The Defense Department's journey to recapture acquisition excellence took a big step forward during two days of discussions and workforce training held at Sinclair Community College here April 20 and 21.
That was the assessment made by several senior leaders at the DOD Acquisition Insight Conference, at which more than 700 military, civilian and contractor acquisition professionals and defense industry partners met.
Sponsored by Defense Acquisition University - Midwest Region, the conference focused principally on providing acquisition experts from nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base with a forum to exchange ideas and discuss how to best implement the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009.
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Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has authorized two Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft to support the response to a massive oil slick that threatens wetlands and beaches along the Gulf Coast, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell confirmed April 30.
In addition, Navy officials have dispatched 66,000 feet of inflatable oil boom with anchoring equipment, along with seven skimming systems and their supporting gear to the region, Navy Lt. Myers Vasquez reported.
The C-130 crews, assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command's 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Ohio, had prepositioned in Mississippi in anticipation of the tasking.
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More than 700 military, civilian and contractor acquisition professionals and defense industry partners discussed challenges they face during the Department of Defense Acquisition Insight Conference April 20 through 21 here.
The Pentagon's top acquisition official, Dr. Ashton Carter, Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, was among the senior executives.
"Secretary (of Defense Robert) Gates is insistent that we do things differently," said Dr. Carter on the imperative to improve the way U.S. military weapons and systems are acquired and delivered. "There is no silver bullet here; It's not oversight. It's the practice."
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Craig Fugate, Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator, visited the Air Force Reserve Command's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron April 29 to address hurricane preparedness as the June 1 storm season approaches.
"The Air Force does a lot for FEMA," Mr. Fugate said in an address to the 53rd WRS Hurricane Hunters. "(You're) part of the Department of Defense team that supports us as we support the needs of state and local government."
Response by emergency management services, such as FEMA, is directly affected by the weather data the Hurricane Hunters collect to increase forecasting accuracy, Mr. Fugate said.
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Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas helped disabled children at a Kyrgyz children's center learn to sign, draw and study during a visit April 27.
Some of the children have autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy; some are just physically handicapped, said Sam Duechenbi, a German translator for the Nadjeshda Children's Center, who met with Airmen during their visit.
Some board at Nadjeshda; some go home to their parents at night. But they all benefit from the myriad therapy techniques provided by the children's center, he added.
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Children of military personnel who died in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001, can apply for an educational scholarship similar to the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. Benefits are retroactive to Aug. 1, 2009.
The scholarship, which is administered by Department of Veterans Affairs representatives, is named for Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry, 28, a Texas native who died in Iraq in 2006 while disarming an explosive. He was survived by three young children.
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A Minot Air Force Base Airman died April 29 in an accident during routine training here.
Airman 1st Class Richard Gallelli, 22, from the 17th Munitions Squadron was struck in the head while at work and died of injuries soon after.
"Our deepest condolences go out to the family and to the friends and co-workers," said Col. David Milner, the 798th Munitions Maintenance Group commander. "We are very saddened by this loss."
Air Force officials are investigating the incident.
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A rock bounced off my weapon and leg as I tried to take photographs. I looked around to see where they were coming from, but couldn't tell.
Another hit me in the side and stomach. I walked toward the main group of children sitting on the ground, hoping to let them see I wasn't a threat--rocks hit me in the back.
They were sneaky, and I couldn't identify the culprits. I walked and stood close to the school headmaster. He was hit with a rock that I'm sure was aimed at me. The headmaster quickly took charge of the children and chastised them for their actions.
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Security forces Airmen participate in Brave Defender training exercises to learn about weapons and improvised explosive devices here April 22.
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Republic of Korea Air Force chaplain corps personnel from across the peninsula gathered at Osan recently for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, or ASIST, facilitated by Air Force chaplains.
The occasion marked the first time joint training had been conducted between chaplains of the allied air forces.
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael Heuer, a staff chaplain at the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, said the event was historic.
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