Editor's Note: Would be good listen for sevicemembers consider federal law enforcement career post military service.
On May 15, 2009, Conversations with Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion Special Agent Bob Hamer, FBI (ret.) on his career as an undercover federal agent.
Program Date: May 15, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Fed Undercover - Contract Killer; Weapons Dealer; Pedophile
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/05/16/Fed-Undercover-Contract-Killer-Weapons-Dealer-Pedophile
About the Guest
Special Agent Bob Hamer, Federal Bureau of Investigation (ret.) spent 26 years as a “street agent” for the FBI; many of those years undercover. As an uncover agent he posed as a drug dealer, contract killer, fence, pedophile, degenerate gambler, weapons dealer, and white-collar criminal.
Bob Hamer worked undercover against such diverse groups as La Cosa Nostra, the Sicilian Mafia, Mexican Mafia, Russian Mafia, Asian organized crime groups, and Los Angeles-based street gangs. His successful infiltration of NAMBLA (North American Man/Boy Love Association) resulted in the arrest of what one defendant called eight members of the “inner circle.” He received numerous awards throughout his career including the FBI Director’s Award for Distinguished Service, four United States Attorney Awards for Distinguished Service, and numerous letters of commendation including one from then U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani. Bob Hamer is the author of The Last Undercover: The True Story of an FBI Agent’s Dangerous Dance with Evil.
According to the book description of The Last Undercover: The True Story of an FBI Agent’s Dangerous Dance with Evil, “Bob Hamer tells the story of his life as an undercover agent for the FBI posing as everything from a drug dealer to an aging pedophile. Looking back on a career rich in the kind of action that makes for great cinema, Hamer describes the challenges he endured as he stared the dark side of humanity in the face.”
About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.
About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Law Enforcement Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.
Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/05/16/Fed-Undercover-Contract-Killer-Weapons-Dealer-Pedophile
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Teacher of Year Works to Connect Educators Worldwide
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
May 6, 2009 - The project has been brewing since January, but within a month, the first 400-plus volunteers will begin to provide feedback to the creator of the Department of Defense Education Activity Teacher-to-Teacher project. "It's a virtual networking, learning, growth and development community," Dorothy Goff Goulet, DoDEA's 2009 Teacher of the Year, said. "It's primarily through our Blackboard Academic Suite, but there are a number of external resources that we are making available to teachers DoDEA-wide."
The project has been Goulet's full-time focus since she started her semester-long sabbatical in January. The sabbatical is granted to the teacher of the year to pursue such endeavors.
In light of the interest in the project from the other 54 teachers of the year from school systems throughout the United States and its territories, some of the resources will be made available to any educator, Goulet said. The project has a Wikipedia space and a Google group to help it meet its goal of being a virtual learning community.
Goulet is asking teachers, administrators, school nurses and psychologists to contribute content and ideas, as well as suggestions on how to present the information.
When the site goes live by the end of the month, she expects to have more than 400 volunteers offering feedback and swapping ideas and resources.
"It's like having keys to a supply room," Goulet said. "You can go and use it if you want, and if you see something you could leave behind and contribute, then go right ahead."
Goulet said she'll continue working on the site for the rest of the school year and through the summer before it officially opens to the DoDEA education community in the fall.
The Council of Chief State School Officers, which runs the Teacher of the Year program, brought all 55 teachers to Washington for an education recognition week that began April 27. During that week, Goulet and her fellow teachers of the year attended the ceremony announcing the national teacher of the year in the White House Rose Garden. They also got to have their say with the policymakers at the Education Department.
"We met with policymakers. They actually wanted to hear our opinions on the stimulus money ... the portion of that that's set aside for education," Goulet said. "It was nice to have a voice in that. I think that discussion could have gone two or three days.
"We discussed how ... we would inform reauthorization of the ... No Child Left Behind Act," she continued. "What would it look like if we had our wishes? What changes would there be in terms of college readiness standards and career readiness standards?"
Graduating high school seniors today aren't lacking technological knowledge; that's embedded at this point, Goulet said. Rather, she said, they lack what she describes as "21st century skills," including critical thinking, collaboration, initiative and financial literacy.
This is compounded by the fact that a million high school students will drop out of school this year; the equivalent to one every 26 seconds, she said, citing data from America's Promise, a collaborative network that facilitates volunteer action for children and youth.
Facts like that influenced her message as DoDEA's 2009 Teacher of the Year that real transformation needs to take place, Goulet said.
"I believe that we need transformational leadership," she said. "We're going to be in a lot of trouble in several years if you think about the statistic of dropouts. If our economy is really hurting now, what's it going to be like when it's burdened with millions and millions of people who did not finish high school? We cannot sustain that kind of pressure on our economy."
That transformation has to start in the classroom, she said.
Goulet, a 13-year teaching veteran, taught French and U.S. history at Germany's Kaiserslautern Middle School last semester. She's married to Air Force Lt. Col. Wayne Goulet, who's stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
American Forces Press Service
May 6, 2009 - The project has been brewing since January, but within a month, the first 400-plus volunteers will begin to provide feedback to the creator of the Department of Defense Education Activity Teacher-to-Teacher project. "It's a virtual networking, learning, growth and development community," Dorothy Goff Goulet, DoDEA's 2009 Teacher of the Year, said. "It's primarily through our Blackboard Academic Suite, but there are a number of external resources that we are making available to teachers DoDEA-wide."
The project has been Goulet's full-time focus since she started her semester-long sabbatical in January. The sabbatical is granted to the teacher of the year to pursue such endeavors.
In light of the interest in the project from the other 54 teachers of the year from school systems throughout the United States and its territories, some of the resources will be made available to any educator, Goulet said. The project has a Wikipedia space and a Google group to help it meet its goal of being a virtual learning community.
Goulet is asking teachers, administrators, school nurses and psychologists to contribute content and ideas, as well as suggestions on how to present the information.
When the site goes live by the end of the month, she expects to have more than 400 volunteers offering feedback and swapping ideas and resources.
"It's like having keys to a supply room," Goulet said. "You can go and use it if you want, and if you see something you could leave behind and contribute, then go right ahead."
Goulet said she'll continue working on the site for the rest of the school year and through the summer before it officially opens to the DoDEA education community in the fall.
The Council of Chief State School Officers, which runs the Teacher of the Year program, brought all 55 teachers to Washington for an education recognition week that began April 27. During that week, Goulet and her fellow teachers of the year attended the ceremony announcing the national teacher of the year in the White House Rose Garden. They also got to have their say with the policymakers at the Education Department.
"We met with policymakers. They actually wanted to hear our opinions on the stimulus money ... the portion of that that's set aside for education," Goulet said. "It was nice to have a voice in that. I think that discussion could have gone two or three days.
"We discussed how ... we would inform reauthorization of the ... No Child Left Behind Act," she continued. "What would it look like if we had our wishes? What changes would there be in terms of college readiness standards and career readiness standards?"
Graduating high school seniors today aren't lacking technological knowledge; that's embedded at this point, Goulet said. Rather, she said, they lack what she describes as "21st century skills," including critical thinking, collaboration, initiative and financial literacy.
This is compounded by the fact that a million high school students will drop out of school this year; the equivalent to one every 26 seconds, she said, citing data from America's Promise, a collaborative network that facilitates volunteer action for children and youth.
Facts like that influenced her message as DoDEA's 2009 Teacher of the Year that real transformation needs to take place, Goulet said.
"I believe that we need transformational leadership," she said. "We're going to be in a lot of trouble in several years if you think about the statistic of dropouts. If our economy is really hurting now, what's it going to be like when it's burdened with millions and millions of people who did not finish high school? We cannot sustain that kind of pressure on our economy."
That transformation has to start in the classroom, she said.
Goulet, a 13-year teaching veteran, taught French and U.S. history at Germany's Kaiserslautern Middle School last semester. She's married to Air Force Lt. Col. Wayne Goulet, who's stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
MILITARY CONTRACTS May 6, 2009
NAVY
Azimuth Incorporated, Morgantown, W.V., is being awarded a maximum $10,586,219 cost plus fixed fee, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for the development of enhanced net centric warfare capabilities for Craft Integrated Electronic Systems (CIES). Under past contract N000167-02-C-0060, a CIES with limited situational awareness components and software that is compatible with most craft's baseline electronics was developed. The Navy has a current requirement for the design and test CIES equipment and software for use on current and future unmanned craft and manned craft, such as the Littoral Combat Ship, SEALION I and II, Stiletto, Special Operations Command craft and crafts for the Naval Expeditionary Combatant Command. Work will be performed in Morgantown, W.V., and is expected to be completed by April 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (N65540-09-D-0001).
Military Systems Group, Nashville, Tenn., is being awarded a $7,507,897 GSA firm fixed price delivery order to a previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-1150) for weapons mounts and associated accessories. The modification and subsequent delivery order will provide 4,533 Medium Machine Gun Vehicle Mounts (MMGVM). The M35 MMGVM accepts the M240B and M249 machine guns. Both weapons are designed for use on High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles and trucks as primary or secondary weapon systems. The M35 MMGVM is designed to accept the M249 weapon with forward tri-rail installed including a left and right night vision device. Military Systems Group owns all technical data rights to the M35 MMGVM and has the technical/managerial capability, workforce, and infrastructure to support current and future contracts. Work will be performed in Nashville, Tenn., and delivery is expected within 13 months from the date of the delivery order placement with a completion date by June 2010. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. This contract action was not competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-07-D-1150).
Progeny Systems Corp.*, Manassas, Va., is being awarded a $7,344,290 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-5206) for design agent/engineering services and support for the Navy's AN/UYQ-100 Undersea Warfare Decision Support System (USW DSS). The AN/UYQ-100 USW DSS provides an integrated, near real-time Net-Centric Undersea Warfare (USW) Command and Control (C2) capability across multiple platforms. USW DSS leverages existing communication links, networks, contact pictures and multi-platform sensor data providing an integrated capability to plan, conduct and coordinate USW operations. Work will be performed in Manassas, Va., and is expected to be completed by September 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C. is the contracting activity.
ARMY
McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company, Mesa, Ariz. was awarded on May 1, 2009 a $128,092,947 firm fixed price, cost plus fixed fee contract. This modification awards the Extended Block II + (EBII+) requirement for the Apache Longbow Advanced Attach Helicopter remanufacture program from AH-64A model into AH-64D model aircraft. This award includes eight each United States Government (USG) aircraft, two each United Arab Emirates (UAE) Longbow Crew Trainers (LCT), and various enhancements for the USG LCT program. Options include additional aircraft and Longbow Crew Trainer for the USG. Work is to be performed in Mesa, Ariz. (59%) and St. Louis, Mo. (41%) with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2013. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala. is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-06-C-0093).
PPSC/FBS JV1 Joint Venture, Ocilla, Ga. was awarded on May 1, 2009 a $28,028,479 firm fixed price contract to design and construct modular facilities for the Signal Scholl at Fort Gordon consisting 4-two story reloadable barracks buildings, 131,520 SF, 3 reloadable company headquarters buildings, 13,872 SF and 2 reloadable classroom buildings 6,400 SF. Project includes all infrastructure and utilities. Work is to be performed in Fort Gordon, Ga. with an estimated completion date of Aug. 10, 2009. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga. is the contracting activity (W912HN-09-C-0020).
Banham Construction, LLC, Oklahoma City, Okla. was awarded a $20,660,814 firm fixed price contract to design, site preparation and construction of a single story multi-bay cargo aircraft hangar building (860SF) with concrete foundation and floor stab, structural steel frame and masonry walls with insulated metal roof. Project includes concrete aprons. Offices for personnel, HVAC, utilities, fire protection, lightning system utilities. Install overhead bridge crane system. Work is to be performed in Robins Air Force base with an estimated completion date of Apr. 25, 2011. One hundred (100) bids were proposed and 3 proposals received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga. is the contracting activity (W912HN-09-C-0012).
Inland Dredging Company, LLC., Dyersburg, Tenn. was awarded on May 4, 2009 a $9,836,882 firm fixed price contract for flood control, Mississippi River and tributaries, Yazoo Basin, Mississippi, Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, Upper Yazoo Projects, Item 7A, channel improvement. Work is to be performed in Tallahatchie County, Miss. with an estimated completion date of Nov. 16, 2010. Bids were solicited using FedBizOpps with four bids received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg District, Vicksburg, Miss, is the contracting activity (W912EE-09-C-0006).
Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC, Thousand Oaks, Calif. was awarded on May 1. 2009 a $ 8,275,593 cost plus fixed fee contract for research on the DARPA Terahertz (THz) Electronic Program, Teledyne will develop Terahertz Electronics for Transceiver Arrays; specifically, Receivers and Exciters at carrier frequencies of 670 GHz, 850 GHz, and 1030 GHz. Work is to be performed in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (69.84%), Santa Barbara, Calif. (12.8%), Tewksbury, Mass. (1.36%), La Jolla, Calif. (3.02%), and Pasadena, Calif. (13.70%) with an estimated completion date of Apr. 30, 2011. Unlimited bids were solicited with 9 bids received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is the contracting activity (HR0011-09-C-0060).
Azimuth Incorporated, Morgantown, W.V., is being awarded a maximum $10,586,219 cost plus fixed fee, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for the development of enhanced net centric warfare capabilities for Craft Integrated Electronic Systems (CIES). Under past contract N000167-02-C-0060, a CIES with limited situational awareness components and software that is compatible with most craft's baseline electronics was developed. The Navy has a current requirement for the design and test CIES equipment and software for use on current and future unmanned craft and manned craft, such as the Littoral Combat Ship, SEALION I and II, Stiletto, Special Operations Command craft and crafts for the Naval Expeditionary Combatant Command. Work will be performed in Morgantown, W.V., and is expected to be completed by April 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (N65540-09-D-0001).
Military Systems Group, Nashville, Tenn., is being awarded a $7,507,897 GSA firm fixed price delivery order to a previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-1150) for weapons mounts and associated accessories. The modification and subsequent delivery order will provide 4,533 Medium Machine Gun Vehicle Mounts (MMGVM). The M35 MMGVM accepts the M240B and M249 machine guns. Both weapons are designed for use on High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles and trucks as primary or secondary weapon systems. The M35 MMGVM is designed to accept the M249 weapon with forward tri-rail installed including a left and right night vision device. Military Systems Group owns all technical data rights to the M35 MMGVM and has the technical/managerial capability, workforce, and infrastructure to support current and future contracts. Work will be performed in Nashville, Tenn., and delivery is expected within 13 months from the date of the delivery order placement with a completion date by June 2010. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. This contract action was not competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-07-D-1150).
Progeny Systems Corp.*, Manassas, Va., is being awarded a $7,344,290 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-5206) for design agent/engineering services and support for the Navy's AN/UYQ-100 Undersea Warfare Decision Support System (USW DSS). The AN/UYQ-100 USW DSS provides an integrated, near real-time Net-Centric Undersea Warfare (USW) Command and Control (C2) capability across multiple platforms. USW DSS leverages existing communication links, networks, contact pictures and multi-platform sensor data providing an integrated capability to plan, conduct and coordinate USW operations. Work will be performed in Manassas, Va., and is expected to be completed by September 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C. is the contracting activity.
ARMY
McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company, Mesa, Ariz. was awarded on May 1, 2009 a $128,092,947 firm fixed price, cost plus fixed fee contract. This modification awards the Extended Block II + (EBII+) requirement for the Apache Longbow Advanced Attach Helicopter remanufacture program from AH-64A model into AH-64D model aircraft. This award includes eight each United States Government (USG) aircraft, two each United Arab Emirates (UAE) Longbow Crew Trainers (LCT), and various enhancements for the USG LCT program. Options include additional aircraft and Longbow Crew Trainer for the USG. Work is to be performed in Mesa, Ariz. (59%) and St. Louis, Mo. (41%) with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2013. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala. is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-06-C-0093).
PPSC/FBS JV1 Joint Venture, Ocilla, Ga. was awarded on May 1, 2009 a $28,028,479 firm fixed price contract to design and construct modular facilities for the Signal Scholl at Fort Gordon consisting 4-two story reloadable barracks buildings, 131,520 SF, 3 reloadable company headquarters buildings, 13,872 SF and 2 reloadable classroom buildings 6,400 SF. Project includes all infrastructure and utilities. Work is to be performed in Fort Gordon, Ga. with an estimated completion date of Aug. 10, 2009. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga. is the contracting activity (W912HN-09-C-0020).
Banham Construction, LLC, Oklahoma City, Okla. was awarded a $20,660,814 firm fixed price contract to design, site preparation and construction of a single story multi-bay cargo aircraft hangar building (860SF) with concrete foundation and floor stab, structural steel frame and masonry walls with insulated metal roof. Project includes concrete aprons. Offices for personnel, HVAC, utilities, fire protection, lightning system utilities. Install overhead bridge crane system. Work is to be performed in Robins Air Force base with an estimated completion date of Apr. 25, 2011. One hundred (100) bids were proposed and 3 proposals received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga. is the contracting activity (W912HN-09-C-0012).
Inland Dredging Company, LLC., Dyersburg, Tenn. was awarded on May 4, 2009 a $9,836,882 firm fixed price contract for flood control, Mississippi River and tributaries, Yazoo Basin, Mississippi, Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, Upper Yazoo Projects, Item 7A, channel improvement. Work is to be performed in Tallahatchie County, Miss. with an estimated completion date of Nov. 16, 2010. Bids were solicited using FedBizOpps with four bids received. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg District, Vicksburg, Miss, is the contracting activity (W912EE-09-C-0006).
Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC, Thousand Oaks, Calif. was awarded on May 1. 2009 a $ 8,275,593 cost plus fixed fee contract for research on the DARPA Terahertz (THz) Electronic Program, Teledyne will develop Terahertz Electronics for Transceiver Arrays; specifically, Receivers and Exciters at carrier frequencies of 670 GHz, 850 GHz, and 1030 GHz. Work is to be performed in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (69.84%), Santa Barbara, Calif. (12.8%), Tewksbury, Mass. (1.36%), La Jolla, Calif. (3.02%), and Pasadena, Calif. (13.70%) with an estimated completion date of Apr. 30, 2011. Unlimited bids were solicited with 9 bids received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is the contracting activity (HR0011-09-C-0060).
Military Continues to Monitor H1N1 Flu Virus's Path
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
May 6, 2009 - The U.S. military has prepared for years to confront a public health challenge like the H1N1 influenza virus, a senior Defense Department official said here today. "We have been preparing for a situation like this for more than five years and have plans, processes and procedures to respond to a pandemic incident," said Dr. Michael E. Kilpatrick, the Military Health System's director of strategic communications.
"We are confident that established protocols and treatments will be effective in treating this flu, which currently is no more serious that seasonal flu," Kilpatrick said.
Meanwhile, Kilpatrick said, Defense Department officials are closely monitoring the path of the H1N1 flu virus.
Yesterday, the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center reported a total of 24 confirmed H1N1 cases in the U.S. military, including 13 military family members, 10 active-duty servicemembers and one Marine recruit. The cases occurred in Texas and California.
As of today, there are 642 laboratory-confirmed cases of human H1N1 virus infection in 41 states in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CDC officials also said another 845 probable human cases of H1N1 virus infection have been reported from 42 states and the District of Columbia, for a total of 1,487 confirmed and probable cases in 44 states.
Two people in the United States have died from the H1N1 virus, according to the CDC. The World Health Organization said the virus has been reported in 22 other countries.
Symptoms associated with H1N1 flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, symptoms that are similar to those of common flu, Kilpatrick said. People who believe they may have contracted H1N1 should contact their health care provider, who will ascertain whether testing or treatment is required, he added.
Kilpatrick said servicemembers and their families should look for the latest news about the H1N1 virus at the Pandemic Influenza Watchboard at www.dod.mil/pandemicflu, the official Defense Department site for issues related to this topic.
Although the CDC indicates antiviral medications such as Tamiflu or Relenza can be effective, Kilpatrick said, the Defense Department "does not recommend their use unless prescribed by a physician."
"Inappropriate use of these medications could lead to a shortage for those who really need it," Kilpatrick added.
The CDC noted recently that the virus's spread seems to have slowed, and that its effects, for the most part, have been relatively mild, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said May 4.
"As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted over the weekend, we have started to see encouraging signs that this virus may be mild and its spread may be limited," Napolitano said.
Meanwhile, U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry has distributed CDC guidelines for preventing the spread of H1N1 flu to the federal work force. Berry also distributed guidance for federal agencies to protect their work forces and the public and to ensure continuity of operations in the event that they must institute their already-prepared pandemic influenza preparedness plans.
CDC recommends the following actions people can take to stay healthy:
-- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
-- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
-- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
CDC also recommends avoiding close contact with sick people, particularly if they are coughing or sneezing, and to stay home if you're sick to avoid infecting others.
American Forces Press Service
May 6, 2009 - The U.S. military has prepared for years to confront a public health challenge like the H1N1 influenza virus, a senior Defense Department official said here today. "We have been preparing for a situation like this for more than five years and have plans, processes and procedures to respond to a pandemic incident," said Dr. Michael E. Kilpatrick, the Military Health System's director of strategic communications.
"We are confident that established protocols and treatments will be effective in treating this flu, which currently is no more serious that seasonal flu," Kilpatrick said.
Meanwhile, Kilpatrick said, Defense Department officials are closely monitoring the path of the H1N1 flu virus.
Yesterday, the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center reported a total of 24 confirmed H1N1 cases in the U.S. military, including 13 military family members, 10 active-duty servicemembers and one Marine recruit. The cases occurred in Texas and California.
As of today, there are 642 laboratory-confirmed cases of human H1N1 virus infection in 41 states in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CDC officials also said another 845 probable human cases of H1N1 virus infection have been reported from 42 states and the District of Columbia, for a total of 1,487 confirmed and probable cases in 44 states.
Two people in the United States have died from the H1N1 virus, according to the CDC. The World Health Organization said the virus has been reported in 22 other countries.
Symptoms associated with H1N1 flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, symptoms that are similar to those of common flu, Kilpatrick said. People who believe they may have contracted H1N1 should contact their health care provider, who will ascertain whether testing or treatment is required, he added.
Kilpatrick said servicemembers and their families should look for the latest news about the H1N1 virus at the Pandemic Influenza Watchboard at www.dod.mil/pandemicflu, the official Defense Department site for issues related to this topic.
Although the CDC indicates antiviral medications such as Tamiflu or Relenza can be effective, Kilpatrick said, the Defense Department "does not recommend their use unless prescribed by a physician."
"Inappropriate use of these medications could lead to a shortage for those who really need it," Kilpatrick added.
The CDC noted recently that the virus's spread seems to have slowed, and that its effects, for the most part, have been relatively mild, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said May 4.
"As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted over the weekend, we have started to see encouraging signs that this virus may be mild and its spread may be limited," Napolitano said.
Meanwhile, U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry has distributed CDC guidelines for preventing the spread of H1N1 flu to the federal work force. Berry also distributed guidance for federal agencies to protect their work forces and the public and to ensure continuity of operations in the event that they must institute their already-prepared pandemic influenza preparedness plans.
CDC recommends the following actions people can take to stay healthy:
-- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
-- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
-- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
CDC also recommends avoiding close contact with sick people, particularly if they are coughing or sneezing, and to stay home if you're sick to avoid infecting others.
White House Fellowship Includes Five Servicemembers
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
May 6, 2009 - President Barack Obama's administration yesterday announced its White House fellowship finalists, an elite group that includes representatives of the U.S. military. The fellowship, which is the nation's most prestigious program for leadership and public service, offers 30 exceptional men and women experience working at the highest levels of the federal government, according to a White House news release.
Finalists were selected, in part, because of their exceptional record of incorporating service into their professional pursuits, the release states.
Since 1964, when President Lyndon B. Johnson founded the program, White House Fellows have represented a diverse cross-section of professions, including business, medicine, law, the nonprofit sector, media, state government, finance and education. Many have gone on to become leaders in their respective fields, including retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, former commander of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.
The 2009-2010 White House Fellows national finalists with military ties and their hometowns are:
-- Victor Glover, test pilot and project officer, VX-31, Naval Air Weapons Station, Pomona, Calif.;
-- John Green, SEAL Troop Commander, SEAL Team 7; Los Angeles;
-- Robert Lyman, commander of the Air Force's 96th Communications Squadron, Walkersville, Md.
-- Kendric Robbins, executive officer for the Army's Task Force 2-6th Infantry, Albion, Maine.
-- Anthony Russell, press secretary to the commandant of the Coast Guard, Stafford, Va.
American Forces Press Service
May 6, 2009 - President Barack Obama's administration yesterday announced its White House fellowship finalists, an elite group that includes representatives of the U.S. military. The fellowship, which is the nation's most prestigious program for leadership and public service, offers 30 exceptional men and women experience working at the highest levels of the federal government, according to a White House news release.
Finalists were selected, in part, because of their exceptional record of incorporating service into their professional pursuits, the release states.
Since 1964, when President Lyndon B. Johnson founded the program, White House Fellows have represented a diverse cross-section of professions, including business, medicine, law, the nonprofit sector, media, state government, finance and education. Many have gone on to become leaders in their respective fields, including retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, former commander of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.
The 2009-2010 White House Fellows national finalists with military ties and their hometowns are:
-- Victor Glover, test pilot and project officer, VX-31, Naval Air Weapons Station, Pomona, Calif.;
-- John Green, SEAL Troop Commander, SEAL Team 7; Los Angeles;
-- Robert Lyman, commander of the Air Force's 96th Communications Squadron, Walkersville, Md.
-- Kendric Robbins, executive officer for the Army's Task Force 2-6th Infantry, Albion, Maine.
-- Anthony Russell, press secretary to the commandant of the Coast Guard, Stafford, Va.
Former Governors Join North Carolina Heroes Board
By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service
May 6, 2009 - Former North Carolina governors Jim Martin and Jim Hunt have been named as honorary co-chairs of the North Carolina Heroes Fund Statewide Advisory Board, joining other state residents and leaders in showing support for military servicemembers and their families. "The former governors were invited to serve as honorary co-chairs to assist in expanding the reach and exposure of our organization," Scott D. Stone, founder of the North Carolina Heroes Fund, said. "Given the large military community within North Carolina and their long-term support of our troops, they were eager to join the organization. They have both seen the great work we have been doing and felt compelled to lend a hand to our cause."
Created in 2007, the North Carolina Heroes Fund's central mission is to aid North Carolina servicemembers returning from active duty and who may be facing a difficult transition of reuniting with loved ones. The fund also helps those experiencing financial hardships. This year alone, the fund has awarded $13,784 in grants and scholarships to 11 servicemembers in need.
Army reservist Kent Larsen and his wife, Patti, from Spring Lake, N.C., are grateful for the fund's help.
"For a brief period of time, right around the holidays, we were struggling to pay the rent and make van payments," Patti Larsen said. "We have two little boys, and we were just in a bind. The fund collected information from us, saw our need and helped us. They talked to us in a way that was respectful, and our pride was still intact. Through the fund's help, after we got out of our bind, we decided to 'pay it forward' and help another military family in need."
Marine Corps Cpl. Patrick Howard and his wife, JoAnna, of Ellenboro, N.C. also received helped from the fund.
"My husband was injured in Iraq two years ago," JoAnna Howard said. "He retired earlier this year. Things just got pretty tight. I contacted the fund, and they were really helpful. They made our car payments for about three months and paid our utilities. It was just a blessing."
Along with assisting with mortgage and rent payments and donating gift cards for food and clothing, the fund also helps with remodeling homes and making car modifications for injured servicemembers.
"Travel time associated with extended rehabilitation or the remodeling of a home, along with car modifications, are common financial stressors on a military family," Stone said. "We try to assist with all of this. Family support is vital in rehabilitation, and being able to independently get around is important as well."
In addition to financial hardship assistance, the fund has an educational grant program to assist the families of North Carolina servicemembers with the cost of continued education.
"We want to help offset tuition, room and board [and] books and to continue to aid students in pursuing advanced educational degrees," Stone said. "It is with the educational assistance program that we are seeing the greatest return on our investment."
The caliber of students the fund has assisted are in the top 15 percent of their classes, Stone said.
"Many have a parent overseas and are employed part-time to contribute to their overall educational expenses," he continued.
The strong leadership skills of Martin and Hunt and their understanding of military issues, especially financial hardships, will aid in furthering the fund's mission, Stone said.
"The better-known our organization becomes, the more servicemembers will learn of our ability to serve as a resource for support," he said. "We are pleased to welcome former governors Martin and Hunt to our statewide advisory board. Their participation is further evidence of the broad, statewide support of North Carolina's military and their families."
American Forces Press Service
May 6, 2009 - Former North Carolina governors Jim Martin and Jim Hunt have been named as honorary co-chairs of the North Carolina Heroes Fund Statewide Advisory Board, joining other state residents and leaders in showing support for military servicemembers and their families. "The former governors were invited to serve as honorary co-chairs to assist in expanding the reach and exposure of our organization," Scott D. Stone, founder of the North Carolina Heroes Fund, said. "Given the large military community within North Carolina and their long-term support of our troops, they were eager to join the organization. They have both seen the great work we have been doing and felt compelled to lend a hand to our cause."
Created in 2007, the North Carolina Heroes Fund's central mission is to aid North Carolina servicemembers returning from active duty and who may be facing a difficult transition of reuniting with loved ones. The fund also helps those experiencing financial hardships. This year alone, the fund has awarded $13,784 in grants and scholarships to 11 servicemembers in need.
Army reservist Kent Larsen and his wife, Patti, from Spring Lake, N.C., are grateful for the fund's help.
"For a brief period of time, right around the holidays, we were struggling to pay the rent and make van payments," Patti Larsen said. "We have two little boys, and we were just in a bind. The fund collected information from us, saw our need and helped us. They talked to us in a way that was respectful, and our pride was still intact. Through the fund's help, after we got out of our bind, we decided to 'pay it forward' and help another military family in need."
Marine Corps Cpl. Patrick Howard and his wife, JoAnna, of Ellenboro, N.C. also received helped from the fund.
"My husband was injured in Iraq two years ago," JoAnna Howard said. "He retired earlier this year. Things just got pretty tight. I contacted the fund, and they were really helpful. They made our car payments for about three months and paid our utilities. It was just a blessing."
Along with assisting with mortgage and rent payments and donating gift cards for food and clothing, the fund also helps with remodeling homes and making car modifications for injured servicemembers.
"Travel time associated with extended rehabilitation or the remodeling of a home, along with car modifications, are common financial stressors on a military family," Stone said. "We try to assist with all of this. Family support is vital in rehabilitation, and being able to independently get around is important as well."
In addition to financial hardship assistance, the fund has an educational grant program to assist the families of North Carolina servicemembers with the cost of continued education.
"We want to help offset tuition, room and board [and] books and to continue to aid students in pursuing advanced educational degrees," Stone said. "It is with the educational assistance program that we are seeing the greatest return on our investment."
The caliber of students the fund has assisted are in the top 15 percent of their classes, Stone said.
"Many have a parent overseas and are employed part-time to contribute to their overall educational expenses," he continued.
The strong leadership skills of Martin and Hunt and their understanding of military issues, especially financial hardships, will aid in furthering the fund's mission, Stone said.
"The better-known our organization becomes, the more servicemembers will learn of our ability to serve as a resource for support," he said. "We are pleased to welcome former governors Martin and Hunt to our statewide advisory board. Their participation is further evidence of the broad, statewide support of North Carolina's military and their families."
Face of Defense: NCO Piano Man Brings Calm Over Camp
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Stacia ZacharyAmerican Forces Press Service
May 6, 2009 - Strains of classical music stream from the doorway of a weather-beaten building at this forward operating base in the middle of the Afghan countryside. Housed within those whitewashed walls is a lone Army and Air Force Exchange Service store. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Began, a member of the Paktia Provincial Reconstruction Team, is responsible for stocking the shelves and seeing to the needs of those on FOB Gardez. He also has taken on the responsibility of bringing a little culture to this desolate base at the foot of an Afghan mountainside.
"There is little to come by here, but people donate supplies on their way out or the extra goodies from packages from home that get mailed in," said Began, a Lancaster, Pa., native who is finishing up his 6-year enlistment. "Someone needs to be here to make sure what little we have is available. It's the small comforts of home that are stocked."
The store isn't a busy place, and Began found he had time on his hands. Intent on making the most out of it, he started learning to play the piano.
"In January, I decided that I would teach myself how to play, so I ordered some beginner books and started to learn how to read music," he said. "Once I felt comfortable with the notes, I started out with easy Christmas music. At first, it took almost a minute to find each key."
After a while, Began decided to move on to other types of music. After hearing some classical music, he decided to learn a ballad by Ludwig van Beethoven. Before long, that became too easy, and he moved on to the concerto version of "Fur Elise."
It is this melody that can be heard most often streaming from the listing doorway, and it attracts the attention of the FOB's wayfarers.
"I like the spirit of [the music]," said Army 1st Lt. Justin Roman of the 549th Military Police Company here. "It takes discipline to [learn the piano], and is a very productive use of his time. It's important to make the most out of this time away from home."
A self-described jack-of-all-trades, Began is on his third deployment in support of the war on terrorism. On all three deployments, he has been tasked as an Army asset. During his first deployment to Iraq, he provided convoy security as a driver and later as a .50-caliber gunner for anyone who needed a gun truck when leaving the confines of the base. On the second deployment, Began was stationed in Kuwait as a line-haul truck driver.
Both previous deployments dealt Began his fair share of frustration, often without an outlet to relieve the stresses of everyday life dealing with difficult missions and different personalities.
"On my last deployment, I was angry for an entire month, and it took me a while to get over a lot of things," he said. "On this deployment, I was reaching that point where I was getting angry at certain situations, so when this opportunity presented itself for me to do something for me, I took it. Teaching myself how to play the piano has given me a certain calm that is helping me get through this deployment."
One night in the early stages of learning the basic fundamentals of playing the piano, a storm knocked out his building's power. The pale-green glow of the keys generated by his keyboard's reserve battery allowed the sergeant to continue playing.
"Only the shadows of the keys were visible, but there was enough light that I continued to play," he said. "In that moment, alone in the dark with the rain pouring down, I was able to forget where I was. It was so peaceful."
With only a few months left on his enlistment, Began already has set his mind on his next adventure.
"This will be my last deployment, and that's a good thing," he said. "I have learned a lot about myself and what I want [in life] from my time wearing this uniform. I'm ready to move on to college and other pursuits. Life is short, and being [in Afghanistan] has shown me I need to experience everything life throws my way."
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary serves with the U.S. Air Forces Central Combat Camera News Team.)
Chairman Recognizes National Military Appreciation Month
American Forces Press Service
May 6, 2009 - America's gratitude inspires the members of its armed forces, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a message he issued to commemorate May as National Military Appreciation Month. Here is Navy Adm. Mike Mullen's message:
"Despite the challenges of two wars and numerous other engagements around the globe, America's military is stronger than ever. Our military is strong because our Nation stands behind them. Whether they are your neighbors, friends, or family members, all make life-changing sacrifices, and all are worthy of our eternal thanks.
"Gratitude from an appreciative Nation – not just during this month, but always – inspires courage and peace of mind for those whose charge it is to keep the peace. Remembering those who sacrificed everything – as well as their families – and continuing to thank and support our veterans and wounded warriors is crucial to the health of our Armed Forces, and truly, essential to the health of our Nation.
"Throughout this month of May, please take time to thank all those in each Service branch, the National Guard, and Reserves, as well as Defense civilians, retirees, veterans, and their families. They are making a difference – and so can you.
"The Joint Chiefs and I are proud to salute the men, women and families of America's Armed Forces – this month, as well as every day of the year."
May 6, 2009 - America's gratitude inspires the members of its armed forces, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a message he issued to commemorate May as National Military Appreciation Month. Here is Navy Adm. Mike Mullen's message:
"Despite the challenges of two wars and numerous other engagements around the globe, America's military is stronger than ever. Our military is strong because our Nation stands behind them. Whether they are your neighbors, friends, or family members, all make life-changing sacrifices, and all are worthy of our eternal thanks.
"Gratitude from an appreciative Nation – not just during this month, but always – inspires courage and peace of mind for those whose charge it is to keep the peace. Remembering those who sacrificed everything – as well as their families – and continuing to thank and support our veterans and wounded warriors is crucial to the health of our Armed Forces, and truly, essential to the health of our Nation.
"Throughout this month of May, please take time to thank all those in each Service branch, the National Guard, and Reserves, as well as Defense civilians, retirees, veterans, and their families. They are making a difference – and so can you.
"The Joint Chiefs and I are proud to salute the men, women and families of America's Armed Forces – this month, as well as every day of the year."
Chinese Vessels Approach Sealift Command Ship in Yellow Sea
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
May 5, 2009 - Chinese fishing vessels closed in on and maneuvered near the USNS Victorious in international waters in the Yellow Sea on May 1, Pentagon officials said today. The Victorious is one of the five ocean surveillance ships that are part of the 25 ships in Military Sealift Command's Special Mission Ships Program.
The vessel was conducting routine operations 170 miles off the coast of China when two Chinese fishing vessels approached, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.
"This was an incident where a couple of Chinese fishing vessels maneuvered close to the Victorious in what was an unsafe manner," Whitman said.
The Victorious took defensive measures as the vessels got close. The Victorious crew sounded the ship's danger alarms and manned fire hoses. They sprayed water at the Chinese vessels, but did not hit them, officials said.
The Victorious requested the assistance of a nearby Chinese government vessel, at which time the fishing vessels departed, Whitman said.
He did not comment on the motive of the Chinese vessels. "That requires you to get inside the heads of the mariners out there," he said. "What is clear is that it is unsafe and dangerous behavior, and it needs to be addressed. We do not want the mariners of any of the vessels out there in jeopardy."
One Chinese vessel approached within 30 yards of the Victorious, officials said. "They are clearly demonstrating unsafe seamanship," Whitman said. "As we have in previous incidents, we'll be developing a way forward to deal with this diplomatically."
On March 8, five Chinese vessels surrounded the USNS Impeccable as it was conducting operations 80 nautical miles off Hainan Island. There have been other incidents where Chinese vessels operated in an unsafe manner around U.S. ocean surveillance ships.
"It's in everybody's interest to ensure that safe procedures on the seas are followed," Whitman said. "This was clearly well into international waters."
Military vessels are not subject to coastal state jurisdiction and do not require the prior consent of the coastal state for activity in the exclusive economic zone.
American Forces Press Service
May 5, 2009 - Chinese fishing vessels closed in on and maneuvered near the USNS Victorious in international waters in the Yellow Sea on May 1, Pentagon officials said today. The Victorious is one of the five ocean surveillance ships that are part of the 25 ships in Military Sealift Command's Special Mission Ships Program.
The vessel was conducting routine operations 170 miles off the coast of China when two Chinese fishing vessels approached, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.
"This was an incident where a couple of Chinese fishing vessels maneuvered close to the Victorious in what was an unsafe manner," Whitman said.
The Victorious took defensive measures as the vessels got close. The Victorious crew sounded the ship's danger alarms and manned fire hoses. They sprayed water at the Chinese vessels, but did not hit them, officials said.
The Victorious requested the assistance of a nearby Chinese government vessel, at which time the fishing vessels departed, Whitman said.
He did not comment on the motive of the Chinese vessels. "That requires you to get inside the heads of the mariners out there," he said. "What is clear is that it is unsafe and dangerous behavior, and it needs to be addressed. We do not want the mariners of any of the vessels out there in jeopardy."
One Chinese vessel approached within 30 yards of the Victorious, officials said. "They are clearly demonstrating unsafe seamanship," Whitman said. "As we have in previous incidents, we'll be developing a way forward to deal with this diplomatically."
On March 8, five Chinese vessels surrounded the USNS Impeccable as it was conducting operations 80 nautical miles off Hainan Island. There have been other incidents where Chinese vessels operated in an unsafe manner around U.S. ocean surveillance ships.
"It's in everybody's interest to ensure that safe procedures on the seas are followed," Whitman said. "This was clearly well into international waters."
Military vessels are not subject to coastal state jurisdiction and do not require the prior consent of the coastal state for activity in the exclusive economic zone.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Chairman Issues Military Spouse Appreciation Day Message
American Forces Press Service
May 5, 2009 - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has issued a message to servicemembers and their families around the world, commemorating May 8 as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Here is the chairman's message:
"Each May, our nation pauses to pay tribute to our past, present and future military spouses. Nothing could be more right, or more honorable, than this. Without our families, those of us in uniform cannot serve. And truly, our spouses serve just as much as we do.
"Despite the strain of nearly eight years of war and numerous critical engagements around the globe, America's military is stronger and more capable than ever. From personal experience, I know that much of that strength comes from our spouses. They are vital to our success. And they make the journey of service – truly one we choose together – so much richer, rewarding, and satisfying.
"Military spouses bear great burdens, but they also know the tremendous difference they are making. That resilience is due not just to the rewards of service – which are great – but also by means of a critical network of support, one that many spouses themselves create.
"Deborah and I have seen and experienced this network ourselves – and believe us – it makes a big difference.
"On behalf of the Joint Chiefs and their families, we are proud to honor this occasion on the eighth of May. The unending service and sacrifice of our military spouses are worthy of both praise and an equally continuous commitment from a grateful nation."
May 5, 2009 - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has issued a message to servicemembers and their families around the world, commemorating May 8 as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Here is the chairman's message:
"Each May, our nation pauses to pay tribute to our past, present and future military spouses. Nothing could be more right, or more honorable, than this. Without our families, those of us in uniform cannot serve. And truly, our spouses serve just as much as we do.
"Despite the strain of nearly eight years of war and numerous critical engagements around the globe, America's military is stronger and more capable than ever. From personal experience, I know that much of that strength comes from our spouses. They are vital to our success. And they make the journey of service – truly one we choose together – so much richer, rewarding, and satisfying.
"Military spouses bear great burdens, but they also know the tremendous difference they are making. That resilience is due not just to the rewards of service – which are great – but also by means of a critical network of support, one that many spouses themselves create.
"Deborah and I have seen and experienced this network ourselves – and believe us – it makes a big difference.
"On behalf of the Joint Chiefs and their families, we are proud to honor this occasion on the eighth of May. The unending service and sacrifice of our military spouses are worthy of both praise and an equally continuous commitment from a grateful nation."
Software Proves Effective in Avoiding Aircraft Crashes
By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service
May 5, 2009 - Leading-edge software technology 25 years in the making by numerous Defense Department agencies and NASA has demonstrated a continuous 98 percent effectiveness rate of eliminating aircraft crashes, a NASA test flight director said. The primary development of the software technology began in 1984 by the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and the Lockheed Martin aeronautical company, said Mark Skoog, test director for the Automatic Collision Avoidance System Fighter Risk Reduction Program at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. Skoog made the comments April 29 on Pentagon Web Radio's "Armed with Science: Research and Applications for the Modern Military."
"We based our test program off of mishap history of fighter aircraft at that time. We did an extensive study with Air Force Safety Center, out of Kirtland Air Force Base, to figure out what sort of mishaps we might be able to prevent with this collision avoidance system," Skoog said. "We found out that of all the mishaps that the F-16 had encountered, our system was able to prevent 98 percent of them."
The 98 percent effectiveness rating was gathered from an extensive evaluation of the F-16 system in 1998, he said.
Today, the program combines all of the subject-matter experts responsible for the technology under the same program so they can capture all of the knowledge that has been developed over the past 25 years and make it available to the aviation community, Skoog said.
ACAT systems sense collision threats, such as terrain or other aircraft, and activate an autopilot that can execute an avoidance maneuver. These systems were developed with three overarching requirements.
"Do no harm, do not interfere, and prevent collisions." he explained.
ACAT systems exhibit a high degree of control authority on the aircraft and use the aircraft's full maneuvering capability. Therefore, the biggest challenge is to ensure that ACAT systems operate "nuisance-free" in a way that does not interfere with the normal operations of the aircraft, Skoog said.
"Aircraft are already out there flying, conducting missions today," he said, "and we don't want to put a system on there that would inhibit them from accomplishing the mission."
In addition, ACAT developers aim to design a system that easily can be adapted to other military aircraft in the future.
"We're trying to create a modular software architecture -- somewhat of a plug-and-play capability for aircraft -- so that it can easily be adapted to other platforms and they can leverage the work that we're doing to the maximum extent possible," Skoog said.
Accompanying Skoog on the 13th "Armed with Science" audio webcast were David "Nils" Larsen from NASA, experienced pilot on both Air Force and Navy air frames, and retired Air Force pilot Kevin Prosser.
"We've got a system that we can field, and that's going to save lives," Prosser said. "We're really excited about that, and I look forward to doing some more flight tests with this program and hopefully getting out in the field soon."
Prosser has been flying fighter jets for more than 20 years. He flew F-15s operationally and did flight tests on the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor.
"I was brand new in the F-16," he said. "I think my first high-risk flight test sortie with Mark, ... I had 70 hours in the F-16 at that time. So, [I was] a fairly experienced F-15 pilot, but inexperienced in the F-16. And, I found myself throwing my body at the ground and seeing if it will avoid the ground."
Larsen has been involved with testing for about a year and a half. Also a retired Air Force pilot, he flew U-2s, F-15s, and even did an exchange tour with the Navy, teaching at their test pilot school and flying F-18s.
"The potential for the future in preventing these collisions with the ground and collisions with other airplanes, that's some pretty neat stuff," Larsen said.
ACAT FRRP is part of a tri-party effort including the Office of the Secretary of Defense's Defense Safety Oversight Council, Air Force Research Laboratory, and NASA.
"We have a very broad team," Skoog said. "What has made this a success is the dedication of a lot of people at various organizations."
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
May 5, 2009 - Leading-edge software technology 25 years in the making by numerous Defense Department agencies and NASA has demonstrated a continuous 98 percent effectiveness rate of eliminating aircraft crashes, a NASA test flight director said. The primary development of the software technology began in 1984 by the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and the Lockheed Martin aeronautical company, said Mark Skoog, test director for the Automatic Collision Avoidance System Fighter Risk Reduction Program at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. Skoog made the comments April 29 on Pentagon Web Radio's "Armed with Science: Research and Applications for the Modern Military."
"We based our test program off of mishap history of fighter aircraft at that time. We did an extensive study with Air Force Safety Center, out of Kirtland Air Force Base, to figure out what sort of mishaps we might be able to prevent with this collision avoidance system," Skoog said. "We found out that of all the mishaps that the F-16 had encountered, our system was able to prevent 98 percent of them."
The 98 percent effectiveness rating was gathered from an extensive evaluation of the F-16 system in 1998, he said.
Today, the program combines all of the subject-matter experts responsible for the technology under the same program so they can capture all of the knowledge that has been developed over the past 25 years and make it available to the aviation community, Skoog said.
ACAT systems sense collision threats, such as terrain or other aircraft, and activate an autopilot that can execute an avoidance maneuver. These systems were developed with three overarching requirements.
"Do no harm, do not interfere, and prevent collisions." he explained.
ACAT systems exhibit a high degree of control authority on the aircraft and use the aircraft's full maneuvering capability. Therefore, the biggest challenge is to ensure that ACAT systems operate "nuisance-free" in a way that does not interfere with the normal operations of the aircraft, Skoog said.
"Aircraft are already out there flying, conducting missions today," he said, "and we don't want to put a system on there that would inhibit them from accomplishing the mission."
In addition, ACAT developers aim to design a system that easily can be adapted to other military aircraft in the future.
"We're trying to create a modular software architecture -- somewhat of a plug-and-play capability for aircraft -- so that it can easily be adapted to other platforms and they can leverage the work that we're doing to the maximum extent possible," Skoog said.
Accompanying Skoog on the 13th "Armed with Science" audio webcast were David "Nils" Larsen from NASA, experienced pilot on both Air Force and Navy air frames, and retired Air Force pilot Kevin Prosser.
"We've got a system that we can field, and that's going to save lives," Prosser said. "We're really excited about that, and I look forward to doing some more flight tests with this program and hopefully getting out in the field soon."
Prosser has been flying fighter jets for more than 20 years. He flew F-15s operationally and did flight tests on the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor.
"I was brand new in the F-16," he said. "I think my first high-risk flight test sortie with Mark, ... I had 70 hours in the F-16 at that time. So, [I was] a fairly experienced F-15 pilot, but inexperienced in the F-16. And, I found myself throwing my body at the ground and seeing if it will avoid the ground."
Larsen has been involved with testing for about a year and a half. Also a retired Air Force pilot, he flew U-2s, F-15s, and even did an exchange tour with the Navy, teaching at their test pilot school and flying F-18s.
"The potential for the future in preventing these collisions with the ground and collisions with other airplanes, that's some pretty neat stuff," Larsen said.
ACAT FRRP is part of a tri-party effort including the Office of the Secretary of Defense's Defense Safety Oversight Council, Air Force Research Laboratory, and NASA.
"We have a very broad team," Skoog said. "What has made this a success is the dedication of a lot of people at various organizations."
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
Service Exchanges Pull Hydroxycut Diet Supplement from Shelves
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
May 5, 2009 - A recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning to consumers has prompted military exchanges to remove the diet supplement Hydroxycut from store shelves, officials said today. Military exchange officials contacted today confirmed that Hydroxycut products have been withdrawn from stores. The products are used by dieters and body builders.
In a May 1 news release, the FDA warned consumers "to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products." Usage of such products, the release stated, is "associated with a number of serious liver injuries."
Officials at the Dallas -based Army and Air Force Exchange Service directed managers to remove Hydroxycut from store shelves by noon May 2, said Judd Anstey, AAFES public relations manager.
The Marine Corps Exchange Service also removed Hydroxycut products from its stores in response to the FDA warning, said Bryan Driver, a spokesman for Marine Corps Community Services, based at Quantico, Va.
Navy Exchange stores removed Hydroxycut products from shelves on May 1, said Kristine Sturkie, a public affairs specialist for Navy Exchange Service Command at Virginia Beach, Va.
Patrons of Defense Commissary Agency grocery stores needn't worry about Hydroxycut, said Ronald Kelly, chief of DeCA's public affairs directorate based at Fort Lee, Va. "We do not carry the product in our inventory," he said.
The maker of Hydroxycut, the FDA release stated, agreed to pull the diet supplement off the market. The FDA release lists a number of products subject to the consumer warning.
American Forces Press Service
May 5, 2009 - A recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning to consumers has prompted military exchanges to remove the diet supplement Hydroxycut from store shelves, officials said today. Military exchange officials contacted today confirmed that Hydroxycut products have been withdrawn from stores. The products are used by dieters and body builders.
In a May 1 news release, the FDA warned consumers "to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products." Usage of such products, the release stated, is "associated with a number of serious liver injuries."
Officials at the Dallas -based Army and Air Force Exchange Service directed managers to remove Hydroxycut from store shelves by noon May 2, said Judd Anstey, AAFES public relations manager.
The Marine Corps Exchange Service also removed Hydroxycut products from its stores in response to the FDA warning, said Bryan Driver, a spokesman for Marine Corps Community Services, based at Quantico, Va.
Navy Exchange stores removed Hydroxycut products from shelves on May 1, said Kristine Sturkie, a public affairs specialist for Navy Exchange Service Command at Virginia Beach, Va.
Patrons of Defense Commissary Agency grocery stores needn't worry about Hydroxycut, said Ronald Kelly, chief of DeCA's public affairs directorate based at Fort Lee, Va. "We do not carry the product in our inventory," he said.
The maker of Hydroxycut, the FDA release stated, agreed to pull the diet supplement off the market. The FDA release lists a number of products subject to the consumer warning.
Airline Offers $1 Military Fares
American Forces Press Service
May 5, 2009 - In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, JetBlue is offering active duty military personnel $1 fares for domestic, nonstop flights, for a limited time, departing from the two JetBlue cities nearest to the nation's capital: Washington Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Va., and Richmond International Airport in Richmond, Va. The airline also will donate $15,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization that honors and empowers wounded warriors.
To take advantage of the offer, servicemembers must book between today and May 7, or while seats last, for travel between May 8 and May 31 from Dulles or Richmond to any JetBlue destination in the continental United States served nonstop from those airports. Proof of eligibility is required. The fare is available to active-duty servicemembers only; retirees, reservists and military families are not eligible for this offer.
Nonstop destinations served by JetBlue from Dulles include Boston; Los Angeles/Long Beach and Oakland, Calif.; Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Fla.; and New York/JFK. Nonstop destinations from Richmond include: Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and New York/JFK.
Upon check-in, military travelers must present a valid Department of Defense common access card and official documentation at the JetBlue service counter verifying authorized leave from duty to show proof of active status. Travel booked with this offer is not eligible for online flight check-in or at an airport kiosk. Failure to present these documents will void the reservation, officials said.
Officials emphasized that tickets for the special fare cannot be purchased online or at the airport service counter. Servicemembers are responsible for applicable taxes and fees.
To book the $1 fare, call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583) and select Option 4.
May 5, 2009 - In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, JetBlue is offering active duty military personnel $1 fares for domestic, nonstop flights, for a limited time, departing from the two JetBlue cities nearest to the nation's capital: Washington Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Va., and Richmond International Airport in Richmond, Va. The airline also will donate $15,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization that honors and empowers wounded warriors.
To take advantage of the offer, servicemembers must book between today and May 7, or while seats last, for travel between May 8 and May 31 from Dulles or Richmond to any JetBlue destination in the continental United States served nonstop from those airports. Proof of eligibility is required. The fare is available to active-duty servicemembers only; retirees, reservists and military families are not eligible for this offer.
Nonstop destinations served by JetBlue from Dulles include Boston; Los Angeles/Long Beach and Oakland, Calif.; Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Fla.; and New York/JFK. Nonstop destinations from Richmond include: Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and New York/JFK.
Upon check-in, military travelers must present a valid Department of Defense common access card and official documentation at the JetBlue service counter verifying authorized leave from duty to show proof of active status. Travel booked with this offer is not eligible for online flight check-in or at an airport kiosk. Failure to present these documents will void the reservation, officials said.
Officials emphasized that tickets for the special fare cannot be purchased online or at the airport service counter. Servicemembers are responsible for applicable taxes and fees.
To book the $1 fare, call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583) and select Option 4.
Shipper-Supplied Security is Best Defense Against Pirates, Flournoy Says
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
May 5, 2009 - The U.S. military will continue its efforts to help thwart acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia, but merchant-ship-supplied security is the best short-term defense, a senior Defense Department official told Capitol Hill legislators here today. "Our goal is to encourage all vessels to take appropriate security measures to protect themselves from pirates," Michele Flournoy, undersecretary of defense for policy, told Senate Armed Services Committee members.
"We will continue to respond when U.S.-flagged vessels and U.S. citizens are attacked by pirates," Flournoy continued. "But when ships have effective on-board security measures in place, the vast majority of attempted pirate attacks can be thwarted without any need for military intervention."
Therefore, the U.S. military's main task with regard to piracy, Flournoy said, is "to help commercial carriers turn their ships into hard targets."
About 78 percent of pirate attacks on merchant vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden between Somalia and Yemen were thwarted by the ships' crews, Flournoy pointed out.
More than 33,000 vessels transit the Gulf of Aden area each year, Flournoy said. In 2008, she said, pirates achieved 42 successful attacks out of 122 attempts. And the relatively low instance of pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden region, Flournoy said, "does have implications for how we allocate military resources." Military or law enforcement interventions, she noted, played a role in thwarting pirates in only 22 percent of unsuccessful assaults.
"This highlights the fact that the single most effective short-term response to piracy will be working with merchant shipping lines to ensure that the vessels in the region take appropriate security measures," Flournoy said. Such security measures, she said, can be passive or active in nature.
Passive anti-pirate security measures may include maintaining good communications with maritime security authorities, varying routes, avoiding high-risk areas, removal of external ladders, posting look-outs, limiting lighting, rigging barriers and other tactics, she said.
Commercial shipping companies also may opt to adopt active anti-pirate security measures, Flournoy said, such as rigging fire hoses to repel pirates or maintaining professional civilian armed security teams aboard ships.
The U.S. Congress could be engaged to offer tax credits so merchant shipping firms could more easily invest in anti-pirate measures, Flournoy said.
From the Defense Department's viewpoint, Flournoy said, confronting piracy off the coast of Somalia involves components of deterrence, disruption and interdiction, and prosecution. However, she said, combating piracy in the Gulf of Aden region is a challenging endeavor for several reasons:
-- The geographic area is vast; the Somalia-based pirates operate in a region of more than one million square nautical miles, making it difficult for naval or law enforcement authorities to reach the scene of a pirate attack quickly enough to thwart it.
-- The causes of Somali piracy are rooted to the poverty and instability that continues to plague that country.
-- International law recognizes a country's right to arrest pirates and put them on trial. However, some nations still lack a viable system of laws or an effective judicial system to prosecute pirates.
-- Many merchant shipping firms believe, unrealistically, that military forces always will be present to thwart pirate attacks. Consequently, many firms are unwilling to make investments to outfit their vessels with anti-pirate security measures.
Most merchant vessels plying the Gulf of Aden's waters that are prepared and equipped to thwart pirate attacks successfully do so, Navy Vice Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., the Joint Chiefs of Staff's director for strategic plans and policy, told committee members.
"The majority of ships, notably those with high access points and reasonable rates of speed," Winnefeld said, "are able to defend themselves quite well, without any kind of assistance, using the relatively simple passive measures that we've discussed."
Meanwhile, the U.S. military will continue its longer-term efforts to prevent and punish those who commit piracy off Somalia's coast, Flournoy said.
"We will work with allies and regional states to develop their capacity to control the seas and protect their own shipping and we will encourage them to take any steps necessary to prosecute pirates in their own courts," Flournoy said. "And we will work, when possible, with Somali authorities to address the on-shore components of piracy – tracking pirates' investors and safe havens.”
American Forces Press Service
May 5, 2009 - The U.S. military will continue its efforts to help thwart acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia, but merchant-ship-supplied security is the best short-term defense, a senior Defense Department official told Capitol Hill legislators here today. "Our goal is to encourage all vessels to take appropriate security measures to protect themselves from pirates," Michele Flournoy, undersecretary of defense for policy, told Senate Armed Services Committee members.
"We will continue to respond when U.S.-flagged vessels and U.S. citizens are attacked by pirates," Flournoy continued. "But when ships have effective on-board security measures in place, the vast majority of attempted pirate attacks can be thwarted without any need for military intervention."
Therefore, the U.S. military's main task with regard to piracy, Flournoy said, is "to help commercial carriers turn their ships into hard targets."
About 78 percent of pirate attacks on merchant vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden between Somalia and Yemen were thwarted by the ships' crews, Flournoy pointed out.
More than 33,000 vessels transit the Gulf of Aden area each year, Flournoy said. In 2008, she said, pirates achieved 42 successful attacks out of 122 attempts. And the relatively low instance of pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden region, Flournoy said, "does have implications for how we allocate military resources." Military or law enforcement interventions, she noted, played a role in thwarting pirates in only 22 percent of unsuccessful assaults.
"This highlights the fact that the single most effective short-term response to piracy will be working with merchant shipping lines to ensure that the vessels in the region take appropriate security measures," Flournoy said. Such security measures, she said, can be passive or active in nature.
Passive anti-pirate security measures may include maintaining good communications with maritime security authorities, varying routes, avoiding high-risk areas, removal of external ladders, posting look-outs, limiting lighting, rigging barriers and other tactics, she said.
Commercial shipping companies also may opt to adopt active anti-pirate security measures, Flournoy said, such as rigging fire hoses to repel pirates or maintaining professional civilian armed security teams aboard ships.
The U.S. Congress could be engaged to offer tax credits so merchant shipping firms could more easily invest in anti-pirate measures, Flournoy said.
From the Defense Department's viewpoint, Flournoy said, confronting piracy off the coast of Somalia involves components of deterrence, disruption and interdiction, and prosecution. However, she said, combating piracy in the Gulf of Aden region is a challenging endeavor for several reasons:
-- The geographic area is vast; the Somalia-based pirates operate in a region of more than one million square nautical miles, making it difficult for naval or law enforcement authorities to reach the scene of a pirate attack quickly enough to thwart it.
-- The causes of Somali piracy are rooted to the poverty and instability that continues to plague that country.
-- International law recognizes a country's right to arrest pirates and put them on trial. However, some nations still lack a viable system of laws or an effective judicial system to prosecute pirates.
-- Many merchant shipping firms believe, unrealistically, that military forces always will be present to thwart pirate attacks. Consequently, many firms are unwilling to make investments to outfit their vessels with anti-pirate security measures.
Most merchant vessels plying the Gulf of Aden's waters that are prepared and equipped to thwart pirate attacks successfully do so, Navy Vice Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., the Joint Chiefs of Staff's director for strategic plans and policy, told committee members.
"The majority of ships, notably those with high access points and reasonable rates of speed," Winnefeld said, "are able to defend themselves quite well, without any kind of assistance, using the relatively simple passive measures that we've discussed."
Meanwhile, the U.S. military will continue its longer-term efforts to prevent and punish those who commit piracy off Somalia's coast, Flournoy said.
"We will work with allies and regional states to develop their capacity to control the seas and protect their own shipping and we will encourage them to take any steps necessary to prosecute pirates in their own courts," Flournoy said. "And we will work, when possible, with Somali authorities to address the on-shore components of piracy – tracking pirates' investors and safe havens.”
U.S. Sea Supremacy Permits Naval Budget Shifts, Lynn Says
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
May 5, 2009 - The United States' maritime supremacy allows the Defense Department to slow production of sea-based defense systems, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said today at the Navy League's annual Sea-Air-Space Exposition in Oxon Hill, Md. Lynn addressed the group days before the department is slated to submit its budget proposal to Congress. Echoing remarks Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates made last month when announcing his budget recommendations, Lynn said the new fiscal breakdown reflects the need to balance traditional and unconventional capabilities.
"The United States stands alone unsurpassed on, above and below the seas," Lynn said. "One consideration as we rebalance the department's priorities is that the military dominance that we enjoy is greater in some areas than in others. We look for ways to strengthen irregular warfare capabilities while maintaining the overwhelming edge we enjoy in conventional capabilities."
In terms of tonnage, the U.S. battle fleet is far larger than any potential combination of adversaries, and no other fleet can match the reach or combat power of a single American carrier battle group, he said.
The defense budget that is slated to reach Congress this week recommends shifting the Navy aircraft carrier program to a five-year build cycle to place it on a more "fiscally sustainable" path. This will result in 10 carriers after 2040, defense officials said.
The department also proposes delaying the Navy "CG-X" next-generation cruiser program to revisit its requirements and acquisition strategy. To allow more time to assess costs and analyze its necessity, Gates also proposed delaying the amphibious ship and sea-basing programs known as the 11th landing platform dock ship and the mobile landing platform ship until fiscal 2011.
Meanwhile, the department plans to use the budget to place greater emphasis on the Navy's ability to conduct nontraditional missions.
"The Navy must be ready for counterinsurgency and other irregular operations, which means dealing with nonstate actors at sea or near shore or with a swarm of speed boats sent by military groups from hostile countries," Lynn said.
Accordingly, Gates proposed improving the Navy's intertheater lift capacity by increasing the charter of joint high-speed vessel ships from two to four until the department's production program begins deliveries in 2011.
The defense secretary recommended buying more littoral combat ships – a key capability for presence, stability and counterinsurgency operations in coastal regions – from two to three ships in fiscal 2010, with the long-term goal of eventually acquiring 55 such ships.
"The requirement is predominance, for speed, it's the ability maneuver in shallow waters," Lynn said. "The ship that best fills this bill is the LCS, which, despite its past development problems, is a versatile ship that can be turned on a dime, go places that are either too shallow or too dangerous.
"And as we've seen off the coast of Somalia, it does not take a big ship to carry out anti-piracy missions," he said, referring to the U.S. Navy-led rescue of an American ship captain kidnapped by Somali pirates off the Horn of Africa.
"American people our more aware today of our maritime forces than they have been in a long time," he said. "Piracy off the Horn of Africa and the dedicated actions of our skilled and brave Navy SEALs have reminded us of why we have sea services."
Lynn underscored the role U.S. maritime forces have played in operations since Sept. 11, 2001.
"The first thing is to acknowledge how grateful we are to the men and women of the Marines, the Navy and the Coast Guard since Sept. 11, 2001," he said. "They have been engaged in operations around the world to defeat terrorist groups and to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The progress we've made owes so much to their skill, their dedication and too often, to their sacrifices," he said.
American Forces Press Service
May 5, 2009 - The United States' maritime supremacy allows the Defense Department to slow production of sea-based defense systems, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said today at the Navy League's annual Sea-Air-Space Exposition in Oxon Hill, Md. Lynn addressed the group days before the department is slated to submit its budget proposal to Congress. Echoing remarks Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates made last month when announcing his budget recommendations, Lynn said the new fiscal breakdown reflects the need to balance traditional and unconventional capabilities.
"The United States stands alone unsurpassed on, above and below the seas," Lynn said. "One consideration as we rebalance the department's priorities is that the military dominance that we enjoy is greater in some areas than in others. We look for ways to strengthen irregular warfare capabilities while maintaining the overwhelming edge we enjoy in conventional capabilities."
In terms of tonnage, the U.S. battle fleet is far larger than any potential combination of adversaries, and no other fleet can match the reach or combat power of a single American carrier battle group, he said.
The defense budget that is slated to reach Congress this week recommends shifting the Navy aircraft carrier program to a five-year build cycle to place it on a more "fiscally sustainable" path. This will result in 10 carriers after 2040, defense officials said.
The department also proposes delaying the Navy "CG-X" next-generation cruiser program to revisit its requirements and acquisition strategy. To allow more time to assess costs and analyze its necessity, Gates also proposed delaying the amphibious ship and sea-basing programs known as the 11th landing platform dock ship and the mobile landing platform ship until fiscal 2011.
Meanwhile, the department plans to use the budget to place greater emphasis on the Navy's ability to conduct nontraditional missions.
"The Navy must be ready for counterinsurgency and other irregular operations, which means dealing with nonstate actors at sea or near shore or with a swarm of speed boats sent by military groups from hostile countries," Lynn said.
Accordingly, Gates proposed improving the Navy's intertheater lift capacity by increasing the charter of joint high-speed vessel ships from two to four until the department's production program begins deliveries in 2011.
The defense secretary recommended buying more littoral combat ships – a key capability for presence, stability and counterinsurgency operations in coastal regions – from two to three ships in fiscal 2010, with the long-term goal of eventually acquiring 55 such ships.
"The requirement is predominance, for speed, it's the ability maneuver in shallow waters," Lynn said. "The ship that best fills this bill is the LCS, which, despite its past development problems, is a versatile ship that can be turned on a dime, go places that are either too shallow or too dangerous.
"And as we've seen off the coast of Somalia, it does not take a big ship to carry out anti-piracy missions," he said, referring to the U.S. Navy-led rescue of an American ship captain kidnapped by Somali pirates off the Horn of Africa.
"American people our more aware today of our maritime forces than they have been in a long time," he said. "Piracy off the Horn of Africa and the dedicated actions of our skilled and brave Navy SEALs have reminded us of why we have sea services."
Lynn underscored the role U.S. maritime forces have played in operations since Sept. 11, 2001.
"The first thing is to acknowledge how grateful we are to the men and women of the Marines, the Navy and the Coast Guard since Sept. 11, 2001," he said. "They have been engaged in operations around the world to defeat terrorist groups and to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The progress we've made owes so much to their skill, their dedication and too often, to their sacrifices," he said.
Monday, May 04, 2009
MILITARY CONTRACTS May 4, 2009
NAVY
Lockheed Martin MS2, Manassas, Va., is being awarded awarding a $39,373,147 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-6207) for Acoustic Rapid Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Insertions (A-RCI) Hardware consisting of Phase III, IV, V insertions, pre-cable kits, spares, production support, and legacy replacement systems, pre-cable kits, and spares. A-RCI is a sonar system upgrade that integrates and improves Towed Array, Hull Array, Sphere Array, and other ship sensor processing through rapid insertion of COTS-based hardware and software. It has already been successfully integrated into the first ten ships of the Va., Class which have now begun a modernization program and the procurement of new construction systems for the next four ships. Work will be performed in Manassas, Va., (65 percent) and Clearwater, Fla., (35 percent) and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command is the contracting activity.
Airborne Tactical Advantage Co., Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $14,461,045 modification to a previously awarded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract (N00019-02-D-3158) to exercise an option for airborne threat simulation capabilities to train shipboard and aircraft squadron weapon systems operators and aircrew how to counter potential enemy electronic warfare and electronic attack operations in today's electronic combat environment. Work will be performed in Point Mugu, Calif., (44 percent); Newport News, Va., (42 percent); Honolulu, Hawaii, (9 percent); and throughout various other countries (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in Jun. 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.
L-3 Services, Inc., Mount Laurel, N.J., is being awarded a $8,830,652 firm fixed priced, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to provide technical and engineering support services to the Naval Air Warfare Center's Structures Division. Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Md., and is expected to be completed in May 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $987,143 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via electronic request for proposal, and one offer was received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-09-D-0009).
Head, Incorporated,* Columbus, Ohio, was awarded a $6,001,740 firm fixed price contract on Apr. 30, 2009, for runway repairs at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas. The contractor will required to perform milling and asphalt overlayment of three primary airfield runways, the placement of steel plates in the runway, paving at the arresting gear systems on all four runways, and cured-in-place lining of storm and sanitary drain lines below the runways. The contract also contains eight unexercised options, which if exercise, will increase cumulative contract value to $12,764,970. Work will be performed in Kingsville, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Apr. 26, 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-09-C-0761).
The Boeing Co., Wichita, Kan., is being awarded a $5,989,487 cost plus fixed price delivery order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-05-G-0026) for the supplies and services necessary to plan, manage, and execute engineering support for the U.S. Navy's E-6B aircraft Service Life Sustainment effort. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, Okla., 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.
Joyce & Associates Construction, Inc.*, Newport, N.C., is being awarded $5,570,223 for firm fixed price task order #0097 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-09-D-1908) for major interior and exterior repairs to BEQS G540, G541, G542, G543 and G544, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune. The work to be performed provides for complete renovation including masonry and concrete repairs, window and door replacement, construction of new sloped wood-truss roof system and major mechanical and electrical renovation. Work also includes removal of lead and asbestos contaminated materials and new interior and exterior finishes and incidental related work. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2011. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online Website with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Fisher Scientific Co., LLC, Pittsburgh, Pa., is being awarded a maximum $8,000,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for laboratory supply distribution. Other locations of performance are Mass., Ill., Calif., Ken., Del., Col., Texas, N.J., Puerto Rico, N.Y., N.M., Wash., Ga., Md., and N.C. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The original proposal was solicited on Dibbs with eight responses. This contract covers a one year base period with four one-year option periods. The date of performance completion is May 3, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM2DE-09-D-7340).
Allied Joint Venture, Hialeah, Fla.*, is being awarded a maximum $3,000,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity, indefinite delivery, total set aside contract for medical and surgical items delivery. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was one proposal originally solicited with one response. This contract covers a one year base period with four one-year option periods. The date of performance completion is May 3, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM2DE-09-D-7601).
Lockheed Martin MS2, Manassas, Va., is being awarded awarding a $39,373,147 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-6207) for Acoustic Rapid Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Insertions (A-RCI) Hardware consisting of Phase III, IV, V insertions, pre-cable kits, spares, production support, and legacy replacement systems, pre-cable kits, and spares. A-RCI is a sonar system upgrade that integrates and improves Towed Array, Hull Array, Sphere Array, and other ship sensor processing through rapid insertion of COTS-based hardware and software. It has already been successfully integrated into the first ten ships of the Va., Class which have now begun a modernization program and the procurement of new construction systems for the next four ships. Work will be performed in Manassas, Va., (65 percent) and Clearwater, Fla., (35 percent) and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command is the contracting activity.
Airborne Tactical Advantage Co., Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $14,461,045 modification to a previously awarded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract (N00019-02-D-3158) to exercise an option for airborne threat simulation capabilities to train shipboard and aircraft squadron weapon systems operators and aircrew how to counter potential enemy electronic warfare and electronic attack operations in today's electronic combat environment. Work will be performed in Point Mugu, Calif., (44 percent); Newport News, Va., (42 percent); Honolulu, Hawaii, (9 percent); and throughout various other countries (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in Jun. 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.
L-3 Services, Inc., Mount Laurel, N.J., is being awarded a $8,830,652 firm fixed priced, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to provide technical and engineering support services to the Naval Air Warfare Center's Structures Division. Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Md., and is expected to be completed in May 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $987,143 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via electronic request for proposal, and one offer was received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-09-D-0009).
Head, Incorporated,* Columbus, Ohio, was awarded a $6,001,740 firm fixed price contract on Apr. 30, 2009, for runway repairs at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas. The contractor will required to perform milling and asphalt overlayment of three primary airfield runways, the placement of steel plates in the runway, paving at the arresting gear systems on all four runways, and cured-in-place lining of storm and sanitary drain lines below the runways. The contract also contains eight unexercised options, which if exercise, will increase cumulative contract value to $12,764,970. Work will be performed in Kingsville, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Apr. 26, 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-09-C-0761).
The Boeing Co., Wichita, Kan., is being awarded a $5,989,487 cost plus fixed price delivery order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-05-G-0026) for the supplies and services necessary to plan, manage, and execute engineering support for the U.S. Navy's E-6B aircraft Service Life Sustainment effort. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, Okla., 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.
Joyce & Associates Construction, Inc.*, Newport, N.C., is being awarded $5,570,223 for firm fixed price task order #0097 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-09-D-1908) for major interior and exterior repairs to BEQS G540, G541, G542, G543 and G544, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune. The work to be performed provides for complete renovation including masonry and concrete repairs, window and door replacement, construction of new sloped wood-truss roof system and major mechanical and electrical renovation. Work also includes removal of lead and asbestos contaminated materials and new interior and exterior finishes and incidental related work. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2011. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online Website with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Fisher Scientific Co., LLC, Pittsburgh, Pa., is being awarded a maximum $8,000,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for laboratory supply distribution. Other locations of performance are Mass., Ill., Calif., Ken., Del., Col., Texas, N.J., Puerto Rico, N.Y., N.M., Wash., Ga., Md., and N.C. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The original proposal was solicited on Dibbs with eight responses. This contract covers a one year base period with four one-year option periods. The date of performance completion is May 3, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM2DE-09-D-7340).
Allied Joint Venture, Hialeah, Fla.*, is being awarded a maximum $3,000,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity, indefinite delivery, total set aside contract for medical and surgical items delivery. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was one proposal originally solicited with one response. This contract covers a one year base period with four one-year option periods. The date of performance completion is May 3, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM2DE-09-D-7601).
After 60 Years, NATO Still Committed to Shaping Security Environment
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
May 4, 2009 - Sixty years after its inception, NATO remains committed to helping to shape the security environment, the alliance's chief of staff said. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union -- NATO's long-time ideological and military rival -- the 28-member collective security group currently is redefining itself, German Gen. Karl-Heinz Lather, chief of staff at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, said last week in an interview and roundtable discussion with military bloggers.
"I think we are an alliance which is redefining itself, which is helping and shaping the security environment to safeguard the freedom of our citizens and increase security around the world," Lather said.
On the heels of NATO's historic 60th anniversary and summit in early April, Lather discussed some important recent developments to the alliance.
"We welcomed two new members, Croatia and Albania, and we welcomed France back into our integrated structures, where they have not been in for the past 30 years or so," he said. "In doing so, I think we reaffirmed our open-door policy to those who want to be members of the alliance."
He added: "We continue to advance the democracy throughout Europe and to get another step forward to what one of the visions of NATO is, which is a Europe whole and free."
The general noted that the summit in Strasbourg, France, and Kehl, Germany, produced the selection of the next NATO secretary general, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
The April 3-4 summit also saw members pledge more finances and personnel to the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan – a move that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates characterized as a "pleasant surprise."
NATO members promised to finance and provide more security -- including 3,000 more personnel -- for the Afghan election in August, to send 300 additional military trainers and mentors, and 70 NATO embedded training teams to help grow the Afghan National Army. Other pledges include $500 million for civilian assistance and $100 million in support of the Afghan army.
"For the Europeans to have pledged an additional 3,000 or so troops plus the trainers, I think, was a significant achievement," said Gates, who did not attend the summit due to defense budget obligations here.
Lather said the commitments sounded an important message.
"We signaled a continued determination to stay the course in Afghanistan, even if all members don't see everything in the same way," he said. "But that's what an alliance is about."
The alliance faces significant challenges, not least of which include shaping the organization to meet operational and institutional needs within an increasingly dynamic security environment, the general said. But he expressed optimism at the alliance's ability to adapt to these 21st century requirements.
"What NATO does on the ground today, I think, is a visible demonstration to the world, to our peoples, of our willingness to act in the name of collective security for those peoples," he said. "NATO demonstrates its importance in today's environment, and we do that each and every day."
American Forces Press Service
May 4, 2009 - Sixty years after its inception, NATO remains committed to helping to shape the security environment, the alliance's chief of staff said. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union -- NATO's long-time ideological and military rival -- the 28-member collective security group currently is redefining itself, German Gen. Karl-Heinz Lather, chief of staff at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, said last week in an interview and roundtable discussion with military bloggers.
"I think we are an alliance which is redefining itself, which is helping and shaping the security environment to safeguard the freedom of our citizens and increase security around the world," Lather said.
On the heels of NATO's historic 60th anniversary and summit in early April, Lather discussed some important recent developments to the alliance.
"We welcomed two new members, Croatia and Albania, and we welcomed France back into our integrated structures, where they have not been in for the past 30 years or so," he said. "In doing so, I think we reaffirmed our open-door policy to those who want to be members of the alliance."
He added: "We continue to advance the democracy throughout Europe and to get another step forward to what one of the visions of NATO is, which is a Europe whole and free."
The general noted that the summit in Strasbourg, France, and Kehl, Germany, produced the selection of the next NATO secretary general, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
The April 3-4 summit also saw members pledge more finances and personnel to the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan – a move that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates characterized as a "pleasant surprise."
NATO members promised to finance and provide more security -- including 3,000 more personnel -- for the Afghan election in August, to send 300 additional military trainers and mentors, and 70 NATO embedded training teams to help grow the Afghan National Army. Other pledges include $500 million for civilian assistance and $100 million in support of the Afghan army.
"For the Europeans to have pledged an additional 3,000 or so troops plus the trainers, I think, was a significant achievement," said Gates, who did not attend the summit due to defense budget obligations here.
Lather said the commitments sounded an important message.
"We signaled a continued determination to stay the course in Afghanistan, even if all members don't see everything in the same way," he said. "But that's what an alliance is about."
The alliance faces significant challenges, not least of which include shaping the organization to meet operational and institutional needs within an increasingly dynamic security environment, the general said. But he expressed optimism at the alliance's ability to adapt to these 21st century requirements.
"What NATO does on the ground today, I think, is a visible demonstration to the world, to our peoples, of our willingness to act in the name of collective security for those peoples," he said. "NATO demonstrates its importance in today's environment, and we do that each and every day."
Chairman Emphasizes Importance of Personnel in Budget Considerations
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
May 4, 2009 - Getting the defense budget right for servicemembers and their families will be the measure of success, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today. "There's no more important part of that than our people and their families," Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told an audience at the Navy League's 2009 Sea-Air-Space Exposition. "If we get it right for our mid-grade [noncommissioned officers] and we get it right for our young officers, we will get it right for the future of this country from a national security standpoint and for the capabilities that we need no matter what the challenge."
The fiscal 2010 defense budget has been submitted to Congress and soon will be the subject of much testimony by senior military officials, Mullen said.
When he served as the chief of naval operations, Mullen said, an estimated 60 to 70 percent of every dollar the Navy had was connected to personnel. Today, that focus on personnel should include wounded warriors, their families and the families of the fallen, he added.
"They still want to contribute. They want to raise their kids in a nice place. They'd like an education. They want their kids to go to school, and they want to make a difference," Mullen said. "In my view, we cannot do enough for them, and that's a check we ought to write right off the top of our budget to make sure they're taken care of for the rest of their lives."
It's an area where the Defense Department has made great progress, but it still has a long way to go, he said.
The chairman said he considers "people issues" to be his top strategic priority, and fighting the wars the country is in as the top operational priority. That includes shifting the military's focus to Afghanistan, he said.
"As we look at the operational requirements right now, you see us, as a nation, shifting our weight where the main effort is now Afghanistan," he said. "We've got to make it so. We must shift our weight and make it a priority."
Part of making it a priority means breaking down service cultures, the chairman said. War College attendance, career paths or other institutional entities should not impede making Afghanistan the country's No. 1 priority, he said. Mullen noted that today's military is is a combat-hardened force that has maintained an accelerated operations tempo for nearly eight years. In response, he's calling for, among other things, a focus on balance of forces and resources. He said Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has made that clear in his budget recommendations.
"I think Secretary Gates has sent pretty strong signals that programs that are spinning out of control just don't have much of a future," Mullen said. That's also true, he said, for "over-required" programs that are increasing in cost.
"Clearly, there's focus on balance that we need to make sure we get that right," he said. "The characteristics ... which our Special Forces have - an agility, a speed, an adaptability, a precision, a lethality, a small footprint – those are types of characteristics are absolutely vital for our military, not just now, but in the future."
The Navy League's Sea-Air-Space Exposition is a maritime exposition featuring more than 150 Defense industry exhibits and professional seminars. The organization has presented the expo in Washington for more than 40 years.
American Forces Press Service
May 4, 2009 - Getting the defense budget right for servicemembers and their families will be the measure of success, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today. "There's no more important part of that than our people and their families," Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told an audience at the Navy League's 2009 Sea-Air-Space Exposition. "If we get it right for our mid-grade [noncommissioned officers] and we get it right for our young officers, we will get it right for the future of this country from a national security standpoint and for the capabilities that we need no matter what the challenge."
The fiscal 2010 defense budget has been submitted to Congress and soon will be the subject of much testimony by senior military officials, Mullen said.
When he served as the chief of naval operations, Mullen said, an estimated 60 to 70 percent of every dollar the Navy had was connected to personnel. Today, that focus on personnel should include wounded warriors, their families and the families of the fallen, he added.
"They still want to contribute. They want to raise their kids in a nice place. They'd like an education. They want their kids to go to school, and they want to make a difference," Mullen said. "In my view, we cannot do enough for them, and that's a check we ought to write right off the top of our budget to make sure they're taken care of for the rest of their lives."
It's an area where the Defense Department has made great progress, but it still has a long way to go, he said.
The chairman said he considers "people issues" to be his top strategic priority, and fighting the wars the country is in as the top operational priority. That includes shifting the military's focus to Afghanistan, he said.
"As we look at the operational requirements right now, you see us, as a nation, shifting our weight where the main effort is now Afghanistan," he said. "We've got to make it so. We must shift our weight and make it a priority."
Part of making it a priority means breaking down service cultures, the chairman said. War College attendance, career paths or other institutional entities should not impede making Afghanistan the country's No. 1 priority, he said. Mullen noted that today's military is is a combat-hardened force that has maintained an accelerated operations tempo for nearly eight years. In response, he's calling for, among other things, a focus on balance of forces and resources. He said Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has made that clear in his budget recommendations.
"I think Secretary Gates has sent pretty strong signals that programs that are spinning out of control just don't have much of a future," Mullen said. That's also true, he said, for "over-required" programs that are increasing in cost.
"Clearly, there's focus on balance that we need to make sure we get that right," he said. "The characteristics ... which our Special Forces have - an agility, a speed, an adaptability, a precision, a lethality, a small footprint – those are types of characteristics are absolutely vital for our military, not just now, but in the future."
The Navy League's Sea-Air-Space Exposition is a maritime exposition featuring more than 150 Defense industry exhibits and professional seminars. The organization has presented the expo in Washington for more than 40 years.
Gates Trip Aims to Reaffirm Ties With Egypt, Saudi Arabia
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
May 4, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is en route to Egypt and Saudi Arabia for sessions aimed at reaffirming ties with the important regional powers that both have strong military-to-military relationships with the United States. The visits "clearly are all about strengthening relationships with long-time friends," Gates told reporters traveling aboard a military aircraft with him.
The secretary, who last visited both countries a year and a half ago, is expected to focus on regional security issues, including the Middle East peace process and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The trip is Gates' first overseas visit in almost five months, except for a brief NATO conference in Krakow, Poland, in February.
"I felt that it was important to focus on the budget and the strategy relating to the budget," he explained. "And I also thought it was important to stick around Washington and get to know my new colleagues and establish strong relationships with them, which I think I have been able to do."
Now back on the road, Gates said, he'll encourage both Egypt and Saudi Arabia to forge stronger diplomatic ties with Iraq. Recognizing suspicion "about how much influence Iran has in Baghdad," Gates credited the Egyptians with taking "some serious steps forward to re-engage" with the Iraqi government.
"If the Arab world is concerned about Iranian influence, then the way to deal with that is to have more Arab influence in Baghdad – more ambassadors, more engagement with regional security arrangements that involve the Arab states," he said. "So I think one way to allay their concerns if for them to reach out and be a counter-influence in Baghdad. I think that is very important."
Gates said he'll also offer assurances that any U.S. outreach to Iran "will not be at the expense of our long-term relationships with Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states that have been our partners and our friends for decades."
The United States will deal with Iran "in a sensible way, and in a way that hopefully increases the security of everybody in the region, not just us," he said.
"I just think it is important to reassure our friends and allies in the region that while we are willing to reach out to the Iranians -- as the president said, with an open hand -- I think everybody in the administration from the president on down is pretty realistic and will be pretty tough-minded if we still encounter a closed fist," Gates said.
During the first stop of his trip, in Cairo, Gates said, he plans to discuss Egypt's role in the Middle East peace process.
"The Egyptians have played a huge role in terms of the Israeli-Palestinian problem in trying to be a go-between and help move that process forward," he said. "The Egyptians have played a critical role in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations for a long time."
The U.S.-Egyptian bilateral military relationship will be another major agenda item. "We also undoubtedly will talk about smuggling in the Gaza and the programs we are working on together to try and limit that kind of smuggling," Gates said.
A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers team in Egypt is testing advanced tunnel detection systems to be used to stem Palestinian weapons smuggling along Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip. The team also will teach Egyptian security forces how to operate the system, purchased through the military sales program.
During the next leg of the trip, in Saudi Arabia, Gates is likely to discuss its possible role in helping Afghanistan's democratically elected government reconcile with the Taliban. Gates said he'll also encourage continued efforts to influence events in Pakistan.
"Whatever they can do to help bring the Pakistanis together in a broader sense to deal with the challenge for the government in Islamabad obviously would be welcomed," he said.
Gates said he expects the discussions to extend to the deposition of Yemeni detainees now at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. "The Saudis have perhaps the most successful repatriation [and] reeducation program of any country at this point," he said. "So clearly there will be an interest in pursuing that with them."
The secretary turned reminiscent as he anticipated returning to Egypt. He recalled the exact date of his first meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarek – Aug. 4, 1990 – as the United States was preparing to send troops into Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield.
He also remembered his first visit to Egypt 30 years ago, accompanying then-President Jimmy Carter during the final stages of the Camp David peace talks. "So I always look forward to visiting Egypt and rekindling old friendships," he said. "It is basically all about strengthening relationships."
Similarly, Gates said he has made several return visits to Saudi Arabia. "It is good to go back and renew these relationships," he said.
American Forces Press Service
May 4, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is en route to Egypt and Saudi Arabia for sessions aimed at reaffirming ties with the important regional powers that both have strong military-to-military relationships with the United States. The visits "clearly are all about strengthening relationships with long-time friends," Gates told reporters traveling aboard a military aircraft with him.
The secretary, who last visited both countries a year and a half ago, is expected to focus on regional security issues, including the Middle East peace process and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The trip is Gates' first overseas visit in almost five months, except for a brief NATO conference in Krakow, Poland, in February.
"I felt that it was important to focus on the budget and the strategy relating to the budget," he explained. "And I also thought it was important to stick around Washington and get to know my new colleagues and establish strong relationships with them, which I think I have been able to do."
Now back on the road, Gates said, he'll encourage both Egypt and Saudi Arabia to forge stronger diplomatic ties with Iraq. Recognizing suspicion "about how much influence Iran has in Baghdad," Gates credited the Egyptians with taking "some serious steps forward to re-engage" with the Iraqi government.
"If the Arab world is concerned about Iranian influence, then the way to deal with that is to have more Arab influence in Baghdad – more ambassadors, more engagement with regional security arrangements that involve the Arab states," he said. "So I think one way to allay their concerns if for them to reach out and be a counter-influence in Baghdad. I think that is very important."
Gates said he'll also offer assurances that any U.S. outreach to Iran "will not be at the expense of our long-term relationships with Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states that have been our partners and our friends for decades."
The United States will deal with Iran "in a sensible way, and in a way that hopefully increases the security of everybody in the region, not just us," he said.
"I just think it is important to reassure our friends and allies in the region that while we are willing to reach out to the Iranians -- as the president said, with an open hand -- I think everybody in the administration from the president on down is pretty realistic and will be pretty tough-minded if we still encounter a closed fist," Gates said.
During the first stop of his trip, in Cairo, Gates said, he plans to discuss Egypt's role in the Middle East peace process.
"The Egyptians have played a huge role in terms of the Israeli-Palestinian problem in trying to be a go-between and help move that process forward," he said. "The Egyptians have played a critical role in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations for a long time."
The U.S.-Egyptian bilateral military relationship will be another major agenda item. "We also undoubtedly will talk about smuggling in the Gaza and the programs we are working on together to try and limit that kind of smuggling," Gates said.
A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers team in Egypt is testing advanced tunnel detection systems to be used to stem Palestinian weapons smuggling along Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip. The team also will teach Egyptian security forces how to operate the system, purchased through the military sales program.
During the next leg of the trip, in Saudi Arabia, Gates is likely to discuss its possible role in helping Afghanistan's democratically elected government reconcile with the Taliban. Gates said he'll also encourage continued efforts to influence events in Pakistan.
"Whatever they can do to help bring the Pakistanis together in a broader sense to deal with the challenge for the government in Islamabad obviously would be welcomed," he said.
Gates said he expects the discussions to extend to the deposition of Yemeni detainees now at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. "The Saudis have perhaps the most successful repatriation [and] reeducation program of any country at this point," he said. "So clearly there will be an interest in pursuing that with them."
The secretary turned reminiscent as he anticipated returning to Egypt. He recalled the exact date of his first meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarek – Aug. 4, 1990 – as the United States was preparing to send troops into Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield.
He also remembered his first visit to Egypt 30 years ago, accompanying then-President Jimmy Carter during the final stages of the Camp David peace talks. "So I always look forward to visiting Egypt and rekindling old friendships," he said. "It is basically all about strengthening relationships."
Similarly, Gates said he has made several return visits to Saudi Arabia. "It is good to go back and renew these relationships," he said.
Fort Lewis Warrior Transition Battalion Hosts Paralympics Sports Camp
By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service
May 4, 2009 - Wounded warriors will get a chance to compete in sports while working toward their rehabilitation this week when the Warrior Transition Battalion on Fort Lewis, Wash., hosts a Paralympics Military Regional Sports Camp. More than 30 WTB soldiers and veterans are scheduled to participate in the battalion's first-ever Paralympics sports camp May 5-8. The camp will expose them to adaptive sports as part of their recovery and continued transition in life.
"We are thrilled to host the Paralympics Military Regional Sports Camp here, enabling our warriors and other veterans to improve their physical and mental fitness," Army Lt. Col. K.C. Bolton, Warrior Transition Battalion commander, told listeners of the Pentagon's "DotMilDocs" webcast April 30.
Bolton said he considers the battalion's work with U.S. Paralympics one of the most important efforts for his unit and the warriors and veterans they support.
"The camp is a chance for us to showcase the Paralympics movement and get warriors excited about engaging in adaptive sports and maybe inspire them to a lifetime of fitness, regardless of their disability," he said.
Servicemembers and veterans from around the country will descend on Fort Lewis for the two-day competition to motivate wounded warriors in competition, to foster teamwork, and to improve overall fitness.
Coaches from the U.S. Paralympics team will be running the camp, while Fort Lewis is handling all of the logistics required to put on a large-scale regional sports competition.
"For warriors in transition, we sometime have challenges in helping them find their new normal of what their life is going to be, and through sports we are able in a different way get them out and active and understanding 'yeah, I can do that,'" Bolton said. "And, getting over that mental block ... it is easier when we are throwing them into the sports environment."
With the help of U.S. Paralympics, the battalion created the "amazing warriors adaptive sports program," he said, that gives the battalion "a fitness aspect for our comprehensive transition plan."
Bolton expects at least 40 warriors will compete in the first regional sports camp. Ten of them will represent the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Lewis. Adaptive rowing, sitting volleyball, track and field, and swimming are some of the scheduled events.
Sitting volleyball is a favorite. "It is very competitive," he said. "When I was at Colorado Springs, the Paralympians for sit volleyball absolutely crushed me when we were practicing."
Paralympics levels the playing field in sports so even non-disabled compete alongside with those with disabilities, Bolton said.
"We are hoping that we get some Paralympians out of it," he said. "It would be an absolute joy to see one of my former warriors competing at the Olympics in the future."
The Warrior Transition Unit was one of the recommendations outlined in the Army Medical Action Plan to develop a holistic, sustainable system where soldiers are supported, treated and vocationally rehabilitated to prepare them to successfully return to duty or transition to civilian life.
"The camp allows warriors to build upon not only their physical fitness but also their self-confidence, which is in line with our goals for holistic healing," Bolton said.
U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, offers Military Sports Camps in partnership with community groups and military installations for wounded troops. The camps foster the development of sports and fitness programs for wounded and injured military personnel. Additionally, U.S. Paralympics is helping to connect injured military personnel with sports programming in their local communities so they can continue to participate when they return home.
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg is assigned to the New Media Directorate of the Emerging Media Directorate.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
May 4, 2009 - Wounded warriors will get a chance to compete in sports while working toward their rehabilitation this week when the Warrior Transition Battalion on Fort Lewis, Wash., hosts a Paralympics Military Regional Sports Camp. More than 30 WTB soldiers and veterans are scheduled to participate in the battalion's first-ever Paralympics sports camp May 5-8. The camp will expose them to adaptive sports as part of their recovery and continued transition in life.
"We are thrilled to host the Paralympics Military Regional Sports Camp here, enabling our warriors and other veterans to improve their physical and mental fitness," Army Lt. Col. K.C. Bolton, Warrior Transition Battalion commander, told listeners of the Pentagon's "DotMilDocs" webcast April 30.
Bolton said he considers the battalion's work with U.S. Paralympics one of the most important efforts for his unit and the warriors and veterans they support.
"The camp is a chance for us to showcase the Paralympics movement and get warriors excited about engaging in adaptive sports and maybe inspire them to a lifetime of fitness, regardless of their disability," he said.
Servicemembers and veterans from around the country will descend on Fort Lewis for the two-day competition to motivate wounded warriors in competition, to foster teamwork, and to improve overall fitness.
Coaches from the U.S. Paralympics team will be running the camp, while Fort Lewis is handling all of the logistics required to put on a large-scale regional sports competition.
"For warriors in transition, we sometime have challenges in helping them find their new normal of what their life is going to be, and through sports we are able in a different way get them out and active and understanding 'yeah, I can do that,'" Bolton said. "And, getting over that mental block ... it is easier when we are throwing them into the sports environment."
With the help of U.S. Paralympics, the battalion created the "amazing warriors adaptive sports program," he said, that gives the battalion "a fitness aspect for our comprehensive transition plan."
Bolton expects at least 40 warriors will compete in the first regional sports camp. Ten of them will represent the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Lewis. Adaptive rowing, sitting volleyball, track and field, and swimming are some of the scheduled events.
Sitting volleyball is a favorite. "It is very competitive," he said. "When I was at Colorado Springs, the Paralympians for sit volleyball absolutely crushed me when we were practicing."
Paralympics levels the playing field in sports so even non-disabled compete alongside with those with disabilities, Bolton said.
"We are hoping that we get some Paralympians out of it," he said. "It would be an absolute joy to see one of my former warriors competing at the Olympics in the future."
The Warrior Transition Unit was one of the recommendations outlined in the Army Medical Action Plan to develop a holistic, sustainable system where soldiers are supported, treated and vocationally rehabilitated to prepare them to successfully return to duty or transition to civilian life.
"The camp allows warriors to build upon not only their physical fitness but also their self-confidence, which is in line with our goals for holistic healing," Bolton said.
U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, offers Military Sports Camps in partnership with community groups and military installations for wounded troops. The camps foster the development of sports and fitness programs for wounded and injured military personnel. Additionally, U.S. Paralympics is helping to connect injured military personnel with sports programming in their local communities so they can continue to participate when they return home.
(Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg is assigned to the New Media Directorate of the Emerging Media Directorate.)
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