NAVY
Archer Western/RQ Construction Joint Venture, Chicago, Ill., is being awarded a $151,048,000 firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of multiple bachelor enlisted quarters, Camp Lejeune. The contract also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $162,923,000. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by August 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 18 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-09-C-3215).
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $72,698,102 modification to previously awarded contract (N62793-03-G-0001) to definitize the planning effort and material support and accomplishment effort for the Post Shakedown Availability/Selected Restricted Availability for the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77). Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by January 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $1,870,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Newport News, Va., is the contracting activity.
Eagan, McAllister Associates, Inc., Lexington Park, Md., (N65236-09-D-3806), and ManTech Systems Engineering Corp., Fairfax, Va., (N65236-09-D-3807) are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award, cost-plus-fixed-fee, performance-based contract to provide tactical command and control integration and improvement support services required by multiple Department of Defense and other federal agencies. Eagan, McAllister Associates, Inc., will receive $36,968,507 and ManTech Systems Engineering Corp., will receive $38,808,905. These contracts include option periods which, if exercised, would bring the total cumulative value to an estimated amount of $205,683,274. These two contractors may compete for the task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contracts. Work will be performed in Charleston, S.C., (80 percent), and Lexington Park, Md., (20 percent), and is expected to be completed by June 2010. If all options are exercised, work could continue until June 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. The multiple award contracts were competitively procured using full and open competitive procedures via SPAWAR Systems Command e-commerce website, with four offers received. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic, Charleston, S.C., is the contracting activity.
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Allentown, Pa., is being awarded a $17,875,310 firm-fixed-price construction contract for construction of Full Scale Electric Drive Test Facility, Philadelphia Naval Business Center, Philadelphia, Pa. The work to be performed provides for modification of existing facilities to construct a full scale electric drive test facility. The functions contained within the facility will be comprised of testing facilities for future Integrated Power and Energy Systems and components, including electric drive propulsion systems for shipboard systems. Work will be performed in Philadelphia, Pa., and is expected to be completed by January 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with six proposals received. The Naval Facili! ties Eng ineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-09-C-7005).
General Dynamics Information Technologies, Inc., Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $13,012,459 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to exercise an option for maintenance planning and design interface technical/ management support services for the In-Service Support Center and Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Jacksonville, Fla. These services include evaluating initial designs, evaluating proposed design changes, maintenance planning and sustaining maintenance plans. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Fla., (73 percent), Oklahoma City, Okla., (18 percent), Cherry Point, N.C., (6 percent), and Patuxent River, Md., (3 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity (N00421-00-D-0328).
Shaw Environmental, Inc., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded $7,227,373 for firm-fixed-price task order #0006 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity unrestricted environmental multiple award contract (N62473-08-D-8822) for Radiological Remediation in Parcel D-1 at Hunters Point Shipyard. The work to be performed provides for radiological surveys and remediation in Parcel D-1 in order to achieve unrestricted free release of all radiologically impacted areas in the parcel. Work will be performed in San Francisco, Calif., and is expected to be completed by June 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.
Barnhart, Inc., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded firm-fixed price Task Order 0005 at $7,266,343 under a multiple award construction contract for the repair and renovation of existing 4-story bachelor enlisted quarters 52609 at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. The contract also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $9,066,343. Work will be performed in Oceanside, Calif., and is expected to be completed by March 2010. Funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (contract number N62473-06-D-1059).
Armorworks, Inc., Chandler, Ariz., is being awarded a delivery order in the amount of $7,015,535 against a previously awarded contract for Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts used as personal armor by Marines. Work will be performed in Chandler, Ariz., and is expected to be completed in December 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $7,015,536 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-06-D-3071).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Navistar Defense, Warrenville, Ill., is being awarded a maximum $42,872,326 firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract for sustainment spare parts in support of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Nov. 9, 2009. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Warren (DSCC-ZG), Warren, Mich., (SPRDL1-09-C-0088).
Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $31,124,271 firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck engine procurement. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is June 19, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Warren (DSCC-ZG), Warren, Mich., (SPRDL1-09-D-0025).
Coast Produce*, Los Angeles, Calif., is being awarded a maximum $10,246,545 fixed-price with economic price adjustment, total set aside, indefinite quantity contract for fresh fruit and vegetables support. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Navy, Marine Corps and USDA School customers. The original proposal was DIBBS solicited with six responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising 18-month option year one. The date of performance completion is Jan. 31, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM300-08-D-P020).
Gentex Corp., Simpson, Pa., is being awarded a maximum $9,498,608 firm-fixed-price, requirements type contract for Aircrew Integrated Helmet System and component parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army and Navy. The original proposal was DIBBS solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is June 17, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM1C1-09-D-1053).
McDonnell Douglas Corp., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a maximum $8,995,550 firm-fixed-price, sole source contract for parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. 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 May 30, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Philadelphia
(DSCR-ZC), Philadelphia, Pa., (N00383-06-D-001J-TH02).
DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY
Total Immersion Software Inc., Alameda, Calif., is being awarded a $12,000,000 modification to a previously awarded other transaction for prototypes agreement for the RealWorld Transition program. Work will be performed in Alameda, Calif., (36 percent), Austin, Texas, (36 percent), Hampton, Va., (25 percent), and San Antonio, Texas, (3 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2011. Funds being obligated at time of award ($2,000,000) will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. DARPA issued a solicitation in Federal Business Opportunities on Feb. 8, 2005, and over 100 proposals were received. The contracting activity is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., (HR0011-06-9-0004, P00027).
Agilent Technologies Inc., Santa Clara, Calif., is being awarded a $6,814,116 cost-share technology investment agreement for the Panoptic Analysis of Chemical Traces program. Work will be performed in Santa Clara, Calif., and is expected to be completed in June 2011. Funds being obligated at time of award ($1,768,476) will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. DARPA issued a solicitation in Federal Business Opportunities on Aug. 19, 2008, and 17 proposals were received. The contracting activity is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., (HR0011-09-3-0003).
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Gates, Mullen: Communications Technologies 'Strategic Asset' for United States
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
June 18, 2009 - As protestors in Iran demonstrate the power of social networking, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today called the freedom of communication afforded by communications technologies "a huge strategic asset for the United States." Meanwhile, speaking to reporters at today's Pentagon news conference, Gates said he wants the Defense Department to take better advantage of these same technologies to reach out to the world, particularly to young people.
Asked by reporters about the Iranian government's crackdown on traditional media and communications, and the success of Twitter and other social media that protestors of last week's elections are using to defy it, Gates called the emergence of these technologies a major blow to authoritarian governments.
"It's a huge win for freedom, around the world, because this monopoly of information is no longer in the hands of the government," he said.
The result has had historic impact. "There is no question that the availability or the easy access to Western communications and media played a part in the collapse of the Soviet Union and the liberation of Eastern Europe," Gates said.
Governments may be able to squelch some information channels, but "they just can't draw the net tight enough to stop everything," Gates said. "If you can't text, then you Twitter.
"And you know, my guess is, in some of these countries, that the leadership is kind of like me," Gates continued. Then, he added with a chuckle, "They don't have a clue what it's about."
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said leaders need to develop awareness about the technologies that have become almost second nature to the servicemembers they lead.
"For leaders, ... it's really important to be connected to that and understand it," he said, conceding that he has his own Facebook page. "I think communicating that way and moving information around that way -- whether it's administrative information or information in warfare -- is absolutely critical."
Gates said he kept that factor in mind as he interviewed Price Floyd, the department's new principal deputy assistant secretary for public affairs.
The secretary charged Floyd with enhancing the department's outreach, particularly to 18-to-25-year olds -- in the military, in the United States and around the world.
"We have 2 million people, ... most of them around the age that Admiral Mullen described," Gates said. "And how do we communicate better with them? ...How do we get reactions from them to things that we're doing? How do we get better plugged in with what they're thinking?"
Gates said he wants to reach the same age group overseas, too. "How do we reach them in a way that they understand?" he wondered aloud.
"This department, I think, is way behind the power curve in this, and it's an area where I think we have a lot of room for improvement."
American Forces Press Service
June 18, 2009 - As protestors in Iran demonstrate the power of social networking, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today called the freedom of communication afforded by communications technologies "a huge strategic asset for the United States." Meanwhile, speaking to reporters at today's Pentagon news conference, Gates said he wants the Defense Department to take better advantage of these same technologies to reach out to the world, particularly to young people.
Asked by reporters about the Iranian government's crackdown on traditional media and communications, and the success of Twitter and other social media that protestors of last week's elections are using to defy it, Gates called the emergence of these technologies a major blow to authoritarian governments.
"It's a huge win for freedom, around the world, because this monopoly of information is no longer in the hands of the government," he said.
The result has had historic impact. "There is no question that the availability or the easy access to Western communications and media played a part in the collapse of the Soviet Union and the liberation of Eastern Europe," Gates said.
Governments may be able to squelch some information channels, but "they just can't draw the net tight enough to stop everything," Gates said. "If you can't text, then you Twitter.
"And you know, my guess is, in some of these countries, that the leadership is kind of like me," Gates continued. Then, he added with a chuckle, "They don't have a clue what it's about."
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said leaders need to develop awareness about the technologies that have become almost second nature to the servicemembers they lead.
"For leaders, ... it's really important to be connected to that and understand it," he said, conceding that he has his own Facebook page. "I think communicating that way and moving information around that way -- whether it's administrative information or information in warfare -- is absolutely critical."
Gates said he kept that factor in mind as he interviewed Price Floyd, the department's new principal deputy assistant secretary for public affairs.
The secretary charged Floyd with enhancing the department's outreach, particularly to 18-to-25-year olds -- in the military, in the United States and around the world.
"We have 2 million people, ... most of them around the age that Admiral Mullen described," Gates said. "And how do we communicate better with them? ...How do we get reactions from them to things that we're doing? How do we get better plugged in with what they're thinking?"
Gates said he wants to reach the same age group overseas, too. "How do we reach them in a way that they understand?" he wondered aloud.
"This department, I think, is way behind the power curve in this, and it's an area where I think we have a lot of room for improvement."
U.S. Prepares Missile Defense, Continues Shipping Interdictions
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
June 18, 2009 - The United States has deployed missile defense equipment to the Pacific amid reports alleging that North Korea has threatened to fire a ballistic missile toward Hawaii, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. "We're obviously watching the situation in the north, with respect to missile launches, very closely," Gates said at a Pentagon news conference with Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "And we do have some concerns if they were to launch a missile to the west, in the direction of Hawaii."
Gates has ordered the deployment of Theater High Altitude Area Defense missiles to Hawaii and the sea-based SBX Radar near the island state to provide support. "Based on my visit to Fort Greely, the ground-based interceptors are clearly in a position to take action," he added, referring to the Army launch site for anti-ballistic missiles near Fairbanks, Alaska.
"Without telegraphing what we will do, I would just say I think we are in a good position should it become necessary to protect American territory," the secretary said.
Meanwhile, Mullen reiterated the U.S. intent to adhere to a United Nations resolution allowing Americans to conduct permissive searches of North Korean vessels.
"We intend to vigorously enforce the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874," Mullen said, noting that the United States has "hail and query" authority under Security Council guidelines, meaning American authorities can seek permission from the ship's crew to board and search its contents.
"If a vessel like this is queried and doesn't allow a permissive search, [the United States] can direct it to go into a port, and the country of that port would...inspect the vessel," Mullen said, noting that the resolution does not allow for an opposed or noncompliant boarding. The U.N. would be alerted in instances of North Korean vessels refusing searches or possessing weaponry in violation of resolution.
Asked about Pyongyang's stated stance that it would consider an interdiction of its vessels an act of war, Mullen underscored that the U.N. resolution represents an international commitment.
"It's not just the United States, it's a lot of other countries as well," he said. "And the north's steps to further isolate itself, to further noncomply with international guidance and regulations, in the long-run, puts them in a more difficult position."
American Forces Press Service
June 18, 2009 - The United States has deployed missile defense equipment to the Pacific amid reports alleging that North Korea has threatened to fire a ballistic missile toward Hawaii, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. "We're obviously watching the situation in the north, with respect to missile launches, very closely," Gates said at a Pentagon news conference with Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "And we do have some concerns if they were to launch a missile to the west, in the direction of Hawaii."
Gates has ordered the deployment of Theater High Altitude Area Defense missiles to Hawaii and the sea-based SBX Radar near the island state to provide support. "Based on my visit to Fort Greely, the ground-based interceptors are clearly in a position to take action," he added, referring to the Army launch site for anti-ballistic missiles near Fairbanks, Alaska.
"Without telegraphing what we will do, I would just say I think we are in a good position should it become necessary to protect American territory," the secretary said.
Meanwhile, Mullen reiterated the U.S. intent to adhere to a United Nations resolution allowing Americans to conduct permissive searches of North Korean vessels.
"We intend to vigorously enforce the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874," Mullen said, noting that the United States has "hail and query" authority under Security Council guidelines, meaning American authorities can seek permission from the ship's crew to board and search its contents.
"If a vessel like this is queried and doesn't allow a permissive search, [the United States] can direct it to go into a port, and the country of that port would...inspect the vessel," Mullen said, noting that the resolution does not allow for an opposed or noncompliant boarding. The U.N. would be alerted in instances of North Korean vessels refusing searches or possessing weaponry in violation of resolution.
Asked about Pyongyang's stated stance that it would consider an interdiction of its vessels an act of war, Mullen underscored that the U.N. resolution represents an international commitment.
"It's not just the United States, it's a lot of other countries as well," he said. "And the north's steps to further isolate itself, to further noncomply with international guidance and regulations, in the long-run, puts them in a more difficult position."
Sailors of a Dozen Nations Wrap Up Baltic Exercises
By Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class William Selby
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 18, 2009 - After 11 days of sea trials and more than 250 separate events, a multinational naval exercise in the Baltic region is scheduled to wrap up tomorrow. The objective for the 12 countries participating in BALTOPS – short for "Baltic Operations" -- is to learn to work together and form new ideas for disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, Navy Rear Adm. John Christenson, the mission commander, said yesterday during a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable.
"You don't know what the disaster is going to be, but whatever it is, if you've worked together, communicated together and developed confidence in each other, it makes the response a lot easier and a lot more efficient," he said.
Even though it's an exercise, the events have significant impact, Christenson said.
"One of the big values here is we've been exploding World War II ordnance all week," he said. "Close to 100,000 mines were seeded in the Baltic Sea in World War II, and the mine countermeasure ships here have done a great job of finding both exercise torpedoes and mines, but also real-world mines."
Finding the mines isn't the only example of how the exercise has had a positive effect on mariners. Using knowledge gained from BALTOPS's annual ship-boarding event, Swedish sailors captured a pirate ship last year off the coast of Somalia, Christenson said.
While there are differences among the collaborating navies and how they handle situations, the exercise allows them to come together and develop problem-solving skills, said Swedish navy Lt. Cmdr. Jorgen Bergman, the Swedish liaison officer aboard the USS Mount Whitney.
"When different navies come together, usually the first couple of days are spent just being able to reach other on various frequencies and communicate, and basic ship handling," Christenson said. "We are all, in our hearts, sailors, but we do think different ways. But this is the perfect exercise to train together, do things together and develop our skills, to be team workers."
The 37th annual exercise ends tomorrow in Kiel, Germany, with what Christenson said is the largest gathering of sail vessels in the world.
(Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class William Selby serves in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 18, 2009 - After 11 days of sea trials and more than 250 separate events, a multinational naval exercise in the Baltic region is scheduled to wrap up tomorrow. The objective for the 12 countries participating in BALTOPS – short for "Baltic Operations" -- is to learn to work together and form new ideas for disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, Navy Rear Adm. John Christenson, the mission commander, said yesterday during a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable.
"You don't know what the disaster is going to be, but whatever it is, if you've worked together, communicated together and developed confidence in each other, it makes the response a lot easier and a lot more efficient," he said.
Even though it's an exercise, the events have significant impact, Christenson said.
"One of the big values here is we've been exploding World War II ordnance all week," he said. "Close to 100,000 mines were seeded in the Baltic Sea in World War II, and the mine countermeasure ships here have done a great job of finding both exercise torpedoes and mines, but also real-world mines."
Finding the mines isn't the only example of how the exercise has had a positive effect on mariners. Using knowledge gained from BALTOPS's annual ship-boarding event, Swedish sailors captured a pirate ship last year off the coast of Somalia, Christenson said.
While there are differences among the collaborating navies and how they handle situations, the exercise allows them to come together and develop problem-solving skills, said Swedish navy Lt. Cmdr. Jorgen Bergman, the Swedish liaison officer aboard the USS Mount Whitney.
"When different navies come together, usually the first couple of days are spent just being able to reach other on various frequencies and communicate, and basic ship handling," Christenson said. "We are all, in our hearts, sailors, but we do think different ways. But this is the perfect exercise to train together, do things together and develop our skills, to be team workers."
The 37th annual exercise ends tomorrow in Kiel, Germany, with what Christenson said is the largest gathering of sail vessels in the world.
(Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class William Selby serves in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
Face of Defense: Five Brothers Make Navy Their Family Business
By Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Katesha WashingtonSpecial to American Forces Press Service
June 18, 2009 - For five brothers from a small town in Kentucky, serving in the military is a family tradition. Chief Petty Officer Chad Roberts, Petty Officers 1st Class Jody and Dwayne Roberts, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Roberts are brothers who serve in the Navy and with the same unit -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24, a Seabee unit based out of Lexington, Ky. Their brother, Bruce, retired from the Navy in 2006.
Chad and Chris, both steelworkers, and Dwayne, a construction electrician, are deployed to western Anbar province in Iraq. Jody, also a steelworker and the youngest boy out of seven children, did not deploy overseas with his brothers, but supports them while they are gone.
"I pray for their safety and their well-being every day," he said. "I am very proud of Dwayne, Chad and Chris. I wish I could have joined them in Iraq, but as things happen, there was a reason God chose me to stay behind."
Although they can't always be in the same place at the same time, the bond the brothers share is unbreakable. Their sacred connection to each other was formed when they were growing up on the family farm about 85 miles outside of Louisville. Just like other American boys living in Small Town USA, the Roberts brothers showed their love for each other by beating up one another, competing to see who could jump the highest on their bikes, and playing baseball on the baseball diamond that their father, Millard, created just for his boys.
Bruce Roberts said one of his favorite childhood memories was beating the 'unbeatable' Sorgho Reds in baseball. "Most of my brothers were on the team, and Dad was the coach," Bruce said. "We were very competitive."
The brothers' childhood dreams included the possibilities of becoming a professional baseball player, a veterinarian or even a farmer. Never did any one of them imagine that he, much less all of the brothers -- would join the Navy. But fate and their overwhelming love for the country drew them to where they are now.
Dwayne, the oldest of the siblings, was the first to join the Navy, in 1984. He didn't join seeking excitement or to just have a 9-to-5 job, but rather to achieve his aspiration for a higher education and to satisfy his desire to serve his country.
"I wanted to get educated and serve my country," he said. "I was already married, [but] couldn't afford to go to college, because my wife and I were both 'bringing home the bacon' so to speak."
Dwayne's younger brothers, Chad and Jody, joined the Air Force in 1984 and 1986, respectively. After completing their obligated four years of service, they left the Air Force, and Dwayne finished his four years in the Navy. More than 10 years passed before any of them thought of putting on a military uniform again.
Then, on Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists attacked America.
"It was the straw that broke the camel's back," Chris, the middle child of the family, said of the tragedy. "I didn't like the fact that we were attacked on our own soil in the U.S. I knew I had to do something."
Exactly two weeks after the attack, he raised his right hand and swore to support and defend the United States as a member of the Navy Reserve. Dwayne, Chad and Jody already had re-enlisted months before the attack.
"To do something like serving in the military is the most honorable thing one can do for their country," Jody Roberts said. "Everyone needs to fight for the freedom of our country -- stand up, do your duty, and do it with honor, courage and commitment. That is the backbone of our military and a code we live by."
The only opportunity for all five brothers to be in one location while serving in the Navy came in 2003, when Chad, Jody, Dwayne and Chris were at the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, but Bruce was unable to get orders there.
The Roberts brothers attribute their enthusiasm for service to the love and support they've received from their own families and their local community in Kentucky.
"Our community is very supportive," Chad Roberts said. "We all live in a small town of roughly 600 people, so everybody helps out our wives and watches out for our kids at school and around town."
Their father and their mother, Barbara, are especially supportive and proud of the sacrifices that their sons are making for their country. They never tried to talk any of them out of joining the military, and they were not surprised when they finally joined.
"I prayed all the years they were growing up that they would never have to be involved in a war, but I know that this is God's will," she said. "I know that God will protect them and sustain us."
Barbara added that love for God and each other are why her children are so close.
"We taught them to stand together in whatever they did and to support each other through life," Barbara Roberts said. "They are not only brothers, [but also are] friends."
The deep connection the brothers have with each other and the Navy is something they hope to pass on and already have begun to sow the seeds of brotherly love and commitment into their sons – Chris' son is a Marine, while Bruce's son followed his father's footsteps into the Navy. Family get-togethers, they all agree, bring them even closer.
"We grew up as a close family doing the usual family vacations," Chad Roberts said. "My mom and dad both have close families, so it was second nature to us. We all went into the military, but after our service was over, we all returned to our small town we grew up in to raise our own families there. So now we drill together, go camping together, and just spend time together."
These days, the Roberts brothers may not get to spend as much together as they would like or get to see each other every day as they used to back home in Kentucky, but they never forget that they are a band of brothers, in family and in arms."
(Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Katesha Washington serves with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group.)
Obama Signs Memo Opening Benefits to Same-Sex Couples
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
June 18, 2009 - President Barack Obama signed a memorandum yesterday opening up benefits to same-sex couples and forbidding discrimination in the federal workplace. "We've got more work to do to ensure that government treats all its citizens equally, to fight injustice and intolerance in all its forms, and to bring about that more perfect union," Obama said before signing the memorandum. "I'm committed to these efforts, and I pledge to work tirelessly on behalf of these issues in the months and years to come."
The president announced his support of the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act now before Congress. The act will guarantee the rights for all federal employees, he said.
Obama also called on Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. "I believe it's discriminatory, I think it interferes with states' rights, and we will work with Congress to overturn it," he said.
"This action presses for long overdue progress in our nation's journey to equality," said John Berry, the director of the Office of Personnel Management. "The president recognizes that many of our hard-working, dedicated and patriotic public servants have long been denied many of the rights and benefits that their colleagues enjoy for one simple reason: the people they love are of the same sex."
Berry, who spoke during a telephone news conference, said he and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had conducted reviews to see if benefits could be extended within the confines of the Defense of Marriage Act.
"For civil service employees, domestic partners of federal employees can be added to the long-term care insurance program, and supervisors can also be required to allow employees to use their sick leave to take care of domestic partners and nonbiological, nonadopted children," Berry said.
For foreign service employees, the benefits include the use of medical facilities at posts abroad, medical evacuation from posts abroad and inclusion in family size considerations for housing allocations.
The president's memorandum directs OPM to issue guidance within 90 days to all executive departments and agencies regarding compliance with, and implementation of, civil service laws, which make it unlawful to discriminate against federal employees or applicants for federal employment on the basis of factors not related to their job performance.
The memo does not include health benefits or survivor benefits. "It requires legislation to address health benefits and insurance for same-sex couples and domestic partners," Berry said.
Fifty-seven percent of Fortune 500 companies currently provide domestic partner benefits, as do 16 states and more than 200 local governments. These entities offer the benefits "not only because it's the right thing to do, but because they recognize that it helps them compete for and retain the best possible talent – and we need top talent serving their country right now more than ever," Obama said.
American Forces Press Service
June 18, 2009 - President Barack Obama signed a memorandum yesterday opening up benefits to same-sex couples and forbidding discrimination in the federal workplace. "We've got more work to do to ensure that government treats all its citizens equally, to fight injustice and intolerance in all its forms, and to bring about that more perfect union," Obama said before signing the memorandum. "I'm committed to these efforts, and I pledge to work tirelessly on behalf of these issues in the months and years to come."
The president announced his support of the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act now before Congress. The act will guarantee the rights for all federal employees, he said.
Obama also called on Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. "I believe it's discriminatory, I think it interferes with states' rights, and we will work with Congress to overturn it," he said.
"This action presses for long overdue progress in our nation's journey to equality," said John Berry, the director of the Office of Personnel Management. "The president recognizes that many of our hard-working, dedicated and patriotic public servants have long been denied many of the rights and benefits that their colleagues enjoy for one simple reason: the people they love are of the same sex."
Berry, who spoke during a telephone news conference, said he and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had conducted reviews to see if benefits could be extended within the confines of the Defense of Marriage Act.
"For civil service employees, domestic partners of federal employees can be added to the long-term care insurance program, and supervisors can also be required to allow employees to use their sick leave to take care of domestic partners and nonbiological, nonadopted children," Berry said.
For foreign service employees, the benefits include the use of medical facilities at posts abroad, medical evacuation from posts abroad and inclusion in family size considerations for housing allocations.
The president's memorandum directs OPM to issue guidance within 90 days to all executive departments and agencies regarding compliance with, and implementation of, civil service laws, which make it unlawful to discriminate against federal employees or applicants for federal employment on the basis of factors not related to their job performance.
The memo does not include health benefits or survivor benefits. "It requires legislation to address health benefits and insurance for same-sex couples and domestic partners," Berry said.
Fifty-seven percent of Fortune 500 companies currently provide domestic partner benefits, as do 16 states and more than 200 local governments. These entities offer the benefits "not only because it's the right thing to do, but because they recognize that it helps them compete for and retain the best possible talent – and we need top talent serving their country right now more than ever," Obama said.
Budget Request Advances Privatization of Military Housing
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
June 18, 2009 - Military housing has improved dramatically during the past 10 years, and the progress continues through privatization and other initiatives, a senior defense official told Congress yesterday. The fiscal 2010 budget request will bring the Defense Department's housing inventory in the United States that is funded for privatization to 98 percent, Wayne Arny, deputy undersecretary for installations and environment, told the Senate Armed Services Committee's readiness and management support subcommittee.
"A decade ago, we were maintaining over 300,000 family housing units, two-thirds of which were deemed inadequate by the military departments who owned them," he said.
Arny cited the dramatic turnaround since the Defense Department received authority for the services to partner with the private sector to generate military housing built to market standards.
"The private sector responded by delivering modern, affordable housing," he said, noting that the housing often was less costly and of higher quality than housing delivered through the military construction process.
Arny's written remarks, submitted for the record, expounded on the benefits of privatization.
"Privatization allows for rapid demolition, replacement or renovation of inadequate units and the sale of units no longer needed," he wrote. "Privatization also enables [the Defense Department] to make use of a variety of private-sector approaches to build and renovate military housing faster and at a lower cost to American taxpayers."
The military services have leveraged housing dollars by 10 to 1, with $2.5 billion in federal investments generating $25 billion in housing development at privatized installations, he explained.
And because the privatization efforts include 50 years of maintenance and replacement, where necessary, the department will avoid those additional costs.
The services are exploring ways to build on this effort to deliver improved housing to a larger military population.
"We have seen innovative concepts where the Army has added bachelor officer quarters and senior enlisted bachelor quarters to its existing family housing privatization projects," Arny told the senators at yesterday's hearing.
To date, the Army has initiated projects at Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Stewart, Ga.; Fort Drum, N.Y.; and Fort Irwin, Calif., he reported. A fifth project is planned to begin soon at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Meanwhile, the Navy is focusing its unaccompanied housing privatization efforts to bring shipboard junior enlisted sailors ashore, Arny said. Pilot projects already have been awarded in San Diego and in Hampton Roads, Va., and a third being considered in the Jacksonville-Mayport area of Florida.
"Both of the awarded Navy pilot projects have demonstrated that, with partial basis allowance for housing authority, privatization of single, junior enlisted personnel housing is less costly on a lifecycle basis than traditional government-owned model," Arny said.
"The pilot projects have also demonstrated that through privatization, single family members can enjoy a quality living environment more equitable with housing for their married counterparts and commensurate with the sacrifices they are asked to make," he said.
Arny emphasized the importance of these efforts in improving military members' and their families' quality of life.
"Access to quality, affordable housing is a key factor affecting servicemember recruitment, retention, morale and readiness," he told the senate panel. "Through privatization and increases in housing allowances, [the Defense Department] has made great strides in increasing servicemembers' housing choices."
American Forces Press Service
June 18, 2009 - Military housing has improved dramatically during the past 10 years, and the progress continues through privatization and other initiatives, a senior defense official told Congress yesterday. The fiscal 2010 budget request will bring the Defense Department's housing inventory in the United States that is funded for privatization to 98 percent, Wayne Arny, deputy undersecretary for installations and environment, told the Senate Armed Services Committee's readiness and management support subcommittee.
"A decade ago, we were maintaining over 300,000 family housing units, two-thirds of which were deemed inadequate by the military departments who owned them," he said.
Arny cited the dramatic turnaround since the Defense Department received authority for the services to partner with the private sector to generate military housing built to market standards.
"The private sector responded by delivering modern, affordable housing," he said, noting that the housing often was less costly and of higher quality than housing delivered through the military construction process.
Arny's written remarks, submitted for the record, expounded on the benefits of privatization.
"Privatization allows for rapid demolition, replacement or renovation of inadequate units and the sale of units no longer needed," he wrote. "Privatization also enables [the Defense Department] to make use of a variety of private-sector approaches to build and renovate military housing faster and at a lower cost to American taxpayers."
The military services have leveraged housing dollars by 10 to 1, with $2.5 billion in federal investments generating $25 billion in housing development at privatized installations, he explained.
And because the privatization efforts include 50 years of maintenance and replacement, where necessary, the department will avoid those additional costs.
The services are exploring ways to build on this effort to deliver improved housing to a larger military population.
"We have seen innovative concepts where the Army has added bachelor officer quarters and senior enlisted bachelor quarters to its existing family housing privatization projects," Arny told the senators at yesterday's hearing.
To date, the Army has initiated projects at Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Stewart, Ga.; Fort Drum, N.Y.; and Fort Irwin, Calif., he reported. A fifth project is planned to begin soon at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Meanwhile, the Navy is focusing its unaccompanied housing privatization efforts to bring shipboard junior enlisted sailors ashore, Arny said. Pilot projects already have been awarded in San Diego and in Hampton Roads, Va., and a third being considered in the Jacksonville-Mayport area of Florida.
"Both of the awarded Navy pilot projects have demonstrated that, with partial basis allowance for housing authority, privatization of single, junior enlisted personnel housing is less costly on a lifecycle basis than traditional government-owned model," Arny said.
"The pilot projects have also demonstrated that through privatization, single family members can enjoy a quality living environment more equitable with housing for their married counterparts and commensurate with the sacrifices they are asked to make," he said.
Arny emphasized the importance of these efforts in improving military members' and their families' quality of life.
"Access to quality, affordable housing is a key factor affecting servicemember recruitment, retention, morale and readiness," he told the senate panel. "Through privatization and increases in housing allowances, [the Defense Department] has made great strides in increasing servicemembers' housing choices."
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Red Team “Two sides to every Story”
By Lieutenant Colonel John Nelson, USA
Three years ago, I was one of the first graduates of the Red Team School at the University of Foreign Military and Cultural Studies (UFMCS), located at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. The Red Teaming course is relatively new to the Army, but the concept of an advisor to the commanding general has been around since the time of Napoleon. The concept of the Red Team requires members to see through multiple lenses; in the case of Iraq, looking at a situation from the perspective of the people or the Government of Iraq, as well as the enemy. The role has been effectively used in both government and business, but until recently, the Army had no doctrine or recognized education available to implement the capability in its operational and strategic units.
READ ON
www.military-writers.com/articles/red_team.html
Three years ago, I was one of the first graduates of the Red Team School at the University of Foreign Military and Cultural Studies (UFMCS), located at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. The Red Teaming course is relatively new to the Army, but the concept of an advisor to the commanding general has been around since the time of Napoleon. The concept of the Red Team requires members to see through multiple lenses; in the case of Iraq, looking at a situation from the perspective of the people or the Government of Iraq, as well as the enemy. The role has been effectively used in both government and business, but until recently, the Army had no doctrine or recognized education available to implement the capability in its operational and strategic units.
READ ON
www.military-writers.com/articles/red_team.html
Defining Leadership: Trying to Understand
By Darnell E. Patton, GySgt/USMC
You can ask ten different people what their definition of leadership is and you will probably get ten different answers. Leadership doesn’t have a specific definition. By giving it a definition, you are putting restrictions and limitations on the word and the true value of leadership. Leadership is something that is complicated to explain and understand. It is formless; it doesn’t take on a particular shape or form, nor does it go in one particular direction. A great leader can adjust to any situation at any given time, under any circumstance, and still come out successful.
READ ON
http://www.pokerleadership.com/defining_leadership_patton.html
You can ask ten different people what their definition of leadership is and you will probably get ten different answers. Leadership doesn’t have a specific definition. By giving it a definition, you are putting restrictions and limitations on the word and the true value of leadership. Leadership is something that is complicated to explain and understand. It is formless; it doesn’t take on a particular shape or form, nor does it go in one particular direction. A great leader can adjust to any situation at any given time, under any circumstance, and still come out successful.
READ ON
http://www.pokerleadership.com/defining_leadership_patton.html
MILITARY CONTRACTS June 17, 2009
NAVY
Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a cost-plus fixed-fee, time and materials, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a not-to-exceed value of $75,000,000 to provide engineering, programmatic, and logistics services in support of investigations or studies to determine the feasibility, practicality, desirability, or supportability of the various Joint Strike Fighter F-35 air systems. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (85 percent); Orlando, Fla., (10 percent); and El Segundo, Calif., (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-09-D-0022).
Ace Builders*, LLC, Barrigada, Guam, (N40192-09-D-2700); AIC International, Inc.*, Hagatna, Guam, (N40192-09-D-2701); BME & Sons, Inc.*, Barrigada, Guam, (N40192-09-D-2702); Fargo Pacific, Inc.*, Hagatna, Guam, (N40192-09-D-2703); Keum Yang Corp.*, Tamuning, Guam (N40192-09-D-2704); Modern International, Inc.*, Tamuning, Guam (N40192-09-D-2705); Overland Corp.*, Ardmore, Oklahoma (N40192-09-D-2706); Reliable Builders, Inc.*, Tamuning, Guam, (N40192-09-D-2707) ; Serrano Construction and Development Corporation*, Dededo, Guam, (N40192-09-D-2708); and Tumon Corp.*, Tamuning, Guam, (N40192-09-D-2709), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, design build multiple award construction contract for new construction, renovation/modernization and routine repair/maintenance of government shore-based facilities in Guam. The dollar value for all 10 contracts combined is $50,000,000. The contract contains four unexercised option periods, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $400,000,000. Work will be performed in Guam, and work is expected to be completed in June 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 20 proposals received. These 10 contractors will compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas, Guam! , is the contracting activity.
TASC Corp., Andover, Mass., is being awarded a ceiling price $43,455,000 firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for system sustainment of the U.S. Marine Corps's Topographic Production Capability (TPC) system. The TPC system is a transportable, highly mobile, modularized network of systems that allows the commander to exercise near real-time control, coordination, and direction of Marine Air Ground Task Force/Geospatial Information and Geospatial Intelligence. Work will be performed in Stafford, Va., and is expected to be completed by July 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Office website, solicited under a full and open competition, Request For Proposal No., M67854-08-R-7019, with one offer received. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-09-D-7019).
The Columbia Group*, Washington, D.C., is being awarded a $10,626,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Pluto Plus Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). The Pluto Plus system is a high-performance underwater ROV intended primarily for military use in mine identification and destruction operations. The Columbia Group will provide three Pluto Plus systems and associated technical support and training to the Egyptian Navy under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Panama City, Fla., (51 percent) and Milan, Italy, (49 percent), and is expected to be completed by Dec. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-C-4214).
Alloy Surfaces Co., Aston, Pa., is being awarded $8,642,700 for firm-fixed-price, definite-quantity delivery order #0016 against a basic ordering agreement contract (N00104-05-G-0726) for manufacture of MJU-49/B decoy devices used on aircraft applications for terminal self-defense in combat situations. Work will be performed at Aston, Pa., and work is expected to be completed by July 2010. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.
Ceradyne, Inc., Costa Mesa, Calif., is being awarded $8,289,163 for delivery order #0015 against a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-04-D-3116) for enhanced small arms protective inserts used as personal armor by Marines. Work will be performed in Costa Mesa, Calif., and is expected to be completed in September 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $8,289,163 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
BAE Systems Information & Electronic Solutions, Greenlawn, N.Y., is being awarded a $6,198,620 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the procurement of 26 AN/APX-111(V) combined interrogator transponders (-20 CIT), one acceptance test station and one burn-in station to support the F/A-18E/F. Work will be performed in Greenlawn, N.Y. (85 percent); Irvine, Calif.(10 percent); and Wayne, N.J.,(5 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $3,341,272 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-09-C-0054).
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Bethpage, N.Y., is being awarded a $5,858,500 cost-plus-fix-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00421-05-G-0001) to conduct E-2 in-flight refueling risk reduction. Work will be performed in Bethpage, N.Y., and is expected to be completed in June 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a requirements contract to Lockheed Martin Corporation, of Orlando, Fla., for $60,488,003. This contract action will provide the repair of various low altitude navigation and targeting infrared night system assets for Air Force and Foreign Military Sales countries. The funding will be obligated on the individual delivery orders. WR-ALC/448 Supply Chain Management Group, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity. (FA8522-09-D-0004)
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to Aerojet General Corporation, of Rancho Cordova, Calif., for up to $7,332,694. This contract action will provide for testing of Minuteman II Stage 2, SR19 motors to assure rocket motor reliability for use in rocket systems launch programs as launch targets. At this time, no funds have been obligated. SDTW/PKS at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., is the contracting activity. (FA8818-09-D-0024)
The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed fee contract to Emcore Corporation Photovoltaics Division, of Albuquerque, N.M., for $5,999,974. This contract action will demonstrate high efficiency solar cells for space and near space applications to seek and investigate advanced photovoltaic devices based on inverted metamorphic-like structure and/or crystalline semiconductor chemistry. At this time the entire amount has been obligated. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., is the contracting activity. (FA9453-09-C-0371)
ARMY
I.L. Fleming , Inc Midway, Ga., was awarded on June 16, 2009 a $17,200,000 firm-fixed-price contract to design/build dining facility reception station, Cent of Standardization Program. Work is to be performed in Fort Benning, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 23, 2010. Bids were solicited using FedBizOpps with two in phase II bids received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineer, Norfolk District, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (W91236-08-D-0065).
Q.B.S.., Inc, Alliance, Ohio was awarded on June 16, 2009 a $11,751,343 Indefinite Delivery Contract firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of an administrative company operations facility. Work is to be performed in Fort Eustis, Va., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013. Three bids received with three bids solicited. U.S. Army Engineer District, Norfolk Va., is the contracting activity (W912HN-08-D-0038).
Sevenson Environment Services, Inc Niagara Falls, N.Y., was awarded on June 15, 2009 a $22,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the remediation Unit 1.1 general gas mantle property grouping at the Welsbach/General Gas Mantle Superfund Site, Camden, N.J. Work is to be performed in Camden, N.J., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 19, 2010. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-04-D-0023)
Municipality of Anchorage, DBA Municipal Light & power, Anchorage, Alaska was awarded on June 12, 2009 a utilities, firm-fixed-price, definite term contract to provide firm electric cervices to Fort Richardson. The service shall be one circuir of 34,5KV, three-phase, four wire, 60 Hertz, alternating current, delta connection and two circuit of 12,470V/2,000 volts. Three-phase, 60 Hertz, alternating current, wire connection. Work is to be performed in Fort Richardson, Alaska with an estimated completion date of June 14, 2019. Three Bids solicited and two bids received. U.S. Army Expeditionary Contracting Command, PARC Pacific, Regional Contracting Office, Fort Richardson, Alaska is the contracting activity (W912CZ-09-C-0014)
AM General, LLC South Bend, In., was awarded on June 12, 2009 a $ 27,683,285 firm-fixed-price contract to add 218 each of High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV). Work is to be performed in Mishawaka, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. One bid solicited and one bid received. TACOM Warren, AMSTA-AQ-ATCA, Warren, Mi., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S001).
Rome Research Corporation, Rome N.Y., was awarded on June 12, 2009 a $23,217,480 firm-fixed-price with time & material contract to provide non-personnel services to support the existing government work force in the operation and maintenance of the Defense Satellite Communications Systems standardized tactical entry point teleport, Regional Hub Node, Ka-band satellite transmit and receive system and deployable Ku Band earth terminals at the SATCOM facility located at Kirchberg Kaserne in Landstuhl, Germany. This support will consist of maintaining the satellite systems installing, operation, administrating, and maintaining various management and security monitoring systems, operating systems and network application systems. Work is to be performed in Gateway facility Landstuhl, Germany. with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2014. Bids were solicited using FedBizOpps with five bids received. Army Contracting Command, Information Technology, E-Commerce and Commercial Contracting Center, West Fort Huachuca, Az., is the contacting activity (W91RUS-09-C-0030).
US Motor Works LLC, Cerritos, Calif., was awarded on June 12, 2009 a $14,599,500 firm-fixed-price contract for a retro-filled engines, engine components and related spare parts for CJ jeep vehicle. Acquired for the Egyptian Armament Authority in Cairo, Egypt, Foreign Military Sales, sole source Acquisition. Work is to be performed in Cerritos, Calif., (27.40 percent) and Grand Prairie, Texas (72.60 percent) with an estimated Jan. 11, 2011. One bid solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army TACOM LMCMS, AMSCC-TAC-ADBA, Warren, Mi., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0248).
TSS-AQ JV Lake Stevens, Wa. was awarded on June 12, 2009, a $12,871,534 firm-fixed-price for the dining facility based in the standard design. Project shall include design and complete construction as indicated in the request for proposal. The site design and construction outside the "five foot line" shall be performed by this contract. The contract is performance based the not definitive in type of construction or material unless otherwise indicated. The contract shall include site work to in integrate, facility, overall building construction, complete interior finishes, and kitchen and server equipment. A comprehensive interior design is required. Bids were solicited using FedBizOpps with eleven (11) bids received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineer, Norfolk District, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (W91236-09-D-0049).
CH2M Hill Construction, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska was awarded on June 12, 2009 a $5,702,672 firm-fixed-price contract to renovate/construct Alaska Command Headquarters. Work is to be performed in Elmendorf, Alaska with an estimated completion date of Feb. 15, 2010. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska is the contracting activity (W911KB-09-C-0017).
Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a cost-plus fixed-fee, time and materials, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a not-to-exceed value of $75,000,000 to provide engineering, programmatic, and logistics services in support of investigations or studies to determine the feasibility, practicality, desirability, or supportability of the various Joint Strike Fighter F-35 air systems. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (85 percent); Orlando, Fla., (10 percent); and El Segundo, Calif., (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-09-D-0022).
Ace Builders*, LLC, Barrigada, Guam, (N40192-09-D-2700); AIC International, Inc.*, Hagatna, Guam, (N40192-09-D-2701); BME & Sons, Inc.*, Barrigada, Guam, (N40192-09-D-2702); Fargo Pacific, Inc.*, Hagatna, Guam, (N40192-09-D-2703); Keum Yang Corp.*, Tamuning, Guam (N40192-09-D-2704); Modern International, Inc.*, Tamuning, Guam (N40192-09-D-2705); Overland Corp.*, Ardmore, Oklahoma (N40192-09-D-2706); Reliable Builders, Inc.*, Tamuning, Guam, (N40192-09-D-2707) ; Serrano Construction and Development Corporation*, Dededo, Guam, (N40192-09-D-2708); and Tumon Corp.*, Tamuning, Guam, (N40192-09-D-2709), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, design build multiple award construction contract for new construction, renovation/modernization and routine repair/maintenance of government shore-based facilities in Guam. The dollar value for all 10 contracts combined is $50,000,000. The contract contains four unexercised option periods, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $400,000,000. Work will be performed in Guam, and work is expected to be completed in June 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 20 proposals received. These 10 contractors will compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas, Guam! , is the contracting activity.
TASC Corp., Andover, Mass., is being awarded a ceiling price $43,455,000 firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for system sustainment of the U.S. Marine Corps's Topographic Production Capability (TPC) system. The TPC system is a transportable, highly mobile, modularized network of systems that allows the commander to exercise near real-time control, coordination, and direction of Marine Air Ground Task Force/Geospatial Information and Geospatial Intelligence. Work will be performed in Stafford, Va., and is expected to be completed by July 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Office website, solicited under a full and open competition, Request For Proposal No., M67854-08-R-7019, with one offer received. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-09-D-7019).
The Columbia Group*, Washington, D.C., is being awarded a $10,626,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Pluto Plus Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). The Pluto Plus system is a high-performance underwater ROV intended primarily for military use in mine identification and destruction operations. The Columbia Group will provide three Pluto Plus systems and associated technical support and training to the Egyptian Navy under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Panama City, Fla., (51 percent) and Milan, Italy, (49 percent), and is expected to be completed by Dec. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-C-4214).
Alloy Surfaces Co., Aston, Pa., is being awarded $8,642,700 for firm-fixed-price, definite-quantity delivery order #0016 against a basic ordering agreement contract (N00104-05-G-0726) for manufacture of MJU-49/B decoy devices used on aircraft applications for terminal self-defense in combat situations. Work will be performed at Aston, Pa., and work is expected to be completed by July 2010. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.
Ceradyne, Inc., Costa Mesa, Calif., is being awarded $8,289,163 for delivery order #0015 against a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-04-D-3116) for enhanced small arms protective inserts used as personal armor by Marines. Work will be performed in Costa Mesa, Calif., and is expected to be completed in September 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $8,289,163 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
BAE Systems Information & Electronic Solutions, Greenlawn, N.Y., is being awarded a $6,198,620 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the procurement of 26 AN/APX-111(V) combined interrogator transponders (-20 CIT), one acceptance test station and one burn-in station to support the F/A-18E/F. Work will be performed in Greenlawn, N.Y. (85 percent); Irvine, Calif.(10 percent); and Wayne, N.J.,(5 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $3,341,272 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-09-C-0054).
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Bethpage, N.Y., is being awarded a $5,858,500 cost-plus-fix-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00421-05-G-0001) to conduct E-2 in-flight refueling risk reduction. Work will be performed in Bethpage, N.Y., and is expected to be completed in June 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a requirements contract to Lockheed Martin Corporation, of Orlando, Fla., for $60,488,003. This contract action will provide the repair of various low altitude navigation and targeting infrared night system assets for Air Force and Foreign Military Sales countries. The funding will be obligated on the individual delivery orders. WR-ALC/448 Supply Chain Management Group, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity. (FA8522-09-D-0004)
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to Aerojet General Corporation, of Rancho Cordova, Calif., for up to $7,332,694. This contract action will provide for testing of Minuteman II Stage 2, SR19 motors to assure rocket motor reliability for use in rocket systems launch programs as launch targets. At this time, no funds have been obligated. SDTW/PKS at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., is the contracting activity. (FA8818-09-D-0024)
The Air Force is awarding a cost plus fixed fee contract to Emcore Corporation Photovoltaics Division, of Albuquerque, N.M., for $5,999,974. This contract action will demonstrate high efficiency solar cells for space and near space applications to seek and investigate advanced photovoltaic devices based on inverted metamorphic-like structure and/or crystalline semiconductor chemistry. At this time the entire amount has been obligated. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., is the contracting activity. (FA9453-09-C-0371)
ARMY
I.L. Fleming , Inc Midway, Ga., was awarded on June 16, 2009 a $17,200,000 firm-fixed-price contract to design/build dining facility reception station, Cent of Standardization Program. Work is to be performed in Fort Benning, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 23, 2010. Bids were solicited using FedBizOpps with two in phase II bids received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineer, Norfolk District, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (W91236-08-D-0065).
Q.B.S.., Inc, Alliance, Ohio was awarded on June 16, 2009 a $11,751,343 Indefinite Delivery Contract firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of an administrative company operations facility. Work is to be performed in Fort Eustis, Va., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013. Three bids received with three bids solicited. U.S. Army Engineer District, Norfolk Va., is the contracting activity (W912HN-08-D-0038).
Sevenson Environment Services, Inc Niagara Falls, N.Y., was awarded on June 15, 2009 a $22,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the remediation Unit 1.1 general gas mantle property grouping at the Welsbach/General Gas Mantle Superfund Site, Camden, N.J. Work is to be performed in Camden, N.J., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 19, 2010. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-04-D-0023)
Municipality of Anchorage, DBA Municipal Light & power, Anchorage, Alaska was awarded on June 12, 2009 a utilities, firm-fixed-price, definite term contract to provide firm electric cervices to Fort Richardson. The service shall be one circuir of 34,5KV, three-phase, four wire, 60 Hertz, alternating current, delta connection and two circuit of 12,470V/2,000 volts. Three-phase, 60 Hertz, alternating current, wire connection. Work is to be performed in Fort Richardson, Alaska with an estimated completion date of June 14, 2019. Three Bids solicited and two bids received. U.S. Army Expeditionary Contracting Command, PARC Pacific, Regional Contracting Office, Fort Richardson, Alaska is the contracting activity (W912CZ-09-C-0014)
AM General, LLC South Bend, In., was awarded on June 12, 2009 a $ 27,683,285 firm-fixed-price contract to add 218 each of High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV). Work is to be performed in Mishawaka, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. One bid solicited and one bid received. TACOM Warren, AMSTA-AQ-ATCA, Warren, Mi., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S001).
Rome Research Corporation, Rome N.Y., was awarded on June 12, 2009 a $23,217,480 firm-fixed-price with time & material contract to provide non-personnel services to support the existing government work force in the operation and maintenance of the Defense Satellite Communications Systems standardized tactical entry point teleport, Regional Hub Node, Ka-band satellite transmit and receive system and deployable Ku Band earth terminals at the SATCOM facility located at Kirchberg Kaserne in Landstuhl, Germany. This support will consist of maintaining the satellite systems installing, operation, administrating, and maintaining various management and security monitoring systems, operating systems and network application systems. Work is to be performed in Gateway facility Landstuhl, Germany. with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2014. Bids were solicited using FedBizOpps with five bids received. Army Contracting Command, Information Technology, E-Commerce and Commercial Contracting Center, West Fort Huachuca, Az., is the contacting activity (W91RUS-09-C-0030).
US Motor Works LLC, Cerritos, Calif., was awarded on June 12, 2009 a $14,599,500 firm-fixed-price contract for a retro-filled engines, engine components and related spare parts for CJ jeep vehicle. Acquired for the Egyptian Armament Authority in Cairo, Egypt, Foreign Military Sales, sole source Acquisition. Work is to be performed in Cerritos, Calif., (27.40 percent) and Grand Prairie, Texas (72.60 percent) with an estimated Jan. 11, 2011. One bid solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army TACOM LMCMS, AMSCC-TAC-ADBA, Warren, Mi., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0248).
TSS-AQ JV Lake Stevens, Wa. was awarded on June 12, 2009, a $12,871,534 firm-fixed-price for the dining facility based in the standard design. Project shall include design and complete construction as indicated in the request for proposal. The site design and construction outside the "five foot line" shall be performed by this contract. The contract is performance based the not definitive in type of construction or material unless otherwise indicated. The contract shall include site work to in integrate, facility, overall building construction, complete interior finishes, and kitchen and server equipment. A comprehensive interior design is required. Bids were solicited using FedBizOpps with eleven (11) bids received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineer, Norfolk District, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (W91236-09-D-0049).
CH2M Hill Construction, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska was awarded on June 12, 2009 a $5,702,672 firm-fixed-price contract to renovate/construct Alaska Command Headquarters. Work is to be performed in Elmendorf, Alaska with an estimated completion date of Feb. 15, 2010. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska is the contracting activity (W911KB-09-C-0017).
CHINA’S MARITIME QUEST
Dr. David Lai
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) turned 60 on April 23, 2009. China held an unprecedented celebration on this occasion. For the first time in its history, China invited foreign navies to the PLAN’s birthday event. Chinese President Hu Jintao and all the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) senior leaders reviewed a parade of China’s major warships from a Chinese destroyer. The column of PLAN vessels were headed by two nuclear-powered and armed submarines (the first-ever public appearance of China’s strategic submarine fleet) and 21 warships from 14 nations, including major naval powers such as the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France. The parade took place off the coast of Qingdao, the PLAN Beihai (northern seas) Fleet Headquarters. In addition, China invited many foreign navy chiefs, most notably the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations and the Russian Navy Commander, as well as over 200 foreign military and navy attachés to the party.
READ ON
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB923.pdf
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) turned 60 on April 23, 2009. China held an unprecedented celebration on this occasion. For the first time in its history, China invited foreign navies to the PLAN’s birthday event. Chinese President Hu Jintao and all the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) senior leaders reviewed a parade of China’s major warships from a Chinese destroyer. The column of PLAN vessels were headed by two nuclear-powered and armed submarines (the first-ever public appearance of China’s strategic submarine fleet) and 21 warships from 14 nations, including major naval powers such as the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France. The parade took place off the coast of Qingdao, the PLAN Beihai (northern seas) Fleet Headquarters. In addition, China invited many foreign navy chiefs, most notably the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations and the Russian Navy Commander, as well as over 200 foreign military and navy attachés to the party.
READ ON
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB923.pdf
Challenges and Opportunities for the Obama Administration in Central Asia
President Obama has outlined a comprehensive strategy for the war in Afghanistan which is now the central front of our campaign against Islamic terrorism. The strategy strongly connects our prosecution of that war to our policy in Pakistan and internal developments there as a necessary condition of victory. But the strategy has also provided for a new logistics road through Central Asia. The author argues that a winning strategy in Afghanistan depends as well upon the systematic leveraging of the opportunity provided by that road and a new coordinated nonmilitary approach to Central Asia. That approach would rely heavily on improved coordination at home and the more effective leveraging of our superior economic power in Central Asia to help stabilize the region so that it provides a secure rear to Afghanistan. In this fashion we would help Central Asia meet the challenges of extremism, of economic decline due to the global economic crisis, and thus help provide political stability in states that are likely to be challenged by the confluence of those trends.
READ ON
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?PubID=921
READ ON
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?PubID=921
Group Sponsors Annual Children's 'Freedom Art' Contest
By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service
June 17, 2009 - As it gears up for its 7th Annual Children's Freedom Art Contest, a North Carolina-based troop-support group is looking for patriotic drawings or paintings that signify the unyielding spirit of America after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. "We initially started as a group that put up exhibits of patriotic photos sent to us," said Eileen A. Schwartz, founder of Flags Across the Nation. "About a year after the 9/11 attacks, we decided to launch a Freedom Art Contest for children. Throughout the year, we still do art-related exhibits and activities honoring our flag and America."
The children's artwork collected by Flags Across the Nation over the years has featured the U.S flag, the U.S. military, the American bald eagle and several national monuments. The artwork has been displayed in local galleries, military and veterans' locations and several airports across the country.
"We have sent the artwork overseas to troops and wounded warriors in Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany," Schwartz said. "The contest supports the creativity and the patriotic spirit of children. It also uplifts our troops. While participating in this contest, we hope the children think outside of themselves and think about how they can sweeten the lives of our military."
The required entry form is available on the group's Web site. The contest is open to children in grades 1 through 6 across America. They are allowed to use pencils, crayons, paint, makers and fabric -- but not glitter -- for their artwork. The piece should be on 8.5-by-11-inch paper and mailed to Flags Across the Nation, P. O. Box 78995, Charlotte, NC 28271-7045 by Aug. 7. None of the artwork will be returned.
The winner will be announced Sept. 11 on Flags Across the Nation's Web site. The grand prize winner's art will be featured on the Web site, and he or she will receive 13 note cards that feature the winning image. The grand prize winner also will receive a $50 U.S. savings bond. The art of 12 runners-up will be featured on the group's Web site and sent to deployed troops.
Schwartz said she is excited about this year's contest and believes the children will be inspired by their own artwork.
"The goal of this art contest is for children to express their love for freedom and America through art," she said. "It is our hope that they continue to value the freedoms that are bestowed to them in the USA. This contest supports the creativity and the patriotic spirit of children."
American Forces Press Service
June 17, 2009 - As it gears up for its 7th Annual Children's Freedom Art Contest, a North Carolina-based troop-support group is looking for patriotic drawings or paintings that signify the unyielding spirit of America after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. "We initially started as a group that put up exhibits of patriotic photos sent to us," said Eileen A. Schwartz, founder of Flags Across the Nation. "About a year after the 9/11 attacks, we decided to launch a Freedom Art Contest for children. Throughout the year, we still do art-related exhibits and activities honoring our flag and America."
The children's artwork collected by Flags Across the Nation over the years has featured the U.S flag, the U.S. military, the American bald eagle and several national monuments. The artwork has been displayed in local galleries, military and veterans' locations and several airports across the country.
"We have sent the artwork overseas to troops and wounded warriors in Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany," Schwartz said. "The contest supports the creativity and the patriotic spirit of children. It also uplifts our troops. While participating in this contest, we hope the children think outside of themselves and think about how they can sweeten the lives of our military."
The required entry form is available on the group's Web site. The contest is open to children in grades 1 through 6 across America. They are allowed to use pencils, crayons, paint, makers and fabric -- but not glitter -- for their artwork. The piece should be on 8.5-by-11-inch paper and mailed to Flags Across the Nation, P. O. Box 78995, Charlotte, NC 28271-7045 by Aug. 7. None of the artwork will be returned.
The winner will be announced Sept. 11 on Flags Across the Nation's Web site. The grand prize winner's art will be featured on the Web site, and he or she will receive 13 note cards that feature the winning image. The grand prize winner also will receive a $50 U.S. savings bond. The art of 12 runners-up will be featured on the group's Web site and sent to deployed troops.
Schwartz said she is excited about this year's contest and believes the children will be inspired by their own artwork.
"The goal of this art contest is for children to express their love for freedom and America through art," she said. "It is our hope that they continue to value the freedoms that are bestowed to them in the USA. This contest supports the creativity and the patriotic spirit of children."
USNS Byrd Crew Gears Up for Pacific Partnership Mission
By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 17, 2009 - A four-month humanitarian mission to the South Pacific led by the Navy's U.S. Pacific Fleet will begin this month as planned despite a switch in ships, the mission commander said. In a decision made to exercise an abundance of caution, officials chose to replace the Navy's USS Dubuque with the Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd for the Pacific Partnership 2009 mission after a small number of sailors aboard Dubuque were diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, Navy Capt. Andrew Cully said in a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable June 15.
"Dubuque was one of the first, and remains one of the few ships on the West Coast to report H1N1," Cully said.
Pacific Partnership will provide engineering support and medical, dental and veterinary care in Samoa, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands.
Byrd was selected as a replacement platform because its capabilities fit the needs of the mission, Cully said. The switch required reducing the medical staff from 180 to 50, but the "reduced staff won't affect the mission," said Cully, who helped to refocus the deployment plan to maximize its public health, dental, optometry and veterinary services.
"We're excited that even with the last-minute changes, we'll still deliver what we promised to a lot of high-impact areas," he added.
When members of the international groups that assist with the annual mission learned about the platform change, they offered to fly directly to the countries where Byrd will stop at ports.
"I'm very pleased that most of these organizations stayed with us and are intimately involved in the planning, as well as the execution, of this mission," Cully said.
Project Hope, the Loloma Foundation, International Aid, and the Shriners are among the groups that will participate in Pacific Partnership 2009.
The crew members aboard Byrd are eager to begin their mission, Cully said.
"Helping other nations in a deployment like this is one of the most professionally and personally rewarding career experiences for all of us," he said.
In addition to medical aid, Pacific Partnership will provide engineering support. Engineers from New Zealand, Australia and Canada will refurbish buildings such as schools and clinics and will execute water catchment projects.
"Every project we have -- whether refurbishing the clinic [or] refurbishing the schoolhouse -- we have taken great strides to increase ... their water catchment to provide fresh water," Cully said.
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 17, 2009 - A four-month humanitarian mission to the South Pacific led by the Navy's U.S. Pacific Fleet will begin this month as planned despite a switch in ships, the mission commander said. In a decision made to exercise an abundance of caution, officials chose to replace the Navy's USS Dubuque with the Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd for the Pacific Partnership 2009 mission after a small number of sailors aboard Dubuque were diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, Navy Capt. Andrew Cully said in a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable June 15.
"Dubuque was one of the first, and remains one of the few ships on the West Coast to report H1N1," Cully said.
Pacific Partnership will provide engineering support and medical, dental and veterinary care in Samoa, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands.
Byrd was selected as a replacement platform because its capabilities fit the needs of the mission, Cully said. The switch required reducing the medical staff from 180 to 50, but the "reduced staff won't affect the mission," said Cully, who helped to refocus the deployment plan to maximize its public health, dental, optometry and veterinary services.
"We're excited that even with the last-minute changes, we'll still deliver what we promised to a lot of high-impact areas," he added.
When members of the international groups that assist with the annual mission learned about the platform change, they offered to fly directly to the countries where Byrd will stop at ports.
"I'm very pleased that most of these organizations stayed with us and are intimately involved in the planning, as well as the execution, of this mission," Cully said.
Project Hope, the Loloma Foundation, International Aid, and the Shriners are among the groups that will participate in Pacific Partnership 2009.
The crew members aboard Byrd are eager to begin their mission, Cully said.
"Helping other nations in a deployment like this is one of the most professionally and personally rewarding career experiences for all of us," he said.
In addition to medical aid, Pacific Partnership will provide engineering support. Engineers from New Zealand, Australia and Canada will refurbish buildings such as schools and clinics and will execute water catchment projects.
"Every project we have -- whether refurbishing the clinic [or] refurbishing the schoolhouse -- we have taken great strides to increase ... their water catchment to provide fresh water," Cully said.
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
Stavridis Reflects on Southcom Success Ahead of New European Post
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
June 17, 2009 - Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis reflected on the security achievements and humanitarian relief efforts he oversaw during his tenure as commander of U.S. Southern Command in a Miami Herald opinion article yesterday. The admiral emphasized how international partnerships and the so-called "whole-of-government" approach that complements military efforts with diplomacy, economic aid and other instruments of state power, helped to foil narco-terrorism in Colombia and fostered humanitarian relief for thousands.
"We dedicate the majority of our resources to building the security capabilities of our partners while encouraging an environment of cooperation among the nations in the region," he said. "The mutual benefits of these partnering efforts are profound."
Stavridis is slated to assume duty as NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe and commander of U.S. European Command this summer, having received Senate confirmation.
In his Miami Herald article, the admiral underscored the importance of regional cooperation in his time at Southcom, which comprises 19 nations in Central and South America and 13 in the Caribbean.
"Complex opportunities and persistent security problems -- like illicit trafficking, criminal activity, gangs, terrorist financing and recruitment, natural disasters -- do not stop at a nation's border," Stavridis wrote. "These challenges require cooperative solutions and partnerships, and therein lay the opportunities."
Stavridis said Colombia's mounting success against illegal armed groups illustrates how building partner capacity pays dividends. Southcom's role in the relationship has been to provide training, logistical and technical support to bolster Colombian crackdowns on narco-terrorists.
"For the first time in decades, the Colombian government is providing services in all of its municipalities, and the Colombian people have a renewed confidence in their future," he wrote. "As Colombia 'wins its peace,' the entire region benefits, because the narco-terrorists lose capacity to grow and transport drugs."
In addition to security programs and military exercises, Southcom also supports humanitarian assistance missions, Stavridis said.
"As an example of our commitment to the people of the region, our medical personnel treated almost 700,000 patients in the past three years, varying from routine prevention to the most serious emergency cases," he said. "A key aspect of the mission is the partnership of military personnel with other government agencies and nongovernmental organizations."
Stavridis, who will become the first naval officer to hold the command in Europe when he replaces Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock, will face a host of separate issues there.
As the top NATO commander, he will be responsible for overseeing the alliance's military contingent in Afghanistan. Stavridis also is likely to figure prominently in coordinating NATO members' war contributions, which in the past have been criticized as disproportionate to the size and scope of U.S. efforts.
American troop levels in Afghanistan are slated to rise to about 68,000 when a current wave of deployments is completed, compared to about 33,000 other NATO forces there.
At his June 2 confirmation hearing, Stavridis told the Senate Armed Services Committee that upon assuming his new role, he would urge European allies to continue standing with the United States in Afghanistan.
"I hope to be a positive force ... in convincing our allies to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with us in important missions throughout the world, and in particular, in Afghanistan," he said.
On the European continent, Stavridis will be greeted by a relationship with Russia that is complicated by several hot-button issues. Russia's conflict with Georgia last year put NATO and Moscow at odds, and tension appears to have increased between the neighbors this week, as Russia ordered international peacekeepers to leave the breakaway Georgian provinces that served as flashpoints in the August war. Moscow also has been reluctant to accept U.S. plans to deploy missile defense equipment in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Stavridis has vowed to take the same tack in Europe that yielded security gains and forged relationships at Southcom.
"My approach will be, as it has been at Southern Command for the last three years, to be collegial, to be oriented toward international solutions, multilateral approaches and, above all, interagency and whole-of-government," he said at his confirmation hearing. "These are challenging times in Europe; they're challenging times in Afghanistan and the world. If confirmed, I will do my best."
American Forces Press Service
June 17, 2009 - Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis reflected on the security achievements and humanitarian relief efforts he oversaw during his tenure as commander of U.S. Southern Command in a Miami Herald opinion article yesterday. The admiral emphasized how international partnerships and the so-called "whole-of-government" approach that complements military efforts with diplomacy, economic aid and other instruments of state power, helped to foil narco-terrorism in Colombia and fostered humanitarian relief for thousands.
"We dedicate the majority of our resources to building the security capabilities of our partners while encouraging an environment of cooperation among the nations in the region," he said. "The mutual benefits of these partnering efforts are profound."
Stavridis is slated to assume duty as NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe and commander of U.S. European Command this summer, having received Senate confirmation.
In his Miami Herald article, the admiral underscored the importance of regional cooperation in his time at Southcom, which comprises 19 nations in Central and South America and 13 in the Caribbean.
"Complex opportunities and persistent security problems -- like illicit trafficking, criminal activity, gangs, terrorist financing and recruitment, natural disasters -- do not stop at a nation's border," Stavridis wrote. "These challenges require cooperative solutions and partnerships, and therein lay the opportunities."
Stavridis said Colombia's mounting success against illegal armed groups illustrates how building partner capacity pays dividends. Southcom's role in the relationship has been to provide training, logistical and technical support to bolster Colombian crackdowns on narco-terrorists.
"For the first time in decades, the Colombian government is providing services in all of its municipalities, and the Colombian people have a renewed confidence in their future," he wrote. "As Colombia 'wins its peace,' the entire region benefits, because the narco-terrorists lose capacity to grow and transport drugs."
In addition to security programs and military exercises, Southcom also supports humanitarian assistance missions, Stavridis said.
"As an example of our commitment to the people of the region, our medical personnel treated almost 700,000 patients in the past three years, varying from routine prevention to the most serious emergency cases," he said. "A key aspect of the mission is the partnership of military personnel with other government agencies and nongovernmental organizations."
Stavridis, who will become the first naval officer to hold the command in Europe when he replaces Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock, will face a host of separate issues there.
As the top NATO commander, he will be responsible for overseeing the alliance's military contingent in Afghanistan. Stavridis also is likely to figure prominently in coordinating NATO members' war contributions, which in the past have been criticized as disproportionate to the size and scope of U.S. efforts.
American troop levels in Afghanistan are slated to rise to about 68,000 when a current wave of deployments is completed, compared to about 33,000 other NATO forces there.
At his June 2 confirmation hearing, Stavridis told the Senate Armed Services Committee that upon assuming his new role, he would urge European allies to continue standing with the United States in Afghanistan.
"I hope to be a positive force ... in convincing our allies to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with us in important missions throughout the world, and in particular, in Afghanistan," he said.
On the European continent, Stavridis will be greeted by a relationship with Russia that is complicated by several hot-button issues. Russia's conflict with Georgia last year put NATO and Moscow at odds, and tension appears to have increased between the neighbors this week, as Russia ordered international peacekeepers to leave the breakaway Georgian provinces that served as flashpoints in the August war. Moscow also has been reluctant to accept U.S. plans to deploy missile defense equipment in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Stavridis has vowed to take the same tack in Europe that yielded security gains and forged relationships at Southcom.
"My approach will be, as it has been at Southern Command for the last three years, to be collegial, to be oriented toward international solutions, multilateral approaches and, above all, interagency and whole-of-government," he said at his confirmation hearing. "These are challenging times in Europe; they're challenging times in Afghanistan and the world. If confirmed, I will do my best."
Trade Commission Site Helps Identify Scams Targeting Military
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
June 17, 2009 - With the economic downturn causing a spike in consumer scams, the Federal Trade Commission is encouraging servicemembers and their families to report their complaints to an online site so it can better target its investigations. The FTC's Consumer Sentinel/Military provides a secure online database for the military community to report concerns about identity theft, deceptive lending or mortgage practices, debt collection, phone fraud or other scams, said Carol Kando-Pineda in the FTC's consumer and business education division.
"Filing via Consumer Sentinel/Military helps us follow the trends of how many military complaints we're getting and from what branches," Kando-Pineda told American Forces Press Service. "We can target investigations better and plan our consumer education efforts more precisely, too."
The Consumer Sentinel/Military site is part of a larger FTC database that includes millions of consumer complaints. The information collected is shared only to appropriate civil, criminal and military law-enforcement authorities.
Military users and their families who access the site designate their service affiliation, then follow the prompts to complete the online complaint form – a process officials say takes only about five minutes.
By doing so, Kando-Pineda said, the military community can help authorities target cases for prosecution, shut down scammers, spot patterns of fraud before they become widespread and alert fellow servicemembers and military families to scams.
Military members and their families can be particularly vulnerable to fraud due to nonstandard work schedules, lengthy absences from home, frequent relocations, the privacy of personal information and remote duty locations far from normal U.S. consumer protection channels, defense officials report.
In addition, some scam artists have begun padding their own pockets using the premise of soliciting charitable donations to support military families and veterans, FTC officials said.
The FTC offers consumer education to teach the military community and public at large about these and other fraudulent practices. These Web-based products are posted on the FTC Web site.
American Forces Press Service
June 17, 2009 - With the economic downturn causing a spike in consumer scams, the Federal Trade Commission is encouraging servicemembers and their families to report their complaints to an online site so it can better target its investigations. The FTC's Consumer Sentinel/Military provides a secure online database for the military community to report concerns about identity theft, deceptive lending or mortgage practices, debt collection, phone fraud or other scams, said Carol Kando-Pineda in the FTC's consumer and business education division.
"Filing via Consumer Sentinel/Military helps us follow the trends of how many military complaints we're getting and from what branches," Kando-Pineda told American Forces Press Service. "We can target investigations better and plan our consumer education efforts more precisely, too."
The Consumer Sentinel/Military site is part of a larger FTC database that includes millions of consumer complaints. The information collected is shared only to appropriate civil, criminal and military law-enforcement authorities.
Military users and their families who access the site designate their service affiliation, then follow the prompts to complete the online complaint form – a process officials say takes only about five minutes.
By doing so, Kando-Pineda said, the military community can help authorities target cases for prosecution, shut down scammers, spot patterns of fraud before they become widespread and alert fellow servicemembers and military families to scams.
Military members and their families can be particularly vulnerable to fraud due to nonstandard work schedules, lengthy absences from home, frequent relocations, the privacy of personal information and remote duty locations far from normal U.S. consumer protection channels, defense officials report.
In addition, some scam artists have begun padding their own pockets using the premise of soliciting charitable donations to support military families and veterans, FTC officials said.
The FTC offers consumer education to teach the military community and public at large about these and other fraudulent practices. These Web-based products are posted on the FTC Web site.
Face of Defense: Soldier Pushes Self, Inspires Others
By Roger Teel
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 17, 2009 - When the Army became her vehicle seven years ago, Sgt. Gabrielle M. Martinez got behind the wheel, fastened her seat belt and ignited the engine. Then she put her foot on the gas. She didn't just come along for the ride. Now assigned as an information systems analyst and operator with a 20th Support Command weapons-of-mass-destruction coordination element, Martinez makes an impact on nearly everyone she meets.
"She doesn't shy away from challenges," said Army 1st Sgt. Tamiko Bogad, her former unit first sergeant. "She meets them head-on."
Martinez is matter-of-fact about her duties: "Whatever needs to be done," she said. She exhibits more enthusiasm for her "additional duties."
Since arriving in October, Martinez has helped to fine-tune the unit's physical fitness program and assumed leadership of the unit color guard. During her limited free time, she earned a college degree.
By many accounts, she is a role model for other soldiers.
"She is an example of what the Army can provide to our young citizens," Bogad said. "She realizes all the opportunities the Army has to offer and allows the Army to challenge her and realize the potential within."
Martinez derives great pleasure from helping Army Sgt. Jason Bedoya to run the unit PT program.
"Motivating others to achieve their fitness goals and improve their health and overall well-being is rewarding," Martinez said. "To see other soldiers succeed -- especially when they thought they wouldn't, or couldn't, or have given up and gotten discouraged -- that's very rewarding.
"It's good to give back especially in an area where I have natural ability," she added, emphasizing that Bedoya leads the PT program.
"It's his program," she said. "My support provides an even return for having his support on the color guard."
"She keeps everybody going," Bedoya said. "She's outgoing. She makes it fun, always cracking jokes. She challenges me as well, always throwing out new ideas, new ways we can do things, new exercises. And she really helps a lot of our soldiers."
Martinez's endeavor into drill and ceremony, calling cadence for the color guard, came at the recommendation of her supervisor, Army Master Sgt. Charesse Blood.
"The first sergeant was asking for volunteers, and Master Sergeant Blood said it would probably be a good idea for me. She said she had similar responsibilities when she was coming up and said it's a great learning experience and also a challenge. She inspired me, and I volunteered," Martinez explained.
"The challenging part is keeping everyone motivated to perform and coordinating with the community for rehearsals," she said. "I'm currently searching for more volunteers. I've also been looking for incentives to make it lucrative for high quality volunteers because they are very much needed. But the people we have are very dedicated."
Honor and tradition are being preserved under Martinez's charge, Bogad said. "She effortlessly lives and breathes our Army Values and the Noncommissioned Officer Creed," he added.
"I have to juggle all these things carefully so I don't miss training and still provide leadership to the color guard and be there for the PT program," Martinez said. "There's a lot of juggling of responsibilities as an NCO."
Martinez grew up in Pottstown, Pa., about a two-hour drive north of here.
"My father is still there," she said. "I have 15 brothers and sisters; I'm in the middle."
The lessons she learned growing up in a large family are apparent.
"I always felt like I was a member of a team," she said, smiling at the memory. Her siblings range in age from 4 to 43. "It's hard to keep a relationship with a sister who is 40 years old. I'm 27. She was ready to move out of the house by the time I came along."
Martinez said her father coordinates an annual family gathering.
"Whoever shows up shows up," she said. "We never get everybody there together at once."
None of her brothers or sisters served in the military.
"I'm the first in my family to graduate from college," she added, proud of achieving an academic goal. She graduated in May from American Military University, earning a bachelor's degree - with honors -- in information technology.
"My mom was there for my graduation," she added, re-emphasizing the importance she attaches to family ties. "I'd like to complete my master's program in an in-your-face, traditional classroom," she continued, having earned her bachelor's degree online. "I'm taking a break now and identifying future endeavors."
It's been seven years since Martinez visited a Miami recruiting center. At that time she was working as a certified nurse's assistant, going to school and trying to become a model -- and things weren't working out.
So, she raised her hand.
Martinez has since traveled around the world. After completing basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and advanced individual training at Fort Gordon, Ga., she was assigned to Mannheim, Germany, for two years, which included a short tour to Kuwait with the 7th Signal Brigade.
She took a follow-on overseas assignment to South Korea for 13 months, and then re-enlisted for retraining in her current job specialty. She then ramped up at the National Training Center and deployed to Iraq for 15 months with the 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
"It's worked out for me. I've developed a lot of pride in what I do. I'm glad I did it, and I now plan to be a career soldier," Martinez said, thumbing the Officer Candidate School packet she was almost ready to submit.
"Airborne school has to come in there somewhere," she added, underscoring her desire to remain a "Hooah!" soldier.
"I believe in myself," she explained. "As I continue to create and explore opportunities, I know things will work out."
Her professional development is clearly evident to others.
"She has been diligent about requesting increased responsibility, and has consistently performed above and beyond her grade," Blood said. "She's focused on accomplishment of the mission and the welfare of her soldiers."
Her former first sergeant agreed. "As senior NCOs, we provide opportunities for our soldiers to succeed," Bogad said. "It is our duty to help them realize their own potential, which is usually more than they thought they had. Sergeant Martinez inspires others through her example. She sets the standard for excellence. She achieves all you put before her, and all she puts her mind to."
"She's definitely got her mind in the right place," added Bedoya, a young and newly promoted NCO. "She can do so much more. I look at her and think, 'That's someone I could emulate.'"
Martinez takes the praise in stride. "I just want to positively influence people," she said. "I feel like I owe that to soldiers, my peers and anybody I can motivate to go to school, to work on their PT, or just try a little harder in whatever situation they're in. I feel like I owe that to people because leaders have given that to me so freely.
"Besides," she added, "who am I not to share?"
(Roger Teel works at 20th Support Command.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 17, 2009 - When the Army became her vehicle seven years ago, Sgt. Gabrielle M. Martinez got behind the wheel, fastened her seat belt and ignited the engine. Then she put her foot on the gas. She didn't just come along for the ride. Now assigned as an information systems analyst and operator with a 20th Support Command weapons-of-mass-destruction coordination element, Martinez makes an impact on nearly everyone she meets.
"She doesn't shy away from challenges," said Army 1st Sgt. Tamiko Bogad, her former unit first sergeant. "She meets them head-on."
Martinez is matter-of-fact about her duties: "Whatever needs to be done," she said. She exhibits more enthusiasm for her "additional duties."
Since arriving in October, Martinez has helped to fine-tune the unit's physical fitness program and assumed leadership of the unit color guard. During her limited free time, she earned a college degree.
By many accounts, she is a role model for other soldiers.
"She is an example of what the Army can provide to our young citizens," Bogad said. "She realizes all the opportunities the Army has to offer and allows the Army to challenge her and realize the potential within."
Martinez derives great pleasure from helping Army Sgt. Jason Bedoya to run the unit PT program.
"Motivating others to achieve their fitness goals and improve their health and overall well-being is rewarding," Martinez said. "To see other soldiers succeed -- especially when they thought they wouldn't, or couldn't, or have given up and gotten discouraged -- that's very rewarding.
"It's good to give back especially in an area where I have natural ability," she added, emphasizing that Bedoya leads the PT program.
"It's his program," she said. "My support provides an even return for having his support on the color guard."
"She keeps everybody going," Bedoya said. "She's outgoing. She makes it fun, always cracking jokes. She challenges me as well, always throwing out new ideas, new ways we can do things, new exercises. And she really helps a lot of our soldiers."
Martinez's endeavor into drill and ceremony, calling cadence for the color guard, came at the recommendation of her supervisor, Army Master Sgt. Charesse Blood.
"The first sergeant was asking for volunteers, and Master Sergeant Blood said it would probably be a good idea for me. She said she had similar responsibilities when she was coming up and said it's a great learning experience and also a challenge. She inspired me, and I volunteered," Martinez explained.
"The challenging part is keeping everyone motivated to perform and coordinating with the community for rehearsals," she said. "I'm currently searching for more volunteers. I've also been looking for incentives to make it lucrative for high quality volunteers because they are very much needed. But the people we have are very dedicated."
Honor and tradition are being preserved under Martinez's charge, Bogad said. "She effortlessly lives and breathes our Army Values and the Noncommissioned Officer Creed," he added.
"I have to juggle all these things carefully so I don't miss training and still provide leadership to the color guard and be there for the PT program," Martinez said. "There's a lot of juggling of responsibilities as an NCO."
Martinez grew up in Pottstown, Pa., about a two-hour drive north of here.
"My father is still there," she said. "I have 15 brothers and sisters; I'm in the middle."
The lessons she learned growing up in a large family are apparent.
"I always felt like I was a member of a team," she said, smiling at the memory. Her siblings range in age from 4 to 43. "It's hard to keep a relationship with a sister who is 40 years old. I'm 27. She was ready to move out of the house by the time I came along."
Martinez said her father coordinates an annual family gathering.
"Whoever shows up shows up," she said. "We never get everybody there together at once."
None of her brothers or sisters served in the military.
"I'm the first in my family to graduate from college," she added, proud of achieving an academic goal. She graduated in May from American Military University, earning a bachelor's degree - with honors -- in information technology.
"My mom was there for my graduation," she added, re-emphasizing the importance she attaches to family ties. "I'd like to complete my master's program in an in-your-face, traditional classroom," she continued, having earned her bachelor's degree online. "I'm taking a break now and identifying future endeavors."
It's been seven years since Martinez visited a Miami recruiting center. At that time she was working as a certified nurse's assistant, going to school and trying to become a model -- and things weren't working out.
So, she raised her hand.
Martinez has since traveled around the world. After completing basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and advanced individual training at Fort Gordon, Ga., she was assigned to Mannheim, Germany, for two years, which included a short tour to Kuwait with the 7th Signal Brigade.
She took a follow-on overseas assignment to South Korea for 13 months, and then re-enlisted for retraining in her current job specialty. She then ramped up at the National Training Center and deployed to Iraq for 15 months with the 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
"It's worked out for me. I've developed a lot of pride in what I do. I'm glad I did it, and I now plan to be a career soldier," Martinez said, thumbing the Officer Candidate School packet she was almost ready to submit.
"Airborne school has to come in there somewhere," she added, underscoring her desire to remain a "Hooah!" soldier.
"I believe in myself," she explained. "As I continue to create and explore opportunities, I know things will work out."
Her professional development is clearly evident to others.
"She has been diligent about requesting increased responsibility, and has consistently performed above and beyond her grade," Blood said. "She's focused on accomplishment of the mission and the welfare of her soldiers."
Her former first sergeant agreed. "As senior NCOs, we provide opportunities for our soldiers to succeed," Bogad said. "It is our duty to help them realize their own potential, which is usually more than they thought they had. Sergeant Martinez inspires others through her example. She sets the standard for excellence. She achieves all you put before her, and all she puts her mind to."
"She's definitely got her mind in the right place," added Bedoya, a young and newly promoted NCO. "She can do so much more. I look at her and think, 'That's someone I could emulate.'"
Martinez takes the praise in stride. "I just want to positively influence people," she said. "I feel like I owe that to soldiers, my peers and anybody I can motivate to go to school, to work on their PT, or just try a little harder in whatever situation they're in. I feel like I owe that to people because leaders have given that to me so freely.
"Besides," she added, "who am I not to share?"
(Roger Teel works at 20th Support Command.)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Israeli Victory in Gaza
(CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE INFO, INCLUDEING PREVIEWS AND TESTAMONIALS) I have a new piece in the current issue of Strategy & Tactics covering Israel's Operation Cast Lead. For those who may not recall, Cast Lead saw the Israelis bomb and invade Gaza last January in an effort to stop Hamas' daily rocket attacks.
The operation was well planned and executed, with the Israelis killing more than 700 Hamas fighters, destroying dozens of arms cashes, and hundreds of smuggling tunnels. Cast Lead also helped restore the credibility of Israel's deterrent, something which had been lacking since the inconclusive Lebanon War of 2006.
Interestingly, Israeli intelligence made good use of disgruntled Fatah operatives, Hamas main rival, several dozen of whom were killed when Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in a coup in 2007. Fatah sources pointed out the location of smuggling tunnels, terrorist homes, and arms caches.
Israel has also been aiding Fatah in the West Bank, with intelligence sharing and limited cooperation between the Israeli Army and Palestinian Authority security services. The Israelis seem to be adopting the age old counter insurgency tactic of co-opting some of the locals and using them to fight the insurgents. Its an idea that has worked time and again, most notably in Iraq, where Sunni insurgents turned on al Qeada.
Of course this begs the question, is Fatah any better than Hamas? Hamas is a religious organization offering a variety of social services tethered to a political program centered on the destruction ot Israel. Fatah is a more or less secular but corrupt thugocracy, it is at best and worst, like the entrenched government of Egypt's president for life, Hosni Mubarak. Mubarak stay afloat because of a few billion a year in American dollars. Perhaps Fatah can be kept up with a few hundred million Israeli shekels?
For more about Will, visit http://www.gulfwarone.com/. His novel, 'A Line Through the Desert' can be purchased here.
Missile Defense Reviews to Focus on Current, Long-Term Challenges
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
June 16, 2009 - North Korea and Iran pose serious nuclear and missile proliferation concerns for the United States and other nations and will be major considerations in the U.S ballistic missile defense review, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III told the Senate Armed Services Committee today. "The risks and dangers from missile proliferation are growing problems," Lynn said. "The president has made clear that we will move forward with missile defenses. They're affordable, proven and responsive to the threat."
Lynn joined other defense leaders in describing the ballistic missile threat and reviews of missile defense policy and planning under way to address current as well as long-term security challenges.
The recently initiated Ballistic Missile Defense Review and other related reviews, he said, will focus on challenges posed by violent extremist movements, the spread of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, rising powers with sophisticated weapons and failed or failing threats, Lynn told the panel.
Marine Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that the global nature of the threats and the rapid pace of technological change imposes big challenges on any deterrent strategy.
"No longer will a monolithic, mutual-assured destruction approach deter our aggressors," Cartwright said. "Our deterrent strategy will need to handle the rapid advances in technologies across a broad range of threats and conditions."
Several broad principles will guide the efforts:
• Defending the United States from rogue states and protecting U.S. forces.
This includes more effective theater missile defenses and more capabilities to warfighters provided through shorter-range and mobile missile defense systems, Lynn explained. The fiscal 2010 budget request includes an additional $900 million to field more systems such as the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense ships and Standard Missile-3 interceptors to defend deployed forces and allies, he said.
• Preparing for emerging threats.
This effort calls for continued investment in national missile defense systems upgrades
and research and development to pursue new and more effective technologies to confront theater missile threats, Lynn said.
• Ensuring the effectiveness of U.S. missile defenses.
Lynn emphasized the need for robust testing, while terminating the troubled kinetic energy interceptor and multiple kill vehicle programs and returning the airborne laser to a technology demonstration program.
• Using missile defense as the basis for fostering international defense cooperation.
No final decisions have been made regarding missile defense in Europe, Lynn told the panel. However, the U.S. approach to missile defense there will be to seek cooperation with international partners, including Russia, to reduce the threat from Iran.
Lynn called ballistic missile defenses an important part of current and future national strategy that must be integrated into broader deterrence and alliance considerations.
"Missile defenses play a key role in both responding to current threats and hedging against future contingencies," he told the senators. "As we move forward with missile defense plans and programs, the Department of Defense will ensure they are affordable, effective and responsive to the risks and threats that confront the United States, our friends and our allies."
Army Lt. Gen. Patrick J. O'Reilly, director of the Missile Defense Agency, said the $7.8 billion requested for missile defense in the fiscal 2010 budget will support these endeavors.
This funding, he said, will focus on three areas of improvement: current protection against theater and rogue nation threats, the United States' hedge against future threats and improving the acquisition of U.S. missile defense capability.
"Missile defense is expensive, but the cost of mission failure can also be very high," O'Reilly said, emphasizing that the system must be both affordable and effective.
"The department is proposing a balanced program to develop, rigorously test and field an integrated [ballistic missile defense system] architecture to counter existing regional threats, maintain our limited [intercontinental ballistic missile] defense, develop new technologies to address future risks and become more operationally and cost-effective as we prepare to protect against the more uncertain threats of the future," he said.
American Forces Press Service
June 16, 2009 - North Korea and Iran pose serious nuclear and missile proliferation concerns for the United States and other nations and will be major considerations in the U.S ballistic missile defense review, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III told the Senate Armed Services Committee today. "The risks and dangers from missile proliferation are growing problems," Lynn said. "The president has made clear that we will move forward with missile defenses. They're affordable, proven and responsive to the threat."
Lynn joined other defense leaders in describing the ballistic missile threat and reviews of missile defense policy and planning under way to address current as well as long-term security challenges.
The recently initiated Ballistic Missile Defense Review and other related reviews, he said, will focus on challenges posed by violent extremist movements, the spread of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, rising powers with sophisticated weapons and failed or failing threats, Lynn told the panel.
Marine Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that the global nature of the threats and the rapid pace of technological change imposes big challenges on any deterrent strategy.
"No longer will a monolithic, mutual-assured destruction approach deter our aggressors," Cartwright said. "Our deterrent strategy will need to handle the rapid advances in technologies across a broad range of threats and conditions."
Several broad principles will guide the efforts:
• Defending the United States from rogue states and protecting U.S. forces.
This includes more effective theater missile defenses and more capabilities to warfighters provided through shorter-range and mobile missile defense systems, Lynn explained. The fiscal 2010 budget request includes an additional $900 million to field more systems such as the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense ships and Standard Missile-3 interceptors to defend deployed forces and allies, he said.
• Preparing for emerging threats.
This effort calls for continued investment in national missile defense systems upgrades
and research and development to pursue new and more effective technologies to confront theater missile threats, Lynn said.
• Ensuring the effectiveness of U.S. missile defenses.
Lynn emphasized the need for robust testing, while terminating the troubled kinetic energy interceptor and multiple kill vehicle programs and returning the airborne laser to a technology demonstration program.
• Using missile defense as the basis for fostering international defense cooperation.
No final decisions have been made regarding missile defense in Europe, Lynn told the panel. However, the U.S. approach to missile defense there will be to seek cooperation with international partners, including Russia, to reduce the threat from Iran.
Lynn called ballistic missile defenses an important part of current and future national strategy that must be integrated into broader deterrence and alliance considerations.
"Missile defenses play a key role in both responding to current threats and hedging against future contingencies," he told the senators. "As we move forward with missile defense plans and programs, the Department of Defense will ensure they are affordable, effective and responsive to the risks and threats that confront the United States, our friends and our allies."
Army Lt. Gen. Patrick J. O'Reilly, director of the Missile Defense Agency, said the $7.8 billion requested for missile defense in the fiscal 2010 budget will support these endeavors.
This funding, he said, will focus on three areas of improvement: current protection against theater and rogue nation threats, the United States' hedge against future threats and improving the acquisition of U.S. missile defense capability.
"Missile defense is expensive, but the cost of mission failure can also be very high," O'Reilly said, emphasizing that the system must be both affordable and effective.
"The department is proposing a balanced program to develop, rigorously test and field an integrated [ballistic missile defense system] architecture to counter existing regional threats, maintain our limited [intercontinental ballistic missile] defense, develop new technologies to address future risks and become more operationally and cost-effective as we prepare to protect against the more uncertain threats of the future," he said.
North Korea Must Renounce Nuclear Weapons, Obama, Lee Say
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
June 16, 2009 - Given North Korea's bellicose threats, it is unacceptable for the nation to possess nuclear weapons, President Barack Obama said today at the White House. Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak held a news conference following their meeting to discuss the issue. Obama called North Korea a "profound threat" to stability in Northeast Asia and security around the world.
"We agreed that under no circumstance are we going to allow North Korea to possess nuclear weapons," President Lee said. "We also agreed to robustly implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874. Of course, all the parties will faithfully take part in implementing this resolution."
North Korea's record of proliferation makes them incredibly dangerous, Obama said. "They have not shown, in the past, any restraint in terms of exporting weapons to not only state actors but also non-state actors," he said.
North Korea has abandoned commitments and violated international law, Obama said. North Korea leaders have said that all international agreements – including the armistice that ended the Korean War in 1953 – are null and void.
Obama praised South Korea for its steadiness and resolve, and the two leaders reiterated their commitment to the "complete denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula.
Lee and Obama discussed the way forward with regard to North Korea. The United States, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia are working to make it clear to North Korea "that it will not find security or respect through threats and illegal weapons," Obama said.
North Korea has received near-universal condemnation since conducting a nuclear test in April. The nation also has tested intercontinental and intermediate-range missile technology.
"On Friday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution that called for strong steps to block North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs," Obama said. "Now we must pursue a sustained and robust effort to implement this resolution together with our international partners."
There is another path for North Korea that could lead to full integration with the community of nations, Obama said. "That destination can only be reached through peaceful negotiations that achieve the full and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."
American Forces Press Service
June 16, 2009 - Given North Korea's bellicose threats, it is unacceptable for the nation to possess nuclear weapons, President Barack Obama said today at the White House. Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak held a news conference following their meeting to discuss the issue. Obama called North Korea a "profound threat" to stability in Northeast Asia and security around the world.
"We agreed that under no circumstance are we going to allow North Korea to possess nuclear weapons," President Lee said. "We also agreed to robustly implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874. Of course, all the parties will faithfully take part in implementing this resolution."
North Korea's record of proliferation makes them incredibly dangerous, Obama said. "They have not shown, in the past, any restraint in terms of exporting weapons to not only state actors but also non-state actors," he said.
North Korea has abandoned commitments and violated international law, Obama said. North Korea leaders have said that all international agreements – including the armistice that ended the Korean War in 1953 – are null and void.
Obama praised South Korea for its steadiness and resolve, and the two leaders reiterated their commitment to the "complete denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula.
Lee and Obama discussed the way forward with regard to North Korea. The United States, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia are working to make it clear to North Korea "that it will not find security or respect through threats and illegal weapons," Obama said.
North Korea has received near-universal condemnation since conducting a nuclear test in April. The nation also has tested intercontinental and intermediate-range missile technology.
"On Friday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution that called for strong steps to block North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs," Obama said. "Now we must pursue a sustained and robust effort to implement this resolution together with our international partners."
There is another path for North Korea that could lead to full integration with the community of nations, Obama said. "That destination can only be reached through peaceful negotiations that achieve the full and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."
Pentagon Spokesman Expresses Hope North Korea Won't Test UN Resolution
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
June 16, 2009 - The United States and its international partners have the assets and authorities needed to carry out a UN Security Council resolution aimed at stopping North Korea's proliferation activities, but the Pentagon press secretary expressed hope today North Korea won't put them to the test. "Hopefully it does not become necessary" to enforce provisions of UN Security Council 1874, Geoff Morrell told Pentagon reporters today. "Hopefully the north will be fully compliant with the Security Council resolution that bans their shipment of a number of goods, including arms."
The Security Council passed the resolution unanimously June 12, condemning North Korea's May 25 nuclear test and tightening sanctions aimed at blocking further nuclear, missile and proliferation activities. The resolution widened a ban on North Korea's arms imports and exports and called on the international community to inspect cargo to or from North Korea suspected of violating its provisions.
"So we continue, as we have for some time, to monitor the North Korean shipments," Morrell said today. "Should there be reasonable grounds to believe that one of those ships is carrying banned cargo, we have the authorities under the Security Council resolution to take action."
Such action, should it be warranted, would begin with a request to the North Korean government – not the suspect ship – for a compliant boarding to inspect the ship, he explained. In the event that request is denied, the U.N. Security Council would be informed. The next step would be a request to the North Korean government, asking that it direct the ship into a convenient port to be boarded and inspected.
The resolution, particularly the fact that it passed unanimously, demonstrates the broad international commitment to working together to stop North Korea from proliferating weapons of mass destruction, he said.
"So this is not just about what we can or have been able to do or will be able to do," Morrell said. "This is about a commitment, on the part of all of our allies, to deal with this problem collectively."
By working together to prevent the North Koreans from proliferating weapons of mass destruction and other arms, the international community will eliminate a revenue source that sustains the North Korean regime and its ability to pursue its nuclear and ballistic program.
"This has been a main source of revenue for the North for quite some time, and we want to put a stop to it," Morrell said.
Meanwhile, the resolution will help "prevent that kind of technology from being spread to other countries and other non-state actors where it could pose a threat to us and our allies," he said.
American Forces Press Service
June 16, 2009 - The United States and its international partners have the assets and authorities needed to carry out a UN Security Council resolution aimed at stopping North Korea's proliferation activities, but the Pentagon press secretary expressed hope today North Korea won't put them to the test. "Hopefully it does not become necessary" to enforce provisions of UN Security Council 1874, Geoff Morrell told Pentagon reporters today. "Hopefully the north will be fully compliant with the Security Council resolution that bans their shipment of a number of goods, including arms."
The Security Council passed the resolution unanimously June 12, condemning North Korea's May 25 nuclear test and tightening sanctions aimed at blocking further nuclear, missile and proliferation activities. The resolution widened a ban on North Korea's arms imports and exports and called on the international community to inspect cargo to or from North Korea suspected of violating its provisions.
"So we continue, as we have for some time, to monitor the North Korean shipments," Morrell said today. "Should there be reasonable grounds to believe that one of those ships is carrying banned cargo, we have the authorities under the Security Council resolution to take action."
Such action, should it be warranted, would begin with a request to the North Korean government – not the suspect ship – for a compliant boarding to inspect the ship, he explained. In the event that request is denied, the U.N. Security Council would be informed. The next step would be a request to the North Korean government, asking that it direct the ship into a convenient port to be boarded and inspected.
The resolution, particularly the fact that it passed unanimously, demonstrates the broad international commitment to working together to stop North Korea from proliferating weapons of mass destruction, he said.
"So this is not just about what we can or have been able to do or will be able to do," Morrell said. "This is about a commitment, on the part of all of our allies, to deal with this problem collectively."
By working together to prevent the North Koreans from proliferating weapons of mass destruction and other arms, the international community will eliminate a revenue source that sustains the North Korean regime and its ability to pursue its nuclear and ballistic program.
"This has been a main source of revenue for the North for quite some time, and we want to put a stop to it," Morrell said.
Meanwhile, the resolution will help "prevent that kind of technology from being spread to other countries and other non-state actors where it could pose a threat to us and our allies," he said.
MILITARY CONTRACTS June 16, 2009
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to ITT Corp., Advanced Engineering & Sciences Division, of Herndon, Va., for $49,900,000. This contract action will provide the design, development, integration, and sustainment of new features and capabilities into the Information Support Server Environment Guard software system. It will also include the maintenance of fielded ISSE guard systems and installations of new ISSE guard software version for government agencies. At this time, $439,000 has been obligated. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, N.Y., is the contracting activity (FA8750-09-D-0002).
The Air Force is awarding a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Concurrent Technologies Corp, of Johnstown, Pa., for $49,000,000. This contract action will provide a research and development program entitled "Environmental and Energy Quality Technologies," and will transition emerging materials, processes and new technologies to reduce and eliminate toxic and hazardous chemicals, materials, and waste streams, while improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the Air Force. At this time, $5,198,388 has been obligated. Detachment 1, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-09-D-5601).
The Air Force is awarding a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Herndon, Va., for $17,979,681. This contract is for homeland defense and civil support communications to enhance the Navy's ability to safely and effectively conduct maritime homeland security/defense operations and enhance the survivability of the fleet. At this time, $277,295 has been obligated. 55 CONS, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380, Delivery Order 03067).
The Air Force is awarding a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Herndon, Va., for $9,659,296. This action will provide homeland defense and civil support communication. At this time $227,600 has been obligated. 55 CONS, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380, Delivery Order 0306).
NAVY
Force Protection Industries, Inc., Ladson, S.C., is being awarded a $21,440,496 firm-fixed-price delivery order #0012 modification under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5031) for the purchase of field service representative support for the installation of the independent suspension kits on the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Cougar vehicles. Work will be performed at the MRAP Sustainment Facility in Kuwait. Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
JLG Industries, Inc., McConnellsburg, Pa., is being awarded a maximum $6,536,779 firm fixed-price, sole source contract for diesel engine. Other location of performance is in Pennsylvania. Using service is Army. The original proposal was Web solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is January 18, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency, Warren, (DSCC-ZG) Warren, Mich. (SPRDL1-09-C-0064).
CORRECTION:
EA Industries, Inc., San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico *, is being awarded a maximum $13,464,383 firm fixed-price, indefinite quantity contract for Marine Corps combat utility uniform. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Marine Corps. The original proposal was Web solicited with 10 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jun. 16, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SP0100-06-D-0361).
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to ITT Corp., Advanced Engineering & Sciences Division, of Herndon, Va., for $49,900,000. This contract action will provide the design, development, integration, and sustainment of new features and capabilities into the Information Support Server Environment Guard software system. It will also include the maintenance of fielded ISSE guard systems and installations of new ISSE guard software version for government agencies. At this time, $439,000 has been obligated. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, N.Y., is the contracting activity (FA8750-09-D-0002).
The Air Force is awarding a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Concurrent Technologies Corp, of Johnstown, Pa., for $49,000,000. This contract action will provide a research and development program entitled "Environmental and Energy Quality Technologies," and will transition emerging materials, processes and new technologies to reduce and eliminate toxic and hazardous chemicals, materials, and waste streams, while improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the Air Force. At this time, $5,198,388 has been obligated. Detachment 1, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-09-D-5601).
The Air Force is awarding a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Herndon, Va., for $17,979,681. This contract is for homeland defense and civil support communications to enhance the Navy's ability to safely and effectively conduct maritime homeland security/defense operations and enhance the survivability of the fleet. At this time, $277,295 has been obligated. 55 CONS, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380, Delivery Order 03067).
The Air Force is awarding a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Herndon, Va., for $9,659,296. This action will provide homeland defense and civil support communication. At this time $227,600 has been obligated. 55 CONS, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380, Delivery Order 0306).
NAVY
Force Protection Industries, Inc., Ladson, S.C., is being awarded a $21,440,496 firm-fixed-price delivery order #0012 modification under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5031) for the purchase of field service representative support for the installation of the independent suspension kits on the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Cougar vehicles. Work will be performed at the MRAP Sustainment Facility in Kuwait. Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
JLG Industries, Inc., McConnellsburg, Pa., is being awarded a maximum $6,536,779 firm fixed-price, sole source contract for diesel engine. Other location of performance is in Pennsylvania. Using service is Army. The original proposal was Web solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is January 18, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency, Warren, (DSCC-ZG) Warren, Mich. (SPRDL1-09-C-0064).
CORRECTION:
EA Industries, Inc., San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico *, is being awarded a maximum $13,464,383 firm fixed-price, indefinite quantity contract for Marine Corps combat utility uniform. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Marine Corps. The original proposal was Web solicited with 10 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jun. 16, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SP0100-06-D-0361).
New Public Affairs Chief Sets Out to Transform Communications Processes
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
June 15, 2009 - When Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates tapped Price Floyd to run the Defense Department's public affairs operation, he gave him two basic marching orders: improve the way the department communicates ¬-- especially to young people -- and solicit feedback in the process. So one week into the job as principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, Floyd is taking a fresh look at traditional public affairs and strategic communications practices with an eye toward making them more responsive, more relevant, more inclusive and more transparent.
Gone will be the days, he said, when the department released information and conveyed messages hoping they'd reach receptive ears and eyes and convince skeptical audiences at home and abroad. The new goal will be better-targeted communications that reach groups not necessarily linked into traditional media outlets, and mechanisms that not only accept, but also solicit, feedback.
Floyd said it's evident in his discussions with Gates that he's "focused like a laser beam" on communicating better with the department's audiences.
"And he wants to hear feedback," Floyd said. "He wants to know what people think about our policies and initiatives."
Gates has made no secret of his dissatisfaction with the way the U.S. government, including the Defense Department, communicates with its own members, the American public and the world.
"Public relations was invented in the United States, yet we are miserable at communicating to the rest of the world what we are about as a society and a culture, about freedom and democracy, about our policies and our goals," he said during a November 2007 Landon Lecture speech at Kansas State University. "It is just plain embarrassing that al-Qaida is better at communicating its message on the Internet than America."
Gates repeats that mantra regularly, citing the strategic consequences of a public affairs organization he calls too slow and inflexible in light of the realities of the 21st century. That's particularly troublesome, he said, in light of a ruthless and versatile enemy that's proven capable of reaching its own target audiences through a variety of means – both ancient and modern.
"Are we organized properly ... when we're being out-communicated by a guy in a cave?" Gates lamented during a May 2008 address at the American Academy of Diplomacy.
So while Floyd is still navigating his way through the Pentagon, still meeting his staff and has yet to organize the stacks of paperwork already covering his desk, he's wasting no time getting to the task of moving the Defense Department's communications efforts to the fast track.
The goal, he said, is to take advantage of 21st-century technology and approaches and to institutionalize them so they have a lasting impact on how the department conducts public affairs.
After 17 years at the State Department, most recently as director of media affairs, and two years as external relations director for the Center for New American Security, the 44-year-old Floyd has witnessed vast changes in the way information is distributed and shared.
He's watched technology blur the lines between audiences, so a message that goes to one group is likely to reach many other groups. "You have to be aware of, no matter who you are speaking to, all the possible audiences that may hear it and then interpret it in a different way," Floyd said.
Meanwhile, the "social media" -- blogs, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Flickr and Twitter, among them -- have revolutionized information-sharing. These forums have become the information tool of choice among the "millennial generation" -- the 18-to-25-year-olds Gates referred to, many of whom don't read newspapers, tune in to network news or visit official Web sites.
This is a group Gates is particularly interested in reaching, not only in the United States, but also abroad. He emphasized this point in April when asked during a question-and-answer session at the Marine Corps War College in Quantico, Va., what he was looking for in his top public affairs post.
"I want somebody who can tell us how the Department of Defense communicates with our own people, most of whom are 18 to 25 years old," Gates said. "And somebody who can communicate with people that same age around the world, where we've got operations going on."
Floyd understands the importance of this demographic. "They are the future of recruitment, they are our future educators, they are the future people we will need to support our policies," he said. "The bottom line is, they are our future."
Floyd said he plans to expand efforts already under way at the Defense Department to tap into social media outlets to reach audiences not reachable through other, more traditional, means.
"How they communicate, and what they communicate is completely different than what we were doing just a couple of years ago," he said. "It makes no sense for us not to be a part of that. We don't play in that arena to our own detriment."
But a secondary benefit of the social media – one Floyd said he plans to extend to other public affairs endeavors – is that it promotes the kind of discourse Gates wants to develop.
For a long time, the new technologies represented little more than "a better bullhorn" to broadcast the Defense Department's messages to more people, Floyd said. "But now, that's changed," he said. "It's not just better one-way communication; it's better two-way communication. It's not just us reaching people; it is them reaching us, too."
This discussion can have tremendous payoff, he said. It gives people a way to actively participate in policymaking, offering suggestions and constructive viewpoints.
But Floyd said it also makes the important point – subtle as it might appear at face value -- that the Defense Department wants to hear from the public. "What we need to do is make sure our policies are explained and understood by the widest possible audience, and that we allow that audience to respond," he said.
"They are not simply being told that this is the new policy, and they have got to live with it," he said. "Even in cases where they may disagree with the policy, because it was developed with transparency and in a way that allowed their voices to be heard, they have a sense of ownership in it. They know that their views were heard."
This approach does a lot more than simply make people feel good, Floyd said. It promotes a level of understanding that's critical to building support: understanding among the American people, understanding in the world community and understanding among local people where U.S. troops are operating.
That, Floyd said, has a direct impact on the safety of those troops and the effectiveness of their operations.
If the people of Iraq and Afghanistan understand "what we are doing, why we are there, what we are doing to help support their government and therefore, what their government is doing to help them, it makes the job of our troops on the ground a lot easier," he said.
Commanders on the ground realize that this understanding can mean "life or death for their troops," Floyd said.
"So getting it right means saving their own lives, and the lives of the people in the countries where they are operating," he said. "That makes it imperative that we get it right."
American Forces Press Service
June 15, 2009 - When Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates tapped Price Floyd to run the Defense Department's public affairs operation, he gave him two basic marching orders: improve the way the department communicates ¬-- especially to young people -- and solicit feedback in the process. So one week into the job as principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, Floyd is taking a fresh look at traditional public affairs and strategic communications practices with an eye toward making them more responsive, more relevant, more inclusive and more transparent.
Gone will be the days, he said, when the department released information and conveyed messages hoping they'd reach receptive ears and eyes and convince skeptical audiences at home and abroad. The new goal will be better-targeted communications that reach groups not necessarily linked into traditional media outlets, and mechanisms that not only accept, but also solicit, feedback.
Floyd said it's evident in his discussions with Gates that he's "focused like a laser beam" on communicating better with the department's audiences.
"And he wants to hear feedback," Floyd said. "He wants to know what people think about our policies and initiatives."
Gates has made no secret of his dissatisfaction with the way the U.S. government, including the Defense Department, communicates with its own members, the American public and the world.
"Public relations was invented in the United States, yet we are miserable at communicating to the rest of the world what we are about as a society and a culture, about freedom and democracy, about our policies and our goals," he said during a November 2007 Landon Lecture speech at Kansas State University. "It is just plain embarrassing that al-Qaida is better at communicating its message on the Internet than America."
Gates repeats that mantra regularly, citing the strategic consequences of a public affairs organization he calls too slow and inflexible in light of the realities of the 21st century. That's particularly troublesome, he said, in light of a ruthless and versatile enemy that's proven capable of reaching its own target audiences through a variety of means – both ancient and modern.
"Are we organized properly ... when we're being out-communicated by a guy in a cave?" Gates lamented during a May 2008 address at the American Academy of Diplomacy.
So while Floyd is still navigating his way through the Pentagon, still meeting his staff and has yet to organize the stacks of paperwork already covering his desk, he's wasting no time getting to the task of moving the Defense Department's communications efforts to the fast track.
The goal, he said, is to take advantage of 21st-century technology and approaches and to institutionalize them so they have a lasting impact on how the department conducts public affairs.
After 17 years at the State Department, most recently as director of media affairs, and two years as external relations director for the Center for New American Security, the 44-year-old Floyd has witnessed vast changes in the way information is distributed and shared.
He's watched technology blur the lines between audiences, so a message that goes to one group is likely to reach many other groups. "You have to be aware of, no matter who you are speaking to, all the possible audiences that may hear it and then interpret it in a different way," Floyd said.
Meanwhile, the "social media" -- blogs, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Flickr and Twitter, among them -- have revolutionized information-sharing. These forums have become the information tool of choice among the "millennial generation" -- the 18-to-25-year-olds Gates referred to, many of whom don't read newspapers, tune in to network news or visit official Web sites.
This is a group Gates is particularly interested in reaching, not only in the United States, but also abroad. He emphasized this point in April when asked during a question-and-answer session at the Marine Corps War College in Quantico, Va., what he was looking for in his top public affairs post.
"I want somebody who can tell us how the Department of Defense communicates with our own people, most of whom are 18 to 25 years old," Gates said. "And somebody who can communicate with people that same age around the world, where we've got operations going on."
Floyd understands the importance of this demographic. "They are the future of recruitment, they are our future educators, they are the future people we will need to support our policies," he said. "The bottom line is, they are our future."
Floyd said he plans to expand efforts already under way at the Defense Department to tap into social media outlets to reach audiences not reachable through other, more traditional, means.
"How they communicate, and what they communicate is completely different than what we were doing just a couple of years ago," he said. "It makes no sense for us not to be a part of that. We don't play in that arena to our own detriment."
But a secondary benefit of the social media – one Floyd said he plans to extend to other public affairs endeavors – is that it promotes the kind of discourse Gates wants to develop.
For a long time, the new technologies represented little more than "a better bullhorn" to broadcast the Defense Department's messages to more people, Floyd said. "But now, that's changed," he said. "It's not just better one-way communication; it's better two-way communication. It's not just us reaching people; it is them reaching us, too."
This discussion can have tremendous payoff, he said. It gives people a way to actively participate in policymaking, offering suggestions and constructive viewpoints.
But Floyd said it also makes the important point – subtle as it might appear at face value -- that the Defense Department wants to hear from the public. "What we need to do is make sure our policies are explained and understood by the widest possible audience, and that we allow that audience to respond," he said.
"They are not simply being told that this is the new policy, and they have got to live with it," he said. "Even in cases where they may disagree with the policy, because it was developed with transparency and in a way that allowed their voices to be heard, they have a sense of ownership in it. They know that their views were heard."
This approach does a lot more than simply make people feel good, Floyd said. It promotes a level of understanding that's critical to building support: understanding among the American people, understanding in the world community and understanding among local people where U.S. troops are operating.
That, Floyd said, has a direct impact on the safety of those troops and the effectiveness of their operations.
If the people of Iraq and Afghanistan understand "what we are doing, why we are there, what we are doing to help support their government and therefore, what their government is doing to help them, it makes the job of our troops on the ground a lot easier," he said.
Commanders on the ground realize that this understanding can mean "life or death for their troops," Floyd said.
"So getting it right means saving their own lives, and the lives of the people in the countries where they are operating," he said. "That makes it imperative that we get it right."
Privatization of U.S. Army Lodging to Raise Quality of Life for Soldiers on the Move
The U.S. Army today announced that it will transfer the first 10 installations under the Army's Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) program on August 15, 2009. The transfer is a reinforcement of the U.S. Army's commitment to improving its transient lodging to enhance the quality of life of soldiers and their families.
Actus Lend Lease will perform the redevelopment of the lodging facilities and lodging operations will be assumed by the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).
"PAL brings world class lodging practices and private sector investment to support Quality of Life requirements of our Soldiers, Families and civilians as they serve," said Lt. Gen. Robert Wilson, assistant chief of staff for installation management.
Most of the Army Lodging employees affected by the transfer will receive offers of employment from IHG. Retained employees will have their Army Lodging employment honored as IHG service time. Seven of the ten affected Army lodging general managers have accepted IHG positions.
The 10 Group A installations are: Fort Rucker, Ala.; Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; Fort Riley, Kan.; Fort Polk, La.; Fort Sill, Okla.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz.; Fort Myer, Va.; Fort Shafter / Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii.
Upon transfer of the lodging rooms, the project will begin correcting commercial code noncompliance issues and overhauling the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems of the existing inventory. These renovations and the conversion of five hotels to Holiday Inn Express hotels will be complete within the first two years.
The end-state portfolio of hotels will be a mix of well recognized and well respected IHG brands such as: Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, and Holiday Inn Express, and renovated historic facilities. Enhanced guest services including complimentary breakfasts, pet-friendly rooms, and the IHG Priority Club frequent-stay program will start upon transfer.
Through the PAL program, the Army has engaged the private sector to manage, build, renovate, maintain and operate transient lodging on Army installations. The program is modeled after the Army's successful privatized family housing program, the Residential Communities Initiative (RCI).
For more information please contact Dave Foster, 703-697-5344; dave.foster1@us.army.mil.
Actus Lend Lease will perform the redevelopment of the lodging facilities and lodging operations will be assumed by the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).
"PAL brings world class lodging practices and private sector investment to support Quality of Life requirements of our Soldiers, Families and civilians as they serve," said Lt. Gen. Robert Wilson, assistant chief of staff for installation management.
Most of the Army Lodging employees affected by the transfer will receive offers of employment from IHG. Retained employees will have their Army Lodging employment honored as IHG service time. Seven of the ten affected Army lodging general managers have accepted IHG positions.
The 10 Group A installations are: Fort Rucker, Ala.; Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; Fort Riley, Kan.; Fort Polk, La.; Fort Sill, Okla.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz.; Fort Myer, Va.; Fort Shafter / Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii.
Upon transfer of the lodging rooms, the project will begin correcting commercial code noncompliance issues and overhauling the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems of the existing inventory. These renovations and the conversion of five hotels to Holiday Inn Express hotels will be complete within the first two years.
The end-state portfolio of hotels will be a mix of well recognized and well respected IHG brands such as: Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, and Holiday Inn Express, and renovated historic facilities. Enhanced guest services including complimentary breakfasts, pet-friendly rooms, and the IHG Priority Club frequent-stay program will start upon transfer.
Through the PAL program, the Army has engaged the private sector to manage, build, renovate, maintain and operate transient lodging on Army installations. The program is modeled after the Army's successful privatized family housing program, the Residential Communities Initiative (RCI).
For more information please contact Dave Foster, 703-697-5344; dave.foster1@us.army.mil.
Cybersecurity Poses 'Unprecedented Challenge' to National Security, Lynn Says
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
June 15, 2009 - Threats to U.S.-based computer networks -- posed by the intelligence branches of foreign countries and teenage hackers alike -- represent an unprecedented national security challenge, the Pentagon's No. 2 official said today. Making cyber warfare unique is the breadth of potential sources, plus the speed and scope of such attacks, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said.
"Once the province of nations, the ability to destroy via cyber means now also rests in the hands of small groups and individuals: from terrorist groups to organized crime, hackers to industrial spies to foreign intelligence services," he told the Center for Strategic and International Studies here.
Lynn said the common thread among three marquee reviews of U.S. cybersecurity is the need for greater public awareness of both the threat to the country and how it's prepared to defend against digital attacks. He cautioned that cyber warfare is not an emerging or distant risk.
"This is not some future threat. The cyber threat is here today; it is here now," said Lynn, whose remarks today come several weeks after President Barack Obama announced plans to appoint a cyber security coordinator to oversee the government's effort.
The 21st century U.S. military, like American society at large, is dependent on modern technology that is subject to vulnerabilities, Lynn said.
"Just like our national dependence, there is simply no exaggerating our military dependence on our information networks: the command and control of our forces, the intelligence and logistics on which they depend, the weapons technologies we develop and field – they all depend on our computer systems and networks," he said. "Indeed, our 21st century military simply cannot function without them."
Lynn said the government's roughly 15,000 networks – connecting 7 million computers, information technology devices and servers – all make for tempting targets.
Underscoring the clear and present danger cyberwarfare engenders, Lynn said there's evidence that more than 100 foreign intelligence organizations are trying to hack into U.S. networks. Lynn also cited a top intelligence official who said both Russia and China are capable of using electronic means to disrupt elements of the nation's infrastructure.
Speaking about the scope and speed of cyber warfare, Lynn pointed to the example of Estonia, which was victimized by an attack allegedly carried out by Russian operatives. A series of data-flooding attacks lasting about three weeks in early 2007 brought down the Web sites of several daily newspapers and forced Estonia's largest bank to shut down its online banking network.
Some cyber tactics can be carried out in less than one second, which increases the need for government preparedness.
"If attacked in milliseconds, we can't take days to organize and coordinate our defenses," he said. "If our networks were to be disrupted or damaged, we'd need to respond rapidly at network speed before the networks could become compromised and ongoing operations and the lives of our military are threatened.
"In short," he continued, "we have to be just as fast, if not faster, than those who would do us harm."
The Defense Department is considering a sub-unified command for cyberspace, Lynn said, though a decision hasn't yet been reached on what shape the command might take.
American Forces Press Service
June 15, 2009 - Threats to U.S.-based computer networks -- posed by the intelligence branches of foreign countries and teenage hackers alike -- represent an unprecedented national security challenge, the Pentagon's No. 2 official said today. Making cyber warfare unique is the breadth of potential sources, plus the speed and scope of such attacks, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said.
"Once the province of nations, the ability to destroy via cyber means now also rests in the hands of small groups and individuals: from terrorist groups to organized crime, hackers to industrial spies to foreign intelligence services," he told the Center for Strategic and International Studies here.
Lynn said the common thread among three marquee reviews of U.S. cybersecurity is the need for greater public awareness of both the threat to the country and how it's prepared to defend against digital attacks. He cautioned that cyber warfare is not an emerging or distant risk.
"This is not some future threat. The cyber threat is here today; it is here now," said Lynn, whose remarks today come several weeks after President Barack Obama announced plans to appoint a cyber security coordinator to oversee the government's effort.
The 21st century U.S. military, like American society at large, is dependent on modern technology that is subject to vulnerabilities, Lynn said.
"Just like our national dependence, there is simply no exaggerating our military dependence on our information networks: the command and control of our forces, the intelligence and logistics on which they depend, the weapons technologies we develop and field – they all depend on our computer systems and networks," he said. "Indeed, our 21st century military simply cannot function without them."
Lynn said the government's roughly 15,000 networks – connecting 7 million computers, information technology devices and servers – all make for tempting targets.
Underscoring the clear and present danger cyberwarfare engenders, Lynn said there's evidence that more than 100 foreign intelligence organizations are trying to hack into U.S. networks. Lynn also cited a top intelligence official who said both Russia and China are capable of using electronic means to disrupt elements of the nation's infrastructure.
Speaking about the scope and speed of cyber warfare, Lynn pointed to the example of Estonia, which was victimized by an attack allegedly carried out by Russian operatives. A series of data-flooding attacks lasting about three weeks in early 2007 brought down the Web sites of several daily newspapers and forced Estonia's largest bank to shut down its online banking network.
Some cyber tactics can be carried out in less than one second, which increases the need for government preparedness.
"If attacked in milliseconds, we can't take days to organize and coordinate our defenses," he said. "If our networks were to be disrupted or damaged, we'd need to respond rapidly at network speed before the networks could become compromised and ongoing operations and the lives of our military are threatened.
"In short," he continued, "we have to be just as fast, if not faster, than those who would do us harm."
The Defense Department is considering a sub-unified command for cyberspace, Lynn said, though a decision hasn't yet been reached on what shape the command might take.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Whose the Adult Here; Bruce Dickinson or Fred Astaire
Some weeks ago, George Will wrote a column complaining about the prevalence of blue jeans in adult contemporary life. He spends a Lot of time lambasting adults for wearing them, saying those of us who do so are immature and chronic adolescents, and refers to denim as a 'blight'.
Will suggests modern men look to someone named Fred Astaire as an example for proper fashion and decorum. Apparently, Mr. Astaire was a movie star well known for singing, dancing, and being a snappy dresser. Kind of makes a guy wonder, doesn't it? For some reason, Will holds up Fred Astaire as a paragon of adult, manly virtue. Well, let's take a gander and some lyrics, shall we?
-'I'm feeling so bad, I wish you'd make the music Dreamy and sad...' from One for my Baby
-'You've got all the qualities of Peter Pan I'd look far before I'd find a sweeter pan' from Funny Face
- 'Heaven, I'm in Heaven,And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak;And I seem to find the happiness I seek. When we're out together dancing, cheek to cheek...' from Cheek to Cheek
These are the thoughts of teenage boy, bored out of his mind in Global Studies, passing the time by ogling the girl sitting a row over and two desks down who doesn't realize the once strategically placed rip in the back of her acid wash jeans has ridden up too high.
Anyway, let's compare and contrast these lyrics to the 80's era whipping boy, scourge of the PMRC, Iron Maiden:
-'I'm waiting in my cold cell when the bell begins to chime. Reflecting on my past life and it doesn't have much time. 'Cause at 5 o'clock they take me to the Gallows Pole. The sands of time for me are running low...' from Hallowed be thy Name
-' Bandits at 8 o'clock move in behind us. Ten ME-109's out of the sun. Ascending and turning out spitfires to face them. Heading straight for them I press my guns...' from Aces High
-'In a foreign field he lay. Lonely soldier, unknown grave. On his dying words he prays. Tell the world of Paschendale...' from Paschendale
Judge for yourself gentle reader. But know this, Fred Astaire was kown for dancing to happy, smiley songs. Iron Maiden's lead singer, Bruce Dickinson, served in the British Army, is a competative fencer, and flies airline jets in his spare time.
For more about Will, visit http://www.gulfwarone.com/. His novel, 'A Line Through the Desert' can be purchased here.
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