MANAGEMENT ON THE MOVE
LOCATIONS
LAND
30 Apr 09. FLIR Systems opened its newly-expanded service center in West Malling, Kent, UK on Thursday, April 30. Rear Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt , Commander Joint Helicopter Command, formally opened the facility. The guests included representatives of both the UK military and police FLIR user community as well as industry, press and the MoD. The investment in FLIR Systems’ UK service center enhances support for more than 450 systems in the UK and 20 other countries across Europe. A tour of
the depot-level facility was given shortly after the opening ceremony.
27 Apr 09. Defence Intelligence: Rationalisation. The Armed Forces’ Minister announced (27 Apr 09) approval of a plan to collocate intelligence facilities at RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire under the Programme to Rationalise and Integrate the Defence Intelligence Estate (PRIDE). PRIDE (Wyton) is to deliver “new, purpose built accommodation for some key intelligence capabilities that will enhance our operational effectiveness and our ability to work in joint operations with our allies”. Key intelligence units are to move to Wyton, where £150m is being spent on construction work. In due course, RAF Brampton in Cambridgeshire will be sold.
Comment: The second element of the PRIDE programme is the relocation of the Royal School of Military Survey from Hermitage and the Defence School of Languages from Beaconsfield. Approval is expected in Autumn 2010, but both sites are earmarked for disposal. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 09/18, 04 May 09)
24 Apr 09. The Army’s Installation Management Command (IMCOM) Directorate of Public Works (DPW) has recognized ITT Corporation Kaiserslautern base operations contract in Germany with the DPW Support Contractor of the Year Award. The DPW award is for excellence in management and execution of the Army’s public works and property maintenance missions. The Kaiserslautern contract was first awarded to ITT in 1980 and provides full-service civil engineering consisting of construction, facility maintenance, material management, road and grounds maintenance, military community support, plant operations and maintenance. The Kaiserslautern base operations contract is one of the 59 government and military programs managed by ITT Systems Division, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. ITT’s commitment to providing service and economic value is reflected in cost reductions and savings for the military. Kaiserslautern received a customer satisfaction rating of 99.9% for timeliness and quality of service. The Kaiserslautern program completed over 40,000 standing operating services and nearly 13,000 military service orders, with over 3,500 mission critical requests. Work centers are located in Kaiserslautern, Landstuhl, Pimasens, and Miesau. Other ITT base operation and engineering support contracts include Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, and the recent contract win at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
AIRBORNE
28 Apr 09. Tornado F3 Fighter Aircraft: Reduction in Numbers. The Armed Forces’ Minister said (28 Apr 09) that it is planned to reduce the number of Tornado F3 aircraft by September 2009. The Station Commander at RAF Leuchars was informed of the decision on 8 Apr 09, when briefings to the personnel concerned started. Tornado F3 are to continue to maintain the Quick Reaction Alert (North) commitment until the aircraft’s out-of-service date.
Comment: Tornado F3 are due to be out-of-service by 31 Mar 11. Detailed plans for the transition from F3 to Eurofighter Typhoon at RAF Leuchars and with 1435 Flight in the Falkland Islands have yet to be made public.
MARITIME
28 Apr 09. Island Class Launches: In Service. The MoD advised (28 Apr 09) that two Island Class launches have been named, as Gigha and Jura, for service with the MoD Police at Faslane.
Comment: Gigha and Jura are islands