“Killer Chick”

The American Office of the Secretary of Defense sent this on to DID, and we thought we’d pass it on to all of our readers in the Washington area. The American Veteran Center’s 10th Annual Conference begins today, and will take place November 8-10 at the Renaissance Washington Hotel. there is still time to register and attend.

The AVC conference is one of the largest annual gatherings of decorated military combat veterans, and will host some of the greatest heroes of WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq/Afghanistan. It features 3 days of speaker panels, wreath laying ceremonies at the World War II, Korea, and Vietnam memorials and an awards banquet. The conference also features salutes to Medal of Honor recipients and service members wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of the participants include:

Paul MacCready
(click for memoriam)

For Labour Day on Monday, DID salutes all of the people who work every day with their tools, in order to give the people on the front lines the tools they need to do a difficult and dangerous job. The late Dr. Paul MacCready (1925-2007) was one such individual, who pushed the frontiers of science and design in pursuit of his love of flight and discovery. From the Gossamer Albatross to the hand-held RQ-11 Raven UAV, the things he helped create made a difference in our world. He will be missed.

Honor & Reflect

Monday, May 28, 2007 is Memorial Day in the USA. DID honors those who have given all of their tomorrows in American military service; we will not be publishing. Carmella LaSpada is executive director of the White House Commission on Remembrance which was set up by Congress in 2000, and urges Americans to remember and honor the true spirit and purpose of Memorial Day:

“The national Moment of Remembrance is a time for Americans to contemplate those things that bind us together by remembering the legacy of those who died to better our country… We encourage all Americans, no matter where they are and what they are doing, at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, to stop and give thanks [via a moment of silence, or something symbolic like ringing a bell].”

Nov. 11, 2007, known most frequently as Remembrance Day around the world, will also be a non-publishing day except for a memoriam post. Thank you to those who are serving, those who have served, and those who give their all so that the people at the tip of the spear have the right tools to do a difficult, dangerous… and vitally necessary job.

Climb aboard…

It’s useful to bear in mind that military equipment is often used in ways its manufacturers never imagined, let alone intended. A fine illustration of this principle in action comes to us from the Garmsir area in Helmland Province, southern Afghanstan. The UK MoD release, which includes links to video of the overall operation, described the incident this way [DID has added appropriate links]:

“The UKTF met ferocious Taliban fire from all sides. As planned, Z Company then withdrew back to the far side of the Helmand river having successfully completed their objective. The engagement lasted for approximately five hours…. Having fought for a period, the Marines regrouped. When they discovered Lance Corporal Ford was missing….

And ride ‘em in…

An initial plan was hatched to use Viking vehicles but they eventually concluded that the Apache WAH-64 attack helicopters would provide a quicker and safer means to get him out and back to safety. And so four troops were strapped to the small side ‘wings’ of two Apaches, two to each helicopter. A third Apache provided aerial cover, and further units laid down a mass of covering fire while the other two Apaches landed. All four men got off, as well as some of the aircrew, to provide additional firepower and to assist with the recovery of Lance Corporal Ford….” [read full article]

UPDATE: The UK MoD has now released photos and video from the operation that includes the WAH-64s with Royal Marines on board.

LCS 1 Freedom christening

On September 23, 2006, the US Navy christened and launched LCS 1 Freedom, the nation’s first Flight 0 littoral combat ship, at the Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin. The ship will continue to undergo outfitting and testing at Marinette Marine; it will be commissioned in 2007 and eventually homeported in San Diego, CA. The ship’s sponsor is Birgit Smith, wife of the late Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith.

The launch comes at an appropriate time for the program, as the Navy’s proposed FY 2007 budget requests $521 million to buy 2 Littoral Combat Ships. The House-reported version of the FY2007 defense appropriations bill (H.R. 5631) recommends approval, but the Senate’s reported version recommends a 2-ship cut by funding just one LCS in FY 2007, plus rescinding funding for one of the 3 LCS ships procured in FY 2006. In the background, the US Congressional Research Service released its updated report on July 26, 2006: “Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS): Background and Issues for Congress.”

DID has updated our LCS Focus Article to include all of this information. Team Lockheed’s design is still competing wth a General Dynamics/Austal-led space-enhancing trimaran design for the final LCS Flight 1 production award, and may also be bought by the Israeli Navy as an independent transaction.

Sept 11, 2001

Five years ago, the attacks of 9/11 ushered in a new global conflict, and began an accelerated series of changes to militaries and defense industries around the world that are not even close to running their full course. The US Department of Defense has put up a site with a wide variety of resources to remember the 5th anniversary of the attack on the Pentagon and World Trade Centers. Five Years Ago: A day we will never forget.

Since we know that many of our readers are engineers, we also recommend Popular Mechanics’ definitive new book covering the various conspiracy theories out there as only dedicated engineers can: Debunking 9/11 Myths: Why Conspiracy Theories Can’t Stand up to the Facts.

LCPL Sensing in MARPAT
(click for happy birthday)

In a recent article covering Hyperstealth Biotechnology’s fractal camouflage patterns for vehicles, aircraft, and buildings, DID noted the Marine Corps’ new MARPAT digital camouflage uniforms, which are also based on the work of Dr. Timothy O’Neil. Small business qualifier Columbia Sewing Co. in Magnolia, AR recently won an $8 million firm-fixed-price contract for U.S. Marine Corps battle dress, desert and woodland camouflage blouse and trouser sets. This is an indefinite delivery/quantity type contract exercising four one-year options, the initial contact period will terminate on April 20, 2007. Proposals were solicited via Procurement Gateway and seven responded. The Defense Supply Center (DSCP) in Philadelphia, PA issued the contract (SP0100-06-D-0362).

One Marine can accomplish a lot. They need to be properly dressed for the occasion.

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.

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.

...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!