North Carolina @ MindSay 
family
By Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke
Special to American Forces Press Service
Sept. 4, 2008 - Four states along the East Coast are employing their National Guards as Tropical Storm Hanna nears. Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina have almost 40,000 Army and Air National Guard members available to their governors, if needed. This includes almost 11,000 in North Carolina, 9,000 in Florida, 11,000 in South Carolina and 9,000 in Georgia.
"The National Guard is pre-positioning several multifunction force packages of trained people and equipment that will be used for transportation, distribution of supplies, ground evacuation, swift water rescue and security of impacted areas," said Army Maj. Randall Short, a public affairs officer with the National Guard Bureau.
Florida and Georgia expect to avoid a hit from Hanna, but two Air National Guard units in those states have evacuated their aircraft nonetheless. The 125th Fighter Wing in Jacksonville, Fla., has evacuated 13 F-15 aircraft to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah, Ga., has evacuated four C-130 aircraft to McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville, Tenn.
In South Carolina, Gov. Mark Sanford announced in a briefing today that about 250 soldiers from the South Carolina National Guard will remain on standby. He also asked for the voluntary evacuation of Georgetown and Horry counties in the northeast section of the state. Three emergency shelters in those areas would be opened for anyone needing assistance.
At McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., the Army National Guard plans to shelter all of its aviation assets on base, while the 169th Fighter Wing will keep 12 of its F-16s in hangars. The unit's 12 remaining F-16s and one C-130 will be evacuated to Texas tomorrow, said Air Force Maj. Jim St. Clair, a public affairs officer with the South Carolina National Guard.
In North Carolina, Gov. Mike Easley ordered 270 Guard members to state active duty yesterday in preparation for the storm. Guard members will start arriving for duty today and will be in place tomorrow, said Army Maj. Matt Handley, the state public affairs officer for the North Carolina National Guard.
The North Carolina National Guard will field several multifunction force packages of about 50 personnel each, capable of providing security, ground evacuation, transportation, and equipped with swift-water rescue personnel, according to a news release from the state.
Other Guard members will provide logistics support, and six UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters are on standby to conduct missions if needed, the release stated.
North Carolina Guard planners also met with state emergency management personnel over the last several days to finalize plans as the storm approached. All state active duty missions are coordinated through the state emergency management agency.
The North Carolina Guard has mobilized for numerous hurricanes and brings a great deal of knowledge and expertise to these types of operations, Handley said. The last deployment for a hurricane was in 2006, when North Carolina mobilized about 220 personnel for Tropical Storm Ernesto.
Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine declared a state of emergency in his state today in anticipation of Hanna. He authorized state agencies to identify and preposition resources for quick response anywhere they are needed in Virginia, according to a news release from the governor's office.
The Virginia Emergency Operations Center has increased its operations in response to this declaration, and the Virginia National Guard has personnel alerted and on standby for potential response and recovery missions associated with the storm, the release stated.
"Current forecasts predict Hanna will bring tropical-storm-force winds to Virginia, causing coastal flooding and the very real possibility of tornadoes and power outages," Kaine said in a news release. "Virginians should listen to their local government representatives and local news media for instructions for the duration of the storm."
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported today that the center of Hanna was located about 205 miles east of Nassau and about 670 miles south-southeast of Wilmington, N.C. The storm is moving toward the northwest at about 14 mph, a pace expected to continue for the next couple of days with a gradual increase in speed, according to NOAA.
On this track, the center of Hanna will be near the southeast coast of the United States by late tomorrow.
(Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
Vacation was ok. Went to a resort in West Virginia, just myself and Husband. For our anniversary mostly.Anniversary number 27! We stopped at Antique malls and shops along the way. Had fun doing that. It was cooler up in the mountains of West Virginia. One night we caught the full moon and went to a pond to lay back and watch it rise and light the sky up, and see a million stars shining brightly. It was a bit chilly that night. But it was awesome.We stayed at this resort for 4 days and 3 nights free of charge if we took their little tour. It was worth it to stay free!The place was nice, but I wouldn't want to live there! With gas prices this year, we couldn't afford to do much of anything. We used 1 tank there and 1/2 tank back. At filling my van up for $85 dollars a pop, that was expensive enough! We bought some antiques, but not a lot. We both were out of work for the whole week in July, and we traveled all over western North Carolina to some Antique malls we had been wanting to go to.
This a picture of the sun setting from our room at the resort through the woods.Nice.
Here's some of the full moon pictures. My camera didn't quite capture the best of
it!
I guess you need a faster lens to capture the fullness and brightness of it.My camera made it look tiny, and it was so huge!
Here's one of the moon in the sky and its reflection on the pond surface. It's pretty cool. Looks like two moons!
The other one is a close up I tried to do.
One morning in late July we got up on a Saturday morning and spied a deer in the back yard. Not unusual as we live in woods and woods surround us, and we live near the Yadkin River.Here's a couple pictures of it:
It wasn't afraid of our dog, and the dog was just sitting and watching it!
One Sunday in early August we went to Cracker Barrel to eat after church, and this strange car was in the parking lot! It had a license tag, so it was driven there! Check it out:
Pretty Cool hUH? People were in the parking lot and taking pictures of it left and right! So low to the ground! Low Rider!
Below here is a picture I took today, August 27th, on Lasater Rd, in Clemmons NC at the water wheel. The wheel wasn't turning because of the huge volume of water, it was awesome! The lake was overflowing the dam and the little bridge I was standing on was shaking as the water roared under it! I took a video too. Hope to get it posted soon! We about drowned today! Some areas got 12 plus inches of rain. We have about 7" in our rain gauge! Areas are under flood warnings and watches. We had tornadoes in the area also. My radio at work kept going off with the warnings and such this morning. It was raining very hard.
It's taking forever for the video to upload. I will post it tomorrow! For now I need to sign off! Will catch up some more tomorrow!
Securiguard, Incorporated of McLean,Virginia is being awarded a firm-fixed price contract for $95,382,517. The purpose of this contract is to provide a comprehensive security force to effectively execute and manage security operations on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) and its associated Florida Annexes (Jonathan Dickinson Missile Tracking Annex, Cocoa Beach Tracking Annex, Fort Pierce Microwave Relay Annex, Malabar Transmitter Annex, Melbourne Beach Optical Tracking Annex, Stuart Microwave Relay Annex, Port Canaveral Cable Terminal Annex, Wabasso Microwave Relay Annex). The contractor will be required to provide a fully trained, armed, and uniformed security force whose capability and quality meets Air Force standards in accordance with Air Force Instruction (AFI) 31-101 and AFI 31-20. Performance requirements include: Protect the capability to launch; protection of National, DoD, and commercial space-lift resources; provide command and control of security forces; provide dedicated response to protection level 1-4 resources; provide installation and restricted area entry control; maintain law and order; provide law enforcement patrols and traffic enforcement; provide security for launch and hazardous operations; manage and operate Security Force Control Center; monitor and survey installation electronic security systems; provide marine security operations; develop installation security plans and procedures; provide resource protection; Pass & ID services; perform services during crisis and contingency. At this time no funds have been obligated. Patrick AFB, Fl is the contracting activity (FA2521-08-C-0011)
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Herndon, VA, is being awarded a contract for $34,500,105. The action will provide survivability research and development analysis to European Security Operations Center and the 66th Military Intelligence Group. The location of performance is Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Va. At this time $1,856,358 has been obligated. Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380).
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., of Herndon, VA, is being awarded a contract for $18,941,252. The action will provide U.S. Marine Corps logistics chain survivability analysis. The location of performance is McLean, Va. At this time $454,000 has been obligated. Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-03-D-1380).
Henry M. Jackson Foundation of Rockville, Md., is being awarded a contract for $20,992,931. The objective of this effort is to provide research and research support for the Biosciences and Protection Division of the Air Force Research Laboratory. The Biosciences and Protection Division has four key technology mission areas: 1) biotechnology, 2) bio-behavioral performance, 3) biomechanics, and 4) counterproliferation. This effort will develop innovative science and technology to advance the state-of-art in each of these mission areas. This effort will provide for an integrated administrative and management test-bed venue focused on innovative technology concepts required to capitalize on advances in the biosciences and to provide radically new Air Force capabilities. These capabilities will improve warfighter performance and combat effectiveness, as well as provide a general public benefit through appropriate civilian applications. The location of performance is Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and Brooks City Base, Texas. At this time $700,000 has been obligated. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-05-2-6518).
L-3 Communications of Pittsburgh, Penn., is being awarded a contract for $6,128,869. This action will provide design and development of two, 1 meter primary, on axis Cassegrain, azimuth/elevation mount telescopes for use in laser propagation and turbulence sensing experiments at the Starfire Optical Range at Kirtland AFB, N.M. At this time $1,500,000 has been obligated. Kirtland AFB, N.M., is the contracting activity (FA9451-08-C-0262).
Survival Innovations, Inc of Arden North Carolina is being awarded a contract for $5,999,044. The objective of this effort if to tailor development, integration and testing of a head and neck restraint system to provide improved head and neck injury protection within acceptable limits for the smaller anthropometric population range of fighter aircraft, thereby optimizing warfighter injury tolerance and protection during emergency escape. This research will potentially benefit all aircraft ejection systems. At this time $5,999,044 has been obligated. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-08-C-6925).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Huguenot Energy LLC., Charleston, S.C.* is being awarded a maximum $53,153,997 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are in Charleston, South Carolina. Using services are Army, Navy, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were originally 55 proposals solicited with 18 responses. The date of performance completion is April 30, 2011. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-08-D-0357).
US Foodservice/Joseph Webb Division, Vista, Calif. is being awarded a maximum $34,585,000 firm fixed price, prime vendor contract for full line food distribution services. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. There are no other locations of performance. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising second option year. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 3 responses. The date of performance completion is August 17, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM300-08-D-3206).
Midstream Fuel Service LLC., Houston, Texas* is being awarded a maximum $6,064,080 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other locations of performance are Carrabelle, Florida and Beaumont, Texas. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were originally 55 proposals solicited with 18 responses. The date of performance completion is April 30, 2011. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-08-D-0362).
Caddell Construction Co., Montgomery, Ala., was awarded on Aug. 13, 2008, a $48,463,000 firm-fixed price contract for the design and construction of three simulation training facilities with a gross square footage of 240,043 for non-motion based and motion based simulations. Work will be performed in Fort Benning, Ga., and is expected to be completed by March 2, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four bids were solicited on May 2, 2008, and two bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0056).
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Stratford, Conn., was awarded on Aug. 13, 2008, an $8,904,288 firm-fixed price contract for procurement of spares and ground support equipment for the Bahrain Defense Force. Work will be performed in Stratford, Conn., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Oct. 20, 2005. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).
Ttec-Tesoro, Norcross, Ga., was awarded on Aug. 12, 2008, a $8,716,000 firm-fixed price contract for the design and construction of company operations facilities. Work will be performed at Fort Bragg, N.C., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 11, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four bids were solicited on June 23, 2008, and two bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0058).
McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $17,394,620 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost plus fixed fee contract (N00383-06-D-001J) to incorporate post production and performance based logistics support requirements necessary for the continued safe and effective operations of fielded F/A-18 A-D aircraft. This modification provides support for the Navy, Marine Corps; and the governments of Australia, Canada, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, Kuwait, and Malaysia. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. (76 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (21 percent); Warner Robins, Ga. (2 percent); and Santa Clarita, Calif. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2008. Contract funds in the amount of $903,305 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($12,574,529; 72 percent) and the Governments of Canada ($1,461,918; 8 percent); Spain ($1,016,986; 6 percent); Australia ($794,520; 5 percent); Finland ($677,991; 4 percent); Kuwait ($423,744; 2 percent); Switzerland ($360,183; 2 percent); and Malaysia, ($84,749; 1 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity.
American Electronic Warfare Assoc., California, Md., is being awarded a $14,777,791 cost-plus-fixed-fee bridge contract for the continuation of engineering and ground test support services at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Atlantic Ranges and Facilities Department, Integrated Combat Environments Division and Modeling and Simulation Division. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md. and is expected to be completed in Feb. 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $2,463,347 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-08-C-0074).
Nan, Inc. dba Ocean House Builders, Honolulu, Hawaii, is being awarded $11,432,000 for firm-fixed-price task order #0002 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity design-build multiple award construction contract (N62478-08-D-4009) for all design, construction and incidental related work to construct a new 1-story facility which combines a fleet store and MWR outdoor gear facility into one building. Work will be performed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and work is expected to be completed by May 2010. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The basic contract was competitively procured with 41 offers solicited, 12 proposals received and award made on Feb. 28, 2008. The total contract amount is not to exceed $100,000,000, which includes the base period and four option years. The multiple contractors (five in number) may compete for task order under the terms and conditions of the existing contract. Four proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii is the contracting activity.
Cameron Bell Corporation, Government Solutions Group,* Charleston, S.C., is being awarded a potential maximum $9,980,891 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (delivery order), cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide technical and engineering services in support of the Cyber Asset Reduction Security (CARS) program at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego, Information technology Enterprise networking environment. Support includes: knowledge management, content management, systems mapping, architectural integration, analysis, planning, design and implementation of new systems, subsystems and critical items to support requirements. Work will be performed at selected Space and Naval Warfare Systems activities within the United States, including: San Diego, Calif.; Seattle, Wash.; Norfolk, Va.; New Orleans, La.; and Charleston, S.C., and work is expected to be completed Aug. 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was negotiated as a sole source agreement in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source (FAR Subpart 6.302-1). There is only one source, Government Solutions Group, qualified and capable of performing the work at a reasonable price to the Government. The use of any other contractor would involve a substantial duplication of costs not expected to be recovered through competition. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N66001-08-D-0078).
Rockwell Collins Government Systems, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded a $5,598,148 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced contract (N00019-05-C-0050) to exercise an option for the FY 2008 production of AN/ARC-210(V) Electronic Protection Radio System for the Air Force F-16 aircraft. This modification includes 74 RT-1851A(C) ARC-210 receiver-transmitter radios; 59 MT-6567 mounting bases; 62 C-12719 controls; and 59 RF filter diplexers. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2008. Contract funds in the amount of $1,773,551 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity.
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
July 25, 2008 - Veterans transitioning from war to peace may need a place to call home, whether it's for the long or short term, the executive director of a North Carolina-based program that offers them that and a good bit more said. "The needs we are addressing all, in some way, revolve around temporary and long-term living arrangements that are appropriate for the various challenges that our active duty and military veterans face," Lance Orndorff said about "American Heroes Return."
"Camp Hero" is an integral part of American Heroes Return, which, in turn, is part of the Virginia-based "Place of Solace, Inc."
The camp offers a phased living environment at no cost to active-duty servicemembers or veterans, he said. Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or permanent disability and in need of long-term care have access to the home-style camp that offers a mixed-use residential environment with shopping and social and recreational opportunities.
Active-duty servicemembers simply looking for someplace to hang out while they're home for rest and recuperation can stay in simple cabins and take in all that Camp Hero has to offer.
"Active-duty military on terminal leave and veterans post-active duty have a difficult time finding a 'landing zone' when returning to the states or leaving the base," Orndorff said. "They usually need just one to three months of living accommodations, as well as job location and training assistance, to get them reestablished in the civilian sector.
"This is where they can choose from either the rural farm or in-town contemporary housing experience, where they work with others like themselves who are transitioning back into civilian life," he added.
American Heroes Return is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
The organization's America Supports You affiliation is helping bridge the gap between its efforts to support both active-duty servicemembers and veterans, Orndorff said.
"I'm finding that my own review of other [America Supports You-affiliated] organizations ... is leading me to begin thinking about ways to network and partner," he added. "There may be portions of programs that we had intended to establish on our own that we can better accomplish by partnering with a group already accomplishing that task."
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