Two Businesses Spotlighted for Achievements

Spotlight! On Business award recipients were announced at the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s awards luncheon held at Hotel Murano Friday.

2013 Spotlight! On Business Award Recipients:

Veteran-Owned Business:  Summit Strength & Conditioning

(l to r) Monique Trudnowski, Adriatic Grill, emcee; John Harman; Carlyn Roy, TAPCO, award sponsor.

Recognized for growing their client base of 25 to over 200 clients through the commitment of fitness trainer/owner John Jarman’s and his trainers have to serving their clients. John Jarman served in the United States Marine Corps, and has 21 years of experience in the fitness industry.  The vision and strength of Jarman’s business plan all contributed to the success and growth of his training facility.

Harborstone Credit Union Presents the Business Supporter of the Military: GEICO Insurance

Rick Stevens, Owner, GEICO agency

Recognized for GEICO Insurance agency owner Rick Stevens’ long term support of the military and business community. Since 1985, Stevens has been a lifetime member of the Association of the United States Army serving as President three times. He is also currently participating on the Pierce Military Business Alliance Board of Directors and Chairs the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee.


Other Award recipients are:

Small Business (1 – 25 employees):  South Sound Magazine
Medium-sized Business (26 – 50 employees):  Eisenhower & Carlson, PLLC
Large Business (51+ employees):  Hotel Murano
Non-Profit Organization:  Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity

The Spotlight! On Business Awards recognizes the accomplishments and civic contributions that Chamber member businesses make to the community.  The selection committee, made up of volunteers, based their choices by following five criteria:  staying power, growth in employees, evidence of contributions to community-oriented projects, innovation of product or service and response to adversity.

The Chamber extends its gratitude to Spotlight! On Business Awards Presenting Sponsor Business Health Trust, Awards Sponsor TAPCO Credit Union, Media Sponsor Clear Channel Outdoor, Entertainment Sponsor Hardcastle Entertainment, Inc., Business Supporter of the Military Award Sponsor Harborstone Credit Union and Gift Sponsor Harry & David, for their support in making the event possible.

Local Unit Wins DoD Maintenance Award

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced today the 2013 winners of the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards for depot and field-level units. These awards are presented annually to recognize outstanding achievements in weapon system and military equipment maintenance.

A total of six field-level awards are presented in three categories -- large, medium, and small. The recipients of this year's Secretary of Defense Field-level Maintenance Awards in the large category are the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton, Wash., and the 27th Special Operations Maintenance Group, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.

Winners in the medium category are the D Company, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment (Task Force Talon), 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C., and the USS Emory Land (AS-39), Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory. Small category winners are the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., and the Naval Sea Systems Command Submarine Performance Monitoring Program, Headquarters, Washington Navy Yard, D.C.

The 2013 Robert T. Mason Depot Maintenance Excellence Award recipient is the Army, UH-60 Black Hawk Recapitalization Program at Corpus Christi Army Depot, Corpus Christi, Texas.

The awards will be presented to the winners at the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards Ceremony scheduled for Oct. 30 in the Pentagon Auditorium.

Sept ACAP Changes Location

JBLM's ACAP announces a new location beginning with the September Monthly Networking Event:

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Sequestration Dance Continues

From today's Congressional hearing about sequestration, you may hear & see on YouTube this clip from the House Armed Services Committee meeting at which Cong. Derek Kilmer asked our Senior Military leaders about the impacts of sequestration and a potential government shutdown on our military readiness and DoD civilian workforce.

For a fuller overview of the hearing, including the quote of Cong. Kilmer's quip about sequestration, “it is a Latin word meaning stupid,” see this link to Defense News 09/18/2013.

Readers are reminded that sequestration cut $500 B. from the Defense budget in 2013, and proposes to continue by cutting $52 B./yr. X 10 years.

USAF - Boeing Finalize KC-46A Tanker Aircraft Design

Boeing is on track to deliver 18 combat-ready tankers by 2017.

The U.S. Air Force and Boeing have validated the final design elements of the KC-46A Tanker and concluded that the proposed design embodies and can meet Air Force requirements, clearing the way for production and testing of the next-generation aerial refueling tanker.

"I'm pleased to report that the design of the KC-46A tanker has been locked down," said Air Force Maj. Gen. John Thompson, Air Force Program Executive Officer for Tankers. "This is great news for the nation’s warfighters. The joint government and Boeing team stayed focused on the design review objectives, and truly delivered."

Following months of component and subsystem reviews, the Air Force and Boeing held a KC-46A Weapon System Critical Design Review July 8-10.

The KC-46A is based on the commercial Boeing 767-200ER, a proven airframe in service worldwide as an airliner, freighter and tanker. The company has delivered more than 1,050 767s.

"The KC-46A's design is all about giving the warfighter an edge," said Maureen Dougherty, Boeing vice president and KC-46 program manager. "The aircraft’s powerful, multi-role capabilities and high reliability will mean greater effectiveness and availability to meet more mission requirements."
Boeing began assembling the wing for the first tanker aircraft on June 26.

If all options under the current contract are exercised, Boeing expects to deliver 179 tankers so the Air Force can begin replacing its fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers. By 2017, Boeing is to build four test aircraft and deliver 18 combat-ready tankers.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $33 billion business with 59,000 employees worldwide.

JBLM Software Engineer Academy Starts

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Boots2Work Successful Hiring Event

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Ops Ham Grenade & Turkey Drop Opens

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Boeing Fulfills US Air Force C-17 Production Contract with 223rd Delivery

Boeing delivered the 223rd and last U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III airlifter Sept. 12, fulfilling the production contract more than 20 years after the first delivery.

The aircraft left Boeing’s Long Beach facility to fly to its assignment at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., where a ceremony will mark its arrival.

The Air Force was the C-17's launch customer. Since the aircraft's first flight Sept. 15, 1991, it has been the world's only strategic airlifter with tactical capabilities that allow it to fly between continents, land on short, austere runways, and airdrop supplies precisely where they are needed.

"Thank you for delivering to our nation combat airlift – that is the definition of the C-17 – the most versatile, most capable, most ready airlifter ever built," said U.S. Air Force Gen. Paul Selva, commander, Air Mobility Command. "What you have done with this aircraft speaks volumes about your character."
Boeing continues to produce C-17s for other customers around the world, and maintain and sustain the aircraft through the C-17 Globemaster Integrated Sustainment Program. Boeing C-17 sustainment work ongoing.

C-17s have been involved in contingency operations of all types, including flying troops and equipment to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and to Operation Iraqi Freedom. The airlifter also has been used in humanitarian missions around the world, including the Japanese and Indian Ocean tsunamis of 2011 and 2004, respectively; Hurricane Katrina in 2005; and the Haitian earthquake of 2010.

"C-17s are the workhorse for the U.S. Air Force in wartime and in peace," said Chris Chadwick, Boeing Military Aircraft president. "So while this is the last new C-17 to be added to the Air Force fleet, the mission does not stop here. The C-17 delivers hope and saves lives, and with the Air Force in the pilot's seat, it will continue to do so well into the future."

The C-17 holds 33 world records – more than any other airlifter in history – including payload-to-altitude, time-to-climb and short-takeoff-and-landing marks. It has exceeded 2.6 million flight hours, playing an integral role in global strategic airlift.

The National Aeronautics Association in 1994 awarded the C-17 its Collier Trophy, recognizing the aircraft as the top aeronautical achievement of that year.

"C-17 is the product of our dedicated workforce and more than 20 years of teamwork with our suppliers and the U.S. Air Force," said Nan Bouchard, Boeing vice president and C-17 program manager. "Every employee here is proud to build this amazing aircraft. We are continuing the legacy by building C-17s for our partner nations, and we will continue to work with the U.S. Air Force to ensure their aircraft deliver top performance into the future."

In addition to the 223 C-17s delivered to the U.S. Air Force, 34 are operated by Australia, Canada, India, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. Employees continue to build the C-17 airlifter for global customers.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $33 billion business with 59,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

Military Affairs Forum September 11

Military Affairs Forum works to enhance communication and opportunities between the civilian community and defense installations.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013
7:30 - 9:00 AM

Event Location:
LaQuinta Inn & Suites
1425 East 27th St.
Tacoma, WA 98421

Fees/Admission:
$13.00 Pre-Paid
$15.00
$20.00 Walk-Ins

Register:
Online or with Janice Hutchins, 253.683.4882

Presentation:

Homeland Response Force (HRF)
CPT Adam Hanisch
Homeland Response Force Planning Officer
Washington Army National Guard

CPT Adam Hanisch will speak about the Homeland Response Force (HRF) and its current configuration with an emphasis on their Mission Ready Packages - a tailor made approach to providing support within the region.

Event Sponsored by Harborstone Credit Union

FUTURE MEETINGS

October 9, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m., La Quinta Inn
November 7, 12 - 1:30 p.m., with Rotary Club of Tacoma featuring the John Anderson Military Citizen of the Year

Representative Kilmer on CODEL to Afghanistan

House Armed Services Committee Member and U.S. Representative for WA District 6 Derek Kilmer returned from Afghanistan on Friday after a three-day Congressional Delegation (CODEL).

 

Representative Kilmer met with leadership of the United States and Afghan militaries.  Kilmer also met with American service members including constituents from Washington’s 6th District. 

 

Pictured: Kilmer meets with soldiers, primarily from Washington and California, at Forward Operating Base Lightning which supports training of Members of the Afghan National Security Forces.