Space Station Expedition 40 Crew Returns to Earth, Lands Safely in Kazakhstan

Space Station Expedition 40 Crew Returns to Earth, Lands Safely in Kazakhstan

Three crew members from the International Space Station (ISS) returned to Earth Wednesday after 169 days of science and technology research in space, including a record 82 hours of research in a single week, which happened in July.

A trio of International Space Station crew members returned to Earth and landed in Kazakhstan at 10:23 p.m. EDT on Sept. 10, 2014 (8:23 a.m., Sept. 11, in local time) after spending 167 days aboard the orbital laboratory. Seen left to right, Oleg Artemyev and Alexander Skvortsov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and NASA’s Steve Swanson were examined by medical personnel after being removed from their Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

Image Credit: 

NASA Television

Expedition 40 Commander Steve Swanson of NASA and Flight Engineers Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Artemyev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) touched down southeast of the remote town of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan at 10:23 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Sept. 10 (8:23 a.m., Sept. 11, in Dzhezkazgan).

During their time aboard the space station, the crew members participated in a variety of research focusing on Earth remote sensing, human behavior and performance and studies of bone and muscle physiology.

One of several key research focus areas during Expedition 40 was human health management for long duration space travel as NASA and Roscosmos prepare for two crew members to spend one year aboard the orbiting laboratory in 2015.

During their time on the station, the crew members orbited Earth more than 2,700 times, traveled more than 71.7 million miles and welcomed five cargo spacecraft. Two Russian ISS Progress cargo spacecraft docked to the station bringing tons of supplies in April and July. The fifth and final European Space Agency (ESA) Automated Transfer Vehicle also launched to the station in July with the spacecraft bearing the name of Belgian physicist Georges Lemaitre, who is considered the father of the big-bang theory.

SpaceX launched a Dragon cargo spacecraft to the station in April, the company's third of at least 12 planned commercial resupply missions. In July, Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus spacecraft completed its third of at least eight resupply missions scheduled through 2016 under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract.

During his time on the complex, Swanson ventured outside the confines of the space station for a spacewalk to replace a backup computer relay box that unexpectedly failed. Skvortsov and Artemyev conducted two spacewalks during Expedition 40, totaling 12 hours and 34 minutes.

The space station is more than a scientific research platform. It also serves as a test bed to demonstrate new technology. Even routine tasks, such as monitoring and operating the carbon dioxide removal system, provides valuable data for next-generation life support systems. Carbon dioxide removal from the pressurized compartments of the station proved to work differently in space than predicted by ground tests. The crew also saw the arrival of the Haptics-1 experiment, part of an effort to develop technology that would allow an astronaut in orbit to control a robot as it explores its target, such as an asteroid or Mars, during future human exploration missions.

Having completed his third space station mission, Swanson now has spent a total of 196 days in space. Skvortsov has accumulated 345 days in space on two flights, and Artemyev accrued 169 days in space on his first mission.

Expedition 41 now is operating aboard the station with Max Suraev of Roscosmos in command. Suraev and his crewmates, Flight Engineers Reid Wiseman of NASA and Alexander Gerst of ESA, will tend to the station as a three-person crew until the arrival in two weeks of three new crew members: Barry Wilmore of NASA and Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serova of Roscosmos. Wilmore, Samokutyaev and Serova are scheduled to launch from Kazakhstan Thursday, Sept. 25.

Space Station Expedition 40 Crew Returns to Earth, Lands Safely in Kazakhstan

Space Station Expedition 40 Crew Returns to Earth, Lands Safely in Kazakhstan

Three crew members from the International Space Station (ISS) returned to Earth Wednesday after 169 days of science and technology research in space, including a record 82 hours of research in a single week, which happened in July.

A trio of International Space Station crew members returned to Earth and landed in Kazakhstan at 10:23 p.m. EDT on Sept. 10, 2014 (8:23 a.m., Sept. 11, in local time) after spending 167 days aboard the orbital laboratory. Seen left to right, Oleg Artemyev and Alexander Skvortsov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and NASA’s Steve Swanson were examined by medical personnel after being removed from their Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

Image Credit: 

NASA Television

Expedition 40 Commander Steve Swanson of NASA and Flight Engineers Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Artemyev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) touched down southeast of the remote town of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan at 10:23 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Sept. 10 (8:23 a.m., Sept. 11, in Dzhezkazgan).

During their time aboard the space station, the crew members participated in a variety of research focusing on Earth remote sensing, human behavior and performance and studies of bone and muscle physiology.

One of several key research focus areas during Expedition 40 was human health management for long duration space travel as NASA and Roscosmos prepare for two crew members to spend one year aboard the orbiting laboratory in 2015.

During their time on the station, the crew members orbited Earth more than 2,700 times, traveled more than 71.7 million miles and welcomed five cargo spacecraft. Two Russian ISS Progress cargo spacecraft docked to the station bringing tons of supplies in April and July. The fifth and final European Space Agency (ESA) Automated Transfer Vehicle also launched to the station in July with the spacecraft bearing the name of Belgian physicist Georges Lemaitre, who is considered the father of the big-bang theory.

SpaceX launched a Dragon cargo spacecraft to the station in April, the company's third of at least 12 planned commercial resupply missions. In July, Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus spacecraft completed its third of at least eight resupply missions scheduled through 2016 under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract.

During his time on the complex, Swanson ventured outside the confines of the space station for a spacewalk to replace a backup computer relay box that unexpectedly failed. Skvortsov and Artemyev conducted two spacewalks during Expedition 40, totaling 12 hours and 34 minutes.

The space station is more than a scientific research platform. It also serves as a test bed to demonstrate new technology. Even routine tasks, such as monitoring and operating the carbon dioxide removal system, provides valuable data for next-generation life support systems. Carbon dioxide removal from the pressurized compartments of the station proved to work differently in space than predicted by ground tests. The crew also saw the arrival of the Haptics-1 experiment, part of an effort to develop technology that would allow an astronaut in orbit to control a robot as it explores its target, such as an asteroid or Mars, during future human exploration missions.

Having completed his third space station mission, Swanson now has spent a total of 196 days in space. Skvortsov has accumulated 345 days in space on two flights, and Artemyev accrued 169 days in space on his first mission.

Expedition 41 now is operating aboard the station with Max Suraev of Roscosmos in command. Suraev and his crewmates, Flight Engineers Reid Wiseman of NASA and Alexander Gerst of ESA, will tend to the station as a three-person crew until the arrival in two weeks of three new crew members: Barry Wilmore of NASA and Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serova of Roscosmos. Wilmore, Samokutyaev and Serova are scheduled to launch from Kazakhstan Thursday, Sept. 25.

U.S. Sending 475 More Service Members to Iraq

By Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2014 - The United States will not hesitate to strike the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria, President Barack Obama said tonight, and the U.S. military is ready.

"Decisions about when to conduct these actions will be made at a prudent time as we continue to prosecute our comprehensive strategy against these ISIL terrorists," said a senior defense official, speaking on background.

The president also announced he is sending more U.S. service members to Iraq as part of the strategy.

"Over the next week or so, approximately 475 additional service members will be deployed to Iraq to conduct the following missions: advise and assist the Iraqi security forces in order to help them go on the offense against ISIL, conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance flights to increase U.S. capacity to target ISIL, and coordinate the activities of the U.S. military across Iraq," Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement.

Once these men and women arrive, 1,600 U.S. personnel will be in the country, Kirby added, not including service members serving in the Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq.

Of the 475 new troops, about 150 will supplement those already in Iraq conducting assessments of Iraqi security forces. These forces primarily operate from the joint Operation Centers in Baghdad and Irbil.

"The assessment mission they have been conducting will now transition to one of advise and assist," Kirby said. "About a dozen teams will embed with Iraqi security forces at the Iraqi brigade level and above."

Another 125 service members will support the operation of manned and armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms from Erbil, Iraq. "These forces include aircrews and maintenance personnel," Kirby said. "Sending aircraft to Iraq will free up some of the unmanned assets we have been using to conduct additional operations in the region."

Finally, about 200 personnel will provide headquarters command and control for the mission in Baghdad and Irbil. "These forces expand the headquarters of the Joint Forces Land Component Command, which has operational control over activities in Iraq and reports to the U.S. Central Command commander," Kirby said.

Obama Announces Counterterror Campaign Against ISIL

By Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2014 - The United States will lead a broad coalition of nations to take the fight to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, President Barack Obama said in a nationally televised address tonight at the White House.

The president vowed to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL, and added that he will not hesitate to target the terrorists with airstrikes in Syria as well as in Iraq.

The trigger for the announcement was the formation of a unity government in Iraq, he said.

"ISIL poses a threat to the people of Iraq and Syria, and the broader Middle East including American citizens, personnel and facilities," he said. "If left unchecked, these terrorists could pose a growing threat beyond that region including to the United States."

Though there is no evidence of an attack planned on the U.S. homeland, the president said, ISIL leaders have threatened America and its allies. "Our intelligence community believes that thousands of foreigners including Europeans and some Americans have joined them in Syria and Iraq," he said. "Trained and battle-hardened, these fighters could try to return to their home countries and carry out deadly attacks."

Taking threat seriously

The United States is taking the ISIL threat seriously and will meet all threats with strength and resolve, the president said.

In August, Obama ordered limited U.S. military airstrikes against ISIL to protect Americans and stop the ISIL advance into Iraq. "Since then, we have conducted more than 150 successful airstrikes in Iraq," he said. "These strikes have protected American personnel and facilities, killed ISIL fighters, destroyed weapons, and given space for Iraqi and Kurdish forces to reclaim key territory. These strikes have helped save the lives of thousands of innocent men, women and children."

But while American military power can make a decisive difference, "this is not our fight alone," he said. Iraqis and other Arab partners must do their parts in securing the region and confronting the threat.

That coalition is coming together with the objective of degrading and ultimately destroying ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained counterterrorism strategy, the president said.

American air power in cooperation with Iraqi boots on the ground will strike at the terrorists. "Moreover, I have made it clear that we will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are," Obama said. "That means I will not hesitate to take action against ISIL in Syria, as well as Iraq. This is a core principle of my presidency: if you threaten America, you will find no safe haven."

Increasing U.S. support

As part of the strategy, the United States will increase support to forces fighting these terrorists on the ground. "In June, I deployed several hundred American service members to Iraq to assess how we can best support Iraqi security forces," Obama said. "Now that those teams have completed their work and Iraq has formed a government we will send an additional 475 service members to Iraq."

These American forces will not have a combat mission, but they will provide Iraqi and Kurdish forces with training, intelligence and equipment. "We will also support Iraq's efforts to stand up national guard units to help Sunni communities secure their own freedom from ISIL control," the president said.

As part of this, the United States will continue its ramp-up of efforts to train and supply the moderate Syrian opposition. "Tonight, I again call on Congress to give us additional authorities and resources to train and equip these fighters," Obama said. "In the fight against ISIL, we cannot rely on an Assad regime that terrorizes its people; a regime that will never regain the legitimacy it has lost. Instead, we must strengthen the opposition as the best counterweight to extremists like ISIL, while pursuing the political solution necessary to solve Syria's crisis once and for all."

Another front in the counterterrorism campaign is to work with allies and friends around the world to cut ISIL's funding, improve intelligence on the terror group and strengthen defenses.

Finally, the United States will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to innocent civilians who have been displaced by ISIL. "This includes Sunni and Shia Muslims who are at grave risk, as well as tens of thousands of Christians and other religious minorities," Obama said. "We cannot allow these communities to be driven from their ancient homelands."

Other nations pitch in

Nations will support each of these legs of the strategy in different ways. Some already are flying humanitarian missions alongside U.S. Air Force crews. Others will work to train and supply Iraqi, Kurdish and moderate Syrian forces. Pilots of other nations will fly fighter jets alongside Americans. Still others will share intelligence.

"This is American leadership at its best: we stand with people who fight for their own freedom, and we rally other nations on behalf of our common security and common humanity," he said.

All this will take time, the president said.

"Any time we take military action, there are risks involved especially to the servicemen and women who carry out these missions," he said. "But I want the American people to understand how this effort will be different from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It will not involve American combat troops fighting on foreign soil."

The counterterrorism campaign requires a steady, relentless effort to take out ISIL wherever it exists, "using our air power and our support for partner forces on the ground," he said. "This strategy of taking out terrorists who threaten us, while supporting partners on the front lines, is one that we have successfully pursued in Yemen and Somalia for years."

The approach also is consistent with the one he outlined at West Point, N.Y. in May. That is to use American force against those threatening America's core interests, "but to mobilize partners wherever possible to address broader challenges to international order," he said.

Hagel: MIlitary is ready

The American military is ready for this new campaign, said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in a written statement released after the president's speech. "The men and women of the U.S. armed forces are ready to carry out the orders of our commander in chief, to work with our partners across government, and to work with our friends and allies around the world to accomplish this mission," he said.

Hagel stressed that this effort is not limited to simply military action.

"As the president made clear, American military power cannot alone eradicate the threats posed by ISIL to the United States, our allies, and our friends and partners in the region," he said. "Iraq's continued political progress toward a more inclusive government will be critical, as will our coalition's use of all instruments of power military, law enforcement, economic, diplomatic, intelligence and humanitarian assistance in coordination with countries in the region."

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHUCK HAGEL ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S ISIL SPEECH

President Obama laid out a strong, comprehensive strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL, and the United States military is prepared to carry out its responsibilities in this counter-terrorism campaign. The men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces are ready to carry out the orders of our Commander-in-Chief, to work with our partners across government, and to work with our friends and allies around the world to accomplish this mission. As the President made clear, American military power cannot alone eradicate the threats posed by ISIL to the United States, our allies, and our friends and partners in the region. Iraq's continued political progress toward a more inclusive government will be critical, as will our coalition's use of all instruments of power -- military, law enforcement, economic, diplomatic, intelligence, and humanitarian assistance -- in coordination with countries in the region.

Lawsuit filed over L.A. deputy’s seventh shooting

 

 

On Thursday, September 11, 2014, at 12:30 p.m., ObdulioOliva, Olga Sola, and their attorneys will hold a press conference in front of the Los Angeles federal courthouse, located at 312 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The press conference will announce the filing of a $10 million federal civil rights lawsuit.

 

Mr. Oliva and Ms. Sola are the parents of 23-year-old CarlosOliva-Sola of City Terrace, who was shot and killed by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Anthony Forlano on September 10, 2013. On the night of the shooting, Carlos was on his way home after practicing guitar as a part of his church’s music group.The autopsy report indicates that Carlos was shot from behind,contradicting allegations that Carlos faced deputies in a threatening manner when he was shot.  

 

Over the last ten years, Deputy Forlono has been involved inseven shootings, including one shooting that resulted in a civil rights lawsuit that settled for $150,000. A separate civil rights lawsuit resulting from a 2011 shooting by Forlano is still pending.  The press conference will feature commentary on the incrediblyhigh volume of shootings in which deputy Forlano has been involved.

 

Obdulio Oliva and Olga Sola are represented by Dale K. Galipo and Thomas C. Seabaugh of the Law Offices of Dale K. Galipo. Olga Sola is also represented by Luis A. Carrillo of the Law Offices of Luis A. Carrillo.  

 

​Some of Mr. Galipo’s recent civil rights verdicts include a $6.5 million jury verdict in April 2013 for the family of DouglasZerby, who was shot and killed by Long Beach police while holding a garden hose nozzle that police claimed to have mistaken for a gun; a $7.8 million verdict in June 2014 for William Howard, an unarmed man who suffered a severe brain injury and partial paralysis after being shot in the face by a County of Riverside sheriff’s deputy; and an $8.8 million jury verdict in May 2013 for the family of LeJoy Grissom, an unarmed man who was killed in a parking lot by a Culver City police officer wielding an MP5 submachine gun.

 

​Contact: Dale K. Galipo and Thomas C. Seabaugh, the Law Offices of Dale K Galipo, cellphone: (626) 807-9317, officephone: (818) 347-3333, email: dalekgalipo@yahoo.com.

Los Angeles County Democratic Party Announces Endorsements for the November 4, 2014 Santa Monica Elections

 

 

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) has announced endorsements for the Santa Monica elections on the November 4, 2014 ballot, including the Santa Monica City Council, the Santa Monica Rent Control Board, the Santa Monica Community College District, and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.

 

"This election, Santa Monica has a plethora of outstanding Democratic candidates who will stand up for Santa Monica and fight for the values we share.  That's why they have earned the endorsement and support of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.  We look forward to working with these outstanding leaders in moving our community forward.  We urge Santa Monica voters to vote for the Democratic Party's choices in the November election," said Eric C. Bauman, Chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.

 

For more information or for a complete list of current endorsements, visitwww.lacdp.org/endorsements.

 

Los Angeles County Democratic Party

Endorsements for the November 4, 2014 Santa Monica Elections

 

CANDIDATES (*Incumbent)

 

Santa Monica City Council

Sue Himmelrich

Kevin McKeown*

Pam O'Connor*

 

Santa Monica Community College District

Nancy Greenstein*

Louise Jaffe*

Maria Loya

Barry Snell*

 

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District

Oscar de la Torre*

Laurie Lieberman*

Ralph Mechur*

Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein

 

Santa Monica Rent Control Board

Steve Duron

Nicole Phillis

     

CITY CLERK APPROVES INITIATIVE ORDINANCE PETITION FOR CIRCULATION

MINIMUM WAGE

 

LOS ANGELES (September 10, 2014) — Los Angeles City Clerk Holly Wolcott announced todaythat a petition by proponents John Parker, Jose Medina, Maggie Vascessenno, Scott Scheffer, and Essie Crosby relative to a “Minimum Wage Initiative Ordinance,” was approved by the Office of the City Clerk on September 9, 2014 for circulation and collection of signatures of registered voters in the City of Los Angeles.  The official summary of the proposal as prepared by the City Attorney is included below:

 

MINIMUM WAGE.

INITIATIVE ORDINANCE.

 

This proposed ordinance establishes a minimum wage of $15 per hour in the City of Los Angeles. The minimum wage requirement would apply to most employers upon the effective date of the ordinance, and to small businesses and nonprofitson January 1, 2017. The minimum wage rate is subject to a yearly increase based on the Consumer Price Index for Los Angeles. The ordinance provides that tips or service charges shall be retained by employees and shall not be included in the minimum wage calculation. The ordinance requires employers to post notices of the minimum wage rate at job sites. The ordinance authorizes the City to issue guidelines, investigate violations, hold administrative hearings and impose administrative penalties, including fines to help offset the City's enforcement costs. The ordinance also authorizes civil court actions against employers for violations of the minimum wage requirement.

 

In accordance with Charter Section 451(b), all names signed to the petition must have been secured not more than 120 days prior to the date of filing of the completed petition.  The petition must be signed by registered voters of the City of Los Angeles.  The number of signatures currently required is 61,486 (15 percent of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for the Office of Mayor at the last election at which a Mayor was elected) prior to the filing of the completed petition.  In addition, if the petition is not filed within two years after it has been approved for circulation, the proponents must entirely re-submit the petition for approval. 

 

For further information or assistance, please call the Election Division at (213) 978-0444 or toll-free at (888) 873-1000 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

 

The Office of the City Clerk - Election Division administers elections for the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the Los Angeles Community College District. The City’s next scheduled Municipal Elections will be held on March 3, 2015and May 19, 2015. More information can be found on the City Election Division’s website at:http://clerk.lacity.org/elections/.

DISCUS DANCE

09/10/2014 06:19 PM CDT

Retired Navy Petty Officer 3rd class Max Rohn winds up to throw a discus during training for the Invictus Games in London, Sept. 8, 2014. U.S. Team members will train for three days before the competition. The international event is designed for injured, wounded and ill service members and veterans.

New Tuck Video

Release: New Tuck Video ​Teachers, parents, students praise Tuck experience in L.A., highlight successes

Los Angeles – The Marshall Tuck for State Superintendent of Public Instruction campaign released new video this morning, featuring testimonials from parents, teachers, students and principals who have worked with Tuck over his past 12 years in education. The video highlights Marshall’s experience opening new schools and turning around failing ones in some Los Angeles’ toughest neighborhoods. “We got results, our scores were up--students graduated and many more are attending college,” says Trebor Jacquez, a teacher in the Partnership schools, describing Marshall’s 5 years as CEO of the organization. But while the video illustrates Tuck’s positive track record, participants also call for change in Sacramento, noting that too many kids are still suffering in failing schools. “We are fighting [so] that every child gets a chance at a quality teacher...a chance at someone believing in them.” says Monica Garcia, LAUSD Board member in her endorsement of Tuck.

About Marshall Tuck Marshall Tuck is the only candidate for State Superintendent with a proven record of increasing graduation rates, improving student achievement, and turning around failing schools. In this campaign, every major newspaper in California has endorsed Tuck. The San Francisco Chronicle praised Tuck for his “efforts to turn around high-poverty, low-performing public schools.” The LA Times calls Tuck “an overdue force for change,” with “the energy and vision to turn California’s schools around.” Tuck served most recently as founding CEO of the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s groundbreaking collaboration with the Los Angeles Unified School District to operate 17 struggling public elementary, middle, and high schools serving 15,000 students. Under Tuck’s leadership, these schools increased four-year graduation rates by over 60%, improved school safety and student attendance, and launched the innovative Parent College, now a national model for getting parents more involved in their kids’ education. Over the last 5 years, the Partnership schools ranked first in academic improvement among school systems with more than 10,000 students. Prior to launching the Partnership, Tuck served as President of Green Dot Public Schools, a leading charter school operator based in Los Angeles. Tuck joined Green Dot in 2002, when it had one school, and helped them expand to 10 charter high schools by 2006. With a student-centered approach that empowered principals, teachers, and parents, Green Dot schools substantially outperformed comparable schools’ graduation rates and overall academic achievement. Before devoting his career to helping students, Tuck was an executive at Model N, a successful enterprise software company based in the Bay Area. Prior to that, he worked in finance, and spent a year teaching and doing service work internationally, primarily in Zimbabwe and Thailand. The son of a teacher, Tuck was born in Burlingame, CA and attended parochial elementary school and public middle and high schools. He graduated from UCLA and Harvard Business School. Tuck lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Mae, and their son Mason.

###

TRAINING SWIM

09/10/2014 05:49 PM CDT

Retired Army Staff Sgt. Michael Kacer swims across the London Aquatics Centre competition pool as he trains for the Invictus Games in London, Sept. 8, 2014. Kacer's left arm was amputated above the elbow. More than 400 competitors from 13 nations will take part in the international sporting event for wounded, injured, and ill service members and veterans.

SIDE THROW

09/10/2014 05:51 PM CDT

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. David Garcia throws a practice grenade during a training class on Silver Flag Alpha, Nevada, Aug. 30, 2014. Students completed the course as part of their predeployment training.

ROPE WORK

09/10/2014 05:56 PM CDT

U.S. sailors rappel onto the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington during a helicopter rope exercise in the Philippine Sea, Sept. 9, 2014. The George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5, provide a combat-ready force in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The sailors are assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit.

MAKING PLANS

09/10/2014 05:59 PM CDT

The U.S. sitting volleyball team makes plans before a preliminary match at the Invictus Games in London, Sept. 9, 2014. The international competition brings together wounded, injured and ill service members in the spirit of friendly athletic competition. U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines represent the United States in the competition.

DOD Contracts

NAVY

Public Works Contractor Inc.,* Spring Valley, California (N62473-14-D-0070); MCB Lighting & Electrical Inc.,* Owings, Maryland (N62473-14-D-0071); Souza Construction Inc.,* Visalia, California (N62473-14-D-0072); Ja'nus Ventilation and Mechanical Inc.,* San Diego, California (N62473-14-D-0073); and Preferred Construction Co. Inc.,*, Long Beach, California (N62473-14-D-0074), are each being awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award construction contract for new construction, repair, and renovation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and associated work at various locations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest area of responsibility (AOR). The maximum dollar value including the base period and four option years for all five contracts combined is $99,000,000. No task orders are being issued at this time. All work on these contracts will be performed within the NAVFAC Southwest AOR including, but not limited to, California (90 percent), Arizona (6 percent), Nevada (1 percent), Colorado (1 percent), Utah (1 percent), and New Mexico (1 percent). The terms of the contracts are not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of September 2019. Fiscal 2014 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $25,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured as a set-aside for small businesses via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with 19 proposals received. These five contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contracts. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.

BlueForge LLC,* Saint Petersburg, Florida (N69450-14-D-1271); C&C Contractors LLC,* Notasulga, Alabama (N69450-14-D-1272); Colossal Construction Co. LLC,* Atlanta, Georgia (N69450-14-D-1273); Gulf Building Corp. and Hernandez Consultants, Joint Venture,* Fort Lauderdale, Florida (N69450-14-D-1274); HICAPS Inc.,* Greensboro, North Carolina (N69450-14-D-1275); KMK-DJI, Joint Venture,* Eliot, Maine (N69450-14-D-1276); and Leebcor Services LLC,* Williamsburg, Virginia (N69450-14-D-1277), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award design-build construction contract for construction projects located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast area of responsibility (AOR). The maximum dollar value including the base period and five option years for all seven contracts combined is $95,000,000. The work to be performed provides for primarily general building type projects, but is not limited to new construction, renovation, alteration, demolition and repair work in support of Department of Defense activities in the NAVFAC Southeast AOR. BlueForge LLC is being awarded task order 0001 at $13,161,000 for the design and construction of a new weapons storage and inspection facility at Marine Corp Logistics Base Albany, Georgia. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by January 2016. All work on this contract will be performed primarily in the NAVFAC Southeast AOR, including but not limited to North Florida and South Georgia. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of September 2019. Fiscal 2014 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $13,167,000 are being obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 17 proposals received. These seven contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity.

BergerABAM Inc., Federal Way, Washington, is being awarded a maximum $30,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering contract for civil engineering services for large projects in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for requests for proposals for design-build projects; fully designed plans and specifications; civil engineering site investigation reports to support new development of facilities on raw land or redevelopment of existing facilities on developed sites; studies, reports, and evaluations; technical reviews of government prepared request for proposal packages for design-build projects and government prepared design documents for design-bid-build projects; preparation of planning and programming related documents; and post construction award services. No task orders are being issued at this time. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Southwest AOR including, but not limited to California (87 percent), Arizona (5 percent), Nevada (5 percent), Colorado (1 percent), New Mexico (1 percent) and Utah (1 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of September 2019. Fiscal 2014 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are being obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with 11 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-14-D-0062).

Brodogradiliste Viktor Lenac D.D., Rijeka, Croatia, is being awarded a $21,383,394 firm-fixed-price contract for a 179-day Extended Service Life Program, dry docking and ship repair of USS Mount Whitney. The ship’s primary mission is to provide communication, command, and control support to U.S. Navy forces at sea. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $29,674,806. Work will be performed in Rijeka, Croatia, and is expected to be completed by July 2015. Working capital contract funds, fiscal 2014 other procurement (Navy) and fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $21,383,394 are being obligated at the time of award, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00033-14-C-7504).

Bulltrack-Watts, a Joint Venture,* Marysville, California, is being awarded $13,771,399 for firm-fixed-price task order 0009 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40192-10-D-2801) for repair and modernization of Romeo Wharf at Naval Base, Guam. The work to be performed provides for sustainment, restoration and maintenance repairs to waterfront facilities at Romeo Wharf to allow berthing of various Navy ships. Work will be performed in Santa Rita, Guam, and is expected to be completed by May 2016. Fiscal 2014 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $13,771,399 are being obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One proposal was received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Marianas, Guam, is the contracting activity.

General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California, was awarded $7,000,000 to increase an undefinitized contract action to previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00024-13-C-4404) for USS Boxer (LHD 4) fiscal 2014 Phased Maintenance Availability. A phased maintenance availability includes the planning and execution of depot-level maintenance, alterations, and modifications that will update and improve the ship's military and technical capabilities. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by December 2015. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $7,000,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 8, 2014)

ARMY

Jacobs Technology, Tullahoma, Tennessee was awarded an $83,132,319 cost-plus-award fee incrementally-funded contract with options for test support for the following electronic instrumentation operation; optical, meteorology and geodetic instrumentation operation; metrology and simulation operation; computation and automation; test operations and maintenance; ammunition management operations; technical and engineering services; range management operations; communication and information management operations; and data acquisition and management. Work will be performed in Yuma, Arizona, and Ft. Greely, Alaska, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 14, 2018. Bids were solicited via the Internet with four received. Fiscal 2014 research, development, testing and evaluation funds in the amount of $250,000 are being obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Yuma, Arizona, is the contracting activity (W9124R-14-C-0004).

Alliant Techsystems, Plymouth, Minnesota, was awarded a $33,397,721 modification (P00032) to contract W91CRB-11-C-0024 for 24 additional months of service related to the engineering and development of the XM25 Individual Semi-Automatic Airburst System. Research, development, testing and evaluation funds in the amount of $175,695 (Fiscal 2013) and $459,810 (Fiscal 2014) were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Sept. 30, 2015. Work will be performed at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Onopa Services LLC,* Sanford, Florida (W911SF-14-D-0007); Paul S. Akins Company Inc.,* Statesboro, Georgia (W911SF-14-D-0008); and the FutureNet Group,* Detroit, Michigan (W911SF-14-D-0009), were awarded a $25,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award task order multi-year contract for construction and design for the Department of Public Works, Ft. Gordon, Georgia. Funding and individual work location will be determined with each order with an estimated completion date of Sept. 9, 2019. Bids were solicited via the Internet with 20 received. Army Contracting Command, Ft. Benning, Georgia, is the contracting activity.

All Phase Services, Inc.,* Delray Beach, Florida (W912DY-14-D-0077); North Wind Solutions LLC, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (W912DY-14-D-0078); Bhate Environmental Associates Inc., Birmingham, Alabama (W912DY-14-D-0079); Charter Environmental Inc., Boston, Massachusetts (W912DY-14-D-0080); NCM Demolition and Remediation LP, Baltimore, Maryland (W912DY-14-D-0081); Perma-Fix Environmental Services Inc., Atlanta, Georgia (W912DY-14-D-0082), were awarded a $9,600,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract with options for the demolition of excess facilities throughout the northeastern United States in support of the Facility Reduction Program. Funding and work location will be determined with each order with an estimated completion date of Sept. 9, 2019. Bids were solicited via the Internet with 10 received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, Alabama is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE

General Atomics - Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, has been awarded a $40,906,190 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (0033) on contract FA8620-10-G-3038 for development of requirements description documents for the MQ-9 Reaper Block 1 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) and the MQ-9 Reaper Block 5 UAS with the 904.6.0 system/software release. Work will be performed in Poway, California, with an expected completion date of Sept. 8, 2017. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal year 2012 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $40,906,190 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

Abacus Technology Corp., Chevy Chase, Maryland, has been awarded a $10,265,012 firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement contract for command, control, communications and computer (C4) services. Work will be performed at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, with an expected completion date of Sept. 15, 2015. Fiscal year 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,594,552 are being obligated at the time of award. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA9401-14-C-0016).

BAE Systems, Nashua, New Hampshire, has been awarded a $7,672,503 firm-fixed-price modification (P00008) on existing contract FA8540-12-C-0013 for an engineering change proposal for the Digital Electronic Warfare System. Work will be performed at Nashua, New Hampshire, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2018. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition and is 100 percent foreign military sales for Saudi Arabia. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Sikorsky Aerospace Services, Shelton, Connecticut, has been awarded a maximum $12,070,183 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for duel exhaust aircraft parts. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and one offer was received. This is a five-year base contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Connecticut with an Aug. 26, 2019 performance completion date. Using service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama (SPRRA1-14-D-0053). (Awarded Aug. 26, 2014)

GKN Aerospace Chem-Tronics Inc., El Cajon, California, has been awarded a minimum $9,728,213 firm-fixed-price contract for turbine augmenter exhaust nozzle support replenishment spares. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and two offers were received. This is a three-year base contract with no option periods. Location of performance is California with a Mar. 15, 2017, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2014 through fiscal year 2017 foreign military sales funds.

The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (SPRTA1-14-C-0114). (Awarded Sept. 9, 2014)

*Small business
 

Assembly member Gomez Demands Apology From ‘Fox & Friends’ for disparaging comments on Ray Rice incident

 

 

Los Angeles, CA – On Wednesday, September 10, 2013, at 2 p.m. Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez (D-51), Majority Whip and Chair of the Select Committee on Domestic Violence sent a letter to the Fox News Channel demanding an apology to viewers everywhere for turning the Ray Rice domestic violence story into a joke. 

 

On the Fox News morning show “Fox & Friends”, co-hosts Brian Kilmeade and Steve Doocey found humor in the incident, to the point of laughter while saying that the message is to “take the stairs.” 

 

“Personally, I have not for a moment found anything remotely funny about domestic violence,” said Assemblymember Gomez.  “The Fox News Channel co-hosts Brian Kilmeade and Steve Doocey need to issue an apology to all viewers. And the real message is that domestic violence is not a joke.”
 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, Intimate Partner Violence resulted in 14% of all homicides, nationwide in 2007, translating to 2,340 mortalities. Further, according to the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 32% of women are physically assaulted by a partner during their lifetime. 

 

Full text of letter sent to Fox News Channel available upon request

 

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Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez represents the 51st Assembly District which includes the Northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods of Echo Park, Mission Junction, Historic Filipinotown, Chinatown, Glassell Park, Montecito Heights, Monterey Hills, El Sereno, Highland Park, Mt. Washington, Lincoln Heights, City Terrace, Elysian Valley, Cypress Park, Eagle Rock, portion of Silverlake, and unincorporated East Los Angeles.

 

Department of Transportation to protect Oahu’s coastal waters

               

U.S. EPA, DOH require Hawaii Department of Transportation to protect Oahu’s coastal waters 
HDOT to pay $1.2 million for stormwater violations at Honolulu and Kalaeloa Harbors

HONOLULU – The U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawaii Department of Health have reached an agreement with the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) that requires the department to pay a $1.2 million penalty and correct federal Clean Water Act stormwater violations at the Honolulu and Kalaeloa Harbors on Oahu. 

“Stormwater discharges pollute Hawaii's streams and coastal waters,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “By making long-term changes to its operations, HDOT is taking major steps to increase the protection of beaches, coral reefs and water quality on Oahu.”

Inspections by EPA and DOH in December 2008 first identified the Clean Water Act stormwater violations at the harbor facilities. Stormwater runoff from unpaved land areas, paved streets and maintenance yards contains contaminants such as sediments, trash, chemicals, and oils that can flow into waterways and coastal zones, resulting in environmental damage.  By creating a system of project review and oversight inspections, installing treatment systems, and exercising better control over tenant activities, HDOT can significantly reduce the amount of pollutants discharged in stormwater runoff.

“Storm water carries contamination from the land into the ocean; this is the biggest source of water pollution in our islands,” said Gary Gill, Department of Health Deputy Director for Environmental Health.  “All landowners are responsible to protect our streams and coastlines.  With this case settled, we can expect our state government to be a better steward of Hawaii’s clean waters.”

The $1.2 million in penalties will be divided equally between the State of Hawaii and the United States, and the settlement requires HDOT to undertake a variety of actions to improve the management of stormwater runoff at the two harbors, including:

* Create a new Office of Environmental Compliance to ensure all HDOT facilities comply with federal, state and local environmental regulations. Develop a stormwater prevention outreach and training program to communicate with the public using harbor facilities, to inform the public about how their activities impact the quality of stormwater runoff.

* Rank all harbor tenants annually based on their activities and risk of pollutant discharges. Inspect all high risk tenants twice per year, medium risk tenants once per year, and low risk tenants every five years. 
  
* Inspect stormwater outfalls during wet and dry weather for the presence of non-stormwater discharges, and assess the physical condition of each outfall to determine if maintenance is needed.

* Establish a comprehensive Construction Runoff Control Program to control discharges from sites subject to new development or redevelopment. HDOT will study the feasibility of retrofitting construction projects, and complete at least three retrofits.                      

The consent decree for this settlement has been lodged with the federal district court by the U.S. Department of Justice and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval. A copy of the decree is available on the Department of Justice website at:http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/open.html .