NCOs Key to Ukrainian Military Successes Against Russia

View Online NCOs Key to Ukrainian Military Successes Against Russia  Feb. 28, 2023 | By Jim Garamone Since 2014, the United States has sent Ukraine more than $32.4 billion in security assistance, and while the transfer of equipment is important in Ukraine’s defense, the training aspect of this aid may have longer term implications. These military capabilities — including Javelins, tanks, air defense systems and more — have been crucial, but Ukraine’s investment in developing a noncommissioned officer corps may be the key to victory against the Russian invader. The Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramón “CZ” Colón-López said that looking at a year of conflict in Ukraine since Russia invaded, he has been convinced of “the decisive advantage that the human brings” to combat. The SEAC — who spent most of his career in special operations — noted that the No. 1 rule in his military community “is that humans are more important than hardware.” Colón-López spoke before traveling to Europe to meet with his counterparts among the NATO frontline states. “That is true, not only for special operations, but for conventional forces, because you can have the best technology in the world, but if you don’t have the will and the pride to fight for your nation, you’re going to be on the losing end of the equation,” he said. “We have seen this play over and over again.” Spotlight: NATO One lesson of the conflict in Ukraine is that government and military leaders must prioritize the training, development and education of service members, he said. “At the end of the day, the rivets and steel is not as important as the flesh and bone if the flesh and bone is not willing to go all-in in the execution of the wartime mission,” he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin expected an easy and quick war on Ukraine, U.S. officials have said. Ukraine and Russia had many of the same capabilities, including T-72 tanks, BMP infantry fighting vehicles, air defenses and more. Still, Russia — with more money — had the advantage there, as well. “It’s like when you have two football teams. Everybody’s got the same equipment; they got the pads to helmets; they got a coach; they got the headsets and everything else,” Colón-López said. “But it all boils down to the execution and the strategy that actually decides who is the victor in that game. It’s no different in the military. And that is exactly what the Ukrainians have done.” The U.S. military relationship with Ukraine began in 1993 soon after the Soviet Union broke apart and the nation declared its independence. Ukraine joined the State Partnership Program and partnered with the California National Guard — with whom they are still partnered. Ukraine — and the rest of the nations that were in the Soviet orbit — used Soviet tactics and doctrine. When those nations participated in training sessions with U.S. and other NATO forces — most notably in an exercise at Fort Polk, Louisiana, in 1995 — they invariably got waxed. Many of the nations aspired to join NATO, and they took to learning the NATO playbook. “We decided to go ahead and start partnering with a lot of those regional partners to be able to help them break away from the Soviet model,” the SEAC said. “In the meantime, we had sporadic engagements.” The Ukrainian military was still very “officer-centric” and not responsive or agile. If the officer went down, the unit had no idea what to do. “The NCOs … were not empowered, they were not entrusted, and they were not properly trained or educated to be autonomous on the battlefield,” he said. All this changed after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, illegally annexed Crimea, and fomented uprisings in the eastern provinces of the nation. “The government of Ukraine decided to go all in on an NCO development model,” Colón-López said. “They wanted to westernize their approach. So, immediately, they enlisted the help of the United States and also of NATO to go ahead and shift their mechanism and their procedures.” The idea was to empower junior leaders, to have them operate within the commanders’ intent, to display initiative, and to accomplish the missions. Colón-López said NATO’s Defense Education Enhancement Program was key to developing the capability. Ukraine developed three service-specific NCO training centers. The military leaders introduced a new NCO education and training system. “Everything that they did in that curriculum and the syllabus was directly adapted from the NATO model to be able to go ahead and create interoperable NCOs — Ukrainian NCOs to be able to go ahead and partner and train with other NATO entities, even though they’re not part of NATO,” he said. Like the United States and other NATO nations, NCOs were responsible for training new recruits and developing new small-unit tactics and being integral parts of the chain of command. “Right now, their basic training is about 2 1/2 to three months in duration, and it heavily focuses on the critical combat skills,” Colón-López said. “That was one of the key factors when they started taking in their recruits, that they immediately started implementing the ethos and the change in these young people’s minds to be able to go ahead and execute any type of wartime mission. “That is the force that you see fighting today,” he continued. Compare that to what the Russians are doing. The Russians still use conscription. They stint on training. The Russian military is still officer centric. They use tactics that haven’t changed since World War II. “It is the human dynamic that is actually tipping the scales on victory versus failure out on that battlefield,” he said. “It is definitely a decisive advantage that the Ukrainians have that the Russians do not.” The combat action in Ukraine has many military leaders looking. “Our partners are listening, and they’re wanting to learn, and a lot more officers are being open to the idea that … maybe we need to start educating more, so that they’re critical thinking thinkers on this hybrid battlefield,” the SEAC said. “That is going to be the way of the future.”

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Contracts For Feb. 28, 2023

View Online FOR RELEASE AT 5 PM ET Contracts For Feb. 28, 2023 AIR FORCE The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, was awarded a not-to-exceed $1,200,000,000 undefinitized contract action for the E-7A Rapid Prototype program. This contract provides for the initiation of the development activities for the program. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be complete by August 2024. This contract is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2022 and 2023 research and development funds in the amount of $134,079,602 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8730-23-C-0025). Chugach Logistics and Facility Services JV LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, was awarded a $113,909,787 hybrid (firm-fixed-price with cost-reimbursable contract line item numbers) contract for Laughlin Air Force Base Operation Support. This contract provides for all management, equipment, personnel, and services necessary to support the 47th Flying Training Wing mission at Laughlin AFB, Texas, including civil engineering, operations and maintenance, grounds maintenance, and vertical transportation equipment, supply, and transportation. Work will be performed in Del Rio, Texas, and is expected to be complete by May 31, 2030. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition and 10 offers were received. Fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $14,167,307 are being obligated at the time of award. The 338th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, JBSA-Randolph, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-23-C-0005). Pacific Propeller International LLC, Kent, Washington, was awarded a $50,900,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the overhaul support for the C-130 54H60 series propeller. This contract provides for the overhaul and repair of the C-130 54H60 series propeller for the Air Force and multiple countries. All work will be performed in Kent, Washington, and individual orders will be placed by the Air Force and Foreign Military Sales partners through Feb. 27, 2028. This contract is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2023 working capital funds in the amount of $771,800 are being obligated at the time of award on an Air Force requirement to address the barrel cracking issue, with performance being completed within 90 days. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8553-23-D-0002). Carahsoft Technology Corp., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $23,751,296 firm-fixed-price task order (FA701423F0070) for salesforce and third-party licenses and support. This task order provides for customer relationship management software that supports the Air Force A1 community. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 27, 2024. This contract involves foreign military sales to multiple countries. This task order was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $15,142,209 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Feb. 28, 2023) ARMY Joint Technical Solutions LLC,* Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded an $840,105,753 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for test and engineering services. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 27, 2028. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W91CRB-23-D-0002). Raytheon Co. Missile Systems, Tuscon, Arizona, was awarded a $219,867,079 modification (P00027) to contract W15QKN-19-C-0017 for the production of 155 mm Excalibur Increment Ib projectiles. Work will be performed in Anniston, Alabama; East Camden, Gilbert, Phoenix and Tuscon, Arizona; Chino, Healdsburg, Inglewood, Santa Ana and Valencia, California; Woodridge, Illinois; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Cookstown, New Jersey; Farmington, New Mexico; Joplin, Missouri; Cincinnati, Ohio; McAlester, Oklahoma; Lansdale, Pennsylvania; Trenton, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Karlskoga, Sweden; Glenrothes, Scotland; and Southway, Plymouth, United Kingdom, with an estimated completion date of April 29, 2024. Fiscal 2023 Foreign Military Sales (Jordan) funds and fiscal 2023 ammunition procurement, Army funds in the amount of $219,867,079 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. Aerojet Ordnance of Tennessee, Jonesborough, Tennessee, was awarded a $75,310,023 firm-fixed-price contract for depleted uranium penetrators. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2028. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W15QKN-23-D-0018). Tutor Perini Corp., Sylmar, California, was awarded a $74,991,089 firm-fixed-price contract for building renovations. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 23, 2025. Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $74,991,089 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska, is the contracting activity (W9128F-23-C-0011). San Rafael Rock Quarry Inc., San Rafael, California, was awarded a $73,863,110 firm-fixed-price contract to address erosion and levee failure risk. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Sacramento, California, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 29, 2024. Fiscal 2023 civil consolidated working funds in the amount of $73,863,110 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento, California, is the contracting activity (W91238-23-C-0007). Lockheed Martin Corp., Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a $60,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Long Range Hypersonic Weapon ground support equipment. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2028. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds; and procurement, defense-wide funds in the amount of $29,351,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-23-C-0008). General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $34,241,540 modification (P00032) to contract W56HZV-22-C-0012 for option hours for Abrams system technical support. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 29, 2024. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (Kuwait, Poland and Saudi Arabia) funds; and 2021 and 2023 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $34,241,540 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded an $18,946,203 modification (P00069) to contract W31P4Q-19-C-0059 for contractor support services for the Javelin Weapon System. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2024. Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance, Army funds; fiscal 2023 U.S. Marine Corps funds; fiscal 2023 Overseas Contingency Operations funds; fiscal 2023 Army National Guard funds; and fiscal 2023 Foreign Military Sales (Australia, Estonia, Indonesia, Jordan, Norway, Oman, Poland and Taiwan) funds in the amount of $18,946,203 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $13,541,544 modification (P00162) to contract W31P4Q-19-C-0038 for engineering services for the Javelin Missile System. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2022 and 2023 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $13,541,544 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Trumbull Corp. & Brayman Construction Corp JV, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was awarded an $11,902,980 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of a graded pad and access that would be available for use for future construction of a concrete batch plant and aggregate storage and preparation facilities associated with the future construction of the Montgomery Locks and Dam New River Chamber. Bids were solicited via the internet with eight received. Work will be performed in Monaca, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 29, 2024. Fiscal 2023 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds in the amount of $11,902,980 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (W911WN-23-C-8003). DEFENSE COUNTERINTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY AGENCY CACI Inc. – Federal, Chantilly, Virginia, has been awarded a $146,410,200 firm-fixed-price task order (HS002123F0020) under single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract HS002123D0002 for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). This task order provides background investigation fieldwork services. Work will be performed nationwide, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 29, 2024. Per the ordering procedures established under this single award contract, no proposals were received for this task order. Fiscal 2023 DCSA defense working capital funds in the amount of $146,410,200 were obligated at the time of award. DCSA Acquisition and Contracting, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity. MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is being awarded a $113,427,329 modification (P00030) to previously awarded contract HQ085121C0001 under Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Case JA-P-NCO. Under this modification, the contractor will purchase specialized transportation containers; and continue performance on development, program management, engineering, logistics, and radar integration. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey. This modification includes cost-plus-incentive-fee and firm-fixed-price contract line items. The total value of the contract is increased from $555,192,150 to $668,619,479. The period of performance for this action is from March 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2023. Case JA-P-NCO funds in the amount of approximately $106,567,973 are being obligated at the time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Corp., Chandler, Arizona, is being awarded a $48,192,076 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded other transaction prototype agreement to extend the existing period of performance. Under this modification, the performer will continue to develop and refine their Glide Phase Interceptor concept during the Materiel Solutions Analysis Phase. The work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona. The modification period of performance is from Feb. 28, 2023, through July 31, 2023. The modification increases the total value of the agreement to $126,298,508. This initial agreement was competitively awarded using Other Transaction Authority provided by 10 U.S. Code 4022 through the Enhanced Hypersonic Defense Broad Agency Announcement with Glide Phase Interceptor Special Topic, HQ0851-21-S-0001. Research, development, test, and evaluation funds will be used to fund the modification, with $48,192,076 obligated at the time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ08512290002). Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Arizona, is being awarded a $43,251,185 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded other transaction prototype agreement to extend the existing period of performance. Under this modification, the performer will continue to develop and refine their Glide Phase Interceptor concept during the Materiel Solutions Analysis Phase. The work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona; El Dorado Hills, California; Aurora, Colorado; Tewksbury, Massachusetts; Woburn, Massachusetts; Andover, Massachusetts; and Huntsville, Alabama. The modification period of performance is from Feb. 28, 2023, through July 31, 2023. The modification increases the total value of the agreement to $135,107,965. This initial agreement was competitively awarded using Other Transaction Authority provided by 10 U.S. Code 4022 through the Enhanced Hypersonic Defense Broad Agency Announcement with Glide Phase Interceptor Special Topic, HQ0851-21-S-0001. Research, development, test, and evaluation funds will be used to fund the modification, with $43,251,185 obligated at the time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ08512290003). NAVY Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solutions, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is awarded a $33,256,900 firm-fixed-price modification (P00010) to a previously awarded contract (N6134021C0017). This modification adds additional in-scope work to provide Weapons Systems Trainers Delta Software System Configuration (DSSC)-4 retrofits and associated training, Common Open Research Emulator Simulation (CORESIM) development, system trouble report corrections on the flight and tactics trainers, DSSC-5 aircrew hardware development, personal computer simulator concurrency gaps, and procurement of 10 aircraft flight management computer functional equivalent units in support of the E-2D Hawkeye Integrated Training Systems flight, tactics, and maintenance devices, as well as associated technical data, computer software, and computer software documentation. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia (70%); and Sterling, Virginia (30%), and is expected to be completed in June 2025. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,860,318; fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,903,229; fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,978,901; fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,889,112; fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,280,400; and fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement in the amount of $11,344,940 will be obligated at the time of award, $11,344,940 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity. Military & Federal Construction Co.,* Jacksonville, North Carolina, is awarded a $14,570,382 firm-fixed-price task order (N4008523F4749) under multiple award construction contract N4008521D0102 for repairs and improvements to Bachelor Enlisted Quarters Building 4310 at Marine Corp Air Station Cherry Point. Work will be performed in Havelock, North Carolina, and is expected to be completed by September 2024. Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funding in the amount of $14,570,382 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the System for Award Management website, with three offers received. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Mid-Atlantic, Cherry Point, North Carolina, is the contracting activity. Civil Works Contracting LLC,* Wilmington, North Carolina, is awarded a $12,186,334 firm-fixed-price task order (N4008523F4748) under multiple award construction contract N4008521D0098 for repairs to Telecommunications Information Systems Directorate building 4397 at Marine Corp Air Station, Cherry Point. Work will be performed in Havelock, North Carolina, and will be completed by September 2024. Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funding in the amount of $12,186,334 will be obligated at time of award, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the System for Award Management website, with three offers received. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Mid-Atlantic, Cherry Point, North Carolina, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY System High Corp.,* Chantilly, Virginia, has been awarded a $29,049,951 modification (P00007) to previously awarded contract HR001122C0073 for program security services. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $56,355,171 from $27,305,220. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of March 2024. Fiscal 2023 research and development funds in the amount of $16,136,792 are being obligated at the time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Virginia, is awarded a modification (P00006) for an option year valued at $8,010,513 on a firm-fixed-price contract (HQ003421F0077) to provide technical support services to the Department of Defense chief information officer. The contractor will provide services including cybersecurity reporting and scorecards; cybersecurity research and analysis; cybersecurity policies, guidance, strategies, and procedures; risk assessment and operational integration; supply chain; public key infrastructure; mobility and wireless networking; defense cyber workforce framework; cyber phishing analyses; network penetration and vulnerability analyses; acquisition systems support; and specialized network vulnerability support. Fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $8,010,513 are being obligated at the time of award. The purpose of this action is to exercise Option Period 2 of the contract, which currently has a period of performance from March 1, 2023, through Feb. 28, 2024. The work will be performed at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The estimated contract completion date is Feb. 28, 2026. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY UPDATE: DuCo LLC, Easton, Maryland (SPE8EC-23-D-0007, $93,000,000), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for sweeper and scrubber equipment, issued against solicitation SPE8EC-21-R-0002 and awarded Feb. 22, 2022. *Small business

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U.S. Officials Urge China Not to Ship Arms to Russia

View Online U.S. Officials Urge China Not to Ship Arms to Russia Feb. 28, 2023 | By Jim Garamone U.S. government officials are doing all they can to discourage China from supplying Russia with arms that could be used to subjugate Ukraine, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said today. President Joe Biden, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have spoken in the past few days about discouraging China from supplying the Russian war machine. The latest administration official to speak on this subject was Colin H. Kahl, undersecretary of defense for policy, who testified before the House Armed Services Committee today. The senior government leaders “have all talked to the potential ramifications of China providing lethal aid,” Ryder said during a Pentagon news conference. “We have not seen that they’ve done that at this point. But, again, it’s something that we’ll continue to closely monitor.” For China to supply arms to Russia would be counter to China’s own expressed position on the conflict. “We believe that all countries deserve respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity, that the purposes and principles of the U.N. charter should be observed, that the legitimate security concerns of any country should be taken seriously, and that support should be given to all efforts that are conducive to peacefully resolving the crisis,” said Mao Ning, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, on Oct. 10, 2022. “We hope all parties will properly address their differences through dialogue and consultation. China stands ready to continue to play a constructive part in de-escalation efforts.” White House officials said there are “indications” that China is contemplating supplying Russia with weapons. There is no indication Chinese leaders have decided to arm Russia, but they haven’t taken it off the table, Ryder said. “And, so, we want to be crystal clear that that would be a poor decision, should they decide to do that.” DOD is concentrating on supplying Ukraine with the equipment it needs to defend itself from the Russian invasion. If China does decide to supply arms “it will extend this conflict needlessly,” Ryder said. “It will result in more innocent lives lost, as Russia continues to wage its campaign against Ukrainian citizens. The press secretary also spoke of moves the United States is making to ensure the weapons are going where needed and not being diverted or sold. “We take accountability of U.S. assistance to Ukraine very seriously,” he said. “We have an active and proactive whole-of-government system … to prevent the illicit diversion of weapons in Eastern Europe. Secretary Austin and DOD leaders have repeatedly discussed the importance of protecting our contributions with our Ukrainian counterparts.” DOD has a small team within the U.S. Embassy in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, that works closely with the Ukrainians to conduct end-use monitoring. “To this date, we have not seen any evidence of any type of widespread diversion of any of the assistance that we provided,” he said. Any equipment is tracked as it goes into Ukraine. “Once it is in Ukraine, depending on the particular system and on the requirements of monitoring that system, personnel at the embassy again work closely with Ukrainians,” Ryder said. Spotlight: Support for Ukraine The country is an active war zone, and U.S. personnel do not go into areas of active combat. Still, they’re able to conduct virtual inspections of the materiel.

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Today in DOD: March 1, 2023

Today in DOD: March 1, 2023 Open Press Events Secretary of Defense The secretary has no public or media events on his schedule. Read More > Deputy Secretary of Defense The deputy secretary has no public or media events on her schedule. Read More > Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff The chairman is traveling. Read More > Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff The vice chairman has no public or media events on his schedule. Read More > Additional Open Press Events Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, commander, 9th Air Force, and the Combined Forces Air Component commander for U.S. Central Command, joins a panel discussion at the 16th annual… Read More > View All Postings Contacts Additions and corrections for Today in DOD are invited and should be directed to the press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131 or +1 (703) 697-5132. For additional media information click here. Public Inquiries Contact us for more information, if you have questions or for technical support. Media Questions News media representatives with questions for the Department of Defense may reach our press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131. Duty Officer A public affairs duty officer is available 24 hours a day through +1 (703) 697-5131.

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Defense Officials: U.S. Ensures Accountability of Systems Supplied to Ukraine

View Online Defense Officials: U.S. Ensures Accountability of Systems Supplied to Ukraine Feb. 28, 2023 | By David Vergun The United States has provided $31.7 billion in support since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine a year ago. Allies and partners have provided over $19 billion during that timeframe. Spotlight: Support for Ukraine “Even as we focus on getting Ukraine what it needs, we’ve always prioritized accountability, and Ukraine has, too. We have adapted our accountability practices for the combat environment to address the risk of illicit diversion, using mechanisms that go above and beyond our standard practices,” Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin H. Kahl today told the House Armed Services Committee. Kahl said U.S. officials have had talks with their Ukrainian counterparts for years regarding the issue of corruption and the importance of accountability and transparency. “I think there have been improvements over time, especially in the defense sector,” he said. The U.S. has provided the Ukrainians with ways to track the military systems it provides, he said. Tracking includes scanners and software, as well as remote visits to sites when conditions permit. “We don’t see any evidence of diversion in our reporting,” Kahl said. “We think the Ukrainians are using properly what they’ve been given,” he said. Defense Department Inspector General Robert P. Storch testified that within the past year, the DOD Office of Inspector General completed five Ukraine-related oversight projects. The OIG currently has some 20 ongoing and planned audits and evaluations that are focused on, among other things, ensuring that tax dollars are used properly, that there’s appropriate accountability for weapons and other material, and that U.S. stocks are appropriately replenished so they’re available should they be needed elsewhere, Storch said. Additionally, the OIG’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service is actively engaged in conducting fraud prevention and investigative activities that play a critical role in ensuring the integrity of U.S. assistance to Ukraine, he said. The OIG currently has more than 90 professionals engaged in oversight of security assistance to Ukraine. In 2022, the office issued two management advisories that identified several areas of concern that could directly impact DOD’s ability to transparently track and report the supplemental appropriations for Ukraine, he said. The department has long been focused on end-use monitoring and enhanced end-use monitoring, which tracks how U.S. partners employ military assistance and sensitive equipment after those assets are transferred to them, he said. Sensitive items transferred to Ukraine and subject to enhanced end-use monitoring have bar codes with unique identifying information, such as serial numbers, said a forward-deployed U.S. official familiar with the accountability process. The Defense Department has provided the Ukrainian armed forces with a number of handheld scanners that capture the bar code information that can be transmitted later to DOD for accountability purposes, the official said. Ukraine is using the NATO LOGFAS logistics planning system that allows their armed forces to track equipment across units and will expand further in the coming months, the official said. LOGFAS, or Logistics Functional Area Services, is a suite of tools supporting NATO logistics processes. Spotlight: NATO Storch said that as early as 2020, OIG issued a report on how DOD was conducting enhanced end-use monitoring of military assistance to Ukraine. “In October 2022, we published a classified report that identified challenges DOD personnel responsible for EUM and EEUM face when there are limited or no U.S. personnel present and the actions the DOD was taking to address those issues in Ukraine,” Storch said. “As the situation on the ground has continued to evolve, we recently initiated our third evaluation on EEUM in Ukraine, and we will continue to focus on this important area,” he added. DOD is also addressing critical issues — like the replenishment of U.S. stocks, intelligence sharing, security control for the transport of weapons and equipment, their maintenance and sustainment, awards of noncompetitive contracts and the training of Ukrainian armed forces, he said. Storch noted that all of these oversight steps are done using a whole-of-government approach, partnering closely with a number of agencies including the State Department’s OIG and the U.S. Agency for International Development’s OIG. Along with those oversight partners, the DOD OIG established and leads the Ukraine Oversight Interagency Working Group, which brings together 20 oversight entities, he said. “The DOD OIG, working hand in glove with our oversight partners, will continue to make independent oversight of assistance to Ukraine a matter of the highest priority. And we will continue to keep the Congress and the public informed about our work,” he said. Army Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Sims II, the Joint Staff’s director for operations, thanked the committee and Congress for providing oversight and resources in support of Ukraine.

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DOD Featured Photos

Vantage Point A soldier participates in Justified Accord, a multinational field training exercise, in Isiolo, Keny… Photo Details > View All Photos

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DOD Featured Photos

Photo Friends Army Cpl. Genesis Miranda talks to children in Archer’s Post, Kenya, Feb. 18, 2023, during Justified… Photo Details > Escort Exercise Sailors conduct a high value asset escort mission exercise in San Diego, Feb. 21, 2023. Photo Details > View All Photos

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Job Search Tool Connects Military Spouses, Employers

View Online Job Search Tool Connects Military Spouses, Employers Feb. 28, 2023 | By Dave Vergun The Defense Department’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership connects military spouses with over 600 partner employers consisting of corporations, small businesses, non-profits and federal agencies who have committed to recruit, hire, promote and retain military spouses, said C. Eddy Mentzer, associate director of Military Community Support Programs in DOD’s Military Community and Family Policy office. This simplifies the career search process for military spouses, providing easy access to opportunities both in the civilian and federal space, Mentzer said. The partnership’s job search tool can be found at https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/msep/jobs where thousands of employment opportunities can be found. The partnership’s job search tool now pulls open positions each day from USAJOBS, the U.S. government’s official employment site https://www.usajobs.gov/, in addition to non-USAJOBS postings, he said. The Department of Veterans Affairs is one federal agency that posts job openings to the partnership. “Our goal at the VA is to ensure the broadest number of our talented military spouses have access to the broad spectrum of employment opportunities we offer as the second largest government agency. Having our open positions feed directly to the MSEP jobs portal ensures that military spouses know that the agencies in the portal have committed to recruiting, hiring, promoting and retaining military spouses in their workforce,” said Cheryl L. Mason, executive director for Veteran and Military Spouse Talent Engagement in the VA’s Office of the Chief Human Capital Office. Since the partnership launched in 2011, it has gained new partner employers, Mentzer said, and it’s anticipated that more will be added over time. “Expanding employment opportunities for spouses is a key priority in Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s action plan to strengthen the economic security and stability of service members and their families,” said Mentzer. “The enhancements to the MSEP job search make it easier for spouses to find job openings and connect with federal employers who recognize their value.” Employers can learn about becoming a partner by visiting: https://msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil/msep/. In addition, DOD established the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program to provide education and career guidance to military spouses worldwide, offering free comprehensive resources and tools designed to help spouses meet their career and education goals. This program also offers free career coaching six days a week, Mentzer said. That site can be found at: https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/.

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