River Region Military News

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-10-15T16:21:00.003-05:00

Sysco Foodservice of Sysco Alabama of Calera is being awarded a maximum $22,500,000 fixed-price with economic price adjustment, sole-source, prime vendor, bridge contract for food and beverage support.

There are no other locations of performance.

Using services are Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The original proposal was Web-solicited with one response.

The date of performance completion is Oct. 16, 2011.

The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-10-15T16:21:00.001-05:00

Montgomery company awarded defense contract

2010-10-13T16:25:00.003-05:00

Clement Group, LLC of Montgomery was awarded on Sept. 30 a $11,405,417 firm-fixed-price contract.

This contract is for brigade complex headquarters/sensitive compartmental information facilities, "(L) Phase 1 B, PN 65362," Fort Carson, Colo.

Construct one standard design Brigade headquarters building with sensitive compartmental information facilities.

Work is to be performed in Fort Carson, Colo., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 20, 2012.

Four bids were solicited with two bids received.

Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Neb., is the contracting activity.

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Raytheon Co., IDS of Huntsville was awarded on Sept. 29 a $11,963,111 firm-fixed-price contract.

This contract is for the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) plug and fight (P&F) A-kit design definition to develop an integrated set of components/platform end item preliminary engineering change proposals for the development of IAMD P&F A-kits that integrate the government furnished equipment IAMD B-kits.

Work is to be performed in Huntsville with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2011. One bid was solicited with one bid received.

AMCOM Contracting Center, Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal is the contracting activity.

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Brassfield & Gorrie of Birmingham was awarded on Sept. 30 a $9,742,000 firm-fixed-price contract to design and construct a soldier family care clinic.

Work is to be performed in Fort Stewart, Ga., with an estimated completion date of March 22, 2012.

Corps of Engineers Savannah District, Ga., is the contracting activity.

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BAE Systems, Inc. of Anniston was awarded on Sept. 29 a $6,200,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the overhaul of 20 M113A3 Bradley family of vehicles for the Army National Guard.

Work is to be performed in Anniston with an estimated completion date of Jan. 1, 2011.

One bid was solicited with one bid received.

TACOM, CCTA-AHLA, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-10-12T16:19:00.000-05:00

Austal USA, of Mobile is being awarded a $204,652,897 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-2217) for the exercise of construction options for ships four and five of the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) program.

The JHSV will provide high speed, shallow draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies and equipment for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army.

Work will be performed in Mobile and is expected to be completed by December 2013.

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.

Stop Loss extension

2010-10-08T13:55:00.002-05:00

Congress approved an extension for veterans affected by Stop Loss to claim their benefits.

The new deadline is Dec. 3, 2010.

For more information, click here.

Here's the story I wrote in August on the issue:

Service members and veterans who were on "stop loss" from Sept. 11, 2001, to Sept. 20, 2009, are eligible for extra money. The problem is the Department of Defense is having a hard time finding them.

Stop loss refers to service members who were kept on active duty beyond their contract to the military, typically because of shortages or needs in certain career fields.

The defense department estimates that 145,000 service members and veterans nationwide are eligible for the benefit. More than $111 million has been paid to 25,000 troops and the Pentagon has about $423 million left in the program's fund, according to DoD figures.

Congress approved the $500 per-month-served special payment when it passed the end of service dates as part of the 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act.

But, the law only allows the department to accept applications for the benefit between October 2009 and this October. There are no authorizations in the law to make payments after the deadline.

The average payout is $3,000 to $4,000, according to DoD figures. Each of the services has been reaching out to its members but finding all those eligible for the retroactive pay is proving to be a challenge, said Sam Retherford in a Department of Defense news release. He's the director for the DoD officer and enlisted personnel management office.

"Getting the word out is our No. 1 challenge," he said in the news release. "Many are former members. Many have no obligation to the military anymore and are scattered across the world right now. Getting the word out for people to solicit the claim is our first challenge."

More than 420,000 veterans are living in Alabama. Thousands have deployed or been activated with the National Guard and Reserves since Sept. 11, 2001.

To apply for the retroactive payment, service members must have been honorably discharged and have documentation to prove they were affected by stop loss. Those who served under stop loss but later decided to extend their commitment or re-enlist are also eligible for the benefit.

Documents that will be used to determine eligibility include a certificate of discharge, separation orders, retirement orders, memos from previous commanders or organizations.

Retherford encourages service members to apply even if they don't have all the documentation because the service may have the documents to fill in the holes.

Stop Loss has been used by the military since 1983 in cases of national emergency, according to the department.

FIND OUT MORE

Here's where to get information from each service:

Army: www.stoplosspay.army.mil or e-mail to RetroStopLossPay@conus.army.mil

Navy: E-mail to NXAG_N132C@navy.mil

Air Force: www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/stoploss/

Marine Corps: www.manpower.usmc.mil/stoploss or e-mail to stoploss@usmc.mil

USS Alabama Commission has new chairman

2010-10-08T13:44:00.002-05:00

From the USS Alabama Commission:

Col. Bill Callender of Mobile was elected chairman of the USS Alabama Battleship Commission at their September 2010 meeting held aboard Battleship USS Alabama in Mobile.

Callender has served on the Commission since 2005. He is an US Army Aviator who flew helicopters during the Vietnam War, retiring with the rank of colonel. He is also a retired public school administrator and served on the administrative staff at the University of South Alabama. He and his wife, Kay, have three daughters and a son.

Callender has been very involved in the Military Officers Association of America and Association of the US Army. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama with additional studies at the University of South Alabama and the Army War College. He is a member of several military organizations and led the drive for a veterans cemetery located in Baldwin County. He served as chairman of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee and the Mobile Bay Veterans Day Commission, Inc. for several years. He is an ambassador for Honor Flight South Alabama.

Commission officers also elected include: Vice-Chair – Aubury Fuller of Summerdale, Secretary - Col. Pat Downing, USA (Ret) of Mobile, and Treasurer - Cdr. B. C. Jackson of Hope Hull. Immediate Past Chairman is Col. Barney Gass of Gulf Shores.

Additional Commissioners are: Greg Albritton, Range; Terry Ankerson, Mobile; Barry Booth, Spanish Fort; Ben Brooks and Robert Edington, Mobile; Gary Fitts, Tuscaloosa; William J. “Happy” Fulford, Montgomery; Lee A. Hallman, Tuscaloosa; Herb Malone, Gulf Shores; Hal Pierce, Daphne; Tim Russell, Foley, and; Paul Wesch, Mobile.

The USS Alabama Battleship Commission is an independent agency of the State, whose 18 members are Alabama citizens appointed by the Governor. Created in 1963, the Commission oversees operations at Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, which displays the Battleship USS Alabama, Submarine USS Drum, 25 aircraft, and other exhibits.

Established to honor Alabamians who served in all United States military actions, Battleship Memorial Park has hosted more than 13 million visitors since opening in 1965, and is an internationally known major tourist attraction. Since inception, the Park has been self-supporting for daily operations without using any State of Alabama, or Mobile City and County tax funds.

Alabama airman killed in Afghanistan

2010-10-01T09:41:00.002-05:00

Senior Airman Mark Forester, 29, of Tuscaloosa died Sept. 29 in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations in the area, according to a Defense Department release.

He was assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C.

Alabama companies awarded defense contract

2010-09-27T14:24:00.002-05:00

Caddell Construction Co., Inc. of Montgomery, was awarded on Sept. 20 a $15,485,000 firm-fixed-price contract for repair of buildings 2762 and 75 with an estimated completion date of May 27, 2012.

Work is to be performed at Fort Benning, Ga.

Bids were solicited via Web, with four received. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity.

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ATAP, Inc. of Eastaboga was awarded an estimated $9,218,236 contract for the repair and overhaul of AS32R refueler vehicles.

Best estimated quantity for the basic year is 84 refuelers.

For Option I, the best estimated quantity is 58 vehicles; 57 for Option II-IV; and 52 for Options V-IX. At this time, no money has been obligated.

WR-ALC/GRVKBA, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity.

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Systems Products & Solutions, Inc. of Huntsville, was awarded on Sept. 15 a $19,743,495 firm-fixed-price contract for training mechanics for the Iraqi Interior Ministry to train mechanics to repair HMMWV, air conditioning, hydraulics, power generation repair with an estimated completion date of Sept. 15, 2012.

Work is to be performed at Baghdad, Iraq.

Bids were solicited via the Web, with three received. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity.

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Oil spill with 'bama Guard

2010-09-15T00:06:00.003-05:00

I went down to Mobile to fly over the Gulf with the Alabama National Guard back in early July. Here's some of the video I shot that day. Sorry it took so long to get it up, I'll post more throughout the week.

908th members returning this week

2010-09-13T17:08:00.004-05:00

Members of the 908th Airlift Wing are returning from the desert this week. Check back here for more information and coverage.

The 908th deployed in May, after several delays due to the volcanic ash over Europe.

About 150 people deployed with several of the wing's C-130 cargo planes. The 908th is the only Air Force Reserve unit in the state and this was their first time back to the desert since 2008.

They've been flying combat support mission in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa for about four months. Flights crews, maintenance personnel and medical personnel are on the volunteer deployment.

While there, some of the aircraft and crews were diverted to aid in the Pakistan flood relief operations.

In mid-August, two aircraft and crews and maintenance personnel were diverted to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan and then on to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, to help transport relief supplies, said Lt. Col. Jerry Lobb, the wing spokesman.

Lobb said they supported the Pakistan relief efforts for about two weeks and then returned to their undisclosed deployed location.

While deployed, the Maxwell unit is the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and their commander is Lt. Col. Scott Hayes of Montgomery.

The airmen used their C-130 Hercules cargo planes to move food, medical supplies and other relief items from an airfield near Islamabad to smaller, outlying airfields closer the where the supplies are needed, Lobb said.

Montgomery company awarded defense contract

2010-09-13T16:42:00.001-05:00

Caddell Construction Co., Inc. of Montgomery, was awarded on Sept. 10 a $14,756,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the repairs/renovation of the Volar Barracks (buildings 4-1137, 4-1238, H-4952, H-4817, and H-5752) at Fort Bragg, N.C., under multiple award task order contract.

Estimated completion date is May 16, 2012, with work to be performed at Fort Bragg, N.C. Bids were solicited on the Web with three bids received.

U.S. Army Engineer District Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity.

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Interconn Resources, Inc. of Birmingham is being awarded a maximum $15,722,042 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for natural gas deliveries.

Other locations of performance are Florida and Louisiana.

Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and federal civilian agencies.

The original proposal was Web-solicited with 29 responses.

The date of performance completion is Sept. 30, 2012.

The Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity.

Huntsville company awarded defense contract

2010-09-10T16:19:00.000-05:00

Science and Engineering Services, Inc. of Huntsville was awarded a $39,800,000 contract which will resolve pending obsolescence of various instruments within the F-15 electronic systems test set.

At this time, $4,404,315 has been obligated.

ASC/WWQK, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

Huntsville company awarded defense contract

2010-09-07T16:18:00.001-05:00

The Boeing Company of Huntsville is being awarded a $23,654,354 task order #0002 Phase IB under a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery order contract for the critical design of a 100-kW class Free Electron Laser (FEL) device which can be used to demonstrate scaleability of the necessary FEL physics and engineering for an eventual MW class Free Electron Laser (FEL) device.

Under this effort, this Navy FEL Innovative Naval Prototype (INP) Program will encompass the transition from a demonstrated 14 kW FEL capability, currently at hand, to a weapon class 100-kW class capability.

This 100 kW FEL effort is intended to provide the physics and engineering information needed to support a MW class FEL device development. The desired outcome of this effort is to transfer laboratory capability to Industry and to assess potential industrial roles in supporting the procurement program for FEL weapon systems.

The Navy also wishes to gain insight into industry's longer term interest in participating in the follow-on integration, at a government test facility, or elsewhere, of the FEL device into a complete naval weapon system test bed to validate the concept for shipboard use.

Work will be performed in Albuquerque, N.M. (45 percent); Medford, N.Y. (20 percent) and various government labs and subcontractor locations (35 percent), and work is expected to be completed Dec. 3, 2011.

Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity.

Cessnas and Hellfires

2010-08-31T15:07:00.002-05:00

Someone asked me this week if we were helping the Iraqis retrofit Cessnas as bombers. Not happening. But the AF is helping the Iraqis put Hellfire missiles on the Cessnas and here's some video of one such aircraft.

Huntsville companies awarded defense contracts

2010-08-30T16:34:00.002-05:00

Three Huntsville companies have been selected for one of five indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts for advisory and assistance services from the Missile Defense Agency.

ERC, Incorporated was chosen as a small business and Madison Research Corporation and Computer Sciences Corporation were selected as large businesses.

The other two large businesses are General Dynamics information Technologies Incorporated of Fairfax, Va. and Sparta, Incorporated of Lake Forest, Calif.

MDA will award each firm an Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity contract to provide advisory and assistance services to the Directorate for Engineering and the Directorate for Test, Missile Defense Agency.

The contractors will assist the Engineering and Test directorates in providing engineering and test services in support of the Ballistic Missile Defense System.

This procurement is managed by the MDA Engineering and Support Services (MiDAESS) Program Office. This Directorate is responsible for centrally managing the acquisition of advisory and assistance services for the Agency.

These contracts are being competitively awarded under the full and open (unrestricted) Request for Proposal HQ0147-09-R-0002.

Each contract has a not to exceed ordering ceiling of $1,618,900,000.

The companies will have the opportunity to bid on each individual task order.

Work will be performed in Huntsville; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Vandenberg, Calif. and Washington, DC.

The performance period is through August 2015.

Obligations will be made by task orders using Research, Development, Test and Evaluation funds.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-08-27T16:41:00.000-05:00

Regal Select Services, Inc. of Abbeville is being awarded a $22,755,119 firm-fixed-price contract for Facility Inmate Grounds and Public Works services at Naval Air Station, Pensacola.

The work to be performed provides for routine grounds maintenance and other as needed Public Works services aboard the air station and surrounding areas. Work will be performed in Pensacola, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Aug. 2015.

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 two proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-08-18T17:19:00.000-05:00

SUMMA Technologies, Inc. of Huntsville was awarded on Aug. 11 a $28,881,650 firm-fixed-price contract for the production of 3,227 MK1077 flat racks.

Work is to be performed in Cullman, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2011.

One bid was solicited with one bids received. TACOM-LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity.

Hometown News Tues

2010-08-10T13:31:00.003-05:00

After a break, I'm bringing back Hometown News Tues. First, to get caught up on some hometown news releases, and then also to start adding more and more content on Tuesdays.

Happy Tuesday!

Krystal R. Rankin has been promoted to the rank of technical sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. Rankin is an airfield management operations supervisor assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. The sergeant has served in the military for nine years.

She is the daughter of Sabrina D. Rankin and Charles A. Rankin Sr., both of Eclectic.

The sergeant graduated in 2001 from Elmore County High School in Eclectic and received an associate degree in 2009 from Community College of the Air Force, Charleston.

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Army National Guard Pfc. Terence T. Thomas has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

He is the son of Sheila Thomas of Montgomery.

The private graduated in 2004 from Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery and received a bachelor’s degree in 2009 from Alabama A&M University.

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Air Force Reserve Airman Timothy E. Bennett has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.

He is the son of Tim and Pandora Bennett of Montgomery.

Bennett is a 2008 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery.

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Air Force Airman Summer E. Hatcher has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.

She is the daughter of Tammy Cochran of Deatsville and Frank Hatcher of Hazel Green. Hatcher is a 2009 graduate of Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook.

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Marine Corps Pvt. Justin F. Pickett recently graduated from the Marine Corps Basic Combat Engineer Course at Marine Corps Engineer School, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

He is the son of Shelia A. Martin of Clanton and Raymond F. Pickett of Fitzpatrick.

Pickett is a 2007 graduate of Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School in Montgomery and joined the Marine Corps in November 2009.

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Navy Seaman Recruit Andrew A. Sutton recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

He is the son of Jeanette L. Pepping of Prattville.

Sutton is a 2004 graduate of Shaw High School of Mobile.

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Army National Guard Pfc. James P. Tincombe Jr. has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

Tincombe is the son of Angela Hatfield of Montgomery.

The private is a 2007 graduate of Charles Henderson High School in Troy.

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Army National Guard Spec. Charles B. Tillery Jr. is returning to the U.S. after a deployment to Iraq.

The newly promoted specialist served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Iraq Theater of Operations. While deployed, he was decorated with the Army Commendation Medal for his distinguished service.

Tillery, a military police officer, is a member of the 217th Military Police Company, Prattville. He has served in the military for three years.

He is the son of Charles B. and Sandy A. Tillery of Montgomery. In 2005, Tillery graduated from Chapman Christian Academy in Millbrook.

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Army National Guard Sgt. Daniel B. Richardson is returning to the U.S. after a deployment to Iraq.

The sergeant served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Iraq Theater of Operations.

Richardson, a military police officer, is a member of the 217th Military Police Company, Prattville. He is the son of David B. and Belinda J. Richardson of Wetumpka.

In 1996, Richardson received a bachelor’s degree from Faulkner University and earned a master’s degree in 1999 from Auburn Montgomery.

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Army National Guard Spec. Jenna L. Farrell is returning to the U.S. after a deployment to Iraq.

The specialist served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Iraq Theater of Operations. While deployed, she was decorated with the Army Commendation Medal for distinguished service.

Farrell, a human resource specialist, is a member of the 217th Military Police Company, Prattville. She has served in the military for two years.

She is the sister of Robert A. Farrell Jr. and Megan K. Proctor, both of Prattville. In 2005, Farrell graduated from Prattville High School.

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Navy Seaman Recruit Brandon M. O’Bryant recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

He is the son of Julie A. and James M. O Bryant of Prattville.

O’Bryant is a 2009 graduate of Prattville High School.

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Navy Seaman Recruit Victor A. Lewis recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

Lewis is a 2009 graduate of Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery.

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Lt. Col. Steve Simmons of the U.S. Marine Corps has graduated from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., with a Masters of Arts in National Strategy and Policy.

He was awarded the Colonel James T. Larken USMC Award for academic excellence.

Simmons is a 1985 graduate of Jefferson Davis High School and is the son of Martha Poole Simmons of Montgomery.

He graduated from The Ohio State University in 1990 and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He has served for more than 20 years and has deployed twice to Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Simmons is now assigned to U.S. Africa Command located in Stuttgart, Germany, where he will be the plans chief for the Standing Joint Force Headquarters.

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Navy Seaman Recruit Freddie J. Hamilton, Jr, a 2007 graduate of Saint Jude Educational Institute High School, Montgomery, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

Alabama companies awarded defense contract

2010-08-06T20:34:00.003-05:00

Camber Corp. of Huntsville was awarded on July 29 a $16,631,058 firm-fixed-price contract.

This procurement is for the acquisition of services to update Army technical manuals.

Work is to be performed in Huntsville, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2011.

Three bids were solicited with two bids received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity.

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Science Applications International Corp. of Huntsville was awarded on July 28 a $10,843,432 firm-fixed-price contract.

This contract is to procure rapid deployment integrated systems, combat outpost surveillance, and force protection systems to provide early warning force protection.

Work is to be performed in Huntsville, (53.72 percent); Stillwater, Okla. (34.57 percent); and Arab, (11.71 percent), with an estimated completion date of Jan. 25, 2010.

Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with two bids received.

U.S. Army Research Development & Engineering Command-Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, Natick Contracting Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity.

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Infinite-Wyatt of Coosada was awarded on Aug. 3 a $8,411,005 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of a chapel complex located at Fort Campbell, Ky.

Work is to be performed in Fort Campbell, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 3, 2012.

Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with eight bids received.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity.

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G & G Steel, Inc. of Russellville was awarded on Aug. 3 an $8,166,111 firm-fixed-price contract.

This contract is to fabricate and install "Main lock Miter Gate for lock Miter Gate for Lock 27, Granite City Illinois."

The work consists of fabricating, delivering and installing a replacement main lock for meter gate. Work is to be performed in Russellville.

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Altec Industries of Birmingham is being awarded a maximum $6,163,000 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for telescopic truck cranes.

There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army.

There were originally seven proposals solicited with four responses.

The date of performance completion is May 11, 2011. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

Montgomery company awarded defense contract

2010-07-27T13:23:00.000-05:00

Caddell Construction Co., Inc. of Montgomery is being awarded a $6,511,288 firm-fixed-price modification to increase the maximum dollar value of a design-build construction contract for the purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment for the Command and Control Facility at the U. S. Army Central Command headquarters complex at Shaw Air Force Base.

work to be performed provides for the base realignment and closure project to relocate Army Central Command personnel from Fort Gillem and Fort McPherson, Ga., to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $98,406,251. Work will be performed in Sumter, S.C., and is expected to be completed by February 2011.

Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast, Resident Officer in Charge of Construction-Shaw, is the contracting activity.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-07-23T16:51:00.001-05:00

Engineering Research and Consulting, Inc. of Huntsville, was awarded on July 19 a $5,765,171 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This is an indefinite/quantity contract, with five year ordering periods.

Order period 1, task order 0001, with funding modification 01-07 for firing test division test and evaluation support. Funds are obligated upon the issuance of each order period 1 modification.

The contractor shall provide support to Redstone Test Center for testing, evaluation, and other associated activities scheduled to be conducted by the flight test branch, field sensors test branch, and telemetry, and data management test branch of the firing test division.

Work is to be performed in Redstone Arsenal, with an estimated completion date of Mar. 30, 2015.

Five bids were solicited with five bids received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Contracting Center Research Development & Engineering Command, CCAM-RD-A, Redstone Arsenal is the contracting activity.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-07-21T17:23:00.000-05:00

Acquisition Services Corp. of Huntsville; BCF Solutions, Chantilly, Va.; and Quantech Services, Inc., Lexington, Mass. are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide advisory and assistance services to the Acquisition Functional Capability Group, which is comprised of five independent directorates: acquisition management; international affairs; business and financial management; legislative affairs; and readiness management.

The contractors will assist these directorates by providing the agency with acquisition support services for the Ballistic Missile Defense System.

These contracts are being competitively awarded under the small business set-aside request for proposal HQ0147-09-R-0001. Each contract has a not-to-exceed ordering ceiling of $601,800,000.

The companies will have the opportunity to bid on each individual task order.

Work under these contracts will be performed in Huntsville, Ala.; Dahlgren, Va.; and other Missile Defense Agency locations.

The performance period is through July 2015. Obligations will be made by task orders using Research, Development, Test and Evaluation funds.

This procurement is managed by the Missile Defense Agency Engineering and Support Services Program Office. The Missile Defense Agency is the contracting activity.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-07-19T16:14:00.001-05:00

Aegis Technologies Group, Inc. of Huntsville, was awarded on July 14 a $8,099,452 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.

The contractor shall develop a reconfigurable arbitrary-waveform scene projector under the "OSD, Test Resource Management Center Multispectral Test" program.

Work is to be performed in Huntsville with an estimated completion date of Dec. 5, 2013.

Bids were solicited via Broad Agency Announcement with 30 bids received.

U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Contracting Center, Aberdeen Installation Contracting Division, CCRD-AI-MC, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-07-06T16:40:00.001-05:00

Camber Corp. of Huntsville was awarded on June 29 an $8,398,998 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This contract is for systems engineering and technical support, and program management support to the Joint Project Management Guardian, under the Joint Program Executive Office, Chemical Biological Detection, in Falls Church, Va.

Work is to be performed in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. (25 percent); Falls Church, Va. (25 percent); Fort Belvoir, Va. (25 percent); and Dahlgren, Va. (25 percent), with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2010.

One bid was solicited with one bid received.

U.S. Army, Research, Development, and Engineering Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity.

Romanian plane crashes, Alabama partnered with Romania

2010-07-06T11:47:00.004-05:00

A Romanian aircraft crashed near the Black Sea during a military training mission on Monday.

According to the BBC, the Antonov AN-2, a military plane, was carrying paratroopers for training, but crashed shortly after takeoff.

BBC reported that 10 were killed and the three survivors had jumped out before the crash.

Romanian is partnered with the Alabama National Guard through the State Partnership for Peace Program.

Members of the Alabama Guard and the state government routinely travel to Romania and teams of Romanians come here to learn about military, government and other programs.

The SPP program evolved from the Partners for Peace program established in the early 1990s and was furthered by a 1993 decision to send reserve soldiers and airmen to the Baltic region. At that time, military officials said it would appear less aggressive to the new Russian Federation, according to an information paper from the National Guard Bureau.

The program continued when the NGB paired state national guards with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Romania and Alabama have been partners since 1994 and the program now includes 56 partnerships.

During the partnership, Romania has been accepted into NATO and the European Union.

Selma company awarded defense contract

2010-07-02T12:30:00.001-05:00

American Apparel, Inc. of Selma is being awarded a maximum $28,502,578 firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract for coats and trousers.

Other locations of performance are Mississippi, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Using service is Army.

There was originally one proposal solicited with one response.

The date of performance completion is March 30, 2012. The

Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-06-30T16:26:00.001-05:00

Wyle Laboratories of Huntsville was awarded a $24,427,336 contract which will research, test, develop and deliver readiness analyses; program recommendations; technology innovations analyses; interoperability analyses/testing results; software/hardware validation reports; functionally enhancements summation reports; test procedures documentation; data analysis and systems/subsystem/infrastructure/prototype assessments; new system alternatives recommendations; architectural drawings; feasibility studies; digital flight analysis reports; and test plans/results.

At this time, $927,573 has been obligated.

55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity.

Pentagon police to be honored Friday

2010-06-23T17:09:00.000-05:00

The Department of Defense is holding a Medal for Valor award ceremony honoring four Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) police officers will be held in the Pentagon Hall of Heroes at 9 a.m. EDT on June 25.

The officers will be recognized for their actions on March 4, 2010, for stopping an intruder as he tried to shoot his way into the Pentagon. PFPA Director Steven E. Calvery will present the awards.

The men and women of PFPA are responsible for providing a full range of services to protect people, facilities, infrastructure and other resources at the Pentagon Reservation and in DoD-occupied facilities in the National Capital Region.

Bright comments on McChrystal resignation

2010-06-23T16:48:00.001-05:00

Rep. Bobby Bright's office, his comments on Gen. McChrystal's resignation:

“The President was forced to make a very difficult decision in accepting the resignation of a general with a long and distinguished military career. Though the decision was doubtless a hard one, I believe he had no choice but to accept General McChrystal’s resignation. General McChrystal’s comments were inappropriate and showed a serious lack of judgment, which he himself acknowledged.

“However, I think the President made the best of a bad situation by appointing General Petraeus to command our forces in Afghanistan. General Petraeus’s track record In Iraq and later as head of U.S. Central Command is impeccable. The relatively stable situation in Iraq is due in no small part to his leadership and implementation of a successful winning strategy.

“Given the recent setbacks in Afghanistan, a fresh perspective from a proven commander could be a positive development. I hope General Petraeus uses this opportunity to examine the strategy supported and implemented by General McChrystal and to make an assessment of our long-term involvement in Afghanistan. I have extreme confidence in his abilities as a commander, and I have the utmost faith in our soldiers to perform bravely under any circumstance. In order to win the war, however, we must provide them with a winning strategy. I look forward to hearing from General Petraeus in the near future about his plan to win the war in Afghanistan.”

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-06-23T16:33:00.000-05:00

Westar Aerospace & Defense Group, Inc. of Huntsville was awarded on June 21 a $5,593,803 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for contractor logistics support for nine OH-58 and five Bell Jet Ranger 206B3 helicopters.

The contractor will be performing maintenance support, providing spare parts, tools, servicing; and overhaul all parts, components and assemblies required to maintain the Bell Jet Ranger and the OH-58 helicopters.

Work is to be performed in Iraq, with an estimated completion date of March 14, 2011.

One bid was solicited with one bid received.

U.S. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM Contracting Center CCAM-RD-F, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-06-22T19:00:00.000-05:00

American Apparel, Inc. of Selma is being awarded a maximum $55,715,352 firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract for Army combat uniform coats.

Other locations of performance are Alabama, Mississippi, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

Using service is Army.

There was originally one proposal solicited with one response.

The date of performance completion is March 30, 2012.

The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM1C1-10-D-1065).

Alabama companies awarded defense contracts

2010-06-18T16:31:00.000-05:00

Wyle Laboratories of Huntsville was awarded a $24,801,569 contract which will research test, develop, and deliver integrated master schedules; mishap risk assessment reports; systems safety program plans; system safety hazard analysis reports; corrosion prevention and control plans; basic reliability models; technical report/study services; test procedures/reports; and product drawings/models and associated list.

At this time, $7,936 has been obligated.

55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (HC1047-05-D-4005, Delivery Order 0138).

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Wyle Laboratories of Huntsville was awarded a $24,495,032 contract modification which will apply reliability, maintainability, quality, supportability and interoperability best practices to execute various commander, Naval Air Forces, Naval Air Systems Command and the Joint Services Wiring Action Group projects and programs relating to electrical systems on and off aircraft.

At this time, $158,730 has been obligated. 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (HC1047-05-D-4005, Delivery Order 0149).

USS Drum crew back in Mobile this weekend

2010-06-17T15:16:00.000-05:00

From the Battlefield Memorial Park in Mobile:

The former crewmen of the Submarine USS DRUM (SS-228) are back in Mobile for their annual reunion. This year marks the 40^th year the group has gathered at USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park.

The USS DRUM is named for a large sea-bass found off the North Atlantic Coast. The USS DRUM was launched in May of 1941 at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, New Hampshire and commissioned November 1, 1941. With a crew of 72 men, the DRUM conducted 13 war patrols and was awarded 12 battle stars for WWII service. The GATO class submarine is credited with sinking 15 ships, a total of 80,580 tons of enemy shipping, eighth highest of all US submarines in total Japanese tonnage sunk. The DRUM was decommissioned on February 16, 1946.

“It takes a special man to go down under the sea with the risk of not ever returning. These heroes, not only brought our sub through WWII but have been returning for 40 years to see their boat,” said Battleship Memorial Park Executive Director, Bill Tunnell.

Submarine DRUM was donated to the USS ALABAMA Battleship Commission in April of 1969. She was towed to Mobile arriving May 18, 1969. The boat’s sponsor is Mrs. Jolane Edwards, wife of Congressman Jack Edwards and was dedicated and opened to the public on July 4, 1969. The USS DRUM is the oldest American submarine on display in the world.

In 2001, the USS DRUM was closed to the public for several months while she was relocated to dry land and underwent extensive restoration. For 32 years the submarine rested on the sandy bottom of Mobile Bay, suffering significant damage to her hull, gangways, and moorings each time a hurricane visited the Mobile area. Today, the submarine is extremely visible from I-10 and gives visitors a very rare opportunity; to see the bottom of a submarine.

On Saturday, June 19^th, at 11:00 am, there will be a special memorial service held in the Aircraft Pavilion followed by an invitation only luncheon.

First black helicopter pilot has died

2010-06-17T15:14:00.000-05:00

From the Associated Press:

RENTON, Wash. — William H. Holloman, a Tuskegee airman in World War II who also served in Vietnam, has died at age 85.

Tuskegee Airmen Inc., an association of Tuskegee Airmen, said Thursday that Holloman died Friday at Valley Medical Center in Renton after suffering a heart attack. He was a St. Louis native who lived in Kent.

As an 18-year-old Holloman entered the Army Air Corps and trained with the all-black program at the Tuskegee, Ala., Army Flying School.

Tuskegee Airmen says after the war Holloman worked as a commercial pilot but was recalled in 1966 to serve in Vietnam, becoming the Army’s first black helicopter pilot.

His funeral is scheduled Monday at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in St. Louis, followed by burial at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-06-11T16:28:00.000-05:00

Wyle Laboratories, Inc. of Huntsville received a $24,359,812 contract modification for the Reliability Information Analysis Center which will apply reliability, maintainability, quality, supportability and interoperability engineering principles and analysis to enhance interoperability of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; technology enhancements; and new capabilities and legacy systems.

At this time, $605,000 has been obligated.

55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380).

Alabama companies awarded defense contracts

2010-06-09T16:38:00.001-05:00

Gray Research, Inc. of Huntsville is being awarded a sole-source modification to continue performing work under its previously competitively awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (W9113M-05-D-0003).

Gray Research will continue providing data management services for the Missile Defense Data Center. The work will be performed in Huntsville.

The contract period of performance is being extended by six months to March 31, 2011; the contract face value is being increased to $134,587,798 from the previous value of $105,026,313. Obligations will be made using fiscal 2010 and 2011 research, development, test and evaluation #0400 funds. The Missile Defense Agency is the contracting activity.

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Wyle Laboratories, Inc. of Huntsville received a $14,734,298 contract modification which will provide for the Reliability Information Analysis Center to research, test, develop and deliver architectural drawings; system/subsystems/infrastructure/prototype assessments; system alternatives recommendations; feasibility studies; interoperability testing results; surveys; and infrastructure implementation designs, schedules and summary reports.

At this time, $500,000 has been obligated. 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (HC1047-05-D-4005, DO 0142).

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Wyle Laboratories, Inc. of Huntsville was awarded an $8,977,332 contract which will provide for research, test, development and delivery of program schedules/updates; engineering configuration change proposals; feasibility studies; and site survey analysis and recommendations.

At this time, $28,950 has been obligated. 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (HC1047-05-D-4005, DO0131).

Soldier attached to Alabama unit killed in Kuwait

2010-06-09T15:28:00.001-05:00

Sgt. Steve M. Theobald, 53, of Goose Creek, S.C., died June 4 near Kuwait City, Kuwait, of injuries sustained in a military vehicle roll-over.

was assigned to the 287th Transportation Company, Livingston, Ala.

Alabama companies awarded defense contact

2010-06-08T16:16:00.001-05:00

Nationview/Bhate, JV III, LLC of Birmingham was awarded on May 27 a $8,648,624 firm-fixed-price contract for the design and build of a single-story child development center with drilled pier foundations; concrete slab; steel frame; masonry exterior walls; and standing seam metal roof.

The work includes multi-purpose rooms; isolation rooms; kitchen area and equipment; walk-in freezer; administrative space; authorized equipment; fire protection; utilities; and all other support.

Complies with Department of Defense force protection requirements per Unified Facilities Criteria.

Unexercised options in the amount of $166,787 are available for future execution by the government.

Work is to be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2011.

Bids were solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities Web site with 15 bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, Mobile, is the contracting activity.

------------------

Wyle Laboratories, Inc. of Huntsville was awarded a $24,702,369 contract for the Reliability Information Analysis Center to research, test, develop and deliver system requirements analysis documentation; concept recommendations; tradeoff analysis data/documentation field investigation; and integration analysis reports.

At this time, $9,420,635 has been obligated. 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity.

Maxwell-Gunter Installation Restoration Advisory Board meets next week

2010-06-07T13:08:00.001-05:00

The Maxwell/Gunter Installation Restoration Advisory Board will meet at 6 p.m. on June 14th, at the Montgomery County Commission, 101 S. Lawrence Street.

The meeting will be held in the County Commission Map room.

Direction signs will be posted to help direct attendees.

The board, which is made up of Air Force and community representatives, is designed to promote the exchange of information regarding environmental restoration issues between base personnel and members of the local community.

The agenda includes an update on the progress of the Environmental Restoration Program.

Meetings are open to the public.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-06-07T13:03:00.000-05:00

Austal USA of Mobile is being awarded a $99,557,548 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-2217) for long lead time material (LLTM) for ships four and five of the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) program.

This contract provides LLTM for main propulsion engines, aluminum, waterjets, reduction gears, generators and other components to support construction of JHSV ships four and five, commencing in fall 2010.

Work will be performed in Detroit, Mich. (38 percent); Chesapeake, Va. (18 percent); Henderson, Australia (13 percent); Gulfport, Miss. (10 percent); Ravenswood, W.Va. (9 percent); Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (4 percent); Mobile, Ala. (3 percent); Auburn, Ind. (2.6 percent); Winter Haven, Fla. (1 percent); Gardena, Calif. (1 percent); and Davenport, Iowa (0.4 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2011.

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.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-06-01T16:22:00.001-05:00

Torch Technologies, Inc. of Huntsville is being awarded a Phase III Small Business Innovation Research indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (HQ0006-10-D-7092) with a maximum value of $9,709,503.

Under this contract, Torch Technologies will conduct research and development on algorithms, operational software, and a new concept of operations for space and airborne infrared tracking systems and missile defense radars, supporting the Ballistic Missile Defense System.

The work will be performed in Huntsville with a five-year period of performance from June 2010 through June 2015.

Research, development, test and evaluation funding fiscal 2010 will be used to incrementally fund the fiscal 2010 effort in the amount of $1,075,000.

The Missile Defense Agency is the contracting activity.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-05-27T17:40:00.000-05:00

Wyle Laboratories of Huntsville was awarded a $23,809,521 contract which will conduct engineering, analysis and testing tasks to facilitate a reliability improvement, parts obsolescence problems, and identify corrective actions that can be taken to eliminate or control problems.

At this time, $125,984 has been obligated.

55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity.

War Stories

2010-05-24T10:52:00.003-05:00

If you haven't already, I highly recommend reading Newsweek's special report, War Stories. I finally had a chance to read it all Friday morning and finished it this morning and it's well done.

Here's the link to the report.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-05-20T16:25:00.001-05:00

Boeing Co. of Huntsville was awarded on May 18 a $14,634,116 firm-fixed-price contract for 94 explosive ordnance disposal mini-robots.

Work is to be performed in Huntsville, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 16, 2011.

Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with one bids received.

Research, Development and Engineering Command Contracting Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity.

Former Maxwell commander nominated for first star

2010-05-17T14:06:00.003-05:00

The former commander of the 42nd Air Base Wing is on the move.

Col. Paul McGillicuddy has been nominated for his first star.

He's currently the commander of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Air Combat Command at Beale Air Force Base in California.

He was base vice commander at Maxwell from August 2005 to March 2007. He then took over as base commander until August 2008 when he headed to the Pentagon.

The 1984 graduate of the Air Force Academy spent much of his career as a fighter pilot. He completed Squadron Officer School by correspondence in 1988; received a Master of Science degree in management from Troy State University in 1994; competed Air Command and Staff College by correspondence in 1997; and attended ACSC in residence in 1998.

A few notes

2010-05-17T11:15:00.002-05:00

Last week, I wrote a story about airmen collecting books for children in Pakistan as a form of a counterinsurgency strategy.

This weekend, I crammed to write graduate papers on counterinsurgency and the media's influence on international relations.

When I was finished with all that, I thought I had earned some down time to watch mindless television, play with the new puppy or read a fluffy book.

I flipped on the television yesterday and found myself watching 'Rendition,' not exactly a light and breezy kind of movie.

Later that night, I watched the news about violence in Thailand and then parts of 'Saving Private Ryan,' and then watching 'The Hurt Locker.'

I've also started reading Greg Mortenson's new book, 'Stones into Schools," about stopping terrorism by building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I'd read the first book, 'Three Cups of Tea,' and must say I'm a fan. If you haven't read it, I recommend it. It's a less daunting way to learn about life in Pakistan, the politics and some of the root causes of terrorism and religious extremism there.

So, my brain didn't take a break, and although it was tired, it started connecting more dots than it had while writing those papers that were required of me.

One article I used in the paper on the media's influence on international conflict said the 'CNN Effect' misses the point and the real impact of the media is that it draws attention -- and money -- away from the real processes involved in managing conflict. The cameras and most mainstream media only show up when, as the ABC anchor put it last night, "bullets are flying."

Watching one of the great war movies, 'Saving Private Ryan,' I realized a little more that battlefield tactics have changed, but the chaos of war remains the same.

In 'The Hurt Locker,' one soldier points a gun at a cabbie and after the situation is diffused, he admits that if the man wasn't a terrorist before, he probably would be now.

Something similar in the two movies though was something that I doubt has changed for soldiers.

Tom Hank's character tells his soldiers about his life, as his men are losing it and turning on each other, and tells them that he wonders how he will return to his wife, child and life at home unchanged. He wonders if those that he loves and knows will still know him, because how can he face what he's faced and remain unchanged?

A character in 'The Hurt Locker,' returns home after a tour with an explosive ordnance disposal team in Iraq, and finds he doesn't know what to do in his normal life at that he really only loves one thing. He returns for another 365 tour in the desert.

Half a century of history and conflict lies between them, and yet, it seems, the soldier is unchanged.

Lorenz retiring

2010-05-17T10:48:00.002-05:00

Gen. Stephen Lorenz, commander of Air Education and Training Command, is retiring.

Before pinning on his fourth star and taking the reins at AETC in Texas, Lorenz was commander of Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base.

The 1973 Air Force Academy graduate has served for 37 years and spent most of his career as a tanker pilot.

Lorenz lead Air University through a massive reorganization with Lt. Gen. Allen Peck as his vice commander. Peck now commands Air University.

Lorenz will be succeeded by Lt. Gen. Edward Rice Jr., who has been nominated for a fourth star and currently commands U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force at Yaktoa Air Base in Japan.

Rice graduated from the Air Force Academy five years after Lorenz and spent most of his flying career as a bomber pilot.

908th finally departs

2010-05-13T11:22:00.002-05:00

The 908th Airlift Wing finally left on its four-month deployment this morning.

The advance party left the first weekend in May, but the main group of airmen who were scheduled to leave Sunday were delayed again and again due to the volcanic ash cloud over Europe that has been stalling air travel over the Atlantic.

About 150 airmen and several of the wing's C-130 cargo planes are headed to the Middle East to support combat missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. The last time the 908th deployed to the desert was in 2008.

The deploying airmen are flight crews, maintenance, administrative and medical personnel. The airmen will provide transport and aeromedical evacuations for operations in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility, which includes most of the Middle East region.

908th delayed another 24 hours

2010-05-12T12:03:00.003-05:00

The 908th Airlift Wing's deployment has been delayed another 24 hours due to the volcanic ash that is slowing air travel.

The main group of airmen were scheduled to depart over the weekend, but have been delayed multiple times.

A total of 150 airmen and several of the wing's C-130 cargo planes are going on a volunteer 4-month deployment to support combat missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. The advance party left the first weekend in May.

The last time the 908th deployed to the desert was in 2008.

908th delayed yet again

2010-05-11T12:18:00.001-05:00

The 908th Airlift Wing has been delayed again.

The are now slated to leave on Wednesday, but officials are not optimistic about the volcanic cloud clearing for air travel tomorrow either.

For now, 908th leaders are keeping their members updated until they are able to deploy.

The 908th is deploying for about four months to provide combat air support to troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

The last time the 908th deployed to the desert was 2008.

The 908th is the only Air Force Reserve unit in Alabama.

USS Alabama gets steel donation for restoration

2010-05-10T15:41:00.002-05:00

From the USS Alabama Battleship Commission:

SSAB Americas, a global leader in value added, high strength steel and one of the continent’s leading plate suppliers, recently donated 78 tons of steel to the USS Alabama Battleship Commission to be used for restoration efforts on the superstructure of Battleship USS Alabama (BB-60).

Battleship USS Alabama (BB-60) is a National Historic Landmark and recently celebrated the 67th anniversary of her commissioning. Restoration and repairs to her main deck, superstructure, and cannons will require preparation, replacement, and coating of approximately 160,000 square feet of superstructure. The estimated cost of the project is $1.3 million.

With the support of SSAB Americas, the USS Alabama Battleship Commission will be able to continue their mission of memorializing veterans while preserving history for future generations.

Battleship Memorial Park has welcomed more than 13 million visitors from all 50 states and virtually every nation in the world. Last year alone, 332,122 visitors toured the Park with 80% of the visitors from outside the State of Alabama,

USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park has had a local economic impact of $203,257,959 just from admissions revenue in our 45 years of operation. Although an agency of the State of Alabama, the Park has been self-sufficient for daily operations since opening to the public in 1965.

908th delayed again

2010-05-10T14:48:00.002-05:00

The 908th Airlift Wing's deployment has been delayed again.

They're now scheduled to leave around noon Tuesday.

The delays are a result of the volcanic ash over Europe that is affecting air travel.

Maxwell opens new working dog kennel

2010-05-10T12:56:00.003-05:00

Maxwell Air Force Base opened its new military working dog facility today.

The event included a demonstration from the working dogs and dog handlers. from Maxwell and also the Montgomery Police Department.

While the new kennel was being built, the Maxwell dogs stayed in the MPD kennels downtown.

The working dogs and their handlers are part of the 42nd Security Forces Squadron at Maxwell.

908th delayed again

2010-05-10T11:12:00.002-05:00

The 908th Airlift Wing has been delayed again due to the volcanic ash over Europe.

The advance party left last week and the rest of the airmen were scheduled to leave over the weekend.

About 150 people are deploying with several of the wing's C-130 cargo planes. The 908th is the only Air Force Reserve unit in the state and this is their first time back to the desert since 2008.

They'll be flying combat support mission in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa for about four months. Flights crews, maintenance personnel and medical personnel are going on the volunteer deployment.

908th deployment delayed by volcanic ash

2010-05-09T13:20:00.001-05:00

The 908th Airlift Wing was scheduled to leave today, but the volcanic ash in Europe changed their plans just a bit.

Instead, the main body of the 150 or so members deploying to Southwest Asia will leave Monday.

The wing is deploying for four months on a volunteer deployment to provide combat airlift support.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-05-06T11:51:00.000-05:00

Wyle Laboratories, Inc of Huntsville was awarded a $13,744,106 contract which will provide for the research, test, development, and delivery of system requirements for the Reliability Information Analysis Center.

At this time, $500,000 has been obligated. 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-05-03T16:42:00.001-05:00

Alatec, Inc. of Huntsville was awarded on April 29 a $13,480,400 firm-fixed-price contract.

The contractor shall provide personnel expertise and skills required to support the Training and Doctrine Command Analysis Center (TRAC) White Sands Missile Range mission related to analysis, studies, modeling, simulation, and information technology.

TRAC supports the Training and Doctrine Command by providing the analytical capabilities required to support Army decisions.

Work is to be performed at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., with an estimated completion date of May 2, 2012.

Four bids were solicited with four bids received.

Mission & Installation Contracting Command Directorate of Contracting, White Sands Missile Range, N.M., is the contracting activity.

Alabama companies awarded defense contract

2010-04-30T17:07:00.001-05:00

Wyle Laboratories, Inc. of Huntsville was awarded a $24,014,219 contract which will provide for the research, test and development, and delivery of architectural drawings; system/subsystems/infrastructure/prototype assessments; system alternatives recommendations; feasibility studies; interoperability testing; results; survey and infrastructure implementation designs; schedules and summary reports.

At this time, $160,725 has been obligated.

55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity.

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PPG Aerospace Transparencies of Huntsville is being awarded a maximum $50,126,406 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for aircraft windshields.

There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy.

The original proposal was solicited via the Internet Bid Board System Web site with one response.

The date of performance completion is April 29, 2011.

The Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va., is the contracting activity.

Alabamian killed in Afghanistan

2010-04-29T10:57:00.001-05:00

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Thomas E. Rivers Jr., 22, of Birmingham, Ala., died April 28 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-04-28T16:49:00.000-05:00

Aegis Technologies Group, Inc. of Huntsville, was awarded a $20,481,517 contract which will provide the Air Force Modeling and Simulation Training Toolkit, which is a non-commercial, government-owned simulation system used to train the Joint Force Command, Joint Force Air Component Commander, and their battle staff in multiple federation environments.

At this time, $1,483,700 has been obligated.

753 ESG, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity.

Social media opens up on AF bases, including Maxwell

2010-04-28T12:15:00.002-05:00

What's that? Facebook on a Department of Defense computer?

Yup, it's happening.

The Air Force began this week to open access to social media sites.

Pacific Air Forces bases gained access earlier as the test run of the Air Force-wide initiative, according to an Air Force release.

Air Force Space Command, Air Education and Training Command and Air Mobility Command bases began getting access to social media sites April 26. Maxwell Air Force Base now has access.

Air Combat Command, Air Force Reserve Command, Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Force Special Operations Command and United States Air Forces in Europe will get access beginning May 1. During the final phase, Air National Guard bases will get access beginning May 6.

It will take up to five business days to open up every base in each major command because technicians in the Integrated Network Operations and Security Centers responsible for opening social media access must account for the different major command network infrastructures, according to the AF release. They also must allow members of the Air Force Computer Emergency Response Team to provide required services to each MAJCOM as they are granted access.

Earlier this spring, DoD released the beginnings of policy for social media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other online social networking sites.

I reported in March on the policy, known as Directive-Type Memorandum 09-026, which is nine pages laying out basic rules for military members and DoD staffers using social network sites.

It came after a year of policy reversals by the different military branches and DoD as a whole that seemed a bit schizophrenic.

Last summer, the Army lifted its ban on some social media, but the Marine Corps banned all social media sites. Then DoD contemplated a department-wide ban on all social media.

The Air Force was hit or miss in accessibility. Some bases and commands allowed access; others did not. But the Air Force did create the Emerging Technology division of its Public Affairs Agency at the Pentagon.

And at Maxwell Air Force Base, the Web site was redesigned and a Twitter account launched.

The ambiguous policies came as public affairs officers, commanders and military units were launching blogs, Twitter feeds and Facebook pages. The Air Force created and launched its own version of YouTube, known as BlueTube.

The new DTM set the military default switch to open access, Price Floyd said during a bloggers roundtable on the policy earlier this year. He was hired in June as DoD's principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs.

Security of course, is still priority uno.

DoD officials are working on more detailed regulations, educating troops on the new policies and figuring out the record keeping of what's said through social media. Some of those details include guidance for commanders in the field, like Afghanistan and Iraq, where bandwidth is limited and security concerns heightened. Access to social media can be restricted temporarily, the new policy states, but there's no definition yet as to what is considered temporary.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-04-27T10:26:00.001-05:00

Hunt Refining Co. of Tuscaloosa is being awarded a maximum $52,684,167 fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for aviation fuel.

There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Defense Energy Support Center. The original proposal was Web solicited with 27 responses.

The date of performance completion is April 30, 2011.

The Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity.

New commander coming to Redstone

2010-04-21T13:59:00.002-05:00

A new commander is coming to Redstone Arsenal.

Maj. Gen. James E. Rogers is currently the commanding general, 1st Theater Sustainment Command at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

The Department of Defense announced today that he is being assigned as the commanding general of U. S. Army Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone.

Sessions on EADS and the tanker

2010-04-20T15:23:00.002-05:00

The following was released by Sen. Jeff Sessions' office today regarding EADS entering the tanker bid process. The Alabamian is a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“The Pentagon should be delighted by today’s announcement from EADS. Just a few weeks ago, this major acquisition program was headed toward a sole-source selection process, despite an unequivocal Congressional mandate for competition. EADS’ bold decision to bid alone salvages that competition, and should be music to the ears of taxpayers and the men and women in uniform who will depend on this aircraft for decades to come. Compared to a sole-source deal that clearly undermines competition and would result in an inferior aircraft being provided to our war fighters, a true competition is far more likely to produce an aircraft with better capabilities at a lower price.

“The EADS team is clearly confident that they can submit a competitive proposal and are justifiably proud of the plane they can build for the Air Force. To continue this procurement without considering that aircraft—which overwhelmingly won when this process was conducted under the Air Force’s original rules—would have been a tragic mistake. Air Force officials have repeatedly stated a need for a multi-role, transformational aircraft that can support military activities around the globe, and we know from the previous evaluation that the EADS aircraft is best equipped to satisfy those demands.

“Although this contest appears to now have two participants, it will not be a true competition until it is conducted on a level playing field. Serious concerns still remain regarding the fairness of the Pentagon’s RFP, which was dramatically altered in ways that clearly favor one side over the other. I will continue to encourage senior Department of Defense officials to address those concerns. Ensuring that every aspect of the process is conducted properly will send a strong message that the Pentagon is serious about selecting the best aircraft for the military and the taxpayer.”

Sessions reacts to another lawmakers remards on tanker contract

2010-04-19T14:07:00.001-05:00

Just got this from Sen. Sessions' office:

U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, made the following statement today regarding comments made by U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA) regarding the Air Force Tanker Recapitalization Program:

“I am deeply disappointed that the Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Norm Dicks, would publically engage in political intimidation to restrict competition on any contract, much less one that would directly affect the men and women in our Armed Services.

“Chairman Dicks said last week that he hoped U.S. companies would not partner with European-based EADS to compete for the Air Force’s refueling tanker contract. By this admission, Chairman Dicks is attempting to restrict competition—a competition mandated by Congress—on the second-largest defense contract in the history of the United States to the sole benefit of one company. I believe that many Americans view this as brazenly inappropriate behavior.

“If Chairman Dicks is successful in politically intimidating contractors from partnering with EADS, there could be two negative impacts. First, taxpayers may be forced to pay more for a new aircraft than is warranted, and second, the aircraft’s value and capability to the war fighter will likely decrease, rather than increase as it would through a competitive procurement process.

“Defense companies should understand that, contrary to Representative Dick’s comments, the majority of members in the House and Senate want a robust competition engineered not to benefit a single company, but to produce the best airplane for the war fighter.

“I encourage U.S. companies to consider partnering with EADS, which was part of the team originally selected by the Air Force to build this airplane. Chairman Dicks should know that the men and women of our Armed Services deserve the transformational aircraft that the Air Force has repeatedly said it needs to support military operations around the world. The company that can build that aircraft should win the competition, free from political interference.”

“I intend to raise these troubling comments with senior Department of Defense officials when I meet with them at the Pentagon this week. I would hope that the Secretary of Defense would condemn statements of this nature, which only serve to politicize and corrupt this competitive process.”

'The Wall that Heals' is coming to the Tuscaloosa VA in June

2010-04-19T12:46:00.002-05:00

From the VA, coming to Tuscaloosa this summer:

The Wall That Heals, a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will bring the message of The Wall home to Tuscaloosa from June 9 to June 13.

Located at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, the exhibition will feature the dramatic replica – stretching nearly 250 feet in total length – as well as an Information Center and traveling museum displaying memorabilia left at The Wall in Washington, D.C. Special activities planned include opening and closing ceremonies, a reading of each name of the service members from Alabama listed on The Wall and other events to be announced.

The Wall That Heals, allows the many thousands of Vietnam veterans who have been unable to cope with the prospect of “facing The Wall” to find the strength and courage to do so within their own communities, thus allowing the healing process to begin.

“Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, the Marine Corps League, and the cities of Tuscaloosa and Northport are very honored to bring this event to Tuscaloosa, in order to help the healing process begin for those veterans that we so proudly serve,” said Damon Stevenson, Public Affairs Officer for the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center.

The Wall That Heals exhibition is organized by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the organization charged with preserving The Wall in Washington, D.C., and its vast legacy. National sponsors of the tour include Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Trust, Federal Express, Geico, New Century Transportation, Harley-Davidson Foundation and Target Corporation. Local sponsors include the Mike Spann Detachment of the Marine Corps League and the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center.

The Wall That Heals will begin with an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. on June 9 and will then be open 24 hours a day until 5 p.m. on June 13. There is no charge for admission. For more information on The Wall That Heals, contact Connie Booth at 205-554-3673 or connie.booth@va.gov.

Three Alabama companies recognized for miltary support

2010-04-19T12:42:00.001-05:00

This was released last week while I was out of town:

Three Alabama employers have been selected as semifinalists for the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The award is the U.S. Government’s highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. This year marks the 15^th anniversary of the award which was instituted in 1996 under then Secretary of Defense William Perry. Nominations for the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award were accepted from November 2009 through mid-January 2010.

Of Alabama’s 57 nominations for the Freedom Award, Alabama Power Company of Mobile, the Birmingham Police Department and Spiritus Inc. of Huntsville were selected as semifinalists. Examples of semifinalists support for their Guard and Reserve employees include providing the difference between military and civilian salary during deployments, continuation of full benefits, care packages and even family support to employees fulfilling their military obligation.

The three Alabama employers are among 130 semifinalists from across the nation, selected from more than 2,500 nominations submitted by Guard and Reserve members or their families for outstanding employer support.

From this field, a national review board will now select 30 finalists for the award. A national selection board comprised of senior defense officials, business leaders and prior Freedom Award recipients, representing small business, large business and public sector employers, will then select the 15 recipients for the 2010 Freedom Award. The Department of Defense will announce the 2010 finalists in May and the award recipients in early summer. The 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Awards will be presented at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., September 23^rd at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center.

About ESGR & the Freedom Award

The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). ESGR is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972 whose mission is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve Service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law and resolving conflict through mediation. Since 1996, only 130 companies have been presented with the prestigious Freedom Award. Previous honorees include Microsoft, Sears, Home Depot, American Airlines and Miller Brewing Company. For more information, please visit www.FreedomAward.mil.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-04-19T10:14:00.001-05:00

American Apparel, Inc. of Selma is being awarded a maximum $20,815,122 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity contract for combat utility uniform.

Other locations of performance are in Alabama. Using service is Marine Corps.

Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The original proposal was Web solicited with ten responses.

This contract is exercising the fourth option year period. The date of performance completion is April 18, 2011.

The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa.

More jobs coming to Montgomery, at the VA

2010-04-14T16:35:00.002-05:00

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its Montgomery VA regional benefits office have been authorized to hire 34 new employees to assist with processing veterans' claims for VA benefits.

The Montgomery VA regional office was authorized to hire 34 new employees to assist with processing Veterans’ claims for VA benefits. The new jobs came from federal dollars allocated under the Recovery Act, enacted by Congress in February 2009.

The new staffers will help handle the massive backlog of claims at the Montgomery regional office. Glen E. Struchtemeyer, director of the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System, told veterans last month that Montgomery has one of the largest backlogs of claims nationwide. His staff has a backlog of compensation and pension exams that support the regional office and they've asked for help from other VA offices statewide to lighten the load.

“The jobs created under the Recovery Act are a real boost to Alabama's economy,” VA Regional Office Director Ricardo Randle said in a release. “These new employees are a great resource to our office, and the assistance they provide allows us to better serve Alabama's veterans and their dependents.”

The new hires are involved in administrative work supporting the professional adjudicators who make compensation, pension or education decisions, or process changes in veterans’ benefits. VA expects the additional staffing will help to deliver veterans their benefits as quickly as possible.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided $150 million for the program to hire and train the new staffers. Nationally, VA has put 2,300 people to work in benefits offices including 500 new staff members hired as permanent employees.

While Recovery Act funding for the term employees will expire in September 2010, the 2011 president's budget includes funds to retain or replace these employees on a permanent basis and to hire more than 2,000 additional new processors.

In addition to bolstering the benefits office staffing, the law is funding more than $1 billion of improvements at VA medical centers and national cemeteries around the country.

More information about VA benefits is available at www.va.gov or veterans may contact one of VA's Call Center representatives at 1-800-827-1000.

Montcomery CAVHCS campus expanding

2010-04-14T13:19:00.003-05:00

The Montgomery campus of the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System is expanding.

Glen E. Struchtemeyer, CAVHCS director, told a group of veterans about the expansion earlier this month, as reported by the Advertiser. He was speaking at a meeting of Rep. Mike Rogers' (R-Saks) veterans advisory council on March 31.

He told the veterans that an architecture firm had been hired to begin work on an expansion.

Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange has scheduled his weekly press briefing to be held at the Montgomery campus on Friday to release more details about the new, 112,000 square foot, leased outpatient clinic in Montgomery.

The facility will use the "medical home" model the Army has adopted. It brings more medical staff and services to one location so patients don't have to go to different offices for different services, Struchtemeyer said.

The clinic at Fort Rucker is expanding, and the Tuskegee facility also is expanding and working to offer more services, including those for homeless veterans.

Local/state military stories

2010-04-14T12:45:00.002-05:00

Here's a few stories I've come across today about Alabamians deployed and at home.

http://readme.readmedia.com/A-Different-Kind-of-College-Experience/1231473

http://www.ng.mil/news/archives/2010/04/040110-Award.aspx

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=47965

Benning soldier one of those killed in Osprey crash

2010-04-13T15:00:00.002-05:00

The Department of Defense released today that Cpl. Michael D. Jankiewicz, 23, of Ramsey, N.J., was one of those killed in the April 9 Osprey crash.

He died in Zabul, Afghanistan. Jankiewicz was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-04-09T16:42:00.000-05:00

Fontaine Trailer Military Products of Jasper was awarded on April 1 an $8,765,565 firm-fixed-price contract.

This contract is for 250 M871A3 drop-deck semitrailers ordered through General Services Administration (GSA) contract GS-30F-0018T.

Fontaine Trailer Military Products in the only supplier of the M871A3 semitrailers in the GSA schedule.

A limited source justification was provided and approved by the Contract Management Office on March 8.

Work is to be performed in Jasper, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2010.

One bid was solicited with one bid received. TACOM Contracting Center, Warren CCTA-ATB-D, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-04-08T16:32:00.000-05:00

Wyle Laboratories, Inc. of Huntsville was awarded a $6,808,382 contract which provides for the research, test, development, and delivery of communication and technical recommendations, technical studies, network operations reports, version updates, engineering studies, and requirements traceability matrices.

At this time, $371,461 has been obligated. 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity.

Base officials release air show attendance figures, but unofficial traffic counts are higher

2010-04-06T19:05:00.002-05:00

Maxwell Air Force Base officials have released their attendance figures for the Thunder over Alabama air show.

The official numbers are 120,000 for the two day event that included the Air Force's Thunderbirds.

I've been told by other air show organizers that the traffic count was closer to 92,000 on Saturday and 41,000 on Sunday for a total of 134,000.

And those figures don't include those who walked on base or watched from off-base. Although, the traffic count figures also don't account for people who may have driven onto base to go to work or who live on base.

Leadership change at Rucker

2010-04-05T14:59:00.001-05:00

The chief of staff of the Army announced this assignment today:
Brig. Gen. Kelly J. Thomas, deputy commanding general/assistant commandant, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, Fort Rucker, Ala., to assistant division commander, 2d Infantry Division, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea.

Alabama companies awarded defense contract

2010-03-31T16:34:00.002-05:00

Wyle Laboratories, Inc. in Huntsville is being awarded an $11,380,330 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00421-08-C-0025) to exercise an option for aircrew, engineering, operations, and scheduling services in support of the Naval Test Wing Atlantic and Naval Test Wing Pacific.

The estimated level of effort for this option is 18,757 man-hours.

Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md., and is expected to be completed in March 2011.

Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

------------------------

Wyle Laboratories, Inc. of Huntsville was awarded a $23,799,062 contract which provides for the Reliability Information Analysis Center to research, test, develop, and deliver operations manuals, change proposals, system assessments/capabilities guides, software version description documents, data procedures documents software user's manuals, and wiring diagrams.

At this time, $345,893 has been obligated.

55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity.

USO working coming to Rucker

2010-03-31T13:26:00.001-05:00

The USO is bringing it's Sesame Street workshop to Alabama this season.

The workshop will be at Fort Rucker June 16-17.

The full schedule and more information is available here.

Air show pictures

2010-03-31T12:35:00.016-05:00

Again, snapped on my blackberry throughout the weekend, so sorry for the poor quality. Check out the photo galleries on www.montgomeryadvertiser.com to see Mickey and David's photos and Shannon's videos. Well done gentlemen.

Americal Legion hosts Easter Egg hunt Saturday

2010-03-31T12:19:00.002-05:00

The American Legion Post 210 in Montgomery is hosting an Easter Egg hunt on Saturday.

For details and to see their flier, click here.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-03-31T10:53:00.000-05:00

Wyle Laboratories, Inc. of Huntsville was awarded a $23,847,566 contract which provides for the Reliability Information Analysis Center to research, test, develop, and deliver concept recommendations, architecture analysis, ontological models, alternatives analysis, life-cycle costs estimates, prototype development assessments, and prototype tools.

At this time, $797,000 has been obligated.

55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-03-29T16:30:00.000-05:00

Raytheon Co., IDS of Huntsville was awarded on March 25 a $12,985,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Plug-and-Fight (P&F) A-Kit design definition to develop an integrated set of components/platform end item preliminary engineering change proposals for the development of IAMD P&F A-kits that integrate government furnished equipment IAMD B-Kits.

Work is to be performed in Huntsville, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2011.

One bid was solicited with one bid received.

AMCOM Contracting Center, Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, is the contracting activity.

Pictures from air show practice day

2010-03-26T19:01:00.007-05:00

I took these on my blackberry, so not great quality, but Mickey Welsh (our amazing photographer) will have great photos in the paper and online this weekend.

Thunderbirds in formation on Friday.

Thunderbirds practice on Friday

Cargo heritage flight.

A-1 Skyraider taxies by.

A-10 parks, will be a static display this weekend. Pilot is a Selma native.

Hometown Hero pictures

2010-03-25T19:53:00.004-05:00

Some photos from the day that I snapped on my phone...

Michael Gross, an AUM physical education instructor, was selected as the Hometown Hero for a flight the Air Force's Thunderbirds. He taught PE for 14 years in the Montgomery Public School system and has a doctorate in physical education. He also travels to Brazil each year to lead mission trips at an orphanage there.

For more, read my story in Friday's Advertiser.

Locals selected for flight with Golden Knights

2010-03-23T23:04:00.003-05:00

Two locals have been selected for a Hometown Hero flight with the Golden Knights on Friday.

Rob Mitchell, a student at Auburn Montgomery is 18.

He was nominated by Jerry Watkins, the principal at East Memorial Christian Academy in Prattville, where Mitchell volunteers.

The Millbrook resident is also a volunteer fireman in Millbrook and active in his church in Montgomery.

On his way home along Main Street in Millbrook last spring, he noticed smoke coming from windows of a two-story home. He stopped his truck and entered the home. He found an elderly man who was nearly unconscious and brought him outside before the fire department arrived, likely saving his life, according to the nomination packet.

---------

Michael P. Whaley is the battalion commander of the Prattville Fire Department.

He was home with his family when an F-3 tornado hit the city. Once the tornado passed, he reported for duty and helped coordinate the response and relief efforts.

Whaley has been a member of the department since 1994.

Riley proclaims March "Aviation and Aerospace Heritage Month in Alabama

2010-03-22T14:49:00.000-05:00

The month of March 2010 was proclaimed “Aviation and Aerospace Heritage Month” to commemorate the first flight of an airplane in the state of Alabama.

The flight by Orville Wright was conducted on March 26, 1910 over the grounds of present day Maxwell Air Force Base.

The proclamation was signed by Governor Bob Riley during a ceremony held in the Old House Chamber of the State Capitol Building.

Attending the ceremony were (standing L-R) George Cully, Director, Air University Office of History, Maxwell Air Force Base; Dr. John C. Eagerton IV, Chief, Alabama Department of Transportation Aeronautics Bureau; Fred Sington, President, Aviation Council of Alabama; Billy Singleton, Chairman, Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame; Dr. James Griffin, Executive Director, Southern Museum of Flight; Jerome Ennels, Archivist, United States Air Force Historical Research Agency; and Colonel Kris Beasley, Commander, 42nd Air Base Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base.

Legion Bike Night

2010-03-16T11:07:00.005-05:00

The American Legion Post 210 on Bell Street is hosting it's second Bike Night this weekend.

The event starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 20 at the post at 903 Bell St.

For more information, call the post at 593-5320. To see the flyer, click here.

McChrystal on COIN

2010-03-15T11:42:00.000-05:00

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of the International Security Assistance Force, and the "8 Imperatives of COIN". Part 1 of 8.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3APTOKZ9Vc

MyCAA begins again

2010-03-11T11:42:00.002-06:00

From the Department of Defense today:

The Department of Defense announced today the resumption of the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account, MyCAA , program. Beginning March 13 at 12 p.m. EST, the 136,583 military spouses who are currently enrolled in the program will once again be able to receive tuition assistance.

"We made a commitment to our military spouses when they established a career advancement account and we will be true to our promises," said Tommy Thomas, deputy under secretary of defense, military community and family policy.

The first phase of the reinstated program will enable the department to continue to pay up to $6,000 in tuition assistance for spouses currently enrolled. The department is working hard to adjust and meet the demands of the program and develop a long-term solution for spouses not yet enrolled who would like to establish an account.

The program was launched March 2, 2009, to assist military spouses in attaining portable careers in high-demand, high-growth occupations. An unexpected spike in enrollment prompted the Defense Department to pause the program on Feb. 16. A thorough review began immediately to assure the program was accomplishing its intended goals.

"When we determined that an operational pause in the program was critically needed, we failed to notify our spouses in a timely and appropriate manner," said Thomas. "As a result of our failure, we know we will have to work hard to restore their faith in us. We are committed to earning that trust through improved communication and by delivering services."

The Defense Department is currently developing options for the long-term management of the program and expect to be able to announce the details soon. Until new accounts can be created, Military OneSource Spouse Education and Career Consultants will continue to be available to provide education and training, career exploration, assessment, employment readiness and career search assistance.

Wright Bros. symposium coming to Montgomery

2010-03-11T11:39:00.000-06:00

The Alabama Department of Archives and History is hosting a symposium on the Wright Brothers on March 26.

The event, Celebrating a Century of Flight: The Wright Brothers and Aviation in Alabama, 1910-2010, will include scholars and discussions on aviation in Alabama and its evolution.

The event will be at the Alabama Department of Archives and History, 624 Washington Ave.

For more information go to, www.auburn.edu/wrightbrothers

WASPs honored in Washington. One was honored at Maxwell last year.

2010-03-11T10:51:00.004-06:00

The women of the Women Airforce Service Pilots were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at the Capitol on Wednesday.

More than 200 WASPs attended the ceremony, including Betty Wall Strohfus, who was an Eagle at the 2009 Gathering of Eagles at Maxwell Air Force Base.

Of the more than 1,100 women who volunteered and flew every fighter, bomber, transport and trainer aircraft in the inventory 68 years ago, only about 300 are still alive, according to a American Forces Press Service story by Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski.

Strohfus flew the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-26 Marauder bombers, as well as the P-39 Airacobra fighter.

“It’s almost unbelievable. We never thought this day would come,” she was quoted as saying in Buzanowski's story. “We were all just so grateful to have the opportunity to fly. But this was just such a lovely ceremony and so nice for all these people to come out for us.”

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest award Congress can present to a civilian or group of civilians. Past honorees include the Navajo Code Talkers in 2000 and Tuskegee Airmen in 2006.

Here's my story about Strohfus from June 2009:

Elizabeth "Betty Wall" Strohfus

She's not a pilot. She's a woman pilot.

Strohfus was one of 1,074 Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs, during World War II.

The women helped the men train for combat and Strohfus piloted eight different aircraft during her years.

At 5-foot-3 she barely made the minimum height requirement with the help of extra socks, and she paid her own way to Sweetwater, Texas, for training.

Her love of flying started in her hometown in Minnesota when she met a pilot who took her up for a spin. He'd execute various maneuvers, and then, "He'd look around and say 'One more time?'

After 10 more 'one more times,' he didn't look around anymore," she said. "He didn't look too good."

After the flight, he told her, "You've gotta fly. Usually people I take on this flight get sick. You're the only one who's made me sick," Strohfus recalled.

When she heard about the WASP program, she saw that as her chance.

To join the program, women needed a private pilot's license or 35 flight hours. She didn't have the money for a license, so she got her 35 hours and headed to Texas. Half the day was spent flying, the other half in the classroom.

The students learned meteorology, which Strohfus didn't understand.

"Well, heck. I'd go outside and if it was a nice day, I'd go flying," she said. She didn't know much about engines either, except where it was supposed to be. And when it came to physics, she was lost.

"I thought it was something you took for a stomach problem," Strohfus said. In training, she flew aggressive maneuvers against the male pilots to prepare them for combat. They used live ammunition.

She didn't fly much after the WASPs were disbanded in 1944. But she did keep fighting -- for the WASPs to get veterans' benefits. It took until 1979, but with help, she did it.

This was her first time as an Eagle and she struggled to find words to say what it meant to her.

"It's hard to express," she said.

A trail blazer and role model for female pilots, she gave the students some advice.

"Follow your dreams," Strohfus said. "That's what's important."

Former Maxwell staffer is new acting director of Alexandria (La.) VA

2010-03-09T13:13:00.001-06:00

Came across this in the Town Talk:

Bryan Bayley, FACHE, is the new acting director of the Alexandria VA Medical Center.

Bayley has over 34 years of federal service.

He entered the United States Air Force during the Vietnam conflict and spent over 12 years serving on active duty. He then spent another 12 years as a Department of Defense civilian employee holding several progressive supervisory and management positions in the Civil Engineering Squadron at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

Bayley transferred to the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2000. He has held positions as Deputy Chief Information Officer in Phoenix, AZ; Chief Information Officer in Kansas City, MO; and Associate Medical Center Director in Amarillo, TX.

In 2008 he joined the South Central VA Health Care Network (SCVAHCN) to manage the daily operations of the Network and serve as a full deputy to the Network Director. It is anticipated that a new facility director will be appointed within six months at which time Bayley will return to his duties at the SCVAHCN in Jackson, Mississippi.

Bayley holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology and a Masters Degree in Health Administration. He is board certified as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Day Street gate is open

2010-03-03T12:55:00.000-06:00

The Day Street gate reopened Feb. 28 at 6 a.m.

The overall $1.3 million project was funded with stimulus money and includes a canopy over the road at the gate building; improvement and repair of the gate; and the addition of a restroom to the gate building.

Photo of the Day

2010-02-01T16:38:00.002-06:00

U.S. Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division stand guard as an MV-22 Osprey aircraft lands at a landing zone near the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 29. The 82nd Airborne Division is in Haiti supporting Operation Unified Response, a multinational, joint-service operation led by the Department of Defense and the U.S. Agency for International Development, to provide humanitarian assistance to Haitians affected by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck the region Jan. 12, 2010. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shannon Warner, U.S. Navy/Released)

Legion event to honor veteran

2010-02-01T04:51:00.002-06:00

The American Legion Post 210 in Montgomery is hosting a celebration of the life of a local veteran who recently passed away.

On Feb. 6, the post is holding a Bike Night to honor Bill “Snap” Lines.

Food will be provided and a live band will provide the entertainment for donations.

The event will be held at the post at 903 Bell Street and the post will open around noon that day.

If you have any questions please feel free to call the Post at 593-5320 or see the flier at www.legion210.org/bikenite.pdf

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-01-28T16:16:00.000-06:00

Austal USA of Mobile is being awarded a $204,238,728 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-2217) to exercise options for Ships 2 and 3 of the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) program.

The JHSV will provide high speed, shallow draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies, and equipment for the Navy, Marine Corps and Army.

Work will be performed in Mobile and is expected to be completed by July 2012.

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.

Tops in Blue coming to Montgomery

2010-01-27T11:43:00.002-06:00

Tops In Blue, the all active duty U.S. Air Force performance unit, is coming to town.

The group will be here Feb. 5-6 and will perform at the Davis Theater.

Tickets are free and may be picked up on base or at Max Credit Union.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Tops In Blue is a team of 35 vocalists, musicians, dancers, comedians, magicians and dramatists. They're known as the Air Force's Expeditionary Entertainers and primarily perform for military members and their families worldwide.

For more information, go to the group's Web site.

Alabama company awarded defense contract

2010-01-26T16:22:00.000-06:00

BAE Systems Inc. of Anniston was awarded a $29,247,535 firm-fixed-price contract for the Centralized and National Level RESET of a total of 417 M113 Family of Vehicles.

Work is to be performed in Anniston with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010.

One bid was solicited with one bid received.

TACOM, CCTA-AHLA, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity.

Photo of the Day

2010-01-26T12:40:00.000-06:00

British Royal navy Cmdr. David Salisbury, right, the director of staff for Africa Partnership Station (APS) West, helps deliver relief supplies donated by Mexico to more than a thousand people at a school yard on Haitian Coast Guard base Amiral Killick in Carrefour, Haiti, Jan. 24, 2010. The amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) was diverted from its Africa Partnership Station (APS) West mission to support Operation Unified Response following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake near Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, 2010. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Martine Cuaron, U.S. Navy/Released)

908th joins relief efforts in Haiti

2010-01-20T17:50:00.000-06:00

The 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base is supporting the military’s relief efforts in Haiti.

The state’s only Air Force Reserve unit began sending aircraft and personnel on Friday and another crew took off Monday morning with vehicles loaded on its C-130 Hercules cargo plane. Several missions took place over the weekend and more are expected this week.

Col. Brett Clark said the wing is coordinating with other military commands to support the relief effort. It’s tough to get into Haiti because of the volume of traffic of relief efforts at Port-au-Prince airport, he said.

Members of the 908th started volunteering for the humanitarian mission shortly after the massive earthquake hit Haiti, Clark said.

“The volunteerism has really done by heart proud,” Clark said.

Capt. David Kemp was the co-pilot on the C-130 that left Wednesday. He and the rest of the 8-person crew took several vehicles including a Humvee and Gators to Haiti.

Kemp said it’s rewarding to participate in the humanitarian mission, but they aren’t sure what to expect when they get there.

“We know it’s not going to be pretty,” he said.

Tech. Sgt. Glenn Swindle expects to be on a mission to Haiti later this week. He’s an Air Reserve Technician at the 908th, meaning he’s a traditional reservist and works as a civilian at the 908th during the week.
“I hate it for those folks, but I’m glad we’re able to help like this,” Tech. Sgt. Glenn Swindle said. “If we’re going to spend the money and fuel and train, this is what we need to be doing.”