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Gates Sees 'Positive Direction' in AfghanistanBy Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Sept. 3, 2010 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he is encouraged by what he saw during a visit with troops here today. Gates said he was buoyed by witnessing the partnership between Afghan, coalition and U.S. security forces, and the knowledge that junior and senior U.S. military officers understand the Afghanistan strategy. And, U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan believe they're making a difference and are achieving progress, the secretary said. "It all points in a positive direction," Gates said. However, there's more fighting ahead, Gates acknowledged. The two units the secretary visited today have lost people and incurred wounded. He awarded Purple Heart medals to several 101st Airborne Division soldiers at Combat Outpost Seranjay. "There will be more casualties," Gates said. "They face a resilient enemy, but ... [American forces] know what [they're] doing here, they know what they're supposed to do, they understand the importance of partnering, and they understand the importance of getting the Afghans in the lead as soon as possible." The secretary said the soldiers and sailors he met in and around Kandahar lived their mission. "In terms of understanding what we need to do, we're a long way ahead of where we were a year or two or three ago," Gates said. "There is a lot of hard fighting to go, but the confidence of these young men and women that they can be successful, in turn, gives me confidence." NATO will host a Summit in Lisbon in November and the U.S. government will conduct an Afghanistan strategy review in December. Both will be important to the effort in Afghanistan. Gates said he believes there could be enough evidence of progress at that time, "to determine whether we are on the right track, and based on what I've seen here today, I'm hopeful that we will be in that position." Gates said the soldiers he met at Combat Outpost Seranjay were pretty imperturbable. "I had lunch with a bunch of junior enlisted today, and the biggest complaints I got from them was that their wireless is down, and their dryers are working OK, but four of their five washing machines are not," the secretary said. "I also heard about the same problem I heard the last time I was in Afghanistan, and that is the trousers of the [Army camouflage uniform] aren't strong enough." | Biographies:
Robert M. Gates
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As Hurricane Earl moves away from North Carolina and up toward the Northeastern United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is continuing to take aggressive steps to coordinate with state and local officials across New England as they prepare for the storm. In the Northeast, FEMA is urging residents to get ready for possible severe weather and listen to instructions from local officials. In areas already affected by Hurricane Earl, especially in North Carolina, FEMA urges continued precautions as residents and visitors emerge from their homes or return to evacuated regions.
Two of six defendants arrested in a large scale drug-trafficking conspiracy with ties to Mexico were convicted by jury yesterday following a four-day trial in federal court in Panama City.
Military Contracts:
CONTRACTS AIR FORCE Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Ga., was awarded a $315,587,530 contract modification for the procurement of three fiscal 2008 Overseas Contingency Operations C-130J aircraft; one fiscal 2008 Overseas Contingency Operations KC-130J aircraft; and one fiscal 2010 HC-130J aircraft. At this time, $250,745,584 has been obligated. 657 AESS, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8625-06-C-6456; PO0178). ITT Systems Corp., Colorado Springs, Colo., was awarded a $22,673,166 contract modification which will provide system engineering integration and sustainment of ground-based missile warning, missile defense, and space surveillance sensors. At this time, $17,436,327 has been obligated. ESC/HSIK, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the contracting activity (F19628-02-C-0010; PO0275). Camgian Microsystems Corp., Starkville, Miss., was awarded a $9,237,665 contract which will support the advanced integrated microsystems project to develop revolutionary technology that will enable improvements in size and endurance over generations systems, such as micro satellites, micro-unmanned aeronautical vehicles, and body worn electronics. At this time, $1,989,202 has been obligated. AFRL/PKSE, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-10-C-1884). NAVY SERCO, Inc., Reston, Va., is receiving an $80,235,219 modification (P00001) to previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00189-09-D-Z027) to exercise an option for most efficient organization subcontract support for pay, personnel and passenger transportation support services for the commander, Naval Installations Command. With the exercise of this option, the new maximum value of this contract is $80,277,246. Work will be performed worldwide, and is expected to be completed by September 2011. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, Contracting Department, Philadelphia Division, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics Information Technology, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $38,580,263 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00421-07-D-0024) to exercise an option for information technology/information management department support services. This modification provides for a wide range of services and products, including information engineering; business process improvement relative to automation; analytical and technical support for enterprise resource planning; consultation; hardware and software evaluation and selection; systems analysis; systems and applications sustainment, including configuration and maintenance of web sites and servers; integration of systems and applications; database administration; production support; information assurance; network support; firewall support; and imaging services. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md., and is expected to be completed in September 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. Truston Technologies, Inc.*, Annapolis, Md. (N62583-10-D-0341); GPA Technologies, Inc.*, Ventura, Calif. (N62583-10-D-0342); Harbor Offshore, Inc.*, Ventura, Calif. (N62583-10-D-0343); Great Eastern Group, Inc.*, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (N62583-10-D-0344); and Hardline-ResoluteCM, JV*, Brasstown, N.C. (N62583-10-D-0345), are being awarded Option Year One under a firm-fixed-price/cost-plus-fixed-fee multiple award contract for waterfront security systems, barrier, mooring and marine facility support services for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, located at marine facilities worldwide. The work to be performed provides for logistical support, installation, inspection, repair, maintenance and field supervision/operation of waterfront barriers, and moorings. The combined total value for all five contractors is $17,500,000. No task orders are being issued at this time. The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $27,500,000. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities worldwide, and work is expected to be completed September 2011. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Specialty Center Acquisitions, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity. Alutiiq 3SG, LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, is being awarded a $13,421,022 cost-plus-fixed-fee, completion type contract to provide electronic security system program support services to the National Guard Bureau. Work will be performed in Charleston, S.C., and is expected to be completed by September 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website with one offer received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head, Md., is the contracting activity (N00174-10-C-0056). Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded $9,800,000 for ceiling price order #0001 against a previously issued repair basic ordering agreement (N00383-10-G-003D) for the repair of 14 weapons replaceable assemblies/shop replaceable assemblies of the advanced targeting forward looking infrared system used in support of the F/A 18 aircraft. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas (47 percent); Jacksonville, Fla. (32 percent); and El Segundo, Calif. (21 percent). Work will be completed by Dec. 31, 2011. The contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Inventory Control Point, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity. Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., McLean, Va., is being awarded $7,403,901 for task order #0106 under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (M67854-02-A-9000) to provide business and analytical support to the Program Office for Ground Transportation Equipment Systems. The objectives of this effort is to support the Program Office providing on-going business case and cost analysis, analytical, acquisition, engineering, logistics, and warranty support in the areas of mobility and counter mobility, Route Reconnaissance and Clearance, Construction and Material Handling Equipment, and engineer support equipment to include Tactical Water Distribution System redesign. This effort is also to provide acquisition assistance and coordination with the business manager and for direct support of the programs approaching milestones. Administrative support is also required to assist with briefs, meetings, and general administrative assistance on an as-needed basis. Work will be performed in Stafford, Va. (82 percent); Camp Lejeune, N.C. (5 percent); Camp Pendleton, Calif. (5 percent); Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan (5 percent); and Quantico, Va. (3 percent), and work is expected to be completed in September 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured, with six proposals solicited and four offers received. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $6,105,271 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00019-02-C-3002) to integrate F-35 manned simulation capabilities into a U.S. government facility. Work will be performed at Fort Worth, Texas (75 percent), and St. Louis, Mo. (25 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. Cape Fox Professional Services, LLC, Manassas, Va., was awarded a $6,077,155 modification on Aug. 31 to previously awarded cost-plus-fixed fee contract (N00244-08-C-0032) to exercise Option 2 for an integrated solution to provide training, program management, and supporting structure with the specific goal of reducing traffic related deaths in the Navy and Marine Corps. In addition to training, promotional materials emphasizing traffic safety, develops outreach and presentations, and plans and facilitates special events that deliver a traffic safety message will be provided. Work will be performed at Naval and Marine Corps installations worldwide, and the expected completion date is Aug. 31, 2011. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, San Diego, Calif., is contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Defense Systems Division, Herndon, Va., is being awarded a $5,301,052 modification (00037) to previously awarded contract (M67854-06-C-2023) to provide post delivery software support for joint tactical common operation picture workstation client and gateway software. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed by May 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $5,301,052 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity |
Law Enforcement News
Two long-term ICE investigations into the illegal honey imports from China led to a guilty plea by a Seattle-area businessman and a 44-count indictment charging 11 individuals and six corporations in Chicago.
Six Illegal Aliens Indicted on Kidnapping and Weapons ChargesSeptember 1, 2010 (Columbus, Ohio) - A federal grand jury has indicted six illegal aliens in a 14-count indictment alleging conspiracy, hostage taking and gun crimes for abducting a woman and her two-year old daughter in Columbus on Dec. 14 and 15, 2009. Carter M. Stewart, U. S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Brian Moskowitz, special agent in charge of the Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Michigan and Ohio, Christopher Sadowski, special agent in charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ( ATF), Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien, and Columbus Police Chief Walter Distelzweig, announced the indictment today. More at ICE.gov CBP Thwarts Human Smuggling Attempt at SeaAugust 30, 2010 (San Diego, Calif.) - The crew of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) marine interdiction vessel stopped a human smuggling attempt off the coast of San Diego netting seven illegal aliens on Sunday afternoon. A CBP maritime crew comprised of CBP marine interdiction agents and CBP officers, were on routine patrol about three miles off the coast of Point Loma at around 5 p.m., when they spotted a vessel of interest and proceeded to investigate. More at CBP.gov
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Telephone registration and Disaster Recovery Centers will be open Labor Day weekend, according to state and federal officials.
City of Toronto to celebrate the Canadian Navy's 100th year
Join Toronto Mayor David Miller, Toronto Police Services Chief Bill Blair and Commander Matthew Davies from Toronto's Naval Reserve Division, HMCS YORK, in celebrating the Canadian Naval Service's centenary year. To mark this occasion, a special Freedom of the City eventwill be held at Nathan Phillips Square on September 3.
Members of the HMCS YORK will be marching through the streets of Toronto on Friday. The City of Toronto will proclaim Friday, September 3, 2010 as Naval Day in honour of the 100th anniversary.
Date: Friday, September 3
Times:
7 p.m. - The naval parade will begin at the intersection of Front and Yonge streets and will proceed north on Yonge Street and west on Queen Street toward City Hall.
7:20 p.m. - The parade will arrive at Nathan Phillips Square, with speeches there shortly after the parade's arrival.
Location: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W.
Freedom of the City is a prized honour that cities across Canada have bestowed over the years to allow a naval or military unit to march in their communities.
Eight associates of the Surenos 13 gang are facing new criminal charges or removal from the U.S., following a joint anti-gang enforcement action Wednesday led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Columbia, the York County Sheriff's Office and the Rock Hill Police Department.
Face of Defense: Marine Follows Family HeritageBy Marine Corps Cpl. Ned Johnson
Regimental Combat Team 2 SANGIN, Afghanistan, Sept. 3, 2010 - Marine Corps Sgt. Dominick Valerio said he joined the military because the men in his family have always defended America's freedom. 
Marine Corps Sgt. Dominick Valerio, a squad leader with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, teaches a casualty evacuation class in Sangin, Afghanistan, Aug. 27, 2010. Valerio views every moment with his squad as an opportunity to teach them something new, preparing them for the challenges that await them. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ned Johnson
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution imageavailable. |
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"My grandfather served in World War II, and both my uncles are Vietnam vets," said Valerio, a squad leader here with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. "My brothers also serve in the army." Having served in the Marine Corps Security Forces, Valerio said he likes teaching young Marines. Though he always knew he would end up in the military, Valerio said the Marine Corps' "dragon slayer" commercial convinced him to become a Marine. Valerio said he wanted to emulate a member of his family who serves as a Marine infantryman, known in military vernacular as a "grunt." "My brother-in-law is with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, and is a 'grunt,'" said Valerio, a 22-year-old native of Phelps, New York. "I knew I wanted to be an infantryman and I told the recruiter I would do nothing else." After completing basic infantryman training Valerio was given the opportunity to receive advanced training when he elected to work in security forces rather than a regular infantry line company. "As a 'Security Forces' Marine," Valerio said, "I went to the Urban Assault Leader's Course, Joint Fires Observer Course, Infantry Squad Leader's Course, and a ton of other schools." Lance Cpl. Ryan Kinne, a team leader with Company K, said he appreciates Valerio's mentorship. "He will teach you anything you want to know, if you ask," said Kinne, a 21-year-old native of San Antonio. "He's given us classes on calling for fire, medical evacuation procedures and lots of other things." Valerio said his teaching style is anything but conventional. "I like to use physical training to teach Marines," he said. "We might go on a run and I can tell when everyone needs a break, so I'll stop and teach them something important." Valerio said he also incorporates other types of physical training into his instruction, like carrying a litter and other tasks Marines may have to perform under fire. In Afghanistan, Kinne said, Valerio's training sessions have had a positive impact on the battlefield. "We have taken casualties and we have had to transport them to a landing zone and call in a casualty report," he said. "That's where the training paid off." Kinne said Valerio's "people" skills help him to connect with his Marines. "He is very well-spoken,' Kinne said of Valerio. "He can explain something no matter who you are." Other Marines who know Valerio, like Lance Cpl. Joshua Matthews, a team leader with Company K, say his physical courage, military skills and teaching ability have gained him the respect of his subordinates and superiors. But Valerio also has earned his Marines' trust because of his moral courage, Matthews said. "My favorite thing about him as a squad leader is that he sticks up for his Marines," Matthews said of Valerio. "Even at the risk of getting himself in trouble, he has stood beside Marines that he thought were in the right."
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