Arthur K. Cebrowski

On September 26, 2005, DID ran an article that covered Vice-Admiral (ret.) Arthur Cebrowski’s pivotal role in the Pentagon’s Office of Force Transformation, and the OFT’s future after his resignation due to illness earlier this year. Their recent net-centric warfare case studies effort seemed like a promising start.

DID regrets to inform our readers that Arthur K. Cebrowski passed away on Nov. 12, 2005, after a life of exceptional service and leadership. He was 63 years old.

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On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, the guns ceased. Today, the British Commonwealth countries remember those who came before, and those who came after, and all who have given in their nation’s service. Americans know this day as Veteran’s Day, and a number of European countries know it as Armistice Day.

On this day, DID offers background and worthy official sites related to Remembrance Day and Veteran’s Day. Readers may be interested in seeing the slight differences as well as the similarities – gaining new perspectives which may come in handy in project, liaison, or foreign posting situations.

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...And more will wear
them, proudly

The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, PA recently awarded a maximum of $165.4 million in firm-fixed-price contracts for Marine Corps desert camouflage blouse and trouser sets. This is an indefinite-quantity type contract with a base year that will expire on Nov 4, 2006, plus four more one-year options. There were 60 proposals solicited, and four firms responded.

• American Apparel in Selma, AL won a maximum $98.6 million contract (SP0100-06-D-331).

• Propper International Sales Inc. in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico won a maximum $66.8 million contract (SP0100-06-D-332).

Nov 10 Addendum: Happy 230th Birthday to the US Marine Corps!

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CG 31 USS Sterrett
(click to view full)

The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC recently issued 3 estimated ceiling cost $25 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity, fixed price award-fee contracts for the dismantling and recycling of inactive ships stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. Work will include environmental remediation, dismantling and metals recycling, and is expected to be complete in August 2009.

Each vessel is bid individually and awarded under a delivery order to the successful bidder, and performance incentives are also included for superior environmental and safety performance. Details of each awarded contract and retired ship follow…

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Kandahar, Afghanistan

Today we wish all of our Canadian readers a Happy Canada Day. Our special good wishes go to all members of the Canadian Forces serving abroad in Afghanistan, and in peacekeeping duties around the world. We also send our good wishes to the American 187th Infantry Regiment, who honoured the Canadian soldiers who died serving with them in Afghanistan as their own.

To support Canada’s troops, Winds of Change.NET provides links for them too in its comprehensive How to Support the Troops roundup for American and allied soldiers.

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Lest we forget…

Today is Memorial Day in the U.S. On most days, Defense Industry Daily works to put out “daily news for procurement managers and defense contractors” by offering procurement news with perspective that puts it in context, discussing trends in the defense and security sectors, and bringing in relevant reports from the field. Today, we choose instead to spend a day saluting and remembering the people for whom we all do this – the soldiers, airmen, and sailors on the front lines.

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Winds of Change.NET offers a comprehensive roundup of links to organizations that support troops in the field and their families. The list includes American, Australian, British, Canadian, Danish, Israeli, and Polish troops; plus organizations acting on behalf of civilians and contractors in the war zones.

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Chair of the Joint Chiefs
Gen. Richard B. Myers

Every Memorial Day, the Pentagon becomes a rallying point of a different kind, as it hosts one of the largest motorbike rallies in the world. “Rolling Thunder” pays tribute to those killed in Vietnam, and remembers the missing from all American conflicts. The number of riders has grown each year since the rally was first held in 1988 – last year, an estimated 400,000 motorcycles made the ride.

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Former Army Ranger and U.S. military officer Blackfive writes about Memorial Day:

“Of course, Memorial Day is about remembering the sacrifices that our military men and women have made over the last 229 years. We are still a young nation, but one that has made many sacrifices to remain free. We should also take time to remember the families who have lost loved ones.

I have focused on just a few of the fallen over the last few years. I’ve lost three good friends during the War on Terror. And I write about the others to ensure that we don’t forget their sacrifices – I do that for me as much as for anybody. I can’t speak for the friends of the many others who have fallen, but for Mat, Cooter, and Mike, I can say this -”

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“Anyone who fights
with us is a brother.”

Four Canadians killed by U.S. friendly fire in Afghanistan were honoured by their American fellow soldiers of 187th Infantry Regiment. Amid the echoing strains of a lone bugler and the sharp report of a 21-gun salute, the men’s names were unveiled in a granite block, part of the 187th’s memorial to members who have died in conflicts dating back to the Second World War.

Sgt. Marc Leger, Cpl. Ainsworth Dyer, Pte. Richard Green and Pte. Nathan Smith died April 18, 2002, when an American fighter pilot mistakenly dropped a bomb on Canadians who were conducting a night exercise near Kandahar, Afghanistan. The four men, who served alongside U.S. soldiers as part of Task Force Rakkasan, are the first non-Americans ever included on the memorial wall.

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