Guests look on from their tables as Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel delivers opening remarks at the 2014 USO Gala, Washington, D.C. Oct. 17, 2014.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
XAVIER HENRY SEEKS SECOND OPINION
Los Angeles, CA (October 18, 2014) –Xavier Henry will travel to New York City to seek a second opinion from Dr. Keith Pyne following this summer’s knee surgery. Henry will then travel to Dusseldorf, Germany and receive treatment from Dr. Jens Hartmann next week to receive Regenokine treatment. Henry was granted permission from the Lakers to miss practices and be absent from the team in order to make these trips. Henry plans to return to Los Angeles by Friday, October 24 and an update on his condition will be given at that time.
America Is a Place Where Hard Work Should Be Rewarded
October 11, 2014
Weekly Address: America Is a Place Where Hard Work Should Be Rewarded
WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President made the case for why it’s past time to raise the minimum wage. Increasing the national minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would benefit 28 million Americans, and make our economy stronger. While Republicans in Congress have blocked this commonsense proposal, a large and growing coalition of state and local leaders and owners of businesses large and small have answered the President’s call and raised wages for their residents and employees. This progress is important, but there is more that can be done. No American who works full time should have to raise a family in poverty. That’s why the President will continue to push Congress to take action and give America its well-deserved raise.
The audio of the address and video of the address will be available online atwww.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, October 11, 2014.
Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
October 11, 2014
Hi, everybody. For the first time in more than 6 years, the unemployment rate is below 6%. Over the past four and a half years, our businesses have created more than 10 million new jobs. That’s the longest uninterrupted stretch of private sector job creation in our history.
But while our businesses are creating jobs at the fastest pace since the ‘90s, the typical family hasn’t seen a raise since the ‘90s also. Folks are feeling as squeezed as ever. That’s why I’m going to keep pushing policies that will create more jobs faster and raise wages faster – policies like rebuilding our infrastructure, making sure women are paid fairly, and making it easier for young people to pay off their student loans.
But one of the simplest and fastest ways to start helping folks get ahead is by raising the minimum wage.
Ask yourself: could you live on $14,500 a year? That’s what someone working full-time on the minimum wage makes. If they’re raising kids, that’s below the poverty line. And that’s not right. A hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.
Right now, a worker on the federal minimum wage earns $7.25 an hour. It’s time to raise that to $10.10 an hour.
Raising the federal minimum wage to ten dollars and ten cents an hour, or ten-ten, would benefit 28 million American workers. 28 million. And these aren’t just high schoolers on their first job. The average worker who would benefit is 35 years old. Most low-wage workers are women. And that extra money would help them pay the bills and provide for their families. It also means they’ll have more money to spend at local businesses – which grows the economy for everyone.
But Congress hasn’t voted to raise the minimum wage in seven years. Seven years. And when it got a vote earlier this year, Republicans flat-out voted “no.” That’s why, since the first time I asked Congress to give America a raise, 13 states, 21 cities and D.C. have gone around Congress to raise their workers’ wages. Five more states have minimum wage initiatives on the ballot next month. More companies are choosing to raise their workers’ wages. A recent survey shows that a majority of small business owners support a gradual increase to ten-ten an hour, too. And I’ve done what I can on my own by requiring federal contractors to pay their workers at least ten-ten an hour.
On Friday, a coalition of citizens – including business leaders, working moms, labor unions, and more than 65 mayors – told Republicans in Congress to stop blocking a raise for millions of hard-working Americans. Because we believe that in America, nobody who works full-time should ever have to raise a family in poverty. And I’m going to keep up this fight until we win. Because America deserves a raise right now. And America should forever be a place where your hard work is rewarded.
Thanks, and have a great weekend.
Interior. Sequoia National Park in California is nicknamed the Land of the...
Sequoia National Park in California is nicknamed the Land of the Giants, and we can definitely see why! Not only is it home to the world’s largest trees, it also has Mt Whitney — the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states with an elevation of more than 14,000 feet.
This photo of Mt. Whitney was taken by Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks employee Nicholas Koukousakis.
USO Gala
As Delivered by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Washington, D.C., Friday, October 17, 2014
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you and good evening. This is just like the Pentagon. Nothing changes.
First, I want to thank this magnificent organization, the USO, which I had an opportunity to be part of many years ago. And I want to thank you all for what you do to support the USO and how important you are to this organization, because it's so important to our men and women who serve this country and to their families and to the communities, no matter where they are in the world.
I want to also thank the senior leadership of our defense enterprise who are with youtonight; thank them for their leadership, their contributions, their sacrifice to this country. This is a special group of men and women. That's why, of course, the USO was formed many years ago to not just help them, but to recognize them and to thank them.
This time in which we live is as challenging and uncertain and complicated as I suspect any time during our lifetimes. So the strength of the USO the vibrancy, the character, the values that you bring as you connect and help and bring comfort to our men and women in uniform and their families is particularly important. Uncertain times always reach out for a certain certainty in our lives, and you represent that.
I want to thank the enlisted men and women who are being honored tonight and everyone here who serves his or her country and who has served his or her country.
I had an opportunity to meet with your new president, J.D. Crouch, last week. I've known J.D. for many years. He will be a terrific leader for this institution. You've had many good leaders in this institution. Sloan Gibson went on and continues to make big contributions to his country.
And as I said in my opening remarks, I'm very proud that I had a small part to play in helping continue to build this institution many years ago. And I have been a strong supporter since not just as Secretary of Defense, but as a former soldier, but probably more importantly as an American. All of America recognizes you and what you do and how important you are.
And I don't think we can overstate that. At a time when we question institutions, we question leadership, we question so much about our daily lives, a certain amount of confidence and trust and loyalty in institutions is key to holding a society together. It is the glue. It is the fiber on which societies are built and sustained and improved, to give all our men and women opportunities. And the defense of our country is as high a calling as there is.
So to all of you tonight, thank you. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to say hello and welcome you.
And I, again, want to congratulate those men and women who are being recognized tonight, but all of you sitting out there who do so much for our country every day. And in particular, again, the leadership of the Defense Department, our military services who are represented here tonight.
Have a good time. It's a fun night. It's a night of celebration. It's a night of recognition. And it's a night to say to each other, we appreciate you. And we don't do that enough. We don't do that enough in this town. We don't do it enough, I think, in our country. So it's a special night for all of you, and thank you.
Good night.
Supreme Court Allows Discriminatory ID Law to Stand: New Voting Rights Act needed
The U.S. Supreme Court today responded to an emergency appeal and upheld a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling allowing Texas’s restrictive photo ID law to remain intact for elections in November, notwithstanding a finding of the trial court that the legislature enacted the law purposely to discriminate against Latinos and African Americans.
This decision demonstrates the inadequacy of existing protections against discrimination at the voting booth since the Supreme Court rendered inoperable Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act in Shelby County v. Holder in June of 2013. Texas’s restrictive photo ID law had been successfully blocked under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, but was reinstated by the Texas Attorney General moments after the Shelby Countydecision came down. The restrictive photo ID law was challenged again, this time under the U.S. Constitution and another provision of the Voting Rights Act, Section 2. The trial court issued a 147-page opinion with detailed factual and legal findings, including that the legislature purposely intended to discriminate against minority voters when passing the law, and that more than 600,000 registered Texas voters do not possess the ID that is now legally required to vote in the state. The trial court struck down the law, and ordered Texas to revert back to a prior voter ID law for the November elections. The Court of Appeals did not question the trial court’s findings, but nonetheless, ordered the strict photo ID law in place for the November elections arguing it was too close to the elections to switch gears. The Supreme Court agreed. As of now, the strict photo ID law will be blocked for elections after November.
The ruling comes as many Americans face a shifting voting landscape before heading to the polls this November. Texas is one of seven states that had a major lawsuit challenging voting restrictions ahead of the 2014 election. The Supreme Court recently blocked implementation of Wisconsin’s strict photo ID law for the November election, but allowed restrictions to remain in place in North Carolina and Ohio. Since the 2010 election, new restrictions are slated to be in place in 22 states, 14 for the first time this year.
The Texas State Conference of the NAACP and Mexican American Legislative Caucus of the Texas House of Representatives (MALC) challenged the Texas law in September 2013. That case and other similar cases were consolidated as Veasey v. Perry. The attorneys representing the groups include Dechert LLP, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, PotterBledsoe L.L.P., the Law Offices of Jose Garza, the national office of the NAACP, the Law Office of Robert S. Notzon, and the Covich Law Firm, P.C.
“The Supreme Court was wrong to take a hands-off approach to the most extreme voter ID law in the country. Texas election administrators from many of the largest counties in the State supported the district court’s injunction barring use of the State’s discriminatory law because of the problems they have faced applying that law even in low-turnout elections,” said Bob Kengle, co-director of the Voting Rights Project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “The last thing the Supreme Court ought to do in response to a district court finding of intentional voting discrimination is to accept Texas’ excuses for using the discriminatory law in a general election.”
“The beast of Shelby County and the timing of the decision in that case have now disenfranchised hundreds of thousands of Texas voters,” stated Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas NAACP and an attorney with Potter Bledsoe. “What a sad day not just for democracy, but also for truth in justice.”
“The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, and it must be protected,” said Representative Trey Martinez Fischer, chairman of MALC. “The courts are supposed to protect voters against discrimination and disenfranchisement, but the Supreme Court got this one wrong. This ruling is a loss for democracy, as it will make it harder for hundreds of thousands of minorities to vote this November.”
“Protecting the rights of minorities to participate in elections is critical to our democracy. The Supreme Court’s decision marks a grave day in the fight for civil justice,” said Ezra D. Rosenberg of Dechert LLP, pro bono counsel for the NAACP Texas State Conference and MALC. “We are disappointed in today’s decision, but will continue working to secure voting rights for all.”
“A court of law found that Texas’ photo ID was enacted with intentional discrimination against minority voters and yet that discrimination is being allowed to infect the November elections,” said Myrna Pérez, deputy director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center. “That cannot stand. We clearly need new laws and protections to ensure our elections are free, fair, and accessible.”
At the September 2014 trial, the Texas NAACP and MALC, among others, presented evidence showing the state’s ID requirement would erect discriminatory barriers to voting. At trial, experts testified that 1.2 million eligible Texas voters lack a form of government-issued photo ID that would have been accepted under the new law — and minorities would be hit the hardest. For example, the district court credited testimony that African American registered voters are 305 percent more likely and Hispanic registered voters are 195 percent more likely than white registered voters to lack photo ID that can be used to vote. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals this week overturned the decision blocking Texas’s restrictive photo ID requirement from being in effect for the November election.
Pentagon Leaders Salute USO, Troops for Service
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2014 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, honored the USO and service members for their volunteerism and service at the 2014 USO Gala here.
"This time in which we live is as challenging and uncertain, and complicated, as I suspect, any time during our lifetimes," Hagel said.
Particularly important, he said, is the strength of the USO, with its vibrancy, character and values which it provides as it helps bring comfort to our men and women in uniform and their families.
Hagel thanked the USO for representing "a certain certainty" during "uncertain times," and congratulated their nominees for volunteer and service members of the year.
"I want to thank the enlisted men and women who are being honored tonight," he said, "and everyone here who serves his or her country, and [or] has served his or her country."
Hagel, who served as USO president from 1987 to 1990, praised the organization's new leader, J.D. Crouch, and its previous, Sloan D. Gibson, who now serves as deputy secretary for the Department of Veteran Affairs.
"I've known J.D. for many years -- he will be a terrific leader for this institution," he said. "You've had many good leaders in this institution."
"Sloan Gibson went on and continues to make big contributions to his country," Hagel said. "As I said ... I'm very proud that I had a small part to play in helping continue to build this institution many years ago."
"I have been a strong supporter [ever] since -- not just as secretary of defense -- but as a former soldier," he said, "but probably more importantly, as an American. All of America recognizes you and what you do, and how important you are."
Gen. Dempsey expressed his pride in serving with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and pointed to numerous challenges the military now faces around the world.
"We have a lot going on in case you haven't noticed," Dempsey said. "If I'd had this conversation with you ... four months ago, we wouldn't be talking about insecurity in Europe, we wouldn't be talking about this thing -- [the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant], and we wouldn't be talking about Ebola -- and here we are."
"By the way," he said, "the Joint Chiefs and the men and women who serve -- we're going to figure it out."
The chairman noted even as service members are deployed on missions "we already know about," others are preparing to carry out others.
"We've got people packing their bags to go to Europe to reassure our allies or go to Iraq or Kuwait to make sure that this threat of ISIL doesn't continue to expand, and to go to places like Senegal and Liberia to make sure that this disease is contained, and therefore, doesn't become a threat to the homeland."
The chairman lauded the USO for its commitment to service members and assured they would continue to have work to do in taking care of America's troops and their families.
"So [to] the USO -- I hope you didn't think we were going to put you out of work," Dempsey said. "You're going to have some work to do, and we're proud to be partners with you in doing it."
Friday, October 17, 2014
Readout of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's Meeting with Spain's Minister of Defense Pedro Morenés
Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary Hagel welcomed Spain's Minister of Defense, Pedro Morenés, back to the Pentagon today, where they met to discuss a range of topics.
Secretary Hagel thanked Minister Morenés for Spain's continued hospitality in hosting U.S. forces and their families in Morón and Rota. In particular, the secretary expressed his deep appreciation for Spain's support to the United States' efforts to counter the Ebola virus in West Africa, through Operation United Assistance. The two leaders discussed how each of their nations is addressing the virus, focusing on the importance of strict protocols to protect the American and Spanish people.
The leaders also discussed ongoing counter-ISIL efforts, including Spain's role in the counter-ISIL coalition. The secretary thanked the minister for Spain's intention to participate. They also touched on the potential for increased cooperation in Africa, particularly regarding addressing security concerns along the southern flank of Europe.
Secretary Hagel noted that the United States and Spain have a long history of strong defense cooperation, and they look forward to continuing to work together.
Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work's Meeting with Lt. Gen. Wang Guanzhong, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, People's Liberation Army
Deputy Secretary of Defense Spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Courtney Hillson provided the following readout:
Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work met today with Lt. Gen. Wang Guanzhong, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) at the Pentagon.
The two noted the constructive spirit of yesterday's U.S.-China Defense Consultative Talks and the inaugural round of the U.S. Joint Staff - PLA General Staff Strategy Talks. The Deputy Secretary emphasized the importance of sustained and substantive dialogue and concrete and practical cooperation to develop the bilateral military-to-military relationship. The two leaders discussed common security challenges in Asia and globally.
Los Angeles County Democratic Party Condemns State Senator Steve Knight for Opposing the Ban on the Display and Sale of the Confederate Flag
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) unanimously adopted the following resolution condemning Republican State Senator and Congressional candidate Steve Knight for voting against banning the display and sale of the Battle Flag of the Confederacy by the State of California. Further, the resolution calls on Republican State Assembly candidate Tom Lackey to join the LACDP in demanding a public apology from his close ally and endorser, Knight.
"The Los Angeles County Democratic Party strongly condemns State Senator Steve Knight's despicable vote against common decency, which would perpetuate the display and sale of the ultimate symbol of intolerance, injustice, and discrimination in American history in California. Let me be clear: the Battle Flag of the Confederacy has no place in the Golden State," said Eric C. Bauman, Chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.
Bauman continued, "As one of only three state legislators to vote against the overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation, it's clear that Knight's ideology is out-of-touch, out-of-step, and out-of-whack for California. How can anyone in good conscience support his candidacy for Congress? We call upon all Californians to stand up and demand Steve Knight make a public apology and renunciation of his offensive and downright immoral vote. We also call on his ally Tom Lackey to repudiate Knight's position on an issue of such great sensitivity to African Americans in particular and all decent Californians."
- - -
Resolution Condemning State Senator Steve Knight
for Voting Against Banning the Display and Sale
of the Battle Flag of the Confederacy in California
Whereas, the Battle Flag of the Confederacy in America, akin to the Swastika in Germany, is the ultimate emblem of inequality, injustice, and intolerance representing the darkest hours of human history that perpetuates hatred, discrimination, and violence;
Whereas, in eliminating the presence of this hateful symbol from the Golden State, State Assembly Member Isadore Hall introduced AB 2444 to ban the display and the sale of the Battle Flag of the Confederacy by the State of California; the legislation passed the California State Legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support and the Governor signed the bill into law;
Whereas, Republican State Senator Steve Knight, a candidate for U.S. Congress, defied common sense, progress, and human decency by voting against banning the sale and display of the Battle Flag of the Confederacy by our state; his inexcusable and offensive vote is the prima facie evidence that his extreme ideology represents a giant leap backward from achieving liberty and justice for all, which does not belong in the State Legislature, the U.S. Congress, and anywhere in our diverse communities;
Be It Resolved, that the Los Angeles County Democratic Party condemns State Senator Steve Knight for voting against banning the sale or display of the Battle Flag of the Confederacy by the State of California; and
Be It Further Resolved, that the Los Angeles County Democratic Party demands a public apology from State Senator Steve Knight for his despicable display of support for perpetuating the symbol of discrimination that has no place in America, and calls on Republican State Assembly candidate Tom Lackey to join our call in demanding public apology from State Senator Steve Knight.
It may be Legal to Carry a Handgun in the Nation’s Capitol by Christmas
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Marine Corps Passage of Command
As Delivered by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Marine Barracks, Washington DC, Friday, October 17, 2014
[We are here] to thank our friend and former Commandant Jim Amos for more than four decades of service to our nation and to welcome the new Commandant of our United States Marine Corps, General Joe Dunford.
But first, allow me to thank the Amos family.
Bonnie, you have been an extraordinary role model. You've been a dedicated partner throughout Jim's long and distinguished career. Over forty-four years, you have managed twenty-nine relocations and twenty-five different schools for your children if you count. You have been a tireless advocate for our Marine families. And thank you for all the encouragement, the support, the love, and, I know, very wise advice you have given General Amos over many years. And thank you for your service to the Corps, and to our nation.
As you all know, in addition to being a husband, father, and grandfather, Jim has a long record of leadership and many, many impressive accomplishments. He helped make peace and keep it in the Balkans. He commanded Marine aviation in Iraq. He served in important positions of responsibility at NATO and the Pentagon.
But perhaps above all else, General Amos is a distinguished Marine fighter pilot. As Commandant, Jim brought a Marine aviator's focus, discipline, and creativity to the challenges facing the Corps at this unique time in our history.
His tenure as Commandant came not only at a time of war, and defining transitions, but also at a time of great uncertainty...and wrenching challenges for our military budget.
Through it all, General Amos never forgot the men and women under his command. Ensuring they were trained and equipped, and ready. And making sure his Marines were always taken care of.
Jim made countless trips to Helmand, in Afghanistan, to visit with Marines and all our soldiers, and ensure they had what they needed to win. He helped ensure that the Marine Corps led the way in the rebalance to the Asia-Pacific. Under Jim's leadership, the Marines established an innovative rotational presence in Australia, and have helped strengthen our partnerships and alliances all over [the] Asia-Pacific.
After more than 13 years of grinding warfare, General Amos has also helped the Marines revitalize their amphibious and expeditionary roles. From North Africa to the Middle East, when crisis strikes, the Marines are first responders...because General Amos made readiness and the health of the force his highest priority, ensuring that Marines meet their mission with the right tools at the right time...and with the highest standards of integrity and discipline.
While upholding the Corps' storied traditions, General Amos has also helped the Marines navigate important changes...successfully implementing the repeal of don't-ask-don't tell, and integrating women into combat arms.
General Amos has said, "Change doesn't come easy to the Marine Corps, but...when it is rooted, it lasts forever." Jim's lasting legacy will be his effort to ensure that the Marine Corps' new traditions are firmly rooted, leaving behind a Corps stronger than ever before.
Because membership in the Corps never expires, never dies, Jim has made it his mission to rid the American lexicon of the term, that dreaded "former Marine." And he didn't just state that as his personal preference: he made it a policy. No matter where you are or what you are doing, Jim has said, "You're a Marine" just in a different uniform and in a different phase of your life. All of us here know that Jim, always a Marine, will continue to serve the Corps, and our nation, with the highest distinction...as he transitions to his own different uniform, and his own different phase of life with Bonnie.
As we thank Jim Amos and recognize his successful leadership through a time of enormous change, we can be very confident that General Joe Dunford will build on Jim's leadership and make the United States Marine Corps even stronger.
Like General Amos, General Dunford has had a storied career. He is a highly respected, battle-tested infantry officer. Over the last two years, his steady leadership, his wise leadership of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan has successfully kept our transition in Afghanistan on track and on focus despite unrelenting challenges.
I've gotten to know Joe very well over the past 20 months. I've come to rely on his wise judgment. The President of the United States trusts his judgment. And I look forward to working closely with him as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the 36th Commandant of the Marine Corps. He is superbly qualified and prepared to help write the next chapter of the United States Marine Corps' history. And to Ellyn, we welcome you back and thank you for all of your sacrifices over many years, and your family.
Joe and Ellyn, we are grateful to you and your family for your service and commitment to this nation.
Jim and Bonnie, we will miss you. We will miss you greatly.
To all four of you: On behalf of President Obama and the American people, Lilibet and I wish you all the best as you begin this new phase, this exciting, wonderful, new phase that you've earned in your lives. And once again, thank you for all you have done for the Marine Corps, the Department of Defense, the United States of America, and all of us who've had the great privilege of serving with you, General Amos.
May God continue to bless our Marines, all who serve, and our great nation. Thank you all very much.
MEDAL MOMENT
10/17/2014 05:14 PM CDT
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel pins a medal on outgoing Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James F. Amos during a change-of-command ceremony on Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C., Oct. 17, 2014. Amos transfered command to Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr.
Don’t Wear Decorative Contact Lenses Without Consulting Eye Care Professional, CDPH Warns
SACRAMENTO – Dr. Ron Chapman, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) director and state health officer, today warned consumers about the risks associated with wearing decorative contact lenses without proper consultation with an eye care professional.
Decorative contact lenses are non-corrective lenses that do not correct vision and are intended to temporarily change the appearance of the eye. Use of these lenses can carry serious risks, including permanent eye injury that may lead to blindness
.
Advertised as color, cosmetic, fashion and theatrical contact lenses, they are especially popular around Halloween. These decorative contact lenses are typically sold at beauty supply stores and other novelty stores.
All decorative contact lenses currently approved or cleared under the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act are classified as prescription medical devices and, therefore may be sold only to or on the prescription of a licensed practitioner.
Wearing any kind of contact lens, including decorative lenses, can cause serious injury if not used correctly. The risks include infection, blindness, ulcers, decreased vision, cuts or scratches to the surface of the eye, itchiness or redness. If these conditions are left untreated, the injuries can progress rapidly. In most severe cases, blindness and eye loss can occur.
Consumers who have experienced any injury or illness with decorative contact lenses should contact their health care provider or contact CDPH at 1-800-495-3232.
DOD CONTRACTS
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
U.S. Foods Inc., La Mirada, California, has been awarded a maximum $164,878,296 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for prime vendor subsistence support. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and five offers were received. This is a twenty-two month base contract with one one-year option and one two-year option periods. Location of performance is California with an Oct. 2, 2016performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-15-D-3107). (Awarded Oct. 10, 2014)
Science Application International Corporation, Fairfield, New Jersey, has been awarded a maximum $58,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, prime vendor contract for maintenance, repair, and operations. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. This is a five-month bridge contract with no option periods. Location of performance is New Jersey, with a March 3, 2015, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE8EG-15-D-0004).
Sysco Kansas City, Inc., Olathe, Kansas, has been awarded a maximum $51,384,209 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for prime vendor subsistence full line food service support. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and three offers were received. This is a twenty-two-month base contract, with one one-year option and one two-year option periods. Location of performance is Kansas, with anOct. 17, 2016, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-15-D-3109).
SupplyCore Inc.,* Rockford, Illinois, has been awarded a maximum $16,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, prime vendor contract for maintenance, repair, and operations. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. This is a five-month bridge contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Illinois, with a March 3, 2015, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE8EG-15-D-0005).
SHORT TAKEOFF
An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon jet takes off at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Oct. 15, 2014, during exercise Red Flag-Alaska 15-1.
SUNRISE SEA KNIGHT
An HH-46E Sea Knight helicopter sits on the flight line as the sun rises on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 14, 2014.
DONNING SUIT
Army Lt. Col. Kevin Baird practices donning protective gear on Fort Eustis, Va., Oct. 15, 2014, as soldiers heading to West Africa are trained on Ebola outbreak precautionary measures.
CABLE DRAG
U.S. Marine Cpl. Dione Sims unravels detonation cord in preparation to blow up expired and unserviceable ordnance near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Oct. 15, 2014.
Satellites Sees a Question Mark in Tropical Storm Ana
NOAA's GOES-West satellite captured an image of Tropical Storm Ana that showed the outer clouds were already reaching the big island by 11 a.m. EDT and the storm resembled a giant question mark.
Tropical Storm Ana was nearing hurricane strength mid-day on Oct. 17 and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) expects the storm to become a hurricane before reaching the big island of Hawaii.
NOAA's GOES-West satellite took an infrared picture of Tropical Storm Ana as it was approaching Hawaii on Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. EDT (5 a.m. HST). Ana looked like a giant question mark in the infrared image, as a large band of thunderstorms wrapped into the center from the eastern side of the storm and extended south of the storm.
Despite the storm looking like a question mark from space, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said that there is no question the storm has been intensifying.
A Tropical Storm Watch remained in effect for Hawaii County on Oct. 17. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 24 to 36 hours. Interests elsewhere in the main Hawaiian Islands, and in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument Area, should monitor the progress of Ana.
The CPHC expects tropical-storm-force winds to affect the Big Island of Hawaii by tonight, Oct. 17. In addition, heavy rainfall with total rain accumulations between 6 and 8 inches, with isolated totals of 12 inches are possible. Heavy rain could potentially affect the other islands Saturday and Sunday. This rainfall could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.
In addition to the winds and heavy rainfall, dangerous surf will precede and Ana. CPHC noted that large swells are expected to build over the eastern end of the main Hawaiian island chain today (Oct. 17) through Saturday. These large swells will continue to spread up the island chain through the weekend. Surf produced by these swells could potentially be damaging along exposed south and southeast shorelines beginning later today and Saturday, and persisting through the weekend in some areas.
At 11 a.m. EDT (5 a.m. HST) maximum sustained winds were near 70 mph (110 kph) and Ana is expected to become a hurricane later in the day with gradual weakening expected Saturday and Sunday. The center of tropical storm Ana was located near latitude 15.7 north, longitude 154.2 west. Ana was moving toward the west-northwest near 14 mph (22 kph)
Ana is expected to turn slightly to the northwest and slow over the weekend of Oct. 18 and 19. After a brief stint as a hurricane overnight Oct.17 and early Oct. 18 when it will be west of the Big Island, it is expected to weaken back to a tropical storm and move almost parallel to the Hawaiian Islands while remaining over water, west of the islands. By mid-week next week, around Oct. 18, the CPHC expects Ana to track through the French Frigate Shoals.
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