.
On Afghanistan, Mullen said Afghan civilians are the "center of gravity" in the counterinsurgency mission there, adding that each civilian casualty "sets us back." Asked if the United States is planning to change its procedures in response to civilian casualties, Mulled warned against constraining military forces.
"I think we can't tie our men and women's hands behind their backs," he said. "But we've got to, from a leadership standpoint, continue to focus on this, make sure we understand the circumstances we're getting into in the fight, ... and absolutely minimize the potential that action could result in civilian casualties."
Mullen cited a rise in insurgent violence levels in Afghanistan over the past three years, saying that enemy fighters have grown more effective with the aid of safe havens.
"Equally important is the Taliban's growing allegiance, growing connection to al-Qaida," he added. "That combination ... is a very dangerous one. I am increasingly concerned with the trends."
The additional U.S. forces deploying to the country are critical to reversing enemy gains, the chairman said.
"Over the next 12 to 18 months, we've got to turn the tide to the point where the violence level starts to be reduced and we achieve better security for the Afghan people," he said.
Mullen remarked on the importance of linking U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan under President Barack Obama's new strategy.
"They are two very distinct sovereign countries, but they really are linked together, and the strategy focuses on defeating al-Qaida, whose headquarters and many members reside in the safe haven in Pakistan," he said. "So our engagement with Pakistan remains critical."
Mullen added that steps taken by the Pakistani army in recent weeks to clear out insurgents in the Northwest Province has had significant impact. The clashing has taken enemy fighters off the battlefield and improved Pakistan and, in turn, Afghanistan, he said.
Speaking about the health of the U.S. armed forces, Mullen described the current American military as the best he's ever served with. He added that multiple and lengthy deployments likely factor into the post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries manifesting in many troops returning home.
"They have sacrificed greatly, they've done what we've asked them to do as a country, and the American people have been exceptional in supporting them," Mullen said.
"I believe that in this country there is a sea of good that would reach out and touch and take care of these members and their families, and do it in a way that ensures they have a great life in front of them," he said. "With what we've asked them to do and their sacrifices, I think it's a debt that we as a country have to pay."
The chairman emphasized the need for the Defense Department, the Veterans Affairs Department and local communities to work together to coordinate support.
American Forces Press Service
June 9, 2009 - North Korea, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and military health care are among the topics the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff talks about in his latest podcast. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen's podcasts are available on the Pentagon Channel's Web site, http://www.pentagonchannel.mil.
In a podcast recorded today, Mullen said North Korea's nuclear weapon ambitions could lead to instability. He called the country's alleged test of a nuclear weapon two weeks ago "another example of the belligerence and the ability of North Korea to destabilize the region."
"From the military perspective, certainly we've got a significant capability in the region," he said, "and our readiness levels are such that it is balanced against the overall requirements there as we watch North Korea." But he added that diplomacy is the right approach for now. "And that path is the one that everyone's on," he said, referring to the United States, the United Nations and a host of American allies.
On Afghanistan, Mullen said Afghan civilians are the "center of gravity" in the counterinsurgency mission there, adding that each civilian casualty "sets us back." Asked if the United States is planning to change its procedures in response to civilian casualties, Mulled warned against constraining military forces.
"I think we can't tie our men and women's hands behind their backs," he said. "But we've got to, from a leadership standpoint, continue to focus on this, make sure we understand the circumstances we're getting into in the fight, ... and absolutely minimize the potential that action could result in civilian casualties."
Mullen cited a rise in insurgent violence levels in Afghanistan over the past three years, saying that enemy fighters have grown more effective with the aid of safe havens.
"Equally important is the Taliban's growing allegiance, growing connection to al-Qaida," he added. "That combination ... is a very dangerous one. I am increasingly concerned with the trends."
The additional U.S. forces deploying to the country are critical to reversing enemy gains, the chairman said.
"Over the next 12 to 18 months, we've got to turn the tide to the point where the violence level starts to be reduced and we achieve better security for the Afghan people," he said.
Mullen remarked on the importance of linking U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan under President Barack Obama's new strategy.
"They are two very distinct sovereign countries, but they really are linked together, and the strategy focuses on defeating al-Qaida, whose headquarters and many members reside in the safe haven in Pakistan," he said. "So our engagement with Pakistan remains critical."
Mullen added that steps taken by the Pakistani army in recent weeks to clear out insurgents in the Northwest Province has had significant impact. The clashing has taken enemy fighters off the battlefield and improved Pakistan and, in turn, Afghanistan, he said.
Speaking about the health of the U.S. armed forces, Mullen described the current American military as the best he's ever served with. He added that multiple and lengthy deployments likely factor into the post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries manifesting in many troops returning home.
"They have sacrificed greatly, they've done what we've asked them to do as a country, and the American people have been exceptional in supporting them," Mullen said.
"I believe that in this country there is a sea of good that would reach out and touch and take care of these members and their families, and do it in a way that ensures they have a great life in front of them," he said. "With what we've asked them to do and their sacrifices, I think it's a debt that we as a country have to pay."
The chairman emphasized the need for the Defense Department, the Veterans Affairs Department and local communities to work together to coordinate support.
Face of Defense: Father of Seven Returns to Active Duty
By Army Pfc. Charles WolfeSpecial to American Forces Press Service
June 9, 2009 - Army Spc. Jonathan Goodwin is a lot of different things: husband, father of seven children, jokester, and the kind of person who can light up a room with his sense of humor. But before he was any of these things, he became a soldier, signing up for his first enlistment in May 1992. The decision to serve wasn't a hard one for Goodwin. At the time, he was an aspiring chemical engineering major, studying in his native state at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University. He had a small apartment, three roommates and a full-time job. However, the costs of education and housing outstretched Goodwin's meager salary, and eventually hunger began to set in.
"I looked in the refrigerator one day, and we didn't have anything but ice and eggs. I didn't know how we were going to make it," Goodwin said.
Then, fate made a timely intervention. An Army recruiter was visiting residents of Goodwin's apartment complex. When he saw the young student sitting outside his door, he made an offer Goodwin couldn't refuse.
"He said he would take me out to eat if I just listened to him about joining the military," Goodwin said. "Everything he said to me seemed to make sense."
One dinner later, Goodwin joined the Army's ranks as a supply specialist. The decision to serve wasn't made on the hope of one meal; Goodwin recently had welcomed his first child, and he knew the military could help to provide stability for his new family.
"I knew it was going to be a struggle to work, go to school and raise my child," Goodwin said. "It made sense to help my family."
As the years passed, Goodwin's family grew, and with time was able to sustain itself without his military paycheck. Goodwin ended his first tenure with the Army to return to life as a private citizen.
However, six children and 13 years after being sworn in, fate found Goodwin again, calling him back to duty a second time.
"My brother, a Marine colonel, died in Iraq in 2005," Goodwin said. "That was my main motivation for ending my break in service and returning to the Army."
That same year, Goodwin served his first deployment in the same country where his brother died. In Afghanistan now on his second combat tour, Goodwin has a large responsibility. As the supply specialist for his battalion, Goodwin is in charge of maintaining accountability for a large amount of crucial and sensitive equipment.
With seven children and a wife back home, Goodwin has much to account for, both on and off the battlefield.
"I have a large family," he said.
With seven children between the ages of 6 and 15, the Goodwins are more than double the size of most families.
"They love me and I love them," Goodwin said. "I'm the king of my castle, and everyone loves the king."
Spending a second year away from his wife and children would seem difficult, he said, but his family makes for a very large, encouraging support group.
"The kids are all very proud to have a dad in the Army," Goodwin said. "They're proud of me, and I'm proud of them. I'm really happy with the way they handle things back at home while I'm gone."
All seven of Goodwin's children made their schools' honor rolls this year. Their efforts in the classroom seem to inspire Goodwin to return to his schooling as well.
"I still really want to get that degree," he said.
(Army Pfc. Charles Wolfe serves in the 1st Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team public affairs office.)
Balding Boomers, Eat your Hearts Out
The deification in recent years of the World War Two generation has been an interesting phenomenon. One supposes it began in the late 90's, with the twin vehicles of Tom Brokaw's Greatest Generation, and the release of Saving Private Ryan.
I was born in 1973. When I was a kid every one's grandfather had been in 'the war'. My mother's father fought in Europe with an anti-aircraft unit, while my father's father spent most of the war in Louisiana, where he met my grandmother. In the spring of 1945, he joined a medical unit that would have gone ashore with the first wave in the invasion of Japan. My grandmother's brother was an old horse soldier, teaching riding to generals daughters at Ft. Knox. For some reason (feel free to speculate) he ended up in the 5307th, better known as Merrill's Marauders.
You could learn the history of World War Two just by watching movies on the local channel's, we've all seen 'em a hundred times. That war seemed close, and intimate. The fact that you knew people who fought in the war seemed unremarkable.
If some one's father had been in Vietnam, wow that was something. Though there were a few here and there.
Of course, growing up in the 70's and 80's also meant you were subjected to what, for some of us, became known as the Dreaded Nine Words, 'Did I ever tell you kids about the 60's?' In fact, so prevalent was the boomer nostalgia movement that one almost got the sense that you were actually growing up in the 50's. A yearly feature of my high school was 50's and 60's day.
Generation X, raised on guaranteed nuclear annihilation, the AIDS crises, environmental doom, child abductions, poisoned Halloween candy, date rape, and the drug war looked back at the 50's and saw a utopia. You could walk down the street at night, by yourself even.
The music was alright, and tye dye t-shirts sure do look nice across coed busts, but was the country really so bad off that it required everything the Vietnam generation put us through? Anyone thinking the 60's did the nation much good ought to compare and contrast the 1965 New York blackout with the 1977 version, and then again with the 2003 event.
In his book about the 1970's David Frum writes, 'The millions of Americans born since 1970 seem to have collectively decided that the Boomers are absolutely the most boring generation of old fogies ever to have inflicted their reminiscences on the young.' he later concludes, 'Who would not be prouder of having fought through the mud of Guadalcanal than having fornicated in the mid at Woodstock?'
This is exactly right. Young people actually do like hearing about when their parents and grandparents were kids, just not all the time, they have to ask first. The information should never be volunteered. 'Grandma, did girl's where short skirts to dances?' is a far better way to connect than an unsolicited, 'Why, back in my day...'
When describing the young soldiers of Operation Desert Storm, PJ O'Rourke, himself a product of the 60's wrote, 'These are the Reagan kids. This generation took one look at the 60's and said give me a haircut and a job.'
For more about Will, visit http://www.gulfwarone.com/. His novel, 'A Line Through the Desert' can be purchased here.
Monday, June 08, 2009
Face of Defense: Airman Uses 'Buddy Care' to Help Man Hit by Train
By Air Force Airman 1st Class Elliott Sprehe
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 8, 2009 - Air Force Senior Airman Eric Slaugh was returning here from leave in December when he encountered a snowstorm in northeastern New Mexico, a storm that would detour him into assisting in saving someone's life. After missing a turn because of the near-whiteout weather conditions, the Slaugh family ended up in a traffic jam due to an overturned semi-trailer that was blocking the highway.
These small setbacks led Slaugh, just a few miles outside of Prewitt, N.M., to be a couple of cars back from a man who, while taking a quick comfort break from the gridlocked traffic, would be struck by a train.
"I watched the train go by, and he didn't come back," said Slaugh, assigned to the 27th Special Operations Component Maintenance Squadron.
Slaugh later would learn that the man was standing in one set of tracks waiting for a train to go by so he could get back to his vehicle. But due to the noise of the westbound train he was paying attention to, the man didn't see the one traveling in the opposite direction heading toward him.
According to a memo from the New Mexico State Police, the man noticed the train at the last second and managed to jump mostly out of the way, though he was struck and knocked back from the blow of the train.
"I never saw him come back over the hill, so I woke my wife up and told her I was going to go check on the guy," Slaugh said. "When I got there, I could see him sitting next to another train."
Upon closer inspection, Slaugh noticed that the man's hand had been severely damaged and was bleeding profusely. A trail of blood led from where he had been knocked to the ground to where he sat, leaning against a train. Slaugh went back to his vehicle, where he retrieved cloth diapers and other supplies to help the man.
After returning to the victim, Slaugh directed someone to call 911 and used his Air Force self-aid and buddy care training to treat the man for shock and took steps to stop the bleeding.
"I held a pressure point for a while, which, for the most part, stopped the bleeding," he said. "At that point, personnel from the train that hit the man had made their way back."
The train that struck the man came to a stop about a half mile from where he was hit. Slaugh had one of the train conductors keep the man's hand elevated while he went back to his vehicle for a blanket.
When he returned to the train, a police officer had arrived. While awaiting the arrival of medical technicians, Slaugh continued to engage the man in conversation to keep him conscious. At this point, Slaugh had been awake for almost 24 hours.
Medical technicians soon arrived to secure the man and transport him to a medical facility.
As far as Slaugh was concerned, it was the right thing to do.
"At first, my mind went blank from initial shock, but after a few minutes you start thinking straight: 'I've got to do this, I've got to do that,'" he said. "I believe that if you see somebody who needs your help -- especially if this person could die without help -- and you choose not to help him and he dies, you're partially responsible.
"Did I save his life? I don't know," he said. "Did I think I'd ever use [my self-aid and buddy care training]? No, I'm a mechanic. Was it the right thing to do? Yeah."
After the ordeal was over, Slaugh and his family got a hotel room for the night to rest and contemplate what had happened.
In a memo from the New Mexico State Police, Sgt. Luis Hernandez wrote, "I truly believe that Senior Airman Slaugh's actions on this day were essential to the victim's survival. His knowledge of first aid and his willingness to help others are a reminder of the values our military personnel hold."
(Air Force Airman 1st Class Elliott Sprehe serves with the 27th Special Operations Wing public affairs office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 8, 2009 - Air Force Senior Airman Eric Slaugh was returning here from leave in December when he encountered a snowstorm in northeastern New Mexico, a storm that would detour him into assisting in saving someone's life. After missing a turn because of the near-whiteout weather conditions, the Slaugh family ended up in a traffic jam due to an overturned semi-trailer that was blocking the highway.
These small setbacks led Slaugh, just a few miles outside of Prewitt, N.M., to be a couple of cars back from a man who, while taking a quick comfort break from the gridlocked traffic, would be struck by a train.
"I watched the train go by, and he didn't come back," said Slaugh, assigned to the 27th Special Operations Component Maintenance Squadron.
Slaugh later would learn that the man was standing in one set of tracks waiting for a train to go by so he could get back to his vehicle. But due to the noise of the westbound train he was paying attention to, the man didn't see the one traveling in the opposite direction heading toward him.
According to a memo from the New Mexico State Police, the man noticed the train at the last second and managed to jump mostly out of the way, though he was struck and knocked back from the blow of the train.
"I never saw him come back over the hill, so I woke my wife up and told her I was going to go check on the guy," Slaugh said. "When I got there, I could see him sitting next to another train."
Upon closer inspection, Slaugh noticed that the man's hand had been severely damaged and was bleeding profusely. A trail of blood led from where he had been knocked to the ground to where he sat, leaning against a train. Slaugh went back to his vehicle, where he retrieved cloth diapers and other supplies to help the man.
After returning to the victim, Slaugh directed someone to call 911 and used his Air Force self-aid and buddy care training to treat the man for shock and took steps to stop the bleeding.
"I held a pressure point for a while, which, for the most part, stopped the bleeding," he said. "At that point, personnel from the train that hit the man had made their way back."
The train that struck the man came to a stop about a half mile from where he was hit. Slaugh had one of the train conductors keep the man's hand elevated while he went back to his vehicle for a blanket.
When he returned to the train, a police officer had arrived. While awaiting the arrival of medical technicians, Slaugh continued to engage the man in conversation to keep him conscious. At this point, Slaugh had been awake for almost 24 hours.
Medical technicians soon arrived to secure the man and transport him to a medical facility.
As far as Slaugh was concerned, it was the right thing to do.
"At first, my mind went blank from initial shock, but after a few minutes you start thinking straight: 'I've got to do this, I've got to do that,'" he said. "I believe that if you see somebody who needs your help -- especially if this person could die without help -- and you choose not to help him and he dies, you're partially responsible.
"Did I save his life? I don't know," he said. "Did I think I'd ever use [my self-aid and buddy care training]? No, I'm a mechanic. Was it the right thing to do? Yeah."
After the ordeal was over, Slaugh and his family got a hotel room for the night to rest and contemplate what had happened.
In a memo from the New Mexico State Police, Sgt. Luis Hernandez wrote, "I truly believe that Senior Airman Slaugh's actions on this day were essential to the victim's survival. His knowledge of first aid and his willingness to help others are a reminder of the values our military personnel hold."
(Air Force Airman 1st Class Elliott Sprehe serves with the 27th Special Operations Wing public affairs office.)
FEMA Chief, Northcom General Cite Military's Hurricane Response Role
By Army Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 8, 2009 - The National Guard is essential to hurricane response, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency told lawmakers here last week. W. Craig Fugate, FEMA administrator, and Army Maj. Gen. Frank Grass, U.S. Northern Command's director of operations, testified June 4 before an ad hoc disaster-response subcommittee of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
"The National Guard is a key component of any state governor's ability to respond to a variety of disasters," Fugate said. "They are a force multiplier for the ... state responders. [The National Guard] is a key component of our national defense strategy."
Fugate said one of the first things he did after he was sworn in May 19 was to meet with Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau.
"We have a very strong statewide mutual aid system under [the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, and] we leverage that with the National Guard," Fugate said.
The National Guard and Northcom stand ready to support civil authorities in the 2009 hurricane season, which began June 1, Grass said.
The National Guard is "the first responders in support of [civil authorities] and the governor, so they're going to be there first," Grass told the subcommittee. "It behooves us at Northcom to understand their capability and look at their response times, because if they're successful at the local level, that's less federal assets we have to put forward."
National Guard, Northcom and FEMA leaders were joined by state and county officials at a hurricane workshop in South Carolina earlier this year, Grass told lawmakers.
"We walked through ... how the locals would be responding, how the state would respond [and] then the National Guard gave us a lay-down by state of where their shortfalls were," Grass said. "Then FEMA came in and explained what capabilities it may be requesting.
"The biggest shortfall this current hurricane season," he continued, "probably is in the brigade structure of the National Guard, because of the number of brigades deployed [overseas]. Even though it's a shortfall in certain regions, it's not a shortfall across the nation. It's a matter of reallocating forces, and the National Guard is working very closely ... with the state adjutants general to identify those forces that can fill those shortfalls."
Grass said a similar situation exists with helicopters, and that equipment from other regions can relieve a shortage in a particular state.
A third challenge is aeromedical evacuation, Grass said.
"We've improved greatly since last hurricane season on the ability to identify patients, ... move [them], how to receive them," he said. Defense and federal coordinating officers are working with local officials to improve communication before a storm.
Any hurricane response will be a joint effort by military forces supporting civilian authorities, Grass said.
"We've looked closely at the active component – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard – ... to see where their assets would be available," Grass said.
National Guard Bureau and Northcom leaders talk daily to coordinate efforts, Grass said in an interview after his testimony.
"Between Northern Command and NGB, we're all watching the continental United States and the states and territories," Grass said. "If we see something out there, ... we immediately make contact with each other."
NGB's command center and the North American Aerospace Defense Command and Northcom command center work together closely, and whenever National Guard forces are deployed domestically, "we're prepared to back them up," Grass said.
"The key point in this response – whether it's a local Guard unit or it's a federal force being called in because the governor said he has a shortfall – is that we're always in support of a civilian agency on the ground that needs help, and we owe it to the taxpayers – to our citizens – to use the best asset that we have the quickest."
During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Grass was deputy director of the Army National Guard. He then served abroad in U.S. European Command, returning last year to take up his position at Northcom. That previous hurricane experience, plus his time abroad, has given him a perspective on the nation's current hurricane preparedness, he said.
"To see the changes, it's night and day," Grass said. "Northcom has matured. The Guard has matured in their relationships with the states and with Northern Command. Just the fact that today there are five reserve component general officers serving full time at Northern Command and there are three traditional Army Reserve and Air Guard and Army Guard generals serving at Northern Command – we have a much closer relationship than we have ever had. The FEMA administration has reached out to the interagency and to the Department of Defense.
"When you look at a total reserve force of over a million, and the National Guard at over 460,000 Army and Air Guardsmen," he continued, "there's no reason the National Guard Bureau can't make that response happen through [emergency management assistance compacts] – and we would be prepared from Northern Command to step in and help if there were gaps."
As is increasingly the case throughout the Defense Department, Northcom is a truly joint environment, Grass said.
"I don't care what uniform you wear or what component you're with," Grass said, "your No. 1 mission should be defense of the homeland and providing response capability to the citizens of the United States."
(Army Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 8, 2009 - The National Guard is essential to hurricane response, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency told lawmakers here last week. W. Craig Fugate, FEMA administrator, and Army Maj. Gen. Frank Grass, U.S. Northern Command's director of operations, testified June 4 before an ad hoc disaster-response subcommittee of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
"The National Guard is a key component of any state governor's ability to respond to a variety of disasters," Fugate said. "They are a force multiplier for the ... state responders. [The National Guard] is a key component of our national defense strategy."
Fugate said one of the first things he did after he was sworn in May 19 was to meet with Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau.
"We have a very strong statewide mutual aid system under [the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, and] we leverage that with the National Guard," Fugate said.
The National Guard and Northcom stand ready to support civil authorities in the 2009 hurricane season, which began June 1, Grass said.
The National Guard is "the first responders in support of [civil authorities] and the governor, so they're going to be there first," Grass told the subcommittee. "It behooves us at Northcom to understand their capability and look at their response times, because if they're successful at the local level, that's less federal assets we have to put forward."
National Guard, Northcom and FEMA leaders were joined by state and county officials at a hurricane workshop in South Carolina earlier this year, Grass told lawmakers.
"We walked through ... how the locals would be responding, how the state would respond [and] then the National Guard gave us a lay-down by state of where their shortfalls were," Grass said. "Then FEMA came in and explained what capabilities it may be requesting.
"The biggest shortfall this current hurricane season," he continued, "probably is in the brigade structure of the National Guard, because of the number of brigades deployed [overseas]. Even though it's a shortfall in certain regions, it's not a shortfall across the nation. It's a matter of reallocating forces, and the National Guard is working very closely ... with the state adjutants general to identify those forces that can fill those shortfalls."
Grass said a similar situation exists with helicopters, and that equipment from other regions can relieve a shortage in a particular state.
A third challenge is aeromedical evacuation, Grass said.
"We've improved greatly since last hurricane season on the ability to identify patients, ... move [them], how to receive them," he said. Defense and federal coordinating officers are working with local officials to improve communication before a storm.
Any hurricane response will be a joint effort by military forces supporting civilian authorities, Grass said.
"We've looked closely at the active component – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard – ... to see where their assets would be available," Grass said.
National Guard Bureau and Northcom leaders talk daily to coordinate efforts, Grass said in an interview after his testimony.
"Between Northern Command and NGB, we're all watching the continental United States and the states and territories," Grass said. "If we see something out there, ... we immediately make contact with each other."
NGB's command center and the North American Aerospace Defense Command and Northcom command center work together closely, and whenever National Guard forces are deployed domestically, "we're prepared to back them up," Grass said.
"The key point in this response – whether it's a local Guard unit or it's a federal force being called in because the governor said he has a shortfall – is that we're always in support of a civilian agency on the ground that needs help, and we owe it to the taxpayers – to our citizens – to use the best asset that we have the quickest."
During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Grass was deputy director of the Army National Guard. He then served abroad in U.S. European Command, returning last year to take up his position at Northcom. That previous hurricane experience, plus his time abroad, has given him a perspective on the nation's current hurricane preparedness, he said.
"To see the changes, it's night and day," Grass said. "Northcom has matured. The Guard has matured in their relationships with the states and with Northern Command. Just the fact that today there are five reserve component general officers serving full time at Northern Command and there are three traditional Army Reserve and Air Guard and Army Guard generals serving at Northern Command – we have a much closer relationship than we have ever had. The FEMA administration has reached out to the interagency and to the Department of Defense.
"When you look at a total reserve force of over a million, and the National Guard at over 460,000 Army and Air Guardsmen," he continued, "there's no reason the National Guard Bureau can't make that response happen through [emergency management assistance compacts] – and we would be prepared from Northern Command to step in and help if there were gaps."
As is increasingly the case throughout the Defense Department, Northcom is a truly joint environment, Grass said.
"I don't care what uniform you wear or what component you're with," Grass said, "your No. 1 mission should be defense of the homeland and providing response capability to the citizens of the United States."
(Army Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
MILITARY CONTRACTS June 8, 2009
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is terminating for convenience the Transformational Satellite Communications System Mission Operations System contract with Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Services of San Jose, Calif., for $2,020,430,440. The contract termination is a result of the Department of Defense cancelling the TSAT Program in accordance with the priorities of the FY10 President's Budget.
The Air Force is terminating for convenience the Transformational Satellite Communications Systems Engineering and Integration contract with Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of McLean, Va., for $20,802,224. The contract termination is a result of the Department of Defense cancelling the TSAT Program in accordance with the priorities of the FY10 President's Budget (FA8802-04-F-7044).
The Air Force is awarding a firm, fixed price contract to ATK Tactical Systems Co., LLC of Rocket Center, West Va., for $5,986,994. This contract action will provide the DSU-33D/B nose-mounted sensor used on M117 and MK-80 series general-purpose bombs and the Joint Direct Attack Munition. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 784 CBSG/PK, Hill Air Force Base, Utah is the contracting activity (FA8681-06-C-0009).
NAVY
Federal Cartridge Co., Anoka, Minn., is being awarded a $49,900,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for 300 Winchester magnum ammunition. This ammunition will be used by U.S. forces engaged in combat and by the Navy in Match Team competition. Work will be performed in Anoka, Minn., and is expected to be completed Jun. 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $1,319,768 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with multiple proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N0016409-D-JQ56).
EDAW, Inc., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a maximum amount $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect/engineering contract for preparation of Navy and Marine Corps environmental planning documentation primarily in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) southwest area of responsibility (AOR); however, work may be located any where in the United States. The work to be performed provides for National Environmental Policy Act documents such as categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements. Environmental studies and documents. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Southwest AOR including, but not limited to Calif., (80 percent); Ariz., (5 percent); Nev., (5 percent); Colo., (1 percent); N.M., (1 percent); Utah, (1 percent); Alaska, (1 percent); Hawaii, (1 percent), and remainder of the U.S., (5 percent). The contract is expected to be completed by Jun. 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $5,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This co! ntract w as competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with seven proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-09-D-2602).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Jaron Corp., South Bend, Ind.*, is being awarded a maximum $32,709,050 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are in Oklahoma. Using service is Air Force. There were 48 responses to the original proposed solicitation. Contract funds will not 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-4529).
Pierce manufacturing, Inc., Appleton, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $9,103,451 firm fixed price, delivery order on long term contract for rescue fire fighting vehicles. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jun. 5, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-01-D-0062-0049).
BH Aircraft Co., Inc., Ronkonkoma, N.Y.*, is being awarded a maximum $5,790,480 firm fixed price contract for afterburner liners. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. There were originally two proposals solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Oct. 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPRPA1-09-C-Z099).
The Air Force is terminating for convenience the Transformational Satellite Communications System Mission Operations System contract with Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Services of San Jose, Calif., for $2,020,430,440. The contract termination is a result of the Department of Defense cancelling the TSAT Program in accordance with the priorities of the FY10 President's Budget.
The Air Force is terminating for convenience the Transformational Satellite Communications Systems Engineering and Integration contract with Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of McLean, Va., for $20,802,224. The contract termination is a result of the Department of Defense cancelling the TSAT Program in accordance with the priorities of the FY10 President's Budget (FA8802-04-F-7044).
The Air Force is awarding a firm, fixed price contract to ATK Tactical Systems Co., LLC of Rocket Center, West Va., for $5,986,994. This contract action will provide the DSU-33D/B nose-mounted sensor used on M117 and MK-80 series general-purpose bombs and the Joint Direct Attack Munition. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 784 CBSG/PK, Hill Air Force Base, Utah is the contracting activity (FA8681-06-C-0009).
NAVY
Federal Cartridge Co., Anoka, Minn., is being awarded a $49,900,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for 300 Winchester magnum ammunition. This ammunition will be used by U.S. forces engaged in combat and by the Navy in Match Team competition. Work will be performed in Anoka, Minn., and is expected to be completed Jun. 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $1,319,768 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with multiple proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N0016409-D-JQ56).
EDAW, Inc., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a maximum amount $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect/engineering contract for preparation of Navy and Marine Corps environmental planning documentation primarily in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) southwest area of responsibility (AOR); however, work may be located any where in the United States. The work to be performed provides for National Environmental Policy Act documents such as categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements. Environmental studies and documents. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Southwest AOR including, but not limited to Calif., (80 percent); Ariz., (5 percent); Nev., (5 percent); Colo., (1 percent); N.M., (1 percent); Utah, (1 percent); Alaska, (1 percent); Hawaii, (1 percent), and remainder of the U.S., (5 percent). The contract is expected to be completed by Jun. 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $5,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This co! ntract w as competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with seven proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-09-D-2602).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Jaron Corp., South Bend, Ind.*, is being awarded a maximum $32,709,050 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are in Oklahoma. Using service is Air Force. There were 48 responses to the original proposed solicitation. Contract funds will not 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-4529).
Pierce manufacturing, Inc., Appleton, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $9,103,451 firm fixed price, delivery order on long term contract for rescue fire fighting vehicles. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jun. 5, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-01-D-0062-0049).
BH Aircraft Co., Inc., Ronkonkoma, N.Y.*, is being awarded a maximum $5,790,480 firm fixed price contract for afterburner liners. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. There were originally two proposals solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Oct. 31, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPRPA1-09-C-Z099).
Pentagon Encouraged on Pakistan, Wary on North Korea, Spokesman Says
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
June 8, 2009 - Defense Department officials are encouraged by the Pakistani campaign in the country's Swat Valley and in its provinces of Buner and Dir, but North Korea continues to be a vexing issue, the Pentagon press secretary said here today. Pakistan's month-long offensive against the Taliban within its borders is going well, Geoff Morrell said during a Pentagon news conference. "We are hoping that the offensive continues to the point that these militants in this region are defeated," he said.
The United States continues to stand ready to provide whatever assistance the Pakistani military needs to finish the job, Morrell said. "But we are clearly encouraged by the fact that, ever since there was this encroachment on Islamabad by the Taliban and associated other militant groups, we are seeing an aggressive and sustained military operation in response," he added.
North Korea continues to be a problem, and the press secretary said the U.S. position will continue to stress diplomacy. "Our focus is now and has been and likely will continue to be on coming up with diplomatic and economic pressures that will persuade the North from abandoning its pursuit of nuclear weapons and the platforms to deliver them," he said.
American efforts are focused on the United Nations and the Six-Party Talks with the United States, South Korea, Japan, Russia, China and North Korea.
Still other actions are contemplated should diplomacy fail. "Obviously, we never take anything off the table in terms of what our options are should the North not be dissuaded from pursuing a nuclear-weapons capability," Morrell said, "but that's not where our focus is right now."
Morrell reiterated Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' statement in Singapore last week. "He, like the president and almost everybody else involved in this, is sick of buying the same horse multiple times -- is sick of responding to North Korean provocations by making concessions that get you back to the status quo ante only to see this all unfold again," Morrell said.
"So while we are pursuing diplomacy and while we are pursuing economic sanctions, we are simultaneously working with our allies ... who may be amenable to this on trying to devise additional defensive measures, prudent planning in the event that the North continues down this reckless path," he said.
Gates has tasked his policy team to figure out creative and prudent ways to bolster defenses if North Korea continues, Morrell said.
The United States will work with Japan and South Korea or alone if it has to, he said.
"We're talking about this on a trilateral basis, which would be ideal, on a bilateral basis if necessary, and, if it comes to that, unilaterally," the press secretary said.
American Forces Press Service
June 8, 2009 - Defense Department officials are encouraged by the Pakistani campaign in the country's Swat Valley and in its provinces of Buner and Dir, but North Korea continues to be a vexing issue, the Pentagon press secretary said here today. Pakistan's month-long offensive against the Taliban within its borders is going well, Geoff Morrell said during a Pentagon news conference. "We are hoping that the offensive continues to the point that these militants in this region are defeated," he said.
The United States continues to stand ready to provide whatever assistance the Pakistani military needs to finish the job, Morrell said. "But we are clearly encouraged by the fact that, ever since there was this encroachment on Islamabad by the Taliban and associated other militant groups, we are seeing an aggressive and sustained military operation in response," he added.
North Korea continues to be a problem, and the press secretary said the U.S. position will continue to stress diplomacy. "Our focus is now and has been and likely will continue to be on coming up with diplomatic and economic pressures that will persuade the North from abandoning its pursuit of nuclear weapons and the platforms to deliver them," he said.
American efforts are focused on the United Nations and the Six-Party Talks with the United States, South Korea, Japan, Russia, China and North Korea.
Still other actions are contemplated should diplomacy fail. "Obviously, we never take anything off the table in terms of what our options are should the North not be dissuaded from pursuing a nuclear-weapons capability," Morrell said, "but that's not where our focus is right now."
Morrell reiterated Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' statement in Singapore last week. "He, like the president and almost everybody else involved in this, is sick of buying the same horse multiple times -- is sick of responding to North Korean provocations by making concessions that get you back to the status quo ante only to see this all unfold again," Morrell said.
"So while we are pursuing diplomacy and while we are pursuing economic sanctions, we are simultaneously working with our allies ... who may be amenable to this on trying to devise additional defensive measures, prudent planning in the event that the North continues down this reckless path," he said.
Gates has tasked his policy team to figure out creative and prudent ways to bolster defenses if North Korea continues, Morrell said.
The United States will work with Japan and South Korea or alone if it has to, he said.
"We're talking about this on a trilateral basis, which would be ideal, on a bilateral basis if necessary, and, if it comes to that, unilaterally," the press secretary said.
U.S. Crew to Aid in Locating French Airliner's Data Recorders
American Forces Press Service
June 8, 2009 - The Defense Department is flying a 19-person crew and Navy equipment to Natal, Brazil, to aid in the search for Air France Flight 447's data recorders, a Pentagon spokesman said today. The Airbus A330 jetliner with 228 people aboard disappeared May 31 in thunderstorms while traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris.
Navy Cmdr. Jeffrey Gordon said the U.S. crew, a mix of military personnel and contractors assigned to Naval Sea Systems Command's supervisor of salvage and diving here, will operate Navy towed pinger locators, or TPLs, from two French-contracted ships.
The passive listening devices, which can locate emergency beacons up to 20,000 feet below the ocean's surface, will be towed behind the vessels at speeds of 1 to 5 knots, depending on water depth, Gordon said. If they detect an acoustic pulse, it's transmitted up the towing cable and is presented in audio and visual modes.
The first ship to receive a TPL and a crew will depart for the search area June 10. The second ship is scheduled to depart June 12.
Last week, a U.S. Navy P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft was deployed to Brazil, where it flew three search missions of about eight hours each. It returned to Florida over the weekend.
Brazilian officials are reporting 16 bodies and a large part of the aircraft's tail section have been recovered from the wreckage field. While not exactly identifying the location of the search area, the officials have said it's south of the plane's last transmission, indicating pilots may have turned back toward a nearby island.
June 8, 2009 - The Defense Department is flying a 19-person crew and Navy equipment to Natal, Brazil, to aid in the search for Air France Flight 447's data recorders, a Pentagon spokesman said today. The Airbus A330 jetliner with 228 people aboard disappeared May 31 in thunderstorms while traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris.
Navy Cmdr. Jeffrey Gordon said the U.S. crew, a mix of military personnel and contractors assigned to Naval Sea Systems Command's supervisor of salvage and diving here, will operate Navy towed pinger locators, or TPLs, from two French-contracted ships.
The passive listening devices, which can locate emergency beacons up to 20,000 feet below the ocean's surface, will be towed behind the vessels at speeds of 1 to 5 knots, depending on water depth, Gordon said. If they detect an acoustic pulse, it's transmitted up the towing cable and is presented in audio and visual modes.
The first ship to receive a TPL and a crew will depart for the search area June 10. The second ship is scheduled to depart June 12.
Last week, a U.S. Navy P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft was deployed to Brazil, where it flew three search missions of about eight hours each. It returned to Florida over the weekend.
Brazilian officials are reporting 16 bodies and a large part of the aircraft's tail section have been recovered from the wreckage field. While not exactly identifying the location of the search area, the officials have said it's south of the plane's last transmission, indicating pilots may have turned back toward a nearby island.
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