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• Obama Warns Syria Against Using Chemical, Biological Weapons
• Panetta Awards Nunn, Lugar Highest Civilian Defense Honors
• National Guard Bureau Guard News Update
• Official Discusses Enhanced Sustainability, Cost Reduction
• Contracts for December 03, 2012
• Official Explores Cost-saving Logistics Initiatives
• Today in the Department of Defense, 12/4/2012
• NORAD to Conduct Air Defense Exercise in National Capital Region
• Collaborating Extremist Groups Worry Africom Commander
• VA News Releases Update
• Fort Riley Advisories Update - Noise & Training Advisory Road Closures Update
• Soldier Missing from Vietnam War Identified
• Flag Officer Assignment
• NORAD Provides Website, Apps to Track Santa
• Website Informs Employers Seeking to Hire Veterans
• Face of Defense: Chaplain Serves Deployment in Antarctica
• Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader in Balkh Province
• The Truth about Vaccinations
• Propwash

Obama Warns Syria Against Using Chemical, Biological Weapons Posted: 03 Dec 2012 05:12 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. Obama Warns Syria Against Using Chemical, Biological Weapons 12/03/2012 07:04 PM CST Obama Warns Syria Against Using Chemical, Biological Weapons By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr. American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2012 - President Barack Obama today warned Syria's Bashar Assad regime that the use of chemical biological weapons would be "unacceptable." President Barack Obama thanks Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, center right, and former Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia, center, for their work to help in denuclearizing countries after the fall of the Soviet Union at the National Defense University in Washington D.C., Dec. 3, 2012. Prior to the president's speech, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, left, presented Nunn and Lugar with the Defense Civilian Service Award, the highest award the Defense Department can give a civilian. DOD photo by Erin Kirk-Cuomo (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Speaking to at the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Symposium at the National Defense University here, Obama addressed concerns of the use of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons in Syria. "Today, I want to make it absolutely clear to Assad and those under his command [that] the world is watching," he said. "The use of chemical weapons is, and would be, totally unacceptable. And if you make the tragic mistake of using these weapons, there where be consequences, and you will be held accountable." The president said it has been critical to continue investing in threat reduction programs over the past four years of his administration. "We simply cannot allow the 21st century to be darkened by the worst weapons of the 20th century," Obama said. "And even as we make some very tough fiscal choices, we're going to keep investing in these programs, because our national security depends on it." The president noted even after the destruction of thousands of missiles, elimination of bombers and submarines and deactivation of warheads, much work remains to be done. "There's still much too much material -- nuclear, chemical, biological -- being stored without enough protection," he said. "There are still terrorists and criminal gangs doing everything they can to get their hands on it." If these criminals get these weapons, they will use them, potentially killing hundreds of thousands of innocent people and perhaps triggering a global crisis, the president said. "[This is] why I continue to believe that nuclear terrorism remains one of the greatest threats to global security," he added. "[And] why working to prevent nuclear terrorism is going to remain one of my top national security priorities as long as I have the privilege of being president of the United States." The president emphasized that the United States must sustain efforts across the government to strengthen threat reduction programs such as the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, which he called "one of our most important national security programs." "[This is] why we haven't just sustained programs like Nunn-Lugar over the past four years," Obama said. "We've worked with all of you to strengthen it, expanding it to some 80 nations, far beyond the old Soviet Union - moving ahead with the destruction of chemical weapons - partnering with others, countries from Africa to Asia and global health organizations to prevent the spread of deadly diseases and bioterrorism." The work ahead will not be easy, Obama said. "It took decades and extraordinary sums of money to build those arsenals," he explained. "It's going to take decades and continued investments to dismantle them." Obama also said while this painstaking work rarely makes headlines, it is "absolutely vital to our national security and to our global interests." "Missile by missile, warhead by warhead, shell by shell, we're putting a bygone era behind us," he said. "Inspired by Sam Nunn and Dick Lugar, we're moving closer to the future we seek -- a future where these weapons never threaten our children again, [and] a future where we know the security and peace of a world without nuclear weapons." The president also told the audience that the United States will continue to support the "legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people" by engaging with the opposition and providing them with humanitarian aid and by working for a transition to a Syria that's free of the Assad regime.   Related Articles: Panetta Awards Nunn, Lugar Highest Civilian Defense Honors   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 Awards Nunn, Lugar Highest Civilian Defense Honors Posted: 03 Dec 2012 05:04 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 Awards Nunn, Lugar Highest Civilian Defense Honors 12/03/2012 06:37 PM CST Panetta Awards Nunn, Lugar Highest Civilian Defense Honors By Cheryl Pellerin American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2012 - At a symposium at National Defense University here on the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today recognized the program's founders with the Defense Department's highest civilian honor, the Distinguished Public Service Award. Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter addresses Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, left, and former Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia, center, at the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Symposium at National Defense University, Washington, D.C., Dec. 3, 2012. DOD photo by Erin Kirk-Cuomo (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar and former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn stood on stage at the National Defense University as Panetta pinned small medals on their lapels. "At the Pentagon, our primary mission is to keep this country safe. These two gentlemen have kept our country safe by virtue of what they've done. Their dedication, their leadership, their efforts at trying to ensure that we do everything we can to control the spread of weapons of mass destruction has been an incredible legacy of two individuals committed to trying to protect this world." The Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, established in 1991 as part of the Nunn-Lugar Act, is a critical part of the U.S. approach to reducing the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and related materials. It provided U.S. funding and expertise to help the former Soviet Union and other countries safeguard and dismantle stockpiles of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, related materials and delivery systems. The program also promotes collaboration with international and nongovernmental partners to advance regional engagement and multilateral cooperation. At the event, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter credited both with lasting accomplishments. "It is and will forever be the privilege of my lifetime to have been an eyewitness to the history that you two wrote and are still writing and that we honor today," he told Lugar and Nunn. Carter himself contributed to the U.S. understanding of what it would mean for the government of a superpower like the Soviet Union to disintegrate while it had nuclear weapons. He had just completed a study titled, "Soviet Nuclear Fission: Control of the Nuclear Arsenal in a Disintegrating Soviet Union." And at a November 1991 meeting in Nunn's office, according to moderator David Hoffman, Carter drove home to Nunn, Lugar and others at the meeting that the Soviet collapse was an immense security threat. "As the Soviet Union disintegrated," Carter said, "[Lugar and Nunn] realized before anyone else that the danger of a Soviet nuclear attack was being replaced by a new and unprecedented danger: the possibility that its nuclear arsenal might fall into entirely new and unaccustomed hands -- instantaneous proliferation on a massive scale, and worse and totally new, the specter of nukes falling into nonstate, even terrorist hands, events for which deterrence would not offer protection." Nunn and Lugar were right, the deputy secretary added, "and just as importantly, they were able to persuade the governments of the United States and Russia and all the successor states of the former Soviet Union to follow suit by making it physically and above all socially and politically possible for them to do the right thing, which was to reduce the nuclear threat." Because of the senators' efforts, Carter said, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus all denuclearized. By the mid 1990s, all the former Soviet states became signatories to the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and Russia was reducing and safeguarding the former Soviet Union's nuclear arsenal. Today, he explained, the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program is evolving in three ways. One is geographic expansion. "The disaggregation and increasing sophistication of terrorist organizations coupled with leaps in technology that reduce the barriers to [weapons of mass destruction] acquisition," Carter said, "has required the U.S. and our partners to increase the global reach of the program beyond the former Soviet Union, to close to 80 countries in all." Second, he said, the program has increased its emphasis on countering the threat of biological and chemical weapons. "Countering these threats was always part of the Nunn-Lugar program, but scientific and technological advancements have made these weapons more dangerous and more widespread," the deputy secretary said. On the biosecurity front, the CTR program is partnering with foreign governments and international health organizations around the world to counter emerging threats, Carter said. One such partnership is the Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research in Tbilisi, Georgia, which opened this year. The facility is a regional biosurveillance hub, he said, that hosts Defense Department researchers from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, public health experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and experts from Georgia's own health security agency. "The center pursues three goals that are the foundation of CTR's biosecurity work around the world," Carter said. "The first is to improve information flow about disease outbreaks. We want a leg up in determining whether an outbreak is naturally occurring or manmade," he said. The second is to improve partner capacity, the human factor in biosecurity, the deputy secretary added, including better laboratory practices and systems to guard against insider threats. The third is to keep the most dangerous pathogens on Earth consolidated and secured in a minimum number of well-guarded facilities. "The biothreat spans the realms of national security and public health and the public and private sectors. CTR is trying to bridge these gaps as it looks forward, and the Lugar Center is a major step in that effort," Carter said. Another change in the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program has to do with the character and tenor of its interagency and international partnerships, he added. "Here at home, we find that the increasing integration with other federal agencies is amplifying our threat-reduction efforts," Carter said. "While we have worked closely with the departments of State and Energy ... right from the beginning, we are tapping into valuable partnerships with agencies in nontraditional areas," he said. "The [CDC] and the [Agriculture Department's] Foreign Agricultural Service, for example, have unique health engagement relationships that the CTR program is relying on to secure biological facilities and increased biosurveillance of especially dangerous pathogens," such as anthrax, the deputy secretary added. Overseas, he said, the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program emphasizes the importance of putting threat reduction into the hands of frontline international partners. "By building the capacity of other responsible nations, we are increasing their security and minimizing the likelihood that threats materialize across borders, including in the United States," he added. Carter said the work of the two senators will endure through future generations. "CTR will forever be a part of human governance because we can never forget what we know about these destructive weapons," he said, "and it will forever be associated with two names: Nunn and Lugar. Later, as Panetta prepared to present the awards, he said it was his privilege to recognize the legacy of both men, calling their leadership "a symbol of the kind of public service that is so important to our country, now and in the future." The secretary added that his biggest national security concern today "is whether or not those who are elected to office have the will and courage to be able to govern this country and to be able to find the answers to the problems that confront us." Lugar and Nunn, Panetta added, "have spent their lives working to solve problems, to govern this country and therefore to do everything in their power to make our democracy work better and keep this country safer."   Biographies: Leon E. Panetta Ashton B. Carter Related Articles: Reduction Focus Shifts From Nukes to Bio Threats   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. 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Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

National Guard Bureau Guard News Update Posted: 03 Dec 2012 04:11 PM PST Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. You are subscribed to Guard News for National Guard Bureau. Mississippi Soldiers foster productive farming patch in Afghanistan 12/03/2012 11:52 AM EST When they arrived at the farm in September, the Mescal detachment of the Mississippi National Guard Agricultural Development Team 4 knew they had their work cut out for them. It appeared that the most abundant crops growing were weeds that nearly choked the modest enclosure located off the main road in Shar-e-safa, Afghanistan. From New York streets to Afghan skies, FDNY crew saves lives 12/03/2012 11:52 AM EST Four New York City firefighters, four airmen, four friends, one team, one HH-60 Pave Hawk, one crew deployed together with the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, and they brought a flavor unique of New York Fire Departments with them.   Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact support@govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by the National Guard Bureau. SOCIAL MEDIA: http://www.flickr.com/photos/TheNationalGuard http://www.facebook.com/TheNationalGuard http://www.youtube.com/user/TheNationalGuard http://www.twitter.com/USNationalGuard This email was sent to smart_z64.1111@blogger.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: National Guard Bureau · AHS 2 · 111 South George Mason Drive · Arlington, VA 22204 · 800-439-1420

Official Discusses Enhanced Sustainability, Cost Reduction Posted: 03 Dec 2012 03:17 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. Official Discusses Enhanced Sustainability, Cost Reduction 12/03/2012 05:08 PM CST Pentagon Official Discusses Enhanced Sustainability, Cost Reduction By Amaani Lyle American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2012 - The assistant secretary of defense for maintenance and policy today outlined the issues and challenges facing the maintenance community with consideration to current conflicts and steep costs. Speaking at the Defense Logistics 2012 conference, John B. Johns examined future maintenance, sustainment and cost reduction goals and stressed the importance of prioritization with across-the-board spending cuts looming if a sequestration mechanism in the Budget Control Act takes effect in January. "If sequestration does happen, there would have to be significant effort on prioritization, and [a] focus on providing the best value to the warfighter given the threat environment as assessed by the department," Johns said. Because the Defense Department's materiel maintenance operations support a spectrum of weapon systems that includes about 280 ships, 14,000 aircraft, 800 strategic missiles and 350,000 ground combat and tactical vehicles, the distribution of maintenance workloads between the public and private sectors is instrumental in maintaining a robust and viable industrial base, program officials said. Johns also noted the maintenance and logistics community's need to understand and adjust as the U.S. military pivots its focus to the Asia-Pacific region. "The maintenance and logistics community's priorities need to follow the warfighting priorities," he said. As the United States sharpens its focus on innovation in space and cyberspace, maintenance priorities also must encompass emerging technology, Johns said. "A shift toward [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance], any systems that require software and all of our programs, to include sustainment of those systems, need to reflect that shifting priority," he said. The conference, which runs through Dec. 5, is bringing government and military officials together with defense contractors, and is sponsored by defense-related industries.   Related Articles: Official Explores Cost-saving Logistics Initiatives   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

Contracts for December 03, 2012 Posted: 03 Dec 2012 02:50 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 03, 2012 12/03/2012 04:12 PM CST FOR RELEASE AT 5 p.m. ET No. 941-12 December 03, 2012 CONTRACTS AIR FORCE             Lockheed Martin Corp., Bethesda, Md. (FA8818-13-D-0002); Oribital Sciences Corp., Dulles, Va. (FA8818-13-D-0004); and Space Exploration Technologies Inc., Hawthorne, Calif. (FA8818-13-D-0003), is being awarded a $900,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for the U.S. Air Force Rocket Systems Launch Program.  Contract supports space launch services for space missions for the Department of Defense and other government agencies.  The location of the performance is Magna, Utah, Chandler, Ariz., and Hawthorne, Calif.  Work is expected to be completed by Nov. 29, 2017.  The contracting activity is SMC/SDK, Kirtland Air Forve Base, N.M.              Harris Corp., Rochester, N.Y., (FA8726-13-D-0001) is being awarded an $85,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for AN/PRC-117G Falcon III Manpack radio.  The location of the performance is Rochester, N.Y.  Work is expected to be completed by December 2017.  The contracting activity is AFLCMC/HNAK, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.              Honeywell International Inc., Clearwater, Fla., (FA8204-10-C-0010, P00007) is being awarded a $7,945,373 contract modification for the Pendulous Integrating Gyroscopic Accelerometer.  The location of the performance is Clearwater, Fla.  Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2014.  The contracting activity is AFNWC/PZBF, Hill Air Force Base, Utah.              Alliant Techsystems Operations L.L.C., Keyser, W.Va., (FA8213-13-C-0001) is being awarded a $7,097,212 cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of 500 AIM 9P rocket motors for the AIM-9 Guided Missile.  The location of the performance is Keyser, W.Va.  Work is expected to be completed by July 10, 2015.  The contracting activity is AFLCMC/EBHKB, Hill Air Force Base.  Contract involves 100 percent Foreign Military Sales. NAVY             General Electric, Lynn Mass., is being awarded a $265,000,000 three year performance based logistics requirements contract to provide repair, replacement and program support of 35 F404 engine (F/A 18 A-D) aircraft components.  Work will be performed at the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2015.  The applicable Navy Working Capital Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  No funds will be obligated at the time of award.  This contract was competitively procured with six offers solicited, and one offer received from the solicitation.  NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (N00383-13-D-001M).              Oshkosh Defense, Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded $13,897,265 for fixed-price delivery order #0018 under previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-12-D-0209).  This delivery order is issued for the purchase of fiscal 2013 medium tactical vehicle replacement engineering change proposal kits, reducible height armor kits, and 300 Amp Alternators for the Navy Seabees.  Contract funds in the amount of $13,879,265 will be obligated at the time of award.  Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis. (89 percent) and Israel (11 percent), and work for this delivery order is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2013.  Contract funds in the amount of $2,246,112 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.              BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded an $11,110,646 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-10-C-2204) to exercise options for the USS Arlington (LPD) fitting-out availability.  Specific efforts include program management, planning, engineering, design, liaison, scheduling, labor and procurement of incidental material in support of fitting-out availability and post shakedown availability.  Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va. (90.53 percent), and Chesapeake, Va., (9.47 percent), and is expected to be completed by May 2013.  Contract funds in the amount of $2,810,239 will be obligated at time of award.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured via FedBizOpps with four proposals received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.              Raytheon Technical Services Co., L.L.C., Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $7,168,813 firm-fixed-price basic ordering agreement for engineering services, overhaul, repair and upgrade in support of the MK57 Mod 13, NATO Seasparrow surface missile system units for CVN 72, equipment and other associated test, ancillary and support equipment.  Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va. (90 percent), and Chula Vista, Calif. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2014.  Contract funds in the amount of $7,168,813 will be obligated at the time of award.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was not competitively procured in pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1).  Raytheon is the only responsible source capable of satisfying the Navy's requirements.  The Port Hueneme Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-G-5422). UNITED STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND             AAR Airlift Group Inc., Palm Bay, Fla., is being awarded a $143,668,332 option year modification for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger and cargo air transportation services.  Work will be performed in Afghanistan, and the option will start Dec. 1, 2012, to be completed by Nov. 30, 2013.  Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was a competitive acquisition.  The contracting activity in U.S. Transportation Command Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (HTC711-09-D-0021).              Canadian Commercial Corp., / Canadian Helicopters Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is being awarded a $37,103,792 option year modification for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger and cargo air transportation services.  Work will be performed in Afghanistan, and the option will start Dec. 1, 2012, to be completed by Nov. 30, 2013.  Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was a competitive acquisition.  The contracting activity in U.S. Transportation Command Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., (HTC711-09-D-0022).  ARMY             TRAX International L.L.C., White Sands Missile Range, N.M., was awarded an $87,540,223 cost-plus-award-fee contract.  The award will provide for the mission support services for WSMR.  Work will be performed in WSMR, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2014.  Three bids were solicited, with three bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, WSMR, N.M., is the contracting activity (W9124Q-07-C-0504).              Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was awarded a $79,999,747 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the UH-60 Aircraft Avionics and Training Device Support Services.  Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 20, 2015.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-13-D-0014).              INDUS Secure Network Solutions L.L.C., Vienna, Va., was awarded a $45,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the infrastructure support services and information technology services.  Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 18, 2015.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with five bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity (W904TE-13-D-0034).              General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded a $37,601,061 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to procure services in support of the M1A1 coproduction effort at the Egyptian Tank Plant in Cairo, Egypt.  Work will be performed in Sterling Heights and Cairo, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2015.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-C-0488).              BAE Systems, Anniston, Ala., was awarded a $37,589,750 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the procurement of parts for route clearance vehicles.  Work will be performed in Anniston, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2013.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Chambersburg, Pa., is the contracting activity (W911N2-13-C-0011).              HWI Gear Inc., Ojai, Calif., was awarded a $35,637,825 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of army combat gloves.  Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 24, 2017.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with eight bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (W911QY-13-D-0001).              MDT Armor Corp., Auburn, Ala., was awarded a $30,800,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of 220 "David" urban light armored vehicles.  Work will be performed in Auburn, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2015.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-13-C-0039).              Cherokee CRC L.L.C., Tulsa, Okla., was awarded a $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the construction services in U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility.  Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 13, 2015.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (W912BU-13-D-0004).              Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was awarded a $16,479,625 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of CH-47 software evolution support services.  Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2014.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (DAAH23-03-D-0015).              Great Lakes Dock and Dredge, Oak Brook, Ill., was awarded a $15,449,350 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the maintenance dredging of the Savannah and Brunswick entrance channel.  Work will be performed in Savannah and Brunswick, Ga., with an estimated completion date of June 28, 2013.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with two bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-13-C-0001).              Lockheed Martin GTL-Services, Huntsville, Ala., was awarded a $13,290,479 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to on-site technical support for Saudi Arabia and Taiwan in support of Foreign Military Sales.  Work will be performed in Huntsville, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2015.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-10-C-0240).             Schutt Industries, Clintonville, Wis., was awarded a $12,952,885 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the procurement of M1061A1 trailers.  Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 16, 2018.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with five bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-13-D-0007).              General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded a $10,870,443 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the contractor logistics support to maintain 140 Iraqi vehicles.  Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 30, 2013.  One bid was solicited, with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-13-D-0015).              Record Steel and Construction Inc., Meridian, Idaho, was awarded a $9,474,720 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the construction of a munitions storage module at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.  Work will be performed in Malmstrom AFB, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 29, 2014.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with seven bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle, Wash., is the contracting activity (W912DW-13-C-0013).              Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, N.C., was awarded an $8,978,477 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for the research services in support of the Defense Coastal/Estuarine Research Program.  Work will be performed in Research Triangle Park, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 20, 2017.  The bid was solicited through the Internet, with three bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alexandria, Va., is the contracting activity (W912HQ-13-C-0004).              SOS International, Reston, Va., was awarded a $7,317,043 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to procure public affairs operations in support of U.S. Forces -- Afghanistan.  Work will be performed in Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 26, 2013.  Eight bids were solicited, with eight bids received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-11-C-0058).              Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded a $6,814,832 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). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY             MWI Veterinary Supply, Boise, Idaho, was issued a modification exercising the first option year on contract SPM2D0-11-D-0011/P00007.  The modification is a fixed-price with economic-price adjustment, indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $43,535,929 for veterinary pharmaceutical products.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies.  There were three responses to the Web solicitation. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013 Warstopper Funds.  The date of performance completion is Dec. 5, 2013.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.              Merlin Petroleum Co., Inc.*, Westport Conn., was issued a modification on contract SP0600-12-D-4516/P00003.  The modification is a fixed-price with economic-price adjustment contract with a maximum $7,657,912 for fuel products.  Other locations of performance include federal civilian locations throughout Texas; Colorado; Iowa; Kansas; Minnesota; Nebraska; New Mexico; North Dakota; Oklahoma; and South Dakota.  There were forty-two responses to the Web solicitation.  Funds are provided by federal civilian agencies.  The date of performance completion is May 31, 2015.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va.  *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. 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Official Explores Cost-saving Logistics Initiatives Posted: 03 Dec 2012 02:43 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. Official Explores Cost-saving Logistics Initiatives 12/03/2012 04:38 PM CST Official Explores Cost-saving Logistics Initiatives By Amaani Lyle American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2012 - A senior Defense Department official today underscored the importance of contractors, industry partnerships and allies at a time of fewer federal dollars and amid a transition to a post-war era. Gary J. Motsek, deputy assistant secretary of defense for program support, told the Defense Logistics 2012 conference that the post-Iraq and Afghanistan transition is leading the U.S. military to streamline efficiencies across the services and focus on performance-based logistics improvements to meet unique, modern-day challenges. "We have helped our combatant commanders ... make efficient use of our department's contributions, ... but we have to preserve our U.S. military forces for the highest-priority mission," Motsek said. Government, military and defense contractors are attending the conference, which is being sponsored by defense-related industries. At today's session, Motsek cited the emergence of contractor solutions to logistics issues. "Twenty-five years ago, if one of our combatant commanders required surgical capability downrange, ... we could send them a combat support hospital," he said, explaining that the Defense Department now enables commanders to subdivide and specify components of a hospital or a unit they need deployed. "In Iraq today, there are no U.S. military hospitals, [and] there are no U.S. military hospital teams," he said, noting contractor support of what U.S. military still remain there, attached to the embassy. Motsek also explained the significant role of international partners in seeking more efficient ways to build sustainment and deliver support and services downrange. "Our partners look to us for that strategic movement, by and large. ... No one can do the sustainment of our forces better, and we've proven that over and over again," Motsek said. "We're examining commonalities of efficiencies and effectiveness to support and gain budget savings. We're developing Web-based programs where we and our allies can put up on a screen the holes that we see in our logistics [and support] packages that may need filling and see how other nations can contribute." NATO has made a seminal change by combining several agencies and developing a derivative of materiel commands and the defense logistics agency, Motsek noted, enabling the alliance to contract and send support staff to the field. "More and more contracting support will be required in the future," he said. "There is value to consolidating contracts. I believe you're going to see more and more contracts that reduce redundancy and excess supply services." Of the major lessons learned from the Iraq transition, flexibility is perhaps the most vital, Motsek said. "We have to plan our contracting support and logistics base to support no wars or tens of thousands of troops," Mostek said, citing the need to optimize the contracts as missions dictate. "Everything is going to have to be synchronized far better than we have in the past," he said. "We don't have the luxury of analyzing, building some doctrine, testing the doctrine and executing in the field." Mostek touted the Better Buying Power initiative, designed by former Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter. The program was introduced in September 2010 to deliver the capabilities needed for the money available by getting better buying power for warfighters and taxpayers. The 23-point strategy was designed to restore affordability in defense procurement and to improve defense industry productivity. "Better Buying Power 2.0 establishes a paradigm where we can talk again," Motsek said. "We have had walls established between the contract community and the acquisition, logistics and sustainment ... community that are extraordinarily high and extraordinarily thick." Mostek said contracted players, playing themselves in joint exercises —as opposed to military members acting as surrogates -- will be among the markers of success. "We're in a transition today in Afghanistan, and we'll build ... a support structure as necessary ... with partners," Mostek said. "My job is to synchronize what the U.S. is doing with NATO [and] other allies." He also noted the need to understand the costs of efficient logistics and avoid the knee-jerk reaction to simply increase funding. "Throwing money against the problem is not the solution any more," Motsek said. "We have to be far more sophisticated."     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. 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Today in the Department of Defense, 12/4/2012 Posted: 03 Dec 2012 02:21 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, 12/4/2012 12/03/2012 04:02 PM CST Today in the Department of Defense, Tuesday, December 04, 2012   Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta delivers remarks at 9:30 a.m. EST at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Media wishing to attend should RSVP to Sarah Marshall at Sarah.E.Marshall.civ@health.mil or 301-295-5727. 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

NORAD to Conduct Air Defense Exercise in National Capital Region Posted: 03 Dec 2012 01:58 PM PST You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. NORAD to Conduct Air Defense Exercise in National Capital Region 12/03/2012 03:44 PM CST IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 940-12 December 03, 2012 NORAD to Conduct Air Defense Exercise in National Capital Region             The North American Aerospace Defense Command and its geographical component, the Continental United States NORAD Region (CONR), announced today that they will conduct an air defense exercise in the National Capital Region (NCR), between midnight and 2 a.m., beginning on Dec. 4 and concluding early Thursday.              The exercise is comprised of a series of training flights held in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Capital Region Coordination Center, the Joint Air Defense Operations Center (JADOC), the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard and CONR's Eastern and Western Air Defense Sectors.              Exercise Falcon Virgo is designed to hone NORAD's intercept and identification operations as well as to operationally test the NCR Visual Warning System and to certify newly assigned Command and Control personnel at JADOC.  Participating in the exercise will be Civil Air Patrol aircraft, Air Force F-16 fighters and a U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter.              In the event of inclement weather, the exercise will take place the following evening.  If bad weather continues, officials will then make a decision to postpone or cancel the exercise.              For further information, please contact NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs at 719-554-6889.     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

Collaborating Extremist Groups Worry Africom Commander Posted: 03 Dec 2012 01:26 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. Collaborating Extremist Groups Worry Africom Commander 12/03/2012 03:09 PM CST Collaborating Extremist Groups Worry Africom Commander By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2012 - Extremist groups collaborating in Africa pose a threat beyond the region that extends to Europe and the United States, U.S. Africa Command's top military officer said here today. Countering violent extremists is a growing challenge for Africom, Army Gen. Carter F. Ham told an audience at George Washington University. The al-Qaida affiliated terror group al-Shabab is active in Somalia, though it is being dealt with, Ham said, and lawlessness in Libya is attracting another terror group, al-Qaida in the Islamic Mahgreb. That group continues to operate in northern Mali, which Ham calls a "haven" for terrorists. In Nigeria, the militant group Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for a series of terrorist attacks in recent months. Ham emphasized that these groups and others signal the importance of Africa Command in countering extremists on the continent. But although those individual organizations are "dangerous and important," Ham said, his biggest worry is a growing linkage and network of collaboration and synchronization among them. That, he added, "poses the greatest threat to regional stability more broadly across Africa, into Europe and the United States as well." Africom stood up Oct. 1, 2008, and is the newest geographic command. Ham said the command's mission is to advance the national security interests of the United States in Africa. "We think we do that best by strengthening the defense capabilities of African nations so they are increasingly capable of providing not only for their own security, but contributing to regional security and stability as well," he said. Africa Command has taken direct action on the continent, as demonstrated last year by the U.S. effort in the skies over Libya to protect civilians there from forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi. "But we think we are at our best when we are supporting and enabling African nations and African regional organizations to achieve their ends," the general added. That African officials are best able to confront and surmount African challenges is a mantra for Africom, Ham said, noting that his command is best known on the continent for training African forces and providing enabling technologies. The defense strategic guidance announced earlier this year gave pause to many on the continent, Ham acknowledged, because of its focus on the Asia-Pacific region. "There was, by my count, one mention of the word Africa" in the document, he said. But he noted the guidance includes more than the Asia-Pacific focus. "The focus on the Pacific makes sense, but rather than focus on the geographic priorities, take a look at the mission sets that are outlined in the strategic defense guidance," he said. At the top of the list is countering extremist organizations. Next is maintaining global access, followed by building partner capacity. U.S. forces must be ready to contribute to humanitarian and disaster relief missions and to prevent and respond to mass atrocities, the general said. "All these, sadly, are necessary in Africa," he added. Biographies: Army Gen. Carter F. Ham Related Sites: U.S. Africa 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

VA News Releases Update Posted: 03 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 Registers 'GI Bill' as a Trademark 12/03/2012 12:00 AM EST WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that GI Bill is now a registered trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and VA is the sole owner of the mark.  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)

Fort Riley Advisories Update - Noise & Training Advisory Road Closures Update Posted: 03 Dec 2012 12:53 PM PST You are subscribed to Advisories for Fort Riley. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Noise and Training Advisory for November 30 - December 14, 2012. Due to the increased need for training 1st ID Soldiers, training scheduled throughout the period from November 30 - December 14, 2012 will likely yield the potential for noise in surrounding areas. This potential will extend around the clock. Residents are advised that impact noise is possible during all hours of the day and night. Road/Area Closures. Due to the live fire training 3-14 Dec a major portion of the Fort Riley training area will be off limits. Portions of the following roads will be closed with barriers: Old Highway 77, Old Highway 82 and 1st Division Road (from Vinton School Road north) in addition to maneuver areas A, B, D, E, H, K, L, M, O, P. Do not go around any barriers. Range Control and Public Affairs Office wishes our Central Flint Hills Region neighbors Happy Holidays! http://www.riley.army.mil/NewsViewer.aspx?id=1785       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

Soldier Missing from Vietnam War Identified Posted: 03 Dec 2012 11:28 AM PST You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Soldier Missing from Vietnam War Identified 12/03/2012 01:01 PM CST IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 939-12 December 03, 2012 Soldier Missing from Vietnam War Identified             The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.              Army Sgt. John R. Jones, of Louisville, Ky., will be buried Dec. 6, in Arlington National Cemetery.  On June 4, 1971, Jones was part of a U.S. team working with indigenous commandos to defend a radio-relay base, known as Hickory Hill, in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam.  When enemy forces attacked the site, Jones and another serviceman took up a defensive position in a nearby bunker.  The following morning, Jones was reportedly killed by enemy fire and the other soldier was captured and held as a POW until 1973.             From 1993 to 2010, joint U.S.-Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), conducted several investigations, surveyed the site and interviewed multiple witnesses, including those involved in the battle.  During that time, analysts from JPAC and DPMO evaluated wartime records and eyewitness accounts to determine possible excavation sites.  In 2011, another joint U.S.-S.R.V team located human remains in a bunker suspected to be the last known location of Jones.              For the identification of the remains, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) used circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools, such as dental records and mitochondrial DNA that matched Jones' mother and brother.              Since 1973 more than 900 servicemen have been accounted for from the Vietnam War, and returned to their families for burial with military honors.  The U.S. government continues to work closely with the governments of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to recover all Americans lost in the conflict.              For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call 703-699-1169.     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

Flag Officer Assignment Posted: 03 Dec 2012 11:00 AM PST You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Flag Officer Assignment 12/03/2012 12:49 PM CST IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 938-12 December 03, 2012 Flag Officer Assignment             The Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Chief of Naval Operations Jonathan W. Greenert announced today the following assignment:              Rear Admiral (lower half) Samuel Perez Jr., who has been selected for the rank of rear admiral, will be assigned as deputy assistant secretary, plans, programs and operations, Department of State, Washington, D.C.  Perez is currently serving as director, Navy Irregular Warfare Office, N3/N5, OPNAV, 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

NORAD Provides Website, Apps to Track Santa Posted: 03 Dec 2012 09:07 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. NORAD Provides Website, Apps to Track Santa 12/03/2012 10:46 AM CST NORAD Provides Website, Apps to Track Santa From a North American Aerospace Defense Command News Release PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo., Dec. 3, 2012 - Children of all ages will be able to track Santa Claus on his annual journey, thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command. The "NORAD Tracks Santa" website at http://www.noradsanta.org is up and running. The site features a holiday countdown, games and daily activities, video messages from students around the world and more, officials said, and it is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Chinese. Official apps also are available in the Windows Store, Apple Store, and Google Play so parents and children can count down the days until Santa's launch on their smartphones and tablets. Tracking opportunities also offered on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google Plus. Santa followers just need to type "@noradsanta" into each search engine to get started. Starting at midnight Mountain Standard Time on Dec. 24, website visitors can watch Santa make the preparations for his flight. Then, at 4 a.m. Mountain time, trackers worldwide can speak with a live phone operator to inquire as to Santa's whereabouts by dialing the toll-free number 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) or by sending an email to noradtrackssanta@outlook.com. NORAD's "Santa Cams" also will stream videos as Santa makes his way over various locations. NORAD Tracks Santa is possible, in large part, to the efforts and services of numerous program contributors, officials said. New to this year's program are Bing, HP, iLink-Systems, Kids.gov, Microsoft's Windows Azure, BeMerry! Santa, and SiriusXM. Returning collaborators include the 21st Space Wing, Acuity Scheduling, Air Canada, American Forces Network, Analytical Graphics Inc., Avaya, Citadel Mall, Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council, CradlePoint, Defense Video Imagery Distribution System, the Federal Aviation Administration, First Choice Awards and Gifts, Globelink Foreign Language Center, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Meshbox, the National Tree Lighting Ceremony, Naturally Santa's, the Newseum, OnStar, PCI Broadband, the Pentagon Channel, RadiantBlue, Space Foundation, TurboSquid, twtelecom, UGroup Media, Verizon and VisionBox. Santa's Countdown Calendar and the Santa Cam videos will feature music by military bands, including the Naden Band of the Maritime Forces Pacific, the Air Force Academy Band, the Air Force Band of Liberty, the Air Force Band of the Golden West, the Air Force Band of the West, the Air Force Band, the Air Force Heartland of America Band, the U.S. Army Ground Forces Band, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Band, the Air Force Band of Mid-America, and the West Point Band. It all started in 1955, when a local media advertisement directed children to call Santa direct – but the number was misprinted. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone rang through to the crew commander on duty at the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center. NORAD has carried the tradition on since the command was created in 1958.   Related Sites: NORAD Tracks Santa 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. 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

Website Informs Employers Seeking to Hire Veterans Posted: 03 Dec 2012 07:26 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. Website Informs Employers Seeking to Hire Veterans 12/03/2012 09:19 AM CST Website Informs Employers Seeking to Hire Veterans By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr. American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2012 - The Labor Department, in concert with two other federal agencies, has provided a tool to guide potential employers seeking to hire disabled veterans, a Labor Department official said today. John K. Moran, deputy assistant secretary of labor for veterans' employment and training service, said the "America's Heroes at Work" website provides resources to organizations looking to hire veterans with or without disabilities. "What it does for the employer is it gives them some information about -- and demystifies, quite frankly -- a lot of the issues around the disabilities that many veterans might have – particularly, traumatic brain injury [and] post-traumatic stress disorder," he said. "It advises and helps an employer understand what those issues are, what they're not, and how they can effectively recruit and hire veterans who may have those issues into their workforce without any particular problems." This website guides employers to understand the disabilities and potential accommodations that may be necessary, and how they can be made, he added. "In fact, [it] points out that many of the accommodations that might need to be made can be made very, very simply and easily," Moran said. "So it's really a guide for the employer how to hire the veteran who has these issues." The website originally launched in 2008 and was down recently for a short period as the three agencies involved -- the Labor, Defense and the Veterans Affairs departments -- considered who should manage the website. "We went through a few discussions this past summer," Moran said, "which resulted in a decision that since we, the Department of Labor, are the employment arm, if you will, for the federal government, it rightfully should stay where we are." Moran also noted contracting issues and "a couple of technical glitches" also caused the website to go down for a short period, but as of Nov. 26, the website has been back online and fully accessible. Moran said Labor Department officials believe the toolkits for employers that the website provides have factored into declining veteran unemployment. "One of the indicators that we look at, that we believe lends itself to the fact that this website is working well for the employers, is that veteran unemployment continues to go down," he said. "So there are many factors behind that, but one of the factors is, we believe, that employers are using this toolkit [and] they're learning from it," Moran said. "They're more willing and able, then, to bring on the veterans, which is probably why we're seeing the decline in the veteran unemployment rate." Moran noted that nonveterans also experience PTSD and other brain injuries, but that doesn't preclude them from being effective contributors to the workforce. In addition to giving employers toolkits and information about veteran disabilities, Moran said, the website also emphasizes the advantages of hiring veterans, whether they have these disabilities or not. Officials are updating all of the information so there is one "holistic place for an employer to go," Moran said. "They'll simply come to the DOL website," said he added, and "they'll access this information, and they'll learn about everything there is for the value of hiring a veteran, period." Whether a veteran has a disability won't be germane at that point, he said. "If they want to drill down further into 'Now, what do I need to know about the veteran who has disabilities?' then they can further access this information," he said. "So we are kind of putting it all in one place."   Biographies: John K. Moran Related Sites: America's Heroes at Work Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service   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. 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Face of Defense: Chaplain Serves Deployment in Antarctica Posted: 03 Dec 2012 07:11 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: Chaplain Serves Deployment in Antarctica 12/03/2012 08:37 AM CST Face of Defense: Chaplain Serves Deployment in Antarctica By Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard Murphy 185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard MCMURDO STATION, Antarctica, Dec. 3, 2012 - As the cool winter air begins to roll into Sioux City, Iowa, Air Force Chaplain (Capt.) William Vit is feeling a much colder breeze. Air Force Chaplain (Capt.) William Vit of Sioux City, Iowa, stands at the geographic South Pole. Vit, a priest at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City and a member of the Iowa Air National Guard's 185th Air Refueling Wing, is in the Antarctic for a two-month deployment with the National Guard in support of Operation Deep Freeze. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Richard Murphy (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Vit, an Air National Guard chaplain with the 185th Air Refueling Wing and a priest for the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, has been deployed here since October with the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing in support of Operation Deep Freeze. He provides ministry services to military and civilian personnel conducting their mission on the world's coldest continent. "I enjoy the diversity of the people who are here," the chaplain said. "From military to scientists and everything in-between, I am able to meet a wide variety of people." In addition to serving the population at the McMurdo Station, Vit also serves about 160 people stationed at the geographic South Pole. The most difficult part of this deployment, he said, is dealing with the harsh environment. "Equipment doesn't always work like it does when everything is warm," he explained. "I tried to take pictures with my digital camera at the South Pole, but with wind chills of 50 below zero, the electronics don't even work. At the South Pole, when we finally found a well-insulated camera that functioned in the cold, it was still hard to take the picture, as the flash button is not designed to accommodate a shivering person with two layers of gloves." While coping with the extreme temperatures, Vit said, he enjoys working with researchers and has found a common interest: the desire to seek the truth. "While our fields of study may be vastly different, our desires and motivations are strikingly similar," he said. "As a chaplain, I have enjoyed hearing about all of this work and sharing my appreciation for their research and mission." Vit said he is moved by the support he received at home concerning his deployment. "I spoke with members from my local church to make sure I could be away for the given time," he said, "and was actually encouraged by them to participate." Air Force Chaplain (Maj.) Steven Peters, the full-time Chaplain with the 185th, said Vit's dedication to the Air National Guard and its mission is impressive, especially considering his responsibilities with his parish. "Chaplain Vit is incredibly busy with his position in his parish. Yet, he feels called to military chaplaincy, and he has made serving the Air National Guard his priority," he said. "Whenever he takes something on, he does it with passion and goes above and beyond what is expected." Vit will return from this deployment in the coming weeks and another chaplain will deploy to replace him. "As the new priest takes my place, we are fortunate that he can begin where I end and serve the Lord's people living and working here in Antarctica," Vit said.     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 Leader in Balkh Province Posted: 03 Dec 2012 07:08 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 Leader in Balkh Province 12/03/2012 08:40 AM CST Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader in Balkh Province Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2012 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested the senior Taliban leader for eastern Chimtal district in Afghanistan's Balkh province today, military officials reported. The leader planned and conducted numerous attacks, including improvised explosive device attacks, against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said. He also directly supported other senior Taliban leaders in the province. In other Afghanistan operations today: -- In the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province, a combined force arrested a Taliban leader who organized attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and facilitated the movement of Taliban fighters, weapons and ammunition. The security force also detained a suspected insurgent and seized several weapons. -- A combined force in Helmand province's Nad-e Ali district arrested a Taliban leader who controlled insurgents and facilitated the movement of weapons. He also was responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also detained two suspected insurgents. -- In Logar province's Pul-e Alam district, a combined force arrested a Haqqani network leader who controlled a group of insurgents and facilitated the acquisition and movement of weapons and ammunition. In operations yesterday: -- A combined force in Baghlan province's Pul-e Khumri district arrested a local Taliban leader who built and distributed IEDs and was responsible for transporting IED components to insurgents. -- In Helmand province's Nad-e Ali district, a combined force arrested a Taliban leader who oversaw the emplacement of IEDs, conducted direct-fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and acquired and distributed IED materials to insurgents. The security force also detained a suspected insurgent. -- A combined force in Logar province's Pul-e Alam district arrested a Haqqani network leader who led direct-fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and facilitated the transfer of weapons and ammunition to insurgents. The security force also detained two suspected insurgents. -- In Khost province's Khost district, a combined force arrested a Taliban leader who planned and conducted indirect-fire attacks on Forward Operating Base Shan and directed IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. – A combined force in Ghazni province's Gelan district detained several suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader who plans and coordinates attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and assists senior Taliban leaders in the province. In Dec. 1 operations: -- A local Taliban leader who planned and conducted IED attacks and helped senior Taliban leaders was arrested in the Sar-e Pul district of Sar-e Pul province. -- An Afghan and coalition security force killed Taliban leader Juma Gul Akhund in Kandahar province's Panjwai district. Akhund oversaw IED operations in three Kandahar districts, and he organized the movement of weapons and IEDs throughout the province. -- In Baghlan province's Pul-e Khumri district, a combined force killed local Taliban leader Hanif and another insurgent. Hanif oversaw the movement of suicide bombers throughout the province, directly aided more-senior Taliban leaders. -- A combined security force in Helmand province's Washer district arrested a local Taliban leader who planned and coordinated attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also stored and distributed weapons for insurgent fighters in the region. The security force also detained two suspected insurgents. -- In Kandahar province's Panjwai district, a combined force arrested a local Taliban leader who carried out attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and oversaw the emplacement of IEDs. The security force also detained a suspected insurgent. -- A combined force in Logar province's Pul-e Alam district arrested a Haqqani network facilitator who coordinated the movement of weapons and ammunition into the province and distributed them to insurgent fighters. -- In Nangarhar province's Khugyani district, a combined force arrested two insurgents while searching for a Taliban facilitator. The security force also seized 500 pounds of narcotics, some Afghan army uniforms and several weapons. -- A combined force in Paktia province's Lajah–Ahmad Khel district detained several suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani network leader who directs attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and is suspected of involvement in the kidnapping and execution of several Afghan soldiers. In Nov. 30 operations: -- In Sar-e Pul province's Sar-e Pul district, a combined force arrested two insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader who controls insurgents in Jowzjan and Sar-e Pul provinces and is responsible for attacking Afghan and coalition forces in both provinces. -- A combined force killed Shukrullah, a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader, in Faryab province's Almar district. Shukrullah coordinated a Oct. 26 suicide-bomber attack that killed 41 Afghans, and he trained insurgents and provided IED components to IMU and Taliban fighters.   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

The Truth about Vaccinations Posted: 03 Dec 2012 07:06 AM PST Veterans Health Administration Update: Inside Veterans Health The Truth about Vaccinations 12/03/2012 09:00 AM EST Veterans! Did you get your flu shot? They are available for Veterans enrolled in VA health care. Influenza, or “flu,” is a contagious respiratory virus. Anyone can catch the flu virus. Get the shot, not the flu! 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)

Propwash Posted: 03 Dec 2012 01:05 AM PST ----------------------------------------------------------------- Aero-News Network "Propwash" E-Mail Aero-News Summary A Free E-Mail Newsletter ISSN: 12.03.12 Issue 156/03 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: 12.03.12 Edition: Airborne 11.30.12: Riggs Loses Again, 406 ELTs, Flawless Legacy 500 First Flight Also: Bombardier Big Bucks, Huerta Unblocked, Cessna/CAIGA, Anti-EU-ETS Law, X47B Carrier Quals, Missing Moon Rocks Found David G Riggs, quickly assuming the aura of aviation's best known crook and con-man, has lost another battle with the Feds... this time, namely, the NTSB and the FAA. FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta recently issued an Emergency Order commanding Riggs to surrender his pilot certificate but Riggs filed an appeal with the NTSB claiming, among other things, that the flights questioned in the Emergency Order were legal as they were performed under a “Movie Waiver.” However the FAA has repeatedly ruled that the filming of ‘personal hero’ or ‘aviation thrill’ videos do not qualify under the conventional cinematic waivers. Ringing in the New Year could cost you serious dollars if your future plans include flying to the Bahamas or Mexico. That’s because those two countries, beginning February 1, 2013 and June 1, 2013 respectively, will require aircraft operating there to include an installed 406 Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!! Airborne 11.30.12 is chock full of info about the half-week period ending Friday, November 30th, 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) Riggs Loses Round One 2) 406 ELTs Required 3) Legacy is Flawless 4) Bombardier's BIG Order 5) Huerta Confirmation Unblocked 6) Cessna/CAIGA Joint Venture 7) Obama Signs Anti EU-ETS Law 8) Truman Hosts X47B 9) Barnstorming: The Next Year's Agenda 10) Missing Moon Rocks Found 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=f466e21a-53d9-4f4e-91cb-a10a98751635 ----------------------------------------------------------------- NTSB Prelim: R44 Turned 180 Before Collision Helicopter Collides With Fuel Pumps, Crash/Fire Kills Pilot Helicopters are an amazing type of flying machine... one that offers unparalleled capabilities and maneuverability. But with those capabilities and the maneuverability comes the responsibility to be wary of the hazards such complexities may entail... and in this case, the hover-taxiing helo apparently collided with the fuel pumps as it turned to leave the area. NTSB Identification: WPR13FA054 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation Accident occurred Sunday, November 25, 2012 in Corona, CA Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II, registration: N4204A Injuries: 1 Fatal. This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report. On November 25, 2012, at 2308 Pacific standard time, a Robinson R44 II, N4204A, collided with a structure at Corona Municipal Airport, Corona, California. The pilot/owner was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage from impact forces and post-crash fire. The cross-country personal flight was departing Corona for an undetermined destination. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. Witnesses reported hearing the helicopter engine running, and then a bang followed by an explosion. They went outside and observed the helicopter on fire. Fueling records indicated that the pilot added 40.6 gallons of 100 LL aviation fuel about 15 minutes before the accident. A review of a security video showed that the helicopter was facing toward the fuel station. It lifted off, and made a 180-degree turn to the right. Near the completion of the turn, the helicopter tilted forward with the tail coming up. Then there was a flash and explosion. The helicopter came to rest turned 180 degrees back to the original direction. FMI: www.ntsb.org For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/genav.cfm?ContentBlockID=48ff97c8-f955-4fb8-b8ae-17b6b7c34c99 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Klyde Morris (12.03.12) Klyde Feels SO Secure.... FMI: www.klydemorris.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=c73c9ca6-cba0-487c-9790-209a60cba053 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Northrop Grumman Plans Layoffs As Defense Budgets Cuts Loom About 200 Positions In CA And UT To Be Cut In First Quarter Of Next Year Citing the uncertainty of the defense budget in the coming years, Northrop Grumman said it plans to cut about 200 positions from its Woodland Hills, CA, and Salt Lake City, UT operations in the first quarter of next year. The Los Angeles Times reports that the company has offered a voluntary separation program to all of its employees in the electronics division working in those two cities. There are about 1,300 people working at Woodland Hills, where advance avionics systems and sensor technologies are produced. Gina Piellusch, a Northrop spokeswoman, called the move "regrettable, but unavoidable" in light of the billions of dollars that may be cut from the Pentagon budget over the next 10 years. She said the company hopes that the voluntary efforts will be enough to make the force reduction targets, but layoffs are certain if they do not. The company accepted buyouts from nearly 600 employees in California in September. There are still some 27,000 NGC employees in the state. Nearly $500 billion is expected to be cut from the defense budget over the next 10 years if sequestration occurs at the beginning of next year. FMI: www.northropgrumman.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/military.cfm?ContentBlockID=984d2945-007c-411d-80da-251c5e00458e ----------------------------------------------------------------- Bahamas Civil Aviation Extends 406MHz ELT Waiver Will Not Mandate The Upgraded Equipment In February The Civil Aviation Ministry of the Bahamas has extended the waiver for the installation of 406 MHz ELT devices past the February 1, 2013 deadline. Aviation groups had lobbied the Bahamian government to not make the installation of such equipment mandatory, but as recently as earlier this week, they had not extended the waiver. The exemption, made under the provision of The Civil Aviation (Air Navigation) Regulations 2001, section 2 and the Bahamas Safety Air Regulations 2001, applies to all Bahamas Commercial (AOC's) Operators, general aviation aircraft flying in or over The Bahamas, balloons, gliders and lighter than air. This rule does not cancel the requirements under the Bahamas Air Safety Regulations (BASR)'s Schedule 7, Subpart C, Communication and Navigation Equipment (b) (3) or BASR 7.290 Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) (a), (b), (c) and (d) 1, 2 and 3. The Bahamas Civil Aviation said in a news release that it will review this policy in 24 months to determine any additional extensions of the waiver with respect to all Bahamas Registered AOC Aircraft (C6) . The U.S. Coast Guard continues to utilize the 121.5 MHz frequency in their search and rescue operations. In addition, the ICAO has said that an installed ELT is useless once the aircraft sinks after the passengers have safely exited the aircraft. Pilots may want to consider a hand held personal locator beacon as part of their safety kit for operations over water. FMI: http://forms.bahamas.gov.bs/dp_agency.asp?aid=CAD For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/genav.cfm?ContentBlockID=976c1de7-38f2-4857-a355-9a3e02cb83c8 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANG Conducts Rescue Off The Coast Of Mexico Brings 129th Rescue Wing's Total Of Lives Saved To 957 Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing successfully completed a complex, overwater rescue of an injured ship hand from a Marshall Islands flagged merchant vessel approximately 300 miles off the coast of Mexico on Nov, 29. The 129th Rescue Wing received a call from the U.S. Coast Guard on Nov. 26, concerning an injured ship hand aboard the cargo vessel, Cary Rickmers. The ship hand had suffered a serious head injury requiring treatment beyond the capabilities of the vessel's medical staff. Due to the vessel's remote location in the Pacific Ocean and the immediate need for medical care, the 129th RQW accepted the mission. An HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter, accompanied by a MC-130P Combat Shadow refueling aircraft, departed Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in the morning and flew to the merchant vessel's location in the East Pacific Ocean. The 129th RQW's Guardian Angel pararescuemen boarded the vessel via hoist and prepared the patient for recovery. He was treated aboard the helicopter during its two-hour flight back to Mexico. Upon arriving at Cabo San Lucas, the patient was loaded onto the MC-130P and flown to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar near San Diego. He was subsequently transported via ambulance to a local level-four trauma center. In addition to the highly specialized capabilities of the air crews and pararescuemen, 129th RQW Airmen were utilized outside their traditional roles to enable a successful rescue. Two Airmen, who speak Filipino, served as translators for the non-English-speaking ship crew and aided in translation for the badly injured ship hand, facilitating both his medical care and support throughout the rescue process. "This was a complex rescue mission, but our Airmen were up for the task," said Col. Steven J. Butow, 129th RQW commander. "This is the third successful long-range, overwater mission we have executed within the past nine months. Saving lives beyond the capability of others is what we do best." The rescue mission increases the wing's total lives saved to 957. (Image from ANG 129 Rescue Wing Video) FMI: www.129rqw.ang.af.mil For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/military.cfm?ContentBlockID=685269b6-17c9-4259-98af-26270b472289 ----------------------------------------------------------------- IMC Club Is Coming To The Tallahassee Regional Airport In Florida Will Present Instrument Proficiency Forum Focusing On Decision-Making Process The IMC Club is organizing an instrument proficiency forum in Tallahassee, FL. “The IMC Club Open Chapter Meeting” will be held Sunday, December 9, from 2 PM to 3 PM at Tallahassee Regional Airport. The forum’s open format, which began at this year’s Oshkosh AirVenture, is now known as The IMC Club Open Chapter Meeting. This Meeting will follow a regular IMC Club Chapter Meeting format, with a focus on IFR proficiency and the decision-making process through an organized discussion of real life experiences that pilots encounter in instrument flight. The concept behind the IMC Club is to create local communities of instrument rated pilots, and aspiring instrument pilots, around the country and around the world, who discuss topics and share information relative to instrument flying. This "organized hangar flying" promotes the sharing of information and experience among members. The event is being organized and hosted by Robin Johnston, an instrument-rated private pilot who is actively involved in Tallahassee’s General Aviation community. IMC Club President Radek Wyrzykowski will fly in from Massachusetts to lead the meeting. “For someone to find a safety pilot to fly with, we have to have someone else willing to be one,” says Wyrzykowski. “Joining the IMC Club is not just about gaining access to all the tools that we create. It is primarily about becoming a part of, and supporting, a group of pilots that believe in helping one another.” “I am very excited about this IMC Club Open Chapter Meeting, and hope that this leads us to form a regular chapter here in Tallahassee,” remarked Johnston. “We already have an active aviation community, but an IMC Club chapter would give us a forum for discussing issues related to a higher level of aviation safety – flying airplanes in instrument conditions.” One of the primary goals of IMC Club is to increase pilot confidence and proficiency by training in actual instrument conditions. The club was established as a learning resource for instrument-rated pilots, and for students pursuing their Instrument Ratings. To accomplish this, monthly meetings are held at local chapters around the country to help pilots and students build and maintain their IFR skills, and to share stories and tips from their fellow pilots. FMI: www.imcclubs.org For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/genav.cfm?ContentBlockID=bf2325f2-126a-4e8d-a84a-e5ab3eb7c7bf ----------------------------------------------------------------- Star Alliance Chief Executive Board Names New Chairman Air Canada's Calin Rovinescu Elected To The Post Calin Rovinescu (pictured), President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada, has been elected as the new Chairman of the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB). He succeeds Rob Fyfe, CEO Air New Zealand, who held the post for the last two years. "On behalf of all Star Alliance members I thank Rob for his personal commitment, support and leadership in driving our alliance forward and in strengthening relations between the alliance partners. Indeed, we have all benefited from Rob's presence as Chairman of the CEB. Following a highly successful seven-year tenure as CEO of Air New Zealand, Rob has elected to retire at year-end and while we are very sad to see him leave, we know that his contributions to the Star Alliance will endure." Rovinescu said. In his role as CEB Chairman, Rovinescu will conduct the two annual board meetings and act as the designated spokesperson for the board. "I was proud to lead the board over the last two years," said Fyfe. "The Alliance needs careful steering in these interesting times for the aviation industry and Calin is an excellent choice to lead the group through the challenges to come." Rovinescu said he was looking forward to working with the board over the next two years to deepen the alliance and pursue shared priorities. These would include strengthening the global network, focusing on providing a seamless travel experience and maintaining the loyalty of customers through superior service and convenience, he added. "Partnerships are essential to succeed in this business and few partnerships have been as beneficial to their members and customers as the Star Alliance," Rovinescu said. "It is my determination to see that we continue to foster commercial cooperation among member carriers to further strengthen our position as the leading global airline network." The CEB is the controlling body of the Alliance and each of the 27 member airlines is represented by their respective CEO. The CEB provides the overall strategic direction of the Alliance, approves the appropriate funding and votes on the admittance of new member airlines. (Image from Star Alliance news release) FMI: www.staralliance.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=a6973ab5-a3cc-4cb9-ba28-fa8b643fa376 ----------------------------------------------------------------- 'Space Junk' Growing Issue For AF Space Operations Tracking More And Smaller Objects Orbiting Earth That Could Damage Spacecraft Members of the 1st and 7th Space Operations Squadron took notice when an upper stage Russian rocket disintegrated in low earth orbit Oct. 16. The break up introduced an estimated 500 pieces of debris into an area where the U.S. operates a multitude of satellites, further congesting an already crowded orbit around Earth. The event sheds light on an ever-growing issue for the space and satellite industry, one that seemed far fetched only a few years ago. "The idea that big space would someday become crowded was more theory than fact," said Lt. Col. Mike Manor, 1 SOPS commander. "Now, the reality is that space is growing seemingly smaller as more objects are now orbiting Earth. Few people realize there are men and women dedicated to assuring safe passage for our assets in space." The Space Based Space Surveillance satellite and its sister, the Advanced Technology Risk Reduction satellite, were designed to provide space situational awareness of the geostationary belt, but increasingly are being tasked to support space situational awareness in other orbits as well. A collision with something as small as a bolt, a rivet, even bits of shrapnel, traveling at a high rate of speed can render a satellite inoperable, if not totally destroy it, thus it's becoming ever more important to accurately track such debris. Along with radar and optical sensors on the ground, SBSS and ATRR are providing that tracking data to the Joint Space Operations Center, the organization that keeps a real-time catalog of orbiting objects. Maj. Patrick Slaughter, 1 SOPS assistant director of operations, says demand for this tracking data will do nothing but grow in the years ahead as space gets more congested and contested. "For the longest time, we as a nation, held on to the idea that space is a big place, but most people don't understand what's happening up there," he said. "Break ups like this add to the congestion, but we also have events like the Chinese Fengyun incident, that brought attention to the idea of contested space." In 2007, the Chinese government demonstrated the effectiveness of an anti-satellite system by destroying one of its own weather satellites, the Fengyun-1C weather satellite, via a ground-launched missile. Besides creating a large debris field, the event showed that China possesses the capability to "kill" a satellite in LEO. Manor pointed out that it's not a big leap to assume they could do this to a U.S. satellite. "The number of debris avoidance maneuvers required by the International Space Station has significantly increased since that incident," Slaughter said. "Then we had the Iridium-Cosmos collision in 2009, where a U.S. and Russian satellite collided over Siberia. We have to maneuver our LOE satellites around that debris field as well." Manor said these combined events, among others, have not only helped drive international policy negotiations, but signaled that the world has recognized a need for better awareness of what's happening in space. "We can use the evolution of air travel as a model," he said. "When the Wright brothers first took flight the skies were open. Gradually, more aircraft shared the skies and eventually we reached a point where we needed air traffic controllers and regulation to keep air travel safe. Now, we've taken the rudimentary steps for space traffic control." When the JSPOC detects a satellite is on course to collide with something, they provide a warning to that system's operators. No doubt similar conversations happen hundreds if not thousands of times a day between air traffic controllers and pilots. Placing this all in perspective, why does it matter what operations crews at 1 and 7 SOPS do? "Along with the ground tracking stations and the JSPOC, our team is keeping watch over space and will remain vigilant in keeping the domain as safe as possible," Manor said. "These collective efforts not only help minimize the potential for disastrous events, but also keep the space domain in a condition for continued utilization by all nations." (Top image NASA photo of space junk in orbit) FMI: www.af.mil For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/aerospace.cfm?ContentBlockID=a9dad633-e409-4d4c-9c7b-757add82ccb9 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Airplane Mechanic's Need For Speed Leads To New Production System Award-Winning Technology Reportedly Saving Aircraft Manufactures Time, Money An airplane mechanic's need for speed has led to a revolutionary change in how large, complex products are built. A pioneering technology called ProjectionWorks is saving aircraft manufacturers hundreds of hours and has earned its inventor, Delta Sigma Company of Kennesaw, GA, one of the nation's top manufacturing innovation awards. ProjectionWorks is the key component of the Fastener Insertion Live Link System (FILLS), developed by a team of aerospace companies. "This disruptive manufacturing technology has saved more than 200 hours per plane and a potential $111 million for the F-35 program alone," said David See, Project Manager for the Air Force Research Laboratory. "FILLS will revolutionize how we assemble, maintain and repair our fleets - from jets, to submarines, to ships, to satellites." "The FILLS process automates data input and compares the data against original specifications," said Dave Thomas, F-35 Center Fuselage Build Manager, F-35 Joint Program Office. "Now, dozens of mechanics on the F-35, P3, C-5 and C-130 production lines are using Delta Sigma's ProjectionWorks 3-D technology to project assembly instructions directly onto aircraft parts." "Early adopters of the ProjectionWorks technology have seen an average savings of more than 85 hours on aircraft assembly," said Roger Richardson of Delta Sigma. "We look forward to sharing our ProjectionWorks technology with manufacturers worldwide for greater efficiency and accuracy with mechanical assemblies." "FILLS changes the way we think about assembling complex structures the way that CAD programs changed the way we think about designing them," said Joe Festa with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "With this progressive technology, we expect to save up to $91 million for the center fuselage assembly at our Palmdale F-35 program. There's no going back." The FILLS team members - Variation Reduction Solutions, Inc., Delta Sigma, Lockheed Martin Aerospace and Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems - received the 2012 Defense Manufacturing Technology Achievement Award on Nov. 27 at the Defense Manufacturing Conference in Orlando. The team developed FILLS for F-35 production under a Small Business Innovative Research Grant from the Air Force Research Laboratory. (FILLS image provided by Delta Sigma Corp) FMI: www.deltasigmacorp.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/military.cfm?ContentBlockID=8b628ce3-c7ad-4900-bfbe-4d6617e9b577 ----------------------------------------------------------------- AAR Announces The Sale Of 10 737-400 Aircraft To MAS From Its JV Portfolio Company Continues To Make Progress On Its Stated Goal To Reduce Investment In Leased Aircraft AAR and its joint venture partner have entered into an agreement to sell 10 Boeing 737-400 aircraft to Malaysian Airline System Berhad (MAS). The aircraft have been on lease to MAS since they were acquired by the joint venture in July 2007. The sale is consistent with the Company’s stated goal to reduce its investment in aircraft leasing. At its peak in 2007, the Company held 31 aircraft in joint ventures and 11 aircraft in its wholly-owned portfolio. Upon completing the sale to MAS, AAR’s portfolio will include six aircraft held in joint ventures and two aircraft that are wholly-owned. While AAR has reduced its portfolio of leased aircraft, it will remain active in the aircraft sales and re-marketing business where the Company has an established market presence and a successful track record. The transaction is expected to be completed during AAR’s 2013 fiscal third quarter with net cash proceeds of approximately $20 million, and will record a slight gain. Due to joint venture accounting, there will be no impact on sales. FMI: www.aarcorp.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=3588e819-475f-40c9-b13e-86931e4b25b0 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Astrium To Build Two New Research Satellites For NASA Twin Grace Follow-On Satellites To Investigate The Earth's Gravity Field European space technology company Astrium has been commissioned to build two new research satellites for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. The agreement was signed Friday in Friedrichshafen, Germany. For a minimum of five years from August 2017, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (Grace FO) mission will continue the extremely accurate measurement data collection of the first twin Grace satellites, which have been in orbit since 17 March 2002. Astrium’s Grace satellites have been making a hugely important contribution to global climate research since 2002. Based on their observations of changes in the Earth’s gravity field over time, geoscientists are gaining new insights into the dynamic processes in the planet’s interior, into deep and surface currents in the oceans, and into variations in the extent of ice coverage at the poles, in Greenland and over mountain ranges. The original Grace mission allowed scientists for the first time to identify which masses of water, ice and solid material are moving; Grace is even able to provide long-term observation of water table levels around the world. Like their predecessors, the Grace FO satellites will be placed in a polar orbit at an altitude of some 310 miles and follow each other 135 miles apart. As they fly, the two satellites constantly and extremely precisely determine the distance between them, which varies under the influence of the Earth’s gravity; this fluctuating distance provides the data for continued measurement of our planet’s gravity field. The measurements taken by the Grace FO satellites will be exceptionally accurate because their positions will be minutely ascertained using on-board GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers, while a satellite-to-satellite microwave link will enable the exact distance between them to be calculated to within a few thousandths of a millimetre. In contrast to the original Grace mission, the distance between the new satellites will also be measured using lasers – a technological experiment in preparation for future generations of gravity-research satellites. Throughout the five-year mission, these measurements will be used to generate an updated model of the Earth’s gravitational field every 30 days. In addition, every day each satellite will create up to 200 profiles of temperature distribution and water vapour content in the atmosphere and ionosphere. FMI: www.nasa.gov, www.astrium.eads.net For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/aerospace.cfm?ContentBlockID=25e56443-1232-4436-8525-eda990bdb2d3 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Mattituck, NY, Airport Faces Uncertain Future Closure Of Teledyne Overhaul Facility Raises Concerns Among Pilots The owners of the land on which Mattituck Air Base in Suffolk County, NY is located say that they are unsure that the airport, the only public airport in the North Fork region, can remain open much longer. Four months ago, Teledyne Technologies closed its engine overhaul plant at the airport, costing about 20 people their jobs. The work was consolidated with Teledyne's Fairhope, AL, facility. Then, the airport's fuel storage tanks were given to Albertson Marine Inc, in Southold, according to airplane owner Fred Martin, who keeps his aircraft at Mattituck. Jay Wickham, one of the land owners, said that repairs to the fuel tanks would be very expensive, according to a story appearing in the Suffolk Times newspaper. He said he would entertain a lease agreement with the town to keep the airport open, but is unable to seek a new lease because of issues that remain from an agreement with the last tenant. He said Continental, which was purchased by China's Technify Motors more than a year ago, has not yet competed a certified closure of the business. Wickham says that has to happen before he can enter into negotiations with the town. Technify is a subsidiary of AVIC. Wickham said that to complete the certified closure, the Chinese company needs to do maintenance and repairs that he says are "years overdue." But that is leaving pilots in something of a Twilight Zone as far as the airport is concerned. About a dozen airplanes call Mattituck Air Base (21N) home. The paper reports that Southold Supervisor Scott Russell said that an economic advisory committee is working to help keep the airport open, even though the economy has decreased interest in aviation over the past few years. "If you lose an airport, you'll never get another one, and we recognize that," he told the paper. Wickham said that once the roadblocks are cleared, the town will have the option to lease the land with the airport. FMI: www.suffolkcountyny.gov For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/genav.cfm?ContentBlockID=7c999365-b55e-451b-8452-b90872b2812e ----------------------------------------------------------------- XL Airways France Becomes A New A330-300 Operator Airplane Leased From GECAS To Enter Service Next Month XL Airways France has expanded its Airbus fleet with the delivery of its first brand new A330-300 from the manufacturer’s headquarters in Toulouse, France. Operated under a leasing agreement with GECAS, the aircraft is powered by GE CF6-80E engines. XL Airways France will fly its new A330-300, configured in a single-class layout with 408 seats, to destinations in the French Caribbean starting in December 2012. This brand new aircraft will join the Airbus fleet already operated by XL Airways France, comprising two A330-200s and one A320. “The entry into service of our first A330-300 is a great day for XL Airways France and our passengers. With this brand new aircraft, we will open additional routes as part of the expansion of our business in the French Caribbean,” commented Laurent Magnin,” Chief Executive Officer XL Airways France. “This new Airbus aircraft will support our continued growth thanks to its superior fuel efficiency, capacity and range benefiting both our charter and scheduled flight operations.” he added. “We are delighted to welcome XL Airways France as the latest operator of our best selling A330-300 aircraft,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “Once again this delivery highlights the success of the A330 as the most popular aircraft in its class, offering the lowest operating costs, proven high reliability and a great in-flight experience.” The A330 is one of the most widely-used widebody aircraft in service today. Airbus has recorded over 1,200 orders for the various versions of the aircraft, with more than 900 of the airplanes delivered. (Image provided by Airbus) FMI: www.airbus.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=c944dbef-3529-4437-9794-de77659bd3bc ----------------------------------------------------------------- Milestone Legacy 600/650 Family Aircraft Delivered China's Minsheng Financial Leasing Gets 200th Aircraft Embraer’s Legacy 600/650 program reached a significant milestone with the delivery of the 200th aircraft of the Legacy family, a Legacy 650 large executive jet, to China’s Minsheng Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (MSFL) in a ceremony held this week at headquarters in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This aircraft, one of the 13 Legacy 650s ordered by MSFL in October 2011, will be used by an anonymous Chinese customer. As one of the largest financial institutions providing executive jets leasing services in China, MSFL ordered three Lineage 1000 ultra-large Lineage 1000 executive jets as well. “The Legacy 600/650 family has been well recognized by customers worldwide since the first Legacy 600 delivered in early 2002,” said Ernest Edwards, President, Embraer Executive Jets. “The delivery of the 200th aircraft of the Legacy family within a decade eloquently reflects the success of the Legacy program. In addition, we are proud that Minsheng Financial Leasing, one of our most important customers, is part of this historic success by taking delivery of this aircraft.” The large Legacy 650 can accommodate up to 14 passengers in three cabin zones. The jet’s range is 3,900 nautical miles, affording nonstop distances such as Beijing to Dubai and Hong Kong to Adelaide (Australia), with four passengers under NBAA IFR conditions. (Legacy 650 image from file) FMI: www.embraer.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commbus.cfm?ContentBlockID=550269fe-ad1b-47ba-ba62-555adf41129e ----------------------------------------------------------------- X-Plane Helicopter Sim Users Get A New Head Up Display (HUD) Plug-In Application Lets Users Concentrate On Flying, Not Computer Newly-released plug-in software for the X-Plane helicopter platform gives users HUD capability that lets aviators concentrate on flying, maneuvering around terrain and obstacles, and landing at night ... even on a moving ship. The software was developed by FlyRealHuds.com, and the new X-Plane plug-in ready application works with all the helicopter models in X-Plane for the PC or MAC. For many, flying a helicopter on a computer can be difficult, and precision flight looking head down at instruments can limit the experience of helicopter flight. With this software, X-Plane users can enjoy the scenery and fly with precision at the same time when flying the new Helo HUD. The company says it is dedicated to bringing real HUD technology to the X-Plane world. The new HUDs were first unveiled at the NBAA convention in Orlando, Florida this year. At the convention, aviators and operators from around the world got the first look at a real and affordable Bizjet and AirTransport HUD. The new HUD for Helos supports basic flight instrument operations for VFR and IFR. A flight path vector that can be operated as caged or uncaged also provides you with additional cues for energy management. Radar Altimeter, VSI and Power are also provided in this model HUD. The addition of Power for the collective is a new basic indicator for the Helo HUD. X-Plane flyers can quickly learn to control the operation of any X-Plane helicopter model and still remain head up and eyes out of the cockpit. At the Electronic Hanger all phases of flight and mission types were tested with a number of the popular X-Plane Helicopter models. The Helo HUD works with all of the X-Plane Helo models, from the R22 to the S-92, and most importantly you are head up - looking at where you are flying. “We are continuing to expand our product line with our new X-Plane Helo HUD," said company representative Doug Hosmer. "Our goal is to develop real HUDs that help aviators learn to fly real HUD systems. We have received a number of excellent reviews for our Helicopter HUD products and as we say here—the Helo HUD is 'Aviator Approved'." (Image provided by FlyRealHud) FMI: www.FlyRealHUDs For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commbus.cfm?ContentBlockID=999c037c-6914-4623-bd81-f4e73b10ef5c ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN FAQ: How To Get YOUR News Out On Aero-News Good News, Bad News... It's ALL News As the preeminent online aviation news resource out there, to say the editorial staff at Aero-News sees a large number of news releases -- and notices of new products -- each day would be a profound understatement; we see hundreds each week, with sources ranging from Boeing's prolific press center... on down to the backyard tinkerer, who has come up with something completely new and innovative for the industry, and shoots us a short email about it. We look at all of them, and can usually tell whether something merits publishing consideration within reading the first couple of paragraphs. Often, however, a new and innovative product can be overlooked because of the very words written to promote it, by the very people who created it. Those people should be best able to tell others why it's so new and innovative -- but often, the information is... frankly, uninspiring. Most of the time, a company is its own worst enemy when writing a press release -- either they fail to tell us why their new product is important, they don't properly target the audience they're trying to reach... or, their true achievement is buried under lawyer's jargon, flowery prose... or self-aggrandizing statements that would make Narcissus blush with embarassment. It is important to remember that a news release is NOT an advertisement -- or, at least, it shouldn't be. News releases are just that... putting your news out into the mainstream, or conveying information to your target audience so they can then make up their own mind. If you want to inspire someone to buy your product... contact ANN about our very reasonable advertising rates. We're happy to help there, too. Having said that... what is the best way for a company to get its news out? 1) First of all, keep your audience in mind when crafting your release. Is it a message for the flying public? If so, which sector do you primarily wish to appeal to? General aviation? Bizav? Military? All have slightly varied -- but very real -- perceptions, opinions and jargon. Know your audience... and write to them. 2) Send pictures. That goes for clipart, logos and digital snapshots. "Art" is precious to print media types like us. If you're promoting someone, send a picture! That way, you get your company's logo in the story and the person you're talking about gets his or her picture on the web (not recommended for those who are deeply in debt or wanted by the law). 3) Make sure the pictures are relevant to the story. 4) Add quotes. Quotes are pictures painted with words. We really like quotes. 5) Don't get fancy. When inserting the aforementioned quotes in a story, you don't have to agonize over ten different ways to say "he said." That'll do just fine, actually. 6) Always include a web reference. Every story we publish at Aero-News has an "FMI" line. That's a web address or email that readers can use to obtain more information. 7) Email submissions work best at ANN. Phone calls are certainly welcome, but emails are much more effective. 8) Work in advance. Don't send something to any news organization without as much lead time as possible. 9) If you intend your message for the general public -- the average person with no connection to the flying industry, apart from the occasional redeye to New York -- be absolutely SURE your release is free of jargon... or, explain what you mean (example -- does everyone in your target audience know what the initials FAA stand for?) If in doubt, run it past someone with little to no aviation background before sending it out... to see what questions they may have. 10) Keep in mind the infamous five "w's" and one "h" when writing your release -- Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. Since this is a business, we also add a second "h" to the mix -- How much. Answer those questions, and you've done almost all the heavy work. 11) Construct your news release as if you were having a conversation with a member of your target audience. What would you like to tell them first... and how would you say it? Write that "conversation"... really, it IS that simple. 12) And speaking of simple... KEEP it simple, and on message. If you have more than one message, write more than one release. 13) When sending a release to ANN, send it to editor@aero-news.net. If you send it to any other mailbox, it could get delayed. If you have questions, ask us. Perhaps you've noticed already, but we're very responsive to our readers. When we get your email, we make every effort to reply within 24 hours -- and often reply within six hours. Don't be afraid to drop us a line and ask our advice. After all, this is your publication and you deserve to be in it! But When Do You Send A News Release? Whether sharing happy news, or managing a crisis, a news release is one of your most vital tools. "Happy" News is just that... a new product release, success stories, personnel changes (promotions, new hires, etc.), contract awards, and sales achievements. It's the stuff you WANT to write about... and, not surprisingly, that it's the stuff WE want to write about, too. But alas, not all news is good news... and it's important to remember that your message is just as vital -- in fact, we'd say even more so -- during bad times, as it is during the good times. Getting your message out to the media shows forthrightness, leadership, and that you are in control of the situation. Think about it... aviation is an industry that has seen more than its share of setbacks and failures. How many failures have ALL of the most successful aerospace companies out there experienced? Too many to count... and far more than the number of their successes, no matter how memorable those may be. In bad times, your message might explain a downturn in business, views on a regulatory issue or trend, a mishap involving your product or service, or layoffs... and with each of those, the key is to get the information out there. Remember that talk of forthrightness and leadership we mentioned above? This is when your company can best show its most admirable qualities. It's easy to appear successful when you're hyping an exciting new product or service -- but admitting your setbacks honestly -- and describing what steps you're going to take to correct them -- shows your true character. It's as true with companies as it is with people. Above all -- Whether it's good news or bad, a company should not be afraid to put all the relevant information out to the media. FMI: Send Your News To ANN For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=b27af512-8aee-4cc0-9c20-369040140c42 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN FAQ: Getting The Word Out Things To Know When You Send A News Release Aero-News gets hundreds of releases every week, ranging from industry giants like Boeing and Cessna to the smallest of flying clubs and the most quaint of air shows. We appreciate every one of those releases -- news is news, after all, and we want to be an information outlet for everyone. After having seen the best and the worst in press releases over the years, we have some ideas to help companies do so much more to help themselves, both with ANN and with the general media. For instance: 1) Send pictures. That goes for clipart, logos and digital snapshots. "Art" is precious to print media types like us. If you're promoting someone, send a picture! That way, you get your company's logo in the story and the person you're talking about gets his or her picture on the web (not recommended for those who are deeply in debt or wanted by the law). 2) Make sure the pictures are relevant to the story. 3) Add quotes. Quotes are pictures painted with words. We really like quotes. 4) Don't get fancy. When inserting the aforementioned quotes in a story, you don't have to agonize over ten different ways to say "he said." That'll do just fine, actually. 5) Always include a web reference. Every story we publish at Aero-News has an "FMI" line. That's a web address or email that readers can use to obtain more information. 6) Keep it short. Brevity is a happy thing. 7) Email submissions work best at ANN. Phone calls are certainly welcome, but emails are much more effective. 8) Work in advance. Don't send something to any news organization without as much lead time as possible. 9) When sending a release to ANN, send it to editor@aero-news.net. If you send it to any other mailbox, it could get lost. If you have questions, ask us. Perhaps you've noticed already, but we're very responsive to our readers. When we get your email, we make every effort to reply within 24 hours -- and often reply within six hours. Don't be afraid to drop us a line and ask our advice. After all, this is your publication and you deserve to be in it! FMI: www.aero-news.net, editor@aero-news.net For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/genav.cfm?ContentBlockID=2d6dc24e-c5f3-4fa8-9bc0-444c48059fbb ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.03.12): Circle-To-Land 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. Circle-To-Land A maneuver initiated by the pilot to align the aircraft with a runway for landing when a straight-in landing from an instrument approach is not possible or is not desirable. At tower controlled airports, this maneuver is made only after ATC authorization has been obtained and the pilot has established required visual reference to the airport. FMI: www.faa.gov For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=0f8c2b21-4895-4d56-9786-52ce91eef204 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.02.12): Call For Release 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. Call For Release Wherein the overlying ARTCC requires a terminal facility to initiate verbal coordination to secure ARTCC approval for release of a departure into the en route environment. FMI: www.faa.gov For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=3e5c426b-628c-4dde-9539-884fc7c016bc ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (12.03.12) 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: Association of Naval Aviation The mission of ANA is to educate the general public about the overall military status of the United States, to encourage widespread interest as to the importance of Naval Aviation in the defense of the United States and its allies, to stimulate the collection, preservation and display of historical material concerning the history of naval aviation, and to encourage scientific and technical development of naval aviation. ANA is a not-for-profit organization as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. FMI: www.anahq.org For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=2650183e-9cce-4a92-a4bd-56cee5b4cf85 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (12.02.12) 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: Marine Corps Aviation Association The Marine Corps Aviation Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and recognize professional excellence in Marine aviation, support the fraternal bond of its membership, preserve Marine aviation heritage and safeguard the future of Marine aviation through awards programs, events and publications. FMI: http://www.flymcaa.org/ For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=c9d23229-1a9f-4630-b951-6fb79acea8fc ----------------------------------------------------------------- Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (12.03.12) 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 “The Legacy 600/650 family has been well recognized by customers worldwide since the first Legacy 600 delivered in early 2002. The delivery of the 200th aircraft of the Legacy family within a decade eloquently reflects the success of the Legacy program. In addition, we are proud that Minsheng Financial Leasing, one of our most important customers, is part of this historic success by taking delivery of this aircraft.” Source: Ernest Edwards, President, Embraer Executive Jets, following the delivery of the 200th 600 series aircraft. FMI: www.embraer.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=ced30aa0-32bb-4e84-b302-7053ea273555 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (12.02.12) 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 "This was a complex rescue mission, but our Airmen were up for the task... This is the third successful long-range, overwater mission we have executed within the past nine months. Saving lives beyond the capability of others is what we do best." Source: Col. Steven J. Butow, 129th RQW commander, in statements that followed the 129th Rescue Wing's successful completion of a complex, overwater rescue of an injured ship hand from a Marshall Islands flagged merchant vessel approximately 300 miles off the coast of Mexico on Nov, 29. The rescue mission increases the wing's total lives saved to 957. FMI: www.129rqw.ang.af.mil For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=f21af254-9f45-4846-931e-6d343dd85f11 ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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! Please Forward This Issue If you haven't already done so, please forward this issue to one or two of your friends or business associates. Thanks so much! Copyright (c) 1998-2012: Please do NOT reprint, publish, or host on your Web site without our explicit permission. However, if you found this newsletter helpful, we grant you permission, and strongly encourage you, to e-mail it (unmodified) to a business associate or a friend. Thank you. "Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time." Marion Wright Edelman

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