Thursday,Jan 31 2008, 09:01:52 AMNavy Secretary Names Three New Virginia Class Atta

Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter announced today the names of three Virginia class submarines -- the Missouri, California and Mississippi.

  The selection of Missouri honors the continuous support of the military by the people of the "Show Me State," and its leaders. Designated SSN 780, Missouri is the fifth ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the U.S. state. The last Missouri (BB 63), a U.S. Navy battleship, saw action in World War II, Korean War, and the 1991 Gulf War.  Missouri was also the site where Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz and Gen. Douglas MacArthur, and many other U.S. and Allied officers, accepted the unconditional surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War II on Sept. 2, 1945.

  The selection of California, designated SSN 781, honors the thousands of men and women from California who serve in today's Armed Forces, and the millions of Californian veterans and their families. As home to major Naval and Marine Corps installations, the selection of California also reflects the tremendous support provided to the Navy and Marine Corps by countless communities across the Golden State.  This will be the seventh ship to bear the name California.

  The selection of Mississippi, designated SSN 782, is dedicated to the state's long standing tradition of shipbuilding in support of our nation's defense.  It also honors the indomitable spirit of the people of Mississippi who have made great strides in recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.  This fighting spirit will be an inspiration to all sailors who embark aboard Mississippi.  There have been four previous ships named Mississippi. The first Mississippi, a side wheeler, served as Commodore Matthew Perry's flagship for his historic voyage to Japan and fought with Admiral Farragut's forces on the Mississippi River during the Civil War.

  These next-generation attack submarines will provide the Navy with the capabilities it requires to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. They will have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that will enable it to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.

  Missouri, California and Mississippi will be able to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; Special Forces delivery and support; and mine delivery and minefield mapping. With enhanced communications connectivity, the submarines also will provide important battle group and joint task force support, with full integration into carrier battle group operations.

  The Virgnia class is 7,800-tons and 377 feet in length, has a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. It is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship – reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.

  These new, nuclear powered submarines are being built by General Dynamics Electric Boat (Connecticut) and Northrop Grumman Newport News (Virginia). For more information on Virginia class submarines visit:  http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4100&tid=100&ct=4.

Wednesday,Jan 30 2008, 03:53:02 AMCONTRACTS

AIR FORCE

 

Pika-Pirnie JV, LLC of Stafford, Texas, is being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for $50,000,000. This action is for procuring architect-engineer environmental services for the Air Education and Training Command (AETC). The contract is to support the compliance, restoration, pollution prevention, conservation and other environmental programs. Task orders will be issued against the contract to satisfy AETC environmental requirements, such as environmental assessments, natural and cultural resources surveys, community relations plans, etc. At this time no funds have been obligated. AETC CONS/LGCU, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-06-R-0043).

 

Foster Miller-Last Armor of Waltham, Mass., is being awarded a contract for $16,303,636. This action will provide removable armor kits applicable to the C-5 aircraft. Kits will protect air crew and vital aircraft components from small arms fire in hostile areas. Trial kit install – one kit; armor A/B kits 99 kits; monthly status report one Lot. At this time all funds have been obligated. 330th Contracting Aircraft Sustainment Wing, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8525-08-C-0001).

 

McDonnell Douglas Corp. A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Boeing Co. of St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a firm-fixed price contract for $9,113,000. This action will provide FY08 T-38C Avionics Upgrade Program post production support, to continue Air Force Education and Training Command T-38C Training System operations such as providing continuing Avionics Block Update and Sustaining Avionics Upgrade Program Engineering Development Capability. At this time $2,753,524 has been obligated. 663 AESS/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8617-04-C-6153, Agreement P00102).

 

NAVY

 

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. McLean, Va., is being awarded a $10,455,374 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00421-06-C-0003) to exercise an option for technical, engineering, professional and management services in support of the Special Communications Requirements Division of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in support of the Department of Defense, Joint Service, and Federal Agencies programs. The estimated level of effort for this contract is 149,760 man-hours. Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Md., (50 percent); and St. Inigoes, Md., (50 percent), and is expected to be completed in Jan. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, St. Inigoes, Md., is the contracting activity.

 

Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems, Bethesda, Md., is being awarded $5,630,547 for firm-fixed price Task Order #AZ01 under a previously awarded multiple award contract (N62473-07-D-4021) for design, construction, equipment and maintenance of Anti-Terrorism Force Protection upgrades at Naval Station Great Lakes, Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mid-South, and NSA Crane. The total task order amount is not to exceed $13,052,599 (base period and four option years). Work will be performed in Great Lakes, Ill., (80 percent); Millington, Tenn., (10 percent) and Crane, Ind., (10 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Mar.2009 (Jan. 2012 with options). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Midwest, Great Lakes, Ill., is the contracting activity.

 

ARMY

 

CTI and Associates, Inc., Brighton, Mich., was awarded on Jan. 25, 2008, a $10,000,000 firm fixed price or cost plus fixed fee contract for furnishing all plant, labor, materials and equipment necessary for providing response actions at various hazardous waste sites. Work will be performed at various locations based on individual task orders issued during the ordering period of the base contract, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 24, 2013.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  Bids were solicited via ASFI, FED BIZ OPPS and FEDTEDS on Sep. 22, 2006, and 15 were received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity W912DQ-08-D-0031.

Tuesday,Jan 29 2008, 11:25:27 PMCenter Blazes Trail in Afghanistan Emergency Servi

By Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Caldwell, USA

Special to American Forces Press Service

Jan. 28, 2008 - The Joint Provincial Coordination Center in Jalalabad is serving as a model in eastern Afghanistan for synchronizing the efforts of the U.S. forces, Afghan National Police, Afghan Border Police, Afghan National Army, and emergency fire and medical services.  Exchanging information and discussing what they can do to better serve the citizens of the province, provincial law enforcement representatives and Task Force Raptor soldiers meet weekly at the coordination center. While the center's successes are numerous, the highest-profile program thus far has been the implementation of an emergency phone number based on the U.S. 911 system. Dialing 100 in Jalalabad provides quick access to emergency responders 24 hours a day.

"They dial three numbers, and they can talk to the (Afghan National Police)," said Army 1st Lt. Jeff Reed, officer in charge of the Joint Provincial Coordination Center, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 173rd Special Troops Battalion.

"If they need to talk to anybody, if there is anything going on, from this center they can dispatch fire trucks, ambulances, police patrols, or they can just ask questions," Reed said.

The JPCC averages 25 to 50 calls on the 100 number on a normal day. Some days, that number surpasses 100 calls. For now, the majority of the calls are to check whether the number actually works. It does.

Afghan National Police respond to the 10 percent of calls that provide actionable information.

The program is another step forward in Afghanistan's progress, Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey Milhorn, 173rd Special Troops Battalion and Task Force Raptor commander, said.

"Generally, the people are now securing themselves," Milhorn said. "They now have a communications network established that they can tie back to the JPCC immediately and get a relatively rapid response."

As with any new program, obstacles had to be overcome, said Army Staff Sgt. Michael Roth, JPCC noncommissioned officer in charge, assigned to HHC, 173rd STB.

"The initial problems were dealing with the different phone carriers," he said. "Now they have lines for everybody, regardless of whatever phone carrier the people are using. They can call in and make contact."

Afghan National Police Maj. Abdul Gadim said that although crank calls to the toll-free number have been an annoyance in the early going, he's impressed with the success of the program.

"It's fantastic," he said. "It's great. If there's a problem, we can jump on it and help the people."

(Army Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Caldwell serves in public affairs with 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.)

Tuesday,Jan 29 2008, 11:07:57 PMIraqi Security Forces Gain in Capability, Professi

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

Jan. 28, 2008 - Iraqi security forces increasingly demonstrate their professionalism and willingness to step up to protect the Iraqi people, a spokesman for Multinational Corps Iraq told reporters yesterday.  During a briefing in Baghdad, Navy Rear Adm. Gregory J. Smith pointed to numerous signs of progress in training and equipping the Iraqi army and police forces and the greater role these forces now play in Iraq's security.

"We continue to see examples of the increasingly professionalized Iraqi security forces stepping up to protect their people," he said.

Smith noted the gains being made by soldiers, police officers and groups such as "The Awakening" and concerned local citizens. For example, last week in Karmah, an Iraqi army unit discovered two critical stockpiles that together included more than 2,500 pounds of homemade explosives.

"The Iraqi army, being on the ground and among its people, saved an unknown number of lives with this find," Smith said.

In a similar incident, Iraqi soldiers operating northeast of Ramadi responded to a tip from a local citizen and recovered a stockpile of plastic explosives, rocket and mortar rounds, detonating cords and ammunition.

"These finds happen every day, and ... in every corner of Iraq," Smith said. "As Operation Phantom Phoenix continues, we are seeing Iraq's commitment to its security forces produce real results."

Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces continue to grow and increase in capability, Smith said.

More than 1,800 new police officers recently graduated from the National Police Training Center in Numaniyah, Smith noted. The officers received individualized, specialized instruction and education, with some focusing on anti-terrorism operations and others in investigations.

"These officers will enrich and expand the capabilities of their nation's security forces," Smith said. "All of these officers have pledged their loyalty to the united, democratic Iraq. They have expressed their commitment to all the people of Iraq. And they have bravely chosen to stand with those who want a better tomorrow instead of violence and anarchy offered by Iraq's enemies."

In addition, more than 2,000 newly trained police officers have graduated from the Habbaniyah Police Training Center in Anbar province since it opened in June, Smith said. That school offers three specialized schools: one in convoy operations and street survivability, another train-the-trainer school designed to equip the Iraqi police to educate and lead on their own, and an officers' transition integration program.

"These capabilities matter and are having positive effects in the lines of Iraqi citizens," Smith said.

Iraq's enemies are responding to this new capability with ever-more-desperate attacks, he said. He pointed to two incidents last week in Mosul and Tikrit, in which 15-year-olds were exploited to carry out murder-suicides.

"Children are not only humanity's future, they are the most innocent and vulnerable among us," Smith said. "We have a trust to care for them, to raise them up as good citizens. Al Qaeda is instead trying to brainwash children ... with hate and death. We see a stark contrast between those who are building a strong, secure and peaceful society and those who seek to create a culture of violence, hate and despair."

Tuesday,Jan 29 2008, 08:46:51 PMAir Force General Lauds Joint 'Marne Thunderbolt'

By Staff Sgt. Amanda Callahan, USAF

Special to American Forces Press Service

Jan. 28, 2008 - A top Air Force officer here praised the joint-service effort that has made Operation Marne Thunderbolt successful.  Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon and B-1B Lancer crews, Navy F/A-18 Hornet pilots, Army 3rd Infantry Division soldiers and Iraqi forces integrated with Army intelligence to shape the battlefield to protect ground soldiers in southern Iraq, Air Force Maj. Gen. David M. Edgington, director of Multinational Force Iraq's Air Component Coordination Element, told reporters here yesterday.

He described how the Air Force uses intelligence in operations to shape the battlefield for an Army advantage, recounting one mission in which Air Force B-1B Lancers and F-16 Fighting Falcons disposed of improvised explosive devices, which were a significant threat to ground forces.

"The Air Force provides air components to synchronize with joint-force commanders," Edgington said. "We develop target sets to figure out what targets we're able to strike that will make the battle space safer for ground troops who follow."

The general explained that, with today's technology, much consideration is given to the types of munitions used on specific targets, as well as ways to reduce or eliminate collateral damage.

"Technology has advanced to where we can now drop bombs with great precision," he said.

Targets included houses booby-trapped with explosives and deeply buried improvised explosive devices.

"We hit the targets (the Army) asked us to hit to make it more safe for them to achieve their mission," Edgington said. "By taking out IEDs with air strikes, we're saving the lives of soldiers on the ground."

The emphasis on precision strikes and a focus on reducing civilian casualties also has helped battlefield commanders gain ground with local populations, the general said.

"Concerned local citizens have stepped up because they are tired of the violence and want to secure their areas," he said. "They want to be legitimate members of society, and they want their children to go out and play soccer without fear."

At the same meeting with reporters, Army Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, commander of 3rd Infantry Division and Multinational Division Center, emphasized the joint nature of modern combat.

"It is a joint battlefield," he said, outlining the coalition's three main goals of blocking accelerants of violence into Baghdad, securing the population, and defeating sectarian violence.

"We turned to our brothers in the U.S. Air Force," he said, for help with intelligence gathering and target mapping using intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets such as the unmanned MQ-1A Predator.

Both generals said operational success depends on the ability of warfighters to team up in the joint environment.

"At the captain level, at the master sergeant level, it is inspiring to see how the services work together to get the mission done," Edgington said.

(Air Force Staff Sgt. Amanda Callahan serves in public affairs with 447th Air Expeditionary Group.)