Friday, June 17, 2011

Noteworthies with a Local Link

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced yesterday that the President has made the following nomination:

Air Force Lt. Gen. Paul J. Selva has been nominated for reappointment to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as vice commander, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Selva is currently serving as assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. and is a former 62nd AW Commander at (then) McChord AFB.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Evergreen Fleet Cruise Fun!

Partners, picnic and patriotism (forgive the alliteration) were the hallmarks for the annual Evergreen fleet Cruise yesterday.

Something over 200 attendees including military guests, local business reps and Tacoma Yacht Club skippers and crews enjoyed this annual seaborne cruise of southern Puget Sound, battling strong tidal flows but enjoying everything. 

Our sponsors (America's Credit Union, Harborstone Credit Union, Regence and TriWest Healthcare Alliance) along with many business representatives were pleased to host the event of about 100 military and their special guests for the day's experience of the Pacific Northwest.  Even the weather cooperated, with the early morning showers quenching before the opening reception at the Tacoma Yacht Club clubhouse.

Once all 16 yachts had arrived with their guests at TYC's Wollochet Bay Outstation, a short networking opportunity was successful interrupted by the excellent BBQ chicken and ribs spread by Gallucci's, chef Ron Gallucci himself supervising and cooking over the grill.  All lingered well past the luncheon enjoying the afternoon's sun and socializing.

A new feature this year was the Sound System of Entertainment Masters.  Leanna Mason provided Top 40 songs as a pleasant background to the event, then doubled down using her audio system for short remarks by the Chamber, sponsors and representatives of the military services.

Reports back paint a day to remember.  For your peek into the Evergreen Fleet Cruise,see the photo album on the Chamber's Facebook page.  And, plan to join us next year!

Moving the World

Boeing announced Wednesday the Indian defense ministry signed the foreign military sales agreement with the US government to acquire 10 C-17 transports by 2014. The Foreign Military Sale -- approved by the U.S. Congress in May 2010 -- establishes India as the C-17's largest international customer.

This "transaction reaffirms our close relationship of several decades with India and also highlights our commitment to the strategic partnership between the two countries," stated Dinesh Keskar, president of Boeing's India operations. Under the agreed framework, Boeing will deliver all 10 aircraft between 2013 and 2014.

The Economic Times, an Indian publication, reported that the IAF might seek to acquire up to eight additional C-17s at a later point.

Congress approved the sale last May; the Indian government signed off on it earlier this month. Indian interest in the C-17 was reaffirmed last June during an operational trial of the aircraft in India, proving it met IAF needs for military and humanitarian airlift.

Boeing has delivered 232 C-17s worldwide, including 22 with international customers. The U.S. Air Force -- including active National Guard and Reserve units -- has taken delivery of 210 C-17s. Other customers include the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force, the Qatar Emiri Air Force, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Australian Air Force, the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations, and the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Noteworthies with a Local Link

Col. R. Wyn Elder takes command of the 62nd Airlift Wing from Col. Kevin J. Kilb in a change of command ceremony at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Colonel Elder arrives at McChord Field from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., where he served as Vice Commander of the 97th Air Mobility Wing.

As the 62nd Airlift Wing commander, Colonel Elder will be responsible for nearly 2,500 active-duty military and civilian personnel, along with 42 permanently assigned C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, to deliver global airlift, focused logistics, and agile combat support for America. The wing provides mission support to the 446th Airlift Wing, a Reserve Associate wing.

Colonel Elder entered the Air Force in 1991 as a graduate of the ROTC program at the University of Virginia. He is a senior pilot with more than 2,800 hours experience in the C-17, KC-135 Stratotanker, T-1 Jayhawk, T-38 Talon and T-37 Tweet.

During his distinguished career he has served as commander of the 817th Airlift Squadron at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey; commander of the 4th Airlift Squadron, McChord AFB; and special assistant to the commander, US Joint Forces Command, Norfolk Naval Station, Va.

After more than 22 years of dedicated service in the Air Force, Colonel Kilb is retiring to his home state of Arizona with his family.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Heroes at Home 2

Please join us on 24 June 2011, 11:00am, Stone Education Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord to celebrate the kick off of Heroes at Home 2.

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded a National Emergency Grant of approximately $4.8 million to help 825 displaced military spouses in Pierce and Thurston Counties gain skills and find employment. The grant was awarded to WorkForce Central and the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council in partnership with Washington State Employment Security Department, Thurston County Economic Development Council and the City of Lakewood, due to the Base Realignment and Closure action [BRAC] of 2005 and subsequent relocation of military personnel and families to Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

WorkForce Central, Pierce County, and the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, Thurston County, will administer the program at a local level.

Services will be available at Stone Education Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and at WorkSource Centers within Pierce and Thurston Counties.

Services will include: career coaching, case management, job training, supportive services and employment linkage.

Tell us about your education program needs:

https://secureweb.hqda.pentagon.mil/Checkbox/Survey.aspx?s=abc8d0713f3c465785617cf9bfab7b2c

Visit http://www.lewis.army.mil/eso/ for more information.

Noteworthies with a Local Link

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nomination:

Army Lt. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti for reappointment to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as the commanding general, I Corps and Fort Lewis, Joint Base Lewis McChord Wash., and commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command/deputy commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan. Scaparrotti is currently serving as the commanding general, I Corps and Fort Lewis, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Wash.