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UK Combat Support Improving but Problems Remain
Relevance Score: 3.542 2009-05-20 22:26:19
A report released by the UK National Audit Office (NAO) has found that despite challenging operational environments the provision of support for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan has improved. The MoD has successfully delivered around 300,000 personnel and 90,000t of freight to Iraq and Afghanistan over the last two years. It has not, however, consistently met its targets for delivering supplies in a timely fashion according to the report. The report also said that the amount of time taken for items to be delivered had reduced by half in Afghanistan and a third in Iraq since the conflict began. Head of the National Audit Office, Tim Burr, says that despite the difficulties the MoD had several successes. "There is still more to do. By improving the management and replenishment of stocks in theatre and getting a clearer picture of what supplies are available and where they are, the MoD could make real improvements to its supply chain," Burr said. The report found that the MoD's prioritisation of urgent operational requirements has led to shortages of equipment matching that in theatre for Service personnel in the UK to train with. The NAO found that the availability of vehicle equipment had generally met or exceeded targets, although the suspension and wheel hub reliability on the Vector vehicle had been poor and there have been spares shortages with some fleets, such as the Mastiff. The availability and serviceability of helicopters has exceeded MoD targets, although prioritisation of spare parts for operations has led to reduced availability in the UK. Welfare services are also generally well delivered, although the provision at the smaller more remote bases is lower than that provided at main operating bases.
283 Bases, 170,000 Pieces of Equipment, 140,000 Troops and an Army of Military Contractors
Relevance Score: 3.490 2009-03-31 11:41:15
With last week's announced escalation of the war in Afghanistan, including an Iraq-like "surge" replete with 4,000 more U.S. troops and a sizable increase in private contractors, President Barack Obama blew the lid off of any lingering perceptions that he somehow represents a significant change in how the U.S. conducts its foreign policy. In the meantime, more reports have emerged that bolster suspicions that Obama's Iraq policy is but a downsized version of Bush's and that a total withdrawal of U.S. forces is not on the horizon. In a dramatic understatement, the GAO notes that the U.S. "has an extensive basing footprint in Iraq. … Closing or handing over U.S. installations in Iraq will be time consuming and costly." With no fewer than 283 such installations throughout Iraq -- 51 large bases and 232 smaller bases -- the Obama administration has not said how it will approach this formidable task. This is no minor detail. "According to U.S. Army officials, experience has shown that it takes one to two months to close the smallest platoon -- or company -- size installations, which contain between 16 and 200 combat soldiers or Marines." However, the U.S. "has never closed large, complex installations -- such as Balad Air Force Base, which contains about 24,000 inhabitants and has matured over five years. U.S. Army officials estimate it could take longer than 18 months to close a base of that size." Obama should explain clearly how he intends to dismantle these bases or to what forces he is going to give control over them. It is very hard to imagine that the U.S. will simply walk away from large bases it spent years building. So, will they be turned over to Iraq? If so, to whom? What guarantee is there that they would not be used as operating bases for death squads? Will some be destroyed? What about the environmental impact? In addition to the bases, the GAO reveals that, as of of March 2008, "the United States had in place about 170,000 pieces of equipment worth about $16.5 billion that would need to be removed from Iraq." Erik Leaver, a senior analyst at the Institute for Policy Studies, says,"An example of a tough question: What to do with MRAPs [Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles]?" "The MRAPs are so heavy, transport back to the U.S., plus the rehab charges may make it cost-effective to actually destroy them," says Leaver. "Plus, if you need to move 120,000 soldiers in a rapid time frame, do you even have the space to bring them back if you take the MRAPs?" Then there are the facilities in Iraq currently being run by U.S. contractors. According to the GAO, Defense Contract Management Agency officials estimate "there is at least $3.5 billion worth of contractor-managed government-owned property in Iraq."
Hughes MWR Satellite Services in Afghanistan and Iraq
Relevance Score: 3.100 2010-02-09 11:27:52
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, has expanded provision of high-speed satellite Internet access for U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Available at U.S. military bases, the broadband Internet service is being delivered via the company’s new operations hub in Dubai, enabling troops to stay in touch with family and friends at home, including sending photos and videos, connecting over social networking sites and making VoIP telephone calls. Hughes is proud to provide high-speed Internet service to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, reinforcing the military’s Morale, Welfare & Recreation [MWR] efforts in the region. Hughes has been providing broadband satellite terminals throughout the region since 2003, and the additional bandwidth and resources from its new Dubai-based hub now enables Hughes to connect even more men and women of the military with their loved ones at home while they serve our country overseas. “Hughes is proud to provide high-speed Internet service to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, reinforcing the military’s Morale, Welfare & Recreation [MWR] efforts in the region,” said Rick Lober, vice president and general manager of Hughes Defense and Intelligence Systems Division. “Staying connected with spouses, children, extended family, and friends is essential for our troops’ morale, especially as they often are deployed overseas for a year or more.” Payam Herischi, senior director of Hughes Global Services added, “Hughes has been providing broadband satellite terminals throughout the region since 2003, and the additional bandwidth and resources from our new Dubai-based hub now enables us to connect even more men and women of the military with their loved ones at home while they serve our country overseas.” Hughes high-speed satellite internet service is available at U.S. military bases in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait, with local installation and logistics support provided by partner companies in the region.
Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan
Relevance Score: 2.962 2009-05-07 01:16:24
TS2 was among the first telecommunications operators in the satellite technology field on the territory of Iraq and Afghanistan and as such we have enjoyed a successful cooperation with US Troops, DoD Contractors, Contracting Officers and Civilians from Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan. Satellite Broadband for Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan TS2's satellite products iDirect Evolution (Intelsat), LinkStar (NSS6), iDirect Infinity (Intelsat) and Inmarsat personal service (Inmarsat BGAN) are available in all US bases, including location of Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan. This broadband service offer two-way high-speed internet access with no phone lines, no cable, no dial-up modem. It's always online, available virtually anywhere, and affordable. Your computer or wireless / wired network can receive internet signal, through a special satellite VSAT modem which was usually set up in a building or tent when deployed. This type of Internet connection you can share with other soldiers from Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan. It is an ideal solution, if you want to start Internet cafe / cybercafe in your new location. Most soldiers deploy with a laptop in hand and a hookup to the Internet in their barracks. This is especially important for the many who are married, and have young children. The Internet access has resulted in major morale improvements. Troops no longer feel cut off from home. Not all the Internet connectivity is just for staying in touch with the folks back home. The troops from Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan use the Internet a lot for professional tasks, and not all of them are official business. Some troops blog, and many other stay in touch with military friends and associates in other parts of the world. The Internet has made possible many online communities composed of military professionals.
Air Force Blocking the Troop Tube
Relevance Score: 2.917 2009-03-28 13:54:49
Last week, we discovered that a bunch of military bases -- especially Air Force bases -- were blocking TroopTube, the Pentagon's YouTube knock-off. Today, we learned that the digital blockades were part of a larger, Air Force-wide decision to cut off access to the military's taxpayer-funded, security-scrubbed, low-bandwidth-optimized video sharing site. "The Air Force must balance network security requirements with competing requests for wide-ranging access to a vast array of public internet services for our Airmen. Air Force-wide policy restricts access to categories of sites that are generally not mission related, and put adverse performance demands on our networks. As a result of this general policy, access to Troop Tube is blocked at Air Force bases," service spokesman Major David Small e-mails Danger Room. Some Air Force bases may still have access through different configurations and local commander approval. Additionally, Airmen operating on non-AF networks, like the Pentagon, may have access to Troop Tube. While there is some perceived inconvenience with this Air Force restriction, the general policy helps ensure our networks remain safe and perform optimally. We recognize, however, the importance and usefulness of the Troop Tube web site and are doing everything we can to ensure our Airmen have access. Currently, our Airmen can access Troop Tube through various base locations that provide access to the Internet, such as some Airmen and Family Readiness Centers, libraries, and other morale, welfare, and recreation facilities. Additionally, our Airmen can access this site from their home computers. Due to a recent request to access this site for mission needs, we are re-evaluating access to Troop Tube specifically. This evaluation will assess the site's security posture and impact to the AF mission and network performance.
High-Speed Satellite Internet Access for U.S. Troops in Afghanistan and Iraq
Relevance Score: 2.862 2009-12-08 14:15:10
Hughes Network Systems, a major player in broadband satellite networks and services, reportedly has expanded the provision of high-speed satellite Internet access for U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Hughes is proud to provide high-speed Internet service to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, reinforcing the military's Morale, Welfare & Recreation [MWR] efforts in the region," said Rick Lober, vice president and general manager of Hughes Defense and Intelligence Systems Division, in the release. Lober said staying connected with spouses, children, extended family, and friends is essential for the troops' morale, especially as they often are deployed overseas for a year or more. "Hughes has been providing broadband satellite terminals throughout the region since 2003, and the additional bandwidth and resources from our new Dubai-based hub now enables us to connect even more men and women of the military with their loved ones at home while they serve our country overseas," said Payam Herischi, senior director of Hughes Global Services. The high-speed satellite Internet service is available at U.S. military bases in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait, with local installation and logistics support provided by partner companies in the region.
Argon Furnishes Military With Ground Surveillance Systems
Relevance Score: 2.788 2010-02-03 22:39:05
Company will deliver 28 Cerberus units to help defend forward operating bases. Argon ST Inc. will deliver the U.S. military with equipment that performs ground surveillance at forward operating bases under a $23.8 million contract. Under the contract, Argon ST will deliver 28 Cerberus units and associated spares to support U.S. forces deployed abroad, the Defense Department said Jan. 26. Cerberus is a portable, self-sustaining integrated tower used for perimeter defense. The company will perform the assembly work in Newington, Va., and Orlando, Fla., the officials informed. The contract was awarded by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, N.J. Argon, of Fairfax, Va., is a provider of command, control, communications, computers, combat, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems.
SatComms for Soldiers
Relevance Score: 2.616 2009-07-26 20:37:18
Have been out with British forces in the area of Sangin in northern Helmand Province. This area appears to be turning into the main effort of the current fight in Afghanistan, but this is unclear to me at the moment. I do know that air assets are heavy. During our mission yesterday, a B-1 could be seen overhead, though it was miles high. On the ground, this place is loaded with IEDs and there were many firefights during yesterday’s mission. My section of eight soldiers did not fire a single round; we did not come into direct contact, though bullets sometimes zipped overhead. Nearly all missions are conducted on foot and the soldiers like it that way. I am with the British battalion called 2 Rifles. The last mission I did with 2 Rifles was in Iraq, and they killed maybe 26-27 JAM members during that fight. Yesterday they only killed two Taliban (Predator actually made the shot), but the mission was well run, and morale here is very high. Everybody is ready to roll again and missions are near continuous. I’ll ask British commanders to let me stay, though that might not be necessary because there are so few helicopters. More likely I am stuck here. FOB Jackson is probably going to be my Hotel California, but that’s all good because these are great soldiers, in the thick of it, and I want to stay. More broadly speaking, our forces are spread to the high winds across desolate stretches of Afghanistan, sometimes in tiny “bases” with as few as a half-dozen soldiers. Last December, I spent some time with a group of such soldiers in Zabul Province, but hardly wrote a word about them, yet. They were deep in wild country and it took two days for us to drive out to a paved road. Those soldiers had no access to Internet, and said that on one occasion they didn’t even get mail for three months. Until December, I used a satellite antenna called a “Regional BGAN” (R-BGAN) HNS-9101 to transmit dispatches from remote areas. These small, portable systems are expensive; during a fifteen-day period last year, I spent almost exactly $5,000. (Prices based on bandwidth usage.) During late 2008, when I saw the group of a half-dozen American soldiers, out there in the boondocks, two days from a road and once going three months without mail, I told Mrs. Frankie Mayo, who runs Operation AC. Frankie and Operation AC had sent loads of gear to Iraq, including air conditioners and generators. When I told Frankie about the isolated soldiers, she got to work with Hughes to send R-BGANs to Afghanistan. Lucky for me, with the old R-BGAN no longer usable, Hughes, through Frankie, shipped a newer model, the Hughes 9201 BGAN Inmarsat Terminal. Many of this year’s dispatches will come through the 9201. Without such a terminal, large numbers of Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors will be without regular communications for much or most of their time in Afghanistan. The infrastructure is Spartan to non-existent. Life here is tougher than it was in Iraq, and the fighting will be tougher still. Yes, there are the gigantic bases-as in Iraq-where everything is available, but little of the war is being fought from the larger bases. Extended battlefield journalism from Afghanistan is relatively non-existent. Broadly speaking, folks at home will not know how their loved ones are doing unless they can communicate directly. To learn more about the effort to send satellite communications gear to troops downrange, please see Operation AC.
CACI Intl gets $81M Army order to help transfer technology from bases to Maryland
Relevance Score: 2.552 2010-02-08 17:40:10
CACI International has received an $81 million military contract to help transfer network and information operations from several bases to Maryland, the government contractor informed. The pact, which could span 27 months if an option is exercised, covers the transfer of information technology, systems engineering and network automation equipment and components to the Aberdeen Proving Ground. The transfer is part of an effort to trim down military facilities and consolidate operations where possible to save money. More than 350 sites have been closed since 1989, when the military realignment began. CACI will be responsible for managing and coordinating the Army project. The locations included in the project are Fort Monmouth and Eatontown, N.J.; Fort Belvoir, Va.; Huntsville, Ala. and Fort Knox, Ky. Earlier this month the company received a $100 million task order from the Army for work on battle command systems. Shares of CACI International Inc. dropped 14 cents to $47.47 Monday.
Military Seeks $1.3 Billion For Projects in Afghanistan
Relevance Score: 2.415 2009-10-18 11:13:57
While the Obama administration weighs whether to send additional troops to Afghanistan, the U.S. military is spending billions of dollars on construction projects to ensure the country's infrastructure can support American and coalition personnel in 2010 and years beyond. The military has already spent roughly $2.7 billion on construction over the past three fiscal years. Now, if its request is approved as part of the fiscal 2010 defense appropriations bill, it would spend another $1.3 billion on more than 100 projects at 40 sites across the country, according to a Senate report on the legislation. At the main U.S. base in Afghanistan, Bagram, the military is planning to build a $30 million passenger terminal and adjacent cargo facility to handle the flow of troops, many of whom arrive at the base north of Kabul before moving onto other sites. Under the proposed schedule, those facilities will not be completed until late 2010 and go into operation early in 2011, according to military sources. Officials say such projects are absolutely essential given the inadequate and dilapidated nature of the existing infrastructure. Bagram is far from the only U.S. base being upgraded. The military is also spending hundreds of millions of dollars constructing facilities for the Afghan army and police. The U.S.-led coalition recently announced the opening of a $68 million, U.S.-financed forward operating base near Farah, in the western part of the country bordering on Iran. The base will house 2,000 Afghan soldiers and an American mentoring team. Such bases can take a long time to build. The original solicitation for contractors on the Farah garrison project was dated Dec. 29, 2007. A proposal for an additional phase was offered in March 2008, and 18 months later, almost two years after it was first solicited, the garrison at Farah was opened. Col. Thomas E. O'Donovan, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan Engineer District, told reporters last March that his multibillion-dollar construction program is providing "underpinnings" for efforts at establishing security and stability across Afghanistan.