By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
June 25, 2009 - Air Force Gen. Douglas M. Fraser assumed the top post at U.S. Southern Command today, promising to build on the strong partnerships fostered by the outgoing commander, Navy Adm. James Stavridis. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates paid tribute to Fraser and Stavridis as he acknowledged the crucial role Southcom's people play in promoting security and stability in Central and South America and the Caribbean.
"The important work you do here every day is making a difference to the prosperity, security and freedom of your countrymen and to the people of the region," Gates said during today's change-of-command ceremonies at Southcom's Miami headquarters.
Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, echoed that sentiment, praising a dedicated staff he said is making a difference in the region. "You have done incredible work, and it has not gone unnoticed," at the Southcom headquarters, in the region or in Washington, he said.
As Fraser accepted the command's colors -- and in a light moment during the ceremony, Stavridis' "command BlackBerry" -- he said he brings a recognition of the opportunities and challenges at Southcom, and the importance of applying international, interagency and public-private capabilities to meet them.
"I will work vigorously every day to enhance the security across the region and to improve U.S. military relations with our partners in the region," he said. "The transnational and transregional challenges we face to security, stability and prosperity in the Americas can only be met through strong and enduring partnerships."
The vital relationships forged within the Americas by Stavridis and his predecessors at Southcom "have improved our collective security, but many challenges remain," Fraser said. "Our nations and our citizens are counting on us to strengthen our interagency, our international and our public-private partnerships to effectively counter these strategic challenges."
Gates praised Stavridis, who leaves Southcom to command U.S. European Command and serve as NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe, for the leadership he demonstrated in applying this full range of power to the Southcom mission.
"From the start of his tenure at Southcom, Admiral Stavridis has fostered a spirit of interagency and international cooperation that reflects the post-Cold War realities of the 21st century," Gates said. "He has made Southcom the embodiment of what is now called 'smart power,' drawing on the full strength of our nation and our partners to enhance the security, freedom and prosperity in this part of the world."
Stavridis recognized as he took the Southcom helm that the region's challenges, which range from narcotics to corruption and gangs to kidnapping, don't lend themselves to traditional military solutions, Gates said. So Stavridis redrew the command's organizational charts and "fundamentally reformed its institutional culture and ways of doing business," he said.
Meanwhile, Stavridis reached out to regional nations in concrete ways to build bonds of trust and friendship, Gates said. He also used the latest tools and technologies to communicate Southcom's activities and goals and instituted cultural and language training with his command so his staff would better understand and connect with the people of the Americas.
Gates noted some of the highlights of Stavridis' time at Southcom:
-- The Colombian military's freeing of three American hostages after five years of captivity;
-- Expansion of the annual Panamax exercises to include 20 countries, and 20 other military-to-military exercises last year alone;
-- Interdiction of nearly 700 metric tons of cocaine; and
-- Institutionalization of the way the command delivers humanitarian assistance and disaster relief when needed.
Cartwright shared Gates' assessment of Stavridis' capabilities. "Jim has brought so much to this command, and his ability to be a strategic thinker, and to connect the dots in widely diverse issues and understand that all of them are interrelated," he said.
These qualities, along with Stavridis' way of treating people "like family in everything and every endeavor has really moved this command along with the challenges that have been presented over the past few years," Cartwright said.
Gates noted the important message sent by the postings --– Fraser as the first Air Force officer to command Southcom and Stavridis to become the first Navy officer in the top Eucom and NATO posts.
"The trajectory of these officers' careers, and the billets they are now taking, is but one more indication of how joint our military leadership has become, and how much America's global security arrangements have evolved since the end of the Cold War," he said.
In bidding farewell to his command, Stavridis said he's excited about the new opportunities ahead but sad to say goodbye to Southcom.
"I will miss this world. It will always be a part of me," he told the group, which include representatives of regional countries. "My heart will always be in the Americas."
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Battle of 73 Easting
My Novel, A Line Through the Desert follows one tank Sgt. in the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment during Operation Desert Storm.
The 2nd ACR was the vanguard of General Schwarzkopf's left hook around Iraqi positions in Kuwait. The regiment advanced with three squadrons abreast, 2nd Squadron on the left, 3rd Squadron in the center, and 1st Squadron on the right. 2nd Squadron, itself composed of four troops, advanced in box formation, with Ghost troop on the left and Eagle on the right.
The climate was awful, cold and wet, alternating between rain and fog, and horrific sand storms which limited visibility to a few hundred yards. Even infrared sensors had trouble penetrating the soup. In the late afternoon of 26 February, 1991, the 2nd ACR encountered lead elements of the Tawalkana Division of the Republican Guard. The place was called 73 Easting, an imaginary line on a map deliniating the kilometers the unit had advanced that morning.
Eagle Troop's part in this battle has been well documented by the estimable Mr. Clancy, a great inspiration to me personally. As Eagle troop blasted Iraqi tanks out of a village, Ghost troop came upon the reverse slope of a wadi where they met several dozen dug in Iraq tanks. As bad as Ghost Troop's visibility was, the Iraqis, lacking any night vision or infrared equipment, was worse. They never new what hit them. The Iraqis were annihilated.
From there, Ghost Troop took up positions on the wadi and repelled four assaults by the Tawalkana, destroying hundreds of vehicles in the process. The tank and Bradley gunners, backed by artillery and Apache gunships when weather permitted, unleashed a hell of uranium depleted Sabot shells, HE rounds, and Tow missiles. Concluded historian Rick Atkinson, who wrote an excellent account of Desert Storm, 'The Iraqis never stood a chance.'
Below is a link to A Line Through the Desert, decribing Ghost Troop's initial encounter with the Republican Guard: The Battle Begins
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Wounded Artist Project
The Wounded Artist Project is a new Michigan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Project wants to create and provide, free-of-charge, a progressive series of art kits (beginner, intermediate and advanced) for war wounded recovering in military hospitals. Our beginner kits will cost approximately $25 to produce.
We believe The Project’s art kits will provide a welcome diversion from boredom for those recovering from traumatic wounds, burns, and amputations when they are in downtime from regular therapy sessions.
We believe they will keep recipients involved and encouraged to heal and develop art skills that could be useful elsewhere. We will suggest to the recipients that with some practice and hard work they may someday even go to work using their art skills as illustrators, designers, engineers, cartoonists, or art teachers. Some recipients may like the perspective drawing so much they decide to become architects; some may even become so interested in drawing the human body that they decide to study human physiology and become doctors. I would like to think we gave some hope to those self-conscious about disfiguring wounds that they may become successful, home-based, freelance artists. Personally, I would like to see one of them pair up their art skills with a creative writer and they create a bestselling gothic novel.
We are in start-up mode and need funding and/or donations. They are tax-deductible. Please contact me for a more detailed description of our org.
Thanks and best regards, we hope to hear from you,
Ramon Bakerjian
rbakerj@yahoo.com
We believe The Project’s art kits will provide a welcome diversion from boredom for those recovering from traumatic wounds, burns, and amputations when they are in downtime from regular therapy sessions.
We believe they will keep recipients involved and encouraged to heal and develop art skills that could be useful elsewhere. We will suggest to the recipients that with some practice and hard work they may someday even go to work using their art skills as illustrators, designers, engineers, cartoonists, or art teachers. Some recipients may like the perspective drawing so much they decide to become architects; some may even become so interested in drawing the human body that they decide to study human physiology and become doctors. I would like to think we gave some hope to those self-conscious about disfiguring wounds that they may become successful, home-based, freelance artists. Personally, I would like to see one of them pair up their art skills with a creative writer and they create a bestselling gothic novel.
We are in start-up mode and need funding and/or donations. They are tax-deductible. Please contact me for a more detailed description of our org.
Thanks and best regards, we hope to hear from you,
Ramon Bakerjian
rbakerj@yahoo.com
Wounded Warriors Summit Mount McKinley
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2009 - When four of the seven-member Team Denali, which included four wounded veterans, reached the top of Mount McKinley in Alaska's Denali National Park, what should have been celebratory whoops and hollers was instead a quiet, tempered satisfaction, the team's leaders said. Though the weather was perfect when Army Lt. Col. Marc Hoffmeister and Army Spc. Dave Shebib approached the highest point in North America, they enjoyed it without three of their team members.
Marine Capt. Jon Kuniholm, retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Nyman, and Gayle Hoffmeister, Hoffmeister's wife and one of the team's two mentors, all had cause to return to lower altitudes during the ascent.
Kuniholm, who lost his right arm while serving in Iraq, had reached about 14,000 feet when he started showing early signs of high-altitude pulmonary edema. Based on a doctor's advice, he was taken back down the mountain.
Nyman, who lost his right leg below the knee while serving in Iraq, made it to 16,000 feet with no problem, Hoffmeister said. But when the team set up camp at 17,200 feet, his oxygen saturation plummeted. "It dropped to 50, which is dangerously low," Hoffmeister said. "We ended up putting him on oxygen."
When Nyman didn't recover overnight, he was taken back down to 14,200 feet, where he remained on oxygen for about four days.
Gayle advanced with the remaining team members as far as Denali Pass at about 18,000 feet -- some 2,300 feet shy of Mount McKinley's summit -- when Hoffmeister realized his wife was showing signs of mild hypothermia. She had a patch of frostbite spreading across her cheek, and she wasn't responding normally, he said.
They returned to the camp at 17,000 feet to get her warm again.
"She had four toes that were potentially frostbitten, so we went through a re-warming process that day and night," Hoffmeister said. "And policy is if you re-warm a frostbite injury, you go down. You don't go up."
None of the situations that kept the two veterans from ascending to the summit with the rest of the team had anything to do with their previous injuries, he noted.
"It was just altitude stuff," Hoffmeister said. "Just like I said before we even climbed: you don't know what your predisposition to altitude is until you're on [the mountain.] And frostbite, that's just a product of weather."
Hoffmeister and Shebib, along with their guide, Kirby Senden, and second mentor Bob Haines, continued, and they reached the summit June 16. The weather was perfect until just before they reached the summit, which Hoffmeister described as awesome.
"We got up on Summit Ridge and had clear skies and could see forever," he said. "Then of course, 15, 20 minutes before we hit the summit, a squall rolled in and we ... could see absolutely nothing."
Minus three of their teammates to witness the momentous occasion, they quickly did what they set out to do. They conducted Shebib's re-enlistment before heading back down to 17,000 feet.
Though he's pleased with the overall results, Hoffmeister said, it would have been a personal high for him if the whole team had made it to the summit.
"The entire trip was a high," he said. "Not having John or Matt make it, and the frustration of Gayle not being able to make it, really dampened a lot of that, but I guess it took the entire team to get to the summit."
Kuniholm was pleased with his climb, as well.
"This was one of the hardest things I've ever tried to do, and I'm still processing the fact that it remains, for me, unfinished business," he said. "I was elated to have passed what I thought would be the most technically challenging part for me, the fixed ropes [used to ascend from 14,000 feet to 16,000 feet]."
While the fixed lines may have caused him some unwarranted angst, he said, it ultimately was the tasks that he used to consider easy that were difficult on the mountain.
"Getting dressed in the morning in a tent with another amputee ... was [difficult]," Kuniholm said. "Going through the necessary drills of shedding and donning layers of clothing and my pack on short breaks -- these were big challenges, and I hadn't given them a thought before the climb.
"And the challenge for the team became sitting there while I got it done," he continued, "because doing it for me doesn't help me learn to do it faster."
Kuniholm said he thought the biggest challenge for the group as a whole was dealing with everyone's individual limitations, physical and otherwise. But they did a pretty good job of keeping things on an even keel despite those differences, he said.
Even given the challenges and frustrations, the team members were positive when asked if they'd ever tackle something like this again.
"Absolutely, although I'm not sure when another opportunity like this will present itself," Kuniholm said. "Marc Hoffmeister worked very hard to make this happen, with the help of our sponsors, [Military Order of the Purple Heart], Mountain Hard Wear, and many others.
"In all honesty, that was probably the part of all of this that is least likely to happen again -- not the physical part," he added.
Hoffmeister's enthusiasm about another climb was nothing short of unbridled.
"Hell, yes!" he said. "I'd do it tomorrow. I mean, let me go!"
Hoffmeister has an offer to climb Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere, in November. In February, he will attempt to climb Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro.
American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2009 - When four of the seven-member Team Denali, which included four wounded veterans, reached the top of Mount McKinley in Alaska's Denali National Park, what should have been celebratory whoops and hollers was instead a quiet, tempered satisfaction, the team's leaders said. Though the weather was perfect when Army Lt. Col. Marc Hoffmeister and Army Spc. Dave Shebib approached the highest point in North America, they enjoyed it without three of their team members.
Marine Capt. Jon Kuniholm, retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Nyman, and Gayle Hoffmeister, Hoffmeister's wife and one of the team's two mentors, all had cause to return to lower altitudes during the ascent.
Kuniholm, who lost his right arm while serving in Iraq, had reached about 14,000 feet when he started showing early signs of high-altitude pulmonary edema. Based on a doctor's advice, he was taken back down the mountain.
Nyman, who lost his right leg below the knee while serving in Iraq, made it to 16,000 feet with no problem, Hoffmeister said. But when the team set up camp at 17,200 feet, his oxygen saturation plummeted. "It dropped to 50, which is dangerously low," Hoffmeister said. "We ended up putting him on oxygen."
When Nyman didn't recover overnight, he was taken back down to 14,200 feet, where he remained on oxygen for about four days.
Gayle advanced with the remaining team members as far as Denali Pass at about 18,000 feet -- some 2,300 feet shy of Mount McKinley's summit -- when Hoffmeister realized his wife was showing signs of mild hypothermia. She had a patch of frostbite spreading across her cheek, and she wasn't responding normally, he said.
They returned to the camp at 17,000 feet to get her warm again.
"She had four toes that were potentially frostbitten, so we went through a re-warming process that day and night," Hoffmeister said. "And policy is if you re-warm a frostbite injury, you go down. You don't go up."
None of the situations that kept the two veterans from ascending to the summit with the rest of the team had anything to do with their previous injuries, he noted.
"It was just altitude stuff," Hoffmeister said. "Just like I said before we even climbed: you don't know what your predisposition to altitude is until you're on [the mountain.] And frostbite, that's just a product of weather."
Hoffmeister and Shebib, along with their guide, Kirby Senden, and second mentor Bob Haines, continued, and they reached the summit June 16. The weather was perfect until just before they reached the summit, which Hoffmeister described as awesome.
"We got up on Summit Ridge and had clear skies and could see forever," he said. "Then of course, 15, 20 minutes before we hit the summit, a squall rolled in and we ... could see absolutely nothing."
Minus three of their teammates to witness the momentous occasion, they quickly did what they set out to do. They conducted Shebib's re-enlistment before heading back down to 17,000 feet.
Though he's pleased with the overall results, Hoffmeister said, it would have been a personal high for him if the whole team had made it to the summit.
"The entire trip was a high," he said. "Not having John or Matt make it, and the frustration of Gayle not being able to make it, really dampened a lot of that, but I guess it took the entire team to get to the summit."
Kuniholm was pleased with his climb, as well.
"This was one of the hardest things I've ever tried to do, and I'm still processing the fact that it remains, for me, unfinished business," he said. "I was elated to have passed what I thought would be the most technically challenging part for me, the fixed ropes [used to ascend from 14,000 feet to 16,000 feet]."
While the fixed lines may have caused him some unwarranted angst, he said, it ultimately was the tasks that he used to consider easy that were difficult on the mountain.
"Getting dressed in the morning in a tent with another amputee ... was [difficult]," Kuniholm said. "Going through the necessary drills of shedding and donning layers of clothing and my pack on short breaks -- these were big challenges, and I hadn't given them a thought before the climb.
"And the challenge for the team became sitting there while I got it done," he continued, "because doing it for me doesn't help me learn to do it faster."
Kuniholm said he thought the biggest challenge for the group as a whole was dealing with everyone's individual limitations, physical and otherwise. But they did a pretty good job of keeping things on an even keel despite those differences, he said.
Even given the challenges and frustrations, the team members were positive when asked if they'd ever tackle something like this again.
"Absolutely, although I'm not sure when another opportunity like this will present itself," Kuniholm said. "Marc Hoffmeister worked very hard to make this happen, with the help of our sponsors, [Military Order of the Purple Heart], Mountain Hard Wear, and many others.
"In all honesty, that was probably the part of all of this that is least likely to happen again -- not the physical part," he added.
Hoffmeister's enthusiasm about another climb was nothing short of unbridled.
"Hell, yes!" he said. "I'd do it tomorrow. I mean, let me go!"
Hoffmeister has an offer to climb Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere, in November. In February, he will attempt to climb Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro.
Gates Establishes New Cyber Subcommand
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates signed a memo yesterday establishing a subcommand focused on cyber security, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters today. Details about the new U.S. Cyber Command, which will report to U.S. Strategic Command, still are unfolding. But Gates reportedly plans to recommend Army Lt. Gen. Keith B. Alexander, director of the National Security Agency, to receive his fourth star and take on the additional responsibility of commanding the cyber command.
Initial indications are that the cyber command will have its headquarters at Fort Meade, Md., pending results of an environmental impact statement.
"This is not some sort of new and necessarily different authorities that have been granted," Morrell told reporters today. "This is about trying to figure out how we, within this department, within the United States military, can better coordinate the day-to-day defense, protection and operation of the department's computer networks."
Morrell emphasized that the new command will focus solely on military networks.
Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III noted the importance of cyber security to national defense last week at the Center for International and Strategic Studies.
"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," Lynn said. "Indeed, our 21st century military simply cannot function without them."
Because cyberspace is critical to joint military operations, it's critical that the Defense Department ensure they're protected, Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Butterbaugh, a Defense Department spokesman, told American Forces Press Service.
"To do this, the Department of Defense needs to ensure it has the right balance of integrated cyber capabilities," Butterbaugh said. "We're increasingly dependent on cyberspace, and there's a growing array of cyber threats. To effectively address this risk to its networks, the Defense Department requires a command possessing the required technical capability and which remains focused on streamlining cyberspace operations."
Morrell called the standup of Cyber Command an internal reorganization that will consolidate and streamline its cyber capabilities within a single command. The effort in no way represents any attempt by the department to "militarize" cyberspace or take over the responsibility for defending civilian networks, he said, noting that responsibility falls to the Homeland Security Department.
"This is part of a holistic, governmentwide effort to better organize and situate ourselves to deal with this very real threat," he said. "And it is a complement to efforts that are taking place elsewhere within the United States government."
Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, indicated during a June 4 address at the Center for International and Strategic Studies that a decision on the new subcommand was in the works.
"There will be a cyber capability at the tactical level, and ... we do deploy it forward," Cartwright said. "There is an operational level, which tends to be based regionally, and there is a strategic capability. And we will, over the next few days, start to roll out the organizational constructs associated with that."
American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates signed a memo yesterday establishing a subcommand focused on cyber security, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters today. Details about the new U.S. Cyber Command, which will report to U.S. Strategic Command, still are unfolding. But Gates reportedly plans to recommend Army Lt. Gen. Keith B. Alexander, director of the National Security Agency, to receive his fourth star and take on the additional responsibility of commanding the cyber command.
Initial indications are that the cyber command will have its headquarters at Fort Meade, Md., pending results of an environmental impact statement.
"This is not some sort of new and necessarily different authorities that have been granted," Morrell told reporters today. "This is about trying to figure out how we, within this department, within the United States military, can better coordinate the day-to-day defense, protection and operation of the department's computer networks."
Morrell emphasized that the new command will focus solely on military networks.
Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III noted the importance of cyber security to national defense last week at the Center for International and Strategic Studies.
"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," Lynn said. "Indeed, our 21st century military simply cannot function without them."
Because cyberspace is critical to joint military operations, it's critical that the Defense Department ensure they're protected, Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Butterbaugh, a Defense Department spokesman, told American Forces Press Service.
"To do this, the Department of Defense needs to ensure it has the right balance of integrated cyber capabilities," Butterbaugh said. "We're increasingly dependent on cyberspace, and there's a growing array of cyber threats. To effectively address this risk to its networks, the Defense Department requires a command possessing the required technical capability and which remains focused on streamlining cyberspace operations."
Morrell called the standup of Cyber Command an internal reorganization that will consolidate and streamline its cyber capabilities within a single command. The effort in no way represents any attempt by the department to "militarize" cyberspace or take over the responsibility for defending civilian networks, he said, noting that responsibility falls to the Homeland Security Department.
"This is part of a holistic, governmentwide effort to better organize and situate ourselves to deal with this very real threat," he said. "And it is a complement to efforts that are taking place elsewhere within the United States government."
Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, indicated during a June 4 address at the Center for International and Strategic Studies that a decision on the new subcommand was in the works.
"There will be a cyber capability at the tactical level, and ... we do deploy it forward," Cartwright said. "There is an operational level, which tends to be based regionally, and there is a strategic capability. And we will, over the next few days, start to roll out the organizational constructs associated with that."
MILITARY CONTRACTS June 24, 2009
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Northrop Grumman Defense Mission Systems Inc., of San Diego, Calif., for $276,281,235. This contract action will provide the rapid fielding and support of the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node System. The contractor will install the BACN system in three bombardier BD-700 Global Express aircraft for immediate fielding and will install the BACN system into two Global Hawk Block 20 unmanned aerial vehicles for sustained deployment through 2015. This system was developed under a Department of Defense Microelectronic Activity contract (#H94003-04-D-0005) by Northrop Grumman as part of the Interim Gateway Program. This action fills an urgent and compelling requirement for enhanced communications capability for Overseas Contingency Operations. At this time, $97,802,680 has been obligated. 653d ELSG/PK, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity (FA8726-09-C-0010).
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to University of Dayton Research Institute of Dayton, Ohio, for $9,900,000. This contract is for research on advanced nondestructive evaluation methods for materials, processes and structure. It will conduct on-site research to bridge the gaps and accelerate the initial development of selected nondestructive evaluation technology to a level of full feasibility demonstration, to conduct studies of the applicability of selected technologies to a wide variety of potential applications, or address development of new technologies to address specific needs. Research is contemplated to address current operational or maintenance needs. At this time, $80,000 has been obligated. Det 1 AFRL/PKVA, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-09-D-5224, Task Order 0001).
The Air Force is awarding cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Alion Science and Technology Corp., of Chicago, Ill., for $7,826,087. This contract action will provide modeling, simulation, analysis, funding and recommendation in the radio frequency arena. The effort includes processing, collecting and analyzing information related to modeling and simulation, transferring information within the government and promoting the interoperability of existing modeling and simulation programs. The research and development data and information derived from this effort will be available to the DoD community through the Defense Technical Information Center Library. At this time, $483,092 has been obligated. 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (N61339-03-D-0300, Delivery Order 0225).
The Air Force is modifying an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to Jacobs Technology, Inc., of Tullahoma, Tenn., for $17,280,405.89. This contract action will provide Technical, Engineering and Acquisition Support at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and various other tenant organizations. This contract increases the work requirement. At this time, $25,083,864.89 has been obligated. AAC/PKES, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA9200-07-C-0006, P00030).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Welch Allyn Holdings, Inc., Skaneateles Falls, N.Y., is being awarded a maximum $43,650,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for medical equipment, spare parts and training. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 17 proposals solicited with nine responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is June 23, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM2D1-09-D-8350).
NAVY
Ranco Construction, Inc.*, Southampton, N.J., is being awarded a $9,378,500 firm-fixed price contract for construction of an Advanced Arresting Gear Test Site at Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst. The work to be performed provides for renovation of the Runway Arrested Landing Site on the test runway to accommodate pro-type advance arresting gear equipment for arresting gear load testing. There is demolition and new construction at the jet car test site including test track repairs and construction of three pre-engineered buildings. There is the addition of a new high speed aircraft turnaround on the test runway to provide a new taxiway turnaround. Work will be performed in Ocean County, N.J., and is expected to be completed by July 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-09-C-7004).
Rockwell Collins, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded a $5,634,184 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-04-C-0101) to provide the development, installation, configuration and testing necessary to upgrade the existing Trusted Solaris 8 in the E6-B Block I workstations to Solaris 10 with trusted network extensions and replace the Scalable Processor Architecture Processor with an Intel Processor equivalent. Work will be performed in Richardson, Texas (95 percent) and Patuxent River, Md., (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
The Air Force is awarding a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Northrop Grumman Defense Mission Systems Inc., of San Diego, Calif., for $276,281,235. This contract action will provide the rapid fielding and support of the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node System. The contractor will install the BACN system in three bombardier BD-700 Global Express aircraft for immediate fielding and will install the BACN system into two Global Hawk Block 20 unmanned aerial vehicles for sustained deployment through 2015. This system was developed under a Department of Defense Microelectronic Activity contract (#H94003-04-D-0005) by Northrop Grumman as part of the Interim Gateway Program. This action fills an urgent and compelling requirement for enhanced communications capability for Overseas Contingency Operations. At this time, $97,802,680 has been obligated. 653d ELSG/PK, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity (FA8726-09-C-0010).
The Air Force is awarding an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to University of Dayton Research Institute of Dayton, Ohio, for $9,900,000. This contract is for research on advanced nondestructive evaluation methods for materials, processes and structure. It will conduct on-site research to bridge the gaps and accelerate the initial development of selected nondestructive evaluation technology to a level of full feasibility demonstration, to conduct studies of the applicability of selected technologies to a wide variety of potential applications, or address development of new technologies to address specific needs. Research is contemplated to address current operational or maintenance needs. At this time, $80,000 has been obligated. Det 1 AFRL/PKVA, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-09-D-5224, Task Order 0001).
The Air Force is awarding cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Alion Science and Technology Corp., of Chicago, Ill., for $7,826,087. This contract action will provide modeling, simulation, analysis, funding and recommendation in the radio frequency arena. The effort includes processing, collecting and analyzing information related to modeling and simulation, transferring information within the government and promoting the interoperability of existing modeling and simulation programs. The research and development data and information derived from this effort will be available to the DoD community through the Defense Technical Information Center Library. At this time, $483,092 has been obligated. 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (N61339-03-D-0300, Delivery Order 0225).
The Air Force is modifying an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to Jacobs Technology, Inc., of Tullahoma, Tenn., for $17,280,405.89. This contract action will provide Technical, Engineering and Acquisition Support at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and various other tenant organizations. This contract increases the work requirement. At this time, $25,083,864.89 has been obligated. AAC/PKES, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA9200-07-C-0006, P00030).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Welch Allyn Holdings, Inc., Skaneateles Falls, N.Y., is being awarded a maximum $43,650,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for medical equipment, spare parts and training. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 17 proposals solicited with nine responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is June 23, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM2D1-09-D-8350).
NAVY
Ranco Construction, Inc.*, Southampton, N.J., is being awarded a $9,378,500 firm-fixed price contract for construction of an Advanced Arresting Gear Test Site at Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst. The work to be performed provides for renovation of the Runway Arrested Landing Site on the test runway to accommodate pro-type advance arresting gear equipment for arresting gear load testing. There is demolition and new construction at the jet car test site including test track repairs and construction of three pre-engineered buildings. There is the addition of a new high speed aircraft turnaround on the test runway to provide a new taxiway turnaround. Work will be performed in Ocean County, N.J., and is expected to be completed by July 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-09-C-7004).
Rockwell Collins, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded a $5,634,184 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-04-C-0101) to provide the development, installation, configuration and testing necessary to upgrade the existing Trusted Solaris 8 in the E6-B Block I workstations to Solaris 10 with trusted network extensions and replace the Scalable Processor Architecture Processor with an Intel Processor equivalent. Work will be performed in Richardson, Texas (95 percent) and Patuxent River, Md., (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Army Leaders Struggle to Understand Record Suicides
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2009 - Each case is as unique as the name inscribed on the dog tags. Soldiers are taking their own lives in record numbers, and Army senior leaders are struggling to understand why. "It rips your heart out," the Army's vice chief of staff, Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, told a group of soldiers last month while on a week-long tour of Army installations to look for clues.
Last year, 143 soldiers killed themselves -- a record in the past three decades since the Army has been tallying the numbers. For 2009, the service again is headed toward a record year.
January's spike of nearly two dozen confirmed or suspected suicides prompted leaders to form a senior-level task force to try to uncover the causes and reform the systems to help suffering soldiers.
"It really drove home that the Army needed to do something now," Army Brig. Gen. Colleen L. McGuire, director of the suicide prevention task force, said in an interview here yesterday.
It's easy to point a finger at soldiers' multiple deployments, little time at home and the stress of serving in two wars as the causes. But hundreds of thousands of soldiers have deployed, and only a fraction have chosen to end their lives.
McGuire and other members of the task force accompanied Chiarelli as he visited several major Army installations to talk with leaders and troops hoping to find a common thread.
Their finding: it's complicated.
McGuire said that during the trip it became apparent that the problem is not simply suicide-related, but that many soldiers are engaging in unhealthy and risky behavior, such as binging on alcohol and mixing it with readily available prescription drugs.
In combat, soldiers are encouraged to take risks, and are rewarded for it. But at home, they are taking the wrong kinds of risks, she said.
"What we're finding ... is that there is a great deal of alcohol and [prescription] drugs available to soldiers," she said. The drugs are prescribed for their combat-related injuries. But many are using them to kill the pain of returning from war to face the realities of the home front.
Failed marriages, financial problems, military disciplinary actions and upcoming deployments all add to the stress. Any of these can serve as a trigger for someone considering suicide, McGuire said.
In combat -- a disciplined environment -- soldiers know their limits and leaders know their soldiers. But for many in today's military, the less-restricted garrison life is a foreign environment, McGuire said.
"How do we address the needs of today's soldier? It's not the same soldier from the '90s," she said.
And it's not the same leader, either.
Many of today's young leaders were brought up in the heavy deployment cycle of two wars. They have spent most of their time either in the field training for deployment, deployed, or at home on leave following a deployment.
They no longer are accustomed to the processes, paperwork and inspections that made up the preceding two decades of garrison-oriented leadership and soldiering. McGuire said she thinks some may have lost those garrison leadership skills, such as health and welfare inspections, that took care of troops in that environment.
During their installation visits, McGuire said, the task force found that many of the administrative and discipline processes in place in garrison are not being used, due either to ignorance or choice.
For example, if a unit is readying for deployment, some commanders are not sending their soldiers through military drug programs after testing positive for illegal drug use to maintain troop-strength levels. Leaders are required to refer every soldier who has tested positive for illegal drugs, or who has had an alcohol-related incident, to the Army substance abuse program. That's not happening every time, McGuire said.
"Soldiers who either have a [driving under the influence charge], engaged in domestic violence where alcohol was involved, or they tested positive in a [urinalysis] are not being referred," she said.
And disciplinary forms that are supposed to make their way to the senior installation commanders reporting soldiers' infractions are being turned in less than a third of the time on some installations.
McGuire said the problem is partly administrative and partly that many commanders are overwhelmed.
"It's just another paperwork drill. It's just more that we're putting on commanders," the general said. But also, she said, some leaders are cutting soldiers breaks, thinking they are doing them a favor, but hurting them in the end.
The task force also is honing in on how isolation factors into its suicides.
The past 30 years have seen a shift away from communal barracks, where as many as 30 single soldiers shared an open bay. Typically, the leader lived in a room at the end of the bay. Married soldiers lived on post in Army-provided housing.
Now, many single soldiers are in single or double dormitory-style rooms. Most married soldiers live off post. Some are isolated by duty assignment, such as recruiters stationed far from military installations. Other soldiers are assigned solitary late-night shifts. And some in unique job specialties may feel isolated even within a unit.
This is compounded by the fact that within a few months of returning home, most leaders and soldiers are transferred to other units. Soldiers who have problems often find themselves without their battle buddies and the leaders who watched over them in combat. Their new leaders, who don't know them as well, are pushing to prepare for the next deployment.
Many of the diagnostic programs in place now are seen simply as a block that must be checked in the pre-deployment process, precious time to be carved out of a hectic deployment schedule, McGuire said.
And then there's the institutional stigma of seeking mental health care. Soldiers think they should deal with their problems. Leaders should be strong, and they feel asking for help is a sign of weakness, McGuire said. And there still is the fear that security clearances can be revoked.
McGuire stopped short of saying the task force was looking to overhaul the system. And its members really do not want to simply create another program, she said. In fact, commanders often are overwhelmed by the number of programs the Army already has.
"We have existing programs that are designed to ensure the good order and discipline of the organization," McGuire said. "Let's just enforce what we currently have before we create more and new."
Another possible soldier suicide, this time in Iraq, was added to the numbers last week. It too, is under investigation.
Chiarelli now is immediately briefed on any suspected suicides. He committed to personally reviewing each suicide case this year. In March, he received his first briefing.
"It was the most intense two and a half hours I have ever spent, even from being in a combat zone," Chiarelli told a group of soldiers during a stop at Fort Bragg, N.C. "It was an experience I will never forget."
The task force is temporary, and will spend less than a year looking for gaps in the system. No quick fixes are expected. While senior leadership hopes to better put its finger on the pulse of the force, the sad fact is that those serving in the Pentagon are not on the front lines of stopping soldiers from taking their own lives.
That falls to the soldiers' families and friends, McGuire said.
"If we see a friend, a family member or a buddy that seems to be hurting -- needs some help -- we need to take action," she said.
And it's their leaders.
"It takes getting to know your soldiers. It takes getting to know how they live, understand their stressors, who their friends are. It's basic leadership," McGuire said.
American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2009 - Each case is as unique as the name inscribed on the dog tags. Soldiers are taking their own lives in record numbers, and Army senior leaders are struggling to understand why. "It rips your heart out," the Army's vice chief of staff, Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, told a group of soldiers last month while on a week-long tour of Army installations to look for clues.
Last year, 143 soldiers killed themselves -- a record in the past three decades since the Army has been tallying the numbers. For 2009, the service again is headed toward a record year.
January's spike of nearly two dozen confirmed or suspected suicides prompted leaders to form a senior-level task force to try to uncover the causes and reform the systems to help suffering soldiers.
"It really drove home that the Army needed to do something now," Army Brig. Gen. Colleen L. McGuire, director of the suicide prevention task force, said in an interview here yesterday.
It's easy to point a finger at soldiers' multiple deployments, little time at home and the stress of serving in two wars as the causes. But hundreds of thousands of soldiers have deployed, and only a fraction have chosen to end their lives.
McGuire and other members of the task force accompanied Chiarelli as he visited several major Army installations to talk with leaders and troops hoping to find a common thread.
Their finding: it's complicated.
McGuire said that during the trip it became apparent that the problem is not simply suicide-related, but that many soldiers are engaging in unhealthy and risky behavior, such as binging on alcohol and mixing it with readily available prescription drugs.
In combat, soldiers are encouraged to take risks, and are rewarded for it. But at home, they are taking the wrong kinds of risks, she said.
"What we're finding ... is that there is a great deal of alcohol and [prescription] drugs available to soldiers," she said. The drugs are prescribed for their combat-related injuries. But many are using them to kill the pain of returning from war to face the realities of the home front.
Failed marriages, financial problems, military disciplinary actions and upcoming deployments all add to the stress. Any of these can serve as a trigger for someone considering suicide, McGuire said.
In combat -- a disciplined environment -- soldiers know their limits and leaders know their soldiers. But for many in today's military, the less-restricted garrison life is a foreign environment, McGuire said.
"How do we address the needs of today's soldier? It's not the same soldier from the '90s," she said.
And it's not the same leader, either.
Many of today's young leaders were brought up in the heavy deployment cycle of two wars. They have spent most of their time either in the field training for deployment, deployed, or at home on leave following a deployment.
They no longer are accustomed to the processes, paperwork and inspections that made up the preceding two decades of garrison-oriented leadership and soldiering. McGuire said she thinks some may have lost those garrison leadership skills, such as health and welfare inspections, that took care of troops in that environment.
During their installation visits, McGuire said, the task force found that many of the administrative and discipline processes in place in garrison are not being used, due either to ignorance or choice.
For example, if a unit is readying for deployment, some commanders are not sending their soldiers through military drug programs after testing positive for illegal drug use to maintain troop-strength levels. Leaders are required to refer every soldier who has tested positive for illegal drugs, or who has had an alcohol-related incident, to the Army substance abuse program. That's not happening every time, McGuire said.
"Soldiers who either have a [driving under the influence charge], engaged in domestic violence where alcohol was involved, or they tested positive in a [urinalysis] are not being referred," she said.
And disciplinary forms that are supposed to make their way to the senior installation commanders reporting soldiers' infractions are being turned in less than a third of the time on some installations.
McGuire said the problem is partly administrative and partly that many commanders are overwhelmed.
"It's just another paperwork drill. It's just more that we're putting on commanders," the general said. But also, she said, some leaders are cutting soldiers breaks, thinking they are doing them a favor, but hurting them in the end.
The task force also is honing in on how isolation factors into its suicides.
The past 30 years have seen a shift away from communal barracks, where as many as 30 single soldiers shared an open bay. Typically, the leader lived in a room at the end of the bay. Married soldiers lived on post in Army-provided housing.
Now, many single soldiers are in single or double dormitory-style rooms. Most married soldiers live off post. Some are isolated by duty assignment, such as recruiters stationed far from military installations. Other soldiers are assigned solitary late-night shifts. And some in unique job specialties may feel isolated even within a unit.
This is compounded by the fact that within a few months of returning home, most leaders and soldiers are transferred to other units. Soldiers who have problems often find themselves without their battle buddies and the leaders who watched over them in combat. Their new leaders, who don't know them as well, are pushing to prepare for the next deployment.
Many of the diagnostic programs in place now are seen simply as a block that must be checked in the pre-deployment process, precious time to be carved out of a hectic deployment schedule, McGuire said.
And then there's the institutional stigma of seeking mental health care. Soldiers think they should deal with their problems. Leaders should be strong, and they feel asking for help is a sign of weakness, McGuire said. And there still is the fear that security clearances can be revoked.
McGuire stopped short of saying the task force was looking to overhaul the system. And its members really do not want to simply create another program, she said. In fact, commanders often are overwhelmed by the number of programs the Army already has.
"We have existing programs that are designed to ensure the good order and discipline of the organization," McGuire said. "Let's just enforce what we currently have before we create more and new."
Another possible soldier suicide, this time in Iraq, was added to the numbers last week. It too, is under investigation.
Chiarelli now is immediately briefed on any suspected suicides. He committed to personally reviewing each suicide case this year. In March, he received his first briefing.
"It was the most intense two and a half hours I have ever spent, even from being in a combat zone," Chiarelli told a group of soldiers during a stop at Fort Bragg, N.C. "It was an experience I will never forget."
The task force is temporary, and will spend less than a year looking for gaps in the system. No quick fixes are expected. While senior leadership hopes to better put its finger on the pulse of the force, the sad fact is that those serving in the Pentagon are not on the front lines of stopping soldiers from taking their own lives.
That falls to the soldiers' families and friends, McGuire said.
"If we see a friend, a family member or a buddy that seems to be hurting -- needs some help -- we need to take action," she said.
And it's their leaders.
"It takes getting to know your soldiers. It takes getting to know how they live, understand their stressors, who their friends are. It's basic leadership," McGuire said.
Gun Camrea Footage for 6.24.09
Courtesy of Hot Air, and FOX News (PBUT), some amazing gun-camera footage of a US Apache gunship engageing Taliban fighters.
Plays like a video game but isn't (click link)
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=287_1245850395
General, Wife Among Metro Casualties
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2009 - A former commander of the District of Columbia National Guard and his wife were among the nine people killed in the June 22 collision of two Metro subway trains here, officials announced yesterday.
Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr. and his wife, Ann, both 62, died in the accident. Wherley retired a year ago after leading the D.C. Guard for five years.
"We are all deeply saddened by this sudden and tragic loss of General Wherley and his wife, Ann," said Army Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, commanding general of Joint Force Headquarters, District of Columbia National Guard, who succeeded Wherley in the position. "I am personally grieved by this unbelievable tragedy. David Wherley and Ann were two of the best people you could ever want to know. This community will grieve, as will the entire National Guard throughout the country who knew and loved them both."
Wherley began his military career in 1969, when he received his commission as a second lieutenant through the ROTC program at Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y. After he was released from active duty, he joined the District of Columbia Air National Guard, where he commanded two flying squadrons, served in a number of staff assignments and deployed as the deputy operations group commander for fighters at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia.
He was a Fighter Weapons Instructor Course graduate in the F-4 Phantom and had more than 5,000 hours of flying time in a multitude of missions.
Prior to appointment as commander of the D.C. Guard, he served as commander of the 113th Fighter Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., where he was responsible for two flying missions: the F-16 mission of the 121st Fighter Squadron and the 201st Airlift Squadron, with C-40 and C-38A aircraft.
"I share in the huge grief of the entire 113th Wing," said Air Force Brig. Gen. Jeff Johnson, commander of the 113th Wing. "Dave and Ann were an integral part of the history of the 113th Wing, and more importantly, an integral part of our family. There are no words."
U.S. Sen. Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana said she had come to know the Wherleys well over the years.
"As the recipient of more than a dozen medals and multiple honors, he served our nation with distinction," the senator said. "General Wherley was not only the quintessential citizen soldier, [but] also made valuable contributions to our community. I worked closely with General Wherley to ensure the success of the National Guard's Youth Challenge Program, which has changed the lives of thousands of at-risk children in D.C. and around the country."
Landrieu said Wherley was a role model to young people in the district, and that he and his wife will be greatly missed in the community and throughout the country.
"My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Wherley family," she said.
Under Wherley's leadership, the D.C. Guard deployed several of its units, soldiers and airman in the global war on terrorism, including the 113th Wing and 275th Military Police Command. Their successful mobilization and safe return always were his top priority, officials said, and it was his imperative that soldiers and airmen have the best training they could possibly receive before going into harm's way.
Wherley frequently said his most challenging accomplishment was the establishment of the D.C. National Guard's Youth Challenge program. This required coordination among the National Guard Bureau, the Defense Department, Congress and the District of Columbia government, resulting in a program now in its third successful year.
In addition, he strongly supported the Family Readiness Program, Youth Leaders Camp and the About Face Program, all of which focused on supporting the families of soldiers and airmen, especially during deployments, and strengthening community youth through discipline, teaching them job skills and the importance of education.
The secretary of labor appointed Wherley to serve on an advisory committee for the Job Corps in 2007. The Job Corps is the nation's largest and oldest federally funded job training and education program for at-risk youth ages 16 to 24. He was appointed to the board of directors of the District of Columbia Sports and Entertainment Commission in 2003, and served throughout his tenure as commanding general. A baseball fan himself, he participated in the return of major league baseball to the district, and was instrumental in the successful construction of Nationals Park, which was built on time and within budget.
The Wherleys are survived by a son, David, who is a noncommissioned officer in the Army's Golden Knights parachute team, and daughter, Betsy. They had one grandchild.
Funeral arrangements, when complete, will be posted on the D.C. Guard's Web site.
(From a District of Columbia National Guard news release.)
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2009 - A former commander of the District of Columbia National Guard and his wife were among the nine people killed in the June 22 collision of two Metro subway trains here, officials announced yesterday.
Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr. and his wife, Ann, both 62, died in the accident. Wherley retired a year ago after leading the D.C. Guard for five years.
"We are all deeply saddened by this sudden and tragic loss of General Wherley and his wife, Ann," said Army Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, commanding general of Joint Force Headquarters, District of Columbia National Guard, who succeeded Wherley in the position. "I am personally grieved by this unbelievable tragedy. David Wherley and Ann were two of the best people you could ever want to know. This community will grieve, as will the entire National Guard throughout the country who knew and loved them both."
Wherley began his military career in 1969, when he received his commission as a second lieutenant through the ROTC program at Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y. After he was released from active duty, he joined the District of Columbia Air National Guard, where he commanded two flying squadrons, served in a number of staff assignments and deployed as the deputy operations group commander for fighters at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia.
He was a Fighter Weapons Instructor Course graduate in the F-4 Phantom and had more than 5,000 hours of flying time in a multitude of missions.
Prior to appointment as commander of the D.C. Guard, he served as commander of the 113th Fighter Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., where he was responsible for two flying missions: the F-16 mission of the 121st Fighter Squadron and the 201st Airlift Squadron, with C-40 and C-38A aircraft.
"I share in the huge grief of the entire 113th Wing," said Air Force Brig. Gen. Jeff Johnson, commander of the 113th Wing. "Dave and Ann were an integral part of the history of the 113th Wing, and more importantly, an integral part of our family. There are no words."
U.S. Sen. Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana said she had come to know the Wherleys well over the years.
"As the recipient of more than a dozen medals and multiple honors, he served our nation with distinction," the senator said. "General Wherley was not only the quintessential citizen soldier, [but] also made valuable contributions to our community. I worked closely with General Wherley to ensure the success of the National Guard's Youth Challenge Program, which has changed the lives of thousands of at-risk children in D.C. and around the country."
Landrieu said Wherley was a role model to young people in the district, and that he and his wife will be greatly missed in the community and throughout the country.
"My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Wherley family," she said.
Under Wherley's leadership, the D.C. Guard deployed several of its units, soldiers and airman in the global war on terrorism, including the 113th Wing and 275th Military Police Command. Their successful mobilization and safe return always were his top priority, officials said, and it was his imperative that soldiers and airmen have the best training they could possibly receive before going into harm's way.
Wherley frequently said his most challenging accomplishment was the establishment of the D.C. National Guard's Youth Challenge program. This required coordination among the National Guard Bureau, the Defense Department, Congress and the District of Columbia government, resulting in a program now in its third successful year.
In addition, he strongly supported the Family Readiness Program, Youth Leaders Camp and the About Face Program, all of which focused on supporting the families of soldiers and airmen, especially during deployments, and strengthening community youth through discipline, teaching them job skills and the importance of education.
The secretary of labor appointed Wherley to serve on an advisory committee for the Job Corps in 2007. The Job Corps is the nation's largest and oldest federally funded job training and education program for at-risk youth ages 16 to 24. He was appointed to the board of directors of the District of Columbia Sports and Entertainment Commission in 2003, and served throughout his tenure as commanding general. A baseball fan himself, he participated in the return of major league baseball to the district, and was instrumental in the successful construction of Nationals Park, which was built on time and within budget.
The Wherleys are survived by a son, David, who is a noncommissioned officer in the Army's Golden Knights parachute team, and daughter, Betsy. They had one grandchild.
Funeral arrangements, when complete, will be posted on the D.C. Guard's Web site.
(From a District of Columbia National Guard news release.)
We are Winning This War
Wars have low points. 2006 was undoubtedly the low point for the west (or at least that part of the west actually fighting- US, Britain, Canada, Australia....). Iraq had descended into civil war, Israeli had been defeated in Lebanon, the al qaida supported Islamic Courts Union had seized control of Somalia and was threatening Ethiopia. Even events which should have been positive had a negative connotation; Iraq's execution of Saddam Hussein was a botched, creepy affair.
But at the end of that awful year, the tide began to turn. It started in Somalia, where the Ethiopian Army, supported by US Special Forces and CIA paramilitary units, annihilated the ICU and occupied the country inside of a month. At the same time, President Bush began the controversial surge, and emergency reinforcement of six combat brigades, all of which were sent to Baghdad. Slowly, US and Iraqi forces secured the capital and its outlying belt regions. More importantly, the Sunni's of Anbar turned on al Qaida, sending their sons to battle the Islamist terrorists and providing valuable intelligence to the United States.
The beginning of the end in Iraq was in March of 2008, when the Iraqi army went into Basra to do battle with the militia of Moqada al-Sadr. The initial offensive was stalled, but with American help, the Iraqi Army stuck it out, and killed hundreds of militia inside the city. There was a general upraising of al Sadr's followers throughout Iraq, which was crushed by Iraqi and American forces. By mid-April al Sadr had fled to Iran and was suing for peace. It was the great turning point in the battle for Iraq, akin to the fall of Atlanta and Sherman's march.
2009 has seen more progress. While the ICU's succesor, the Shabaab, is bathing Somalia in blood, it is at least in no condition to invade Ethiopia. Israel humiliated Hamas during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip. The Pakistani Army, long on the sidelines, has finally decided to battle the Taliban on that country's Northwest frontier. General David Petraeus, architect of the surge, is now running Central Command. An additional six combat brigades are being sent to Afghanistan.
Now what to do about Iran....
Will's novel, A Line Through the Desert: The First Gulf War may be purchased at Amazon.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Face of Defense: Defense Scribe Thrives in Sharing Soldiers' Stories
By Heather Athey
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 23, 2009 - Beth Reece always dreamed of seeing her name in print. But as a young girl growing up in the sleepy town of Beckley, W.Va., she couldn't have known how much the military would help her achieve that goal. Reece loved to write and had a passion for words. By the time she graduated high school, she was determined to make a career of writing, but wasn't sure how she would pay for the college degree that would be her springboard into the world of journalism.
So she decided to go to work for Uncle Sam to get some life experience, see the world beyond the West Virginia foothills and earn money for college. Reece didn't realize how she'd thrive in the Army -- eventually spending five years working in South Korea and at Fort George G. Meade, Md., writing first for a magazine and then for a weekly newspaper, Soundoff!
"I was surprised to find that I actually enjoyed being a soldier as much as I loved writing," said Reece, a civilian writer for the Defense Logistics Agency here. "I even earned the rank of sergeant before I was old enough to drink."
As a young soldier, Reece took her lumps as she climbed the ranks.
"I had an editor who always said it was a military journalist's job to make people feel good about what they do," she said.
That same editor also pushed her to stretch -- to test new subjects and techniques -- to become a better storyteller.
"He was the same editor whose marks made my stories bleed with red ink, but I'm the writer I've become because he made me fix things instead of doing it for me," she said.
Reece's determination to excel and natural ability to turn a phrase began paying off and she started racking up bylines and awards before her peers who had gone to college even finished their sophomore year. She won several Keith L. Ware journalism awards, which recognize Army military and civilian print and broadcast practitioners for journalistic excellence.
After leaving the Army, Reece continued to write for military publications. In 1998 she was named both the Department of the Army and Defense Department journalist of the year and eventually realized her longtime dream of writing for the Army's flagship publication, Soldiers magazine.
"For years it was my dream to write for Soldiers magazine, but I honestly never thought it would happen to me," she said. "A lot of the work that I did there made me realize how much I enjoy writing about people. If I could spend the rest of my career just writing about people, I'd be thrilled."
She said she particularly loves getting to know people through the interview process and finding the right words to convey their stories and engage readers.
Her favorite story is one she penned about a Korean War veteran who grew up Jewish in Nazi-occupied Hungary. After being liberated from a concentration camp by U.S. soldiers, Cpl. Tibor "Ted" Rubin joined the same Army that saved him, eventually serving in the Korean War, where he was captured by Chinese forces and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp. Nominated four times by his comrades, Rubin was awarded the nation's highest decoration -- the Medal of Honor -- in 2005.
"The spirit of this man still overwhelms me because he used the horrific experiences he went through in a Nazi concentration camp to save the lives of his fellow POWs," she said. "His story was so powerful and is by far the most rewarding story I've ever written."
Shortly after, the story earned Reece her own honor -- she was named the Defense Department's best flagship writer that same year.
Reece began working in DLA's public affairs office about 18 months ago. As a writer for "DLA Today," the agency's internal news, information and multimedia Web site, as well as Loglines magazine, its flagship publication, she's jumped in with both feet.
"Beth has the unique ability to draw the interesting human interest aspects out of a story -- the things other people can relate to. She takes good story ideas and makes them into great stories," said Jack Hooper, DLA's deputy director of public affairs. One of the first stories Reece wrote at DLA was about the "flag ladies" at the agency's Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, "A Dying Art Thrives at DSCP." The story followed the work of eight women who, sitting side by side in the supply center's flag room, embroider the nation's presidential and vice presidential flags. DSCP is the only place in the country where the flags, which are displayed during meetings with heads of state and at press conferences, are still made by hand. Though not available for purchase, just one presidential flag is worth an estimated $12,000.
Reece spent a day with the ladies, many of whom learned their embroidery skills at the feet of mothers, grandmothers and aunts, listening to their personal stories, watching them work and getting a feel for their bittersweet attitudes toward work considered by many to be old-fashioned.
Using what she learned, Reece crafted a story that told the tale of how one of these flags is made, but also the histories of the women who painstakingly labor to create flawless flags. It earned her praise from the supply center and her own office, but also from the same folks who had honored her previous work.
Prodded by her coworkers, Reece -- ever humble and highly critical of her own work -- reluctantly submitted the story in the feature article category of the Defense Department's Thomas Jefferson Awards, which recognizes both military and civilian print and broadcast journalists for outstanding achievement furthering the department's internal information goals.
Judged on its ability to communicate the essential who, what, where, when, why and how of a news article, but through the use of human interest, emotion and atmosphere, Reece's article beat out the competition and was named the department's best feature story of 2008.
"When it was announced that the story had been selected as the winner, there was a unanimous 'wow!' in the office," Hooper said. "Beth joined a solid public affairs team last year and made it better. And this is the first time that I'm aware of that the DLA public affairs office has had a first place winner."
Reece and other competition winners were honored for their achievement during a ceremony at Fort Meade last month. Almost every member of her office attended.
"We're proud of her. This is a big deal," said Kathleen Rhem, DLA's chief of internal information. "Beth winning this award proves that it doesn't take a 'sexy' subject to write an amazing article. She won against journalists who have the entire armed forces to write about. The best writers will find stories everywhere and distill them into something inspiring."
Reece handles the accolades with her usual self-effacing style.
"It's comforting to know that after 20 years of writing for the Army, and now for DLA, I haven't lost the passion for words that inspired me to pursue writing as a career. But I really don't believe I'm the best in [the Defense Department] at any type of writing, regardless of the awards," she said. "I grew up in a small town where most kids feel like they're stuck. It's nice to know I've managed to get out and find success."
(Heather Athey works in the Defense Logistics Agency public affairs office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 23, 2009 - Beth Reece always dreamed of seeing her name in print. But as a young girl growing up in the sleepy town of Beckley, W.Va., she couldn't have known how much the military would help her achieve that goal. Reece loved to write and had a passion for words. By the time she graduated high school, she was determined to make a career of writing, but wasn't sure how she would pay for the college degree that would be her springboard into the world of journalism.
So she decided to go to work for Uncle Sam to get some life experience, see the world beyond the West Virginia foothills and earn money for college. Reece didn't realize how she'd thrive in the Army -- eventually spending five years working in South Korea and at Fort George G. Meade, Md., writing first for a magazine and then for a weekly newspaper, Soundoff!
"I was surprised to find that I actually enjoyed being a soldier as much as I loved writing," said Reece, a civilian writer for the Defense Logistics Agency here. "I even earned the rank of sergeant before I was old enough to drink."
As a young soldier, Reece took her lumps as she climbed the ranks.
"I had an editor who always said it was a military journalist's job to make people feel good about what they do," she said.
That same editor also pushed her to stretch -- to test new subjects and techniques -- to become a better storyteller.
"He was the same editor whose marks made my stories bleed with red ink, but I'm the writer I've become because he made me fix things instead of doing it for me," she said.
Reece's determination to excel and natural ability to turn a phrase began paying off and she started racking up bylines and awards before her peers who had gone to college even finished their sophomore year. She won several Keith L. Ware journalism awards, which recognize Army military and civilian print and broadcast practitioners for journalistic excellence.
After leaving the Army, Reece continued to write for military publications. In 1998 she was named both the Department of the Army and Defense Department journalist of the year and eventually realized her longtime dream of writing for the Army's flagship publication, Soldiers magazine.
"For years it was my dream to write for Soldiers magazine, but I honestly never thought it would happen to me," she said. "A lot of the work that I did there made me realize how much I enjoy writing about people. If I could spend the rest of my career just writing about people, I'd be thrilled."
She said she particularly loves getting to know people through the interview process and finding the right words to convey their stories and engage readers.
Her favorite story is one she penned about a Korean War veteran who grew up Jewish in Nazi-occupied Hungary. After being liberated from a concentration camp by U.S. soldiers, Cpl. Tibor "Ted" Rubin joined the same Army that saved him, eventually serving in the Korean War, where he was captured by Chinese forces and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp. Nominated four times by his comrades, Rubin was awarded the nation's highest decoration -- the Medal of Honor -- in 2005.
"The spirit of this man still overwhelms me because he used the horrific experiences he went through in a Nazi concentration camp to save the lives of his fellow POWs," she said. "His story was so powerful and is by far the most rewarding story I've ever written."
Shortly after, the story earned Reece her own honor -- she was named the Defense Department's best flagship writer that same year.
Reece began working in DLA's public affairs office about 18 months ago. As a writer for "DLA Today," the agency's internal news, information and multimedia Web site, as well as Loglines magazine, its flagship publication, she's jumped in with both feet.
"Beth has the unique ability to draw the interesting human interest aspects out of a story -- the things other people can relate to. She takes good story ideas and makes them into great stories," said Jack Hooper, DLA's deputy director of public affairs. One of the first stories Reece wrote at DLA was about the "flag ladies" at the agency's Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, "A Dying Art Thrives at DSCP." The story followed the work of eight women who, sitting side by side in the supply center's flag room, embroider the nation's presidential and vice presidential flags. DSCP is the only place in the country where the flags, which are displayed during meetings with heads of state and at press conferences, are still made by hand. Though not available for purchase, just one presidential flag is worth an estimated $12,000.
Reece spent a day with the ladies, many of whom learned their embroidery skills at the feet of mothers, grandmothers and aunts, listening to their personal stories, watching them work and getting a feel for their bittersweet attitudes toward work considered by many to be old-fashioned.
Using what she learned, Reece crafted a story that told the tale of how one of these flags is made, but also the histories of the women who painstakingly labor to create flawless flags. It earned her praise from the supply center and her own office, but also from the same folks who had honored her previous work.
Prodded by her coworkers, Reece -- ever humble and highly critical of her own work -- reluctantly submitted the story in the feature article category of the Defense Department's Thomas Jefferson Awards, which recognizes both military and civilian print and broadcast journalists for outstanding achievement furthering the department's internal information goals.
Judged on its ability to communicate the essential who, what, where, when, why and how of a news article, but through the use of human interest, emotion and atmosphere, Reece's article beat out the competition and was named the department's best feature story of 2008.
"When it was announced that the story had been selected as the winner, there was a unanimous 'wow!' in the office," Hooper said. "Beth joined a solid public affairs team last year and made it better. And this is the first time that I'm aware of that the DLA public affairs office has had a first place winner."
Reece and other competition winners were honored for their achievement during a ceremony at Fort Meade last month. Almost every member of her office attended.
"We're proud of her. This is a big deal," said Kathleen Rhem, DLA's chief of internal information. "Beth winning this award proves that it doesn't take a 'sexy' subject to write an amazing article. She won against journalists who have the entire armed forces to write about. The best writers will find stories everywhere and distill them into something inspiring."
Reece handles the accolades with her usual self-effacing style.
"It's comforting to know that after 20 years of writing for the Army, and now for DLA, I haven't lost the passion for words that inspired me to pursue writing as a career. But I really don't believe I'm the best in [the Defense Department] at any type of writing, regardless of the awards," she said. "I grew up in a small town where most kids feel like they're stuck. It's nice to know I've managed to get out and find success."
(Heather Athey works in the Defense Logistics Agency public affairs office.)
Military Unites With Hollywood on 'Transformers'
By Joe Davidson
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 23, 2009 - "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" hits theaters nationwide tomorrow as the culmination of more than a year of Defense Department support, ranging from script and uniform notes to C-17 aerial maneuvers and jumps from the Army's Golden Knights parachute demonstration team. The first Transformers film released in July 2007 used a variety of Air Force assets. In the latest film, DreamWorks and Paramount studios partnered with all four services to highlight America's military members and combat power on the big screen. Deciding how and why to work with the services was essential in making the film work, producers said.
"There are really a lot of similarities between a military operation and a movie production," said Army Lt. Col. Greg Bishop, the department's project officer for the movie. "The mobility of the operation, the logistics and planning required, and the problem-solving skills required to pull the whole thing off are very much alike."
Transformers executive producer and director Michael Bay has worked with military leaders on other films and frequently consults with them to make action sequences in his movies appear more authentic.
"You know the first thing we're going to look at is that if you're going to fight these 32- to 125-foot robots, who else would you fight them with?" Transformers producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura said.
Like its predecessors, the latest Transformers movie uses hundreds of military members from all the services and from throughout the country to make the film feel more realistic.
"I enjoyed being able to walk on the set and there are a hundred real soldiers as opposed to walking on and it's a hundred actors from Orange County or L.A. in fatigues," said Megan Fox, the film's female lead actor. "It was just an overall pleasant experience, and I have an immense amount of respect for the soldiers and for our troops."
That realism extends to military equipment as jet fighters roar from the deck of an aircraft carrier to the recoiling sounds of M1-A1 Abrams tanks firing 120-mm rounds at their deceptive and at times overpowering foes.
"What [the military] bring to it is obviously a sense of reality. But for us what is most interesting about it is our interaction with them," di Bonaventura said. "Because you actually get to see these people who have made a life choice and the honesty of that choice comes through each and every time you meet these guys. So, for us, that's the really exciting thing. We get to hang out at the base and see the joy they get out of being a part of us, and you also see us get affected by their level of commitment."
This latest Transformers film shows an extreme example of what the military does in everyday life.
"Though the 'enemy' in this film are alien robots, we strove to make the depiction of operations as realistic and accurate as possible," said Capt. Bryon McGarry, the Air Force project officer for the movie. "As in real-world operations, we go to 'war' against the Decepticons in the film jointly to achieve coordinated, balanced and devastating results. If they ever came to Earth, we'd be ready for them."
DreamWorks and Paramount pictures have given permission to provide special screenings of "Transformers, Revenge of the Fallen" at bases that provided support for the film and also aboard the USS John C. Stennis.
(Joe Davidson is assigned to The Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base).
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 23, 2009 - "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" hits theaters nationwide tomorrow as the culmination of more than a year of Defense Department support, ranging from script and uniform notes to C-17 aerial maneuvers and jumps from the Army's Golden Knights parachute demonstration team. The first Transformers film released in July 2007 used a variety of Air Force assets. In the latest film, DreamWorks and Paramount studios partnered with all four services to highlight America's military members and combat power on the big screen. Deciding how and why to work with the services was essential in making the film work, producers said.
"There are really a lot of similarities between a military operation and a movie production," said Army Lt. Col. Greg Bishop, the department's project officer for the movie. "The mobility of the operation, the logistics and planning required, and the problem-solving skills required to pull the whole thing off are very much alike."
Transformers executive producer and director Michael Bay has worked with military leaders on other films and frequently consults with them to make action sequences in his movies appear more authentic.
"You know the first thing we're going to look at is that if you're going to fight these 32- to 125-foot robots, who else would you fight them with?" Transformers producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura said.
Like its predecessors, the latest Transformers movie uses hundreds of military members from all the services and from throughout the country to make the film feel more realistic.
"I enjoyed being able to walk on the set and there are a hundred real soldiers as opposed to walking on and it's a hundred actors from Orange County or L.A. in fatigues," said Megan Fox, the film's female lead actor. "It was just an overall pleasant experience, and I have an immense amount of respect for the soldiers and for our troops."
That realism extends to military equipment as jet fighters roar from the deck of an aircraft carrier to the recoiling sounds of M1-A1 Abrams tanks firing 120-mm rounds at their deceptive and at times overpowering foes.
"What [the military] bring to it is obviously a sense of reality. But for us what is most interesting about it is our interaction with them," di Bonaventura said. "Because you actually get to see these people who have made a life choice and the honesty of that choice comes through each and every time you meet these guys. So, for us, that's the really exciting thing. We get to hang out at the base and see the joy they get out of being a part of us, and you also see us get affected by their level of commitment."
This latest Transformers film shows an extreme example of what the military does in everyday life.
"Though the 'enemy' in this film are alien robots, we strove to make the depiction of operations as realistic and accurate as possible," said Capt. Bryon McGarry, the Air Force project officer for the movie. "As in real-world operations, we go to 'war' against the Decepticons in the film jointly to achieve coordinated, balanced and devastating results. If they ever came to Earth, we'd be ready for them."
DreamWorks and Paramount pictures have given permission to provide special screenings of "Transformers, Revenge of the Fallen" at bases that provided support for the film and also aboard the USS John C. Stennis.
(Joe Davidson is assigned to The Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base).
Web Site to Open Sign-Ups for Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfers
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
June 23, 2009 - It's official. The Defense Department signed off yesterday on policies and procedures servicemembers will use to transfer their unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their spouses or children, a Pentagon official said today. Eligible servicemembers will be able to register their immediate family members to receive those benefits when a new Defense Department Web site goes live June 29, according to Bob Clark, the Pentagon's assistant director for accessions policy.
Defense officials are asking those whose families won't use the benefits for the upcoming fall semester to hold off registering until mid-July so applicants who need immediate attention get processed first.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill takes effect Aug. 1, offering a two-fold benefit, Clark said. It gives the military a tool to help encourage recruiting and retention, while allowing career servicemembers the first opportunity "to share the benefits they've earned with those they love," he said.
The transferability provision -- which Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates pushed after first hearing the idea from a military spouse group at Fort Hood, Texas -- has generated a lot of excitement.
"We have had an overwhelming response and do expect quite a few of our members to take advantage of this," Clark said.
To prepare for the anticipated response in the run-up to the Aug. 1 effective date, the department will launched a secure Web site next week so servicemembers can register any immediate family members to receive their unused benefits, Clark said.
"What we are doing is queuing up requests and approvals for the many family members that we expect to be going to school this fall" with hopes of using their spouse's or parent's Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, he said.
The site, https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB/, will be accessible using a common access card, Defense Department self-service user identification or a Defense Finance and Accounting Service personal identification number.
Eligible servicemembers can register the names of any immediate family member they would like to share their benefits with, even designating how many months of benefits each person named can receive, Clark explained.
The servicemember's 36 months of benefits – the equivalent of four nine-month academic years – can be transferred to a spouse, one or more children or any combination, he said. The family member must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System to receive the benefits.
Servicemembers also have the option to use some benefits themselves and transfer what they haven't used to one or more family members.
Even after transferring the benefits, they remain the "property" of the servicemember who earned them, who can revoke them or redesignate who receives them at any time.
However, new names can be added as long as the member is in the military, but not after separating or retiring, Clark said. So defense officials advise erring on the side of caution and including every eligible family member on the registration form.
"We are recommending that every eligible dependent receive at least one month of benefit," he said.
Once the servicemember registers for the transferability provision, the application automatically gets forwarded to the appropriate service for processing. Clark said he expects that process to take about a week, at least after the initial surge.
When the service verifies that the member is eligible to receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and processes the transferability provisions, the family member will receive a certificate of eligibility that can be used to cover educational costs.
In a nutshell, any enlisted or commissioned member of the armed forces serving on active duty or in the Selected Reserve on or after Aug. 1 will be eligible to transfer their benefits -- as long as they qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and meet specific service requirements, Clark explained.
He emphasized that, by law, anyone who has retired or separated from the service before that date -- even if it's July 31 -- won't be entitled to transfer their benefits. Also excluded will be members of the Individual Ready Reserve and Fleet Reserve.
Most servicemembers who have at least six years of military service as of Aug. 1 and agree to serve an additional four years qualify, he said. But department officials have proposed measures to cover several categories of servicemembers whose circumstances don't fit neatly into the formula.
For example, those with at least 10 years of service -- but who can't serve an additional four years because of a service or department policy -- also would qualify, Clark said. They must, however, serve the maximum time allowed before separating from the military, he said.
"What we did not want to do was to penalize those people who had a service policy or statute that would not permit them to commit for the full four years," he explained.
Another sunset provision will cover servicemembers who will reach the 20-year service mark, making them retirement-eligible, between Aug. 1, 2009, and Aug. 1, 2013.
Clark explained the breakdown, which basically enables those affected to transfer benefits as long as they complete 20 years of service:
-- Those eligible for retirement on Aug. 1, 2009, will be eligible to transfer their benefits with no additional service requirement.
-- Those with an approved retirement date after Aug. 1, 2009, and before July 1, 2010, will qualify with no additional service.
-- Those eligible for retirement after Aug. 1, 2009, but before Aug. 1, 2010, will qualify with one additional year of service after approval to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
-- Those eligible for retirement between Aug. 1, 2010, and July 31, 2011, will qualify with two additional years of service after approval to transfer.
-- Those eligible to retire between Aug. 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012, will qualify with three additional years of service after approval to transfer.
American Forces Press Service
June 23, 2009 - It's official. The Defense Department signed off yesterday on policies and procedures servicemembers will use to transfer their unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their spouses or children, a Pentagon official said today. Eligible servicemembers will be able to register their immediate family members to receive those benefits when a new Defense Department Web site goes live June 29, according to Bob Clark, the Pentagon's assistant director for accessions policy.
Defense officials are asking those whose families won't use the benefits for the upcoming fall semester to hold off registering until mid-July so applicants who need immediate attention get processed first.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill takes effect Aug. 1, offering a two-fold benefit, Clark said. It gives the military a tool to help encourage recruiting and retention, while allowing career servicemembers the first opportunity "to share the benefits they've earned with those they love," he said.
The transferability provision -- which Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates pushed after first hearing the idea from a military spouse group at Fort Hood, Texas -- has generated a lot of excitement.
"We have had an overwhelming response and do expect quite a few of our members to take advantage of this," Clark said.
To prepare for the anticipated response in the run-up to the Aug. 1 effective date, the department will launched a secure Web site next week so servicemembers can register any immediate family members to receive their unused benefits, Clark said.
"What we are doing is queuing up requests and approvals for the many family members that we expect to be going to school this fall" with hopes of using their spouse's or parent's Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, he said.
The site, https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB/, will be accessible using a common access card, Defense Department self-service user identification or a Defense Finance and Accounting Service personal identification number.
Eligible servicemembers can register the names of any immediate family member they would like to share their benefits with, even designating how many months of benefits each person named can receive, Clark explained.
The servicemember's 36 months of benefits – the equivalent of four nine-month academic years – can be transferred to a spouse, one or more children or any combination, he said. The family member must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System to receive the benefits.
Servicemembers also have the option to use some benefits themselves and transfer what they haven't used to one or more family members.
Even after transferring the benefits, they remain the "property" of the servicemember who earned them, who can revoke them or redesignate who receives them at any time.
However, new names can be added as long as the member is in the military, but not after separating or retiring, Clark said. So defense officials advise erring on the side of caution and including every eligible family member on the registration form.
"We are recommending that every eligible dependent receive at least one month of benefit," he said.
Once the servicemember registers for the transferability provision, the application automatically gets forwarded to the appropriate service for processing. Clark said he expects that process to take about a week, at least after the initial surge.
When the service verifies that the member is eligible to receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and processes the transferability provisions, the family member will receive a certificate of eligibility that can be used to cover educational costs.
In a nutshell, any enlisted or commissioned member of the armed forces serving on active duty or in the Selected Reserve on or after Aug. 1 will be eligible to transfer their benefits -- as long as they qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and meet specific service requirements, Clark explained.
He emphasized that, by law, anyone who has retired or separated from the service before that date -- even if it's July 31 -- won't be entitled to transfer their benefits. Also excluded will be members of the Individual Ready Reserve and Fleet Reserve.
Most servicemembers who have at least six years of military service as of Aug. 1 and agree to serve an additional four years qualify, he said. But department officials have proposed measures to cover several categories of servicemembers whose circumstances don't fit neatly into the formula.
For example, those with at least 10 years of service -- but who can't serve an additional four years because of a service or department policy -- also would qualify, Clark said. They must, however, serve the maximum time allowed before separating from the military, he said.
"What we did not want to do was to penalize those people who had a service policy or statute that would not permit them to commit for the full four years," he explained.
Another sunset provision will cover servicemembers who will reach the 20-year service mark, making them retirement-eligible, between Aug. 1, 2009, and Aug. 1, 2013.
Clark explained the breakdown, which basically enables those affected to transfer benefits as long as they complete 20 years of service:
-- Those eligible for retirement on Aug. 1, 2009, will be eligible to transfer their benefits with no additional service requirement.
-- Those with an approved retirement date after Aug. 1, 2009, and before July 1, 2010, will qualify with no additional service.
-- Those eligible for retirement after Aug. 1, 2009, but before Aug. 1, 2010, will qualify with one additional year of service after approval to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
-- Those eligible for retirement between Aug. 1, 2010, and July 31, 2011, will qualify with two additional years of service after approval to transfer.
-- Those eligible to retire between Aug. 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012, will qualify with three additional years of service after approval to transfer.
CONTRACTS June 23, 2009
NAVY
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is being awarded a $213,772,399 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-2222) for the procurement of long lead time materials (LLTM) in support of LPD 26. The Navy is modifying contract N00024-06-C-2222 with Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding for advanced procurement or manufacture, inspection, test, storage and maintenance of LLTM items and accomplishment of preconstruction activities to support the orderly construction of LPD 26, the tenth LPD 17 Class ship. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Miss., and is expected to be completed by December 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
ViaSat, Carlsbad, Calif., is being awarded a $20,999,283 firm-fixed-price delivery order for multifunctional information distribution system-low volume terminals (MIDS-LVTs). The MIDS-LVT provides secure, high-capacity, jam-resistant, digital data and voice communications capability for Navy, Air Force and Army platforms. This delivery order combines purchases for the United States (80 percent), the government of Germany (13 percent), and the government of Canada, (7 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Contract funds in the amount of $3,874,195 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, Calif., (30 percent), in various other sites worldwide (70 percent), and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2010. This delivery order was competitively procured with two proposals solicited and two offers received via the SPAWAR E-commerce web site. ; The synopsis was released via the Federal Business Opportunities web site. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N00039-00-D-2101).
BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services, Inc., Rockville, Md., is being awarded a $9,763,980 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00421-06-D-0038) for the procurement and installation of a 55 civil global positioning system with electronic flight bag for the C-130T aircraft. In addition, this modification provides for the procurement of 45 install kits, 23 instrument display systems and 45 engine instrument display systems. Work will be performed in Crestview, Fla., (90 percent) and Calif., Md., (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2011. 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.
UNITED STATES SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
Rockwell Collins, Inc., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded a $45,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for software integration and maintenance support services in support of the U.S. Special Operations Command Technology Applications Program Office. The work will be performed in Cedar Rapids and the contract performance period ends Jun. 14, 2013. This contract was awarded through sole source procedures in accordance with FAR 6.302-1. The contract number is H92241-09-D-0004.
ITT Industries, Inc., of Clifton, N.J., is being awarded a Contractor Logistic Support (CLS) indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract, with a maximum value of $27,379,199, a combination firm-fixed price, labor-hour, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and time and material effort, for the Suite of Integrated Radio Frequency Counter measures legacy, integration, and low rate in production systems in support of U.S. Special Operations Command, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). The work will be performed primarily in Clifton, and is expected to be completed June 2012. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This CLS effort was awarded under Authority 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The solicitation was posted electronically on FedBizOps and no other offers were received. The contract number is H92241-09-D-0003.
ARMY
Rolls Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., was awarded on June 19, 2009 a $8,986,055 firm-fixed-price contract for the production of 40 gas turbine engines (Model 250-C30/R3) (part No. 23065550) and engine containers (Part Number 23088248). Work is to be performed in Indianapolis, Ind. with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2010. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aviation and Missile Center, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-09-C-0049).
DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY
Rose Acre Farms, Inc., 8105 Wesclin Rd, Germantown, Ill., is being awarded an indefinite-delivery, requirements type contract on Jun. 23, 2009, to provide fresh, shell-protected eggs for resale at commissary locations in Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio. The estimated award amount is $6,167,025. Contractor will deliver to the store locations as needed. The contract is for a 2-year base period beginning Jun. 23, 2009, through July 23, 2011. Twenty-eight firms were solicited and six offers were received. The contracting activity is the Defense Commissary Agency, Resale Contracting Division, Resale Services Support Branch, 1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, Va., (HDEC02-09-D-0009).
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is being awarded a $213,772,399 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-2222) for the procurement of long lead time materials (LLTM) in support of LPD 26. The Navy is modifying contract N00024-06-C-2222 with Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding for advanced procurement or manufacture, inspection, test, storage and maintenance of LLTM items and accomplishment of preconstruction activities to support the orderly construction of LPD 26, the tenth LPD 17 Class ship. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Miss., and is expected to be completed by December 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
ViaSat, Carlsbad, Calif., is being awarded a $20,999,283 firm-fixed-price delivery order for multifunctional information distribution system-low volume terminals (MIDS-LVTs). The MIDS-LVT provides secure, high-capacity, jam-resistant, digital data and voice communications capability for Navy, Air Force and Army platforms. This delivery order combines purchases for the United States (80 percent), the government of Germany (13 percent), and the government of Canada, (7 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Contract funds in the amount of $3,874,195 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, Calif., (30 percent), in various other sites worldwide (70 percent), and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2010. This delivery order was competitively procured with two proposals solicited and two offers received via the SPAWAR E-commerce web site. ; The synopsis was released via the Federal Business Opportunities web site. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N00039-00-D-2101).
BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services, Inc., Rockville, Md., is being awarded a $9,763,980 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00421-06-D-0038) for the procurement and installation of a 55 civil global positioning system with electronic flight bag for the C-130T aircraft. In addition, this modification provides for the procurement of 45 install kits, 23 instrument display systems and 45 engine instrument display systems. Work will be performed in Crestview, Fla., (90 percent) and Calif., Md., (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2011. 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.
UNITED STATES SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
Rockwell Collins, Inc., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded a $45,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for software integration and maintenance support services in support of the U.S. Special Operations Command Technology Applications Program Office. The work will be performed in Cedar Rapids and the contract performance period ends Jun. 14, 2013. This contract was awarded through sole source procedures in accordance with FAR 6.302-1. The contract number is H92241-09-D-0004.
ITT Industries, Inc., of Clifton, N.J., is being awarded a Contractor Logistic Support (CLS) indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract, with a maximum value of $27,379,199, a combination firm-fixed price, labor-hour, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and time and material effort, for the Suite of Integrated Radio Frequency Counter measures legacy, integration, and low rate in production systems in support of U.S. Special Operations Command, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). The work will be performed primarily in Clifton, and is expected to be completed June 2012. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This CLS effort was awarded under Authority 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The solicitation was posted electronically on FedBizOps and no other offers were received. The contract number is H92241-09-D-0003.
ARMY
Rolls Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., was awarded on June 19, 2009 a $8,986,055 firm-fixed-price contract for the production of 40 gas turbine engines (Model 250-C30/R3) (part No. 23065550) and engine containers (Part Number 23088248). Work is to be performed in Indianapolis, Ind. with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2010. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aviation and Missile Center, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-09-C-0049).
DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY
Rose Acre Farms, Inc., 8105 Wesclin Rd, Germantown, Ill., is being awarded an indefinite-delivery, requirements type contract on Jun. 23, 2009, to provide fresh, shell-protected eggs for resale at commissary locations in Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio. The estimated award amount is $6,167,025. Contractor will deliver to the store locations as needed. The contract is for a 2-year base period beginning Jun. 23, 2009, through July 23, 2011. Twenty-eight firms were solicited and six offers were received. The contracting activity is the Defense Commissary Agency, Resale Contracting Division, Resale Services Support Branch, 1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, Va., (HDEC02-09-D-0009).
Contrarian Approach for PTSD
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
Geisinger Health System senior investigator and U.S. Army veteran Joseph Boscarino, Ph.D., is proud of his military service, yet he doesn’t like to talk much about his combat experiences.
Before becoming a renowned researcher of psychological trauma, Dr. Boscarino served a tour of duty with an artillery unit in Vietnam from 1965-66, during which he witnessed heavy combat and its aftermath. To this day, he tries hard not to reflect on those battlefield memories.
The research by Dr. Boscarino and Tulane University investigator Charles Figley, Ph.D., shows that for some people exposed to traumatic events, repressing these memories may be less harmful in the long run.
“Going back to the days of Sigmund Freud, psychiatrists and mental health experts have suggested that repression of traumatic memories could lead to health problems,” Dr. Boscarino said. “Yet we have found little evidence that repression had an adverse health impact on combat veterans exposed to psychological trauma many years later.”
In a study that appears in the June issue of the research publication Journal of Nervous & Mental Diseases, Drs. Boscarino and Figley examined the long-term mortality rates of Vietnam veterans who were evaluated in 1985 with followup in 2000.
By studying the death certificates and records of a random sample of more than 4,000 veterans 30 years after military service, the researchers found that having PTSD along with a repressive personality trait does not necessarily lead to premature death.
The researchers say this is an important finding because exposure therapy is a prevailing practice in psychiatry, a technique that encourages patients to relive painful or traumatic events. Yet, for some patients, this therapy may inadvertently cause a resurfacing of PTSD symptoms and psychological distress, putting that patient at risk for health problems.
Previous research by Boscarino has shown that PTSD may cause premature death from heart disease, leads to elevated white blood cell counts and higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels (both of which indicates inflammation), and may cause other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
“While the dominant therapy model for PTSD should not be abandoned at this point, emerging research suggests that it might need to be seriously re-evaluated, at least for some PTSD patients,” Dr. Boscarino said. “More research is clearly needed.”
Dr. Figley, another renowned trauma scholar who co-authored the 2007 book Combat Stress Injuries, said he was not surprised by the findings since they are consistent with a new theory of combat-related stress.
“Repression is a self-regulator and a method of memory management,” Dr. Figley said. “In other words, ‘keeping your stressful memories inside or it will kill you’ is a myth.”
Dr. Figley, who served in Vietnam as a Marine at the same time as Dr. Boscarino, believes this study is a wakeup call to all those who care about combat veterans.
“These men and women deserve our respect in recognizing that they often know better than we do in how to manage their stressful memories, in most cases,” Dr. Figley said.
Source: Geisinger Health System
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A Line Through the Desert, Led Zeppelin, Heavy Metal
I thought I'd take this opportunity to talk a bit more about my novel, A Line Through the Desert.
It follows one young soldier, Sgt. Jake Bloom, and his travails in the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment during the First Gulf War.
Jake's got a girl back home, though she broke his heart before leaving for college. His folks, over protective Jewish parents, never approved of him joining the army. They wanted him to go to college, despite his C- average and utter hatred of school. Jake loved the army and loves being a soldier, he's found the purpose and brotherhood he's always yearned for.
Readers may recall I wrote a post a few weeks back which quoted some Iron Maiden songs. Yes, I'm a metal head, and have the class of 1992 photos to prove it. Jake's a metal head too. Like me, his favorite band is Led Zeppelin. Sgt Bloom listens to them in the barracks, out of maneuvers, and during the 100 hours in Iraq. In an act of brotherhood and kindness, Jake's driver, who likes working on low rider cars, stencils their unit designation Dragoon, Ghost,2, G-53 in the form of Led Zeppelin's rune symbols on the turret of their M-1.
Jake's favorite album; Houses of the Holy, favorite song; Over the Hills and Far Away. I did notice that he seems to listen to Led Zeppelin II a lot. Ten Years Gone, from Physical Graffiti, means a lot to him too.
In the coming weeks I plan to post some more on music and heavy metal, and I'll argue that metal is greatest incarnation of rock and roll and that Zeppelin, of course, is the greatest rock band ever (sorry folks, until about 1966 the Beatles were a boy band, there will be more on this too.)
Will's novel, A Line Through the Desert: The First Gulf War may be purchased at Amazon.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Gates Praises Volunteers' Efforts at Walter Reed
By Fred W. Baker IIIAmerican Forces Press Service
June 22, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today commended the work of the volunteers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here, saying they set the example for the rest of the country. Gates met with wounded soldiers and volunteers using the occasion to help kick off President Barack Obama's "United We Serve" summer campaign aimed at boosting volunteerism and community service.
"You already have answered that call and answered it resolutely," Gates told the group of volunteers, hospital staff and soldiers gathered. "Your work plays a vital role in uplifting spirits and easing the burdens on the families of our wounded."
Fittingly, Gates made his remarks standing on bricks laid in place by volunteers who raised $300,000 for a new patio at the Mologne House, a place for soldiers and families to live during their recovery at the hospital.
Two years ago the spot was only dirt with a few older grills scattered about. Dirt paths led from the house to the hospital. Now a 10,000-square-foot, professionally designed brick and concrete patio with grills, handicap-accessible paths and a gazebo stands in its place.
About 1,500 volunteers are at the hospital, part of more than 560 organizations that pitch in to help with the needs of staff, soldiers and families there. Already they have logged nearly 27,000 hours volunteering this year.
Gates told the group that he could not fully express his appreciation for their efforts within the few words he was limited to in his speech.
"Your work here is invaluable ...," the secretary said. "For those whose lives you've touched, every gesture, no matter how small, has a tangible impact."
Army Col. (Dr.) Norvell V. Coots, commander of Walter Reed Health Care System, said that volunteers pick up the tasks that the staff simply does not have time for. Volunteer duties range from answering phones to spending time with the soldiers and families and taking them to appointments.
Soldiers are transported to Walter Reed often within a few days of being injured. They have few clothes and none of the comforts of home. These are all provided by volunteers at the hospital, Coots said.
If there were no volunteers, "that would leave us scrambling to make up the difference. Because they really do a tremendous amount of work," Coots said. "A lot of the things that they do would be impossible for us to do simply because of the manpower and time constraints that we have in the hospital."
Cynthia Rome, the director of Army Community Service, said the hospital has always had a strong volunteer base. Some have volunteered for more than 30 years. Several of those who man the information booth have logged in more than 20 years each.
But in the past three years the volunteer program there has flourished. Now she has two full-time staff whose job it is to organize the program and find jobs for the volunteers. Commanders there want anyone who volunteers to find meaningful work.
The average volunteer spends only about four hours a week on the grounds, but some spend as much as 40, Rome said.
Some volunteer only for specific functions or special events, others pick up trash or plant flowers, and some volunteer to host regular dinners for wounded soldiers and their families. It is all aimed at making them feel at home while some spend as long as a year there recovering.
Deno Reed, an 81-year-old retired medical scientist and World War II veteran, volunteers one day a week in the physical therapy department. Mostly he helps the therapists and just talks and listens to the soldiers, he said.
"The value is to me, not to the others. I'm doing a service to people who have placed their lives on the line, and they're providing a major service for all of us," Reed said.
Grace Park, a college student, is also a volunteer, although more than 60 years Reed's junior. Park spends a lot of her time checking out videos to the troops. But she also said a lot of what she does is just hanging out and talking with the troops. Being younger, Park said, she fits in with the younger population of troops.
They talk about anything, she said, including politics, movies and sports.
Park largely discounts her efforts, and plans to make volunteering a life-long venture.
"Why wouldn't we volunteer? These wounded warriors did so much for us and we just come in ... six hours a week to rent out videos. It's such a small service compared to what they do for us. It's just our way to ... give a helping hand," Park said.
Gates told the group that it takes a "special kind of person" to devote time to make troops' lives better.
In fact, Gates admitted that after taking the job as defense secretary, he was somewhat unsure how he would handle visiting wounded troops.
"I wasn't sure I could keep it together," Gates said.
But people kept telling him that the troops would inspire him -- "lift him up."
"They did, and they do," Gates said. "Their grit, and resilience, indomitable spirit amaze me and inspire me every time."
Gates reiterated his stand that, other than winning the two current wars, caring for the wounded is his greatest priority. And, he said, those who volunteer are stepping up.
"At the heart of the volunteer force is a contract between the United States of America and the men and women who serve our military. A contract that is simultaneously legal, social and sacred. That when young Americans step forward of their own free will to serve they do so with the expectation that they and their families will be properly cared for should something happen on the battlefield," Gates said.
Forensic Investigator
Editor's Note: Good information on career opportunities after service.
On July 24, 2009, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion with Esther McKay, a former Detective Senior Constable and Forensic Investigator with the New South Wales Police Force (Australia).
Program Date: July 24, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Forensic Investigator
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/07/25/Forensic-Investigator
About the Guest
Esther Mckay served seventeen years in the New South Wales Police Force, attaining the rank of Detective (technical) Senior Constable. She worked in the area of Forensic Services for fifteen years, attaining expert status in crime scene examination and vehicle identification. She also worked in Training and Research, as well as Document Examination. She has a Diploma of Applied Science in Forensic Investigation (NSW Police), and was awarded the National Medal for service in 2001 and the Ethical and Diligent Police Service medal with fifteen-year clasp in 2008.
Esther Mckay was discharged from the force in 2001 with post-traumatic stress disorder as a direct result of her forensic work. Her best-selling autobiography, Crime Scene: True Stories from the Life of a Forensic Investigator.
Esther Mckay works actively in supporting traumatized serving and former Police and is the President of the Police Post Trauma Support Group. She was awarded the Pride of Australia Medal in 2007 for Community Spirit for her work with traumatized Police, and regularly speaks to various groups and schools about her life experience, writing and former forensic work. Esther is patron of the Australian Missing Persons Register and has been an Australia Day Ambassador since 2007. She lives in the Southern Highlands with her husband and two children.
About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is Police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.
About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Public Safety Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.
Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/07/25/Forensic-Investigator
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
On July 24, 2009, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion with Esther McKay, a former Detective Senior Constable and Forensic Investigator with the New South Wales Police Force (Australia).
Program Date: July 24, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Forensic Investigator
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/07/25/Forensic-Investigator
About the Guest
Esther Mckay served seventeen years in the New South Wales Police Force, attaining the rank of Detective (technical) Senior Constable. She worked in the area of Forensic Services for fifteen years, attaining expert status in crime scene examination and vehicle identification. She also worked in Training and Research, as well as Document Examination. She has a Diploma of Applied Science in Forensic Investigation (NSW Police), and was awarded the National Medal for service in 2001 and the Ethical and Diligent Police Service medal with fifteen-year clasp in 2008.
Esther Mckay was discharged from the force in 2001 with post-traumatic stress disorder as a direct result of her forensic work. Her best-selling autobiography, Crime Scene: True Stories from the Life of a Forensic Investigator.
Esther Mckay works actively in supporting traumatized serving and former Police and is the President of the Police Post Trauma Support Group. She was awarded the Pride of Australia Medal in 2007 for Community Spirit for her work with traumatized Police, and regularly speaks to various groups and schools about her life experience, writing and former forensic work. Esther is patron of the Australian Missing Persons Register and has been an Australia Day Ambassador since 2007. She lives in the Southern Highlands with her husband and two children.
About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is Police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.
About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Public Safety Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.
Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/07/25/Forensic-Investigator
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Suicide Prevention Message Rolls Through Cities Nationwide
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
June 22, 2009 - The Department of Veterans Affairs took to the road, literally, when it decided to advertise about its "VA Suicide Prevention Lifeline" on public transportation buses in 124 communities across the country. "We continue to look for new, innovative ways to reach our veterans," said Tammy Duckworth, assistant secretary of veterans affairs for public and intergovernmental affairs. "VA wants to make sure to exhaust all avenues to reach those in need of our services."
Currently, that includes public service announcements by actor Gary Sinise and TV news personality Deborah Norville. Suicide prevention coordinators also have been passing out information for several months now, Jan Kemp, the VA's national suicide prevention coordinator, said.
"There's a lot of publicity going on. [The buses are] just one mechanism that we're using to get the word out," she said. "We're kind of saturating the population as best we can."
The current bus campaign began this month and will conclude Sept. 1. It started as a pilot program here and ran for about three months last summer.
"The calls in D.C. and the surrounding areas actually doubled toward the end of the campaign there," Kemp said. "Our theory was that we would test it there and then roll it out to various other places."
While none of the buses rolling through the nation's capital now bear the VA's suicide prevention ad, they may again as the campaign continues, Kemp indicated.
"I think we will cycle around again, but I think we recognize the fact that sometimes a consistent message doesn't get seen as being new any more," she said.
The cities currently seeing the ad on their public transportation were carefully selected based on the availability of that transportation and the suicide and attempted suicide rates in the area. VA officials also looked at the current call volume from those cities and whether the ads could make a difference.
Available resources also were taken into consideration, Kemp said.
The campaign is aimed at veterans, but because it is being advertised in a very public manner, there are bound to be civilians who see the number and call in. And that's OK, Kemp said.
"We have arrangements with the national network of crisis centers to be able to transfer callers to the appropriate crisis center, depending on where they're calling from," she said. "Of course, if it's an extreme emergency, we do what we need to do and help the person. Otherwise, it's up to the [resources] in their area."
What's important is that if people thinks they're in crisis, preferably before they hit the crisis point, they should reach out for help.
"Early intervention is really the key to suicide prevention," Kemp said. "We can hook people up with local suicide prevention coordinators at all of our sites across the country, and ... there truly is no shame in asking for help."
The VA Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) is staffed by trained mental health professionals prepared to deal with immediate crises 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
American Forces Press Service
June 22, 2009 - The Department of Veterans Affairs took to the road, literally, when it decided to advertise about its "VA Suicide Prevention Lifeline" on public transportation buses in 124 communities across the country. "We continue to look for new, innovative ways to reach our veterans," said Tammy Duckworth, assistant secretary of veterans affairs for public and intergovernmental affairs. "VA wants to make sure to exhaust all avenues to reach those in need of our services."
Currently, that includes public service announcements by actor Gary Sinise and TV news personality Deborah Norville. Suicide prevention coordinators also have been passing out information for several months now, Jan Kemp, the VA's national suicide prevention coordinator, said.
"There's a lot of publicity going on. [The buses are] just one mechanism that we're using to get the word out," she said. "We're kind of saturating the population as best we can."
The current bus campaign began this month and will conclude Sept. 1. It started as a pilot program here and ran for about three months last summer.
"The calls in D.C. and the surrounding areas actually doubled toward the end of the campaign there," Kemp said. "Our theory was that we would test it there and then roll it out to various other places."
While none of the buses rolling through the nation's capital now bear the VA's suicide prevention ad, they may again as the campaign continues, Kemp indicated.
"I think we will cycle around again, but I think we recognize the fact that sometimes a consistent message doesn't get seen as being new any more," she said.
The cities currently seeing the ad on their public transportation were carefully selected based on the availability of that transportation and the suicide and attempted suicide rates in the area. VA officials also looked at the current call volume from those cities and whether the ads could make a difference.
Available resources also were taken into consideration, Kemp said.
The campaign is aimed at veterans, but because it is being advertised in a very public manner, there are bound to be civilians who see the number and call in. And that's OK, Kemp said.
"We have arrangements with the national network of crisis centers to be able to transfer callers to the appropriate crisis center, depending on where they're calling from," she said. "Of course, if it's an extreme emergency, we do what we need to do and help the person. Otherwise, it's up to the [resources] in their area."
What's important is that if people thinks they're in crisis, preferably before they hit the crisis point, they should reach out for help.
"Early intervention is really the key to suicide prevention," Kemp said. "We can hook people up with local suicide prevention coordinators at all of our sites across the country, and ... there truly is no shame in asking for help."
The VA Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) is staffed by trained mental health professionals prepared to deal with immediate crises 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Gates Welcomes Four Senior Pentagon Officials
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
June 22, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today welcomed four high-ranking new arrivals to the Pentagon, hailing them as "welcome additions" to the Defense Department. The new officials -- nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate -- will work under Gates in the areas of defense acquisition, congressional affairs, global defense strategy and nuclear, chemical and biological programs.
They've been on the job for several weeks, but today's event provided an opportunity for Gates to welcome them formally to the department.
"With a wide range of experience in national security, diplomacy and nuclear deterrence and proliferation issues and congressional affairs, the four new officials we are honoring today are a welcome addition to the Department of Defense," Gates told an audience in the Pentagon auditorium here. "The Department of Defense is fortunate to have professionals of such talent and experience."
The new senior officials are:
-- Ashton B. Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics. Under the authority of the defense secretary, Carter serves as the principal staff assistant and advisor for all matters relating to the defense acquisition, research and development, technology developmental testing and evaluation; production; logistics; installation management; military construction; procurement; environment security; and nuclear, chemical and biological matters.
-- Michael Nacht, assistant secretary of defense for global strategic affairs. Nacht heads a newly configured directorate in the Office of the Secretary of Defense that develops policy for the secretary on countering weapons of mass destruction, nuclear forces and missile defense, cyber security and space policy.
-- Elizabeth L. King, assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs. King is responsible for providing support to the secretary of defense in his dealings with the White House, Cabinet members, members of Congress and the State Department. King also serves as liaison and maintains relationships with members of Congress and the executive branch.
-- Andrew C. Weber, assistant secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical and biological programs. In this role, Weber is the principal advisor to the defense secretary, deputy defense secretary and undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics for all matters concerning the formulation of policy and plans for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs.
"Our honorees have already begun to settle in and pack their respective portfolios, but I'm glad to have the opportunity today to formally greet them and highlight the experience and talents they bring to this department," Gates said, adding that he looks forward to working closely with them on critical decisions ahead of the department.
"Let me thank all four of you for accepting positions that will demand hard work and long hours. And again, thanks to your families for loaning you to us," Gates said. "I know that every decision we make, you will keep in mind our men and women in uniform and how best to help them accomplish their mission and return home safely."
American Forces Press Service
June 22, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today welcomed four high-ranking new arrivals to the Pentagon, hailing them as "welcome additions" to the Defense Department. The new officials -- nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate -- will work under Gates in the areas of defense acquisition, congressional affairs, global defense strategy and nuclear, chemical and biological programs.
They've been on the job for several weeks, but today's event provided an opportunity for Gates to welcome them formally to the department.
"With a wide range of experience in national security, diplomacy and nuclear deterrence and proliferation issues and congressional affairs, the four new officials we are honoring today are a welcome addition to the Department of Defense," Gates told an audience in the Pentagon auditorium here. "The Department of Defense is fortunate to have professionals of such talent and experience."
The new senior officials are:
-- Ashton B. Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics. Under the authority of the defense secretary, Carter serves as the principal staff assistant and advisor for all matters relating to the defense acquisition, research and development, technology developmental testing and evaluation; production; logistics; installation management; military construction; procurement; environment security; and nuclear, chemical and biological matters.
-- Michael Nacht, assistant secretary of defense for global strategic affairs. Nacht heads a newly configured directorate in the Office of the Secretary of Defense that develops policy for the secretary on countering weapons of mass destruction, nuclear forces and missile defense, cyber security and space policy.
-- Elizabeth L. King, assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs. King is responsible for providing support to the secretary of defense in his dealings with the White House, Cabinet members, members of Congress and the State Department. King also serves as liaison and maintains relationships with members of Congress and the executive branch.
-- Andrew C. Weber, assistant secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical and biological programs. In this role, Weber is the principal advisor to the defense secretary, deputy defense secretary and undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics for all matters concerning the formulation of policy and plans for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs.
"Our honorees have already begun to settle in and pack their respective portfolios, but I'm glad to have the opportunity today to formally greet them and highlight the experience and talents they bring to this department," Gates said, adding that he looks forward to working closely with them on critical decisions ahead of the department.
"Let me thank all four of you for accepting positions that will demand hard work and long hours. And again, thanks to your families for loaning you to us," Gates said. "I know that every decision we make, you will keep in mind our men and women in uniform and how best to help them accomplish their mission and return home safely."
MILITARY CONTRACTS June 22, 2009
AIR FORCE
The Air Force is awarding a cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, Electromagnetic System Laboratory, of San Jose, Calif., for $71,047,776. This contract action will provide MQ-1 unmanned aerial system communications intelligence airborne signals intelligence Payload-1 C scaled sensors for the Predator UAS. At this time, $69,851,657 has been obligated. Reconnaissance Systems Wing (ASC), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-08-C-3004).
CORRECTION:
The Air Force is modifying a cost-plus-award-fee contract with Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems and Solutions of Papillion, Neb., for $8,472,770. This action will provide for integrated strategic planning and analysis system (ISPAN) contract modification to develop software enhancement for ISPAN collaborative information environment and the Global Situational Awareness Tool. The requirement focuses on enhancing CIE to support a global customer base, which includes enhancements to software required to support the needs of a global user set and purchasing the necessary hardware to support the development. At this time, $8,472,770 has been obligated. 850 ELSG/PK, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (FA8722-04-C-0009, P00098).
NAVY
PC Mechanical LLC, Santa Maria, Calif., is being awarded a $26,184,518 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the overhaul, preventative maintenance, and services of civil engineering support equipment for the Naval Facilities Expeditionary Logistics Center located at Naval Base Ventura County, Calif. The work to be performed is for the repair, overhaul and preventative maintenance and services of civil engineering support equipment such as automotive vehicles, motorized and non-motorized construction equipment, material/weight handling equipment, international standard organization shipping containers, mineral products plant facilities, and mobile utilities support equipment. Repair services shall be performed at the contractor's facility, except when servicing need to be accomplished immediately where the equipment is located, or when the equipment cannot be moved. This contract contains options, which if exercised, will bring the cumulative value of this contract to $139,495,275. Work will be performed at the Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, Calif. (60 percent), and the Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Gulfport, Miss. (40percent), and is expected to be completed by June 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $26,184,518 will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with two proposals received. The Naval Faci! lities E ngineering Command, Specialty Center Acquisition NAVFAC, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62583-09-D-0003).
Fraser Fogle Architects, Bellevue, Wash., is being awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity architect/engineering contract with a maximum amount of $20,000,000 to provide architect/engineer services in support of architectural projects for the NAVFAC Northwest area of responsibility. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Northwest AOR including, but not limited to Wash., (94 percent), Ore., (2 percent), Idaho, (2 percent), Mont. (1 percent), and Alaska, (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by June 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the NAVFAC e-solicitation website with twenty proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity (N44255-09-D-4004).
Chugach World Services, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska, is being awarded $12,858,355 [$5,129,675 firm-fixed price (FFP) and $7,728,680 indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity(IDIQ)] for the base period under a combination FFP/IDIQ contract to perform housing operations and maintenance services and change of occupancy maintenance services in the U.S. Territory of Guam for Commander, Naval Forces Marianas. Work will be performed at various Naval housing areas on Guam and the base period is from June 2009 to December 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured utilizing the Small Business Administration's 8(a) Program and was advertised via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with eight proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas, Guam, is the contracting activity (N40192-09-D-9000).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
General Electric Aircraft Engines, Lynn, Mass. is being awarded a maximum $11,815,213 firm-fixed-price, sole-source, requirements type contract for parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. The original proposal was DIBBS-solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This is a ten-year contract with a 2-year base and four 2-year option periods. The date of performance completion is July 30, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va., (SPM400-00-D-9403).
Government Sewing & Apparel, Hope, Ark.*, is being awarded a maximum $8,630,204 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for Marine Corps combat utility uniform. Other locations of performance are in Arkansas and Puerto Rico. 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. This contract is exercising option year three. The date of performance completion is Jun. 25, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SP0100-06-D-0362).
Agland, Inc., Eaton, Colo.*, is being awarded a minimum $5,829,630 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are at various DoD locations in Texas and Colo. Using services are Army and Air Force. The original proposal was Web solicited with 48 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jun. 30, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-09-D-4526).
ARMY
Booz Allen Hamilton, Atlanta, Ga., was awarded on Jun. 18, 2009 a $ 11,677,787 indefinite-delivery / indefinite quantity time and material Task Order contract for information technology support services for headquarters forces command G-6 on Fort McPherson, Ga., with a base period of 12 month and four 1-year options. Work is to be performed in Fort McPherson, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 30, 2014. Sixteen (16) bids solicited with two bids received. Mission and Installation Contracting Command, McPherson, Ga., is the contracting activity (W91QUZ-06-D-0019).
The Air Force is awarding a cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, Electromagnetic System Laboratory, of San Jose, Calif., for $71,047,776. This contract action will provide MQ-1 unmanned aerial system communications intelligence airborne signals intelligence Payload-1 C scaled sensors for the Predator UAS. At this time, $69,851,657 has been obligated. Reconnaissance Systems Wing (ASC), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-08-C-3004).
CORRECTION:
The Air Force is modifying a cost-plus-award-fee contract with Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems and Solutions of Papillion, Neb., for $8,472,770. This action will provide for integrated strategic planning and analysis system (ISPAN) contract modification to develop software enhancement for ISPAN collaborative information environment and the Global Situational Awareness Tool. The requirement focuses on enhancing CIE to support a global customer base, which includes enhancements to software required to support the needs of a global user set and purchasing the necessary hardware to support the development. At this time, $8,472,770 has been obligated. 850 ELSG/PK, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (FA8722-04-C-0009, P00098).
NAVY
PC Mechanical LLC, Santa Maria, Calif., is being awarded a $26,184,518 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the overhaul, preventative maintenance, and services of civil engineering support equipment for the Naval Facilities Expeditionary Logistics Center located at Naval Base Ventura County, Calif. The work to be performed is for the repair, overhaul and preventative maintenance and services of civil engineering support equipment such as automotive vehicles, motorized and non-motorized construction equipment, material/weight handling equipment, international standard organization shipping containers, mineral products plant facilities, and mobile utilities support equipment. Repair services shall be performed at the contractor's facility, except when servicing need to be accomplished immediately where the equipment is located, or when the equipment cannot be moved. This contract contains options, which if exercised, will bring the cumulative value of this contract to $139,495,275. Work will be performed at the Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, Calif. (60 percent), and the Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Gulfport, Miss. (40percent), and is expected to be completed by June 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $26,184,518 will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with two proposals received. The Naval Faci! lities E ngineering Command, Specialty Center Acquisition NAVFAC, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62583-09-D-0003).
Fraser Fogle Architects, Bellevue, Wash., is being awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity architect/engineering contract with a maximum amount of $20,000,000 to provide architect/engineer services in support of architectural projects for the NAVFAC Northwest area of responsibility. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Northwest AOR including, but not limited to Wash., (94 percent), Ore., (2 percent), Idaho, (2 percent), Mont. (1 percent), and Alaska, (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by June 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the NAVFAC e-solicitation website with twenty proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity (N44255-09-D-4004).
Chugach World Services, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska, is being awarded $12,858,355 [$5,129,675 firm-fixed price (FFP) and $7,728,680 indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity(IDIQ)] for the base period under a combination FFP/IDIQ contract to perform housing operations and maintenance services and change of occupancy maintenance services in the U.S. Territory of Guam for Commander, Naval Forces Marianas. Work will be performed at various Naval housing areas on Guam and the base period is from June 2009 to December 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured utilizing the Small Business Administration's 8(a) Program and was advertised via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with eight proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas, Guam, is the contracting activity (N40192-09-D-9000).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
General Electric Aircraft Engines, Lynn, Mass. is being awarded a maximum $11,815,213 firm-fixed-price, sole-source, requirements type contract for parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. The original proposal was DIBBS-solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This is a ten-year contract with a 2-year base and four 2-year option periods. The date of performance completion is July 30, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va., (SPM400-00-D-9403).
Government Sewing & Apparel, Hope, Ark.*, is being awarded a maximum $8,630,204 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for Marine Corps combat utility uniform. Other locations of performance are in Arkansas and Puerto Rico. 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. This contract is exercising option year three. The date of performance completion is Jun. 25, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SP0100-06-D-0362).
Agland, Inc., Eaton, Colo.*, is being awarded a minimum $5,829,630 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are at various DoD locations in Texas and Colo. Using services are Army and Air Force. The original proposal was Web solicited with 48 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Jun. 30, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-09-D-4526).
ARMY
Booz Allen Hamilton, Atlanta, Ga., was awarded on Jun. 18, 2009 a $ 11,677,787 indefinite-delivery / indefinite quantity time and material Task Order contract for information technology support services for headquarters forces command G-6 on Fort McPherson, Ga., with a base period of 12 month and four 1-year options. Work is to be performed in Fort McPherson, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 30, 2014. Sixteen (16) bids solicited with two bids received. Mission and Installation Contracting Command, McPherson, Ga., is the contracting activity (W91QUZ-06-D-0019).
I saluted someone today.
I saluted someone today.
I have not done that in 40 years.
When I was in the Army, it was required for the person being saluted to acknowledge and return the salute. This was not done. I did not take it personally, nor did the 143 other people who were with me. We were veterans of one war or another and had come to pay our respects to a fallen soldier. I did not know him but in a way I knew the kind of person he was.
I had served with guys just like him in Vietnam. I was 20 years old at the time. Jake Velloza was 22 when a sniper ended his life outside the town of Mosul, Iraq.
There was no “welcome home” committee for me when I stepped off the plane at Travis Air Force base on a cold November day in 1967. No fanfare or American flags held high with their stars and stripes supported by a light afternoon breeze. It did not bother me any.
It was important for me to be there when Jake arrived at San Francisco International Airport by charter aircraft.
His flag draped coffin was slowly unloaded and met by a well-disciplined Honor Guard.
To say it was a sad vision to mentally capture would be a gross understatement. I watched his parents drape the flagged receptacle with their bodies, the father not wanting to leave, or believe, until he was ushered away by family members. Like my other comrades, I held back my tears, feeling unworthy to be part of something so personal. In a way I was paying respect to my own fallen friends who were owed such a return but never received one.
We mounted our flag bearing motorcycles and formed a procession to follow Jake from the San Francisco airport to his transitory resting spot in Petaluma. The road would lead us under multitudes of overpasses with hundreds of other Americans taking time out to forget about their own problems and honor one person who paid the ultimate price for service to his country.
The reality of war will always cost more then the money it takes to fight one.
As I rode, I thought about how one day Jake I and would meet and my salute would be returned.
I have not done that in 40 years.
When I was in the Army, it was required for the person being saluted to acknowledge and return the salute. This was not done. I did not take it personally, nor did the 143 other people who were with me. We were veterans of one war or another and had come to pay our respects to a fallen soldier. I did not know him but in a way I knew the kind of person he was.
I had served with guys just like him in Vietnam. I was 20 years old at the time. Jake Velloza was 22 when a sniper ended his life outside the town of Mosul, Iraq.
There was no “welcome home” committee for me when I stepped off the plane at Travis Air Force base on a cold November day in 1967. No fanfare or American flags held high with their stars and stripes supported by a light afternoon breeze. It did not bother me any.
It was important for me to be there when Jake arrived at San Francisco International Airport by charter aircraft.
His flag draped coffin was slowly unloaded and met by a well-disciplined Honor Guard.
To say it was a sad vision to mentally capture would be a gross understatement. I watched his parents drape the flagged receptacle with their bodies, the father not wanting to leave, or believe, until he was ushered away by family members. Like my other comrades, I held back my tears, feeling unworthy to be part of something so personal. In a way I was paying respect to my own fallen friends who were owed such a return but never received one.
We mounted our flag bearing motorcycles and formed a procession to follow Jake from the San Francisco airport to his transitory resting spot in Petaluma. The road would lead us under multitudes of overpasses with hundreds of other Americans taking time out to forget about their own problems and honor one person who paid the ultimate price for service to his country.
The reality of war will always cost more then the money it takes to fight one.
As I rode, I thought about how one day Jake I and would meet and my salute would be returned.
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