Saturday, January 1, 2011

SAF Condemns Bomb Attack in Helmand Province


Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2010 - NATO's International Security Assistance Force condemned today's indiscriminate insurgent improvised-explosive-device attack in Afghanistan's Helmand province that killed at least 10 Afghan civilians and injured several more, military officials reported.
"This despicable attack blatantly targeted Afghan civilians. We offer our sincere condolences to the families of the murdered civilians, and we wish for a hasty recovery for all those injured by this attack," said Navy Rear Admiral Vic Beck, ISAF director of public affairs. "We will continue to focus our efforts to assist the Afghan government in bringing those responsible to justice."
The IED exploded in a crowded area in the Nahr-e Saraj district. Afghan security forces and ISAF personnel responded to the blast scene to provide medical assistance and evacuate wounded.
In other Afghanistan news, Afghan and coalition forces yesterday detained a key Taliban facilitator linked to the murder of a local Afghan in March in Kandahar province. The Taliban facilitator also was responsible for supplying, planning and reporting attacks against coalition forces. Four additional suspects were detaining during the operation that was conducted in the Kandahar district.
Evidence at the site linked the man to a murdered Afghan found in March in the Zharay district of the province. The murdered man was found with a Taliban night letter stating, "People working with Americans will be killed and they have no right to complain." Night letters are a Taliban tactic used to intimidate local Afghans. The letters, bearing the Taliban letterhead, deliver threats of death and harassment to locals who either refuse to support terrorist efforts or maintain support of coalition efforts, or both.
"We will not let these senseless murders go without reprisal," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Patrick Hynes, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "We will continue to track down and capture those responsible for crimes against local citizens who are standing up for a terror-free life."
The joint security team conducted the operation in the hours of darkness to minimize the risk to local citizens. No women or children were injured or detained during this operation. The security forces conducted the operation without firing their weapons.
In other news yesterday:
-- Afghan and coalition forces targeted a Taliban leader in Kunduz province who has key ties to Afghanistan- and Pakistan-based Taliban leadership, detaining several suspected insurgents during a joint security operation. The Taliban leader has direct ties to the Baghlan province Taliban network and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in Kunduz and Pakistan. He teaches affiliates how to build IEDs and also purchases and distributes IED-making materials. He works in the province with autonomy, reporting directly to the Taliban shadow governor. Forces followed leads to a series of buildings in the Kunduz district. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call occupants out of the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. Several men were detained after initial questioning. The joint security team conducted the operation in the hours of darkness to minimize the risk to local citizens. No women or children were injured or detained during this operation. The security forces conducted the operation without firing their weapons.
-- ISAF officials confirmed that Sayid Rahman, a Taliban senior leader, was killed during a precision airstrike targeting a group of armed insurgents in Pachir wa Agam district in Nangarhar province. Sayid Rahman was the senior leader in a group responsible for planning and conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. Recent reporting indicated the group was coordinating the use of suicide bombers within the district and may have been planning an attack at an Afghan border checkpoint. Also killed in the airstrike was Zehrie Gul, a Taliban leader who also operated in the Pachir wa Agam district with Sayid Rahman. Following intelligence tips, the precision airstrike was conducted after ensuring no civilians were present. A follow-on force conducted a ground assessment verifying Sayuid Rahman, Zehria Gul and several additional insurgents were killed. The force found multiple AK-47 rifles, chest racks, rocket-propelled-grenade rounds and grenades.
-- Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban IED and narcotics facilitator during a joint security operation in Kandahar province. Two suspected associates of the facilitator also were detained. The Taliban operative coordinated and transported money and narcotics across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in exchange for explosive components. He has extensive contacts with senior Taliban IED facilitators. This was one of nearly 20 operations this month resulting in more than 60 detainees in the Kandahar province.
 
Related Sites:
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Awarded Government contracts

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

CONTRACTS
AIR FORCE
                Pratt and Whitney, East Hartford, Conn., was awarded a $272,552,404 contract modification to provide for 30 F117-PW-100 engines, spare engines, and associated data for the C-17 aircraft.  At this time, the entire amount has been obligated.  ASC/WNWK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8750-11-C-0045).
ARMY
                The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Penn., was awarded on Dec. 22 a $241,957,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for 11 CH-47F Chinook remanufactured aircraft.  Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Penn., with an estimated completion date of Sep. 30, 2013.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Contracting Center Aviation and Missile, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0098).
                Lockheed Martin Corp., Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded on Dec. 23 a $209,146,481 firm-fixed-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide 58 tactical Patriot missiles; five launcher mod kits; ground support equipment; and contractor field support.  Work will be completed in Grand Prairie, Texas; Camden, Ark.; Lufkin, Texas; Chelmsford, Mass.; and Ocala, Fla., with an estimated completion date of July 30, 2014.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-11-C-0001).
                Lockheed Martin, Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded on Dec. 23 a $139,635,485 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for six high mobility artillery rocket systems full rate production consisting of 44 launchers, which include maintenance, training, and support equipment.  Work will be completed in Grand Prairie, Texas, and East Camden, Ark., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2013.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-11-C-0101).
                Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded on Dec. 23 an $80,000,000 firm-fixed-price indefinite delivery/indefinite quality contract.  The award provides 800 underbody improvement kits for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicle.  Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of April 29, 2012.  Five bids were solicited with five bids received.  The U.S. TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0001).
                The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., was awarded on Dec. 24 a $68,302,431 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award provides for full-motion video from commercial un-manned air intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms across Iraq.  Work will be completed in Baghdad, Iraq, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2011.  The bid was solicited through the Internet with two bids received.  The U.S. Central Command, Contracting Command, Baghdad, Iraq, is the contracting activity (M67854-07-D-2052).
                Raytheon Co., Andover, Mass., was awarded on Dec. 22 a $58,321,052 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award provides for 131 Patriot Advanced Capability 2 forebodies to guidance enhanced missile plus forebodies.  Work will be performed in Andover, Mass., with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2014.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM Contracting Center, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-11-C-0072).
                General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., was awarded on Dec. 22 a $38,985,511 firm-fixed-price contract, with cost reimbursement options.  The award will provide for the operation and relocation of the U.S. Army Reserve Command Enterprise Data Center to a government owned facility at Fort Bragg, N.C.  Work will be performed in Peachtree, Ga., and Fort Bragg, N.C., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2011.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command Center, Fort Bragg, N.C., is the contracting activity (W91247-11-C-0003).
                NIITEK, Inc., Dulles, Va., was awarded on Dec. 22 a $38,408,358 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide 64 Husky mounted detection systems to be deployed to Afghanistan.  Work will be performed in Charlottesville, Va., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2011.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.   The U.S. Army Communications and Electronics Command, Contracting Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (W909MY-11-C-0021).
                Navistar Defense, LLC, Warrenville, Ill., was awarded on Dec. 23 a $35,799,730 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for 247 general transport trucks to the government of Afghanistan.  Work will be completed in West Point, Miss., with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2011.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.  The U.S. TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-D-G097).
                Chrysler Group International, LLC, Auburn Hills, Mich., was awarded on Dec. 22 a $25,929,600 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for 750 Wrangler long wheel base Jeep kits; 750 spare diesel engines; 375 spare transmissions; one contractor furnished spare parts; and one contractor special tools for Foreign Military Sales.  Work will be performed in Cairo, Egypt; Cento, Italy; and Romulus, Mich.; with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2011.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-11-C-0123).
                Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on Dec. 23 a $24,822,637 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for spares and ground support equipment to 40 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to the United Arab Emirates.  Work will be completed in Stratford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2014.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).
                Fluor Intercontinental, Inc., Greenville, S.C., was awarded on Dec. 23 a $21,059,732 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide life support services for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region District.  Work will be completed in Iraq, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012.  The bid was solicited through the Internet with seven bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Middle East District, Winchester, Va., is the contracting activity (W912ER-11-C-0011).
                Raydon Corp., Daytona Beach, Fla., was awarded on Dec. 22 a $15,733,767 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide 21 virtual combat operations trainers upgraded from version 1.1 to version 3.1.  Work will be performed in Daytona Beach, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012.  The bid was solicited through the Internet with one bid received.  The National Guard Bureau Operational Contracting Center, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (W9133L-11-F-0046).
                Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., was awarded on Dec. 22 a $14,850,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the modification and application of B-kit to legacy and modified-legacy components of the modernized target acquisition designation sight/pilot night vision sensor.  Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2011.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-10-C-0023).
                Navistar Defense, LLC, Warrenville, Ill., was awarded on Dec. 23 a $14,818,642 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for 82 wreckers, boom-underlifts and three years worth of spare parts for the wrecker.  The work location will be determined with each task order, and is scheduled to be completed on Aug. 25, 2013.  The bid was solicited through the Internet with 11 bids received.  The U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-11-D-G004).
                Strategic Resources, Inc., Mclean, Va., was awarded on Dec. 23 a $14,316,246 firm-fixed-price, with a labor hour exception, contract.  The award will provide services to supplement Joint Base Lewis-McChord mobilization mission.  Work will be performed in Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 26, 2013.  Six bids were solicited with six bids received.  The U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Knox, Ky., is the contracting activity (W9124D-11-C-90000).
                Alpha Protective Services, Inc., was awarded on Dec. 22 an $11,210,012 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for security guard services for six posts at various compounds at Fort Bragg, N.C.  Work will be performed in Fort Bragg, N.C., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012.  The bid was solicited through the Internet with 10 bids received.  The U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Center, Fort Bragg, N.C., is the contracting activity (W91247-08-C-0006).
                The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Penn., was awarded on Dec. 22 a $10,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide for training, equipping, sustaining, and other support and services for the CH-47F Chinook program.  Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Penn., with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2011.  One bid was solicited with one bid was received.  The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-04-G-0023).
                Colonna's Ship Yard, Inc., Norfolk, Va., was awarded on Dec. 22 a $9,540,882 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide dry-docking and repairs to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Dredge McFarland.  Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., with an estimated completion date of May 1, 2011.  The bid was solicited through the Internet with two bids received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, Philadelphia, Penn., is the contracting activity (W912BU-07-G-0001).
                Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, New York, N.Y., was awarded on Dec. 22 a $7,317,604 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide architect and engineering design services in support of hospital design.  Work will be performed in Kaiserslautern, Germany, with an estimated completion date of March 18, 2011.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.   The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District, Kaiserslautern, Germany, is the contracting activity (W912GB-11-D-0007).
                The Judy Co., Inc., Kansas City, Kan., was awarded on Dec. 23 a $6,766,329 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with a temporary water collection and treatment system, a gallery grout curtain, and a plaza gallery curtain at the Wolf Creek Dam.  Work will be performed in Jamestown, Ky., with an estimated completion date of July 20, 2012.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District, Nashville, Tenn., is the contracting activity (W912P5-11-C-0002).
                Raytheon - Southeast Asia, Andover, Mass., was awarded on Dec. 23 a $5,678,120 firm-fixed-price cost-plus-fixed-fee contract.  The award will provide the government of Egypt with 264 man-months of Hawk missile system technical assistance.  Work will be performed in Andover, Mass., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012.  One bid was solicited with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-11-C-0135).
NAVY
                BAE Systems Controls, Inc., Johnson City, N.Y., is being awarded a $14,218,161 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of Interim Defensive Weapons System (IDWS) mission kits for the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft.  The IDWS provides a mission-configurable, crew-served, night vision device compatible defensive weapon system.  Work will be performed in Johnson City, N.Y., and is expected to be completed in December 2012.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was not competitively procured.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-11-C-0022).
                Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $13,548,330 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-10-C-0035) to exercise an option for system engineering and program management for the oversight of production efforts in support of H-1 helicopters upgrade program.  Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2011.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
                Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $12,557,128 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N68335-10-G-0010) for the fabrication and delivery of 15 organizational and intermediate level peculiar support equipment end items for the MV/CV-22 aircraft, including supportability data.  Work will be performed in Amarillo, Texas, and is expected to be completed in January 2014.  Contract funds in the amount of $12,557,128 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($9,206,869; 73 percent) and Air Force ($3,350,259; 27 percent).  The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY
                ENSCO, Inc., Falls Church, Va., is being awarded a $10,426,319 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification to provide support for the system survivability analysis, modeling and balanced survivability assessments program.  Work will be performed in Fort Belvoir, Va., and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2012.  One bid was solicited and one bid was received.  The Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (HDTRA1-07-C-0049-P00047).

Ringing in the new year with rhyme: Ashore


Saturday, January 1, 2011
As 2010 came to an end, those at sea were not the only ones standing the watch. From American Samoa to Philadelphia, Coast Guard men and women stood the watch at land-based units, and just like their shipmates afloat, they were hard at work penning poems to end the year.
Below are a few entries written by the watchstanders who remained vigilant and ready to respond ashore.
Station Chetco River – Written by the mid-watch
Station Chetco River
Station Chetco River is located approximately seven miles north of the Oregon-California border and executes missions such as rough water rescues, maritime environmental protection and maritime law enforcement. U.S. Coast Guard photo.
12 hours past zenith, north of the 42, 2,800 square miles of the deep blue, lies in the hands of a watchful crew. Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Clemens of the surfman line, commands the helm for the search and rescue kind. BM1 Nielsen is our surfman of the day, if surf is present, onboard he’ll stay.
Petty Officer Speer is in charge of our berth, with two 47’s moored soundly with 15 feet of girth. The safe boat is jacked, unable to respond, for not once but twice an engine is gone. The SPC, our shallow water boat, is high and dry, with sea conditions present, it’s more useful in a moat.
Scallywags beware, pirates flee, and threat conditions there will not be. ALPHA is the status, The MARSEC is one. The powder is dry next to the gun. The number “9” has gone missing yet again. The river flow rose with aggression and might, and took it from its moorings without a fight. The “CR” burns brightly along with the number “11” and“2,” it’s all the ATON we have it’s just a few
The bridles are wet; the tow bitts’ are worn, fishing boats, PC’S and all sails that are torn. We tow them back safely, to where they were born. Crab season has opened and all in good time, the scavengers of the deep on whom we will dine. The pidgins are plenty, resting in the rafters, decorating our boats with their dinner afters.
SN Spencer has the sleeper watch. Up early she’ll be. Sure to brew the morning coffee. As the sun rises from the east on its voyage to the west, with fair winds and following seas. The light on deck is only a tease.
In the year of our lord, one score and eleven years, another year of duty is where we head towards. Hoist away and strike the bells, sleep well courageous shipmates. With honor and respect being his guide, the eagle from the north proudly stands by.
Marine Safety Detachment American Samoa – Written by MSTC Shawn Frohman
With the year coming to an end, there is so much to address,
But a poem for yearly brief, that truly is a test.
Let me give it a try and submit to the command,
My year in review on such a far away land.
Life’s a little different here at the MSD,
Work gets a bit hectic, with an office of 3.
There’s no way to include, all of 2010,
But here is a taste, of what we went thru, way back then.
U.S flag fishing rules, brought industry to tear,
“We’re in Samoa, does that apply to us here?”
Hire 3 U.S. officers, that’s not a quick fix,”
It’s only been in an act, since 2006.
Anu’u ferries not fitting the reqs,
“We’ve done it for years, with no CG checks.
Why do you inspect and fine us now?”
Because we care for those kids on your bow.
Drug busts, S&R, revoking MMDs,
Violators needing to pay their fees.
The SILI with maintenance falling behind,
and LADY NAOMI was one of a kind.
The Syota Maru, still detained in port,
Sector never forgot us, always gave us support.
With all we endured, the hardship and pain,
If my family could join me, I’d do it again.
I have made friends I will never forget
The civilian and locals I am blessed to have met.
Learning and living a new culture was hard,
But we knew, to Samoa, we are the Coast Guard.
Sector Delaware Bay – Written by Lt. j.g. Jodie Knox
Up early to rise and late for the rack,
Steady the course or standby for a tack.
I am a Coastie, tis’ not just a name,
I stand the watch, I desire no fame.
Love for the sea and the stars in heaven,
Keep me standing the watch in two thousand eleven!
Station Siuslaw River – Written by Seaman Chantal Newell
Through misty eyes and starry skies we steer our helm towards the north star of tomorrow.
For yesteryear has come and gone, and the new year we shall follow.
Group/Air Station North Bend – Written by OS2 Virginia Tanner
Group North Bend
This past year Group/Air Station North bend had many operational successes. Helicopter operations are a frequent and essential part of training for both helicopter and boat crewmembers of Group North Bend. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA3 Nate Littlejohn.
Another year come and gone,
Another year of too and from,
Another year of lives we save,
Another year of lives that pay,
Another year of tears at hand,
Another year of making new friends,
Another year of relying on the best,
To look into your eyes and pull you from the crest,
Of a deep ocean blue,
With such power and motions,
That will swirl you and twirl you,
And claim you if it can,
It’s not an easy job we do,
When a life is at stake,
And such quick decisions we have to make,
We disseminate,
And plan,
To ensure we can help all those that we can,
In need of a guardian,
In need of a breath,
Of fresh salty air,
There’s nothing that can compare,
To that the feeling you get,
Because you know you will never forget.

Ringing in the new year with rhyme: Afloat

Ringing in the new year with rhyme: Afloat

Saturday, January 1, 2011
The Coast Guard as a service embraces many traditions that binds us together and enriches our heritage. One of these maritime traditions falls but once a year, on New Year’s Eve, and allows watchstanders to show their penchant for prose as they write log entries in rhyme.
Writing a log entry onboard a Coast Guard cutter is a routine matter in which material condition, watchstanders and the ship’s status is recorded. But, in seafaring tradition, watchstanders sweat over military jargon and nautical terms each mid-watch on New Year’s Eve to pen lyrical masterpieces.
This year, the Compass reached out to all those standing the mid-watch to share the tradition of applying verse to the ship’s log. Click here to read log entires from those ashore.
CGC Vigilant – Written by Chief Frank Parenti
CGC Vigilant
Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant is a medium endurance cutter homeported at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. The ship's motto is “Semper Vigilans…ALWAYS VIGILANT.” U.S. Coast Guard photo.
Both cutter and crew Vigilant in bravo twelve status,
So our midnight chorus won’t be deafening madness.
Force protection condition BRAVO is certainly in effect,
to ensure we are safe additional watch stations are kept.
Material condition yoke keeps us buttoned up tightly,
with all exceptions noted in the closure log nightly.
COMLANTAREA keeps the ADCON and OPCON tight,
with JIATF-South as TACON ready to deploy our swift might.
Lines one through four are doubled up and in place,
the white hull rests smartly against the gentle pier face.
Generator two is steadily on the line tonight,
providing this quite ship with power and light.
All deck, anchor and aircraft warning lights brightly burn,
to illuminate 617 from top to bottom, stem and stern.
Fast as she is sleek Vigilant 1 is gripped down in the cradle,
on the port side zero one deck Vigilant 2 sits ready for sail.
Liberty expiring at zero two hundred onboard ends the fun,
on zero one January two thousand one one.
With no foreign navies or treasure fleets in port nor missed,
King Neptune and Davey Jones rest deep below in the abyss.
Leaving only our commanding officer to enforce the laws of the sea,
he can brag, swagger, spit into the wind and otherwise be.
In the manner of so many honorable crews who sailed these seas before us,
Vigilant represents both SOPA and the bright American fortress.
Of course on such a special night only a boatswains mate chief can answer the OOD’s call,
to maintain good order and discipline Chief Petty Officer Rhoades watches over us all.
A special note for all sailors this year,
ends this mornings entry but have no fear.
Come all ye tough young cutterman, a warning take by me,
take caution, leaving your happy homes this year, to sail the raging seas.
CGC Escanaba – Written by the mid-watch
CGC Escanaba
In September of 2010, CGC Escanaba confiscated 963 pounds of cocaine from a vessel 21 miles west of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA3 Sabrina Elgammal.
The year turned as we wait to head into Mayport,
Our position lies xx-xx.x n and xxx-xx.x w after searching for migrants and that sort.
Our OPCON and ADCON, LANTAREA, enjoyed their holidays ashore,
While our TACON at District Seven was all quiet like before.
After a patrol where we have seen it all,
We will pull into Mayport to drill ‘til we fall.
Stability and watertight integrity is maintained by material condition Yoke,
But the bridge is flooded by those who still smoke.
All standard navigation lights are illuminated and brightly burning tonight,
Although the radar might die at first light.
Both engines are turning while both generators provide power,
The 31st to the 1st shifts the port steering pump at this hour.
OOD has the deck and the conn,
While being watched by OOD from beyond.
We sailed north and south last year, always ready for multi missions,
Both cutter and crew led the fleet and exceeded all our ambitions.
Looking for migrants can be such a snooze,
But a month of Mayport will complete our cruise.
The past year saw many shipmates move to new places,
Each are missed but our family always welcomes new faces.
The New Year’s schedule is full of missions and new goals to stress,
But we look forward to the challenge and continued success.
We sit off the shore waiting to pull into port,
A new year awaits us, with good spirits and good sport.
CGC Dallas – Written by the mid-watch
CGC Dallas
Commissioned in 1967, CGC Dallas is the sixth cutter to bear the name of Alexander J. Dallas, the Secretary of the Treasury under President James Madison, and is homeported in Charleston, S.C. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA2 Bobby Nash.
By the change of a second, the midnight hour is past,
with it the new year has begun at last.
The watch is set and starts a new sheet,
to log the ships status, come rain snow or sleet.
In Charlie DALLAS sits to begin the New Year,
Moored starboard side to Charleston’s Papa Pier.
Should the winter storms blow we have the fix,
all lines are doubled, lines one through six.
The crew is on Stand-Down for all they’ve endured,
Hotel services are provided, the small boats secured.
Deck, mooring and aircraft warning lights burning ever so bright,
Provide the only fireworks for DALLAS tonight.
ENS Neumann is the OOD, for it is his turn,
Ensuring that DALLAS will neither flood nor burn.
For soon we’ll again feel the roll of the swell,
Then return to our homes with new stories to tell.
The first watch of 2011,
Our TACON is held by D7,
We struck 16 bells, 8 for last year and 8 for next,
The white picket fence that we uphold puts us to the test.
Westbound on a trackline mighty Dependable glides,
ADCON and OPCON with COMLANTAREA resides,
8 knots ahead on the #1MDE,
Power is provided by the #2 SSDG.
xx:xx.xn, xxx:xx.xw is the lat and the long,
Able 1 and 2 are cradled, just where they belong,
The DC closure log and all exceptions are par,
Darken ship is how we run, we cant be seen from afar.
Intel was provided, smugglers may be near,
They wouldn’t be if they knew shark 26 was here,
Ferries and friendly coast guard vessels Now that’s a different matter,
We detect fast ferries and once intercepted the latter.
A patrol resolution was to cook a big fish,
So the toxic gas alarm doesn’t announce the next chicken dish,
45 days underway, the crew below safe and sound,
Dreaming of family and cape may’s good ground.
The new year’s first watch standers look forward, Semper P,
The deck and the conn rests with Seebeck, BMC.
Written by BMC, BM1 Doughty and the midwatch teams,
Happy New Year Dependable, sweet dreams.
CGC Decisive – Written by SN Bailey Walker
CGC Decisive
In August of 2010, CGC Decisive was involved in Deepwater Horizon response operations. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA1 Adam Eggers.
Here we are, upon the midnight watch,
Ahead 210, making 13 knots.
We welcome a brand new year,
Nav lights energized, to home we steer.
A 2 month stint in the Caribbean Sea,
Now to our homes and our families.
Number 2 generator is providing us light,
Number 1 is on standby this starry night.
Both MDE’s are providing power,
Trying to improve our ETA, if only by one hour.
Petty Officer Burns has the deck and the conn,
We take our orders from JIATF-South TACON,
Small boats cradled, secured for sea,
Standing by Channel 16, in case there is a plea.
LANTAREA takes charge of this Coast Guard cutter,
Dog zebra is set and not a word we utter,
Last known position upon the sea,
Xx degrees-xx.x north, xxx degrees-xx.x west, just south of Haiti.
Now we celebrate on the crews mess,
Another mission completed with success,
Steaming toward our Pascagoula pier,
I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

There's a Guy on a Surfboard in the Niagara River off Niawanda Park

(Tonawanda) There's a male riding a surfboard in the Niagara River off Niawanda Park on Niagara Street. Apparently his is paddling by. Police are watching the guy, but the guy may have his buddies keeping an eye on him too from the shore - so it's good.

BE PREPARED TO STOP I-90 W Ridge Road - Exit 57 0 - 25 MPH

I-90 W Ridge Road - Exit 57
Here is the information Motion Center has at this moment. Traffic Southbound fro the Toll barrier southbound between Blasdel and Hamburg is traveling at 0 - 25 MPH - Normally 55+ MPH.



Toll Cam
Northern Camera - Blasdel


TRAFFIC IS SLOW OR STOPPED
THERE IS NO ACCIDENT REPORTED
LAST CHANCE - CALL A CAB
DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE

Police Activity - Fight Delaware & Benton (City of Tonawanda)

Avoid Area
Mapquest Map Link