Army suicides hit record number in June

By Liz Goodwin liz Goodwin –

Thirty-two soldiers took their own lives last month, the most Army suicides in a single month since the Vietnam era. Eleven of the soldiers were not on active duty. Of the 21 who were, seven were serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, the Department of Defense said.
Army officials say they don't have any answers to why more and more soldiers are resorting to suicide.
"There were no trends to any one unit, camp, post or station," Col. Chris Philbrick, head of the Army's suicide prevention task force, told CNN. "I have no silver bullet to answer the question why."

Last year, a record-breaking 245 soldiers committed suicide. The Army seems on track to surpass that number this year, as 145 soldiers have taken their lives in the first half of 2010.
Tim Embree of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America testified Wednesday before the House Veterans Affairs Committee that many soldiers fear seeking help.
"The heavy stigma associated with mental health care stops many service members and veterans from seeking treatment," he said. "More than half of soldiers and Marines in Iraq who tested positive for a psychological injury reported concerns that they will be seen as weak by their fellow service members."
He pointed out that the statistics don't include the number of veterans who end their own lives. That figure surged 26 percent from 2005 to 2007, according to the Veterans Affairs Department.
The Army has a 24-hour suicide prevention hotline, and has videos and other resources on its website. The Army's new suicide prevention video features a soldier talking about his own failed suicide attempt after his wife said she wanted to divorce him. The rifle he used to try to kill himself didn't fire, he says, and he later found out his comrade had disabled it because he was worried about him.

Pakistan Navy trains with Coast Guard VBSS Team

by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brianna K. Dandridge

The sailors underwent training that included visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) techniques, basic shipboard tactical movement, and self-defense in an effort to further enhance regional maritime safety and security in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR).

According to Pakistan Navy Lt. Ahmed Sher, the skills acquired during the training will continue to benefit Pakistan and will be used by their country’s VBSS teams.

“I will teach the same techniques to my own service,” said Sher. “The tactics learned during this training will be added to current training for our teams in Pakistan.”

U.S. Coast Guard Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Dan Burgoyne, one of the trainers said the Pakistan Navy already had some experience with the procedures, and the course reflected the experience of the students.

“The training program that we have established is intensive,” he said. “We employ a fast-paced combination of classroom and practical training.”

Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) Commanding Officer Commander Scott Bauby said the training demonstrated the effectiveness of coalition operations and maritime protection. He added that the training is essential for both the Pakistani and U.S. militaries.

“This two-week professional exchange provided a great opportunity for our two visit, board, search and seizure teams to share ideas,” said Bauby. “The U.S. Coast Guard and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (MSA) are loyal friends who face many of the same challenges. We look forward to building on this success and strengthening our relationship with the MSA during the coming months.”

U.S. Coast Guard VBSS teams are a part of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5, which was re-established in November 2009 to support amphibious forces deployed to the region, mine warfare, contingency response missions, maritime humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations within the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Pacific Partnership 2010 Departs Tobelo, Morotai

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Matthew Jackson, Pacific Partnership 2010 Public Affairs

TOBELO, Indonesia (NNS) -- Pacific Partnership 2010 (PP10) departed Tobelo and Morotai, Indonesia, July 17 concluding four days of operations alongside the people of Indonesia after delivering a variety of humanitarian and civic assistance programs ashore and surgical treatment aboard hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19)

Several distinguished visitors were present to show their support for PP10, including Ir. Hain Namotemo, the bupati (regent) of the Tobelo Regency, and Dr. Andus Said Bajak, the vice of committee.

Commander, PP10, Capt. Lisa M. Franchetti gave remarks during the closing ceremony, expressing her thoughts on operations in Tobelo.

"It is hard for me to believe we met here just four days ago, in the same place to open Pacific Partnership 2010 in Indonesia," said Franchetti.

Tobelo, Indonesia, hosted the opening ceremony for PP10 participants just days before. Mercy will be in Indonesia's North Maluku and Maluku Provinces through August 4, conducting disaster response fleet exercises in coordination with the local governments.

"Since then [July 14] many people, doctors, dentists, pharmacists, engineers, volunteers, patients, visitors and a tremendous amount of medical supplies and medicines have crossed the pier in Tobelo, or passed through the sky on our helicopters, taking their spot in the history of Pacific Partnership 10," Franchetti said.

During the disaster relief exercise, PP10 treated approximately 5,700 medical patients ashore, issued 3,900 pairs of glasses, performed more than 50 surgeries and treated more than 150 patients aboard the hospital ship, provided veterinary care for 450 animals, conducted subject matter expert exchanges and made $200,000 dollars worth of repairs to medical equipment.

Namotemo shared his gratitude on behalf of the people of Tobelo for PP10's partnership with them during that past several days.

"As the head of this region, I would like to say thank you to everybody for all the support, good coordination, and everything that you gave for this mission," said Namotemo. "I hope this friendship will bring a good memory for each one of us here. This experience gives us a new dimension to our future."

While medical civic action programs throughout the region offered a wide variety of medical care for local Indonesians, the events were equally beneficial for PP10 medical professionals, said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Kahlil Weaver, an optician assigned to Mercy.

"It feels great to actually make a difference in someone's life by providing medical care and then receiving that gratifying smile from them," said Weaver. "I believe this is one of the best things we as Americans, partner nations, and all PP10 participants aboard Mercy have the opportunity to do. Sharing hope is a wonderful thing, and that is what I believe we are doing as a whole."

Community service (COMSERV) projects included a visit to Rumah Sejahtera Orphanage, a soccer game with local Indonesian citizens and a five-kilometer walk/run with North Halmahera Regency civil servants. The COMSERVs brought participants together to enrich partnerships in ways professional operations perhaps do not.

"It has been a lifelong desire of mine to visit and serve at an orphanage," said Lt. Cmdr. Kerry Climo, deputy director of naval medicine, New Zealand Defence Force. "The COMSERV was rewarding for me because play is a universal language that is spoken by all people, young and old. There's no need to exchange words, we all seemed to completely understand each other while playing."

Climo explained how COMSERVs further improve the quality of partnerships.

"These events enrich the quality of partnerships. Working alongside each other is the key to success on a mission such as PP10. All boundaries disappear as soon as you realize that this is not about you…it is about the children you are serving," said Climo.

Having completed medical, dental, surgical, engineering and COMSERV events in Tobelo and Morotai, the hospital ship will transit to Ternate and conduct operations in Ternate, Tidore, Jailolo, Sofifi and Mare Island.

PP10 is the fifth in a series of annual U.S. Pacific Fleet endeavors conducted in Indonesia as a disaster relief exercise aimed at strengthening regional relationships with host and partner nations in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Pacific Partnership 2010 Seabees Repair Indonesian Hospital

By Lt. j.g. Nelson Balido, Pacific Partnership 2010 Public Affairs

TOBELO, Indonesia (NNS) -- U.S. Navy Seabees completed renovations of a World War II-era Daruba hospital on the island of Morotai in Tobelo, Indonesia, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 15, as part of the Pacific Partnership 2010 (PP10) engineering civic action program (ENCAP).

Officials from the local government and hospital staff, PP10 Mission Commander Capt. Lisa M. Franchetti and area residents were on hand for the festive event.

Construction Electrician 2nd Class Jacob Simino, the project's crew leader, said local residents gave the Sailors a warm welcome.

"Pacific Partnership is about showing the people of the host nation that we really care about them. The previous use by Allied forces of this hospital is a historical fact that is in the hearts and minds of the locals no matter what their age," said Simino.

The hospital was built in 1945 and used by Allied Forces in World War II. This renovation program, conducted by the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 from Gulfport, Miss., is vital to the people in the surrounding area.

Some of the work included roof repairs, replacing more than 2,500 square feet of tile, new windows and doors; installation of electrical fixtures; refinishing the interior and exterior walls; painting the entire structure inside and out; and cleaning up the landscape.

There was never a moment when the renovation crew was without an audience. Local children played close by, occasionally inviting the Seabees to play soccer. The hospital's nurses and physicians excitedly peeked in the building to see the miraculous transformation it had undergone in just a few short weeks.

"This has truly been a rewarding experience," said Utilitiesman 2nd Class Anthony Sheffield. "It's not every day that you get to work in a place where the people truly appreciate what you are doing; I am going to miss them."

Currently, the hospital serves 15,000 residents on the island. The staff includes two doctors, one dentist and 39 nurses. This extension will bring back to service various areas that were dilapidated.

This clinic, like most PP10 exercise project sites that are in need of renovations or related work, is co-determined by the host nation government and the ENCAP team leadership.

The Seabees worked long days to meet the tight completion schedule. The renovations will affect more than 1,000 patients per month, providing them with a clean and safe environment for services.

Builder 3rd Class John Richard Gernhard said despite difficulties in getting materials to such a remote location, the work went well.

"The best part of all is that this building will be used for another 50 years, and the kids we play soccer with will be able to get proper access to health care. That alone is worth what we are doing," said Gernhard.

The ENCAP is part of PP10, the fifth in a series of annual U.S. Pacific Fleet endeavors conducted in Indonesia as a disaster relief exercise aimed at strengthening regional partnerships and increasing interoperability with U.S. interagency, host nations, partner nations and international humanitarian and relief organizations.

PP10 has included visits to Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.

Thirty Truman Sailors Earn Warfare Pins

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonnie Hobby, USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Thirty USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Sailors were awarded enlisted surface warfare specialist (ESWS) and enlisted aviation warfare specialist (EAWS) designations during a pinning ceremony July 16.

Earning a warfare qualification represents a milestone in a Sailor's career and signifies professionalism, dedication and Navy pride along with making a service member more competitive for advancement.

The pinning ceremony marks the first of what Truman leadership hopes will be many mass warfare pinning ceremonies during the aircraft carrier's deployment. Electronics Technician Senior Chief (SW/AW) Michael Callaway, Truman's command ESWS coordinator, said leadership felt it was important to make the ceremony a command function.

"They wanted all the folks in the audience to be able to see their shipmates getting pinned," he said. "Sailors who spent time working with them or who eat with them on the mess decks will see them and think, 'If they can do it, so can I.'"

Machinist Mate 3rd Class (SW/AW) Kara Harris spent six months working on her EAWS qualification, and said she believes the hard work in earning the qualification was worth the sacrifice.

"I worked hard to get this pin, and it felt good to be recognized by the upper-chain of command," she said. "I think my chief was very proud of me. Other than my mentor, he was the one who supported me the most while I was working on this qualification."

Callaway said the commanding officer, command master chief and warfare program coordinators brainstormed for hours to decide when, where and how the ceremony should occur to make it a memorable experience for the awardees.

"A lot of thought went into deciding how we should do it," said Callaway. "You only get pinned once, and we wanted the ceremony to be special for the Sailors who worked hard to achieve their goal."

The new warfare specialists were able to choose the person to pin their qualification. Many Sailors said that the ability to select the mentor who had a positive impact on their Naval career and contributed to their professional development made the experience more meaningful.

"I liked that we were able to pick the person to pin us as opposed to somebody we don't really know or who didn't directly interact with us," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW) Angeli Ancho, one of 20 Sailors earning the ESWS pin. "Being recognized by the captain and your peers for such an accomplishment—especially for the junior Sailors—is a very important and motivating thing."

Shoup, Momsen Train for Strike Group Operations

By Lt. Jacquelyn R. Bengfort, USS Shoup (DDG 86) Public Affairs

USS SHOUP, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Shoup (DDG 86) and USS Momsen (DDG 92) departed Naval Station Everett, Wash., July 15 to participate in a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) with the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group.

The intermediate level battle group exercise is designed to forge together the battle group and its components into a fully functional fighting team.

The exercise is a critical part of the strike group's pre-deployment training designed to train the ship, embarked air wing and other units that make up the carrier strike group to function as one highly effective fighting force.

"It's invigorating to be steaming south, since these exercises are the culmination of everything we've been working toward," said Lt. j.g. Janel Hansen, Shoup's newest officer of the deck. "This is really the last step before we deploy and see these scenarios in the real world."

During the exercise, the strike group will simulate the type of scenarios that could be faced while deployed. The outcome will certify the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group for open-ocean operations and moves the strike group forward within the fleet response plan, allowing the Navy to deploy a flexible naval force capable of surging quickly.

Shoup and Momsen wasted no time once at sea, using July 15 afternoon to practice counter-piracy operations and small boat attack responses. Additionally, Shoup received training in electronic charting procedures from Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific and began a multi-day mock engineering inspection with the help of Regional Support Organization Pacific Northwest.

"This is the opportunity to show our strike group commander that Shoup is ready to deploy, and we're all in," said Lt. Paul Willis, Shoup's combat systems officer. "Above, on and below the sea, Shoup is prepared to do the nation's work, and our Sailors are up for the challenge."

Shoup is homeported in Everett, Wash. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is also comprised of Carrier Air Wing 2, Destroyer Squadron 9 and the USS Cape St. George (CG 71).

Pacific Partnership 2010 Completes First MEDCAP in Indonesia

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Brian Gaines, Pacific Partnership 2010 Public Affairs

TOBELO, Indonesia (NNS) -- Pacific Partnership 2010 completed its first medical civic action program (MEDCAP) at the Negeri School in Tobelo, Indonesia, July 17 during the first leg of the mission's Indonesia visit.

The medical personnel attached to the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) kicked off the MEDCAP by treating approximately 600 patients on the first day of operations.

"We saw and treated a wide variety of ailments," said Cmdr. Bharat Patel, officer-in-charge of the Negeri site. "In optometry, we discovered a lot of cataracts, some of which will require surgery to correct. We also saw a lot of infections, colds and injuries. In pediatrics, we saw the entire gamut, from inner ear infections to more serious medical conditions."

The patients were highly organized throughout their visit to the clinic. From check-in to discharge, the crowd moved efficiently through the MEDCAP site. "It was in part due to our streamlined system, and partly due to cultural etiquette," said Patel. "I have noticed a great respect for elders in the community. Earlier today, a crowd formed at the entrance and an elderly man spoke up and suddenly a single file line had formed."

In addition to the MEDCAPs offered by Pacific Partnership, military and civilian medical professionals also offered dental and veterinary civic action programs. Dental personnel were on hand to provide oral care to the local population. This was a unique opportunity for Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Stephanie Agirre, a Reservist stationed in Tucson, Ariz., as this was her first dental civic action program.

"We have done a lot of tooth extractions in the heat today," said Agirre. "However, this is a great opportunity and I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Over the course of the three-day MEDCAP at Negeri, there were subject matter expert exchanges between those embarked aboard Mercy and members of the Ministry of Health, as well as renovations to the school during an engineering civic action program. Those involved in Pacific Partnership 2010 are given the unique opportunity to work by, with and through the host nation at their invitation. The Negeri site was unique in that there were several programs going on simultaneously.

Pacific Partnership 2010 is the fifth in a series of annual U.S. Pacific Fleet endeavors conducted in Indonesia as a disaster relief exercise to strengthen regional partnerships between the U.S., partner and host nations and international humanitarian and relief organizations.

To date, Pacific Partnership 2010 has included visits to Vietnam and Cambodia. While in Indonesia, Pacific Partnership will stop in the areas of Tobelo and Morotai, Ternate and Ambon.

Navy, Coast Guard Promote Summer Water Safety

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Stirrup, Commander Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

HONOLULU (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard joined together to promote summer water safety at local television station KHON2 in Honolulu July 15.

Lt. Jennifer Hall, diving and undersea medical officer for Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1, and Coast Guard Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Garrett Hamilton offered advice and tips for people engaging in water activities.

During the interview, Hamilton talked about the importance of wearing life jackets while being aboard a boat.

"It is always safe and recommended to wear a life jacket the moment you get aboard a boat. Life jackets don't work if you don't wear them," Hamilton said. "Also, as per federal regulation, anyone aboard a boat who is 12 years or younger must wear a life jacket at all times."

Hall noted that while diving and snorkeling are some of the more popular water activities in Hawaii, people should make sure they have proper equipment and have received training.

"If you want to become dive certified, take a course that will provide classroom training, pool in-water training and open-water dive training. The course should provide a good deal of in-water training," said Hall. "You should also make sure you are familiar with your dive equipment and ensure it is in good working order, including the maintenance and safety checks."

Hamilton spoke about the importance of being sober while operating a boat.

"Boating under the influence can have the same consequences as driving under the influence," said Hamilton. "Intoxication can impair your judgment while operating a vessel, and just like driving, boat collisions can happen on the water."

Hall also talked about the significance of having a plan when taking part in diving and snorkeling activities.

"The Navy is a big proponent of first having a plan and then adhering to the plan. We always say as divers, 'plan the dive and dive the plan,'" said Hall. "I always tell our Sailors that they should feel their best while in the water. If there's any doubt or concern physically or with safety, then you should not put yourself at risk."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 3,500 unintentional drownings occur in the United States each year, and for every one drowning victim, there are up to five non-fatal drowning events which can result in lifelong complications, including significant brain damage. In addition, almost 500 die from other boating-related incidents.

US Ships Aid Romanian Sailor At Sea

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rachel McMarr, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- The USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) will return a Romanian Sailor to his ship, the Liberian-flagged motor vessel (M/V) Antonis A, July 16 after Mesa Verde's medical team treated him for severe dehydration.

The Romanian Sailor became ill while his ship was operating in the northern Red Sea, which prompted the master-of-the-vessel to issue a medical distress call to guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) over bridge-to-bridge communications at about 1:30 a.m.

San Jacinto dispatched a search and rescue (SAR) team in a SH-60 Seahawk helicopter, the Mayport, Fla.-based "Proud Warrior," to pick up the ailing man and transport him to nearby Mesa Verde, which has a large on board medical and trauma facility.

Upon the SAR team's arrival, the Mesa Verde medical team treated the Sailor and determined he was suffering from severe dehydration.

Mesa Verde and San Jacinto are both transiting the Red Sea to return to their homeport in Norfolk having completed a successful deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Active Duty Service Members Help San Diego-Area Veterans During Stand Down 2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) James R. Evans, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Dozens of San Diego's homeless veterans got a helping hand from active duty service members July 16-18 during the Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD) Stand Down 2010.

Stand Down is an annual three-day event in which homeless veterans and their families can receive free services including health care, substance abuse counseling, legal and employment assistance and food and clothing distribution.

As in years past, the event was held in a tent city erected by active duty military volunteers on San Diego High School's athletic field.

"One of the main goals of Stand Down is to take care of some of the physical needs of the veterans who are homeless because it's very difficult being on the street," said Dr. Jon Nachison, Stand Down's director.

"There are a lot of medical issues, and we want to be able to take care of those people, give them some clothing and fill their bellies. I also want to have an effect on people's spirit, and I think of Stand Down as kind of like boot camp for the spirit," said Nachison.

Nachison said that by providing such basic services and a sense of community, Stand Down gives homeless veterans the tools they need to begin the process of getting off the streets.

He estimated that by the end of the weekend, close to 3,000 volunteers will have donated their time to helping up to 1,000 homeless veterans accomplish that goal. Many of those volunteers are active duty service members from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

"The active duty participation is invaluable," said Nachison. "Everything you see here was set up by active duty, mostly Marines and Seabees who helped set up the tents."

For those Sailors and Marines who volunteer, Nachison said Stand Down can be a learning experience.

"If you look across the America, one third of our homeless are military veterans," said Nachison. "As a person on active duty, you think, 'I'm going to get out and everything is going to be fine, but you don't know that. Coming here can be like a wake-up call. We all have to take care of each other."

Among the camouflage netting and olive green tents, Sailors and Marines in uniform could be seen providing security, conducting health screenings and assisting with legal documents for veterans in the homeless and family court areas.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Ian Polage, assigned to Navy Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD), was one of several Sailors working in NMCSD's health clinic performing triage and doing initial health screenings for sick call. Polage said he volunteered because he would want someone to do the same for him.

"I want someone to take care of me when I'm old if I need this kind of help. These people served their country, so this is the least we can do," said Polage.

One of the patients he treated was Edward Patterson, a Marine Corps veteran.

"This is really good from the point of view of people in the streets," said Patterson. "The vets are getting care from the new kids, and I think it's much needed. It's a good time for us to come in off the streets."

MILITARY CONTRACTS July 16, 2010

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Science Applications International Corp., (SAIC), Fairfield, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $241,000,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity contract to provide support for industrial line items. Other locations of performance are Ala., and Texas. Using service is Army. There were originally five proposals solicited with four responses. The date of performance completion is July 2018. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Columbus, Columbus, Ohio (SPM7LX-10-D-9006).

Woolrich, Inc., Woolrich, Pa., * is being awarded a maximum $24,829,825 firm fixed price, sole source contract for trousers. Other locations of performance are Beaumont, Texas, Yazoo City, Miss., and Jersey Shore, Pa. Using service is Army. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. The date of performance completion is July 16, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM1C1-10-D-1076).

Bremen-Bowdon Investment Co., Bowdon, Ga., ** is being awarded a maximum $13,600,263 firm fixed price, sole source contract for coats. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. The date of performance completion is July 16, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM1C1-10-D-1069).

Sinclair Oil Corp., Salt Lake City, Utah is being awarded a maximum $10,333,350 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for fuel. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. There were originally nine proposals solicited with one response. The date of performance completion is November 30, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-10-D-0488).

AIR FORCE

Toland & Mizell Architects Inc. of Atlanta, Ga., was awarded a $47,500,000 contractwhich will provide architectural and engineering services in support of the Air Force Reserve Command mission. At this time, $50,000 has been obligated. AFRC/A7KA, Robbins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA6643-10-D-0004).

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., of Sunnyvale, Calif., was awarded a $34,804,061 contract modification which will exercise the fourth option for Space Based Infrared Systems Highly Elliptical Earth Orbit payload three Launch and Early On-Orbit Support. At this time, $548,174 has been obligated. ISSW/PKF, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8810-08-C-0002; P00012).

United Technologies Corp., of San Antonio, Texas was awarded a $16,562,574.42 contract which will provide 324 remanufactured F-100/220/220E engine combustion chambers for F-15 and F-16 aircraft. At this time no funds have been obligated. 448 SCMG/PKBB, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8121-10-D-0011).

NAVY

Lockheed Martin Corp., Akron, Ohio, is being awarded a $16,735,867 undefinitized ceiling priced order #0006 under previously awarded contract (N00104-07-G-0726) for manufacture of various components for the MK54 vertical launched ASROC (anti-submarine rocket) missile. Work will be performed in Akron, Ohio. Work is to be completed by August 2012. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively awarded. The Naval Inventory Control Point, Mechanicsburg, Pa., is the contracting activity.

Country, Rock Bands Perform Aboard Nassau

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jonathan Pankau, USS Nassau (LHA 4) Public Affairs

USS NASSAU, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Nassau (LHA 4) Sailors were treated to live music performances while the ship transited in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) July 10.

This event was the final stop for country music artist Natalie Stovall and alternative rock band SafteySuit.

They performed at 30 military bases stateside and overseas and signed autographs for Sailors and Marines.

"I don't think we've ever played a cooler venue than overlooking the flight deck of a Navy warship surrounded by the ocean," said Doug Brown, SafetySuit's lead singer. "While we were touring with 3 Doors Down, they told us that the most important thing is to take time out of our schedules to support the military. Playing on the huge flight deck with three Harriers facing us really put the military's hard work and effort into perspective."

Stovall was impressed when Nassau Commanding Officer Capt. Ronald Reis explained to her how the ship's AV-8B Harriers from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (VMM 162), the "Golden Eagles," take off from the flight deck.

"After he was done I asked him why the jets and helicopters were facing the opposite direction," Stovall said. "He said it was so we had something awesome to look at while we performed. I was really choked up by that because we came out to play for you guys, who sacrifice everything for our country, and you still take the time to do little things like reposition Harriers and Ospreys to let us know how much you appreciate us too."

Stovall and SafetySuit agreed the military shows they played are the best venues, citing the energy level from the crowds.

"When Stovall played 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia' I just had to get up and line dance," said Marine Cpl. Travis Cruse.

"I was impressed at how approachable the rock stars were," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Jeremy Wilson, from Cleveland. "One of the guitarists from SafetySuit even wrestled around with the Marines during the MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) demonstration. You could tell they really wanted to be here, and they supported everything we do."

The Nassau Amphibious Ready Group (ARG)/24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) were relieved by the Pelileu ARG and 15th MEU July 14 and are returning to their homeport of Norfolk.

NAS ARG is comprised of ships from Amphibious Squadron 8, including Nassau, USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) and USS Ashland (LSD 48). Marines from the 24th MEU complete the group.

Norfolk Ships Partner, Marines, Coast Guard, Rescue Eight Mariners

From U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Two Norfolk-based ships partnered with Marines and Coast Guard to rescue eight civilian mariners after receiving a distress signal from a civilian fishing vessel July 16.

Coordination between multiple organizations led to the successful rescue of all personnel, which occurred approximately 15 miles off the coast of Cape Lookout, N.C.

The fishing vessel reported it was taking on water and capsizing at approximately 9:30 a.m.

The guided-missile frigate USS Hawes (FFG 53), patrol coastal ship USS Tempest (PC 2), U.S. Coast Guard cutter Albacore (WPB 87309) and a Marine Corps helicopter participated in rescue efforts.

First on scene was a search and rescue helicopter from the Marine Corps Base at Cherry Point, N.C., which deployed a rescue swimmer and retrieved the first of the eight survivors from the water.

Next, Tempest arrived and deployed a small boat with rescue swimmers who recovered five survivors. The final two mariners were rescued by Albacore, stationed at Fort Macon, N.C.

All eight people were reported to be in good condition and transported back to Fort Macon, N.C., for further treatment and evaluation.

Hawes and Tempest are participating in the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX). COMPTUEX, which is scheduled by Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet and conducted by a training team led by Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic, is a joint/combined exercise conducted off the East Coast of the United States July 7-30.

Seven WWII Airmen buried at Arlington National Cemetery

by Michael Tolzmann
Defense Media Activity

7/16/2010 - ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va. (AFNS) -- The remains of seven Airmen missing in action from World War II were buried July 15 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

The Airmen are Capt. Joseph M. Olbinski, Chicago; 1st Lt. Joseph J. Auld, Floral Park, N.Y.; 1st Lt. Robert M. Anderson, Millen, Ga.; Tech. Sgt. Clarence E. Frantz, Tyrone, Pa.; Pfc. Richard M. Dawson, Haynesville, Va.; Pvt. Robert L. Crane, Sacramento, Calif.; and Pvt. Fred G. Fagan, Piedmont, Ala.; all U.S. Army Air Forces.

According to information provided by the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office, the Airmen were aboard a C-47A Skytrain that departed Dinjan, India, May 23, 1944, on an airdrop mission to resupply Allied forces near Myitkyina, Burma. When the crew failed to return, air and ground searches found no evidence of the aircraft along the intended flight path.

Fifty-eight years later, a missionary provided U.S. officials a data plate from a C-47 crash site, located approximately 31 miles northwest of Myitkyina. And in 2003, a Burmese citizen turned over human remains and identification tags for three of the crewmembers.

A Joint POW-MIA Accounting Command team excavated the crash site in 2003 and 2004, recovering remains and equipment. Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from the Joint POW-MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA, which matched some of the crewmembers' families, as well as dental comparisons in the identification of the remains.

Two caskets were used. Lieutenant Auld's remains were individually identified and buried separately in a gravesite adjacent to a group burial site for all of the others. Another casket contained remains that were positively identified to be Anderson along with co-mingled group remains that could not be individually identified. A marker with the names of all crewmembers will be placed at the gravesite.

Family members from six of the seven Airmen were present for internment that took place in Section 60, an active burial section of Arlington National Cemetery. The section is approximately two-thirds full, with burials taking place there almost daily. Veterans from many different eras, including World War II, Korea and Vietnam, are buried in this section, alongside the servicemembers killed in the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

ACC hosts MWD training seminar at Langley

by Airman 1st Class Jason J. Brown
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

7/16/2010 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFNS) -- Military working dogs and their handlers from across Air Combat Command assembled here June 28 through July 2 for the first military working dog training seminar.

The handlers and dogs attended the five day course, hosted by the 633rd Security Forces Squadron, to receive intensive education and training, including dog psychology and behavior, decoy training, and ways to improve working dog performance.

The seminar provided the upgrade training for security forces MWD teams to be successful at home and while deployed, said Staff Sgt. Gary Cheney, a 633rd SFS MWD handler.

"These dogs are safeguards on the front lines, at the gates finding bombs and drugs, supporting our sister services outside the wire," he said. "This training ensures that dogs and handlers can perform in the real world."

Master Sgt. Antonio Rodriguez, the 902nd Security Forces Squadron law enforcement operations superintendent from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, and Chris Jakubin, a U.S. Air Force Academy kennel master, administered the course, which began with a classroom session before handlers and dogs began hands-on decoy and prey training.

The instructors designed the program to enhance the dogs' abilities and educate handlers who, in turn, return to their respective units and share the training with other handlers.

Training activities included catching and "reading dogs," avoiding being bitten and interpreting a dog's behaviors and mannerisms.

Much of the training focused around gauging a dog's willingness to engage a suspect, known as a dog's "drive," Sergeant Cheney said.

"Learning the dog's psychology and doing decoy training allows me and the dog to do better patrol work," he said.

In addition to testing the dogs' behavior during decoy training, handlers donned tactical bite suits for dogs to apply their training as realistically as possible.

"Getting bit by your dog allows you to understand what the suspect is going through, just like when we use tasers and pepper spray on one another in training," Sergeant Cheney said. "The tactical bite suit made it more realistic. The dog recognizes the suspect is in pain and knows what to do."

In addition to hands-on training, handlers took advantage of the wealth of knowledge the kennel masters and more experienced handlers brought to the seminar.

"It was humbling to be around veteran kennel handlers," said Senior Airman Jonathan Bourgeois, a 633rd SFS military working dog handler. "I asked a lot of questions, trying to pull as much information as possible, because it's so rare to be around that much experience."

Guard members respond to brush fires in California

by Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke
National Guard Bureau

7/16/2010 - ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- Two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems 2 aircraft from the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing at Channel Island ANG Station, Calif., responded to a fire July 15 in Riverside County, Calif.

Guard officials said the unit was requested by the U.S. Forest Service through the National Interagency Fire Center after lightning caused a brush fire near Temecula.

The two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft flew one sortie for almost two hours and dropped 3,000 gallons of fire retardant on what the Riverside County Fire Department dubbed the "Skinner fire."

More than a dozen fires broke out in the county, as powerful thunderstorms rolled across the region, National Weather Service officials said.

The fire had burned about 711 acres and was about 15 percent contained by late July 15, according to local news reports. Full containment was estimated for July 16.

Assistance by the military is normally requested when national civilian resources are committed to fires and more resources are needed, guard officials said. The 146th AW was called to respond to this fire, because it needs 13 drops on actual fires for certification on the new MAFFS 2 system.

The unit was the first to transition to the MAFFS 2 system in 2008, and it remains the only unit flying the new system on the C-130J Super Hercules.

MAFFS 2 systems incorporate new design features and technology that provide a number of advantages over the legacy MAFFS systems, including improvements in fire retardant coverage level, improved safety features, reduction of corrosion of the aircraft and an on-board compressor.

MAFFS is a portable fire retardant delivery system that is rolled into the back of the C-130J Super Hercules cargo compartment. The system is capable of dropping up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant or water on wildfires. They can discharge their entire load in under five seconds.

Along with the 146th AW, there are three other MAFFS units, including the Wyoming ANG's 153rd AW, the North Carolina ANG's 145th AW, and the Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd AW, based in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Since 1974, National Guard and Air Force Reserve pilots have flown 6,500 firefighting missions, dropping 167 million pounds of fire retardant around the western U.S., officials said.

AF Personnel Center news service keeps Airmen informed

by Staff Sgt. Steve Grever
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs

7/16/2010 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- An electronic news service featuring the latest Air Force manpower, personnel and services information is available to help Airmen make informed decisions about their careers.

More than 15,000 members subscribe to the Manpower, Personnel and Services News Service. However, Air Force leaders encourage all Airmen to subscribe in order to ensure they keep aware of key program updates, initiatives and other news from the Air Force Personnel Center, the Air Force Manpower Agency and the Air Force Services Agency.

"One of the best ways to stay current on Air Force personnel, manpower and services programs is through this news service," said Paige Hughes, the AFPC, AFMA and AFSVA chief of public affairs. "It allows subscribers to receive timely e-mails with the latest news releases and articles related to a variety of Air Force-level programs that affect many aspects of Airmen's lives."

For the past six months, the news service has been used to distribute vital information on force management updates, civilian employment and career development opportunities, Air Force-level awards and the new fitness program.

Army Spouse Shares Deployment Tips

By Lee McMahon
Emerging Media, Defense Media Activity

July 15, 2010 - Sheet protectors, a frank discussion ahead of time and an 8x10 photo taped to the car seat -- these are a few of the tips Army spouse and mother Rebekah Sanderlin has come up with to help cope with family separations after more than a half-dozen deployments.

First: the sheet protectors.

"It is absolutely essential that the spouse at home has all the important documents in one, easy to find, place," the 28-year-old mother of two said during an interview with the Defense Media Activity.

Sanderlin points to sheet protectors and a three-ring binder as her go-to resource for birth certificates, Social Security cards, shot records, DEERS (Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System) enrollment forms, physical forms, her marriage license, and photo copies of passports, driver's licenses and military ID cards.

Another tip she recommends: start early.

"Several months before the deployment" Sanderlin said, "the servicemember-spouse should begin transitioning chores over to the at-home spouse. She [or he] will be the one doing everything and it's best that all the kinks get worked out ahead of time."

It does not hurt to try and be a mind-reader either, she noted.

"Try to foresee possible problems," Sanderlin said. "I think it would be helpful for soldiers to pass a list around where they could give the names and numbers of plumbers, electricians, and handy men that they have had good experiences with. When it's the middle of winter and the wife comes home late at night to find burst pipes, she's not going to have time to check the references on a plumber."

While no military family wants to talk about it, Sanderlin recommends not putting off the uncomfortable discussions. Like those around planning a spouse's final wishes.

"Do not write that you want Guns N' Roses played at your funeral unless you really, truly, do. I've seen exactly that happen and it is not pleasant," she said.

"My advice is for the military couple to do this packet together; that way the spouse already knows all the wishes. My husband and I managed to lighten the mood on this a bit by discussing my wishes at the same time. That made the conversation a little less awkward. We also discussed what we would want to happen to our children in the event of both of our deaths," she said.

When it comes to children, Sanderlin said, it is all about advance planning.

"If you have kids, try to think about the deployment from their perspective," she said. "What events will the deployed parent miss? Can you celebrate those or make accommodations before hand? We have had years where my son has had two birthdays – one way in advance, so that his dad could be there."

Sanderlin gave birth to both her son and her daughter shortly before two separate deployments. That doesn't mean her husband returned home as a stranger, though.

"Another thing I did with both of my children when they were infants was to enlarge a picture of my husband to 8 x10 size, basically a headshot, and put it in a sheet protector that I taped to the seat of the car," she explained. "That way, every time we were in the car they were looking at him. It worked! When he came home our kids instantly recognized him!"

There are also finances to consider, Sanderlin said. Whether one or both spouses manage the family finances when together, she said, it is a different situation during deployments.

"As for being organized, set a budget," she recommended. "Look at your normal monthly expenses and use that as a guide. The spouse at home will spend more money during a deployment. Expect it, accept it, and budget for it. If you create a new deployment budget - and stick with it - you can still save a lot of that extra money."

On a lighter note, Sanderlin said she has also "learned that deployments can be a great time to lose weight because I have more time to exercise and don't have to worry about cooking the foods my husband likes."

Overall, a military spouse's deployment is a difficult situation to understand unless you have experienced one, said Sanderlin.

"I don't think soldiers, for the most part, really get what a deployment is like for the family," she said. "When we give you that last hug before you leave, we are thinking that it might be the last time we ever see you alive. As casualties begin to occur during the deployment, we constantly wonder if you will be the next one.

"We freak out every time a strange car slows down on our street or an unexpected guest knocks on our door," Sanderlin continued. "It never gets easy, but all of these feelings are even stronger for young spouses or spouses enduring a deployment for the first time. There's nothing a soldier can do about any of this except to be aware and be sensitive."

With that in mind, she said, deployed troops should not tell their spouses about their near-death experiences.

"When you call home, do not tell your spouse about how you almost hit an IED or got shot at," Sanderlin advised. Such "what ifs," she said, will upset an already-anxious spouse.

"Try to imagine how you'd feel if she told you someone in the neighborhood was trying to kill her and you were helpless to prevent it," Sanderlin said. "In many ways, ignorance can be bliss."

Deployments put huge stresses on military families, Sanderlin acknowledged, adding, there is "just no avoiding it."

"Do not lose sight of the big picture. What really matters is that you come home, safe and sound, to an intact family," she said. "Keep your eye on that prize and make sure that all the choices you make help you get to that goal."

While such tips may be similar or the same, every military family is different, Sanderlin said.

"What works best, in my opinion, is for the spouse at home to look at her personality, her lifestyle and her responsibilities and make the best decision she can," Sanderlin said. "There are no awards given to spouses and no one will think higher of her for enduring more than she can handle, especially if the price of that endurance is her own sanity."

And, after years of deployment separation experience, Sanderlin has perceived one constant.

"Deployments suck, that's the main lesson and it has not changed from the first deployment to the most recent one, but there are some life lessons that I would not have learned without having my husband deployed," she said. "I am definitely a much-stronger person because of what I have endured and my confidence soars with each deployment.

"I also know that when the history of this war is written, I – and all the people reading this – will have done more than my part to help our nation and the world."

(Editor's Note: Sanderlin writes the "Operation Marriage" blog for The Fayetteville Observer. You can read her latest entries at: http://blogs.fayobserver.com/operationmarriage.)

Gates Plans Visit to South Korea for '2-plus-2 Talks'

By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service

July 16, 2010 - Sending North Korea a strong message of deterrence and underscoring the strength of the U.S.-South Korean alliance are key aims of an upcoming visit to South Korea by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Pentagon officials said here yesterday.

Gates leaves this weekend for a visit that will include high-level talks with South Korean officials and a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.

Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will meet with their South Korean counterparts in the first "2-plus-2 Talks" between the two nations. Among other topics, Morrell said, they will discuss upcoming military exercises involving U.S. and South Korean forces.

The visit and the discussion of military exercises come as world reaction continues to North Korea's March 26 sinking of the frigate Cheonan, which killed 46 South Korean sailors.

"There are a number of messages that we're trying to send," a senior Defense Department official speaking on background said. "We're trying to send a clear message of deterrence to North Korea, which we hope will have an effect of impressing upon them that they need to reconsider the sort of behavior they've been engaged in, including the Cheonan [incident]. We're also seeking to work with [South Korea] to increase and enhance the alliance's capabilities -- readiness, flexibility and our operational capacity. So I think there's a real purpose to these exercises."

Also on the agenda for the talks is the transfer of wartime operational control of forces on the Korean peninsula to the South Korean military by December 2015. President Barack Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak announced a delay in that transfer – originally scheduled for April 2012 – after they met during June's G-20 Summit in Toronto.

"This gives us appropriate time ... within the existing security context to do this right," Obama said in Toronto, "because this alliance is the linchpin of not only security for the Republic of Korea and the United States, but also for the Pacific as a whole."

The senior defense official explained that the new target date allows time to "synchronize all of the different moving pieces" of the operational control transfer.

"If we had gone forward with the April 2012 date, [South Korea] would have been fully militarily prepared to take over wartime operational control at that point," the official said. "But we have an opportunity to do an even better job, and to make sure that all of the different pieces that are associated with the [operational control] transition and with our security and defense relationship are locked up."

With both Gates and Clinton on hand to meet with their South Korean counterparts, the official added, the format provides for high-level discussions of not only the military alliance, but also the diplomatic and economic relationships between the two countries.

News service keeps Airmen informed

By Staff Sgt. Steve Grever
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – An electronic news service featuring the latest Air Force manpower, personnel and services information is available to help Airmen make informed decisions about their Air Force careers.

More than 15,000 members subscribe to the Manpower, Personnel and Services News Service, however Air Force leadership encourages all Airmen to subscribe to ensure they keep aware of key program updates, initiatives and other news from the Air Force Personnel Center, Air Force Manpower Agency and Air Force Services Agency.

“One of the best ways to stay current on Air Force personnel, manpower and services programs is through this news service,” said Paige Hughes, AFPC, AFMA and AFSVA chief of public affairs. “It allows subscribers to receive timely e-mails with the latest news releases and articles related to a variety of Air-Force level programs that affect many aspects of Airmen’s lives.”

Over the past six months, the news service has been used to distribute vital information on force management updates, civilian employment and career development opportunities, Air Force-level awards and the new fitness program. To subscribe, visit the Air Force “subscribe” Web page at www.af.mil/subscribe and click the radio button next to “Manpower, Personnel, and Services News.” Then, enter your name and e-mail address to complete the subscription form.

For more information visit the AFPC website at http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/

The USO to Carry Out “Operation Thriller” on U.S. Troops Stationed in Persian Gulf

Five of Today’s Most Celebrated Thriller Writers to Embark on Week-Long USO Tour to Combat Zone in Fall 2010

WHAT: USO Tour Featuring Bestselling Authors from International Thriller Writers (ITW), the nation’s first and only professional organization devoted solely to thriller authors:

• Steve Berry (The Paris Vendetta, The Charlemagne Pursuit and The Venetian Betrayal, among others)
• David Morrell (First Blood, in which Rambo was created, and The Brotherhood of the Rose)
• Doug Preston (The Monster of Florence and Relic, which later became a number one box office hit)
• James Rollins (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and the Sigma Force series including The Devil Colony)
• Andy Harp (A Northern Thunder)

WHEN: Fall 2010

WHERE: Washington, D.C. and Persian Gulf Note: Due to security reasons, the countries and tour dates cannot be released at this time.

WHY: In Fall 2010, some of the nation’s New York Times best-selling thriller authors will deploy to the Persian Gulf on a week-long USO tour to visit and uplift troops. The tour, fittingly entitled Operation Thriller, will kick off with a special visit to Washington, D.C., where the group will visit with troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center. The group will then fly to the Persian Gulf to talk fiction, inspire, spread cheer and, most importantly, show their heartfelt gratitude.

Participating in what will be their first USO tour, the authors will visit multiple posts, sign autographs, pose for photos and distribute advance copies of their upcoming novels.

From July 7-10, 2010, the authors attended ThrillerFest V, a four-day celebration of thriller books organized

CONTACTS:
Oname Thompson, USO, 703-908-6471
othompson@uso.org
Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc. 203-226-0199
meryl@mediamuscle.com

Naval Weapons Station Charleston NEX Brings Home Bingham Award

By Eric Sesit, Naval Weapons Station Charleston Public Affairs

CHARLESTON, S.C. (NNS) -- Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Charleston's Navy Exchange (NEX) management and employees were presented the prestigious Bingham Award at a ceremony held at the NWS Charleston NEX in Charleston, S.C., July 15.

Charleston placed first in the 20 to 40 million dollar category with more than 24 million dollars in sales for 2009.

Rear Adm. Steven J. Romano, commander, NEX Service Command, was the guest speaker at the ceremony.

"This award demonstrates that you are one of the best Navy Exchanges in the world; only nine other stores out of 103 can claim this award," said Romano, to the crowd of NEX employees. "This is like winning an Olympic gold medal."

Romano added that as he walked through the facility, he noticed four qualities that led to the Charleston NEX's success.

"You do the basics right, you make a mature facility look great; you are managed by extraordinary leadership and you have great training," said Romano.

NWS Charleston NEX General Manager Beth Munoz gave credit to the employees who operate the store on a daily basis.

"This team has always had the necessary skill and teamwork in them to win this award, and they show it every day," said Munoz.

The team includes long-time employees Willie Ellis and Bernice Mac. Mac has been working at the NEX for 20 years, while Ellis has been with the company for 37.

Looking to retire in the near future, Ellis was thrilled to see all the hard work put in by him and his fellow employees has paid off.

"It's a very prestigious award for us," said Ellis.

"This took a lot of team effort, but in the end, it was worth it. This award is just great for morale and makes us want to keep working hard," said Mac.

The Bingham Award recognizes NEXs that have demonstrated excellence in customer service, operations and management. The award is named after the late Capt. W.H. Bingham, who was the chief executive of the R.H. Macy's Company and in 1946 was appointed by the Secretary of the Navy to lead an advisory board for the establishment of the NEX system.

Navy Signs MOU Agreeing to Partner with Government of Guam on Utility Solutions

By Catherine Cruz Norton, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas

HAGATNA, Guam (NNS) -- The Navy signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Consolidated Commission on Utilities (CCU), Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) and the Guam Power Authority (GPA) July 16 in Hagatna, Guam.

By signing the MOU, the Navy is agreeing to collaborate on solutions to improve utilities on Guam in preparation for the Marine relocation from Okinawa, Japan.

During a signing ceremony in the conference room at the Governor's complex both military and government of Guam officials convened in the spirit of partnering to formalizing months of technical meetings and cooperative discussions.

"This is a great day," said Capt. Peter Lynch, commanding officer, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Marianas. "This MOU is a historic document which signifies many months of technical discussions to identify utility requirements and solutions. We are extremely pleased to agree in principal to a collaborative approach to solutions for power, water and waste water requirements."

The intent of the partnering sessions was to ensure capability and capacity of government of Guam assets and resources to handle impending impacts due to the additional demand based on military surge in the realignment effort.

"These MOUs provide the conceptual framework to address viable solutions to insure that GPA and GWA can serve the energy, water and waste water needs of the proposed military build-up without compromising or adversely affecting the quality or cost of service to meet all future needs of Guam – both civilian and military," said CCU Chairman Simon Sanchez II.

Sanchez said DoD and GWA are already working collaboratively with the University of Guam's Water and Energy Research Institute (WERI), the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to determine how best to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Northern Guam lens aquifer. In addition, a civilian-military advisory group is proposed to help provide long-term aquifer management.

As it concerns electricity requirements, the MOU states the DoD and local team will work together to identify ways to meet the projected power demand of the military buildup. The projected demand is 30 mega-watts, according to the CCU. The MOU provides an agreement that the team will work toward upgrades and reconditioning of three or more of GPA's combustion turbines to meet the additional load at no cost to ratepayers. The group has also agreed to explore opportunities to work together on renewable energy projects.

"We expect this to be a mutually beneficial arrangement for the entire community, both our civilian neighbors, military service members and their families," said Rear Adm. Paul Bushong, commander, Joint Region Marianas. "We are committed to minimizing the impact on the island's utilities and protecting our natural resources."

While infrastructure improvements or construction associated with the military buildup will not take place until the record of decision is signed, this team of DoD and local government representatives continue to work on technical solutions to ease the impacts associated with population growth.

Northwest Sailors, Marines Test Their Battle Readiness

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Dagendesh, Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Northwest

SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- More than 150 Sailors and Marines attached to Marine Corps Security Force Battalion (MCSFB) Bangor from Bravo Company participated in an all-day super squad competition, consisting of seven events, in Silverdale, Wash., July 13. The competition challenged Bravo Company with a mental and physical competition, testing their ability to comprehend and execute security skills while building espirit de corps with their company.

"Today's super squad competition event is composed of Sailors and Marines arranged into nine squads of 10 Sailors and 10 Marines each and split up to do seven different events," said Master-At-Arms 1st Class Virginia Horton, event coordinator.

Included were an obstacle course, weapons disassemble station and a recapture and recovery drill spread throughout Naval Base Kitsap Bangor.

"The experience was a one-of-a-kind because being in the Navy we don't do a lot of the training the Marines do and so we have to work with the Marines, become one team, get along and follow one order," said Master-At-Arms Seaman Lindsey Zwaagstra, a member of MCSFB, Squad 3.

Events like this competition prepare the Sailors and Marines for real-life situations, said Horton.

"With the obstacle course and anything that is physical, it just steps up their physical ability," said Horton. "The goal is to raise the level of esprit de corps within the Navy and Marine Corps so that we can all work hand-in-hand together."

Horton also said the competition will help prepare the Sailors and Marines to respond to real-life scenarios.

"It was pretty fun and motivating. I think most of it is in your attitude," said Master-At-Arms Seaman Eric Rock, a member of MCSFB, Squad 4. "I think this training is important in a teamwork aspect because Sailors and Marines are working together building good camaraderie with each other."

"Although our hump back was approximately five miles and was probably the hardest part because of trying to keep up with each other, we made it," said Zwaagstra. "I learned that hard work and a good attitude will get you through anything, and I would definitely do this again."

Acquisition Reform Plays Key Role in Pentagon's Cost Savings

By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service

July 15, 2010 - The Defense Department has the opportunity to save billions of taxpayer dollars through acquisitions reform, but only if it grows its workforce with the right federal workers in place to oversee contracts, a senior Pentagon official said today.

"There is a significant opportunity to save billions of dollars, but only if we have a well-trained and sufficient workforce," Shay Assad, the acting director of the department's procurement and acquisition policy, said during a Senate Budget Committee hearing.

Assad called acquisitions reform and improved efficiencies a top priority of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, with a goal of $100 billion in savings over five years, starting in fiscal 2012. He said the secretary ordered his staff to consider two questions with regard to old-style contracting procedures: Is this respectful of the American taxpayer at a time of economic and fiscal duress? And, is this the best use of limited dollars?

With cost savings derived from better efficiencies, Assad said, department officials hope to attain 2 to 3 percent net growth in warfighting capabilities without a mirrored budget increase.

Earlier this month, Ashton Carter, undersecretary of defense for logistics, "directed all echelons of the department to take a hard look" at ways to cut costs, Assad said. Carter's directive, he said, "really was about increasing the buying power of the department and in getting a better deal for taxpayers."

"We need to examine not only what we acquiring, but how we are acquiring it," Assad added.

The department procured three million contracts in fiscal 2009, amounting to $375 billion, Assad said. It spent $372 billion in contracts last year, he said. About 53 percent of those costs, he said, go to contracted services, while 47 percent go to products, such as equipment.

Overall, the entire federal government, including defense, spent $560 billion in fiscal 2009, according to Daniel I. Gordon, administrator of federal procurement policy in the White House's Office of Management and Budget, who testified alongside Assad. That compares to $535 billion the government spent in fiscal 2008, Gordon said, adding that this year's amount would have been much larger without major cost-cutting initiatives.

Agencies are now pooling their purchases, using more fixed-price contracts, having Internet-based "reverse auctions" for contracts, and paying more attention to contract management, Gordon said. The result, he said, is a drop in annual contract growth that averaged 12 percent every year between 2001 and 2008, to an average of 4 percent since then.

During that time, Gordon said, there was no expansion of the federal workforce to oversee the "tsunami" of contracts coming through. Over the next several years, the Obama administration is investing in hiring thousands of new federal procurement officers, the "lifeblood" of acquisition reform, he said.

To improve the procurement of services, Assad said, the defense department also must expand competition, move away from longstanding "incumbent" contractors, ensure that work statements are understood, and use proper contracts.

With regard to weapons systems, Assad said, "It's all about properly defining the requirements." Contractors now are "spending a lot of time up front" to ensure that contracts are realistic to avoid future add-on costs, he said.

In the past, defense procurement officials spent too much time measuring processes rather than outcomes, Assad said. And that, he said, is where expanding the workforce with highly trained acquisition professionals comes in.

The Pentagon plans to add 20,000 federal procurement workers over the next five years, Assad said. Among other things, he said, the additional workers are needed to properly oversee contracts "from an arm's length."

The department is making good progress, having already hired 4,600 acquisitions and procurement workers, Assad said. Many of the workers, he said, are former servicemembers who'd used the equipment and services they will now help to procure.

Officials Commit to Disabled Veterans' Businesses

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

July 15, 2010 - Defense Department officials are committed to providing service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses with contracting opportunities, and are closer to its goal of awarding 3 percent of department contracts to such businesses, the acting director for the Pentagon's Small Business Programs Office said today.

Testifying before the House Small Business Committee, Linda B. Oliver said the department has seen a steady increase in its annual contract awards to such businesses since 2003, when $300,000 was awarded to disabled-veteran-owned small businesses.

In 2009, $4.3 billion in contracts was awarded to disabled-veteran-owned small businesses.

"We are proud of this progress, one that shows a 14-fold increase," Oliver said in her written testimony, which also noted the number of contracts awarded also has increased. "It is good for [veterans] when the percentages are increasing in an upward trend and also when the total dollars are increasing at an even faster pace.

"While these trends are positive and encouraging, we cannot and will not relax our efforts until we achieve the government-wide goal of 3 percent," she continued.

Also, the number of firms awarded defense contracts has steadily increased from 751 in 2003 to more than 3,000 in 2009. Of the $7.4 billion appropriated to the Defense Department in Recovery Act funds, $157 million was awarded and being worked by disabled-veteran small businesses, she said.

Oliver credits the Pentagon's Mentor-Protégé Program and other training opportunities geared toward such contractors for the positive trend. The program helps "protégé" companies learn from established "prime" contractors through a three- or four-year agreement, Oliver explained.

"As a result, protégé firms that graduate from the program are generally valuable additions to the department's supplier base," she added.

The Pentagon also has undergone research to better understand the characteristics of disabled-veteran contractors, she said. Oliver's office monitors the Central Contract Registration, which has received registrations from 500 businesses this year, she said.

Analysis shows that more disabled-veteran contractors each year want to do business with the federal government, Oliver said. Also, a majority of these contracts are awarded to businesses in specific categories. These areas include professional, scientific and technical services, construction and administration specialties, she explained.

"I believe that we are gaining insights that will help us develop mechanisms that will, in turn, allow us to make even greater use of [service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses] in our contracting program," Oliver said.

Another initiative to help service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses attain federal contracts is eliminating fraud and enhancing participation among deserving business owners, said Timothy Foreman, executive director of the Veterans Affairs Department's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, who also testified before the committee.

"Small business enterprise can best serve as an engine of ingenuity and creativity with favorable impact on both business and government when it is free of fraud and enthusiastically engaged in its work or mission," Foreman said in his submitted remarks. Foreman is set to become chairman of VA's newly-formed Suspension and Debarment Committee for non-federal acquisition regulation debarment actions, he said. The committee will be a tool to deter fraud from companies posing as service-disabled, veteran owned businesses, he added.

"Keeping the pretenders out of the competitive process will prevent them from stealing the statutory and regulatory rights due only to real [veteran-owned small businesses] and [service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses]," he said. "[The committee] will prevent them from stealing the valor of those who are entitled to meaningful procurement advantages."

VA awarded 16 percent of its fiscal 2009 contracts to disabled-veteran businesses, exceeding its goal of 7 percent. Still, the VA stands to improve, he said.

Foreman pointed to VA's current lack of tracking veteran subcontractors as one such area. Also, he noted shortfalls in verifying veteran- and disabled-veteran owned businesses as another reason for fraud.

Currently, businesses appear in VA's data base as "VA-verified or self-verified," he said. But by 2012, he added, only VA-verified businesses will be visible in the database.

VA hopes to accomplish this through the Suspension and Debarment Committee. VA's robust framework to identify fraud may be mirrored by other government agencies, Foreman said, with hopes of deterring fraud throughout the government.

As VA programs grow, "our veteran clients will continue to receive quality services and products from increasing numbers of service-disabled veteran suppliers who, as fellow veterans, better understand the needs of the community VA serves," Foreman explained. "This symbiotic aspect of VA's program is a win-win."

NAVFAC Midwest Finishes Decade-Long Boot Camp Modernization

By Bill Couch, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Midwest Public Affairs

GREAT LAKES, Ill. (NNS) -- The Navy officially accepted its completely overhauled boot camp during a ceremony in Great Lakes, Ill., July 14, after more than a decade of constant demolition and construction zones.

Leaders from Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), Recruit Training Command (RTC), Naval Station Great Lakes, Navy Region Midwest and Naval Service Training Command, along with more than 200 attendees, including representatives of more than a dozen design and construction companies who had been involved in the 12-year, $770-million program, celebrated the milestone.

"Today is a special day for many of us who have supported and participated in this significant undertaking and a chance to say thank you for all you've accomplished as a team," said guest speaker Rear Adm. Kevin Slates, commander of NAVFAC Atlantic. "It's also a milestone event where we transition from a recruit training vision that was created nearly two decades ago to actual facilities that proudly serve as the training platform for the best recruits our country has to offer."

Following the Navy's consolidation in the mid-1990s of its basic training facilities into RTC Great Lakes, the Navy began a complete rebuilding of boot camp infrastructure to better meet the training requirements of 21st-century Sailors.

Beginning in 1998, the Navy built 13 new barracks - each with dining and computer classroom areas - three new drill halls and other new training facilities, steadily replacing 1950s-era buildings with state-of-the-art facilities for training, feeding and housing new recruits during their eight-week indoctrination into Navy life.

Each new barracks can accommodate 12 recruit divisions of up to 88 recruits each. These 172,000-square-foot buildings support a much more efficient training day for recruits by reducing their transit time between classes, meals and other activities.

"This phenomenal recapitalization has allowed us to dramatically change the way that we train men and women to become Sailors," said Capt. John Peterson, commanding officer of RTC. "The recapitalization has allowed us not only to be more efficient, but also to do much more in the time we have the recruits under our charge."

"To the Naval Facilities Engineering Command team, well done, shipmates," added Peterson. "Contractor or government, small or large, senior or junior, we, today's custodians of the recruit training mission, owe you a great debt. Thank you each for your superb teamwork - your execution of a vision that is RTC today."

NAVFAC Midwest Commanding Officer Capt. Jake Washington, in turn, praised the men and women of RTC, saying, "This magnificent training complex we have today could not have come together so successfully if not for the patience and flexibility of RTC, working around the barriers and the cones, putting up with the noise, dust and the many other challenges we asked your team to endure so that this day might come."

Washington, who also helped start the recapitalization program in 1998 when he was then a lieutenant commander on the staff of Engineering Field Activity Midwest, also noted his personal connection to the construction program.

"One of the reasons I wanted to return to Great Lakes was to see finished what was started back then," said Washington. "Between then and now stretches a chain of engineer custody I am honored to be a part of."

Washington also noted how then-Naval Training Center Great Lakes evolved over the intervening years, with the creation of Naval Service Training Command to oversee virtually all of the Navy's accessions training, the stand-up of Navy Region Midwest as Navy Installations Command's land owner in the Midwest and now-Naval Station Great Lakes providing support services for Great Lakes' tenant commands, including RTC.

"Organizationally, a lot has changed, NAVFAC notwithstanding," said Washington. "But there has been one constant, and it is the reason why we have done what we have done - and why we come to work every day at Great Lakes - to make civilians into U.s. Sailors.

They deserve our collective best, and in this effort, we can all be justifiably proud that we have given it to them," continued Washington.

Year of the Air Force Family promotes sense of community

7/15/2010 - LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- The Air Force's top uniformed officer and his wife welcomed the Air Force's newest Airmen into the service during a visit here July 8 and 9.

The Basic Military Training graduation at the "Gateway to the Air Force" was the perfect backdrop for Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and his wife Suzie to reflect on the efforts of the service's leaders over the past 12 months during the Year of the Air Force Family campaign. The initiative runs through July.

"The year really referred to a larger audience than just families," General Schwartz said. "It referred to family members, single Airmen, retirees, civilian employees of the Air Force and so on. In a broader sense, what we really were seeking to do is rekindle that sense of community we have had as an Air Force."

The general said the initiative largely was to focus on assessing what the service was doing right, and what it could be doing better, in supporting the entire Air Force family.

Through feedback from leaders and Airmen across the Air Force, General Schwartz said there were several issues brought to light.

"A couple of them were somewhat surprising," he said. "Some of them were not. One thing that we are not as good at as we need to be is how we assist our family members and families with special needs children. Another area of concern is, not surprisingly, education."

"Education came out as the number one issue affecting our families," Mrs. Schwartz said.

She said that information led Air Force officials to move forward more aggressively with a plan to establish primary points of contact across the service to help families navigate local school systems.

"The Air Force has been able to put some funding behind more school liaisons...and we now have a school liaison office at almost every Air Force base," she said.

Along those same lines, officials at each Family Readiness Center identified a single individual to serve as an information resource for Airmen with special needs family members, Mrs. Schwartz said. Air Force leaders had identified that the Exceptional Family Member Program needed to evolve from an assignment-focused program into a more comprehensive and proactive family support program.

Another program that gained momentum for mobile military families this year was the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

The general said the intent of the Interstate Compact is to facilitate transitions between school districts so that when families move "the whole process of integrating into a new school will be much, much easier and more standardized."

The Interstate Compact spans 35 states nationwide "and we continue to encourage the other states to enact the agreement," the general said.

Simply put, the Year of the Air Force Family has been about connecting Airmen with the resources they need. In some cases, that simply meant doing a better job about making sure Airmen know what programs are already available, Mrs. Schwartz said.

"To me, I think it was even more about communication than anything else," she said. "We think we communicate really well, but sometimes we don't.

To bolster communication, Mrs. Schwartz said Air Force leaders reached out in new ways, such as hosting the first Single Airmen Summit, and worked to enhance programs already in place, like the Key Spouse program, which equips spouse representatives at bases to help spread the word about support resources available at the base.

"We really put some time and effort in to the Key Spouse Program," Mrs. Schwartz said.

The goal was to harness the speed and efficiency of the spouse network to better communicate with families and "use it more as a communication tool for all times and not just for deployments."

The Year of the Air Force Family programs not only helped Air Force leaders get their messages to Airmen, but allowed Airmen to voice their concerns to Air Force leaders as well.

"We held an annual Caring for People conference," Mrs. Schwartz said. "In that forum, instead of getting information out, we were able to get information back in. It was really a great tool to find out what works and what doesn't for Airmen and their families."

A goal of the Year of the Air Force Family was to focus on such a dialogue. Follow-on efforts will build upon the knowledge and momentum gained from the Year of the Air Force Family, especially in the area of feedback, she said.

"For me the number one event is the Caring for People forum," Mrs. Schwartz said. "I really see that as a lasting forum that will continue each year, bringing out people from across the bases and telling us what's working and what isn't."

She said getting such feedback from the base level is best, and armed with that feedback "we will continue working to improve family satisfaction."

(Staff Sgt. Mareshah Haynes contributed to this story)

Olympic Silver Medalist, NASA Astronaut Visit GTMO

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW) Bill Mesta, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- An Olympic medalist and a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut were members of a group that visited Naval Station (NAVSTA) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, July 13.

Heavy Medal Tour II, sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) in concert with NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay's Moral, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) program, included silver medalist and five-time Olympian skier, Todd Lodwick; two-time shuttle astronaut and four-time space walker, Steve Swanson; and U.S. Olympic committee VIPs John Ruger and Robi Powers.

"We brought America's heroes to the world's heroes," said Robi Powers, Olympic ski coach and founder of The Warrior Tours Foundation.

The Heavy Medal Tour II group was brought to Guantanamo Bay as a result of the efforts of the base's MWR program.

"We were approached by AFE about the tour and what is it they do when they visit bases." said Corey Grier, Guantanamo Bay's MWR community activities director. "After hearing more about their hands-on approach and looking into the response from other bases they visited, we jumped at the chance to bring in the group."

The group started its tour with NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay's Security Department. The group interacted with Sailors attached to the Security Department and were given a demonstration by the K-9 unit.

"The security force was an incredible group of naval law enforcement personnel," said Powers.

The group continued its tour of the base at Guantanamo Bay's Radio Station as guests called the weekly "Open Line" show with remarks.

During the broadcast, the group presented Command Master Chief J.D. McKinney, NAVSTA Guantanamo's command master chief, with an autographed t-shirt.

"These t-shirt went from Bagdad to Bahrain and now finds itself in one of the greatest military installations in the world, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba," said Powers. "We are dropping them off at the various units we are visiting and asking your chiefs to use them as part of their rewards prize vault or enlisted recognition program for service members who excel and go above and beyond."

McKinney thanked the group for their visit to NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay.

"The Heavy Medal Tour (II) is a thank you tour for the service members," said McKinney. "But it is more than that. You guys are here spreading inspiration."

During the evening, the group hosted a meet and greet for the entire base community at Denich Gym. The event provided service members, civilians and families an opportunity for autograph signing, photograph opportunities and provided them a chance to hold Lodwick's Olympic silver medal.

The event also gave community members the opportunity to ask questions and interact directly with the guests.

"It is our pleasure to come and meet everybody and share our experiences with them," said Swanson.

USS George H.W. Bush Hosts Namesake

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman J. Scott St. Clair, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Public Affairs

USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH, At Sea (NNS) -- USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), the Navy's 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, received a visit from its namesake, former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush, while underway July 14. Bush and Barbara were escorted on board by Adm. J.C. Harvey, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

During his two-day visit to the aircraft carrier, Bush toured the ship, observing day-to-day operations and spending time with the crew, as well as taking part in a reenlistment ceremony for nearly 60 Sailors, which he said was an honor.

"I am proud of every man and woman on this ship," said Bush. "I was honored to be able to reenlist those who are ready to serve again. I am very emotional about service to country, particularly the Navy. I am very proud of the Navy and extremely proud of this ship. That this ship is named after me knows no bound in terms of my emotion and my pleasure and the honor that I feel."

Commanding Officer Capt. Chip Miller expressed what a huge privilege and inspiration it was to host two individuals who devoted their lives to selfless service.

"What an honor it is to have our special guests on board to see freedom at work first hand," said Miller. "We are so grateful to have them join us at sea to see what we do and how we do our part to defend freedom."

Barbara pointed out how much the aircraft carrier and its crew meant to her and her husband.

"This ship is probably the greatest honor that George Bush ever had given to him," said Barbara. "He and I pray for this crew every single night of our lives. This crew is the greatest, and we are thankful to you for what you're doing and what your families do for all of us."

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Apprentice Sutton C. Hout, of the ship's Air department, was thankful for the opportunity to interact with the namesake of the aircraft carrier.

"It was really exciting to spend time with a former president," said Hout. "It was an honor to meet him. It was great experience interacting with the namesake of this great ship and someone who played such a significant role in U.S. history. It's not every day that you get to meet the 41st president of the United States."

Miller also noted that one of the command's primary goals is to emulate the qualities of its respected namesake.

"We run this ship, and we harp on our guiding principles," said Miller. "President Bush is an example to every single one of us and Barbara is an example that inspires us every day. Our number one guiding principle on board this ship is that, like our namesake, we are professionals who serve our country with integrity. It drives us. It fuels us. George H.W. Bush is a professional who continues to serve his country with integrity."

The former president expressed his confidence and high hopes for the command concerning the aircraft carrier's upcoming maiden deployment and reinforced his gratitude to the military and its service members.

"This ship will do a wonderful job supporting freedom around the world," said Bush. "When this ship deploys, I know that you will carry the flag with great honor, the flag of the United States, a flag of freedom. We are so blessed that freedom works in this country. What a great country this is and what a wonderful thing it is to be an American. We are so lucky to have people serving, all volunteers, volunteering for this country and to be a part of this magnificent ship."

Bush, a former Navy pilot, was stationed on the USS San Jacinto (CVL 30) during World War II and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his combat service in the Pacific in 1944.

USS George H.W. Bush is the only U.S. Navy aircraft carrier with a living namesake. This visit marked the second time at sea for the former president, but was Barbara's first time underway aboard the ship named after her husband.

The Bush's daughter and ship's sponsor, Doro Bush Koch, went underway aboard the ship for a Friends and Family Day Cruise in May 2010.

The entire Bush family has been actively involved in the command and events involving its crew since the ship's commissioning in January 2009.

General Officer Announcements

The Secretary of Defense announced today that the President made the following nominations:

Marine Corps Reserve Col. William T. Collins has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Collins is currently serving as the assistant chief of staff, G-5, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing in Fort Worth, Texas.

Marine Corps Reserve Col. James S. Hartsell has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Hartsell is currently serving as chief of staff, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Individual Mobilization Augmentee Detachment in Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marine Corps Reserve Col. Roger R. Machut has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Machut is currently serving as deputy commander, 4th Marine Logistics Group in New Orleans, La.

Marine Corps Reserve Col. Marcella J. Monahan has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Monahan is currently serving as assistant chief of staff, G-7, II Marine Expeditionary Force in Camp Lejeune, N.C.