By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 28, 2008 - President Bush signed the long-delayed and sometimes-contentious fiscal 2008 National Defense Authorization Act into law today. The Senate passed a $696 billion 2008 defense authorization bill Jan. 22. It includes a 3.5 percent military pay raise and provisions to improve health care and benefits for wounded troops and veterans.
"Today, I have signed into law H.R. 4986, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008," Bush said in a statement released by the White House. "The act authorizes funding for the defense of the United States and its interests abroad, for military construction, and for national security-related energy programs."
The fiscal 2008 defense budget has been laden with challenges, from Congress' inclusion of non-defense-related earmarks to its insertion of controversial language regarding Iraq. Bush announced Dec. 28 that he wouldn't sign the bill until it was revised.
Instead, the president signed an executive order authorizing a 3 percent military pay raise. The amount was 0.5 percent lower than the 3.5 percent rate provided for in the authorization act, but took effect Jan. 1.
All pays and incentives included in the authorization act will be retroactive to Jan. 1, a defense official said.
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino told reporters today Bush was gratified that Congress moved forward with the budget bill.
"He appreciates the cooperation of both House and Senate leaders to quickly address the concerns raised by the president over the Christmas holiday," she said at the White House. "Congress passed the legislation swiftly, and that is a very good thing for our troops and the Iraqi people."
The bill became law just a week before the next budget cycle begins as Bush sends his fiscal 2009 request to Capitol Hill. That budget proposal, along with a requested $70 billion in emergency war spending, is expected to be delivered to Congress Feb. 4.
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters today the president plans to ask for $70 billion to fund the global war on terror, including operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, for the first months of fiscal 2009.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Future Role in Iraq, Afghanistan Will Drive Rebalancing Military, Mullen Says
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 27, 2008 - The nation's future roles in Iraq and Afghanistan will drive, to some extent, how long it takes for the U.S. military to become a more balanced and ready force, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said yesterday. Heavy operations in the regions are a drain on personnel, equipment, funds and training time the military could otherwise use to rebuild its force, Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, told reporters traveling back to Washington with him after a Navy warship christening ceremony in Pascagoula, Miss.
"I think for us to get into any kind of balanced situation in the long run, it will take us years. And that will greatly depend on the future op tempo, specifically focused on Iraq and Afghanistan," Mullen said.
As the military recruits to grow its force by nearly 100,000 over the next four years and U.S. forces begin to draw down in Iraq, Mullen said, the priority will be extending the "dwell time" servicemembers spend at their home stations between deployments.
The increased dwell time -- ideally two years between one-year deployments -- is needed to allow troops more time with their families, but also to afford units more time to train in conventional warfare skills, the chairman explained. Most training now is focused on counterinsurgency operations, because that dominates the needs for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But, Mullen said, that focus leaves the force unbalanced and potentially unprepared for a more conventional threat.
"I think we need to have a balanced force, and we need to look beyond Iraq and Afghanistan. And the capabilities we need in the future, I believe, will go beyond (counterinsurgency)," Mullen said.
The chairman predicted a future with persistent conflict and irregular warfare with heavy involvement by all of the services. Counterinsurgency operations are a part of that future, he said, but conventional warfare skills cannot perish to preparing exclusively for counterinsurgency.
"I think it's important you don't let (conventional warfare) skills totally atrophy. We need to achieve that balance in terms of preparation for the future. (It is a) very uncertain world, very unpredictable world, very dangerous world. We need to have a full range of capabilities," he said.
And, that full range of capabilities needs to extend past the ground forces, Mullen said. He said right now all eyes are on the ground forces, and many don't realize the contributions, and the strain, on the Air Force and Navy.
"What often gets lost in the focus on the ground forces in Iraq and Afghanistan is what (the Air Force and Navy) are doing now," Mullen said.
The Navy has deployed about one-third of its force in support of the war, he said, and the Air Force has been providing air strike support in theater since the first Gulf war. But equal to their efforts directly supporting the war are their efforts as a strategic deterrent elsewhere in the world, and they provide much military might in terms of U.S. conventional warfare capabilities.
"In a great part, the Navy and the Air Force provide an ability to mitigate some of the strategic risks globally that are going on out there. We've got to be engaged. We've got to be out in other places. The Navy and the Air Force are providing that," the chairman said. "They're very busy. They're not as pushed as the Army and Marine Corps, but they're still busy."
Recent aircraft groundings in the Air Force have caused the chairman concern, he said, pointing to the critical need to modernize and recapitalize across the services. He said the Air Force has suffered from the inability to get rid of its old aircraft, constrained in many cases by laws that don't allow the service to invest in new capabilities.
The Air Force last November grounded its entire fleet of 700 aging F-15s for inspections after one came apart during air combat operations. About 160 of the aircraft's F-15C version remain grounded for structural problems.
"Those are old airplanes. 25 to 30 years old. So we're going to have to recapitalize those. And those are indicative of the kinds of things that I think we are going to have to do for the future," Mullen said.
"The Air Force is still our persistent global reach, air dominant force that I think we've got to continue to invest in. They do a great deal of support in the current fight ... in addition to that they're really our strategic reserve right now," he said. "They provide the strategic depth that we need should we have a problem in some other part of the world."
But not all rebuilding will come as the result of increased funding. The chairman said services across the department need to look at how they can increase their efficiency, and then pass those savings along to recapitalization, a task Mullen said he was able to do most recently as the chief of naval operations before he assumed the military's top post Oct. 1.
Mullen also noted that costs are going up for the military's three biggest expenses: people, health care and procurement. He said he is open to increasing the defense budget in relation to the gross domestic product, but that any change should result from debate and should reflect the American people's wishes. The defense budget now is about 4 percent of the nation's GDP.
"Should it be more than that? I think that's a discussion we ought to have. We ought to have that debate," Mullen said. "We ought to have it in the country, and we ought to make it vigorous so we understand what we're procuring, what we need for defense, how we support our people. ... It's vital, and it's timely because of the dangers we face."
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 27, 2008 - The nation's future roles in Iraq and Afghanistan will drive, to some extent, how long it takes for the U.S. military to become a more balanced and ready force, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said yesterday. Heavy operations in the regions are a drain on personnel, equipment, funds and training time the military could otherwise use to rebuild its force, Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, told reporters traveling back to Washington with him after a Navy warship christening ceremony in Pascagoula, Miss.
"I think for us to get into any kind of balanced situation in the long run, it will take us years. And that will greatly depend on the future op tempo, specifically focused on Iraq and Afghanistan," Mullen said.
As the military recruits to grow its force by nearly 100,000 over the next four years and U.S. forces begin to draw down in Iraq, Mullen said, the priority will be extending the "dwell time" servicemembers spend at their home stations between deployments.
The increased dwell time -- ideally two years between one-year deployments -- is needed to allow troops more time with their families, but also to afford units more time to train in conventional warfare skills, the chairman explained. Most training now is focused on counterinsurgency operations, because that dominates the needs for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But, Mullen said, that focus leaves the force unbalanced and potentially unprepared for a more conventional threat.
"I think we need to have a balanced force, and we need to look beyond Iraq and Afghanistan. And the capabilities we need in the future, I believe, will go beyond (counterinsurgency)," Mullen said.
The chairman predicted a future with persistent conflict and irregular warfare with heavy involvement by all of the services. Counterinsurgency operations are a part of that future, he said, but conventional warfare skills cannot perish to preparing exclusively for counterinsurgency.
"I think it's important you don't let (conventional warfare) skills totally atrophy. We need to achieve that balance in terms of preparation for the future. (It is a) very uncertain world, very unpredictable world, very dangerous world. We need to have a full range of capabilities," he said.
And, that full range of capabilities needs to extend past the ground forces, Mullen said. He said right now all eyes are on the ground forces, and many don't realize the contributions, and the strain, on the Air Force and Navy.
"What often gets lost in the focus on the ground forces in Iraq and Afghanistan is what (the Air Force and Navy) are doing now," Mullen said.
The Navy has deployed about one-third of its force in support of the war, he said, and the Air Force has been providing air strike support in theater since the first Gulf war. But equal to their efforts directly supporting the war are their efforts as a strategic deterrent elsewhere in the world, and they provide much military might in terms of U.S. conventional warfare capabilities.
"In a great part, the Navy and the Air Force provide an ability to mitigate some of the strategic risks globally that are going on out there. We've got to be engaged. We've got to be out in other places. The Navy and the Air Force are providing that," the chairman said. "They're very busy. They're not as pushed as the Army and Marine Corps, but they're still busy."
Recent aircraft groundings in the Air Force have caused the chairman concern, he said, pointing to the critical need to modernize and recapitalize across the services. He said the Air Force has suffered from the inability to get rid of its old aircraft, constrained in many cases by laws that don't allow the service to invest in new capabilities.
The Air Force last November grounded its entire fleet of 700 aging F-15s for inspections after one came apart during air combat operations. About 160 of the aircraft's F-15C version remain grounded for structural problems.
"Those are old airplanes. 25 to 30 years old. So we're going to have to recapitalize those. And those are indicative of the kinds of things that I think we are going to have to do for the future," Mullen said.
"The Air Force is still our persistent global reach, air dominant force that I think we've got to continue to invest in. They do a great deal of support in the current fight ... in addition to that they're really our strategic reserve right now," he said. "They provide the strategic depth that we need should we have a problem in some other part of the world."
But not all rebuilding will come as the result of increased funding. The chairman said services across the department need to look at how they can increase their efficiency, and then pass those savings along to recapitalization, a task Mullen said he was able to do most recently as the chief of naval operations before he assumed the military's top post Oct. 1.
Mullen also noted that costs are going up for the military's three biggest expenses: people, health care and procurement. He said he is open to increasing the defense budget in relation to the gross domestic product, but that any change should result from debate and should reflect the American people's wishes. The defense budget now is about 4 percent of the nation's GDP.
"Should it be more than that? I think that's a discussion we ought to have. We ought to have that debate," Mullen said. "We ought to have it in the country, and we ought to make it vigorous so we understand what we're procuring, what we need for defense, how we support our people. ... It's vital, and it's timely because of the dangers we face."
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Mrs. Mullen Christens Guided-Missile Destroyer
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2008 - Under gray skies providing a slight, cold drizzle, Deborah Mullen stepped before the massive 9,200-ton guided-missile destroyer and, with all the grit her slight frame could muster, gave it a good whack, just under the "bullnose." The ship's freshly-painted gray hull gave up only a hollow "clunk" as the bottle she gripped with both hands in baseball-bat fashion glanced off its edge.
Laughing, she took another more determined swing, and this time the christening bottle of champagne broke, wetting the bow of the Navy's newest Arleigh Burke class ship, the Dewey, today in a ceremony before a crowd of about 1,000 at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations here.
"There are actually no words to describe today. Having been a Navy wife for all these years, having my sons serve, being a sponsor of a ship is probably the greatest honor I have ever had," said Mullen, wife of Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Mrs. Mullen's service as the ship's sponsor puts her in the same company as presidents' wives and descendents of war heroes in a tradition that dates back to 1797. Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter invited Mrs. Mullen to serve as the ship's sponsor last year while her husband was serving as chief of naval operations.
Before the ceremonial bottle breaking, the chairman and his wife extolled the need for readiness in the force. The admiral called readiness the warrior's response to the nation's call.
"It's practice, training, it's an undaunted commitment to develop skills that produce efficiency," he said.
Mrs. Mullen, however, added family readiness to the equation.
"I believe family readiness ... is integral to military readiness," she said. "And we need to make sure that our military families are given the support, resources, and education to succeed, to become resilient families ready to face the challenges and opportunities of the military lifestyle."
Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England called Mrs. Mullen "a champion for those in uniform and dynamic family advocate." England named the ship as Navy Secretary in May 2004, and said today that Winter made the right choice for its sponsor.
"The saying goes that the hardest job in the Navy is that of a Navy wife. And Deb has given 37 years to our Navy, and she and Mike together have met every challenge," England said. "Our Navy and our nation are better for her contributions."
During the admiral's tenure as chief of naval operations, Mrs. Mullen worked to enhance the Navy ombudsman program by creating training programs, said Navy Capt. John Kirby, the chairman's spokesman. She also was critical in creating a network of family and spouse support programs, such as Navy's FamilyLine, an online spouse-support network.
"Mrs. Mullen has been a champion of military families for decades and has worked very, very hard to make sure that their sacrifices and their hard work and their efforts are both recognized and supported," Kirby said.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Mrs. Mullen helped man the phones at Task Force Navy Family, reaching out to affected Navy families, including retirees.
Kirby called Mullen's selection as sponsor a "very fitting tribute to the depth to which she cares."
"Mrs. Mullen cares to her very marrow about the people who serve and the people who wait and worry for those who serve -- the families who are providing all the love and support for those who are going into harm's way," Kirby said.
At the ceremony, Mrs. Mullen was flanked by her two sons, John and Michael, who both are Navy officers, one in aviation and the other in surface warfare. Also with her were long-time friends Emmy White and Laurie Armstrong, who served as her matrons-of-honor. Another matron-select, Lori Tamulevich, could not be present for the ceremony.
The Mullens spent yesterday touring the Dewey. The christening signifies that the ship is seaworthy, but it is still about a year away from being operational as a destroyer. While the outside is painted and pristine, with colorful signal flags adorning the ship from bow to stern, the inside is a literal web of wires – 1.5 million feet worth – and the floors are planked with plywood. The unfinished steel walls are covered with hand-scrawled numbers and directions for placement. Computer systems and equipment are covered and protected.
The ship was put in the water Jan. 18. Northrop Grumman officials said they hope to have all of its power working in June. Its crew will then be brought in and the ship will be put through a battery of performance tests before being commissioned and turned over to the crew for sailing to its home port of San Diego.
The ships here are put together like "Lego blocks" as described by Northrop Grumman officials. Each is built in one of its cavernous bays on the sprawling 800,000-acre shipyard on the Pascagoula River at the Mississippi Sound. After the sections are built individually, they are moved and pieced together by huge transporters and cranes capable of hauling hundreds of tons.
In all, there are about 3.5 million pieces to the ship and more than 2,000 workers will be involved in building a destroyer over five years. Northrop Grumman has more than 11,000 employees at the yard in Pascagoula. The yard suffered about $1 billion worth of damage from Hurricane Katrina. It is now back to about 85 percent of its capacity, officials said. Eight other ships are under construction here.
Designated the DDG 105, the new destroyer honors Adm. George Dewey, most famous for leading his squadron of warships into Manila Bay on April 30, 1898, and destroying the Spanish fleet in only two hours without a single American loss. A popular hero of his day, Dewey was commissioned admiral of the Navy, a rank created for him, in March 1903.
Two previous ships have carried his name. The first was a destroyer that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and went on to receive 13 battle stars for World War II service. This newest destroyer is the 55th of 62 Arleigh Burke class destroyers. It has a crew of about 360.
At the ceremony's rehearsal yesterday, the breaking of the bottle was the biggest concern of the petite ship sponsor. In her sponsor packet were printed "horror" stories of some before who kept striking the ship six or more times unsuccessfully with the ceremonial bottles.
"We need bottles that don't break," teased her husband, the chairman.
"I'll just keep hitting it," she respondd with a laugh.
Just remember "persistence and fortitude," teased back Kevin Jarvis, a vice president of ship production with Northrop Grumman.
Mrs. Mullen laughed later about the number of people who would be standing with her on the platform extended from the ceremonial platform to the bow of the ship.
"I need all the swing room I can get," she joked.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 26, 2008 - Under gray skies providing a slight, cold drizzle, Deborah Mullen stepped before the massive 9,200-ton guided-missile destroyer and, with all the grit her slight frame could muster, gave it a good whack, just under the "bullnose." The ship's freshly-painted gray hull gave up only a hollow "clunk" as the bottle she gripped with both hands in baseball-bat fashion glanced off its edge.
Laughing, she took another more determined swing, and this time the christening bottle of champagne broke, wetting the bow of the Navy's newest Arleigh Burke class ship, the Dewey, today in a ceremony before a crowd of about 1,000 at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations here.
"There are actually no words to describe today. Having been a Navy wife for all these years, having my sons serve, being a sponsor of a ship is probably the greatest honor I have ever had," said Mullen, wife of Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Mrs. Mullen's service as the ship's sponsor puts her in the same company as presidents' wives and descendents of war heroes in a tradition that dates back to 1797. Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter invited Mrs. Mullen to serve as the ship's sponsor last year while her husband was serving as chief of naval operations.
Before the ceremonial bottle breaking, the chairman and his wife extolled the need for readiness in the force. The admiral called readiness the warrior's response to the nation's call.
"It's practice, training, it's an undaunted commitment to develop skills that produce efficiency," he said.
Mrs. Mullen, however, added family readiness to the equation.
"I believe family readiness ... is integral to military readiness," she said. "And we need to make sure that our military families are given the support, resources, and education to succeed, to become resilient families ready to face the challenges and opportunities of the military lifestyle."
Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England called Mrs. Mullen "a champion for those in uniform and dynamic family advocate." England named the ship as Navy Secretary in May 2004, and said today that Winter made the right choice for its sponsor.
"The saying goes that the hardest job in the Navy is that of a Navy wife. And Deb has given 37 years to our Navy, and she and Mike together have met every challenge," England said. "Our Navy and our nation are better for her contributions."
During the admiral's tenure as chief of naval operations, Mrs. Mullen worked to enhance the Navy ombudsman program by creating training programs, said Navy Capt. John Kirby, the chairman's spokesman. She also was critical in creating a network of family and spouse support programs, such as Navy's FamilyLine, an online spouse-support network.
"Mrs. Mullen has been a champion of military families for decades and has worked very, very hard to make sure that their sacrifices and their hard work and their efforts are both recognized and supported," Kirby said.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Mrs. Mullen helped man the phones at Task Force Navy Family, reaching out to affected Navy families, including retirees.
Kirby called Mullen's selection as sponsor a "very fitting tribute to the depth to which she cares."
"Mrs. Mullen cares to her very marrow about the people who serve and the people who wait and worry for those who serve -- the families who are providing all the love and support for those who are going into harm's way," Kirby said.
At the ceremony, Mrs. Mullen was flanked by her two sons, John and Michael, who both are Navy officers, one in aviation and the other in surface warfare. Also with her were long-time friends Emmy White and Laurie Armstrong, who served as her matrons-of-honor. Another matron-select, Lori Tamulevich, could not be present for the ceremony.
The Mullens spent yesterday touring the Dewey. The christening signifies that the ship is seaworthy, but it is still about a year away from being operational as a destroyer. While the outside is painted and pristine, with colorful signal flags adorning the ship from bow to stern, the inside is a literal web of wires – 1.5 million feet worth – and the floors are planked with plywood. The unfinished steel walls are covered with hand-scrawled numbers and directions for placement. Computer systems and equipment are covered and protected.
The ship was put in the water Jan. 18. Northrop Grumman officials said they hope to have all of its power working in June. Its crew will then be brought in and the ship will be put through a battery of performance tests before being commissioned and turned over to the crew for sailing to its home port of San Diego.
The ships here are put together like "Lego blocks" as described by Northrop Grumman officials. Each is built in one of its cavernous bays on the sprawling 800,000-acre shipyard on the Pascagoula River at the Mississippi Sound. After the sections are built individually, they are moved and pieced together by huge transporters and cranes capable of hauling hundreds of tons.
In all, there are about 3.5 million pieces to the ship and more than 2,000 workers will be involved in building a destroyer over five years. Northrop Grumman has more than 11,000 employees at the yard in Pascagoula. The yard suffered about $1 billion worth of damage from Hurricane Katrina. It is now back to about 85 percent of its capacity, officials said. Eight other ships are under construction here.
Designated the DDG 105, the new destroyer honors Adm. George Dewey, most famous for leading his squadron of warships into Manila Bay on April 30, 1898, and destroying the Spanish fleet in only two hours without a single American loss. A popular hero of his day, Dewey was commissioned admiral of the Navy, a rank created for him, in March 1903.
Two previous ships have carried his name. The first was a destroyer that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and went on to receive 13 battle stars for World War II service. This newest destroyer is the 55th of 62 Arleigh Burke class destroyers. It has a crew of about 360.
At the ceremony's rehearsal yesterday, the breaking of the bottle was the biggest concern of the petite ship sponsor. In her sponsor packet were printed "horror" stories of some before who kept striking the ship six or more times unsuccessfully with the ceremonial bottles.
"We need bottles that don't break," teased her husband, the chairman.
"I'll just keep hitting it," she respondd with a laugh.
Just remember "persistence and fortitude," teased back Kevin Jarvis, a vice president of ship production with Northrop Grumman.
Mrs. Mullen laughed later about the number of people who would be standing with her on the platform extended from the ceremonial platform to the bow of the ship.
"I need all the swing room I can get," she joked.
America Supports You Summit Helps Groups Build on Momentum
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 25, 2008 - More than 180 representatives of 122 troop-support groups gathered today at the Pentagon to share information and insights about ways to boost their efforts during the third annual America Supports You National Summit. Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary Allison Barber, the program's architect, opened the all-day session welcoming the participants she credits with making America Supports You such a big success. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is slated to close the summit, thanking the groups for their contributions.
The Defense Department launched the America Supports you program in November 2004 to showcase support for the country's men and women in uniform from the American public as well as the corporate sector. More than three years later, it continues to expand, directing people who want to do something to support the troops to myriad initiatives already under way, and enabling those behind these efforts to share ideas and encouragement.
Barber told the group she had no clue when the program first began how big it would grow -- with 343 grassroots groups as well as corporate members now participating --- or how powerful its impact would be.
"What we didn't know is that we would create this amazing network -- an amazing network for you to work together, and an amazing network for our troops to get more support (and) for their families back home to get the support they need ... because of what you do," she said.
The Defense Department counts on America Supports You groups to provide support to troops in ways it and the individual services can't, Barber said.
"When people ask how they can support the troops," she said, "we tell them, go to the America Supports You Web site and find our groups who are making a real difference in the lives of our troops and their families."
Although initially introduced as a campaign, America Supports You has evolved into a permanent Defense Department program.
"What we have created is something that will never go away," Barber told the group. "America Supports You has become institutionalized throughout the Department of Defense because it is our connection to you -- citizen support for the men and women in the military."
The agenda for this year's America Supports You summit, the largest yet, was built around suggestions from participants in the last summit. It's packed with breakout sessions designed to help grassroots leaders maintain the momentum they've built, Barber said.
Participants are learning how to motivate and manage volunteers, find the resources needed to support their operations and get word out through the media about their efforts. One of the breakout sessions is focusing on compassion fatigue and ways to identify symptoms of burnout and treat it before it takes hold.
"Home-front groups are our first line of support," Barber said. "Through these sessions, we're providing some new tools to help them provide that support. We want them to walk out of here refreshed so they can go back home and continue what they're doing.
"Our goal for this summit is threefold: to let them know how much we appreciate what they're doing, and to help equip them and encourage them to keep on doing it," she said.
Attendees said they welcomed the opportunity to meet other America Supports You members and swap experiences and ideas.
Calvin K. Coolidge, program director for Freedom Alliance, returned for his second summit to pick up more tips for his group, which provides scholarships and grants to children whose parents have been killed or permanently disabled in combat. Coolidge said he benefitted from last year's meeting, where he learning new processes and better ways to communicate and work with the military.
"It's a real benefit to have the opportunity to meet new people and talk about how they are doing things and how to do things better to be more effective," he said.
Ann Johnson, founder of the Adopt a U.S. Soldier program, is attending her first America Supports You summit with hopes of learning how to improve her operations, which rely solely on volunteers. Jeff and Patti Patton-Bade from the Soldiers' Angels group traveled from Pasadena, Calif., for ideas for their program, which sends care packages to deployed troops and supports fallen heroes' families.
"We came here for the opportunity to network with everyone else," Patti said. "If every one of our groups communicated with each other, imagine the kind of support we could offer."
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 25, 2008 - More than 180 representatives of 122 troop-support groups gathered today at the Pentagon to share information and insights about ways to boost their efforts during the third annual America Supports You National Summit. Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary Allison Barber, the program's architect, opened the all-day session welcoming the participants she credits with making America Supports You such a big success. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is slated to close the summit, thanking the groups for their contributions.
The Defense Department launched the America Supports you program in November 2004 to showcase support for the country's men and women in uniform from the American public as well as the corporate sector. More than three years later, it continues to expand, directing people who want to do something to support the troops to myriad initiatives already under way, and enabling those behind these efforts to share ideas and encouragement.
Barber told the group she had no clue when the program first began how big it would grow -- with 343 grassroots groups as well as corporate members now participating --- or how powerful its impact would be.
"What we didn't know is that we would create this amazing network -- an amazing network for you to work together, and an amazing network for our troops to get more support (and) for their families back home to get the support they need ... because of what you do," she said.
The Defense Department counts on America Supports You groups to provide support to troops in ways it and the individual services can't, Barber said.
"When people ask how they can support the troops," she said, "we tell them, go to the America Supports You Web site and find our groups who are making a real difference in the lives of our troops and their families."
Although initially introduced as a campaign, America Supports You has evolved into a permanent Defense Department program.
"What we have created is something that will never go away," Barber told the group. "America Supports You has become institutionalized throughout the Department of Defense because it is our connection to you -- citizen support for the men and women in the military."
The agenda for this year's America Supports You summit, the largest yet, was built around suggestions from participants in the last summit. It's packed with breakout sessions designed to help grassroots leaders maintain the momentum they've built, Barber said.
Participants are learning how to motivate and manage volunteers, find the resources needed to support their operations and get word out through the media about their efforts. One of the breakout sessions is focusing on compassion fatigue and ways to identify symptoms of burnout and treat it before it takes hold.
"Home-front groups are our first line of support," Barber said. "Through these sessions, we're providing some new tools to help them provide that support. We want them to walk out of here refreshed so they can go back home and continue what they're doing.
"Our goal for this summit is threefold: to let them know how much we appreciate what they're doing, and to help equip them and encourage them to keep on doing it," she said.
Attendees said they welcomed the opportunity to meet other America Supports You members and swap experiences and ideas.
Calvin K. Coolidge, program director for Freedom Alliance, returned for his second summit to pick up more tips for his group, which provides scholarships and grants to children whose parents have been killed or permanently disabled in combat. Coolidge said he benefitted from last year's meeting, where he learning new processes and better ways to communicate and work with the military.
"It's a real benefit to have the opportunity to meet new people and talk about how they are doing things and how to do things better to be more effective," he said.
Ann Johnson, founder of the Adopt a U.S. Soldier program, is attending her first America Supports You summit with hopes of learning how to improve her operations, which rely solely on volunteers. Jeff and Patti Patton-Bade from the Soldiers' Angels group traveled from Pasadena, Calif., for ideas for their program, which sends care packages to deployed troops and supports fallen heroes' families.
"We came here for the opportunity to network with everyone else," Patti said. "If every one of our groups communicated with each other, imagine the kind of support we could offer."
America Supports You: Caregivers Learn About 'Compassion Fatigue'
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 25, 2008 - Many servicemembers who have experienced combat, and their families, are familiar with the term "combat stress." The effects of combat, however, aren't limited to those directly connected to the experience. Stress can affect anyone who cares for those individuals, Dr. Joseph Bobrow, a clinical psychologist, told representatives of more than 100 troop-support organizations gathered at the Pentagon for the third annual America Supports You National Summit here today.
America Supports You is a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
"One of the things that we've learned from experience and research is that 'compassion fatigue,' and the potential for burning out, is not just limited to psychotherapists," he said. "Family members who are caring for wounded veterans are at risk. Veteran service workers, like yourselves, (and) volunteers (are at risk)."
Bobrow, who also is executive director of the Coming Home Project, a troop-support organization, said becoming overwhelmed by the experience of caring for servicemembers and their families is the nature of that work.
"We can anticipate this happening," he said. "It doesn't necessarily ... mean a psychiatric disorder, just like post-traumatic stress ... is not necessarily a psychiatric disorder.
"In fact, it's the body, mind and soul's way of coping with an impossible situation," he explained.
Volunteers can easily fall victim to emotions similar to those that they aim to ease in their charges, he told the support group members. "The same seed of empathy and compassion that draws us to the work that we do, if it's taken to an extreme, is the same seed that could lead us down the slippery slope to burnout," Bobrow said.
Burnout, or compassion fatigue, can be overcome, but it's better to avoid it to begin with, he said. Incorporating positive thoughts and actions into daily life builds resiliency against burnout.
He offered the group several suggestions on how to stave off compassion fatigue, most notably the need to develop the ability to recognize when things start to get overwhelming. When that happens, it's good for individuals to know what refreshes them, he said.
Keeping their attitudes about the work they're doing fresh and upbeat isn't just healthy for volunteers. It can be one of the best things for the people they're working with, Bobrow told the group.
"Our own capacity for peace and joy and well-being ... is really, fundamentally, what we end up giving the next person," he said. "That's what people pick up from us, so if our batteries have run out, then we're no longer those agents of compassion."
Bobrow shared his experiences and advice with two groups during the summit. Army Lt. Gen. Carter F. Ham, operations director for the Joint Staff, and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates also addressed the group, as did Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison, the architect of the America Supports You program.
Breakout sessions from the summit were recorded and will be available on the America Supports You Web site.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 25, 2008 - Many servicemembers who have experienced combat, and their families, are familiar with the term "combat stress." The effects of combat, however, aren't limited to those directly connected to the experience. Stress can affect anyone who cares for those individuals, Dr. Joseph Bobrow, a clinical psychologist, told representatives of more than 100 troop-support organizations gathered at the Pentagon for the third annual America Supports You National Summit here today.
America Supports You is a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
"One of the things that we've learned from experience and research is that 'compassion fatigue,' and the potential for burning out, is not just limited to psychotherapists," he said. "Family members who are caring for wounded veterans are at risk. Veteran service workers, like yourselves, (and) volunteers (are at risk)."
Bobrow, who also is executive director of the Coming Home Project, a troop-support organization, said becoming overwhelmed by the experience of caring for servicemembers and their families is the nature of that work.
"We can anticipate this happening," he said. "It doesn't necessarily ... mean a psychiatric disorder, just like post-traumatic stress ... is not necessarily a psychiatric disorder.
"In fact, it's the body, mind and soul's way of coping with an impossible situation," he explained.
Volunteers can easily fall victim to emotions similar to those that they aim to ease in their charges, he told the support group members. "The same seed of empathy and compassion that draws us to the work that we do, if it's taken to an extreme, is the same seed that could lead us down the slippery slope to burnout," Bobrow said.
Burnout, or compassion fatigue, can be overcome, but it's better to avoid it to begin with, he said. Incorporating positive thoughts and actions into daily life builds resiliency against burnout.
He offered the group several suggestions on how to stave off compassion fatigue, most notably the need to develop the ability to recognize when things start to get overwhelming. When that happens, it's good for individuals to know what refreshes them, he said.
Keeping their attitudes about the work they're doing fresh and upbeat isn't just healthy for volunteers. It can be one of the best things for the people they're working with, Bobrow told the group.
"Our own capacity for peace and joy and well-being ... is really, fundamentally, what we end up giving the next person," he said. "That's what people pick up from us, so if our batteries have run out, then we're no longer those agents of compassion."
Bobrow shared his experiences and advice with two groups during the summit. Army Lt. Gen. Carter F. Ham, operations director for the Joint Staff, and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates also addressed the group, as did Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison, the architect of the America Supports You program.
Breakout sessions from the summit were recorded and will be available on the America Supports You Web site.
Joint Staff Ops Director Cites Value of 'America Supports You'
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 25, 2008 - The Joint Staff's operations director told participants in the third annual America Supports You National Summit here today it would be impossible to put a price tag on what they give the country's men and women in uniform. Army Lt. Gen. Carter F. Ham told more than 180 representatives of 122 troop-support groups at the Pentagon for the all-day summit that the work they do and the support of the American people provide "the center of gravity for our operations."
Troops rely on equipment, supplies, food and other resources to carry out their mission. But just as important, he said, is knowing the country stands solidly behind them and appreciates the sacrifices they and their families make. "And that's what you do," Ham told the group.
America Supports You organizations provide "a gentle reminder that somebody cares about them," he said. "What you do signals to them that we care (and) your country is supportive of you. The message you send is, 'Thank you, soldiers; thank you, sailors; thank you, airmen; and thank you, Marines; and thank you to your families for what you're doing.'"
Ham recalled his first exposure to the America Supports You program, when he was working as the Joint Staff's deputy director for regional operations shortly after the Defense Department unveiled the program in November 2004. "I don't think any of us who saw this at the start thought that America Supports You would turn into what it's become," he told the group.
"What you do truly does make a difference," he said. "I don't know what it would be like if you weren't here, doing what you do day in and day out. But I do know that it wouldn't be as good as it is."
Traveling frequently between the Pentagon and forward locations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Ham said, he's witnessed firsthand the program's impact on deployed servicemembers.
He said he watched troops return to their operating base after a mission, pausing to pick up and read a letter from a stack of thank-yous sent by an America Supports You group. "It's not uncommon to see them sit down and write a note back to somebody they have no idea who they are, just to say, 'Thank you for thinking of us. Thank you for thinking of me and my buddies,'" he said.
Ham said he's also seen servicemembers -- particularly those who aren't married or have no immediate family -- respond to a care package or card expressing appreciation. "You can almost physically see their reaction when their commander or sergeant hands them a little bag or one of the mailings," he said. "These are tough folks that have been in combat, and they're moved by that.
"So if you ever wonder if what you're doing matters, if folks appreciate it, let me give you an unequivocal 'yes,'" Ham told the group. "You see it so many different ways."
Ham said the impact of the America Supports You program expands far beyond each individual care package, letter to the troops or other single show of support.
"Collectively, the power you bring to our servicemembers around the world, especially to those who are in harm's way, simply can't be overstated," he said. "It is a little touch of home. It is a little, gentle remember that somebody cares about them. ... You can't put a price tag on that."
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 25, 2008 - The Joint Staff's operations director told participants in the third annual America Supports You National Summit here today it would be impossible to put a price tag on what they give the country's men and women in uniform. Army Lt. Gen. Carter F. Ham told more than 180 representatives of 122 troop-support groups at the Pentagon for the all-day summit that the work they do and the support of the American people provide "the center of gravity for our operations."
Troops rely on equipment, supplies, food and other resources to carry out their mission. But just as important, he said, is knowing the country stands solidly behind them and appreciates the sacrifices they and their families make. "And that's what you do," Ham told the group.
America Supports You organizations provide "a gentle reminder that somebody cares about them," he said. "What you do signals to them that we care (and) your country is supportive of you. The message you send is, 'Thank you, soldiers; thank you, sailors; thank you, airmen; and thank you, Marines; and thank you to your families for what you're doing.'"
Ham recalled his first exposure to the America Supports You program, when he was working as the Joint Staff's deputy director for regional operations shortly after the Defense Department unveiled the program in November 2004. "I don't think any of us who saw this at the start thought that America Supports You would turn into what it's become," he told the group.
"What you do truly does make a difference," he said. "I don't know what it would be like if you weren't here, doing what you do day in and day out. But I do know that it wouldn't be as good as it is."
Traveling frequently between the Pentagon and forward locations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Ham said, he's witnessed firsthand the program's impact on deployed servicemembers.
He said he watched troops return to their operating base after a mission, pausing to pick up and read a letter from a stack of thank-yous sent by an America Supports You group. "It's not uncommon to see them sit down and write a note back to somebody they have no idea who they are, just to say, 'Thank you for thinking of us. Thank you for thinking of me and my buddies,'" he said.
Ham said he's also seen servicemembers -- particularly those who aren't married or have no immediate family -- respond to a care package or card expressing appreciation. "You can almost physically see their reaction when their commander or sergeant hands them a little bag or one of the mailings," he said. "These are tough folks that have been in combat, and they're moved by that.
"So if you ever wonder if what you're doing matters, if folks appreciate it, let me give you an unequivocal 'yes,'" Ham told the group. "You see it so many different ways."
Ham said the impact of the America Supports You program expands far beyond each individual care package, letter to the troops or other single show of support.
"Collectively, the power you bring to our servicemembers around the world, especially to those who are in harm's way, simply can't be overstated," he said. "It is a little touch of home. It is a little, gentle remember that somebody cares about them. ... You can't put a price tag on that."
Ops Chief Briefs Support Groups on Military Efforts Worldwide
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 25, 2008 - More than 150 people attending the America Supports You National Summit here today received a quick overview of the American military as it fights the war on terror. This is the third summit for the Defense Department's America Supports You program, through which hundreds of volunteer groups and corporations are reaching out to American servicemembers.
Ham, who served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005, gave the group a quick tour of the world, starting with the United States and U.S. Northern Command, based in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"It is the command tasked to defend our country and provide support to civilian authorities and to respond to emergencies inside the United States," he said.
The command has worked to ensure the United States is not attacked again, and it also helps local, state and civilian agencies when natural disasters strike. Northern Command "is almost never in the headlines; you almost never read about them, but day in, day out they are the ones doing hard work here at home to keep us safe," he said.
The general moved the tour to U.S. Southern Command, which covers Central and South America, and talked about a new strategy called "soft power." This is the realization that the application of overwhelming combat power is not always the right solution. "Maybe it's better to do something quieter, lower key, to build capacity of partner nations, to do something that might deter something from building to a crisis," he said.
There is a role for the military in soft power, he said. He cited the U.S. Navy partnering with nongovernmental agencies aboard Navy hospital ships to provide medical assistance to more than 100,000 patients in Central and South America in the last year. Soft power has applications well beyond Southern Command.
In Europe, times have changed from the Cold War era, he said. While much of the continent is prosperous, there are still places such as the Balkans where there is conflict. U.S. servicemembers are working with NATO allies to maintain peace in Kosovo and Bosnia. He said U.S. forces there deploy to U.S. Central Command and help train NATO allies in conducting counterinsurgency operations. U.S. servicemembers also work with countries to help them build their military forces to provide security for economic development.
U.S. Africa Command is the new kid on the block, yet it has a crucial mission. Many of the suicide bombers that strike in other parts of the world are from the countries of North Africa, Ham said. "We have a choice: Do you want to fight them here, or do you want to deter them there?" he said. "My vote goes to trying to deter them there."
Again, soft power plays a part. "If you can get to a young African boy and say, 'You have an alternative. There's education, employment for you; there's a stable government; there's a better life for you,'" Ham said. "I'd sure like him to have that rather than somebody who turns to him and says, 'Son, your best destiny is to put on this suicide vest and go kill Americans.'"
U.S. Pacific Command contains almost half of the Earth's land space and two of the world's biggest countries: China and India. Those two countries are not U.S. adversaries, but are competitors. The U.S. military has a role with them to stay engaged. "We would very much like to be open with them and increase our programs with their militaries," he said.
South Korea and Japan are U.S. treaty allies, and thousands of U.S. troops are in those countries, Ham said. De-nuclearizing the Korean peninsula is an imperative to the United States and the countries of North Asia. "A nuclear North Korea is one of those things that keep you awake at night," Ham said.
U.S. Central Command holds the two hot conflicts of the war on terror. In Iraq, the United States has just under 160,000 troops. Hamm said he sees dramatic changes in the country each time he visits. Problems remain in the country, he acknowledged, and operations continue to chase down extremists of all sorts.
"There is some tough, tough fighting that needs to be done," he said. "But I'm convinced ... that increasingly the Iraqi security forces are able to take on that fight themselves. They need us for right now, but they are increasingly able to do this on their own."
He said another decision on U.S. force levels in Iraq will be made in the coming months. "I don't know what the decision is going to be, but from my view there has been accelerated progress over these past couple of months," he said.
About 27,000 U.S. servicemembers are in Afghanistan, and 3,200 Marines will sail to join those forces beginning in March, Ham said. "We need to do that because there's been an opportunity that's been created by the forces that are there now that have the Taliban in what we think is a bit of a weakened state," Hamm said.
The Taliban will try to renew their efforts in the spring, but they will not be successful, the general said. "But like Iraq, ultimately, success depends on transferring security responsibility to the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police," Ham said. "The forces have some great commanders; these are some tough hombres. They have been through tough times against tough enemies."
Ham left the group with the importance of the idea of soft power. "We know that we've got sufficient military power ... that we can win every fight that we engage in," he said. "And that's OK, if you just want to keep fighting all the time.
"We want to use the military force necessary to provide the security under which other types of activities can grow and flourish," he continued, explaining that military force is needed to establish security so people can send their children to school, and leave their houses to work or go to receive medical care. "Only by doing that do you get lasting success," he said.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 25, 2008 - More than 150 people attending the America Supports You National Summit here today received a quick overview of the American military as it fights the war on terror. This is the third summit for the Defense Department's America Supports You program, through which hundreds of volunteer groups and corporations are reaching out to American servicemembers.
Ham, who served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005, gave the group a quick tour of the world, starting with the United States and U.S. Northern Command, based in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"It is the command tasked to defend our country and provide support to civilian authorities and to respond to emergencies inside the United States," he said.
The command has worked to ensure the United States is not attacked again, and it also helps local, state and civilian agencies when natural disasters strike. Northern Command "is almost never in the headlines; you almost never read about them, but day in, day out they are the ones doing hard work here at home to keep us safe," he said.
The general moved the tour to U.S. Southern Command, which covers Central and South America, and talked about a new strategy called "soft power." This is the realization that the application of overwhelming combat power is not always the right solution. "Maybe it's better to do something quieter, lower key, to build capacity of partner nations, to do something that might deter something from building to a crisis," he said.
There is a role for the military in soft power, he said. He cited the U.S. Navy partnering with nongovernmental agencies aboard Navy hospital ships to provide medical assistance to more than 100,000 patients in Central and South America in the last year. Soft power has applications well beyond Southern Command.
In Europe, times have changed from the Cold War era, he said. While much of the continent is prosperous, there are still places such as the Balkans where there is conflict. U.S. servicemembers are working with NATO allies to maintain peace in Kosovo and Bosnia. He said U.S. forces there deploy to U.S. Central Command and help train NATO allies in conducting counterinsurgency operations. U.S. servicemembers also work with countries to help them build their military forces to provide security for economic development.
U.S. Africa Command is the new kid on the block, yet it has a crucial mission. Many of the suicide bombers that strike in other parts of the world are from the countries of North Africa, Ham said. "We have a choice: Do you want to fight them here, or do you want to deter them there?" he said. "My vote goes to trying to deter them there."
Again, soft power plays a part. "If you can get to a young African boy and say, 'You have an alternative. There's education, employment for you; there's a stable government; there's a better life for you,'" Ham said. "I'd sure like him to have that rather than somebody who turns to him and says, 'Son, your best destiny is to put on this suicide vest and go kill Americans.'"
U.S. Pacific Command contains almost half of the Earth's land space and two of the world's biggest countries: China and India. Those two countries are not U.S. adversaries, but are competitors. The U.S. military has a role with them to stay engaged. "We would very much like to be open with them and increase our programs with their militaries," he said.
South Korea and Japan are U.S. treaty allies, and thousands of U.S. troops are in those countries, Ham said. De-nuclearizing the Korean peninsula is an imperative to the United States and the countries of North Asia. "A nuclear North Korea is one of those things that keep you awake at night," Ham said.
U.S. Central Command holds the two hot conflicts of the war on terror. In Iraq, the United States has just under 160,000 troops. Hamm said he sees dramatic changes in the country each time he visits. Problems remain in the country, he acknowledged, and operations continue to chase down extremists of all sorts.
"There is some tough, tough fighting that needs to be done," he said. "But I'm convinced ... that increasingly the Iraqi security forces are able to take on that fight themselves. They need us for right now, but they are increasingly able to do this on their own."
He said another decision on U.S. force levels in Iraq will be made in the coming months. "I don't know what the decision is going to be, but from my view there has been accelerated progress over these past couple of months," he said.
About 27,000 U.S. servicemembers are in Afghanistan, and 3,200 Marines will sail to join those forces beginning in March, Ham said. "We need to do that because there's been an opportunity that's been created by the forces that are there now that have the Taliban in what we think is a bit of a weakened state," Hamm said.
The Taliban will try to renew their efforts in the spring, but they will not be successful, the general said. "But like Iraq, ultimately, success depends on transferring security responsibility to the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police," Ham said. "The forces have some great commanders; these are some tough hombres. They have been through tough times against tough enemies."
Ham left the group with the importance of the idea of soft power. "We know that we've got sufficient military power ... that we can win every fight that we engage in," he said. "And that's OK, if you just want to keep fighting all the time.
"We want to use the military force necessary to provide the security under which other types of activities can grow and flourish," he continued, explaining that military force is needed to establish security so people can send their children to school, and leave their houses to work or go to receive medical care. "Only by doing that do you get lasting success," he said.
MILITARY CONTRACTS - January 25, 2008
ARMY
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., was awarded on Jan. 24, 2008, a $171,847,946 firm-fixed price contract for modernized target acquisition designation night vision sensors for the Apache aircraft. Work will be performed it Lockheed Martin Systems in Orlando, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Sep. 30, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was one bid solicited on Apri. 19, 2007, and one bid received. The Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity W58RGZ-06-C-0169.
General Dynamics Network Systems, Needham, Mass., was awarded on Jan. 24, 2008, a $8,613,929 modification to a fixed price incentive contract for continuing efforts to survey, plan, design, install and implement the information technology systems and infrastructure for Wedges 2-5 as part of the Pentagon IT infrastructure. Work will be performed at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was one bid solicited on Mar. 28, 2002, and one bid was received. The Pentagon Renovation & Construction Program Office, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity MDA947-98-C-2002.
Anthony & Gordon Construction Co. Inc., Knoxville, Tenn., was awarded on Jan. 24, 2008, an $8,426,000 firm fixed price contract for the design and construction of the Corpus Christi Controlled Humidity Warehouse in Robstown, Texas. Work will be performed in Robstown, Texas and is expected to be completed by Jan. 19, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Oct. 16 2007, and four bids were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity W912QR-08-C-004.
NAVY
Raytheon Technical Services Co. Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded $34,077,192 for firm-fixed-price order #7005 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract (N00383-07-G-008D) for repair of components of the APG-65 and 73 radar system, which is used to support the F/A-18 aircraft. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., (39 percent); Forest, Miss., (32 percent); El Segundo, Calif., (25 percent); and Andover, Mass., (4 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Jan. 2010. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.
Rothenbuhler Engineering, Sedro Woolley, Wash., is being awarded an $11,518,054 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the MK 186 Mod 2 Radio Firing Device, MK 313 Mod 0 Shock Tube Igniter, MK 67 Demolition Firing Device and various components. MK 67 MOD 0 Demolition Firing Device, MK 313 MOD 0 Shock Tube Igniter, MK 186 MOD 2 Remote Firing Device systems are all radio firing device kits that together provide for the initiation of both pyrotechnic and ordnance devices remotely in both the electric initiator and shock tube initiator configurations. Additional contract line items are subcomponents of these systems and will be used for system maintenance purposes. Work will be performed in Sedro Woolley, Wash., and work is expected to be completed by Jan. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-08-D-4279).
Team BOS Signella, Joint Venture of Gemmo/Del-Jen, Inc./LA.RA S.r.l., Vicenza, Italy, is being awarded a $9,382,988 firm-fixed-price contract for Base Operating and Support (BOS) services at Naval Air Station (NAS), Sigonella. The work to be performed provides for all labor, supervision, tools, materials, equipment and transportation necessary to provide BOS services for the NAS Sigonella and supported installations. This contract contains options, which if exercised would bring the total not to exceed cumulative value of the contract to $50,110,676. Work will be performed in Sicily, Italy, and work is expected to be completed Feb. 2009, (Feb. 2013 with options). Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Europe and Southwest Asia, is the contracting activity (N33191-08-D-0212).
Canadian Commercial Corp. General Dynamics Land Systems Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is being awarded $6,063,302 for delivery order #0001 under previously awarded firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of Objective Gunner Protection Kit Parts required for their Mine Resistant Ambush ProtectedCategory I vehicles. Work will be performed in Ontario, Canada, and work is expected to be completed by Feb. 2009. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Kollmorgen Corp. Electro-Optical Division, Northampton, Mass., is being awarded a $5,754,914 modification under previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-6248) to exercise an option for the production of one AN/BVS-1 Photonics Mast System. The Photonics Mast is a non-hull penetrating electronic imaging subsystem of the command and control system. The Photonics Mast incorporates visible, infrared and electronic support measures sensors, and stealth features that will provide new capabilities for attack submarines. The subsystem comprises the Sensor Group, the Mast Group, the Data Transmission Group, and the Control and Display Group. The AN/BVS-1 Photonics Mast Systems will be installed on the Va. Class Submarines (SSN 780 - SSN 783). Work will be performed in Northampton, Mass., (70 percent); Seattle, Wash., (8 percent); Westfield, Mass., (6 percent); Boston, Mass., (6 percent); Joplin, Mo., (4 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio, (2 percent); Orlando, Fla., (2 percent); and Hackensack, N.J., (2 percent), and is expected to be completed by Aug. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Reinhart Food Service, La Crosse, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $19,400,000.00 fixed price with economic price adjustment, prime vendor contract for subsistence. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Federal Civilian Agencies, and National Guard. This proposal was originally Web solicited with one response. This contract includes a two-year base and three option periods. Date of performance completion is Jan. 24, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM300-08-D-3236).
Hatco Corp. Fords, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $12,341,351.34 indefinite quantity contract for oil. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. The proposals were originally solicited on DIBBS with one response. This is a base year contract with one option year. Date of performance completion is Jan. 24, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va., (SPM4A6-08-D-0097).
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., was awarded on Jan. 24, 2008, a $171,847,946 firm-fixed price contract for modernized target acquisition designation night vision sensors for the Apache aircraft. Work will be performed it Lockheed Martin Systems in Orlando, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Sep. 30, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was one bid solicited on Apri. 19, 2007, and one bid received. The Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity W58RGZ-06-C-0169.
General Dynamics Network Systems, Needham, Mass., was awarded on Jan. 24, 2008, a $8,613,929 modification to a fixed price incentive contract for continuing efforts to survey, plan, design, install and implement the information technology systems and infrastructure for Wedges 2-5 as part of the Pentagon IT infrastructure. Work will be performed at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was one bid solicited on Mar. 28, 2002, and one bid was received. The Pentagon Renovation & Construction Program Office, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity MDA947-98-C-2002.
Anthony & Gordon Construction Co. Inc., Knoxville, Tenn., was awarded on Jan. 24, 2008, an $8,426,000 firm fixed price contract for the design and construction of the Corpus Christi Controlled Humidity Warehouse in Robstown, Texas. Work will be performed in Robstown, Texas and is expected to be completed by Jan. 19, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Oct. 16 2007, and four bids were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity W912QR-08-C-004.
NAVY
Raytheon Technical Services Co. Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded $34,077,192 for firm-fixed-price order #7005 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract (N00383-07-G-008D) for repair of components of the APG-65 and 73 radar system, which is used to support the F/A-18 aircraft. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., (39 percent); Forest, Miss., (32 percent); El Segundo, Calif., (25 percent); and Andover, Mass., (4 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Jan. 2010. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.
Rothenbuhler Engineering, Sedro Woolley, Wash., is being awarded an $11,518,054 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the MK 186 Mod 2 Radio Firing Device, MK 313 Mod 0 Shock Tube Igniter, MK 67 Demolition Firing Device and various components. MK 67 MOD 0 Demolition Firing Device, MK 313 MOD 0 Shock Tube Igniter, MK 186 MOD 2 Remote Firing Device systems are all radio firing device kits that together provide for the initiation of both pyrotechnic and ordnance devices remotely in both the electric initiator and shock tube initiator configurations. Additional contract line items are subcomponents of these systems and will be used for system maintenance purposes. Work will be performed in Sedro Woolley, Wash., and work is expected to be completed by Jan. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-08-D-4279).
Team BOS Signella, Joint Venture of Gemmo/Del-Jen, Inc./LA.RA S.r.l., Vicenza, Italy, is being awarded a $9,382,988 firm-fixed-price contract for Base Operating and Support (BOS) services at Naval Air Station (NAS), Sigonella. The work to be performed provides for all labor, supervision, tools, materials, equipment and transportation necessary to provide BOS services for the NAS Sigonella and supported installations. This contract contains options, which if exercised would bring the total not to exceed cumulative value of the contract to $50,110,676. Work will be performed in Sicily, Italy, and work is expected to be completed Feb. 2009, (Feb. 2013 with options). Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Europe and Southwest Asia, is the contracting activity (N33191-08-D-0212).
Canadian Commercial Corp. General Dynamics Land Systems Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is being awarded $6,063,302 for delivery order #0001 under previously awarded firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of Objective Gunner Protection Kit Parts required for their Mine Resistant Ambush ProtectedCategory I vehicles. Work will be performed in Ontario, Canada, and work is expected to be completed by Feb. 2009. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Kollmorgen Corp. Electro-Optical Division, Northampton, Mass., is being awarded a $5,754,914 modification under previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-6248) to exercise an option for the production of one AN/BVS-1 Photonics Mast System. The Photonics Mast is a non-hull penetrating electronic imaging subsystem of the command and control system. The Photonics Mast incorporates visible, infrared and electronic support measures sensors, and stealth features that will provide new capabilities for attack submarines. The subsystem comprises the Sensor Group, the Mast Group, the Data Transmission Group, and the Control and Display Group. The AN/BVS-1 Photonics Mast Systems will be installed on the Va. Class Submarines (SSN 780 - SSN 783). Work will be performed in Northampton, Mass., (70 percent); Seattle, Wash., (8 percent); Westfield, Mass., (6 percent); Boston, Mass., (6 percent); Joplin, Mo., (4 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio, (2 percent); Orlando, Fla., (2 percent); and Hackensack, N.J., (2 percent), and is expected to be completed by Aug. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Reinhart Food Service, La Crosse, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $19,400,000.00 fixed price with economic price adjustment, prime vendor contract for subsistence. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Federal Civilian Agencies, and National Guard. This proposal was originally Web solicited with one response. This contract includes a two-year base and three option periods. Date of performance completion is Jan. 24, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM300-08-D-3236).
Hatco Corp. Fords, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $12,341,351.34 indefinite quantity contract for oil. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. The proposals were originally solicited on DIBBS with one response. This is a base year contract with one option year. Date of performance completion is Jan. 24, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va., (SPM4A6-08-D-0097).
Undercover Angel
Editor's Note: The author is a former servicemember.
January 25, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) The January 16, 2008 program of Conversations with Cops at the Watering Hole features an interview with former police officer Lisa Lockwood – the author of Undercover Angel.
Program Date: January 30, 2008
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Undercover Angel
Guest: Lisa Lockwood
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement
About the Guest
Lisa Lockwood is a former Chicago area police officer. During her law enforcement career she worked as a police officer, undercover detective and SWAT team member. Lisa Lockwood is the author of Undercover Angel.
According to the book description, “Lisa Lockwood endured childhood poverty and an abusive marriage to become a soldier in Desert Storm, a police officer, undercover narcotics detective and the first female SWAT team member. A former beauty pageant contestant, Lisa had to suppress her obvious femininity in order to conquer the "Boys Club" of law enforcement, but her beguiling beauty would become her best asset as an undercover narcotics detective. It was in the gritty world of drug rings, Mafia members and child molesters that she rediscovered the power of her femininity and learned to use her disarming sexuality as a professional asset in ensnaring criminals.
Lisa's journey was fraught with inner conflict as she struggled to balance her dangerous profession with a desire to be a complete woman, worthy of genuine love. Undercover Angel is Lisa Lockwood’s illuminating story of perseverance and unstoppable drive, that took her deep into the heart of a violent world and left her in a place of happiness, self-confidence and inner peace.”
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. During the first half-hour of the show, the host, a nationally recognized expert on law enforcement, interviews a subject matter expert on the topic. During the second half-hour the program is joined by two other cops who give a street-level perspective to the conversation.
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 has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.
Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
January 25, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) The January 16, 2008 program of Conversations with Cops at the Watering Hole features an interview with former police officer Lisa Lockwood – the author of Undercover Angel.
Program Date: January 30, 2008
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Undercover Angel
Guest: Lisa Lockwood
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement
About the Guest
Lisa Lockwood is a former Chicago area police officer. During her law enforcement career she worked as a police officer, undercover detective and SWAT team member. Lisa Lockwood is the author of Undercover Angel.
According to the book description, “Lisa Lockwood endured childhood poverty and an abusive marriage to become a soldier in Desert Storm, a police officer, undercover narcotics detective and the first female SWAT team member. A former beauty pageant contestant, Lisa had to suppress her obvious femininity in order to conquer the "Boys Club" of law enforcement, but her beguiling beauty would become her best asset as an undercover narcotics detective. It was in the gritty world of drug rings, Mafia members and child molesters that she rediscovered the power of her femininity and learned to use her disarming sexuality as a professional asset in ensnaring criminals.
Lisa's journey was fraught with inner conflict as she struggled to balance her dangerous profession with a desire to be a complete woman, worthy of genuine love. Undercover Angel is Lisa Lockwood’s illuminating story of perseverance and unstoppable drive, that took her deep into the heart of a violent world and left her in a place of happiness, self-confidence and inner peace.”
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. During the first half-hour of the show, the host, a nationally recognized expert on law enforcement, interviews a subject matter expert on the topic. During the second half-hour the program is joined by two other cops who give a street-level perspective to the conversation.
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 has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.
Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Friday, January 25, 2008
America Supports You: Airman Flies High After Surprise Proposal
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 24, 2008 - Simply communicating while deployed to Iraq can be challenging for servicemembers, but one airman discovered that trying to plan a surprise marriage proposal was nearly impossible. But help from several sources led to Air Force Senior Airman Robert Blackburn popping the question to his girlfriend, D'Ann Campbell, Jan. 18.
"It was really hard for me to even get on the Internet over there," said Blackburn, 22, who recently returned to his duty station at Hill Air Force Base, in Utah.
But Blackburn's moving request and a friend's testimony submitted to "Dallas is Love," a Texas-based organization that provides servicemembers with Army and Air Force Exchange Service gift cards, earned the airman the opportunity to relax and let others make the arrangements for him.
Robbins Bros. jewelers, which helped coordinate a soldier's surprise proposal in December, presented Blackburn with a gift certificate toward the purchase of engagement and wedding rings for Campbell. Company officials also coordinated details of the proposal.
Blackburn wanted to propose to Campbell at the Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas and follow it with a nice dinner.
Getting Campbell, a senior at Dallas Baptist University, on the scene was no problem. She thought she was attending a party at the hotel with a friend. Instead of going to a party, however, she was met in the lobby by former Dallas Cowboys tight end Billy Jo DuPree, who escorted her to where Blackburn was waiting.
"Billy Jo heard that Robert was a huge Dallas Cowboys fan and couldn't resist becoming his wingman," said Tanya Stafford, general manager for Robbins Bros.' Dallas location.
"I was thankful that Robbins Bros. was there to help me with the ring selection and with the proposal," Blackburn, originally of Rowlett, Texas, said. "It's hard to say in words how much I appreciate everyone's help in making this happen for me and D'Ann."
Robbins Bros., which bills itself as the "world's biggest engagement ring store," was only too happy to help.
"We are in the business of love, and so it is always special when we can make a dream proposal come true," Stafford said. "In addition, we take this opportunity to thank Robert and all the thousands of military men and women serving out country and recognize the sacrifices they are making on our behalf."
Dallas is Love not only introduced Blackburn and Robbins Bros., but also picked up the tab for dinner. The group is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
"(Robbins Bros.) did the majority of the arranging," said Linda Foster, president of Dallas is Love. "All we did is kind of help pick out who the winner was going to be, and we're ... going to pay for the meal and whatever expenses they might have (associated with the evening)."
Because of Blackburn's overseas assignments, he and his fiancee have seen each other for only a total of one month of their three-year relationship. They hope to marry before Blackburn's scheduled return to Iraq in January 2009.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 24, 2008 - Simply communicating while deployed to Iraq can be challenging for servicemembers, but one airman discovered that trying to plan a surprise marriage proposal was nearly impossible. But help from several sources led to Air Force Senior Airman Robert Blackburn popping the question to his girlfriend, D'Ann Campbell, Jan. 18.
"It was really hard for me to even get on the Internet over there," said Blackburn, 22, who recently returned to his duty station at Hill Air Force Base, in Utah.
But Blackburn's moving request and a friend's testimony submitted to "Dallas is Love," a Texas-based organization that provides servicemembers with Army and Air Force Exchange Service gift cards, earned the airman the opportunity to relax and let others make the arrangements for him.
Robbins Bros. jewelers, which helped coordinate a soldier's surprise proposal in December, presented Blackburn with a gift certificate toward the purchase of engagement and wedding rings for Campbell. Company officials also coordinated details of the proposal.
Blackburn wanted to propose to Campbell at the Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas and follow it with a nice dinner.
Getting Campbell, a senior at Dallas Baptist University, on the scene was no problem. She thought she was attending a party at the hotel with a friend. Instead of going to a party, however, she was met in the lobby by former Dallas Cowboys tight end Billy Jo DuPree, who escorted her to where Blackburn was waiting.
"Billy Jo heard that Robert was a huge Dallas Cowboys fan and couldn't resist becoming his wingman," said Tanya Stafford, general manager for Robbins Bros.' Dallas location.
"I was thankful that Robbins Bros. was there to help me with the ring selection and with the proposal," Blackburn, originally of Rowlett, Texas, said. "It's hard to say in words how much I appreciate everyone's help in making this happen for me and D'Ann."
Robbins Bros., which bills itself as the "world's biggest engagement ring store," was only too happy to help.
"We are in the business of love, and so it is always special when we can make a dream proposal come true," Stafford said. "In addition, we take this opportunity to thank Robert and all the thousands of military men and women serving out country and recognize the sacrifices they are making on our behalf."
Dallas is Love not only introduced Blackburn and Robbins Bros., but also picked up the tab for dinner. The group is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
"(Robbins Bros.) did the majority of the arranging," said Linda Foster, president of Dallas is Love. "All we did is kind of help pick out who the winner was going to be, and we're ... going to pay for the meal and whatever expenses they might have (associated with the evening)."
Because of Blackburn's overseas assignments, he and his fiancee have seen each other for only a total of one month of their three-year relationship. They hope to marry before Blackburn's scheduled return to Iraq in January 2009.
16th Annual DOD Worldwide Military Photography Workshop
(2 June 08 - 7 June 08).
The workshop is hosted by the Defense Information School, Fort George G.
Meade, MD. The purpose of the workshop is to improve professional knowledge, proficiency and qualifications of DOD Photographers and Photojournalists. Highly renowned workshop faculty members will provide technical instruction to increase the effectiveness, ability, and visual communication skills of attendees to provide the highest quality imagery to the Department of Defense.
Personnel from all Services specializing in Photography and Photojournalism, and DOD employed civilian photographers may apply. Selection for attendance will be competitive and limited to 25 Photographers / Photojournalists. To ensure maximum benefit, those attending the workshop are required to have a strong background and working knowledge in still photography. Attendees will be selected based on their portfolio and command recommendation, which must be received by 14 April 2008.
Details and guidelines for portfolio submissions can be accessed via the worldwide web at http://www.dinfos.osd.mil under special events.
Attendees will be notified the week of 21 April 2008 of their selection to attend. Pertinent details outlining the workshop schedule, TDY orders, funding, billeting and required equipment can be accessed via the worldwide web at http://www.dinfos.osd.mil
under special events.
Please direct any questions to PA1 Mike Hvozda; Comm. Tel: 301-677-4947 / DSN: 622-4947 / Email: dinfosphotographyworkshop@dinfos.osd.mil
The workshop is hosted by the Defense Information School, Fort George G.
Meade, MD. The purpose of the workshop is to improve professional knowledge, proficiency and qualifications of DOD Photographers and Photojournalists. Highly renowned workshop faculty members will provide technical instruction to increase the effectiveness, ability, and visual communication skills of attendees to provide the highest quality imagery to the Department of Defense.
Personnel from all Services specializing in Photography and Photojournalism, and DOD employed civilian photographers may apply. Selection for attendance will be competitive and limited to 25 Photographers / Photojournalists. To ensure maximum benefit, those attending the workshop are required to have a strong background and working knowledge in still photography. Attendees will be selected based on their portfolio and command recommendation, which must be received by 14 April 2008.
Details and guidelines for portfolio submissions can be accessed via the worldwide web at http://www.dinfos.osd.mil under special events.
Attendees will be notified the week of 21 April 2008 of their selection to attend. Pertinent details outlining the workshop schedule, TDY orders, funding, billeting and required equipment can be accessed via the worldwide web at http://www.dinfos.osd.mil
under special events.
Please direct any questions to PA1 Mike Hvozda; Comm. Tel: 301-677-4947 / DSN: 622-4947 / Email: dinfosphotographyworkshop@dinfos.osd.mil
Stuttgart Opens Warrior Transition Unit
By Brandon Beach
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 24, 2008 - U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart has activated its Warrior Transition Unit as part of the Army's new mandated Medical Action Plan. WTUs are being established on U.S. military bases throughout Europe, giving wounded soldiers access to extended medical care locally. "Once a soldier is in the WTU, his or her 24-hour, seven-days-a-week job is to heal," said Mimi Langenderfer, of the new Soldier and Family Assistance Center on Panzer Kaserne, another major component of the WTU push here. Stuttgart's Soldier and Family Assistance Center, which has its headquarters at Army Community Service, has been fully operational since Jan. 1.
Consolidating an umbrella of services from legal assistance to financial planning to housing support, the center will function as a one-stop location for soldiers and their families.
"When you have a soldier who comes back injured, you have deeper layers of issues to work out," Langenderfer said. "The SFAC gives soldiers and their families time to work through what they need."
Before Warrior Transition Units, which sprang up topically after media reports in 2007 revealed problems with care at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., wounded soldiers were placed in medical hold units or evacuated to the United States. Not so any more. The idea is to keep soldiers in their local communities and close to home.
"They don't have to worry about where their family will be," said Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Godinez, squad leader for the new Stuttgart WTU. "Mentally, it helps out the healing process."
Langenderfer agreed the new arrangement is better for the soldiers and their families. "Imagine you've been here in this community for two years and suddenly you have to uproot your entire family back to the States," she said.
WTUs are not limited to soldiers wounded in combat. A soldier who develops an illness or has been in a severe accident may be assigned to a local WTU, officials said.
Ensuring soldiers stay on task is where Godinez comes in. "I make contact with soldiers every day to keep accountability and make sure they make it to all their appointments," he said.
In addition to a combat arms squad leader, WTU soldiers are assigned a primary care manager and a nurse case manager. The unit here, which became active on Dec. 15, has two soldiers assigned.
Under the new Warrior Transition process, an injured soldier who requires medical care longer than six months is reassigned to a local WTU. This was not the case in the past, as a unit that had lost a soldier due to injury could not refill the position until a medical review board determined the soldier was unfit to return to duty.
"The losing unit can now continue its mission by transferring the soldier to the WTU and filling the vacant position," Langenderfer said.
The WTU cares for soldiers until they are either fit to return to their former unit or transition back to the civilian world. If a soldier must return to civilian life, the Soldier and Family Assistance Center can help with issues such as career counseling and job search, Langenderfer said.
U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart's Department of Public Works has begun renovating six rooms in Patch Barracks' Building 2310, the single enlisted quarters for U.S. European Command headquarters. Five will be used to house single soldiers enrolled in the WTU. Each of the rooms will be equipped with handicap-accessible entrances, a kitchenette, a washer and dryer, a bathroom, a computer with Internet services, a television and a telephone. The sixth room will serve as office space for Godinez and a place for soldiers to connect with education counselors at the Panzer Education Center via a video counseling system.
When not undergoing medical treatment, WTU soldiers may be asked to perform part-time jobs, most often at their local medical clinic, or pursue educational goals.
(Brandon Beach serves with the U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 24, 2008 - U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart has activated its Warrior Transition Unit as part of the Army's new mandated Medical Action Plan. WTUs are being established on U.S. military bases throughout Europe, giving wounded soldiers access to extended medical care locally. "Once a soldier is in the WTU, his or her 24-hour, seven-days-a-week job is to heal," said Mimi Langenderfer, of the new Soldier and Family Assistance Center on Panzer Kaserne, another major component of the WTU push here. Stuttgart's Soldier and Family Assistance Center, which has its headquarters at Army Community Service, has been fully operational since Jan. 1.
Consolidating an umbrella of services from legal assistance to financial planning to housing support, the center will function as a one-stop location for soldiers and their families.
"When you have a soldier who comes back injured, you have deeper layers of issues to work out," Langenderfer said. "The SFAC gives soldiers and their families time to work through what they need."
Before Warrior Transition Units, which sprang up topically after media reports in 2007 revealed problems with care at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., wounded soldiers were placed in medical hold units or evacuated to the United States. Not so any more. The idea is to keep soldiers in their local communities and close to home.
"They don't have to worry about where their family will be," said Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Godinez, squad leader for the new Stuttgart WTU. "Mentally, it helps out the healing process."
Langenderfer agreed the new arrangement is better for the soldiers and their families. "Imagine you've been here in this community for two years and suddenly you have to uproot your entire family back to the States," she said.
WTUs are not limited to soldiers wounded in combat. A soldier who develops an illness or has been in a severe accident may be assigned to a local WTU, officials said.
Ensuring soldiers stay on task is where Godinez comes in. "I make contact with soldiers every day to keep accountability and make sure they make it to all their appointments," he said.
In addition to a combat arms squad leader, WTU soldiers are assigned a primary care manager and a nurse case manager. The unit here, which became active on Dec. 15, has two soldiers assigned.
Under the new Warrior Transition process, an injured soldier who requires medical care longer than six months is reassigned to a local WTU. This was not the case in the past, as a unit that had lost a soldier due to injury could not refill the position until a medical review board determined the soldier was unfit to return to duty.
"The losing unit can now continue its mission by transferring the soldier to the WTU and filling the vacant position," Langenderfer said.
The WTU cares for soldiers until they are either fit to return to their former unit or transition back to the civilian world. If a soldier must return to civilian life, the Soldier and Family Assistance Center can help with issues such as career counseling and job search, Langenderfer said.
U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart's Department of Public Works has begun renovating six rooms in Patch Barracks' Building 2310, the single enlisted quarters for U.S. European Command headquarters. Five will be used to house single soldiers enrolled in the WTU. Each of the rooms will be equipped with handicap-accessible entrances, a kitchenette, a washer and dryer, a bathroom, a computer with Internet services, a television and a telephone. The sixth room will serve as office space for Godinez and a place for soldiers to connect with education counselors at the Panzer Education Center via a video counseling system.
When not undergoing medical treatment, WTU soldiers may be asked to perform part-time jobs, most often at their local medical clinic, or pursue educational goals.
(Brandon Beach serves with the U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Public Affairs Office.)
Soldier Missing from Korean War is Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing from the Korean War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
He is Pfc. Billy M. MacLeod, U.S. Army, of Cheboygan, Mich. He was buried Saturday in Cheboygan.
Representatives from the Army met with MacLeod's next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process, and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the secretary of the Army.
MacLeod was a member of Company B, 32nd Infantry Regiment, then making up part of the 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, operating along the eastern banks of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. From Nov. 27-Dec. 1, 1950, the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces overran the U.S. positions, forcing their southward withdrawal. Regimental records compiled after the battle indicate that MacLeod was killed in action on Nov. 28, 1950.
Between 2002 and 2005, three joint U.S.-Democratic People's Republic of Korea teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), excavated an area with two mass graves on the eastern shore of the Chosin Reservoir. They were believed to be burial sites of U.S. soldiers from the 31st RCT. The teams found human remains and other material evidence. Analysis of the remains subsequently led to the identifications of eight individuals, including MacLeod.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in the identification of MacLeod's remains.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
He is Pfc. Billy M. MacLeod, U.S. Army, of Cheboygan, Mich. He was buried Saturday in Cheboygan.
Representatives from the Army met with MacLeod's next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process, and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the secretary of the Army.
MacLeod was a member of Company B, 32nd Infantry Regiment, then making up part of the 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, operating along the eastern banks of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. From Nov. 27-Dec. 1, 1950, the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces overran the U.S. positions, forcing their southward withdrawal. Regimental records compiled after the battle indicate that MacLeod was killed in action on Nov. 28, 1950.
Between 2002 and 2005, three joint U.S.-Democratic People's Republic of Korea teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), excavated an area with two mass graves on the eastern shore of the Chosin Reservoir. They were believed to be burial sites of U.S. soldiers from the 31st RCT. The teams found human remains and other material evidence. Analysis of the remains subsequently led to the identifications of eight individuals, including MacLeod.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in the identification of MacLeod's remains.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
Military Contracts
NAVY
Treadwell Corp. Thomaston, Conn., is being awarded a $62,042,479 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for up to 29 Low Pressure Electrolyzers (170 and 225 standard cubic feet per hour), Low Pressure Electrolyzer Simulators, associated installation services, training and technical data to replace the Model 6L16 Electrolytic Oxygen Generator and Oxygen Generating Plant aboard SSBN 726 and SSN 21. The Low Pressure Electrolyzer is designed to operate as the primary oxygen producers aboard the SSBN-726 and SSN-21, and will provide increased reliability, maintainability, safety and ease of operation. Work will be performed in Thomaston, Conn., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, Ship Systems Engineering Station, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (N65540-08-D-0007).
Dynamic Flowform Corp. Billerica, Mass., is being awarded $20,155,806 for delivery order #0002 under previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-08-D-1054) to purchase of 60mm Lightweight Co. Mortars System and 81mm Lightweight Mortar Systems to provide indirect fire support for infantry offensive and defensive operations. This delivery order will provide for the production of both 60mm and 81mm mortar cannon assemblies and spare components using Inconel 718 alloy and flowforming technologies. Work will be performed in Billerica, Mass., and work is expected to be completed by Feb. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Sparton Electronics, DeLeon Springs, Fla., is being awarded a $16,486,911firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of AN/SSQ-53F Sonobuoys in support of the United States Navy Air Antisubmarine Forces. erations. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would brinThe AN/SSQ-53F Sonobuoys mission functions include detection, classification, and localization of adversary submarines during peacetime and combat opg the cumulative value of this contract to $29,495,509. Work will be performed in DeLeon Springs, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with one proposal solicited and two offers received via Government-wide Points of Entry, Navy Electronic Commerce On-line, and Federal Business Opportunities websites. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-08-C-GP01).
Undersea Sensor Systems Incorpated Columbia City, Ind., is being awarded a $13,134,530 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of AN/SSQ-53F Sonobuoys in support of the United States Navy Air Antisubmarine Forces. The AN/SSQ-53F Sonobuoys mission functions include detection, classification, and localization of adversary submarines during peacetime and combat operations. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $20,497,111. Work will be performed in Columbia City, Ind., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with one proposal solicited and two offers received via Government-wide Points of Entry, Navy Electronic Commerce On-line, and Federal Business Opportunities websites. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-08-C-GP08).
ARMY
Nova Group, Inc., Napa, Calif., was awarded on Jan. 22, 2008, a $12,140,000 firm-fixed-price contract for renovation of the existing tank farm. Work will be performed at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and is expected to be completed by Jul. 25, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Ten bids were solicited on Sep. 20, 2007 and five bids were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District, Albuquerque, N.M., is the contracting activity W912PP-08-C-0004.
AIR FORCE
The Lockheed Martin Corp. Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems and Solutions of San Jose, Calif., is being awarded a contract modification for $335,978,665. This modification of the Mission Operations Systems (TMOS) contract will synchronize the TMOS contract to support ongoing business execution and support ongoing program evolution. This includes updates to align the program with significant FY06/FY07 changes to TSAT funding and schedule. In addition, the modification made changes to the statement of work to accommodate concept of operations changes as well as accommodate new DoD policies such as revised security certificate requirements. These changes are necessary to accommodate the continuing evolution of TSAT. At this time no funds have been obligated. Space and Missile Systems Center, El Segundo Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8808-06-C-0003/P00022).
Treadwell Corp. Thomaston, Conn., is being awarded a $62,042,479 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for up to 29 Low Pressure Electrolyzers (170 and 225 standard cubic feet per hour), Low Pressure Electrolyzer Simulators, associated installation services, training and technical data to replace the Model 6L16 Electrolytic Oxygen Generator and Oxygen Generating Plant aboard SSBN 726 and SSN 21. The Low Pressure Electrolyzer is designed to operate as the primary oxygen producers aboard the SSBN-726 and SSN-21, and will provide increased reliability, maintainability, safety and ease of operation. Work will be performed in Thomaston, Conn., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, Ship Systems Engineering Station, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (N65540-08-D-0007).
Dynamic Flowform Corp. Billerica, Mass., is being awarded $20,155,806 for delivery order #0002 under previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-08-D-1054) to purchase of 60mm Lightweight Co. Mortars System and 81mm Lightweight Mortar Systems to provide indirect fire support for infantry offensive and defensive operations. This delivery order will provide for the production of both 60mm and 81mm mortar cannon assemblies and spare components using Inconel 718 alloy and flowforming technologies. Work will be performed in Billerica, Mass., and work is expected to be completed by Feb. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Sparton Electronics, DeLeon Springs, Fla., is being awarded a $16,486,911firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of AN/SSQ-53F Sonobuoys in support of the United States Navy Air Antisubmarine Forces. erations. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would brinThe AN/SSQ-53F Sonobuoys mission functions include detection, classification, and localization of adversary submarines during peacetime and combat opg the cumulative value of this contract to $29,495,509. Work will be performed in DeLeon Springs, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with one proposal solicited and two offers received via Government-wide Points of Entry, Navy Electronic Commerce On-line, and Federal Business Opportunities websites. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-08-C-GP01).
Undersea Sensor Systems Incorpated Columbia City, Ind., is being awarded a $13,134,530 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of AN/SSQ-53F Sonobuoys in support of the United States Navy Air Antisubmarine Forces. The AN/SSQ-53F Sonobuoys mission functions include detection, classification, and localization of adversary submarines during peacetime and combat operations. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $20,497,111. Work will be performed in Columbia City, Ind., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with one proposal solicited and two offers received via Government-wide Points of Entry, Navy Electronic Commerce On-line, and Federal Business Opportunities websites. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-08-C-GP08).
ARMY
Nova Group, Inc., Napa, Calif., was awarded on Jan. 22, 2008, a $12,140,000 firm-fixed-price contract for renovation of the existing tank farm. Work will be performed at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and is expected to be completed by Jul. 25, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Ten bids were solicited on Sep. 20, 2007 and five bids were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District, Albuquerque, N.M., is the contracting activity W912PP-08-C-0004.
AIR FORCE
The Lockheed Martin Corp. Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems and Solutions of San Jose, Calif., is being awarded a contract modification for $335,978,665. This modification of the Mission Operations Systems (TMOS) contract will synchronize the TMOS contract to support ongoing business execution and support ongoing program evolution. This includes updates to align the program with significant FY06/FY07 changes to TSAT funding and schedule. In addition, the modification made changes to the statement of work to accommodate concept of operations changes as well as accommodate new DoD policies such as revised security certificate requirements. These changes are necessary to accommodate the continuing evolution of TSAT. At this time no funds have been obligated. Space and Missile Systems Center, El Segundo Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8808-06-C-0003/P00022).
Face of Defense: Sailor Helps in Saving Life
By Petty Officer 2nd Class R.J. Stratchko, USN
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 24, 2008 - A sailor stationed on board the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry was recognized Jan. 17 for helping save the life of a local Gabonese woman. Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Saucedo, a storekeeper, received the award from Gabonese Chief of Naval Forces Capt. Paul Biving Nziengu and U.S. Navy Capt. John Nowell, commander of Africa Partnership Station.
Saucedo was on liberty at Sogara Beach on Jan. 14 with three other Africa Partnership Station sailors when they witnessed four men carrying someone from the water.
"As we walked up to the crowd of people on the beach, they saw my dog tags and said, 'U.S. Marines, U.S. Marines,'" he said. Saucedo immediately administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
"I checked her pulse and airway," he said. "Then I tilted her head back, and somebody volunteered to do mouth-to-mouth while I did chest compressions. Shortly after, the water gushed out of her nose, and she came to. As soon as she started regaining consciousness, we made sure she was OK, and then tried to get additional medical help."
Saucedo described the whole experience as scary but credited his reaction to the training he received in the U.S. Navy.
"I was afraid when I began chest compressions, but my training just kicked in," he said.
The basic life-saving training that Saucedo received is the same training that Africa Partnership Station is teaching maritime professionals from West and Central African countries.
Saucedo said he believes anyone who happens upon such a situation needs to do something about it. "Always try to do your best, even if you are not the one giving CPR," he said. "Do something to help; don't just walk by."
"Petty Officer Saucedo's actions exemplify what APS is all about, building trust with the African people so that we can strengthen collaborative partnerships," Nowell said.
(Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class R.J. Stratchko serves with Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 24, 2008 - A sailor stationed on board the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry was recognized Jan. 17 for helping save the life of a local Gabonese woman. Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Saucedo, a storekeeper, received the award from Gabonese Chief of Naval Forces Capt. Paul Biving Nziengu and U.S. Navy Capt. John Nowell, commander of Africa Partnership Station.
Saucedo was on liberty at Sogara Beach on Jan. 14 with three other Africa Partnership Station sailors when they witnessed four men carrying someone from the water.
"As we walked up to the crowd of people on the beach, they saw my dog tags and said, 'U.S. Marines, U.S. Marines,'" he said. Saucedo immediately administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
"I checked her pulse and airway," he said. "Then I tilted her head back, and somebody volunteered to do mouth-to-mouth while I did chest compressions. Shortly after, the water gushed out of her nose, and she came to. As soon as she started regaining consciousness, we made sure she was OK, and then tried to get additional medical help."
Saucedo described the whole experience as scary but credited his reaction to the training he received in the U.S. Navy.
"I was afraid when I began chest compressions, but my training just kicked in," he said.
The basic life-saving training that Saucedo received is the same training that Africa Partnership Station is teaching maritime professionals from West and Central African countries.
Saucedo said he believes anyone who happens upon such a situation needs to do something about it. "Always try to do your best, even if you are not the one giving CPR," he said. "Do something to help; don't just walk by."
"Petty Officer Saucedo's actions exemplify what APS is all about, building trust with the African people so that we can strengthen collaborative partnerships," Nowell said.
(Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class R.J. Stratchko serves with Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs.)
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Bono, Gates Discuss Africa During Singer's Pentagon Visit
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 24, 2008 - In the Pentagon, "U2" usually refers to an Air Force high-altitude spy plane, but this week it referred to the rock group, as lead singer Bono met with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Jan. 22. "It's a matter of age that I thought U2 was an airplane," Gates told a Pentagon news conference today.
For years, the Irish rocker has championed relief to Africa, the world's poorest continent. Bono took advantage of a trip to Washington to meet with Gates.
The secretary said today that he was very impressed with Bono and his knowledge of the situation in Africa.
The singer had read a speech Gates delivered at Kansas State University in November "and had liked a lot what I said about also strengthening the non-military side of the U.S. face abroad," Gates said.
During that speech, Gates said that one of the most important lessons from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan is that military success is not sufficient to win the war on terror. A soft-power approach -- using all aspects of government -- is needed. This include economic development, nation-building, establishing the rule of law, promoting internal reconciliation, good governance, providing basic services, training and equipping indigenous military and police forces, and strategic communications.
The secretary spoke with Bono about establishing U.S. Africa Command. "He did share some of the concerns that he has heard," Gates said. "We gave him some information on AFRICOM, and he was not ... hostile to it. I would say that he was open-minded about it and just recommended that we take care in how we proceeded."
The meeting went for about 20 minutes, Pentagon officials said. The singer was not wearing his trademark sun glasses, according to Pentagon employees who saw the singer arrive.
Gates said the singer seemed very well informed.
The secretary also said his daughter "nearly had an aneurysm when I told her who I was meeting with."
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 24, 2008 - In the Pentagon, "U2" usually refers to an Air Force high-altitude spy plane, but this week it referred to the rock group, as lead singer Bono met with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Jan. 22. "It's a matter of age that I thought U2 was an airplane," Gates told a Pentagon news conference today.
For years, the Irish rocker has championed relief to Africa, the world's poorest continent. Bono took advantage of a trip to Washington to meet with Gates.
The secretary said today that he was very impressed with Bono and his knowledge of the situation in Africa.
The singer had read a speech Gates delivered at Kansas State University in November "and had liked a lot what I said about also strengthening the non-military side of the U.S. face abroad," Gates said.
During that speech, Gates said that one of the most important lessons from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan is that military success is not sufficient to win the war on terror. A soft-power approach -- using all aspects of government -- is needed. This include economic development, nation-building, establishing the rule of law, promoting internal reconciliation, good governance, providing basic services, training and equipping indigenous military and police forces, and strategic communications.
The secretary spoke with Bono about establishing U.S. Africa Command. "He did share some of the concerns that he has heard," Gates said. "We gave him some information on AFRICOM, and he was not ... hostile to it. I would say that he was open-minded about it and just recommended that we take care in how we proceeded."
The meeting went for about 20 minutes, Pentagon officials said. The singer was not wearing his trademark sun glasses, according to Pentagon employees who saw the singer arrive.
Gates said the singer seemed very well informed.
The secretary also said his daughter "nearly had an aneurysm when I told her who I was meeting with."
Missile Destroyer Dewey
The Navy will christen the newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, Dewey, Saturday, Jan. 26, during a 10 a.m. CST ceremony at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula, Miss.
Designated DDG 105, the new destroyer honors Adm. George Dewey (1837-1917) who commanded the Asiatic Station from the cruiser Olympia. Shortly after the onset of the Spanish-American War, Dewey led his squadron of warships into Manila Bay on April 30, 1898. The next morning, his squadron destroyed the Spanish fleet in only two hours without a single American loss. A widely popular hero of his day, Dewey was commissioned admiral of the Navy, a rank created for him, in March 1903. Two previous ships have proudly carried his name. The first was a destroyer (DD 349) that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and went on to receive 13 battle stars for World War II service. The second was a destroyer commissioned as a guided-missile frigate (DLG 14) before being reclassified as a guided-missile destroyer (DDG 45).
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. His wife, Deborah, will serve as sponsor of the ship. In accordance with Navy tradition, she will break a bottle of champagne across the ship's bow and christen the ship.
Dewey is the 55th of 62 Arleigh Burke class destroyers. The ship will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Dewey will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and contains a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime defense. This is in keeping with "A Cooperative Strategy of 21st Century Seapower," the new maritime strategy that postures the sea services to apply maritime power to protect U.S. vital interests in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world
Cmdr. Warren R. Buller, of Concord, Mass., is the prospective commanding officer of the ship and will lead the crew of 292 officers and enlisted personnel. The 9,200-ton Dewey is being built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Pascagoula, Miss.
For more information on Arleigh Burke class destroyers, visit http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=900&ct=4.
Designated DDG 105, the new destroyer honors Adm. George Dewey (1837-1917) who commanded the Asiatic Station from the cruiser Olympia. Shortly after the onset of the Spanish-American War, Dewey led his squadron of warships into Manila Bay on April 30, 1898. The next morning, his squadron destroyed the Spanish fleet in only two hours without a single American loss. A widely popular hero of his day, Dewey was commissioned admiral of the Navy, a rank created for him, in March 1903. Two previous ships have proudly carried his name. The first was a destroyer (DD 349) that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and went on to receive 13 battle stars for World War II service. The second was a destroyer commissioned as a guided-missile frigate (DLG 14) before being reclassified as a guided-missile destroyer (DDG 45).
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. His wife, Deborah, will serve as sponsor of the ship. In accordance with Navy tradition, she will break a bottle of champagne across the ship's bow and christen the ship.
Dewey is the 55th of 62 Arleigh Burke class destroyers. The ship will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Dewey will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and contains a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime defense. This is in keeping with "A Cooperative Strategy of 21st Century Seapower," the new maritime strategy that postures the sea services to apply maritime power to protect U.S. vital interests in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world
Cmdr. Warren R. Buller, of Concord, Mass., is the prospective commanding officer of the ship and will lead the crew of 292 officers and enlisted personnel. The 9,200-ton Dewey is being built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Pascagoula, Miss.
For more information on Arleigh Burke class destroyers, visit http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=900&ct=4.
Police Officer Takes Writing Career Full-time
January 23, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) Best selling author and award-winning Police Officer Shane Moore announced his retirement from law enforcement and to pursue his writing career full-time.
Shane Moore grew up poor in rural Illinois. In his youth, he wore Salvation Army clothes and never owned more than two pairs of pants for school. Before began preschool, Shane tested off the charts and was moved to kindergarten at age three. Shane was sixteen when he entered his senior year of High School. After High School, Shane Moore enlisted in the United States Navy.
During his military service, Shane Moore served in campaigns Provide Hope and Secure Democracy, during the Bosnian civil conflict. After his discharge from the Navy, Shane Moore attended classes to become a police officer. At the time of his retirement he was a detective for the Gillespie Police Department (Illinois).
During his law enforcement career Shane Moore received: Over 30 letters of commendation from various supervisors, departments, and State's Attorneys; Two citations for bravery; One citation for life saving; One medal for life saving; and, Officer of the year in 2005.
In January 2007 Shane's first fantasy novel titled; "A Prisoner's Welcome" was released. Since then he has been taken on a whirlwind ride across the country signing books in Canada and many states, quickly becoming one of his publisher's best selling books of 2007. Shane Moore has gathered praise from many other authors of his genre, including Robert Fanney, John Beachem, and Joe Lawson. In addition, several professional artists liked his work so much they voluntarily have began series of artwork depicting characters from his debut novel. Of these artist, the most notable is; "Billy Tackett." Shane has recently met with several companies to produce products from his book.
Shane Moore has recently finished his second book; "The Breach of Crowns" and is working in his third; "Exodus of the Strong." He lives with his wife Alicia Moore, and his son, Dakota Moore.
Police-Writers.com now hosts 833 police officers (representing 379 police departments) and their 1759 law enforcement books in 32 categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.
Shane Moore grew up poor in rural Illinois. In his youth, he wore Salvation Army clothes and never owned more than two pairs of pants for school. Before began preschool, Shane tested off the charts and was moved to kindergarten at age three. Shane was sixteen when he entered his senior year of High School. After High School, Shane Moore enlisted in the United States Navy.
During his military service, Shane Moore served in campaigns Provide Hope and Secure Democracy, during the Bosnian civil conflict. After his discharge from the Navy, Shane Moore attended classes to become a police officer. At the time of his retirement he was a detective for the Gillespie Police Department (Illinois).
During his law enforcement career Shane Moore received: Over 30 letters of commendation from various supervisors, departments, and State's Attorneys; Two citations for bravery; One citation for life saving; One medal for life saving; and, Officer of the year in 2005.
In January 2007 Shane's first fantasy novel titled; "A Prisoner's Welcome" was released. Since then he has been taken on a whirlwind ride across the country signing books in Canada and many states, quickly becoming one of his publisher's best selling books of 2007. Shane Moore has gathered praise from many other authors of his genre, including Robert Fanney, John Beachem, and Joe Lawson. In addition, several professional artists liked his work so much they voluntarily have began series of artwork depicting characters from his debut novel. Of these artist, the most notable is; "Billy Tackett." Shane has recently met with several companies to produce products from his book.
Shane Moore has recently finished his second book; "The Breach of Crowns" and is working in his third; "Exodus of the Strong." He lives with his wife Alicia Moore, and his son, Dakota Moore.
Police-Writers.com now hosts 833 police officers (representing 379 police departments) and their 1759 law enforcement books in 32 categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
America Supports You: National Group Helps Wounded Troops Buy Homes
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 22, 2008 - A recent study that estimates nearly 200,000 veterans are homeless on any given night has spurred Operation Homefront, a national troop-support group, to action. The study, titled "Vital Mission: Ending Homelessness Among Veterans," estimated that on any given night in 2006, 195,827 veterans were homeless. The number represents nearly 25 percent of the nation's homeless population.
Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance and promotes morale for troops and their families. The organization is connecting wounded veterans, who can face financial trials during recovery, with home builders and mortgage lenders to make home ownership easier.
The group is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
"When the statistics came out about one in four homeless is a veteran, that was when we said, 'That's it,'" said Meredith Leyva, founder of Operation Homefront. "That's exactly what's going to happen to our guys if we don't have a long-term vision here and implement it now.
"(We are working with) ... home builders to basically sell their excess inventory to wounded warriors," Leyva said, explaining that her organization's role is to make connections and help negotiate the best deals possible. "These are good homes, and (the builders) are dropping the price by $30,000 to $50,000."
The goal is to sell entire swaths of neighborhoods, ideally near Veterans Affairs medical facilities, to wounded warriors, she said. This creates an understanding community.
"It's a community that's going to look out for each other," Leyva said. "And even in the worst of times, they've still got their house."
To sweeten the deal further, Operation Homefront is working with mortgage lenders to negotiate lower interest rates on 30-year home loans.
The group also is asking lenders for a little compassion if a new homeowner should miss mortgage payments because of medical issues, Leyva said. That would require a statement from the doctor and a repayment plan, however, and there is no guarantee that the original lender won't sell the loan to another company who might not be so understanding.
As excited as Operation Homefront is about the program, its officials are realistic about how long it will take to get up a head of steam.
"This is going to take months, because people just can't make a commitment of hundreds of thousands of dollars on either the builders' or the lenders' side without some serious thought as to how they're going to do it," she said. "It'll take a good three to six months to build up some really solid commitments from builders and lenders."
Home builders in Arizona, as well as the Houston Housing Authority in Texas, have given the program a good start by committing a number of homes, Leyva said.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 22, 2008 - A recent study that estimates nearly 200,000 veterans are homeless on any given night has spurred Operation Homefront, a national troop-support group, to action. The study, titled "Vital Mission: Ending Homelessness Among Veterans," estimated that on any given night in 2006, 195,827 veterans were homeless. The number represents nearly 25 percent of the nation's homeless population.
Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance and promotes morale for troops and their families. The organization is connecting wounded veterans, who can face financial trials during recovery, with home builders and mortgage lenders to make home ownership easier.
The group is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
"When the statistics came out about one in four homeless is a veteran, that was when we said, 'That's it,'" said Meredith Leyva, founder of Operation Homefront. "That's exactly what's going to happen to our guys if we don't have a long-term vision here and implement it now.
"(We are working with) ... home builders to basically sell their excess inventory to wounded warriors," Leyva said, explaining that her organization's role is to make connections and help negotiate the best deals possible. "These are good homes, and (the builders) are dropping the price by $30,000 to $50,000."
The goal is to sell entire swaths of neighborhoods, ideally near Veterans Affairs medical facilities, to wounded warriors, she said. This creates an understanding community.
"It's a community that's going to look out for each other," Leyva said. "And even in the worst of times, they've still got their house."
To sweeten the deal further, Operation Homefront is working with mortgage lenders to negotiate lower interest rates on 30-year home loans.
The group also is asking lenders for a little compassion if a new homeowner should miss mortgage payments because of medical issues, Leyva said. That would require a statement from the doctor and a repayment plan, however, and there is no guarantee that the original lender won't sell the loan to another company who might not be so understanding.
As excited as Operation Homefront is about the program, its officials are realistic about how long it will take to get up a head of steam.
"This is going to take months, because people just can't make a commitment of hundreds of thousands of dollars on either the builders' or the lenders' side without some serious thought as to how they're going to do it," she said. "It'll take a good three to six months to build up some really solid commitments from builders and lenders."
Home builders in Arizona, as well as the Houston Housing Authority in Texas, have given the program a good start by committing a number of homes, Leyva said.
Face of Defense: Paratrooper Learns the Ropes in Baghdad
By Staff Sgt. Mike Pryor, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 22, 2008 - As a fresh-out-of-basic training addition to a company of paratroopers who have already been in combat for 13 months, Army Pfc. Kyle Canamore is finding out that he still has a lot to learn. Helping his new platoon search a house recently, Canamore found it an effort just to keep up. Everything sped up into a blur as he charged up and down stairs and in and out of rooms, his mind racing to make split-second adjustments, look for hidden danger areas, and cover every angle with his M249 squad automatic weapon. In a room on the second floor, he paused for a moment, the sweat running down his face, but there was no time to rest.
"Canamore. Hey, Canamore!" shouted his team leader, Spc. Bryce Bourland, who was busy searching through a closet. "You think I'm talking because it lowers my cholesterol? Get over here and look through these drawers!"
Canamore drew a breath and snapped back into action.
As the newest member of 2nd Platoon, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, Canamore, 19, is in a tough position. After basic training and airborne school, Canamore figured he'd have time to train with his new unit before he deployed. Instead, he received orders sending him straight to Iraq. Seemingly overnight, he found himself at a combat outpost in Baghdad, eating field rations with the battle-hardened veterans of Company B. As a SAW gunner, he goes out three or four times a day on patrols, where the learning curve has been steep.
"It's a lot of pressure, because you really want to do well and make a good impression," said Canamore, a Pekin, Ill., native. "Every time I make a mistake, I make a mental check and try to improve that," he said.
Canamore said he's always looking for advice from the more experienced soldiers in his unit, especially the noncommissioned officers.
"You ask them anything, any time, and they usually know the answer," he said.
That's the way it has always been, said Staff Sgt. William Weinburgh, of Wrentham, Mass., a squad leader with 2nd Platoon. While drill sergeants teach raw recruits the basics, it's up to the team leaders and squad leaders at their assigned units to push new soldiers like Canamore to the next level, Weinburgh said.
"New guys are going to be a reflection of you," he said. "Either you set them up for success or you set them up for failure."
In a combat environment, it becomes even more important to make sure new troops know their jobs, Weinburgh said. "There's no safety net out here," he said.
Bourland, Canamore's team leader, said he definitely feels the weight of that responsibility. He has two new soldiers on his team, both with young children back home. Bourland said it's up to him to make sure those kids see their dads again. If he is tough on his team, it is for that reason, he said.
"It's for a purpose. It's so they understand what it takes, so they can go home and see their wife or their daughter," said Bourland, a Fairfax, Va., native.
Out in sector, Bourland is constantly telling his new guys what to do, where to go, and what to look for. Occasionally, he has to use some undiplomatic language to make sure his point gets across. But even when he is on the receiving end of one of Bourland's verbal smackdowns, Canamore said, he appreciates his team leader's gift for language.
"It can be pretty funny," he said. "Of course, I'm not going to laugh," he quickly added.
Bourland said he'll do whatever it takes to get through to his new soldiers.
"You have to find ways of reaching them," he said. One of his methods is a variation on the power of positive thinking. Like a motivational guru, Bourland often suggests warrior or sports role models for Canamore to follow, always finishing with the Zen exclamation, "Be that!"
"Be Brian Urlacher!" Bourland shouted as Canamore struggled to move a heavy gate out of the way on one patrol, evoking the name of the Chicago Bears' star linebacker. "Brian Urlacher, be that!"
For the most part, Canamore said, he just keeps his mouth shut and his eyes and ears open. He said he is trying to absorb as much knowledge as he can, as quickly as he can.
"It's a lot of information, and you can never get enough of it," he said. "Sometimes it feels like you can't win, but you just have to suck it up."
Still, he's learning new things every day, and someday, he said, he'll be in a position to pass that knowledge on.
"Hopefully I'll be showing the new guys everything I'm being taught now," he said.
(Army Staff Sgt. Mike Pryor serves in public affairs with the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Jan. 22, 2008 - As a fresh-out-of-basic training addition to a company of paratroopers who have already been in combat for 13 months, Army Pfc. Kyle Canamore is finding out that he still has a lot to learn. Helping his new platoon search a house recently, Canamore found it an effort just to keep up. Everything sped up into a blur as he charged up and down stairs and in and out of rooms, his mind racing to make split-second adjustments, look for hidden danger areas, and cover every angle with his M249 squad automatic weapon. In a room on the second floor, he paused for a moment, the sweat running down his face, but there was no time to rest.
"Canamore. Hey, Canamore!" shouted his team leader, Spc. Bryce Bourland, who was busy searching through a closet. "You think I'm talking because it lowers my cholesterol? Get over here and look through these drawers!"
Canamore drew a breath and snapped back into action.
As the newest member of 2nd Platoon, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, Canamore, 19, is in a tough position. After basic training and airborne school, Canamore figured he'd have time to train with his new unit before he deployed. Instead, he received orders sending him straight to Iraq. Seemingly overnight, he found himself at a combat outpost in Baghdad, eating field rations with the battle-hardened veterans of Company B. As a SAW gunner, he goes out three or four times a day on patrols, where the learning curve has been steep.
"It's a lot of pressure, because you really want to do well and make a good impression," said Canamore, a Pekin, Ill., native. "Every time I make a mistake, I make a mental check and try to improve that," he said.
Canamore said he's always looking for advice from the more experienced soldiers in his unit, especially the noncommissioned officers.
"You ask them anything, any time, and they usually know the answer," he said.
That's the way it has always been, said Staff Sgt. William Weinburgh, of Wrentham, Mass., a squad leader with 2nd Platoon. While drill sergeants teach raw recruits the basics, it's up to the team leaders and squad leaders at their assigned units to push new soldiers like Canamore to the next level, Weinburgh said.
"New guys are going to be a reflection of you," he said. "Either you set them up for success or you set them up for failure."
In a combat environment, it becomes even more important to make sure new troops know their jobs, Weinburgh said. "There's no safety net out here," he said.
Bourland, Canamore's team leader, said he definitely feels the weight of that responsibility. He has two new soldiers on his team, both with young children back home. Bourland said it's up to him to make sure those kids see their dads again. If he is tough on his team, it is for that reason, he said.
"It's for a purpose. It's so they understand what it takes, so they can go home and see their wife or their daughter," said Bourland, a Fairfax, Va., native.
Out in sector, Bourland is constantly telling his new guys what to do, where to go, and what to look for. Occasionally, he has to use some undiplomatic language to make sure his point gets across. But even when he is on the receiving end of one of Bourland's verbal smackdowns, Canamore said, he appreciates his team leader's gift for language.
"It can be pretty funny," he said. "Of course, I'm not going to laugh," he quickly added.
Bourland said he'll do whatever it takes to get through to his new soldiers.
"You have to find ways of reaching them," he said. One of his methods is a variation on the power of positive thinking. Like a motivational guru, Bourland often suggests warrior or sports role models for Canamore to follow, always finishing with the Zen exclamation, "Be that!"
"Be Brian Urlacher!" Bourland shouted as Canamore struggled to move a heavy gate out of the way on one patrol, evoking the name of the Chicago Bears' star linebacker. "Brian Urlacher, be that!"
For the most part, Canamore said, he just keeps his mouth shut and his eyes and ears open. He said he is trying to absorb as much knowledge as he can, as quickly as he can.
"It's a lot of information, and you can never get enough of it," he said. "Sometimes it feels like you can't win, but you just have to suck it up."
Still, he's learning new things every day, and someday, he said, he'll be in a position to pass that knowledge on.
"Hopefully I'll be showing the new guys everything I'm being taught now," he said.
(Army Staff Sgt. Mike Pryor serves in public affairs with the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team.)
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