Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Civilian Orthopedic Surgeon Witnesses Servicemembers' Sacrifices Firsthand

By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service

Dec. 24, 2008 - A civilian orthopedic surgeon who has seen servicemembers' sacrifices firsthand said he believes the nation owes them a debt of gratitude, and that he'll bring techniques he saw in the military health system to his own practice. "I firmly believe as citizens we owe [our troops] great thanks," said Dr. Brendan M. Patterson, chairman of the orthopedic surgery department at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. Patterson returned in mid-December from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany after completing the two-week Distinguished Visiting Scholar Program.

Patterson is the 18th scholar to participate in this program since its inception in July 2007.

"We live in an extraordinary country at a critical time in history, and there are a select few members who serve in the military who are on a daily basis are making significant sacrifices of time with their family and loved ones particularly this time of year to protect the interests of the majority," Patterson said yesterday during a "Dot Mil Docs" interview on
BlogTalkRadio.com.

The chairman of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and co-director of Orthopaedic Trauma at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, retired
Army Col. (Dr.) Roman Hayda, said the program was established to provide a link between the civilian and military orthopedic communities.

"The scholars have at least 10 years of trauma experience with demonstrated
leadership and dedication to teaching," Hayda said. "They provide some assistance to the experienced military surgeons at Landstuhl while being able to more fully appreciate the complexity of injuries experienced by our servicemembers."

Hayda said scholars volunteer for the service by contacting the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

"The selection is then based on a review of their credentials with a panel of tri-service military members, to include a representative from [Landstuhl] and a civilian board member," he explained.

Patterson said his two-week visit to Landstuhl was an opportunity he would be unlikely to have in the civilian sector.

"I don't think experience in a civilian center can prepare one for the type of injuries that these young soldiers experience," he said. "The modern warfare has brought with it the improvised explosive device, which has really dramatically altered the character of injures experienced by people in combat, and the concentration of a blast force on the extremities is truly a different type of injury."

Patterson said he gained a new respect for the orthopedic surgeons he worked with in Landstuhl.

"The orthopedic surgeons are an outstanding group at Landstuhl, and we were able to do a few cases together where some of the soft-tissue techniques are used in civilian trauma centers to cover exposed bone and exposed surfaces," he said. "We were able to use a few techniques mobilizing muscle and putting some traction on some skin that would salvage [or] save some length of a particular injured extremity."

He said he would bring some other techniques witnessed at Landstuhl back to his practice.

"Some of the treatments, particularly with the management of contaminated open wounds, use some of the time-honored approaches of allowing the body some time to respond and not rushing a closure that would potentially lead to an infection," he said. "I think that is one piece [that I will] bring back.

"The other is the commitment to pain management," he continued. "There is a lot of time and effort expended on regional anesthesia. Putting in blocks so that they can make an entire extremity numb to relieve their suffering and pain is quite extraordinary."

Patterson said he was impressed by the screening tests for traumatic brain injury.

"The military has done an incredible job in looking for traumatic brain injury," he said. "Everyone at Landstuhl had a screening test for traumatic brain injury that identified those patients who may have suffered some degree of concussive or head injury. The military medical system has really done a good amount of work on making sure those screening tests are done on every soldier."

(
Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg serves in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)

MILITARY CONTRACTS December 24, 2008

Air Force

The
Air Force awarded a contract to Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc., El Segundo, California for $75,000,000. This will authorize Boeing to continue the Transformational Communications Satellite Risk Reduction and System Definition (RR&SD) baseline efforts. (FA8808-04-C-0022/P00052).

The
Air Force awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin Space Systems Corporation, Sunnyvale, California for 75,000,000. This will authorize Lockheed Martin to continue the Transformational Communications Satellite (TSAT) Risk Reduction and System Definition (RR&SD) baseline efforts. (FA8808-04-C-0023/P00053)

Army

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation,
Wichita, Kan., was awarded on Dec 19, 2008, a $12,697,384 firm/fixed/price contract for the purchase of 2 each Hawker Beechcraft Super King Air Model 350 aircrafts. Work will be performed in Ozark, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Jul 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-09-C-0087).

General Dynamics-Armament and Technical Products, Burlington, Vt., was awarded on Dec 22, 2008 a $20,058,654.50 firm/fixed/price contract to Load, Assemble and Pack (LAP) of 155mm M231 and M232A1 Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) propelling charge increments. Work will be performed in Hampton, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of Sept 5, 2009. Bids were solicited on the Web with two bids received. Joint Munitions & Lethality Contracting Center, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-09-C-0046).

The Boeing Company, Ridley Park, Pa., was awarded on Dec 19, 2008, a $620,744,955 firm/fixed/price contract for CH-47F Multiyear contract for second year Production Lot 7, 16 each CH-47F new build aircraft, 15 each CH-47F remanufacture aircraft, over and above, Production Lot 8 Long Lead Items. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pa., with an estimated completion date of Sept 30, 2013. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S.
Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (w58rgz-08-c-0098).

Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, El Segundo, Ca. was awarded on Dec 19, 2008, a $10,668,899 Cost Price Firm Fixed contract for Research: This program relates to the TRUST in Integrated Circuits (TIC) program to advance science and technology for ensuring integrated circuits (IC) can be trusted regardless of their origin and fabrication process. In Phase II (the subject of this announcement), Raytheon will refine their techniques to protect all stages of the Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) design process. Work will be performed in El Segundo and
San Jose, Ca.; Lexington, Mass.; Nashua, N.H.; and Albuquerque, N.M.; with an estimated completion date of Dec 22, 2009. Bids were solicited by a broad agency announcement with 29 bids received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-08-C-0005).

Johns Hopkins University – Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Md., was awarded on Dec 19, 2008 a $8,370,480 Cost Plus Fixed – Fee contract for Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab to participate in the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency Chemical Sensor Program. Work will be performed in Laurel, Md., and Stillwater, Okla., with an estimated completion date of May 18, 2011. Bids were solicited on the Web with two bids received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-09-C-0029).

Rolls Royce Corporation,
Indianapolis, Ind., was awarded on Dec 19, 2008 a $32,503,995 firm/fixed/price five-year contract for the Delivery Order to exercise Calendar Year (CY) 09 Option on the Model 250-C30R/3 engines Contractor Logistics Support contract. Delivery Order 0004 contains Contract Line Item Numbers CLINs 0001 (Contractor Field Service Representative), CLIN 4004 (Engineering/Program Management Support), CLIN 5001 (Engine/Component/Part/Repair Overhaul) and CLIN 7001 (Power-By-The Hour Rate per Flight Hour). This contract performance period ends Dec 31, 2008. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec 31, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-06-D0072).

Raytheon Missile Systems Company, Tucson, Ariz., was awarded on Dec 19, 2008 a firm/fixed/price with cost/plus/fixed/fee line items contract for Griffin munitions and engineering services. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of Aug 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S.
Army Contracting Command, Aviation and Missile Contracting Center, Redstone Arsenal, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-08-C-0252).

Luna Innovations, Inc., Roanoke, Va., was awarded on Dec 19, 2008 a $6,173,760 Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for Research: Luna Innovations will develop an independent suite of tools to verify that Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) bit streams can be TRUSTed and contain only that functionality specified in the design implementation: nothing more and nothing less. They will also develop tools to authenticate that the target FPGA hardware platform has not been substituted within the supply chain. Work will be performed in Roanoke, Va., with an estimated completion date of Dec 19, 2008. Bids were solicited by Broad Agency Announcement with 30 bids received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-08-C-0007).

Laser Shot, Inc., Stafford, Texas, was awarded on Dec 19, 2008 a $10,764,066 Primarily Firm Fixed Price/with Time & Material CLINs for travel contract for procurement of a personal computer (PC) game based training solution, a first person shooter that leverages commercial or government off-the-shelf (COTS/GOTS) products. Procurement includes delivery of game-based training software with an
Army-wide license, integration of the software on Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) PCs, fielding, New Equipment Training, web portal development and technical support. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Dec 31, 2012.Bids were solicited on the Web with two bids received. Program Executive Office, Simulation, Training and Instrumentation, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity (W900KK-09-C-0009).

Q.B.S., Inc., Alliance, Ohio, was awarded on Dec 19, 2008 a $10,811,000 firm/fixed contract to design and construct Company Operations Facilities (COF), approximately 54,000 square feet for the 82nd Airborne Division. Primary facilities consist of Readiness Module (4) and Administrative Module, Covered Hardstand and parking. Project also includes all infrastructure and utilities. Work is to be performed at Fort Bragg, N.C., with an estimated completion date of Sep 30, 2010. Four proposals were solicited and three proposals received. U.S.
Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-08-D-0038).

Thales-Raytheon Systems Company LLC,
Fullerton, Ca., was awarded on Dec 19, 2008 $19,068,741 a firm/fixed/price 3 year IDIQ contract for award of a production buy for spare parts to support AN/TPQ-36(V) and AN/TPQ-37(V) FIREFINDER Radar Systems. Work is to be performed in Fullerton, Ca. with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2012. Bids were solicited by sole source (1) with one bid received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-06-D-T001).

General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on Dec 23, 2008 a $6,995,634.10 firm/fixed/price contract for 130 each display, Optoelectro also known as Improved Driver's Integrated Display with Containers. Work is to be performed in Tallahassee, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Dec 30, 2011. One bid was solicited and one bid received. Tank and Automotive Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W52H09-07-G-0001).

Archer Western Contractors,
Baltimore, Md., was awarded on Dec 23, 2008 a $88,893,929 firm/fixed/price contract to design and construct a standard design unaccompanied enlisted personnel housing complex consisting of two 6-story 222-Person barracks building (174,000 square feet); one 6-story 228-Person barracks (149,000 square feet) and 8 Company Operation Facility (COFs) (readiness module, administrative module, covered hardstand, troop aid station). Facilities systems included fire alarm, detection, and reporting systems, automatic building fire sprinklers; energy monitoring and control system (EMCS) system with connections to central monitoring location, and intrusion detection system; interior communications, and building information systems; and force protection measures. Supporting facilities include utilities, fire protection and alarm systems, paving, walks, curbs and gutters, traffic signage, storm drainage including underground storm water retention, erosion control measures, information systems, landscaping, and site improvements. Work is to be performed at Fort Bragg, N.C., with an estimated completion date of Mar 31, 2010. Four proposals were solicited and three bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-07-D-0051).

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Stratford, Conn., was awarded on Dec 23, 2008 an $84,988,629 firm/fixed/price contract to exercise option for six (6) Navy MH-60R Helicopters. Work is to be performed in Stratford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of Dec 31, 2012. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S.
Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Lockheed Martin Corp, Missiles and
fire Control – Dallas, Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded on Dec 23, 2008 a $774,776,167 firm/fixed/price (FFP) and cost/plus/fixed/fee (CPFF) contract for PATRIOT Advanced Capability – 3 (PAC-3) FY09 Production Buy which consists of 188 Missiles, Tooling, Parts Library, Storage and Aging, Interim Contractor Depot Support, Concurrent Spares and Replenishment Spares. Work is to be performed in Grand Prairie and Lufkin, Texas: Camden, Ark.; Chelmsford, Mass.; Orlando and Ocala, Fla., with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-09-C-0002).

Bush Calls Troops With Holiday Greetings

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

Dec. 24, 2008 - President George W. Bush telephoned nine deployed servicemembers from each military branch this morning to pass along holiday greetings and thank them for their service. A White House news release referred to the call recipients as "exemplary members of the armed forces who are stationed in remote locations worldwide." Troops received calls in Iraq; Afghanistan; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Southwest Asia; and the Persian Gulf.

The recipients include:

--
Army Staff Sgt. Ryan E. Crissman of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, who is deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, with the 101st Airborne Division's Special Troops Battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Crissman recently was selected as noncommissioned officer of the quarter for his battalion and for Combined Joint Task Force 101. He is on his second deployment since 2001; he previously served a tour in Samarra, Iraq.

--
Army Spc. Marcus T. Brown of Brooklyn, N.Y., who is deployed to Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team. Brown's unit came under fire April 30, and he was wounded by an armor-piercing makeshift bomb. Despite his wounds, he continued to fight and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with valor device. Brown is responsible for the technical attributes of his entire squad's weapon system and is an expert in all matters relating to the infantry mortar platoon.

--
Army Sgt. Aaron M. Simmons of Texas City, Texas, who is deployed to Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team. Simmons is a team leader in a mechanized infantry company, and he ensures soldiers meet standards in personal equipment, training them to maintain and account for all equipment and property.

--
Marine Corps Cpl. Louise M. Nowak of Pound, Wis., who is deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, with Combat Logistics Battalion 3, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Nowak is a combat engineer specializing in vertical and horizontal construction, demolitions, building bridges and working with mines. She also conducts mobility, survivability and counter-mobility missions.

--
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jerry W. Pearse of Newberry Springs, Calif., who is deployed to Numaniyah Military Training Base, Iraq, with the Coalition Army Advisory Training Team, Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq. Pearse is an engineering advisor, maintenance officer, and assistant contracting officer representative for the second largest Iraqi army training base in Iraq.

--
Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew "Matt" Hise of Christiansburg, Va., deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, with the 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron. Hise is an air mobility load planner who ensures equipment and vehicles are certified for airlift. He also prepares weight and balance for cargo aircraft.

--
Air Force Senior Airman Daniel "Dan" Gutowski of Manistee, Mich., who is deployed to Southwest Asia with the 437th Airlift Wing's 15th Airlift Squadron and is currently assigned to the 385th Air Expeditionary Group. Gutowski is a C-17A Globemaster III special operations-qualified loadmaster, responsible for the loading/unloading of C-17A aircraft, and providing safe and efficient airlift for passengers. He earned two Air Medals for completing 40 demanding C-17A combat missions through Afghanistan and Iraq.

--
Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Larry N. Ambrose of Edenton, N.C., who is deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, with Coast Guard Port Security Unit 305. Ambrose serves as a leading petty officer and security fire team leader. He is directly responsible for the supervision and training of six junior enlisted personnel. He recently was selected as the unit's sailor of the quarter.

--
Coast Guard Fireman Matthew "Matt" Frounfelker of Beaver Creek, Ohio, who is deployed with Coast Guard Cutter Aquidneck in the Persian Gulf. Frounfelker has participated in high-risk boardings, ensuring the safety and security of vessel traffic to and from the Al-Basra Oil Terminal and Khor al-Amaya Oil Terminal. His shipboard duties include assisting the damage control petty officer and acting as boarding team member, small boat crewman, in-port crewman and engineer of the watch.