Live by the Sword

Speculation, elation and hope were rampant Thursday when a forecast from Election Data Services (EDS) predicted that Washington would gain a 10th Congressional seat due to probable results from the 2010 Census.

(The U.S. House of Representatives is set at 435 members. Population growth results in reallocation of those seats among gaining and losing states to achieve equal representation.)

Such enthusiasm (despondency elsewhere) is most understandable given the power of Congressional representation and the allocations of federal dollars based on populations.

However, a quick review of the EDS forecast and the underlying U.S. Census's American Community Survey (ACS) engenders concern. The EDS news release's tables contain the notation: "No Military Overseas factored in." The issue of this seemingly obscure note is that the Census Bureau allocates the count of deployed soldiers to their home of record, an adjustment that takes place later in the population allocation.

Fort Lewis currently has about 18,000 soldiers deployed, returning in June, 2010, past the April 1, 2010 Census count date. Those soldiers and about 1.23 dependents each could count for Washington's lead of 24,592 persons as forecast by EDS.

Much of the state's populations gain, especially of recent years (that have propelled it past contender Oregon for a Congressional seat gain), has come with the incremental realignment of about 13,000 soldiers, plus families, to Fort Lewis since 2004. Since speculation focuses on the north Thurston County area as a rapidly growing location, note should be made that soldiers and their families are increasingly choosing that area for off post housing.

The cause of concern is that Census uses deployed soldiers' home of record for allocating population. Text in the EDS news release addresses this issue by saying military reallocation shouldn't change the results. What's left unclear is if ACS or the EDS deducted deployed soldiers from local posts from their respective estimate and forecast. That potential reduction occurs along with the unknown factor of whether soldiers' families remained in this area during their breadwinner's deployment or chose to return to the extended families of either spouse.

Before we all cry foul, we should remember that Washington's 9th Congressional seat was won during the 1990 Census because of soldiers deployed from Massachusetts and were not counted there. The Supreme Court eventually upheld the Census rule to allocate by home of record to Washington's gain and Massachusetts' loss.

More Soldiers at Ft. Lewis & YTC

The Army announced today the planned activation of the 4th Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group.

This force structure action represents a net increase of 432 military authorizations and four civilian authorizations at Fort Lewis, Wash., and two civilian authorizations at Yakima Training Center, Wash.

Implementation of these changes is expected to be completed in August 2011.

Up with aRmy Links

The Army has posted a new website: http://my.army.mil. The AUSA daily broadcast reports it is the first of its kind of all military branches in the DoD. The Army launched the website earlier this month in an effor to create a more personalized browsing experience and to connect the Army community, reports AUSA.

Noteworthies With a Local Link

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has nominated Air Force Brig. Gen. Eric W. Crabtree to the rank of major general while serving as commander, 4th Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, March Air Reserve Base, CA. Maj. Gen. (sel.) Crabtree has commanded the 446th AW (Reserve) at McChord AFB.

In Remembrance

Governor Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington State agency facilities be lowered to half-staff Monday, December 7, for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day was created by Congress in 1994 in honor of those Americans killed, missing or injured as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

The December 7 flag lowering is concurrent with the Governor’s December 1 directive to lower flags until close of business Tuesday, December 8, for the Lakewood police officers.

ListServ for Washington Flag Displays

Do you wish to be notified for alerts for commemorative displays of the flag in Washington State?

If so, SUBSCRIBE FLAGALERT requires registration. To register the execution of your command, simply point your browser to the URL.

This procedure will work with any mail program that fully conforms to the Internet standards for electronic mail.

You will receive a confirmation email that must be replied to for verification. Finally, your command will be cancelled automatically if LISTSERV does not receive your confirmation within 48 hours. After that time, you must start over and resend the command to get a new confirmation code.

Noteworthies With a Local Link

On Nov. 20, Gen. Raymond Johns replaced Gen. Arthur Lichte as the commander of Air Mobility Command. The White House nominated Johns, a 1977 Air Force Academy graduate, on July 8 and the Senate confirmed him for four stars and his new position on July 31. He previously served as deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and programs on the Air Staff and as 62nd AW Commander at McChord AFB.

How to Build a Cross-Base Highway

Pierce County's long awaited and continually delayed Cross-Base Highway keeps looking for a solution to a need long overdue. For a project that started with a donation of right-of-way worth millions of dollars by Ft. Lewis, that head start in funding hasn't made much progress against other state-wide projects that keep bumping the Cross-Base Highway.

As Fort Lewis is a work site that has gained 13,000 workers in the last demi-decade and seen a daily increase in thousands of vehicle trips, soldiers taking housing outside the post are continuing to seek housing in Thurston County as closer Pierce County housing is inaccessible via the congestion along the Pacific Ave.-SR 512-I-5 route, located in Parkland-Spanaway. Who hasn't noticed the increase in congestion on I-5 south of the post as soldiers commute back and forth to Thurston County?

But is our challenge so unique that we must create a solution, or is experience available elsewhere. Of course! We are not unique! Others have solved this problem!

Mayor John Cook, City of El Paso, TX and Charles H. "Chuck" Berry, El Paso District Engineer, Texas Department of Transportation, recently shared with nation-wide delegates at the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), Department of Defense, how El Paso responded to the transportation demands of military (job) growth.

El Paso and Texas built a 7.5 miles freeway across Fort Bliss and an airport. This was a $200 million construction project accomplished by a public-private partnership. El Paso and Texas cooperated with the private sector to build and finance this highway (pictured above). Using what they called "pass through tolls," the State of Texas pays to the private sector vendor a toll based on the number of cars that use the highway. For mutual protection, payments will not fall below $10 million nor rise above $12 million.

Today's state (and local) budget climate gives all parties an instant excuse for not spending $10 million in capital expenses each year. But alternatives do exist. For one example the Stimulus Bill, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, contains the Build America Bonds, which provides a federal subsidy to state and local bonds.

Others have taken notice. Mayor Efrain Valdez, Del Rio, TX, rose from the conference floor to endorse the Texas public-private partnership in road building and announce his city is doing the same thing.

Military Citizen of 2009 Announced

Honored today as the John Anderson Military Citizen of the Year is Master Sergeant Tabatha A. Bennett. MSgt. Bennett is currently the full-time office supervisor for the Washington Air National Guard West Recruiting Office.

MSgt. Tabatha Bennett and George Cargill, TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

MSgt. Bennett volunteers as assistant coach to the Rogers High School Girls Junior Varsity Soccer Team in Puyallup, assisting with the team’s physical fitness program and helping to secure funding for future school sports programs. She also volunteers at Rogers High School with classroom support and at Kalles Junior High School providing administrative support in the front office.

MSgt. Bennett is actively involved with the Washington National Guard’s Youth Program, designed for children ages 11-19, promoting high quality youth programs in conjunction with community partnerships. The program provides a better understanding of being a military child, especially during times of military deployment.

MSgt. Bennett volunteers most Friday nights with the Tacoma Rescue Mission serving as a cooking and service specialists, in addition to organizing their food bank and other services.

As an owner of a computer graphics, design and website business, each year she provide a free website and support to a non-profit that can’t afford design fees.


There is no question that MSgt. Bennett devotes countless hours and boundless energy to improving our community, said George Cargill, award sponsor representative and Vice-Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, in making the award presentation.

About John H. Anderson
John H. Anderson served as Tacoma’s mayor in the early to mid 1950s. He is also a past Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Board of Directors, as well as a successful local businessman.

About Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber was founded in 1883. Its mission is to promote a strong business climate fostering economic opportunity and a more livable community through advocacy, networking, resources and services for business development.

Noteworthies With a Local Link

Today, the chief of staff, Army announced the following assignments.

Maj. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho, commanding general, Western Regional Medical Command and Madigan Army Medical Center/Chief, Army Nurse Corps, Tacoma, Wash., to deputy surgeon general, U.S. Army/chief, Army Nurse Corps, Falls Church, Va.

Maj. Gen. Philip Volpe, deputy commander, Joint Task Force - National Capital Region Medical, Bethesda, Md., to commanding general, Western Regional Medical Command and Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Wash.

Part II: To Be Counted

You may remember our earlier blog: To Be Counted or Not, where we discussed efforts in Congress to insure deployed military votes are counted and looked at Washington State's current program.

The AUSA Legislative Newsletter reports that new rules that will make it easier for deployed servicemembers to cast ballots was folded into the fiscal 2010 National Defense Authorization Act that was signed into law by President Obama last week.

The Military and Overseas Voters Empowerment Act (MOVE Act) introduced after a Senate Rules Committee survey showed that as many as one in four ballots cast by military and overseas voters went uncounted in last year’s presidential election easily passed the Senate last week.

The bill would fix several of the flaws responsible for such widespread disenfranchisement. It requires that all states provide military voters with ballots no later than 45 days prior to the election so that they have adequate time to complete and return them. It would also require states to provide ballots electronically and expands the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) at the Department of Defense, which is the main source of election-related information and assistance for many members of the military. The legislation would also bar states from rejecting military ballots for lack of a “Notary” signature—a feat difficult to achieve in the bases of Iraq and Afghanistan.

59 Senators co-sponsored the bill. The MOVE Act represents the most sweeping reform of military and overseas voting law in a long time, and its significance cannot be overstated. I'm proud to have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to enact these common-sense reforms, which come just in time to help our troops and their family members participate in the November 2010 elections, said Sen. John Cornyn, TX.

TAP Gallery Features Veteran's Art

TAP Gallery Features the Art of Veteran Charles Minton.

November 1st – November 30th

Minton's large and intricate bronze/copper works are all initially designed by him and hand drawn on transfer paper. He then hammers and crafts every detail of the design and frame.

Several of his bronze and copper pieces showcase local landmarks such as Seattle's Space Needle and Tacoma's Union Station.

Minton also creates individualized pieces for veterans killed in action and provides them to Fort Lewis Army Base. Come see the work of this talented metal artist during Tacoma's Art at Work Month.

Artist Reception: Veteran’s Day
Wednesday, November 11th, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
(please note they are closed until 5:30 p.m. for annual observance of Veterans Day but will be open for this special evening reception)

Join TAP as it honors all veterans and especially veterans who are artists at their November reception. Also on view a sneak preview of December artist - veteran Mark Lubich.

TAP Gallery
1116 11th St
253-238-1006
TAP hours:

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday: noon to 5:00 p.m.

Service members & veterans bring this blog to TAP for a free one-month trial membership.

31st Military Citizen Event Announced

Military Affairs Committee Presents

31st John Anderson Military Citizen of the Year
Sponsored by TriWest HealthCare Alliance

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee (MAC) will present the 31st annual John Anderson Military Citizen of the Year. Each year, the Chamber's MAC honors an individual who exemplifies the contributions local resident active-duty military personnel make to our community.

Date: Thursday, November 12
Time: 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Event: Rotary Club of Tacoma No. 8
Keynote Speaker: Doug Lineberrey, "A Recent Tour in Afghanistan"
Place: Landmark Conference Center
47 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma 98402
Price: $13.50 with RSVP
No prepayment, collect at the door only
Register: Rose Crist or 253-627-2175
Information: Gary Brackett or 253-627-2175

About John H. Anderson
John H. Anderson served as Tacoma’s mayor in the early to mid 1950s. He is also a past Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Board of Directors, as well as a successful local businessman.

About Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber was founded in 1884. Its mission is to promote a strong business climate fostering economic opportunity and a more livable community through advocacy, networking, resources, and services for business development.

DoD Prime Contract Awards

Pierce County is the acknowledged leader when it comes to numbers of uniformed personnel assigned to a local defense installation. But other communities are typically thought to have a defense (civilian) industry that contributes more to the local economy.

So, leaving aside the payrolls of uniformed and even civilian DoD personnel, what community in the state has received the most Prime Contract Awards? The obvious answer is King County at $2.3+ billion, and not just because of Boeing, which builds more than commercial airliners. Many other companies contribute too.

Kitsap County is most everyone else's candidate for second largest beneficence by virtue of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyards. According to the most recent report (2006), Kitsap County received just over 1/2 billion dollars, the bulk of that from the Navy.

But assigning Kitsap a ranking of #2 is wrong. Coming in with $753+ million in Prime Contract Awards is Pierce County. Pierce County is also diversified among the services. Here's the allocation:

• Army dollars: 449,211,814
• Navy dollars: 10,483,222
• Air Force dollars: 101,607,230
• DLA* dollars: 179,267,621
• ODA* dollars: 11,903,448

DLA: Defense Logistics Agency ODA: Other Defense Agency

And, Kitsap wasn't even third; behind Whatcom at $608+ million. Was that a single year aberration? We'll look at historical trends for that question in an upcoming blog.

Meet Vets as Job Candidates

An Opportunity Expo is scheduled to match job-seeking veterans, transitioning military personnel, members of the Guard and Reserve and military family members with hiring employers.

At this event, recruiters for employers, franchisers and educational institutions will meet face-to-face with these highly qualified and highly sought-after candidates. We invite you to join them!

Members of the Tacoma–Pierce County Chamber of Commerce who register to participate in this event are entitled to a 10% discount. To take advantage of this offer, contact RecruitMilitary’s Matt Murphy and mention your membership. Matt can be reached via email or 610-933-3331.

The Expo will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2009 from 11:00am – 3:00pm at the ShoWare Center. Additional details on this event can be found here.

At a RecruitMilitary Expo, you can begin the selection process with what is normally one of the final stages—a face-to-face meeting with the candidate. If you are looking to hire employees this year, or have a franchise/educational opportunity to offer, this is an event you won't want to miss!

Noteworthies With a Local Link

The chief of staff, Air Force announced today that Col. Jerry P. Martinez, who has been selected for the rank of brigadier general, inspector general, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., to deputy commander, political-military affairs, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command, Kabul, Afghanistan.

Brig. Gen. (sel.) Martinez was Commander, 62nd AW, McChord AFB 2006-2008.

Defense Industry Means Economic Development

With the best performance of any industry, the military-defense growth in Pierce County has been not just an economic stabilizer, but a growth engine.

Yesterday's presentation by David Bugher, Assistant City Manager, City of Lakewood to the Chamber's Military Affairs Committee, showed the community how economic development infrastructure can support an expansion of this industry here.

Recently, the City of Lakewood, commissioned a study of the Woodbrook Business Park area of American Lake Gardens. Primarily now a low-income residential area, the City is extending public infrastructure to an area that could support economic development. While thorny challenges still remain as to social equity in affordable housing supplies, the maximum development option could provide up to 3,500 jobs and an assessed present value of $33,044,900 increased up to $184,258,800.

Although in the early stages of Lakewood's evaluation of this part of their community, military contractors serving Fort Lewis are a definite potential target for recruitment for such a business park. The continuing development of the post generates a greater opportunity outside the fence and areas available within become more scarce.

Beyond the Call

From the brothers who brought you the Academy Award nominated film GENGHIS BLUES, comes the next great adventure... BEYOND THE CALL

In an Indiana Jones meets Mother Teresa adventure, three eccentric middle-aged men - former soldiers and modern-day knights - travel the world delivering life-saving humanitarian aid directly into the hands of civilians and doctors. Ed Artis, James Laws and Walt Ratterman inspire through deeds not words, in some of the most dangerous yet beautiful places on Earth, the front lines of war.

Trailer and movie info here.

What: BEYOND THE CALL
Gig Harbor premiere {one screening only}
When: This Sunday, October 18th at 3pm (82 minutes)
Where: The Galaxy Theatre, uptown Gig Harbor
Tickets: $8
Why: Come for the film, stay for Q&A with the Academy Award nominated filmmaker Adrian Belic, the sole crew member of this global adventure!

Screening info here.

Below is additional information about the success of BEYOND THE CALL and the broad spectrum of society that this film has entertained and inspired. This is an independently distributed the film. Forward this invitation onto to your friends, family and colleagues. In particular the filmmakers would like to reach out to the military (active, veterans, National Guard and families), senior citizen groups, Rotary Club International and other service organizations and students.

BEYOND THE CALL premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. It has screened at over 150 film festivals on five continents, winning over 50 awards, including Grand Jury Prizes and Audience Awards.

An extremely inspiring film that is also hilarious, exciting and heart-wrenching. – Cinematical

Adventurous...straight shooting intrepid trio...accruing eternal good karma…, can't help but inspire. - LA Times

Beyond the Call is the stirring and powerful account of these remarkable men, both on the road and in their homes. It's a brave and funny and uplifting film that makes you want to be a better person.- Oregonian Newspaper

Unlikely Heroes - New York Times

It's impossible not to admire their can-do spirit. - Variety

Magna Cum Laude In Deed II

Complexes of Divisions of Labor

The basics of our modern economic system, including the unfettered movement of labor to opportunities, is also that division of labor (into specialists), gains us greater efficiencies.

Not so with the division of labor into infinitely disparate pieces as a report earlier this year identified multitudinous state agencies (see list at end) responsible for professional licenses or certificates. This might not be all that important were it not that about 2,400 of our state's citizens have just returned from foreign (Iraq) deployment as Guardsmen serving the goals of our nation. That lengthy time may have presented them with numerous obstacles to overcome when they are mustered out (of active service). The least of them should be in picking up their jobs or professions.

Yes, there is federal legislation giving them and requiring employers to accommodate their return to their jobs. But many occupations now are tied to professional licenses and certificates.

Sen. Derek Kilmer placed a budget proviso in the state's 2008 budget requiring the state's Department of Licensing (DOL) and Department of Health (DOH) - responsible for the bulk of professional licensing programs - to determine processes for relicensing or re-certificating Guardsmen or Reservists who have served on active duty but are now returning to civilian life.

Both departments found some procedures in place for their respective departments to do so. However, in the report the DOH suggested they could do a better job of informing returning vets of their recertification process. The DOL suggested they do a sufficient job based on responses from returning vets.

There are other states our state could look to for providing support or best practices in an automatic extension of professional licenses:
–Approximately 13 states recognized as providing support: AZ, DE, GA, HI, KY, KS, MN, MS, MT, NJ, NY, UT, WI
–Best practice states (statutes) : AZ (32-4301), DE (215) (Formerly Senate Bill No. 206), GA (43-1-31), HI (HB295 HD1), KS (34.48), MN (197.65), MS (33-1-39), MT (37-1-138), WI (321.60)

Please note that WA is not in either of these lists.

In addition to the DOH and DOL, these Washington State agencies issue licenses or certificates for professions or occupational certifications:

1. Board of Accountancy
2. Office of the Insurance Commissioner
3. Department of Social and Health Services
4. Liquor Control Board
5. Labor and Industries
6. Department of Early Learning
7. Department of Agriculture
8. Department of Financial Institutions
9. Department of Ecology
10. Fish and Wildlife
11. Washington State Patrol
12. Secretary of State
13. and acknowledged but unnamed others

Veterans Supportive Campuses

Governor Gregoire took a positive step when she lead her administration and the state's higher educational institutions and workforce boards to support veterans on campuses.

The Memorandum of Understanding, Partners for Veteran Supportive Campuses, defines a new partnership on behalf of the Governor, departments in her administration, the Washington National Guard, the state's colleges and universities, the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the State Board for Technical and Community Colleges and the Workforce Training and Education Board.

The partners agree:

• increase awareness of veteran's programs on and off campuses
• provide staff with a core set of veteran cultural competencies
• encourage campuses to implement best practices and policies designed to foster vets
• encourage vets to use the GI bill
• help vets succeed in higher ed and training
• ensure staff and vets have access to Washington Dept. of Veterans Affairs and its local and federal partners

The Chamber has specifically called upon the state to adopt policy and procedures to allow service members separating from duty to receive credit for applicable skill sets and education acquired while in service.

Two points in the MOU are:

1. continue work with the Legislature, workforce and higher ed communities to...transfer, credit for prior experience...
2. shortening the time for veterans to receive a credential or degree through: a) expanding credit for prior learning and b) developing articulation and transfer agreements...

Veterans Resource/Employment Fair

The Conundrum of Airlift

The Air Force Magazine Online reports today that the effort led by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) to delete the $2.5 billion funding for 10 more C-17s from the 2010 defense spending bill was defeated by a vote of 64-34. Appropriations Committee chairman Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), pushed for the add-on.

While Pres. Obama's administration plan was opposed to the additional C-17s, no strong objection was raised as compared to proposed increases in F-22s. Proponents believe the military needs more C-17s and that older C-5s should be retired.

Coincidentally, the Government Accountability Office yesterday released a report on DoD's reliance on the Civilian Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF). The report notes there has been a 55% decline in CRAF capacity since 2003 AND DoD large cargo movements have increased. The report notes that there is NO U.S. commercial cargo aircraft capable of moving the MRAPs and DoD is using foreign-owned carriers to assist military airlift missions.

Woman of Influence Earns Her Stripes

"Photo by Dane Gregory Meyer"

Honored this week as a “Woman of Influence,” by Business Examiner, Carlene Joseph was recognized for her tireless, comprehensive and successful efforts on behalf of our region’s military members and families.

Among her efforts are: President, Pierce Military and Business Alliance (PMBA); Treasurer, Washington State Air Force Association; Vice President & Newsletter Editor, Air Force Association McChord Chapter; President & Newsletter Editor, Association of the United States Army Fort Lewis Chapter; Vice President, Support America's Armed Forces; Regional Auxiliary Coordinator, Air Force Sergeants Association; Co-President, Joint Base Financial Alliance, a partnering between Harborstone Credit Union & America's Credit Union.

As a Proud Marine Mom (her son is currently serving as a U.S. Marine), Joseph works at Harborstone Credit Union as VP/Military Relations.

Proposed Actions at Ft. Lewis & YTC

The showing was light from community interests at the Ft. Lewis public meeting for presentation and comments about alternatives to increase post strength up to 5,700 soldiers and 110 helicopters.

Army personnel easily outnumbered the citizenry at 11 informational displays (scoping posters) that discussed each alternative from zero change up to the potentially cumulative increase. The Army was forthright in identifying both significant impacts and proposed mitigation for those impacts.

While written or oral comments were accepted last night, those interested may still make comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) no later than (received or postmarked) October 26, 2009.

Strategic Location Between Bases

Woodbrook has already been talked about as an industrial park that has the synergy for military contractors creating more military innovation and development.

Last year, the Port of Tacoma and City of Lakewood funded a study of Woodbrook’s redevelopment potential. Already 20 of 117 A. have been acquired for redevelopment by a single developer. The study recommends relocation of Woodbrook Middle School and the ASAP construction of the Cross-Base Highway segment from 146th St. SW to Fort Lewis. That could create up to 4,500 jobs and an assessed value of $184 million.

The Woodbrook Business Park Report is available here.

David Bugher, Asst. City Manager, City of Lakewood, will report on the proposed Woodbrook Business Park. The meeting details:

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 14, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Place: Best Western Tacoma Dome Hotel
2611 East E Street, Tacoma 98421
Price: $14.00 with RSVP. Non-reserved attendance: $16.00
RSVP: DUE 12 noon, Oct. 9. (Friday)
Register: Rose Crist, 253.627.2175 or online.

Magna Cum Laude In Deed

The University of Washington will honor eight Medal of Honor recipients who are also UW alumni with a new, prominent memorial to be dedicated this Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

University research indicates that the UW has more Medal of Honor recipients among its alumni than any other public university outside the service academies.

The memorial will be a permanent, powerful reminder of the extraordinary things that can happen when ordinary people take action, UW President Mark Emmert said.

Members of the armed forces, both active and retired, as well as the general public are encouraged to attend the dedication. Ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. with a parade down Memorial Way that will include bands, veterans groups and a military color guard.

Entirely funded by private contributions, the $152,000 monument will be near two existing war memorials. The first, Memorial Way, begins at the Northeast 45th Street entrance to the university and was created with 58 London Plane Trees honoring UW faculty, students and alumni who died in World War I. At the end of Memorial Way, just beyond the traffic circle where the Medal of Honor memorial will be, is the campus flagpole bearing names of faculty, staff, students and alumni who died in World War II.

Mike Magrath, a UW visiting scholar in sculpture and public art, led the team that designed the monument. It includes Heidi Wastweet, a Seattle sculptor, and Dodi Fredericks, a landscape architect.

Their design will be anchored by a five-point star, similar to the medal star, inset into the traffic circle. At the north point of the circle will be the book stone. On the exterior, it’s a plain serpentine stone that sat for years, largely ignored, outside the UW sculpture studio on lower campus. But split open like a book and polished, Wastweet said, the stone glows like ordinary people courageous enough to do something extraordinary for their fellow human beings.

The book stone includes each Medal of Honor recipient’s name, rank, award year and years at UW. A basalt column in front of the stone will feature the face of Minerva, goddess of both wisdom and war also pictured on the medal. We want to inspire students who walk around and through the memorial, Wastweet said. We want them to think that if these alumni could do extraordinary feats, then they can, too.

Near those main rocks will be four sentinel stones surrounding one with bronze wording from the recipients’ Medal citations. We found that no image was as powerful as details of what those men did, Wastweet said.

Since 1862, when the Medal of Honor was first awarded, more than 3,467 U.S. soldiers have received it, at least 620 posthumously.

The UW memorial grew out of a Student Senate motion that set aside a proposed memorial to UW alumnus Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps. The Student Senate favored a memorial recognizing all UW Medal of Honor recipients.

The other seven UW alumni who have received the medal are:
Deming Bronson, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Robert E. Galer, Brigadier General, U.S. Marine Corps
Bruce Crandall, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
John D. "Bud" Hawk, Sergeant, U.S. Army
Robert Leisy, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army
William Kenzo Nakamura, Private First Class, U.S. Army
Archie Van Winkle, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps

Funding for the memorial included a match program with TriWest Healthcare Alliance and the Bruce and Jolene McCaw Family Foundation.

The monument honors those who fought not for medals but to save the lives of their comrades. Their courage and selflessness reflects the American spirit, said David J. McIntyre Jr., president and chief executive officer of TriWest.

For more information about the memorial, visit here.

Noteworthies With a Local Link

John McHugh has assumed duties as Secretary of the Army. The Department of the Army announced Monday that he was sworn in as the 21st Secretary of the Army at a Pentagon ceremony that morning.

Alphabet Soup Means Potential Job$

Three public meetings are scheduled for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Fort Lewis Army Growth and Force Structure Realignment (GTA DEIS).

The three meetings are:

September 29
6pm-8pm
Lacey Community Center
6729 Pacific Ave., SE
Lacey, WA 98503

September 30
6pm - 8pm
Hal Holmes Community Center
209 North Ruby Street
Ellensburg, WA 98926

October 1
6pm - 8pm
Howard Johnson Plaza
9 North 9th Street
Yakima, WA 98901

The GTA DEIS analyzes the potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts of implementing the Army's stationing and realignment decisions i the 2007 "Grow the Army" Programmatic EIS and other ongoing initiatives affecting Fort Lewis and the Yakima Training Center. The actions analyzed are:

1. increase active duty strength at Ft. Lewis by about 1,900 soldiers;
2. stationing about 1,000 Combat Service Support soldiers of quartermaster, medical, transportation, headquarters or other CSS units;
3. stationing of a medium Combat Aviation Brigade of about 2,800 soldiers and 110 helicopters.

These actions can be taken independently of one another.
Comments must be received or postmarked by October 26 to be fully considered. Written comments or requests for more info to:
Department of the Army, Public Works, ATTN: IMWE-LEW-PWE (B Van Hoesen), Bldg. 2012 Liggett Ave., Box 339500, MS 17, Fort Lewis, WA 98433-9500
or:
Mr. Bill Van Hoesen or fax: 253-966-4985.

Noteworthies With a Local Link

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced today the following assignment:

Rear Adm. (lower half) Scott H. Swift, who has been selected for promotion to rear admiral, will be assigned as director for operations, J3, U.S. Pacific Command, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Swift is currently assigned as commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine, Everett, Wash.

More Again

Once again, the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense panel has called for more C-17s.

The Air Force Magazine.com reports that on Wednesday, the panel added $2.5 billion to its version of the Fiscal 2010 defense spending bill to buy 10 C-17 transports that the Obama Administration did not request. Pentagon leaders want to stop C-17 production at current levels (205-aircraft program of record, plus eight more funded in 2009 war supplemental).

But panel chairman Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) said during the markup session that he believes that DOD "will eventually conclude" that buying more C-17s and keeping an active production line is "the right solution." The House version of the spending bill includes money for three C-17s. If this mark survives the full Senate, then the two Congressional chambers would hash out the final number in conference.

Neither the House nor Senate included funds for more C-17s in their respective Fiscal 2010 defense authorization bills. (Inouye statement and Subcommittee markup summary)

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

U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
Aug. 28, 2009

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced today the following assignments:

Rear Adm. (lower half) Joseph P. Aucoin will be assigned as commander, Carrier Strike Group Three, Bremerton, WA. Aucoin is currently serving as deputy director, Air Warfare Division, N88B, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.

Rear Adm. (lower half) Mark A. Vance, who has been selected for promotion to rear admiral, will be assigned as director, Programming Division, N80, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Vance is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group Three, Bremerton, WA.

BBB Earns Stripes

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has worked since 2003 with their Military Line for targeted services for military personnel and families.

BBB has an up-to-date link on laws and policies for both military and vets. There are features on:

• scams targeting military personnel
• identity theft
• fraud prevention

And then, if you just want to know how to make your dollars go farther or for the best:

• legitimate deals for military personnel
• purchasing or remodeling your home
• buying or fixing your car
• finding reliable local businesses

Benefit Golf Tourney by PMBA

What Would Capt. Jack Do?

This is the sort of issue that puts the lie to traditional economists who say the military is simply a drain on national resources while accepting merchant security firms and loss prevention employment as contributors to the national GDP.

Belgium is offering military units to its merchant vessels off the Horn of Africa for C115,000 per week, challenging a global aversion to guns aboard merchant ships.

France has put troops on tuna boats in the Indian Ocean and US lawmakers are weighing similar action to fight piracy.

In June, the U.S. House passed HR 2647 that would require the DOD to put armed teams on US-flagged ships passing through high-risk waters, specifically around the Horn of Africa where Somali pirates have become a scourge of world shipping.

The amendment now goes to the Senate. A separate bill would grant immunity from prosecution in American courts to any “owner, operator, time charterer, master, or mariner who uses force, or authorizes the use of force, to defend a vessel of the United States against an act of piracy.”

Opponents fear such moves will escalate the violence and raise a thicket of legal issues for personal and corporate liabilities and national sovereignty.

UPDATE: Sept. 16.

Nations representing over 50% of the world's shipping tonnage today signed an anti-piracy agreement. Details here.

DoD Launches New Web Portal

The Department of Defense today launched a new home page, http://www.Defense.gov , designed to invite participation from the public and make military news and information more accessible.

The new Web site will provide quick access to those sites that are most sought by Web site visitors, including DoD social media sites, the Pentagon Channel and DoD news stories. Prominent on the new home page is a new "We Want to Hear From You" feature that will give users the opportunity to ask questions of Defense Department leaders, vote on policy issues they want explained, and explore frequently asked questions and answers.

The new site replaces http://www.DefenseLink.mil as the department's main Internet entry portal. DefenseLink will remain a news Web site and may be accessed from Defense.gov.

First Womens' Vets Conference in Tacoma

The Women Veterans Advisory Committee Holds First Statewide Women Veteran’s Conference in Tacoma, WA Sept. 12, 2009

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Women Veterans Advisory Committee is asking women veterans to register for the free “Celebrating Women Veterans' Legacy of Service Summit”, Saturday, September 12th from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, in Tacoma, WA.

Topics to be covered include: Physical Health & Wellness; Financial skills; Careers & Networking; Employment; and Veterans Benefits. There is NO registration fee; however, pre-registration is required. You can register by going to the website and completing the on-line registration form.

This free conference will provide women veterans with comprehensive information regarding opportunities and challenges women veterans face today, information on benefits and services they might be entitled to the opportunity to renew old acquaintances and make new ones.

The role of the WDVA Women Veterans Advisory Committee is to locate, identify, and assess the needs of Washington women veterans, provide information to meet the needs of women veterans to include benefits, entitlements, education, employment, and training, through a referral and follow-up process; recommend and plan events, which enhance a positive image of women veterans and coordinate and monitor efforts to accomplish the above goals.

This unique conference is designed to ensure women veterans are provided with ALL resources to which they are entitled. By holding this conference, the committee hopes that more women veterans will learn about their rights and benefits, as well as become more familiar with the many programs offered throughout the state. The goal is to provide them with the tools they need to succeed and thrive in a challenging economy.

The Committee is also inviting participation by local sponsors and businesses. There will be information booths and an opportunity for businesses to provide sponsorship at several levels, including direct financial support through donations, booth sponsorship, and in-kind donations.

For more information or to sign up for the conference, you may also contact:
Liza Narciso
Assistant to the Deputy Director
WA Department of Veterans Affairs
360-725-2157

Telling It Like It Is

The Prosperity Partnership has announced the release of the Military Cluster Development Strategy.

This work is thanks to many who helped in this process, from the working group participants to those who provided data and information for the report to those who are currently participating in the Washington Defense Partnership. The report is attached.

Two action items in the strategy have been incorporated into the Prosperity Partnership’s 2009 Action Items and both have been completed. Thanks to the hard work of Mark San Souci and others, the Interstate Compact for Military Children was signed into law by the Governor on May 7, 2009. The Washington Defense Partnership, an ongoing effort to stitch the military communities and their development goals more closely together, met for the first time on May 27, 2009.

The Washington Defense Partnership will provide a central coordinating body for facilitating solutions to support the military presence and mission in Washington. This includes support for installations and the units based here, as well as armed forces members and their families, retirees, veterans, and the contracting community.

The Partnership will meet as a whole twice a year and is currently planning for its fall meeting. If you would like to be a part of the group or to learn more about it, please contact Olivia Robinson or 206-464-7890.

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.

Boeing Rolls Out the Navy P8A Poseidon

An estimated 500 guests, including Governor Christine Gregiore and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead, applauded the roll out of the Navy’s next generation electronics surveillance/submarine hunter at the Boeing Renton plant on July 30, 2009. The P8A Poseidon provides a leap forward in capabilities over the P3C Orion it replaces.

Photo: Boeing Company

Nearly 100 officers and sailors from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, an eventual home for the P8A, flocked to the new aircraft following the official ceremony to check it out and “kick the tires.”


The Navy plans to buy 117 of the aircraft, while India will purchase 8 more and Australia has expressed an interest in 4 aircraft. More purchases by foreign navies could on the horizon upon flight test and certification.

The roll out of the P8A trailed the roll out of the Navy’s version of the F-35 joint strike fighter (JSF) at the Lockheed-Martin plant in Houston, Texas earlier this week.



Guest Blogger: Roger Olsen, Navy League of the U.S. Tacoma Council

Noteworthies With a Local Link

Today, Col. Thomas H. Brittain assumed command of the garrison at Ft. Lewis. Col. Brittain was previously a student at the Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, PA.

Pierce College Lucky 13

The Military Times EDGE magazine today reports that Pierce College ranks as No. 13 among colleges and universities chosen by service members using military tuition assistance.

Pierce College was identified as providing service members 14,659 courses reimbursed by military tuition assistance. Active-duty service members may receive $250 per credit hour up to $4,500 per year using federal tuition assistance.

Three online-only universities entered the top ten. Among those universities and colleges offering traditional classroom learning, Pierce College ranked #10 in the nation. On average, reports Military Times EDGE, distance learning is over 50% more than classroom based courses: $605.06 vs. $401.89.

This information was gleaned from an earlier this year presentation by Carolyn Baker, the DoD's chief of continuing education.

To Be Counted or Not

Legislation aimed at spurring states to do a better job of tracking absentee ballots was headed for House consideration last Tuesday.

The bill (H.R. 2510) would create a grant program to reimburse states for costs associated with establishing an absentee ballot tracking program for federal elections. The bill amends the Help America Vote Act by requiring the Election Assistance Commission to reimburse any state that chooses to implement an absentee ballot tracking program. The state would receive $3,000 for each jurisdiction in the state that conducts the program.

Under the absentee ballot tracking program, absentee voters would be able to confirm online whether the election office received their absentee ballot, whether the ballot was counted and if not counted, the reason why. If an election office does not have a website, they can use a toll-free number to allow absentee voters to obtain the information regarding their ballot. The bill authorizes appropriations as necessary in Fiscal Year 2010 and each succeeding fiscal year.

According to a study conducted by the Overseas Vote Foundation, more than half of surveyed military and overseas voters who tried to vote absentee by mail in the 2008 election were unable to do so because their requested ballots either were received too late to be counted or were not received at all. Washington already employs ballot tracking technology. Currently, if any absentee voter would like to find out the status of their ballot, all they have to do is call their respective County Auditor’s Office. The County Auditor’s Office will be able to tell the voter if their ballot was counted or not and why.

In order to qualify for the grant funding, states must have tracking systems that allow voters to confirm whether their absentee ballots for federal elections have been received and counted. Washington State does employ this technology. Washington’s Secretary of State is currently in a lawsuit over the use of this technology. Here is a FAQ on barcodes and ballot secrecy in Washington.

Twenty-one of the thirty-nine counties in Washington use voting systems manufactured by Hart InterCivic. The Hart system uses serial numbers on ballots as a way of preventing the same ballot from being counted twice. In the Hart system, the ballot is not linked to the voter in any way, but if the system receives a ballot with the same serial number twice, it knows not to count it the second time. In other words, it recognizes that the same ballot has been input more than once. The number is not linked to the voter and cannot be used to identify who cast the ballot. It can also be used to verify that the ballot was issued through the county’s system, and thus screens out counterfeit or “look alike” ballots. The bottom line is that since those numbers are not linked to voters, they cannot be used to identify voters.

Some Washington counties use a ballot tracking system that originated with the VoteHere company, and for which the current vendor is VoteTrust. This system uses a serial number (either the Hart number, if the county also uses Hart, or a random unique number, if the county does not use Hart) to track the ballot through the process of receiving, verifying, canvassing, and counting ballots.

As currently used, this system does not save any connection between the ballot and the voter. It does not identify the voter and the ballot, but is simply used for reconciliation purposes. The counties using the system use it to identify which ballots are mailed out, and which of those ballots are returned and counted. This assures that only valid ballots are mailed out and that only ballots produced by the county are received back and tabulated (so that nobody can introduce a counterfeit ballot into the system at tabulation). They are also used, at least in “Hart” counties, to assure that no ballot is counted twice.

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.

40 and Counting

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the first landing and excursion on the Moon.

Our nation's military has untold honors in defense of this nation in both hot and cold wars. It has myriad humanitarian relief efforts to citizens of former enemy countries and those suffering from natural disasters and turmoil. And, it has profound scientific achievements on earth. But it's most spectacular scientific achievement is the whole space program, culminating - so far - with the landings on the moon.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of that first moon landing. And, our homage to the military men who actually went there as well as the many thousands of men and women who did all those creative endeavors that supported and enabled their individual achievements.

Those men, members of our military services, are:

Commander Neil Armstrong, US. Navy, first person to set foot on the moon.
Command Module Pilot Michael Collins, USMA (West Point) grad/U.S. Air Force.
Lunar Module Pilot Edwin E. Aldrin,, Jr., USMA grad/U. S. Air Force, first person to land on the moon and second person to set foot on the moon

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.

Local Tricare Provider 3peats

Dave McIntyre, CEO, announced today that TriWest Healthcare Alliance has been chosen by the Department of Defense to continue to serve the healthcare needs of 2.7 million active duty personnel, their families and retirees across the 21-state TRICARE West Region.

Regina McDaniel, TriWest with Military Citizen of the Year MSgt. Marvin Shields, Jr., WADS, McChord AFB.

McIntyre said: “This third contract award is a strong vote of confidence in our company and a testament to the work we have done throughout the 13 years we have been in business. The award also reflects the ‘Whatever It Takes’ attitude and commitment of our leadership and employee base, who know that it is not only our duty, but our privilege to serve those who sacrifice so much in service to us all.”

PNWers are well aware of the proactive role the regional TriWest office has assumed – and performed admirably – in the community. Although numerous in their many actions, TriWest's exemplary community involvement in the USO and the sponsorship of the Chamber’s Military Citizen of the Year and the Citizen-Soldier of the Year award are demonstrative of their local commitment to service.

Noteworthies With a Local Link

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has nominated Army Reserve Col. Daniel L. York for appointment to the grade of brigadier general and assignment to commander, 104th Division (institutional training), Vancouver, Wash.

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.

Look Behind to Look Ahead for Fiscal Policies

So, you think you know how the new federal administration will treat the military budget given this year?

Wrong, according to Lt. Gen. (ret.) Theodore Stroup at today's joint meeting of the Ft. Lewis and Puget Sound* AUSA Chapters. Stroup, currently serves as the Association of the U.S. Army's (AUSA) Vice President of Education and Executive Director for their Institute of Land Warfare.

Stroup says every administration, regardless of party affiliation, inherits the last budget of the "outgone" administration. It's simply a matter of timing required for budget submittal to Congress and the beginning of the federal fiscal year. Stroup says we will have to see the budget for 2011 before we will know the policy implications for the new administration.

As far as looking ahead to future actions goes, Stroup said the Pres. Obama administration has been clear in stating its intent, looking back from recent statements to the campaign policies and speeches.

* Newly renamed in honor: PFC William Kenzo Nakamura Chapter

AFA Atwitter

The AFA has announced it's new tool that places it in the vanguard of grassroots communications with the recent introduction of its twitter page.

Without signing up for Twitter, you can see AFA's tweets by clicking the light blue Twitter icon soon to be at the top of their web page.

Although twittering was originally dismissed as a fanciful preoccupation by an unoccupied constituency, it has proven it has serious and dramatic capabilities. Just consider the use of this and other electronic communications in the successful election of Pres. Obama and the riveting relevancy of twittering in the current Iran election and governance demonstrations.

The AFA proposes to post twitters twice a day initially.

Last Chance for Petraeus

The Seattle World Affairs Council is presenting General David Petraeus in its Global Leadership Series. Gen. Petraeus will address: The Military and U.S. Foreign Policy: An Evening With General David Petraeus

Last Chance to Pre-Register!

Posed as questions for Gen. Petraeus to address are:

• What are the most valuable lessons from the US counterinsurgency efforts in Iraq that will help the US troops being sent to fight the Taliban in Afghanistan?
• What is the strategy to prevent Pakistan from falling into a state of anarchy and to prevent Pakistan's nuclear arsenal from falling into the hands of the Taliban?
• Does the defeat of the Tamil Tigers by the Sri Lankan army's offensive operations call into question the modern theory of counterinsurgency, which calls for winning over populations as the key to long-term peace?

The Global Leadership Series brings members of the Puget Sound community together with senior diplomatic, political, cultural, and thought leaders, including current and former heads of state. The Series also provides a forum for leading innovators who have improved or revolutionized global perspectives and practices.

The World Affairs Council presents General David Petraeus, the final speaker in the 2009 Global Leadership Series and the Commander of United States Central Command.

For a full biography and more information, please click here!

DATE: 07/08/2009
RECEPTION TIME: 6:00 p.m. LECTURE TIME: 7:00 p.m., Registration begins at 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Town Hall at Eighth and Seneca, Seattle
LECTURE PRICE:$20 members/students
$40 non-members
RECEPTION PRICE: SOLD OUT

Click here to register now!

USAF 2010 Force Structure

Today the U.S. Air Force announced its proposed force structure realignment for fiscal 2010. It reflects adjustments which will provide adequate resources to accomplish the Air Force mission.

For more details about the fiscal 2010 Force Structure realignment go to the PowerPoint formatted pdf (Washington info on page 115-116) and/or a pdf memo-style document (Washington info on page 42).

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.

C-17s Going Up

Congress has approved $2.2 billion for eight more C-17 cargo planes.

Good news for Boeing and especially its suppliers.

The U.S. House of Representatives had recommended the eight additional C-17s.

It also mandated that the Defense Department maintain a strategic airlift fleet of 316 aircraft, which is the current size of the fleet given a program of record for 205 C-17s plus 111 C-5s. It added no money for more C-17s. (HASC bill summary)

Yet, the Senate did not. Wonderful things...conference committees!

Smooth Cruise News

A most excellent opportunity was taken by perhaps the biggest crowd ever - and definitely the biggest crowd in memory!

About 250 business, civic and military leaders enjoyed a convivial atmosphere designed to introduce and develop amicable relationships within the community. The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, along with the Tacoma Yacht Club's members, organized the Cruise around the South Sound and a picnic (by Gallucci's Catering) at the TYC's Wollochet Bay Outstation.

In addition to a fabulous day in which numerous Chamber members and the Joint Base Financial Alliance served as hosts aboard the skipper's yachts, Coinforce.com provided commemorative challenge coins.

Want to see what you missed? It'll be motivation for you to be involved next year!

Noteworthies With a Local Link

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
June 15, 2009

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced today the following assignments:

Rear Adm. (lower half) Timothy M. Giardina, who has been selected for promotion to rear admiral, will be assigned as director, readiness and training, N4/N7, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Va. Giardina is currently serving as commander, Submarine Group Nine/commander, Submarine Group Ten, Silverdale, Wash.

HASC Moves on Budget

A House Armed Services subcommittee today approved a measure authorizing a significant boost in spending for special operations as part of a bill setting national security policy for fiscal 2010.

The Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities — the first of six panels to act on the bill — approved by voice vote provisions authorizing spending for science and technology programs, cybersecurity and, perhaps most notably, for everything U.S. Special Operations Command sought in the budget and more.

“We wanted to give them the tools and capabilities they need to do the things we ask them to do,” said Adam Smith , D-Wash., the subcommittee’s chairman, said of the U.S. special forces.

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.

Cyber Threats Hare Raising

With the assessment by the GAO (glad someone's accountable) that the nation's information security is "at risk" from cyber threats, also comes an assessment on how difficult it is to do non-kinetic cyber activity, like shooting behind the rabbits.

Maj. Gen. William Lord, commander of the USAF Cyber Command (Provisional), statement that: it is easier to get approval to do a kinetic (read "bomb") strike with a 2,000 lb. bomb than it is for us to do a non-kinetic (no "boom!") cyber activity. Lord, who has been nominated to become the AF Chief of Warfighting Integration was speaking to an industry association recently.

The Cyberspace Policy Review is a 76-page report released with a White House announcement that the president will be creating a new cybersecurity office and czar, as well as a privacy and civil liberties official to oversee the government’s cybersecurity plans. The cybersecurity report provides a list of wide-ranging guidelines advising President Barack Obama on how the government should proceed in its national plan to secure cyberspace.

It touches on everything from establishing communication networks for emergency response teams to the role government should play in the protection of critical infrastructure networks and whether or not entities that experience a breach should have to notify governments and law enforcement agencies. Privacy and civil liberties concerns receive a repeated nod, with privacy being mentioned in the report more than five dozen times.