LOCATIONS
08 Sep 06. DoD Announces Installation Realignment in Italy. The Department of Defense announced today that the United States will cease operations at Naval Support Activity (NSA) La Maddalena, Italy. In light of today’s security environment and the U.S. European Command’s force structure realignment and transformation, it was determined that the capabilities provided by the installation are no longer required at NSA La Maddalena. Closure of these facilities will affect more than 1,300 U.S. service members, 88 U.S. DoD civilian employees, 90 contract employees and 178 host nation employees. Facilities affected by this decision will return to the host nation by spring 2008. As a result of this decision, the Navy will relocate the submarine repair ship USS Emory S. Land in October 2007. Details regarding the ship’s new homeport will be made available by the Navy at a later date. As with all stationing actions, the United States coordinated with host nation officials before making this announcement.
12 Sep 06. Navy Names Newest Arleigh Burke Class Ship USS Gravely. The Department of the Navy announced today that the Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer will be the USS Gravely, honoring the late Vice Adm. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Chief of Naval Personnel, Vice Adm. John Harvey announced the honor during remarks at the National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Conference. Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. was born in Richmond, Va., June 4, 1922. After attending Virginia Union University, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve in September 1942. In 1943 he participated in a Navy program (V-12) designed to select and train highly qualified men for commissioning as officers in the Navy. On Dec. 14, 1944, Gravely successfully completed midshipman training, becoming the first African American commissioned as an officer from the Navy Reserve Officer Training Course. He was released from active duty in April 1946, but remained in the Naval Reserve. Gravely was recalled to active duty in 1949. As part of the Navy’s response to President Truman’s executive order to desegregate the armed services, his initial assignment was as a Navy Recruiter, recruiting African Americans in the Washington, D.C. area. Gravely went on to a Navy career that lasted 38 years and included many distinguished accomplishments.
12 Sep 06. General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has unveiled a dedicated Joint Programme Office supporting the British Army’s Future Rapid Effect System (FRES). The facility was officially opened by David Gould, the Deputy Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency, in Bristol on 11 September 2006.
14 Sep 06. Dell Inc. will locate its first Indian manufacturing facility in the state of Tamil Nadu, following a memorandum of understanding between the firm and state officials. Dell said that in its most recent operating quarter, its shipments in India increased 82 percent, while revenue grew 63 percent. Dell expects to begin manufacturing in India in the first half of 2007, initially focusing on desktop computers, which make up about 70 percent of its current business in India. The new facility and related operations will be located in a 50-acre area in Sriperumbudur Hi-Tech Park, outside Chennai. (Source: Reuters)
Sep 06. Australian Government approves AU$20m facility for troop lift helicopters at RAAF Townsville. The ‘Facilities for Troop Lift Helicopter’ project for the Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment based at RAAF Townsville has today received parliamentary approval. This follows the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works’ recommendation that the project proceed. The $20m new facilities will support the operation, training and maintenance requirements for the Multi Role Helicopter 90 (MRH90) aircraft based in Townsville. Defence 2000 – Our future Defence Force identified the need for an additional squadron of troop lift helicopters to prov