By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
March 7, 2008 - A new Defense Department policy prohibits all commercial photography or other image collection on U.S. military bases and installations. U.S. Northern Command issued the policy message Feb. 28 after detailed images of Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio, appeared on the Google Map Web site, said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Gary Ross, a NORTHCOM spokesman.
Google Corp. representatives had entered the post with permission and taken the images with roof-mounted recording equipment, according to the policy message.
Google Earth's Street View Web site revealed 360-degree detailed imagery of the post, including headquarters locations, access and control points, barriers, facilities and communal areas, Ross said. "This poses a serious operational risk to our force-protection effort," Ross said.
Google reportedly has removed the images from the Web site, he said.
Concerned that such imagery could be used to inflict harm on U.S. personnel or facilities, NORTHCOM put out guidance for all military installations banning all commercial image-collecting as soon as it became aware of the Fort Sam Houston incident, Ross said. That guidance is being forwarded throughout the Defense Department by the services and defense agencies.
In addition to banning any future commercial image collection, the guidance also requires anyone aware of a similar incident to report it immediately to installation officials.
The Fort Sam Houston incident isn't isolated, Ross said. Similar filming incidents have occurred at two nonsecured former bases closed due to Base Realignment and Closure Commission efforts. One, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., was closed as part of the 1991 round of BRAC closures, but still houses the Defense Finance and Accounting Service Indianapolis, as well as U.S. Army Reserve and Indiana National Guard units. Another, the former Treasure Island Naval Base, in San Francisco, was turned over to local government control in 1996, but is still owned by the Navy.
Equally disturbing, Ross said, is filming known to have occurred at military housing areas outside the secured areas of Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., and the U.S. Naval Training Center San Diego. Ross said he doesn't know whether that imagery ever was posted on the Internet.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Saturday, March 08, 2008
133 NYPD Cops
Editor's Note: Several of the authors are former servicemembers.
February 25, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local police officers who have written books. The website added five NYPD police officers bringing the total number of officers from NYPD to 133.
Former New York Police Department Detective Charles O'Hara is the author of Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation, now in its 7th edition. According to one reader, “The Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation by Charles O'Hara provides a particuarly informative and comprehensive insight into the specific areas of criminal investigation. The author includes detailed explanations and supports his theories with the use of factual information and case studies. This is must-have for those studying criminal investigation.”
John Perkins’ began his 22 year law enforcement career as a police cadet. According to John Perkins, “As a young policeman in the early 1970's, John’s beat included some of the worst neighborhoods in the New York metropolitan area where he routinely worked backup units responding to the most violent crimes in progress. He eventually was involved in over 700 arrests at least 100 of which were brutally violent arrest scenarios where people routinely ended up in the hospital or morgue.
John Perkin’s is the co-author of Attack Proof: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Protection. According to the book description, “Ex-cop and former forensic homicide investigator John Perkins is recognized by several top forensic scientists to be an expert in determining how people fought and died in horrific homicides. Combined with his 50 years in the martial arts, executive bodyguard work for domestic and foreign dignatories, over 100 brutally violent arrest scenarios (where people ended up in the hospital or morgue) and unsanctioned pit-fighting on the docks of Newark and New Orleans, Perkins is a veteran of what works and what doesn't in the field of self-defense.”
Dr. Daniel Rudofossi has interviewed, assessed, and treated hundreds of police officers in his extensive clinical, treatment, and research experience as Uniform Psychologist/Police Sergeant, New York Police Department. Dr. Daniel Rudofossi continues in his private practice to work with traumatized police officers, and he is an active police surgeon with the NYC HRAPD, is a professor at NYU, and is on the Board of Advisors, Saybrook University, Clinical Police Psychology Ph.D. Program. Dr. Daniel Rudofossi is the author of Working With Traumatized Police-officer Patients: A Clinician’s Guide to Complex Ptsd Syndromes in Public Safety Professionals.
According to Vincent M. Mansfield, Commanding Officer, Medical Division, NYPD Retired Chief, NYPD, “Dr. Dan Rudofossi's Working with Traumatized Police-Officer Patients is thorough, clearly expressed, and, most important, sorely needed. His book will prove of great value to clinicians, police administrators, and anyone concerned with learning about real trauma and its effect on law enforcement personnel. Because he is both a street cop and so astute a clinician, Dr. Rudofossi was able to straddle an imposing gulf and secure the trust of those he treated. This book is a rare piece of scholarship.”
Three New York Police Department detectives are among the co-authors of the Rape Investigations Handbook; John Baeza; Alan Sandomir; and, John Savino. According to the book description, “This work addresses specific investigative and forensic processes related to sex crimes for those who work in law enforcement, the defense community, or in the private sector. It is an unprecedented collaborative work -- the first working manual for sex crime investigators, written by sex crime investigators and forensic scientists.
Detective John Baeza started his career in law enforcement as a New York State Correction Officer working at the Sing-Sing and Otisville correctional facilities. He was employed by the New York Police Department for nearly 12 years. John Baeza began his police career in Harlem’s 32nd Precinct as a patrol officer. He was then assigned to the Manhattan North Tactical Narcotics Team where he performed undercover work for three years. John Baeza was promoted to Detective during his Narcotics assignment. From 1994 to 2000, he was assigned to the Manhattan Special Victims Squad where he personally investigated more than 2000 sex crimes and child abuse cases.
Detective Alan Sandomir was born and raised in New York City. He attended Cortland College in upstate New York where he received a dual Bachelor’s Degree in both Anthropology and Political Science. After college, Detective Alan Sandomir spent four years in the United States Army where he was involved in a classified intelligence collection operation in Eastern Europe during the height of the Cold War.
In 2001, Alan Sandomir created and initiated a program that allowed him to specialize in and investigate the trickle of incoming DNA based cases that was correctly forecasted to soon turn into an avalanche. As the DNA databanks began to churn out DNA cases Detective Sandomir and his partner, Detective Edward Tacchi, became the first DNA Detectives in the NYPD where they led both New York City and New York State in DNA arrests and indictments while working out of their Manhattan office.
John Savino has been a member of the New York Police Department since 1982. His career has spanned all aspects of law enforcement, beginning with a short assignment as a uniformed police officer and quick advancement to the Narcotics Division. His investigative skills began developing while assigned to the Manhattan North Narcotics Division. This assignment also helped develop his ability to talk with people from all walks of life, as he worked in an “undercover” capacity buying narcotics in Manhattan.
Police-Writers.com now hosts 866 police officers (representing 383 police departments) and their 1810 police 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.
Contact Information:
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
February 25, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local police officers who have written books. The website added five NYPD police officers bringing the total number of officers from NYPD to 133.
Former New York Police Department Detective Charles O'Hara is the author of Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation, now in its 7th edition. According to one reader, “The Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation by Charles O'Hara provides a particuarly informative and comprehensive insight into the specific areas of criminal investigation. The author includes detailed explanations and supports his theories with the use of factual information and case studies. This is must-have for those studying criminal investigation.”
John Perkins’ began his 22 year law enforcement career as a police cadet. According to John Perkins, “As a young policeman in the early 1970's, John’s beat included some of the worst neighborhoods in the New York metropolitan area where he routinely worked backup units responding to the most violent crimes in progress. He eventually was involved in over 700 arrests at least 100 of which were brutally violent arrest scenarios where people routinely ended up in the hospital or morgue.
John Perkin’s is the co-author of Attack Proof: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Protection. According to the book description, “Ex-cop and former forensic homicide investigator John Perkins is recognized by several top forensic scientists to be an expert in determining how people fought and died in horrific homicides. Combined with his 50 years in the martial arts, executive bodyguard work for domestic and foreign dignatories, over 100 brutally violent arrest scenarios (where people ended up in the hospital or morgue) and unsanctioned pit-fighting on the docks of Newark and New Orleans, Perkins is a veteran of what works and what doesn't in the field of self-defense.”
Dr. Daniel Rudofossi has interviewed, assessed, and treated hundreds of police officers in his extensive clinical, treatment, and research experience as Uniform Psychologist/Police Sergeant, New York Police Department. Dr. Daniel Rudofossi continues in his private practice to work with traumatized police officers, and he is an active police surgeon with the NYC HRAPD, is a professor at NYU, and is on the Board of Advisors, Saybrook University, Clinical Police Psychology Ph.D. Program. Dr. Daniel Rudofossi is the author of Working With Traumatized Police-officer Patients: A Clinician’s Guide to Complex Ptsd Syndromes in Public Safety Professionals.
According to Vincent M. Mansfield, Commanding Officer, Medical Division, NYPD Retired Chief, NYPD, “Dr. Dan Rudofossi's Working with Traumatized Police-Officer Patients is thorough, clearly expressed, and, most important, sorely needed. His book will prove of great value to clinicians, police administrators, and anyone concerned with learning about real trauma and its effect on law enforcement personnel. Because he is both a street cop and so astute a clinician, Dr. Rudofossi was able to straddle an imposing gulf and secure the trust of those he treated. This book is a rare piece of scholarship.”
Three New York Police Department detectives are among the co-authors of the Rape Investigations Handbook; John Baeza; Alan Sandomir; and, John Savino. According to the book description, “This work addresses specific investigative and forensic processes related to sex crimes for those who work in law enforcement, the defense community, or in the private sector. It is an unprecedented collaborative work -- the first working manual for sex crime investigators, written by sex crime investigators and forensic scientists.
Detective John Baeza started his career in law enforcement as a New York State Correction Officer working at the Sing-Sing and Otisville correctional facilities. He was employed by the New York Police Department for nearly 12 years. John Baeza began his police career in Harlem’s 32nd Precinct as a patrol officer. He was then assigned to the Manhattan North Tactical Narcotics Team where he performed undercover work for three years. John Baeza was promoted to Detective during his Narcotics assignment. From 1994 to 2000, he was assigned to the Manhattan Special Victims Squad where he personally investigated more than 2000 sex crimes and child abuse cases.
Detective Alan Sandomir was born and raised in New York City. He attended Cortland College in upstate New York where he received a dual Bachelor’s Degree in both Anthropology and Political Science. After college, Detective Alan Sandomir spent four years in the United States Army where he was involved in a classified intelligence collection operation in Eastern Europe during the height of the Cold War.
In 2001, Alan Sandomir created and initiated a program that allowed him to specialize in and investigate the trickle of incoming DNA based cases that was correctly forecasted to soon turn into an avalanche. As the DNA databanks began to churn out DNA cases Detective Sandomir and his partner, Detective Edward Tacchi, became the first DNA Detectives in the NYPD where they led both New York City and New York State in DNA arrests and indictments while working out of their Manhattan office.
John Savino has been a member of the New York Police Department since 1982. His career has spanned all aspects of law enforcement, beginning with a short assignment as a uniformed police officer and quick advancement to the Narcotics Division. His investigative skills began developing while assigned to the Manhattan North Narcotics Division. This assignment also helped develop his ability to talk with people from all walks of life, as he worked in an “undercover” capacity buying narcotics in Manhattan.
Police-Writers.com now hosts 866 police officers (representing 383 police departments) and their 1810 police 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.
Contact Information:
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Young Leaders Tour Washington, Pentagon
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
March 7, 2008 - More than 100 high school students, wearing business suits and looking more like politicians than teenagers, crowded the halls of the Pentagon today during one of their final stops in a week-long tour of the capital city. The students represented all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Defense Department Education Activity as part of the U.S. Senate Youth Program.
The program brings the brightest and most promising young leaders here for tours and talks with the nation's top leaders all the way up to the president. Today they met with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and toured the Pentagon.
Their visits also include stops at the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court and the White House. They meet senior officials and hold discussions with them along the way. The student delegates are able to discuss current public and national security policy issues with senators, cabinet members and other senior government officials.
"That was pretty cool," said Christopher Brown, one of the DoD Education Activity delegates, speaking of his visit with the various key political leaders.
A self-described "political junkie," Brown is a junior whose parents teach in the Defense Department's Hanau High School in Hanau, Germany.
"I follow politics a lot. It was really interesting. I didn't realize how much of a difference there was between the Senate and the House in the processes and how they work, so that was pretty cool," Brown said.
Brown has been around the military his whole life and was born in Germany. To be selected, he had to take tests, write essays and send in a video of his responses to government-related questions. Brown's teacher selected him because of his involvement with student government.
Brown said the Defense Secretary was different than he expected.
"He was a little quieter than I thought, and a little more unassuming. And that actually gave me more respect for him," Brown said of his meeting with Gates. "I kind of felt like I could relate to him."
Gates spoke to the students about the importance of integrity in their personal and professional lives, and answered questions, mostly relating to military policies and the war in Iraq, Brown said.
Brianna Fitch, also a DoD Education Activity delegate, said his talk really hit home for her.
"He was a very nice man. It was kind of nice to see the personal side of these figures [whose pictures] you see hanging on the wall every day in the chain of command. And I really took his words to heart, especially those about staying honest," she said.
Fitch's father is a lieutenant colonel in the Army, and she has been an "Army brat" all of her life. She is a senior at Brussels American School in Brussels, Belgium.
She graduates "exactly three months from yesterday," but who's counting. Her grandfather was also in the Army, but Brown said she plans to join the Peace Corps after graduation, and then possibly work as a political officer for the U.S. State Department.
"It's inspiring to see how many people are willing to listen to us," she said. "Even the speakers are saying 'It's your future. You guys are going to be the ones that are going to be here some day.' That's very exciting and motivating to hear."
Fitch said that one of the best things about the trip has been developing relationships with the other candidates and listening to their perspectives on issues.
"It's been a really great experience talking to them, hearing a lot of different political views, and I've liked getting to share a European view point," she said. "Our speakers have been excellent. Some have been very thought provoking."
She said the trip has given her a broader perspective, and, Brown believes, she has contributed to broadening others. She said her military life gives her a different view of political views, especially the war.
"Every figure you see in the news of deaths, those are people and they all have families," she said. "I think that definitely gives you a different perspective when you know people whose parents go off to war and who sometimes don't come back."
Army Maj. Michelle Avolio, a Blackhawk helicopter pilot with 200 hours combat flight experience in Iraq said she was actually intimidated when she found out she would be acting as a mentor for a week for six teenage girls.
As a mentor, Avolio has followed her group 24 hours a day, even sleeping in the same hotel, eating all the same meals. Her job is to be a role model for the delegates and a military representative.
The students' questions to Aviolo were somewhat predictable. The boys wanted to know if she got shot at. Yes, she did. The girls wanted to know more about what it's like being a woman in a position of leadership.
"Don't limit yourself," she told them. "Just be who you are. Be true to yourself and do the right thing and you'll shine as a leader."
Avolio said she volunteered for the job because it was important for the up-and-coming future leaders to have some personal military connection.
"They may [one day] be in very influential positions and may never have been exposed to the military and [would be] making decisions that concern us and our troops," Avolio said. "So they are able to see us and ask all the questions they want and maybe have a personal experience that when they're older they can look back on and influence their decisions positively."
Air Force Capt. Timothy Booher, an Air Force engineer, also dedicated a week away from work, emails, Blackberry devices and his wife and children to work with the delegates.
"I'm trying to really build rapport with them," he said. "To hopefully have a relationship where they know someone in the military who they can ask for advice and maybe help frame their understanding of what [we] in the military are like and perhaps challenge some of the stereotypes and assumptions that they might have come into this with."
American Forces Press Service
March 7, 2008 - More than 100 high school students, wearing business suits and looking more like politicians than teenagers, crowded the halls of the Pentagon today during one of their final stops in a week-long tour of the capital city. The students represented all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Defense Department Education Activity as part of the U.S. Senate Youth Program.
The program brings the brightest and most promising young leaders here for tours and talks with the nation's top leaders all the way up to the president. Today they met with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and toured the Pentagon.
Their visits also include stops at the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court and the White House. They meet senior officials and hold discussions with them along the way. The student delegates are able to discuss current public and national security policy issues with senators, cabinet members and other senior government officials.
"That was pretty cool," said Christopher Brown, one of the DoD Education Activity delegates, speaking of his visit with the various key political leaders.
A self-described "political junkie," Brown is a junior whose parents teach in the Defense Department's Hanau High School in Hanau, Germany.
"I follow politics a lot. It was really interesting. I didn't realize how much of a difference there was between the Senate and the House in the processes and how they work, so that was pretty cool," Brown said.
Brown has been around the military his whole life and was born in Germany. To be selected, he had to take tests, write essays and send in a video of his responses to government-related questions. Brown's teacher selected him because of his involvement with student government.
Brown said the Defense Secretary was different than he expected.
"He was a little quieter than I thought, and a little more unassuming. And that actually gave me more respect for him," Brown said of his meeting with Gates. "I kind of felt like I could relate to him."
Gates spoke to the students about the importance of integrity in their personal and professional lives, and answered questions, mostly relating to military policies and the war in Iraq, Brown said.
Brianna Fitch, also a DoD Education Activity delegate, said his talk really hit home for her.
"He was a very nice man. It was kind of nice to see the personal side of these figures [whose pictures] you see hanging on the wall every day in the chain of command. And I really took his words to heart, especially those about staying honest," she said.
Fitch's father is a lieutenant colonel in the Army, and she has been an "Army brat" all of her life. She is a senior at Brussels American School in Brussels, Belgium.
She graduates "exactly three months from yesterday," but who's counting. Her grandfather was also in the Army, but Brown said she plans to join the Peace Corps after graduation, and then possibly work as a political officer for the U.S. State Department.
"It's inspiring to see how many people are willing to listen to us," she said. "Even the speakers are saying 'It's your future. You guys are going to be the ones that are going to be here some day.' That's very exciting and motivating to hear."
Fitch said that one of the best things about the trip has been developing relationships with the other candidates and listening to their perspectives on issues.
"It's been a really great experience talking to them, hearing a lot of different political views, and I've liked getting to share a European view point," she said. "Our speakers have been excellent. Some have been very thought provoking."
She said the trip has given her a broader perspective, and, Brown believes, she has contributed to broadening others. She said her military life gives her a different view of political views, especially the war.
"Every figure you see in the news of deaths, those are people and they all have families," she said. "I think that definitely gives you a different perspective when you know people whose parents go off to war and who sometimes don't come back."
Army Maj. Michelle Avolio, a Blackhawk helicopter pilot with 200 hours combat flight experience in Iraq said she was actually intimidated when she found out she would be acting as a mentor for a week for six teenage girls.
As a mentor, Avolio has followed her group 24 hours a day, even sleeping in the same hotel, eating all the same meals. Her job is to be a role model for the delegates and a military representative.
The students' questions to Aviolo were somewhat predictable. The boys wanted to know if she got shot at. Yes, she did. The girls wanted to know more about what it's like being a woman in a position of leadership.
"Don't limit yourself," she told them. "Just be who you are. Be true to yourself and do the right thing and you'll shine as a leader."
Avolio said she volunteered for the job because it was important for the up-and-coming future leaders to have some personal military connection.
"They may [one day] be in very influential positions and may never have been exposed to the military and [would be] making decisions that concern us and our troops," Avolio said. "So they are able to see us and ask all the questions they want and maybe have a personal experience that when they're older they can look back on and influence their decisions positively."
Air Force Capt. Timothy Booher, an Air Force engineer, also dedicated a week away from work, emails, Blackberry devices and his wife and children to work with the delegates.
"I'm trying to really build rapport with them," he said. "To hopefully have a relationship where they know someone in the military who they can ask for advice and maybe help frame their understanding of what [we] in the military are like and perhaps challenge some of the stereotypes and assumptions that they might have come into this with."
America Supports You: MySpace Set to Rock Troops in Kuwait
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
March 6, 2008 - Troops in Kuwait preparing to deploy into Iraq will get a crash course in rock-and-roll MySpace style when the online social network hosts its "Operation MySpace" concert March 10. "For years, troops stationed all over the world have utilized MySpace as a lifeline to communicate with their loved ones back home," said Tom Anderson, a MySpace co-founder. "Many of them have been generous enough to share their unique experiences with me through messages on MySpace. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to thank them in person and bring along the entire MySpace community."
MySpace co-founder Chris DeWolfe expressed pride in being able to entertain the troops and bring them a small piece of home, though they're thousands of miles away.
"We're incredibly proud to host this one-of-a-kind concert," he said. "Unlike past variety shows or concerts of this nature, Operation MySpace will connect people, content, and culture a world apart through the live webcast of the show and interaction on the Operation MySpace profile."
The concert, part of the MySpaceLive! series, is being presented in cooperation with the Defense Department's Armed Forces Entertainment and America Supports You programs. Some of today's most popular music acts -- including Filter, Disturbed, The Pussycat Dolls, DJ Z-Trip and Jessica Simpson -- will rock the Kuwaiti desert for the troops stationed in the country. Comedian Carlos Mencia will host the three-plus hour event, which will stream live on the MySpace Web site at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on March 10.
"This MySpaceLive! concert is an exciting event because it communicates to our troops that people from all walks of life and from all types of companies support their service to our country," said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense of internal communication and public liaison. "MySpace is a great medium to connect our military members and their families, who serve in 177 countries, to the folks back home. We are so glad to have MySpace as part of the team working with both America Supports You and Armed Forces Entertainment."
Armed Forces Entertainment is a supporter of the Defense Department's "America Supports You" program, which connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
The connection Barber mentioned is already happening. Troops' families and friends, as well as the entire MySpace community, can post videos and messages of support via a video blog section on the myspace.com/operationmyspace Web site, set up just for the concert. That same site will feature scrolling goodwill messages during the live webcast of the show.
MySpace and Defense Department officials aren't the only ones excited about entertaining the troops. The musicians are thrilled with the opportunity.
"It's truly an honor to perform for the troops," Jessica Simpson said. "Through Operation MySpace, I get to serve my country by doing what I love to do in front of thousands of brave men in uniform. It's every girl's dream!"
The Pussycat Dolls had similar sentiments. "We're so excited to be performing for the troops and supporting our Armed Forces overseas," the group said in a statement.
FX television network will broadcast a condensed one-hour version of the show on April 12 for those who won't be able to catch it live.
For more information on the Operation MySpace concert, visit the MySpace Web site.
American Forces Press Service
March 6, 2008 - Troops in Kuwait preparing to deploy into Iraq will get a crash course in rock-and-roll MySpace style when the online social network hosts its "Operation MySpace" concert March 10. "For years, troops stationed all over the world have utilized MySpace as a lifeline to communicate with their loved ones back home," said Tom Anderson, a MySpace co-founder. "Many of them have been generous enough to share their unique experiences with me through messages on MySpace. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to thank them in person and bring along the entire MySpace community."
MySpace co-founder Chris DeWolfe expressed pride in being able to entertain the troops and bring them a small piece of home, though they're thousands of miles away.
"We're incredibly proud to host this one-of-a-kind concert," he said. "Unlike past variety shows or concerts of this nature, Operation MySpace will connect people, content, and culture a world apart through the live webcast of the show and interaction on the Operation MySpace profile."
The concert, part of the MySpaceLive! series, is being presented in cooperation with the Defense Department's Armed Forces Entertainment and America Supports You programs. Some of today's most popular music acts -- including Filter, Disturbed, The Pussycat Dolls, DJ Z-Trip and Jessica Simpson -- will rock the Kuwaiti desert for the troops stationed in the country. Comedian Carlos Mencia will host the three-plus hour event, which will stream live on the MySpace Web site at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on March 10.
"This MySpaceLive! concert is an exciting event because it communicates to our troops that people from all walks of life and from all types of companies support their service to our country," said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense of internal communication and public liaison. "MySpace is a great medium to connect our military members and their families, who serve in 177 countries, to the folks back home. We are so glad to have MySpace as part of the team working with both America Supports You and Armed Forces Entertainment."
Armed Forces Entertainment is a supporter of the Defense Department's "America Supports You" program, which connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
The connection Barber mentioned is already happening. Troops' families and friends, as well as the entire MySpace community, can post videos and messages of support via a video blog section on the myspace.com/operationmyspace Web site, set up just for the concert. That same site will feature scrolling goodwill messages during the live webcast of the show.
MySpace and Defense Department officials aren't the only ones excited about entertaining the troops. The musicians are thrilled with the opportunity.
"It's truly an honor to perform for the troops," Jessica Simpson said. "Through Operation MySpace, I get to serve my country by doing what I love to do in front of thousands of brave men in uniform. It's every girl's dream!"
The Pussycat Dolls had similar sentiments. "We're so excited to be performing for the troops and supporting our Armed Forces overseas," the group said in a statement.
FX television network will broadcast a condensed one-hour version of the show on April 12 for those who won't be able to catch it live.
For more information on the Operation MySpace concert, visit the MySpace Web site.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Chairman Celebrates Unsung Heroes at 'Angels of Battlefield' Gala
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
March 6, 2008 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff praised the Army medics and Navy corpsmen who risk their lives on the battlefield to save others at the 2nd annual Armed Services YMCA gala here last night. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, who had returned yesterday morning from visiting deployed troops, related a poignant aspect of his trip to the more than 200 people in attendance.
"Less than 48 hours ago, I was on a high mountain in Afghanistan with about 15 soldiers in one of the toughest areas we have right now in the fight that we're in," Mullen said. "There was one individual in this group who ... stood out, and it was the medic."
Near the melting snow-capped mountaintop, the chairman spoke with the unit, which had lost seven soldiers since deploying to Afghanistan almost a year ago. The surviving soldiers resolved to continue their mission, Mullen said, in part because of the confidence instilled in the soldiers by the man tasked with keeping them alive.
"You could see in how (the medic) talked and how they talked about him, how special he was, how much they depend on him and how confident they were they could carry out their mission because he was there," Mullen said.
U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are supported by the best combat medical staff the country has ever seen, the chairman said, citing two exemplary medics.
As a young man in Bronx, N.Y., Angelo J. Vaccaro had led a misdirected life, with bad influences, drug use and brushes with the law. In 2004, however, Vaccaro decided to turn his life around and enlisted as a combat medic after the Army granted him a waiver.
"He joined the Army to save himself," Mullen said. "As a medic, he, in turn, consciously chose to save others."
A firefight erupted around Vaccaro's unit on Oct. 3, 2004. Plunging headlong into the engagement, the medic was killed while attempting to evacuate his wounded comrades. He is the first servicemember to earn two Silver Star Medals in the global terror war.
"In an effort to save his soldiers -- in doing what was right in life -- he courageously faced his death," Mullen said. "And we honor him as we have so many tonight, and the legions of combat medics who came before him and the many who will surely follow."
As insurgents ambushed the front of his convoy, and with explosions going off on the road ahead of him, Navy hospital corpsman Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Chiarini could have remained in his vehicle and waited for the action to pass. Instead, he bolted from his truck and joined the battle.
Chiarini's ensuing gallantry resulted in a Silver Star and the recovery of several wounded Marines from the line of fire, saving their lives. "He was in the company of the angels in the battlefield," Mullen said, referring to the combat medics who served before Chiarini.
In a recorded video message to the audience, former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole expressed "everlasting appreciation" for combat medics, like those who cared for him after he suffered injuries from German machine-gun fire during World War II.
"Our Army medics and Navy corpsmen ... are and always have been the unsung heroes of our country's effort to defend liberty and freedom," he said. "If you're one of those touched by these courageous men and women, as I was, you'll have an everlasting appreciation for they do in times of personal crisis."
Servicemembers accepted an award on behalf of their fellow corpsmen and medics. Recipients included Army Sgt. Maria Jimenez, Navy Seaman Elvis Gichini, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Joel Grey, Air Force Senior Airman Jaime Kincaid, Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Victoria Hayes, Army Reserve Sgt. Jeana Johnson, Navy Reserve Petty Officer 1st Class Sean Baney and Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Lance Burgess.
The evening's master of ceremonies -- retired Marine Col. H.C. "Barney" Barnum Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient who now serves as deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for reserve affairs -- said every servicemember reveres his "doc."
"Our corpsmen and medics carry the scars of battles won and battles lost, deep in their souls, unseen to men," he said. "Not the battles of bullets flying back and forth, but the battles of life and death on the face in front of them and all around them."
American Forces Press Service
March 6, 2008 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff praised the Army medics and Navy corpsmen who risk their lives on the battlefield to save others at the 2nd annual Armed Services YMCA gala here last night. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, who had returned yesterday morning from visiting deployed troops, related a poignant aspect of his trip to the more than 200 people in attendance.
"Less than 48 hours ago, I was on a high mountain in Afghanistan with about 15 soldiers in one of the toughest areas we have right now in the fight that we're in," Mullen said. "There was one individual in this group who ... stood out, and it was the medic."
Near the melting snow-capped mountaintop, the chairman spoke with the unit, which had lost seven soldiers since deploying to Afghanistan almost a year ago. The surviving soldiers resolved to continue their mission, Mullen said, in part because of the confidence instilled in the soldiers by the man tasked with keeping them alive.
"You could see in how (the medic) talked and how they talked about him, how special he was, how much they depend on him and how confident they were they could carry out their mission because he was there," Mullen said.
U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are supported by the best combat medical staff the country has ever seen, the chairman said, citing two exemplary medics.
As a young man in Bronx, N.Y., Angelo J. Vaccaro had led a misdirected life, with bad influences, drug use and brushes with the law. In 2004, however, Vaccaro decided to turn his life around and enlisted as a combat medic after the Army granted him a waiver.
"He joined the Army to save himself," Mullen said. "As a medic, he, in turn, consciously chose to save others."
A firefight erupted around Vaccaro's unit on Oct. 3, 2004. Plunging headlong into the engagement, the medic was killed while attempting to evacuate his wounded comrades. He is the first servicemember to earn two Silver Star Medals in the global terror war.
"In an effort to save his soldiers -- in doing what was right in life -- he courageously faced his death," Mullen said. "And we honor him as we have so many tonight, and the legions of combat medics who came before him and the many who will surely follow."
As insurgents ambushed the front of his convoy, and with explosions going off on the road ahead of him, Navy hospital corpsman Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Chiarini could have remained in his vehicle and waited for the action to pass. Instead, he bolted from his truck and joined the battle.
Chiarini's ensuing gallantry resulted in a Silver Star and the recovery of several wounded Marines from the line of fire, saving their lives. "He was in the company of the angels in the battlefield," Mullen said, referring to the combat medics who served before Chiarini.
In a recorded video message to the audience, former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole expressed "everlasting appreciation" for combat medics, like those who cared for him after he suffered injuries from German machine-gun fire during World War II.
"Our Army medics and Navy corpsmen ... are and always have been the unsung heroes of our country's effort to defend liberty and freedom," he said. "If you're one of those touched by these courageous men and women, as I was, you'll have an everlasting appreciation for they do in times of personal crisis."
Servicemembers accepted an award on behalf of their fellow corpsmen and medics. Recipients included Army Sgt. Maria Jimenez, Navy Seaman Elvis Gichini, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Joel Grey, Air Force Senior Airman Jaime Kincaid, Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Victoria Hayes, Army Reserve Sgt. Jeana Johnson, Navy Reserve Petty Officer 1st Class Sean Baney and Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Lance Burgess.
The evening's master of ceremonies -- retired Marine Col. H.C. "Barney" Barnum Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient who now serves as deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for reserve affairs -- said every servicemember reveres his "doc."
"Our corpsmen and medics carry the scars of battles won and battles lost, deep in their souls, unseen to men," he said. "Not the battles of bullets flying back and forth, but the battles of life and death on the face in front of them and all around them."
Times Square Recruiting Station Bombing Causes Minor Damage
American Forces Press Service
March 6, 2008 - No one was injured and only minor structural damage was reported after a bomb went off outside the Armed Forces Recruiting Station in New York City's Times Square early this morning. The bomb went off at about 3:45 a.m., cracking the glass door, bending the door frame and shattering the large glass window in front of the station, said Army Capt. Charlie Jacquillard, the commander for the six Army recruiting stations in Manhattan.
The station, jointly manned by Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps recruiters, is possibly the most well-known recruiting station in the world.
"Our troops are dedicating to carrying out our mission despite obstacles or adversity," Jacquillard said. "We will demonstrate strength of character by remaining open despite this incident."
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, has begun assessing damage for immediate repair to get the station back to operation as soon as possible.
Times Square recruiting station commander, Army Sgt. 1st Class James Latella said he is very happy to be opening tomorrow to demonstrate to the public that his troops' mission will continue on as usual.
"Although not confirmed as a deliberate act against the U.S. Army or military in general, our soldiers remain committed to their recruiting mission and it's our intent to have the Times Square recruiting station reopened as soon as possible," said Army Col. Michael Negard, U.S Training and Doctrine Command chief of Public Affairs.
Incidents of harassment and vandalism against military recruiters – in the form of spitting, threatening words, graffiti and broken windows – are not uncommon since many recruiters reside in leased office buildings outside the confines of military installations and are susceptible to personal attacks, Air Force officials said.
"This is not the first time one of our offices has been used to demonstrate, but violence is not tolerated and law enforcement officials will find the perpetrator and prosecute," said Brig. Gen. Suzanne M. Vautrinot, Air Force Recruiting Service commander. "I must commend Air Force officials for doing a superb job of responding, reporting and accounting for their people."
Army officials said that while the incident is being investigated, all Army recruiting stations have been told to assume a higher level of awareness.
Civil and federal authorities are investigating the bombing.
(Air Force Recruiting Service and U.S. Army news releases were used in this report.) And, information for police officers sponsored the entry.
March 6, 2008 - No one was injured and only minor structural damage was reported after a bomb went off outside the Armed Forces Recruiting Station in New York City's Times Square early this morning. The bomb went off at about 3:45 a.m., cracking the glass door, bending the door frame and shattering the large glass window in front of the station, said Army Capt. Charlie Jacquillard, the commander for the six Army recruiting stations in Manhattan.
The station, jointly manned by Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps recruiters, is possibly the most well-known recruiting station in the world.
"Our troops are dedicating to carrying out our mission despite obstacles or adversity," Jacquillard said. "We will demonstrate strength of character by remaining open despite this incident."
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, has begun assessing damage for immediate repair to get the station back to operation as soon as possible.
Times Square recruiting station commander, Army Sgt. 1st Class James Latella said he is very happy to be opening tomorrow to demonstrate to the public that his troops' mission will continue on as usual.
"Although not confirmed as a deliberate act against the U.S. Army or military in general, our soldiers remain committed to their recruiting mission and it's our intent to have the Times Square recruiting station reopened as soon as possible," said Army Col. Michael Negard, U.S Training and Doctrine Command chief of Public Affairs.
Incidents of harassment and vandalism against military recruiters – in the form of spitting, threatening words, graffiti and broken windows – are not uncommon since many recruiters reside in leased office buildings outside the confines of military installations and are susceptible to personal attacks, Air Force officials said.
"This is not the first time one of our offices has been used to demonstrate, but violence is not tolerated and law enforcement officials will find the perpetrator and prosecute," said Brig. Gen. Suzanne M. Vautrinot, Air Force Recruiting Service commander. "I must commend Air Force officials for doing a superb job of responding, reporting and accounting for their people."
Army officials said that while the incident is being investigated, all Army recruiting stations have been told to assume a higher level of awareness.
Civil and federal authorities are investigating the bombing.
(Air Force Recruiting Service and U.S. Army news releases were used in this report.) And, information for police officers sponsored the entry.
World War I Vet
By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service
March 6, 2008 - Defense Department officials honored one of the world's last living World War I veterans in a ceremony at the Pentagon today. "I feel honored to be here as a representative of the veterans of WWI and I thank you," said Frank Woodruff Buckles, 107, who wore multiple service medals and remained in a wheelchair. He received a standing ovation from the mostly military audience.
Buckles, who lives near Charles Town, W.Va., and his family were special guests during the ceremony, in which officials unveiled photographer David DeJonge's World War I Veterans Exhibit. Dfense officials praised the exhibit for putting faces on a war that is largely forgotten and for which its generation is slipping away. DeJonge donated the exhibit, a collection of portraits of nine WWI veterans, for permanent display in the Pentagon.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates thanked Buckles, an Army ambulance driver in France and Britain, and John F. Babcock, a veteran of the U.S. and Canadian armies, who now lives in Spokane, Wash., and could not attend the ceremony. Buckles and Babcock are the last known living WWI soldiers who fought for the United States.
"Whoever views this display will, I am sure, feel a connection to Mr. Buckles and his comrades-in-arms," Gates said. "We will always be grateful for what they did for their country 90 years ago."
The portraits show each of the eight men and one woman, surrounded by military medals, books and newspapers of the day. Some are framed by flags and bear bright smiles. Others appear deep in thought. All evoke the patriotism of their service. Seven of the nine have died in the past year, said DeJonge, an independent photographer who began the project in 2006 in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
"History is fading away before the very eyes of America," DeJonge said in an emotional speech. Asked after the ceremony why he chose veterans for the theme of his photography, DeJonge said, "It is imperative to American history. We want our leaders here at the Pentagon...to recognize that the decisions they make here impact people for 90 years or more."
The project is important because "the First World War is not well understood or remembered in the United States," Gates said. "There is no big memorial on the National Mall. Hollywood has not turned its gaze in this direction for decades. Yet few events have so markedly shaped the world we live in as the epic blood struggle known as The Great War."
U.S. involvement in WWI was short in time, long on sacrifice. From the first U.S. Navy ship that was sank in early 1917 until the armistice was signed Nov. 11, 1918, the United States incurred more than 116,000 deaths – more than Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan combined, Gates noted.
Just as some have marked the 21st Century as having began with the terrorism of Sept. 11, 2001, the 20th Century "began" with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, on June 28, 1914, Gates said. The war that began with a regional fight for Balkan independence, left the world a redrawn map of Europe and the Middle East, including the demarcation of Iraq. "From Baghdad to Belgrade, the places that mattered then are in the front of our consciousness today."
Army Secretary Pete Geren compared the sacrifices of WWI veterans to those serving now in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Today, young men and women from our generation, the best of this generation, too, are joined in a war in a far-off land that will shape their future and the world's future for decades to come," Geren said. "As with Frank Buckles' war, someday this war will end and [they] will come home with their lives and the world forever changed." The portraits "put a human face on a faceless war," Geren said. "We are reminded and convicted of the personal debt each of us owes to those who have secured the blessings of our liberties."
American Forces Press Service
March 6, 2008 - Defense Department officials honored one of the world's last living World War I veterans in a ceremony at the Pentagon today. "I feel honored to be here as a representative of the veterans of WWI and I thank you," said Frank Woodruff Buckles, 107, who wore multiple service medals and remained in a wheelchair. He received a standing ovation from the mostly military audience.
Buckles, who lives near Charles Town, W.Va., and his family were special guests during the ceremony, in which officials unveiled photographer David DeJonge's World War I Veterans Exhibit. Dfense officials praised the exhibit for putting faces on a war that is largely forgotten and for which its generation is slipping away. DeJonge donated the exhibit, a collection of portraits of nine WWI veterans, for permanent display in the Pentagon.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates thanked Buckles, an Army ambulance driver in France and Britain, and John F. Babcock, a veteran of the U.S. and Canadian armies, who now lives in Spokane, Wash., and could not attend the ceremony. Buckles and Babcock are the last known living WWI soldiers who fought for the United States.
"Whoever views this display will, I am sure, feel a connection to Mr. Buckles and his comrades-in-arms," Gates said. "We will always be grateful for what they did for their country 90 years ago."
The portraits show each of the eight men and one woman, surrounded by military medals, books and newspapers of the day. Some are framed by flags and bear bright smiles. Others appear deep in thought. All evoke the patriotism of their service. Seven of the nine have died in the past year, said DeJonge, an independent photographer who began the project in 2006 in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
"History is fading away before the very eyes of America," DeJonge said in an emotional speech. Asked after the ceremony why he chose veterans for the theme of his photography, DeJonge said, "It is imperative to American history. We want our leaders here at the Pentagon...to recognize that the decisions they make here impact people for 90 years or more."
The project is important because "the First World War is not well understood or remembered in the United States," Gates said. "There is no big memorial on the National Mall. Hollywood has not turned its gaze in this direction for decades. Yet few events have so markedly shaped the world we live in as the epic blood struggle known as The Great War."
U.S. involvement in WWI was short in time, long on sacrifice. From the first U.S. Navy ship that was sank in early 1917 until the armistice was signed Nov. 11, 1918, the United States incurred more than 116,000 deaths – more than Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan combined, Gates noted.
Just as some have marked the 21st Century as having began with the terrorism of Sept. 11, 2001, the 20th Century "began" with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, on June 28, 1914, Gates said. The war that began with a regional fight for Balkan independence, left the world a redrawn map of Europe and the Middle East, including the demarcation of Iraq. "From Baghdad to Belgrade, the places that mattered then are in the front of our consciousness today."
Army Secretary Pete Geren compared the sacrifices of WWI veterans to those serving now in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Today, young men and women from our generation, the best of this generation, too, are joined in a war in a far-off land that will shape their future and the world's future for decades to come," Geren said. "As with Frank Buckles' war, someday this war will end and [they] will come home with their lives and the world forever changed." The portraits "put a human face on a faceless war," Geren said. "We are reminded and convicted of the personal debt each of us owes to those who have secured the blessings of our liberties."
MILITARY CONTRACTS
NAVY
Bell-Boeing Tiltrotor Team, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded $204,477,179 four delivery orders #0251, #0252, #0253, #0254 under previously awarded contract (N00383-03-G-001B) for spare components (repairables) of the V-22 aircraft. Work will be performed in Hurst, Texas, (40 percent), and Ridley Park, Pa., (60 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Mar. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This is a sole source effort and was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity.
Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Ft. Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $57,775,399 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00019-02-C-3002). This modification exercises an option for the Electronic Warfare Verification Station for the U.S. Reprogramming Laboratory (USRL) at Eglin Air Force Base. This option provides for the development, integration, installation, and training for an electronic warfare mission data validation/verification capability under the Joint Strike Fighter System Development and Demonstration Program. Work will be performed in Ft. Worth, Texas, (68 percent); Orlando, Fla., (24 percent); and El Segundo, Calif., (8 percent), and is expected to be completed in Oct. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Watts Constructors, LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii, is being awarded a $46,875,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a Communications Center for Naval Station Pearl Harbor at Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific. Work will be performed in Wahiawa, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by Mar. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with 57 offers solicited and five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-08-C-1300).
Virtexco Corp., Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $14,770,422 firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of an Academic Instruction Facility for the School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune. The work to be performed provides for the construction of a single two-story facility that will accommodate classrooms, administrative offices, a receiving auditorium, toilet, lounge facilities, and mechanical and electrical spaces. This project will also involve site improvements, and the demolition of 16 existing buildings within the Camp Geiger area. A flag pole and six monuments will be relocated to the site from other locations within the Camp Geiger area. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by Sep. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with seven proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-07-C-1415).
TEAM Construction, LLC, Jacksonville, N.C., is being awarded a $10,738,082 firm-fixed price contract for major realignment and modernization of existing live fire ranges and situated K-2 impact area at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune. The work to be performed provides for construction of control towers for proposed automated ranges, field service heads, storage buildings, classrooms, overhead covered areas, bleachers, ammo holding/issue areas, and utility buildings. Included are service roads to new target emplacements, bivouac areas, access roads and utility distribution systems to serve this range complex and its targetry. Also included are technical operating manuals and anti-terrorism force protection features. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-08-C-1400).
BAE Systems Electronics Limited, Underwater Systems Division, Hampshire, Great Britain, is being awarded a $9,874,745 modification to previously awarded contract (N61331-08-C-0012) for the procurement of common neutralizers, related support equipment, and engineering services to support the Airborne Mine Neutralization System and the Expendable Mine Neutralization System. Work will be performed in Hampshire, Great Britain, (77 percent); Rocket Center, W. Va. (2 percent); Littleton, Mass. (7 percent); Cedex, France (3 percent); Chelmsford, Essex, England (3 percent); Thurso, Caithness, England (2 percent); and Carlton Gardes, England (6 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Dec. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $353,255 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division, Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity.
Harris Corp. Government Communications Systems Div., Melbourne, Fla., was awarded awarded a $7,786,065 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced contract (N00019-06-C-0087) on Mar. 4, 2008, to exercise an option for the Full Rate Production of 165 Fibre Channel Network Switches (FCNS), a component of the Advanced Mission Computer and Display (AMC&D). This modification provides 138 FCNS for U.S. Navy Lot 32 F/A-18E/F, EA-18G, and E-2D aircraft, F/A-18F and EA-18G supplemental aircraft, and the retrofit of F/A-18E/F Lots 26-28 aircraft for the U.S. Navy and 27 FCNS for the Australian F/A-18F aircraft. In addition, this option provides for the procurement of four mounting kits for the E-2D and FCNS test equipment. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($6,576,492; 84precent) and the Government of Australia, ($1,209,573) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be conducted in Melbourne, Fla., and is expected to be completed in Mar. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
ARMY
Hensel Phelps Construction Co., Chantilly, Va., was awarded on Feb. 29, 2008, a $93,138,733 fixed-price incentive with award fee contract for in-scope changes to the Pentagon renovation in accordance with the approved design phase construction plan that incorporates approved changes. Work will be performed at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 30, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was one bid solicited on Jan. 19, 2001, and one bid was received. The Pentagon Renovation & Construction Program Office, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity MDA947-01-C-2001.
Structural Associates, Inc., East Syracuse, N.Y., was awarded on Feb. 29, 2008, a $43,313,600 firm-fixed price contract for construction of phase one, construction of new buildings with supporting utilities. Work will be performed at Fort Drum, N.Y., and is expected to be completed by Sep. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were an unknown number of bids solicited via the World Wide Web on Sep. 28, 2007, and five bids were received. The U.S. Army Engineer District, CENAN-CT N. Y., is the contracting activity W912DS-08-C-009.
DynCorp International LLC, Falls Church, Va., was awarded on Feb. 28, 2008, a $30,256,356.63 firm-fixed price contract for design and construction of Afghanistan National Army facilities, Kunduz, Afghanistan. Work will be performed in Kunduz, Afghanistan, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 25, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were 30 bids solicited on Dec. 28, 2008, and 18 bids were received. The U.S. Army Engineer District, Afghanistan, is the contracting activity W917PM-08-C-0033.
DCX-CHOL Enterprise Inc., Pekin, Ill., was awarded on Mar. 4, 2008, a $5,030,500.00 firm-fixed price contract for purchase orders for 4100 each actuator and 4010 each actuator controllers for the Mine Resistance Ambush Protection Vehicle. Work will be performed in Pekin, Ill., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 21, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were an unknown number of bids solicited via the World Wide Web on Feb. 15, 2008, and one bid was received. The Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity W9098S-08-P-0430.
AIR FORCE
L3 Communications Corp., Communications Systems West of Salt Lake City, Utah, is being awarded a firm fixed price contract for $39,022,718. This contract is for the conversion of the Predator Primary Satellite Link and fixed SATCOM station upgrades. At this time $18,680,753 has been obligated. 658th Aeronautical Systems Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-08-G-3027, Delivery Order 0017).
Harris Technical Services Corp., of Colorado Springs, Colo., is being awarded a contract modification for $6,083,943. This action provides for mission communications operations and maintenance, FY08 period B option, maintenance and services to be provided to Air Force Space Command's 50th Space Wing, to include: small computer hardware maintenance, local area network management, telephone operations, and visual information management. At this time $5,617,762 has been obligated. 50 CONS/LGCZW, Schriever, Air Force Base, Colo., is the contracting activity (FA2550-08-C-0007).
Face of Defense: Marine Looks Back on Long Journey to Corps
By Lance Cpl. Josephh R. Stahlman, USMC
Special to American Forces Press Service
March 5, 2008 - Although the American dream means different things to different people, one Marine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command believes he is living his version of it. Cpl. Marek Vyskocil, the training noncommissioned officer for Marine Special Operations Advisor Group, said he has everything he could ask for in life, but that his journey began far from American soil.
Vyskocil's journey to America, the Marine Corps and MARSOC began in his home country of Czechoslovakia. He grew up in Havirov and learned to speak several languages due to the diversity of people in his community. Although Vyskocil said he lived a normal Czech childhood, there weren't many jobs or opportunities for self-advancement as he got older. Upon graduating from high school at 18, Vyskocil was drafted into the Czech army.
"At the time, we had no choice but to serve a mandatory one year in the army," explained Vyskocil, a 31-year-old husband and father of three.
Vyskocil said he believes the army helped him mature and made him more independent. "If I hadn't joined the army, I probably wouldn't be where I am at today," he explained.
After getting out of the Czech army, Vyskocil worked a few odd jobs to support himself. During this time, a friend came up with the idea to visit America for spring break.
"I really liked the idea, because I always wanted to visit America," Vyskocil said. "I started to save up enough money for a plane ticket and some extra spending money." He arrived in America in 1998 with one change of clothes, a small bag and no ability to speak the English language.
"I didn't have a lot of money, and I didn't expect to be in America for that long," he recalled. "When I got to Tampa Bay, Fla., I fell in love with America."
It didn't take long for Vyskocil to decide he wanted to stay in the United States. "I fell in love with the culture and the freedom everyone had," said Vyskocil. "Even though I could not speak English, I still had a great time."
Although Vyskocil was able to speak five different languages at this point in his life, English was not one of them.
"I spoke Czech, Slovak, Polish, Slovenian and Russian, but I couldn't speak English or understand some of America's customs and courtesies," he said.
"I once sat in a fast-food restaurant for 45 minutes trying to order a large soda with the last of my money," he said with a chuckle. "When I thought the cashier finally understood me, she came back with my order and handed me a vanilla ice cream cone instead. I was so frustrated I threw the ice cream away and left -- thirsty."
After staying in Tampa Bay throughout spring break, Vyskocil was offered a job in Tennessee. He accepted the job offer and made the trip from Tampa Bay to Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
"I worked for housekeeping at a hotel for my first year when I started dating my now wife, who was the hotel manager," he said. "I then started to learn more and more English until I could finally speak it fluently."
According to Vyskocil's wife, Karen, her husband has always been polite, even when he didn't speak English.
"When I first met him, he would always ask me the meanings of words," said Karen, who is now learning Czech. "When he moved up to the front office, his English just took off. After about a year, he stopped asking me questions and English turned into second nature to him."
After five years working at the hotel, Vyskocil became the hotel manager.
"I loved the fact that I could work from the bottom to the top on my own drive and determination," he said. "That's another reason I love America; if someone has the drive and willpower to do something, they can do it."
After taking another job as a salesman at a car dealership, Vyskocil realized he wanted to put his language skills to good use.
"I wanted to join the FBI, but I had to either have college or have a military background," he said. "With my paycheck, a wife and a son, I figured college was not the route to go."
Vyskocil's wife and family convinced him to join the U.S. Air Force. Vyskocil went to his local Air Force recruiter and was waiting outside when a Marine Corps recruiter walked up, introduced himself and invited Vyskocil into his office to discuss a future in the military.
"I knew about the U.S. Marines growing up in Europe," Vyskocil said. "I was a little uneasy at first, but I noticed his professionalism and attitude about the Corps and decided to join."
Vyskocil learned to speak English and caught on quickly by listening to others speak, but the reading comprehension portion of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery proved challenging.
"I failed the ASVAB twice, and decided the military might not be for me," he said. "My recruiter kept calling to make sure I was studying my words. He wouldn't let me give up on myself, and on the third try, I finally passed the test."
After 11 months of study and effort, Vyskocil shipped to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. After graduating from boot camp and the School of Infantry in 2005, Vyskocil deployed to Iraq with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, later that year.
Upon returning from deployment, Vyskocil became an American citizen.
"It felt great to finally be a part of America," he said. "I lived here for so long, and now I was really a citizen."
Vyskocil then searched for ways to put his language skills to good use for the Corps. During his search, Vyskocil discovered MARSOC.
"I spoke with a (staff noncommissioned officer) with MARSOC, and he offered me a chance to become a part of it," he said. "I jumped at the chance to join."
Vyskocil received orders to MARSOC in 2006 and is now the S-3 training NCO at MSOAG. He hopes to one day put his knowledge and language skills to good use by being on one of MSOAG's special operations teams.
Vyskocil, like so many people before him, was born and raised in a foreign country and came to America as an immigrant looking for a better life and greater opportunities. Like many others, he overcame language and culture barriers and earned everything he has through hard work and determination. Now he gives back to the United States by serving his country in a time of war as an American citizen and protecting the very freedoms he longed for before coming to this nation.
"I'm proud that I'm a Marine and honored to serve this country," he said. "I came to this country with basically nothing, and after 10 years, I have a family and everything I've ever dreamed of before coming to the United States. I'll never take the freedom America gave me for granted."
(Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Josephh R. Stahlman serves with Marine Forces Special Operations Command.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
March 5, 2008 - Although the American dream means different things to different people, one Marine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command believes he is living his version of it. Cpl. Marek Vyskocil, the training noncommissioned officer for Marine Special Operations Advisor Group, said he has everything he could ask for in life, but that his journey began far from American soil.
Vyskocil's journey to America, the Marine Corps and MARSOC began in his home country of Czechoslovakia. He grew up in Havirov and learned to speak several languages due to the diversity of people in his community. Although Vyskocil said he lived a normal Czech childhood, there weren't many jobs or opportunities for self-advancement as he got older. Upon graduating from high school at 18, Vyskocil was drafted into the Czech army.
"At the time, we had no choice but to serve a mandatory one year in the army," explained Vyskocil, a 31-year-old husband and father of three.
Vyskocil said he believes the army helped him mature and made him more independent. "If I hadn't joined the army, I probably wouldn't be where I am at today," he explained.
After getting out of the Czech army, Vyskocil worked a few odd jobs to support himself. During this time, a friend came up with the idea to visit America for spring break.
"I really liked the idea, because I always wanted to visit America," Vyskocil said. "I started to save up enough money for a plane ticket and some extra spending money." He arrived in America in 1998 with one change of clothes, a small bag and no ability to speak the English language.
"I didn't have a lot of money, and I didn't expect to be in America for that long," he recalled. "When I got to Tampa Bay, Fla., I fell in love with America."
It didn't take long for Vyskocil to decide he wanted to stay in the United States. "I fell in love with the culture and the freedom everyone had," said Vyskocil. "Even though I could not speak English, I still had a great time."
Although Vyskocil was able to speak five different languages at this point in his life, English was not one of them.
"I spoke Czech, Slovak, Polish, Slovenian and Russian, but I couldn't speak English or understand some of America's customs and courtesies," he said.
"I once sat in a fast-food restaurant for 45 minutes trying to order a large soda with the last of my money," he said with a chuckle. "When I thought the cashier finally understood me, she came back with my order and handed me a vanilla ice cream cone instead. I was so frustrated I threw the ice cream away and left -- thirsty."
After staying in Tampa Bay throughout spring break, Vyskocil was offered a job in Tennessee. He accepted the job offer and made the trip from Tampa Bay to Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
"I worked for housekeeping at a hotel for my first year when I started dating my now wife, who was the hotel manager," he said. "I then started to learn more and more English until I could finally speak it fluently."
According to Vyskocil's wife, Karen, her husband has always been polite, even when he didn't speak English.
"When I first met him, he would always ask me the meanings of words," said Karen, who is now learning Czech. "When he moved up to the front office, his English just took off. After about a year, he stopped asking me questions and English turned into second nature to him."
After five years working at the hotel, Vyskocil became the hotel manager.
"I loved the fact that I could work from the bottom to the top on my own drive and determination," he said. "That's another reason I love America; if someone has the drive and willpower to do something, they can do it."
After taking another job as a salesman at a car dealership, Vyskocil realized he wanted to put his language skills to good use.
"I wanted to join the FBI, but I had to either have college or have a military background," he said. "With my paycheck, a wife and a son, I figured college was not the route to go."
Vyskocil's wife and family convinced him to join the U.S. Air Force. Vyskocil went to his local Air Force recruiter and was waiting outside when a Marine Corps recruiter walked up, introduced himself and invited Vyskocil into his office to discuss a future in the military.
"I knew about the U.S. Marines growing up in Europe," Vyskocil said. "I was a little uneasy at first, but I noticed his professionalism and attitude about the Corps and decided to join."
Vyskocil learned to speak English and caught on quickly by listening to others speak, but the reading comprehension portion of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery proved challenging.
"I failed the ASVAB twice, and decided the military might not be for me," he said. "My recruiter kept calling to make sure I was studying my words. He wouldn't let me give up on myself, and on the third try, I finally passed the test."
After 11 months of study and effort, Vyskocil shipped to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. After graduating from boot camp and the School of Infantry in 2005, Vyskocil deployed to Iraq with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, later that year.
Upon returning from deployment, Vyskocil became an American citizen.
"It felt great to finally be a part of America," he said. "I lived here for so long, and now I was really a citizen."
Vyskocil then searched for ways to put his language skills to good use for the Corps. During his search, Vyskocil discovered MARSOC.
"I spoke with a (staff noncommissioned officer) with MARSOC, and he offered me a chance to become a part of it," he said. "I jumped at the chance to join."
Vyskocil received orders to MARSOC in 2006 and is now the S-3 training NCO at MSOAG. He hopes to one day put his knowledge and language skills to good use by being on one of MSOAG's special operations teams.
Vyskocil, like so many people before him, was born and raised in a foreign country and came to America as an immigrant looking for a better life and greater opportunities. Like many others, he overcame language and culture barriers and earned everything he has through hard work and determination. Now he gives back to the United States by serving his country in a time of war as an American citizen and protecting the very freedoms he longed for before coming to this nation.
"I'm proud that I'm a Marine and honored to serve this country," he said. "I came to this country with basically nothing, and after 10 years, I have a family and everything I've ever dreamed of before coming to the United States. I'll never take the freedom America gave me for granted."
(Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Josephh R. Stahlman serves with Marine Forces Special Operations Command.)
Odierno, Other Leaders Support 12-Month Army Deployments
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
March 5, 2008 - The former commander of Multinational Corps Iraq emphasized the need yesterday for longer "dwell time" between Army deployments to reduce the strain on the force and give soldiers more time for training.
"What we're trying to do is get more time back between deployments," Odierno said.
Troops now typically get a 1-to-1 balance between dwell time and deployments, returning from a 12- to 15-month deployment and heading back 12 to 15 months later, he noted. Ideally, the Army would like to see that changed to 2-to-1: two years at home between one-year deployments.
"We're not close to being there yet," Odierno said. "But that's the kind of metric I think we want to look at."
More time between deployments would give soldiers and their families a welcome reprieve, but Odierno emphasized that dwell time doesn't equate to a year of "sitting home every night."
"You're out training and doing a lot of other things" to prepare for the next deployment, he said. "That's why we want to extend that time," he said. "We'd like to have a bit more time to reintegrate units (and) to spend more time on our equipment."
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced in April that the Army was extending all deployments for troops serving in the U.S. Central Command region. The move was critical, officials said, for the Army to be able to sustain 20 combat brigades in Iraq required to support the Baghdad security plan. The troop surge called for five additional brigades in and around Iraq's capital city.
Army Lt. Gen Carter F. Ham, operations director for the Joint Staff, shared Odierno's and other defense leaders' sentiments during a Feb. 25 Pentagon news conference. Getting the Army back to 12-month deployments "is a very, very high priority," he said.
Ham said it's premature to say that change will happen by July, to synchronize with the drawdown of surge forces in Iraq. "But that's being studied very, very hard," he said, not only by commanders on the ground, but also at the direction of Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Army chief of staff, and at U.S. Joint Forces Command.
Casey told the Senate Armed Services Committee late last month the cut in deployment times could come sometime in the July timeframe, after the Army reduces in Iraq to 15 brigades. That troop reduction supports recommendations of Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, who also recommended a temporary pause before decisions are made about additional reductions.
"If General Petraeus is able to execute the announced plan of getting to 15 brigades by July, it would be our goal at that point to return to 12 months," Casey said during his Feb. 28 testimony to Congress. "We believe it will still be possible, even with a pause, to go from ... 15 months to 12 months."
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told military analysts Feb. 15 he supports such a move, noting that the military stands at a delicate balance between the mission and the health of the force.
"I'm anxious to get out of 15-month deployments as soon as I can and get it down to 12 months," Mullen said. "Fifteen months is too long. Part of it for me was I was in the military during Vietnam, when we did one-year tours and that was a long time."
American Forces Press Service
March 5, 2008 - The former commander of Multinational Corps Iraq emphasized the need yesterday for longer "dwell time" between Army deployments to reduce the strain on the force and give soldiers more time for training.
"What we're trying to do is get more time back between deployments," Odierno said.
Troops now typically get a 1-to-1 balance between dwell time and deployments, returning from a 12- to 15-month deployment and heading back 12 to 15 months later, he noted. Ideally, the Army would like to see that changed to 2-to-1: two years at home between one-year deployments.
"We're not close to being there yet," Odierno said. "But that's the kind of metric I think we want to look at."
More time between deployments would give soldiers and their families a welcome reprieve, but Odierno emphasized that dwell time doesn't equate to a year of "sitting home every night."
"You're out training and doing a lot of other things" to prepare for the next deployment, he said. "That's why we want to extend that time," he said. "We'd like to have a bit more time to reintegrate units (and) to spend more time on our equipment."
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced in April that the Army was extending all deployments for troops serving in the U.S. Central Command region. The move was critical, officials said, for the Army to be able to sustain 20 combat brigades in Iraq required to support the Baghdad security plan. The troop surge called for five additional brigades in and around Iraq's capital city.
Army Lt. Gen Carter F. Ham, operations director for the Joint Staff, shared Odierno's and other defense leaders' sentiments during a Feb. 25 Pentagon news conference. Getting the Army back to 12-month deployments "is a very, very high priority," he said.
Ham said it's premature to say that change will happen by July, to synchronize with the drawdown of surge forces in Iraq. "But that's being studied very, very hard," he said, not only by commanders on the ground, but also at the direction of Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Army chief of staff, and at U.S. Joint Forces Command.
Casey told the Senate Armed Services Committee late last month the cut in deployment times could come sometime in the July timeframe, after the Army reduces in Iraq to 15 brigades. That troop reduction supports recommendations of Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, who also recommended a temporary pause before decisions are made about additional reductions.
"If General Petraeus is able to execute the announced plan of getting to 15 brigades by July, it would be our goal at that point to return to 12 months," Casey said during his Feb. 28 testimony to Congress. "We believe it will still be possible, even with a pause, to go from ... 15 months to 12 months."
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told military analysts Feb. 15 he supports such a move, noting that the military stands at a delicate balance between the mission and the health of the force.
"I'm anxious to get out of 15-month deployments as soon as I can and get it down to 12 months," Mullen said. "Fifteen months is too long. Part of it for me was I was in the military during Vietnam, when we did one-year tours and that was a long time."
New Directive Contains Political Activity Rules for Servicemembers
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
March 5, 2008 - A revised Defense Department directive provides sharper definition of what servicemembers may and may not do within the political realm, particularly running for political office, a senior U.S. military officer said here yesterday. The new version of Directive 1344.10, titled, "Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces," became effective Feb. 19 and replaces the previous version issued in August 2004, said Army Col. Shawn Shumake, director of legal policy within the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. It was formulated with input from all the military services, he said.
The upcoming 2008 U.S. general elections will feature a bevy of former military members, retirees and current military reservists running for elected office, Shumake explained. In fact, the revised directive contains two sections that discuss candidacy and campaigning issues pertaining to members of that group, he added.
Active-duty servicemembers are strictly prohibited from campaigning for political office or actively taking part in a political campaign — even behind the scenes — Shumake said. The revised directive also specifies what active duty members may or may not do regarding political activities, he said.
"Active-duty military members are required to be apolitical as they go about their business serving the nation," Shumake explained. The restrictions for servicemembers on active duty are extremely tough, he added.
In addition, military chiefs are expected to provide unvarnished advice, without political slant or motive, to senior civilian government leaders, he added.
"It's a fundamental tenet that we don't engage in partisan political activity," Shumake emphasized. "You can't have credibility as military experts if people are going to question your motives, that maybe there's something here other than what is in the best interests of the country."
However, under certain circumstances, some reserve-component members can run for or hold elective political office, Shumake said. Yet, there is "a right way and a wrong way to do that," he emphasized, noting two new sections within the revised directive address political candidacy and campaigning issues.
The directive outlines specific rules pertaining to cases of regular, retired and reserve-component servicemembers holding elective or appointed office within the U.S. government, Shumake said, including elected positions with state, territorial, county or municipal governments.
In addition, the revised directive requires military members holding such positions to apply for and secure the approval of their individual service secretaries. Shumake noted that the requirement for service secretarial approval depends on the length of the servicemember's call or order to active duty. He encouraged servicemembers with questions about the rules affecting partisan political activities or participation to talk to their commanders for guidance.
American Forces Press Service
March 5, 2008 - A revised Defense Department directive provides sharper definition of what servicemembers may and may not do within the political realm, particularly running for political office, a senior U.S. military officer said here yesterday. The new version of Directive 1344.10, titled, "Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces," became effective Feb. 19 and replaces the previous version issued in August 2004, said Army Col. Shawn Shumake, director of legal policy within the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. It was formulated with input from all the military services, he said.
The upcoming 2008 U.S. general elections will feature a bevy of former military members, retirees and current military reservists running for elected office, Shumake explained. In fact, the revised directive contains two sections that discuss candidacy and campaigning issues pertaining to members of that group, he added.
Active-duty servicemembers are strictly prohibited from campaigning for political office or actively taking part in a political campaign — even behind the scenes — Shumake said. The revised directive also specifies what active duty members may or may not do regarding political activities, he said.
"Active-duty military members are required to be apolitical as they go about their business serving the nation," Shumake explained. The restrictions for servicemembers on active duty are extremely tough, he added.
In addition, military chiefs are expected to provide unvarnished advice, without political slant or motive, to senior civilian government leaders, he added.
"It's a fundamental tenet that we don't engage in partisan political activity," Shumake emphasized. "You can't have credibility as military experts if people are going to question your motives, that maybe there's something here other than what is in the best interests of the country."
However, under certain circumstances, some reserve-component members can run for or hold elective political office, Shumake said. Yet, there is "a right way and a wrong way to do that," he emphasized, noting two new sections within the revised directive address political candidacy and campaigning issues.
The directive outlines specific rules pertaining to cases of regular, retired and reserve-component servicemembers holding elective or appointed office within the U.S. government, Shumake said, including elected positions with state, territorial, county or municipal governments.
In addition, the revised directive requires military members holding such positions to apply for and secure the approval of their individual service secretaries. Shumake noted that the requirement for service secretarial approval depends on the length of the servicemember's call or order to active duty. He encouraged servicemembers with questions about the rules affecting partisan political activities or participation to talk to their commanders for guidance.
Bagram Hosts International Women's Day Observance
By Spc. Melissa M. Escobar, USA
American Forces Press Service
March 5, 2008 - Women's history month kicked off with a celebration of International Women's Day here March 3. Combined Joint Task Force 82, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Equal Opportunity and various civil-military operations sections sponsored the celebration, which consisted of speeches, a musical performance from an Afghan band and an Afghan fashion show. The theme of the celebration was "Investing in Women and Girls."
International Women's Day is an official holiday held on March 8 each year in 23 countries across Europe, Africa and Asia. The holiday commemorates the economic, political and social struggles and achievements of women worldwide. The occasion recognizes the world's women and acknowledges their contribution to peace and security, according to the official International Women's Day Web site.
Speaking for Afghanistan's Ministry of Women's Affairs, Husn Banu Ghazanfar updated the gathering of U.S. and French servicemembers and Afghan visitors on women's progress on an international scale. As a lecturer, poet and writer, Ghazanfar gave insight into the struggles that Afghan women have faced and continue to face.
Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Khatool Mohammadzai is Afghanistan's first woman general and paratrooper in the ANA. With more than 500 jumps under her belt and a chest full of medals displaying her many accomplishments, Mohammadzai is a real-life representation of how women are gradually emerging in prominence in Afghan society. In a country where women traditionally have been suppressed and limited to roles that keep them in the home, Mohammadzai has broken the mold and jumped, literally, into a man's world.
"I am honored to be a part of this celebration and to be here in Bagram," she said. "I am proud to be here with my Afghan and international colleagues in celebrating this wonderful day. I congratulate the whole world's women and Afghan women on this beautiful and important day. This day is a sign that the women of the world are making huge progress."
The sense of importance on this day was felt by all who attended, women and men alike.
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Rodney Anderson, CJTF 82's deputy commanding general for support, said it's important to celebrate International Women's Day. "It's especially important to celebrate (the holiday) in Afghanistan," he added, "to recognize the contributions and sacrifices that the Afghan women have made, and the contributions and sacrifices of the women who have deployed here to support them."
One of the women deployed to support the nation of Afghanistan is French Maj. Angelique Esperance, a contracting and legal officer with the French forces.
"It's a particularly important day today," she said. "Women have not had rights here, and today it's a feeling of freedom. We can show the Afghan women that we can do anything next to men. Where I am from, we are equal to men, and I hope that one day it will be the same here. I hope to see Afghan women take their place in society."
U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Debra Plocki, deployed from Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and serving here with the 455th AEW,spoke to the gathering about women in history. Plocki, who was born in the Panama Canal Zone, said she loves history and loves to read and understand where things come from.
"There's a sense of sisterhood, even with women across the world. I want to know what their life is like," Plocki said.
While the crowd took a break to pile their plates full of chicken and beef kabobs, white rice and a double-layered chocolate cake designed with 14 national flags, a local Afghan band called Hamahang performed traditional Afghan music.
Even though the six-piece band from Kabul is composed entirely of men, the musicians know the importance of the celebration for women.
"I couldn't wait for this day," Jawaid Hamahang, the band's lead singer and keyboardist, said. "I am very proud to play on this great day. I wished for such a day in Afghanistan."
He chose a song titled "Woman" to play for the occasion. The song describes the importance of women in a society and their roles as mothers and wives.
With the conclusion of the band's performance, designer and Kabul boutique owner Mina Sherzay took the stage to introduce her Afghan fashion show.
Sherzay, who was born in Kabul, moved to the United States in 1978, before the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. As a mother of two daughters, Sherzay would design and make traditional clothing for herself and for her daughters.
In 2001, Sherzay decided to return to Afghanistan and open her boutique. Although she is an accomplished business woman, Sherzay's goals were not met with the success of her business alone.
"The whole purpose of what I am doing is to economically empower Afghanistan's women," said Sherzay, who has established the Afghan Women's Association and Afghan Women's Federation. Through her clothing and jewelry line, Sherzay said, she hopes to open the world's eyes to the beauty of Afghanistan's culture, which ultimately would bring more business to the women who create the line.
With the attention of the crowd and modernized music playing in the background, U.S. servicemembers and Afghans modeled Sherzay's designer clothes down the runway. The designs ranged from traditional color-filled dresses to more modern earth-toned two-piece suits.
U.S. Army Spc. Erin Dotson, a cook with the 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, from Fort Campbell, Ky., was volunteered by her battalion commander to be one of Sherzay's models.
"I wasn't expecting to ever be dressed in these clothes, but it's a nice honor," she said wearing a modern two-piece suit with traditional jewelry. "It's nice to get out of the kitchen and get involved. The clothes are very beautiful! And some of them are so modern, it's like stuff that you can find ... back in the states. I plan on buying my jacket."
(Army Spc. Melissa M. Escobar serves with the 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)
American Forces Press Service
March 5, 2008 - Women's history month kicked off with a celebration of International Women's Day here March 3. Combined Joint Task Force 82, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Equal Opportunity and various civil-military operations sections sponsored the celebration, which consisted of speeches, a musical performance from an Afghan band and an Afghan fashion show. The theme of the celebration was "Investing in Women and Girls."
International Women's Day is an official holiday held on March 8 each year in 23 countries across Europe, Africa and Asia. The holiday commemorates the economic, political and social struggles and achievements of women worldwide. The occasion recognizes the world's women and acknowledges their contribution to peace and security, according to the official International Women's Day Web site.
Speaking for Afghanistan's Ministry of Women's Affairs, Husn Banu Ghazanfar updated the gathering of U.S. and French servicemembers and Afghan visitors on women's progress on an international scale. As a lecturer, poet and writer, Ghazanfar gave insight into the struggles that Afghan women have faced and continue to face.
Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Khatool Mohammadzai is Afghanistan's first woman general and paratrooper in the ANA. With more than 500 jumps under her belt and a chest full of medals displaying her many accomplishments, Mohammadzai is a real-life representation of how women are gradually emerging in prominence in Afghan society. In a country where women traditionally have been suppressed and limited to roles that keep them in the home, Mohammadzai has broken the mold and jumped, literally, into a man's world.
"I am honored to be a part of this celebration and to be here in Bagram," she said. "I am proud to be here with my Afghan and international colleagues in celebrating this wonderful day. I congratulate the whole world's women and Afghan women on this beautiful and important day. This day is a sign that the women of the world are making huge progress."
The sense of importance on this day was felt by all who attended, women and men alike.
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Rodney Anderson, CJTF 82's deputy commanding general for support, said it's important to celebrate International Women's Day. "It's especially important to celebrate (the holiday) in Afghanistan," he added, "to recognize the contributions and sacrifices that the Afghan women have made, and the contributions and sacrifices of the women who have deployed here to support them."
One of the women deployed to support the nation of Afghanistan is French Maj. Angelique Esperance, a contracting and legal officer with the French forces.
"It's a particularly important day today," she said. "Women have not had rights here, and today it's a feeling of freedom. We can show the Afghan women that we can do anything next to men. Where I am from, we are equal to men, and I hope that one day it will be the same here. I hope to see Afghan women take their place in society."
U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Debra Plocki, deployed from Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and serving here with the 455th AEW,spoke to the gathering about women in history. Plocki, who was born in the Panama Canal Zone, said she loves history and loves to read and understand where things come from.
"There's a sense of sisterhood, even with women across the world. I want to know what their life is like," Plocki said.
While the crowd took a break to pile their plates full of chicken and beef kabobs, white rice and a double-layered chocolate cake designed with 14 national flags, a local Afghan band called Hamahang performed traditional Afghan music.
Even though the six-piece band from Kabul is composed entirely of men, the musicians know the importance of the celebration for women.
"I couldn't wait for this day," Jawaid Hamahang, the band's lead singer and keyboardist, said. "I am very proud to play on this great day. I wished for such a day in Afghanistan."
He chose a song titled "Woman" to play for the occasion. The song describes the importance of women in a society and their roles as mothers and wives.
With the conclusion of the band's performance, designer and Kabul boutique owner Mina Sherzay took the stage to introduce her Afghan fashion show.
Sherzay, who was born in Kabul, moved to the United States in 1978, before the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. As a mother of two daughters, Sherzay would design and make traditional clothing for herself and for her daughters.
In 2001, Sherzay decided to return to Afghanistan and open her boutique. Although she is an accomplished business woman, Sherzay's goals were not met with the success of her business alone.
"The whole purpose of what I am doing is to economically empower Afghanistan's women," said Sherzay, who has established the Afghan Women's Association and Afghan Women's Federation. Through her clothing and jewelry line, Sherzay said, she hopes to open the world's eyes to the beauty of Afghanistan's culture, which ultimately would bring more business to the women who create the line.
With the attention of the crowd and modernized music playing in the background, U.S. servicemembers and Afghans modeled Sherzay's designer clothes down the runway. The designs ranged from traditional color-filled dresses to more modern earth-toned two-piece suits.
U.S. Army Spc. Erin Dotson, a cook with the 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, from Fort Campbell, Ky., was volunteered by her battalion commander to be one of Sherzay's models.
"I wasn't expecting to ever be dressed in these clothes, but it's a nice honor," she said wearing a modern two-piece suit with traditional jewelry. "It's nice to get out of the kitchen and get involved. The clothes are very beautiful! And some of them are so modern, it's like stuff that you can find ... back in the states. I plan on buying my jacket."
(Army Spc. Melissa M. Escobar serves with the 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)
America Supports You: Chrysler Revs Up Troop Support Efforts
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
March 5, 2008 - The company that made inspiration standard has done the same with its support of the nation's troops since before World War II. Chrysler recently announced it has become a corporate supporter of the Defense Department's "America Supports You" program, which connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
"The mission of America Supports You merges perfectly with the legacy Chrysler has of supporting the military and their families for decades, said Bob Nardelli, the auto maker's chairman and chief executive officer. "Beginning with our Jeep products carrying troops in World War II and continuing with our initiatives today, Chrysler has remained committed to the well-being of the men and women who wear the uniform and their families."
Chrysler not only has built many vehicles specifically for the military, but also has provided financial support to many military programs, including the construction of the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. More recently, it has worked with troop-support groups to help them further their missions.
"What's terrific about the Chrysler involvement in America Supports You is that it's the perfect model," said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison. "It's a company with a long history of supporting military members, (and it's) now partnering with two of our America Supports You home-front groups, Freedom Foundation and Operation Gratitude."
The company recently announced a new partnership with Freedom Calls Foundation. The foundation's mission is to connect troops deployed in Iraq and their families at home through video teleconferencing.
Chrysler has opened its video teleconferencing facilities at the company's Auburn Hills, Mich., headquarters so families can schedule time to talk "face to face" with their loved ones serving overseas.
The company also provided Operation Gratitude with two vehicles for recipients of milestone care packages. The keys to the vehicles were included in the organization's milestone 250,000th and 300,000th care packages, and the recipients claimed their new vehicles upon their return from service in Iraq.
Additionally, more than 1,800 Jeep dealerships across the country serve as collection points for donated care-package items for Operation Gratitude.
Operation Gratitude and Freedom Calls Foundation are both home-front supporters of America Supports You.
It's more than the fact that the company supports the military that impressed Barber, however. It's how Chrysler has found ways to keep that support relevant, as with one of its new programs.
"The third terrific piece about this is that they're looking to train and hire returning veterans," Barber said.
As troops transition out of military service, many are looking for career opportunities that provide growth, acceptable wages and stability, company officials said. The car-maker is working with its 3,600 dealers to make that possible.
It will begin offering servicemembers leaving the military the opportunity to connect with one of those dealerships and be considered for employment.
American Forces Press Service
March 5, 2008 - The company that made inspiration standard has done the same with its support of the nation's troops since before World War II. Chrysler recently announced it has become a corporate supporter of the Defense Department's "America Supports You" program, which connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
"The mission of America Supports You merges perfectly with the legacy Chrysler has of supporting the military and their families for decades, said Bob Nardelli, the auto maker's chairman and chief executive officer. "Beginning with our Jeep products carrying troops in World War II and continuing with our initiatives today, Chrysler has remained committed to the well-being of the men and women who wear the uniform and their families."
Chrysler not only has built many vehicles specifically for the military, but also has provided financial support to many military programs, including the construction of the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. More recently, it has worked with troop-support groups to help them further their missions.
"What's terrific about the Chrysler involvement in America Supports You is that it's the perfect model," said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison. "It's a company with a long history of supporting military members, (and it's) now partnering with two of our America Supports You home-front groups, Freedom Foundation and Operation Gratitude."
The company recently announced a new partnership with Freedom Calls Foundation. The foundation's mission is to connect troops deployed in Iraq and their families at home through video teleconferencing.
Chrysler has opened its video teleconferencing facilities at the company's Auburn Hills, Mich., headquarters so families can schedule time to talk "face to face" with their loved ones serving overseas.
The company also provided Operation Gratitude with two vehicles for recipients of milestone care packages. The keys to the vehicles were included in the organization's milestone 250,000th and 300,000th care packages, and the recipients claimed their new vehicles upon their return from service in Iraq.
Additionally, more than 1,800 Jeep dealerships across the country serve as collection points for donated care-package items for Operation Gratitude.
Operation Gratitude and Freedom Calls Foundation are both home-front supporters of America Supports You.
It's more than the fact that the company supports the military that impressed Barber, however. It's how Chrysler has found ways to keep that support relevant, as with one of its new programs.
"The third terrific piece about this is that they're looking to train and hire returning veterans," Barber said.
As troops transition out of military service, many are looking for career opportunities that provide growth, acceptable wages and stability, company officials said. The car-maker is working with its 3,600 dealers to make that possible.
It will begin offering servicemembers leaving the military the opportunity to connect with one of those dealerships and be considered for employment.
Lack of Information About China's Military Spending Concerns Gates
By Sgt. Sara Moore, USA
American Forces Press Service
March 5, 2008 - China's announcement that it is increasing its military spending by almost 18 percent is a cause of concern because the nation's government hasn't been clear about how it will spend the money, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. China's announcement comes on the heels of the March 3 release of the 2008 China Military Power Report, which found that China spent more than three times its announced defense budget last year and is developing new capabilities that could have global implications.
"Part of the issue is what we don't know," Gates said today at a Pentagon news conference. "I think that there's general agreement that the Chinese military budget that we see is only a portion of what the Chinese spend."
The United States has proposed engaging in strategic dialogue with Chinese officials to gain information about what the increase in the budget means and what their modernization programs mean, Gates said. In exchange, the United States would provide similar information to China.
"As you saw in the Chinese Military Power document, there's a wide range of activities under way, and we think having an ongoing dialogue with them about the meaning of all that would be very useful," he said.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that beyond the 18 percent increase, the Chinese are spending money on research and development, and those investments need to be linked to strategic intent.
Gates also spoke about the United States' recent shoot-down of a crippled reconnaissance satellite in space, and China's concerns about that operation. The Chinese have so far made no requests for further information about the operation, he said, and the United States has been very open about the mission from the beginning.
He compared the U.S. operation to China's shoot-down of a satellite in 2007. The Chinese offered no advance notification of that operation, or any information afterward, Gates said. In contrast, the United States was very open about the satellite operation from the start and took measures to limit the amount of debris that was left floating in space, he said.
Gates emphasized that the United States has no intention of developing anti-satellite technology, and that the recent operation was conducted to deal with a potential emergency.
American Forces Press Service
March 5, 2008 - China's announcement that it is increasing its military spending by almost 18 percent is a cause of concern because the nation's government hasn't been clear about how it will spend the money, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. China's announcement comes on the heels of the March 3 release of the 2008 China Military Power Report, which found that China spent more than three times its announced defense budget last year and is developing new capabilities that could have global implications.
"Part of the issue is what we don't know," Gates said today at a Pentagon news conference. "I think that there's general agreement that the Chinese military budget that we see is only a portion of what the Chinese spend."
The United States has proposed engaging in strategic dialogue with Chinese officials to gain information about what the increase in the budget means and what their modernization programs mean, Gates said. In exchange, the United States would provide similar information to China.
"As you saw in the Chinese Military Power document, there's a wide range of activities under way, and we think having an ongoing dialogue with them about the meaning of all that would be very useful," he said.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that beyond the 18 percent increase, the Chinese are spending money on research and development, and those investments need to be linked to strategic intent.
Gates also spoke about the United States' recent shoot-down of a crippled reconnaissance satellite in space, and China's concerns about that operation. The Chinese have so far made no requests for further information about the operation, he said, and the United States has been very open about the mission from the beginning.
He compared the U.S. operation to China's shoot-down of a satellite in 2007. The Chinese offered no advance notification of that operation, or any information afterward, Gates said. In contrast, the United States was very open about the satellite operation from the start and took measures to limit the amount of debris that was left floating in space, he said.
Gates emphasized that the United States has no intention of developing anti-satellite technology, and that the recent operation was conducted to deal with a potential emergency.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Congressional Caucus Embraces America Supports You
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
March 5, 2008 - A bipartisan congressional effort kicked off on Capitol Hill today to stand behind America Supports You, a Defense Department program that connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad. "This is a tremendous priority on both sides of the aisle," said U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff of California, a co-chair of the America Supports You Caucus.
"Not a week goes by in my district ... when we don't have people asking us what they do to be a support to our military and their families," he said. "America Supports You is such a wonderful resource for them, to be able to multiply their efforts, to be able to know what's going on and to tap into them."
When introduced in 2004 to highlight citizen support for U.S. servicemembers, America Supports You comprised five organizations, known as "home-front" groups. The program has since branched into a network of more than 350 nonprofit organizations, companies and other supporters.
Representatives of three locally based home-front groups today described their troop-support missions to the audience gathered in the Rayburn House Office Building. In addition, the U.S. Postal Service's postmaster general announced a discount on mail sent abroad to military members.
One group on hand was Landstuhl Hospital Care Project, which provides comfort and relief items for military members who become sick, injured or wounded from service in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan, and is incorporated in Virginia, according to its official Web site.
Two McLean, Va.-based organizations also attended. Angels of Mercy cares for wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here and other military hospitals, and also provides for Iraqi and Afghan schoolchildren. Our Military Kids, which joined America Supports You soon after the Pentagon program's inception, supports children of deployed and severely injured National Guard and reserve personnel through grants of up to $500 for enrichment activities and tutoring.
Our Military Kids co-founder Linda Davidson expressed gratitude that Congress has agreed to work alongside the military and civilian sectors. "This America Supports You program is an example of an effective private-public partnership," she said.
Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison -- the architect of America Supports You -- thanked the co-chairs for showing compassion and commitment to U.S. troops. Co-chairing the caucus with Schiff are Rep. Mary Bono Mack of California and Reps. Connie Mack and Allen Boyd of Florida.
"On behalf of over 2 million men and women in the military, their families and our veterans, this is an important day," Barber said. "Today ... we're helping the American people know that their support matters and that through the America Supports You program they can find real, meaningful ways to show their support for our troops and their families."
Boyd served as a rifle infantryman in Vietnam. He said that after returning from combat duty -- an unpopular calling in many Americans' eyes -- he hoped no future conflict would divide the country in quite the same way.
"When I came to Congress, ... one of the things I never wanted to happen was to have our men and women put on the uniform and go carry out a policy to defend this country that the leadership had made, and then the American people not appreciate them," he said.
Boyd said that while he was in Vietnam, receiving reminders of Americans' support brightened his tour of duty. "I can tell you, when you're out there and you're getting the helicopters coming in every four days -- hopefully to bring you resupplies and mail and care packages -- that really is the highlight of the week for a soldier," he said.
Citing the importance of the military "mail call," Postmaster General John E. Potter today announce a reduction in the cost of flat-rate boxes sent from the United States to a military address abroad. "It's the way (troops) get that little touch of home ... from the American people telling them how important the work that they're doing is," he noted.
Bono Mack said it's critical that American citizens show appreciation to U.S. troops making sacrifices throughout the world. "I'm proud to see so many groups, both in my district and throughout the nation, taking on this important cause," she added.
Army Brig. Gen. Gary Patton, director of manpower and personnel for the Joint Chiefs of Staff office and an America Supports You spokesman, said he was inspired by the outpouring of support for servicemembers.
"For everybody that's had a part of that," he said, "I want to thank you."
American Forces Press Service
March 5, 2008 - A bipartisan congressional effort kicked off on Capitol Hill today to stand behind America Supports You, a Defense Department program that connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad. "This is a tremendous priority on both sides of the aisle," said U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff of California, a co-chair of the America Supports You Caucus.
"Not a week goes by in my district ... when we don't have people asking us what they do to be a support to our military and their families," he said. "America Supports You is such a wonderful resource for them, to be able to multiply their efforts, to be able to know what's going on and to tap into them."
When introduced in 2004 to highlight citizen support for U.S. servicemembers, America Supports You comprised five organizations, known as "home-front" groups. The program has since branched into a network of more than 350 nonprofit organizations, companies and other supporters.
Representatives of three locally based home-front groups today described their troop-support missions to the audience gathered in the Rayburn House Office Building. In addition, the U.S. Postal Service's postmaster general announced a discount on mail sent abroad to military members.
One group on hand was Landstuhl Hospital Care Project, which provides comfort and relief items for military members who become sick, injured or wounded from service in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan, and is incorporated in Virginia, according to its official Web site.
Two McLean, Va.-based organizations also attended. Angels of Mercy cares for wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here and other military hospitals, and also provides for Iraqi and Afghan schoolchildren. Our Military Kids, which joined America Supports You soon after the Pentagon program's inception, supports children of deployed and severely injured National Guard and reserve personnel through grants of up to $500 for enrichment activities and tutoring.
Our Military Kids co-founder Linda Davidson expressed gratitude that Congress has agreed to work alongside the military and civilian sectors. "This America Supports You program is an example of an effective private-public partnership," she said.
Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison -- the architect of America Supports You -- thanked the co-chairs for showing compassion and commitment to U.S. troops. Co-chairing the caucus with Schiff are Rep. Mary Bono Mack of California and Reps. Connie Mack and Allen Boyd of Florida.
"On behalf of over 2 million men and women in the military, their families and our veterans, this is an important day," Barber said. "Today ... we're helping the American people know that their support matters and that through the America Supports You program they can find real, meaningful ways to show their support for our troops and their families."
Boyd served as a rifle infantryman in Vietnam. He said that after returning from combat duty -- an unpopular calling in many Americans' eyes -- he hoped no future conflict would divide the country in quite the same way.
"When I came to Congress, ... one of the things I never wanted to happen was to have our men and women put on the uniform and go carry out a policy to defend this country that the leadership had made, and then the American people not appreciate them," he said.
Boyd said that while he was in Vietnam, receiving reminders of Americans' support brightened his tour of duty. "I can tell you, when you're out there and you're getting the helicopters coming in every four days -- hopefully to bring you resupplies and mail and care packages -- that really is the highlight of the week for a soldier," he said.
Citing the importance of the military "mail call," Postmaster General John E. Potter today announce a reduction in the cost of flat-rate boxes sent from the United States to a military address abroad. "It's the way (troops) get that little touch of home ... from the American people telling them how important the work that they're doing is," he noted.
Bono Mack said it's critical that American citizens show appreciation to U.S. troops making sacrifices throughout the world. "I'm proud to see so many groups, both in my district and throughout the nation, taking on this important cause," she added.
Army Brig. Gen. Gary Patton, director of manpower and personnel for the Joint Chiefs of Staff office and an America Supports You spokesman, said he was inspired by the outpouring of support for servicemembers.
"For everybody that's had a part of that," he said, "I want to thank you."
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