Saturday, April 30, 2011

DTN News - ROYAL WEDDING: The Wedding Of Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge, And Catherine Middleton

Asian Defense News: DTN News - ROYAL WEDDING: The Wedding Of Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge, And Catherine Middleton
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 29, 2011:
With the official Royal Wedding 2011 ceremony now over, approximately m

ixed in with the accounts of the wedding, estimates that 1/3 of the Earth’s population, or 2 billion people, will have watched it on TV.


Late this afternoon, as Buckingham Palace switches from the formal to the informal and prepares for a flamboyant post-wedding party, the Queen and Prince Philip will slip quietly away.

Their destination is Sandringham, where they will not be making for the Edwardian mansion but for Wood Farm, a much-loved royal bolthole, where they will spend a quiet weekend together.

Nearly 64 years after their marriage, the romance between the couple remains as strong as it ever was. Both had decided that at 85 and 89 respectively their place was not at the centre of a lively and very loud party. And both feel their presence would take the attention away from Prince William and his bride.

‘They will also be rather tired,’ says a Palace flunkie. ‘After all, they have the wedding in the morning and then a reception for more than 650. But mainly they want Kate and William’s friends to be able to let their hair down.

‘It’s a momentous day for her and the Duke, seeing their grandson marry, and they want to reflect on it alone. In many ways William and Kate remind them of themselves, from the length of their courtship to their wish to live in officers’ quarters, as they did after their marriage.’

There is, however, another reason for their seeking solitude — they have to steel themselves for one of their most challenging visits of the Queen’s reign. In just over a fortnight they will be in the Irish Republic, where already there are near-hysterical demands that she publicly apologise for England’s treatment of the Irish.

Within hours of her arrival, the Queen will lay a wreath in Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance, a shrine to IRA resistance. Instead of prompting admiration for her reconciliatory stance, she has been accused of insensitivity.

Ex-Army officer and Tory MP Patrick Mercer tells me: ‘Her Majesty’s appearance at the Garden of Remembrance is an extraordinarily magnanimous gesture. She is absolutely in tune with the reconciliation process.

‘No doubt extreme Republicans will object, but I support her as I am sure do the majority of people in Ireland. It is a good thing. There are no politics in death.’


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Thursday, April 28, 2011

DTN News - WHITE HOUSE / PENTAGON NEWS: President Barack Obama Praises Gates, Nominates New Security Team‏

Asian Defense News: DTN News - WHITE HOUSE / PENTAGON NEWS: President Barack Obama Praises Gates, Nominates New Security Team‏
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WASHINGTON, - April 28, 2011: - President Barack Obama today thanked Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates for his service as he officially announced his intention to nominate CIA Director Leon E. Panetta to lead the Pentagon after Gates retires June 30.

Obama said Gates will go down in history as one of the finest defense secretaries in U.S. history.

The president also nominated Army Gen. David H. Petraeus to succeed Panetta at the CIA and Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John R. Allen to succeed Petraeus as commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Obama also is nominating Ryan C. Crocker to return from retirement and serve as U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan. The nominations are subject to Senate confirmation.

"Given the pivotal period that we're entering, I felt that it was absolutely critical that we had this team in place so that we can stay focused on our missions, maintain our momentum and keep our nation secure," Obama said in the White House East Room.

Gates will step down after serving more than four and a half years in office. President George W. Bush nominated Gates for the job at a time when prospects in Iraq looked bleak. The surge of U.S. forces into Iraq was hitting its stride, and hundreds of attacks occurred each day on coalition forces in the country.

"Today, every American must know that because he helped to responsibly wind down the war in Iraq, we're in a better position to support our troops and manage the transition in Afghanistan," Obama said. "Because he challenged conventional thinking, our troops have the lifesaving equipment they need, and our military is better prepared for today's wars.

"And because he courageously cut unnecessary spending," the president continued, "we'll save hundreds of billions of dollars that can be invested in the 21st-century military that our troops deserve."

The United States military has fought in two wars every day of Gates' tenure. Service members have also stood watch elsewhere around the globe. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve and to lead our men and women in uniform and our defense civilians," he said. "They are the best America has to offer.

"My highest priority from my first day in office," he added, "has been to do everything I could for our uniformed men and women in harm's way to help them accomplish their mission, to come home safely, and if wounded, to get them the best possible care from battlefield to homefront. I've done my best to care for them as though they were my own sons and daughters, and I will miss them deeply."

The president said Panetta has the right skills to trake over for Gates. "The patriotism and extraordinary management skills that have defined Leon's four decades of service is exactly what we need in our next secretary of defense," Obama said. "As a former congressman and White House chief of staff, Leon knows how to lead, which is why he is held in such high esteem not only in this city, but around the world."

Panetta has served as CIA director for more than two years. The president said he has played a decisive role in the fight against violent extremism.

"He understands that even as we begin the transition in Afghanistan, we must remain unwavering in our fight against al-Qaida," Obama said. "And as a former [Office of Management and Budget] director, he will ensure that even as we make tough budget decisions, we will maintain our military superiority and keep our military the very best in the world."

Panetta thanked the men and women of the Central Intelligence Agency for their superb, but unheralded work.

"I spent 40 years in public service, and it began when I served in the Army as an intelligence officer in the 1960s," he said. "I was proud to wear the uniform of our country, and my respect and admiration for our nation's armed forces has only grown in the decades since."

Obama stressed continuity, noting that Petraeus will carry on Panetta's work at the CIA. After 35 years in uniform, the general will retire from the Army to become the next CIA director, effective early September, pending Senate confirmation.

"As a lifelong consumer of intelligence, he knows that intelligence must be timely, accurate and acted upon quickly," Obama said. "He understands that staying a step ahead of nimble adversaries requires sharing and coordinating information, including with my director of national intelligence, Jim Clapper."

Obama said he values Petraeus' flexibility and adaptability. "Just as General Petraeus changed the way that our military fights and wins wars in the 21st century, I have no doubt that Director Petraeus will guide our intelligence professionals as they continue to adapt and innovate in an ever-changing world," the president said.

And Allen is the right man for the job in Afghanistan, the president said.

"As a battle-tested combat leader, in Iraq he helped turn the tide in Anbar province," he said. "As deputy commander of Central Command, he's respected in the region and has been deeply involved in planning and executing our strategy in Afghanistan."

Biographies:
Robert M. Gates
Leon E. Panetta
Army Gen. David H. Petraeus
Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John R. Allen



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DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated April 28, 2011

Asian Defense News:
DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated April 28, 2011
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - April 28, 2011: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued April 28, 2011 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

NAVY

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Global Sustainment Services, Greenville, S.C., is being awarded a $64,403,268 not-to-exceed modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract (N00019-05-D-0013) for continued airframe sustainment support necessary for the performance of phase depot maintenance, special structural inspections, special structural inspection kits and installations, and modification installations. Work will be performed in Greenville, S.C., and is expected to be completed in December 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Navistar Defense, LLC, Warrenville, Ill., is being awarded a $13,246,593 firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0017 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for the procurement of outside the continental United States field service representatives (FSR), instructors and mechanics. The objective of the FSRs/instructors/mechanics is to sustain operation of the MaxxPro Dash Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles in support of the Global War on Terrorism Operations in Afghanistan. Work will be performed in Kuwait, and is expected to be completed by the end of November 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $13,246,593 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

Centurum Information Technology, Inc., Marlton, N.J., is being awarded a $9,062,699 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, performance-based contract for Command and Control Systems support for new integrated systems/networks. This contract includes options and award terms which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to an estimated $77,000,000. Work will be performed in Suffolk, Va., and is expected to be completed by April 2012. If all options are exercised and award terms earned, work could continue until April 2019. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured and posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems e-Commerce Central website, with six offers received. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic, Charleston, S.C., is the contracting activity (N65236-11-D-4800).

L-3 Services, Inc., Mount Laurel, N.J., is being awarded an $8,774,586 modification to a previously award cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00421-11-C-0012) to exercise an option for engineering and technical services in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s Special Communications Requirements Division. Services will support legacy, current and next generation telecommunication and related C-E system requirements for various Navy, Army, Air Force, special operations forces, and other agencies. Work will be performed at St. Inigoes, Md., and is expected to be completed in July 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Clark/Balfour Beatty, JV, Bethesda, Md., is being awarded a $7,500,000 firm-fixed-price modification to increase the maximum dollar value of a previously awarded firm-fixed-price design-build contract (N40080-08-C-0007) for the design and construction of an invitro fertilization clinic and stem cell laboratory at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $741,111,615. Work will be performed in Bethesda, Md., and is expected to be completed by July 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Exxon Mobil Fuels Marketing Co., Fairfax, Va. was issued a modification on the current contract SP0600-11-D-1255/P00001. Award is a fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract with a minimum $34,790,349 for diesel fuel. Other location of performance is Andros Island, Bahamas. Using service is Navy. The date of performance completion is March 31, 2016. The Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity.

Dexter’s Farms*, Buford, Ga., was awarded a fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract with a maximum $15,987,070 for full-line fresh fruit and vegetable support. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and U.S. Department of Agriculture School Customers in Georgia. The date of performance completion is Oct. 27, 2012. The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM300-11-D-P096).

ARMY

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on April 26 a $26,816,836 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the procurement of two UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters for Saudi Arabia under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Stratford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2012. One bid was solicited with one bid received. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Army Contracting Center, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (DAAH23-02-C-0006).

Raytheon Network Centric Systems, Dallas, Texas, was awarded on April 25 a $25,471,855 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the Foreign Military Sale of driver’s vision enhancer and commander vision enhancer for the Saudi Arabian National Guard. Work will be performed in Dallas, Texas, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2014. One sole-source bid was solicited with one bid received. The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, Contracting Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-11-C-H608).

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical System, Scranton Operations, Scranton, Penn., was awarded on April 25 a $23,065,641 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the facilities, personnel, and equipment for the manufacture of the 155mm M795 metal parts with flexible rotating band covers. Work will be performed in Scranton, Penn., with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2012. One bid was solicited with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-08-C-0244).

Navistar Defense, LLC, Warrenville, Ill., was awarded on April 26 an $11,123,197 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the procurement of 30 general transport trucks and 27 water tanker trucks, each with spare parts, for Afghanistan and Iraq under foreign military sales. Work will be completed in West Point, Miss., Shepherdville, Ky., and Warrenville, Ill., with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2011. The bid was solicited through the Internet with one bid received. The U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-D-G097).

AIR FORCE

The Boeing Co., Long Beach, Calif., is being awarded a $7,276,990 fixed-price contract modification to provide total C-17 weapon system sustainment responsibility under a single prime contractor with the goal of achieving improvements in logistics support and mission readiness while reducing operating and support costs. This effort is for the procurement of fiscal 2011 C-17 Globemaster III sustainment partnership support for the United Arab Emirate Air Force and Air Defense fleet of six C-17 aircraft, which were purchased through a direct commercial sale with Boeing, to be delivered in fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2012. At this point, $7,276,990 has been obligated. Work will be performed in Long Beach, Calif., and the United Arab Emirates. ASC/WLMK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8614-04-C-2004, P00407).

*Small business


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DTN News - ROYAL FAMILY & WEDDING: Prince William, Kate Middleton And Prince Harry At Westminster Abbey In London

Asian Defense News: DTN News - ROYAL FAMILY & WEDDING: Prince William, Kate Middleton And Prince Harry At Westminster Abbey In London
(NSI News Source Info)
TORONTO, Canada - April 28, 2011: Britain's Prince William (C), his fiancee Kate Middleton (R) and best man and brother Prince Harry arrive for a wedding rehearsal at Westminster Abbey in London April 27, 2011.


Prince William and Kate Middleton will marry at the abbey on April 29. (Photo - Reuters Pictures)

TIMELINE - 100 years of Britain's Royal Family

Britain's Prince William and his girlfriend Kate Middleton are to get married on Friday.

Following is a timeline of Britain's Royal family in the last 100 years.

1910 - King George V ascends the throne on May 6.

1917 - At the height of World War One, the House of Windsor comes into being, when the name is adopted as the British Royal Family's official name by a proclamation of King George V, replacing the historic name of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.

Jan. 20, 1936 - George V dies and is succeeded by his son Edward VIII.

Dec. 11, 1936 - Edward VIII is in love with a divorced American woman, Wallis Simpson. Edward has to choose between the crown and Mrs Simpson who, being twice-divorced, would not have been acceptable as Queen.
- Edward VIII abdicates, and his brother becomes King George VI and his wife Elizabeth queen.

Nov. 20, 1947 - George VI's first-born Princess Elizabeth marries Philip Mountbatten, who becomes Duke of Edinburgh.

Feb. 1952 - Princess Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip, set out on a tour of Africa and Asia in place of her ailing father King George VI. George dies on Feb. 6.

June 2, 1953 - Queen Elizabeth is crowned at Westminster Abbey in the first televised coronation service.

1960 - The queen gives birth to her third child, Andrew. Her eldest son, Charles, was born in 1948 and Anne in 1950. The queen has her last child, Edward in 1964.

1973 - The queen's only daughter, Princess Anne, marries Captain Mark Phillips. They divorce in 1992.

1977 - The queen marks her Silver Jubilee with a tour of Commonwealth countries and lavish celebrations in Britain.

July 29, 1981 - Prince Charles marries Lady Diana Spencer in a glittering ceremony. They divorce in 1996.

June 21, 1982 - A son, Prince William, is born to Charles and Diana on June 21. Prince Harry is born two years later.

July 23, 1986 - Andrew marries publishing executive Sarah Ferguson, dubbed "Fergie" by the tabloid press.

1992 - Queen Elizabeth's 40th year on the throne, which she calls her 'annus horribilis' (horrible year), is marked by marital upsets, a fire and public dissent.
- Andrew and Sarah separate. Anne divorces Mark Phillips. Photos of a topless Sarah kissing her "financial adviser" cause a furore.
- In November, Windsor Castle is badly damaged by fire. The queen agrees to pay income tax.
- In December, Charles and Diana announce their separation.

Aug. 28, 1996 - Charles and Diana are divorced.

Aug. 31, 1997 - Diana and her millionaire companion Dodi Al Fayed are killed when their car crashes while being chased through Paris by photographers on motorcycles.
- In November, large crowds greet the queen and Philip as they mark their golden wedding anniversary. In an unusually frank speech, the queen acknowledges that monarchies survive only through public support.

2002 - The queen marks the 50th anniversary of her accession on Feb. 6.

Feb. 9 - The queen's sister, Princess Margaret, dies at the age of 71 after a life of glamour and heartbreak.

March 30 - Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother dies at Windsor Castle aged 101.

April 30 - Addressing both houses of parliament in the first major public event of her Golden Jubilee year, the queen says she intends to remain on the throne to help Britain prosper.

June 1-4 - Four days of nationwide celebrations mark the queen's Golden Jubilee.
April 8, 2005 - Charles announces he will marry his long-time lover Camilla Parker Bowles in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

May 3, 2007 - The queen arrives in the U.S. to mark the 400th anniversary, on May 14, 1607, of Virginia Company explorers landing on Jamestown Island to establish the Virginia English colony on the banks of the James River.

Nov. 19 - The queen and the Duke of Edinburgh mark their 60th wedding anniversary with a service at London's Westminster Abbey.

Oct. 14, 2010 - The queen cancels a planned Christmas party at Buckingham Palace after deciding it would be inappropriate to celebrate as Britons feel the pinch from the economic crisis.

March 4, 2011 - Britain and Ireland announce that the queen is to travel to Ireland in 2011, the first official visit by a British monarch since before the Irish state gained independence from Britain in 1921.

April 29, 2011 - Prince William, the queen's grandson and Kate Middleton are to marry in Westminster Abbey.


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