USS Des Moines CA-134 has now left the Philadelphia shipyard. She left on Monday, August 21, 2006, at approximately 1700 hours. She was being towed by the USNS GRASP, and was being pushed by four tugs. She was taken up the Schuykill River then onto the Delaware. The Des Moines is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Brownsville, Texas, on or about September 6, 2006. Photo courtesy of USS Des Moines Veterans Assn.
Correction to August 24 caption – photographer should read: D. Cornelissen
Industry News
Pork Alert: Katrina Anniversary Edition
Washington August 25, 2006 - The following "Pork Alert" was released today by Citizens Against Government Waste:
Last year, hurricanes Katrina and Rita exposed the truth about Louisiana and the federal government's woeful planning and disaster relief preparation. When the New Orleans levees failed, the storms also reminded taxpayers of the real-life implications of pork barrel spending. Time and time again members of Congress have ignored the budget requests of the Army Corps of Engineers and siphoned money away from high priority projects. One year after the hurricanes, members are once again using the Army Corps as their own personal pork barrel. In fact, the Senate added 365 unrequested projects worth a total of $842 million to the General account and the General Investigation and Construction account of the Army Corps of Engineers in the fiscal 2007 Energy and Water Appropriations Act (H.R. 5427). As usual, powerful appropriators were able to grab the lion's share of the pork, including:
One year after America's most destructive natural disaster, appropriators continue to ignore the physical and fiscal realities as families and businesses try to rebuild the Gulf Coast. Of the $20.8 million dollars in pork designated for the home state of Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee member Mary Landrieu (D-La.), $13.5 million, or 65 percent, is for the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, even though it is only used by 4 percent of Louisiana's commercial traffic. Additionally, according to the Army Corps of Engineers, the waterway's costs will not be justified until 2046.
Panama City FL August 24, 2006 - EDO Corporation executives joined US Rep. F. Allen Boyd, Jr. to officially open a new facility that will support the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Panama City. EDO's operation here will employ approximately 70 employees by year-end.
"We are the preeminent supplier of airborne naval-minesweeping equipment in the world, having first developed the MK 105 helicopter-towed system in the 1960s," said James M. Smith, EDO's chief executive officer. "Being located here with our customer allows us to effectively support existing mine-countermeasure systems as well as develop new breakthrough technology."
The new facility is 32,000 square feet under a seven-year lease and represents phase one of EDO's expansion in Panama City. In phase two, the company plans to acquire and renovate an additional 26,300 square feet in an adjacent building.
"The new EDO facility will be a tremendous asset for the Navy base and the people of Bay County," said Congressman Allen Boyd (D-FL). "EDO's location in Panama City will help strengthen the ability of the Naval Surface Warfare Center to carry out its important mission and to continue to provide for our country's national defense needs. The benefits of the new facility - both economic and military - are great news for our area."
EDO will provide engineering design, in-service engineering, and depot maintenance and repair for a range of mine countermeasure systems. Such systems are used to detect and neutralize mines in both shallow and deep waters.
Minneapolis August 24, 2006 - BAE Systems has been awarded a $6.2 million contract by the US Naval Surface Warfare Center for the production and delivery of 57mm pre-fragmented, programmable, proximity fused (3P) rounds and corresponding Mk 295 MOD 0 cartridges, amps and 57mm Mk 8 clips. The company will deliver the ammunition in September 2006.
The 57mm 3P Mk 295 MOD 0 cartridge is ammunition to be used with the US Navy’s 57mm Mk 110 Naval Gun System being developed and produced by BAE Systems to combat air, surface, and ground targets. The 57mm Mk 8 clip connects two 57mm 3P Mk 295 MOD 0 cartridges together, to successfully fire the cartridges in accordance with the gun system’s operational requirements.
"The contract demonstrates BAE Systems’ leadership in developing high-tech, cost-effective munitions that improve the combat capabilities for our sailors," said Scott Thompson, BAE Systems’ Mk 110 Naval Systems director. "The versatility of the Mk 295 ammo, coupled with the capabilities of the Mk 110 Naval Gun System, will provide a smaller logistics footprint and reduce the number of rounds sailors need to defeat various threats to surface vessels."
BAE Systems’ 57mm Mk 295 ammo provides six settable fuse function modes from a single round type to optimize detonation effects against surface, airborne and shore-based threats. One of the Mk 295 rounds can replace multiple conventional rounds, increasing stowed kills. With an effective range of nearly nine miles, the 57mm Mk 295 projectile achieves devastating effects against all target types in any selected mode of fuse operation.
Karlskrona August 25, 2006 - HMS Karlstad, the fifth and final vessel of the Visby series, was christened today, Thursday August 24th 2006, by Director General Marie Hafström, Swedish Armed Forces. The impressive ceremony was held at Kockums in Karlskrona, Sweden, in the presence of guest of honor Birgitta Samuelsson, Chairwoman of Karlstad Local Council. She presented the commander of the new vessel, Commander Carl David Philipsson, with a figurine of a young woman, portraying Sola, a waitress in 18th century Karlstad who was renowned for her sunny nature and became a symbol for Karlstad’s sunny atmosphere. The commander and his crew promised that it would naturally be awarded a place of honor aboard the new vessel.
The many other guests attending the ceremony included Director General Gunnar Holmgren, Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV); Rear Admiral Anders Grenstad, Chief of the Royal Swedish Navy; Eskil Erlandsson (Center Party), Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defense and, from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, of which Kockums is a part, Christian Eckel and Torsten Köncker. Acting CEO Ralf Kube officially represented Kockums.
HMS Karlstad, in common with the other vessels of the Visby series, is constructed of carbon fiber, featuring full stealth capability, making her almost impossible to detect with radar or other sophisticated sensors, such as IR imaging equipment.
HMS Karlstad is designed as part of Sweden’s new rapid reaction force and is well equipped to fulfil this role. The ability to see and hear all, while remaining undetected oneself, offers a number of tactical advantages. The commander can also decide to exit stealth mode, should he wish to reveal his presence, and then "vanish" again. HMS Karlstad can handle everything from Mine Countermeasures (MCM), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), surface combat, marine surveillance and maritime protection to general maritime support. She is also designed to provide emergency support at the scene of marine accidents and to participate in international peacekeeping missions. HMS Karlstad and her sister Visby-class vessels constitute a very considerable addition to the operational strength of the Royal Swedish Navy.
HMS Karlstad’s crew comprises 43 men and women, of whom 16 are conscripts. The vessel is 72 meters long, with a draught of 2.4 meters. She will displace 650 tonnes when fully fitted. Powered by a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) turbine arrangement, she has a top speed in excess of 40 knots, precise figures being classified.
"The Visby corvettes enhance the strength of the Swedish Navy and offer a considerable advance in flexibility," said Ralf Kube, Kockums’ acting CEO, addressing the assembled guests. He expressed his thanks to FMV for excellent cooperation throughout a highly complex and forward-looking project.
In particular, he addressed his fellow workers at Kockums:
"I wish to express my special thanks to all who have been involved in the Visby project, for your great efforts and commitment. After more than a decade, we are now entering the final phase of this challenging and complex project. We shall not only have contributed a strong link in Sweden’s defense: we shall have accumulated essential experience and know-how on which future Kockums projects may be built."
Two earlier Visby-class vessels are operating abroad. HMS Helsingborg is currently engaged in trials in the Mediterranean, and HMS Härnösand is due to sail to Germany, where she will show her paces. International interest in the Visby corvettes is considerable.
Palmdale CA August 25, 2006 - Northrop Grumman Corporation rolled out the first production version of the new RQ-4 Block 20 Global Hawk unmanned aerial reconnaissance system in a ceremony today at the company's Antelope Valley Manufacturing Center in Palmdale. Company and US Air Force officials introduced the advanced capability Block 20 air vehicle to an audience of senior government and military representatives, community and civic leaders, industry teammates and employees.
"The Global Hawk is a tremendous asset in the war on terror, equipping American military commanders with virtually real time surveillance that helps bring concealed terrorist plots and enemy positions to light," said US Rep. Wally Herger of California's 2nd congressional district.
"The men and women of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, located in the Northern California district I represent, are operating Global Hawk in combat today in ways never imagined. The new Block 20 Global Hawk will strengthen their ability to quickly and accurately find and destroy terrorist targets wherever they may be."
The Block 20 Global Hawk represents a significant increase in capability over the Block 10 configuration. The larger Block 20 aircraft will carry up to 3,000 pounds of internal payload and will operate with two-and-a-half times the power of its predecessor. Its open system architecture, a so-called "plug-and-play" environment, will accommodate new sensors and communication systems as they are developed to help military customers quickly evaluate and adopt new technologies.
"Our Global Hawk customers, employees and industry teammates are committed to continuously deploy increased combat capability to the fight," said Scott Seymour, Northrop Grumman corporate vice president and president of the Integrated Systems sector. "Production Global Hawks are serving in combat with distinction today, and the addition of the Block 20 to the fleet will build upon this success and pave the way for the ever increasing capabilities currently in work for future block deliveries."
Following a final series of systems tests and a flight test program at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., the new Block 20 air vehicle will be delivered to the Air Force's 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base near Sacramento, Calif.
Although Global Hawk is still in concurrent engineering and manufacturing development and low-rate initial production, the system has been deployed to the operational theater three times since 2001 and has logged more than 6,500 flight hours during combat missions. Two production Block 10 aircraft are operated by the Air Force in theater today.
The first Block 20 is the 17th Global Hawk air vehicle to be built. Northrop Grumman produced the first seven air vehicles under the advanced concept technology demonstration phase of the program. Nine Block 10 aircraft have been produced, including the two aircraft supporting the war on terrorism and two US Navy aircraft operated under the Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration program.
"The entire Global Hawk program team has done an exceptional job executing the Block 20 program while supporting the needs of our combat forces, and assisting other military services and civil agencies in their evaluation of Global Hawk for maritime surveillance, drug interdiction and homeland security missions," said Randy Brown, director of the Air Force's 303rd Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
The Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration program is helping Navy evaluators develop maritime surveillance requirements for future systems. Global Hawk has successfully participated in two naval exercises to date, Trident Warrior in November 2005 and the international Rim of the Pacific exercise in July in the Pacific Ocean around Hawaii.
Earlier this spring, Global Hawk completed a congressionally directed demonstration of its ability to conduct drug interdiction surveillance. The system flew four flights off the Florida coast and above the Caribbean, locating and identifying low-flying aircraft and sea-going vessels.
Operating autonomously from takeoff to landing, Global Hawk flies at altitudes up to 65,000 feet for more than 36 hours with a range of 13,500 nautical miles. Using its synthetic aperture radar and Electro-optical and infrared sensors, the RQ-4 Global Hawk provides high-quality reconnaissance imagery even in adverse weather conditions, as demonstrated during sandstorms in Iraq. Its high altitude and long endurance allow it to conduct surveillance over an area equal to the size of Illinois in just 24 hours.
St Louis August 25, 2006 - The Boeing Company recently donated $10,000 to Clovis Community College in Clovis, N.M., to support the college's Alternative Teacher Licensure Program. The program is designed to assist persons wishing to become certified teachers.
Kent Milliken, Boeing director of Training Support, presented the check to Dr. John Niebling, Clovis Community College president, on Aug. 18.
"Clovis Community College is fortunate to have Boeing as an educational partner," said Niebling. "This donation to the college illustrates Boeing's commitment to the Clovis community."
Boeing's donation will provide the start-up support for the fledgling alternative licensure program. Statewide, the program addresses an ongoing shortage of highly qualified teachers. Locally, it offers a promising new source of teachers for rural communities in eastern New Mexico.
"Clovis Community College was instrumental in helping Boeing open its first Unmanned Air Vehicle Training facility," said Milliken. "We are pleased to be able to give back to the college and the Clovis community."
The alternative licensure program is operated in collaboration with Clovis Municipal Schools (CMS), the "home" school district of the Clovis Community College tax district and the largest employer of teachers in the region.
"CMS personnel assisted in designing curricula for the program, and several CMS professionals serve as adjunct instructors in the program," said Tom Drake, assistant to the president for Business and Government Relations, Clovis Community College.
Boca Raton August 25, 2006 - Florida Atlantic University's SeaTech - Institute for Ocean and Systems Engineering in Dania Beach, which is part of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, has been awarded a $2 million grant by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to investigate, design and build a prototype of a rapidly-deployable, multi- mission platform to be used as an enabling technology for seabasing. This innovative concept of a "base at sea" will enable and sustain operations equivalent to the size of a Navy unit or larger - a substantial expansion of today's amphibious operations capabilities. The Navy's doctrine for warfare by 2015 includes plans to use mobile, scalable, offshore facilities to support shore-based Navy, Marine, Army and Air Force operations which will be central to future war operations, and will eliminate the need for a land base when conducting military operations. Since its inception in 1997, SeaTech has received 471 grant awards totaling more than $55 million.
This two-year project is headed by Dr. Frederick Driscoll, principal investigator and assistant professor of FAU's Department of Ocean Engineering. Driscoll will lead a team of researchers from FAU, two Navy laboratories and industry partners, Oceaneering International and Marine Applied Physics Corporation.
"The necessary science and technology for operating such sea bases poses both significant ocean engineering challenges and the need for innovation in ship design, cargo transfer, sea-keeping and hydrodynamic performance," said Dr. Manhar Dhanak, director of FAU's SeaTech, chair of FAU's Department of Ocean Engineering and co-principal investigator of the project. "Development of various ocean technologies is integral to enabling these mobile bases."
Dr. Karl von Ellenrieder also is a co-investigator of the project and an assistant professor of FAU's Department of Ocean Engineering.
ONR, under the National Naval Responsibility for Naval Engineering University Research Initiative, is sponsoring this program. The program involves student internships at the Center for Innovation in Ship Design (CISD) which is hosted at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division. The initial concept was developed by the CISD Innovation Cell on seabasing, sponsored by the ONR, which ran from February through September 2003. The idea was further developed by FAU summer interns working at CISD in 2004.
"It is extremely gratifying to see the transformation from a paper design to a model system and now to a functioning prototype," said Driscoll.
"Florida Atlantic University is tackling real-world problems to improve life and safety at home and across the globe," said Dr. Larry F. Lemanski, vice president for research at FAU. "Our researchers are designing and developing various cutting-edge technologies to support the military in areas such as homeland security, including surveillance, simulation, imaging and secure communications programs, as well as therapies in the war against bioterrorism."
Minneapolis August 25, 2006 - The VERY moment when Germany had just unconditionally surrendered, the confirmation of that historic moment was immediately forwarded from the European theater of war to the Pentagon-Military Intelligence Division. The method of transfer during this historic moment in time was by ticker tape. The very first transmission, an approximate six-inch-by-two-inch section of tape, signified the end of the European War, which Germany had started.
This ticker tape, THE only one in the world, is now for sale.
Moments after the tape arrived at the Pentagon the Generals were notified and then the President of the United States was subsequently contacted and given the information. This information was so sensitive that the public was not given this history-changing news until approximately one week later.
Since 1945 only two people have gently handled the ticker tape. Originally it was kept in the home of the owner where she never touched it until she transferred ownership due to illness in 1994. Since 1994 it has remained in a temperature-controlled bank vault located in Minnesota.
This piece of actual living history is the first documentation that the war in Europe had ended.
This could very well be the last will and testament to the greatest generation of Americans.
This is a tribute to all of the people who fought so valiantly to defeat the Nazi war machine.
The ticker tape goes on sale Friday, August 25th, 2006 at 9AM PDT on eBay with a starting price of $100,000 and the ability for interested parties to make a Best Offer. The listing runs for 10 days and ends September 3rd, 2006 at 9AM PST. It has an undisclosed reserve price, which is the minimum price for which the seller is willing to part with the item.
Additional information prior to the start of the eBay listing can be viewed by visiting <http://www.million-dollar-ebay-auctions.com/> . Once the listing starts on eBay you can find it by typing in the key words "world war two ticker tape collectible" or doing a search by the listing party's eBay ID, which is "RitaD1." Should the ticker tape sell for its assessed value, the sale would surpass the current most expensive item sold on eBay, which was a $4.9 million business jet, sold in 2001.
"This rare WWII item is rare and is sure to command a high price to the right person."
- Hadley Smith
Sotheby's Auction House, NY
"This item is very collectable and will do well at auction."
- Philip Weiss
Philip Weiss Auctions, Long Island, NY
"You have a very RARE and unique piece of memorabilia on your hands. This
is an important historical item."
- Elizabeth Bugbee
Christie's Auction House
New York, NY
New Royal Australian Navy Patrol Boats Named 'Broome' and 'Bundaberg'
Henderson WA August 27, 2006 - The Naming Ceremony for the eighth and ninth Armidale Class Patrol Boats to be launched was held today at the Austal shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. Fourteen patrol boats in total are to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy.
The 56-meter, all-aluminum monohull vessels were named "Broome" by Mrs Anne Zilko, daughter of ex crewmember Bill Ritchie (subsequently a Commander in the RAN), and "Bundaberg" by Dr Jocelyn Pixley, daughter of Lieutenant Commander Neville D Pixley RANR, Commanding Officer, HMAS Bundaberg.
The ceremony was attended by senior figures from the Royal Australian Navy, Department of Defense, Government and industry including The Hon. Christopher Ellison, as representative for the Minister of Defense, Chief of Defense Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders.
Speaking at the ceremony, Austal’s Executive Chairman, John Rothwell, marked the significance of the occasion and commented on the recent Royal Australian Navy contract announcement:
"Testament to the role and versatility of the patrol boats, Austal’s original contract to build 12 Armidale Class Patrol Boats was recently boosted by an order for an additional two boats."
RADM Trevor Ruting RAN, Head Maritime Systems Division, Department of Defense reinforced the successful partnership forged between customer and contractor:
"A real strength of this project has been the effective teaming of Austal, Defense Maritime Services and the Defense Materiel Organization to provide the Royal Australian Navy with new patrol boats to a unique Australian design optimized for Australian conditions."
The first HMAS Broome was commissioned in Brisbane in 1942. She commenced her career engaged on anti-submarine patrols and escort duties in the North Queensland area, following where she transferred to the north coast of New Guinea were she performed similar work in the Port Moresby and Milne Bay areas.
During January 1945 she returned to Australia for refit, followed by further service in New Guinea, after which she proceeded to Darwin where she joined the Royal Australian Navy Survey Group.
The original HMAS Bundaberg was named after the Queensland Coral Coastal Town. At the completion of her trials in October 1942 HMAS Bundaberg was assigned to operational duty as a convoy escort vessel on the east coast of Australia between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
From April to August 1944 she bombarded Japanese positions on Alim Island, took part in landings on Sek Island and gave general support to the campaign that ended with the capture of the Admiralties and the establishment of an Allied base at Manus Island in the Bismarck Archipelago.
Between the latter part of 1944 and mid 1945 Bundaberg spent her time on patrol and escort duties in New Guinea. In September 1945 she traveled to Borneo and took part in the recovery of Allied prisoners of war and was also present at Kuching for the official surrender of the Japanese forces.
St Louis August 28, 2006 - Boeing successfully displayed the capabilities of the Joint Tactical Radio System Ground Mobile Radios (JTRS GMR) during a recent demonstration to senior US government officials.
The demonstration showed that a critical element of the JTRS GMR program, the Wideband Networking Waveform, is compatible with common Internet-like multimedia services and can enable soldiers to communicate using these services in a tactical environment with dynamic network connectivity.
Boeing simultaneously integrated 10 commercial off-the-shelf Internet Protocol (IP) applications, including four streaming/live video signals, Windows NetMeeting, Speak Freely Voice over IP, Windows NetMeeting Whiteboard, Windows NetMeeting File Transfer Protocol, JPEG viewer and Windows NetMeeting Chat. Operating on the same GMR simultaneously, Boeing showed that the GMR Single Channel Ground -- Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) waveform supports interoperability by communicating with multiple current force radios.
"The demonstration of the JTRS GMR capabilities illustrates that the technology for this crucial resource is here now and is successfully being tested and integrated," said Ralph Moslener, Boeing JTRS GMR program manager. "Upon deployment, the capabilities of JTRS GMR will break down communication barriers for complete battlespace awareness that will provide secure, wireless voice, data, video and Internet-like capabilities on the move -- anytime, anywhere, with information assurance."
The Honorable Francis J. Harvey, Secretary of the Army, The Honorable Kenneth J. Krieg, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, The Honorable John R. Bolton, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, and Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attended the demonstration.
A Boeing-led, best-of-industry team that includes BAE Systems, Rockwell Collins and Northrop Grumman continues to provide JTRS GMR, a step-function in capability that will be a lifeline for soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines by providing secure information dominance on the battlefield. All services will have real-time information for increased battlefield awareness.
Stuart FL August 28, 2006 - Ecosphere Technologies, Inc., the Stuart, Florida-based technology innovation company for homeland security, marine, disaster relief and defense applications, announced today that it has shipped the initial M3500 Robotic Systems to begin coating removal services for BAE Systems Ship Repair in San Francisco, through its wholly owned subsidiary, UltraStrip Envirobotic Solutions. UltraStrip's robotic technology will begin performing high speed coating removal services to the shipyard's customers, including US Navy vessels, oil tankers, cruise ships, bulk carriers, and container ships as part of the five year agreement signed in February. The first ship scheduled for coating removal will be the USNS Henry J. Kaiser, a naval support ship.
BAE Systems Ship Repair is the US's leading non-nuclear ship repair, modernization, and conversion company. The company is focused on dry dock and ship repair services for the US Navy, other defense agencies, and commercial customers. It has major operations in Norfolk, San Diego, San Francisco, and Hawaii.
Dennis McGuire, Chief Executive Officer of Ecosphere Technologies commented, "We are excited to begin this partnership with BAE Systems and our patented robotic systems will provide BAE Systems with the best shipyard coating removal systems in the world. BAE Systems' choice of Ecosphere's high production, environmentally sensitive robotic systems is further recognition of the shipping industry's need to automate traditional coating removal processes with high production equipment that protects the environment and the health of shipyard workers."
UltraStrip Envirobotic Chief Operating Officer, John Odwazny stated, "BAE Systems' customers will appreciate the quality finish our equipment provides while meeting the customers' needs for quick turnaround times in the dry dock. Our robotic equipment will allow the surface preparation work to be completed simultaneously with other trades finishing their work and will contain all the hazardous paint material for proper disposal."
Ira Maybaum, president of BAE Systems Ship Repair in San Francisco stated: "We are pleased with the arrival of the UltraStrip robotic systems and this begins a new day in our shipyard. BAE Systems remains committed to giving our customers the best service possible and this new automated technology will give them the best coating removal service available anywhere in the world. The fact that we can also protect the environment, do other critical path work in close proximity while the robots are removing coatings, and have a dust free environment for our workers are just some of the advantages this system gives us."
Madrid August 28, 2006 - In a ceremony at the 24th Air Force Base in Krumovo, Bulgaria, in the presence of several Bulgarian and French officials, Eurocopter handed over the first Cougar helicopter to base commander General Stefan Petrov. This initial delivery follows the signature in January 2005 of a contract with the Bulgarian armed forces for the acquisition of 12 Cougar AS 532 AL and 6 Panther AS 565 MB helicopters for a total of 360 million Euros.
At the ceremony, General Petrov declared: "I am pleased to accept our fist COUGAR helicopter. We are convinced it will greatly improve the capabilities of the Bulgarian Air Force in national and international defense missions. This is the result of an outstanding cooperation with the EUROCOPTER teams, which have succeeded in respected all their commitments toward us."
The contract is the first of its kind in Bulgaria, since the Bulgarian forces until now have operated only Russian helicopters. It is a direct result of the reforms undertaken when Bulgaria became a member of NATO in March 2004. The Eurocopter helicopters that will be operated by the Bulgarian forces are interoperable with those used by NATO forces in Europe, most of which are equipped with helicopters of the same type. It will therefore be possible to deploy them to external theatres within the context of NATO or UN missions. The first East European country to acquire the Cougar was Slovenia in 2002, when it was preparing to join NATO.
Eurocopter developed a specially tailored training program to ensure that Bulgarian pilots would be able to make the transition from Russian to European helicopters in the best possible conditions.
Olivier Michalon, Eurocopter Senior Vice President Eastern Europe Sales & Marketing, who handed over this first Cougar, said: "For two years, dedicated teams from the Ministry of Defense, the Air Force and EUROCOPTER, have developed a partnership type relationship, and we are proud to have been entrusted and to have become a key contributor to their NATO interoperability efforts."
Delivery of the 18 helicopters, which starts today, will continue over 6 years. The Cougars will be delivered between 2006 and 2009, and the Panthers between 2010 and 2011.
The Cougars, which are destined for the Bulgarian Air Force, will be used for tactical transport (8 aircraft) and combat SAR missions (4 aircraft). The AL version of the Cougar can also be equipped with cannons and rocket launchers. These helicopters will also be used for parapublic missions: fire-fighting, evacuation from flood zones, mountain rescue, etc. More than 700 aircraft from the Super Puma/Cougar and EC 225/EC 725 family have been sold to 90 customers in 48 countries.
The 6 Panthers for the Bulgarian Navy will be used for maritime surveillance, SAR, anti-submarine and anti-surface missions. 164 customers in 59 countries have ordered 850 Dauphin/Panther/EC 155s.
Redondo Beach CA August 28, 2006 - Northrop Grumman Corporation's Space Technology sector has been recertified as meeting Level 5 standards for software development set by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) for Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI(r)), the highest possible rating for benchmarking commercial and defense industry best practices for management and engineering.
"This recertification achieved by the Space Technology sector underscores our commitment to process improvement," said Alexis Livanos, president of Northrop Grumman Space Technology. "We are completely dedicated to providing professional and world-class customer service by consistently setting new benchmarks in software development."
Livanos noted the recertification highlights additional progress made since Space Technology first achieved a CMMI Level 5 status two years ago. "Our team focused on a further successful push to be a continuous learning and improving organization," he added.
The recertification by the lead assessor, Norausky Process Solutions, Inc., examined quality processes and standards across the sector, including its programs, engineering, and production and supply chain organizations, and the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System program.
According to Vincent K. Warren, software specialist with the Defense Contract Management Agency, "The Northrop Grumman Space Technology sector has once again demonstrated its ability to utilize the CMMI processes for software as a leverage point for sustained organizational improvement. This type of consistent process improvement ensures that the sector maintains the highest maturity level in its software organization and promotes customer confidence."
Company wide, Northrop Grumman has achieved 25 CMMI(r) Level 5 ratings, more than any other defense or commercial company to date. This rating assures Northrop Grumman customers that the company is providing improved quality, greater productivity, and predictable program performance.
The Software Engineering Institute is a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the US Department of Defense through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. The Institute's core purpose is to help others make measured improvements in their software engineering capabilities.
The CMMI standard was developed by a coalition of industry, government and the Software Engineering Institute to objectively assess the full range of an organization's software and systems engineering, program management and organizational management capabilities. There are five levels of CMMI maturity, each a layer in the foundation for ongoing process improvement, designated by the numbers one through five with five being the highest. Higher maturity levels signify lower risks to successful program execution.
Los Angeles August 28, 2006 - Northrop Grumman Corporation has named Steven C. Babb and Malcolm S. Swift to vice presidents and assistant general counsel, effective immediately.
In his new role, Babb will be responsible for all legal advice relating to labor and employment law matters for Northrop Grumman. He will report to Lynne M.O. Brickner, vice president and assistant general counsel.
Babb joined Northrop Grumman in 1986 as senior staff counsel in labor and employment law. He most recently held the position of corporate director and senior corporate counsel with responsibility for delivery of all legal advice relating to labor and employment law matters throughout the company. Babb earned a bachelor's degree from Pomona College, Claremont, California, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California School of Law, where he was a member of the Southern California Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif.
Following law school, he clerked for US District Court Judge E. Avery Crary in the Central District of California and he worked in private practice and in private industry prior to joining Northrop Grumman. He has served as president of the California Employment Law Council and a member of the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section. He is a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.
Swift will serve as vice president and assistant general counsel for mergers and acquisitions. In this role, he will be responsible for all legal advice relating to mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and antitrust for Northrop Grumman. He will report to Stephen D. Yslas, vice president and deputy general counsel.
Swift joined the company in 1982 as senior staff counsel at the Aircraft Division, now a part of Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector. He was most recently responsible for delivery of all mergers, acquisitions and antitrust legal services to the corporation. Swift earned a bachelor's degree in government from the University of Redlands and a Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. He has completed executive education programs in finance and accounting at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. He is a native of Los Angeles.
McLean VA August 28, 2006 - US Customs and Border Protection, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a contract to provide border security surveillance for land ports of entry along the southwest US border. The pilot program will offer total operational security while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel.
As part of the contract, Northrop Grumman's Information Technology (IT) sector will design, develop, test, and install a surveillance solution to secure more than 40 official border crossings along the 1,900-mile US border with Mexico, from San Diego, Calif., to Brownsville, Texas. The company will also train personnel.
"Our team's past experience designing the DHS's security command center as well as our extensive work for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) installing similar security systems and command centers along the entire northern US border speaks to our ability to serve CBP effectively," said Wood Parker, president of Northrop Grumman IT's intelligence group.
Northrop Grumman will also design and implement four regional command centers to monitor security systems at each port of entry. These centers will allow designated personnel to survey port perimeters, secured areas, and the interactions between CBP personnel and the public at these critical facilities. The security solution includes surveillance, communications, video analytics, network and IT components, and data archival capabilities.
"Border security problems should be addressed with an integrated solution of processes, technology, infrastructure and rapid response capability, which will produce a comprehensive border protection system," said Tom Arnsmeyer, Northrop Grumman vice president and program manager. "Through our experience integrating large, complex programs, our integrated security solution for this contract will allow border agents to focus on what they do best: protecting our borders."
Northrop Grumman and its team will deliver a system that will identify potential threats at and to ports of entry; collect information through surveillance technologies; characterize and resolve threats through preventive measures and interdiction of cross border violations; tie sensing capabilities into a common operational picture, allowing surveillance of port activities at Customs Area Security Centers and other entry ports; and allow designated personnel to survey port perimeters, secured areas, and personnel interaction.
The contract is potentially valued at up to $33.7 million over five years, and was awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA) under the GSA Millennia contract.
Northrop Grumman's team includes New Technology Management, Inc., Reston, Va.; CLMS, LLC, Arlington, Va.; and GRW, Inc., Muskogee, Okla.
Waltham MA August 28, 2006 - Raytheon Company has named Richard Goglia Vice President - Treasury and Corporate Development, with specific responsibility for the company's merger and acquisition activities. This position represents an expansion of Goglia's prior responsibilities as Treasurer of Raytheon.
In his new corporate development role, Goglia succeeds Charles Stott, who will be supporting Goglia during the transition.
"Rich's experience will be exceptionally valuable to us in our business development efforts," said David C. Wajsgras, senior vice president and chief financial officer. "Rich will be building on the foundation that had been put in place by Charlie Stott, and we are grateful for Charlie's leadership in this area."
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World Naval News
Military Spending to Increase for Next Fiscal Year
Taipei August 24, 2006 - The government is planning to spend more money on the nation's military in the next fiscal year.
According to the annual budget for the next fiscal year that was approved on Wednesday during the weekly Cabinet meeting, total expenses are estimated at NT$1.66 trillion (US$52 billion). Of this, NT$1.51 trillion will be sourced from taxes.
Approximately NT$311.5 billion will be spent on the military, NT$70.9 billion more than in the previous fiscal year.
"Military spending increased by 29.5 percent because we need to make more purchases to replace outdated or non-functioning weapons and equipment," Cabinet Spokesman Cheng Wen-tsang said.
Cheng said that NT$86 billion would be allocated to fund technological development next year, NT$840 million more than this year.
As Premier Su Tseng-chang has made lowering the crime rate a priority, NT$82 billion will be spent for that purpose next year, NT$3.4 billion more than this year. A further NT$199 trillion will be spent on economic development.
In the meantime, Cheng also confirmed that salaries for public servants and government officials would not increase.
Cheng said that public servants and government officials have received 6 percent increases on two occasions in the past five years. By comparison, employees of private firms have received an average 4.7 percent increase during the same period.
Taipei August 24, 2006 - Japan is upset about the proximity of Taiwanese naval drills to Japanese territory, media reports said on Wednesday.
According to the reports, Taiwan's navy announced on the Internet that it would conduct training exercises in airspace and waters east of Yilan County -- near Japan's Yonaguni Island -- earlier this month.
Yonaguni, which is part of Okinawa Prefecture, is a mere 125 kilometers off the East Coast of Taiwan.
Both broadcast and print media reports said that the Japanese Foreign Ministry had asked Taiwan through the Japanese Interchange Association (JIA) to change the location of the military exercises.
The JIA is Tokyo's representative office in Taipei.
Some reports quoted unnamed Japanese Foreign Ministry officials as saying that Taiwan should have informed Japan in advance of its military training plans near Yonaguni Island.
According to a report in the Chinese-language China Times on Wednesday, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Keiichi lnamine was not happy that Taiwan's navy had carried out military drills in the vicinity of Okinawa. He said he wanted to prevent accidents like one last week in which a Russian patrol killed a Japanese fisherman and captured three others, saying their fishing boat had crossed into Russian waters.
Taiwan's representative to Okinawa, Chen Jyh-hong, was quoted in the same story as saying that his office so far had not received any related comments from the Okinawan authorities.
However, he added, it would be "inappropriate" for the governor to make a connection between the Russian shooting incident and Taiwanese naval drills.
Taiwan, by carrying out a drill in a designated area, did not violate international regulations, he said.
Meanwhile the nation's top military propagandist, Vice Admiral Sun Yi-cheng, director of the political warfare department at the Navy Command Headquarters, said the navy has never conducted training exercises in other countries' territorial waters.
He said that since the navy was unlikely to enter any foreign country's territorial waters, it need not serve prior notice to neighboring countries about its military training plans.
Moreover, the navy invariably releases its training schedules and the exact locations of the drills with sufficient explanations, graphics and illustrations, Sun said.
He said the Japanese might have misunderstood the data: "Questions raised by Japanese authorities might have arisen from [them] misreading our vector graphics."
Canberra August 24, 2006 - The Minister Assisting the Minister for Defense Bruce Billson will tomorrow (Friday) attend the presentation of the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) to 81 crew members of HMAS Ballarat at HMAS Stirling naval base in Western Australia.
The crew of Ballarat have recently returned from their six-month deployment in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation CATALYST. Mr Billson had the pleasure of visiting the crew on Ballarat when he visited the Middle East Area of Operation in April.
"I was privileged to see first hand the wonderful work the crew was doing in the Northern Persian Gulf to help protect our national interests. Their professionalism and dedication to their duty was quite inspiring," Mr Billson said.
Ballarat's role in the Middle East included protecting Iraq's offshore export oil terminals from the threat of maritime terrorism. Ballarat also provided essential engineering, technical and logistical support to the oil terminals.
Ballarat also assumed responsibility for a variety of other important tasks while in the North Persian Gulf, including monitoring, intercepting and boarding vessels suspected of illegally trafficking cargo. This role was of vital importance to the security and stability of the region.
Mr Billson said the successful completion of Ballarat's tasks and deployment is testament to the abilities, dedication and training of the ship's crew - and the Royal Australian Navy.
"Indeed, the outstanding work by Ballarat ensures that the proud heritage established by the original HMAS Ballarat, during World War Two, is continued today," he said
"The officers and sailors of Ballarat have represented their country admirably during their deployment and it was with great pleasure that I will attend the presentation of their medals to recognize their commitment and dedication."
Senior Naval Officer Western Australia, Commodore Richard Shalders, CSC, RAN, is to present medals to the crewmembers.
Boston August 23, 2006 - The United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Eagle will make a port visit to Halifax, NS, August 25-28. Local residents and visitors can tour the ship Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. as well as Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The USCGC Eagle will be berthed at the Cable Wharf jetty, south side.
The USCGC Eagle, commanded by Captain Chris Sinnett, is homeported at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. It is the only active commissioned sailing vessel in the US maritime services.
The USCGC Eagle is a three-masted Barque; its’ foremast and mainmast carry square sails and her mizzenmast carries fore-and-aft sails. The Eagle was built in 1936 in Germany and originally commissioned as Horst Wessel, one of three sail training ships operated by the pre-World War II German Navy. At the close of WWII, the United States took Horst Wessel as a war prize. It was recommissioned as the US Coast Guard Cutter Eagle and sailed to New London, Connecticut.
The USCGC Eagle now serves as a seagoing leadership laboratory for future officers of the US Coast Guard, the smallest but arguably the busiest of the US Armed Forces. The Eagle has a permanent crew of six officers and 55 enlisted personnel that maintain the ship. This crew provides a strong base of knowledge and seamanship for the training of up to 150 cadets or officer candidates at one time. The Eagle routinely sails with over 230 personnel on board offering future officers the opportunity to put into practice the navigation, engineering and other professional theories that they have previously learned in the classroom.
Washington August 25, 2006 (Xinhua) - US Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and his Russian counterpart Sergei Ivanov will meet in Alaska this weekend to discuss bilateral and international security issues.
Topics at the meeting include bilateral military relations, the Middle East situation, and the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, Pentagon spokesman Eric Ruff was quoted by US media as saying on Friday.
Rumsfeld's meeting with Ivanov, scheduled for Sunday, is part of his four-day trip to Alaska where he will also talk with family members of an Alaska-based brigade that has recently been ordered to extend its one-year service in Iraq.
Manila August 25, 2006 - Australia and the Philippines will sign a defense treaty that would allow joint military exercises between the two countries in six months, according to the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Tony Hely.
The negotiation on the Philippines-Australia Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) is nearing its completion, said the ambassador at a reception of Filipino journalists Thursday night.
He said the agreement would have to be submitted to the Philippine Senate for concurrence before it could take effect.
The Philippine Constitution prohibits the presence of foreign troops in the country unless covered by a treaty that is ratified by Congress.
Hely said the Philippine SOFA is similar to Manila's defense agreement with the United States, but will only involve a small number of Australian troops.
The envoy said the agreement would also provide policy support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in areas like logistics, acquisition policy and personnel policy.
The envoy stressed Australian troops will not engage in counter-terrorism training in the Philippines.
"Our involvement in counterterrorism is simply in capacity-building so we are helping, for example, the PNP (Philippine National Police) develop its law enforcement capacity. We are helping the Bureau of Immigration in documentation and training, not operation at all," he added.
In its bilateral overview, the Australian government described Philippines-Australia defense relations as "very strong" and based on friendly ties over many years, as well as common strategic interests in a secure, stable and prosperous region.
It also described Australia as the Philippines' second largest counter-terrorism partner after the United States.
Australia has recently provided 10 million Australian dollars (7.64 million US dollars) in assistance package to Manila that focused on building Philippine capacity in law enforcement, immigration, port security and transport security.
Brussels August 23, 2006 (Xinhua) - The Dutch parliament remains divided over Lebanon's request for a Dutch navy vessel for the UN peace mission in Lebanon, Dutch media reported Wednesday.
The Lebanese government put the request to Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot when he visited Beirut on Tuesday.
The request would probably mean a frigate with a crew of 150, according to Dutch media.
The conservative VVD, a ruling coalition partner, wants more details first about the disarmament of Hezbollah in south Lebanon, Radio Netherlands reported.
One VVD parliament member was quoted as saying that the Netherlands should not take part in a "mission impossible."
The ruling Christian Democrats were not particularly keen either. The party said this was a complex mission that would require great care and judgment.
The opposition Labor Party said sending a frigate was a possibility as long as the UN force had a solid mandate.
The government will discuss possible Dutch participation on Friday. No final decision is yet expected, according to De Telegraaf newspaper.
Dutch Defense Minister Henk Kamp said he is willing to give the proposal serious consideration in Friday's cabinet meeting, added the Trouw newspaper.
Bot will hold talks in Brussels with his colleagues from other European Union member states and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Friday about the peacekeeping force.
Lebanon is anxious to deploy an international naval unit to patrol the coast in an effort to prevent the illegal supply of arms to Hezbollah, a task currently carried out by Israel's navy with patrols along the coast.
The Netherlands has made clear that it would not commit ground troops to the UN mission as the country's armed forces are already tasked with various overseas deployments, primarily in Afghanistan.
Tehran August 24, 2006 (Xinhua) - Iranian and Romanian presidents have stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral relations as an oil rig dispute between companies of the two countries broke out, the official IRNA news agency reported Thursday.
In a telephone conversation Wednesday night, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Romanian counterpart Traian Basescu pointed to the friendly ties between the two nations and expressed readiness to expand relations in all fields, IRNA said.
The telephone call came after the Romanian oil company Grup Servicii Petroliere (GSP) announced on Tuesday that its Orizont oil rig in the Gulf was attacked and occupied by Iranian navy forces, which fired at the rig and searched the 20 Romanian and seven Indian oil workers at the rig.
In an indirect reference to the dispute, the two leaders said they believed it is quite natural that trade companies of Iran and Romania have minor differences.
Ahmadinejad and Basescu stressed that such differences would not damage good mutual relations, according to the IRNA report.
The Romanian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that its country sought diplomatic solutions to the oilrig dispute between the two countries' oil companies.
According to media reports, the Iranian servicemen had left the rig, but Iranian police officers were still aboard for inspections.
Romania's Rompres news agency reported that the Romanian Foreign Ministry had instructed the country's charge d'affaires in Iran to negotiate with Iranian officials on the dispute.
Iran's Ambassador to Romania, Ali Akbat Farazi, on Wednesday denied allegations about the attack, saying the rig was boarded by police, who arrived on ships to enforce a court order.
The police took ships because the crew did not allow a police helicopter to land on the rig earlier, he added.
The ambassador said that the Iranian authorities did not act against Romania as a country, but were only dealing with a commercial dispute between oil companies, also denying that the Iranian military had fired at the rig.
The incident came amid an ongoing dispute between GSP and Iran's Petroiran since last December when the two companies failed to extend a two-year contract, which allows transfer of six oil rigs in the Black Sea to the Gulf for oil and gas explorations.
A court ruled that GSP could not remove the oilrigs from the Gulf after Petroiran filed a lawsuit demanding two GSP rigs be remained in Iranian waters.
GSP, a private Romanian company established in 2004, operates six offshore rigs that it bought from Romania's largest oil company, Petrom.
Detect, Deter, Defend & Defeat - United States Contributions to Security/Anti-Terrorism
It's 3 o'clock in the morning, a pilot boat drifts in 12-foot seas near the harbor entrance to a US port waiting for an inbound container ship. On board that boat, besides the pilots, are members to the US Coast Guard's Vessel Boarding Security Team (VBST) and agents of the US Customs and Boarder Protection Agency (CBP) preparing to board the ship off shore. Their mission is to ensure the ship doesn't diverge from its intended course as it enters the port and to verify the identity of the crew on board. Intelligence from international sources and the vessels last ports of call has increased security concerns subjecting the vessel to greater scrutiny and enhanced security measures.
At the same time the Coast Guards Vessel Traffic System (VTS) office monitors radar screens and computer displays. The VTS personnel analyze and assess data from Automated Identification System (AIS) signatures, radar contacts and Advanced Notices of Arrival in an effort to maintain Maritime Domain Awareness and to verify all vessels in or approaching the port are cleared. An 87-foot Coast Guard Patrol boat from the local Coast Guard office or "Sector" stands ready to get underway to respond to unidentified contacts or suspicious vessels.
Closer to port, the crews aboard two 25foot armed small boats wait to escort the container ship to its berthing. These highly trained crews from the Coast Guard's elite Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSST) are well versed in tactics and procedures to ensure that no vessel approaches or threatens the inbound container ship.
While these boats wait to begin the escort, members of the local Coast Guard Sector's Port State Control Teams arrive at the facility at which the ship will moor. These inspection teams go aboard the ship and verify compliance with both the International Ship and Port Facility Code and the US Maritime Transportation Security Act.
During the container ship's transit through the harbor a passenger ferry passes by. Aboard the ferry are police officers from the local port authority and CG MSST explosive detection canine handlers. The two agencies randomly ride the ferries to screen passengers and belongings to prevent the introduction of explosives or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) into the maritime transportation system.
This scenario is repeated 365 days a year in the 360 ports throughout the United States. These efforts are in furtherance of the United State's National Maritime Anti-terrorism Strategy of Detect, Deter, Defend and Defeat. Each aspect of the strategy is a coordination of international, national, state and local resources to effect a layered defense. The layered defense begins in international ports and the high sea and continues to the littorals and finally into the ports and harbors of the US.
DETECT
Detection of potential threats to the United States is the most difficult phase of the national strategy. Detection begins with the US security information community overseas. The US Customs and Border Protection's Agency's Container Security Initiative (CSI), US Department of Energy's Mega ports program and the US State Departments Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) strive to detect dangerous cargoes, illegal immigrants and WMD before it leaves ports where vessels engaged in international voyages are served.
On the national level the Coast Guard's National Vessel Movement Center in West Virginia vets ship's crews and vessel port calls from submitted Advanced Notices of Arrival and the CBP National Targeting Center conducts a risk based analysis of vessel manifests to identify cargo to be inspected upon arrival in the US.
Locally the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Anti-terrorism Task Forces, the Coast Guard's Maritime Intelligence Fusion Centers (MIFC) and Field Intelligence Support Teams (FIST) collect and analyze information from field level personnel. This information comes from national, state and local law enforcement, port operators, vessel operators and local citizens to identify suspicious activities occurring in and around ports, terminals, waterways and critical infrastructure in order to disrupt the planning of a potential terrorist attack.
DETER
The object of deterrence is to make your port, your ship or your nation a difficult target for terrorists. The US Coast Guard has taken the lead for the United States in promoting deterrence among international trading partners with the creation of the International Port Security Program.
The Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA), the United States' legislation requiring implementation of the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code, mandated that the Coast Guard approach trade partners to share best practices in the implementation of the ISPS code overseas. There are International Port Security Liaison Officers (IPSLOs) assigned to 6 locations world wide, Portsmouth VA, Alameda CA, Tokyo, Rotterdam, Seoul, and Singapore. Each IPSLO is assigned a portfolio of nations in which to engage. Their responsibility is to learn how each respective nation has implemented the ISPS code and if needed, provide insights and guidance to improve security in a given port.
Domestically, MTSA requires US port facility and vessel operators to conduct vulnerability assessments, create security plans and to implement security measures at their facilities and on their vessels to deter potential attackers. Enforcement of the MTSA is the responsibility of the USCG. Coast Guard facility and vessel inspectors ensure training is conducted, security measures are in place and operational, and that policy and procedures are being followed.
A proactive deterrence that the Coast Guard is using is "randomization." Conducting random harbor patrols, recreational and commercial vessel boardings, facility patrols, helicopter over flights, passenger and cargo screening, and increased security measures are all conducted in coordination with local law enforcement to prevent predictability and deny potential attackers the ability to complete the planning phase of a terrorist attack.
DEFEND
If detection and deterrence have failed a well-planned strategic and tactical defense is required. September 11, 2001 was the first time since 1812 the US suffered an attack on the US mainland. That tragedy brought into focus the need to re-examine the requirements of domestic defense. On the strategic/national level the US government made several changes. In the realm of maritime security, the most significant change brought together civilian law enforcement and consequence management agencies from throughout the federal government to create a new Department of Homeland Security of which the US Coast Guard is a part.
Within US ports commercial facility operators, as required by MTSA, are responsible for the safety and security of their own facilities during times of low threat. During periods of heightened threat federal, state and local resources may be used to augment and at times assume responsibility for port security. In order to meet this need the Coast Guard created 13 MSSTs located in strategic ports throughout the US. These teams consist of highly trained law enforcement boarding personnel. They have been trained to use and have access to armed patrol boats, lethal and non-lethal defensive tactics, SCUBA equipment, underwater remote operated vehicles, radiation detection equipment and explosive detection canines. They work in conjunction with local police Special Weapons and Tactics Teams, FBI Hostage Rescue Teams, and Navy Special Forces to quickly thwart attacks and apprehend attackers.
DEFEAT
Defeating terrorism is an international problem. The US Coast Guard, Dept of Defense and other agencies work closely with nations throughout the world to develop awareness, enhance collaborative security and to provide technical assistance to increase the capabilities of Coast Guards and naval forces for the mutual benefit of making the entire maritime community safer.
The US's Global War on Terrorism is the outward most extension of this national strategy.
Engaging terrorist where they live, train, plan and supply eliminates their ability to plan and execute terrorist operations abroad. Partnership and diligence in this global war against terrorism in the world's ports and waterways is the quickest way to defeat the threat and disrupting the planning, surveillance and execution of an attack.
CONCLUSION
The United States, like other nations around the world, works every day to maintain the balance between safe, secure ports and the free trade that keeps the global economy moving. On average 7,200 foreign vessels make 72,000 port calls to the US each year. Each year over 25 million containers entering US ports bound for destinations throughout the country These numbers continue to increase making the task of securing the ports and waters an ever growing challenge. Through cooperation and partnership with international trade partners, federal state and local law enforcement, and the commercial shipping community the US Coast Guards strives to enact the principles of Detect, Deter, Defend and to inevitably Defeat the growing threat of global terrorism.
The SA Navy Appoints Second Female Admiral
Article and Photo by AB Dineo Maleka
To be a Flag Officer is one of the greatest aspirations of all officers in the SA Navy and it means even more for the females within the force. For many years the rank of Admiral was thought to be an unattainable rank for women. It took 82 years for the SA Navy to appoint its first female Admiral and another two years for the second one.
Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) [R Adm (JG)] Laura Jansen van Vuuren is the second female in the SA Navy to be appointed as an Admiral. What’s more significant about her appointment is that she is the First White Female Admiral. The SA Navy rejoices and applauds her on this great achievement.
R Adm (JG) Jansen van Vuuren is from Wynberg, in Cape Town. She matriculated in 1976 at Zwaanswyk High School in Retreat. She joined the SA Navy on the 10th of April in 1977, a date that she still remembers sharply. Her mother wanted her to become a teacher but with her father and brother already being in the SA Navy, she fell in love with the force and was motivated to join. After Basic Training she did her Communications course as a Junior Rating (Non-Commissioned Officer), on completion of the course she was stationed at the Communications Center at Silvermine. In 1979 she completed her Officers Course and her Bridge-Watch Keeping Training in 1980. She successfully completed the Junior Staff and Warfare Course in 1984 and the SA Army Senior Command and Staff Course in 2001. She also did the Executive National Security Program (ENSP) in 2005. She has served in the Mine Countermeasures Flotilla, Commander Naval Operations West, Naval Head Quarters and Joint Operations.
R Adm (JG) Jansen van Vuuren joined the SA Navy in the era of SWANS (South African Women’s Auxiliary Naval Services). As a Swan you were only allowed to work in shore establishments and you also formed a support base for all the ships that went to sea. No females were appointed to operational posts. Even though the situation was as it is, the Admiral never lost hope. She said at that time to be a Commander was seen as the highest privilege and for her, wearing the ‘brass Cap’ was a goal that she wanted to achieve.
Today R Adm (JG) Jansen van Vuuren holds the position of Director Equity Strategic Direction at Defense Head Quarters. Her duties involve addressing gender concerns, equity, affirmative action, disability issues and Equal opportunity in the South African National Defense Force (SANDF). Her new appointment is a challenge, which she says she will positively tackle by bringing her years of great experience, hard work and commitment to the fore. When asked about her feelings on being the First White Female Admiral, this was her response "I feel honored to be in such a position, in a time where the SA Navy is so diversified the Chief of the SA Navy indeed showed that there is place for every one in the SA Navy."
Through out the years the Admiral has grown to love the SA Navy so much that it has become part of life. She was there when women were not granted the opportunities presented to them today and she feels proud that there are females serving at sea and even more so for those that are Officers Commanding of ships. The Admiral is grateful for her new role in the SANDF but her dream, is still to be appointed as the SA Navy Director of Maritime Warfare.
She stated firmly that any woman can reach her goals. "Women must not believe that they can’t, they must change the ‘can’t’ into I will and I can" these are the Admiral’s words of encouragement to the females within the SA Navy. Her Motto is that women can make a difference, she believes that with perseverance, determination, hard work and dedication, women can take themselves to "greater heights."
The Admiral is married to Lou and has two sons, Robin (21) and Paul (14).
R Admiral (JG) Laura Jansen van Vuuren: a mother and a woman making the SA Navy proud.
Taipei August 24, 2006 (DPA) - Taipei- Taiwan has taken delivery of the last two of a purchase of four Kidd-class destroyers from the United States, a newspaper said Friday. The two destroyers, coded Tsoying and Makung, will leave Saturday on a journey from the US to Taiwan to join the Taiwan Navy, the Liberty Times quoted an unnamed military source as saying.
The paper said that though the Kidd-class destroyers are the largest warships in the Taiwan Navy, they also pose big problems because they must return to the US for repairs, as Taiwan does not have large wharves.
The destroyers are part of a 610-billion-Taiwan-dollar (18.2- billion-US-dollar) arms sale approved in 2001 by US President George W Bush.
The sale includes six PAC-3 anti-missile systems, eight diesel submarines and 12 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft.
Taiwan took delivery of the first two Kidd-class destroyers and commissioned them in December.
The 9,600-tonne Kidd-class destroyer can sail at 32 nautical miles per hour. Its radar has a search range of 400 kilometers, while its anti-aircraft missiles have a range of 150 kilometers.
Although the Kidd-class destroyers have boosted Taiwan's defenses against China, Taiwan faces a growing military threat from China - one of the largest military powers in the world.
China has 50 submarines - including eight Russian-made diesel- electric subs - compared to Taiwan's four.
On Wednesday, Taiwan's Internet newspaper ETToday.com reported that China had taken delivery of a fourth Sovremenny-class destroyer from Russia, and it would pass through the Taiwan Strait in a few days.
As the Sovremenny-class destroyers pose a threat to Taiwan and the US, both the US Navy and Taiwan Navy will closely monitor the warship's passage through the Taiwan Strait, ETToday said.
Taipei August 23, 2006 (DPA) - China has taken delivery of a fourth Sovremenny- class destroyer acquired from Russia, and it will pass through the Taiwan Strait in a few days, a Taiwan report said Wednesday. ETToday.com newspaper, quoting an unidentified military source, said China had taken delivery and China's East Sea Fleet would escort the destroyer through the Taiwan Strait to its home base.
The Taiwanese and US navies were keeping a close eye on the vessel. "The US Seventh Fleet has come to the Taiwan Strait to monitor the Sovremenny destroyer's passing through the Taiwan Strait," the source added.
The Sovremenny destroyers are the latest boost to the Chinese Navy's fleet, after China's introduction of eight Russian-made Kilo- class diesel-electric submarines.
Under a 1996 agreement, China bought two Sovremenny destroyers and in 2002 signed a 1.4-billion-US-dollar contract for two more. China took delivery of the third Sovremenny destroyer at the end of 2005.
Each is equipped with eight supersonic 3M-80E Moskit SS-N-22 Sunburn (sea skimming) and two SA-N-7 launchers. The Sovremenny class was constructed primarily for surface operations.
The displacement of this class exceeds that of any other Chinese surface warship by at least 50 per cent, indicative of the overall improvement in combat potential, naval sources said. The steam turbine used in the main engine suits extended high-speed voyages.
Pearl Harbor August 25, 2006 - Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Dr. Donald C. Winter visited Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard (PHNSY) Aug. 21 to discuss shipyard operations with senior leadership and tour the historic facility. It was part of Winter’s first Pacific visit since he took office in January. The Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment, Mr. B.J. Penn, joined Winter and others during the visit.
Following his shipyard visit, Winter told media representatives the Navy is "committed" to maintaining Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. The shipyard was considered for inclusion in the July 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, but Winter stated that, "BRAC is history as far as I am concerned."
In his meetings with managers and waterfront workers, Winter praised the shipyard on its ability to support the Fleet and the ongoing initiatives to improve performance. He also emphasized the need for Pearl Harbor to further leverage the best practices of other shipyards.
"What you are all about is readiness," said Winter, during the roundtable discussion with shipyard leaders. "I wish we could predict who we’re going to fight, when and where. But we can’t, so we need to reduce the amount of time our ships are in shipyards for long-term availabilities."
Winter acknowledged a current, "very intense" work period now with jobs such as submarine overhauls, and predicted, "a lot of good work planned in the out years" for the shipyard.
"Secretary Winter showed great interest in our shipyard and our workers during his visit," said shipyard Commander Capt. Frank Camelio. "He was well aware that we have a steady and challenging workload in the coming years, so his direction to us was clear: we have to improve our efficiency and revitalize our workforce to meet that challenge."
Shipyard leaders discussed other command issues and challenges with Winter, as well as actions being taken to address them.
Following the leadership discussion and shipyard tour, Winter commented, "The shipyard is largely a World War II-era facility supporting a 21st century Fleet." He noted that the Navy must be mindful of the historic legacy of the shipyard, but can not allow historic preservation concerns to impede efforts to modernize this strategically important facility. Some of the shipyard’s most valuable waterfront maintenance real estate includes unusable –but historic–buildings.
Following the leadership discussion, Winter presented a graduation diploma to engineer Eugene Young for recently earning Navy/American Society for Quality Certification (Black Belt) in "Lean Six Sigma" process improvement. Young is one of the first in the Navy to pass this rigorous certification test.
During the shipyard tour, Winter stopped at Dry Dock 1 to meet waterfront workers who were instrumental in streamlining the installation of hull tiles during a recent Lean event. Shipyard Wood and Plastics Shop supervisor Renny Akina explained how the improved process generated potential first-year savings of $415,000, with $215,000 a year in labor saved every year thereafter.
During the leadership discussion, Matt Hamilton, Metal Trades Council president, discussed the shipyard’s successful "Moonshine" initiative as another approach to process improvement, sponsored by the labor organization. Hamilton noted that the SECNAV is a strong advocate of Lean, process improvement, and personnel safety.
Winter stopped in Hawaii on his way to Guam, Japan and Okinawa.
In addition to the shipyard, he visited other Navy and joint commands, as well as Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle and congressional staff offices on Oahu.
Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard is the largest industrial employer in the state of Hawaii, with more than 5,000 employees and, in fiscal year 2005, a more than $550 million impact on the state economy. Strategically located in the mid-Pacific Ocean, PHNSY is a full-service naval shipyard and regional maintenance center for the US Navy’s surface ships and submarines.
Beijing August 25, 2006 (EPD) - Bigger, faster, stronger: That is the plan for the updated offshore rescue system unveiled by China Rescue and Salvage Bureau yesterday.
Operational by 2010, the new system will mean rescue vessels will be able to reach any spot within 50 nautical miles (92.6 kilometers) of the coast in two and a half hours, cutting reaction time by an hour from present.
Helicopters will be able to search for and rescue targets at night, expanding the offshore search radius from 110 to 260 nautical miles (204 to 482 kilometers).
Also, rescuers will be able to salvage ships weighing 50,000 tons.
The bureau revealed the measures, to be taken in its 11th Five Year plan (2006-10), at a press conference yesterday in Beijing to mark the 55th anniversary of its establishment.
According to the plan, new rescue vessels will be purchased to build a fleet of 56 rescue tugboats with different sizes and functions.
"The fleet should be able to set off and carry out effective rescue work in heavy seas," said Song Jiahui, head of the bureau.
In 1999, the nation was shocked by the death of 282 people aboard the ship Dashun, which capsized in the Bohai Sea in strong winds.
"Our rescue ships were there by the side of Dashun, but were unable to help the ship and passengers because of our poor equipment and rescue level," said Song.
"Seeing so many lives lost has driven us to carry out a reform of the rescue and salvage system," he said.
Started in 2004, the reform has so far seen good results. In May, the country's rescue workers saved more than 330 Vietnamese fishermen from the fury of Typhoon Chanchu.
The bureau dispatched four rescue vessels and one helicopter for the 17-day mission. They searched through an area of more than 200,000 square kilometers, and found 22 Vietnamese fishing boats.
Currently the bureau has 180 vessels and nine helicopters. More than 8,000 people are employed in 20 rescue bases along the coast.
In the past three years, the bureau has saved more than 9,000 people, including 1,362 foreigners.
It has helped at least 458 ships, including 85 foreign ships, out of danger.
Furthermore, the bureau has salvaged the wreckage of 33 sunken boats, including five foreign boats.
Washington August 25, 2006 - The US Navy will commission the USS Texas, second ship of the Virginia attack submarine class, Sept. 9, during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony at the Port of Galveston piers in Galveston, Texas.
As the Navy's next-generation attack submarine, the Virginia-class submarine is the first class specifically designed to counter post-Cold War threats, providing the Navy with the capabilities required for safeguarding the nation’s interests in the 21st century.
Texas has improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that enable it to meet the Navy's multimission requirements. With a modular design, Texas along with its other sister submarines of the Virginia class, will be able to accommodate technology upgrades throughout its life.
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Laura Bush, first lady of the United States, serves as the ship’s sponsor. In the time-honored tradition of commissioning US naval ships, she has been invited to give the order to "man our ship and bring her to life!"
This is the fourth ship of the Navy to carry the name Texas since the original ship was commissioned in 1895. The second USS Texas (BB 35) was a battleship, which took part in both World Wars. The most recent ship named Texas was a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser (CGN 39), which was decommissioned in 1977.
Texas can attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters and other sea forces. Texas also has superior anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare capabilities, is able to provide special forces delivery and support, and can conduct mine delivery and minefield mapping. With enhanced communications connectivity, Texas will also provide important joint task force support and full integration into strike and expeditionary group operations.
Capt. John Litherland, a 1982 graduate of the University of Washington in Seattle, will become the first commanding officer of the ship, leading a crew of approximately 134 officers and enlisted sailors. Texas will be homeported in Groton, Conn., as a unit of the US Atlantic Fleet.
Texas is 377 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 34 feet, a navigational draft of 32 feet, displaces approximately 7,800 tons submerged, can dive to depths greater than 800 feet, and can sustain speeds of more than 25 knots when submerged.
The ship is also designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship – reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.
The superior capabilities of Texas and other Virginia-class submarines will help ensure the Navy maintains undersea dominance well into the 21st century.
Avondale LA August 25, 2006 - Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) here invited the media to witness the progress being made on the amphibious transport dock ship New York (LPD 21) in mid-Aug.
As the ship nears 50 percent completion, the most unique characteristic of the ship construction process is that the bow stem was formed using steel from the World Trade Center (WTC).
In August 2005 NGSS finished construction of the bow stem. Hoisting and welding the 7.5-metric ton bow stem to the ship was completed in August 2006.
"It’s a tremendous feeling," said Capt. Bill Galinis, Navy program manager for LPD 21. "It’s a tie that will forever bind the Sailors and Marines who sail this ship with the citizens of New York."
The idea for using steel from the WTC as part of the ship's frame could not be attributed to any one individual or organization. However, New York Gov. George Pataki worked to acquire the steel and deliver it to the Amite Foundry and Machine, Inc., Amite, La., as a gift from the citizens of New York to the Navy. The steel was treated and smelted for use as the ship’s bow stem (Unit 1120) during construction.
The bow stem is the foremost portion of the ship where it cuts through the water and offers hull integrity.
"The significance of where the WTC steel is located on the 684-foot-long ship symbolizes the strength and resiliency of the citizens of New York as it sails forward around the world," said Cmdr. Quentin King, Navy program manager representative on site. "It sends a message of America becoming stronger as a result, coming together as a country and ready to move forward as we make our way through the world."
The design of New York and its sister ships directly reflects considerations given to the day-to-day activities of the Sailors and Marines who will serve aboard.
According to Galinis, Navy and Marine Corps teams came together in the early stages of the design process with ideas regarding improvements in berthing, messing spaces, increased training capabilities and the installation of a ship wide area network (SWAN).
Another innovation is how Sailors and Marines move throughout the ship.
"Electronically, we took the average Marine in full battle gear and ran them through the passageways of a three-dimensional model," said Woody Oge, site director of New Orleans Operations, NGSS. "In that program we highlight in red everything he hits, and what we found in the initial design was we had to do some slight tweaking of piping system and power distribution or move certain systems, so we have a Marine move through the passageways unencumbered. This was done throughout the ship."
"We had to realize early on it’s the Sailor and Marine who uses the ship [and they] are our customers," continued Oge. "If we can make it a better facility for him to perform his mission, then we have done our job, and I think we have."
In a ceremony Sept. 7, 2002, then Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England declared the fifth amphibious transport dock ship of the San Antonio class to be named New York.
In keeping with the ship’s official motto of "Never Forget," amphibious transport dock ship New York is slated for commissioning at its namesake city of New York in fall of 2008. Her homeport will be in Norfolk, Va.
Ketchikan AK August 25, 2006 - Navy Region Northwest Sailors, local politicians and business leaders gathered at the Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility (SEAFAC) near Ketchikan, Alaska, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Aug. 22, marking the completion of the first of two phases of upgrades to the facility.
"The United States has been at the forefront of submarine stealth for the past 50 years," said Rear Adm. William Timme, deputy commander for Undersea Warfare Naval Sea Systems Command. "Through superior engineering and testing at facilities like SEAFAC, our submarines remain unmatched in the world. Submarine designers and builders have learned from acoustic experimentation and testing, and applied those lessons learned to new platforms."
Originally begun in 1991, SEAFAC measured the sounds a submarine made as it piloted between acoustic measurement arrays and tracking hydrophones.
In 1994, hydrophones were used to measure sounds the boats made without propulsion, such as air conditioning, circulation and refrigeration systems, and various seawater pumps. SEAFAC’s static site system holds the submarine in place with four suspension cables, lowers it approximately 400 feet for testing and then raises it to the surface.
"The previous process used to take three to four weeks to measure the submarines, because we had to worry about weather," said Robert Kollars, director of Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division’s Bremerton Detachment. "The wind and rain would create surface noise that interfered with our measurement. Now the sensors are more focused to the submarines and take only a day."
Kollars added the new facility is quicker and more convenient for the submarines and also more sensitive, so that the newest and quietest submarines can be measured. Before, they only tested Los Angeles and Ohio classes of submarines; now, using the new array of equipment, the Seawolf and Virginia classes may be tested.
Starting in January of 2003, organizations from around the country contributed to the upgrades of SEAFAC. The first of a two-phase process included measurements of Los Angeles- and Ohio-class subs, culminating in a five-day test with the Seawolf-class USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23). The first phase improved the static site system and finished in June 2006. The second phase entails improving the underway site and will be completed by August 2007.
"The biggest surprise to me was the number of different organizations that pulled together to ensure the modifications were successful," said Rear Adm. William French, commander, Navy Region Northwest. "Different organizations, both inside and out of the Navy, specifically contractors from SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation), were effective in making sure we met the timeline to produce the capabilities we needed here."
The sites consist of two barges that sit in the western arm of Behm Canal. Kollars said because of the unique protected fjord environment and local mountains providing isolation, the location is beneficial for testing.
"This equipment is critical for us to continue to monitor our submarines stealth capabilities," said French. "Without stealth, submarines utility for serving the Navy strike force would be severely limited. What SEAFAC brings is the ability to continually monitor our submarines’ stealth and that key element has the ability to directly affect the mission."
Washington August 25, 2006 - Max Mayfield, long-time director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., will retire at the end of the year after 34 years of federal service. Mayfield said he wishes to spend more time with his wife and family, which has been very limited during the last two record-setting hurricane seasons.
"I made this difficult decision knowing that the team here at the National Hurricane Center is the best there is," said Mayfield. "They’re at the top of their game, and I’m confident whoever takes my place can count on the support of the most dedicated team in the hurricane forecasting business. The team’s performance during the last two years – certainly the busiest in my career – has been exemplary, and I am very proud of that… and them."
"The entire nation will miss Max Mayfield’s extraordinary leadership, expertise and service when he takes his well-deserved retirement from the National Hurricane Center," said Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. "As a dedicated forecaster and a voice of calm during hurricane storm seasons, he helped save lives and property. We thank him and wish him well."
Mayfield also said he’s given considerable notice to NOAA and National Weather Service leadership so they can begin the process of finding a successor and coordinate a seamless transition.
"I thank Max for his many years of service to America and for giving us this long-term notice," said Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., US Navy (Ret.), under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "Max is a national treasure… his calm, reassuring presence on TV has helped millions of Americans prepare for potentially deadly storms, and has helped saved countless lives."
"Max will close out 34 years of exemplary service to the Federal government on a high note," said Brigadier General D.L. Johnson US Air Force (Ret.), assistant administrator for the National Weather Service. "Max is a hard act to follow, but we will work very hard over the next several months to find a suitable successor… one who shares his passion and dedication to the mission."
In 2007 NOAA, an agency of the US Department of Commerce, celebrates 200 years of science and service to the nation. Starting with the establishment of the US Coast and Geodetic Survey by Thomas Jefferson in 1807, much of America’s scientific heritage is rooted in NOAA. The agency is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather- and climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation, and by providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 60 countries and the European Union to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.
London August 25, 2006 - Over 80 students from the Defense School of Health Care Studies will join together on Tuesday 29th August for a parade at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield. The parade marks the completion of their training and is the largest parade of its kind ever held.
Media are invited to attend and film the parade and RAF flypast (two Jaguar GR3 aircraft). There will be opportunities afterwards to interview selected Defense nurses, biomedical scientists, radiographers and operating department practitioners. The salute will be taken by Major General Lillywhite, who is soon to be the new Surgeon General on promotion. Interviews with Major General Lillywhite will be available on request.
It is the first time that radiographers and biomedical scientists will be present alongside nurse colleagues to commemorate their achievements after four years of study.
Vladivostok August 26, 2006 (Itar-Tass) - Russia’s Navy will get new ships and submarines from 2009, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said.
Starting from 2009, "we expect the Russian Navy to receive frigates and corvettes of a new generation, as well as nuclear-powered missile-carrying and general-purpose submarines," Ivanov said in Vladivostok after a meeting at the Pacific Fleet headquarters on Saturday.
"Some of them will be turned over to the Pacific Fleet," he added.
In his words, the Pacific Fleet "carries out all of its missions with some strain because its ships are not in proper shape."
"These problems are addressed in the government defense contracts for this and next years and in the state armaments program up to 2015," he said.
"I do hope that expenditures on the modernization of the army and navy in 2007 by the Defense Ministry alone will exceed 40 percent and continue to grow to the 50-50 ratio, where 50 percent of funds will go into the maintenance of the Armed Forces and 50 percent into their rearmament," the minister said.
He stressed that the Pacific Fleet was ensuring Russia’s military security and national interests along a 13,000-kilometre state border from the Bering Strait to Vladivostok in the Pacific, Indian, and Arctic oceans.
One of its missions is to protect Russia’s bio resources, he added.
The fleet has more than 80 warships of different classes.
Naples August 28, 2006 - Thursday morning, 25th August 06 the US frigate USS Boone, while patrolling the Mediterranean south of the Spanish coastline, intercepted a drug-smuggling speedboat en-route from Algeria to Spain. The crew abandoned its cargo when the USS Boone was sighted and entered Algerian territorial water. The USS Boone confiscated five packages of marijuana weighing 90 kilograms.
A few hours later, near the same location, the USS Boone encountered two small rubber boats in apparent distress. The USS Boone approached the boats and found 26 people on board. A Spanish Coast Guard vessel intervened to assist and rescued all 26 passengers, taking them ashore.
The USS Boone is part of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) and is currently participating in OPERATION ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR.
The Allied Component Maritime Commander, Vice Admiral Roberto Cesaretti, who is responsible for the operation, sent his congratulations to the crew via the military code "Bravo Zulo" and stressed the importance of this operation. Operation Active Endeavor is NATO's maritime contribution to the fight against terrorism. Launched in October 2001, it continues to conduct surveillance and monitoring operations of the major shipping lanes in the Mediterranean.
Tehran August 28, 2006 (MENA) - Exports of Iran's defense products show a 17 percent rise during the current Iranian year (started March 21, 2006), Iranian Minister of Defense Mostafa Mohammad Najjar told IRNA on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion of the annual national 'Government Week', marked in Iran on August 24-30, the minister said government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has enjoyed "remarkable achievements" in the field of defense industries during its year-long term in office.
He added that the investment made in the field of key defense industries and technologies went up by 55 percent in the said period.
As for the major defense projects carried out by Iranian experts, Najjar referred to design and production of various defense products including new generation of unmanned planes as well as improvement of aircraft's wing and fuselage and production of electronic systems, engines and parts of 20 transportation planes.
Islamabad August 28, 2006 (APP) - Pakistan and Bangladesh have expressed the desire to further strengthen bilateral cooperation particularly in the area of defense.
This was discussed during a meeting held here Monday between Senior Federal Minister and Minister for Defense, Rao Sikandar Iqbal, and the visiting Chief of Naval Staff of Bangladesh Navy, Rear Admiral M Hasan Ali Khan.
Both sides reviewed the existing relations between the two countries and emphasized the need for greater interaction and cooperation between the two Navies.
The Minister told the visiting dignitary that Pakistan attached greater importance to its relations with Bangladesh and wanted to further enhance military to military relations between the two countries.
The Chief of the Naval Staff of Bangladesh Navy briefed the Minister about the Bangladesh Navy and expressed satisfaction over the existing relations with Pakistan Navy.
He also expressed his desire to enhance these relations further in the field of training, exchange of visits at all levels and cooperation in shipbuilding.
The Minister offered his support and assured the delegation that all the issues raised will be handled on priority.
The meeting was also attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Defense, Major ® Tanveer Hussain Syed, Rear Admiral Tanveer Faiz, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defense and Bangladesh High Commissioner of Pakistan, F.A. Shamim Ahmed.
Rawalpindi August 28, 2006 (APP) - Rear Admiral Mohammad Hasan Ali Khan, Chief of Naval Staff, Bangladesh currently on an official visit to Pakistan called on Vice Chief of Army Staff, General Ahsan Saleem Hyat at the General Headquarters on Monday.
He remained with him for some time and discussed matters of professional interest.
Moscow August 28, 2006 (Interfax) - The military prosecutor's office considers that Russian border guards, who fired warning shots in detaining a Japanese fishing vessel near the Kurils, acted legally.
"A check showed that the border guards' actions were legal. A recommendation has been made to refuse opening a criminal case against the border guards, because no crime was committed," Chief Military Prosecutor Sergei Fridinsky told Interfax on Monday.
Severomorsk August 28, 2006 (Interfax) - Two sailors from the Russian Northern Fleet have been hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning following a fire on board the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, the Fleet's press spokesman Captain First Rank Vladimir Navrotsky told Interfax on Monday.
"Consumables in the equipment storage room caught fire due to a short circuit at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. the fire was extinguished by the ship's emergency-rescue team," he said.
"The sailors' condition is satisfactory and they will be discharged tomorrow," the spokesman said.
Honolulu August 28, 2006 - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration broke ground today for its Pacific Regional Center on historic Ford Island in Pearl Harbor. The new center will bring together multiple NOAA operations currently scattered throughout the island of Oahu.
The move to Ford Island will result in improved operations and mission performance as well as longer-term operational savings. The consolidation will also provide greater synergy and integration across the agency and improve delivery of products and services in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.
"NOAA's plan to develop the Pacific Regional Center facility on Oahu is a physical representation of the continued collaboration between NOAA and the state of Hawaii to support essential atmospheric and oceanic programs and missions," said US Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony.
"With this important step, NOAA makes a concrete investment in Hawaii's future that mirrors its daily contributions to the health and prosperity of our home through a broad spectrum of programs -- from forecasting hurricanes and tsunami, to the management of our fisheries, to the education of our keiki, our children. This $250 million project will help to grow Hawaii's economy through construction jobs today, while ensuring the foundation for Hawaii as one of tomorrow's world ocean centers," added Inouye.
"I would like to thank Senator Inouye for his leadership in developing a new Pacific Regional Center facility on Oahu and for his continued support of NOAA. The requirements for this facility are as diverse as our mission and Ford Island is the ideal site," said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher Jr., Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.
The Ford Island site consists of an approximately 30-acre parcel on federally owned property. The proposed NOAA facility will be able to support NOAA's 500 current employees and contractors, and expected future growth. Pier facilities enable NOAA to fully consolidate ship operations as well as seawater operations, laboratory and office space. NOAA will operate three ships from the facility -- the Ka'imimoana, Oscar Sette, and Hi'ialakai.
The Ford Island site provides NOAA no-cost federal land for development, substantial cost savings due to major water and sewer infrastructure investments already being implemented by the Navy as part of its Ford Island Master Development project, and a workable balance between public accessibility and a secure facility.
The NOAA development will feature preservation elements to restore World War II-era buildings that will be adapted for NOAA use. NOAA is working closely with the Navy's historic preservation advisory committee to ensure that this project complies fully with historic preservation and adaptive re-use guidelines. The entire complex will be redeveloped as an environmentally sustainable, state-of-the-art facility that will meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) "Gold" certification standards.
Integrity of the location against weather and sea conditions was also a major consideration. According to Hawaii State Civil Defense, the Ford Island site is located outside of the tsunami evacuation area, as defined by the Civil Defense Agency, due to its location within Pearl Harbor. Historic data for Pearl Harbor, with its narrow entry, indicate that maximum surge run-ups in Pearl Harbor were low. This was corroborated by a new NOAA tsunami modeling study for Pearl Harbor released on August 25, 2006.
NOAA is partnering with the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), based in Hawaii, which is providing local support for construction project management. NAVFAC is also providing design and construction services through contractors in support of the project.
In 2007 NOAA, an agency of the US Commerce Department, celebrates 200 years of science and service to the nation. Starting with the establishment of the US Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1807 by Thomas Jefferson, much of America's scientific heritage is rooted in NOAA. The agency is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation, and by providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 60 countries and the European Commission to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts, and protects.
Washington August 28, 2006 - US Customs and Border Protection announced today the award of a contract with Northrop Grumman Corporation to expand the Border Security Development Program (BSDP) to ports of entry along the southern US border.
The BSDP, which is fully deployed at more than 124 land ports of entry along the Northern Border, provides a multi-faceted surveillance and intrusion detection system for land ports of entry. The newly awarded contract includes the enhancement of current capabilities by piloting new technologies, including digital imagery, motion detection, and remote monitoring capabilities.
This new suite will incorporate not only the perimeter surveillance capabilities already operational on the northern border, but also additional capabilities within the port interior into an integrated surveillance package.
"This pilot program is another investment in DHS' Secure Border Initiative and an adjunct to the SBInet acquisition, responsible for integrating personnel, technology, infrastructure and rapid response capability into a comprehensive border protection system," says Kirk Evans, Acting Executive Director for the CBP SBI Program Management Office (PMO). "The pilot will be evaluated and based on performance results, may be integrated into the SBInet solution set," Evans said. "The SBInet contract award remains scheduled for September 2006."
Northrop Grumman's award of the BSDP acquisition was made through a competitive task order competition under GSA's Millennia Government-wide Acquisition Contract.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of US laws.
Tehran August 28, 2006 (TDN) - Iran test-fired a long-range, radar-evading missile on Sunday from a submarine in the Gulf as part of wargames that began earlier this month, state television reported.
The missile was called Sagheb, which means Piercing, but the report did not give the missile's range.
"Minutes ago it was launched from a submarine in the Persian Gulf and it hit the target," television reported.
Western nations have been watching developments in Iran's missile capabilities with concern amid a standoff over the country's nuclear program, which the West says is aimed at building atomic bombs. Iran says the program is only civilian.
Iran's military also held wargames in the Gulf in April. Those exercises were interpreted by analysts as a thinly veiled threat that Iran could disrupt vital oil shipping lanes if pushed by an escalation in the nuclear dispute.
A navy admiral, named only as Kouchaki, told state television the missile had been designed and produced in Iran.
"It can be installed and launched by Iran's navy. It is a long-range missile, with a very high speed and destructive power. It is also radar evading," he said.
The Islamic Republic has three aging Kilo-class diesel-electric Russian submarines and also builds midget submarines. The Sagheb is listed as an air defense missile by the Nuclear Threat Initiative Web site (www.nti.org).
Military analysts say Iran often exaggerates its abilities, They argue that its military equipment is outmoded and that new missiles Iran claims to have produced are often modified versions from other countries such as North Korea.
But they also say Iranian forces could, if pushed, cause havoc in shipping lanes in the Gulf, even if they would be no match in any conventional confrontation with the high-tech forces of the US and other navies operating in the area.
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