31/07/2008

Raytheon recruits top US General as Vice-President

Raytheon Network Centric Systems Names Green VP Joint Operations And Integration
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Raytheon_Network_Centric_Systems_Names_Green_VP_Joint_Operations_And_Integration_999.htmlby Staff Writers, Mckinney TX (SPX) Jul 29, 2008

Raytheon's Network Centric Systems has named Stanley E. Green vice president for joint operations and integration. Green will be responsible for the full range of transformation and business initiatives involving the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joint operations, Joint Forces Command, and the military component commands in the Tidewater, Va., area. He will be based at NCS headquarters in McKinney."Stan Green brings a wealth of expertise to our business development team," said Jack Costello, NCS vice president for business development and strategic planning."

His experience in uniform, in war and peace, and with the government interagency process makes him a perfect fit for this position, and we look forward to his contribution as the head of our joint operations efforts."

Green joins Raytheon after more than 37 years in the Army from which he retired in the rank of lieutenant general.I n his most recent assignment, he served as the Inspector General of the Army -- one of the most carefully chosen positions in the service -- where he was responsible for monitoring, inspecting and periodically reporting on various aspects of discipline, efficiency, morale, training, and readiness in the Army.In that capacity, he reported directly to the secretary of the Army and the chief of staff of the Army.

His military and leadership experience also includes numerous senior staff positions, both in the Army and at the Joint level. He distinguished himself as the chief of staff of the Eighth U.S. Army, U.S. Forces, Korea, where he regularly worked with the United Nations and the Department of State.He was the deputy chief of staff for doctrine at the Army's Training and Doctrine Command where he was responsible for developing and distributing Army warfighting doctrine, and where he was instrumental in developing initial doctrine for the Army's Future Combat System.He also served as the deputy Inspector General of the Army, and as the commanding general of the United States Army Air Defense Artillery Center and Fort Bliss, Texas, where he was responsible for the Army's air defense branch.Green has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Texas, El Paso, and master's degrees in management from Webster University and in Strategic Studies from the National War College.

30/07/2008

New Labour Trash - hoping no one will notice!!

Source: Guardian (UK), July 22, 2008
On parliament's last day before its summer break, the British government publicly released thirty ministerial statements, including one listing the salaries of "special advisers," one detailing the siting criteria for new nuclear power stations and another detailing the guests entertained at Prime Minister Gordon Brown's official residence, Chequers. The document dump was dubbed by some as "take out the trash day," after an episode of the fictional television series on the White House, the West Wing. Mike Granatt, a former head of the British government's Government Information and Communications Service and now a partner in the PR firm Luther Pendragon, explained to PR Week, "You shove everything out on one day and you hope the volume of it means there's only a certain amount of room in the papers and on TV and radio, so that squeezes it. And, secondly, you take the hit at once."

25/07/2008

Please can we have a debate in Wales about ...St Athan mercenary training world

Leanne Woods transcript of her question to Carwyn Jones AM, the Leader of the House, at the Senedd on July 1st.

Leanne Wood: I am sure that you will be aware of reports about documents received from the defence training review executive board,which show that there is a major affordability gap in the proposed St Athan development, that there are 15 significant risks to frontlinetroops from the Metrix proposal, that 72 percent of trainers have said that they do not want to move to south Wales and that the construction industry cannot cope with the project, which coincides with the construction work for the Olympics inLondon. Do you accept that in addition to all of these problems, the credit crunch will make borrowing more expensive, bearing in mind that this is also a PFI project? These are serious concerns which need to be given debating time in the Assembly. I accept that the decision around this development is not an Assembly decision and that it is not a devolved issue, but Members need to be satisfied that if this project falls apart, the Assembly’s budget will not be adversely affected.

Carwyn Jones:With regard to St Athan, it is important that we do not put ourselves in a situation whereby we, effectively, appear not to beable to deliver a project in Wales. We have the construction ability to build this project,and it is important that we make that point. If it is the case that many instructors do not want to come to Wales, that does not work very well in terms of selling Wales. I suspect that as soon as the project is up and running and building work begins and they see the facility being built, many people will want to move to Wales. We do not want to give the impression to the world that there is no point building anything in Wales because no-one wants to come here in any case; there is a great danger there. The commitment to the defence training academy is still extremely strong. The Ministry of Defence reaffirmed its commitment to package 1 on 31 January2008, and it is an important development that will bring many jobs to the Vale of Glamorgan and the wider surrounding area,including the Valleys. The full record of proceedings can be viewed here: http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-chamber/bus-chamber-third-assembly-rop.htm?act=dis&id=91292&ds=7/2008#rhif2

pathetic... cap in hand to new labour and government uk - not even a debate. not a mention of the privatisation of the war machine..war profiteers,...mercenary training ... for a small now undisclosed number of jobs ......ethics? principles, policies don't matter.

______________________________________________________________________

16/07/2008

No Metrix Contract signed ..Welsh Press silence?

Shropshire Star yesterday
Doubts over defence training deal

<http://www.shropshirestar.com/wp-content/uploads/cosford2.jpg>
cosford2.jpgMajor doubts arose today about the multi-billion pound defence training contract won by South Wales in a controversial deal which threatened the future of RAF Cosford.

For the first time, the Government has admitted that the contract won by the Metrix consortium for a new defence academy at RAF St Athan could fall foul of the credit crunch.

Despite the project being awarded to St Athan last year, Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth admitted last night that the Ministry of Defence has not yet signed a contract with Metrix.

He told Tory MP for The Wrekin Mark Pritchard in a Commons reply that the MoD continues to work with Metrix “on a range of issues to achieve an affordable, value for money, acceptable and deliverable project”.

He added: “Cost growth and the implications of the credit crunch on borrowing have been a significant factor.”

Mr Pritchard commented: “This is the first public acknowledgement by a Government minister that the Defence Training Review programme is unravelling.

“The affordability gap would impact on defence training for all of HM armed forces and would also severely affect the capability of Britain’s frontline forces.”

RAF Cosford’s future has been uncertain since the Government awarded the contract, estimated to be worth £16 billion, to South Wales. The MoD’s current position is that Cosford could become a super-garrison for thousands of troops returning from Germany.


14 July 2008

No sign if this contract being signed what with pfi and the 'affordability' gap. So what are the Welsh Assembly Government spending money on a sham inept consultation?



Armed Forces: Training

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact on Defence Training Review project financing of levels of demand from residential developers for his Department’s land at (a) Aborfield and (b) Borden. [217395]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Defence Training Review (DTR) Package 1 Project plans to improve and rationalise phase 2 and phase 3 technical training. As a consequence of this rationalisation both Bordon and Arborfield Garrisons will be released for sale from 2012 onwards.

MOD has sought recent independent valuation advice for both sites as part of financial appraisals for DTR which uses prudent levels of values in its assessments.

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency plans have been agreed by his Department for managing affordability gaps identified in the Defence Training Review. [217725]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Department continues to work constructively with the Metrix consortium on a range of issues on DTR Package 1 to achieve an affordable, value for money, acceptable and deliverable project. Cost growth and the implications of the credit crunch on borrowing have been a significant factor. The Department has been working jointly with Metrix to drive the price down to seek to eliminate the affordability gap without materially affecting the scope of the project.

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to discuss with the Comptroller and Auditor General the treatment of the financing of the Defence Training Review programme in his Department's accounts. [217726]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Ministry of Defence has not yet entered into a contract for the delivery of Defence Training with the Metrix consortium. The treatment of the financing of the Defence Training Review (DTR) programme does not therefore appear in the Department's accounts and consequently there are no plans to discuss DTR with the Comptroller and Auditor General. One

14 July 2008 : Column 164W
minor entry for a contingent liability of £9.5 million will, however, be included in this financial year's account. This undertaking was laid as a departmental minute before the House for 14 working days on 29 January this year.

Defence Training Review Executive Board

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the minutes of the last meeting of the Defence Training Review Executive Board. [217394]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I am withholding the information requested as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interest.

14/07/2008

Military Wales school for mercenaries

NEO IMPERIALISM
To complement this, the Brown government is spending £11bn of taxpayers' money on a huge, privatised military academy in Wales, which will train foreign soldiers and mercenaries recruited to the bogus 'war on terror'. ...Hetty Litjens: Dubya - http://radio.weblogs.com/0116902/categories/dubya/

13/07/2008

Raytheon want to use training as a means of expansion amd arms sales.

Note The Metrix-WAG presentation for "key stakeholders" is from 6-7.30 pm Mon 14th July at the Methodist Church "Gathering Place", St Athan centre. See below*

Shows how Raytheon want to use training as a means of expansion amd arms sales. Protest now!!! Write to your AM, MP today

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=a6X0tNLjSjQM&refer=uk This
……Next week's event allows Raytheon to highlight its role in the Metrix team that won a 16 billion pound ($31.5 billion) contract from the U.K. Ministry of Defense in 2007, Teel, 63, said. That work has drawn interest from North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies and from customers in the Middle East, he said.

Raytheon Says New Training Division Will Build on NASA, GM Work
By Edmond Lococo

july 9 (Bloomberg) -- Raytheon Co., the defense contractor that helped train astronauts and Mr. Goodwrench mechanics, plans to capture a larger share of the $9 billion professional instruction market, a company executive said.

Raytheon, maker of the Tomahawk missile and Patriot air- defense systems, next week will open a global training division to consolidate business previously spread across the company, said Steve Teel, senior vice president for strategic initiatives. The unit will use expertise culled from working with NASA and General Motors Corp. to pursue commercial and military customers worldwide, he said.

``It was a matter of coming to the realization that training was part of our business, and that we had world-class capabilities,'' Teel said in a June 30 interview.

The company will unveil the unit at the Farnborough International Air Show near London, Teel said.

Training services added about $550 million to last year's sales, or 2.6 percent of Waltham, Massachusetts-based Raytheon's revenue. International growth will help lift training-services sales by more than 6.5 percent annually, Teel said.

The Global Training Solutions unit provides curriculum development, instructor-led training, manuals and simulators. For the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Raytheon helps run a laboratory at the Johnson Space Center in Houston that prepares astronauts for spacewalks in a pool filled with underwater mockups. The company also helps operate a facility that features life-size models of the space shuttle and the space station interior.

`Mr. Goodwrench'

For Detroit-based GM, Raytheon has managed the Service Technical College that trains most technicians in the carmaker's Mr. Goodwrench program. The system has prepared 65,000 technicians for work at 7,000 dealerships in North America.

Raytheon redesigned training from a 98 percent instructor- based technique to one that blends Web-based methods and instruction by satellite. Customers include Pfizer Inc., the world's largest drug company, and Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's second-largest automaker, Teel said.

About 1,500 Raytheon workers are employed in training services, or 2.1 percent of the global staff.......Next week's event allows Raytheon to highlight its role in the Metrix team that won a 16 billion pound ($31.5 billion) contract from the U.K. Ministry of Defense in 2007, Teel, 63, said. That work has drawn interest from North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies and from customers in the Middle East, he said.

Raytheon has a similar training role with the Army through a $11.2 billion program that provides live and computer-based training. Raytheon competes against training-services suppliers such as International Business Machines Corp. and Accenture Ltd.

To contact the reporter on this story: Edmond Lococo in Boston at elococo@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: July 9, 2008 00:01 EDT

See also

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/07/08/new-homes-in-peril-as-1-100-jobs-axed-91466-21303481/ This article also refers to DTR. In their new blurb Metrix say they plan to build 559 new homes. Thats not bad for the 5000 new jobs and families they promise !!


08/07/2008

Sham St Athan Consultation

Latest articles from Shropshire Star at http://www.pcsshropshire.selfip.org/newspage/

‘Outrageous’ tax avoidance by PFIs must stop, says MP
A WELSH MP will bid to change the law today to force firms that build schools, roads and hospitals to pay tax in the UK.more
http://email.icnetwork.co.uk/re?l=bksxz7I38m1qogImViews on St Athan plans sought

WalesOnline - NEW round of public consultations on the multi-billion pound Defence Training Academy at St Athan will be held this month. The Defence Technical Academy ...

The exhibitions at St Athan, Cowbridge and Llantwit are mentioned in the B&DN Press Advert (not in the Gem!) but not the prior event for "Key Stakeholders" on Mon 14 July 18.00-19.30 at St Athan Methodist Church 'Gathering Place', Flemingston Rd.Attached is the report circulated for it and presumably available at the exhibitions (Tues/Wed-St Athan, Thurs-Cowbridge, Fri-Llantwit).Monday's event has a presentation and questions to Metrix, WAG and MoD reps. The organisers Camargue Group Ltd seem flexible
invite.enquiries@st-athanconsultation.co.uk
Phone - 0845 618 0016; website still being set up.

Note the name change to Defence Technical Academy, instead of Training - agreed in the last 2 weeks!


ST ATHAN –
Home of the Defence Technical Academy and Aerospace Park – FAQ, June 2008


THE SCHEME

Where is the proposed site?
MOD St Athan is located in the Vale of Glamorgan close to the village of St Athan. The site is owned by the Welsh Assembly Government and is currently used for a range of MOD training and commercial and aerospace operations. St Athan has always been used to provide training for MOD personnel since it was first acquired by the RAF in 1938 and has been an integral part of the community for more than 70 years.


What will be delivered?
The redevelopment will chiefly consist of a new Defence Technical Academy, with associated housing and facilities, and an Aerospace Business Park.

With a commitment to technological innovation and a dynamic approach to training delivery the Defence Technical Academy will provide training for up to 4,500 students at any one time specialising in aeronautical and electro mechanical engineering, and communications/IT disciplines. The Aerospace Business Park will attract businesses involved in both civilian and military work and will further strengthen the region’s existing track record in aerospace expertise.

Who will deliver the project?
The redevelopment of MOD St Athan brings together a number of parties, primarily Metrix, the Welsh Assembly Government and the MOD.

Raytheon Systems Limited- The Metrix consortium combines the best in technical knowledge, ... The Metrix Solution –Building a World-Class Defence Training Academy ...www.raytheon.co.uk/products/dtr.html - 18k -

In 2007, the Secretary of State for Defence announced that the Metrix Consortium had been selected as the MOD’s Preferred Bidder for the delivery of the Defence Technical Academy. Metrix, a special purpose company that is a 50/50 joint venture between the defence and technology research group QinetiQ and leading British property development and investment company Land Securities Trillium, has extensive experience in delivering projects of this scope and scale. (shhh! don't mention Raytheon arms dealers, Serco?)

The redevelopment of St Athan is being undertaken in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government, which is promoting the development of the Aerospace Business Park and providing major new infrastructure for the entire development.


Why do we need to redevelop St Athan?
Currently, specialist training in aeronautical, electro mechanical engineering and communication/IT disciplines takes place at nine different sites across the UK producing some of the world’s best trained military personnel. The Metrix vision will see the Defence Technical Academy building on this success by creating a single training facility of international standing.

The Defence Technical Academy will bring training, for each of the services; Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, together in one location for the first time. The benefits of this are considerable and will ensure that UK military personnel continue to receive the very best training available, whilst bringing together each of the services in one location will mean further benefits in terms of efficiency and shared learning.


Furthermore, the existing site, specifically East Camp, is currently under utilised with many of the buildings at the end of their economic life or in need of significant investment.

St Athan is also a strategically important asset with an operational runway and as part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s support programme for the aerospace sector is being developed as an Aerospace Business Park.


ABOUT THE PROJECT

What would the Defence Technical Academy look like?
The design and construction of the Technical Academy will be of a high design standard. The former DARA Super Hangar will also be an integral part, ensuring that this recently built facility continues to be used appropriately.

What will the Aerospace Business Park comprise?
Part of the existing airfield site will be redeveloped as an Aerospace Business Park, which will accommodate a number of businesses primarily engaged in commercial and military aerospace activities.

The Aerospace Business Park will complement the training academy as well as becoming a centre for excellence in its own right building upon South Wales’ existing aerospace expertise.

How will the construction process be managed?
A number of measures would be introduced to ensure that any disruption to the local community during construction is kept to a minimum. These include minimising any construction traffic at night and only using specified, pre-agreed routes into the site.


EMPLOYMENT & THE ECONOMY

What local employment opportunities will there be?
The Technical Academy will result in the creation of a number of new jobs. The construction phase will also generate further employment opportunities for the local community and the wider Vale of Glamorgan. The Aerospace Business Park has the potential to provide some 2,000 further jobs for the area together with significant training opportunities through local universities, colleges and training providers. Jobs created by the Technical Academy, together with the trainees attending, would result in an annual multi million pound injection into the local/regional economy.

How can businesses become involved with the redevelopment of St Athan?
The St Athan team is already engaged in discussions with a number of local and regional suppliers and would be pleased to hear from any business that feels it has an offering that would be beneficial in the redevelopment of St Athan – see contact details below.


TRANSPORT

How will traffic be managed?
Improvement works including new accesses and enhancements to Eglwys Brewis Road, St Athan Junction, the B4265 road at Gileston/Old Mill and Waycock Cross roundabout will help ensure the road network is able to cope with any increase in traffic at peak times. Planning applications will include proposals for routing and mitigation measures for construction traffic generated by the development proposals. A Green Travel Plan will also be introduced that that will include a number of measures to reduce car usage, such as encouraging site personnel to use public transport.


How is public transport provision being considered?
A full transport assessment will be undertaken to assess the likely need for any enhancements to the existing public transport network and ensure appropriate provision is made.


THE ENVIRONMENT

What is being done to preserve the local ecology of the site and the surrounding area?
A comprehensive series of measures will be implemented to ensure that the effects on wildlife are minimised and new habitats provided will be of the highest standards. A series of new ponds have already been created and will provide a haven for wildlife and an ideal habitat for the existing population of great crested newts.


What other measures will be taken to minimise environmental impact?
The developers intend to build a high quality development, with appropriate landscaping, in keeping with the character of the location and which will be taken forward, as far as possible, on sustainable development principles. To this end, a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment is being undertaken. To help meet energy needs in a sustainable manner, the proposed development will include an Energy Centre incorporating a bio-mass generator that would be fuelled in part by wood chips, reducing carbon emissions for the technical academy by between 30 and 60 per cent per annum. In addition to this, a series of environmental policies will be adopted, with one of the most comprehensive recycling and composting schemes of any modern development. On site water retention will be introduced to control surface run-off and a waste minimisation strategy will see rubble from the demolition phase being re-used as building materials and in the landscaping of the site.


HOUSING

Will new houses be built in St Athan and will new facilities be provided?
Up to 550 houses will be built to provide family accommodation for personnel during their stay. Design will be of a high standard that will complement the local area. A number of potential sites in and around the area are being considered and assessed in terms of their suitability.

Retail, leisure, medical, sports and recreational facilities will be provided for site personnel to ensure that no additional burden is placed on existing services within the community. In addition, it is anticipated that some of these facilities will be made available to the public at certain times.


CONSULTATION

Do the views of the public really count?
This is a genuine process of consultation and we consider every comment that is made. Comments made during the course of previous consultation exercises have already influenced the emerging plan and we will continue to listen as we move forward together.

What happens next?
Between now and the proposed submission of a planning application in Spring 2009, there will be an ongoing programme of consultation including the distribution of newsletters, a regularly updated web-site, workshops and a series of public exhibitions. The first phase of consultation will take place in July 2008 and will help inform the topics for the workshops that will take place later in the year. If the planning application is approved, and following financial close, construction work could start in early 2010 with completion of the technical academy by 2014.


How can the public get involved?
As well as a series of public exhibitions, there will also be a programme of workshops that will begin later in the year. Dates for the first phase of exhibitions have already been confirmed and these will be used to help identify topics for the workshops. In addition, a dedicated telephone number, e-mail address and freepost address have been set up. These can be used to ask questions, pass on comments or simply raise issues the public feel we need to be aware of. Details as follows:

- Email - enquiries@st-athanconsultation.co.uk
- Phone - 0845 618 0016
- Address - Camargue Group Ltd, Freepost RRKG-AZTG-JLJX,
St Athan Consultation
Eagle Tower,
Montpellier Drive
Cheltenham, GL50 1TA

-ENDS-

The Metrix Consortium
St Athan Academy will be a private facility operated by the Metrix Consortium, which is a joint venture company of Land Securities Trillium and Qinetiq, in partnership with other sub-contracting companies: AgustaWestland, City & Guilds, Currie & Brown, Dalkia, EDS, Laing O’Rourke, Nord Anglia, Raytheon, Serco, Sodexho and the Open University. The Metrix business model for maximising its profits at St Athan is to maximise the amount of training it provides, through serving not just the British military but militaries all over the world. “The only winners in the privatisation of defence training,” says Mark Serwotka, General Secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, “are the shareholders of the Metrix Consortium.”

More information on EDSEDS coporate incompetanceEDS contract slammed by union chief Mark Serwotka PCS

07/07/2008

Last minute consultation sham

Views on St Athan plans sought WalesOnline -

A NEW round of public consultations on the multi-billion pound Defence Training Academy at St Athan will be held this month. The Defence Technical Academy ...See all stories on this topic
Too little too late in the holiday period when many are away and with little notice and without consulting in n Cardiff - useless

Qinetiq asset stripping

MOD - Not fit for Purose (Part3)By Jim Rafferty(Jim Rafferty) There used to be a strong cadre of science civil servants but they went too, after the Defence Research Agency was sold off to Qinetiq, leaving behind a managerial rump known as DSTL (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory) — soon ...Military Police Association -... - http://iom-rmpa.blogspot.com/