AmericasNewsToday.Com /.Org - Industry's First Blog-Format News and Editorial Site2008-07-19T01:11:55Zhttp://blog.americasnewstoday.com/atom.aspxQuick BlogNational Guard Unveils New Lakota Helicopters at Fort Indiantown Gaptag:blog.americasnewstoday.com,2008-07-18:4fed64bd-9e6d-40b4-b31a-2a7c6f30000eAmericasNewsTodayCom2008-07-18T16:40:53Z2008-07-18T16:35:00Z


By AmericasNewsToday.Org staff

Officials at the National Guard’s Eastern Aviation Training Site on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., yesterday unveiled the new UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter, for which they will become the military’s sole trainers.

This central Pennsylvania post will be the only Army training site for the military’s newest light utility helicopter, which entered service in 2006 for homeland security and other non-combat missions, said Army Spc. Matt Jones, a full-time National Guard employee at the site.

Ultimately, the Lakota will replace UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to be transferred for operational missions, as well as the last of the Vietnam-vintage UH-1 Huey helicopters that remain in the military arsenal, Jones said.

The Lakota is the military version of the Eurocopter EC-145 commercial aircraft, designed to fly light general support operations such as civil search and rescue, personnel recovery, evacuation, counter-drug and limited civil command and control operations for the Department of Homeland Security. It carries up to 11 people.

Pilots who fly the twin-turbine aircraft reported it’s a powerful aircraft that handles well in all weather conditions, including storms that most aviators avoid. The Lakota also burns significantly less fuel than the Black Hawk or other similar aircraft, Jones said.

But unlike the Black Hawk, the Lakota is not designed to operate in combat environments and is considered non-deployable, Jones said.

Army Gen. Richard A. Cody, Army vice chief of staff, accepted the Army's first Lakota helicopter during a December 2006 ceremony in Columbus, Miss. Cody said the Lakota "is not only serving as a catalyst for change across the Army, it is also accelerating the speed of Army aviation modernization and integration with other services and government agencies."

The Army National Guard is slated to receive most of the 322 Lakota aircraft to enter the inventory.

The Fort Indiantown Gap training site received its first Lakota aircraft last month and its second about two weeks ago. Army Col. Timothy Hilty, who commands the site, said two more Lakotas are due by the year’s end, with another four arriving by 2012.

Instructors from the Army Aviation Center at Fort Rucker, Ala., and Fort Indiantown Gap are already leading the first training course. A high-tech simulator at the training site and a cockpit trainer with a wrap-around screen provide realistic training conditions, Jones said.

Pennsylvania’s Adjutant General, Army Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, said the Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site has a history of providing excellent training and promised those trained there will receive "the best training possible."

The aircraft will also be available to respond to emergencies, as needed, she said.

Article provided by Donna Miles, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Article photo: The new UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter sits on the tarmac at the National Guard’s Eastern Aviation Training Site at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. The facility will provide all aviator and aircrew training on the new aircraft. Picture provided by the U.S. Department of Defense. DoD photo by Army Pfc. Coltin Heller.


 
]]>Nations ‘Band’ Together in Afghanistantag:blog.americasnewstoday.com,2008-07-18:eab745a1-5476-4f54-a3e3-827ecf68e50eAmericasNewsTodayCom2008-07-18T16:35:06Z2008-07-18T16:33:00Z


By AmericasNewsToday.Org staff

The U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division and Afghan National Army bands met this week for a four-day training event at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

The two units worked together to learn music and foster relationships. The 101st band has been to Kabul, where the Afghan group is located, several times. However, this was the first time the Afghan musicians have come to Bagram.

About 22 Afghan soldiers from a "kandak," or battalion-sized element, stayed with the 101st soldiers.

"The language barrier was the hardest part," said Army Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Hager, commander of the 101st band. "We got through it though; music is a universal language."

Though the language of music may be universal, an interpreter was present for the non-musical communication.

The two bands worked on the Afghan, U.S., French and German anthems as well as "Bravura," a marching tune. They swapped musical tips and helped each other on techniques.

"It was nice to see guys who want to learn," said U.S. Army Sgt. Jeremy Morrison, trumpet section leader for the 101st band in Bagram. "They really want to learn. They ask questions and are eager to better themselves."

The Afghan band is interested in returning for another training event.

"We want to train more," said Mohammed Saliman, a trumpet player in the Afghan army band. "This is the first time we’ve come for training, and it was very wonderful."

Article provided by Army Sgt. Zachary Otto, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

On the Web:
http://www.cjtf101.com,
http://www.nato.int/isaf/.

Article photo: U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Hager, commander of the 101st Airborne Division band, conducts the Afghan National Army band and 101st band during a training event at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan recently. The two units worked together to learn music and foster relationships. Picture provided by the U.S. Department of Defense. DoD photo by Sgt. Zach Otto, 382nd Public Affairs Detachment, U.S. Army.


 
]]>Face of Defense: Commo Specialist ‘Lives Dream’ on Iraq Deploymenttag:blog.americasnewstoday.com,2008-07-18:549b8643-a8a5-463c-937a-e059b9ecba9eAmericasNewsTodayCom2008-07-18T16:33:45Z2008-07-18T16:32:00Z


By AmericasNewsToday.Org staff

Army Sgt. Jason Ruckman had a desire to be part of something that would make a difference. Six years ago, he joined the Army to whet his appetite for adventure, and he has never looked back.

"Since I was in middle school, I’ve always wanted to wear a uniform; I thought they were cool-looking," the Orlando, Fla., native said.

It helped to have a family military history that dated back to World War I, in which his great-grandfather fought. Ruckman’s grandfather served in World War II, and his father in Vietnam. "They always seemed kind of proud about it, so I wanted to do something right for my family," he said. "This was the best thing I could think of."

A 2002 graduate of William R. Boone High School in Orlando, Ruckman joined the Army later that year. He graduated advanced individual training in 2003 as a signal support systems specialist.

Now, "I’ve got the uniform covered; it’s fun to put on. I wanted to do ‘hooah,’ high-speed stuff," he said. "(The recruiter) told me my (job) would put me alongside some sort of a commander, running around with a radio doing high-speed stuff. … That never happened."

Well, it happened; just a little later than he expected.

Ruckman served as his battalion commander’s radio-telephone operator during his first deployment to Iraq in 2005. His recruiter’s promise came to fruition as he traveled with his commander around the battlefield. He said he felt more at home out there than working communications issues on the base.

"I like going out on missions and being in the thick of things. I felt more like I was serving a purpose if I were outside the wire," said the 26-year-old, who is now assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Camp Striker, Iraq).

He said he doesn’t look down upon those whose jobs don’t require them to leave the operating base. "Every (job) in the Army is vital in some way, shape or form, [but] I feel like I have more of a purpose outside the wire than inside the wire.

"I don’t feel like my full potential will be utilized by staying on the [base]," he added.

Staying put is not something Ruckman has to worry about these days. As a brigade commander’s driver, he travels the roads of Iraq on an almost-daily basis. He doesn’t take that lightly.

With two Purple Hearts under his belt, Ruckman knows well the potential dangers of duty in a combat zone. He reluctantly recounted the circumstances surrounding his injuries.

The first, in December 2003, was a result of a suicide car bomber in Tal Afar. The would-be assassin attempted to breach the entry control point of the battalion’s compound with 1,000 pounds of explosives in his vehicle. No one was killed, but 67 were injured.

"It was a real mess," Ruckman remembered, shaking his head as though willing the memory to go away. He walked away with wounds to the face and hands from shards of flying glass.

His second Purple Heart came after an improvised explosive device detonated at a city council building north of Beiji in October 2005. This time he had shrapnel wounds and a broken hand.

Ruckman said the fact that things could have been much worse doesn’t escape him. "I’m thankful (things) turned out the way they did," he said. "It’s kind of tough to talk about the Purple Hearts because I look at some guys … whose physical appearance and capabilities have been impaired for the rest of their lives, and I just got a few scars on me.

"So I don’t like to make a big deal about it because there are those who got Purple Hearts … whose lives were changed and affected by it a lot more than mine."

He said his close calls have given him a definite respect for the dangers soldiers face. He said he’s not afraid to face those dangers head-on in the course of performing his duty, but some fear is healthy.

"If you’re not fearful in some way, … I think there’s something wrong," he said matter-of-factly. "I think a little dose of fear or nervousness is normal. I go out knowing that I have to [go out], and I can see the bigger picture."

The "bigger picture" as far as Ruckman is concerned is making sure elements of the command group get where they need to go safely and without incident. This deployment has been relatively uneventful for the adventure seeker, and that’s okay with him.

Uncertain as to whether he’ll go for a fourth deployment to Iraq or look for a job as an instructor, Ruckman said he’s leaving his options open right now. "I’m not sure what’s next; there are so many possibilities out there," he said. "I really enjoy teaching younger soldiers how to tap into their full capabilities, to watch them rise up and become leaders."

With a family bursting at its seams with pride, Ruckman said he has a wonderful support system on which he can depend. "My dad … is really proud of what I do; my sister loves it, she is both proud and petrified," he said with a laugh. "She shows me off … when I go home. I’m like one of her heroes because of what I do."

His mom is somewhat torn, too, because of the dangers he faces in Iraq. But he said his mom is beside herself with pride. "She always calls me an honorable man," he said.

His older brother is a heavy-wheel mechanic in the Army Reserves, so the tradition continues.

Ruckman initially joined the Army for four years, but he has re-enlisted for five additional years. He said he’s having fun now -- "living the dream," as so many soldiers like to say.

"For a commo guy to be able to go on numerous cordon and knocks, air-assault missions, and patrols is just my dream come true," he said, looking like a kid at Christmas. "I like being able to do a lot of what the infantry guys do."

Not yet willing to commit to being a "lifer" in the Army, Ruckman admitted he can’t think of himself in another profession. "I’m almost afraid of getting out because I wouldn’t know what to do," he said with a shrug. "It probably will end up being my career."

Article provided by Army Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

On the Web:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/.

Article photo: Army Sgt. Jason Ruckman, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Camp Striker), plays with Iraqi children while on a mission in Mahmudiyah, about 35 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, March 18, 2008. Picture provided by the U.S. Department of Defense. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Tony Lindback, U.S. Army.


 
]]>Mail Bridges Distance Between Deployed Soldiers, Familiestag:blog.americasnewstoday.com,2008-07-18:40132c36-c417-4e9e-94c0-16422490490fAmericasNewsTodayCom2008-07-18T16:31:29Z2008-07-18T16:24:00Z



By AmericasNewsToday.Org staff 

When Patton’s tanks rolled across North African desert sands, letters of encouragement, love and support from family back home connected 1st Armored Division soldiers to loved ones left behind.

Today, in the heat of Iraq’s deserts, mail continues to bridge the distance between "Iron Soldiers" and their families. Even in today’s age of advanced technological communications, nothing compares to being able to hold a letter or open a package pieced together with affection by someone at home.

"Even though my wife and I are able to communicate almost daily via the internet, it still brightens my day to open a package from her," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Donald Johnson, deployed from Baumholder, Germany. "To know that her hands held this just days ago makes me feel that we are not so far apart."

It takes hours of work and numerous soldiers to get the mail from its origin to soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division (Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq).

"On an average day, we bring in roughly 8,000 pounds of mail, sending out nearly 1,000 pounds from the soldiers," said Army Sgt. Lamond Jackson, of Los Angeles.

Soldiers serving in war zones are able to send letters to the U.S. free of charge.

Once a piece of mail is shipped to Iraq from anywhere in the United States, it is sent to a central facility in New York. Mail is next received and sorted by soldiers working at Baghdad International Airport. These soldiers then arrange for the mail to be and shipped by convoy to the appropriate base.

Every letter, parcel and package received by the mail handlers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, is sorted into individual units, then, the office or group of each soldier, and finally, by the soldier’s name. It takes each piece of mail an average of five to 10 days to travel from origin to destination, passing through several checkpoints and countless soldiers along the way.

Before the mail passes into the hands of its intended soldier, it goes through the final link in the chain, the unit mail clerk. The unit mail clerk is solely responsible for ensuring that each package is intact, protected and delivered to the correct soldier.

"Being the mail clerk is a big responsibility, because mail is really important for our soldiers," said Army Pfc. Courtney Flaherty, of Pacific, Mass. "I really enjoy being able to perform this job."

No matter what soldiers may encounter during any given day, a little piece of home provides meaning to the sacrifices they make. "Mail is the sole thing I look forward to each day. I love it," said Army Cpl. John Wilson, of New York City. "Just knowing that someone special took the time and effort to write to me makes all this worthwhile."

Article provided by Army Pfc. Michael Schuch, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

On the Web:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com,
http://www.mnci.centcom.mil/.  




 
]]>Department of Defense Contracts, July 18 '08tag:blog.americasnewstoday.com,2008-07-18:c623662a-4433-42b8-9cb5-428334f047a8AmericasNewsTodayCom2008-07-18T15:38:51Z2008-07-18T15:37:00Z


By AmericasNewsToday.Org staff

NAVY

The Boeing Co., Huntington Beach, Calif., is being awarded a $153,511,595 cost-plus-fixed fee completion contract for High Integrity GPS (Global Positioning System) Technology Concept demonstration. The GPS is a local GPS enhancement that leverages the Iridium Low Earth Orbit satellite, constellation which offers significantly improved performance over stand alone GPS today. The program will investigate technologies and design solutions for objective performance of short time to first fix under dynamic user equipment conditions. Work will be performed in Huntington Beach, Calif. (34.3 percent); Philadelphia, Pa. (17.3 percent); St. Louis, Mo. (1.5 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (12.6 percent); Cedar Raids, IA (12.3 percent); Bethesda, Md. (15.3 percent); Washington, D.C. (5.4 percent); Ithaca, N.Y. (.5 percent); Chicago, Ill. (.3 percent) Burlingame, Calif. (.5 percent), and work is expected to be completed January 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $27,778,538 will expire at end of current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under Naval Research Laboratory Broad Agency Announcement 68-07-01. The Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N000173-08-C-2074).

Suntiva, LLC,* Falls Church, Va., is being awarded a $51,918,053 firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract to provide pre-award acquisition planning, document preparation, contract administration, contract close-out, procurement tracking and policy and analysis support. Work will be performed in Quantico, Va., and work is expected to be completed in July 2012. This contract was competitively procured under 8(a), with 17 offers received. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-08-D-0521).

Davis-Paige Management Systems, LLC,* Springfield, Va., is being awarded a $49,691,858 firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract to provide pre-award acquisition planning, document preparation, contract administration, contract close-out, procurement tracking and policy and analysis support. Work will be performed in Quantico, Va., and work is expected to be completed in July 2012. This contract was competitively procured under 8(a), with 17 offers received. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-08-D-0520).

Stratecon LLC,* Washington, D.C., is being awarded a $45,559,951 firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract to provide pre-award acquisition planning, document preparation, contract administration, contract close-out, procurement tracking and policy and analysis support. Work will be performed in Quantico, Va., and work is expected to be completed in July 2012. This contract was competitively procured under 8(a), with 17 offers received. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-08-D-0500).

American Bridge Co., Tampa, Fla., is being awarded a $19,328,600 firm-fixed-price contract for repairs to wharf delta bulkhead at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. The work demolishes portions of the existing steel sheet pile bulkhead, tie-back wale system, concrete pile cap, asphalt/concrete pavement and removes the pneumatic fender system and mooring hardware. Project constructs a new bulkhead with new concrete pile encapsulation and cathodic protection system, backfills behind the new bulkhead, provides new asphalt and concrete wharf pavement and reinstalls the pneumatic fender system and mooring hardware. Work will be performed in Mayport, Fla., and is expected to be completed by February 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 nine offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-08-C-1258; Project number RM001-06).

AOC Support Services LLC*, Chantilly, Va., is being awarded a $8,902,895 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for base operating support services at the Naval Air Facility, El Centro. The contract contains options, which if exercised, will bring the not-to-exceed total contract value to $105,986,469. Work will be performed in El Centro, Calif., and work is expected to be completed September 2009 (September 2018 with options exercised). Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured as a set-aside for small business concerns via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, Public Works, El Centro, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-08-D-2307).

Aero Thermo Technology Inc., Huntsville, Ala., is being awarded a $5,898,712 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide technical, analytical, and program research and development services to support the TRIDENT I and TRIDENT II Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) program and the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) guidance system requirement. This contract contains options, which if exercised, will bring the total contract value to $32,500,000. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Ala. (59 percent); Nashville, Tenn. (20 percent); Honolulu, Hawaii (18 percent); Colorado Springs, Colo. (3 percent), and work is expected to be completed December 2008 (December 2012 with options). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. Strategic Systems Programs, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (N00030-08-C-0030).

ARMY

General Construction Co., Poulsbo, Wash., was awarded on July 16, 2008, a $45,356,900 firm-fixed price construction contract for the construction of a bay spill-wall at the Dailies Dam. Work will be performed in Dallesport, Wash., and is expected to be completed by March 20, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on April 30, 2008, and four bids were received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland, Ore., is the contracting activity (W9127N-08-C-0016).

Jacobs-Tetra Tech EC was awarded on July 17, 2008, a $16,438,169 cost-reimbursable contract for mobilization, demobilization, dredging, treatment and transportation and disposal at Pierce Mill Cove. Work will be performed in New Bedford, Mass., and is expected to be completed by May 26, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Aug. 29, 2002, and five bids were received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Concord, Mass., is the contracting activity (DACW33-03-D-0006).

Alliant Techsystems, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., was awarded on July 17, 2008, a $7,608,465 firm-fixed price contract for production of the M1028 canister cartridge. Work will be performed primarily in Jonesborough, Tenn., as well as other locations across the United States. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Feb. 21, 2008, and two bids were received. The Joint Munitions and Lethality LCMC, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-08-C-0473).

CNI Administration Service, LLC, Albuquerque, N.M., was awarded on July 16, 2008, a $7,470,448 firm-fixed price contract for the design and construction of the Arnold Data Center expansion. Work will be performed in Arnold, Mo., and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on April 14, 2008, and bids were received on April 14, 2008. The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Arnold, Mo., is the contracting activity (HM1575-07-C-0001).

Weeks Marine, Inc., Covington, La., was awarded on July 16, 2008, a $6,802,000 firm-fixed price construction contract for the maintenance dredging of Manteo Bay Oregon Inlet Bridge vicinity. Work will be performed in Dare County, N.C., and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fourteen bids were solicited on June 3, 2008, and three bids were received. Savannah Regional Contracting Center, Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington, N.C., is the contracting activity (W912HN-08-C-0037).

I.L. Fleming, Midway, Ga., was awarded on July 16, 2008, a $6,728,000 firm-fixed price contract for a 30,000 square-foot permanent centralized intermediate repair facility for maintenance of jet engines as required in Base Realignment and Closure directed bed-down of 48 assigned A-10 fighter aircraft. Work will be performed at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 30, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One hundred bids were solicited on April 8, 2008, and six bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-08-C-0038).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Constellation New Energy Gas Division, Louisville, Ky., is being awarded a maximum $18,655,843.34 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for direct supply natural gas delivery. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are federal civilian agencies in the central regions of the United States. There were originally 166 proposals solicited with 37 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance is September 30, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-08-D-7518).

Colorado Jet Center Inc., Colorado Springs, Colo.* is being awarded a maximum $7,690,249.69 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are in Colorado. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies and National Guard. There were originally 3 proposals solicited with 3 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance is September 30, 2012. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-08-D-0019).

AIR FORCE

The Air Force is modifying a cost plus award fee contract with Northrop Grumman System Corp., of San Diego, Calif., for $5,619,379. This action will provide communication systems upgrades for the Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial System. At this time $5,331,503.57 has been obligated. 303 AESG/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (F33657-01-C-4600, P00260). * Small Business.   -    via DoD


 
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