Saturday, February 26, 2011
THEREALAMERICANTANKERS.COM
Dear Supporter,
Great news! We were just informed that Boeing has been selected to build the U.S. Air Force’s next generation of aerial refueling tankers. Thanks in part to your vocal support, the Boeing NewGen Tanker will provide unrivaled aerial-refueling capabilities to American servicemen and women for decades to come, while employing more than 50,000 U.S. workers in meaningful jobs across the country.
Before we can start building planes, the Air Force must first meet with the competitors in the coming days to explain the selection.
While we wait for this to occur, please visit www.RealAmericanTankers.com as soon as possible to tell your elected officials that you support the Air Force’s selection of the Boeing NewGen Tanker. We’re confident that the Air Force chose the best aircraft. With more than 60 years of experience providing aerial-refueling tankers to America’s military, Boeing is ready to start building the NewGen Tanker NOW.
The Air Force’s selection of Boeing is a victory for the U.S. aerospace industry. It is a victory for American workers and our recovering economy. And, perhaps most important, it is a victory for the men and women of our armed forces. We’ll keep you informed as we learn more in the coming days.
Until then, thanks for your continued support!
Sincerely, Sean McCormack, http://www.therealamericantankers.com/
CONGRESSMAN ADAM SMITH
News from U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09)
Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee
For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 24, 2011
Contact: Shana Chandler, 202-225-6901
Smith’s Statement on KC-X Source Selection Announcement
Washington - Today, Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in response to the announcement that the Department of Defense has selected a provider for the KC-X Aerial Refueling Tanker:
“I am pleased that the Air Force has selected Boeing’s proposal to replace the aging fleet of aerial refueling tankers. After numerous delays, today’s announcement moves us closer to meeting the Air Force’s top acquisition priority.
“In a time when our nation is recovering from an economic crisis, today’s announcement by the Department of Defense is a huge boost to Washington State. A Washington State-made tanker will support more than 11,000 jobs in state and 50,000 jobs across the country.
“I know that the men and women at the Boeing Company will provide the warfighter with a high quality product to meet their mission requirements and I look forward to working with the Air Force as we move forward.”
CONGRESSMAN DAVE REICHERT
David Reichert
Contact: Charles McCray III (202) 225-7761
Reichert Statement on the Air Force Tanker Announcement
Mercer Island, WA, Feb 24 -
Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) released this statement in reaction to the Air Force’s announcement to award Boeing with a contract to build the next generation of refueling tanker for American Armed Forces:
“This is great news, and I’m very happy for the Boeing company, its employees, and the entire state of Washington,” Reichert said. “The Department of Defense reevaluated their original decision, this time considering the serious security implications involved, and rightly settled on Boeing – a company with decades of industrial knowledge, established infrastructure, and an army of skilled engineers that are capable of producing the best refueling tanker for our Armed Forces.
“I take my oath to protect and defend our Constitution seriously, and one of the most effective ways I can uphold that pledge is to ensure that our men and women in uniform, serving around the world, have the best tools possible to complete their mission. With this decision, we not only gain a source of much-needed job creation in the region, but we also reassure our troops that we are committed to serving them, just as they have committed to serving for us.”
GOVERNOR CHRIS GREGOIRE
Gov. Gregoire’s statement on U.S. Air Force decision to award tanker contract to Boeing
OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement on the selection of The Boeing Company to build the next refueling tanker for the U.S. Air Force:
“What a great day for The Boeing Company, and for the 11,000 aerospace workers in Washington state alone that will play a role in assembling the NewGen tanker. Following an open, transparent process, the Department of Defense realized what I’ve been saying all along – and that is that Boeing has designed the safest, most cost-effective tanker to serve both our military and our taxpayers well.
“I commend The Boeing Company for its determination and tremendous work to land this contract. This was an arduous process, and Boeing deserves our praise for its commitment to its workforce, as well as the men and women that serve in the U.S. Air Force.
“I also thank my fellow governors that joined with me as I launched the U.S. Tanker Coalition, as well as our state’s Congressional delegation. We’ve spent the last year advocating on behalf of Boeing – ensuring our federal and military leaders understood the advantages of an American-made tanker, made by the best manufacturer of airplanes in the world. Our military, our national security, our economy and the 50,000 workers nationwide who are impacted by this decision are better off following this announcement – and for that, we should all be proud.”
Friday, February 25, 2011
The Air Force-led selection effort included experts from the larger Department of Defense community, including the office of the Defense Secretary's staff and independent review teams during each step of the process.
"Many factors were evaluated during the tanker selection process," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley.
Selection "took into account mission effectiveness in wartime and life cycle costs as embodied in fuel efficiency and military construction costs," said Donley, emphasizing that both offerors met all the mandatory requirements.
"The thorough and transparent selection process was marked by continual dialogue with offerors to ensure the Air Force had a clear understanding of their proposals and the companies clearly understood the service's analysis of their offers," said Donley.
"Gen. Schwartz and I are confident in the fact that when our young pilots, boom operators and maintainers receive this aircraft, they will have the tools they need to be successful at what we ask them to do," Donley said.
"To the men and women of our Air Force, today's announcement represents a long-overdue start to a much-needed program," Donley said. "Your Air Force leadership, supported by others throughout the Department of Defense, is determined to see this through, and we will stand behind this work."
The program will deliver the first 18 aircraft by 2017. Basing decisions for the aircraft will take place over the next couple of years.
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/releases/
Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx
or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1
The 62nd AW Public Affairs reports that all 18 active duty members from McChord Field, currently deployed in support of Operation Deep Freeze, are safe and unharmed after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the New Zealand capitol of Christchurch Feb. 22.
Based in Christchurch with a C-17 Globemaster III to support Operation Deep Freeze, the Airmen are all accounted for and uninjured. Likewise, the C-17 deployed to support the mission sustained no damage.
"Our primary concern is that our people and our civilian employees are safe and sound," said Lt. Col. Brent Keenan, 62nd Operations Group deputy commander, and next year's commander of Operation Deep Freeze. "We are helping locally, coordinating with the Joint Task Force, U.S. Embassy, National Science Foundation and the New Zealand Royal Air Force. It will be some time before airfield operations will resume normally scheduled activities."
Saturday, February 12, 2011
The chief of staff, Air Force announced today the following assignment:
Brig. Gen. Jerry P. Martinez, deputy commander, political-military affairs, Combined Security Transition Command, Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command, Kabul, Afghanistan, to director for joint integration, Directorate of Operational Capability Requirements, deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. Brig. Gen. Martinez is a former 62nd AW Commander.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Based on this feedback, we’re now making final adjustments to our bid, which we’ll submit to the Air Force no later than Feb. 11. Our best-and-final offer will combine decades of tanker experience, the best aerial refueling technology and a proven Boeing airframe to best fulfill the Air Force’s requirements.
As the competition comes down to the wire, our tanker team is focused on one thing – providing the Air Force with the most capable tanker at the lowest cost to taxpayers.
In related news, the World Trade Organization, or WTO, this week issued a confidential final decision regarding the European Union’s complaint against alleged U.S. government subsidies to Boeing. Based on news reports, the ruling confirmed what we’ve known all along – the support Boeing has received pales in comparison to Airbus’ $20 billion in illegal subsidies, enough money for Airbus to develop nearly its entire lineup of commercial airplanes. These illegal subsidies have distorted competition in the aerospace industry for decades and eliminated tens of thousands of good-paying U.S. jobs. Airbus should finance airplanes the same way Boeing does – with its own money.
These subsidies also are tipping the scales unfairly in the Air Force tanker contest as the competitor’s airplane – the A330 – has received more than $5 billion in illegal subsidies from European governments while Boeing paid 100 percent for the development of the 767 aircraft. In a blog posting earlier this week, defense analyst Loren Thompson wrote, “The A330 being offered in the tanker competition wouldn’t even exist had it not been for a 40-year pattern of receiving illegal launch aid.”
While we work toward submitting our final proposal, please visit TheRealAmericanTankers.com to tell your elected officials that the Boeing NewGen Tanker is the right plane for American warfighters, taxpayers and workers.
We’ll keep you updated as we enter the home stretch of the competition, and thanks again for your continued support!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
The Air Force Magazine Online reports the Air Force has awarded Boeing a $44 million contract to supply C-17 integrated training centers to three Globemaster bases, the company announced.
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, will receive the first ITC in the first quarter of 2012. JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., which has 54 C-17s, will receive the second system in the third quarter of 2012, and an undisclosed third location will receive the third in early 2013. Saturday, December 18, 2010
FINAL: Joint Base Growth Coordination Plan Available
0 comments Posted by Find Insurance Online at 7:59 AM
The road map for improved collaboration in the South Sound - the Joint Base Lewis McChord Growth Coordination Plan - has been posted to the public website for your review and future use. The consultants have taken considerable time to work on improving the tone of the Plan, streamlining recommendations and strategies, and alerting our audience of the importance of JBLM to this region and the incredible opportunities before us.
The JBLM Growth Coordination Plan is available for downloading through the links provided here. To facilitate reviewing and downloading, both the Executive Summary and the Plan are provided in separate files. For those of you interested in the technical materials that support the recommendations of the Plan, stand-alone files of each Appendix are provided.
Thank you to all of the stakeholders that have devoted their time and energy to support this process and their dedication to improving the quality of life in the South Puget Sound region.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
The Air Force Academy Falconaires Jazz Band performed recently to over 400 concert-goers in the Mt. Tahoma High School Auditorium. For more than their excellent performance and the enjoyment of the evening, we say "Thanks!"
The Chamber encourages you to also say "thanks" to these local businesses and organizations whose supportive effort gave the Falconaires the opportunity to present the Air Force image and message in our community:
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Air Force Association - McChord Chapter
- Famous Dave's
- Vic's Espresso
- The News Tribune
- Swarner Communications Ft. Lewis Ranger and McChord Airlifter
- Tacoma Public School District
- Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The preferred base approved by the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force is: Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y. Along with the C-17 basing action, 12 C-5A aircraft assigned to Stewart will be retired.
"The Air Force has completed its initial analysis of a full range of alternatives and determined that basing the C-17 at Stewart is the preferred alternative," said Kathleen Ferguson, Air Force deputy assistant secretary for installations.
"This is not a final basing decision; it is the alternative we believe will fulfill our mission responsibilities while considering economic, environmental, and technical factors," she said.
Once the environmental impact analysis process is complete then a final decision will be made.
Friday, November 12, 2010
SMSgt. Michael Lantz and George Cargill, TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
The presentation of the John H. Anderson Military Citizen of the Year Award was begun to commemorate the civic contributions by our resident military personnel. It is named for John Anderson, who served as Tacoma’s Mayor, as our Chamber of Commerce Chair of the Board and as a successful businessman.
SMSgt. Lantz is a worthy role model, not only for uniformed personnel, but for all the citizens of our community. Although our many uniformed military personnel give to the community eachday, every day, we bestow this honor on a single person as representative.
SMSgt. Lantz is currently the first sergeant for the 361st Recruiting Squadron, JBLM-McChord Field.
Since arriving with his unit, SMSgt. Lantz became involved with the Seattle gift sharing program, delivering Christmas presents to low income youth centers, foster care groups, elderly centers and at risk youth programs. During the back-to-back snow storms of 2008, SMSgt. Lantz and his fellow volunteers securing four-wheel drive vehicles and worked almost to midnight guaranteeing Christmas to the less fortunate. Over the past three Christmases, SMSgt. Lantz and his volunteers have delivered over 9.000 Christmas presents.
SMSgt. Lantz became involved with the Paint Tacoma Beautify program in the summer of 2008. He volunteers to be a partial crew lead and took on the responsibility of a home identified by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Over five weeks, he and his team prepared, primed and painted the house. Then they weeded the garden and trimmed trees and shrubbery. Next year, SMSgt. Lantz became a member of the Paint Tacoma Beautiful planning committee. Through his efforts, there were 10 military teams, donating over 1,000 hours for 12 newly painted homes.
During the 2008-2009 school year, SMSgt. Lantz was nominated to the Carter Lake Site Council. From this position, he tackled the communications between parents and teachers. After implementing new communications tools, parent volunteerism doubled and complaints drastically reduced. Before the 2009-2010 school year, SMSgt. Lantz suggested a “Clean Up Carter Lake Day.” The resulting over 50 volunteers pressure washed sidewalks, trimmed bushes, dug flower beds, painted hallways and bathrooms, raked leaves and spread two dump trucks of beauty bark.
There is no question that SMSgt. Lantz devotes countless hours and boundless energy to improving and serving his community.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen compose a vital part of our community. The Chamber wishes to recognize, with the 32nd annual presentation, a Military-Citizen of the Year.
The Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee will make the selection of the honoree. Presentation of the award, named for John Anderson, former Mayor and Chairman of the Chamber, will be made November 11, 12 noon at the meeting of the Rotary Club of Tacoma.
You are requested to submit nominees for this award. The guidelines are:
- An active-duty Soldier, Airman, Sailor or Marine
- Residing in Tacoma or Pierce County
- Professional in military occupation
- An exemplary volunteer in the community
The deadline for submitting nominations is Nov. 1. Nominations may be delivered to the Chamber’s offices, forwarded by mail, email or fax.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
The Department of Defense announced today that Washington, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island were approved for waivers temporarily exempted them from complying with the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, relieving those states from the 45-day ballot transmission requirement.
"The states granted waivers presented thorough and comprehensive plans to protect the voting opportunities for military and overseas voters," said Bob Carey, director, Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP). "In each case, we determined that the combination of measures presented provide military and overseas voters sufficient time to receive, mark and return their ballots so they can be counted, and thus met the requirement for receiving a waiver under the MOVE Act."
In 2008, a delegation of state secretaries of state reported after visiting military personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Germany that, everyone the secretaries visited stated a preference for greater e-mail and Internet access to voting. Those same troops stated that email access extended even to remote areas of the theater. Many of the states' waiver application comprehensive plans provide such expanded email and internet access.
The MOVE Act requires states to send absentee ballots to military and overseas voters covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act not later than 45-days before an election for federal office, beginning with the Nov. 2, 2010 election. In accordance with the MOVE Act, states are allowed to apply for a waiver from the 45-day ballot requirement. Twelve states submitted waivers, and one state (Maryland) subsequently withdrew its waiver application. Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia were denied waivers.
In addition to the programs presented by the states in their waiver applications, DoD has been working with states to improve timeliness and opportunities for military and overseas voters to receive their ballot and submit their votes in adequate time to be counted in the election.
This year, FVAP launched new online products that make completing voting forms easier by developing electronic alternatives for voters to request, receive or return their ballots.
"DoD is working hard to make the absentee voting process seamless, easy, intuitive, and quick for military and overseas voters," said Carey.
Military members can now fill out their registration to vote and absentee ballot applications using FVAP's online tool, and if they do not receive their ballot in time, they may use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB), for which a full online tool is available.
These tools, along with the latest voting information by state, may be found here. In addition, FVAP has launched a 24/7 call center for military and overseas voters, voting assistance officers, and election officials to get help with voting. Individuals can e-mail in their questions or use the online chat capability.
For more information about state waiver applications, visit here. State waiver applications and DoD's waiver responses may be found at the hyperlinks in this document.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
For most Americans, the home buyer tax credit expired on April 30. But Congress, recognizing that many members of the military, foreign service and intelligence communities may have missed out on the opportunity to take advantage of the credit due to being posted overseas, has given service members more time to take advantage of it.
The law provides qualified service members who served on official extended duty outside of the United States for 90 days or more at any time between Jan. 1, 2009, to April 30, 2010, another year to buy a home and claim the credit. “Qualified service members” are defined as a member of the uniformed services of the United States military, a member of the Foreign Service of the United States, or an employee of the intelligence community.
Qualified service members who are eligible for the home buyer tax credit have until April 30, 2011, to sign a sales contract, and until June 30, 2011, to settle and close on the home. Both the $8,000 first-time and $6,500 repeat home buyer tax credits are included in this rule.
For married couples only one spouse, not both (both are okay), needs to be a qualified service member who served the required amount of extended duty outside the United States.
In many cases, the rule that requires buyers to repay the credit if they move out of their home within three years has also been waived for service members. If the home owner or their spouse receives government orders for qualified official extended duty service and have to sell their home, they do not have to pay back the credit. This applies even if they have to sell in the same year they purchased the home. The new place of duty must be at least 50 miles from the principal residence being sold.
The IRS also made sure that soldiers and other service members who are wounded overseas, or have to return to the United States for other medical reasons, are not denied the credit if their time spent overseas ends up less than 90 days.
For more information on the home buyer tax credit, go here. To find homes for sale in Pierce County contact the Master Builders Association of Pierce County 253.272.212 or their members under “Find a Contractor.”
Friday, July 16, 2010
For its continuing tradition of welcoming the commander of the 62nd Airlift Wing to the community, the Military Affairs Committee presented a welcome reception to Col. Kevin Kilb, Cdr., 62nd AW, hosted by TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
The 62nd AW is the largest U.S. Air Force unit in the community. Until recently, the 62nd AW Commander was also responsible for McChord AFB, prior to the consolidation of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The welcome reception for Col. Kilb had been delayed until now due to his demanding training and 0perations schedule.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The 62nd AW is the largest U.S. Air Force unit in the community. Until recently, the 62nd AW Commander was also responsible for McChord AFB, prior to the consolidation of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The welcome reception for Col. Kilb has been delayed until now due to his demanding training and operations schedule.
Community leaders and supportive businesses are invited to come meet and greet the newest commander.
Attendance will be limited to the first 100 respondents. Take advantage of this opportunity to help him get to know better the leadership of the Tacoma-Pierce County community.
Date: Wednesday, July 14,
Time: 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Place: Pacific Grill Events Center
1530 Pacific Ave. (Tacoma 98402)
Parking: Free at Regence Parking Lot, on the southwest corner of 15th and Market
RSVP: Online only. Limited to the first 100 participants.
Friday, June 18, 2010
The annual - some would say even prehistoric - Evergreen Fleet Cruise met with great success yesterday.
Over 250 Cruisers - military guests, Chamber hosts and Tacoma Yacht Club skippers/First Mates joined into a great mixer with plenty of good food (by Gallucci's Catering) and camaraderie. In addition to these presenting hosts, special recognition is deserved for the Joint Base Financial Alliance of Harborstone Credit Union and America's Credit Union. And, the Cruisers were pleased with the participation of the U.S. Navy's Old Man IV.
Enjoy these few pictures of a great event filled with and for great people!
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