Briefs
Advertiser Staff and Wire Services
Abercrombie is senior Democrat
U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie has been chosen to serve as senior Democrat on the House Military Installations and Facilities Subcommittee.
The Armed Services Committee panel has jurisdiction over military construction, real estate acquisition and disposal, housing and support, base closures and related matters.
"This new position gives Hawai'i a stronger voice on decisions that have a tremendous impact on our economy and military forces stationed in our state," Abercrombie said last week.
"It means jobs, contracts and paychecks for Island families and the businesses that employ them," he said. "For military personnel and their families, it means better working and living conditions, improved morale and heightened readiness."
In taking the post, Abercrombie gave up his position as senior Democrat on the Military Research and Development Subcommittee, although he remains a member of that panel.
GAO urges new logistics study
The General Accounting Office has sustained a protest filed by a company that lost a contract to run the Army's Directorate of Logistics in Hawai'i.
In October, the Army tentatively awarded a $59 million contract to BAE Systems of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
BAE filed a protest after the Army reversed its decision in January, saving the jobs of about 250 civilian workers. They handle supply, maintenance and transportation functions for Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter and the Pohakuloa Training Center.
The U.S. Army Pacific's administrative appeals board found the BAE bid would cost $1.3 million more than keeping the work in-house.
The GAO said the Army failed to clearly state its actual requirements.
The investigative arm of Congress said once the requirements are revised, the Army should complete a new evaluation and cost comparison using revised offers from BAE and the in-house organization.
The Army said that it was evaluating how best to implement the GAO recommendations.
"This is a complex and complicated process," said Bill Robinson, director of logistics. "Members of the organization have worked hard to put this together while maintaining the readiness of the U.S. Army in Hawai'i. We will continue to do so as we analyze the GAO recommendations and develop the most appropriate course of action."
Units get new commanders
Lt. Col. Thomas C. Seamands will relinquish command of the 556th Personnel Services Battalion to Lt. Col. David T. Jones tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Sills Field on Schofield Barracks.
Another change of command ceremony is planned for Thursday at Sills Field at 10 a.m., when Lt. Col. James M. Moore will relinquish command of the 325th Forward Support Battalion to Lt. Col. Steven A. Ware.
Schofield to honor war dead
The 25th Infantry Division (Light) and U.S Army, Hawai'i will conduct a Memorial Day ceremony today at 11:30 a.m. at the Schofield Barracks Post Cemetery.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will honor fallen comrades who died in the service of their country. The guest speaker will be Col. William R. Puttmann Jr., commander of U.S. Army Garrison, Hawai'i.
Advertiser receives award
The Hawai'i Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recently presented publisher Mike Fisch and The Honolulu Advertiser an award from the Department of Defense for their help and support of the Guard and Reserves.
The awards ceremony was May 15 at the Honolulu Rotary Club luncheon during Military Appreciation Week.
