Noteworthies with a Local Link

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced today that the president has nominated Air Force Gen. Darren W. McDew for appointment to the rank of general and for assignment as commander, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. 

Gen. McDew is currently serving as commander, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.  He served as 62nd Ops Group Commander in 2001 at McChord AFB, now JBLM-McChord Field.
  

Noteworthies with a Local Link

The Air Force Magazine Online reports the U.S. Senate confirmed Lt. Gen. Paul Selva to receive a fourth star for his new assignment as Air Mobility Command boss at Scott AFB, Ill. An Air Force official on July 31 verified Selva's new assignment to the Daily Report. Senators approved Selva's promotion in rank on July 26, according to the legislative body's list of confirmed nominations. Selva, Pacific Air Forces' vice commander since October 2011, will replace Gen. Raymond Johns, who has led AMC since November 2009.  Both Gen. Selva and Gen. Johns were Commanders of the 62^nd Airlift Wing at then McChord AFB.

McChord "Shaky" Discovered in Alaska

The Air Force Magazine Online reports an Air Force C-124A (Ol' Shaky) transport that crashed en route from McChord AFB, Wash., to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, on Nov. 22, 1952, was discovered earlier this month by an Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crew on Colony Glacier in Alaska.

JPAC investigators think the wreckage is that reported by the Associated Press on June 28 (via the New York Daily News). All 52 personnel aboard the aircraft—41 passengers and 11 crew—perished in that accident, according to AP.

The eight-person JPAC team, which arrived on the glacier on June 18, retrieved bone fragments, personal effects and military survival equipment. The collected material is going to a JPAC personnel identification lab.

Defense Department forensic scientists intended to scout the area for a follow-on recovery effort. Due to deteriorating weather and glacier conditions, the team ended up recovering as much evidence as possible.

Air Expo 2010

Military Roster Published for 2010

Being distributed to the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's membership and community contacts is the new 2010 Military Impacts, containing articles on military civic volunteerism, economic impacts and a roster of the region's military leadership.

All you Chamber members will be receiving a printed copy as an insert in today's Calendar mailing.  For all others, you may download your copy here. 

The Chamber will distribute copies of the 2010 Military Impacts in the community at special, mililtary related-events, starting with the Citizen-Soldier of the Year event hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Tacoma.

Garrison Tells It Jointly

Col. Brittain (l) and Col. Weldon (r)

The Mililtary Affairs Committee's monthly Forum featured Joint Base Lewis-McChord Garrison Commander Col. Tommy Brittain (Army) and Deputy Commander Col. Kenny Weldon (Air Force) reporting on the implementation of the joint base operations.

Among the points of information, they announced a new website for Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Complementing this focus on joint basing was Jack Murphy, Associate with Booz, Allen, Hamilton, the local representative for the national effort to implement the 12 joint bases.

How Do You Say JBLM?

The Suburban Times yesterday posted background and a stylebook for the upcoming actualization of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

From its initial days when the citizens of Pierce County taxed themselves to pay - and then donate - lands that became initially Camp Lewis, through a similar effort for Tacoma Airport becoming McChord Field then McChord AFB, these installations have been an integral part of our community.

Whether it's signs on the freeway or the nomenclature used by an ever-changing soldiery on post (who will know no other name), expect and participate in the new name in our community.

JBLM Growth Coordination Begins

The JBLM Growth Coordination Kick-Off Workshop was held Friday at the McGavick Center, Clover Park Technical College.  About 100 attendees were present to begin the process of a Pierce-Thurston Counties collaborative effort with Fort Lewis (source of growth and soon-to-be manager of JBLM). (McChord representatives are participants too.)

The Growth Coordination Plan will identify and analyze community “gaps” that exist in the region in regard to being able to properly handle Ft. Lewis and McChord AFB’s anticipated growth. At the April 9, 2009, Growth Coordination Workshop attended by over 90 Study Area stakeholders, participants identified ten functional areas as elements that needed to be analyzed in detail.

The plan seeks to address such questions as:
1. Where is the future growth going?
2. Do the communities like where future development is headed, and do they have the tools to shape
more desirable growth patterns?
3. Are the communities doing what is necessary to accommodate the needs of the soldiers, airmen and
their families?

The objectives of the Growth Coordination Plan are to:
1. Identify and assess existing conditions
2. Determine future needs of an increased military population
3. Develop short term and long term priorities and potential funding sources to accommodate this
growth
4. Develop planning, coordination and implementation strategies that help achieve the long term
strategic goals of the stakeholders during this period of growth and change
5. Maintain a central point of coordination for all major stakeholders who are impacted by the expansion
of Ft. Lewis
6. Promote regular communication with all local and regional groups and committees that discuss
military installation infrastructure and service issues and concerns
7. Establish a clear set of action steps to local communities about managing future growth and demands
for services

To help keep the general public informed, the JBLM Growth Coordination has set up a publicly-available website.  This website has also been listed among the community links featured on this blog.

Know What You Want Before You Ask

The first community checkup on the DoD/OEA (Office of Economic Adjustment) community planning grant was presented to a joint meeting of the Tacoma-Pierce County and Lakewood Chambers' Military Affairs Committees this morning.

Dan Penrose, Project Manager for the City of Lakewood, the designated regional lead agency, gave members an overview of the significance of the defense industry presence in the South Sound region.

Actually a set of two grant awards, Lakewood is addressing I-5 transportation alternatives and a growth coordination plan. The transportation alternatives grant was begun in March 2009 with a final report expected Summer 2010. The $1.3 million growth coordination plan award was made in August 2009 with project completion planned for December 2010.

Although these planning dollars don't fix our physical infrastructure needs, they are a first step in getting them "shovel-ready," for the documented "ask" the community will need to prepare for our Congressional delegation.

Noteworthies with a Local Link

The Senate has confirmed that Lt. Gen. Ray Johns, Jr., will receive his fourth star when he takes command of Air Mobility Command. Johns has served as the Air Staff's deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and programs and is a former 62nd AW Commander, McChord AFB.

AMC Rodeo 2009 Civic Leaders Tour

The bi-annual Air Mobility Command (AMC) Rodeo, currently underway at McChord AFB, took care to share with local community leadership what it's all about.

As in other rodeos, which are a competitive demonstration of job skills, the airmen at McChord, composed of competitive teams from the U.S.A.F. and some 26 allied nations, do a varied of timed and measured tasks from aerial port to airdrop to maintenance. Attached to this link, is a series of photos that show the various skills competitions and personages of the 2,500 competing airmen.

Earlier this week, local chambers of commerce hosted various constituency groups at community welcoming receptions. You can see the AMC Rodeo 2009 International Icebreaker with this link.

Wind Beneath Wings or Filling Sails

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's Military Affairs Committee welcomes the 26 countries competing or observing the 2009 Air Mobility Command (AMC) Rodeo.

The International Icebreaker was hosted by community firms in the Working Waterfront Maritime Museum for the beginning of the AMC Rodeo hosted at McChord AFB.

See our slide show and video. You are welcome to enjoy this premier and fun event at the Foss Waterway Seaport.

Defense Dollars for FY 2010

Congressman Adam Smith reported today he voted in support of H.R. 2647, the fiscal year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The NDAA authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 2010 military activities including the Department of Defense, the national security programs of the Department of Energy, military construction projects and other defense and military personnel activities related to U.S. national security efforts.

Congressman Smith cited these authorizations he requested for funding:

· $9,000,000 – Military Construction to construct a joint base access road between Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base.
· $2,500,000 – Tacoma Trauma Trust for trauma training of military medical personnel at local civilian hospitals
· $2,500,000 – Western Regional Counterdrug Training Center to re-establish a fifth counter-drug training center, which would be located at Camp Murray, Washington
· $2,000,000 – Quest Integrated to develop new inspection methods and procedures using magneto-optic imaging for F-15s that will eliminate the need to disassemble part of the aircraft.
· $1,800,000 – Sagem Morpho to develop a portable device that will be used by operators in the field to search, capture, and identity latent fingerprints.
· $1,200,000 – Evergreen Recycling to conduct a comprehensive analysis to reduce the amount of landfill waste at Ft. Lewis.

The bill must now be approved by the Senate and signed by the President before it becomes law.

Noteworthies With a Local Link

Colonel Kevin J. Kilb takes command of the 62nd Airlift Wing from Col. Jeffrey L. Stephenson in a change of command ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday.

Colonel Kilb arrives at McChord from Headquarters, United States Air Force in Washington, D.C., where he served as Chief of Global Mobility Division and Chair of Global Mobility Panel, Directorate of Programs, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Programs.

Defense (Installations) – Defense (Schools) – Defense (Roads)

Defense was the watchword for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s 24th annual Washington-to-Washington, D.C. visit. The local delegation was focused on defense issues with extended visits in the Pentagon and with most of the state’s Congressional delegation.

We discussed with our Congressional Delegation and various Departments in the Executive Branch, support for Boeing with the tanker issue, school facilities at Fort Lewis and growth impacts of Fort Lewis.

The delegation was comprised of Pierce County business leaders and civic officials ranging from corporations and family-owned businesses along with officials from the Port of Tacoma and the cities of Tacoma and Lakewood.

The trip took place over the course of a three-and-half day period in mid-May. During that time, the Chamber met with most of the congressional delegation members for Washington State, officials from the Pentagon including Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, and the Association of the United States Army. Those meeting included appointments with Installation Management Commands for the Army and the Air Force as well as the DoD agency, the Office of Economic Adjustment.

It is evident the Chamber’s constant and continuous communication over the last twenty-four years with these officials and congressional members in Washington, D.C. has resulted in funding for our infrastructure, security, transportation and military bases.

The Chamber especially thanks this year’s sponsors for their commitment and dedication to making our organization and our advocacy at the federal level better: Waste Connections, Simpson, The Boeing Company, Comcast and Totem Ocean Trailer Express.

This year’s trip to Washington, D.C. was the 24th taken to the nation’s capital by the Chamber. If you are interested in participating in next year’s trip – the Chamber’s silver anniversary trip – please contact Mike Weinman.

Yen for a Buck or a Loon?

Get ready for the 2009 McChord Air Force Rodeo July 20-24. More than 3,500 international visitors will attend from over 20 countries. These teams and observers bring tremendous business opportunities to Pierce County. Keep business in Pierce County by offering your local promotional coupon and discount incentives.

International competitors include: Brazil, Canada, Germany, Israel, Malaysia, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Spain, Turkey and United Arab Emirates

Observers include: Afghanistan, Argentina, Algeria, Bahrain, Botswana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman and Vietnam

Please take this opportunity to offer your coupons to guest registrants. The resulting compilation of promotional flyers will be distributed directly to participating teams during the AMC Rodeo. Last year's teams and observers made many purchases during their stay.

Examples of last year’s anecdotal purchases by participating international team members:

2 Hummers
6 laptops
7 i-Phones
15 TV’s ranging from 32-50 inches
More than 12 bicycles
Countless digital cameras and electronics
Several hundreds of bottles of perfume
Many shopping trips to Nordstrom

A 10-room hotel bill with expenditures over $11,000

To participate please create 3,500 coupons to be distributed in each registration bag. Coupons must be printed in sizes 8.5 X 11 and can include a coupon within the text, delivered to the TRCVB.

Coupon/Discount Deadline: June 30, 2009

Want to participate? Send your participation notice to Andrea Mensink. Promotional flyers should be delivered to the Tacoma Regional CVB at 1119 Pacific Ave., Ste. 500, Tacoma. You are responsible for printing your promotional coupon/discount offer. The TRCVB nor the Chamber will print coupons.

The TRCVB is collaborating with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, so if your business is a member of either/both organizations, your promotional flyer is in one booklet.

The Invisible Man Wears Camo

Lakewood today began a regional coordinated response to the growth occurring - and more ahead - at Fort Lewis.

About 30 agencies and 84 registered attendees spent this morning understanding the issues of education, transportation, housing, utilities & emergency services and quality of life/support network along with consideration of economic opportunities and workforce development. The session was facilitated by Erika Schmidt, Pres., Frause.



Thanks: Ft. Lewis


Issue synopses were presented by:

• Tom Knight, Deputy Garrison Commander, Ft. Lewis



• Gaylord Higa, Deputy Base Civil Engineer, 62nd AW, McChord AFB



• Amanda Fagan, Project Manager, Office of Economic Adjustment/DoD



• James A. Noone, Clark & Weinstock

Fort Lewis has been an exceptional story in the region's economy. But that growth has been invisible to most. To some extent, its growth has been hidden by deployments and to some extent its growth has been hidden in this large metropolitan area. But grow Ft. Lewis has to a giant economic force!

Local governments are awakening to that invisible force, recognizing that it has needs and impacts just as any other major employer does. The purpose of today's event was to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing those needs for the benefits of soldiers, their families and all their friends and neighbors around the installation.

Today's activity was a follow-up and expansion of an OEA-approved grant to Lakewood focused on the Lakewood-Ft. Lewis segment of Interstate 5. After the many agencies representatives spent brainstorming time on the issue categories, and a report-back session, forum organizers promised a compilation and opportunity to contribute further. A next session is planned for September.

Amoeba Splits, Abeoma Joins

With the inexorable progress down the road to Joint Basing for various installations - and especially for us here in the PNW, it pays to be attentive to discussions of Joint Basing.

The GAO (Government Accountability Office) has just released a new report on the standards and costs at Joint Bases. If you've not noticed, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (or McLewis as the wags would have it) is in our horizon, and its component parts do make mention in the GAO report.

The bottom line is that DoD is underfunding base sustainability. At McChord, the GAO found 82% of standard service levels met while at Ft. Lewis, 65% of current service levels met the standard. For 2008, the Army budgeted at 89% and the Air Force at 90% of sustainment requirements.

One could only hope that the current levels of funding anticipated from ARRA (Stimulus Bill) will catch up that funding shortfall.

Procurement Conference April 2009

Procurement may provide the stimulus to your business.

Is part of your business strategy diversifying your business to include government contracts? Congressman Adam Smith is interested in helping local businesses become more successful through government contracting opportunities by offering you a free procurement conference April 14.

Cong. Smith’s procurement conference is designed to assist businesses gain knowledge of government contracting and begin to establish long-term working relationships with federal agencies. This conference also provides an excellent opportunity for local businesses to meet contractors with whom they might be able to partner. This conference is free and light refreshments will be provided.

Scheduled speakers represent: Department of Veterans Affairs, Small Business Administration, General Services Administration, Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base among other federal and state agencies.

Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Time: 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Evergreen State College, Tacoma Campus, 1210 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98405 Link to map
RSVP: Tina Johnson or call (253) 593-6600 or (888) SMITH09

The Stars Were Out

Commanders of the Washington National Guard, Ft. Lewis and the 62nd AW were front and center for the annual Commanding Officers Briefing this morning.

Maj. Gen. Tim Lowenberg, Adjutant General, Washington National Guard, lead the parade of military leaders. He said Camp Murray is home to the State's Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Continuity of Government (COG). A new Homeland Security Training Center has been used for local, state, tribal, national and bilateral stakeholder collaboration. This has been essential for our ongoing preparations for the 2010 Olympics. Currently, the WNG has Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, Qatar & Germany. We also typically have a "steady state" overseas deployment rate of 20-40% of our total force. In addition, Washington Guardsmen and 'women routinely deploy in support of domestic operations such as flood relief, border security missions, Hurricane Katrina support and so on. Military Construction for FY09 totaled $42.3 million. All projects but one ($780k Hangar Renovation in Spokane) in Pierce County: $41.52 million. These projects include $2.5M for Western Regional Counter Drug Training Facility on Camp Murray and a $3.5M Expansion for 262nd IWAS "Cyber Domain" (an emerging USAF field).

Brig. Gen. Jeff Mathis, Deputy Commanding General, I Corps & Ft. Lewis, and soon to be the rear eschelon for I Corps during their impending deployment developed his update from a PowerPoint.

Col. Mike Hornitschek, Vice Commander, 62nd Airlift Wing, likewise utilized a PowerPoint to support his presentation.