MBN: THE MONTE BUBBLES NETWORK

 DoD Identifies Marine Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Derek W. Jones, 21, of Salem, Ore., died Oct. 8 from wounds
received while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al
Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine
Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay,
Hawaii.

Lance Cpl. Jeremy S. Sandvick Monroe, 20, of Chinook, Mont., died Oct.
8 from wounds received while conducting combat operations against enemy
forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion,
3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force,
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Capt. Robert M. Secher, 33, of Germantown, Tenn., died Oct. 8 from
wounds received while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in
Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine
Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa,
Japan.

DoD Identifies Marine Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of six Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Julian M. Arechaga, 23, of Oceanside, N.Y., died Oct. 9 while
conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province,
Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine
Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Lance Cpl. Jon E. Bowman, 21, of Dubach, La., died Oct. 9 while
conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq.
He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine
Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Pfc. Shelby J. Feniello, 25, of Connellsville, Pa., died Oct. 9 while
conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province,
Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine
Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Lance Cpl. John E. Hale, 20, of Shreveport, La., died Oct. 6 from
wounds received while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in
Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine
Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp
Lejeune, N.C.

Lance Cpl. Stephen F. Johnson, 20, of Marietta, Ga., died Oct. 8 while
conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province,
Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine
Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Cpl. Bradford H. Payne, 24, of Montgomery, Ala., died Oct. 6 while
conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province,
Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine
Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

 Army officials have a plan to maintain the
current number of troops in Iraq through 2010, but it is only a plan
and has off-ramps for troop reductions along the way, Army officials said
today.

Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, Army chief of staff, told reporters this
morning that the Army has formed plans to maintain the current level of
troops - about 120,000 - in Iraq through 2010. The general stressed this
is not a prediction, but a plan.

During a Pentagon news conference, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld
said the Army has the responsibility to look ahead and formulate plans.
"That's what the Army does," Rumsfeld said.

But, Rumsfeld said, "General Schoomaker and the Army does not set force
levels in Iraq. They're not the ones who determine how many will be
there and until what year they'll be there."

The combatant commanders - Multinational Force Iraq commander Army Gen.
George W. Casey Jr. and U.S. Central Command chief Army Gen. John
Abizaid -- make those recommendations to Rumsfeld and President Bush.

 Detainee Transfer Announced

The Department of Defense announced today that it transferred 16
detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Afghanistan, and one detainee to
Morocco.These detainees were recommended for transfer following multiple
review processes conducted at Guantanamo Bay.

With today's transfer, approximately 110 detainees remain at Guantanamo
who the U.S. government has determined eligible for transfer or release
through a comprehensive series of review processes. Departure of these
remaining detainees approved for transfer or release is subject to
ongoing discussions between the United States and other nations.The United
States does not desire to hold detainees for any longer than necessary.
The department expects that there will continue to be other transfers
and releases of detainees.

There are ongoing processes to review the status of detainees held at
Guantanamo.A determination about the continued detention or transfer of
a detainee is based on the best information and evidence available at
the time, both classified and unclassified.

With this transfer, approximately 335 detainees have departed
Guantanamo for other countries including Albania, Afghanistan, Australia,
Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Jordan,
Kuwait, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden,
Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, and Yemen.

Approximately 440 detainees remain at Guantanamo.

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Killed were:

Sgt. Brandon S. Asbury, 21, of Tazewell, Va., who died on Oct. 7 in
Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries suffered when his unit came in contact with
enemy forces using small arms fire during combat operations. Asbury was
assigned to the 4th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry
Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Spec. Timothy A. Fulkerson, 20, of Utica, Ky., who died Oct. 8 in
Tikrit, Iraq, when a landmine detonated near his vehicle during combat
operations. Fulkerson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 82nd Aviation
Reconnaissance Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne
Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who
was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Phillip B. Williams, 21, of Gardnerville, Nev., died Oct. 9 in
Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries suffered from enemy contact during combat
operations. Williams was assigned to the 4th Brigade Troop Battalion, 4th
Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort
Campbell, Ky.

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers
who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Oct. 7 in Baghdad,
Iraq, from injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device
detonated near their vehicle during combat operations.

Killed were:

Sgt. Lawrence L. Parrish, 36, of Lebanon, Mo., who was assigned to the
110th Engineer Battalion, Kansas City, Mo.

Spec. John E. Wood, 37, of Humboldt, Kan., who was assigned to the
891st Engineer Battalion, Garnett, Kan.

Two soldiers and six Marines were killed in
various operations in Iraq Oct. 8 and 9, and the Defense Department
released the identities of seven soldiers killed recently supporting
Operation Iraqi Freedom.


    A Multinational Division Baghdad soldier died at about 10:45 a.m.
Oct. 9 when terrorists attacked his patrol with small-arms fire in
eastern Baghdad.


    Three Marines assigned to 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, died
Oct. 9 from enemy action while operating in Anbar province.


    A Task Force Lightning soldier based out of Fort Bragg, N.C.,
attached to 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, died of wounds suffered from an
explosion while on a vehicle patrol Oct. 8 north of Tikrit.


    Three Marines assigned to Regimental Combat Team 7 died Oct. 8 from
wounds suffered due to enemy action while operating in Anbar province.


The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of
next of kin.

Meanwhile, DoD released the identities of seven soldiers who were
killed recently supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

    Army Pfc. Shane R. Austin, 19, of Edgerton, Kan., died Oct. 8 in
Ramadi, Iraq, from injuries suffered by enemy grenade fire. Johnson was
assigned to the 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat
Team, 1st Armor Division, Baumholder, Germany.


    Army Cpl. Carl W. Johnson II, 21, of Philadelphia, died Oct. 7 in
Mosul, Iraq, from injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device
detonated near his vehicle. Johnson was assigned to the 2nd Battalion,
3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.


    Army Cpl. Nicholas A. Arvanitis, 22, of Salem, N.H., died Oct. 6 in
Bayji, Iraq, from injuries suffered when he encountered enemy fire.
Arvanitis was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry
Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.


    Army Staff Sgt. Christopher O. Moudry, 31, of Baltimore; Spc.
Timothy R. Burke, 24, of Hollywood, Fla.; Spc. George R. Obourn Jr., 20, of
Creve Coeur, Ill.; and Pfc. Dean R. Bright, 32, of Roseburg, Oregon,
died in Taji, Iraq, on Oct. 4 after being attacked by enemy forces using
small-arms fire and other weapons. All four soldiers were assigned to
the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry
Division, Fort Hood, Texas.


 

Women have served in the Air Force for
years, making valuable contributions, but gender and race differences have
never been an important factor in accomplishing the Air Force mission,
the first woman pilot on the Air Force Thunderbirds said here today.

"What we need to concentrate on is what we have in common, which is
that warrior spirit that's in all of our hearts, that has created us the
way we are -- to choose to be a part of something so much bigger than
ourselves," Air Force Maj. Nicole Malachowski said during a speech at the
Women in Military Service for America Memorial, at Arlington National
Cemetery.

Malachowski, who flies the No. 3 jet as the right wing pilot in the
Thunderbirds' diamond formation, is in town with the team for the
dedication of the Air Force Memorial Oct. 14. She has been with the
Thunderbirds for a year, and this will be her 55th demonstration.

Being the first woman Thunderbird pilot is an honor, Malachowski said,
but the more important thing for her is the opportunity to serve with
so many talented men and women and share the Air Force story with the
public.

"We are a team whose job is to go out there and represent the United
States Air Force and the 530,000 men and women who wear Air Force blue
with the honor, the respect and the dignity that they deserve," she said.
"We're out there to represent what we know to be true -- the fantastic
hard work, dedication and professionalism of the men and women in our
Air Force that we have the privilege to work alongside."

The Thunderbirds spend a majority of their time doing community
outreach. As part of that, they speak to a lot of children, Malachowski said.
Meeting with these children, especially those who are part of the
Make-a-Wish Foundation, is a blessing for her, she said, and gives her a
healthy dose of humility. She recalled meeting one young boy who had only
a month to live and whose wish was to meet a Thunderbird pilot.

"People talk about our military people being so courageous and heroic,
and they are, and I'm very proud to be a part of the Air Force, but you
look at a kid like this and you think, 'What is courage? What is
heroism? It's standing right in front of us,'" she said. "This is why we wear
these uniforms and why we go out and defend our nation."

Malachowski first became interested in flying at the age of 5, when she
saw an air show in her native Las Vegas. She set her sights on becoming
an Air Force pilot and never looked back. She started flying with the
Civil Air Patrol when she was 12, and by 16 was doing solo flights.
After high school, she attended the Air Force Academy and has since seen
various assignments as an F-15E pilot, including a tour in Iraq. She said
she hopes her service in the Thunderbirds is an example to young girls
and to all children that they can achieve their dreams.

"The message to all young Americans is that it's great to have a dream;
it's great to have goals," she said. "Pursue something that you are
passionate about, and then pursue excellence in that. And surround
yourself with a positive team. I hope that when they see the Air Force
Thunderbirds, they realize they can achieve any dream, and that a great team
to have is certainly the Air Force."

Women have served in the Thunderbirds since 1974, just not in a pilot
capacity, Malachowski said. Of the 130 officers and enlisted personnel
on the Thunderbird team, 15 are women. Besides the six demonstration
pilots, the Thunderbirds are made up of support personnel from about 25
different career fields.

The Thunderbirds have a grueling schedule, as they are on the road
about 220 days during their eight-month air show season, but every team
member considers it a privilege to serve and share the Air Force story,
Malachowski said. For her part, she said she is just glad to have been
born into a time of opportunities for women in the military.

"Women love their country too, and there are a lot of us who choose to
do that by wearing a military uniform," she said. "I have seen and
traveled the world, and it is just a wonderful thing to be a woman living
in a country that provides you so many wonderful opportunities and
freedoms that are unmatched anywhere else in the world. And the Air Force
simply takes that to another level."

CONTRACTS

UNITED STATES SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND

Tyonek Agile Engineering and Manufacturing, LLC (TEAMCOR) of Warner
Robbins, Ga., is being awarded a 5-year, indefinite delivery indefinite
quantity contract with a ceiling of $260,000,000.00. The Psychological
Operations Program Office (PMP) of the United States Special Operations
Command (USSOCOM) Intelligence and Information Systems (IIS) Program
Executive Office requires engineering and technical support services to
build, field and sustain Psychological Operations systems and other
designated IIS-PMP projects and programs in accordance with USSOCOM
requirements. The places of performance will be Warner Robbins, Ga. The 5-year
ordering period will be completed October 2011. The contract number is
H92222-06-D-0015.

NAVY

Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn., is being awarded an $18,733,261
cost-plus-fixed-fee, level of effort contract for reactor plant planning
yard services for nuclear-powered submarines and support yard services
for Navy moored training ships. The contractor will furnish, fabricate,
or acquire such materials, supplies and services as may be necessary to
perform the functions of the planning yard for reactor plants and
associated portions of the propulsion plants for nuclear powered submarines.
Work will be performed in Groton, Conn. (95 percent) and Charleston,
S.C. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2007.
Contract funds in the amount of $18,733,261, will expire at the end of the
current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The
Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting
activity. (N00024-07-C-2103)

Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News Va., is being
awarded a $5,694,917 cost-plus-fixed-fee, level of effort contract for
planning and design yard functions for standard Navy valves in support
of nuclear powered submarines. Work will be performed in Newport News,
Va., and is expected to be completed by September 2007. Contract funds
in the amount of $5,694,917, will expire at the end of the current
fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea
Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
(N00024-07-C-2104)

Texcom, Inc., Portsmouth, Va., is being awarded an estimated
$5,507,190 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee,
performance-based contract to provide in-service engineering agent support,
system integration support services, including Life Cycle Support, that
will be used to define, design, develop, test, integrate, and provide
support for C4ISR systems for Navy Communications Programs. The contract
includes four one-year option periods which, if exercised, would bring
the cumulative value of the contract to an estimated $29,049,428. The
work will be performed in Norfolk, Va. and is expected to be completed
by October 2007 (October 2011 with options). Contract funds will not
expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was a
service-disabled-veteran-owned small business competitive procurement, with four
offers received. The request for proposal was posted on the Space and
Naval Warfare Systems Center E-commerce website, with four offers
received. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Charleston, S.
C., is the contracting activity (N65236-07-D-8850).

Fifteen years after conception of the Air
Force Memorial, construction is nearing completion this week in
preparation for the memorial's dedication Oct. 14 in Arlington, Va.

The memorial, overlooking Arlington National Cemetery, features
stainless steel spires that punctuate the skyline 270 feet high and illustrate
the bomb-burst flying formation made famous by the U.S. Air Force
Thunderbirds Demonstration Team. It was designed by architect James Ingo
Freed, who died in December.

As the nation's newest service and the last branch of the armed forces
to have a dedicated memorial, the Air Force is set to observe 60 years
of global air and space supremacy Sept. 18, 2007. Just as the Air Force
Memorial honors airmen who have served, are on active duty and those
who will join, activities commemorating the service's 60th anniversary
pay tribute to the dedication, sacrifice and contributions of those who
pioneered the skies, service officials said.

Performances by the U.S. Air Force Band and national recording artist
Lee Ann Womack will follow the Oct. 14 ceremony. The dedication also
includes performances throughout the day by the Air Force Drill Team and
interactive and static displays as part of an open house.

The weekend's dedication activities conclude with a memorial service
Oct. 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the Air Force Memorial.

Three Marines assigned to Regimental Combat
Team 7 were killed yesterday in Iraq, and three Marines assigned to
Regimental Combat Team 5 died Oct. 6 in Iraq. All died from enemy action
while operating in the country's Anbar province, U.S. military officials
reported.

The names of the six Marines are being withheld pending notification of
next of kin.

Meanwhile, the Defense Department released the identities of five
soldiers who were killed recently supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

-Army Spc. Fernando D. Robinson, 21, of Hawthorne, Calif., died on Oct.
2 in Korengal, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his patrol
came under attack by enemy forces using small-arms fire and
rocket-propelled grenades. Robinson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry
Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light
Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

-Army Staff Sgt. James D. Ellis, 25, of Valdosta, Ga.; Army Spc.
Raymond S. Armijo, 22, of Phoenix, Ariz.; Army Spc. Justin R. Jarrett, 21, of
Jonesboro, Ga., and Army Spc. Kristofer C. Walker, 20, of Creve Coeur,
Ill., died in Taji, Iraq, on Oct. 2, of injuries sustained when an
makeshift bomb detonated near their vehicle. All four soldiers were
assigned to the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry
Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Missing WWII Airmen is Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO)
announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from
World War II, have been identified and returned to his family for burial
with full military honors.

He is 1st Lt. Shannon E. Estill, U.S. Army Air Forces, of Cedar Rapids,
Iowa. He will be buried on October 10 in Arlington National Cemetery
near Washington, D.C.

On April 13, 1945, Estill's P-38J Lightning was struck by enemy
anti-aircraft fire while attacking targets in eastern Germany. Another U.S.
pilot reported seeing Estill's aircraft explode and crash. Because the
location of the crash site was within the Russian-controlled sector of
occupied Germany, U.S. military personnel could not recover Estill's
remains after the war.

In 2003, a team from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC)
investigated a crash site near the town of Elsnig in eastern Germany. The
site had been reported by two German nationals whose hobby is finding the
location of World War II crash sites. They also claimed to have found
remains at the site, which they turned over to U.S. Army officials. The
team surveyed the site and interviewed two more men who witnessed the
crash as children.
In 2005, another JPAC team excavated the crash site and recovered
additional human remains as well as P-38 wreckage. Included in the recovered
wreckage was an aircraft data plate from Estill's plane.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence,
scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory
also used mitochondrial DNA in the identification of the remains,
matching DNA sequences from a maternal relative.

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers
who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died in Taji, Iraq, on Oct. 2, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device
detonated near their vehicle. All four soldiers were assigned to the 7th
Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort
Hood, Texas.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. James D. Ellis, 25, of Valdosta, Ga.

Spc. Raymond S. Armijo, 22, of Phoenix, Ariz.

Spc. Justin R. Jarrett, 21, of Jonesboro, Ga.

Spc. Kristofer C. Walker, 20, of Creve Coeur, Ill.

 DoD Identifies Army Casulty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who
was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Fernando D. Robinson, 21, of Hawthorne, Calif., died on Oct. 2 in
Korengal, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his patrol came
under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire and rocket propelled
grenades. Robinson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry
Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry),
Fort Drum, N.Y.

Two Army combat veterans who both lost
something dear in the war against terrorism say they are determined to keep on battling, and proving it as they prepare to run the Army 10-Miler race tomorrow.

In December 2005, Spc. James Stuck was wounded by an improvised
explosive device blast in Kirkuk, Iraq. His right leg was later amputated at
mid-shin.

Spc. Joseph Keck, an Afghanistan veteran, lost his lower left arm just
below his elbow after being injured in an IED explosion near Kandahar
in July.

Yet, Stuck and Keck are upbeat as they continue to recover from their
wounds. They also will run in tomorrow's Army 10-Miler race as members
of the Missing Parts in Action team from Walter Reed Army Medical Center
here.

The two soldiers related their experiences today during an Army
10-Miler press conference yesterday at a local suburban hotel.

"I went skiing five weeks after I'd lost my leg," Stuck, a 22-year-old
from Pittsburgh, recalled. "So, it just shows what you can accomplish."
He has also taken up kayaking and snowboarding since he was injured.

Noting he's come a long way since being injured, Stuck said his goal at
the 10-Miler "is to just finish the race."

Stuck attributed his rapid recovery to being able to come to terms with
his condition and the adoption of a positive outlook.

"Hey, I'm lucky to be alive," Stuck said. "So, you accept it. There's
nothing you can do to go into the past to change it."

Keck, who hails from Rockford, Ill., said he has completed 12-mile runs
during unit physical training sessions. The 22-year-old said he's
savoring the opportunity to compete in the 10-Miler.

"It's something I know I can do," Keck said. "Just, now, I'm looking at
how fast I can do it."

Besides competing at the 10-Miler, Keck said he also anticipates taking
his motorcycle for a spin when he goes home for a visit in the spring.

Keck said he is determined, like Stuck, to make a full recovery. He
also accepts the loss of his arm, having realized soon after being wounded
that he might lose it.

"When they told me that they were going to amputate it, I already
knew," Keck recalled. His recovery has "been a little hill to climb," he
acknowledged.

However, Keck today reiterated his determination "to carry on," as he
prepares for the 10-Miler.

Army Capt. Matthew Scherer, an Iraq War veteran, accompanied Stuck and
Keck at the Army 10-Miler press conference. Born in Joliet, Ill.,
Scherer, 35, is the chief of Walter Reed's amputee physical therapy section.
He's also a supporting therapist and co-organizer of the MPIA team.

The MPIA team first competed at the Army 10-Miler in 2004, Scherer
said. The 10-Miler "is a world-class race," he said, where wounded warriors
can come together in sports and work as a team.

Scherer said the MPIA team is co-sponsored by the U.S. Armed Forces
Amputee Patient Care Program. This year's MPIA team has 14 wounded
servicemembers representing all the military services and 18
physical-therapist supporters, he said.

One of the AFAPCP's goals "is to help folks reach their maximum level
of functional capability after they've lost a limb" or sustained other
types of severe injuries, Scherer said.

 The U.S. Fleet Forces Band caught the
mood of the people attending the christening of the USS George H.W.
Bush today when it played Richard Rodger's music for the World War II
documentary "Victory at Sea."

Many of the World War II veterans sprinkled among the crowd greeted the
former president. All ignored the rain to watch Bush's daughter Dorothy
Bush Koch smash a champagne-filled bottle to officially name the
90,000-ton aircraft carrier.

The former president began his government career as the Navy's youngest
pilot in 1942. He flew missions against the Japanese during World War
II. Later he served as a congressman from Texas, U.S. ambassador to
China, director of central intelligence and vice president before being
elected president in 1988. Following the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004,
Bush served again and with former President Bill Clinton, led efforts to
aid the people of the region.

His son, President George W. Bush, said the USS George H.W. Bush
"honors a generation that valued service above self."

"In the four years of that war, 16 million Americans would put on the
uniform," the president said. "And the human costs were appalling: from
the beaches of Normandy to the jungles of Southeast Asia, more than
400,000 Americans would give their lives."

But even then, there were people who believed democracy could not stand
up to the challenge that imperial Japan and Nazi Germany posed. "There
were those who argued that freedom had seen its day, and that the
future belonged to the hard men in Tokyo and Berlin," the president said.
"Yet the war machines of imperial Japan and Nazi Germany would be brought
down by American GIs who only months before had been students, and
farmers, and bank clerks and factory hands.

"The generation of World War II taught the world's tyrants a telling
lesson: There is no power like the power of freedom - and no soldier as
strong as a soldier who fights for a free future for his children."

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said the USS Bush will remind
future generations President George H.W. Bush's service. "And in the almost
6,000 men and women who will man this vessel, they will see the kind of
courage that inspired a young George Bush to volunteer for the Navy on
his 18th birthday," Rumsfeld said.

The secretary said the traits of strength and love of country are Bush
family hallmarks. "We saw them in the distinguished senator from
Connecticut, Prescott Bush, we saw them in the man we honor today, and we see
those traits today in our president who has such courage and
determination in our nation's time of peril," he said. "In times of great peril,
character counts. Those of us who are privileged to serve this
president, we see that character, that grit, every single day to the great
benefit of human freedom."

Former President Bush said "the United States Navy started to make a
man out of a very scared 18-year-old kid."

He also said that he wanted to set the record straight. "Tom Brokaw
wrote a magnificent book talking about World War II guys as the 'greatest
generation,'" he said. "In my humble view, we were no greater than the
kids who serve today - all volunteers, all fighting. We are very proud
of all who are serving."

The current president agreed, saying the USS George H. W. Bush "will
serve a new generation of Americans every bit as brave and selfless as
those who have come before them."

Freedom is once again under attack, the president said, and since Sept.
11, 2001, more than 1.6 million Americans have volunteered for military
service. "Today they serve in distant lands and on far seas - from the
islands of Southeast Asia, to the Horn of Africa, to the mountains of
Afghanistan and in Iraq," he said. "And once again, with perseverance
and courage and confidence in the power of freedom, a new generation of
Americans will leave a more hopeful and peaceful world for generations
to come.

"The men and women of the United States military represent the best of
America. And they deserve the best America can give them," he said.
"And the George H. W. Bush is the best America can give them."

Adm. Mike Mullen, chief of naval operations, thanked the former
president for sharing his great name with the Navy. He said the ship will find
plenty of work as the America battles the enemies of freedom in places
and ways that could have imagined.

"It was an aircraft carrier that we sent to New York harbor on the 12th
of September 2001," he said. "(It was) an aircraft carrier that first
struck back at the Taliban from the waters of the Indian Ocean, and an
aircraft carrier with supporting ships that we sent to Indonesia in the
wake of the most devastating natural disaster that nation, or any
nation, has ever seen."

The former president was visibly moved by the ceremony. "Whatever
happens, I hope the American people accept my deepest gratitude for the
chance to serve this nation: an honor that touches deep in my heart," he
said.

Jeff Klare put his bicycle where his heart
is Oct. 1, and set out on a 300-mile trip to raise awareness of the need
for more corporations to hire workers with disabilities.

"There are so many veterans returning to the United States from Iraq
and Afghanistan with disabilities. They didn't ask to be disabled,"
Klare, chief executive officer of Hire Disability Solutions, said. "We need
to have corporations give them new skill sets, if necessary, and give
them a job."

Hire Disability Solutions helps give that opportunity to all who want a
chance to succeed, according to the organization's Web site.

The "Opportunity for Success Ride" began at the foot of the Brooklyn
Bridge in New York in a rainstorm and concluded at the Roosevelt Memorial
here today in very similar weather. The weather didn't dampen Klare's
spirits, though.

"Unless I could do this on a camel, this is really the way to draw
attention," he said.

Klare collected resumes from individuals with disabilities at each stop
he made on his way to Washington. The resumes will be posted on Hire
Disability Solutions online Career Center, which is powered by Monster, a
global online careers and recruitment resource. Monster also powers USA
Jobs, the federal government's official job site, as well as
Miltary.com.

Aside from raising awareness, the ride will benefit five nonprofit
organizations financially: the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, the
East Coast Greenway, the National Disability Rights Network and the
American Breast Cancer Foundation, Klare said. A link for each group appears
on the Hire Disability Solutions Web site, allowing donations to go
directly to a donor's intended recipient.

The organizations were chosen because they support people with
disabilities, he said.

"The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes has offices at Walter Reed
(Army Medical Center) and provides opportunities for these young men and
women to return to the work force," he said. "We've got to get
corporations to understand (that) just because a person might have one arm or
one let, it doesn't meant that they can't operate a computer (or) they
can't be an accountant.

"This is all about employment," Klare added. "It's not about the
disability."

One of the organizations, the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, is
dedicated to helping severely wounded or disabled veterans of
operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The coalition also is a member of
America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting ways
Americans and the corporate sector support the nation's servicemembers.

The coalition benefits from Klare's efforts in two ways, Jane Ivey,
director of private sector employment for the Coalition, said. The first
is the visibility the Opportunity for Success Ride brings to the
coalition and its efforts to educate corporations about the positive aspects
of hiring a disabled veteran.

"We have partnerships with a number of organizations that have a
specific program (in place for) hiring disabled veterans," she said. "We are
out there marketing that idea to other corporations to help make them
aware that there are those programs, and they do work."

The fundraising Klare's organization is doing for the coalition through
its Web site also helps tremendously, Ivey said.

"We are a nonprofit, so the extent we are out there in the public
serving the people with disabilities is controlled by the amount of
donations that come into our organization," she said.

Klare also will deliver an "Appeal for Inclusion" to the U.S. Chamber
of Commerce in the future. The appeal is a plea to corporate America
asking it to devote the necessary resources to promote the inclusion of
individuals with disabilities, according to the Hire Disability Solutions
Web site.

He said the Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990, prohibits
discrimination, but in reality, does little to actively help those with
disabilities secure employment. That needs to change soon, Klare said.

He noted that what happens now would likely affect Eric Madaus, 8, who
suffers from spina bifida, and other young people with disabilities.
They will need, and want to hold meaningful jobs in the future.

Madaus, from the D.C. area, led Klare to the finish line on a special
bike.

"If not now, when?" Klare asked. "If companies don't look to employ
people with disabilities now, what's his future going to be like?"

 

CONTRACTS

ARMY

Manson/Dutra (Joint Venture), Seattle, Wash., was awarded on Oct. 5,
2006, a $43,108,000 firm-fixed-price contract for dredging services.
Work will be performed in Alameda, Calif. (45 percent), Marin, Calif. (45
percent), and San Francisco, Calif. (10 percent), and is expected to be
completed by Dec. 9, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of
the current fiscal year. There were 75 bids solicited on March 2, 2006,
and three bids were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Sacramento, Calif., is the contracting activity (W912P7-07-C-0001).

HRU Inc.*, Lansing, Mich., was awarded on Sept. 29, 2006, a delivery
order amount of $25,000,000 as part of a $25,000,000 firm-fixed-price
contract for engineering and manufacturing support services in support of
the M119 Howitzer and other weapon systems and components. Work will be
performed in Rock Island, Ill., and is expected to be completed by
Sept. 25, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current
fiscal year. There were an unknown number of bids solicited via the World
Wide Web on Aug. 11, 2006, and six bids were received. The U.S. Army
Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the
contracting activity (W52H09-06-D-5007).

Lockheed Martin, Orlando, Fla., was awarded on Sept. 30, 2006, an
$18,181,688 modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for target
acquisition designation sight electronic display and control for the Apache
aircraft. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., and is expected to be
completed by Dec. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of
the current fiscal year. This was a sole source contract initiated on
March 17, 2005. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone
Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-06-C-0024).

    AIR FORCE

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems, Colorado Springs, Colo., is being
awarded a $21,299,383 cost-plus-award fee contract modification. This
undefinitized contract action awards the continuing mission critical
operations, maintenance, and support for the Combatant Commands Integrated
Command and Control Systems, Shared Early Warning System and the Mobile
Consolidated Communication Center program under the Integrated Space
Command and Control. At this time, $14,917,014 has been obligated. This
work will be complete December 2006. Electronic Systems Center,
Detachment 5, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the contracting activity.
(F19628-00-C-0019/P00095)

     NAVY

Talley Defense Systems, Inc., Mesa, Ariz., is being awarded a
$14,121,599 firm-fixed-price contract for the manufacture and delivery of 3000
Mk80 shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon - novel explosive
encased assault rockets. Work will be performed in Columbus, Miss. (75
percent) and Mesa, Ariz. (25 percent), and is expected to be completed by
January 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current
fiscal year. This contract was a sole source. The Marine Corps Systems
Command, Program Manager for Ammunition, Quantico, Va., is the
contracting activity.

  DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY

Tyson Fresh Meats, Incorporated, 800 Stevens Port Drive, Dakota Dunes,
SD 57049 is being awarded an indefinite delivery, requirements type
contract on October 6, 2006, to provide fresh and frozen beef products for
resale to 93 commissary stores located throughout Maine, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, Florida, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, North and South
Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Dakota, Wyoming,
Colorado, Kansas, North and South Dakota, Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio,
Missouri and New Hampshire. The estimated award amount is $157,144,334.
The contractor will deliver beef to the store locations as needed. The
contract is for a base period beginning Oct.6, 2006, through Oct. 31,
2007. Two one-year option periods are available. If both option periods
are exercised, the contract will be completed October 31, 2009. Contract
funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Forty-one
firms were solicited and three offers were received. The
contracting activity is the Defense Commissary Agency, Resale
Contracting Division, Resale Services Support Branch, 1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee,
VA 23801-1800. (HDEC02-07-D-0001)

National Beef Packing Company, LLC, 12200 North Ambassador Drive,
Kansas City, MO 64163-1244 is being awarded an indefinite delivery,
requirements type contract on October 6, 2006, to provide fresh and frozen
beef products for resale to 32 commissary stores located throughout Texas,
Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Kansas. The estimated award amount is
$33,938,458. The contractor will deliver beef to the store locations as
needed. The contract is for a base period beginning Oct. 6, 2006, through
Oct. 31, 2007. Two one-year option periods are available. If both option
periods are exercised, the contract will be completed October 31, 2009.
Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
Forty-one firms were solicited and three offers were received. The
contracting activity is the Defense Commissary Agency, Resale Contracting
Division, Resale Services Support Branch, 1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA
23801-1800. (HDEC02-07-D-0003)


* Small Business

DoD Identifies Marine Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Edward M. Garvin, 19, of Malden, Mass.

Cpl. Benjamin S. Rosales, 20, of Houston, Texas

Both Marines died Oct. 4 while conducting combat operations in Al
Anbar province, Iraq. They were assigned to 2nd Light Armored
Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp
Lejeune, N.C.

Four Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers
died at about 9 a.m. yesterday when terrorists attacked their patrol
with indirect and small-arms fire northwest of Baghdad.
The names of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of
next of kin.

Meanwhile, the Defense Department released the identities of five
soldiers and one Marine who were killed recently supporting the war on
terror.

-- Marine Capt. Justin D. Peterson, 32, of Davisburg, Mich., died Oct.
1 from a non-hostile vehicle accident in Anbar province, Iraq. He was
assigned to 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine
Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

-- Army Sgt. Denise A. Lannaman, 46, of Bayside, N.Y., died at Camp
Arifjan, Kuwait, on Oct. 1 from a non-combat related incident. Lannaman
was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1569th Transportation Company,
Newburgh, N.Y.

-- Army Sgt. Joseph W. Perry, 23, of Alpine, Calif., died on Oct. 2 in
Muhallah, Iraq, when his mounted patrol came in contact with enemy
forces using small-arms fire. Perry was assigned to the 21st Military
Police Company, 16th Military Police Brigade, 18th Airborne Corps, Fort
Bragg, N.C.

-- Army Spc. Angelo J. Vaccaro, 23, of Deltona, Fla., died Oct. 2 in
Korengal, Afghanistan, from injuries suffered during combat operations.
Vaccaro was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd
Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

-- Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan Rojas, 27, of Hammond, Ind., died on Oct. 3
in Baghdad from injuries suffered from enemy small-arms fire while
performing security operations. Rojas was assigned to the 1st Battalion,
17th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort
Wainwright, Ala.

-- Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Isshak, 25, of Alta Loma, Calif., died on
Oct. 3 in Tikrit, Iraq, from injuries suffered when his vehicle received
enemy small-arms fire at Hawija during combat operations. Isshak was
assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry
Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Angelo J. Vaccaro, 23, of Deltona, Fla., died on Oct. 2 in
Korengal, Afghanistan, from injuries suffered during combat operations.Vaccaro
was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade
Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who
was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Daniel Isshak, 25, of Alta Loma, Calif., died on Oct. 3 in
Tikrit, Iraq, from injuries suffered when his vehicle received enemy
small arms fire at Hawija, Iraq, during combat operations. Isshak was
assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry
Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

North Korea is a known weapon proliferator,
and there is a danger that the rogue state may sell nuclear technology
to non-state entities, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said today.

Rumsfeld spoke during an impromptu Pentagon news conference following
meetings with Croatian Defense Minister Berislav Roncevic.

The secretary said the North Korean threat to test nuclear weapons must
be taken seriously. He said the North Korean regime has claimed to have
nuclear arms since 2003. "We have no way of knowing," if they have
nuclear weapons or not, he said.

The danger to the world is that if the regime does have nuclear arms,
it already has demonstrated its willingness to sell the technology to
the highest bidder. Non-state actors or terrorist groups are actively
seeking weapons of mass destruction. They have no compunction about using
those weapons, and they have no hard targets that the civilized world
could threaten, Rumsfeld said.

The secretary said diplomacy is still the way ahead in addressing the
issue. He said President Bush has pushed the Six-Party Talks - U.S.,
South Korea, China, Russia, Japan and North Korea - as the way forward.

If North Korea does test a nuclear weapon, then the international
community is going to have to examine the situation to understand why the
world could not marshal "the cooperation and cohesion to apply leverage
to North Korea" to stop the spread of nuclear arms, he said.

The example of North Korea could encourage other states to develop
nuclear capabilities, too, he said. It would lower the threshold for these
nations.

 DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who
was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Joseph W. Perry, 23, of Alpine, Calif., died on Oct. 2 in
Muhallah, Iraq, when his mounted patrol came in contact with enemy forces
using small arms fire during combat operations. Perry was assigned to the
21st Military Police Company, 16th Military Police Brigade, XVIIIth
Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.

 CONTRACTS

ARMY

Enterprise Information Management Inc.*, Arlington, Va., was awarded
on Sept. 30, 2006, a delivery order amount of $49,054,332 as part of a
$49,054,332 firm-fixed-price contract for forms content management
program. Work will be performed in Arlington, Va., and is expected to be
completed by Sept. 29, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of
the current fiscal year. There were an unknown number of bids solicited
on Aug. 25, 2006, and two bids were received. The Contracting Center of
Excellence, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity
(W74V8H-06-D-0022).

AAI Corp., Hunt Valley, Md., was awarded on Sept. 30, 2006, a
$32,630,010 modification to a cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price contract
for production of the SHADOW unmanned aerial vehicle systems and
associated support equipment. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Md., and
is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not
expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a sole source
contract initiated on Jan. 11, 2006. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile
Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity
(W31P4Q-06-C-0292).

Alutiiq-Mele L.L.C.*, Honolulu, Hawaii, was awarded on Sept. 30, 2006,
a $19,273,183 firm-fixed-price contract for Design and Construction for
the site preparation, purchase, and installation of modular buildings
and arms vaults. Work will be performed at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, and is
expected to be completed by Oct. 15, 2007. Contract funds will not
expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a sole source
contract initiated on Sept. 29, 2006. The U.S. Army Engineer District,
Honolulu, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (W9128A-06-C-0013).

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company L.L.C., Oak Brook, Ill., was
awarded on Sept. 29, 2006, a $14,816,245 firm-fixed-price contract for
maintenance dredging. Work will be performed in Newark, N.J., and is
expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2006. Contract funds will not expire at
the end of the current fiscal year. There were an unknown number of
bids solicited via the World Wide Web on April 5, 2006, and four bids were
received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, N.Y., is the
contracting activity (W912DS-06-C-0018).

General Atomics Aeronautical System, San Diego, Calif., was awarded on
Sept. 29, 2006, a $14,536,421 modification to a cost-plus-fixed-fee
contract for contractor logistics support for IGNAT unmanned aerial
vehicle operations. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif. (75 percent),
Adelanto, Calif. (5 percent), Palmdale, Calif. (5 percent), and Salt
Lake City, Utah (15 percent), and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30,
2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal
year. This was a sole source contract initiated on Sept. 6, 2006. The
U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the
contracting activity (DAAH01-03-C-0124).

Granite Construction Co., Watsonville, Calif., was awarded on Sept.
28, 2006, a $13,270,245 firm-fixed-price contract for Amedee Army
Airfield Improvements. Work will be performed at Sierra Army Depot, Calif.,
and is expected to be completed by March 25, 2008. Contract funds will
not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were 14 bids
solicited on July 10, 2006, and one bid was received. The U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, Sacramento, Calif., is the contracting activity
(W91238-06-C-0036).

AAI Corp., Hunt Valley, Md., was awarded on Sept. 30, 2006, a
$13,216,384 modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for engine modification
kits and associated spares for the Shadow 200 unmanned aircraft system.
Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Md., and is expected to be
completed by Sept. 30, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of
the current fiscal year. This was a sole source contract initiated on
June 9, 2006. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone
Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-06-C-0292).

Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Co.*, Pine Bluff, Ark., was awarded on
Sept. 29, 2006, a $12,603,100 firm-fixed-price contract for construction
of foreshore protection. Work will be performed in St. Bernard Parish,
La., and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2008. Contract funds
will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were an
unknown number of bids solicited via the World Wide Web on Aug. 25, 2006,
and four bids were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New
Orleans, La., is the contracting activity (W912P8-06-C-0210).

M.A. Mortenson, Minneapolis, Minn., was awarded on Sept. 29, 2006, an
$11,885,583 modification firm-fixed-price contract for construction of
a division headquarters. Work will be performed at Fort Riley, Kan.,
and is expected to be completed by Sept. 23, 2009. Contract funds will
not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a sole source
contract initiated on March 29, 2006. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-06-C-0019).

Alutiiq Global Solutions L.L.C.*, Anchorage, Alaska, was awarded on
Sept. 30, 2006, an $11,701,882 firm-fixed-price contract for a chemical
battalion & logistics center modularity project. Work will be
performed at Fort Lewis, Wash., and is expected to be completed by June 30,
2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal
year. This was a sole source contract initiated on Sept. 8, 2006. The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle, Wash., is the contracting activity
(W912DW-06-C-0026).

DMC Construction Inc.*, Pacific Grove, Calif., was awarded on Sept.
30, 2006, an $11,598,085 firm-fixed-price contract for upgrade of
barracks buildings. Work will be performed in Monterey, Calif., and is
expected to be completed by Sept. 16, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at
the end of the current fiscal year. There were 15 bids solicited on
June 15, 2006, and three bids were received. The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Sacramento, Calif., is the contracting activity
(W91238-06-C-0017).

Raytheon Co., Andover, Mass., was awarded on Oct. 3, 2006, an
$11,552,393 increment as part of a $23,104,787 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for
the Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) system and RAID Eagle Eye
systems. Work will be performed in Andover, Mass., and is expected to
be completed by Aug. 30, 2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end
of the current fiscal year. This was a sole source contract initiated
on Sept. 25, 2006. The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command,
Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (W9113M-07-C-0002).

AAI Corp., Hunt Valley, Md., was awarded on Sept. 30, 2006, an
$11,449,800 modification to a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for special unit
training support preparations for the SHADOW unmanned aerial vehicle
system. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Md., and is expected to be
completed by Dec. 31, 2006. Contract funds will not expire at the end of
the current fiscal year. This was a sole source contract initiated on
Sept. 26, 2006. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone
Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-06-C-0256).

Chugach Industries Inc.*, Anchorage, Alaska, was awarded on Sept. 30,
2006, an $11,237,842 firm-fixed-price contract for design and placement
of overhead electrical distribution systems underground. Work will be
performed at Columbus Air Force, Base, Miss., and is expected to be
completed by April 18, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of
the current fiscal year. This was a sole source contract initiated on
Sept. 13, 2006. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the
contracting activity (W91278-06-C-0057).

Illinois Constructors Corp.*, Saint Charles, Ill., was awarded on
Sept. 29, 2006, an $11,127,588 firm-fixed-price contract for construction
of deteriorated step stone reventment in support of the Chicago
Shoreline Storm Damage Reduction Project. Work will be performed in Chicago,
Ill., and is expected to be completed by November 2008. Contract funds
will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were an
unknown number of bids solicited via the World Wide Web on Aug. 4, 2006,
and three bids were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, Chicago,
Ill., is the contracting activity (W912P6-06-C-0011).

M.E.S. Inc.*, Brooklyn, N.Y., was awarded on Sept. 29, 2006, a
$10,628,832 increment as part of a $13,250,546 firm-fixed-price contract for
construction of a pyrotechnics research and technology facility. Work
will be performed at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., and is expected to be
completed by March 30, 2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of
the current fiscal year. There were ten bids solicited on Aug. 11, 2006,
and three bids were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New
York, N.Y., is the contracting activity (W912DS-06-C-0023).

Sebesta Blomberg and Associates, Roseville, Minn., was awarded on Oct.
1, 2006, a delivery order amount of $6,582,326 as part of a $32,599,711
firm-fixed-price contract for commissions services on construction
projects. Work will be performed in Arlington, Va., and is expected to be
completed by Sept. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end
of the current fiscal year. This was a sole source contract initiated on
March 8, 2004. The Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Va., is
the contracting activity (HQ0095-05-D-0001).

Conti Enterprises Inc.*, South Plainfield, N.J., was awarded on Sept.
30, 2006, a delivery order amount of $8,050,762 as part of a
$20,332,487 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for range clearance and solid waste
management unit investigation remediation. Work will be performed at
Fort Belvoir, Va., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 29, 2008.
Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This
was a sole source contract initiated on July 19, 2001. The U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Baltimore, Md., is the contracting activity
(DACA31-02-D-0015).

Innovative Concepts Inc., McLean, Va., was awarded on Sept. 29, 2006,
a $6,879,183 modification to a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for
engineering services to perform computer software modifications. Work will be
performed in McLean, Va., and is expected to be completed by May 1,
2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal
year. This was a sole source contract initiated on April 19, 2006. The U.S.
Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the
contracting activity (W58RGZ-06-C-0153).

Sebesta Blomberg and Associates, Roseville, Minn., was awarded on Oct.
1, 2006, a delivery order amount of $6,582,326 as part of a $32,599,711
firm-fixed-price contract for commissions services on construction
projects. Work will be performed in Arlington, Va., and is expected to be
completed by Sept. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end
of the current fiscal year. This was a sole source contract initiated on
March 8, 2004. The Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Va., is
the contracting activity (HQ0095-05-D-0001).

NCI Information Systems Inc.*, Reston, Va., was awarded on Sept. 29,
2006, a delivery order amount of $6,571,113 as part of a $13,085,178
firm-fixed-price contract for continuity of information technology
services. Work will be performed in Warren, Mich. (98 percent), and Selfridge
Air National Guard Base, Mich. (2 percent), and is expected to be
completed by Sept. 30, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of
the current fiscal year. There were five bids solicited on May 16, 2005,
and four bids were received. The U.S. Army Tank0-Automotive and
Armaments Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity
(W91QUZ-04-D-0001).

Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Co.*, Pine Bluff, Ark., was awarded on
Sept. 29, 2006, a delivery order amount of $6,325,001 as part of a
$6,325,001 firm-fixed-price contract for jetty repair. Work will be performed
in Plaquemines Parish, La., and is expected to be completed by July 6,
2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal
year. There were four bids solicited on Sept. 20, 2006 and two bids were
received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, La., is the
contracting activity (W912P8-06-D-0107).

Subsystem Technologies Inc.*, Rosslyn, Va., was awarded on Sept. 30,
2006, a $6,301,500 firm-fixed-price contract for consulting and training
for strategic and operational level support. Work will be performed in
Rosslyn, Va., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 29, 2007.
Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There
were an unknown number of bids solicited on Sept. 14, 2006, and two bids
were received. The Contracting Center of Excellence, Washington, D.C.,
is the contracting activity (W74V8H-06-F-0402).

Speegle Construction Inc.*, Niceville, Fla., was awarded on Sept. 29,
2006, a $6,072,000 firm-fixed-price contract for removal and upgrade of
the main gate. Work will be performed at Hurlburt Field Air Force Base,
Fla., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2, 2008. Contract funds
will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were two
bids solicited on July 24, 2006, and two bids were received. The U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity
(W91278-06-C-0056).

Reeves Electrical Services*, Pierre Part, La., was awarded on Sept.
28, 2006, a $6,049,000 firm-fixed-price contract for design and
construction of a Venice, LA, sub-office replacement building. Work will be
performed in Plaquemines Parish, La., and is expected to be completed by
June 30, 2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current
fiscal year. There were an unknown number of bids solicited via the
World Wide Web on May 16, 2006, and four bids were received. The U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, La., is the contracting activity
(W912P8-06-C-0207).

Solis Constructors Inc.*, Austin, Texas, was awarded on Sept. 29,
2006, a $5,317,700 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a
warehouse. Work will be performed at Fort Hood, Texas, and is expected to be
completed by Sept. 24, 2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of
the current fiscal year. There were an unknown number of bids solicited
via the World Wide Web on Aug. 21, 2006, and eight bids were received.
The U.S. Army Engineer District, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting
activity (W9126G-06-C-0052).

Viking Contractors Inc.*, Silver Spring, Md., was awarded on Sept. 30,
2006, a $5,122,414 firm-fixed-price contract for renovation of training
barracks. Work will be performed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., and
is expected to be completed by Oct. 10, 2008. Contract funds will not
expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a sole source
contract initiated on Sept. 29, 2006. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Baltimore, Md., is the contracting activity (W912DR-06-C-0057).

AIR FORCE

Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems, Clearfield, Utah, is being
awarded a $24,261,000 firm-price-incentive-firm and cost-plus-award fee
contract modification. This award is to definitize and finish funding
an undefinitized contract action to upgrade the Environmental Control
System for the Minuteman III Intercontinental ballistic missile system.
This includes production, deployment, and interim contractor support for
launch facilities and missile alert facilities at the Missile Wings.
The replacement system provides filtered, temperature and
humidity-controlled, circulating air to the electronic equipment as well as to the
missile combat crews located in the launch control centers. At this time,
$5,520,000 has been obligated. This work will be complete October 2007.
Headquarters Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is
the contracting activity (F42610-98-C-0001/at this time, no mod # has
been assigned).

McDonnell Douglas Corp., Long Beach, Calif., is being awarded an
$8,550,000 cost-plus-incentive fee, fixed-price-award fee and time and
materials contract modification. This contract modification is an
undefinitized contract action for foreign military sales requirement for FY07
portion of the Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III sustainment
partnership program. The RAAF has procured four C-17 aircraft (via a
separate contracting action). This action will provide the sustainment of
these aircraft over the course of FY07 to include aircraft maintenance,
upgrade, and sustainment. At this time, $3,825,000 has been obligated.
Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8614-04-C-2004/P00129).

NAVY

BAE Systems Technical Services, Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is
being awarded an $8,916,040 firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable line items
contract for operation and maintenance support for facilities operating
under Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NCTS) Guam. This
contract consists of one base year and four one-year options, which if
exercised, bring the total estimated value of the contract to
$45,386,608. Work will be performed in Guam, and work is expected to be completed
by September 2011. Contract funds will expire by the end of the current
fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured through Navy
Electronic Commerce Online and Federal Business Opportunities websites,
with three offers received. The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii is the contracting activity (N00604-06-C-0024).

Data Link Solutions, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded a $6,249,855
firm-fixed-price delivery order for multifunctional information
distribution system-low volume terminals (MIDS-LVTs). The MIDS-LVT provides
secure, high capacity, jam resistant, digital data and voice
communications capability for Navy, Air Force and Army platforms. This contract is
for the government of Greece (100 percent) under the Foreign Military
Sales Program. Work will be performed in Wayne, N.J. (50 percent), and
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (50 percent), and is expected to be completed by
April 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal
year. This delivery order was competitively procured with three offers
received via the Space and Naval Warfare Systems E-commerce web site.
The synopsis was released via the Federal Business Opportunities web
site. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, Calif., is
the contracting activity (N00039-00-D-2100).

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who
was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Jonathan Rojas, 27, of Hammond, Ind., died on Oct. 3 in
Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries suffered from enemy small arms fire while
performing security operations. Rojas was assigned to the 1st Battalion,
17th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort
Wainwright, Ala.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who
was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Denise A. Lannaman, 46, of Bayside, N.Y., died at Camp Arifjan,
Kuwait, on Oct. 1 from a non-combat related incident. Lannaman was
assigned to the Army National Guard's 1569th Transportation Company,
Newburgh, N.Y.

The incident is under investigation.

A Task Force Lightning soldier assigned to
3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, was struck by
enemy fire yesterday near Kirkuk, Iraq, and later died of wounds.


The name of the soldier is being withheld pending notification of next
of kin.

Meanwhile, the Defense Department released the identities of two
Marines and five soldiers who were killed recently supporting Operation Iraqi
Freedom.

    Army Staff Sgt. Joe A. Narvaez, 25, of San Antonio died in Baghdad
on Oct. 2 after being shot by enemy forces. Narvaez was assigned to the
1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st
Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany.


    Army Pfc. Satieon V. Greenlee, 24, of Pendleton, S.C., died in
Baghdad on Oct. 2 as a result of injuries suffered from enemy small-arms
fire. Greenlee was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment,
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.


    Army Pfc. Michael K. Oremus, 21, of Highland, N.Y., died in Baghdad
on Oct. 2 after being shot by enemy forces. Oremus was assigned to the
57th Military Police Company, 8th Military Police Brigade, Seoul,
Korea.


    Army Sgt. Mario Nelson, 26, of Brooklyn, N.Y., died in Hit, Iraq,
on Oct. 1 from injuries suffered when a rocket-propelled grenade
detonated near his vehicle. Nelson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 36th
Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division,
Friedberg, Germany.


    Marine Cpl. Aaron L. Seal, 23, of Elkhart, Ind., died Oct. 1 while
conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned
to Marine Forces Reserve's 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Marine
Logistics Group, South Bend, Ind.


    Army Cpl. Chase A. Haag, 22, of Portland, Ore., died in Baghdad on
Oct. 1 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.
Haag was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st
Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.


    Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher B. Cosgrove III, 23, of Cedar Knolls,
N.J., died Oct. 1 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province.
He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine
Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Dover, N.J.

CONTRACTS

ARMY

AM General L.L.C., South Bend, Ind., was awarded on Sept. 29, 2006, a
$98,721,988 modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for M1151A1
with B2 and M1152A1 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles. Work will
be performed in South Bend, Ind., and is expected to be completed by
Dec. 31, 2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current
fiscal year. This was a sole source contract initiated on July 17, 2000.
The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, Warren, Mich., is
the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S001).

Texas Engineering, College Station, Texas, was awarded on Sept. 29,
2006, a $7,697,663 modification to a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for
development of a controllable active material. Work will be performed in
College Station, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30,
2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal
year. This was a sole source contract initiated on Feb. 4, 2004. The U.S.
Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate, Fort Eustis, Va., is the
contracting ac activity (W911W6-05-C-0015).

AM General L.L.C., South Bend, Ind., was awarded on Sept. 29, 2006, a
$6,862,206 modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for Air Force
vehicles consisting of M1116 chassis for the High Mobility Multipurpose
Wheeled Vehicle. Work will be performed in South Bend, Ind., and is
expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2007. Contract funds will not expire
at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a sole source contract
initiated on July 17, 2000. The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments
Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S001).

J&J Contractors Inc., Lowell, Mass., was awarded on Sept. 29,
2006, a delivery order amount of $6,347,000 as part of a $6,347,000
firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a weapons maintenance and load
crew training facility. Work will be performed in Westfield, Mass., and
is expected to be completed by Oct. 5, 2007. Contract funds will not
expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were 11 bids
solicited on Aug. 31, 2006, and five bids were received. The U.S. Property and
Fiscal Office, Westfield, Mass., is the contracting activity
(W912SV-05-D-0006).

Nan Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii, was awarded on Sept. 28, 2006, a
$6,345,840 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a consolidated training
facility. Work will be performed at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and
is expected to be completed by Nov. 27, 2007. Contract funds will not
expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were ten bids
solicited on Aug. 3, 2006, and five bids were received. The U.S. Army
Engineer District, Honolulu, Hawaii, is the contracting activity
(W9128A-06-C-0010).

Basic Marine Inc.*, Escanaba, Mich., was awarded on Sept. 29, 2006, a
$6,137,228 firm-fixed-price contract for design, construction, testing,
and delivery of a deck barge. Work will be performed in Escanaba,
Mich., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2007. Contract funds
will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were ten bids
solicited on July 14, 2006, and two bids were received. The U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity
(W912BU-06-C-0028).

Day & Zimmerman Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., was awarded on Sept. 29,
2006, a delivery order amount of $6,100,000 as part of a $6,100,000
firm-fixed-price contract for ammunition storage. Work will be performed in
Hawthorne, Nev., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 28, 2007.
Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This
was a sole source contract initiated on Feb. 11, 1999. The U.S. Army
Sustainment Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity
(DAAA09-99-D-0022).

Idaho Technology Inc.*, Salt Lake City, Utah, was awarded on Sept. 29,
2006, a $5,984,324 modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for
associated support items of equipment for the Joint Biological Agent
Identification Diagnostic System. Work will be performed in Salt Lake City,
Utah, and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2007. Contract funds
will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were two
bids solicited on Jan. 17, 2003, and two bids were received. The U.S.
Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Frederick, Md., is the contracting
activity (DASG60-03-C-0094).

Bryan Construction Inc.*, Colorado Springs, Colo., was awarded on
Sept. 29, 2006, a delivery order amount of $5,902,658 as part of a
$5,902,658 firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of repair
medical clinic. Work will be performed at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.,
and is expected to be completed by April 3, 2008. Contract funds will
not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were four bids
solicited on Aug. 28, 2006, and one bid was received. The U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers Omaha, Neb., is the contracting activity
(W9128F-06-D-0019).

Whitesell-Green Inc., Pensacola, Fla., was awarded on Sept. 29, 2006,
a $5,864,000 firm-fixed-price contract for repair of a hangar complex.
Work will be performed at Fort Rucker, Ala., and is expected to be
completed by Oct. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of
the current fiscal year. There were 590 bids solicited on July 18, 2006,
and two bids were received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile,
Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-06-C-0046).

McDonnell Douglas Helicopter, Mesa, Ariz., was awarded on Sept. 29,
2006, a delivery order amount of $5,300,000 as part of a $5,300,000
firm-fixed-price contract for AN/APX-123 common transponder integration and
installation into the AH-64D helicopters. Work will be performed in
Mesa, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2010. Contract
funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a
sole source bid solicited on July 7, 2006. The U.S. Army Aviation and
Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity
(W58RGZ-05-G-0005).

NAVY

IAP-Hill, LLC (a joint venture), Cape Canaveral, Fla., was awarded
Sept. 30, 2006, $55,458,533 under previously awarded combination
firm-fixed-price award fee, indefinite-quantity regional base operating support
(BOS) contract (N62467-00-D-2451) to exercise Option 6 for BOS services
at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The award of this option brings the
total contract value to $391,491,403. Work will be performed in
Jacksonville, Fla., and is expected to be completed September 2007. Contract
funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The basic
contract was competitively procured with 75 proposals solicited, three
offers received, and award made on June 28, 2000. The Naval Facilities
Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting
activity.

Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, is being awarded a $13,730,538
modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-2307) for
accomplishment of lead yard services for the DDG 51 Class Destroyer Program. The
purpose of the DDG 51 Class Lead Yard services is to maintain necessary
lead yard engineering and technical support for DDG 51 Class lead and
follow ships class configurations which includes maintenance of the class
design drawings; screening, preparation and scoping of class
engineering change proposals; development of class flight upgrade design; support
for defining configuration of drawings warranted to the
follow-shipbuilder and the resolution of problems or questions submitted by the
follow-shipbuilder through the liaison inquiry process. Work will be
performed in Bath, Maine, and is expected to be completed by November 2006.
Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The
Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting
activity.

IAP-Hill, LLC (a joint venture), Cape Canaveral, Fla., was awarded
Sept. 30, 2006, $12,048,540 for firm-fixed-price Task Order 0751 under
previously awarded combination firm-fixed-price award fee,
indefinite-quantity regional base operating support (BOS) contract (N62467-00-D-2451)
for service calls in support of the BOS contract at Naval Air Station
Jacksonville. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Fla., and is
expected to be completed September 2007. Contract funds will expire at the
end of the current fiscal year. The basic contract was competitively
procured with 75 proposals solicited, three offers received, and award
made on June 28, 2000. The Engineering Field Activity Southeast, Naval
Facilities Engineering Command, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting
activity.

Krempp Lumber Company*, Jasper, Ind.; Wight Construction Company,
Darien, Ill.; Weddle Brothers Construction Co., Bloomington, Ind.; and
Korte Construction Company dba The Korte Co., Highland, Ill., were each
awarded Sept. 30, 2006, a guaranteed minimum design-build multiple award
construction contract for design, construction, and renovation of
government facilities in Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee. The total amount
for all contracts combined is not to exceed $200,000,000 (base period
and four option years). Krempp Lumber Company is being awarded $7,005,000
(including the minimum guarantee) for the initial task order for design
and construction of the new Special Weapons Facility at Naval Surface
Warfare Center, Crane, Ind. Work for this task order is expected to be
completed by March 2008. The remaining three contractors are being
awarded the minimum guarantee of $25,000. Work will be performed at
government facilities in Indiana (60 percent); Illinois (30 percent);
and Tennessee (10 percent), and is expected to be completed September
2007 (September 2011 with options). Contract funds will not expire at
the end of the current fiscal year. The basic contract was competitively
procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation
website with 11 proposals received. These four contractors may compete
for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract.
The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Midwest, Great Lakes, Ill., is
the contracting activity (N40083-06-D-4018/4019/4020/4021).

AIR FORCE

Boeing Co., St Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $9,000,000 indefinite
delivery/indefinite quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification.
This contract will design and test a large penetrating munition, to
demonstrate the weapon's lethality against multi-story building with
hardened bunkers and tunnel facilities, and to reduce technology risk for
future development. This program is funded by Defense Threat Reduction
Agency. At this time, no funds have been obligated. This work will be
complete October 2009. Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin Air Force
Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8651-04-D-0427/P00002).

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Space and Missiles, Sunnyvale,
Calif., is being awarded a $7,639,325 cost-plus-award fee contract
modification. This contract modification incorporates software and hardware
changes to the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite system.
The changes are necessary to develop and maintain backward
compatibility with the predecessor Milstar communications satellite system. The
changes made in this modification are part of a series of modifications
necessary for backward compatibility. Backward compatibility will allows
the AEHF system to work with this Milstar system and better service the
joint warfighter. At this time, $263,922 has been obligated. This work
will be complete January 2009. Headquarters Military Satellite
Communications Systems Wing, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the
contracting activity (F04701-02-C-0002/A00013).

Civil Air Patrol Inc., Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., is being awarded
a $6,243,000 cooperative agreement contract modification. This
modification will increase funding for FY 2007 Civil Air Patrol operation and
maintenance and counter-drug activities, drug demand reduction program,
residual support for CAP-USAF State Directors and the AFROTC/CAP Flying
Orientation Program is authorized by 10 U.S.C. 9442(b) and 10 U.S.C.
9444(a) and (b). At this time, total funds have been obligated. This work
will be complete September 2007. 42d Air Base Wing, Maxwell Air Force
Base, Ala., is the contracting activity (F41689-00-2-0001/A00108).

* Small Business

Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Satieon V. Greenlee, 24, of Pendleton, S.C., died in Baghdad,
Iraq, on Oct. 2 as a result of injuries suffered from enemy small arms
fire. Greenlee was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment,
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who
was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Michael K. Oremus, 21, of Highland, N.Y., died in Baghdad, Iraq,
on Oct. 2 after being shot by enemy forces. Oremus was assigned to the
57th Military Police Company, 8th Military Police Brigade, Seoul,
Korea.

Secretary Rumsfeld and Central America and Dominican Republic Ministers from Managua 

Secretary Rumsfeld:Thank you very much, Mr. Minister.First let me thank
the Minister Ramirez, for his excellent management and hosting of this
conference, as well as the people of Nicaragua.We've had an excellent
conference and we appreciate it a great deal, Mr. Minister.

We have met together on a number of occasions now, the Ministers of
Defense of Central America and meeting with the Minister from the United
States.And on each occasion the progress in the relationship among the
Central American countries has developed and evolved in a very
constructive and positive way.I can't speak for the other Ministers but this is
my third conference of this type, and as I listened to the ministers it
was very clear that there are certain themes that are developing that
suggest a very common perspective and common approach to the problems we
face.And very simply it is this: that almost every problem we face is a
problem that cannot be solved by a single nation.Whether it's
counter-narcotics or gangs or hostage-taking or counter-terrorism, all of it,
all of those problems, require very close cooperation among nations, many
nations.

So I respect greatly the work that these gentlemen and their nations,
their leaders are doing to improve the cooperation and the cohesion here
in this important part of the world, in Central America.

Thank you

Channel Two - Nicaragua:Yes, my question is for Secretary Rumsfeld.I'm
from Channel two here in Nicaragua: the question is, how is the US
government contemplating future military cooperation with Nicaragua should
Mr. Ortega win the presidential elections given that Mr. Ortega and his
legislators have presented the principal opposition to the destruction
of the SAM-7 Missiles.

Secretary Rumsfeld:I don't get involved in politics in the United
States, so you can be certain I'm not going to get involved in politics in
Nicaragua.Thank you.(Laughter.)

Reuters Journalist (Pentagon corp):This question is for the Central
American Ministers: I'd like to know what you think regarding the call of
Venezuela to form a military group to counter the US influence in the
region.

Minister from Guatemala (General de Brigada Francisco Bermudez
Amado):Yes, our principal mission for Guatemala and for most of Central America
has been for peace-keeping efforts, which we have supported
wholeheartedly over the years and we do have a central American unit for rescue
and humanitarian purposes which is ready to be deployed should it be
needed due to natural disasters.

Journalist from AP - Ms.Watson:Yes, my question is for Mr. Rumsfeld: I
wanted to ask if um, about there've been some major arrests in the past
year in both Columbia and Mexico as far as the um drug lords and also
we've seen some of the major ones have been taken down but yet the
violence has continued, and we've seen more brutal violence with beheadings,
and I wanted to ask whether there's going to be a discussion about a
change in policy regarding the drug war, what can be done and if there's
also concern on the part of the other Latin American countries that too
much (inaudible) Columbia and now that drug lords are moving into other
countries if more needs to be focused on in countries like Columbia and
Mexico.

Secretary Rumsfeld:It is a problem that is affecting the world, it is
not unique to this part of the globe, it is a serious problem, one that
as you suggest if it's successfully dealt with in one place it might
race to another, which points up my opening comment, that no one nation
can deal with it alone.

Counter-narcotics strategies and plans and approaches are developed
individually by countries and then consulted and cooperated among those
countries in sharing information and approaches.I'm not in a position to
announce that there's some sort of a new plan or approach that's been
evolving and it's something that each country has to decide for
themselves and then coordinate with other nations so that they can be
effective.

AP/USA (Pentagon corp - Lolita Balder):This question is for Secretary
Rumsfeld and for one of the other Ministers who'd like to answer it.I
was wondering if the issue of assistance in either Iraq or Afghanistan
came up in your discussions, and whether any of the Central American
countries are going to be able to provide any additional assistance, either
in training, counter-drug efforts in Afghanistan perhaps, or anything
else.

Secretary Rumsfeld:There are a variety of Central American countries
that are assisting in a variety of different ways, but I don't recall it
coming up in our meetings this week.Possibly the Minister from El
Salvador would like to comment.

Secretary from El Salvador (Otto Alejandro Romero Orellana):Yes,
Salvadoran soldiers have been in Iraq since 2003, complete with the UN
framework, the UN charter, our constitution, and our laws, we are providing
humanitarian assistance and have been playing a humanitarian role
working with total transparency, we've had missions from our legislators who
have visited them, from all the different political parties represented
in our congress have visited our troops and the (inaudible)members of
the written and electronic press of El Salvador have also had the
opportunity to go to Iraq and visit our troops as well and to see how our
soldiers are contributing to the strengthening of the political system in
Iraq and the strengthening of their security forces as well.

When Army met Texas A&M on the Aggie's
home turf Sept. 16, 100 servicemembers and their guests were in the
stands, thanks to the Bank of America Military Bank in San Antonio.

The servicemembers, patients at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam
Houston, received the tickets as a gesture of appreciation for their
sacrifices, Kirk Frady, vice president of military affairs for Bank of
America Military Bank, said.

"It was just our way of showing our support for the troops and thanking
them for their service to the country," Frady said. "It was a great
patriotic event between two very patriotic, military-oriented teams."

The game was close, 28-24, and although Army gridders couldn't pull a
win out of their berets, it was a hit with the servicemembers, Judith
Markelz, program manager of the Soldiers and Family Assistance Center at
Fort Sam Houston, said. The center dispersed the tickets.

"It was great. There was not a single soldier or Marine that didn't
have a wonderful time," she said. "Two of them came up to me afterwards
and said, 'This is the best thing we've ever done.'"

The fun, however, began well before the actual kick-off with some
tailgating, compliments of Greg Corwin and the Capt. Scott Corwin
Foundation, Frady said. Corwin's son was a West Point graduate who served two
tours in Iraq and returned home to Fort Stewart, Ga. He was still on
active duty when he was killed in a shooting near his home in Savannah, Ga.,
May 29, 2004. The case is still open.

"There's got to be more generous people, but I don't know who they
are," Markelz said. "He's taken what could've been such a negative thing
and turned it into such a wonderfully positive thing."

The football game wasn't the first event in which Bank of America
Military Bank, located across the street from Fort Sam Houston, offered its
support to servicemembers, Frady said. The bank has sent care packages
to the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Ga., and the 101st
Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky.

The bank also is planning a barbecue later this month for the wounded
servicemembers and their families at Fort Sam Houston. In addition to
great food, they'll get a special performance, Frady said.

"We have a live band coming in to entertain them with live music," he
said. "It's just, again, our way of showing our appreciation for their
service to our country."