Military

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 9, 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a $72 million U.S. Air Force contract for more than 2,900 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits.

Boeing will deliver the kits in 2011 and 2012. The Lot 14 production order is the second one-year option of a six-year contract Boeing received in January 2008. The agreement has a potential total value of $590 million with deliveries extending through 2015, if all options are exercised.

"JDAM provides warfighters an effective, accurate and battle-tested weapon," said Dan Jaspering, Boeing director of Direct Attack Programs. "The Lot 14 contract and its additional options assure the long-term availability of this cost-effective weapon."    » read more »

Continuation of Investigation into Terrorism on U.S. Soil

November 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- Senate Homeland Security Chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., and Ranking Member Susan Collins, R-Me., formally announced on Monday that their Committee will be conducting an investigation into last week's murders at Ft. Hood, beginning with a public hearing next week. The Senators released the following statements today on their inquiry and intention to hold hearings on the attack:    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), a senior member and former Chairman of the Small Business Committee, and Congressman Ron Klein (D-Fla.) today announced their introduction of a bill to support small businesses that employ military reservists.

The Small Business and Military Family Assistance Act of 2009 will provide tax incentives for small business employers who make up the salary difference for their reservist employees while they’re serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. While many large businesses can afford to supplement the lower wages reservists earn while in active duty, small business owners struggle to offer the same service.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Senators Daniel Akaka, Jon Tester and Mark Begich held a press conference today to discuss legislation to improve health care services to America's veterans. A single Republican Senator is obstructing efforts to pass the bipartisan Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009. Among other things, the legislation will provide benefits to caregivers of severely injured veterans, expand health care services to women, improve mental care treatment, provide outreach to homeless veterans and enhance VA medical services.    » read more »

Veterans' Affairs Committee Leaders Suggest Improvements on GI Bill Processing

November 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) wrote Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to suggest ways to improve the processing of the post-9/11 GI Bill.

"Men and women at VA are working hard and working overtime to reduce the backlog of new GI Bill claims. This is a huge transition, and I hope our suggestions will help the Department speed up the process," said Akaka. "I want Secretary Shinseki to know that I am committed to helping him do whatever needs to be done - whether that be in resources or legislation."

The letter outlines potential improvements, including:    » read more »

Washington - Nov 9 - Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement in response to the shooting at Fort Hood Thursday, November 5, 2009. A Memorial Ceremony to honor the victims of the shooting will be held tomorrow.

“The recent shooting at Fort Hood is a grave tragedy. Our brave men and women selflessly put themselves in harms way to protect us and should not have to worry about incidences of violence taking place while on American soil. They face enough danger while they are abroad.    » read more »

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Nov. 9, 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) moves closer to its first international sale of RACR (Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar) following approval for the company to move forward with technical discussions with at least two potential customers.

Both countries are looking to upgrade their F-16 fleets within the next two years in order to keep their force structure at the cutting edge of today's complex battlespace. RACR is designed for all F-16s and is approved for export.

The program is on schedule to fly production hardware on an F-16 during the first half of 2010.    » read more »

November 07, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – In this week’s address, President Barack Obama expressed his sadness for the tragedy at Fort Hood and praised the selfless valor of those who came to the aid of the wounded. While we mourn the heartbreaking violence, we should honor the heroism of the soldiers and civilians who rushed to help their comrades. That is the heroism which makes the U.S. military the finest in the world.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
As Prepared for Delivery
Weekly Address
Saturday, November 7, 2009

I’d like to speak with you for a few minutes today about the tragedy that took place at Ft. Hood. This past Thursday, on a clear Texas afternoon, an Army psychiatrist walked into the Soldier Readiness Processing Center, and began shooting his fellow soldiers.    » read more »

Manchin offers condolences to the Fort Hood community

Nov. 6, 2009 -- CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In conjunction with presidential proclamation lowering U.S. flags, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin has ordered all state flags to be lowered to half-staff immediately in honor of the victims of the tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas.

The flags shall remain at half-staff until Tuesday, Nov. 10, at sunset.

Gov. Manchin also issued this statement of condolence:    » read more »

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert issued the following statement today in response to the death of Private First Class Aaron Thomas Nemelka.

"Utah joins the entire nation in grieving today for the servicemen and women killed and injured during yesterday's tragedy at Fort Hood in Texas. One of those brave victims was Private First Class Aaron Nemelka from West Jordan, a young combat engineer who was preparing to put his life on the line to protect the values that we hold dear.

"Jeanette and I extend our deepest condolences to Private First Class Nemelka's family, as well as all of the families affected by this senseless attack. We ought never forget about those who risk their lives every day, at home and abroad, to protect our freedoms."    » read more »

Flags to Remain Lowered until Veterans Day

Nov. 6, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today ordered U.S. and state flags at commonwealth facilities to be flown at half-staff until Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, in honor of the soldiers who were killed and injured during a Nov. 5 shooting at Fort Hood Army base in Texas.

"This tragic news shocked the nation and we join Americans in grieving the losses and injuries inflicted by this violent act,” Governor Rendell said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the fallen soldiers, their families, and the Fort Hood community.”

The Governor’s order follows that of President Barack Obama, who ordered all U.S. flags at federal buildings to be lowered until Veterans Day.    » read more »

Flags to be lowered until sunset on Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Nov. 6, 2009 -- (Salem) - Today Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski ordered all flags at public institutions be flown at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, in memory of those lost in the Fort Hood tragedy yesterday.

“The tragic event at Fort Hood yesterday is not only devastating for the families, but for our entire nation,” said Governor Kulongoski. “As we keep our soldiers serving abroad in our thoughts and prayers, we should take a moment to think about those lost at Fort Hood and their families.”

Source: Oregon Governor

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has issued the following statement in honor of the victims of the Fort Hood tragedy and has ordered all state flags at public buildings and grounds to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday, November 10, 2009.

Ohio grieves for the victims of the tragedy at Fort Hood. The prayers of our people seek comfort for the families of those who were lost, recovery for those who were injured, and solace for all whose lives were affected by this senseless violence.    » read more »

November 06, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. – In accordance with a directive issued by the President, North Dakota Governor John Hoeven today directed all government agencies in the state to fly the American and North Dakota flags at half staff until Veterans Day in honor of the victims of the Fort Hood shootings. Effective today, the flags are directed to be flown at half staff from sunrise to sunset each day until November 11.    » read more »

November 6, 2009 -- Carson City - Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons has ordered the flag atop the Capitol in Carson City, the flag in front of the Grant Sawyer Building in Las Vegas and the flags at other state buildings to be flown at half-staff beginning Friday November 6, 2009 through Wednesday November 11, 2009 (Veterans Day) to honor the Americans killed in the attack at Fort Hood Army Base on November 5, 2009.

“This is a terrible tragedy for the friends and family of those killed or hurt during this crime,” Governor Gibbons said, “All Nevadans should remember the victims in our thoughts and prayers.”

Source: Nevada Governor