Military

Order Conforms to President’s Directive to Lower National Flags

November 6, 2009 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today ordered U.S. and State of Connecticut flags flown at half-staff until sundown on Tuesday, November 10, in memory of the victims of Thursday’s shootings at Fort Hood.

The order follows the announcement by President Obama that U.S. flags are to be flown at half-staff for the same period.

“Our State and our Nation grieve with those who have lost loved ones at Fort Hood,” Governor Rell said. “Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the victims’ families. This was a brutal crime that this nation will not forget.”    » read more »

11/06/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the Fort Hood Shootings:

“Maria and I were deeply saddened to learn of this absolutely senseless tragedy. On behalf of all Californians, we join the nation in sending our thoughts and prayers to all of the Fort Hood shooting victims and their loved ones.”

In accordance with the President’s order, Governor Schwarzenegger has ordered the flags at all state buildings to be flown at half-staff in remembrance of the victims of the Fort Hood shootings until Veterans Day.

Source: California Governor

Amendment aims to assist affected communities that lack funding, time to complete major transportation projects

November 6, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner today introduced an appropriations measure that directs a transportation study of improvements needed to accommodate growth and traffic associated with the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) program. The Senators’ amendment aims to address the lack of adequate funding and time for BRAC-affected communities to undergo needed transportation projects.

The amendment to the Milcon/VA appropriations bill would make $450,000 available to the Secretary of Defense to arrange a study through the Transportation Research Board.    » read more »

November 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-NM), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Kit Bond (R-MO) today introduced an amendment that would increase funding to provide transitional housing for homeless veterans, calling it our nation's sacred responsibility to support the men and women who answered America's call to duty.

The amendment would add $6 million to the $144 million already allocated for the Homeless Grant and Per Diem Program through the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. This additional funding would bring the program to its full authorization level of $150 million. The appropriations bill is currently being debated by the full Senate.    » read more »

Senate Coalition Report Shows Missile Force Crucial to U.S. Security

November 6, 2009 -- Washington – Senators Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Michael Enzi (R-WY) today released a comprehensive study on the importance of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force to America’s national security. The 23 page report, entitled “The Long Pole of the Nuclear Umbrella,” concludes that ICBMs are the most stabilizing part of the nation’s nuclear triad and validates the need to maintain an ICBM force of 450 missiles.    » read more »

Scheme Involved U.S. Military Contracts Awarded in Kuwait

November 5, 2009 -- A civil lawsuit was filed today against a former U.S. Army officer and three contracting firms related to an alleged bribery scheme in connection with the awarding of contracts for services in Kuwait. Former Army officer John Cockerham Jr., who is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, previously pleaded guilty to criminal charges along with another former officer, James Momon Jr.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Mark Begich released the following statement regarding the tragedy today at Fort Hood:

"No words can come close to expressing the shock we are all experiencing today following the deadly shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas.

"As Americans we are collectively stunned when a tragedy of this magnitude occurs in one of our communities. No life is ever more valuable than another, but knowing the victims were soldiers serving their country and preparing for deployment to Iraq perhaps makes it even more difficult to comprehend.    » read more »

03 November 2009 -- Washington, DC - Late yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Military Spouse Residency Relief Act. Congressman John Adler, who serves on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and is a sponsor of the bill, said it will allow a military spouse to claim the same state of domicile as their active duty spouse, regardless of where they are stationed. The bill is expected to be signed into law quickly.    » read more »

Five-Year Plan Unveiled at Homeless Summit

November 3, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, at the “VA National Summit Ending Homelessness among Veterans,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki unveiled the department’s comprehensive plan to end homelessness among Veterans by marshalling the resources of government, business and the private sector.

“President Obama and I are personally committed to ending homelessness among Veterans within the next five years,” said Shinseki. “Those who have served this nation as Veterans should never find themselves on the streets, living without care and without hope.”    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2009 – Like protective equipment issued to troops downrange, the H1N1 flu vaccine is a measure the Defense Department is taking to safeguard U.S. military forces, a defense official said today.

“We use other treatment modalities to protect people in the same way we use body armor to protect against other threats,” said Ellen P. Embrey, acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.

“The H1N1 vaccine was purchased specifically for our uniformed servicemembers so they could continue to perform their mission anywhere on the globe,” she continued. “And during a pandemic, that’s a real threat.”    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2009 – The secretary of veterans affairs today announced the framework of a bold initiative to end homelessness among veterans within five years.

VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki outlined the comprehensive plan to an audience of VA officials, other government representatives and private-sector homeless outreach organizers at the VA National Summit Ending Homelessness Among Veterans here. He called the goal an ambitious one that will take a nationwide collaborative effort to be successful.    » read more »

November 03, 2009 -- CONTRACTS

UNITED STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND

American Auto Logistics, LP, of Park Ridge, N.J., is being awarded a $207,382,618 firm, fixed-price modification for an earned award term under a previously awarded contract (DAMTOI-03-D-0184) to provide continuing services for the transportation and storage of privately owned vehicles. Work will be performed at worldwide locations and is expected to be completed Oct. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., is the contracting activity.

ARMY    » read more »

11/3/2009 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) -- After more than 30 years of flying for the Air Force, the last C-130E Hercules aircraft here set forth Nov. 2 destined for a new life.

Tail number 1299, which has been at Ramstein since 2007, departed for Poland, under a Foreign Military Sales lease agreement between Air Force Materiel Command and Poland in support of our partnership and teamwork with United States allies.

"We are saying goodbye as it moves forward into a new era of air power," said Master Sgt. Patrick Perry, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron section chief, during a ceremony held on the flightline to commemorate the momentous event.    » read more »

11/3/2009 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) -- The installation of 121 fans in 29 buildings across base is expected to reduce energy use and cost of heating systems operation during colder months.

The project, which has a maximum cost of approximately $86,000, is estimated to have a payback time of slightly more than 8 months and save the base more than $1 million over 10 years, according to Christian Thurner, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron environmental engineer.

The project received funds from the Air Force Productivity Enhancing Program as a Fast Payback Capital Investment, or FASCAP project, meaning the investment was less than $250,000 and had a payback time of less than two years.    » read more »

ARLINGTON, Va. (11/02/09) – For the first time ever, the Air National Guard will be the sole operator of a new aircraft straight off the assembly line.

The C-27J Spartan, the latest propeller-driven airlifter, is an "extremely rugged" aircraft, designed for austere environments, said Air Force officials. It is about half the size of a C-130 with 3.5 cargo pallet positions.

“It is the first time in U.S. Air Force history where the service acquired a new airframe solely owned, operated and maintained by the Air National Guard,” said Lt. Col. Chris Beckman, the ANG’s Aviation Planning and Execution chief.    » read more »