MANAGEMENT ON THE MOVE
LOCATIONS
LAND
24 Jun 09. BLESMA believes the announcement by the MoD of a detailed feasibility study into the possibility of setting up a National Rehabilitation Centre in the future heralds a most exciting possibility. The idea of putting a military facility at its heart is innovative yet bound in common sense. The military medical services have shown the world and more pointedly other government departments, including the Department of Healthwhat can be done to get injured people back into work – indeed into life. A major component of present military rehabilitation has been the provision of excellent prosthetic limbs which we applaud and we hope that this development leads to an opportunity to benefit society as a whole – in keeping with the standards we should expect of a first world country such as ours. BLESMA General Secretary Jerome Church said, “As a national Charity with long experience in these areas, with intimate knowledge of what our young casualties are going through and how well they are rehabilitating we will be more than ready to participate in the forthcoming study and to offer our expertise to serve our casualties in the future as and when these exciting ideas unfold. This opportunity may be unique and if it comes off it will actually be a real manifestation of Government working across interdepartmental boundaries.”
10 Jun 09. DMA and SBAC: Merger Confirmed. In a joint announcement (10 Jun 09), the DMA (Defence Manufacturers Association) and the SBAC (Society of British Aerospace Companies) said that they had “cleared the final hurdle” in the process to agree a merger between the two trade associations. The merged organisation is expected to be launched in October 2009.
Comment: It is anticipated that the new organisation will be in a position to deliver improved services to around 800 member companies in civil aviation, Defence, space and public security. There is considerable overlap in the present membership of the DMA and the SBAC. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 10/23, 22 June 09)
25 Jun 09. Lockheed Martin has won a new contract to manage the Field Logistics Readiness Center (FLRC) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The contract is valued at $203m over a five year period of performance and was awarded under the Field & Installation Readiness
Support Team (FIRST) contract vehicle. (Source: Google)
22 Jun 09. W&E Platt announced the opening of its new UK & European Headquarters, based in Dorset. The new premises will provide the company with complete capability to service current and new customers in the UK & Europe with sales, support and ILS packages and will be headed by Major Jez Hermer MBE RM (Rtd).
MARITIME
10 Jun 09. HMS VANGUARD: Return to Service. The Armed Forces’ Minister confirmed (10 Jun 09) that HMS VANGUARD had returned to Operational service following repair work at HM Naval Base, Clyde.
Comment: HMS VANGUARD collided with another SSBN, the French LE TRIOMPHANT, in the Atlantic during the night of 3/4 Feb 09. Official information about damage to either submarine has remained sketchy, but VANGUARD returned to Faslane under her own power on 14 Feb 09. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 10/23, 22 June 09)
26 Jun 09. The Type 22 frigate HMS Chatham leaves Devonport Royal Dockyard for sea trials today, Friday 26 June, ahead of schedule, following a successful Docking and Essential Defects (DED) Period undertaken by Babcock, working closely with ship’s staff, Superintendent Fleet Maintenance (SFM), and the Surface Combatant Frigates team. The DED has addressed a number of defects on the vessel as well as providing an opportunity for various inspections and essential maintenance, and has completed a week ahead of the contract date and within budget. The majority of the work has been associated with internal and external constructive repairs, and external painting of the outerbottom, superstructure and decks, involving sign