Nouvelles

NAVY Clark Construction Group LLC, Bethesda, Maryland, is awarded a $298,211,055 firm-fixed-price construction contract to construct a VC-25B hangar complex. The contract provides for the construction of a hangar complex, an aircraft access taxiway/parking apron, associated lighting, engine run-up pads, and a hydrant refueling system with storage tanks. Additional requirements include, but are not limited to, site preparation, wetland/stream mitigation, storm water management, a parking lot, and a fire detection, and suppression system. This contract contains options, which if exercised, will bring the contract value to a ceiling of $315,481,000. Work will be performed at Joint Base Andrews, Camp Springs, Maryland, and is expected to be completed April 2022. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 military construction (Air Force) contract funds in the amount of $220,000,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was the result of a competitive acquisition via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 10 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N40080-19-C-0008). Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is awarded $18,000,000 for modification P00004 to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-18-D-0103) to exercise an option for technical analysis, engineering and integration on V-22 aircraft platform for the Navy, Marine Corps,. Air Force, and the government of Japan under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (50 percent); and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (50 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2022. No funds are being obligated at time of award, funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Edison Chouest Offshore, Cut Off, Louisiana, is awarded $7,374,825 to exercise an option under previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N3220517C3513) with reimbursable elements for one maritime support vessel. This vessel will be utilized to launch, recover, refuel, and resupply of small crafts in the U.S. Pacific Command's (USPACOM) area of responsibility. This contract includes a 12-month base period, three 12-month option periods, and one 11-month option period. This is option one of the current contract. If all options are exercised this would bring the cumulative value of the contract to $41,079,507. Work will be performed in the USPACOM's area of responsibility, and is expected to be completed Dec. 22, 2019. If all options are exercised, work will continue through Nov. 22, 2022. Navy working capital funds in the amount of $6,018,015 are obligated for fiscal 2019 and will expire at the end of current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with 50-plus proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with five offers received. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY General Electric – Aviation, Lynn, Massachusetts, has been awarded a maximum $157,731,567 fixed-price prospective redetermination, requirements contract for holistic engine support of the T64 aircraft engine. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code. 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a five and a half year base contract with one five-year option period. Location of performance is Massachusetts, with a June 6, 2024, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia (SPE4AX-19-D-9400). Michelin North America Inc., Greenville, South Carolina, has been awarded an estimated $42,246,789 fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, requirements contract for aircraft tires supporting the Global Tire Program. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is South Carolina, with a Dec. 11, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7LX-19-D-0043). Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Akron, Ohio, has been awarded an estimated $35,168,525 fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, requirements contract for aircraft tires supporting the Global Tire Program. This was a competitive acquisition with two offers received. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Ohio, with a Dec. 11, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7LX-19-D-0051). Michelin North America Inc., Greenville, South Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $19,960,116 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity, requirements contract to provide tire support for the Global Tires Program. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is South Carolina, with a Dec. 11, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7LX-19-D-0054). ARMY Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, was awarded a $13,364,769 modification (P00002) to Foreign Military Sales (Saudi Arabia) contract W900KK-17-C-0040 for modernization of a number of live fire ranges; support of infrastructure; procurement of installation of targets for ranges; automated shoothouse; urban assault course; range control systems; spare parts, and new equipment training courses. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida and Swanee, Georgia, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2021. Fiscal 2019 foreign military sales funds in the amount of $13,364,769 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity. URS Federal Services Inc., Germantown, Maryland, was awarded a $9,742,253 modification (P00129) to contract W58RGZ-16-C-0001 for aviation maintenance. Work will be performed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Louisville, Tennessee; and Fort Polk, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of June 29, 2019. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement, Army; and operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $9,742,253 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Galois Inc., Portland Oregon, has been awarded an $8,589,384 cost-plus-fixed-fee (completion) contract for merged-analysis-to-prevent-exploits software, testing and demonstrations. This contract provides for a software system that will enable computers and humans to collaboratively reason over software artifacts with the goal of finding zero-day vulnerabilities at a scale and speed appropriate for the complex software ecosystem. Work will be performed in Portland, Oregon, and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2021. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 50 offers were received. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,321,974 are being obligated at the time of award. Air force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-19-C-0004). *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1712047/

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Michelin North America Inc., Greenville, South Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $51,004,943 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity, requirements contract to provide tire support for the global tires program. This was a competitive acquisition with seven responses received. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is South Carolina, with a Dec. 10, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7L1-19-D-0006). Practicon Inc., Greenville, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $40,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for dental consumable items. This is a one-year base contract with four one-year option periods. Maximum dollar amount is for the life of the contract, including options. This was a competitive acquisition with 25 offers received. Location of performance is North Carolina, with a Dec. 10, 2023, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DE-19-D-0001). Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Akron, Ohio, has been awarded a maximum $31,242,109 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity, requirements contract to provide tire support for the global tires program. This was a competitive acquisition with seven responses received. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Ohio, with a Dec. 10, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2018 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7L1-19-D-0005). NAVY Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded $38,170,404 for cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order N0001919F2503, against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-19-G-0029). This delivery order provides for the development and delivery of a provisioning parts database of technical information to include 2D drawings that support all organizational, intermediate and depot levels in support of initial operational capability for the CH-53K program. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed in November 2023. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,600,000, will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $24,770,301 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-18-C-2101, to exercise an option for engineering and technical design effort to support research and development concept formulation of undersea technology for current and future submarine platforms. This contract procures advanced submarine research and development, including studies to support manufacturability, maintainability, producibility, electronic obsolescence, reliability, manning, survivability, hull integrity, performance, structural, weight/margin, stability, arrangements, main and auxiliary machinery systems, fluid systems, acoustics, non-acoustics, hydrodynamics, ship control, logistics, human factors, materials, stowage, submarine safety, automation and affordability. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut (99 percent); and Newport, Rhode Island (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by October 2019. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $1,310,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin, Mission Systems and Training, Baltimore, Maryland, is awarded $16,158,990 for cost-plus-award-fee order N6278619F0001, against previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00024-15-G-2303), to provide engineering and management services for LCS-13 post shakedown availability. Lockheed Martin will provide engineering and management services in support of 65,000 man-hours level of effort, and to provide the work specification, pre-fabrication, and material. Work will be performed in Baltimore, Maryland (33 percent); New York, New York (60 percent); and Marinette, Wisconsin (7 percent), and is expected to be completed by February 2020. Fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $15,087,040 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair, Bath, Maine, is the contracting activity. Bluestone-Ch2m JV ,* Berwyn, Pennsylvania, is awarded a maximum amount $10,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering contract for professional hazardous material and waste management environmental compliance, and engineering services in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast (SE) area of responsibility (AOR). Initial task order is being awarded at $163,789 to prepare a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act-compliant closure of Building 257 at Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by December 2019. All work on this contract will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps installations in the NAVFAC SE AOR. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of December 2023. Fiscal 2018 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $163,789 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the 2021 fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with seven offers received. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N69450-19-D-0105). ARMY World Wide Technology, Maryland Heights, Missouri, was awarded a $26,232,882 modification (P00003), to contract W15QKN-18-C-0108, for Army End Point Management Solutions-as-a-Service. Work will be performed in Maryland Heights, Missouri, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 26, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $26,232,882, were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. Rockwell Collins Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was awarded a $15,123,120 firm-fixed-price contract for small mission computer hardware and software. One bids was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with an estimated completion date of July 11, 2021. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $15,123,120 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QY-19-C-0014). Raytheon Lockheed Martin Javelin JV, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $12,055,715 cost contract for Javelin engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $12,055,715, were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-19-C-0038). The Protective Group, A Point Blank Co.,* Miami Lakes, Florida, was awarded an $11,924,240 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of enhanced ballistic armor protection system kits. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 10, 2022. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-19-D-0013). Construction Co. Inc.,* Dayton, Ohio, was awarded a $9,429,000 firm-fixed-price contract for design and interior renovation and repair (Building 20) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Bids were solicited with three received. Work will be performed in Dayton, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 24, 2020. Fiscal 2018 military construction funds in the amount of $9,429,000, were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Kentucky, is the contracting activity (W912QR-19-C-0007). AIR FORCE The Boeing Co., El Segundo, California, has been awarded a $22,772,840 modification (P00028) to contract FA8819-15-C-0007, to exercise Option Four for Space Based Space Surveillance Block 10 sustainment. This modification provides for the exercise of an option for the sustainment and required development necessary for Air Force operations and maintenance of the Space Based Space Surveillance system and Red Local Area Network. This effort includes systems engineering, operations, operations support, and contractor logistics support. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California; and Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by June 20, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $14,943,930 are being obligated at the time of award. Space Superiority Systems Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity. *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1710661/

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Illinois, has been awarded a maximum $118,172,545 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for commercial portable power equipment. Other contracts are expected to be awarded under this solicitation (SPE8EC-17-R-0010), and awardees will compete for a portion of the maximum dollar value. This was a competitive acquisition with seven offers received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Indiana, Texas and the United Kingdom, with a Dec. 9, 2023, performance completion date. Using customers are Army Navy Air Force Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE8EC-19-D-0034). Honeywell International Inc., Tempe, Arizona, has been awarded a maximum $11,137,310 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for modulating valves. This was a sole source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code. 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a five-year contract with no options periods. Location of performance is Arizona, with a Nov. 30, 2023, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2023 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama (SPRRA1-19-D-0035). (Awarded Dec. 6, 2018) The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a $7,957,022 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order (SPRPA1-19-F-0003), against a three-year, six-month contract (SPRPA1-14-D-002U), with no option periods for F-15 parts and engineering. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code. 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Location of performance is Missouri, with a May 18, 2022, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2022 Defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Awarded Dec. 6, 2018) NAVY CH2M Hill Constructors Inc., Englewood, Colorado (N62470-13-D-6019); Environmental Chemical Corp., Burlingame, California (N62470-13-D-6020); Kellogg, Brown & Root Services Inc., Arlington, Virginia (N62470-13-D-6021); URS Group Inc., Morrisville, North Carolina (N62470-13-D-6022), are awarded an $86,000,000 modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract for global contingency construction projects worldwide. The construction and related engineering services would respond to natural disasters humanitarian assistance conflict, or projects with similar characteristics. Work will be predominately construction. The contractor, in support of the construction effort, may be required to provide initial base operating support services, which will be incidental to construction efforts. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $886,000,000. Work will be performed worldwide and the term of the contract is not to exceed 68 months with an expected completion date of February 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award, funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. PAE Applied Technologies LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $72,000,552 for modification P00074 to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00421-14-C-0038), to exercise an option for range engineering, operations and maintenance services in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Atlantic Test Range, and the Atlantic Targets and Marine Operations Division. Services to be provided include system operations; laboratory and field testing; marine operations and target support; engineering; range sustainability; maintenance, data reduction, and analysis. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland, and is expected to be completed in December 2019. Fiscal 2019 working capital fund (Defense and Navy); and Major Range and Test Facility Base funds in the amount of $35,209,082 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. BAE Systems Hawaii Shipyards Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii, was awarded a $50,605,368 cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-14-C-4412), for scheduled Extended Docking Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA) on USS Hopper (DDG-70). The ship is homeported in Honolulu, Hawaii. The scheduled EDSRA is the opportunity in the ship's life cycle primarily to conduct repair and alteration to systems that will update and improve the ship's military and technical capabilities. This repair modification will include repair and alteration requirements. A focal point of the work is to support alteration installation team modernization packages. Work will be performed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by July 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $25,302,684 will be obligated at time of award and funding in the amount of $25,138,776 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Dec. 3, 2018) Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Aerospace Systems, Melbourne, Florida, is awarded $49,885,708 for firm-fixed-price modification P00004 to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-18-C-1037), for long-lead parts and associated support for the full rate production of two Lot 7 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Work will be performed in Syracuse, New York (29 percent); El Segundo, California (29 percent); Melbourne, Florida (14 percent); Rolling Meadows, Illinois (7 percent); Menlo Park, California (6 percent); Greenlawn, New York (4 percent); Owego, New York (2 percent); Indianapolis, Indiana (2 percent); Edgewood, New York (2 percent); Woodland Hills, California (2 percent); Marlborough, Massachusetts (1 percent); Independence, Ohio (1 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $49,885,708 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc., Monroeville, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $44,665,555 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-16-C-2106) for Naval nuclear propulsion components. This contract modification includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $139,923,083. Work will be performed in Monroeville, Pennsylvania (94 percent); and Schenectady, New York (6 percent). No completion date or additional information is provided on Naval nuclear propulsion program contracts. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $44,665,555 will be obligated at time of award and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman, Sykesville, Maryland, is awarded a $35,143,328 five-year, firm-fixed requirements, long-term contract for the repair of nine items of the aircraft launch and recovery equipment systems under the Advanced Recovery Control system. Work will be performed in Sykesville, Maryland, and work is expected to be completed by December 2023. Working capital funds (Navy) will be obligated as individual task orders are issued and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-source pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code. 2304(C)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-19-D-PY01). Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, San Diego, California, is awarded a $21,327,364 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification for contract (N00024-14-C-5128) for continued platform systems engineering agent support of the ship elf defense system MK 2. Work will be performed in San Diego, California and is expected to be completed by June 2019. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy); fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2014 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $21,327,364 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Aretè Associates Inc.,* Northridge, California, is awarded a $17,083,516 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N61331-18-D-0012) to exercise an option for coastal battlefield reconnaissance and analysis (COBRA) systems. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (35 percent); Destin, Florida (35 percent); and Santa Rosa, California (30 percent), and is expected to be completed by July 2021. No funding will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated as delivery orders are issued. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Panama City, Florida, is the contracting activity. Jacobs Government Services Co., Arlington, Virginia, is awarded $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price modification under a previously awarded indefinite-quantity architect-engineering contract (N40080-17-D-0018), to exercise Option Two for engineering and design services for industrial and research facilities within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $75,000,000. No task orders are being issued at this time. Work will be performed at various administrative facilities within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington area of responsibility, including but not limited to, Maryland (45 percent); Washington, District of Columbia (30 percent); Virginia (20 percent), and may also be performed in the remainder of the U.S. (5 percent). Work for this options is expected to be completed December 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. Task orders will be primarily funded by fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy and Marine Corps); and fiscal 2019 Navy working capital funds. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Florida Turbine Technologies Inc., Jupiter, Florida, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $50,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Advanced Turbine Technologies for Affordable Mission (ATTAM)- capability Phase I. The mission of the ATTAM Phase I program is to develop, demonstrate, and transition advanced turbine propulsion, power and thermal technologies that provides improvement in affordable mission capability. Work will be performed in Jupiter, Florida, and is expected to be completed by December 2026. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 54 offers were received. No specific funds are obligated on the basic IDIQ, although in conjunction with the basic IDIQ award, the first task order, a cost-share task order, is fully funded with fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $8,000, and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $99,714 at time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, is the contracting activity (contract FA8650-19-D-2056 and initial task order FA8650-19-F-2086). ARMY Harris Corp., Palm Bay, Florida, was awarded a $34,606,257 cost, firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of FliteScene digital map software licenses maintenance agreements software support upgrades and releases engineering services materials, and travel. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-19-D-0011). Pavement Technical Solutions Inc.,* Ashburn, Virginia (W9128F-19-D-0024); and RDM International Inc.,* Chantilly, Virginia (W9128F-19-D-0025); Applied Pavement Technology Inc.,* Urbana, Illinois (W9128F-19-D-0026), and All About Pavements Inc.,* Purcellville, Virginia (W9128F-19-D-0027), will share in a $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for management system implementation on roads, parking areas and airfields and updating, testing, and maintenance. Nine bids were solicited with four bids received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 9, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska, is the contracting activity. *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1709400/

QUÉBEC, le 7 déc. 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - L'Assemblée nationale du Québec a adopté à l'unanimité une motion soutenant la réforme de la Stratégie nationale de construction navale du gouvernement fédéral. La motion presse le gouvernement fédéral d'adhérer aux recommandations de la Chambre des Communes et du Sénat qui réclament la construction immédiate au Chantier Davie d'un deuxième navire ravitailleur de la classe Resolve ainsi que d'une nouvelle flotte de brise-glaces pour la Garde côtière canadienne. Au cours de l'année 2017, le gouvernement fédéral a passé en revue la Stratégie nationale de construction navale afin de pallier aux lacunes détectées et de comme ncer à livrer des navires pour le Canada de manière rentable et dans les meilleurs délais. Les travailleurs et fournisseurs de l'industrie maritime du Québec attendent maintenant la refonte longuement espérée de cette politique. James Davies, président de Chantier Davie Canada, a déclaré, « Le premier navire ravitailleur de la classe Resolve, Astérix, est utilisé à sa pleine capacité depuis son entrée en service en janvier 2018. Afin de garantir la réussite de la politique de la défense du gouvernement - Protection, Sécurité, Engagement - ainsi que du plan Landmark 2050 de la Marine, nous devons débuter la construction du deuxième navire dès maintenant. Je voudrais également souligner le leadership exemplaire de l'adjoint parlementaire du premier ministre du Québec, M. Donald Martel, dans ce dossier de première importance pour le nouveau gouvernement du Québec ainsi que du député des Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Joël Arseneau, pour avoir appuyé la motion visant l'inclusion du Québec au sein de la Stratégie de construction navale. » Jacques Létourneau, président de la CSN a ajouté, « Le temps a démontré qu'une stratégie de construction navale qui laisse de côté 50 % de la capacité de production canadienne ne sera jamais « nationale » et encore moins couronnée de succès. Sept ans plus tard, aucun navire n'a été livré et des milliards de dollars ont été gaspillés. » Richard Tremblay, vice-président de l'Association des fournisseurs de Chantier Davie Canada, a déclaré, « Le rapport Emerson (2016) est catégorique : les navires de la Marine et de la Garde côtière rouillent plus rapidement qu'ils ne peuvent être remplacés. Même si le gouvernement actuel a hérité de cette stratégie vacillante, il est maintenant responsable de trouver une solution et les 879 fournisseurs québécois de Chantier Davie sont prêts à aider. » NOTE AUX ÉDITEURS : À propos de Davie Davie et Federal Fleet Services font partie du groupe Inocea. Alors que Davie se concentre sur la construction de navires, Federal Fleet s'assure de l'obtention de contrats et de la location des navires. Davie est le plus grand chantier naval et le plus expérimenté du Canada. Il est aussi celui qui dispose de la plus grande capacité de production, c'est-à-dire 50 % de la capacité totale du pays. Au cours des cinq dernières années, Davie a généré plus de 2 milliards de dollars en retombées économiques au Canada et employait jusqu'à tout récemment, directement et indirectement, plus de 3 000 Canadiens, dont plus de 1 400 travaillant au chantier de Lévis, au Québec. Depuis plus d'un siècle, Davie s'occupe de la construction navale et de la réparation de navires au Canada pour chaque classe de b'timent naval majeur. Aujourd'hui, Davie est un chef de file dans le domaine du déglaçage, du GNL et de la technologie de positionnement dynamique, ainsi que de la construction de navires militaires et d'autres navires essentiels. Davie est certifié ISO 9001:2015 en assurance qualité ainsi que ISO 14001:2015 en gestion environnementale. Le premier navire ravitailleur construit par Davie, l'Astérix, a été le premier navire militaire à joindre les rangs de l'Alliance verte, le plus important programme volontaire de certification environnementale pour l'industrie maritime en Amérique du Nord. SOURCE Chantier Davie Canada Inc. Renseignements : Frédérik Boisvert, Vice-président, Affaires publiques, Chantier Davie, Tel : +1-418-455-2759, frederik.boisvert@davie.ca; François L'Écuyer, Directeur des communications de la CSN, Tel : +1-514-949-8973, francois.lecuyer@csn.qc.ca https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/lassemblee-nationale-du-quebec-adopte-a-lunanimite-une-motion-soutenant-la-reforme-de-la-strategie-nationale-de-construction-navale-du-gouvernement-federal-702204121.html

Tristin Hopper The Canadian Army brought 20 pistols to an Arkansas shooting competition. Before events had even officially kicked off, 15 of those pistols had jammed so badly during the warmup they couldn't be used. “It was so bad, the guys coming off (the range) were handing over their (remaining five) pistols to the next team because they couldn't trust the others,” said Ken Pole, who wrote about the incident for a feature in Canadian Army Today. On average, Pole found that the Canadians' handguns has jammed once every 62 shots. Their British competitors, by contrast, squeezed off 5,620 rounds without a hitch. This is all pretty standard for the Browning Hi-Power, the 74-year-old pistol still carried as the primary sidearm of the Canadian Armed Forces. Unlike most pistols carried by G7 militaries, Brownings have a tendency to rattle and soldiers have been advised not to fully load the pistol because it will wear out the springs. When a Canadian soldier is deployed to a war zone such as Afghanistan or Mali, they're issued with whatever Browning Hi-Power is deemed to be least likely to give out. That's why some have joked that if they're ever forced to use their sidearm in combat, they'd be better off throwing it than shooting it. “If you give me a choice of a sharp stick or a Browning, I'll ... sadly take the Browning but will look fondly at the stick,” Bob Kinch, a former competitive marksman with the Canadian Armed Forces, wrote in a September Quora post. Like many times when the Canadian military tries to buy something, however, the quest to replace the Browning is now held up in a years-long procurement limbo. A 2016 statement by the Department of National Defence estimated that soldiers wouldn't be able to get their hands on new pistols until at least 2026. Canada's Hi-Powers are so desperately obsolete, however, that the army has been forced to greenlight a stopgap program to buy up some working pistols in the meantime. Known as the “Army Interim Pistol Program,” it will buy about 7,000 sidearms to immediate plug what the army is calling its “current pistol capability gaps.” Full article: https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadas-wwii-era-pistols-dangerously-unreliable-but-the-quest-to-find-a-replacement-drags-on

NAVY General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $346,500,311 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-16-C-2111 for fiscal 2019 lead yard support and development studies and design efforts for Virginia class submarines. This lead yard support will maintain, update, and support the Virginia class design and related drawings and data for each Virginia class Submarine, including technology insertion, throughout its construction and post shakedown availability period. The contractor will also provide all engineering and related lead yard support necessary for direct maintenance and support of Virginia class ship specifications. In addition, this contract modification provides development studies and design efforts related to the Virginia class submarine design and design improvements, preliminary and detail component and system design, integration of system engineering, design engineering, test engineering, logistics engineering, and production engineering. The contractor will continue development studies and design efforts related to components and systems to accomplish research and development tasks and prototypes and engineering development models required to fully evaluate new technologies to be inserted in succeeding Virginia class submarines. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut (91 percent), Newport News, Virginia (8 percent); and at other various sites throughout the U.S. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2019. Fiscal 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $129,889,865 will be obligated at time of award and no funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. BAE Systems Land & Armaments LP, Minneapolis, Minnesota, is awarded a $41,528,204 firm-fixed-price modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-13-C-5314 for Mk 21 mod 2 (SM-3); and Mk 21 mod 3 (SM-6) canisters in support of the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS). The Mk 41 VLS provides a missile launching system for CG 47- and DDG 51-class surface combatants of the Navy, as well as surface combatants of allied navies. This effort includes the manufacture, production and test of Mk 21 mod 2 and Mk 21 mod 3 canisters. The canisters provide rocket motor exhaust gas containment and a launch rail during missile firing. The canisters also serve as missile shipping and storage containers. Work will be performed in Aberdeen, South Dakota (90 percent); and Minneapolis, Minnesota (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by August 2021. Fiscal 2018 weapons procurement (Navy); fiscal 2018 Defense-wide procurement; and fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $41,528,204 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. DRS Power & Control Technologies Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is awarded a $13,339,019 firm-fixed-price modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-14-C-4200 to exercise an option for DDG 51-class power conversion modules (PCM) for the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) production ship sets, engineering services and associated support. This contract provides for the AMDR PCM non-recurring engineering, long-lead-time material, low-rate initial production units for testing, associated engineering services and support, and up to 12 production ship sets for DDG 51-class ships. The requirements support the DDG 51 class flight III new construction program (PMS 400D) and the electric ships office (PMS 320). The AMDR PCM will supply power to the radar from the ship's service electrical system. Work will be performed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is expected to be completed by April 2022. Fiscal 2017 and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $13,339,019 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Progeny Systems Corp., Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $12,739,130 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-14-C-6220) to exercise options for engineering services and Navy equipment. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by September 2020. Fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); and fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $12,739,130 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Detyens Shipyards Inc., North Charleston, South Carolina, was awarded a $9,062,606 firm- fixed-price contract for USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) mid-term availability commencing on Jan. 8, 2019. Work will include general steel and piping repairs, air conditioning plant installation, air conditioning plant maintenance, steam driven fire pump turbine inspection, bilge and ballast segregation, lifeboat and life raft davit falls replacement, and ventilation duct cleaning. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $11,323,572. Work will be performed in North Charleston, South Carolina, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 21, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,062,606 and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220519C6500). (Awarded Dec. 6, 2018) AIR FORCE Affordable Engineering Services, San Diego, California; Logmet LLC, Round Rock, Texas: Powerhouse Resources International, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and SkyQuest Aviation, Glendale, Arizona, have been awarded a ceiling $160,000,000 firm-fixed-price, multiple-award, five-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for maintenance with an option to extend the ordering period by one year. This contract will support maintenance and related tasks for Ogden Air Logistics Complex, Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona; Vandenberg AFB, California; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; Minot AFB, North Dakota; Randolph AFB, Texas; and Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. Work is expected to be completed Dec. 6, 2025. This multiple-award is the result of a competitive acquisition and eight offers were received. Fiscal 2018 consolidated sustainment activity group - maintenance funds in the amount of $10,000 ($2,500 per awardee) are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Sustainment Center, Hill AFB, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8224-19-D-0011). ARMY Fluor Federal Solutions LLC, Greenville, South Carolina, was awarded a $145,720,840 firm-fixed-price contract for a weapons storage and maintenance facility. Bids were solicited with five received. Work will be performed in Laramie, Wyoming, with an estimated completion date of April 17, 2020. Fiscal 2016 military construction funds in the amount of $147,965,622 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska, is the contracting activity (W9128F-18-C-0029). Intelligent Decisions LLC, Ashburn, Virginia, was awarded a $46,500,000 modification (P00005) to contract W912DY-18-F-0004 for information technology hardware, agnostic parts and accessories. Work will be performed in Ashburn, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 11, 2019. Fiscal 2019 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers revolving funds in the amount of $46,500,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Arrowpoint Corp.,* McLean, Virginia, was awarded a $17,022,960 modification (P00012) to contract W9133L-15-F-0011 for the management of the reserve component manpower system. Work will be performed in McLean, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 15, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $17,022,960 were obligated at the time of the award. National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. FN America LLC, Columbia, South Carolina, was awarded a $13,273,603 modification (P00015) to contract W15QKN-15-D-0003 for work on the M240 series machine gun. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 8, 2019. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. The 106 Group Ltd.,* St. Paul, Minnesota (W912PP-19-D-0003); Brockington and Associates Inc.,* Peachtree Corners, Georgia (W912PP-19-D-0004); Desert Archaeology Inc.,* Tucson, Arizona (W912PP-19-D-0005); R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates Inc.,* Las Cruces, New Mexico (W912PP-19-D-0006); Harris Environmental Group Inc.,* Tucson, Arizona (W912PP-19-D-0007); Keres SEAS JV,* Albuquerque, New Mexico (W912PP-19-D-0008); Northland Research Inc.,* Tempe, Arizona (W912PP-19-D-0009); North Wind Resource Consulting LLC,* Phoenix, Arizona (W912PP-19-D-0010); Statistical Research Inc.,* Redlands, California (W912PP-19-D-0011); and Stell Environmental Enterprises Inc.,* Exton, Pennsylvania (W912PP-19-D-0012), will share in a $9,900,000 firm-fixed-price contract for tribal consultation, cultural resources, and environmental services. Bids were solicited with 12 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 6, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Parker-Hannifin Corp., Irvine, California, has been awarded a maximum $14,202,759 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity delivery order (SPRRA1-19-F-0113) against a three-year contract (SPRRA1-19-D-0031) for hydraulic manifolds. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Location of performance is California, with a Nov. 30, 2023, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Aurora Industries LLC,* Camuy, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $36,835,535 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for duffle bags. This is a two-year contract with no option periods. This was a competitive 8(A) set-aside acquisition with three responses received. Location of performance is Puerto Rico, with a Dec. 6, 2020, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-19-D-1117). *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1708175/source/GovDelivery/

By: Mike Yeo MELBOURNE, Australia — In the west of the sprawling metropolis that is Tokyo lies Yokota Air Base, a major air transportation hub in the U.S. military's Indo-Pacific Command's area of responsibility and a critical waypoint for cargo, passengers and VIPs. Occupying an area of approximately 2.75 square miles that includes a single 11,000-foot runway that runs roughly north to south, the base is also home to U.S. Forces Japan, a joint service headquarters coordinating matters affecting U.S. and Japanese defense relations, and Fifth Air Force, whose mission is to enhance the U.S. deterrent posture and, if necessary, provide fighter and military airlift support for offensive air operations. Other tenant units on base include the 730th Air Mobility Squadron of the 515th Air Mobility Operation Group, which manages air mobility operations throughout the Western Pacific, and the Japanese Air Defense Command, which controls Japan's air defense mission. Air traffic control for the base is integrated with Tokyo's air traffic system, a must given the busy nature of the skies above the Japanese capital with its two international airports and a number of Japanese Self-Defense Force bases in the vicinity. As a logistics hub, Yokota plays host to all kinds of visiting aircraft on a regular basis, with Captain Felicia Ticas, airfield operations flight commander, telling Defense News that the base “accepts around 2,100 transient aircraft annually, which includes U.S. Air Force, Japanese Self Defense Forces, and other allied aircraft.” She added: “Our role as the primary logistics hub means we move 85,000 personnel and 19,000 tons of cargo every year in and around Indo-Asia-Pacific, which is essential to meet the peace and stability objectives of our nation and our allied partners.” The visitors have included secretaries of state and defense Mike Pompeo and James Mattis during their visits to the region, as well as President Donald Trump who landed there during a visit to Japan in November 2017. 374th Airlift Wing The host unit at Yokota is the 374th Airlift Wing. The Wing includes four groups: operations, mission support, maintenance and medical. Each group manages several squadrons in order to carry out the wing's mission, which is to execute rapid global mobility through agile airlift operations across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and as the primary Western Pacific airlift hub for peacetime and contingency operations, the wing provides airlift for the movement of passengers, cargo and mail to all Department of Defense agencies in the Pacific area of responsibility and provides transport for people and equipment throughout the Kanto Plain and the Tokyo metropolitan area. In addition to the Lockheed-Martin C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifters of the 36th Airlift Squadron, the other flying squadron at Yokota is the 459th Airlift Squadron. The unit operates a mixed fleet of Bell UH-1N helicopters and Raytheon C-12J Hurons to fulfil its mission of providing airlift support for distinguished visitors as well as other priority passengers and cargo, along with conducting aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue and priority airlift missions throughout the Pacific. The UH-1N Huey, whose design dates back to the Vietnam War, is used by the 459th AS to provide distinguish visitor and cargo transport throughout the Kanto Plain which encompasses the Greater Tokyo area, according to Major Matthew Sims, assistant director of operations of the 459th AS. In addition, he told Defense News that the type is also used to provide medical transport and search and rescue assistance for the government of Japan, and can be configured with a rescue hoist and litters for medical cases as the mission requirements demand. The twin turboprop-engined C-12J Hurons serving alongside the UH-1Ns at the 459th AS are used primarily for VIP transport. However, they have also become the primary response aircraft for small-scale aeromedical evacuation. An aeromedical evacuation nursing team is now deployed to the base on a rotational basis, with each team there two- to three-week deployment to support the mission. The use of the C-12J, which is based on the Raytheon 1900C regional airliner, has significantly freed up the USAF's primary aeromedical evacuation platform, the KC-135R tanker, to perform its primary role and Major Drew Skovran, 459th AS Assistant Operations Officer called the C-12J “the most cost-effective airlifter for small groups in the PACAF inventory carrying 10-18 passengers or up to 3000 lbs of cargo. With the addition of a converted hospital bed we are one of the premier platforms for aeromedical evacuation for all joint partners in the AOR”. Non-flying elements of the Wing includes the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron, which directs logistics for Western Pacific airlift hub orchestrates mobilization of wing and tenant units supporting Pacific Command's operations plans, currently stores over 13 million and issues over 36 million gallons of fuel. Part of the unit includes its Combat Mobility Flight, which is responsible for the support of real-world contingencies, INDOPACOM and/or PACAF exercises, and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief mission support. It is also “the only PACAF unit that builds and specializes in coastal humanitarian air drop, allowing for specialized humanitarian relief aid avoiding possible damage to people and buildings” according to Technical Sergeant Ryan Aubert, a Recovery Lead at the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron's Combat Mobility Flight Air Force Ospreys The sole USAF flying element at Yokota that is not part of the 374th AW are the Bell-Boeing CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Group. The first five Ospreys arrived at Yokota in April this year, and that number will eventually rise to ten. Four of the unit's Ospreys were subsequently deployed to Iwakuni to take part in search and rescue operations following the collision of a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J tanker and F/A-18D Hornet fighter jet off Japan in early December, joining the C-130Js of 36th AS along with other U.S. military and Japanese Self-Defense Force aircraft. The 353rd SOG is based out of Kadena Airbase in Okinawa operating the MC-130H Combat Talon II and MC-130J Commando II special missions aircraft modified from the C-130 Hercules, and according to 1st Lieutenant Renee Douglas, a spokesperson from the unit, the CV-22Bs are based at Yokota because the base “was the location that provided the most effective operations, training and maintenance environment for the CV-22.” Due to training and operational requirements, Defense News was unable to speak to the Osprey detachment at Yokota to learn more about their mission, but 1Lt Douglas added in an emailed response to questions from Defense News that “having CV-22s at Yokota Air Base will help our forces develop expertise, build long-term relationships with the host nation to ensure stability, and contribute to special operations capabilities with our allies and security partners.” The continuing security challenges in the region and the presence of forward deployed elements of the U.S. military means that Yokota's status of a regional logistics hub is here to stay and even increase in the future. Asked to sum up the importance of the base and the wing's mission, Colonel Otis Jones, commander of the 374th AW, told Defense News that “because of our proximity to Tokyo, along with the unique airlift capabilities we contribute to the region, Yokota, and specifically the 374th Airlift Wing, provides an advantageous hub for cargo and personnel moving into and out of the Pacific area of responsibility.” The wing also executes rapid global mobility through agile airlift operations across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and engages in regular bilateral engagements with the Japanese Self Defense Force, surrounding communities and the local Japanese government. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/japan-aerospace/2018/12/07/on-the-ground-at-yokota-air-base-the-air-force-transport-hub-of-the-pacific/

By: Mark D. Faram The Navy will deactivate the Grim Reapers of Strike Fighter Squadron 101, consolidating all Joint Strike Fighter operations and training at California's Naval Air Station Lemoore, officials confirmed on Friday. The squadron has been based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. It was reactivated in 2012 as the Navy's initial F-35C fleet replacement squadron. At the time, the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Joint Strike Fighter replacement squadrons were located there as well. The move of the Grim Reapers' 15 aircraft is slated to be effective on July 1, according to OPNAV notice 5400. “The Navy is moving forward with the deactivation of VFA-101 at Eglin AFB next year, and the re-alignment of F-35C assets into Strike Fighter Squadrons to support VX-9 Detachment Edwards AFB, Air Warfare Development Command (NAWDC) at NAS Fallon and maintain Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) production at VFA-125, while transitioning Navy and Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadrons to the F-35C Lightning II,” wrote Lt. Travis Callaghan, a Naval Air Forces spokesman, in an email to Navy Times. The shift to California should see the Grim Reapers' 29 officers and 239 enlisted personnel replace their patches with those of the “Rough Raiders” of Strike Fighter Squadron 125, Lemoore's F-35C replacement squadron. “This will co-locate the fleet replenishment squadron production of pilots directly into the operational squadrons scheduled for transition to F-35C,” according to a note in the directive ordering the move. The extra aircraft, pilots and maintainers at Lemoore are expected to help the Pentagon meet its testing and evaluation requirements for the the Navy's first operational fleet F-35C squadron, VFA-147, That major milestone for the Navy's JSF program is still slated to happen in 2019. The maiden overseas deployment of VFA-147 is anticipated in 2021 while embarked on the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson. Deactivating VFA-101 wasn't the Navy's original plan. Officials wanted to move the squadron to Lemoore in early 2017. Then the Navy decided to keep VFA-101 at Eglin and stood up a second training squadron, VFA-125, at Lemoore. At the time, officials told Navy Times there was “no plan in the foreseeable future for VFA-101 to be stood down” because “the requirement is for two FRS while we are transitioning squadrons.” The Grim Reapers could be resurrected if the Navy chooses to have an F-35 replacement squadron on both coasts. The OPNAV note requires the Navy to “maintain VFA 101 squadron lineage (name, UIC, insignia, call sign, etc.) for future reactivation.” But bringing the Grim Reapers back to life likely won't happen for at least a decade. That's because the Navy has yet to start the process of naming a home base for its East Coast F-35Cs. It requires extensive environmental impact studies before senior leaders make the final decision on where the squadrons will go. And that, Navy officials say, isn't expected to start until the mid-2020′s at the earliest. https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2018/12/07/why-the-navy-will-deactivate-an-f-35-squadron-next-year/

By: Stephen Losey Nearly two months after Hurricane Michael devastated Tyndall Air Force Base in Northern Florida, the Air Force on Friday said it wants to rebuild the installation — so it can station three squadrons of F-35 fighters there. But the change in plans, if approved, would mean operational F-22 Raptors from the 95th Fighter Squadron would not return to Tyndall. The Air Force is asking Congress for supplemental funding to repair Tyndall's damage, the service said in a release. Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said the amount of money is still being decided. A preliminary evaluation showed Tyndall could accommodate up to three F-35 squadrons, the Air Force said. If Congress grants the supplemental repair funds and the F-35 basing is approved, F-35s could be based there beginning in 2023. The move would mean operational F-22s that were formerly at Tyndall would be permanently moved to squadrons at other bases that are now temporarily housing them: Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii. Those F-22 squadrons would grow from 21 to 24 fighters apiece to permanently accommodate the Tyndall aircraft. “We have recommended that the best path forward to increase readiness and use money wisely is to consolidate the operational F-22s formerly at Tyndall in Alaska, Hawaii and Virginia, and make the decision now to put the next three squadrons of F-35s, beyond those for which we have already made decisions, at Tyndall,” Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said. “We are talking with congressional leaders about this plan and will need their help with the supplemental funding needed to restore the base." This decision will allow the Air Force to tailor the new construction at Tyndall to the best fit for F-35s, the Air Force said. The 325th Fighter Wing, which was comprised of two F-22 squadrons, was located at Tyndall before the Oct. 10 storm. Most Tyndall aircraft evacuated before the storm hit, but 17 Raptors could not be flown and stayed behind, sustaining varying levels of damage that is now being repaired. Nearly a month after the storm, Wilson said that F-22 training with the 43rd Fighter Squadron would be temporarily moved to nearby Eglin Air Force Base. The Air Force said it will conduct a formal process to decide what will be the best location for the 43rd and its training mission. The 95th has 21 F-22s and 36 active-duty airmen, the Air Force said last month, and its associated maintenance units have about 500 airmen. F-35 basing decisions in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Wisconsin, which have already been announced, will not be changed. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/12/07/air-force-wants-to-house-three-f-35-squadrons-at-rebuilt-tyndall-move-raptors-permanently