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• Fort Riley Update - Dining Facilities Half-Day and Holiday Schedule, including Christmas Meals
• DOD Identifies Army Casualty
• U.S., Canada Expand Arctic Cooperation, Military Training
• Contracts for December 11, 2012
• Today in the Department of Defense, 12/12/2012
• National Intelligence Council Forecasts Megatrends
• Grants to Improve Walter Reed Access, Aid Schools on Bases
• Panetta Meets With Kuwait's Amir, Stresses Strong Relationship
• Freedom Award Recognizes Guard, Reserve Supporters
• VA News Releases Update
• DOD Announces Recruiting, Retention Numbers
• Readout of Secretary Panetta's Meeting with Kuwaiti Amir
• Fort Riley Current News Update
• Senior Executive Service Announcements
• DOD Approves $129 Million in Grants for Transportation Improvements and to Replace Schools Located on Military Installations
• DOD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal 2013, Through October 2012
• Logistics Tracking Team Monitors Road Shipment Safety, Security
• Special Report: Travels With Panetta
• Face of Defense: Motivated Marine Serves in Afghanistan
• Combined Force Arrests Taliban Facilitator
• Panetta Calls Kuwait Important U.S. Partner
• Propwash

Fort Riley Update - Dining Facilities Half-Day and Holiday Schedule, including Christmas Meals Posted: 11 Dec 2012 04:42 PM PST You are subscribed to Current News, Calendar, or Facebook-Fort Riley for Fort Riley. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Christmas meals are being served at Fort Riley Dining Facilities. 3 locations provide 3 dining opportunities Dec. 12, 24, & 25.  The cost is $7.50 for DA Civilians, guests, and visitors. Visit http://www.riley.army.mil/NewsViewer.aspx?id=6905 for details and more information about the facilities' schedule Dec. 17, 2012 - Jan. 2, 2013.   Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit https://service.govdelivery.com/service/help.html or contact support@govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by Fort Riley. This email was sent by GovDelivery, Inc. on behalf of Fort Riley - 408 St. Peter Street, Suite 600 Saint Paul, MN 55102 - 1-800-439-1420

DOD Identifies Army Casualty Posted: 11 Dec 2012 04:38 PM PST You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. DOD Identifies Army Casualty 12/11/2012 06:18 PM CST IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 970-12 December 11, 2012 DOD Identifies Army Casualty             The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.              Staff Sgt. Wesley R. Williams, 25, of New Carlisle, Ohio, died Dec. 10 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, under control of the 7th Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.              For more information the media may contact the 7th Infantry Division public affairs office by calling 253-477-5602 or 253-477-0173/0174.  After 5 p.m. PST, call 253-477-5543, and ask for the 7th Infantry Division Public Affairs Officer on call.     U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/releases/ Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132 Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1 Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your User Profile Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

U.S., Canada Expand Arctic Cooperation, Military Training Posted: 11 Dec 2012 03:19 PM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. U.S., Canada Expand Arctic Cooperation, Military Training 12/11/2012 05:14 PM CST U.S., Canada Expand Arctic Cooperation, Military Training By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2012 - The United States and Canada entered into two new agreements today that expanded their security relationship by promoting closer cooperation in peacefully opening the Arctic and in expanding their bilateral military training and exercise program. U.S. Army Gen. Charles Jacoby Jr., left, at table, commander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, and Canadian Army Lt. Gen. Stuart Beare, Canadian Joint Operations Command commander, sign the Tri-Command Framework for Arctic Cooperation and the Tri-Command Training and Exercise Statement of Intent during the 230th meeting of the Canada-U.S. Permanent Joint Board on Defense at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Dec. 11, 2012. Photo by Doug Sanderson (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Army Gen. Charles Jacoby Jr., commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, joined Canadian Army Lt. Gen. Stuart Beare, commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, in signing the Tri-Command Framework for Arctic Cooperation during a meeting of the Permanent Joint Board of Defense at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The agreement emphasizes that the Arctic is not a region of conflict, but rather a place where nations can work together peacefully and the U.S. and Canadian militaries will support other departments and agencies in response to regional threats and hazards when requested and directed, officials said. The goal is to promote enhanced military cooperation in the Arctic, particularly in support of safety, security and defense operations. During today's session, the participants agreed to collaborate more closely in a host of areas, including training, capabilities, research and development, science and technology, domain awareness, communications and operations, all to promote a safe and secure Arctic region, Royal Canadian Air Force Brig. Gen. A.D. "Al" Meinzinger, deputy director of NORAD's and Northcom's strategy, policy and plans directorate, told American Forces Press Service. DOD's unified defense plan, which President Barack Obama signed in April 2011, designated Northcom as the department's advocate for Arctic capabilities. The designation recognizes that the opening of the polar icecap -- and the increased presence of human activity -- has important strategic implications, Meinzinger said. "With an opening Arctic, we see more vessel traffic, and obviously see a greater need for a deeper understanding of the domain there," he said. "We have common interests," he said. "The eight [Arctic] nations understand that this is a fragile environment, and we have a mutual interest in ensuring the Arctic opens in a peaceful manner and that conflict is not on anybody's priority list." Another agreement signed today expands cooperation in the training and exercise realm and recognizes the shared security interests and budget constraints facing both militaries, Royal Canadian Navy Cmdr. Darren Rich, Canadian Joint Operations Command's representative to NORAD and Northcom, told American Forces Press Service. The Tri Command Training and Exercise Statement is aimed at enhancing joint and combined readiness in support of safety, security and defense missions between the Canadian and U.S. militaries. As examples, Rich noted the Vigilant Shield and Determined Dragon exercises, which bring the three commands together to exercise their ability to protect the U.S. and Canadian homelands and support civil authorities in the event of a natural or manmade disaster. The new agreement will formalize these exchanges and encourage more cross-border training in ways that strengthen both countries' defense plans, he said. "We hope to work through this in an exercise format to find out where the seams and capabilities are," Rich said. "What we all expect are better planned processes that help us define training objectives far enough in advance to develop the scenarios to test the training objectives. Then, through the [after action review] process, we can see if we met the objectives, where the gaps are, what worked well and what we need to fix." The signing "further codifies the bilateral relationship" and helps the two countries' militaries work together more closely and leverage their resources, Rich said. "It postures us so we can both work together for the safety, security and defense of both our nations' populations," he said. This week's meeting is the 230th for the Permanent Joint Board of Defense, which stood up after President Franklin Roosevelt and Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King solidified the two countries' military-to-military relationship with the signing of the Ogdensburg Agreement in August 1940. The board is the highest-level bilateral defense and security forum between the United States and Canada. Its collaboration ultimately led to the establishment of what is now the bi-national North American Aerospace Defense Command in 1958. "This is a wonderful forum where Canadians and Americans discuss issues of common necessity," Meinzinger said. "We use this venue to put in motion action plans and to work together to address the challenges of the day." This week's Permanent Joint Board of Defense forum follows the signing of a new Combined Defense Plan between the two countries last January. During the session in Ottawa, Jacoby joined Canadian Army Lt. Gen. Walter Semianiw, commander of the former Canada Command that became part of Canadian Joint Operations Command in October, and established a planning framework to enhance defense cooperation in the event the U.S. or Canadian governments need each other's assistance, such as during a natural disaster or attack. Jacoby and Semianiw also renewed for the next two years the Civil Assistance Plan that allows the military from one nation to support the armed forces of the other during a civil emergency. That agreement, in effect since 2008, recognizes the role of each nation's lead federal agency for emergency preparedness, but facilitates military support of civil authorities once government authorities have agreed on an appropriate response, officials said. In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security would be the lead agency. In Canada, it would be Public Safety Canada. A third document, the Information Sharing Memorandum of Understanding, was signed last January, and updated existing arrangements to promote information-sharing among the three organizations, officials said. Biographies: Army Gen. Charles Jacoby Jr. Related Sites: U.S. Northern Command U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. 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Contracts for December 11, 2012 Posted: 11 Dec 2012 02:28 PM PST You are subscribed to Contract Announcements for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Contracts for December 11, 2012 12/11/2012 04:02 PM CST FOR RELEASE AT 5 p.m. ET No. 969-12 December 11, 2012 CONTRACTS ARMY             Insight Public Sector, Chantilly, Va., was awarded a $617,251,927 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of Microsoft Enterprise License Agreements for 1.5 million devices.  Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 29, 2015.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with seven bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Alexandria, Va., is the contracting activity (W91QUZ-13-A-0002).              Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded a $563,788,721 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to fund the Navy's Second Program Year in support of MH-60S and MH-60R Helicopters.  Work will be performed in Stratford, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2016.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-12-C-0008).             BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services Inc., Rockville, Md., (W912DY-13-D-0004); Honeywell HBS Solutions L.L.C., Minneapolis, Minn., (W912DY-13-D-0005); InDyne Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., (W912DY-13-D-0011); Johnson Controls BAS L.L.C., Huntsville, Ala., (W912DY-13-D-0006); M.C. Dean Inc., Dulles, Va., (W912DY-13-D-0007); Siemens Government Technologies Inc., Arlington, Va., (W912DY-13-D-0008); Smith and Wesson Security Solutions, Franklin, Tenn., (W912DY-13-D-0009); Williams Electric Co., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., (W912DY-13-D-0010); Science Applications International Corp., McLean, Va., (W912DY-13-D-0002); and American Systems Corp., Chantilly, Va., (W912DY-13-D-0003); were awarded a $315,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract between 10 contractors.  The award will provide for the services in support of various security and control systems.  Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 6, 2017.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 10 bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity.              Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded a $282,236,176 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the services and parts in support of the H-60 weapon system.  Work will be performed in Corpus Christi Army Depot, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2013.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-13-D-0001).              Federal Prison Industries Inc. (UNICOR), Washington, D.C., was awarded a $75,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to procure outer tactical vests in support of Foreign Military Sales.  Work will be performed in Yazoo, Miss., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 25, 2013.  The bid was solicited through the Internet.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-08-D-0045).              The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Penn., was awarded a $34,240,221 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of an MH-47G Special Operations Variant Chinook helicopter.  Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pa., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2015.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-04-G-0023).              Kaiser Aircraft Industries Inc., Birmingham, Ala., was awarded a $32,107,446 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the services in support of the UH-60A aircraft.  Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 5, 2017.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with eight bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Fort Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity (W911W6-13-D-0003).              Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., was awarded a $29,053,638 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the post-production services for the AH-64D in support of Foreign Military Sales.  Work will be performed in Orlando, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2015.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-13-C-0021).              Weeks Marine Inc., Covington, La., was awarded a $26,256,300 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the storm damage reduction services for Carolina and Kure Beach.  Work will be performed in Wilmington, N.C., with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2013.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with two bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington, N.C., is the contracting activity (W912PM-13-C-0001).              ITSI Gilbane, Walnut Creek, Calif., was awarded a $25,650,269 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the construction of an Afghan National Civil Order Police Patrol Battalion.  Work will be performed in Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2014.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with three bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-13-C-4001).              Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., was awarded a $23,426,616 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of the Deployable-Advanced Gunnery Training Systems in support of Foreign Military Sales.  Work will be performed in Orlando and Egypt, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2016.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Program Executive Office Simulation, Training and Instrumentation, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity (W900KK-13-C-0002).              Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded a $21,986,133 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to procure Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles.  Work will be performed in Oshkosh, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2014.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with three bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0159).              Day and Zimmerman Lone Star L.L.C., East Camden, Ariz., was awarded a $21,112,952 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of the MK45 Modular 1 Electric Primer.  Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2016.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-13-D-0010).              S and K Aerospace L.L.C., Saint Ignatius, Mont., was awarded a $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the repair and return management services in support of Foreign Military Sales.  Work will be performed in Warner Robbins, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 29, 2015.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-13-D-0004).              Tetra Tech EC Inc., Lakewood, Colo., was awarded a $15,667,519 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the Phase IV expansion of the Afghan Air Force Shindand Air Wing Squadron.  Work will be performed in Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date of March 15, 2014.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with five bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-13-C-4000).              Marsh Creek, Anchorage, Alaska, was awarded a $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the excavation, removal, transport and disposal of petroleum contaminated soil from a formerly used defense site.  Work will be performed in Umiat Air Force Station, Alaska, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2014.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, is the contracting activity (W911KB-13-C-0003).              ITT Corp., Fort Wayne, Ill., was awarded a $13,750,106 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the support services for the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System RESET.  Work will be performed in Fort Wayne, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2013.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-13-C-0007).              Bristol Environmental Remediation Services, Anchorage, Alaska, was awarded a $13,688,806 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the remedy services in support of the Northeast Cape site.  Work will be performed in Northeast Cape, Alaska, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2013.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, is the contracting activity (W911KB-13-C-0004).              DRS Technical Services Inc., Herndon, Va., was awarded a $13,100,000 time-and-material contract.  The award will provide for the command, control, communications and computer capabilities throughout the U.S. Central Command Area of Operations.  Work will be performed in Afghanistan and Iraq, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 8, 2013.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-13-C-0008).              DRS Technical Services Inc., Herndon, Va., was awarded an $11,375,000 time-and-material contract.  The award will provide for the rapid response solutions for command, communications and computer capabilities providing infrastructure and information management systems to the Army.  Work will be performed in Rock Island, Ill., Afghanistan and Kuwait, with an estimated completion date of June 8, 2013.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-13-C-0003).              Dynamic Animation Systems Inc., Fairfax, Va., was awarded a $10,538,610 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the modeling and simulation support services.  Work will be performed in Fairfax, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 29, 2013.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-09-C-0036).              Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., was awarded a $10,044,707 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the continued technology development in support of the Joint Air to Ground Missile System.  Work will be performed in Tucson, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2013.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-13-C-0080).              Mississippi Limestone Corp., Friars Point, Miss., was awarded a $9,436,989 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the flood control services along the Mississippi River.  Work will be performed in Delta, La., with an estimated completion date of July 11, 2013.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with two bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, Miss., is the contracting activity (W912EE-13-C-0003).              General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded a $7,800,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the technical support services for the Abrams system.  Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2015.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-13-C-0017).              International Biometric Group L.L.C., New York, N.Y., was awarded a $6,714,050 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the research and development services for software modules, interfaces and data repositories.  Work will be performed in New York, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 3, 2015.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-13-C-A001).  NAVY             The Boeing Co., Seattle, Wash., is being awarded a $175,500,000 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00019-04-C-3146) for the procurement of engineering, integration, and test efforts for the stores management, acoustics, and communication subsystem modifications for integration into the baseline P-8A aircraft weapon system.  Work will be performed in Seattle, Wash. (43.3 percent); Huntington Beach, Calif. (22.4 percent);  St. Louis, Mo. (24 percent);  and Baltimore, Md. (10.3 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2015.  Contract funds in the amount of $31,642,674 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River Md., is the contracting activity.              G2RJ Inc., doing business as TREVET*, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a maximum amount $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering (A-E) contract for A-E Water-Media Engineering Support Services to meet statutory environmental compliance requirements for all applicable environmental laws and regulations pertaining to potable water, groundwater, water quality, wastewater, and incidental storm water.  No task orders are being issued at this time.  Work will be performed at various Naval and Marine Corps installations and other Department of Defense installations in California (90 percent); Arizona (2 percent); Nevada (2 percent); Colorado (2 percent); New Mexico (2 percent); and Utah (2 percent).  The term of the contract is not to exceed 36 months with an expected completion date of December 2015.  Contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with nine proposals received.  The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-13-D-4803).              ERAPSCO, Columbia City, Ind., is being awarded a $17,878,748 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00421-12-C-0049) to exercise an option for the procurement of 2,999 AN/SSQ-125 sonobuoys.  Work will be performed in De Leon Springs, Fla. (55 percent) and Columbia City, Ind. (45 percent) and is expected to be completed in March 2015.  Contract funds in the amount of $17,878,748 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity.  AIR FORCE             The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., (FA8678-10-C-0100, P00028) is being awarded a $16,958,009 contract modification for Engineering, Manufacturing and Development Phase Option 1.  The location of the performance is St. Louis, Mo.  Work is expected to be completed by March 2014.  The contracting activity is AFLCMC/EBYK, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.  *Small Business     U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/Contracts/ Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132 Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1 Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your User Profile Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Today in the Department of Defense, 12/12/2012 Posted: 11 Dec 2012 02:27 PM PST You are subscribed to Today in DoD for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Today in the Department of Defense, 12/12/2012 12/11/2012 04:03 PM CST Today in the Department of Defense, Wednesday, December 12, 2012   Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta is traveling. Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter has no public or media events on his schedule. Use Pick a Day to go to a different day. Check Other Events for additional listings, including air shows, band concerts, Congressional hearings, reunions and much more. What's New in DefenseLINK More: news, photos, advisories, contracts, transcripts Contacts Additions and corrections for Today in the Department of Defense are invited and should be directed to the press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131 or +1 (703) 697-5132. Media Questions News media representatives with questions for the Department of Defense may reach our press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131. Public Inquiries All others are invited to contact our public inquiries section by phone or U.S. mail or through the web. See our comment page for details. Duty Officer A public affairs duty officer is available 24 hours a day through +1 (703) 697-5131. In case of a family emergency, please contact your local American Red Cross. Today in DoD | Pick a Day | Other Events | Subscribe |   U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/Today/ Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132 Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/comment.aspx or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1 Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your User Profile Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

National Intelligence Council Forecasts Megatrends Posted: 11 Dec 2012 01:56 PM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. National Intelligence Council Forecasts Megatrends 12/11/2012 03:50 PM CST National Intelligence Council Forecasts Megatrends By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2012 - The American Century is drawing to a close, and the U.S. Defense Department will have to be more flexible in dealing with a faster-paced multipolar world, according to the Global Trends 2030 report released yesterday. The National Intelligence Council has looked to the future to jumpstart the conversation about what U.S. policy should be, given world-wide trends. In the annual report, the NIC makes its best guesses about several "megatrends" that will shape the world in 2030. The first is individual empowerment. The council believes there will be a significant decrease in poverty in the world and a concomitant increase in the middle class. The council says this represents a "tectonic shift," as for the first time in history "a majority of the world's population will not be impoverished." The NIC expects the global economy to expand and the new members of the middle class will be able to harness new communications and manufacturing technologies. The council sees this megatrend as the key to solving global challenges over the next 15 to 20 years. But the results of this expanded economy aren't all rosy. The trend could also give individuals and small groups access to lethal and disruptive technologies and capabilities once only held by nation states. The second megatrend NIC predicts is the diffusion of power. The council posits that by 2030, Asia will surpass the West in gross domestic production, population size, military spending and technology investment. If this occurs, China would become the world's largest economy, with India and Brazil close behind. Other rising nations could include Colombia, Indonesia, Nigeria, South Africa and Turkey, while Russia, Europe and Japan could continue their declines. But, according to the council, more important than who is up or down is that the nature of power will change. "Enabled by communications technologies, power will shift toward multifaceted and amorphous networks that will form to influence state and global actions," the report says. Countries unable to understand or use these new technologies "will not be able to punch their weight." Demographic changes will transform the world of 2030, the report said. NIC estimates that the world population will grow from 7.1 billion today to 8.3 billion in 2030. Aging, migration and urbanization will push this megatrend. Its most noticeable manifestation will be the continued growth of cities, the report predicts, spurring economic growth, but potentially straining food and water resources. The report said developing countries could become demographically "older," while the demand for labor drives migration. "Owing to rapid urbanization in the developing world, the volume of urban construction ... over the next 40 years could roughly equal the entire volume of such construction to date in world history," the report says. Finally, NIC predicts that "demand for food, water and energy will grow by approximately 35, 40 and 50 percent respectively." The growing population and expanded middle class will trigger that growth, the report said. At the same time, the council wrote, climate change will accelerate, amplifying existing weather patterns -- meaning that wet areas become wetter and dry areas become drier. The council said this does not necessarily mean a world of scarcity, but stressed that world leaders must collaborate to tackle the problem.   Related Sites: National Intelligence Council NIC Global Trends   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Grants to Improve Walter Reed Access, Aid Schools on Bases Posted: 11 Dec 2012 01:55 PM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Grants to Improve Walter Reed Access, Aid Schools on Bases 12/11/2012 03:21 PM CST Grants Aid DOD-sponsored Schools, Transportation Improvements American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2012 - The Department of Defense today announced five grants from the Office of Economic Adjustment, including an $18.3 million grant to the Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration to improve access to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. The department also announced a $35,247,240 grant to Geary County Unified School District Number 475 to replace Fort Riley Middle School at Fort Riley, Kan.; a $18,070,606 grant to Vernon Parish School Board to replace South Fort Polk Elementary School at Fort Polk, La.; and a $57,161,689 grant to Sierra Sands Unified School District to replace Murray Middle School and to expand Burroughs High School at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif. The grant to Maryland will manage a $23.1 million project consisting of $18.3 million in grant funds and other funding of $4.8 million, to construct the Maryland Route 185-Connecticut Avenue and Jones Bridge Road/Kensington Parkway intersection improvement project. The project improves transportation access to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Geary County Unified School District Number 475 in Junction City, Kan., will manage a $41,961,000 project, consisting of $35,247,240 in grant funds and $6,713,760 in non-federal funds, to demolish the existing Fort Riley Middle School and replace it with a new 720-student school serving grades six through eight. Vernon Parish School District in Leesville, La., will manage a $21,144,931 project, consisting of $18,070,606 grant funds and non-federal funds of $3,074,325, to replace the existing South Fort Polk Elementary School with a new 875-student school serving grades one through four. Sierra Sands Unified School District in Ridgecrest, Calif., will manage a $39,542,838 project, consisting of $31,634,270 grant funds and non-federal funds of $7,908,568, to demolish the existing Murray Middle School and to replace it with a new 610-student school serving grades six through eight. The district will also manage a $31,909,274 project, consisting of $25,527,419 grant funds and $6,381,855 in non-federal funds, to renovate and expand the existing 1,461-student Burroughs High School serving grades nine through twelve. Both schools are located at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif.   Related Sites: DOD News Release Office of Economic Adjustment   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Panetta Meets With Kuwait's Amir, Stresses Strong Relationship Posted: 11 Dec 2012 01:13 PM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Panetta Meets With Kuwait's Amir, Stresses Strong Relationship 12/11/2012 02:42 PM CST Panetta Meets With Kuwait's Amir, Stresses Strong Relationship American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2012 - In a meeting with Kuwait's amir in Kuwait City today, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta expressed strong confidence in the longstanding U.S.-Kuwaiti defense relationship and in the ability of both countries to work together to address common security challenges in the Gulf region and beyond. Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said in a statement that in the meeting with Amir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah, Panetta underscored the importance the U.S. defense strategy places on the Middle East, and commended the emir for Kuwait's leadership role in fostering peace and security in the region. The secretary and the amir also discussed the crisis in Syria, the problem of cyber threats, and Kuwait's recently completed parliamentary elections and ongoing commitment to the rule of law, Little added. Panetta's first official visit to Kuwait is also the first for a U.S. defense secretary in five years.   Related Sites: Special Report: Travels With Panetta Meeting Readout   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Freedom Award Recognizes Guard, Reserve Supporters Posted: 11 Dec 2012 01:13 PM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Freedom Award Recognizes Guard, Reserve Supporters 12/11/2012 01:37 PM CST Freedom Award Recognizes Guard, Reserve Supporters American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2012 - Reserve component members still have time to nominate their civilian employers for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, officials from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a DOD agency, said today. Nominations for the award are due by Jan. 21, 2013. The award is the highest honor the Defense Department grants to civilian employers. ESGR's central mission is to encourage employment of Guardsmen and reservists, who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce. The award recognizes employers that go to extraordinary lengths to support their employees' service in the reserve components and enables Guardsmen and reservists to show their appreciation for their employers' support, according to ESGR officials. The nomination process does not take long to complete, officials said, and family members can submit nominations on behalf of a Guardsman or reservist. Employers of every size and industry are eligible. ESGR is accepting nominations online at www.FreedomAward.mil. So far, 1,454 nominations have been submitted, just halfway through the nomination timeframe. "Guard and Reserve members understand better than anyone how critical America's employers are to our national security, which is why we look to them to tell us which employers deserve this distinguished honor," said Ron Young, ESGR's executive director. "We call on all Guardsmen and reservists who have received outstanding support from their employer to nominate them for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. There really is no better way to thank these employers for standing firmly behind our military men and women," he added. The 2013 recipients will be announced in early summer and honored in a ceremony here next fall. Recipients of the 2012 Freedom Award included such diverse employers as a telecommunications company, a department of public safety, a Midwestern law firm and a small-town church. The Freedom Award recognizes exceptional support from the employer community, said ESGR officials said. Officials noted that 175 employers have received the award since it was established in 1996. ESGR develops and maintains employer support for Guard and reserve service, advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws and resolves conflict between service members and employers.   Related Sites: Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Freedom Award Nominations Site News Release Related Articles: Defense Department Praises Companies for Support of Guard, Reserve Employees   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

VA News Releases Update Posted: 11 Dec 2012 01:09 PM PST Veterans Health Administration Update VA News Releases Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. VA's National Director for Homeless Programs Wins Award 12/11/2012 12:00 AM EST Lisa M. Pape, the national director, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) homeless programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs, has been named recipient of the 2012 Knee - Wittman Award for outstanding achievement in health and mental health policy.  Connect With Us        You have received this message because you are subscribed to Veterans Health.  Access your Subscriber Preferences to make changes to your subscription or Unsubscribe.  Get this as a forward? Sign up to receive updates from Veterans Health.  Have questions or problems? Please contact support@govdelivery.com for assistance.    Sent to smart_z64.1111@blogger.com on behalf of US Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration · 810 Vermont Avenue, NW · Washington, DC 20420 · 877-222-VETS (877-222-8387)

DOD Announces Recruiting, Retention Numbers Posted: 11 Dec 2012 11:48 AM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. DOD Announces Recruiting, Retention Numbers 12/11/2012 01:00 PM CST DOD Announces Recruiting, Retention Numbers American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2012 - All four active-duty services and five of the six reserve components met or exceeded their recruiting goals in the first month of fiscal 2013, Defense Department officials announced today. Here are the active-duty services' accessions for October: -- Army: 5,080 accessions, 101 percent of its goal of 5,050; -- Navy: 2,256 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 2,256; -- Marine Corps: 2,482 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 2,471; and -- Air Force: 1,985 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 1,985. All four services exhibited strong retention numbers for the first month of fiscal 2013, officials said. As a result of the Navy's transition from a downsizing to a stabilizing posture, Zone A (Initial) is at 92 percent. However, the other two zones continue to exhibit strong retention numbers, officials said. Five of the six reserve components met or exceeded their numerical accession goals for the first month of fiscal 2013. -- Army National Guard: 4,211 accessions, 123 percent of its goal of 3,424; -- Army Reserve: 2,098 accessions, 89 percent of its goal of 2,360; -- Navy Reserve: 418 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 418; -- Marine Corps Reserve: 996 accessions, 117 percent of its goal of 850; -- Air National Guard: 647 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 647; and -- Air Force Reserve: 691 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 691. The Army Reserve finished short of its goal for the month as a result of precision recruiting, which was implemented in an attempt to rebalance the force. Increased job announcements should help mitigate this shortfall, officials explained. All reserve components met their fiscal 2012 attrition goals, officials said. This indicator lags by one month due to data availability.   Related Sites: DOD News Release   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Readout of Secretary Panetta's Meeting with Kuwaiti Amir Posted: 11 Dec 2012 11:45 AM PST You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Readout of Secretary Panetta's Meeting with Kuwaiti Amir 12/11/2012 01:39 PM CST IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 968-12 December 11, 2012 Readout of Secretary Panetta's Meeting with Kuwaiti Amir             Press Secretary George Little provided the following statement:              "Today in Kuwait City, Secretary Panetta met with Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait.  The secretary expressed strong confidence in the long standing U.S.-Kuwaiti defense relationship, and in the ability of both countries to work together to address common security challenges in the Gulf region and beyond.  The secretary underscored the importance the U.S. defense strategy places on the Middle East, and he commended the Amir for Kuwait's leadership role in fostering peace and security in the region.  The secretary and the Amir also discussed the crisis in Syria, the problem of cyber threats, and Kuwait's recently completed parliamentary elections and on-going commitment to the rule of law."     U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/releases/ Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132 Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1 Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your User Profile Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Fort Riley Current News Update Posted: 11 Dec 2012 11:10 AM PST You are subscribed to Current News for Fort Riley. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. http://www.riley.army.mil/OurPost/CurrentNews.aspx       Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit https://service.govdelivery.com/service/help.html or contact support@govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by Fort Riley. This email was sent by GovDelivery, Inc. on behalf of Fort Riley - 408 St. Peter Street, Suite 600 Saint Paul, MN 55102 - 1-800-439-1420

Senior Executive Service Announcements Posted: 11 Dec 2012 10:49 AM PST You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Senior Executive Service Announcements 12/11/2012 12:34 PM CST IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 965-12 December 11, 2012 Senior Executive Service Announcements             Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta announced the following Department of Defense Senior Executive Service appointments:              Erin Logan has been appointed to the Senior Executive Service as principal director for counternarcotics and global threats, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy), Washington, D.C.  Logan previously served as special assistant to the assistant secretary of defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy), Washington, D.C.              Elissa Slotkin has been appointed to the Senior Executive Service as principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy), Washington, D.C.  Slotkin previously served as foreign affairs specialist, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy), Washington, D.C.     U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/releases/ Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132 Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1 Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your User Profile Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

DOD Approves $129 Million in Grants for Transportation Improvements and to Replace Schools Located on Military Installations Posted: 11 Dec 2012 10:47 AM PST You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. DOD Approves $129 Million in Grants for Transportation Improvements and to Replace Schools Located on Military Installations 12/11/2012 12:36 PM CST IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 967-12 December 11, 2012 DOD Approves $129 Million in Grants for Transportation Improvements and to Replace Schools Located on Military Installations             The Department of Defense announced today five grants from the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), including a $18.3 million grant to the Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration to improve access to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Md. They also announced a $35,247,240 grant to Geary County Unified School District Number 475 to replace Fort Riley Middle School on Fort Riley, Kan.; a $18,070,606 grant to Vernon Parish School Board to replace South Fort Polk Elementary School on Fort Polk, La.; and a $57,161,689 grant to Sierra Sands Unified School District to replace Murray Middle School and to expand Burroughs High School on Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, Calif.               The grant to Maryland will manage a $23.1 million project consisting of $18.3 million in grant funds and other funding of $4.8 million, to construct the Maryland Route 185 (Connecticut Avenue) and Jones Bridge Road/Kensington Parkway intersection improvement project.  The project improves transportation access to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.              Geary County Unified School District Number 475, Junction City, Kan., will manage a $41,961,000 project, consisting of $35,247,240 in grant funds and non-federal funds of $6,713,760, to demolish and replace the existing Fort Riley Middle School with a new 720-student school on Fort Riley serving grades six through eight.              Vernon Parish School District, Leesville, La., will manage a $21,144,931 project, consisting of $18,070,606 grant funds and non-federal funds of $3,074,325, to replace the existing South Fort Polk Elementary School with a new 875-student school on Fort Polk serving grades one through four.              Sierra Sands Unified School District, Ridgecrest, Calif., will manage a $39,542,838 project, consisting of $31,634,270 grant funds and non-federal funds of $7,908,568, to demolish and to replace the existing Murray Middle School with a new 610-student school serving grades six through eight.  The district will also manage a $31,909,274 project, consisting of $25,527,419 grant funds and non-federal funds of $6,381,855, to renovate and expand the existing 1,461-student Burroughs High School serving grades nine through twelve.  Both schools are located on Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, Calif.              Further information about grants awarded under OEA's programs for Transportation Infrastructure or Public Schools Located on Military Installations, may be found on OEA's web site at www.oea.gov . U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/releases/ Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132 Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1 Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your User Profile Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

DOD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal 2013, Through October 2012 Posted: 11 Dec 2012 09:46 AM PST You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. DOD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal 2013, Through October 2012 12/11/2012 11:33 AM CST IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 966-12 December 11, 2012 DOD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal 2013, Through October 2012             The Department of Defense announced today recruiting and retention statistics for the active and reserve components for fiscal 2013, through October.              Active Component.                           Recruiting.  All four active services met or exceeded their numerical accession goals for fiscal 2013, through October.      Army - 5,080 accessions, with a goal of 5,050; 101 percent Navy - 2,256 accessions, with a goal of 2,256; 100 percent Marine Corps - 2,482 accessions, with a goal of 2,471; 100 percent Air Force - 1,985 accessions, with a goal of 1,985; 100 percent                          Retention.  The Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps exhibited strong retention numbers for the first month of fiscal 2013.  As a result of the Navy's transition from a downsizing to a stabilizing posture, Zone A (Initial) is at 92 percent, however, the other two zones continue to exhibit strong retention numbers.              Reserve Component.                            Recruiting.  Five of the six reserve components met or exceeded their October fiscal 2013 numerical accession goals.  The Army Reserve finished 262 short for the month.  The shortfall was the result of precision recruiting which was implemented in an attempt to rebalance the force.  Increased job announcements should help mitigate this shortfall.  Army National Guard - 4,211 accessions, with a goal of 3,424; 123 percent Army Reserve - 2,098 accessions, with a goal of 2,360; 89 percent Navy Reserve - 418 accessions, with a goal of 418; 100 percent Marine Corps Reserve - 996 accessions, with a goal of 850; 117 percent Air National Guard - 647 accessions, with a goal of 647; 100 percent Air Force Reserve - 691 accessions, with a goal of 691; 100 percent             Attrition - All reserve components met their fiscal 2012 attrition goals.  (This indicator lags by one month due to data availability.)              Detailed information on specific recruiting data can be obtained by contacting the individual military recruiting commands at 502-626-0164 for Army, 210-565-4678 for Air Force, 703-784-9454 for Marine Corps, and 901-874-9048 for Navy.  The reserve components can be reached at the following numbers:  National Guard Bureau 703-607-2586; Army Reserve 910-570-8330; Air Force Reserve 703-697-1761; Navy Reserve 757-322-5652; and Marine Corps Reserve 504-678-6535.     U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/releases/ Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132 Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1 Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your User Profile Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Logistics Tracking Team Monitors Road Shipment Safety, Security Posted: 11 Dec 2012 08:20 AM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Logistics Tracking Team Monitors Road Shipment Safety, Security 12/11/2012 09:45 AM CST Logistics Tracking Team Monitors Road Shipment Safety, Security By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., Dec. 11, 2012 - A tractor-trailer loaded with military ammunition destined for Fort Bragg, N.C., skidded off an icy road, spewing its cargo on the remote roadway as the truck slid down an embankment and out of sight. The only "eyes" on scene, beyond the driver's, were electronic signals. Beamed from the vehicle, they alerted an analyst at the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command headquarters here that the trailer had separated from the truck. The analyst contacted the trucking company to hail the vehicle. Five minutes later, getting no response, he called the police. They arrived at the scene to investigate, calling an ambulance to transport the driver to the hospital and securing the ammunition until federal authorities arrived. It was all in a day's work for the Defense Transportation Tracking System, which monitors all commercial carriers transporting arms, ammunition, explosives or other sensitive material within the United States for the Defense Department. First created by the Navy in 1989 after an accident in Denver involving a commercial motor carrier transporting torpedoes, the system was expanded to track all sensitive DOD shipments from their point of origin until they reach their designation, Daniel Bradley, the program manager, told American Forces Press Service. The system got an upgrade two years ago, incorporating the Intelligent Road/Rail Information Server, to better track DOD cargo during transport. The goal, Bradley explained, is to maintain public safety and keep DOD shipments secure. "The beauty of what DTTS does is, we don't just track something from A to B and see that it got there," he said. "We provide a response to things that require a response, and we get the right people engaged in things when we need it." Analysts at SDDC's 24/7 operations center monitor satellite signals emitted from the vehicles to track 150 to 300 shipments every day, and about 60,000 to 80,000 shipments a year, he said. They keep a watch on the vehicles' positions to ensure they match information filed in the command database. Tracking satellite messages the driver sends during the transit, they look for "oddities" that might signal a problem, Bradley said. That way, when the unexpected happens -- an unscheduled or prolonged stop, an open trailer door en transit, a breakdown, accident, or panic alert from the driver -- they're ready to spring to action, he said. When an incident does occur, Bradley said his team's goal is to get the proper authorities involved and ultimately, get delayed shipments back on schedule and headed to their destination. "They're safest and most secure when they are on the road, moving, so we do everything we can to get them back on the road moving again," he said. "That's where it's the safest for the public and best for the equipment itself."   Related Sites: U.S. Transportation Command Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Special Report: Travels With Panetta Posted: 11 Dec 2012 07:54 AM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Special Report: Travels With Panetta 12/11/2012 09:50 AM CST Special Report: Travels With Panetta American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has begun another overseas trip. An American Forces Press Service special report at http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2012/1212_panetta1/ will be updated throught the trip with the latest images and articles about his activities.   Related Sites: Special Report: Travels With Panetta   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Face of Defense: Motivated Marine Serves in Afghanistan Posted: 11 Dec 2012 07:51 AM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Face of Defense: Motivated Marine Serves in Afghanistan 12/11/2012 08:18 AM CST Face of Defense: Motivated Marine Serves in Afghanistan By Marine Corps Cpl. Mark Garcia Regional Command Southwest MUSA QAL'AH DISTRICT CENTER, Afghanistan, Dec. 11, 2012 - Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Shane Kruse decided as a senior in high school that he wanted to join the Corps. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Shane Kruse, a Conrad, Iowa, native, decided to follow in his parents' footsteps and become a Marine. Now a driver and machine gunner with the Combined Anti-Armor Team 2, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, Kruse is now serving in Afghanistan on his first combat deployment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mark Garcia (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Growing up in the small town of Conrad, Iowa, Kruse had a graduating class of 48 students. He had the opportunity to receive a college education while on scholarship for either football or baseball, but the urge to become a Marine was greater. Kruse was on his way to recruit training four months after graduating from high school. "Both my parents were in the Marine Corps," said Kruse, a driver and machine gunner with the Combined Anti-Armor Team 2, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7. "My cousin was a Marine and was involved in the early stages of Iraq. I figured it was in my blood," Kruse said. "I felt like I needed to become a Marine. I've always been driven to be the best and the Marine Corps offered me the opportunity." Kruse is currently serving on his second deployment; his first was with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. "I joined the Marine Corps because of 9/11, and I wanted to serve my country," Kruse said. "I wanted to be the best and I saw the Marine Corps as the best branch of the military that I could have joined." Kruse noted the risks involved with his current deployment compared to his previous one. "This deployment is a lot more serious," Kruse said. "It's more dangerous, this deployment. You just have to take things more seriously because you're in life-and-death situations out here. This deployment is a big eye-opener. It's something you've been training for and preparing for the past two-and-a-half years, and it's finally happening. When you first get blown up or you first get shot at it gives a different perspective." Kruse has enjoyed his current deployment because of his unit's ability to accomplish its mission in a combat environment. "This deployment has been nice compared to the MEU," Kruse said. "It's nice to know that you're contributing to the war effort and to your country directly. I feel like we've been doing good things this deployment." During this deployment, Kruse has had to cope with the difficulties associated with leaving a spouse at home. "It's a growing experience," he said. "It's part of growing up. It's hard coming straight out of high school and going into the adult world, especially in the military. But you learn to deal with it and take it day-by-day until you can see your loved ones again." Recently Kruse participated in Operation Helmand Viper, which took place during October in Zamindawar, a known insurgent hotbed between Musa Qal'ah and Kajaki. Kruse is referred to as the Tony Hawk of the drivers in his unit because of his ability to maneuver through dangerous terrain that's sometimes laden with improvised explosive devices. "Lance Cpl. Kruse, in my eyes, is one of the best machine gunners and drivers we have," said Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joseph Dalbec. "He's a great asset to this team and our company. Not only that, but he's a great friend of mine. He's been my best friend for almost three years." Although Kruse is undecided on whether he will re-enlist, he plans on striving forward during his time in the Marine Corps and answering his nation's call whenever needed.   Related Sites: NATO International Security Assistance Force   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Combined Force Arrests Taliban Facilitator Posted: 11 Dec 2012 07:50 AM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Combined Force Arrests Taliban Facilitator 12/11/2012 08:24 AM CST Combined Force Arrests Taliban Facilitator From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 11, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator and detained two suspected insurgents during an operation in the Nad 'Ali district of Afghanistan's Helmand province today, military officials reported. The detained facilitator oversaw the shipment and transfer of weapons and ammunition and procured and distributed improvised explosive devices to insurgents in the district. In an operation yesterday, a combined force killed the Taliban leader, Allah Nur, detained three suspects and seized homemade explosives, other IED-making materials and several rocket-propelled grenades in the Baghlan-e-Jadid district of Baghlan province. Allah Nur had controlled more than a dozen insurgents and was responsible for IED attacks in the district. He also oversaw the transportation and distribution of insurgent weapons and ammunition. And, during a Dec. 9 security operation in the Qarghahi district of Laghman province, a combined force killed the Taliban leader, Amin Jan, and three other insurgents. Amin Jan was directly involved in the Dec. 5 kidnapping of an American aid worker in Kabul.   Related Sites: NATO International Security Assistance Force   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Panetta Calls Kuwait Important U.S. Partner Posted: 11 Dec 2012 04:24 AM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Panetta Calls Kuwait Important U.S. Partner 12/11/2012 06:09 AM CST Panetta Calls Kuwait Important U.S. Partner By Cheryl Pellerin American Forces Press Service KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait, Dec. 11, 2012 - On his first official visit to Kuwait, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said today that the nation is an important partner with a longstanding U.S. bilateral defense partnership. More than 13,500 U.S. forces serve in Kuwait, the secretary told reporters traveling with him. The last visit to Kuwait by a U.S. defense secretary was almost five years ago, he added. Kuwait is strategically located at the head of the Persian Gulf between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The United States and Kuwait "share a history of cooperation that goes back to the first Gulf War," Panetta said, "and I look forward to discussing with the government of Kuwait how can we enhance that partnership in the face of regional security challenges in the area." Together, U.S. and Kuwaiti troops conduct security cooperation activities and are involved in joint exercises and training, the secretary said. "Our presence in Kuwait and throughout the Gulf helps enhance the capabilities of partner nations, deters aggression and helps ensure that we're better able to respond to crises in the region," Panetta added. The new U.S. defense strategy makes clear the United States will maintain a force presence in the Middle East, he said, and the department is maintaining a very strong and flexible presence there. With nearly 50,000 U.S. troops in the region, the United States is in a position to be able to respond to any contingency that arises there, the secretary said. "Kuwait," he added, "plays a critical role in our ability to do that." Panetta said one of the main reasons for the trip is to visit troops during the holiday season, "and to express on behalf of the nation our best wishes for the holidays to all of them." It's a tough time of year to be away from loved ones, he added. "Since 9/11, so many have spent so many holidays away from home, the secretary said. "I want them to hear directly from me how much I appreciate their dedication, their commitment, their sacrifice and their willingness to put their lives on the line to keep our country safe so far away from their families. "Our hope," he added, "is that ultimately, one day soon, they can be home with their families for Christmas."   Biographies: Leon E. Panetta Related Sites: State Department Fact Sheet on Kuwait Related Articles: Carter Arrives in Kuwait, Meets With U.S. Embassy Officials Carter Gives Thanks to U.S. Troops in Kuwait   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Propwash Posted: 11 Dec 2012 01:08 AM PST ----------------------------------------------------------------- Aero-News Network "Propwash" E-Mail Aero-News Summary A Free E-Mail Newsletter ISSN: 12.11.12 Issue 156/11 Aero-News.Net 'Propwash' Daily News Provided to registered subscribers, Daily: ISSN: 1530-9339 For Subscribe/Unsubscribe procedures: Manage Your Subscription here For Subscribe/Unsubscribe procedures and Privacy Statement, scroll to end. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to this day's ANN 'Propwash' Daily News Brief. We welcome and encourage your comments, criticism and suggestions... and hope that you'll become active members of the ANN community, though we'd like to ask you one big favor... PLEASE TELL EVERYONE ABOUT AERO-NEWS! NEWS SUMMARY: Remember... You Have to Go to www.aero-news.net to read the WHOLE story! There's much more! ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN Daily Sponsor: 12.11.12 Edition: Piper, State Of Florida Amend Incentive Agreement Will Keep The Company In The Sunshine State The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Piper Aircraft Inc. have agreed to amend an earlier contract to retain the company's operations in Florida and increase investment in aircraft manufacturing facilities. Because the company is staying in Florida and has exceeded by about $30 million its capital and research and development investment obligations under the agreement, the state of Florida will permit Piper to retain half of approximately $6.6 million in economic development incentives already awarded to the company. Piper will be permitted to keep the other half, or about $3.3 million in previously awarded incentives, if it meets certain employment obligations for the next four years. "Following a worldwide economic recession in general aviation, Piper is managing to emerge as a strong company with a backlog and a global presence in the aerospace industry," said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott. "As the largest manufacturing exporter in Indian River County, we are gratified that the state has recognized our ongoing contributions to Florida, Indian River County and Vero Beach." The amendment calls for Piper to retain a specified number of 650 full-time equivalent positions, with an annual average salary of at least $46,500 for the four-year period. For each year the company meets the minimum employment threshold, its obligation to repay the approximately $3.3 million already received will be reduced by 25 percent. If Piper fails to meet the minimum employment threshold in any year, then it must repay significant amounts plus penalties. Currently Piper is maintaining more than 650 full-time equivalent positions generating more than $40 million in annual payroll. The state of Florida has already received more than $13.3 million in escrowed funds that Piper has agreed will not be paid to the company under the original agreement, which was executed in 2008 prior to an unprecedented precipitous drop in the worldwide general aviation economy. Piper requested that the state renegotiate its economic development incentive package in light of the unusual market realities for new aircraft sales and employment in the future. The recent amendment is a result of those negotiations. Since the original agreement and despite serious global economic challenges, Piper invested more than $100 million in the Vero Beach operation in addition to annual payroll and Florida supplier purchases. Piper's investment in the community, through product development costs and capital expenditures, has directly returned more than $9 for every $1 invested by the state and local governments in economic development incentives for the company and its employees. FMI: www.piper.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/genav.cfm?ContentBlockID=f909e76b-dcef-4281-b78a-e6140335f961 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Airborne 12.11.12: Franklin Unveils 'Dracula', BlackHawk UAVs, CTLSi In America Also: Go To The Moon, EAA LODA, Hawker-Beech, AdvAero Piaggio, NORAD Tracks Santa Kyle Franklin is returning to the airshow circuit with a truly monstrous bipe he calls... 'Dracula.' Evolving over a nine-year design and construction period, Dracula was completed in secrecy... 'The tapering fuselage, speed ring cowling, and sloped windshield hearken back to the racing airplanes of the 1930’s. The airbrushed blood in the paint comes straight from the opening scene of a horror movie. The door may finally be open to full consideration of a merger between American Airlines and US Airways as American's pilots have at last approved a new contract. Mexican authorities are investigating the crash of a Lear Jet 25 in the mountains of northern Mexico. Among those feared lost in the crash is Mexican-American music superstar Jenni Rivera. All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!! Airborne 12.11.12 is chock full of info about the half-week period ending Tuesday, December 11th, 2012... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Host Ashley Hale, and supported by ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell, Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, and Aero-Journalists Tom Patton, and Glen Moyer, this episode covers: 1) Kyle Franklin Unveils ‘Dracula’ 2) U.S. Army Flies Autonomous Black Hawk Helicopter 3) First Fuel-Injected CTLSi Aircraft Being Delivered In The U.S. 4) Want To Go To The Moon? It'll Set You Back $750 Million 5) New LODA Page Facilitates Easier Transition Training For Experimentals 6) Hawker Beechcraft Disclosure Statement Approved By Bankruptcy Court 7) AdvAero Piaggio Avanti First To Be Equipped For LPV 8) Delta Air Lines Orders Up To 70 Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen Jetliners 9) NORAD Provides Website, Apps To Track Santa 10) FCC Chair Asks FAA To Reconsider Electronics Ban During Takeoff, Landing Get Comprehensive, Real-Time, 24/7 coverage of the latest aviation and aerospace stories anytime, at aero-news.net. And be sure to join us again next week for the next edition of "Airborne" here on Aero-TV. Thanks for watching. See you, again, in just a few days! © 2012, Aero-News Network, Inc., ALL Rights Reserved. FMI: www.aero-news.net, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews, The Full ANN/YouTube AIRBORNE Roster -- www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL42E90078D99B1053&feature=view_all For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=6f1f2793-a9f2-4a35-af8c-91fceea50fdf ----------------------------------------------------------------- Barnstorming: On Being A Good Aero-Citizen–The Good, The Bad, The Ugly (Part 2) Next… “The Bad” -- A Continuing Discourse On The Ills We’ve Seen… and Fought Thoughts and Observations By ANN Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell 1) Barnstorming: On Being A Good Aero-Citizen–The Good, The Bad, The Ugly (Part 1) Preface: This missive is STILL long, it STILL rambles, it covers a lot of ground and it STILL takes its own sweet time getting to the point… but hopefully it will say (to you) what I want it to and convey the issues that I want to discuss. Just please bear with me, consider my words carefully and if anything we’ve ever done has had any lasting value to you, I hope you’ll help us stay on this amazing path – Jim Campbell, ANN E-I-C, CEO I started this tome with a few words about the early life that led to me to this point… and God, what an adventure it has been. Since then, I’ve done my best to drink it all in… and give back as aggressively as I could. Thousands of times, literally, I’ve answered calls, emails and requests for assistance… and done my best to answer them with solid and positive aid. Not always successful, I none-the-less do believe that my work as an aviation journalist, and my efforts with my old magazine, US Aviator, as well as my many books (especially the SportPlane Resource Guides, and my book on the FAA v Bob Hoover fiasco), and now, through the Aero-News Network, have made a significant difference to flyers all over the world and slowly, but surely, created a better path for a few aspects of aviation, here and there. I have appreciated the trust placed in me and always counseled those who asked our aid that there was no shame in asking for help, as an aviator, from another member of one’s aviation family… and as such, I think it’s time to take my own advice and seek your aid, collectively, as friends, readers, associates and supporters of ANN so that we might not only continue our mission, but to partake in even greater efforts on your behalf. I’ve told many of you that it was a great goodness to be someone that could be trusted when my brethren needed aid… and that there was no shame in asking for help… from a friend. So, shortly, I will take my own advice. But first, let me review why this is so unfortunate but, ultimately, vital and necessary. You see, we're a little concerned about being one of the few entities willing to speak unpleasant truths that no one seems to want to hear... that is, until it is too late. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Reinhold Niebuhr What We’ve Lost… Ethically, Numerically, Spiritually Through the years, we’ve documented all manner of shams, scams, crimes, frauds and wrongs that have been perpetrated on flyers… some were not so-serious… some were much more so… and some were outright deadly -- and God help us, in nearly every one, we wound up getting attacked for trying to stop it in one way or another. Early in the game, I simply tried to correct a lot of the ‘Bravo-Sierra’ that I saw coming across my desk, first as a free-lance writer and later as the editor of some of the Air Progress/Sport Pilot group publications before starting my own. This was a tough process. The Air Progress management didn’t seem to give a rat’s ass about what was right or wrong so long as they got paid for their ad dollars. This made my life difficult… but since I turned in a LOT of pix and copy, and had quite a background and following, I was able to pull it off for quite a while before yet another ethical confrontation made it clear that it was time to set out on my own. It was the last in a series of many and I was preparing to leave for quite a while as I set about learning the business and preparing to do what I knew I had to do someday… be my own boss so that the only idiot I had to listen to would be me. But I had a good view to what battles lay ahead… after being somewhat underwhelmed with aircraft like the Wheeler Express (over-hyped, a rather loose stability and control profile, and a number of claims they couldn’t back up -- and after expressing those concerns, their marketing flak tried to get me fired) or the Prescott Pusher (great looking kit, thoroughly underwhelming airplane—and I said just that), I had little doubt that speaking the truth was likely to be difficult. Later on, as the Publisher of a regional magazine that went national in short order (our 'Gulf Coast Aviator' became 'US Aviator'), I waded into some bizarre battles right off the mark. Even as GCA was getting started, we watched a once proud Ultralight company, Max-Air, get turned into a truly unsafe and disreputable operation when control of the company was turned over (via questionable means) to a Convicted Felon, Don Jones, who had once served time for the kidnap and attempted murder of an FBI Agent -- an event that was even turned into a two-part episode of "FBI's Untold Stories"). The new owner was known for being quite a con-man and he took little time in employing less than ethical conduct in the Ultralight business. Planes were sold and not delivered, customers got cheated right and left, the product saw some serious manufacturing deficiencies, dangerous flight operations became almost common place and all manner of strange things occurred at the company… including illegal flight training and unlawful commercial ride operations at the factory and during the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In… a situation ignored by SnF management at the time. We reported on all this. In short order, we got threatened, there was a mysterious break-in at our offices, and we spent a few uncomfortable years trying to keep people informed about the dangers of the operation while alternately testifying to what we saw in various federal proceedings. The operation eventually shut down…. But not until a lot of folks got defrauded, hurt and totally turned off to aviation… and as I was soon to find out, it was the beginning in a long line of solo fights where we got little to no support from the associations (with the exception of the USUA and John Ballantyne), none of the other publications gave a damn (too busy counting their ad dollars, I guess), and it was far from the first time that the dishonest crooks that we exposed decided to fight back by attempting to shoot the messenger… threats, character assassination, you name it. The saddest part of that particular story was the fact that we saw dozens of people cheated, scared, hurt or otherwise turned off to aviation… probably for the rest of their lives. After dealing with the crooks at Max-Air, these people saw aviation and aviators as something that held too much risk for them… not to be trusted and something to be avoided if they valued their wallets, or their safety, or both. Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. Steve Jobs It was a cycle we saw repeated over and over again. And not just with crooked or dangerous companies… we also witnessed 'over-the-top' belligerence and power-trips from members of the FAA and were often helpless to do much about it. We also watched one Fly-In, in particular (Sun n Fun), ignore our safety warnings, time and time again… only to see those warnings literally become real as the very accidents we predicted actually happened… people died, people got hurt, people got cheated… and I got assaulted and banned from the event for having the balls to tell Sun ‘n Fun's arrogant emperors that they had no clothes. We went to bat, numerous times to fight the injustices we saw as companies like CGS (the old one owned by Chuck Slusarczyk… not the current folks… with whom we have no negative reports, that we’re aware of), Adventure Air, Revolution Helicopter and others either cheat customers or offer deficient products. I am ever reminded of one man, in particular, who got screwed out of the thousands of dollars he paid for a CGS Hawk (George Conn… a truly sweet guy to know) and despite all manner of difficulties, he fought for years to either get his plane or his money… and never got much of either (even though the owner of CGS literally promised to repay the bucks, in a letter to EAA… but welshed on that deal). George never got his CGS Hawk and his participation in aviation dwindled away thereafter… to one day, in my presence, cutting up his EAA membership card out of frustration with an industry that would take CGS ad dollars but not correct CGS misbehavior. While my efforts, over the years, are filled with a number of successes in which we were able to aid folks here and there with various problems with the FAA, aircraft companies, associations or other aviation entities, George is one guy we failed, above all else. He is my constant reminder that while our efforts have been mighty… that our results have been mixed. While George appreciated our efforts and considers us a friend… the fact that we failed George so miserably is one of the better but bitter life lessons that has shaped what I've done in the decades since this awful matter started. We’ve had many great victories… but not for George. There have been other battles… some where we did some good… but in many cases (at least, in our opinion), not enough. When a poorly designed amphib showed up on the market, known then as the Adventurer Amphib, run by a fellow who went by the name of ‘Happy Miles”, it did not take long to see that the aircraft had some serious design issues, that customers were having problems getting what they paid for, and that the overall manner and conduct of the company was getting more questionable by the day. Performance claims for the heavy, draggy airframe were simply unbelievable and as just a few aircraft finally got completed and airborne, it became obvious that the aircraft had even more shortcomings than we thought. A fatality occurred in which one of these aircraft departed from Oshkosh after the Fly-In, and barely made it to Fond Du Lac, before the aircraft came apart, killing the pilot. The resultant NTSB investigation was brutal and numerous design deficiencies were made known... weeks and months after we published our concerns over the very same issues. The NTSB report concluded that the airplane suffered the loss of the horizontal stabilizer, elevator, rudder, both wings, and a portion of the vertical stabilizer. Subsequent to the accident an examination of the structure revealed (among other things) insufficient material attaching the horizontal stabilizer to the vertical stabilizer. An examination of six other similar airplanes, under construction, found evidence of a lack of quality controls in manufacturing, technique, failure to follow published construction manuals and guidelines, and general oversight by the kit supplier/manufacturer. Discussions with one of the NTSB investigators in this accident revealed his wholly negative impression of the aircraft, as "one of the worst (kit aircraft) I've ever seen." Of course, over the course of criticizing and complaining about the issues that concerned us (actually, scared us) about this company and this airplane, we once again were the recipients of threats, harassment, character assassination and the like. A hastily conjured lawsuit was filed against us… but as soon as we started the process of seeking discovery and the asking of questions that this company did NOT want to answer, the suit was dropped. The owner, Happy Miles (real name, John Anthony Mihaylo… who also had a “record”) eventually folded his tent and went on to other things… but the few airplanes that got completed, from the very few kits that were shipped in a form that offered enough parts to offer some semblance of completion, were involved in other accidents, some fatal, thereafter. Yeah, we had a hand in stopping it… but once again, the aero-associations were gutless, the industry didn’t want to hear “bad news” and all the while people either died, got cheated and/or were turned out of the industry through disgust, distrust and utter fear. The Mini-500 scandal was an amazing low-moment, possibly one of the lowest, in sport aviation history. A truly attractive kit helicopter prototype got floated around the aviation media, promising all kinds of neat freedoms and capabilities… and for a price that set helicopter geeks all over the globe drooling with anticipation. But… if it sounds too go to be true, it usually is… and in this case, it was. Dennis Fetters, a/k/a Mohammed Al Faris, set up company to produce the Mini-500, a look-alike helo kit that resembled the early Hughes 500. Over the course of a number of years, hundreds of Mini-500s were sold, a two-seater was built and “flown” (though high-altitude shots turned out to be poorly photo-shopped frauds), and early models looked promising. Even some of the early demo ships seemed to fly well under controlled conditions and with near-perfect maintenance and factory supervision of the test flights that were permitted as the machine went into production. BUT… the production ships were not built nearly as well (or the same) as the demo birds, short-cuts were taken with materials and manufacturing, and in short order a truly vicious series of accidents, (a lot of them), began to prove that the machine had serious shortcomings. Frames cracked, components failed, the machine was too heavy for its powerplant -- which had to run near 100% rated power to even fly. The machine exhibited some dangerous tendencies in a power-out scenario while a number of other problems came to light... and the accident rate sky-rocketed. We took an active role in trying to find solutions… even sponsoring safety meeting with NTSB attendance and support, and kept the pressure up to find ways to make the machine safe to fly. Over time, we documented nearly 100 accidents, nearly a dozen fatalities (more than that, since then) and quite a few falsehoods on the part of Fetters and his company, Revolution Helicopter. A number of people we knew (some were friends) were killed in the aircraft and over time, Fetters went out of business owing a lot of people a lot of money – all the while blaming everyone but himself. Experts far and wide condemned the machine as poorly manufactured and underpowered, while its manufacturer was found to have pulled more than a few frauds trying to keep the house of cards intact. The president of the International Experimental Helicopter Association, the late Bill Phillips, noted that, “In my opinion, Dennis Fetters is one of the biggest cons that’s ever hit the kit industry.” As we look back on the whole fiasco… countless people cheated of over a million dollars, too many lies told to be accurately counted, kits that did not perform as delivered, and a breathtaking accident rate, we find no reason to disagree with Bill’s assessment. When we became aware of the problems with Revolution, we turned away their attempts to advertise and would NOT take their money… but that didn’t stop the rest of the industry from doing so… long after the dangers became common knowledge… and you would not believe the flak we took over this matter as Fetters tried to rewrite history… even though everything we wrote was the truth. Not everyone, though, was bamboozled by Fetters and his ilk... and we remain proud of the letter we received, uninvited, from the (then) head of the NTSB, (who was not exactly one of our fans due to critical comments we had made of their handling of a few issues over the years), in which he applauded our efforts and expressed his amazement at what Revolution had tried to pull off… We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot. Eleanor Roosevelt And, of more recent note, is the David Riggs debacle… Principally known as the pilot of an L-39 that terrorized the Santa Monica pier via a high-speed, low-altitude buzz job that scared hundreds and posed a serious danger to the lives of all those nearby, David Riggs ultimately had his tickets pulled for a year and a criminal conviction and penalties entered against him (for which he has yet to complete his sentence). Since then, with his tickets restored, Riggs has continued a stunning litany of dangerous activities and efforts that have caused many to report him to the FAA and other Federal agencies, while the activities continued, inexplicably, unabated and unchallenged -- until just a few days ago. Riggs, as you may recall, was also the guiding hand behind an effort to bring a convoluted and reportedly unsafe air racing program to the Camarillo Air Show, last August, 2011. The race plan was never approved by the FAA, was found to be improperly prepared, as well as poorly researched, and many of the claims made by the race organizers (principally, Riggs) were found to be without foundation or verification. Despite some surprising name-calling and questionable statements by the Air Show organizers and Riggs, the race was not flown... and to this day Riggs and the show staff continue to try to point their fingers at the FAA. The record shows, however; that the FAA bent over backwards to give this race proposal (Ultimate Air Race Challenge -- UARC), every chance to meet the regs and that they, without doubt, failed to do so. Sadly; by the way, when Riggs first press release appeared about the UARC scam, ONLY ANN questioned it, looked into it, and debunked it. Others not only ran this crap verbatim… but we’ve seen NO ONE retract, correct or otherwise offer any follow-up to the false and misleading stories that are still published on their websites… long after the UARC claims were proven false, misleading, and JUST PLAIN BS. Over the course of several years, ANN has been made aware of numerous online video productions in which Riggs was documented conducting what appeared to be commercial operations in an L-39 Albatros single engine jet trainer and conducting operations that appeared, at first impression, to be outside the regs as well as occasionally showing what appeared to be unsafe actions and operations. ANN reported this evidence and our concerns to the FAA on numerous occasions, and over several years, and is aware of several other pilots and concerned citizens (even FAA personnel), who did likewise. At no time has ANN ever received any evidence to support the possibility of a waiver or other alternate means of compliance that might make these allegedly illegal operations allowable under the FARs. It was an operation like this, conducted by Riggs, in which another L-39 went down and two people lost their lives. Most recently, we have documented a faux warbird fighter adventures scam being conducted with experimental aircraft and without the requisite skills, waivers and expertise needed to conduct proper/safe operations. While Riggs is facing potential (and probable) revocation for an L-39 ride scam, there is far more to investigate, a great number of cons and even more dangerous activity to investigate… and he’s far from the only one who has been this dangerous or this crooked. God only knows how many people he has cheated, scared, defrauded… and ultimately chased out of our industry. We fear that the number is significant. Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity. W. Clement Stone Don’t get me wrong… we’ve had some amazing successes and are pleased to see that we’ve had a pivotal and lasting impact on the aviation world. Some of the most important fights we have undertaken included the Bob Hoover v FAA affair, the victimization of Robinson Helicopter, and most recently, the fact that FAA finally/belatedly went after David Riggs. Years ago, we led an aggressive effort to restore legendary aviator Bob Hoover to his rightful place in the skies after some Feds decided he was too old to fly -- with no REAL evidence to support that charge. If you've been anywhere near the aviation world for the last fifty years or so, it would be hard not to have heard about Bob Hoover, a man who can easily lay claim to the title "living legend." Hoover is to aviation what John Kennedy and/or Ronald Reagan was to politics... a beloved symbol of what the best is, in an industry where being good is a life or death situation. In the aviation hierarchy, this guy is pretty much at the top of the ladder. After being victimized by some Feds looking for a high-profile scalp, Hoover was subjected to a multi-year fight to prove what the rest of aviation knew all along… that Bob still was one of the best flyers in the world. Dozens of stories, investigations, and a 400 page book/expose were undertaken by my crew and I to put a stop to one of the most grievous FAA “Hits” we’d ever seen. It took years, but ultimately, it all culminated in getting Bob flying as well as two of the greatest honors I’ve ever experienced (#1-Walking Bob out to his Twin Commander before the very first show he flew upon getting his privileges restored… and #2- The wonderful words he wrote on the cover of an issue of US Aviator magazine-the issue that announced his return to flight- that adorns my wall to this day – “To Jim Campbell, the greatest – without your support I would never have flown in our great country again.”)… which pales to the central issue at hand… restoring Bob to flight status and making a wrong thing, right. In another case, we watched Robinson helicopter come under heavy fire after the very first R-44 went down with fatal result. A few folks with an agenda and axe to grind tried to turn the accident into something sinister, despite the fact that there were some serious conflicts of interest among those who attempted to sway the NTSB investigative process (including a relative of the pilot… who allegedly demanded that Frank Robinson hand over part of the company to ‘settle’ legal claims that were being put forth by his attorney… who had a few problems of his own, including serious problems with the State Bar). The story was complex, convoluted, and showed that Robinson was doing its best to build a safe product… while the investigations showed signs of being tainted, and even interfered with, by outside factors… some of whom were surprisingly close to the NTSB process itself. In the end, the article we did was given great credit for getting the story straight, showing the problems with the crash and its investigation… and even (possibly) saving Robinson Heli. We’re not sure the situation was that dire, but we were pleased to bring clarity to a confused and complex issue and to defend a solid and honest company that was truly doing its best to build a good product. In addition to these higher profile stories, we were instrumental in giving aid to aviators in need, often for far simpler issues involving FAA harassment, companies that did not perform as advertised or promised or in attempting to help aviators seek and partake in the freedoms that aviation offers… We defended and went to the aid of pilots, businesses, airports, FBOs, maintenance shops, flight schools, you name it. And we did it because we did not want to be like the rest of what we saw in the aviation press. In most cases, aviation editorial has pretty much turned into a beauty contest… with the only real differentiation between writers and their stories being a matter of who could dress up the brochure copy in the most interesting way. It's been that way (mostly) for decades… and one has only to see the crap that got shoveled our way whenever we did critical editorial to see why there was little personal incentive to change the modus operandi of an industry in love with hype and BS. The few of us who tried to change this, paid a hell of a cost for it, and got little to no support for the effort (and in fact, is one of the reasons that Sun 'n Fun has VOICED as a reason for their ban of yours truly--is that SCREWED-UP or what?). Regardless, we will continue to tell the critical stories – many of which are made more complicated by an FAA that doesn't work, an aviation system under constant attack by crooks (and not just David Riggs), of the cowardice of the rank and file 'alphabet groups' who are supposedly out there to protect our industry, and an aviation justice system that has become truly dysfunctional and is a danger to the flying public. He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy. Socrates One hopes that the next generation of sport and general aviation will promote a new generation of aviation journalism. ANN will stay committed to such a proposition and we hope others will follow suit… but our hopes are dim. But the issue we’re trying to bring home here is simply this… NOT exposing wrong-doing... NOT correcting dangerous situations… NOT giving flyers and potential flyers the knowledge they NEED to be safe and secure in their flying pursuits subjects them to the very kinds of dangers we noted above… and has resulted (we sincerely believe) in hundreds, even thousands of flyers and potential flyers leaving our ranks… and causing many others to be dissuaded from even trying. We strongly believe the cumulative damage to have been catastrophic… hence the reason we have fought so aggressively to conduct the kind of editorial that exposes the hardships, frauds, and dangers that so many others -- be they (so-called) journalists, associations, industry pundits, what have you -- simply ignore, out of fear, or for profit or because they simply don’t give a damn. Make no mistake… we give a damn. And we also believe that... 1) YOU have the right to be told the truth… 2) YOU have the right to not be cheated by unscrupulous vendors… 3) YOU have the right to not be harmed by dangerous products… 4) YOU have the right to enjoy and partake in aviation free of the worry that there are those that would do you harm through negligence, lack of professionalism, criminal intent or just plain ignorance… 5) YOU have the right to believe in the inherent good of the aviation world and to fully informed when the occasional bad apple shows up… 6) What YOU don't know can and will hurt you... no kidding. 7) YOU have our promise that we’ll do OUR best to make sure that you get just that – not matter who tries to harass us for it or otherwise tries to intimidate us into silence. Like I said… we give a damn. Period. Stay tuned… first, we started with the good -- and then got into the 'bad…' now we start talking about the ugly side of all this... (and we weren’t kidding) -- don’t miss it. More to follow… FMI: Comments On ‘On Being A Good Aero-Citizen – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (Part 2)’, Read: Barnstorming: On Being A Good Aero-Citizen–The Good, The Bad, The Ugly (Part 1) For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=296028ff-14bd-4560-bfca-25e5e021d4de ----------------------------------------------------------------- 'Dracula' Premieres At ICAS Airshow Convention Kyle Franklin Returns To The Circuit With 'Monster Biplane' Its been a tough few years for Kyle Franklin... but in the true spirit of a survivor, Kyle is unveiling his next big act for North American airshow audiences in 2013. Kyle is returning to the airshow circuit with a truly monstrous bipe he calls... 'Dracula.' Evolving over a nine-year design and construction period, Dracula was completed in secrecy... 'The tapering fuselage, speed ring cowling, and sloped windshield hearken back to the racing airplanes of the 1930’s. The airbrushed blood in the paint comes straight from the opening scene of a horror movie. The modern prop, nearly full span ailerons, and attention to detail on the weight are 21st century technology. The Franklin Demon 1 biplane, known as “Dracula”, bursts onto the air show scene at the ICAS convention in Las Vegas this week. Franklin has completed and tested this radical one of a kind biplane, which generated unprecedented interest among air show fans, promoters, and sponsors six months before anyone had even seen a picture of it. Originally conceived by Kyle’s late father Jimmy, Dracula combines the crowd pleasing lines of the iconic Waco Mystery Ship with modern aerodynamics and systems, resulting in a smaller, lighter, significantly more maneuverable and powerful airplane. In comments associated with this debut, Franklin notes that, “I’m extremely pleased with the features in Drac’s design. The nearly full span ailerons give Drac a roll rate over 300 degrees per second and the two-color smoke system was custom made for the vampire theme of this act. The MT prop gives me maximum performance and a nearly 100 pound weight savings. Drac was designed from the beginning to be trailered to every air show – the trailering feature gives me maximum reliability, I don’t have to worry about weather when I’m traveling to an air show. I’ve also renewed my commitment to air show safety in this airplane with the Amanda Switch. In a severe impact, it automatically shuts off the supply of fuel and smoke oil to the engine.” Dracula was also built with an emphasis on weight. The fuel system holds just 26 gallons, enough for a blood chilling performance and a safe reserve. Franklin also hastens to explain that this is not a 'solo' act... but the work of many. “Drac’s success is because of our fans, friends, and sponsors; I’ve always said that I have the most generous sponsors and the most supportive fans in the industry – this airplane would not have been possible without them.” Franklin thanked all of his sponsors and friends for their support. The debut performance of Dracula will take place at the New Smyrna Beach Balloon and Sky Fest April 5-7, 2013. FMI: www.franklinairshows.com, www.seasideballoonfest.com, www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-yRGj-HvhI For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/sport.cfm?ContentBlockID=d99cdf57-6f06-46fb-b8dd-d48c7d7134b0 ----------------------------------------------------------------- American Airlines' Pilots Ratify New Contract Moves Carrier A Step Closer To Emerging From Bankruptcy American Airlines cleared one of the last remaining hurdles to emerging from bankruptcy late last week, as its pilots' union agreed to a new labor agreement. Allied Pilots Association President Capt. Keith Wilson (pictured) posted the following statement on the union's website: "TENTATIVE AGREEMENT VOTE RESULTS: By a vote of 5,489 for and 1,951 against, the APA membership has voted to ratify the tentative agreement. More than 96 percent of eligible members participated in the ratification by casting a vote. Voting ended at noon Central today (Friday) and BallotPoint then tabulated the results shortly thereafter. APA Secretary-Treasurer First Officer Scott Shankland has certified the results as accurate. "I want to thank everyone who took the time to cast a vote in this important ratification process. I also want to thank the APA Board of Directors and our many volunteers for their efforts throughout the past year since American Airlines entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy. "APA will now turn its focus to helping to ensure that full consideration is given to strategic alternatives before American Airlines’ restructuring concludes. The APA leadership continues to support a merger with US Airways as the best path to a stronger, more competitive American Airlines that will in turn enhance our pilots’ long-term career prospects." The Associated Press reports that American spokesman Bruce Hicks said the vote "gives us the certainty we need for American to successfully restructure." Union spokesman Dennis Tajer said the contract could ease the way towards a merger between American and US Airways. He said it should in no way "be viewed as support for the American stand-alone plan or this current management team." AMR Spokesman Hicks said that with voluntary departures and negotiations with its labor groups, the number of overall layoffs in the company has been reduced to about 3,000. FMI: www.alliedpilots.org, www.aa.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=704be38d-e878-48f7-b692-cbec598ae4ff ----------------------------------------------------------------- Groups Urge FAA To Credit Pilots For Employment, Training Towards Experience Letter To Acting Administrator Huerta Stresses Flexibility In Certification Standards Three organizations have written a letter to acting FAA administrator Michael Huerta urging the agency to grant flight hour credit to current pilots based on their airline training and experience as they draft new regulations to raise certification standards for newly hired airline pilots. ALPA, Airlines for America and the Regional Airline Association, are all signatories to the letter. The Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 (the Act) requires that, effective August 2, 2013, all pilots in FAR 121 air carrier operations possess an Airline Transport Pilot certificate (ATP). The Act also required the FAA to conduct a rulemaking to “modify requirements for the issuance of an airline transport pilot certificate.” The Act gave the FAA latitude, in consultation with experts, to determine whether flight hour credits should be given to ATP applicants based on pertinent academic achievement and thereby reduce the number of hours needed to qualify for the ATP certificate. The Act required the FAA to issue a final rule to address these issues not later than 24 months after the August 1, 2010 date of enactment, namely, August 1, 2012. In the letter, the groups say that "it is important that the FAA act on this NPRM and issue a final rule before August 1, 2013. Industry would benefit from knowing, as soon as possible, what actions they will need to take in order to be fully compliant with the new requirements. Without such certitude, hiring, training and scheduling practices are being negatively impacted today at numerous carriers, and the effects are felt by the companies and their flight crew employees. "An additional concern is current pilots employed by FAR 121 airlines that will not meet the provisions of the FAA proposed regulation to qualify for the ATP certificate. Many of these pilots have been flying in airline operations for a considerable amount of time and have successfully completed initial training, a number of recurrent training cycles, and a number of line evaluations. "We would also request that you consider the inclusion of a provision in the final rule issued in response to this NPRM that would give flight hour credit to these individuals based on their airline training history and experience that would qualify them for the “restricted” ATP proposed or the current ATP. We would suggest at least 13 months of employment at the FAR 121 airline. This would cover successful completion of initial training, a number of line evaluations, and at least one recurrent training cycle. Accordingly, we would respectfully request that the FAA expeditiously issue a final rule on part 121 pilot certification and qualification requirements. We would be pleased to discuss this matter with you, as desired." On its blog The Partisan Pilot, ALPA says the flexibility is important to its pilots who have an established career, but who may not meet the requirements needed for an ATP. An ATP will be required by law for all pilots in FAR 121 operations effective August 2, 2013. ALPA says that granting experienced and professional pilots credit for their training and employment experience will allow them to qualify for a new “restricted” ATP that will ensure ALPA pilots remain in the air and do not experience a break in employment as a result of the new rules. FMI: www.alpa.org, www.airlines.org, www.raa.org For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=3e63c87b-6380-4801-893d-fc0ea8c2a362 ----------------------------------------------------------------- FCC Chair Asks FAA To Reconsider Electronics Ban During Takeoff, Landing Letter Sent By Julius Genachowski To Michael Huerta The chairman of the FCC has sent a letter to the Acting Administrator of the FAA asking that the agency reconsider its ban on the use of some portable electronic devices during takeoff and landing. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski wrote that the FAA should "enable greater use of tablets, e-readers, and other portable devices" during commercial flights. The letter, which was obtained by The Hill, reportedly says "This review comes at a time of tremendous innovation, as mobile devices are increasingly interwoven in our daily lives. They empower people to stay informed and connected with friends and family, and they enable both large and small businesses to be more productive and efficient, helping drive economic growth and boost U.S. competitiveness." The FAA began this summer to review its policies on the use of the electronic devices, however, the agency has consistently said that it would not allow "voice communications" during flights. Genachowski said that the FCC would work closely with the FAA, airlines, and manufacturers to review devices. We'd note that the development is not surprising, given the number of iPad and other tablet-based EFBs currently available for airplanes up to and including airliners. The FCC had considered as early as 2004 to change the rules that prohibit the use of such devices during flight, but said that it did not receive sufficient technical information "to determine whether in-flight use of wireless devices" would interfere with ground-based wireless networks. (Pictured: L-R FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski) FMI: www.fcc.gov, www.faa.gov For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=ca228bd5-183d-4f70-8341-6c94f8ad12eb ----------------------------------------------------------------- IATA: Airlines To Welcome 3.6 Billion Passengers In 2016 China Accounts For Nearly One In Four Additional Passengers The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released an industry traffic forecast showing that airlines expect to welcome some 3.6 billion passengers in 2016. That’s about 800 million more than the 2.8 billion passengers carried by airlines in 2011. These figures are revealed in the IATA Airline Industry Forecast 2012-2016. This industry consensus outlook for system-wide passenger growth sees passenger numbers expanding by an average of 5.3% per annum between 2012 and 2016. The 28.5% increase in passenger numbers over the forecast period will see almost 500 million new passengers traveling on domestic routes and 331 million new passengers on international services. International freight volumes will grow at 3% per annum to total 34.5 million tonnes in 2016. That is 4.8 million more tonnes of air cargo than the 29.6 million tonnes carried in 2011. The emerging economies of Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East will see the strongest passenger growth. This will be led by routes within or connected to China, which are expected to account for 193 million of the 831 million new passengers over the forecast period (159 million on domestic routes and 34 million traveling internationally). Passenger growth within the Asia-Pacific region (domestic and international) is expected to add around 380 million passengers over the forecast period. Through 2016, the United States will continue to be the largest single market for domestic passengers (710.2 million). In the same year, passengers on international routes connected to the United States will total 223 million, making it the largest single market for international travel as well. Reflecting the maturity of the United States market, growth rates (2.6% for domestic and 4.3% for international) will be well below the international average (5.3 % for international travel and 5.2% for domestic traffic). “Despite the current economic uncertainty, expected demand for connectivity remains strong. That’s good news for the global economy. Growing air transport links generate jobs and underpin economic growth in all economies. But exploiting these will require governments to recognize aviation’s value with policies that do not stifle innovation, tax regimes that do not punish success and investments to enable infrastructure to keep up with growth,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO. Globally, aviation supports some 57 million jobs and $2.2 trillion in economic activity. FMI: www.iata.org For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=789a9521-37dd-4c71-aec8-f5774ea1498a ----------------------------------------------------------------- 40 Years Ago; Apollo 17, 'The End Of The Beginning' Part 2: Standby For Touchdown By: Wes Oleszewski Captured by lunar gravity, Apollo 17 sped behind the moon. Gone, however, was the public concern that had existed when Apollo’s 8, 10 and 11 entered the same phase of their trips to the moon. Now the American public, in general, considered a flight to the moon as being “routine,” and about as interesting as a chemistry class. NASA, apparently, had done too good of a job of making it look easy. As Apollo 17 crossed behind the moon at 2:36 pm on Sunday, December 10th, 1972, it was isolated from any communication or assistance from the ground. Yet, the three major television networks did not even bother to break into regular programming to broadcast the event. I had skipped a day of ice skating at the Civic Center just in case there may be some coverage of the lunar orbit insertion. Of course that meant that I was relegated to sitting in front of our family’s TV set frantically spinning the dial and changing the three channels between an old movie, coverage of some European ski-jumping event and a show with some political talking-heads discussing what the next four years of the Nixon administration may mean to China. The clock ticked past 2:48 when the burn was scheduled to take place and still there was nothing on my TV- so I resorted to the radio. The top of the hour news had nothing to say other than what I already knew was happening; Apollo 17 was behind the moon. An hour later, however, the radio news reported that Apollo 17 was in lunar orbit, in just about that many words. That was it- the sum total of coverage for this critical event. At best, it was a good day to sit home and mess around with my rocket models. Monday, December 11th was one of my “Apollo Days” off from school. Once again my parents had balanced my watching historic events live on TV against what the public school system had to offer. The choice was a day with Apollo, NASA and the space program as opposed to a day of classroom disturbances, fights, small change robbery and other assorted mayhem. If you’ve never attended a public school on the wrong side of town, you probably can’t understand my parent’s wisdom, if however, you have done so you can easily understand why Apollo 17 won that one hands down. I got up and turned on “The Today Show” to check on Apollo 17 and the status for landing. The news was good with NBC reporting that their coverage would begin at 2:20 pm which was fine with me considering that the LEM was supposed to touch down a 2:54. Landing a LEM was probably the most complex and unique activity in human history. It required coordination between both of the astronauts, onboard landing radar, ground radar from earth and the computer aboard the LEM. Certainly, a junior high school kid like me, sitting in front of the family TV set in mid-Michigan had nothing to do with it. No matter; I had my tape recorder and my books as well as my 1/144 scale Revell model and I was going to be ready for the adventure. Once undocked, the Command Service Module (CSM), that on Apollo 17 had been named “America,” altered into a circular orbit and away from the LEM, which had been named “Challenger.” The first step in what was called “powered descent” was a 7.5 second retro-grade burn of the reaction control system (RCS) motors for ullage. The term “ullage” comes from the brewing industry and originally was the moniker given to the area left in a container when some of the contents had been drained. It is said to have been applied to rocketry by the folks at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama in the early days of the Saturn rocket program. In spaceflight then term relates to the settling of liquids in a fuel or oxidizer tank. Thus, when the onboard computer calculated the proper time… the LEM’s RCS fired ullage preparing for P63 and PDI… as they used to say in NASA moon-talk. Flying along on their back, or rather- standing on the wall- the astronauts were looking up, away from the lunar surface as shortly after ullage the computer indicated program “63.” under the "PROG." tag. This was the program that commanded the ignition of the LEM’s descent engine. P63 was indicated on the display keyboard or “DSKY” (pronounced; dis-key) and “99” was also flashing on the display. The flashing of “99” was the computer’s way of saying that it was waiting for an astronaut input, or as Jim Lovell said, “…it asks, are you sure you really wanna do that?” Schmitt pushed “PROCEED” on the DSKY and the computer fired up the engine right on time; the crew now had Power Descent Initiation, or “PDI.” This was actually one of a very few times that Schmitt made the actual entries into the computer. He and Cernan had worked out a method where the commander would make almost all of the entries during powered descent. This was because of Cernan’s Apollo 10 experience where he and his Commander, Tom Stafford, had some trouble because one guy had put something the computer and the other had put something in on top of it. This time they had a clear plan and a simple rule- Cernan did the entering with exception of P63 and P64 which Schmitt would do because Cernan’s attention needed to be outside at those times. Schmitt was thus dedicated to the abort guidance computer and landing radar. At PDI the LEM was orbiting at an altitude of only 56,544 feet above the moon at a velocity of 5,568 feet per second. Just 26 seconds later the descent engine throttled up to full power and the Challenger began breaking toward the surface of the moon. The astronauts could still not see much of the lunar surface as they remained looking almost straight up. What they could see, however, was a grand view of the blue earth. “You’re allowed two quick looks out the window,” Cernan quipped to Schmitt , whose job it was to have his head in the cockpit reading the instruments and computer DSKY, “…one now and one when we pitch over.” “I can’t see a thing except the earth.” Schmitt replied helplessly. “That’s what I’m tellin’ ya’ to look at.” Cernan replied with a hint of fun. For seven minutes the engine ran at full power and then throttled down- the LEM was at just over 25,000 feet in altitude with a velocity now of only about 1,200 feet per second. For the next two minutes the LEM would continue on a gentle downward arc. The next key point in the powered descent was what the NASA press kits called “High Gate.” The news commentators really took a hold on that term and apparently loved to say it. The funny part was that the astronauts rarely, if ever, used that term. Normally they called it “pitch-over,” or “the pitch,” or “P64,” but I have yet to find a recording or transcript where they referred to it as “high gate.” Just prior to nine minutes and 20 seconds into the powered descent, the DSKY would display “P64” and flash “99.” Shortly after passing through 9,000 feet above the surface, Cernan called for the “Pro.” Schmitt hit the Proceed on the DSKY and the LEM pitched over from a 60 degree nose high attitude to a 20 degree nose high; they were in nearly a landing attitude. Now Cernan could clearly see landmarks and known craters. “And there it is Houston! There’s Camelot!” Cernan sang out, “Right on target!” “I see it!” Schmitt chimed in, taking his second and last allowed look out the window during the descent. Now Schmitt began dutifully calling out the LPD numbers. LPD was an acronym used for “Landing Point Designator.” This critical and very handy little system was one of the lynch-pins to the Apollo astronauts being able to actually land safely on the lunar surface. The computer used radar plus calculations of forward velocity and vertical velocity to calculate a forward point where its math said the LEM would touch down. It translated that data into a number that was then displayed on the DSKY. That number was then read aloud by Schmitt to Cernan who had a scale engraved into his window. He simply matched the number said to him to whatever point on the lunar surface was seen to correspond to it and he had his expected landing point. Every Apollo lunar landing used this system to line up its approach. The numbers were spoken either as simple digits, “three nine, four zero,” etc. or they were spoken in degrees, “thirty seven degrees.” That was dependent upon how the specific crew decided to do it. On Apollo 15 for example, Jim Irwin gave Dave Scott the LPD in simple digits. On Apollo 17, Jack Schmitt gave Gene Cernan the LPD in degrees. Generally, the commander stopped using the LPD somewhere below 1,000 feet. Cernan had Schmitt stop giving LPD at about 800 feet. Watching the simulation and animation on TV it felt as if you were watching the real thing, but it also caused you to listen very closely to those two voices talking from the moon. On all six of the lunar landings it always struck me deep down that those men were flying to a landing ON THE MOON! Hovering in to a location where no human had ever been. They were a quarter of a million miles away. Most importantly, one tiny malfunction could set off a chain events that would likely kill them- as we listened. They were alone in the most hostile environment that humans had ever ventured into. It was the most gripping experience that anyone could ever witness. What puzzled me, however, was why was it only gripping to so few Americans such as myself? Why wasn’t every American, every human, in any civilized place glued to this event like I was? It is a question that to this day still bewilders me. Cernan and Schmitt made their calls, followed their radar and soon the Challenger’s four legs and their rod-like landing probes were stretching out toward the powdery surface of the moon. “Standby for touchdown.” Cernan flatly reported. It was a remark that he could have patented. He used it on ever space shuttle landing that he helped broadcast a decade later… only a few of us noticed, I’ll bet. As the probes touched the surface a blue light went on in front of Schmitt, “Contact,” He sung out and then, by reflex and training, he went directly into calling out the landing checklist, “Stop, push! Engine stop! Engine Arm, Proceed, Command Override, Off, Mode Control, Att. Hold, Pings- Auto.” “Okay Houston, the Challenger has landed!” Cernan exclaimed proudly. Houston Capcom Gordon Fullerton came back with a subdued “Okay, that’s super.” You’d have thought that he had just finished a landing simulation he was so professionally unemotional. Of course the pressure was not off- there was still the probability of something going wrong, in which case the crew would have to abort and liftoff immediately in order to rendezvous with the CSM. One thing a pilot learns, either by training- or by accident, is that just when you think you are home free and you have got it made- that is when the worst tends to happen. So, they had to now safe the LEM and get it configured for liftoff while Mission Control looked at all of the systems and decided if they could stay on the lunar surface. After the longest three minutes and 46 seconds of their lives, Cernan and Schmitt were given a “Go” to stay from Mission Control. Humanity’s last landing on the moon, perhaps in our lifetime, was a success. Looking over at my 1/144 scale Revell Lunar Module model, I could clearly see that it too had landed safely on our living room carpet, for about the 4,000th time. (Images provided by NASA) FMI: www.nasa.gov For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/aerospace.cfm?ContentBlockID=ee60ae24-67b8-4892-8c80-a32082deb0cb ----------------------------------------------------------------- Singer Jenni Rivera Fatally Injured In Aviation Accident Airplane In Which She Was A Passenger Went Down In Northern Mexico Singer Jenni Rivera has been fatally injured in an an airplane accident while traveling to a concert in Toluca in central Mexico by private jet. The Learjet on which she was a passenger went down near the city of Monterrey at about 0430 EST Sunday. Rivera was one of seven people on board the airplane, which according to the NTSB was a Learjet LJ25, including the crew. There were no survivors. Authorities say the airplane disappeared from radar about 62 miles from Monterrey, Mexico, according to a report from Reuters. The Mexican ministry of communication and transportation said that the debris field was so spread out that it was difficult to recognize anything as being part of an airplane. The accident site in the municipality of Iturbide south of Monterrey is still being investigated. Rivera was the daughter of Mexican immigrants born in Long Beach, CA. The 43-year-old singer and mother of five children had sold some 15 million records and received several Grammy nominations, according to her website. FAA records indicate that the Lear was built in 1969, according to a report appearing in the Huffington Post. It had reportedly been involved in a previous incident in 2005 involving a fuel system malfunction, but no one was injured in that incident. In a news release, the NTSB said it is dispatching investigators to assist the government of Mexico in its investigation of the accident. NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman has designated David Helson as the traveling U.S. Accredited Representative. Mr. Helson will be assisted from NTSB headquarters by investigative staff specializing in airplane airworthiness and flight crew operations as well as advisors from the FAA and Learjet. The investigation is being conducted by the Mexican Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC) which will release all information. FMI: www.ntsb.gov For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commbus.cfm?ContentBlockID=fe7a912e-43ea-43de-83ba-adee87afa6a1 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Bell Helicopter To Deliver First Bell 429 To United Kingdom Power Company Will Use The Aircraft For Powerline Inspections, Maintenance National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc in the U.K has purchased the first Bell 429 to be operated in Great Britain, Bell Helicopter said in a news release Thursday. The aircraft will be used for inspection and maintenance of power lines. "We required a versatile and reliable aircraft to support our mission, which is providing power to millions of people in the UK. We selected the Bell 429 for its unmatched ability to operate in challenging conditions and for its reduced maintenance costs," said Mike Hannon, field support manager at National Grid. National Grid formally accepted the Bell 429 in Mirabel, Canada at Bell Helicopter's commercial manufacturing facility. Final delivery of the aircraft will take place upon completion of EASA approved customizations at Bell Helicopter's European headquarters in Prague. National Grid's Bell 429 includes an operator workstation in the cabin of the aircraft featuring: SyQuest 20" HD display, MX-10 control unit, HD Nano Flash recorder, USB hub ports and keyboard. "National Grid's selection of the Bell 429 represents a successful collaboration between its team of experts and Bell Helicopter," said Danny Maldonado, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing at Bell Helicopter. "The dedication of Bell Helicopter to develop the most suitable solution for National Grid's mission has been instrumental through the evaluation process. It reflects our commitment to the European market and our ability to provide the right products for our customers." National Grid, an international electricity and gas company, is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. National Grid delivers gas and electricity to millions across Great Britain and the northeastern United States. They use helicopters to survey and repair power lines and pipelines throughout their expansive power network. "National Grid's decision to purchase the Bell 429 was driven by the aircraft's versatility, speed and cost efficiency. We are proud to count National Grid as one of our Bell 429 customers in Europe and we are committed to providing them with the best service and support in the rotorcraft industry," said Patrick Moulay, managing director, Commercial Business for Bell Helicopter in Europe. (Bell 429 image from file) FMI: www.bellhelicopter.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commbus.cfm?ContentBlockID=2224d0c0-d969-4cc8-b277-eecf7b8e4a4e ----------------------------------------------------------------- CAP Board Of Governors Selects Chairman, Vice Chairman First Meeting Under New Governance Structure The Civil Air Patrol’s Board of Governors, meeting in person for the first time since the organization’s new governance structure was introduced in August, on Wednesday elected retired Air Force Maj. Gen. John Speigel as its chairman and CAP Lt. Col. Ned Lee as vice chairman. Speigel, previously the board’s vice chairman, succeeds Brig. Gen. Richard Anderson when Anderson’s term concludes in February. A BoG member since 2005, Speigel is the former director of personnel policy, deputy chief of staff for personnel, Air Force Headquarters. He has served in numerous Air Force technical and command positions during his military career, commanding at every level, from detachment to wing, including at the Pentagon and in South Korea. He is now a director of Deloitte Consulting’s Department of Defense Human Capital in Washington, D.C. Lee, who succeeds Speigel as vice chairman in February, is a member of CAP’s Pacific Region. He formerly served as the national cadet program adviser and as the region’s deputy chief of staff for cadet programs. Lee is a California Superior Court judge in Santa Clara County and is a former police detective. He is retired from the Army National Guard. During its meeting this week at Tyndall Air Force Base, FL, the BoG also: 1) Met with CAP’s primary customer, 1st Air Force, to include an orientation to the Operations Center where Air Force-assigned missions are generated. 2) Approved CAP’s financial plan for federal funding for fiscal year 2014, as well as CAP’s 2013 legislative agenda. 3) Provided updates to CAP’s 2013-2014 strategic plan’s goals, objectives and metrics. 4) Received a report on completion of the 2012 business plan. 5) Examined CAP’s three-year Development Plan involving gift giving and grants. The new governance system was unveiled Aug. 24 during CAP’s Annual Conference in Baltimore. Initial implementation occurred Oct. 1. The governance plan streamlines CAP’s decision- and policymaking processes, clarifies the role and responsibilities of key personnel and incorporates a new selection process for the national commander and other executives, along with other changes. The new governance structure remains on track for full implementation by Jan. 1. Work continues at CAP National Headquarters on revising relevant regulations to reflect the new system. (Pictured: Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. John Speigel (right) and Lt. Col. Ned Lee of Civil Air Patrol's Pacific Region.) FMI: www.gocivilairpatrol.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/military.cfm?ContentBlockID=acff7907-bb3b-4d0c-bc34-2e8550a8f316 ----------------------------------------------------------------- X-37B Launch Set For December 11 From Canaveral Air Force Station Window For Atlas V Rocket Liftoff Is 1303-1803 EST The Air Force is set to launch its third X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) on Tuesday. The secret test spacecraft will be boosted atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air force Station. The launch window will be open from 1303 to 1803 EST Tuesday. This will be the second launch for this particular re-usable spacecraft, and the third mission overall for the X-37B series. The experimental space plane, developed by Boeing, is the newest and most advanced re-entry spacecraft. This prototype measures at 29 feet in length and can return to Earth and land like an airplane. The first flight successfully landed at Vandenberg Air Force Base on Dec. 3, 2010, after 224 days in orbit. The second flight launched March 5, 2011, and landed in California on June 16, 2012 after more than a year in space. This launch has been delayed since a problem occurred with a ULA Delta IV rocket which did not perform as expected in a launch October 4. The Air Force has been conducting an investigation into that incident, which still resulted in the successful insertion of a GPS satellite into orbit. Space.com reports that even though the rocket systems are different, the Air Force conducted a detailed review of all the flight data before proceeding with the next launch. ULA says that all "credible crossover implications" between the Delta IV issue and the Atlas V which will launch the X-37B have been "addressed and mitigated," clearing the spacecraft for launch on Tuesday. (2011 Atlas V X-37B launch vehicle photo from file) FMI: www.ulalaunch.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/aerospace.cfm?ContentBlockID=5960ba34-140d-4359-ae0b-844454de7288 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Boeing, WestJet Celebrate Airline's 100th Next-Generation 737 Airplane Initially Delivered To Aviation Capital Group, Will Be Operated By The Canadian Carrier Calgary, Alberta, Canada-based WestJet has taken delivery of its 100th Next-Generation 737 ... having grown from three 737-200s serving five cities when it first began flying in 1996. With this delivery of a Boeing 737-800, WestJet's fleet now consists of 100 airplanes – all Boeing Next-Generation 737s. "This Next-Generation 737-800 marks a major milestone for our airline," said Cam Kenyon, WestJet's executive vice president, Operations. "The Boeing 737 is a key component in our growth strategy. Its excellent reliability, operational efficiency and range enable us to expand our network." The Next-Generation 737 is the most fuel-efficient and reliable single-aisle airplane today. The airplane provides added value to airlines such as WestJet by delivering reliability, simplicity and reduced operating and maintenance costs. "The growth of WestJet over the past 16 years is truly remarkable," said Brad McMullen, vice president of North America Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are pleased to see the 737 play an integral role in WestJet's success. WestJet has made the Next-Generation 737 the foundation of its fleet and has established a strong operational track record with the airplane." The 737-800 is selected by leading carriers throughout the world because it provides operators the flexibility to serve a wide range of markets. The single-aisle jetliner, which can seat 162 passengers in dual class and up to 189 passengers in a high-density configuration, can fly 175 nautical miles farther while carrying 12 more passengers than the competing model. The airplane, a 737-800, was initially delivered to Newport Beach, CA.-based leasing company Aviation Capital Group (ACG) and is going to be leased and operated by WestJet. "We are delighted to be leasing this milestone airplane to WestJet," said R. Stephen Hannahs, group managing director and CEO of ACG. "The Boeing 737-800 is an excellent airplane to support WestJet's growth strategy. It provides the efficiency, reliability and passenger amenities needed to grow in today's competitive marketplace." (Image provided by Boeing) FMI: www.boeing.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=ba58dd2a-aab2-4d62-a74a-a511be237feb ----------------------------------------------------------------- Pratt & Whitney Singapore Engine Center Celebrates 7,000th Engine Delivery Joint Venture With SIA Engineering In Operation More Than 30 Years Pratt & Whitney on Thursday announced its Singapore engine center celebrated more than 30 years of operations with the milestone delivery of its 7000th overhauled engine. Since beginning operation, the Singapore engine center has delivered 3,730 PW4000 series of engines (that power Airbus A300, A310 and A330 aircraft family as well as Boeing 747, 767, 777 and MD11 aircraft), 174 CFM56 engines (that power Airbus A340 aircraft), 47 GE90 engines (that power Boeing 777 aircraft) and 3,049 JT9D series of engines (that power Boeing 747-100 aircraft). A joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and SIA Engineering Co., the engine center also recently surpassed the US-billion-dollar revenue mark. Growing from its beginnings to support Singapore Airlines' (SIA) 747 fleet, the engine center today maintains a diverse portfolio of customers from around the world – with approximately 50 percent from the Americas, 40 percent from Asia Pacific and the remaining from Africa, Europe and Middle East. "This milestone delivery of 7,000 engines is a substantial accomplishment," said William Kircher, Pratt & Whitney's Singapore Overhaul and Repair vice president. "We are pleased our Singapore engine center has accomplished this feat, demonstrating it has developed world-class service excellence, is able to provide high quality engine repair and overhaul services, and wins customers from all over the world." "We're also thankful for the support from the Singapore government over these years. We hope to see many more milestones from the Singapore engine center, and look forward to working closely with Singapore as we continue to grow our presence on the island." The Pratt & Whitney Singapore engine center, Eagle Services Asia Pte Ltd (ESA), currently maintains a capacity to overhaul up to 300 jet engines annually and employs close to 900 employees. As part of Pratt & Whitney's Global Service Partners network providing large commercial engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services to customers worldwide, the engine center is equipped with extensive part repair capacity that helps reduce engine overhaul costs and turnaround times. ESA first began operations in 1981 as Singapore Engine Overhaul Center (SEOC), a division of SIA Engineering Company, following the incorporation of Singapore Airlines' engine overhaul division. At the same time, it relocated from Paya Lebar to a small building to be strategically adjacent to Changi International Airport to support the airline's then fleet of JT9D engines. In 1998, it entered into a joint venture with Pratt & Whitney. Since then, it has grown to a 655,000 square-feet (more than 60,000 square meters) footprint. It also expanded its capabilities to become the Center of Excellence for the Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engine series, while having grown its customer base to serve other aircraft operators. Today, the engine center serves a diverse and global mix of the world's leading airlines, low cost carriers and air-cargo operators. (Pictured: PW4000 engine. Photo provided by Pratt & Whitney) FMI: www.pw.utc.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=c34c06b4-6755-43de-8757-b127c6d7d846 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Testing the Fold: The JWST's Sunshield First Of Five Membranes Installed On The Space Telescope Mock-Up Engineers got a first-hand look at how the James Webb Space Telescope's sunshield would fold around the observatory while stored in the rocket that would take it to its orbit a million miles from Earth. Engineers at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems in Redondo Beach, CA, installed the first of five template sunshield membranes on a Webb telescope mock-up. The mock-up is a full-scale structural facsimile of the real observatory. Installing this first sunshield template membrane gave engineers a real-world understanding of how the sunshield will fold up and wrap around the observatory to stow it for launch before it unfurls in space. Engineers at Northrop Grumman recently verified that key folded membrane features that are critical to stowage and deployment align correctly with the hard structure of the observatory. “The Webb’s large sunshield is one of its signature features and it was developed especially for the Webb by Northrop Grumman,” said Jim Flynn, manager of the Sunshield Product Team at Northrop Grumman. Each of the sunshield's five membranes is unfurled and properly positioned by telescoping booms, spreader bars and cable drives. There are two electrical motor mechanisms called stem deployers, one on each side of the spacecraft. Their job is to "push out" from the inside of the telescoping booms to extend the booms and thus pull out the folded up membranes. The sunshield on the Webb telescope will act as an umbrella to block heat radiating from the sun and Earth from reaching the cold section of the observatory. This is a critical function because the telescope and instruments must be cooled below 50 Kelvin (about -370 Fahrenheit) to allow them to see faint infrared emissions from distant astronomical objects. Spanning 20 meters by 12 meters (65.6 feet by 39.3 feet) when fully deployed, the sunshield is about the size of a regulation tennis court. The sunshield features five thin membranes of Kapton E with aluminum and doped-silicon coatings to reflect the sun's heat back into space. Kapton E is a polymer film developed by DuPont that can be folded like a blanket and can survive the harsh environment of space. Each successive membrane of the sunshield rejects nearly all the radiant heat that reaches it, so the temperature behind each membrane is cooler than the one preceding it. The membranes are coated with a thin, vapor-deposited layer of highly reflective aluminum, except the sun-facing sides of the first two membranes, which are coated instead with a purple-hued, silicon-based, conductive reflective coating to better endure the intense radiation of the sun. The positioning and separation of the five membranes is critical to the function of the sunshield as a heat-rejecting device. The membranes fan out so that they are closer together at the center and farther apart at the edges. This is so that heat reflects back and forth between them and moves out and away from the middle towards the edges and eventually overboard and away from the observatory. The vacuum of space in between the layers prevents heat from conducting from one layer to the next and allows it to reflect unimpeded out and away. This is why five thin, separated and fanned-out layers work better than one big thick sunshield would. (Photo provided by NASA) FMI: www.nasa.gov For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/aerospace.cfm?ContentBlockID=601b00a3-e730-4b16-bbc8-825738c4afda ----------------------------------------------------------------- Sixteen Helicopters Participate In Alabama Toy Delivery Gifts Intended For Kids At The Children's Hospital Of Alabama It had all the markings of a well-oiled Christmas machine. Santa Claus arrived by state police helicopter Thursday, the first of 16 aircraft that would arrive on the helipad of the old Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, AL, while young patients at the new Children's Hospital of Alabama nearby watched from their rooms. The arrival was part of an effort led by area law enforcement to deliver some 2,000 toys collected recently for distribution through the hospital's Sugar Plum toy shop to patients, according to a report appearing in AL.com, an Alabama online news site. The toys actually had to be brought in by ground vehicles prior to the helicopter parade, but law enforcement helicopters from across the state flew one-by-one to the helipad and unloaded brightly-colored bags. Even if the toys weren't actually them, it was a great scene for the kids. The helicopter drop-off was the brainchild of Dale County (AL) Chief Deputy Tim McDonald, who was also one of the plots for the "toylift." Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson said that his county alone contributed about 1,000 toys to the effort, with a small Neighborhood Watch group in his county collecting 75 toys. Coffee County Sheriff Sutton said everyone knows these are not easy economic times for a lot of people, but "when it comes to a child, people open their hearts." FMI: www.childrensal.org For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commbus.cfm?ContentBlockID=a00686ea-d0c5-49ea-b8fa-afe5a30a2691 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Denmark Selects U.S. Navy's MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter Aircraft Configured For Anti-Surface Warfare Operations The U.S. Navy announced last week that the Danish government has signed an official letter of offer and acceptance formalizing its intent to buy nine MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and comprehensive logistics support for its Maritime Helicopter Replacement Program. Valued at US $686 million (Kr 4 billion), the aircraft will be procured via the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales program. "It's great news that the Danish government has selected the U.S. Navy's MH-60R, an aircraft we believe is the world's most capable multi-mission maritime helicopter," said Rear Adm. Paul Grosklags, Program Executive Officer, Air, ASW, Assault and Special Mission Programs. "Danish pilots and crew will be able to fly with the confidence that these aircraft have been proven operationally capable at sea and have the full logistics support already in place to ensure they are ready and able to fly anytime, anywhere in the world." Denmark is the second country to buy MH-60R helicopters following Australia's purchase of 24 aircraft in 2011. All nine aircraft will be delivered to the Danish government by 2018. The Danish aircraft are configured for anti-surface warfare operations, including defending Danish interests in the North Atlantic, executing anti-piracy operations, and conducting other missions during international deployments. The U.S. Navy was supported in its winning proposal by Team Seahawk, consisting of MH-60R airframe manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft, mission systems integrator Lockheed Martin, engine manufacturer GE, sensor supplier Raytheon Corp., and training supplier CAE. (MH-60R image from file. U.S. Navy photo) FMI: www.mh-60.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/military.cfm?ContentBlockID=513edbf6-8408-4837-9580-4ad013b6935d ----------------------------------------------------------------- US Navy Exercises Contract Option For 52 F414 Engines Powerplants For F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers The U.S. Navy exercised a 2013 contract option for the procurement of 52 GE F414 engines in support of the Navy's planned procurement of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers. This contract option follows the Navy's decision to purchase 82 F414 engines earlier this year. Options for the Navy could increase the total buy to more than 200 engines through 2013. The contract, with all options, is valued at more than $800 million. "We are proud to support the U.S. Navy and appreciate their continued confidence in the F414," said Tony Mathis, general manager of the GE-Lynn Turbofan and Turbojet Project Department. "GE Aviation is committed to producing the highest quality engines and ensuring that deliveries and support are optimum for the Navy." The F414 engine powers the U.S. Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft. More than 1,200 F414 engines totaling two million flight hours power more than 500 aircraft in the fleet. The F414 engine is rated at 22,000 pounds (98 kN) thrust and is in the 9:1 thrust-to-weight ratio class. As a part of the U.S. Navy Task Force Energy Initiative, GE continues to focus on F414 fuel burn reduction. These environmental programs build on 2010's "Green Hornet" first flight featuring an F414-powered Super Hornet with a 50-50 biofuel blend - the first U.S. Navy fighter to take to the skies with a non-petroleum fuel source. GE also plans to incorporate new designs and hardware to equip the F414 with increased thrust and improved durability. An F414 Enhanced Durability Engine (EDE) features both a new high-pressure turbine and new six-stage, high-pressure compressor to offer significant maintenance and fuel savings. The F414 Enhanced Performance Engine (EPE) will generate up to 20% more thrust by increasing fan airflow with the EDE hardware configuration. (Pictured Super Hornet, Growler U.S. Navy photo) FMI: www.navy.mil, www.geaviation.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/military.cfm?ContentBlockID=7b2fa73f-ca35-4252-bd66-b25ae9432499 ----------------------------------------------------------------- A4A Opposes Increase In The UK Air Passenger Duty A4A: 'Burdensome Tax' Depresses Demand, Unfairly Penalizes Customers The U.S. airline trade industry organization Airlines for America (A4A) has issued the a statement opposing the United Kingdom's increase to the Air Passenger Duty (APD) by 2.5 percent. The APD is the largest single tax passengers face anywhere in the world, with the increase, amounting to about $107 for economy tickets and $215 on all other cabins for flights to the United States. "Increasing this already oppressive tax depresses the demand for air travel to and from the UK and unfairly penalizes airline customers," said A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio (pictured). "Air transportation is an indispensable engine of economic growth, and if the UK wants to encourage travel and tourism spending, it should abolish--not increase--this tax." The association says that increasing the APD is at odds with the UK government's stated goal of attracting an additional 10 million new passengers by 2020 and to enhance the competitiveness of the UK economy. A4A joins the 300,000 individuals and companies and 100 Members of Parliament in calling on the UK Government to urgently review the APD. According to the U.K. Revenue and Customs website, the APD is a duty of Excise which is levied on the carriage, from a UK airport, of chargeable passengers on chargeable aircraft. It becomes due when the aircraft first takes off on the passenger’s flight and is payable by the operator of the aircraft. The amount due is dependent on the final destination and class of travel of the chargeable passenger. FMI: www.airlines.org, HM Revenue and Customs For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=c8e32b6e-5679-476e-809d-506232982aca ----------------------------------------------------------------- Space Prize Namesake Has A Dark Past Hubertus Strughold Had Reportedly Been A Nazi During WWII, Emigrated To The U.S. The Strughold Award is a prestigious recognition bestowed each year on a scientist or clinician for outstanding work in aviation medicine. But the man for whom the award is named has a dark past that still divides the aviation medical community. The award has been presented annually since 1963. It is named for Dr. Hubertus Strughold, who came to the United States after the second world war and is recognized as one of the people who made the moon landings possible. But during the war, some say Dr. Strughold was a Nazi scientist who is connected with some experiments involving cold-weather survival at the Dachau concentration camp. The subjects of the experiments, inmates at the camp, typically did not survive the experiments. There were reportedly other experiments as well, some involving children with epilepsy, of which Strughold may have been aware but did not actively participate. In an enterprise report, the Wall Street Journal says that that Dr. Strughold's connection with the experiments has caused a "bitter controversy" over the Strughold Prize. While he was alive, Strughold said he did not participate in, and disapproved of, the experiments being conducted on non-volunteers. He was not tried at Nuremberg, and the U.S. Justice Department determined there were insufficient grounds for prosecution after several investigations. While some in the scientific community support Dr. Strughold as being a "pure scientist" who helped America beat the Soviets to the Moon, others, including former Executive Director of the Aerospace Medical Association Dr. Russell Rayman, say Strughold was "part of a big killing machine" and has lobbied actively to have his name removed from the prize. That possibility is now under consideration by both the Aerospace Medical Association and its constituent organization, the Space Medicine Association. The organizations have not come to a consensus about what should be done. Dr. Mark Campbell, a former president of the Space Medicine Association who said that the U.S. would "not have been where we are in space" had it not been for Dr. Strughold, said the German scientist was "not a war criminal." He said a possible solution is to change the name of the award, but only if the SMA would categorically state that Dr. Strughold was not a Nazi or a war criminal. That solution is unlikely to satisfy the German doctor's critics. FMI: http://www.asma.org/organizations/constituent/constituent.view.php?cid=1 For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/aerospace.cfm?ContentBlockID=f684dd0e-60c2-4c4c-89bb-67fab1639c07 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN FAQ: You Can Sponsor ANN and/or Aero-TV! Help ANN Grow So That We Can Be Of Greater Service To You! For the better part of a dozen years, ANN has set the pace for the growing and evolving aero-info revolution. No other news service has done what ANN has done... and no one did it before we showed the rest of the aero-world how it's done. But.... we're embarking on the most aggressive programs and efforts we have EVER undertaken... so new sponsors to help us meet our lofty goals are more welcome than ever before. We hope that's you... or a company that you do business with... and that you'll see fit to speak up for and advocate ANN's value to the aviation world, in no uncertain terms. ANN has produced over 140,000 individual stories for publication online since it's full-time inception in 1999 (though aspects of this program actually date back to 1993). As online technologies developed, ANN stayed on the cutting edge of online news delivery. The first serious adopters of multi-media content in aviation and aerospace news, over 4000 audio features have been made available for download since podcasts were added in 2004. And with the advent of Aero-TV in 2007, ANN has produced nearly 1000 expertly produced, independent, video features -- a feat matched by NO OTHER aviation news-media company.ANN has four venues by which we can market your planes, products and programs.... As one of ANN’s early advertisers, CONCORDE BATTERY CORPORATION recognized the value of advertising on this site because we have been a daily reader since its inception. We read ANN daily, so we were confident that our banner ad would be seen clearly and consistently. Jim Campbell has managed to form an expert staff of writers and audio-visual technicians. Personally, I believe in this day and age that print publications are history, as we can keep up to date on a daily basis with ANN. Skip Koss, VP of Marketing, Concorde Battery Corporation Every day, thousands of people flock to the ANN web site to see the best in aviation news, 24/7, each day, EVERY day. This is not the 'dog years' bragged about by others who posted material without any real schedule or even those who posted once or twice a week throughout most of their 'me-too' lifetimes... this is EVERY SINGLE DAY, 24/7, holidays, you name it (and even thorough three hurricanes and one office wipe-out). NO one has served the aviation world as aggressively as has ANN. News, stories, flight reports, gadget reviews, interview, and all manner of aero-info... ANN has done it all. Period. And, get this, the next generation ANN site is now under testing. Jim Campbell and his Aero-News Network crew have established an information source that active pilots have come to depend on. Checking out what Jim has said today and what news Aero News Network has gathered is a regular part of an active pilot’s day. The robust traffic at Aero-News’ site is the main reason Aspen Avionics chooses Aero-News Network as one of our marketing vehicles. Although print advertising remains at the foundation of our marketing communications, we know that pilots and aircraft owners have come to rely on the detailed and insightful videos and reporting that are the hallmark of Aero-News Network. Brad Hayden, Vice President of Marketing, Aspen Avionics ANN sends three newsletters out each day, in special formats, (Text Only, HTML, and Adobe Acrobat)... each of which offer outstanding values for a potential sponsor. The folks who read ANN's Propwash' newsletters are a dedicated lot and for those days when we posted the news a little later while working late-breaking news, we caught hell for it... so be sure to include newsletter coverage in your ANN Marketing plans. Propwash is the longest running daily online aviation newsletter we know of... free to EVERYONE to so that its reach is unrestricted and its important information can reach everyone. Every business day, ANN hosts the longest running audio news and information 'Aero-Cast' programing extant. This is one of our most under-sung offerings... as popular as other forms of NewMedia may be, Aero-Casting has remained a strong and influential offering that has drawn rave reviews from all over the world and has even been read well above the Mother Earth. We run THREE programs every business day... a long-form news program (10-15 minutes), a shorter news-brief (generally about 3 minutes) and a long-form interview program (10-20 minutes)... featuring some of the most important topics and speakers from the aviation and aerospace world. And then there is Aero-TV... the aviation world's most co,mprehesnsiove video news and feature programming, nearly a thousand programs strong and touting truly professional video production standards, far above what we see elsewhere. We've made an investment exceeding a half million dollars in bringing Aero-Tv to the aviation world and we're justifiable proud of the work we can put before the aviation and aerospace community... folks we KNOW to be a discriminating and demanding audience. DO NOT miss a chance to make Aero-TV a part of your aviation marketing program. Most important; Aero-TV is about to introduce an aggressive new programming venue... still top secret for a little while... so be sure to see how you can be a part of the 'next big thing' from ANN and Aero-TV! "As you review your Marketing budget I hope you will consider sponsoring ANN. The direct effect of visibility on ANN is, of course, access to potential customers. But the greater effect is energizing General Aviation. ANN gets people talking. Sometimes controversial, always newsworthy, ANN brings us the news of General Aviation. It public talks about issues that pilots are talking about privately. In addition, ANN is becoming a resource for the general news media. We all know that better, more accurate, coverage of General Aviation by the broader news media is essential. ANN is taking on that challenge. I have knownJim Campbell for almost 25 years. In those years we have had many long conversations about the GA industry. Always an objective listener, Jim also has passionate opinions. Sometimes I change his mind, sometimes he changes mine, but it is always a great exchange. As an industry we need that exchange." Alan Klapmeier, Founder-Cirrus Design, CEO Kestrel Aircraft Oh, by the way... there is a fifth exceptional venue for you to consider -- our Special Event Coverage... whereby the ANN and Aero-TV crews host extensive, unique coverage of some of aviation's finest special events, airshows and tradeshows. Extensive, aggressive, sometimes even LIVE, ANN Special Event Coverage has NO peer... and continues to trailblaze new ground each and every year. Help us... help YOU... become an ANN sponsor! FMI: I Want To Sponsor ANN!!, 863-299-8680 For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=150a40d7-0f31-40c5-98d8-c0f592af42cb ----------------------------------------------------------------- Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (12.11.12) Aero-News: Quote of the Day ANN's Quote of the Day usually derives from current news, though we reserve the right to pick quotes out of history that have a bearing on the day's events and issues. Sometimes, you'll find them timely and in keeping with the content of the day's news... and sometimes, they'll just be thought-provoking. Reader suggestions and comments are welcome... and if particularly intriguing, timely, or poignant, may themselves become future Quotes of the Day. Let us hear from you, folks! Aero-News Quote of the Day "APA will now turn its focus to helping to ensure that full consideration is given to strategic alternatives before American Airlines’ restructuring concludes. The APA leadership continues to support a merger with US Airways as the best path to a stronger, more competitive American Airlines that will in turn enhance our pilots’ long-term career prospects." Source: Allied Pilots Association President Capt. Keith Wilson. The union ratified a tentative contract with American Airlines Friday. FMI: www.alliedpilots.org For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=666a4b2c-6c98-4126-9a42-5522c4b0f40e ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.11.12): Compression Ratio Aero-Terms! Aero-Terms are designed to be a daily reminder of the terms, names, acronyms and explanations of the unique language that populates the aviation world. Aerospace, sport aviation, fixed wing, helo, you name it... it's all fair game. Aero-Terms should serve as a quick but intriguing reminder of the terms you may use every day, or an introduction to an aspects of the Aero-World you may not yet be familiar with. ANN also encourages readers to go beyond the FMI link, and further research any intriguing terms. Suggestions for future Aero-Terms are ALWAYS welcome, as are additions or discussion of the explanations given for each Aero-Term. Compression Ratio The ratio of the volume of a cylinder with the piston at the bottom of its stroke to the volume of the cylinder with the piston at the top of its stroke. FMI: http://aviationglossary.com/compression-ratio/ For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=5bdc486a-7028-40e9-af3b-e2af821e390b ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (12.11.12) Aero-Linx! Scouring the information super airways can sometimes be a tough, if educational, task for the Aero-News staff... but it also allows us to check out some truly neat and exciting sites, so it's not that bad a gig. On any given day, we may check dozens (and often hundreds) of different sources for story ideas, and facts confirmation. And, as is the nature of our business, much of this is done on the Internet. The ANN gang decided we probably shouldn't keep some of the neat sites, info resources, and organizations we've discovered to ourselves... so we decided to bring you Aero-Linx. These are the sites that WE check out -- when we need added perspective, a new spin on a day's topic... or just want to escape into cyber-aero-space for awhile. Look for some of our favorite sites, coming each day to ANN via Aero-Linx. Suggestions for future Aero-Linx segments are always welcome, as well. Aero Linx: How To Build A Quadcopter Want to build your own quadcopter like the dad in a story we ran recently? Here's a step-by-step tutorial for building such a device from scratch, rather than a kit aircraft. Something to pass the time on cold winter's nights. FMI: http://hackaday.com/2011/07/27/how-to-build-your-own-quadcopter-step-by-step/ For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=74c9ffbb-016b-49f6-b037-1b7b11ab3bd4 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN Senior Staff Roster J.R. 'Zoom' Campbell CEO/Editor-In-Chief jim@aero-news.net Glen Moyer Aero-Cast Producer gmoyer@aero-news.net Tom Patton News Editor editor@aero-news.net Nathan Cremisino Ashley Hale Aero-TV Video Production Team Aero-TV HQ MKTG Inquiries Marketing Director mktg@aero-news.net Note: This newsletter is supported solely by sponsors like the one(s) listed herein. We stand 100% behind every ad that we run. If you ever have a problem with a company that advertises here please contact us and we will try to get it resolved. -- Aero-News Network Aero-News Network POB 305, Green Cove Springs, FL, 32043. 863-299-8680, www.aero-news.net ANN Aero-Casts /podcasts Provided to registered subscribers, Daily. 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This Is His Address Get ANN's Free News Ticker We have designed a small "portable" News Ticker that will offer current ANN headlines about what is happening in the aviation world. It can be copied to virtually any Web site (including YOURS!) on the Internet by simply requesting the code and permissions from us. In addition to staying abreast of the latest headlines, you can click on any one of these News Tickers, no matter who's site it is on, and then go directly to ANN to read the news, in-depth, anytime you choose. You may request the code using our request form by logging on to www.aero-news.net/ANNTicker.cfm For those of you with web sites, be sure to drop us an e-mail at editor@aero-news.net and we'll be sure to check out your site for inclusion in our link sites, shortly. AND... don't forget to send your news and press releases to us via news@aero-news.net ! We want our coverage to include EVERY facet of aviation... so we need ALL the feedback we can get! 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