By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 10, 2008 - An airman at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., is exemplifying the volunteer spirit with a hospital visitation program he hopes to expand bases nationwide. When a childhood friend died of leukemia, Air Force Staff Sgt. Jewell Hicks vowed to someday find a way to help children cope with long hospital stays. Now he's living up to that promise with the "Airman for Children" program.
Hicks, a communications noncommissioned officer with the 375th Communications Squadron, launched the program so airmen could spend their off-duty time visiting sick children at St. Louis Children's Hospital and Ranken Jordan Pediatric Children's Hospital, both in nearby Missouri.
Twice per month, the volunteers visit each hospital, where they play games, read books, decorate cookies and work on arts and craft projects with the young patients, many suffering from serious injuries and illnesses.
"Basically, we do anything we can to take their minds off their illnesses and what they're going through," Hicks said. "For the hour or hour and a half that we are there, we want to take their minds off that."
Hicks said the children love the program, looking forward to every visit. But it's the volunteers, he said, who get the most out of it.
"It's very rewarding," he said. "Every time you go out there, it gives you a sense of accomplishment, knowing that you've helped somebody else and made a difference in somebody's life."
Now Hicks is setting his sights on expanding the program to other military installations. The Navy plans to launch its own "Sailors for Children" program later this month at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., he said.
"I would love to expand this program Defense Department-wide. That's my goal, and that's what I'm determined to make happen," Hicks said. "This program is all about giving back, and it portrays the military in a very positive way in the community."
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Admiral Calls Haiti Relief Effort 'Core Mission'
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 10, 2008 - The Navy admiral who commands of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and the U.S. 4th Fleet said during a visit to the USS Kearsarge today that relief efforts like the one the amphibious ship is performing here are a core mission for U.S. forces in U.S. Southern Command. Kearsarge was diverted here from Santa Marta, Colombia, to assist the U.S. Agency for International Development in mitigating human suffering and loss of life in Haitian communities affected by tropical storms Fay, Gustav and Hanna and Hurricane Ike.
Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan will review U.S. Naval relief efforts from Kearsarge and visit ship personnel supporting relief operations in Haiti.
"Providing much-needed relief following a disaster of this scope is precisely why we're here," he said. "This is what SouthCom, the Navy and 4th Fleet does - it is one of our core missions. It is so important to work together with partner nations and U.S. governmental agencies like USAID to help the people in this region after a natural catastrophe like this."
Kearsarge support to Haiti includes the movement of food, cargo and equipment between Port-au-Prince and Gonaives, Jeremie, Saint Marc, Port de Paix, Jacmel and Les Cayes.
SouthCom and 4th Fleet planners continue to work with interagency partners and their counterparts in countries affected by the recent devastating weather to assess recovery needs in the affected areas and identify additional U.S. military units that may be able to provide assistance.
As SouthCom's naval component command, NavSo's mission is to direct U.S. naval forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner-nation navies. Operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.
Re-established on July 12, 4th Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to NavSo, exercising operational control of naval assets supporting operations in the Caribbean, Central and South America.
(From a U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet news release.)
Sept. 10, 2008 - The Navy admiral who commands of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and the U.S. 4th Fleet said during a visit to the USS Kearsarge today that relief efforts like the one the amphibious ship is performing here are a core mission for U.S. forces in U.S. Southern Command. Kearsarge was diverted here from Santa Marta, Colombia, to assist the U.S. Agency for International Development in mitigating human suffering and loss of life in Haitian communities affected by tropical storms Fay, Gustav and Hanna and Hurricane Ike.
Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan will review U.S. Naval relief efforts from Kearsarge and visit ship personnel supporting relief operations in Haiti.
"Providing much-needed relief following a disaster of this scope is precisely why we're here," he said. "This is what SouthCom, the Navy and 4th Fleet does - it is one of our core missions. It is so important to work together with partner nations and U.S. governmental agencies like USAID to help the people in this region after a natural catastrophe like this."
Kearsarge support to Haiti includes the movement of food, cargo and equipment between Port-au-Prince and Gonaives, Jeremie, Saint Marc, Port de Paix, Jacmel and Les Cayes.
SouthCom and 4th Fleet planners continue to work with interagency partners and their counterparts in countries affected by the recent devastating weather to assess recovery needs in the affected areas and identify additional U.S. military units that may be able to provide assistance.
As SouthCom's naval component command, NavSo's mission is to direct U.S. naval forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner-nation navies. Operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.
Re-established on July 12, 4th Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to NavSo, exercising operational control of naval assets supporting operations in the Caribbean, Central and South America.
(From a U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet news release.)
MILITARY CONTRACTS September 10, 2008
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
American Water Operations and Maintenance, Inc., Voorhees, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $329,710,455 fixed price, prospective price redetermination contract for assumption of ownership, operation and maintenance of the potable water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Other location of performance is Fort Hood, Texas. Using service is Army. There were originally 340 proposals Web-solicited, with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is 2059. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-C-8250).
Navy
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding – Newport News, Newport News, Va., a sector of the Northrop Grumman Corp., is being awarded a $5,114,500,788 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-award-fee contract for the detail design and construction of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The contract will include engineering; integration; related development efforts including drawing and work package development; advanced planning; design weight estimate; lifecycle support products and related logistics data; production planning; test and evaluation; further definition of initiatives to reduce CVN 78 class total ownership costs; and other data necessary to support construction of CVN 78. This contract includes one option which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $5,144,500,788. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-08-C-2110).
The Boeing Co., Seattle, Wash., is being awarded a $278,030,886 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00019-04-C-3146) to exercise an option for two P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) air vehicles, with mission systems in support of the System Development and Demonstration Phase of the MMA. Work will be performed in Seattle, Wash., (90 percent), and Wichita, Kan., (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in Sept. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River Md., is the contracting activity.
General Dynamics Information Technology, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $182,923,117 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for approximately 1,934,590 hours of integrated logistics services (ILS) in support of technical analysis and investigations of Foreign Military Sales Programs. This work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md., (56 percent); Annandale, Va., (9 percent); Philadelphia, Pa., (7 percent), Jacksonville, Fla., (6 percent); the Philippines, (6 percent); Arlington, Va., (4 percent); and at various locations inside and outside the U.S. (12 percent); and is expected to be completed in Sept. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; one offer was received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-08-D-0013).
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Integrated Systems Sector, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $32,903,698 not-to-exceed modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0041) for the procurement of three low rate initial production Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle air vehicle units. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed in Oct. 2009. 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.
BAE Systems, Armament Systems, Minneapolis, Minn., is being awarded a $19,718,151 firm-fixed-price definitive contract for the procurement of 5,082 57mm Mk 295 MOD 0 Pre-Fragmented, Programmable, Proximity (3P) cartridges. The procurement of these rounds includes 82 first article units and 5,000 production units in support of the 57mm Gun Ammunition Program. Work will be performed in Karlskoga, Sweden, (60 percent); Raufoss, Norway, (23 percent); and Lindesberg, Sweden, (17 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-08-C-JM21).
Progeny Systems Corp.*, Manassas, Va., is being awarded a $13,268,390 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for engineering and technical services involving Technology assessments, system design, software development, and hardware/software integration for undersea weapons and related undersea warfare combat and submarine platform systems. The concept for this SBIR is for development of a process to introduce commercially available components into existing systems. This process will provide the framework and methodologies for introducing upgrade and/or replacement components for obsolete items as well as for upgrades to the system to provide additional capability. This procurement will use the prototype products, processes and methodologies developed by Progeny Systems Corporation under the SBIR Phase I and II efforts. The processes and prototype products developed will apply to weapon systems used aboard submarines, surface ships, surveillance and air platforms. Progeny will design, prototype, demonstrate, and deliver a 112-element array, integrated fully into a torpedo system. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $45,545,198. Work will be performed in Charleroi, Pa., (50 percent), Manassas, Va., (23 percent), Middletown, R.I., (22 percent), and Salt Lake City, Utah, (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. This effort is being awarded under a program for Small Business Innovative Research and is titled Topic No. N96-278, "Technology Infusion Methodology for Commercial-Off-the-Shelf Based Systems." The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-08-C-6272).
Detyens Shipyards, Inc., Charleston, S.C., is being awarded a $7,438,196 firm- fixed-price contract for a post-shipyard availability of Military Sealift Fleet Support Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5). This shipyard availability is primarily for ship alterations, including lube-oil-tank, second-deck-cargo and galley modifications; cargo hold overhead insulation; and deck air compressor and radar installation. Naval Sea Systems Command (PMS 325) provided funding to accomplish approved alterations during the post-shipyard availability. USNS Robert E. Peary's primary mission is to deliver ammunition, provisions, stores, spare parts, potable water and petroleum to the Navy's carrier strike groups and other naval forces at sea. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $9,117,061. Work will be performed in Charleston, S.C., and is expected to be completed within 75 calendar days. Contract funds will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Military Sealift Command, Navy Electronic Commerce Online and Federal Business Opportunities websites, with two offers received. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Fleet Support Command, a field activity of Military Sealift Command, is the contracting activity (N40442-08-C-3011).
Bath Iron Works (BIW) Corp., a General Dynamics Co., Bath, Maine, is being awarded a $7,365,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-2307) to exercise an option for lead yard class services for the DDG 51 Class AEGIS Destroyer Program. This work will provide technical assistance to the follow yard in the interpretation and application of the detailed design developed by BIW Corp., the lead yard contractor. DDG 51 Class services include: liaison for follow ship construction, general class services, class logistic services, class design agent services and class change design services for follow ships. Work will be performed in Bath, Maine, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Advanced Acoustic Concepts, Inc.*, Hauppauge, N.Y., is being awarded a $7,022,551 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for program and configuration management, systems engineering, algorithm development, hardware and software development and testing, installation, deployment, recovery, and analysis in support of maritime and littoral area Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (C4ISR) and Anti-Submarine Warfare surveillance technologies. Work will be performed on a task order basis at the following possible locations: Hauppauge, N.Y.; King George, Va.; Bremerton, Wash.; Corpus Christi, Texas; San Diego, Calif.; Columbia, Md.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Middletown, R.I.; Lemont Furnace, Pa.; and Bozeman, Mont., and work is expected to be completed Sept. 9, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This is a Small Business Innovation Research Phase III sole source contract in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-5 as required by statute. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego is the contracting activity (N66001-08-D-0116).
Army
General Dynamics C4 Systems, Scottsdale, Ariz., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $34,244,205 firm fixed price contract. This is a 12-month effort to procure Land Warrior Systems, spares, and services in support of the 5th Brigade 2nd Infantry Division Stryker Brigade Combat Team (5/2 SBCT). Work will be performed in Scottsdale, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 5, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. CECOM Acquisitions Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-08-C-A-011).
Crown Roofing Services Inc, Kenner, La., was awarded on Sept. 7, 2008, a $9,000,000 firm fixed price contract. The St. Paul District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is utilizing the Mobile District contract W91278-06-D-0028 in support of emergency relief due to Hurricane Gustav. Work will be performed in the following Louisiana parishes: Assumption, Iberville, LaFourches, Saint Charles, Saint James, Saint John the Baptist, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Terrebonne, Ascension, and Livingston, with an estimated completion of Nov 30, 2008. Bids were solicited via the Web and multiple bids were received. St Paul District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St Paul, Minn., is the contracting activity (W91278-06-D-0028).
S&M and Associates Inc, Pascagoula, Miss., was awarded on Sept. 7, 2008, a $8,999,999 firm/fixed price contract. The St. Paul District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is utilizing the Mobile District contract W91278-06-D-0047 in support of emergency relief due to Hurricane Gustav. Work will be performed in the following Louisiana parishes: Assumption, Iberville, LaFourches, Saint Charles, Saint James, Saint John the Baptist, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Terrebonne, Ascension, and Livingston, with an estimated completion of Nov 30, 2008. Bids were solicited via the Web and multiple bids were received. St Paul District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St Paul, Minn., is the contracting activity (W91278-06-D-0047).
BAE Systems Tactical Vehicle Systems, Limited Partnership, Sealy, Texas was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $10,586,177 firm/fixed price contract for undefinitized contract action for 57 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher chassis in order to support the HIMARS production program. Work will be performed in Sealy, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. Two bids were solicited and two bids were received. U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-03-C-S023).
Olsson Industrial Electric, Springfield, Ore., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $14,216,293 firm/fixed price contract for upgrade of station services (electrical system) for the Dalles Dam in Dallesport, Wash. Work will be performed in Dallesport, Wash., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2010. Bids were solicited via the Web and three bids were received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District, Portland, Ore., is the contracting activity (W9127N-08-C-0023).
Technologist Inc, Arlington, Va., was awarded on Sept. 4, 2008, a $11,605,697 firm/fixed price contract for construction of facilities to support the ANCOP Patrol Unit and Urban Unit in Adraskan, Herat, and Afghanistan. Work will be performed in Adraskan, Herat, and Afghanistan with an estimated completion date of Aug. 16, 2009. Bids were solicited and two bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Afghanistan, is the contracting activity (W917PM-07-D-0016).
Senate Builders & Construction Managers Inc., Plymouth Meeting, Pa., was awarded on Sept. 9, 2008, a $8, 586,136 firm/fixed price contract for construction of 12 new magazines, small arms warehouse and administrative building with parking. Work will be performed in Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville Pa., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 5, 2009. Nine bids were solicited and two bids were received. U.S. Property and Fiscal Office for Pennsylvania, National Guard Bureau, Annville Pa., is the contracting activity (W912KC-05-D-0003).
Raytheon Co., Andover, Mass., was awarded on Sept. 9, 2008, a $29,215,727 cost/plus/award/fee contract. This effort provides mission support and system sustainment for various configurations of Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) tower system. Work will be performed in Andover, Mass., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Contracting and Acquisition Management Office, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (W9113M-08-C-0153).
AIR FORCE
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Woodland Park, Va., is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for $9,536,128. This contact action will provide Technical Survivability and Vulnerability Analysis for Fourteenth Air Force Intelligence Directorate (14 AF/A2). At this time $400,000 has been obligated. 55th Contracting Squadron, 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380, Delivery Order: 0280).
Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, of Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for $7,388,454. This action will provide Advanced Medium Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-120C-3 through AIM 120C-7 Counter Advanced Electronic Attack (EA) Risk Reduction/Concept Refinement (RR/CR). At this time all funds have been obligated. 328th Armament Systems Group, Eglin AFB, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-08-C-0247).
American Water Operations and Maintenance, Inc., Voorhees, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $329,710,455 fixed price, prospective price redetermination contract for assumption of ownership, operation and maintenance of the potable water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Other location of performance is Fort Hood, Texas. Using service is Army. There were originally 340 proposals Web-solicited, with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is 2059. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-C-8250).
Navy
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding – Newport News, Newport News, Va., a sector of the Northrop Grumman Corp., is being awarded a $5,114,500,788 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-award-fee contract for the detail design and construction of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The contract will include engineering; integration; related development efforts including drawing and work package development; advanced planning; design weight estimate; lifecycle support products and related logistics data; production planning; test and evaluation; further definition of initiatives to reduce CVN 78 class total ownership costs; and other data necessary to support construction of CVN 78. This contract includes one option which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $5,144,500,788. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-08-C-2110).
The Boeing Co., Seattle, Wash., is being awarded a $278,030,886 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00019-04-C-3146) to exercise an option for two P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) air vehicles, with mission systems in support of the System Development and Demonstration Phase of the MMA. Work will be performed in Seattle, Wash., (90 percent), and Wichita, Kan., (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in Sept. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River Md., is the contracting activity.
General Dynamics Information Technology, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $182,923,117 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for approximately 1,934,590 hours of integrated logistics services (ILS) in support of technical analysis and investigations of Foreign Military Sales Programs. This work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md., (56 percent); Annandale, Va., (9 percent); Philadelphia, Pa., (7 percent), Jacksonville, Fla., (6 percent); the Philippines, (6 percent); Arlington, Va., (4 percent); and at various locations inside and outside the U.S. (12 percent); and is expected to be completed in Sept. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; one offer was received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-08-D-0013).
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Integrated Systems Sector, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $32,903,698 not-to-exceed modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0041) for the procurement of three low rate initial production Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle air vehicle units. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed in Oct. 2009. 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.
BAE Systems, Armament Systems, Minneapolis, Minn., is being awarded a $19,718,151 firm-fixed-price definitive contract for the procurement of 5,082 57mm Mk 295 MOD 0 Pre-Fragmented, Programmable, Proximity (3P) cartridges. The procurement of these rounds includes 82 first article units and 5,000 production units in support of the 57mm Gun Ammunition Program. Work will be performed in Karlskoga, Sweden, (60 percent); Raufoss, Norway, (23 percent); and Lindesberg, Sweden, (17 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-08-C-JM21).
Progeny Systems Corp.*, Manassas, Va., is being awarded a $13,268,390 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for engineering and technical services involving Technology assessments, system design, software development, and hardware/software integration for undersea weapons and related undersea warfare combat and submarine platform systems. The concept for this SBIR is for development of a process to introduce commercially available components into existing systems. This process will provide the framework and methodologies for introducing upgrade and/or replacement components for obsolete items as well as for upgrades to the system to provide additional capability. This procurement will use the prototype products, processes and methodologies developed by Progeny Systems Corporation under the SBIR Phase I and II efforts. The processes and prototype products developed will apply to weapon systems used aboard submarines, surface ships, surveillance and air platforms. Progeny will design, prototype, demonstrate, and deliver a 112-element array, integrated fully into a torpedo system. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $45,545,198. Work will be performed in Charleroi, Pa., (50 percent), Manassas, Va., (23 percent), Middletown, R.I., (22 percent), and Salt Lake City, Utah, (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. This effort is being awarded under a program for Small Business Innovative Research and is titled Topic No. N96-278, "Technology Infusion Methodology for Commercial-Off-the-Shelf Based Systems." The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-08-C-6272).
Detyens Shipyards, Inc., Charleston, S.C., is being awarded a $7,438,196 firm- fixed-price contract for a post-shipyard availability of Military Sealift Fleet Support Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5). This shipyard availability is primarily for ship alterations, including lube-oil-tank, second-deck-cargo and galley modifications; cargo hold overhead insulation; and deck air compressor and radar installation. Naval Sea Systems Command (PMS 325) provided funding to accomplish approved alterations during the post-shipyard availability. USNS Robert E. Peary's primary mission is to deliver ammunition, provisions, stores, spare parts, potable water and petroleum to the Navy's carrier strike groups and other naval forces at sea. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $9,117,061. Work will be performed in Charleston, S.C., and is expected to be completed within 75 calendar days. Contract funds will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Military Sealift Command, Navy Electronic Commerce Online and Federal Business Opportunities websites, with two offers received. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Fleet Support Command, a field activity of Military Sealift Command, is the contracting activity (N40442-08-C-3011).
Bath Iron Works (BIW) Corp., a General Dynamics Co., Bath, Maine, is being awarded a $7,365,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-2307) to exercise an option for lead yard class services for the DDG 51 Class AEGIS Destroyer Program. This work will provide technical assistance to the follow yard in the interpretation and application of the detailed design developed by BIW Corp., the lead yard contractor. DDG 51 Class services include: liaison for follow ship construction, general class services, class logistic services, class design agent services and class change design services for follow ships. Work will be performed in Bath, Maine, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Advanced Acoustic Concepts, Inc.*, Hauppauge, N.Y., is being awarded a $7,022,551 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for program and configuration management, systems engineering, algorithm development, hardware and software development and testing, installation, deployment, recovery, and analysis in support of maritime and littoral area Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (C4ISR) and Anti-Submarine Warfare surveillance technologies. Work will be performed on a task order basis at the following possible locations: Hauppauge, N.Y.; King George, Va.; Bremerton, Wash.; Corpus Christi, Texas; San Diego, Calif.; Columbia, Md.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Middletown, R.I.; Lemont Furnace, Pa.; and Bozeman, Mont., and work is expected to be completed Sept. 9, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This is a Small Business Innovation Research Phase III sole source contract in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-5 as required by statute. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego is the contracting activity (N66001-08-D-0116).
Army
General Dynamics C4 Systems, Scottsdale, Ariz., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $34,244,205 firm fixed price contract. This is a 12-month effort to procure Land Warrior Systems, spares, and services in support of the 5th Brigade 2nd Infantry Division Stryker Brigade Combat Team (5/2 SBCT). Work will be performed in Scottsdale, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 5, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. CECOM Acquisitions Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-08-C-A-011).
Crown Roofing Services Inc, Kenner, La., was awarded on Sept. 7, 2008, a $9,000,000 firm fixed price contract. The St. Paul District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is utilizing the Mobile District contract W91278-06-D-0028 in support of emergency relief due to Hurricane Gustav. Work will be performed in the following Louisiana parishes: Assumption, Iberville, LaFourches, Saint Charles, Saint James, Saint John the Baptist, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Terrebonne, Ascension, and Livingston, with an estimated completion of Nov 30, 2008. Bids were solicited via the Web and multiple bids were received. St Paul District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St Paul, Minn., is the contracting activity (W91278-06-D-0028).
S&M and Associates Inc, Pascagoula, Miss., was awarded on Sept. 7, 2008, a $8,999,999 firm/fixed price contract. The St. Paul District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is utilizing the Mobile District contract W91278-06-D-0047 in support of emergency relief due to Hurricane Gustav. Work will be performed in the following Louisiana parishes: Assumption, Iberville, LaFourches, Saint Charles, Saint James, Saint John the Baptist, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Terrebonne, Ascension, and Livingston, with an estimated completion of Nov 30, 2008. Bids were solicited via the Web and multiple bids were received. St Paul District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St Paul, Minn., is the contracting activity (W91278-06-D-0047).
BAE Systems Tactical Vehicle Systems, Limited Partnership, Sealy, Texas was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $10,586,177 firm/fixed price contract for undefinitized contract action for 57 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher chassis in order to support the HIMARS production program. Work will be performed in Sealy, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. Two bids were solicited and two bids were received. U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-03-C-S023).
Olsson Industrial Electric, Springfield, Ore., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $14,216,293 firm/fixed price contract for upgrade of station services (electrical system) for the Dalles Dam in Dallesport, Wash. Work will be performed in Dallesport, Wash., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2010. Bids were solicited via the Web and three bids were received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District, Portland, Ore., is the contracting activity (W9127N-08-C-0023).
Technologist Inc, Arlington, Va., was awarded on Sept. 4, 2008, a $11,605,697 firm/fixed price contract for construction of facilities to support the ANCOP Patrol Unit and Urban Unit in Adraskan, Herat, and Afghanistan. Work will be performed in Adraskan, Herat, and Afghanistan with an estimated completion date of Aug. 16, 2009. Bids were solicited and two bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Afghanistan, is the contracting activity (W917PM-07-D-0016).
Senate Builders & Construction Managers Inc., Plymouth Meeting, Pa., was awarded on Sept. 9, 2008, a $8, 586,136 firm/fixed price contract for construction of 12 new magazines, small arms warehouse and administrative building with parking. Work will be performed in Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville Pa., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 5, 2009. Nine bids were solicited and two bids were received. U.S. Property and Fiscal Office for Pennsylvania, National Guard Bureau, Annville Pa., is the contracting activity (W912KC-05-D-0003).
Raytheon Co., Andover, Mass., was awarded on Sept. 9, 2008, a $29,215,727 cost/plus/award/fee contract. This effort provides mission support and system sustainment for various configurations of Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) tower system. Work will be performed in Andover, Mass., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Contracting and Acquisition Management Office, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (W9113M-08-C-0153).
AIR FORCE
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Woodland Park, Va., is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for $9,536,128. This contact action will provide Technical Survivability and Vulnerability Analysis for Fourteenth Air Force Intelligence Directorate (14 AF/A2). At this time $400,000 has been obligated. 55th Contracting Squadron, 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380, Delivery Order: 0280).
Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, of Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for $7,388,454. This action will provide Advanced Medium Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-120C-3 through AIM 120C-7 Counter Advanced Electronic Attack (EA) Risk Reduction/Concept Refinement (RR/CR). At this time all funds have been obligated. 328th Armament Systems Group, Eglin AFB, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-08-C-0247).
America Supports You: 2008 Family of the Year Flies High
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 10, 2008 - A positive attitude and giving back to their community has earned a Colorado Springs, Colo., family the National Military Family Association's title of 2008 Family of the Year. Air Force Capt. Alex Gazzaway, his wife, Laura, and their children, Zachary, Parker, Grace, and Cameron, left a significant impression on their most recent duty station, Cape Cod Air Force Station, Mass.
Among many other volunteer activities, Captain Gazzaway developed a squadron recreational Web site to strengthen communication among squadron members, their families and newcomers. Laura Gazzaway was the elected vice president of the multi-service Cape Cod Spouses Organization, and was engaged in many basewide charity activities.
"It is challenging to balance work, family and community involvement, but we try to intertwine the kids in everything we do," the captain said. "We consider it a way to give back to the community and create fun family memories. It is rare that we do an activity without the whole family involved."
The couple's children participated in numerous activities such as Base Clean-Up Day, holiday food drives and Cub Scout fundraisers.
The family was honored at a reception here yesterday that included Military leaders and association sponsors among the attendees. The family also will receive $1,000 and will have the opportunity to present $500 to a charity of their choice whose work benefits Military families.
Each year the National Military Family Association recognizes outstanding military families through its Family Award program. The award recognizes those families who have made the most of the adventure of Military life and conquered its challenges.
The NMFA Family Award is given to 12 families who exemplify the best of the military family lifestyle. Each winning family will receive $500, and one will be chosen as the NMFA Family of the Year. Winners from the past 12 months include:
-- Kotchman Family, retired Army: Donald, Anne, Sarah, Paul, Tommy;
-- Duessel Family, Navy Reserve: Andrew, Carolyn, Alec, Nicole;
-- Killen Family, Navy: John, Sandra, April, Angel, Don;
-- Gonsalves Family, Army: Ryan, Janet, Brittany, Nathan;
-- Baker Family, Air National Guard: Wayland, Jennifer, Kelcee, Kolten, Krysta, Jhustin, Jhianna, Jhaydann;
-- Lehnen Family, Navy: John, Jennifer, Kathryne, Lindsey, Jacob, Isaac;
-- Taliento Family, Army: Michael, Tami, Christian, Emily;
-- Fricke Family, Army National Guard: Craig, Melissa, Nathaniel, Samuel, Joel, Raquel, Kelsey;
-- Lopez Family, Army: Kristopher, Valerie, Nevaeh, Randy, Celeste, Alysa;
-- Sanders Family, Air Force: Jimmie, Lisa, David, Bryson; and
-- Wolfe Family, Air Force: David, Doniel, David, Chayne, Aspen, Michael, Johnny Irish.
To nominate a family for the NMFA Family Award, visit the National Military Family Association's Web site.
National Military Family Association is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
(From a National Military Family Network news release.)
Sept. 10, 2008 - A positive attitude and giving back to their community has earned a Colorado Springs, Colo., family the National Military Family Association's title of 2008 Family of the Year. Air Force Capt. Alex Gazzaway, his wife, Laura, and their children, Zachary, Parker, Grace, and Cameron, left a significant impression on their most recent duty station, Cape Cod Air Force Station, Mass.
Among many other volunteer activities, Captain Gazzaway developed a squadron recreational Web site to strengthen communication among squadron members, their families and newcomers. Laura Gazzaway was the elected vice president of the multi-service Cape Cod Spouses Organization, and was engaged in many basewide charity activities.
"It is challenging to balance work, family and community involvement, but we try to intertwine the kids in everything we do," the captain said. "We consider it a way to give back to the community and create fun family memories. It is rare that we do an activity without the whole family involved."
The couple's children participated in numerous activities such as Base Clean-Up Day, holiday food drives and Cub Scout fundraisers.
The family was honored at a reception here yesterday that included Military leaders and association sponsors among the attendees. The family also will receive $1,000 and will have the opportunity to present $500 to a charity of their choice whose work benefits Military families.
Each year the National Military Family Association recognizes outstanding military families through its Family Award program. The award recognizes those families who have made the most of the adventure of Military life and conquered its challenges.
The NMFA Family Award is given to 12 families who exemplify the best of the military family lifestyle. Each winning family will receive $500, and one will be chosen as the NMFA Family of the Year. Winners from the past 12 months include:
-- Kotchman Family, retired Army: Donald, Anne, Sarah, Paul, Tommy;
-- Duessel Family, Navy Reserve: Andrew, Carolyn, Alec, Nicole;
-- Killen Family, Navy: John, Sandra, April, Angel, Don;
-- Gonsalves Family, Army: Ryan, Janet, Brittany, Nathan;
-- Baker Family, Air National Guard: Wayland, Jennifer, Kelcee, Kolten, Krysta, Jhustin, Jhianna, Jhaydann;
-- Lehnen Family, Navy: John, Jennifer, Kathryne, Lindsey, Jacob, Isaac;
-- Taliento Family, Army: Michael, Tami, Christian, Emily;
-- Fricke Family, Army National Guard: Craig, Melissa, Nathaniel, Samuel, Joel, Raquel, Kelsey;
-- Lopez Family, Army: Kristopher, Valerie, Nevaeh, Randy, Celeste, Alysa;
-- Sanders Family, Air Force: Jimmie, Lisa, David, Bryson; and
-- Wolfe Family, Air Force: David, Doniel, David, Chayne, Aspen, Michael, Johnny Irish.
To nominate a family for the NMFA Family Award, visit the National Military Family Association's Web site.
National Military Family Association is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
(From a National Military Family Network news release.)
Gates Cancels Air-Refueling Solicitation
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 10, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has cancelled the competition for the $35 billion Air Force tanker contract. Gates told the House Armed Services Committee today that he decided the contract cannot be awarded by January, and that rather than award a contract that will be contested, the better idea is to let the next administration make its decision.
"It has now become clear that the solicitation and award process cannot be accomplished by January," he said. "Thus, I believe that rather than hand the next administration an incomplete and possibly contested process, we should cleanly defer this procurement to the next team."
The Air Force had awarded the contract for what's known as the KC-X to the Northrop-Grumman/EADS/Airbus consortium, which prompted a protest from rival bidder Boeing. The General Accountability Office found irregularities in the awarding of the contract, and Gates determined to re-open the bidding process on July 9.
Gates told the representatives that the department has been trying for seven years to find the proper way to replace the current fleet of KC-135 tankers. Over that time, the process has become most complex and emotional, Gates said, partly because of Defense Department mistakes.
"It is my judgment that in the time remaining to us, we cannot complete a competition that will be viewed as fair and competitive in this highly-charged environment," the secretary said. "I believe the resulting cooling-off period will allow the next administration to view objectively the military requirements and craft a new acquisition strategy for the KC-X as it sees fit."
Gates said he's been assured that the current KC-135 fleet can be adequately maintained to satisfy Air Force missions for the near future, and sufficient funds will be recommended in the fiscal 2009 and follow-on budgets to maintain the KC-135 at high mission-capable rates.
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 10, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has cancelled the competition for the $35 billion Air Force tanker contract. Gates told the House Armed Services Committee today that he decided the contract cannot be awarded by January, and that rather than award a contract that will be contested, the better idea is to let the next administration make its decision.
"It has now become clear that the solicitation and award process cannot be accomplished by January," he said. "Thus, I believe that rather than hand the next administration an incomplete and possibly contested process, we should cleanly defer this procurement to the next team."
The Air Force had awarded the contract for what's known as the KC-X to the Northrop-Grumman/EADS/Airbus consortium, which prompted a protest from rival bidder Boeing. The General Accountability Office found irregularities in the awarding of the contract, and Gates determined to re-open the bidding process on July 9.
Gates told the representatives that the department has been trying for seven years to find the proper way to replace the current fleet of KC-135 tankers. Over that time, the process has become most complex and emotional, Gates said, partly because of Defense Department mistakes.
"It is my judgment that in the time remaining to us, we cannot complete a competition that will be viewed as fair and competitive in this highly-charged environment," the secretary said. "I believe the resulting cooling-off period will allow the next administration to view objectively the military requirements and craft a new acquisition strategy for the KC-X as it sees fit."
Gates said he's been assured that the current KC-135 fleet can be adequately maintained to satisfy Air Force missions for the near future, and sufficient funds will be recommended in the fiscal 2009 and follow-on budgets to maintain the KC-135 at high mission-capable rates.
Recruiting Success Puts Year-End Goals Within Reach, Official Says
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 10, 2008 - With less than three weeks left of the fiscal year, all four military services met their active-duty recruiting goals for August and hope to maintain that momentum to reach their year-end goals, Defense Department officials said today. The Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force all met or exceeded their recruiting goals for the 15th consecutive month in August, according to new figures released today.
The Marine Corps, with 4,206 new accessions, attained 118 percent of its monthly goal. The Army boasted the most recruits – 10,093 – reaching 101 percent of its August goal.
The Navy and Air Force both met their goals with 4,141 and 2,763 accessions, respectively.
Meanwhile, five of the six reserve components met or exceeded their August goals. The Army National Guard recruited 5,807 new soldiers, 100 percent of its goal, and the Army Reserve achieved 98 percent of its goal with 3,107 accessions.
The Air National Guard reported 1,101 new airmen, 119 percent of its goal, and the Air Force Reserve signed on 729 members, exceeding its August goal by 36 percent.
The Navy Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve both met their August goals, with 517 and 520 accessions, respectively.
Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen Lainez called the 15th consecutive month of recruiting success a sign that the all-volunteer force, now 35 years old, remains solid.
"These numbers demonstrate the continued willingness of young men and women to serve their country in uniform – a willingness that is critical to America's defense, especially during a time of war," she said.
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 10, 2008 - With less than three weeks left of the fiscal year, all four military services met their active-duty recruiting goals for August and hope to maintain that momentum to reach their year-end goals, Defense Department officials said today. The Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force all met or exceeded their recruiting goals for the 15th consecutive month in August, according to new figures released today.
The Marine Corps, with 4,206 new accessions, attained 118 percent of its monthly goal. The Army boasted the most recruits – 10,093 – reaching 101 percent of its August goal.
The Navy and Air Force both met their goals with 4,141 and 2,763 accessions, respectively.
Meanwhile, five of the six reserve components met or exceeded their August goals. The Army National Guard recruited 5,807 new soldiers, 100 percent of its goal, and the Army Reserve achieved 98 percent of its goal with 3,107 accessions.
The Air National Guard reported 1,101 new airmen, 119 percent of its goal, and the Air Force Reserve signed on 729 members, exceeding its August goal by 36 percent.
The Navy Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve both met their August goals, with 517 and 520 accessions, respectively.
Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen Lainez called the 15th consecutive month of recruiting success a sign that the all-volunteer force, now 35 years old, remains solid.
"These numbers demonstrate the continued willingness of young men and women to serve their country in uniform – a willingness that is critical to America's defense, especially during a time of war," she said.
Texas Guard Begins Evacuating Patients Before Hurricane Ike Hits
By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cheryl Hackley
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 10, 2008 - The Texas National Guard began evacuating special-needs patients from the Corpus Christi area this morning in preparation for Hurricane Ike, expected to make landfall in Texas on Sept. 13. Nine Air National Guard C-130 transport aircraft from three states are configured for medical air evacuation and performing the operation, evacuating people in at-risk areas from coastal winds and storm surges associated with hurricanes, state officials said.
"We're evacuating ... special-needs patients from Corpus Christi area hospitals and transporting them to Bryan-College Station," said Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Perry, deputy commander of the 136th Airlift Wing based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Special-needs patients include those requiring others for routine care, people with physical or developmental disabilities such as blindness or hearing impairment, and those require assistance with mental health disorders, officials said.
Six National Guard medical crews are supporting the mission, including three from the 109th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron in Fort Worth, two from the 142nd AES in New Castle, Del., and one from the 137th AES in Oklahoma City. The aircraft, if configured for litters, can hold up to 72 patients and six air evacuation crew members.
One aircraft each from the 166th Airlift Wing from Delaware, 145th AW in Charlotte, N.C., and one from the 109th AW in Scotia, N.Y., are in Texas for the evacuation efforts in addition to the six from the 136th Airlift Wing, Perry said.
Crews are expected to fly these missions for the next 36 hours, and the flight one way is about an hour and 25 minutes long.
President Bush announced an emergency declaration today and ordered federal aid for 25 counties in south Texas to supplement state and local response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Ike as of Sept. 7.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry authorized the call-up of up to 7,500 Texas National Guard soldiers and airmen to support local, state and federal emergency management officials earlier this week.
At 5 p.m. EDT today, Ike's center was about 720 miles east of Brownsville, Texas, moving northwest at 8 mph. Maximum sustained winds near the center were 100 mph.
"Strengthening is forecasted, and Ike may become a major hurricane in the central Gulf of Mexico," said Al Mongeon, a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. After Ike makes landfall, the National Guard is ready to provide life-sustaining assistance to the affected areas, said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada, a spokeswoman for the Texas National Guard. This may include establishing points of distribution, search and rescue operations and debris mitigation, she explained.
The National Guard search-and-rescue response package on alert consists of 60 high-profile vehicles, 10 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and five OH-58 Kiowa helicopters.
Less than two weeks ago, the Army and Air National Guard evacuated nearly 17,000 Gulf Coast residents by land and air, including 325 special-needs patients, before Hurricane Gustav made landfall.
The 142nd AES was part of that support effort and had only a short break at home before heading back to Texas to help set up the mobile aeromedical staging facility at the Corpus International Airport.
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cheryl Hackley serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 10, 2008 - The Texas National Guard began evacuating special-needs patients from the Corpus Christi area this morning in preparation for Hurricane Ike, expected to make landfall in Texas on Sept. 13. Nine Air National Guard C-130 transport aircraft from three states are configured for medical air evacuation and performing the operation, evacuating people in at-risk areas from coastal winds and storm surges associated with hurricanes, state officials said.
"We're evacuating ... special-needs patients from Corpus Christi area hospitals and transporting them to Bryan-College Station," said Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Perry, deputy commander of the 136th Airlift Wing based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Special-needs patients include those requiring others for routine care, people with physical or developmental disabilities such as blindness or hearing impairment, and those require assistance with mental health disorders, officials said.
Six National Guard medical crews are supporting the mission, including three from the 109th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron in Fort Worth, two from the 142nd AES in New Castle, Del., and one from the 137th AES in Oklahoma City. The aircraft, if configured for litters, can hold up to 72 patients and six air evacuation crew members.
One aircraft each from the 166th Airlift Wing from Delaware, 145th AW in Charlotte, N.C., and one from the 109th AW in Scotia, N.Y., are in Texas for the evacuation efforts in addition to the six from the 136th Airlift Wing, Perry said.
Crews are expected to fly these missions for the next 36 hours, and the flight one way is about an hour and 25 minutes long.
President Bush announced an emergency declaration today and ordered federal aid for 25 counties in south Texas to supplement state and local response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Ike as of Sept. 7.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry authorized the call-up of up to 7,500 Texas National Guard soldiers and airmen to support local, state and federal emergency management officials earlier this week.
At 5 p.m. EDT today, Ike's center was about 720 miles east of Brownsville, Texas, moving northwest at 8 mph. Maximum sustained winds near the center were 100 mph.
"Strengthening is forecasted, and Ike may become a major hurricane in the central Gulf of Mexico," said Al Mongeon, a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. After Ike makes landfall, the National Guard is ready to provide life-sustaining assistance to the affected areas, said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada, a spokeswoman for the Texas National Guard. This may include establishing points of distribution, search and rescue operations and debris mitigation, she explained.
The National Guard search-and-rescue response package on alert consists of 60 high-profile vehicles, 10 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and five OH-58 Kiowa helicopters.
Less than two weeks ago, the Army and Air National Guard evacuated nearly 17,000 Gulf Coast residents by land and air, including 325 special-needs patients, before Hurricane Gustav made landfall.
The 142nd AES was part of that support effort and had only a short break at home before heading back to Texas to help set up the mobile aeromedical staging facility at the Corpus International Airport.
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cheryl Hackley serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
America Supports You: Women Officers Get Leadership Development Opportunities
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 9, 2008 - Women who choose to serve their country as military officers should be fully prepared to do so, and an organization has been working to fulfill that goal since 2003. "We stand behind this belief by providing programs that support and enable women to reach their full potential as leaders," said Susan Feland, president and founder of AcademyWomen. "Each year AcademyWomen hosts a leadership symposium to provide current, former and future women military officers the opportunity to network with like-minded colleagues and grow professionally."
Speakers from the military and the public and private sectors offer their support, personal advice and motivation to the members through keynote addresses and panel discussions.
A career coaching and professional development workshop will preface this year's annual symposium, which is slated for October. These programs provide development opportunities, resources and a chance for discussion that will assist attendees in all stages of their careers, Feland said.
"In the future, AcademyWomen will host podcasts [and] tele-seminar series, which will provide insight into specific career paths, and share stories of success in a particular field," she said.
The group is moving forward swiftly on other technologies to help women military officers develop leadership skills. It's developing an "eMentor" leadership program, and already publishes a quarterly online newsletter.
"Each edition focuses on topics of importance to our members and highlights the accomplishments of military women officers and veterans," Feland said.
AcademyWomen also supports, and plans to conduct, research focusing on the professional development of women officers in the military, their transition to civilian careers, and which professions they choose subsequent to their military service.
The organization is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 9, 2008 - Women who choose to serve their country as military officers should be fully prepared to do so, and an organization has been working to fulfill that goal since 2003. "We stand behind this belief by providing programs that support and enable women to reach their full potential as leaders," said Susan Feland, president and founder of AcademyWomen. "Each year AcademyWomen hosts a leadership symposium to provide current, former and future women military officers the opportunity to network with like-minded colleagues and grow professionally."
Speakers from the military and the public and private sectors offer their support, personal advice and motivation to the members through keynote addresses and panel discussions.
A career coaching and professional development workshop will preface this year's annual symposium, which is slated for October. These programs provide development opportunities, resources and a chance for discussion that will assist attendees in all stages of their careers, Feland said.
"In the future, AcademyWomen will host podcasts [and] tele-seminar series, which will provide insight into specific career paths, and share stories of success in a particular field," she said.
The group is moving forward swiftly on other technologies to help women military officers develop leadership skills. It's developing an "eMentor" leadership program, and already publishes a quarterly online newsletter.
"Each edition focuses on topics of importance to our members and highlights the accomplishments of military women officers and veterans," Feland said.
AcademyWomen also supports, and plans to conduct, research focusing on the professional development of women officers in the military, their transition to civilian careers, and which professions they choose subsequent to their military service.
The organization is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
MILITARY CONTRACTS September 9, 2008
Army
Harris Corp., Government Communications Systems, Div, Melbourne, Fla., was awarded on Aug. 28, 2008, a $7,494,831 indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for applied IT solutions to support unclassified web portal and related efforts. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Fla., Chantilly, Va., Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Mo., Los Cruzes, N.M., and Bethesda, Md., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2013. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. National Geospatial Intelligence Agency/ACI is the contracting activity (HM1571-08-D-0007).
DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., St Louis, Mo., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $8,694,734 letter contract will be firm fixed price contract. This contract is for the production effort of six (6) M1000 Heavy Equipment Transporter System (HET) trailers, including field service representatives support for the M1000 throughout HETS testing, system support package and parts support throughout HETS testing and a logistics package update. Work will be performed in West Plains, Mo., with an estimated completion of Jun. 5, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0626).
Don Jon Marine Co., Inc., Hillside, N.J., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $7,128,260 firm fixed price contract for maintenance dredging in Newark Bay, N.J. Work will be performed in Newark Bay, N.J., with an estimated completion date of June 17, 2008. Twenty-three bids were solicited and three bids were received. Corps of Engineers, New York City, N.Y., is the contracting activity (W912DS-08-C-0024).
Golden Rule Construction Company Inc, Sioux Falls, S.D., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $7,464,073 firm fixed price contract for construction services for project number LUXC 001390 to replace the base civil engineer maintenance complex at 114th Fighter Wing, Sioux Falls, S.D. Work will be performed in Sioux Falls, S.D., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2009. Bids solicited via the Web and six bids were received. National Guard Bureau S.D., is the contracting activity (W912MM-08-C-0003).
Advanced Semiconductors, Inc., North Hollywood, Calif., was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $8,714,475 firm fixed price contract. This acquisition is a sole source country directed action for cables, boxes and auxiliary equipment. Work will be performed in Fort Monmouth, N.J., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 9, 2010. Bids solicited one Sole Source and one bid was received. CECOM Acquisition Center Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-08-C-D281).
General Dynamics Network Systems, Needham, Mass., was awarded on Sept. 2, 2008, a $6,000,000 firm/fixed price contract. This modification is for continuing efforts to survey, plan, design, install, and implement the Information Technology Systems and Infrastructure (ITS&I) for wedges-2-5 tenants as part of an ongoing modernization of the Pentagon IT infrastructure. Work will be performed in Arlington, Va., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. Pentagon Renovation & Construction Program Office, Arlington Va., is the contracting activity (MDA947-98-C-2002).
FLIR Systems, Inc, Wilsonville, Ore., was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $96,625,080 firm/fixed price contract for Starfire III sensors and, related cables and hardware, for the Rapid Aerostat initial deployment sensor components. Work will be performed in Wilsonville, Ore., with an estimated completion date of Jul. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (W9113M-07-D-0004).
The Ginn Group Inc, Peachtree City, Ga., was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $13,359,452 cost/plus/award/fee contract for facilities maintenance services at Fort Knox, Ky., during the period Dec 1, 2006, through Sept. 30, 2007 with four one-year option periods through Sept. 30, 20011. Subject to the availability work will be performed in Fort Knox, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2011. Bids were solicited via Website Single Face to Industry Army and thirteen bids were received. Mission and Installation Contracting Command Center, Fort Knox, Ky., is the contracting activity (W9124D-06-C-0040).
NAVY
PAE Government Services, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., is being awarded a not to exceed $10,000,000 modification under a previously awarded indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract (N33191-07-D-1503) to exercise option one for a job order contract at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. The work to be performed provides for all managerial, supervision, labor, engineering services, tools, materials, equipment and transportation necessary to accomplish a broad range of design/build, repair, renovation and minor construction work on real property. After exercise of this option, the total cumulative contract value will not exceed $20,000,000. Work will be performed in Djibouti, Africa, and expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Europe and Southwest Asia, Naples, Italy, is the contracting activity.
Reid Middleton, Inc., Everett Wash., is being awarded a maximum $7,500,000 firm-fixed price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity architect/engineering contract for civil/structural projects in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest area of responsibility. The work to be performed provides for new designs, evaluations, studies for maintenance, construction, equipment installation, repair and replacement of a wide range of facilities and structures, with an emphasis on aircraft runways and facilities, air traffic control towers, aircraft runway projects including combat loading area, direct refueling facilities, runway lighting, and structural designs for new and existing facilities. Work will be performed at various NAVY and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Northwest AOR including, but not limited to Washington, (87 percent), Oregon, (2 percent), Idaho, (2 percent), Alaska, (2 percent), Montana, (1 percent), Colorado, (1 percent), Nevada, (1 percent), Wyoming, (1 percent), North Dakota (1 percent), South Dakota, (1 percent), and Utah, (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the NAVFAC e-solicitation website with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity (N44255-08-D-3012).
PC QUINN LLC* (mentor-protege agreement between PC Mechanical Inc., the protege and Quinn Co., the mentor), Santa Maria, Calif., is being awarded a $7,000,000 firm fixed price contract modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the repair/overhaul and preventative maintenance and service of automotive vehicles, motorized and non-motorized construction equipment, material/weight handling equipment and International Standard Organization shipping containers for the Naval Facilities Expeditionary Logistics Center Mobile. After award of this modification the total cumulative contract amount will be $30,870,692. Work will be performed in Santa Maria, Calif., and Gulfport, Miss., and is expected to be completed by Mar. 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Specialty Center Acquisitions, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity (N47408-04-D-8516).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
BAE Systems Survivability Systems, LLC, Fairfield, Ohio is being awarded a maximum $9,849,246 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity, sole-source, un-definitized bilateral contract modification for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Replacement (MRAP) spare parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army and Marine Corps. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Feb. 10, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Columbus, Columbus, Ohio (SPM750-05-D-7426).
Harris Corp., Government Communications Systems, Div, Melbourne, Fla., was awarded on Aug. 28, 2008, a $7,494,831 indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for applied IT solutions to support unclassified web portal and related efforts. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Fla., Chantilly, Va., Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Mo., Los Cruzes, N.M., and Bethesda, Md., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2013. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. National Geospatial Intelligence Agency/ACI is the contracting activity (HM1571-08-D-0007).
DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., St Louis, Mo., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $8,694,734 letter contract will be firm fixed price contract. This contract is for the production effort of six (6) M1000 Heavy Equipment Transporter System (HET) trailers, including field service representatives support for the M1000 throughout HETS testing, system support package and parts support throughout HETS testing and a logistics package update. Work will be performed in West Plains, Mo., with an estimated completion of Jun. 5, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0626).
Don Jon Marine Co., Inc., Hillside, N.J., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $7,128,260 firm fixed price contract for maintenance dredging in Newark Bay, N.J. Work will be performed in Newark Bay, N.J., with an estimated completion date of June 17, 2008. Twenty-three bids were solicited and three bids were received. Corps of Engineers, New York City, N.Y., is the contracting activity (W912DS-08-C-0024).
Golden Rule Construction Company Inc, Sioux Falls, S.D., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $7,464,073 firm fixed price contract for construction services for project number LUXC 001390 to replace the base civil engineer maintenance complex at 114th Fighter Wing, Sioux Falls, S.D. Work will be performed in Sioux Falls, S.D., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2009. Bids solicited via the Web and six bids were received. National Guard Bureau S.D., is the contracting activity (W912MM-08-C-0003).
Advanced Semiconductors, Inc., North Hollywood, Calif., was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $8,714,475 firm fixed price contract. This acquisition is a sole source country directed action for cables, boxes and auxiliary equipment. Work will be performed in Fort Monmouth, N.J., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 9, 2010. Bids solicited one Sole Source and one bid was received. CECOM Acquisition Center Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-08-C-D281).
General Dynamics Network Systems, Needham, Mass., was awarded on Sept. 2, 2008, a $6,000,000 firm/fixed price contract. This modification is for continuing efforts to survey, plan, design, install, and implement the Information Technology Systems and Infrastructure (ITS&I) for wedges-2-5 tenants as part of an ongoing modernization of the Pentagon IT infrastructure. Work will be performed in Arlington, Va., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. Pentagon Renovation & Construction Program Office, Arlington Va., is the contracting activity (MDA947-98-C-2002).
FLIR Systems, Inc, Wilsonville, Ore., was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $96,625,080 firm/fixed price contract for Starfire III sensors and, related cables and hardware, for the Rapid Aerostat initial deployment sensor components. Work will be performed in Wilsonville, Ore., with an estimated completion date of Jul. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (W9113M-07-D-0004).
The Ginn Group Inc, Peachtree City, Ga., was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $13,359,452 cost/plus/award/fee contract for facilities maintenance services at Fort Knox, Ky., during the period Dec 1, 2006, through Sept. 30, 2007 with four one-year option periods through Sept. 30, 20011. Subject to the availability work will be performed in Fort Knox, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2011. Bids were solicited via Website Single Face to Industry Army and thirteen bids were received. Mission and Installation Contracting Command Center, Fort Knox, Ky., is the contracting activity (W9124D-06-C-0040).
NAVY
PAE Government Services, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., is being awarded a not to exceed $10,000,000 modification under a previously awarded indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract (N33191-07-D-1503) to exercise option one for a job order contract at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. The work to be performed provides for all managerial, supervision, labor, engineering services, tools, materials, equipment and transportation necessary to accomplish a broad range of design/build, repair, renovation and minor construction work on real property. After exercise of this option, the total cumulative contract value will not exceed $20,000,000. Work will be performed in Djibouti, Africa, and expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Europe and Southwest Asia, Naples, Italy, is the contracting activity.
Reid Middleton, Inc., Everett Wash., is being awarded a maximum $7,500,000 firm-fixed price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity architect/engineering contract for civil/structural projects in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest area of responsibility. The work to be performed provides for new designs, evaluations, studies for maintenance, construction, equipment installation, repair and replacement of a wide range of facilities and structures, with an emphasis on aircraft runways and facilities, air traffic control towers, aircraft runway projects including combat loading area, direct refueling facilities, runway lighting, and structural designs for new and existing facilities. Work will be performed at various NAVY and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Northwest AOR including, but not limited to Washington, (87 percent), Oregon, (2 percent), Idaho, (2 percent), Alaska, (2 percent), Montana, (1 percent), Colorado, (1 percent), Nevada, (1 percent), Wyoming, (1 percent), North Dakota (1 percent), South Dakota, (1 percent), and Utah, (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the NAVFAC e-solicitation website with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity (N44255-08-D-3012).
PC QUINN LLC* (mentor-protege agreement between PC Mechanical Inc., the protege and Quinn Co., the mentor), Santa Maria, Calif., is being awarded a $7,000,000 firm fixed price contract modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the repair/overhaul and preventative maintenance and service of automotive vehicles, motorized and non-motorized construction equipment, material/weight handling equipment and International Standard Organization shipping containers for the Naval Facilities Expeditionary Logistics Center Mobile. After award of this modification the total cumulative contract amount will be $30,870,692. Work will be performed in Santa Maria, Calif., and Gulfport, Miss., and is expected to be completed by Mar. 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Specialty Center Acquisitions, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity (N47408-04-D-8516).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
BAE Systems Survivability Systems, LLC, Fairfield, Ohio is being awarded a maximum $9,849,246 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity, sole-source, un-definitized bilateral contract modification for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Replacement (MRAP) spare parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army and Marine Corps. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Feb. 10, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Columbus, Columbus, Ohio (SPM750-05-D-7426).
Army Research Grant to Explore Communication Through Brain Waves
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 9, 2008 - The 1982 Clint Eastwood thriller "Firefox" seemed like the ultimate military science fiction story: A former Vietnam War pilot steals a state-of-the-art Soviet fighter plane armed with weapons controlled solely by thought. More than 25 years later, the Army is funding research to explore the futuristic concept of using brain waves to communicate.
The Army Research Office awarded a $4 million grant in mid-August to lay the scientific foundation it hopes will someday enable soldiers in the field to communicate through a deliberate thought process.
Elmar Schmeisser, ARO program manager, described the revolutionary concept in terms of the way today's field soldiers communicate with radios. "You'll press the button on your harness, you'll think, then you'll throw the button off," he said.
Gone will be the microphone. Gone will be the receiver. The message will go directly from the soldier's head into a computer programmed to decipher his brain waves, Schmeisser explained.
The result will be communication that's silent, secure and free of background noise.
"If I record what you are saying from your brain wave, ... it is automatically noise-free, clear and secure," he said. "No one can overhear you, because you are not saying anything out loud, so it is an absolutely secure system."
But getting to that point will require a monumental scientific breakthrough – something researchers at the University of California, Irvine, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Maryland hope to work toward with the ARO grant.
It could take 15 or 20 years before technology gets to the point to support the system. "The mathematics behind this is fierce. It is really difficult," Schmeisser said.
But if scientists are successful, they could bring tremendous capability to future soldiers, he said, while providing a huge side benefit as well. The technology could provide a way for soldiers with brain injuries – as well as civilians with neurological problems such as Lou Gehrig's Disease – to communicate without speaking or writing, he said.
Test subjects for the project will don special caps that take electroencephalography, or EEG, signals sent out by their brains. The readings register as squiggles on a computer screen. The challenge for scientists is to figure out how to translate the squiggles into messages a computer can type out or speak.
The decoded thoughts – translated brain waves – would be transmitted using a system that points to the person intended to receive the message.
But getting to that point could take decades, Schmeisser said, because of the huge amount of brain activity that takes place at the same time, and the fact that no two people have the same EEG blueprint.
"What makes this difficult is that everyone's brain is unique and everyone's EEG is unique, just like everyone's speech is unique," he said. "So it has to be individualized for every person."
But users also need to be trained to think in a way the system will understand, he said. "For this thing to have any chance of working at all, the individual has to learn to think clearly and loudly," he said.
Schmeisser compared the system to a computer-based voice-recognition program that translates speech into text. "You have to speak slowly and clearly, and at the end you have a certain amount of accuracy," he said. He noted a variety of factors that can interfere: nasal congestion, an unfamiliar accent or background noise.
"So you will have to think the same way and train the machine so it understands your particular pattern," he said.
Schmeisser dismissed claims that the technology could be used to read people's minds without their knowledge or consent. "This is not about mind reading. It doesn't even think about 'mind' at all," he said. "For this to work, you are going to have to be fully involved, and that is going to take time."
The program is among the Army's research projects intended to build the scientific foundation for future breakthroughs. "We're looking at long-term goals," Schmeisser said. "By putting research like this in place now, in 15 years you may be able to harvest that. This is not going to be operational in any real military sense for quite awhile."
The grant for the program comes from the Defense Department's Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative Program, which supports research involving more than one science and engineering discipline.
"In that synergy, you might be able to generate a breakthrough and research that will allow invention," Schmeisser said. "So this program is not focused on creating inventions. It is focused on creating the basic science foundation from which inventions flow."
Few other organizations are able invest in such high-risk ventures, despite the high payoff they could provide. "The Army is interested in these breakthrough technologies," he said. "They are high-risk, and they may not pay off, but when they do, they pay off big."
And in many cases, the payoffs not only benefit the military, but also have civilian applications. Schmeisser pointed to just a few technologies that started as Army research programs, lasers and radar among them.
"The spinout for military technology has been here since the Bronze Age, he said, pointing to how early man first developed weapons, then turned them into tools. "Fighting and the development of military technology is something humans have been doing as far back as we can record," he said. "But the peacetime dividend of military development has been huge."
Another long-term Army-funded program, still in its infancy, is exploring how to use genetically modified viruses to produce nanocircuitry. Angela Belcher, the chief scientist behind that effort, won the 2004 John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Award for her efforts.
In addition to paving the way to low-cost production of nanoscale integrated circuits and other electronic components, Belcher's program could also lead to a broad range of next-generation applications: medical implants and tissue growth, energy-efficient batteries and lighting, faster and smaller computers, detectors for hazardous agents and stronger armor for military craft, among them.
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 9, 2008 - The 1982 Clint Eastwood thriller "Firefox" seemed like the ultimate military science fiction story: A former Vietnam War pilot steals a state-of-the-art Soviet fighter plane armed with weapons controlled solely by thought. More than 25 years later, the Army is funding research to explore the futuristic concept of using brain waves to communicate.
The Army Research Office awarded a $4 million grant in mid-August to lay the scientific foundation it hopes will someday enable soldiers in the field to communicate through a deliberate thought process.
Elmar Schmeisser, ARO program manager, described the revolutionary concept in terms of the way today's field soldiers communicate with radios. "You'll press the button on your harness, you'll think, then you'll throw the button off," he said.
Gone will be the microphone. Gone will be the receiver. The message will go directly from the soldier's head into a computer programmed to decipher his brain waves, Schmeisser explained.
The result will be communication that's silent, secure and free of background noise.
"If I record what you are saying from your brain wave, ... it is automatically noise-free, clear and secure," he said. "No one can overhear you, because you are not saying anything out loud, so it is an absolutely secure system."
But getting to that point will require a monumental scientific breakthrough – something researchers at the University of California, Irvine, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Maryland hope to work toward with the ARO grant.
It could take 15 or 20 years before technology gets to the point to support the system. "The mathematics behind this is fierce. It is really difficult," Schmeisser said.
But if scientists are successful, they could bring tremendous capability to future soldiers, he said, while providing a huge side benefit as well. The technology could provide a way for soldiers with brain injuries – as well as civilians with neurological problems such as Lou Gehrig's Disease – to communicate without speaking or writing, he said.
Test subjects for the project will don special caps that take electroencephalography, or EEG, signals sent out by their brains. The readings register as squiggles on a computer screen. The challenge for scientists is to figure out how to translate the squiggles into messages a computer can type out or speak.
The decoded thoughts – translated brain waves – would be transmitted using a system that points to the person intended to receive the message.
But getting to that point could take decades, Schmeisser said, because of the huge amount of brain activity that takes place at the same time, and the fact that no two people have the same EEG blueprint.
"What makes this difficult is that everyone's brain is unique and everyone's EEG is unique, just like everyone's speech is unique," he said. "So it has to be individualized for every person."
But users also need to be trained to think in a way the system will understand, he said. "For this thing to have any chance of working at all, the individual has to learn to think clearly and loudly," he said.
Schmeisser compared the system to a computer-based voice-recognition program that translates speech into text. "You have to speak slowly and clearly, and at the end you have a certain amount of accuracy," he said. He noted a variety of factors that can interfere: nasal congestion, an unfamiliar accent or background noise.
"So you will have to think the same way and train the machine so it understands your particular pattern," he said.
Schmeisser dismissed claims that the technology could be used to read people's minds without their knowledge or consent. "This is not about mind reading. It doesn't even think about 'mind' at all," he said. "For this to work, you are going to have to be fully involved, and that is going to take time."
The program is among the Army's research projects intended to build the scientific foundation for future breakthroughs. "We're looking at long-term goals," Schmeisser said. "By putting research like this in place now, in 15 years you may be able to harvest that. This is not going to be operational in any real military sense for quite awhile."
The grant for the program comes from the Defense Department's Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative Program, which supports research involving more than one science and engineering discipline.
"In that synergy, you might be able to generate a breakthrough and research that will allow invention," Schmeisser said. "So this program is not focused on creating inventions. It is focused on creating the basic science foundation from which inventions flow."
Few other organizations are able invest in such high-risk ventures, despite the high payoff they could provide. "The Army is interested in these breakthrough technologies," he said. "They are high-risk, and they may not pay off, but when they do, they pay off big."
And in many cases, the payoffs not only benefit the military, but also have civilian applications. Schmeisser pointed to just a few technologies that started as Army research programs, lasers and radar among them.
"The spinout for military technology has been here since the Bronze Age, he said, pointing to how early man first developed weapons, then turned them into tools. "Fighting and the development of military technology is something humans have been doing as far back as we can record," he said. "But the peacetime dividend of military development has been huge."
Another long-term Army-funded program, still in its infancy, is exploring how to use genetically modified viruses to produce nanocircuitry. Angela Belcher, the chief scientist behind that effort, won the 2004 John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Award for her efforts.
In addition to paving the way to low-cost production of nanoscale integrated circuits and other electronic components, Belcher's program could also lead to a broad range of next-generation applications: medical implants and tissue growth, energy-efficient batteries and lighting, faster and smaller computers, detectors for hazardous agents and stronger armor for military craft, among them.
Florida Guardsmen Act Fast to Keep Key West Citizens Safe
By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 9, 2008 - Wading into the waist-deep storm surge from Hurricane Ike this morning, members of the Florida Army National Guard helped local law enforcement officers avert what could have been a disaster for some people ignoring safety warnings. As high waves and strong surf from the hurricane buffeted Key West, the soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, were examining the White Street Fishing Pier on the south shore of the city when they noticed about 40 people swimming and playing at the flooded end of the pier.
Even though officials in the Keys urged people to stay indoors, the thrill-seekers – including small children – waded through the choppy water to the barrier at the end of the pier as the three-to-four-foot waves crashed over them.
"This was one of the furthest outreaching piers they have in Key West," said a staff sergeant who was part of the four-person Special Forces reconnaissance team. "We just went out there to see what the winds were like. As we got out there, the winds picked up from about 40 mph to 60 mph, and we noticed there was a bunch of kids – anywhere from 5 to 10 years old – out there with parents and playing around in the waves."
The soldier, who is not identified due to security concerns about his normal federal mission, said the Guard unit was working closely with local law enforcement and city emergency management officials to assess damage and flooding from Hurricane Ike.
"It was very unsafe," he explained. "Within the 20 minutes we were out there, I estimated the winds actually picked up to over 60 mph."
After warning the swimmers about the dangerous surf, the soldiers reported the activity to Key West police officer who made the decision to clear the pier. The team assisted as a uniformed police officer ordered the swimmers from the dangerous pier.
"Right as we were leaving, things started getting really bad," the soldier added. "The dock is made of concrete; the high winds and the waves that were coming over could have easily knocked one of the kids down and ground them into the pavement. It wouldn't have been pretty."
As rain bands from Hurricane Ike rolled across the Keys, tornado warnings were frequent, and city officials continued to monitor the situation as weather conditions worsened. Earlier today, an overturned truck on U.S. 1 had blocked traffic in and out of the Lower Keys at Mile Marker 72, and minor coastal flooding was prevalent in low-lying areas, according to officials at the Key West Emergency Operations Center.
The Florida Army National Guard soldiers continued damage and flooding assessment patrols throughout the day, assisting Key West emergency responders.
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa serves in the Florida National Guard Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 9, 2008 - Wading into the waist-deep storm surge from Hurricane Ike this morning, members of the Florida Army National Guard helped local law enforcement officers avert what could have been a disaster for some people ignoring safety warnings. As high waves and strong surf from the hurricane buffeted Key West, the soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, were examining the White Street Fishing Pier on the south shore of the city when they noticed about 40 people swimming and playing at the flooded end of the pier.
Even though officials in the Keys urged people to stay indoors, the thrill-seekers – including small children – waded through the choppy water to the barrier at the end of the pier as the three-to-four-foot waves crashed over them.
"This was one of the furthest outreaching piers they have in Key West," said a staff sergeant who was part of the four-person Special Forces reconnaissance team. "We just went out there to see what the winds were like. As we got out there, the winds picked up from about 40 mph to 60 mph, and we noticed there was a bunch of kids – anywhere from 5 to 10 years old – out there with parents and playing around in the waves."
The soldier, who is not identified due to security concerns about his normal federal mission, said the Guard unit was working closely with local law enforcement and city emergency management officials to assess damage and flooding from Hurricane Ike.
"It was very unsafe," he explained. "Within the 20 minutes we were out there, I estimated the winds actually picked up to over 60 mph."
After warning the swimmers about the dangerous surf, the soldiers reported the activity to Key West police officer who made the decision to clear the pier. The team assisted as a uniformed police officer ordered the swimmers from the dangerous pier.
"Right as we were leaving, things started getting really bad," the soldier added. "The dock is made of concrete; the high winds and the waves that were coming over could have easily knocked one of the kids down and ground them into the pavement. It wouldn't have been pretty."
As rain bands from Hurricane Ike rolled across the Keys, tornado warnings were frequent, and city officials continued to monitor the situation as weather conditions worsened. Earlier today, an overturned truck on U.S. 1 had blocked traffic in and out of the Lower Keys at Mile Marker 72, and minor coastal flooding was prevalent in low-lying areas, according to officials at the Key West Emergency Operations Center.
The Florida Army National Guard soldiers continued damage and flooding assessment patrols throughout the day, assisting Key West emergency responders.
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa serves in the Florida National Guard Public Affairs Office.)
Missing WWII Soldier Is Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from World War Two, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
He is Pvt. James W. Turner, U.S. Army, of Altus, Okla. He will be buried on Sept. 11 in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.
Representatives from the Army met with Turner's next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the Secretary of the Army.
In November 1944, the 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division was attacking east through the Hürtgen Forest in an attempt to capture the German towns of Vossenack and Schmidt. On Nov. 4, the Germans counterattacked in what would become one of the longest running battles in U.S. history. Turner, a member of G Company, 112th Infantry Regiment, was reported missing in action near Vossenack on Nov. 9.
In 2005, a German citizen who was searching for wartime relics in the Hürtgen Forest, near Vossenack, found human remains and other items, including Turner's military identification tag. The remains and items were turned over to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) for further analysis.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC also used dental comparisons in the identification of Turner's remains.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
He is Pvt. James W. Turner, U.S. Army, of Altus, Okla. He will be buried on Sept. 11 in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.
Representatives from the Army met with Turner's next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the Secretary of the Army.
In November 1944, the 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division was attacking east through the Hürtgen Forest in an attempt to capture the German towns of Vossenack and Schmidt. On Nov. 4, the Germans counterattacked in what would become one of the longest running battles in U.S. history. Turner, a member of G Company, 112th Infantry Regiment, was reported missing in action near Vossenack on Nov. 9.
In 2005, a German citizen who was searching for wartime relics in the Hürtgen Forest, near Vossenack, found human remains and other items, including Turner's military identification tag. The remains and items were turned over to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) for further analysis.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC also used dental comparisons in the identification of Turner's remains.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
Face of Defense: Goal-Oriented Soldier Looks Toward Future
By Army Spc. Allison Churchill
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 9, 2008 - So far, September is a big month for Army Spc. Selma Colesbacco. On Sept. 1, Colesbacco, who was born in the Seychelles Islands and raised in Italy, became a U.S. citizen. Two days later, she was promoted to specialist.
The two events take her closer to her ultimate goal: becoming a pilot.
"I've always wanted to fly. I love everything that flies," Colesbacco said.
She originally joined the Army for health insurance after her son had a medical emergency. Her husband's Army enlistment term had just ended, and the family didn't have insurance to cover the medical bills.
"I said, 'Maybe the Army didn't work for you, but I might like it,'" she said.
Colesbacco, a human resources specialist for 41st Fires Brigade, found she does like the Army, and now she says she'll probably make it her career.
"I'm not just in the Army for my son; it's for me, too," she said.
Colesbacco has several goals for her career. She'd like to attend airborne school and – having learned in the Army that she can run – she is considering taking on the annual Army 10-Miler.
Becoming a citizen presents an array of additional opportunities for her career, she said.
"My job will require a security clearance in 2010, and I wouldn't have been able to apply for one before," she said. Having a clearance will allow her to pursue flying someday.
Colesbacco said she hasn't taken flying classes, but growing up in Italy, she was able to fly throughout Europe, Africa and back to the Seychelles Islands cheaply, confirming her love of being in the air. She said whether she pursues piloting fixed-wing airplanes or helicopters will depend on what will be best for her son and family.
Colesbacco said she hopes she'll be able to relocate back to Italy when she re-enlists. U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza is close to her hometown of Bassano del Greppe, which she left when she moved to the United States, and where her mother still lives.
(Army Spc. Allison Churchill serves in the 41st Fires Brigade Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 9, 2008 - So far, September is a big month for Army Spc. Selma Colesbacco. On Sept. 1, Colesbacco, who was born in the Seychelles Islands and raised in Italy, became a U.S. citizen. Two days later, she was promoted to specialist.
The two events take her closer to her ultimate goal: becoming a pilot.
"I've always wanted to fly. I love everything that flies," Colesbacco said.
She originally joined the Army for health insurance after her son had a medical emergency. Her husband's Army enlistment term had just ended, and the family didn't have insurance to cover the medical bills.
"I said, 'Maybe the Army didn't work for you, but I might like it,'" she said.
Colesbacco, a human resources specialist for 41st Fires Brigade, found she does like the Army, and now she says she'll probably make it her career.
"I'm not just in the Army for my son; it's for me, too," she said.
Colesbacco has several goals for her career. She'd like to attend airborne school and – having learned in the Army that she can run – she is considering taking on the annual Army 10-Miler.
Becoming a citizen presents an array of additional opportunities for her career, she said.
"My job will require a security clearance in 2010, and I wouldn't have been able to apply for one before," she said. Having a clearance will allow her to pursue flying someday.
Colesbacco said she hasn't taken flying classes, but growing up in Italy, she was able to fly throughout Europe, Africa and back to the Seychelles Islands cheaply, confirming her love of being in the air. She said whether she pursues piloting fixed-wing airplanes or helicopters will depend on what will be best for her son and family.
Colesbacco said she hopes she'll be able to relocate back to Italy when she re-enlists. U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza is close to her hometown of Bassano del Greppe, which she left when she moved to the United States, and where her mother still lives.
(Army Spc. Allison Churchill serves in the 41st Fires Brigade Public Affairs Office.)
Texas Guard Prepares for Hurricane Ike
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 9, 2008 - Texas Gov. Rick Perry has authorized the call-up of up to 7,500 Texas soldiers and airmen in response to the threat Hurricane Ike -- over Cuba today and heading west – poses to the Gulf Coast. State preparations started Sept. 7, when key personnel from local, state and federal agencies gathered for a readiness briefing with Jack Colley, deputy director of the state's Division of Emergency Management.
"If anything, this 2008 hurricane season has demonstrated that we have to be prepared at all times," said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada of the Texas Military Forces Public Affairs Office. "Hurricanes do not occur at convenient times or in sufficiently timed intervals."
Preparations by the Texas National Guard consist of pre-and post-landfall assistance and include ground and air evacuation hubs, bus fueling points, management of staging areas for evacuation buses, points of distribution operations for food and water and shelter management. All available air assets are being reconfigured for search-and-rescue missions and medical air evacuations.
Two Texas Air National Guard units have been alerted to provide evacuation operations and communications capabilities in relief efforts prior to the arrival of Hurricane Ike.
The 136th Airlift Wing from Naval Air Station and Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, will provide up to 250 personnel to assist in Texas and Louisiana, while the 149th Fighter Wing of Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, will provide up to 100 personnel to help out in Texas.
Texas Army National Guard aviation assets also have been alerted for search and rescue missions.
The center of Ike is expected to emerge into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico this afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center. Ike is currently a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, packing maximum sustained winds near 80 mph, with higher gusts.
The hurricane center stated that some weakening is likely as Ike crosses western Cuba, but strengthening is expected once Ike moves into the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the storm's center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles.
Responding to a natural disaster is not a typical Military operation, and it "requires patience and adaptation to current circumstances," Moncada said.
"Sometimes our best-laid plans change, ... but whatever the case may be, our main focus will never shift, which is the safety and well=being of our fellow citizens," she said. "If our mere presence in a community has a calming effect, then that is our mission."
(From a Texas Military Forces news release.)
Sept. 9, 2008 - Texas Gov. Rick Perry has authorized the call-up of up to 7,500 Texas soldiers and airmen in response to the threat Hurricane Ike -- over Cuba today and heading west – poses to the Gulf Coast. State preparations started Sept. 7, when key personnel from local, state and federal agencies gathered for a readiness briefing with Jack Colley, deputy director of the state's Division of Emergency Management.
"If anything, this 2008 hurricane season has demonstrated that we have to be prepared at all times," said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada of the Texas Military Forces Public Affairs Office. "Hurricanes do not occur at convenient times or in sufficiently timed intervals."
Preparations by the Texas National Guard consist of pre-and post-landfall assistance and include ground and air evacuation hubs, bus fueling points, management of staging areas for evacuation buses, points of distribution operations for food and water and shelter management. All available air assets are being reconfigured for search-and-rescue missions and medical air evacuations.
Two Texas Air National Guard units have been alerted to provide evacuation operations and communications capabilities in relief efforts prior to the arrival of Hurricane Ike.
The 136th Airlift Wing from Naval Air Station and Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, will provide up to 250 personnel to assist in Texas and Louisiana, while the 149th Fighter Wing of Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, will provide up to 100 personnel to help out in Texas.
Texas Army National Guard aviation assets also have been alerted for search and rescue missions.
The center of Ike is expected to emerge into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico this afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center. Ike is currently a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, packing maximum sustained winds near 80 mph, with higher gusts.
The hurricane center stated that some weakening is likely as Ike crosses western Cuba, but strengthening is expected once Ike moves into the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the storm's center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles.
Responding to a natural disaster is not a typical Military operation, and it "requires patience and adaptation to current circumstances," Moncada said.
"Sometimes our best-laid plans change, ... but whatever the case may be, our main focus will never shift, which is the safety and well=being of our fellow citizens," she said. "If our mere presence in a community has a calming effect, then that is our mission."
(From a Texas Military Forces news release.)
DoD Selects Tribal Colleges and Universities for Grants
The Department of Defense announced today plans to award instrumentation grants totaling $2.4 million to 13 tribal colleges and universities. These grants will be made under the fiscal 2008 DoD Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions Infrastructure Support Program. The grants will enhance programs and capabilities at these minority institutions in scientific disciplines critical to national security and the DoD.
This announcement is the result of merit competition for infrastructure support funding conducted for the Office of Defense Research and Engineering by the Army Research Office. The solicitation resulted in 15 proposals in response to a broad agency announcement issued in May 2008. The Army Research Office plans to award nine equipment grants ranging from $97,000 to $244,000. Each award will have a 12-month performance period.
Awards will be made only after written agreements are reached between the department and the institutions.
The list of recipients is available on the Web at: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/d20080909grants.pdf .
This announcement is the result of merit competition for infrastructure support funding conducted for the Office of Defense Research and Engineering by the Army Research Office. The solicitation resulted in 15 proposals in response to a broad agency announcement issued in May 2008. The Army Research Office plans to award nine equipment grants ranging from $97,000 to $244,000. Each award will have a 12-month performance period.
Awards will be made only after written agreements are reached between the department and the institutions.
The list of recipients is available on the Web at: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/d20080909grants.pdf .
U.S. to Review Military Aid to Georgia
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 9, 2008 - The Pentagon will send an assessment team to Georgia to determine what role the U.S. should play as the nation's military rebuilds after clashes with Russia, a Defense Department official said today. "The Department of Defense is sending an assessment team to Tbilisi later this week to help us begin to consider carefully Georgia's legitimate needs and our response," Eric S. Edelman, undersecretary of defense for policy, told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
After the assessment, officials will review how the United States will be able to support the reconstruction of Georgia, including armed forces aid, Edelman told the lawmakers.
Officials in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi reportedly are eager to rebuild a Georgian military that folded as Russian forces invaded the breakaway province of South Ossetia early last month after an attack by Georgian forces. Russian troops reportedly remain in the former Soviet republic in defiance of a cease-fire deal reached Aug. 13.
President Bush last week pledged to provide $1 billion in nonmilitary aid to Georgia, which supplements the more than 2 million pounds of humanitarian supplies the United States military has delivered over previous weeks. But Edelman's statements today mark the first time a defense policy official's public endorsement of U.S. aid to Georgia has included a military reconstruction component.
"Georgia, like any sovereign country, should have the ability to defend itself and deter renewed aggression," he said. "There should not be any question about whether Georgia is entitled to military assistance from the United States or, indeed, from NATO or any of the NATO allies."
Edelman said the United States has played a significant role for several years in preparing Georgian forces to conduct counterterrorism missions, but offered no indication of what type of military aid the United States might provide in the future.
A separate assessment team currently in Georgia is sizing up the losses sustained by the military, Edelman said.
"They're looking at various aspects of this, trying to assess first the damage to the Georgian military forces, understand what has been lost in terms of equipment and facilities, and get some sense of the scope of what it would take to just rebuild that capability," he said of the assessment team in Georgia now.
Edelman urged that the United States be "measured and calibrated" in its response. He added that the United States "does not seek a new Cold War."
"It requires, first, understanding the situation in terms of capability that exists, capability that might need to be built and reaching some understanding with Georgia about what capabilities it thinks it needs and how they might be employed," he said of the sequenced response.
NATO, which created an ad hoc group Aug. 19 to oversee the alliance's relationship with Georgia, will send an additional assessment team to help shape the organization's response, Edelman said.
"NATO has also decided to assist Georgia in assessing the damage caused by Russian military action, including to the Georgian armed forces, and to help restore critical services necessary for normal public life and economic activity," he said.
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 9, 2008 - The Pentagon will send an assessment team to Georgia to determine what role the U.S. should play as the nation's military rebuilds after clashes with Russia, a Defense Department official said today. "The Department of Defense is sending an assessment team to Tbilisi later this week to help us begin to consider carefully Georgia's legitimate needs and our response," Eric S. Edelman, undersecretary of defense for policy, told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
After the assessment, officials will review how the United States will be able to support the reconstruction of Georgia, including armed forces aid, Edelman told the lawmakers.
Officials in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi reportedly are eager to rebuild a Georgian military that folded as Russian forces invaded the breakaway province of South Ossetia early last month after an attack by Georgian forces. Russian troops reportedly remain in the former Soviet republic in defiance of a cease-fire deal reached Aug. 13.
President Bush last week pledged to provide $1 billion in nonmilitary aid to Georgia, which supplements the more than 2 million pounds of humanitarian supplies the United States military has delivered over previous weeks. But Edelman's statements today mark the first time a defense policy official's public endorsement of U.S. aid to Georgia has included a military reconstruction component.
"Georgia, like any sovereign country, should have the ability to defend itself and deter renewed aggression," he said. "There should not be any question about whether Georgia is entitled to military assistance from the United States or, indeed, from NATO or any of the NATO allies."
Edelman said the United States has played a significant role for several years in preparing Georgian forces to conduct counterterrorism missions, but offered no indication of what type of military aid the United States might provide in the future.
A separate assessment team currently in Georgia is sizing up the losses sustained by the military, Edelman said.
"They're looking at various aspects of this, trying to assess first the damage to the Georgian military forces, understand what has been lost in terms of equipment and facilities, and get some sense of the scope of what it would take to just rebuild that capability," he said of the assessment team in Georgia now.
Edelman urged that the United States be "measured and calibrated" in its response. He added that the United States "does not seek a new Cold War."
"It requires, first, understanding the situation in terms of capability that exists, capability that might need to be built and reaching some understanding with Georgia about what capabilities it thinks it needs and how they might be employed," he said of the sequenced response.
NATO, which created an ad hoc group Aug. 19 to oversee the alliance's relationship with Georgia, will send an additional assessment team to help shape the organization's response, Edelman said.
"NATO has also decided to assist Georgia in assessing the damage caused by Russian military action, including to the Georgian armed forces, and to help restore critical services necessary for normal public life and economic activity," he said.
China-Russia Security Relations: Strategic Parallelism without Partnership or Passion?
This report argues that, although Chinese-Russian relations have improved along several important dimensions, security cooperation between Beijing and Moscow has remained limited, episodic, and tenuous. The two governments support each other on select issues but differ on others. Since these interests conflict as well as coincide, the relationship is not necessarily moving in an anti-American direction. Although no action undertaken by these two great powers is insignificant and Washington must continue to monitor carefully developments in Beijing and Moscow, thus far their fitfully improving ties have not presented a major security challenge to the United States or its allies. Nevertheless, the radical changes in great power relations during the past century—-which also witnessed major transformations in ties between Beijing and Moscow, from allies in the 1950s to armed adversaries in the 1960s—-behooves U.S. Army and other national security planners to anticipate the potential for major discontinuities in Sino-Russian relations. Above all, American officials need to pursue a mixture of “shaping and hedging” policies that aim to avert a hostile Chinese-Russian alignment while concurrently preparing the United States to better counter such a development should it nevertheless arise despite American efforts.
READ ON
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?PubID=868
READ ON
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?PubID=868
New Service Announced for Wounded Warriors, Families and Caregivers
DoD announced today that the Military OneSource service has established a Wounded Warrior Resource Center telephone number and e-mail address for service members and their families, if they have concerns or other difficulties during their recovery process.
Service members and their family members can now call (800) 342-9647 or e-mail wwrc@militaryonesource.com 24/7 to request support. Assistance provided by the resource center will not replace the specialized wounded warrior programs established by each of the Military services, but it will offer another avenue of assistance for Military facilities, health care services, and/or benefits information.
“The department is committed to aggressively addressing the needs of our service members and their families," said Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates.
Specially trained consultants will ensure consistent, quality customer-centric support. The consultants will identify the appropriate "warm hand-off" to either a Military service or federal agency with authority to resolve the matter. The resource center consultant will maintain communication with the caller until the issue or concern is resolved.
"The term 'wounded warrior' encompasses the entire population of wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans," said Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Michael L. Dominguez.
The Wounded Warrior Resource Center meets the requirements of Section 1616 of the "National Defense Authorization Act Fiscal Year 2008" for a centralized number and ensures wounded families and caregivers have a number to call at any time.
Service members and their family members can now call (800) 342-9647 or e-mail wwrc@militaryonesource.com 24/7 to request support. Assistance provided by the resource center will not replace the specialized wounded warrior programs established by each of the Military services, but it will offer another avenue of assistance for Military facilities, health care services, and/or benefits information.
“The department is committed to aggressively addressing the needs of our service members and their families," said Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates.
Specially trained consultants will ensure consistent, quality customer-centric support. The consultants will identify the appropriate "warm hand-off" to either a Military service or federal agency with authority to resolve the matter. The resource center consultant will maintain communication with the caller until the issue or concern is resolved.
"The term 'wounded warrior' encompasses the entire population of wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans," said Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Michael L. Dominguez.
The Wounded Warrior Resource Center meets the requirements of Section 1616 of the "National Defense Authorization Act Fiscal Year 2008" for a centralized number and ensures wounded families and caregivers have a number to call at any time.
Florida Guardsmen Help Key West Prepare for Ike
By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 9, 2008 - The skies were clear and the weather balmy, but the normally bustling streets of Florida's southernmost city were practically empty. This popular tourist destination was quiet and devoid of visitors yesterday afternoon, evidence that most had heeded a mandatory evacuation order for visitors in the lower Keys.
As Hurricane Ike churned across Cuba more than 100 miles to the south, only a few people ignored the warnings, staying to enjoy fishing and the beach.
A Florida National Guard Special Forces team patrolled Key West, helping city workers identify potential areas where water and wind damage could occur from the powerful storm -- a common concern for local emergency officials, since residents and visitors here routinely ignore evacuation orders.
During the day and evening, the four-person team – members of the 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group – visited mobile home parks, marinas and emergency shelters as part of their reconnaissance patrols. At certain locations they catalogued grid coordinates to areas of concern where disaster response teams might need to visit later.
A Special Forces team sergeant, who is not identified due to security concerns about his normal federal mission, said the team was working closely with the local law enforcement and city emergency management officials throughout the mission.
"They are very supportive and appreciative that we're down here," he said of the Key West city officials. "They've given us everything we need to do our mission, including topographical maps."
If Hurricane Ike were to come near Key West, the team – along with another Special Forces team in nearby Key Largo – was prepared to conduct immediate post-storm damage assessments. "Once the storm blows over, we'll be the first ones out to help with reconnaissance in different areas," the sergeant said.
The team sergeant noted his soldiers had performed similar post-storm damage assessments after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, including search-and-rescue missions in the flooded streets.
Key West City Manager Jim Scholl said he and his staff welcome the assistance from the National Guard Special Forces team.
"The Florida National Guard has always been tremendously responsive to this community," Scholl said. "Whether in assisting our efforts in disaster preparedness or response, the National Guard has always been there when we've needed them the most."
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa serves in the Florida National Guard Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 9, 2008 - The skies were clear and the weather balmy, but the normally bustling streets of Florida's southernmost city were practically empty. This popular tourist destination was quiet and devoid of visitors yesterday afternoon, evidence that most had heeded a mandatory evacuation order for visitors in the lower Keys.
As Hurricane Ike churned across Cuba more than 100 miles to the south, only a few people ignored the warnings, staying to enjoy fishing and the beach.
A Florida National Guard Special Forces team patrolled Key West, helping city workers identify potential areas where water and wind damage could occur from the powerful storm -- a common concern for local emergency officials, since residents and visitors here routinely ignore evacuation orders.
During the day and evening, the four-person team – members of the 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group – visited mobile home parks, marinas and emergency shelters as part of their reconnaissance patrols. At certain locations they catalogued grid coordinates to areas of concern where disaster response teams might need to visit later.
A Special Forces team sergeant, who is not identified due to security concerns about his normal federal mission, said the team was working closely with the local law enforcement and city emergency management officials throughout the mission.
"They are very supportive and appreciative that we're down here," he said of the Key West city officials. "They've given us everything we need to do our mission, including topographical maps."
If Hurricane Ike were to come near Key West, the team – along with another Special Forces team in nearby Key Largo – was prepared to conduct immediate post-storm damage assessments. "Once the storm blows over, we'll be the first ones out to help with reconnaissance in different areas," the sergeant said.
The team sergeant noted his soldiers had performed similar post-storm damage assessments after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, including search-and-rescue missions in the flooded streets.
Key West City Manager Jim Scholl said he and his staff welcome the assistance from the National Guard Special Forces team.
"The Florida National Guard has always been tremendously responsive to this community," Scholl said. "Whether in assisting our efforts in disaster preparedness or response, the National Guard has always been there when we've needed them the most."
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa serves in the Florida National Guard Public Affairs Office.)
Face of Defense: Soldier Credits Success to Father's Inspiration
By Army Sgt. Jody Metzger
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 8, 2008 - "Well boys, should we fix the table or make skis out of it?" the father asked, glancing from the broken wooden table to his two young sons. He had chosen to teach a lesson to his children instead of reprimanding them for breaking the table.
Army Maj. Lance Hamilton, who serves here with the 4th Infantry Division, smiles with fondness when remembering moments like this that remind him of the happiness he shared with his father, Stan Hamilton.
Growing up in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., the Hamilton brothers batted, swam, ran and tackled their way through their younger years. Thanks to their civil rights activist father, they remained steadfast and loyal to academics. Stan's philosophy for his sons was that if you didn't get A's, you didn't participate in sports.
Hearing that ultimatum as a boy motivated Hamilton to pursue scholastic endeavors for the reward of being able to play sports. As gifted athletes, Hamilton and his brother, Harry, were excellent football players, playing all the way through high school. Harry earned an athletic scholarship to Penn State University; Hamilton wasn't far behind.
After graduating from Penn State, Lance Hamilton went on to study law at Yale University. He serves here as the 4th Infantry Division's deputy staff judge advocate. Looking across his desk nestled within the main headquarters of the 4th Infantry Division and Multinational Division Baghdad, he said he knows his hard work and his father's deep-seated faith have paid off.
Hamilton said he had not set out to join the Army. In fact, after graduating from Yale with a law degree, his dream, like many other young lawyers, was to work for a big law firm. In 1991, shortly after graduation, Hamilton began his clerkship with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Petersburg, Fla. Following the clerkship, he went to work for a law firm.
Then, in 1996, a restless Hamilton got a phone call from his brother, Harry, who surprised him with the news that he had just enlisted into the Army's elite Staff Judge Advocate Corps. Idolizing his brother, Lance set out in his brother's footsteps for a second time in his life and joined the Army.
Looking back on his decision to leave civilian law, he emphasized that he couldn't have made a better choice.
"I had a renewed sense of vigor when I left the private sector and felt like I was serving the greater good again," he said. It's been like living in his father's household again, he noted, "always helping and serving and doing for others."
"And finally being able to do it has felt for me like being put into an elite class," he added.
Serving in the Ivy Division family, Hamilton said, he's found it easy to relate to concepts the division commander, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey W. Hammond, espouses. They're influenced by lessons learned on the football field, a background they share and take great joy in remembering.
Just as his athletic background taught him to succeed as part of a team on the field, those influences have also lent themselves to the staff judge advocate office, Hamilton said.
"Every time I'm in charge of anything or keeping an office of valuable people, I have always taken it back to my athletic roots as far as building a team [is concerned], because if you have a cohesive team working together, then it is much easier to accomplish your mission," he said.
Hamilton said he is captivated by the strong leadership style he sees within the 4th Infantry Division. He noted that Hammond's influence on the division mirrors his own ambition of success and teamwork.
"That is where we get motivation in the office – having good leadership, which always helps," he said. "It's easy for me, because SJA is great. The chain of command, all the way up to the [commanding general], is really oriented about the team concept and taking care of one another."
Army Capt. Liz Waits, an attorney in the staff judge advocate office here, said Hamilton encourages everyone in the office to maintain a balance of work and play.
"He has a great attention to detail," she said. "On one side, he really pushes us to meet a high standard, and on the other, gets us out and playing flag football."
If athletics shaped Hamilton into a success, it was his father's belief in helping others that separate him from the rest, the major said. His father's community service and sense of justice while single-handedly raising his two sons and their young cousin were remarkable, Hamilton said. "My dad always reminded us: 'I don't care how many yards you ran or how many tackles you've done, if you don't think about your fellow man and do something for those less fortunate, than you are nothing in my eyes,'" Hamilton said. "He was always looking for what you are doing for the greater good for society, for your country."
Stan Hamilton -- father, military veteran and civil rights activist -- gave more than he took. His teachings to his sons came from the back-breaking idealism of a street minister whose goal was to help others less fortunate.
"It is all I remember him doing," Hamilton said. "He was running street programs for various churches throughout the community, looking to help those who have fallen through the cracks of society."
The ministry his father spearheaded was dedicated to helping people whom the social services had forgotten or overlooked. Social services, for as much as they helped the community, could not help everyone, Hamilton explained. As a result, the ministry was dedicated to helping those who were left behind.
"My father would do it in a fashion that went beyond what the social services could do for the people. There are a lot of people who didn't qualify for the services. There were always those that wouldn't fit somewhere in the middle, those that have children and are working but not making the cut, and they fall through the cracks. "
The freely smiling Hamilton has won many trophies in his life. Yet, "being the son of an incredible man" is his most treasured reward, he said.
"One day I hope to be half the man he was, and if I am half the man he is, than that would be an accomplishment," he said. "If my sons would feel half as much about me as I feel about my dad, I would leave this place a happy man."
(Army Sgt. Jody Metzger serves in the Multinational Division Baghdad Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 8, 2008 - "Well boys, should we fix the table or make skis out of it?" the father asked, glancing from the broken wooden table to his two young sons. He had chosen to teach a lesson to his children instead of reprimanding them for breaking the table.
Army Maj. Lance Hamilton, who serves here with the 4th Infantry Division, smiles with fondness when remembering moments like this that remind him of the happiness he shared with his father, Stan Hamilton.
Growing up in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., the Hamilton brothers batted, swam, ran and tackled their way through their younger years. Thanks to their civil rights activist father, they remained steadfast and loyal to academics. Stan's philosophy for his sons was that if you didn't get A's, you didn't participate in sports.
Hearing that ultimatum as a boy motivated Hamilton to pursue scholastic endeavors for the reward of being able to play sports. As gifted athletes, Hamilton and his brother, Harry, were excellent football players, playing all the way through high school. Harry earned an athletic scholarship to Penn State University; Hamilton wasn't far behind.
After graduating from Penn State, Lance Hamilton went on to study law at Yale University. He serves here as the 4th Infantry Division's deputy staff judge advocate. Looking across his desk nestled within the main headquarters of the 4th Infantry Division and Multinational Division Baghdad, he said he knows his hard work and his father's deep-seated faith have paid off.
Hamilton said he had not set out to join the Army. In fact, after graduating from Yale with a law degree, his dream, like many other young lawyers, was to work for a big law firm. In 1991, shortly after graduation, Hamilton began his clerkship with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Petersburg, Fla. Following the clerkship, he went to work for a law firm.
Then, in 1996, a restless Hamilton got a phone call from his brother, Harry, who surprised him with the news that he had just enlisted into the Army's elite Staff Judge Advocate Corps. Idolizing his brother, Lance set out in his brother's footsteps for a second time in his life and joined the Army.
Looking back on his decision to leave civilian law, he emphasized that he couldn't have made a better choice.
"I had a renewed sense of vigor when I left the private sector and felt like I was serving the greater good again," he said. It's been like living in his father's household again, he noted, "always helping and serving and doing for others."
"And finally being able to do it has felt for me like being put into an elite class," he added.
Serving in the Ivy Division family, Hamilton said, he's found it easy to relate to concepts the division commander, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey W. Hammond, espouses. They're influenced by lessons learned on the football field, a background they share and take great joy in remembering.
Just as his athletic background taught him to succeed as part of a team on the field, those influences have also lent themselves to the staff judge advocate office, Hamilton said.
"Every time I'm in charge of anything or keeping an office of valuable people, I have always taken it back to my athletic roots as far as building a team [is concerned], because if you have a cohesive team working together, then it is much easier to accomplish your mission," he said.
Hamilton said he is captivated by the strong leadership style he sees within the 4th Infantry Division. He noted that Hammond's influence on the division mirrors his own ambition of success and teamwork.
"That is where we get motivation in the office – having good leadership, which always helps," he said. "It's easy for me, because SJA is great. The chain of command, all the way up to the [commanding general], is really oriented about the team concept and taking care of one another."
Army Capt. Liz Waits, an attorney in the staff judge advocate office here, said Hamilton encourages everyone in the office to maintain a balance of work and play.
"He has a great attention to detail," she said. "On one side, he really pushes us to meet a high standard, and on the other, gets us out and playing flag football."
If athletics shaped Hamilton into a success, it was his father's belief in helping others that separate him from the rest, the major said. His father's community service and sense of justice while single-handedly raising his two sons and their young cousin were remarkable, Hamilton said. "My dad always reminded us: 'I don't care how many yards you ran or how many tackles you've done, if you don't think about your fellow man and do something for those less fortunate, than you are nothing in my eyes,'" Hamilton said. "He was always looking for what you are doing for the greater good for society, for your country."
Stan Hamilton -- father, military veteran and civil rights activist -- gave more than he took. His teachings to his sons came from the back-breaking idealism of a street minister whose goal was to help others less fortunate.
"It is all I remember him doing," Hamilton said. "He was running street programs for various churches throughout the community, looking to help those who have fallen through the cracks of society."
The ministry his father spearheaded was dedicated to helping people whom the social services had forgotten or overlooked. Social services, for as much as they helped the community, could not help everyone, Hamilton explained. As a result, the ministry was dedicated to helping those who were left behind.
"My father would do it in a fashion that went beyond what the social services could do for the people. There are a lot of people who didn't qualify for the services. There were always those that wouldn't fit somewhere in the middle, those that have children and are working but not making the cut, and they fall through the cracks. "
The freely smiling Hamilton has won many trophies in his life. Yet, "being the son of an incredible man" is his most treasured reward, he said.
"One day I hope to be half the man he was, and if I am half the man he is, than that would be an accomplishment," he said. "If my sons would feel half as much about me as I feel about my dad, I would leave this place a happy man."
(Army Sgt. Jody Metzger serves in the Multinational Division Baghdad Public Affairs Office.)
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