Pentagon Ceremony Salutes Former POWs, Missing in Action

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 18, 2009 - A group of senior U.S. officials today paid homage to servicemembers who have been prisoners of war or are listed as missing in action during an observance ceremony on the Pentagon's River Terrace parade field. Proclaiming today as National POW/MIA Recognition Day, President Barack Obama issued a statement urging Americans "to observe this day of honor and remembrance with appropriate ceremonies and activities."

The Pentagon ceremony, which featured a passing-in-review by troops of all services and aerial flyovers, is part of nationwide activities observing National POW-MIA Recognition Day, typically held annually on the third Friday of September. About 88,000 U.S. servicemembers are recorded as missing or unaccounted for since World War II.

"We pause today to remember, honor, and show solidarity with our troops who have been captured or gone missing in America's wars," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said, "and to affirm that we will never forget our duty to bring them home."

Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and retired Navy Rear Adm. Jeremiah A. Denton Jr., a former U.S. senator from Alabama and a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War, joined Gates at the reviewing stand.

"No nation in history has gone to such care, expense or effort to locate its fallen," Gates said. U.S. government dive-and-salvage teams, forensic scientists and investigators travel worldwide seeking a full accounting of missing servicemembers, he said.
For example, Gates said, the remains of three previously missing servicemen -- Air Force Lt. Col. Earl Hopper, who died in 1968; Army Pvt. David Woodruff, captured in Korea in 1951; and Army Air Force Staff Sgt. Jimmy Doyle, who died in 1944 -- were returned to their families this year and buried with full military honors.

And, Gates said, the remains of missing Navy Capt. Michael Scott Speicher were discovered last month in Iraq and returned to his family for burial. Speicher was an aviator who was shot down over Iraq in 1991 during the Persian Gulf War.

The work continues to find missing servicemembers and return them to their families, Gates said.

"We do it mindful of what we owe POW/MIAs and their loved ones," he said. "And, we do it in affirmation of our strongest belief as a people: that every life is precious."

Cartwright, too, pledged that the nation will do all that's possible to find its missing servicemembers.

"Our lessons learned from past conflicts provide opportunities to improve accounting efforts for the future," Cartwright said. And, he said, advances in forensics technology and technique will be passed along to future generations of searchers.

Gates and Cartwright both saluted Denton's service to the nation and his sacrifice. A naval aviator, Denton was shot down over North Vietnam on July 18, 1965. His captors frequently tortured him during his nearly eight years as a prisoner. They released him Feb. 12, 1973.

During his imprisonment in North Vietnam, Denton gained fame and enduring respect from his fellow Americans during a television interview arranged by the North Vietnamese, who thought the captured Navy pilot would support their cause.

Denton instead refused to denounce U.S. efforts in the war and repeatedly blinked his eyes in Morse Code, spelling the word, "T-O-R-T-U-R-E." The interview was broadcast on American TV on May 17, 1966, and was the first confirmation that the enemy was torturing U.S. POWs in Vietnam.

Gates praised Denton's "courageous resistance" to his captors' aims. Denton received the Navy Cross upon his release from captivity.

Denton spoke of his pride for the men and women in the military; and he touched upon the death of his wife of 61 years, Jane Maury Denton, who passed away on Thanksgiving Day 2007.

Denton praised his wife's steadfastness and loyalty to the nation during his years of captivity, noting that she, like him, didn't "want to swap any means that was advantageous to the enemy to get us home."

America's servicemembers, Denton said, belong to a unique class.

"Our men and women in uniform have answered the call and have shown and continue to show that they're willing to defend our country at the risk of their lives," Denton said. "All of us here today salute POWs, MIAs, their families and all veterans."

Without such service, Denton said, the United States "could not remain the land of the free and the home of the brave."

The black-and-white POW-MIA banner, according to a White House news release, will be flown today over the White House, the Capitol, the departments of State, Defense and Veterans Affairs and at a number of other U.S. government-managed agencies and institutions.

"Our nation maintains a solemn commitment to leave no servicemember behind," Obama said in the release. "Our men and women in uniform uphold this pledge every day, and our country further upholds it as we honor every man and woman who serves, particularly those taken as prisoners of war or missing in action.

"We will never cease in our mission to bring America's missing servicemembers home; we will never forget the sacrifices they made to keep this nation free; and we will forever honor their memory," Obama said.

Commercial Airline Hijack Procedures

Editor's Note: The author is a former servicemember.

On October 8, 2009, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a former Naval servicemember and retired Commercial Airline Pilot Steve A. Reeves on commercial airline hijack procedures.

Program Date: October 8, 2009
Program Time: 1700 hours, Pacific
Topic: Commercial Airline Hijack Procedures
Listen Live: www.americanheroesradio.com/commercial_airline_hijack_procedures.html

About the Guest
Steve A. Reeves started flying airplanes from a dirt strip located adjacent to a cotton field in northeast Arkansas. He took great pride in his ability to chase rabbits down the plowed rows of the fields - and live to tell about it. However, it didn't take long for him to realize that chasing rabbits didn't pay very well. He packed his bags and headed to the University of Kentucky. Upon graduating from college, he accepted a commission in the United States Navy. After one tour of duty, he thought that he'd had enough of flying and returned to the civilian world to pursue a career in construction management. One day while standing in the middle of a job site, Steve looked up in the sky to watch a commercial airliner fly over. The attraction was too powerful - he knew that he had to return to the sky. Twenty-one years later, Steve A. Reeves has logged over 12,500 hours in civilian, military, and commercial aircraft. He is a captain for a major airline and resides in Texas with his wife, Stacy, and their two daughters, Keegan and Kayleigh. Steve A. Reeves is the author of Squawk 7500 Terrorist Hijacks Pacifica Flight 762.

According to the book description of Squawk 7500 Terrorist Hijacks Pacifica Flight 762, “This fiction thriller is based on the real life experiences of a commercial pilot and gives you an exciting insider view of what it takes to fly a jet while managing crew, passengers—and a terrorist! Captain Mike Rendell started out his workday like all the workdays before – just another normal day of flying. After spending a raucous night partying with his crew, he and his first officer were looking forward to a nice relaxing flight to the West Coast.”

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:
www.americanheroesradio.com/commercial_airline_hijack_procedures.html

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

'Second Lady' Lauds Employers for Support of Military Employees

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 18, 2009 - The self-proclaimed "second lady" of the United States commended 15 employers yesterday who, despite tough economic times, went above and beyond what the law requires to support their military employees. "Tonight we celebrate your good works and we thank you for the powerful example you set for all Americans," Jill Biden said during the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Freedom Award dinner here. "You have taken the extra steps by extending full pay to deployed personnel, by continuing health and education benefits to servicemembers and their families."

The ESGR's Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest award given by the government to employers for their exceptional support of employees serving in the National Guard or Reserve. Each year the organization presents the award to 15 employers in the large and small employer categories, and public-sector employers.

Biden noted that each of the employers has supported its employees throughout every stage of their mobilization. Employers -- like three of this year's recipients: AstraZeneca, Consolidated Electrical Distributors and Louisiana's Jackson Parish Sheriff's Department -- organized, among other things, deployment and welcome-home events, sent care packages to employees, and initiated clothing and toy drives for children in Iraq.

Biden said she's seen firsthand the power of this type of support and the effect it has on servicemembers and their families. She pointed out the example of Delaware Boots on the Ground, an organization that started as a group of military moms and spouses to support Delaware National Guard members and their families.

"Those of you receiving awards tonight have made a difference. You have shown appreciation and support for our troops and their families, and you have raised awareness in your own communities of their sacrifices and duty," she said. "I want all of you to know that we are grateful for your special service and commitment to our nation. You embody the ESGR's slogan, 'We all serve.'"

Last night's ceremony was personal for Biden, who spoke on behalf of the president and first lady, and her husband, who's visiting troops in Iraq. The Bidens' son is a National Guardsman currently serving in Iraq.

"I look across the room and ... I feel as though we are family," Biden told the crowd gathered for the ceremony. "We share the same concerns, the anxieties, the sense of duty and the pride that comes along with being a military family.

"Like all of you gathered here tonight, my family worries about our son and looks forward to the day he comes back to us," she said. "Our family also knows what a difference it makes when people reach out to show support, whether in school, in the neighborhood or in the workplace."

The following companies also received the Defense of Freedom Award:

-- AeroDyn Wind Tunnel;

-- The City of Cambridge Fire Department;

-- First Data;

-- FMC Technologies, Inc.;

-- Law Offices of Marks, O'Neill, O'Brien and Courtney, PC;

-- Microsoft Corporation;

-- The Mid America Kidney Stone Association, LLC;

-- NetJets;

-- The Ohio Department of Public Safety;

-- Perpetual Technologies, Inc.;

-- The Santa Ana [Calif.] Police Department; and

-- TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

Amazon Top 50 Reviewer Praises Leadership: Texas Hold ‘em Style

Editor's Note: One of the co-authors is a former servicemember.

Charles Ashbacher, a Top 50 Reviewer on Amazon.com posted a review of Leadership Texas Hold ‘em Style. According to Amazon.com, a “Top 50 Reviewer” identifies Ashbacher as having “helped their fellow customers make informed purchase decisions on Amazon.com with their consistently helpful, high-quality reviews.” Charles Ashbacher has reviewed over 4,800 books and received nearly 14,000 votes from readers with an 88% ranking as finding his reviews helpful.

He said, in part, about Leadership: Texas Hold ‘em Style, “This is without question one of the best books on effective leadership ever written and it is profound and entertaining as one of the most unusual yet best possible analogies is used.” And, “Many books on leadership tend to be correct in their content but dull in their delivery. In this case the content is superb and the delivery is even beyond that, the comparisons between poker and quality leadership are apt, educational and make this book one that should be read, re-read and intellectually digested.”

ABOUT THE BOOK
Using poker as analogy for leadership, Captain Andrew Harvey, CPD (ret.), Ed.D. and Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA found the right mix of practical experience and academic credentials to write a definitive book for leaders. Working together, Harvey and Foster have written Leadership: Texas Hold em Style. Most often leaders find they are given a set of resources people, equipment, funds, experience and a mission. As Foster noted, "You're dealt a certain hand. How you play that hand as a leader determines your success."

MORE INFORMATION
www.pokerleadership.com

MILITARY CONTRACTS September 17, 2009

UNITED STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND
Alliance Contractor Team of Leesburg, Va., is being awarded an estimated $1,580,619,789 firm fixed-price contract for international airlift services with a minimum guarantee of $327,824,214. Team members include: American Airlines, Inc. of Ft. Worth, Texas, Arrow Air, Inc., of Miami, Fla., ASTAR Air Cargo, Inc., of Florence, Ky., Delta Air Lines, Inc. of Atlanta, Ga., Evergreen International Airlines, Inc., of McMinnville, Ore., North American Airlines, Inc., of Jamaica, N.Y., Northwest Airlines, Inc., of St. Paul, Minn., United Airlines, Inc. of Elk Grove Village, Ill., US Airways, Inc., of Phoenix, Ariz., and World Airways, Inc., of Peachtree City, Ga. Work will be performed at worldwide locations, and is expected to be completed September 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Electronic proposals were solicited and 30 proposals received. The contracting activity is U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (HTC711-09-D-5004).

Federal Express Charter Programs Team Arrangement of Memphis, Tenn., is being awarded an estimated $1,510,516,838 firm fixed-price contract for international airlift services with a minimum guarantee of $222,565,273. Team members include: Air Transport International LLC of Little Rock, Ark., Atlas Air, Inc. of Purchase, N.Y., Continental Airlines, Inc., of Houston, Texas, Federal Express Corporation of Memphis, Tenn., Omni Air International, Inc. of Tulsa, Okla., and Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc., of Purchase, N.Y. Work will be performed at worldwide locations, and is expected to be completed September 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Electronic proposals were solicited and 30 proposals received. The contracting activity is U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (HTC711-09-D-5005).

Lynden Air Cargo LLC of Anchorage, Alaska, is being awarded an estimated $51,739,903 firm fixed-price contract for international airlift services with a minimum guarantee of $3,700. Work will be performed at worldwide locations, and is expected to be completed September 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Electronic proposals were solicited and 30 proposals received. The contracting activity is U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (HTC711-09-D-5009).

Miami Air International, Inc. of Miami, Fla., is being awarded an estimated $38,232,127 firm fixed-price contract for International Airlift Services with a minimum guarantee of $1,003,700. Work will be performed at worldwide locations, and is expected to be completed September 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Electronic proposals were solicited and 30 proposals received. The contracting activity is U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., (HTC711-09-D-5010).

The UPS Contractor Team of Louisville, Ky., is being awarded an estimated $331,662,972.56 firm fixed-price contract for International Airlift Services with a minimum guarantee of $74,394,266.69. Team members include: ABX Air, Inc., of Wilmington, Ohio, Alaska Airlines, Inc., of Seattle, Wash., Kalitta Air LLC of Ypsilanti Mich., National Air Cargo Group, Inc, dba National Airlines, of Ypsilanti, Mich., Northern Air Cargo of Anchorage, Alaska, Ryan International Airlines, Inc., of Rockford Ill., Southern Air, Inc. of Norwalk, Conn., and United Parcel Service Company of Louisville, Ky. Work will be performed at worldwide locations, and is expected to be completed September 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Electronic proposals were solicited and 30 proposals received. The contracting activity is U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (HTC711-09-D-5006).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Science Applications International Corp., Fairfield, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $1,050,000,000 maintenance, repair & operations prime vendor, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for supplies. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. The original proposal was Web solicited with seven responses. This contract is exercising the fifth option year period. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is September 10, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM500-02-D-0121).

Northrop Grumman Corp., Rolling Meadows, Ill. is being awarded a maximum $27,950,000 firm fixed price, sole source, undefinitized contract action against a Basic Ordering Agreement for acquisition of four weapon replaceable assemblies. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. There was one proposal originally solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Philadelphia (DSCR-ZCC), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPRPA1-09-G-004Z-5000).

Hamilton Sundstrand Corp., Windsor Locks, Conn. is being awarded a maximum $25,018,380 firm fixed price, sole source contract for replenishment supplies. Other location of performance is Ariz. Using service is Air Force and FMS line items for Saudi Arabia, Portugal, South Korea, Egypt, Norway and The Netherlands. There was one proposal originally solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is May 31, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Philadelphia (DSCR-ZBAA), Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. (SPRTA1-09-C-0202).

Excel Garment Manufacturing, Inc., El Paso, Texas* is being awarded a maximum $8,203,104 firm fixed price, total set aside contract for airmen battle uniforms. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 26 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract includes a base and four one-year options and is exercising the second option year period. The date of performance completion is September 24, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM1C1-07-D-1501).

MOOG Inc., East Aurora, N.Y. is being awarded a maximum $6,190,360 firm fixed price contract for swashplate actuators in support of V22 aircraft. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is June 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Philadelphia (DSCR-ZC), Philadelphia, Pa., (SPRPA1-09-C-THA6).

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a maximum $6,125,322 firm fixed price, sole source contract for blade extenders in support of CH-53E aircraft. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is December 30, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Philadelphia (DSCR-ZC), Philadelphia, Pa., (N00383-06-G-006F-THFD).

NAVY
General Construction Co., Poulsbo, Wash. (N62478-09-D-4014); Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co., Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii (N62478-09-D-4015); Manson – Nan Hawaii JV, Honolulu, Hawaii (N62478-09-D-4016); Nova Group, Inc., Napa, Calif. (N62478-09-D-4017); Triton Marine Construction Corp., Bremerton, Wash. (N62478-09-D-4018); and Watts – Healy Tibbitts, A JV, Honolulu, Hawaii (N62478-09-D-4019), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award construction contract for various waterfront construction projects at various locations in the State of Hawaii. The work to be performed provides for the acquisition of new construction, repair, alteration of waterfront related structures/facilities and dredging work based on design build, two phase design build, modified design build or full plans and specifications for Department of Defense infrastructure. The maximum dollar value for all six contracts combined is $500,000,000. Work will be performed in the State of Hawaii, and work is expected to be completed Sept. 2014. Contract funds will 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, Hawaii, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity.

General Electric Co., Aircraft Engines Business Group, Lynn, Mass., is being awarded a $39,725,834 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-06-C-0088) to provide additional F414-GE-400 spare engines and modules for the Navy. The F414-GE-400 engine powers the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft. This modification provides for the procurement of eight spare F414-GE-400 engines; seven engine fan modules; five engine high pressure combuster (HPC) modules; three combuster modules; and four low pressure turbine (LPT) modules. Work will be performed in Lynn, Mass. (49 percent); Madisonville, Ky. (21 percent); Hooksett, N.H. (12 percent); Albuquerque, N.M. (7 percent); Rutland, Vt. (5 percent); Dayton, Ohio (2 percent); Wilmington, N.C. (2 percent); Evandale, Ohio (1 percent); and Bromont, Canada (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2011. 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.

L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, LP, Waco, Texas, is being awarded a $39,683,810 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract (N00019-05-D-0008) to provide special structural inspection kit installations for the P-3C sustainment, modification and installation program . Work will be performed in Waco, Texas, and is expected to be completed in July 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $7,052,295 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Simmonds Precision Products, Inc., DBA Goodrich Fuel and Utility Systems, Vergennes, Vt., is being awarded a $14,722,837 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-06-C-0298) for the procurement of various integrated mechanical diagnostics system kits and parts in support of MH-60R/S helicopters. Work will be performed in Vergennes, Vt., and is expected to be completed in December 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.

Parsons Infrastructure & Technology Group Inc., Pasadena, Calif., is being awarded a $13,920,894 modification under a previously awarded multiple award contract (N00178-05-D-4487) firm-fixed price task order to exercise option period 1 which provides for engineering and program support for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic. The work to be performed provides for the following professional engineering services in support of capital improvement projects: technical, project management, and data management to support planning, design, and post construction award for the Navy and Marine Corp clients within NAVFAC mid-Atlantic area of responsibility. The total cumulative task order amount after exercise of this option will be $29,078,968. The task order also contains two unexercised options, which if exercised would increase cumulative task order value to $59,951,007. Work will be performed in Va. (70 percent) and N.C. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

Magnum, Inc.*, Warminster, Pa., is being awarded a $9,015,950 firm-fixed-price construction contract for renovation of Aviation Support Facility Hangar 1811 at McGuire Air Force Base. The work to be performed provides for renovations including removal and replacement of interior building systems and building envelope components including new hangar doors, new standing seam roofing, new split face block façade with new windows, expansion of existing aircraft parking, new fire protection, and heating ventilation and air conditioning systems. The contract also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised would increase cumulative contract value to $10,107,950. Work will be performed in Burlington County, N.J., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-09-C-7009).

The MIL Corp., Bowie, Md., is being awarded an $8,151,986 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide engineering support for the development, integration, and procurement of mission systems integration on airborne and shipboard platforms. This effort will support the Mission Systems Engineering Branch of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. The estimated level of effort for this contract is 107,000 man-hours. Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Md. (70 percent) and St. Inigoes, Md. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals and three offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-09-C-0096).

ARMY
Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $56,712,499 firm-fixed-price contract for 15mm Excalibur Clock IA-2 Projectiles (500 units). Work is to be performed in Tucson, Ariz., (29 percent), McAlester, Okla., (1 percent), Farmington, New Mexico., (10 percent), Niceville, Fla., (6 percent), Healdsburg, Calif., (13 percent), Anniston, Ala., (5 percent), Cincinnati, Ohio., (4 percent), Anaheim, Calif., (11 percent), Williamsport, Pa., (2 percent), Joplin, Mo., (2 percent), Lowell, Mass., (2 percent), Minneapolis, Minn., (1 percent), Karlskoga, Sweden., (ten percent), United Kingdom., (4 percent), with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2011. One bid solicited with one bid received. Army Contracting Command, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-07-C-0100).

W.G. Yates & Sons Construction Co., Philadelphia, Miss., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $21,754,000 firm-fixed-price contract. The project consists of the design and construction of Armed Forces Reserve Center, Jonesboro, Arkansas. Primary facilities include an Armed Forces Reserve Center with training building, vehicle maintenance shop, and organization unit storage. Work is to be performed in Jonesboro, Ark., with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2011. Bids were solicited via FedTeds with eight bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-09-C-0078).

Pease Construction, Inc., Lakewood, Wash., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $ 20,178,729 firm-fixed-price contract for the renovation and expansion child development center at Fort Lewis and renovations of three CDC's and expansion of one youth center. Work is to be performed in Fort Lewis, Wash., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2011. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, Seattle, Wash., is the contracting activity (W912DC-09-C-0026).

Kipper Tool Co., Gainesville, Ga., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $ 18,672,060 firm-fixed-price contract for 2 each of Stryker special tools set system. Work is to be performed in Gainesville, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2014. Two bids were solicited with two bids received. TACOM, AMSTA-LC-CTC, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (DAAE20-03-D-0085).

DeMaria Building Co., Detroit, Mich., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $15,236,000 firm-fixed-price contract for FY09 VA boiler plant replacement project, Virginia Medical Center. Work is to be performed in, Battle Creek, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 15, 2011. Nine Bids solicited with four bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit, Mich., is the contracting activity (W911XK-09-C-0036).

Carlson Construction Corp., Joliet, Ill., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $8,677,675 firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction of 23 new four bedroom single family houses. Work includes extending existing utilities and street systems from existing FY07 family housing projects to service the 23 homes. Houses are 2,150 square feet each and are all sized for Senior NCO's and Company Grade Officers. Work is to be performed in Fort McCoy, Wis., with an estimated completion date of Apr. 28, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with nine bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, Omaha, Neb., is the contracting activity (W9128F-09-C-0043).

Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc., Columbia, Md., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $5,797,936 firm-fixed-price contract for the theater provided equipment refurbishment of 105 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles. Work is to be performed in Kuwait, with an estimated completion date of Jan, 31, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with four bids received. TACOM, Contracting Center, Warren, AMSCC-TAC-ATBD, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-07-D-0136).

Patton-Tully Marine, LLC., Memphis, Tenn., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $5,668,503 firm-fixed-price contract for River Rock Removal, Upper Mississippi River Miles 46-38 and 81-78. Work is to be performed in Missouri countries of Cape Girardeau, Miss., Perry and Scott and Illinois counties on Alexander and Union, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with one bid received. U.S. army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, St. Louis, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912P9-09-C-0428).

AM General, LLC., South Bend, Ind., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2009 a $283,031,875 firm-fixed-price contract to add 1,746 each High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles to contract. Work is to be performed in Mishawaka, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited with one bid received. TACOM Warren, AMSTA-AQ-ATCA, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S001).

Endicott Construction Corp., Wakefield, Mass., was awarded on Sept.15, 2009 a $19,037,700 firm-fixed-price contract for the Joint Satellite Communication Engineering Center, Communications, Command, Control, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Campus. Work is to be performed in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. One Hundred Forty-four bids were solicited with 17 bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (W912BU-09-C-0048).

ECC International, Burlingham, Calif., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2009 a $12,090,082 firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction of the counter narcotics police of Afghanistan Forward Operating Base in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Work is to be performed in Kandahar, Afghanistan., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 02, 2010. Five bids were solicited with three bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Afghanistan., is the contracting activity (W917PM-07-D-C-0015).

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2009 a $24,626,524 firm-fixed-price contract for two MH-60S overseas contingency operation aircraft for the Navy. Work is to be performed in Stratford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, CCAM-BH-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Marshall Dubas Construction-Martin Harris a Joint Venture, Half Moon Bay, Calif., was awarded on Set. 15, 2009 a $10,457,518 firm-fixed-price contract to construct Camp Parks Readiness Center Project #060304A. Work is to be performed in Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, Calif., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 5, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with nine bids received. National Guard Bureau California, San Luis Obispo, Calif., is the contracting activity (W912LA-09-C-0005).

Bison Construction, Inc., Stanley, New Mexico., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2009 a $7,932,000 firm-fixed-price best value contract. This is a fully-designed project. The work consists of constructing a 37,000 square foot two-story facility, Joint Air Ground Center, for the 9th Air Support Operations Squadron located at Fort Hood Texas. Work is to be performed in Fort Hood, Texas., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 26, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with ten bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, Omaha, Neb., is the contracting activity (W9128F-09-C-0042).

LMG Construction Services LLC., Kansas City, Mo., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2009 a $7,800,937 construction, firm-fixed-price contract to construct a mine detection training facility. Work is to be performed in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 31, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with eight bids received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Kansas City District, CECT-NWK-M, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-09-C-4013).

Harkins Development Corp., Sanford, Fla., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2009 a $7,460,948 firm-fixed-price contract for the design/build of a single story 22,317 square foot concrete block facility on concrete floor slab with split face brick stucco exterior finish and sloping standing seam metal roof. This project also includes associated design and construction for outdoor play environment, site work and paving. Work is to be performed at Hurlburt Field, Fla., with an estimated completion date of June 3, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with 18 bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile, Regional Contracting Center, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-09-C-0074).

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC., Oak Brook, Ill., was awarded on Sept. 15, 2009 a $6,875,140 firm-fixed-price contract for the maintenance dredging in Fresh Kill Reach, Arthur Kill, New York and New Jersey Channels Federal Navigation Project. Work is to be performed in Arthur Kill New York and New Jersey Channels., with an estimated completion date Apr. 10, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CENAN-CT, New York City, N.Y., is the contracting activity (W912DS-09-C-0011).

Country Music Stars Lead Effort to Benefit Military Medicine

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 17, 2009 - Grammy Award-winning country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are teaming up with civilian and military medical experts to further medical innovations and quality-of-life research for America's battle-wounded, ill and injured warriors. The country stars and the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine will present "Country United," a symposium and awards gala here Nov. 6 and 7. TriWest Healthcare Alliance is sponsoring the two-day event.

"While only 1 percent of the U.S. population volunteers to serve in our armed forces, it is the responsibility of the remaining 99 percent of us -- as they protect and defend our freedom with their lives -- to assure they receive the best possible care," said David J. McIntyre Jr., president and CEO of TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

The Nov. 6 symposium will bring together leading experts to help expedite innovations in military medical treatment and research. Military and civilian researchers and clinicians as well as policymakers will engage in panel discussions on post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury, military and civilian efforts in humanitarian aid and disaster response, and joint efforts to combat global infectious diseases.

The medical experts will include Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Dr. Robert Ursano, founding director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Dr. W. Craig Vanderwagen, former assistant secretary for Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services; Dr. James Kelly, director of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence; and Congressman Joe Wilson, member of the House Armed Services Committee and Congressional Brain Injury Task Force.

"I can personally attest to the tremendous value and effectiveness of military-civilian collaborations," Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway personal transporter, said. Kamen and his company, DEKA, have partnered with military researchers to create advanced new prosthetics, including a robotic arm.

"By working together, we can create incredible advances in medical technology that benefit not only our military men and women, but also civilians," he said.

The symposium also will encourage public and private collaborations to accelerate advances in care for wounded, ill and injured warriors and civilians, officials said.

Faith Hill will be the luncheon keynote speaker, joined by Army Lt. Col. Gregory Gadson. Gadson, who lost his legs to a roadside bomb in Baghdad, was credited by the New York Giants as the inspiration for their victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Military and civilian heroes will be recognized the following evening at the Country United awards gala hosted by Emmy Award-winning NBC and HBO Sports broadcaster Bob Costas. The gala will include an awards dinner, with a "Visionary Award" presentation by Kamen, and silent and live auctions, culminating in performances by Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, the Warren Brothers and friends.

European Missile Plan Offers Better Defense, Gates Says

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 17, 2009 - Changing threats and emerging technologies drove the decision to restructure the European missile defense plan, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. "I believe this new approach provides a better missile defense capability for our forces in Europe, for our European allies and eventually for our homeland than the program I recommended almost three years ago," Gates said in a briefing at the Pentagon. "It is more adapted to the threat we see developing and takes advantage of new technical capabilities available to us today."

In December 2006, Gates recommended to then-President George W. Bush that the United States should put advanced radars in the Czech Republic and 10 ground-based interceptors in Poland.

That was when intelligence officials gauged the development of Iran's intercontinental ballistic missile as the foremost threat to the United States and its allies.

Now, intelligence reports paint a different picture – that the country is moving faster to develop its shorter-range missiles.

Gates responded by recommending to President Barack Obama that the United States now begin phasing in a missile defense system that puts radars and missiles in place sooner that are more suited to protect against the current threat. Plans are then to continue building on the system to increase its range of defense capabilities.

The president today announced his support of the plan.

"This new approach will provide capabilities sooner, build on proven systems, and offer greater defenses against the threat of missile attack than the 2007 European missile defense program," Obama said today.

Driving the initial phase of the new plan is deploying the Navy's Aegis weapons-system-equipped ships to the region by 2011. These are equipped with the Standard Missile 3 interceptor, which has had several successful tests in the past two years. They will be supported by some forward-position Army radar systems.

This will give the military a smaller range of detection and protection, but is enough initially to protect U.S. troops and allies against Iran's shorter range missiles.

"We can now field initial elements of the system to protect our forces in Europe and our allies roughly six to seven years earlier than the previous plan," Gates said.

As the SM-3 is improved, defense officials will look for positions in Europe to put them on the ground. Talks already are under way with both Poland and the Czech Republic, Gates said.

Additional sensors and more interceptors will be added and by 2020 the system will grow to cover all of Europe and have the capability to knock down multiple targets. It also will give the military the flexibility to move some of its assets to different fronts to combat new threats, Gates said.

"This gives us at least some capability early on and then an increasingly enhanced capability through this entire period," Gates said.

Flexibility is key to the plan, officials said. Originally, the plan centered on the idea of defending against three to five missiles fired from a single rogue nation. Now they believe the United States could have to defend against several missiles simultaneously.

This makes the SM-3 ideal for the job as it is more deployable and cheaper for the military to use against such threats. One Aegis ship can carry about 100 of the interceptors. Also, SM-3s cost about $10 million each, as opposed to a ground-based interceptor -- like those now on standby in Alaska and California -- that top out at about $70 million.

Another feature of the new system is that other countries can combine their radars and interceptors with the United States to increase its range. Many countries already use the Aegis system, and the Japanese already have promised $1 billion toward the development of the improved SM-3, officials said.

"This is a significant opportunity to work in a global construct to both field and fund and maintain this capability in a way that we had not been able to do in the past," said Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also at today's briefing. "We are looking at other partners, both in the sensor and the weapons side, because it does not have to be just American weapons and just American sensors."

Marine Celebrates Three Decades of Service

By Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jason Hernandez
Special to American Forces Press Service

Iraq, Sept. 17, 2009 - People have the option of serving two to four years in the U.S. military, but some choose to serve many more. One Marine here decided that a few years of service just wasn't enough. Col. Catherine Chase, the assistant chief of staff for the administrative office with II Marine Expeditionary Force, has been serving in the Marine Corps for nearly 30 years.

"I remember thinking that 20 years was going to be a long time," Chase said. "But looking back after almost 30, it really has gone by pretty quickly; it's hard to believe."

Chase received her commission as an officer in 1981.

"While I was in college I had a choice of either joining the Navy or joining the Marine Corps," Chase said. "Being from a family where my father, my grandfather and my granduncle were all Marines, the decision was already made."

She served on active duty during her first five years in the Marines, and her first duty station was at Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island, S.C.

While at Parris Island, she helped to rewrite the basic training curriculum, allowing female recruits to train, fire and qualify with standard-issue service rifles as men do. She was able to do this while holding the positions of series commander and training company commander, molding young women into Marines.

"It was encouraging to watch the maturing of the Marine Corps," Chase recalled. "To watch the realization that women could contribute significantly to the Marine Corps was truly an amazing experience."

Years after her exit from active duty and entrance into the reserves, Chase found herself serving at a mobilization station in support of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Not long after the Gulf War ended, Chase earned her master's degree in business and pursued her civilian career while remaining in the reserve.

"I love being in the Marine Corps," she added. "It's good to know that I'm making a valuable contribution to my country."

As Chase's Marine Corps experience winds down and she prepares to retire, she can do so knowing that she'll not only be taking the valuable lessons she's learned in the Marine Corps back to her civilian career, but she'll also be walking away knowing she has made a difference within the Marine Corps community, she said.

"I personally do not believe I could have gotten as far in my civilian career without the lessons I first learned in the Corps," Chase said. "It has always provided a valuable set of skills for me. But one of the most important things I intend to take away from the Marine Corps is the memories of the stellar Marines that I've worked with over the years and all of my accomplishments during that time."

(Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jason Hernandez serves in Multinational Force West.)

Obama Announces Changes for European Missile Defense

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 17, 2009 - President Barack Obama today announced he is restructuring plans for a missile defense system in Europe that provides greater flexibility and promises faster deployment of current technologies. "This new approach will provide capabilities sooner, build on proven systems, and offer greater defenses against the threat of missile attack than the 2007 European missile defense program," Obama said.

The 2007 plan, put in place by the Bush Administration, called for fixed radars to be positioned in the Czech Republic, and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland.

U.S defense officials said the system would protect its allies in Europe and the United States against ballistic missile attacks launched from the Middle East, specifically Iran.

The new plan is based on recent intelligence reports that reassess Iran's weapons capabilities to show short-and medium-range ballistic missiles to be developing more rapidly than projected, and intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities developing much slower than estimated.

Under the new plan, the United States will begin building the missile defense system in a phased approach. First, by 2011, it will field its current radars and interceptors, such as the Navy's Aegis-equipped ships, with the Standard Missile 3 interceptor. The system has proven its capabilities in the past few years, specifically when it stopped a crippled reconnaissance satellite over the Pacific Ocean before it re-entered Earth's atmosphere in February 2008.

This puts in place a defense system in northern and southern Europe that can protect against the more immediate threats from Iran nearly seven years earlier than the plan for installing the ground-based interceptors in Poland, officials said.

The plan is to then build on the system, eventually installing some ground-based radars and interceptors, enlarging the defense system's range, and continuing to augment the system with sea-based systems that can position themselves according to the threat.

"To put it simply, our new missile defense architecture in Europe will provide stronger, smarter and swifter defenses of American forces and America's allies," Obama said. "It is more comprehensive than the previous program; it deploys capabilities that are proven and cost-effective; and it sustains and builds upon our commitment to protect the U.S. homeland against long-range ballistic missile threats; and it ensures and enhances the protection of all our NATO allies."

The new plan alleviates some concerns of Russian leaders, who strongly opposed the positioning of the ground-based interceptors and radar system so near its borders.

U.S. officials traveled several times to Moscow to discuss the system's intention with the Kremlin. The United States offered to allow Russia to have representatives at each site, if the host nation agreed, to provide technical monitoring of activities. The United States promised it would not make the sites operational until the Iranians had tested a missile that could reach most of Western Europe, including parts of Russia.

Still, defense officials said it is likely Russia will not fully embrace any U.S. plans for a missile defense system in Europe.

But, Obama said, as long as Iran continues its nuclear weapons program, the United States will continue to develop its missile defense capabilities in the region.

"Our clear and consistent focus has been the threat posed by Iran's ballistic missile program, and that continues to be our focus and the basis of the program that we're announcing today," the president said. "In confronting that threat, we welcome Russia's cooperation to bring its missile defense capabilities into a broader defense of our common strategic interests, even as ... we continue our shared efforts to end Iran's illicit nuclear program."

Remains of Civil War Soldier Return Home on Anniversary

By Air Force Senior Airman Jameel Moses
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 17, 2009 - The remains of a Union Civil War soldier found at the Antietam National Battlefield here will be buried today in his home state of New York on the 147th anniversary of the battle, the Civil War's bloodiest day. The remains of the soldier, believed to be between 17 and 19 years old when he was killed, were transferred Sept. 15 from the Antietam National Cemetery Lodge to the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, N.Y. He will be buried with full military honors.

"It is right and fitting that today's citizen-soldiers from New York state bring home this unknown New York volunteer of the Civil War," Army Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto, the New York adjutant general, said. "The Soldier's Creed reminds all American soldiers that we never leave a fallen comrade behind. This is a way for soldiers of today to care for a fallen comrade from our past."

The New York National Guard accepted the transfer of the soldier's remains from the Maryland National Guard, which also conducted the honors ceremony at Antietam.

The remains were escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders Association for the 330-mile trip to the New York State Military Museum, where they lie in repose today with a military honor guard.

"The majority of the men who came here and were killed, did not have the opportunity to go back home," said J.W. Howard, superintendent of the Antietam National Battlefield and Antietam National Cemetery. "In our national cemetery, there are over 1,500 unknown graves and you do not know who these young men were, and yet you knew they came here and made this sacrifice. The idea of being able to send him home was something the entire staff stood behind. It was the right thing to do."

The soldier's remains were discovered by a hiker from Oklahoma who was walking along the battlefield last October.

The hiker was walking on a trail running through the Miller cornfield, where the bloodiest fighting of the 12-hour battle occurred, Howard said. A pile of dirt that a groundhog had dug caught his eye. After a closer look, the hiker realized what he had stumbled upon.

The remains included more than 400 bone fragments from 24 different bones, seven coat buttons, two New York state cuff buttons from the left sleeve, six trouser buttons, a leather strap and a belt buckle. They were placed into a box made by a carpenter at Antietam from a walnut tree cut down on the battlefield.

The uniform items will be buried along with the soldier.

"We consider this to be a part of his uniform he was wearing when he died," Howard said. "They should be buried with him."

(Air Force Senior Airman Jameel Moses serves in the National Guard Bureau.)

Army Aims to Improve Soldiers' Mental Well-being

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 16, 2009 - With soldier suicides reaching what Army leadership is calling "alarming numbers," a renewed emphasis is being placed on soldiers' mental well-being, the Army's second in command said. "We have a force that is much more resilient than I ever thought it was going to be, but it is much more stressed," Army Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, the Army's vice chief of staff, told an audience here Sept. 13 at the National Guard Association of the United States conference.

"In recent years, we've seen an increase in the number of soldiers, both active and reserve components, struggling with depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder," he said.

The Army has confirmed 111 soldier suicides as of early September, and 54 suicides have been confirmed in the Army National Guard and Army Reserve. Chiarelli added that violence, alcohol and substance abuse, and destructive or reckless behaviors have increased among soldiers.

"The challenge facing the Army today is the overall well-being of the force," the general said. "And that force includes the families."

The Army's aim, he said, is to increase soldiers' overall resiliency and to make them aware of programs that can help.

"In the past, the Army's approach was largely reactive -- to treat or discipline soldiers who violated Army standards. That has changed," Chiarelli said. The Army now will assess and intervene early in the process to identify and mitigate issues before they become significant concerns, he explained.

Chiarelli highlighted an ongoing collaboration struck in October 2008 between the Army and the National Institute of Mental Health.

"We realize we must become proactive if we want to be successful in the challenging environment we find ourselves in today," he said.

Another way to solve some of the pressures facing soldiers is to increase the amount of time between deployments. Chiarelli cited an example of one Army unit that has a 3 percent medical nondeployment rate, versus other units' 12- to 15-percent rate.

When he asked his advisors what made that particular unit so successful, he said, they replied that the unit had increased its time at home station to 26 months, as opposed to the average time of 16 months for most other units.

"It doesn't take a nuclear scientist to figure out that the key to this problem is to expand the time our soldiers spend at home," Chiarelli said.

Additionally, the Army plans to add 417 behavioral health specialists to its rolls to mitigate mental health issues associated with increasing deployments and a growing operations tempo. The introduction of online mental health diagnostic and treatment tools for soldiers and their families is another key to helping soldiers cope with the demands being placed upon them, he added.

The general said he'd like to bring Tricare military health plan coverage for soldiers in the National Guard and Army Reserve more in line with their active-duty counterparts.

"We have a responsibility to provide the same level of health care to National Guard soldiers that we provide to the active duty," Chiarelli said, noting that more than 700,000 National Guard and Reserve soldiers have been called to active duty since 2001.

"It really is one team, one fight," he said. "But unfortunately, I think the challenges we are facing as a force are going to get harder before they get easier as we continue to adjust to this new strategic environment."

Finally, Chiarelli highlighted the effort in Afghanistan, where an emphasis on agribusiness is helping to redirect the Afghan focus toward legitimate crops that benefit the entire population instead of the opium poppy trade, which finances insurgent groups. The effort of National Guard members, who are helping to redevelop the country's essential farming practices lost to years of conflict, is a true success story, he said.

"Today, National Guardsmen from agriculture states in middle America are deploying to Afghanistan to advise the Afghan people on modern farming techniques and business practices," the general said. He cited innovative irrigation techniques, grain storage facilities, livestock management and "green" power using solar technology as some of the tools that will bring Afghans toward independence and self-assurance.

"We're helping Afghanistan rebuild their economy, and this is absolutely critical to our success there," Chiarelli said. "These farmer-soldiers represent the strategic tip of the spear."

But this critical mission is not funded in the National Guard by design, the general cautioned. Rather, these missions are conducted and funded by National Guard teams "out of hyde" due to new requirements.

"This new requirement has undoubtedly contributed to the growing strain on our forces," he said. "No doubt, there are tough days ahead, and it'll require a total team effort by our active-duty and Reserve and National Guard components to make it happen."

(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy serves in the National Guard Bureau.)

Legislation Could Extend GI Bill to More Guardsmen

By Air Force Senior Airman Jameel S. Moses
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 16, 2009 - More than 30,000 additional National Guard members may become eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill with the help of bipartisan legislation introduced Sept. 10. U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack of Iowa has introduced a bill that proposes a change to the GI Bill eligibility rules to include National Guard members called to active duty in support of homeland security.

"Essentially, the new GI Bill of Rights that we passed last year unintentionally left out about 30,000 members of the National Guard," Loebsack said on Radio Iowa. "They are not receiving all of the benefits they have earned."

The current Post-9/11 GI Bill, which began Aug. 3, extends benefits only to servicemembers serving under Title 10 duty status, but the proposed law would cover those serving under Title 32 in homeland security roles. Both duty statuses are paid with federal dollars, but under Title 32, the state governor maintains control of National Guard forces.

"Our National Guard members who participate in disaster response, protection of U.S. airspace, border security and many other critical missions deserve the Post-9/11 GI benefits and the opportunities that come with those benefits," Loebsack said. "As a former college professor, I know and understand the many doors an education can open. A small technical error will not and should not get in the way of opening those doors."

The bill also covers reserve-component servicemembers who have been discharged with a service-connected disability, because they're not covered under current law, he added. Servicemembers discharged under Title 10 with a service-connected disability are provided a full, four-year college education, but Guard members discharged under Title 32 aren't eligible.

The bill, which has 22 co-sponsors, has been referred to the House Veterans Affairs Committee. The committee isn't expected to pass new GI Bill-related legislation until next year.

(Air Force Senior Airman Jameel S. Moses serves in the National Guard Bureau.)

Leaders to Honor Top Employers for Military Support

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 16, 2009 - Fifteen employers from across the nation will receive the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award tomorrow for their support of Guard and Reserve employees. The ceremony is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center here.

Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden – whose son, Beau, has deployed as a Delaware National Guard officer – will join top Defense Department officials including Dennis McCarthy, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, as well as members of Congress at the ceremony. The National Guard and Reserve members who nominated the recipients for the award also will attend.

The Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their outstanding support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The award is given to employers in three categories: large business, small business and the public sector. A record 3,202 nominations for the award were submitted by National Guard and Reserve members or their families from across the nation.

The National Guard and Reserve make up nearly half of the total U.S. military strength. The Defense Department shares these citizen-warriors with their civilian employers; many provide their military employees with exceptional support. This year's honorees range from a small race-car wind tunnel business in North Carolina to major technology and pharmaceutical corporations to a local police department.

The recipients are:

-- AeroDyn Wind Tunnel of Mooresville, N.C.;

-- AstraZeneca International of Wilmington, Del.;

-- Cambridge Fire Department of Cambridge, Mass.;

-- Consolidated Electrical Distributors of North Charleston, S.C.;

-- First Data Corp. of Atlanta;

-- FMC Technologies of Houston;

-- Jackson Parish Sheriff's Department of Jonesboro, La.;

-- The Marks, O'Neill, O'Brien & Courtney law firm of Wilmington, Del.;

-- Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash.;

-- Mid America Kidney Stone Association of Kansas City, Mo.;

-- NetJets of Columbus, Ohio;

-- Ohio Department of Public Safety of Columbus;

-- Perpetual Technologies of Indianapolis;

-- Santa Ana Police Department of Santa Ana, Calif.; and

-- TriWest Healthcare Alliance of Phoenix.

Air Force Has Solid Future Capabilities, Gates Says

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 16, 2009 - The foundation of America's air power rests on a broad and versatile mix of capabilities, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. "At the high end of the spectrum is the F-22. It is far and away the best air-to-air fighter ever produced, and will ensure U.S. command of the skies for the next generation," Gates said at the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference. "Our commitment to this aircraft is underscored by the 6 and-a half billion dollars provided over the next few years to upgrade the existing F-22 fleet to be fully mission-capable."

The Defense Department is slated to purchase 187 F-22 Raptors, which Gates called "a great airplane" during a recent tour of two major defense contractors' plants. Finite defense resources compelled the Pentagon to favor the F-35 Lightning II, an all-purpose aircraft that will cost less than half as much as the F-22, he said during that same trip.

The F-35, which Gates described today as the largest piece of the "U.S. air-dominance portfolio," will be used by the Air Force, the Marine Corps and the Navy. The F-22 Raptor fighter is slated for exclusive use by the Air Force.

Though the F-35 lacks some of the high-end, air-to-air attributes of the F-22, the fifth-generation stealth aircraft spans a wide range of the conflict spectrum, he said, with cutting-edge capabilities in electronic warfare and suppressing enemy air defenses.

"Without question, the F-35 program represents an ambitious effort," Gates said. "[It involves] more than 3,000 aircraft, counting all military services and foreign partners, 22 million lines of code [and] over $46 billion for development, plus an estimated $300 billion total in acquisition costs -- a truly massive investment in the future of U.S. air power."

The F-35 program has seen its share of rising costs, delays and other development issues, and likely will face more challenges, Gates acknowledged. The manufacturers recently assured the secretary that problems are being aggressively addressed, he added.

Joining the F-22 and the F-35 as a major player in the Air Force fleet is the unmanned aerial vehicle.

"The director of the Air Force's unmanned task force has compared ... UAV potential based on today's systems to judging manned aircraft based on the Wright Brothers Flyer," Gates said. "Large numbers of increasingly capable UAVs – when integrated with our fifth-generation fighters – potentially give the United States the ability to disrupt and overwhelm an adversary using mass and swarming tactics, adding a new dimension to the American way of war.

"In future years, these remotely piloted aircraft will get more numerous and more advanced, with great range and the ability to fight as well as survive," he added.

This new century brings with it a "fiendish and complex" array of threats, Gates said.

"To overcome these challenges, we'll call on all elements of America's defense establishment – military, civilian, Congress, and industry, retired flag officers, veterans' groups and military service organizations – to step up and be part of the solution," he said, adding they'll be asked to stretch their comfort zones and rethink long-standing assumptions. "I believe this is happening in the United States Air Force."

Gates Returns Tanker Selection Authority to Air Force

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 16, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced today that he has returned selection authority for the Air Force's next aerial-refueling tanker to Air Force officials. The Air Force had awarded the contract for what's known as the KC-X to a Northrop-Grumman/EADS/Airbus consortium, which prompted a protest from rival bidder Boeing. The General Accountability Office found irregularities in the awarding of the contract, and Gates re-opened the bidding process on July 9, 2008, appointing the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics as source-selection authority.

Gates shelved the process two months later, however, telling Congress that rather than handing the next presidential administration "an incomplete and possibly contested process," he had decided to defer the procurement decision to the administration that would be elected in November.

In a speech at the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference here, Gates said he's confident that Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Norton A. Schwartz will handle the source selection well.

"I don't need to belabor the importance of getting this done soon and done right," he said, "and my office will continue to have a robust oversight role. We are committed to the integrity of the selection process, and cannot afford the kind of letdowns, parochial squabbles and corporate food fights that have bedeviled this effort in the past."

A draft request for proposals for the new tanker will follow, the secretary said.

Defense Department Kicks Off 2009 CFC Campaign

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

Sept. 16, 2009 - The Defense Department can lend a hand to Americans affected by the past year's economic crisis through donations to the Combined Federal Campaign, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn said today at the Pentagon's CFC kickoff ceremony. As of August, the unemployment rate increased to 9.7 percent, leaving nearly 15 million Americans without jobs. CFC contributions can make a positive impact on the lives of those in need, Lynn said.

"President Obama has said that America's success depends on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart, and the CFC enables us to do just that," Lynn said to a group of senior civilian and military leaders. "I ask everyone here and every organization and service to go out and champion the message of the Combined Federal Campaign and donate whatever you're able to do."

Through the CFC, Defense Department employees have the opportunity to give money to charities that feed the homeless, research leading-edge medical technology to save lives and to organizations that provide humanitarian assistance to impoverished regions around the globe. More than 4,000 charities are listed in the CFC beneficiary catalog, making it the largest workplace giving campaign in the world.

The CFC campaign has out-pledged its previous year's goal for five straight years. The Defense Department's 2009 campaign goal is to raise $14.1 million, the program's highest benchmark yet. Last year's campaign exceeded its $13.3 million goal by raising more $16 million in donations.

Service goals for this year CFC National Capital Area campaign are $3.85 million from the Navy and Marine Corps, $3.12 million from the Army and $1.8 million from the Air Force. All increased their previous year's goals.

"The CFC is a tremendous and important effort," the deputy defense secretary said. "It has consistently been a leader in workplace giving, and the numbers are impressive."

The CFC campaign began Sept. 1 and runs through Dec. 15. This year's theme is "The Power of Community, the Compassion of Individuals."

Michael L. Rhodes, acting director of administration and management for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, said the theme was chosen and fitting because of the challenges many people face in today's economic crisis.

"Many families have been hit hard by economic situations at home," Rhodes said. "The strength of our department has always been our people. All the participating charities in that catalog need support from folks like you and those you contact throughout the department."

Defense Secretary Lauds Airmen's Contributions, Service

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 16, 2009 - Airmen around the world are making a life-and-death difference for U.S. military ground forces, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. The secretary praised airmen's efforts and their sacrifices while addressing an audience at the Air Force Association's Air and Space Convention.

"First, a word of thanks to the men and women whose achievements we cherish and whose interests you represent," Gates said. "Since 9/11, hundreds of thousands of airmen have gone about their duties -- usually unheralded and unrecognized by the usual metric of medals and media coverage.

"More than 100 have made the supreme sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan," he added.

Gates highlighted airmen's accomplishments, from reconnaissance groups to weapons squadrons.

"As a result of airmen's efforts, dangerous men looking to attack our troops and harm our country have met their just end, usually without a warning: a distant buzz followed by a bolt from the sky," Gates said. "Some of those strikes may have come from the 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron -- the 'Flying Tigers.'"

The Flying Tigers deployed to Afghanistan from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., seven months ago. Since arriving, they've completed more than 2,800 combat missions spanning 12,000 flight hours of reconnaissance and close-air support, a record for the historic unit, Gates said.

Gates noted the actions of an Arizona National Guard unit as well.

"Our enemies have also been under the unblinking eye and precision fire of the 214th Reconnaissance Group of the Arizona National Guard," Gates said. "[The group] recently received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award from [Air Force] Secretary [Michael B.] Donley after its Predators logged more than 17,000 hours over Afghanistan and Iraq."

On a visit to Afghanistan in May, Gates met with search and rescue aircrews from the 34th Weapons Squadron and 38th Rescue Squadron, which are supporting Marines in Helmand province. In a three-month stretch in the spring, pararescue airmen from the 34th recovered or treated more than 320 casualties, both military and civilian, he said.

"Then there was the crew of Shocker 21 of the 305th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron based in Kandahar," Gates said. "They were called in after an American Special Forces team and Afghan soldiers came under heavy attack.

"In four successive passes over a hot landing zone, Shocker 21 picked up two groups of wounded troops, laid down suppressive fire and delivered badly needed ammunition," he continued. "All told, the expertise and courage of the Air Force search and rescue teams are making the goal of the 'golden hour' a reality in Afghanistan."

The golden hour refers to roughly the first 60 minutes following a trauma. The chance of survival is greatest if the needed treatment is obtained within that window.

The secretary didn't forget the airmen serving on the ground in theater, either, drawing on one airman's experience as an example of the difference they're making in the war.

"Take the example of Tech Sergeant Benjamin Horton, from Hill Air Force Base in Utah," Gates said. "Sergeant Horton destroyed more than 7 tons of enemy explosives while deployed to Iraq in the hair-raising vocation of [explosives ordnance disposal] technician.

"His expertise with the tactics of enemy bombers led to the capture of six bomb makers in the Kirkuk region," he continued. "In one instance, he pulled four injured soldiers from a vehicle after a [roadside bomb] attack, and then cleared the extraction zone to medevac the wounded, earning a Bronze Star for his efforts."

Then there are the C-17 and C-5 transport jet crews that fly thousands of tons of goods a day in and out of theater, he said, and the maintenance personnel who keep the planes flying.

"Without these efforts and the exertions of tens of thousands of airmen including engineers, security forces, medical personnel, explosive ordnance disposal experts, and those protecting our lines of communication in space and cyberspace, the entire U.S. war effort would simply grind to a halt," Gates said

Widow Notes Strides in Survivor Support

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

Sept. 16, 2009 - Donna Engeman always had faith in her military community and its support. When her children were sick, they were cared for by the best doctors the military could offer. And when her husband deployed on several occasions during his nearly three decades of service, someone always was nearby who understood what her family was going through, she said.

She was a dedicated Army spouse for 23 years and loved the camaraderie that even spouses enjoyed. "The Army, especially, tells us that when our loved ones go into the Army, we're part of the Army too," she said of Army spouses. "We don't sign on the line, but it's our career, too."

But in May 2006, the military support system she knew and loved temporarily faded away when she lost her husband to a roadside bomb in Iraq. The death of her husband, Army Chief Warrant Officer John Engeman, and a lack of immediate support from his unit and the Army left her feeling alone and abandoned, she said, making her transition from Army wife to widow more difficult than she ever could have imagined.

"One of the things you feel right away is a sense of alienation," she said. "You not only lose a loved one; for many of us, we lost a way of life. You've lost the Army culture, and there's a real sense that our [Army] family abandoned us."

The sense of abandonment Engeman felt is something the Army and the other military branches have been working to fix for nearly eight years. Since military families began sacrificing their loved ones after the 9/11 attacks, the Defense Department and a host of other organizations have worked tirelessly to establish a culture of support for those like her, and they've come a long way, she said.

"One of the key components in our Army [survivor outreach program] is that we stress to the survivors that they are part of the Army family, and they can be apart of it as long as they want," said Engeman, now a survivor outreach and services advisor for the Army. "For as long as they want us around, we're going to be there to support them."

Engeman's transition from Army wife to widow was unique, because her husband was assigned as a National Guard liaison in West Virginia. He split his work between there and Fort Bragg, N.C., where he helped to train part-time soldiers for deployments. When he was killed, there was no family support group, and the National Guard public affairs and casualty assistance officers assigned to her case weren't familiar with how to care for her. No clear-cut process of support was in place for her and her family, she said.

"It was so overwhelming with all the paperwork," she said. "You're just stunned. You're still trying to wrap your head around the fact that he's dead, and the fact that I'd just talked to him two days ago and now he's gone.

"There was no coordination for families, and it was a mix of Army reservists, Guardsman and active-duty support," she continued. "There were a lot of communication issues, and no one really knew who was taking care of whom."

Engeman and the Army have worked hard to learn from the mistakes made then and the additional stress caused to her and others, she said. The Army has even gone so far as to establish a servicewide program called Survivor Outreach Services, which began in April. The program is made up of special coordinators at each Army installation to pick up where casualty assistance officers leave off, she said.

"John was always all about people and helping soldiers," she said of her husband. "That's what the Army is -- taking care of people. I think we just overlooked what the care and support is that we give to our survivors. We can do better; we can do a lot better.

"The Army never promised me anything; they promised him," she added. "They promised that warfighter if he gives the ultimate sacrifice, his family is going to be taken care of, and I want to hold them to that. Chief would want to know that his soldiers and their families are taken care of."

Each military service depends on well-trained casualty assistance officers to notify the families of fallen servicemembers. Their focus is to help the families understand their entitlements and provide them with accurate and compassionate services.

Although each of the military branches has its own approach and system, all work to provide the necessary information survivors need to obtain government benefits as well as local community services. Casualty assistance officers are available to the survivors through funeral arrangements and the initial entitlements and benefits process.

Military survivors learn their financial benefits and their access to military facilities and what services they're entitled to receive, such as post commissaries and exchanges, tuition assistance programs and health care services. Casualty assistance and survivor outreach specialists provide survivors with information for Department of Veterans Affairs bereavement counselors and other VA benefits as well.

Survivors also learn about local support groups and other helpful organizations outside of the military that survivors may not know about, such as the American Gold Star Mothers and the Tragedy Assistant Program for Survivors, also known as TAPS.

The Gold Star Mothers, TAPS and other private outreach organizations have local chapters all across the United States to help survivors grieve. Such groups are equally committed to reminding survivors that they're not forgotten in the military community, Engeman said.

Nearly three years have passed since Engeman became a widow. The support systems and programs aren't perfect, but they're making a difference with renewed commitments from the Pentagon, VA, individual units as well as civilian organizations, she said.

"Losing a loved one is probably the most devastating thing you'll ever have to go through in life, but you can rebuild and you can go forward," Engeman said. "My hope is that five years, eight years down the road, when a survivor is unfortunately talking about their experiences, they'll mention how they had great support from a great casualty assistance officer. I think we can do that."

MILITARY CONTRACTS September 16, 2009

NAVY
Goldbelt Hawk LLC, Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $33,562,450 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee pricing to support the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the U.S. Strategic Command, Joint Information Operations Warfare Command (JIOWC). The services to be provided under this contract will support the Strategic Planning and Technology Integration Program focused on improving capabilities on a tactical, operational and strategic level that includes evaluation and implementation of a broad range of communication tools, techniques and systems supporting the full range of IO requirements. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and work is expected to be completed Sept. 15, 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $125,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured: this will be a sole-source contract awarded to an SBA-certified 8(a) Alaskan Native Corporation in accordance with FAR 19.805-1(b)(2). The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) is the contracting activity (N66001-09-D-0108).

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $22,227,453 modification to definitize a previously awarded undefinitized contract action (N68936-09-C-0097) to a cost-plus fixed-fee contract. This contract provides for the design, development, fabrication, installation, and integration of an all-inclusive Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) hardware in the loop simulation system for military construction project P710 at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., in accordance with the 2005 BRAC Act. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz. (75 percent) and China Lake, Calif. (25 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 Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Co., El Segundo, Calif., is being awarded an $8,503,460 modification to a previously awarded delivery order against a basic order agreement (N00019-05-G-0008) for incorporation of the integrated logistics support portion of Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) 0035, entitled Electro Optical (EO) Daylight Operations Improvements Step 2. ECP 0035 will bring EO sensor performance on F-18 aircraft within specification compliance for laser designation accuracy, geo-point targeting, tracker performance, and weapons delivery through hardware and software retrofits. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. (75 percent) and McKinney, Texas (25 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2012. Contract funds in the amount of $8,270,037 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Arnold Defense & Electronics*, Arnold, Mo. is being awarded a $6,473,875 firm-fixed- price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the manufacture and delivery of seven tube and 19 tube 2.75 inch rocket launchers to support the Navy and Air Force. The rocket launchers will be used to launch rockets off rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (64.0 percent), Air Force (28.0 percent), and the government of Mexico (8.0 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $15,223,063. Work will be performed in Arnold, Mo., and is expected to be completed by September 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $1,050,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities website, with nineproposals solicited and two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division, Indian Head, Md. is the contracting activity for N00174-09-D-0034.

HDR Engineering, Inc., Colorado Springs, Colo., is being awarded a $6,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract modification under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N69450-09-D-0090) to increase the maximum dollar value of the base period for Professional Facilities Planning Services for various project types throughout the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast area of responsibility (AOR). After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $7,500,000. Work will be performed in the NAVFAC Southeast AOR, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE
EMC Corp., of McLean, Va, was awarded a $24,900,000 contract which will furnish the design, implementation, and testing of all storage and replication or architectural equipment at various sites throughout the Department of Defense Intelligence Information System and Air Force intelligence community. At this time, $4,558,003 has been obligated. AFRL/RIKO, Rome, N.Y., is the contracting activity. (FA8751-09-D-0007)

InDyne Inc., of Reston, Va., was awarded a $24,582,896 was awarded a $24,582,896 contract to provide infrastructure operations and maintenance services contract is for non-personal services involving operation and maintenance of the facilities, systems, equipment, utilities and infrastructure primarily for Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and several Florida annexes in support of the 45th Space Wing and its mission partners. At this time, no money has been obligated. 45 CONS/LGCZC, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (FA2521-08-C-0006,P00017)

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. of Herndon, Va., was awarded a $21,255,976 contract to provide Marine Forces Reserve survivable conventional force requirements and technical analysis of combat operations for Commanding General Marine Forces Reserve. At this time, $1,040,000 has been obligated. 55 CONS, LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska is the contracting activity. (SP0700-03-D-1380, DO:0331)

Booz Allen Hamilton of Herndon, Va., was awarded a $19,322,574 contract to provide situational awareness and command and control technical analysis for Headquarters Air Force Space Command. At this time $19,322,574 has been obligated. 55 CONS, LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska is the contracting activity. (SP0700-03-D-1380,DO:0334)

Booz Allen Hamilton of Herndon, Va., was awarded a $13,526,284 contract which will provide technical analyses and Assessment of the survivability, vulnerabilities, and lethality for the combat air forces weapons systems. At this time, $947,835 has been obligated. 55 CONS, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, is the contracting activity. (SP0700-03-D-1380, DO:0332)
Booz Allen Hamilton of Herndon, Va., was awarded a $9,661,604 contract which will provide United States Pacific Command mission assurance development. At this time, $404,811 has been obligated. 55 CONS, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska is the contracting activity. (SP0700-03-D-1380, DO:0333)

Sparta, Inc. of Lake Forest, Calif., was awarded an $8,400,936 contract which will provide Comprehensive Routing Security Development and Deployment for the Internet. At this time, $825,000 has been obligated. AFRL/RIKD, Rome, N.Y. is the contracting activity. (FA8750-09-C-0192)

ARMY
Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Co., Pine Bluff, Ark., was awarded on Sept. 14, 2009 a $14,500,000 firm-fixed-price contract for federal funds, emergency supplemental for Hurricane Ike. Work is to be performed in Jefferson County, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2011. Eleven bids were solicited with six bids received. U.S.A. Engineer District, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W912HY-09-C-0031).

Conrad Shipyard, L.L.C., Morgan City, La., was awarded on Sept. 14, 2009 a $13,059,975 firm-fixed-price contract to acquire a welded steel, split-hull type shallow draft dredge conforming to commercial standards. The vessel is intended to serve the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, South Atlantic Division, Wilmington District, in support of the Wilmington District dredging mission. Work is to be performed in Morgan City, L.A., with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2011. Thirty-six bids solicited with seven bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (W912BU-09-C-0053).

Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems, Redondo Beach, Calif., was awarded on Sept. 14, 2009 a $12,386,591 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This project is for research on the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Nitride Electronic Next Generation Technology Program. The Northrop Grumman team will develop device and integration technologies necessary to realize enhancement and depletion mode nitride transistors that simultaneously provide extremely high-speed and high-voltage operation in a process consistent with large scale integration in circuits of 1,000 or more transistors. Work is to be performed in Redondo Beach, Calif., (67.48 percent), Santa Barbara, Calif., (18.77 percent), Linthieum, Md., (4.99 percent), Tempe, Ariz., (5.53 percent), University Park, Pa., (3.23 percent) with an estimated completion date of Sept. 13, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with six bids received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-09-C-0132).

Iron Bridge Construction Inc., Chesterfield, Va., was awarded on Sept. 14, 2009 a $12,273,879 firm-fixed-price contract for the design / build for Special Operations Forces Battalion Headquarters Facility for 112th Signal Battalion. Primary facilities include a 61,500 square foot two story group headquarters building, organizational classroom, language laboratory, sensitive compartmented information facility, arms room, and conference rooms. The work will include commissioning, installation of intrusion detection system and connection to the energy monitoring and control system. Supporting facilities includes related site-work and utilities, lighting, information systems, protected distribution systems between buildings for communication, parking lot, walks, curbs and gutters, storm drainage, fencing, site accessories, landscaping and other site improvements. Work is to be performed in Fort Bragg, N.C., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 7, 2011. Five bids solicited with five bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-09-C-0046).

Caterpillar, Inc., Mossville, Ill., was awarded on Sept. 14, 2009 a $11,056,965 firm-fixed-price contract for the replacement of equipment for the USACE dredge wheeler. Equipment consists of a propulsion engine and gearbox assembly systems (twin shaft), dredge pump generator system (two diesel generator engines), control system interface components and integration, propulsion and dredge pump generator controls, control wiring harnesses, installation support technical services, and technical and design services for overall control and functionality. Work is to be performed in Lafayette, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2011. Ten bids were solicited with two bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (W912BU-09-C-0052).

Adira Construction Inc., Chesapeake, Va., was awarded on Sept. 14, 2009 a $5,938,957 firm-fixed-price contract for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning repairs and improvements projects in support of Veterans Administration at Salem Medical Campus. Work is to be performed in Salem, Va., with an estimated completion date of May 30, 2010. Bids were solicited via FedBizOpps with four bids received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineer, Norfolk District, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (W91236-09-C-0078).

Green, Inc., / W.G. Yates & Son Construction Co., A Joint, Biloxi, Miss., was awarded on Sept. 11, 2009 a $25,763,348 firm-fixed-price contract. This project includes work which will reduce the moisture infiltration in 24 Volar Barracks building. Specific items of work consist of installing roof over each courtyard, conditioning hallways and vestibules, enclosing vestibules and entrances and stair towers, enclosing vestibules at courtyards, repairing exterior brick walls, installing aluminum stair treads, insulating mechanical duets, insulation, chilled water piping in the mechanical rooms, and weatherproofing mechanical room doors. Work is to be performed in Fort Stewart, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 2, 2010. Seven bids were solicited with six bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W91278-07-D-0045).

Cato, LP., Cleburne, Texas., was awarded on Sept. 11, 2009 a $24,474,850 firm-fixed-price contract for Southwest Pass Pike dike repairs from Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico. Work is to be performed in Plaquemines Parish, L.A., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 5, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with one bids received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, New Orleans, L.A., is the contracting activity (W912P8-09-C-0112).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Navistar Defense, Warrenville, Ill. is being awarded a maximum $8,803,516 firm fixed price, sole source contract for axel assembly parts. Other locations of performance are North Carolina, Ohio and Illinois. Using service is Army and Air Force. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is January 14, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Warren (DSCC-ZG), Warren, Mich. (SPRDL1-09-C-0118).

Released on August 26, 2009 – Correction:

Caterpillar, Inc., Mossville, Ill. is being awarded a maximum $13,952,224 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for adverse terrain forklifts. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. There were originally three proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 18, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM500-01-D-0036).