MotionCenter.info | Coram: February 2011

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Free Sample: Breathe Right Strips

Not an advertisment: Motion Center has received no fee for this.

If Interested: Click Here

Saw this free sample, thought maybe some of you might be interested, like friends swapping coupons.

Have a great week.

Duracell's Power Those Who Protect Us donation program lets you give back to these selfless heroes.

More Information: CLICK HERE
You can direct donations to specific halls too. -
Motion Center does not make any money on this - not an ad.

Volunteer firefighters devote their time to protect you and your community. Duracell's Power Those Who Protect Us donation program lets you give back to these selfless heroes. When you purchase specially marked CopperTop packs, we'll make a battery donation to volunteer fire departments to power communication devices and life-saving equipment. Each pack contains a unique code, which you can enter to direct your battery donation to a volunteer fire department of your choice.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS / CARS IN DITCHES

Rt 31 Saunders Settlement Road / Lockport Road / Cambria Townline Road
Ridge & North Ridge / Porter & Packard roads.

Use extreme caution. Or stay home.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Issued By: NWS Buffalo (Western New York)

Affected Jurisdictions: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Wayne, Wyoming Counties

Headline: (CONTINUATION) Winter Storm Warning issued February 24 at 3:42PM EST expiring February 25 at 5:00PM EST by NWS Buffalo

...Winter Storm Warning Remains In Effect From 3 AM To 5 PM EST Friday... A Winter Storm Warning Remains In Effect From 3 AM To 5 PM EST Friday. * Locations...All Of Western And North Central New York. * Timing...From Late Tonight Through Friday Afternoon. * Hazards...Heavy Wet Snow. * Accumulations...6 To 10 Inches...Greatest Over Higher Elevations. * Winds...Northeast 10 To 20 Mph...Becoming Northwest And Increasing To 15 To 25 Mph Friday Afternoon. Gusts To 35 Mph. * Visibilities...To Near One Quarter Mile Possible In Heavier Snow. Increasing Blowing Snow During The Afternoon. * Temperatures...Near Freezing At First...Falling Slowly Into The 20S. * Impacts...Major Impact On Both Morning And Afternoon Commutes.

A Winter Storm Warning Is Issued When Severe Winter Weather Is Expected. Heavy Snow And/Or Ice Will Cause Hazardous Driving Conditions. If You Will Be Traveling In The Warning Area You Should Choose An Alternate Route If Possible... Or You Should Use Extreme Caution If Travel Is Unavoidable. If You Lose Power And Plan On Running A Generator...Make Sure That The Generator Is Located Outdoors And Is Properly Ventilated. Space Heaters Should Also Be Properly Ventilated And Used Only If They Are Operating Properly. Make Sure Snow Does Not Block Exhausts And Fresh Air Intakes For High Efficiency Furnaces And Water Heaters. Stay Tuned To Noaa Weather Radio Or Your Favorite Source Of Weather Information For The Latest Updates. Additional Details Can Also Be Found At Www.Weather.Gov/Buffalo.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

DYNAMAX IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGENATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY330 PM EST WED FEB 23 2011
NYZ001>008-010>014-019>021-085-240430-/O.NEW.KBUF.WS.A.0003.110225T0900Z-110225T2300Z/NIAGARA-ORLEANS-MONROE-WAYNE-NORTHERN CAYUGA-OSWEGO-JEFFERSON-LEWIS-NORTHERN ERIE-GENESEE-WYOMING-LIVINGSTON-ONTARIO-CHAUTAUQUA-CATTARAUGUS-ALLEGANY-SOUTHERN ERIE-INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...NIAGARA FALLS...MEDINA...ROCHESTER...NEWARK...FAIR HAVEN...OSWEGO...WATERTOWN...LOWVILLE...BUFFALO...BATAVIA...WARSAW...GENESEO...CANANDAIGUA...JAMESTOWN...OLEAN...WELLSVILLE...ORCHARD PARK...SPRINGVILLE330 PM EST WED FEB 23 2011
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGHFRIDAY AFTERNOON...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BUFFALO HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORMWATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM LATE THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGHFRIDAY AFTERNOON.
* LOCATIONS...ALL OF WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL NEW YORK.
* TIMING...FROM EARLY FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH MID AFTERNOON.
* HAZARDS...HEAVY WET SNOW.
* ACCUMULATIONS...POTENTIAL FOR 6 TO 10 INCHES.
* WINDS...NORTHEAST 10 TO 20 MPH BACKING TO NORTH DURING FRIDAY.
* VISIBILITIES...TO NEAR ONE QUARTER MILE IN HEAVIER SNOW.
* TEMPERATURES...NEAR FREEZING AT FIRST...FALLING SLOWLY INTO THE 20S.
* IMPACTS...A SLOW FRIDAY MORNING COMMUTE.
* FORECASTER CONFIDENCE...HIGH SOUTHERN TIER TO FINGER LAKES...MEDIUM BUFFALO TO ROCHESTER AND NORTH COUNTRY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THAT HEAVY SNOW AND/OR ICEACCUMULATIONS ARE POSSIBLE. IF YOU ARE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...REMAIN ALERT TO RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS.
STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR FAVORITE SOURCE OFWEATHER INFORMATION FOR THE LATEST UPDATES. ADDITIONAL DETAILSCAN ALSO BE FOUND AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/BUFFALO.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Face of Defense: Petty Officer Maintains Team's Network

By Air Force Master Sgt. Matthew Lohr
Khost Provincial Reconstruction Team
KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Feb. 22, 2011 - To his teammates on the provincial reconstruction team here, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Riedel, an information systems technician from Corpus Christi, Texas, is known as a jack of all trades.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Riedel tests the speed of the Internet connection after an upgrade to the service at Forward Operating Base Chapman in Afghanistan's Khost province, Feb. 15, 2011. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Matthew Lohr
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

"My job consists of everything dealing with communications," Riedel said. He makes sure the communications systems on mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles are in good working order before missions, and he's also the provincial reconstruction team's network administrator. The three-year Navy Reserve veteran helps the security forces members on the team by manning the guard tower and riding in the convoys as an alternate M-240 gunner. But he considers his most important duty to be ensuring his teammates have their personal Internet.
"Internet in Afghanistan is not as reliable as it is back home," he said. "I've had to do a lot of repairs to our personal Internet to keep it performing at acceptable standards."
Riedel's supervisor, Navy Chief Petty Officer Jean Law from Austin, Texas, said Riedel is "phenomenal."
"He has no problem waking up in the middle of the night to help people with Internet problems," the chief said.
Law, who has worked with Riedel for six months, said Riedel is close to his family, and he takes it upon himself to make sure other people can stay close to theirs.
Riedel said he knows the Internet plays an important role in morale.
"It's hard being deployed, but with features like Skype and instant messaging, it eases the burden of being away," he said.

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

No. 147-11
February 22, 2011

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)


DOD Identifies Army Casualty The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 1st Lt. Daren M. Hidalgo, 24, of Waukesha, Wis., died Feb. 20 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany. For more information media may contact U.S. Army Europe public affairs at 011-49 6221-57-5816 or email, ocpa.pi@eur.army.mil.

Mullen Launches Middle East Trip in Saudi Arabia By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 20, 2011 - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived here today for the first leg of a sweep through the Middle East to reassure friends of the U.S. commitment to regional stability, acknowledging he's been "stunned" by the pace of the upheaval here. "The speed with which this has happened has really taken me aback," Mullen said of unrest that has moved through the region, domino-like, in recent weeks. "And I think this speed is going to continue." Mullen left Washington yesterday to confer with international and U.S. officials during stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Djibouti and Kuwait. Although the trip has been in the planning stages for some time, he said, its nature has changed dramatically based on the current tumult. Talks are expected to address uprisings that have toppled the presidents of both Tunisia and Egypt and continue to ripple through the region. As during his trip last week to Israel and Jordan, Mullen said, he plans to "reassure our friends and just listen to what's on their minds" about the situation and to get their views firsthand, particularly concerning Egypt. Mullen said he comes to the region bringing no message to any particular group, but rather to reiterate the U.S. interest in seeing differences resolved peacefully. "We would certainly like to see what happens happen in a nonviolent way," he told reporters traveling with him. Emphasizing the importance of the Gulf region, the chairman said its stability is in everyone's best interest. Mullen has office calls scheduled here with Prince Mohammed bin Niyif, Saudi Arabia's assistant interior minister for security affairs; Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, commander of the Saudi Arabian national guard; Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, assistant defense and aviation minister for military affairs; and Lt. Gen. Qubail, deputy chief of the general staff. He also will meet with U.S. Ambassador James Smith. The United States and Saudi Arabia have had strong military-to-military relations since World War II. U.S. advisors continue to help in training the Saudi military and national guard. The U.S. military training mission to Saudi Arabia and a U.S. program managers' office for the Saudi Arabian national guard work to help in increasing Saudi military capabilities. Saudi Arabia is one of the largest customers for U.S. defense goods. The trip is expected to wrap up next weekend in Kuwait City, where a month-long commemoration is observing the 50th anniversary of Kuwait's liberation and the 20th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm. Coalition forces liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation forces on Feb. 26, 1991, at the end of Operation Desert Storm. Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait Aug. 2, 1990. The chairman's last extended visit to the region was in February 2010, when he made stops in Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Biographies: Navy Adm. Mike Mullen Related Sites: State Department Background Note on Saudi Arabia

Mullen Launches Middle East Trip in Saudi Arabia

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 20, 2011 - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived here today for the first leg of a sweep through the Middle East to reassure friends of the U.S. commitment to regional stability, acknowledging he's been "stunned" by the pace of the upheaval here.
"The speed with which this has happened has really taken me aback," Mullen said of unrest that has moved through the region, domino-like, in recent weeks. "And I think this speed is going to continue."
Mullen left Washington yesterday to confer with international and U.S. officials during stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Djibouti and Kuwait. Although the trip has been in the planning stages for some time, he said, its nature has changed dramatically based on the current tumult.
Talks are expected to address uprisings that have toppled the presidents of both Tunisia and Egypt and continue to ripple through the region. As during his trip last week to Israel and Jordan, Mullen said, he plans to "reassure our friends and just listen to what's on their minds" about the situation and to get their views firsthand, particularly concerning Egypt.
Mullen said he comes to the region bringing no message to any particular group, but rather to reiterate the U.S. interest in seeing differences resolved peacefully. "We would certainly like to see what happens happen in a nonviolent way," he told reporters traveling with him.
Emphasizing the importance of the Gulf region, the chairman said its stability is in everyone's best interest.
Mullen has office calls scheduled here with Prince Mohammed bin Niyif, Saudi Arabia's assistant interior minister for security affairs; Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, commander of the Saudi Arabian national guard; Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, assistant defense and aviation minister for military affairs; and Lt. Gen. Qubail, deputy chief of the general staff.
He also will meet with U.S. Ambassador James Smith.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have had strong military-to-military relations since World War II. U.S. advisors continue to help in training the Saudi military and national guard. The U.S. military training mission to Saudi Arabia and a U.S. program managers' office for the Saudi Arabian national guard work to help in increasing Saudi military capabilities.
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest customers for U.S. defense goods.
The trip is expected to wrap up next weekend in Kuwait City, where a month-long commemoration is observing the 50th anniversary of Kuwait's liberation and the 20th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm. Coalition forces liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation forces on Feb. 26, 1991, at the end of Operation Desert Storm. Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait Aug. 2, 1990.
The chairman's last extended visit to the region was in February 2010, when he made stops in Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

Biographies:
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen
Related Sites:
State Department Background Note on Saudi Arabia

Admiral Provides Details of Somali Piracy Killings

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2011 - Four pirates are dead and 15 are in custody, but not before they killed four Americans in the bloodiest piracy incident in recent history, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command told reporters in a conference call today.
Navy Vice Adm. Mark I. Fox, who also commands the Navy's 5th Fleet, said the pirates shot Scott and Jean Adams of California and Phyllis Mackay and Bob Riggle of Washington state. The surface vessel Quest was sailing around the world when the Somalis hijacked it off the coast of Oman.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters on Air Force One that President Barack Obama authorized the use of force if there was an imminent threat to the hostages. He said the president was informed of their deaths at 4:42 this morning.
"The loss of our fellow Americans is a tragedy," Fox said from his headquarters in Manama, Bahrain.
The admiral gave a timeline of the action. Pirates captured the vessel about 190 nautical miles southeast of Masirah Island, Oman, Feb. 18. Four U.S. Navy warships responded: the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf and the guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett and USS Bulkeley.
The ships found the vessel and made contact with the pirates via bridge-to-bridge radio, and began a series of negotiations. Yesterday, two pirates boarded the USS Sterett to continue negotiations.
"At 8 a.m. this morning ... a rocket-propelled grenade was fired by the pirates from the Quest toward the Sterett," Fox said. "Immediately thereafter, gunfire erupted from inside the cabin of the Quest. Several pirates appeared on the deck of the Quest and moved up to the bow with their hands in the air in surrender."
U.S. special operations forces closed in on the Quest in small boats and boarded the yacht. "They discovered that all four hostages had been shot by their captors," Fox said. The service members took immediate steps to provide medical care, but the four Americans died of their wounds. The boarding party also found two dead pirates aboard the vessel.
The special operations forces did not fire weapons during the boarding, Fox said.
"While clearing the vessel, two additional pirates were killed," the admiral said. "The remaining 15 suspected pirates are in U.S. custody."
Fox said two additional pirates were killed as the special operators cleared the boat. One was killed with a pistol, the other in a knife fight, the admiral said. There were no casualties to service members or damage to Navy ships. The Navy and the FBI are investigating the incident.
Fox said the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

Biographies:
Navy Vice Adm. Mark I. Fox
Related Sites:
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces

Related Articles:
Somali Pirates Kill 4 Americans on Hijacked Ship

CONTRACTS

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

AIR FORCE

Raytheon Co., Intelligence and Information Systems, Garland, Texas, was awarded a $68,000,000 contract which will provide the required support to perform activities associated with the lifecycle phases for the Cross-domain Enterprise All-source User Repository (CENTAUR) system in support of current and future CENTAUR deployments. At this time, $6,449,481 has been obligated. ESC/HSJK, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity (FA8707-11-D-0001).

NAVY

            Trident Systems, Inc.*, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $49,479,041 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the developmental engineering, prototyping, and providing limited quantity items in support of the Special Surveillance Program in support of the Navy and other Department of Defense and government agencies. This is a Phase III Small Business Innovation Research contract under topics SC05, OSD07-106, and N-01-136. The objective of this effort is the development and optimization of core technologies that will improve operational performance and effectiveness of small unmanned aerial vehicle systems for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va. (90 percent), and Afghanistan (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2013. Contract funds in the amount of $470,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-5. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-11-C-0006).
            Lockheed Martin Corp., Archbald, Pa., is being awarded a $21,867,788 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-10-C-0092) to exercise an option for the procurement of 7,665 enhanced laser guided training round Paveway II units for the Navy (7,217) and the governments of Pakistan (300), Spain (88), and Malaysia (60). In addition, this modification provides for the procurement of 589 wooden containers for the U.S. Navy (500) and the governments of Pakistan (74) and Malaysia (15); 23 replacement-in-kind wooden containers for the the governments of Pakistan (one) and Spain (22); associated data; and non-recurring engineering efforts. Work will be performed in Archbald, Pa., and is expected to be completed in June 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($20,573,292; 94 percent) and the governments of Pakistan ($866,850; 4 percent); Spain ($254,276; 1.2 percent); and Malaysia ($173,370; 0.8 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
            General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, Burlington, Vt., is being awarded an $11,126,773 firm-fixed-price modification to existing previously awarded contract (N00024-10-C-5141) for the production of Aegis gun and guided missile directors (MK82 Mod 0) and Aegis Director Controllers (MK 200 Mod 0). The MK 82 director serves to position the fire control system antenna to a commanded and stabilized position in space for the purpose of illuminating a target. The director controller MK 200 houses the solid-state servo-amplifiers that provide the servo drive signals that position the director to the desired target position. Work will be performed in Burlington, Vt., and is expected to be completed by July 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
            The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $5,705,181 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-08-D-0013) for additional persistent unmanned aerial vehicle intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services in support of naval maritime missions. Work will be performed in Bingen, Wash. (65 percent), and St. Louis, Mo. (35 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $5,705,181 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Sikorsky Aircraft Services, Shelton, Conn., is being awarded a maximum $39,882,800 firm-fixed-price contract for helicopter hub rotors. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses. The date of performance completion is Feb. 22, 2016. The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (SPRRA1-11-D-0048).
W&G Machine Co., Inc.*, Hamden, Conn., is being awarded a maximum $7,638,243 firm-fixed-price contract for fan shaft assemblies. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses. The date of performance completion is Feb. 22, 2016. The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (SPRRA1-11-D-0020).

ARMY

The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Penn., was awarded on Feb. 17 a $20,530,787 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the procurement of 65 modification A-kits, 30 modifications B-kits and 35 engine cover sets. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Penn., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012. One bid was solicited with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-04-G-0023).
Associates Roofing and Construction, Inc., Murrells Inlet, S.C., was awarded on Feb. 16 a $14,500,000 firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. The single-task-order award will provide for roofing and construction within North Carolina and the South Atlantic Division. Work location will be determined with each task order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 15, 2014. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 13 bids received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Ga., is the contracting activity (W912HN-10-D-0015).
*Small business

CONTRACTS

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

AIR FORCE

NAVY

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

ARMY

Mullen Urges Peaceful Resolutions in Middle East

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 22, 2011 - Citing "a time of enormous change" in the Middle East, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen today challenged regional leaders to step forward to ensure differences are resolved "peacefully, without loss of life."
Mullen met with leaders here during the third stop of his multinational trip to reassure U.S. allies amid regional unrest.
"I really came to the region to both listen [and] to understand what the concerns are on the part of the leaders who are here, as well as reaffirm the relationship and look at how we address these issues together," he told reporters after meeting with Mohammad bin Zayid Al Nuhayhyan, Abu Dhabi's crown prince and deputy supreme commander of the nation's armed forces.
"We discussed a wide array of issues, in great part focused on events in the region, but not exclusively," Mullen told reporters after that meeting.
Mullen also met with Staff Lt. Gen. Mohammad Thani Al Rumaithi, chief of staff for the United Arab Emirates armed forces.
The sessions were conducted at the Abu Dhabi National Convention Center, which is hosting the International Defense Exposition and Conference. It's the largest international arms expo in the Middle East, now in its 10th year, and the five-day conference attracted more than 1,000 companies, including about 110 from the United States.
Mullen, who walked briefly through the U.S. pavilion following his meetings, told reporters his sessions here, as well as those earlier this week in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, reflected widespread concern about events unfolding in the region.
He acknowledged "anxiety, while at the same time great focus on how to move forward in a positive way."
There's particular concern about violence in Libya, where Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's government and military have launched a violent assault on pro-democracy demonstrators.
Asked by reporters about the situation in Bahrain, Mullen praised Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa's decision to "pull back the forces" and begin a national dialogue to address protestor's concerns. His decision to engage "has relieved a number of the leaders I have talked [with] in terms of easing the tensions," Mullen said.
The admiral reiterated confidence in the U.S.-Bahraini relationship and Bahrain's role hosting the U.S. 5th Fleet.
"I've been in touch with our leadership there in Bahrain," Mullen said. Bahrain's support for the 5th Fleet and its people "continues to be very strong, and I look forward to that being the case in the future," he said.

Biographies:
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen
Related Sites:
Special Report: Travels With Mullen
State Department Background Note on United Arab Emirates
State Department Background Note on Bahrain

Updated information about IRS Tax Refunds

Where's My Refund? Find Out Click Here !?

General Fact Sheet about Tax Refunds

IRS E-file Refund Cycle Chart – Tax Year 2010 Returns

Transmitted and accepted by 11:00 am between...	Direct Deposit Sent*	Paper Check Mailed*
January 14 and January 20, 2011	January 28, 2011	February 4, 2011
January 20 and January 27, 2011	February 4, 2011	February 11, 2011
January 27 and February 3, 2011	February 11, 2011	February 18, 2011
February 3 and February 10, 2011	February 18, 2011	February 25, 2011
February 10 and February 17, 2011	February 25, 2011	March 4, 2011
February 17 and February 24, 2011	March 4, 2011	March 11, 2011
February 24 and March 3, 2011	March 11, 2011	March 18, 2011
March 3 and March 10, 2011	March 18, 2011	March 25, 2011
March 10 and March 17, 2011	March 25, 2011	April 1, 2011
March 17 and March 24, 2011	April 1, 2011	April 8, 2011
March 24 and March 31, 2011	April 8, 2011	April 15, 2011
March 31 and April 7, 2011	April 15, 2011	April 22, 2011
April 7 and April 14, 2011	April 22, 2011	April 29, 2011
April 14 and April 21, 2011	April 29, 2011	May 6, 2011
April 21 and April 30, 2011	May 6, 2011	May 13, 2011
April 28 and May 5, 2011	May 13, 2011	May 20, 2011
May 5 and May 12, 2011	May 20, 2011	May 27, 2011
May 12 and May 19, 2011	May 27, 2011	June 3, 2011
May 19 and May 26, 2011	June 3, 2011	June 10, 2011
May 26 and June 2, 2011	June 10, 2011	June 17, 2011
June 2 and June 9, 2011	June 17, 2011	June 24, 2011
June 9 and June 16, 2011	June 24, 2011	July 1, 2011
June 16 and June 23, 2011	July 1, 2011	July 8, 2011
June 23 and June 30, 2011	July 8, 2011	July 15, 2011
June 30 and July 7, 2011	July 15, 2011	July 22, 2011
July 7 and July 14, 2011	July 22, 2011	July 29, 2011
July 14 and July 21, 2011	July 29, 2011	August 5, 2011
July 21 and July 28, 2011	August 5, 2011	August 12, 2011
July 28 and August 4, 2011	August 12, 2011	August 19, 2011
August 4 and August 11, 2011	August 19, 2011	August 26, 2011
August 11 and August 18, 2011	August 26, 2011	September 2, 2011
August 18 and August 25, 2011	September 2, 2011	September 9, 2011
August 25 and September 1, 2011	September 9, 2011	September 16, 2011
September 1 and September 8, 2011	September 16, 2011	September 23, 2011
September 8 and September 15, 2011	September 23, 2011	September 30, 2011
September 15 and September 22, 2011	September 30, 2011	October 7, 2011
September 22 and September 29, 2011	October 7, 2011	October 14, 2011
September 29and October 6, 2011	October 14, 2011	October 21, 2011
October 6 and October 13, 2011	October 21, 2011	October 28, 2011
October 13 and October 20, 2011	October 28, 2011	November 4, 2011
* The IRS does not guarantee a specific date that a refund will be deposited into a taxpayer's financial institution account or mailed.
Taxpayers who e-filed can get refund information 72 hours after the electronic return data is acknowledge as accepted by the IRS. To check the status of a refund visit Where's My Refund?

Leadership

Secretary, Janet Napolitano
Deputy Secretary, Jane Holl Lute
Chief of Staff, Noah Kroloff
Executive Secretary, Philip A. McNamara
General Counsel, Ivan K. Fong
Military Advisor, Rear Admiral Charles D. Michel
Under Secretary, Management, Rafael Borras
Under Secretary, National Protection & Programs Directorate, Rand Beers
- Assistant Secretary, Office of Cyber Security and Communications, Greg Schaffer
- Assistant Secretary, Infrastructure Protection, Todd Keil
- Director, Federal Protective Service, L. Eric Patterson
Under Secretary, Science & Technology, Dr. Tara O'Toole
Under Secretary, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Caryn Wagner
Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy, David Heyman
- Assistant Secretary (acting), Office of International Affairs, Mariko Silver
- Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy Development, Arif Alikhan
- Assistant Secretary, Private Sector Office, Douglas Smith
- Assistant Secretary (acting), State and Local Law Enforcement, Charles F. Dinse
Assistant Secretary, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Betsy Markey
Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Alejandro Mayorkas
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr.
Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Alan D. Bersin
Director, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), John T. Morton
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, W. Craig Fugate
Director, United States Secret Service, Mark J. Sullivan
Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, John S. Pistole
Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman, January Contreras
Officer for Civil Rights & Civil Liberties, Margo Schlanger
Director of the Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement, Grayling Williams
Director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, Warren Stern
Director, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Connie L. Patrick
Assistant Secretary, Office of Health Affairs/Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Alexander Garza
Inspector General, Richard L. Skinner
Assistant Secretary, Office of Legislative Affairs, Nelson Peacock
Director, Operations Coordination (acting), Richard Chavez
Chief Privacy Officer, Mary Ellen Callahan
Assistant Secretary, Office of Public Affairs, Sean Smith

Coalition Forces Detain Militants, Find Weapons in Afghanistan

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2011 - Afghan and coalition troops captured several insurgents, including a Haqanni terrorist network leader, yesterday in Afghanistan, military officials reported.
Troops detained the Haqanni terrorist and another suspected insurgent in Khost province's Khost district, where they are believed to be responsible for coordinating attacks against local security forces.
In other news yesterday throughout Afghanistan:
-- In Khost province's Sabari district, security forces captured several suspected insurgents, including a Hezb-e Islami facilitator responsible for supplying the terrorist group with explosive devices.
-- Forces detained several suspected insurgents during clearing operations in Helmand province's Kajaki district.
-- Afghan and coalition forces detained three suspected insurgents during a vehicle-interdiction operation in Nimroz province. The suspects were found with machine guns and more than 1,500 pounds of opium.
-- Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban leader responsible for trafficking bomb-making materials throughout the province in Zabul province's Qalat district.
-- Security forces detained a suspected insurgent in Logar province's Muhammad Aghag district while searching for a Taliban leader allegedly responsible for several bombings in the area.
-- Security forces found several drug and weapons stockpiles throughout Afghanistan. The operations resulted in seizure of 5,940 assault-rifle and machine-gun rounds, 26 assorted rockets and mortars, 15 hand grenades, 11 assault rifles, three pistols and a shotgun. Troops also confiscated more than 4,800 pounds of ammonium nitrate –- a banned fertilizer often used in roadside bombs -- and 44 pounds of opium.
In operations Feb. 20:
-- Security forces in Khost province's Terayzai district captured several suspected insurgents, including a Haqanni terrorist network leader with ties to numerous insurgent attacks in the area, and wounded an armed militant in the operation. The wounded insurgent was shot by security forces after refusing their request to disarm.
-- Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected insurgents in Takhar province's Bahkar district while searching for an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan terrorist leader.
-- Acting on tips from local residents, Afghan and coalition forces detained two suspected insurgents, including a Taliban weapons trafficker, in Helmand province's Nahr-e Saraj district.
-- Forces detained two suspected insurgents during a clearing operation in Kandahar province's Registan district, while targeting compounds reportedly used for housing foreign fighters and weapons.
-- Security forces detained a suspected insurgent in Nangarhar province's Surkh Rod district while searching for a Taliban leader responsible for trafficking explosive devices and supplies to terrorists plotting to attack Afghan government officials.
-- Afghan and coalition forces detained a Haqanni network terrorist responsible for trafficking explosives and supplies for suicide bombers in Paktika province's Orgun district.
-- Security forces found several drug stockpiles throughout Afghanistan. The operations also resulted in the seizure of 32 assorted rockets and mortars, 11 hand grenades, three assault rifles, two anti-tank mines, a pistol, and 150 pounds of explosives.
In Feb. 19 operations:
-- After spotting several insurgents displaying what officials called "hostile acts" in Helmand province's Sangin district, troops fired on the insurgent fighting position, killing several insurgents.
-- Afghan and coalition forces found several weapons stockpiles throughout Afghanistan. Operations resulted in seizure of 16,500 assault-rifle rounds, 17 rocket-propelled grenades, 16 rocket-propelled grenade boosters, 13 fake Afghan police identification cards, nine directional fragmentation charges, seven assault rifles, three four-gallon containers of liquid explosives, three pressure plates, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a pistol and 328 feet of detonation cord.

Related Sites:
NATO International Security Assistance Force

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

MMEDIATE RELEASE

No. 145-11
February 22, 2011

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)


DOD Identifies Marine Casualty The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Lance Cpl. Andrew P. Carpenter, 27, of Columbia, Tenn., died Feb. 19 of wounds received Feb. 14 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the 2nd Marine Division public affairs office at 910-378-6193 or http://www.marines.mil/unit/2ndmardiv/Pages/Media/default.aspx .

Army Releases January Suicide Data

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

No. 144-11
February 22, 2011


Army Releases January Suicide Data The Army released suicide data today for the month of January. Among active-duty soldiers, there were 15 potential suicides: one has been confirmed as suicide, and 14 remain under investigation. For December 2010, the Army reported 12 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, one has been confirmed as suicide, and 11 remain under investigation. During January 2011, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were seven potential suicides: two have been confirmed as suicides, and five remain under investigation. For December 2010, among that same group, there were 17 total suicides. Of those, six were confirmed as suicides and 11 are pending determination of the manner of death. "Army wide efforts implemented during 2010 to improve the health of the force and enhance our overall resiliency will continue to be a focus for all members of the Army family in 2011," said Col. Chris Philbrick, deputy director, Army Health Promotion, Risk Reduction Task Force. "We must continue to examine our risk reduction and health promotion programs to ensure that in every instance they are readily available and accessible to those in need. Informed and engaged leaders are vital to these efforts and continue to be the most effective resource in this endeavor," Philbrick said. Soldiers and families in need of crisis assistance can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trained consultants are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and can be contacted by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or by visiting their website at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The Army's comprehensive list of Suicide Prevention Program information is located at http://www.preventsuicide.army.mil. Army leaders can access current health promotion guidance in newly revised Army Regulation 600-63 (Health Promotion) at: http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600_63.pdf and Army Pamphlet 600-24 (Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention) at http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/p600_24.pdf. Suicide prevention training resources for Army families can be accessed at http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/training_sub.asp?sub_cat=20 (requires Army Knowledge Online access to download materials). Information about Military OneSource is located at http://www.militaryonesource.com or by dialing the toll-free number 1-800-342-9647 for those residing in the continental U.S. Overseas personnel should refer to the Military OneSource website for dialing instructions for their specific location. Information about the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program is located at http://www.army.mil/csf. The Defense Center for Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Outreach Center can be contacted at 1-866-966-1020, via electronic mail at Resources@DCoEOutreach.org and at http://www.dcoe.health.mil. The website for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is http://www.afsp.org, and the Suicide Prevention Resource Council site is found at http://www.sprc.org/index.asp. The website for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is http://www.TAPS.org, and they can be reached at -1-800-959-TAPS (8277).

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

Army Releases January Suicide Data

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

No. 144-11
February 22, 2011


Army Releases January Suicide Data The Army released suicide data today for the month of January. Among active-duty soldiers, there were 15 potential suicides: one has been confirmed as suicide, and 14 remain under investigation. For December 2010, the Army reported 12 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, one has been confirmed as suicide, and 11 remain under investigation. During January 2011, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were seven potential suicides: two have been confirmed as suicides, and five remain under investigation. For December 2010, among that same group, there were 17 total suicides. Of those, six were confirmed as suicides and 11 are pending determination of the manner of death. "Army wide efforts implemented during 2010 to improve the health of the force and enhance our overall resiliency will continue to be a focus for all members of the Army family in 2011," said Col. Chris Philbrick, deputy director, Army Health Promotion, Risk Reduction Task Force. "We must continue to examine our risk reduction and health promotion programs to ensure that in every instance they are readily available and accessible to those in need. Informed and engaged leaders are vital to these efforts and continue to be the most effective resource in this endeavor," Philbrick said. Soldiers and families in need of crisis assistance can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trained consultants are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and can be contacted by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or by visiting their website at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The Army's comprehensive list of Suicide Prevention Program information is located at http://www.preventsuicide.army.mil. Army leaders can access current health promotion guidance in newly revised Army Regulation 600-63 (Health Promotion) at: http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600_63.pdf and Army Pamphlet 600-24 (Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention) at http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/p600_24.pdf. Suicide prevention training resources for Army families can be accessed at http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/training_sub.asp?sub_cat=20 (requires Army Knowledge Online access to download materials). Information about Military OneSource is located at http://www.militaryonesource.com or by dialing the toll-free number 1-800-342-9647 for those residing in the continental U.S. Overseas personnel should refer to the Military OneSource website for dialing instructions for their specific location. Information about the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program is located at http://www.army.mil/csf. The Defense Center for Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Outreach Center can be contacted at 1-866-966-1020, via electronic mail at Resources@DCoEOutreach.org and at http://www.dcoe.health.mil. The website for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is http://www.afsp.org, and the Suicide Prevention Resource Council site is found at http://www.sprc.org/index.asp. The website for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is http://www.TAPS.org, and they can be reached at -1-800-959-TAPS (8277).

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

General Officer Announcements

MMEDIATE RELEASE

No. 143-11
February 22, 2011


General Officer Announcements The chief of staff, Army announced today the following assignments: Brig. Gen. Flora D. Darpino, to commanding general, U.S. Army Legal Services Agency/chief judge, U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, Arlington, Va. Darpino most recently served as staff judge advocate, U.S. Forces-Iraq, Operation New Dawn, Iraq. Brig. Gen. Robin L. Mealer, chief, force generation, Iraq Training and Advisory Team, U.S. Forces-Iraq, to deputy director, J-5, U.S. Forces-Iraq, Operation New Dawn, Iraq.

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

CBP Discovers Asian Gypsy Moth Eggs in New Orleans

(Tuesday, February 22, 2011)

New Orleans – An alert U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialist prevented what could have been a major threat to forest habitats in the U.S. The discovery of eggs on a vessel anchored in the river appeared to be those of the Asian Gypsy Moth. The vessel has been restricted at anchorage and further inspection is ongoing to ensure that no other egg masses are found and the vessel has been treated so that the infestation has been eradicated.

click for hi-res

CBP agriculture specialists contain the egg mass on the vessel before sending it for testing.

Bulk carriers such as the ones boarded by CBP can be more than 500 feet long, making it no simple task to find eggs smaller than a kernel of corn. CBP is highly trained in detecting the Asian Gypsy Moth and its egg masses on these vessels. Their skills were put to the test when CBP boarded the vessel on the Mississippi River Monday morning that arrived from Japan with a prior port call at China, both high risk ports of call for possible infestation for the Asian Gypsy Moth.

The eggs were gathered and sent to the laboratory for identification where it is was confirmed to be Lymantria dispar, the scientific name for Asian Gypsy Moth. AGM eggs begin hatching into caterpillars in the spring. The damage caused during the caterpillar stage, as the insects feed on leaves, can be catastrophic to U.S. forestry. These caterpillars have been known to feed on more than 500 species of trees and shrubs.

CBP immediately acted to ensure the safety of the country and its forest industry which has major ecological, economic and social importance for the U.S. and the State of Louisiana. If an infestation were to occur in the U.S. it could cause millions of dollars of damage.

“Finding AGM before the season really even gets started is concerning. The vigilance already displayed by the Agriculture Specialists will continue energetically to ensure we safeguard our forests and agriculture industry from this pest,” said Robert C. Gomez, acting director of the CBP New Orleans field office.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

CBP Discovers Asian Gypsy Moth Eggs in New Orleans

(Tuesday, February 22, 2011)
contacts for this news release
New Orleans – An alert U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialist prevented what could have been a major threat to forest habitats in the U.S. The discovery of eggs on a vessel anchored in the river appeared to be those of the Asian Gypsy Moth. The vessel has been restricted at anchorage and further inspection is ongoing to ensure that no other egg masses are found and the vessel has been treated so that the infestation has been eradicated.

click for hi-res

CBP agriculture specialists contain the egg mass on the vessel before sending it for testing.