Police Technology: Blog

CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- July 18, 2008

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:38:33 GMT

The forensic guy from the FBI [Transcript from Discussion of 2001 ‘Amerithrax Attacks’]

“Dr Bruce Budowle has been in the FBI for over 20 years, heading one of its forensic laboratories. He looks back to the mysterious and still unsolved case of the anthrax envelopes which followed 9/11 […] Dr Budowle has come to Australia's Bond University to share techniques and learn from Professor Angela van Daal's use of genetics to profile human features […]” (ABC Radio National; 17Jul08)

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/inconversation/stories/2008/2299962.htm

Former Western [Pennsylvanian] legislator to enter jail Aug. 1

“Former State Rep. Jeff Habay will report to jail Aug. 1 to serve concurrent sentences for conflict of interest and a bizarre fake anthrax threat. […] the state Supreme Court has denied Habay's appeal of his 2006 no-contest pleas to charges that he falsely claimed to have received a powder-filled envelope from a political opponent. Habay was sentenced to four to eight months in jail in the anthrax case.” (Philadelphia Inquirer; 17Jul08; AP) http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20080717_Former_Western_Pa__legislator_to_enter_jail_Aug__1.html

GAO Notes Mixed Progress on Biosurveillance

“The department has not yet identified what capabilities the National Biosurveillance Integration Center (NBIC) should possess to be considered fully operational […] although DHS is upgrading capabilities for the new center, it will not fully train new personnel using the NBIC information technology system until April 2009 […] Current detectors require 10-34 hours to identify a biological attack from an agent such as anthrax. The new systems finally developed with the DHS Science and technology Directorate would cut that time down to 4-6 hours.” (HS Today; 17Jul08; Mickey McCarter) http://hstoday.us/content/view/4292/128/

Disaster planning money reduced [Washington State]

“Federal money used to help local and state public health agencies plan for disasters is being cut by $3.7 million in Washington, with cuts to Snohomish County and four other northwest Washington counties estimated at $200,000. The regional planning program for Snohomish, Island, Skagit, Whatcom and San Juan counties is losing 21 percent of the federal money […] A national push for public health agencies to plan for emergencies came in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks and panic over bioterrorism after anthrax-contaminated letters were sent through the mail. In response, local and state public health agencies received $1.1 billion in federal money to help prepare for future emergencies.” (Herald Net; 18Jul08; Sharon Salyer)

http://heraldnet.com/article/20080718/NEWS01/700231358

Tracking produce proves complex

“More than six weeks ago, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about a salmonella outbreak in New Mexico and Texas connected to raw tomatoes. Since then, the agency has expanded the warning nationwide and added jalapeno and serrano peppers. More than 1,100 people have fallen ill since April, but not a single contaminated tomato or pepper has been found.” (Los Angeles Times; 17July08; Annys Shin) http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-salmonella18-2008jul18,0,983085.story

Bomb Squad Blows Up Highly Explosive Acid Found In Walnut Hill [Florida]

“The quart size bottle of picric acid was found in a barn on a farm in the 7800 block of Highway 97, less than a half mile from Ernest Ward Middle School. The bomb squad was called to the scene, and the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department responded about 1:45. […] Besides wartime bomb making, picric was once used diluted as an antiseptic and as a treatment for burns, malaria, herpes and smallpox. It was once also synthesized into a non-explosive insecticide called chloropicrin. Chloropicrin was also used by the Germans and British as a chemical warfare agent during World War Two.” (North Escambia; 17Jul08; William)

http://www.northescambia.com/?p=3098

Poisonous cylinders made safe [Dublin]

“Cylinders of a highly volatile poisonous liquid were disposed of safely in South Dublin today with the help of US environment experts. The seven containers of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) were successfully chemically neutralised without the use of any explosives. […] The cylinders had been stored at the pest control company Rentokil and were moved to the county council owned compound at Grange Castle, Co Dublin for the neutralization.” (Evening Herald; 17Jul08; Sarah Neville) http://www.herald.ie/national-news/poisonous-cylinders-made-safe-1434861.html

Hidden Newnes Forest storage has added to military puzzle

“Earlier this week the Lithgow Mercury published a feature based on interviews conducted by the Illawarra Mercury with ex servicemen now living in the Illawarra region who had worked on secret chemical warfare stockpiles at Marrangaroo and Glenbrook during World War Two. The chemicals included mustard gas imported from America and Britain in contravention of the Geneva Convention to be used in any last ditch defence effort should Australia be invaded. […] There was no way of knowing exactly what was in the drums in the forest but it clearly wasn’t someone’s stash of home brew.” (Lithgow Mercury; 17Jul08; Len Ashworth) http://lithgow.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/hidden-newnes-forest-storage-has-added-to-military-puzzle/813140.aspx

Live in Azalea Park [Orlando, Florida]? Learn about cleanup

“The Army Corps of Engineers will have a community meeting at 6:30 p.m. today [17Jul08] at the Engelwood Neighborhood Center […] The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the investigation into possible contamination left behind in the Azalea Park neighborhood from the former Orlando Army Airfield Toxic Gas and Decontamination Yard.” (Orlando Sentinel; 17Jul08; Rich McKay & Wes Smith) http://www.orlandosentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/thursday/orange/orl-orgovwatch17_108jul17,0,857491.story

Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group on Terrorism

“OPCW Director-General Rogelio Pfirter opened the meeting by recalling the recommendations of the Second Review Conference on the OPCW’s response to terrorism. He highlighted the importance of implementing Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention (Assistance and Protection Against Chemical Weapons) and stressed the value of the OPCW’s existing cooperation with the EU. […] He said information exchange in the fight against terrorism across borders has improved, greater attention is paid to the protection of EU infrastructures, and that the European Arrest Warrant has facilitated the procedures of extradition.” (OPCW News; 15Jul08; Johan de

Wittlaan)

http://www.opcw.org/pressreleases/2008/News17_2008.html

Emergency responders get dirty bomb training [Carlsbad, New Mexico]

“There were bodies and belligerents all over the place Thursday afternoon in a field near the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center. […] It was all part of a ‘dirty bomb’ exercise involving the Texas National Guard Civil Support Team. Some members of New Mexico's support team were also present. […] Thursday's training session was divided into two parts. Members of the Carlsbad Fire Department were the first to arrive on scene, but they were eventually backed up by the National Guard.

Smoke poured from a burned out vehicle. Volunteers who played the parts of victims all had detailed maps and timelines for the mock scenario. Some were assigned to be victims from the get-go, while others played the parts of tourists or ‘walking worried.’” (Current Argus; 18Jul08; Kyle

Marksteiner)

http://origin.currentargus.com/ci_9922344

[Homeland Security Secretary Michael] Chertoff: European terrorists trying to enter US

“European terrorists are trying to enter the United States with European Union passports, and there is no guarantee officials will catch them every time, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Thursday. […] Chertoff and other intelligence officials have delivered similar warnings before, and he offered no new information about specific threats or an imminent attack. Chertoff reiterated his concern that terrorists could sneak radiological material into the country on small boats or private aircraft.” (AP; 18Jul08; Eileen Sullivan)

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i3uIGU_Clf36waqYlsaWDls9HP2gD920562O1

UH [University of Hawaii] chosen to help make travel safer

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has tapped the University of Hawaii to be one of 11 institutions to serve for the next six years as ‘an incubator of technology’ in the area of maritime security issues, according to a visiting federal official. Retired Rear Adm. Jay Cohen, Homeland Security Department undersecretary for science and technology, told the Star-Bulletin yesterday that the UH's Center of Excellence for Maritime, Island and Port Security will be under the College of Engineering and will receive a grant ranging from $1.5 million to $2 million annually.” (Star Bulletin; 16July08; Gregg K. Kakesako) http://starbulletin.com/2008/07/16/news/story11.html

Advanced Life Sciences and UK Ministry of Defence announce collaboration

“Advanced Life Sciences Holdings has announced that the UK's Defence Science and technology Laboratory will evaluate the developmental compound ALS-886 as a treatment for chemically induced lung injury. […] Michael Flavin, chairman and CEO of Advanced Life Sciences, said: ‘Dstl is internationally recognized for its ability to evaluate new therapeutic countermeasures that combat chemical and biological warfare agents, and we are very excited to partner with them to develop ALS-886 for potential procurement as a medical countermeasure.” (Trading Markets; 18July08) http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1768368/

CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.

Mail Bridges Distance Between Deployed Soldiers, Families

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:51:55 GMT

By Army Pfc. Michael Schuch

Special to American Forces Press Service

July 18, 2008 - When Patton's tanks rolled across North African desert sands, letters of encouragement, love and support from family back home connected 1st Armored Division soldiers to loved ones left behind. Today, in the heat of Iraq's deserts, mail continues to bridge the distance between "Iron Soldiers" and their families. Even in today's age of advanced technological communications, nothing compares to being able to hold a letter or open a package pieced together with affection by someone at home.

"Even though my wife and I are able to communicate almost daily via the internet, it still brightens my day to open a package from her," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Donald Johnson, deployed from Baumholder, Germany. "To know that her hands held this just days ago makes me feel that we are not so far apart."

It takes hours of work and numerous soldiers to get the mail from its origin to soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.

"On an average day, we bring in roughly 8,000 pounds of mail, sending out nearly 1,000 pounds from the soldiers," said Army Sgt. Lamond Jackson, of Los Angeles.

Soldiers serving in war zones are able to send letters to the U.S. free of charge.

Once a piece of mail is shipped to Iraq from anywhere in the United States, it is sent to a central facility in New York. Mail is next received and sorted by soldiers working at Baghdad International Airport. These soldiers then arrange for the mail to be and shipped by convoy to the appropriate base.

Every letter, parcel and package received by the mail handlers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, is sorted into individual units, then, the office or group of each soldier, and finally, by the soldier's name. It takes each piece of mail an average of five to 10 days to travel from origin to destination, passing through several checkpoints and countless soldiers along the way.

Before the mail passes into the hands of its intended soldier, it goes through the final link in the chain, the unit mail clerk. The unit mail clerk is solely responsible for ensuring that each package is intact, protected and delivered to the correct soldier.

"Being the mail clerk is a big responsibility, because mail is really important for our soldiers," said Army Pfc. Courtney Flaherty, of Pacific, Mass. "I really enjoy being able to perform this job."

No matter what soldiers may encounter during any given day, a little piece of home provides meaning to the sacrifices they make. "Mail is the sole thing I look forward to each day. I love it," said Army Cpl. John Wilson, of New York City. "Just knowing that someone special took the time and effort to write to me makes all this worthwhile."

(Army Pfc. Michael Schuch is assigned to the Public Affairs Office of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.)

Troops in Iraq Capture 14 Suspects, Seize Weapons

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:29:22 GMT

American Forces Press Service

July 17, 2008 - Coalition and Iraqi forces caught 14 suspects and seized weapons caches in Iraq over the past three days, military officials said. Troops detained nine suspected terrorists, including three wanted men, today during operations in Iraq targeting al-Qaida in Iraq's financial and foreign-terrorist networks.

In those operations:

-- Coalition forces in Hit, about 90 miles west of Baghdad, captured a man allegedly working with al-Qaida in Iraq to bring foreign terrorists into the country.

-- Coalition troops caught a wanted man and an additional suspect in Karmah. The wanted man is believed to conspire with longtime al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists in the northern belts around Baghdad, where troops detained another suspect in a separate operation.

-- Forces captured a man in Mosul believed to be involved in criminal plots to finance al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist attacks. The wanted man was detained with one other suspect.

-- Coalition forces near Tikrit, about 100 miles north of Baghdad, targeted al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists who reportedly were planning to conduct attacks with poisons. Troops detained three suspects in the raid.

In the New Baghdad security district of eastern Baghdad, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained a key suspect yesterday, military officials said. Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team detained the suspect during a mission in the Kamaliyah area of the Iraqi capital. The suspect allegedly has planted roadside bombs, conducted indirect-fire attacks in the area, and provided finances for bombing activities.

Also in New Baghdad yesterday, the 4th Brigade Combat Team confiscated more than a dozen assault rifles during clearance operations in the eastern Baghdad district.

During operations July 15:

-- Combined forces in the Sadr City district of Baghdad detained an Iranian-backed "special groups" member with an arrest warrant issued by Iraq's Interior Ministry. The individual has attacked and killed Iraqi security and coalition forces with homemade and small-arms fire, military officials said.

-- In the Jisr Diyala neighborhood of southeastern Baghdad, Iraqi special operations forces detained a suspected leader of an Iranian-backed bombing cell. The suspect allegedly is responsible for weapons trafficking, homemade bombings and an assassination plot against an Iraqi general officer.

-- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained a known leader of an Iranian-backed militant group during Operation Raider Nor'easter in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. The suspect allegedly has used homemade bombs in the area, military officials said.

-- Iraqi special operations forces detained a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader in Fallujah. The suspect, detained on a, Iraqi Justice Ministry warrant, reportedly is in charge of three al-Qaida unit commanders who that oversee some 200 terrorists.

-- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers seized weapons caches around the Iraqi capital. The stockpiles included artillery and mortar rounds, machine guns, pistols, rockets, explosive materials, fuses and other military equipment.

-- Members of a local "Sons of Iraq" citizen security group led coalition forces to a weapons cache west of Samarra in Salahuddin province. The cache contained mortar and artillery rounds and small-arms munitions.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

Pacific Commander, Chinese General Agree to Promote Bilateral Training

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:16:56 GMT

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

July 16, 2008 - The top U.S. commander in the Pacific reported today that he and a top Chinese commander agreed last night to work toward bringing their militaries together for two bilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster response exercises. Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, during an address at the Heritage Foundation here, called the informal agreement another sign of the distinct warming of U.S.-Sino relations and increasing Chinese interest in building closer military-to-military ties.

Keating said he and Chinese Lt. Gen. Zhang Qinsheng agreed over dinner last night "to begin active consideration" of a plan to exercise their forces together in a disaster relief scenario. Keating and Zhang, commander of the Guangzhou military Region, discussed the possibility of two exercises, one in China and one in Hawaii or elsewhere in the United States, Keating said.

The exercises probably will be land-based rather than sea-based, bringing additional training elements beyond search-and-rescue and ship maneuvering operations. "We want to expand the envelope, and we want to push the envelope," Keating said.

While hoping to begin the exercises "relatively soon," Keating said, he recognizes that China won't be able to focus on pushing the concept forward at least until the Olympics in August. In addition, Keating cited the need to coordinate within U.S. Defense and State department channels to get the necessary agreements and lay the framework for the training.

But with leaders at both U.S. departments emphasizing the need to move beyond Cold War paradigms toward more positive exchanges with China, Keating expressed optimism the plan will proceed.

"After the Olympics and before the first of the year, we hope to engage in staff talks to lay out a plan," he told reporters today. He expressed hope the military-to-military exercises could begin within 15 to 18 months from last night's handshake.

Keating cited China's acceptance of U.S. military aid following a devastating magnitude 7.9 earthquake that hit the central Sichuan province as a sign of China's increased willingness to engage with the United States. China allowed two U.S. military C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft to deliver generators, chain saws and humanitarian relief supplies.

During his two visits there since arriving at PaCom last year, and in reciprocal Chinese visits in the United States, Keating said, he's seen solid progress in eroding historic divisions. He's "more optimistic" now than a year ago about the state of the two countries' military-to-military relationship, and hopeful that China will engage in more multilateral exercises with the United States and others in the region.

As the U.S., Japanese, Australian, Singaporean and Indian navies gathered for the recent Malabar exercise, Keating said, anyone concluding that the goal was to surround China "is 180 degrees wrong."

"We are not looking to surround them. We want to draw them out," he said. "We want them to join these other countries."

Keating expressed hope that over time, China will participate in more personnel exchanges, and even go so far as to engage on a peaceful basis with Taiwan.

"I think it would be terrific if, over time, we would have Chinese military officers and Taiwan military officers and United States military officers, all sitting in the same classroom at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies," he said.

The United States has sent China "an open invitation" and hopes it will accept, Keating said.

"I don't know if the Chinese will accept the offer tomorrow, but they need to understand, as I have emphasized to them, that the lanai light is always on for them," he said.

Keating said he's convinced that the best way to prevent tensions between the United States and China is through openness that leads to understanding.

"I am firmly convinced we are much better suited as a military and as a country to engage in open dialogue [with China] ... to ensure they understand our motives and we understand theirs," he said.

MILITARY CONTRACTS July 16, 2008

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:48:03 GMT

Navy

Guam Shipyard, Santa Rita, Guam, is being awarded a $11,503,941 firm-fixed-price contract for a 55-calendar-day regular overhaul of Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194). Ericsson is one of Military Sealift Command's 14 fleet replenishment oilers that provide underway replenishment of fuel to Navy combat ships at sea. The contract includes options that, if exercised, would bring the total value to $14,070,253. Work will be performed in Santa Rita, Guam, and is expected to be completed by October 15, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole source procurement. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Fleet Support Command, Ship Support Unit Guam, a field activity of Military Sealift Command, is the contracting authority (N40446-08-C-0001).

HDR Architecture, Inc., Chicago, Ill., is being awarded a $10,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for architectural and engineering service in Great Lakes, Ill. The work to be performed provides for partial design packages; total design packages; design-build RFP packages; repairs and alterations to existing facilities, collateral equipment lists; project preliminary hazard analysis; obtaining permits and regulatory approvals; surveys (topographic and boundary); soil investigations, comprehensive interior design; contractor submittal review; construction inspection, observation and consultation; Operations & Maintenance Support Information (OMSI); environmental assessments; fire protection; anti-terrorism/force protection evaluation and design; designs for phased construction; and as-built drawing preparation. Some projects will require design in the metric system. Firms must be able to accept project-related work that requires comprehensive asbestos/lead paint surveying and provide a design that will support the removal, demolition, and disposal of these and other hazardous materials in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. This contract contains four option years which, if exercised, will bring the total contract value to $50,000,000. Work will be performed in Naval Station Great Lakes, Great Lakes, Ill., and work is expected to be completed July 2009. The seed project is for a storm sewer evaluation survey. The firm fixed price task order is being awarded for $883,392 and is expected to be completed by July, 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website,with eight proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Midwest, Great Lakes, Ill., is the contracting activity (N40083-08-C-0065).

ViaSat, Carlsbad, Calif., is being awarded a $9,786,000 firm-fixed-price order for Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) Pre-Production Terminals. The MIDS JTRS terminal is a Software Communications Architecture (SCA) compliant upgrade to the MIDS-Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) that supports legacy and advanced networking JTRS compliant waveforms enabling integrated navigation, identification, voice and data communications, information security, networking and networking applications to meet Department of Defense (DoD) software defined radio initiatives and requirements. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, Calif., (35 percent), in various other sites within the U.S. (65 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order was competitively procured with two proposals solicited and two offers received. The synopsis was released via the Federal Business Opportunities web site. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N00039-00-D-2101).

Aviation Systems Engineering Co., Inc., Lexington Park, Md., is being awarded a $7,967,540 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for aircraft equipment demonstration support to test cutting edge Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) systems during flight demonstrations and Fleet exercises, including state-of-the-art passive and active non-acoustic ASW sensors. Work will be performed in Richmond, Va., and is expected to be completed in July 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal; five offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-08-D-0017).

Army

Ttec and Tesero, Norcross, Ga., were awarded on Jul. 15, 2008, a $64,746,000 firm-fixed price contract for the design and construction of a vehicle maintenance instruction facility, library and oil storage buildings. Work will be performed at Fort Benning, Ga., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 11, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four bids were solicited on Feb. 21, 2008, and four bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is he contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0058).

Boh Bros. Contruction Co., LLC, New Orleans, La., was awarded on Jul. 14, 2008, a $62,281,391 firm-fixed price contract for Hero Pump Station fronting protection as a part of the Hurrican Protection Project. Work will be performed in Jefferson Parish, La., and is expected to be completed by Aug. 20, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on May 2, 2008, and five bids were received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, La., is the contracting activity (W912P8-08-C-0070).

Kennell and Associates, Inc., Falls Church, Va., was awarded on Jul. 15, 2008, a $26,628,683 cost-plus award fee contract for policy and statistical analysis services. Work will be performed in Falls Church, Va., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Apr. 21, 2008, and one bid was received. U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Md. is the contracting activity (W81XWH-08-C-0096).

Technologists Inc., Arlington, Va., was awarded on July 13, 2008, a $13,308,991 firm-fixed price contract for the design and construction of the Afghan National Army Class II IV VIII Logistics Depot, Kabul, Afghanistan. Work will be performed in Kabul, Afghanistan, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 10, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on April 14, 2008, and 30 bids were received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Afghanistan, is the contracting activity (W917PM-08-C-0069).

Remington Arms Co., Ilion, N.Y., was awarded on Jul. 15, 2008, a $12,087,430 firm-fixed price contract for M24 sniper weapon system and contractor support kits. Work will be performed in Ilion, N.Y., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 27, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Mar. 13, 2008. Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52H09-08-C-0115).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

General Petroleum, Rancho Dominguez, Calif. is being awarded a maximum $33,874,800.00 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for deliveries of marine gas oil. Other locations of performance are in Eureka and Oxnard, Calif. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Federal Civilian Agencies and Coast Guard. There were originally 13 proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance is Aug. 31, 2011. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-06-D-0358).

Gates Highlights Role of Diplomacy, Development in U.S. Foreign Policy

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:44:26 GMT

By John J. Kruzel

American Forces Press Service

July 16, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates yesterday said diplomacy and development should lead American efforts abroad, and he warned against a "creeping militarization" of U.S. foreign policy. "Broadly speaking, when it comes to America's engagement with the rest of the world, it is important that the military is -- and is clearly seen to be -- in a supporting role to civilian agencies," he said.

In a speech interrupted several times by rousing applause, Gates told the audience at a dinner organized by the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign that America cannot simply "kill or capture our way to victory" over the long term.

"What the Pentagon calls 'kinetic' operations should be subordinate to measures to promote participation in government, economic programs to spur development, and efforts to address the grievances that often lie at the heart of insurgencies and among the discontented from which terrorists recruit," he said.

In remarks imbued with a spirit of cooperation between the departments of Defense and State -- a relationship that in the past has been marked by contention, Gates said -- the defense secretary hailed his working relationship with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who had presented him the group's leadership award earlier in the evening.

"Our diplomatic leaders -- be they in ambassadors' suites or on the seventh floor of the State Department -- must have the resources and political support needed to fully exercise their statutory responsibilities in leading American foreign policy," Gates said.

This year's presidential budget proposal accounts for the addition of 1,100 Foreign Service officers -- the general practitioners of American diplomacy -- in addition to 300 U.S. Agency for International Development personnel and a response corps of civilian experts that can deploy on short notice, requests that Gates praised.

He also expressed optimism that an increase in the civilian foreign affairs budget is receiving support on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation that would triple humanitarian spending in Pakistan.

For far too long, Gates said, America's civilian institutions of diplomacy and development -- which lack the ready-made political constituency enjoyed by major weapons systems -- have been chronically undermanned and underfunded in comparison to defense spending.

"I cannot pretend to know right dollar amount," Gates said, referring to the budgetary needs of civilian institutions, "I know it's a good deal more than the one percent of the federal budget that it is right now.

"A steep increase of these capabilities is well within reach, as long as there is the political will and the wisdom to do it," he added.

With invigorated emphasis on counterinsurgency, which includes operations that combine elements of military and civilian affairs, U.S. servicemembers are performing functions that formerly were the exclusive province of civilian agencies and institutions, Gates said.

"This has led to concern among many organizations ... about what's seen as a creeping 'militarization' of some aspects of America's foreign policy," he said.

But Gates added that this scenario can be avoided by putting in place the right leadership, adequate funding of civilian agencies, effective coordination on the ground, and a clear understanding of the authorities, roles, and missions of military versus civilian efforts, and how they are able, or unable, to fit together.

"We know that at least in the early phases of any conflict, contingency, or natural disaster, the U.S. military -- as has been the case throughout our history -- will be responsible for security, reconstruction, and providing basic sustenance and public services," he said.

"Building the security capacity of other nations through training and equipping programs has emerged as a core and enduring military requirement," he continued, "though none of these programs go forward without the approval of the secretary of state."

Gates added that the U.S. will always need Foreign Service officers to conduct professional diplomacy, advance American interests, and strengthen the nation's international partnerships. Likewise, he said, barring a radical change in human nature, the U.S. will require military members to deter and, if necessary, defeat aggression from hostile states and forces indefinitely.

"The challenge facing our institutions," he said "is to adapt to new realities while preserving those core competencies and institutional traits that have made them so successful in the past."

Coalition, Iraqi Forces Detain 18, Find Weapons

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:08:04 GMT

American Forces Press Service

July 16, 2008 - Coalition forces detained 18 suspected terrorists and discovered weapons caches during recent operations in Iraq, military officials said. Coalition forces captured 16 suspected terrorists in separate operations today in Baghdad and Mosul. An alleged car-bombing cell leader, three suspected subordinate leaders and five suspected cell members were detained during operations in Baghdad.

The individuals reportedly manufacture and distribute car bombs while staging attacks on local security forces. Coalition forces believe the suspects were in the process of "planning an imminent attack" on U.S. and Iraq forces in the area, officials said.

Intelligence gathered from a June 12 operation resulted in coalition forces detaining seven suspected al-Qaida operatives in Mosul. The individuals are believed to be "associates of al-Qaida senior leadership" in Iraq.

One suspect was injured during an attempt to flee the area after ignoring warning shots by the troops. The individual was treated on site by coalition medics and transported to a nearby military medical facility, officials said.

In operations yesterday:

-- In Baghdad's Sadr City district, Iraqi soldiers found eight drums of automatic machine gun rounds, seven rocket-propelled grenades with two launchers, two AK-47 assault rifles with rounds, a radio with charger and explosive initiation wire with 14 initiation devices.

-- In Baghdad's Mansour district, a man found a mortar round with fuses while digging in his garden. He reported and turned in the round to local police, officials said.

-- U.S. soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team discovered 500 feet of detonation cord and four artillery rounds in western Baghdad.

Operations June 14 in Baghdad's Jahida district led U.S. soldiers from 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team detained two suspected Iranian-backed "special groups" members. During the operations, the troops found several assault rifles, a pistol and various bomb-making materials.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and M ultinational Corps Iraq news releases.)