BREAKING NEWS!
May 15, 2012
NHDF Announces Grants of $48,800
The National Homeland Defense Foundation (NHDF) announced that it has made grants of $48,800 to various military programs in Colorado through the Homeland Defender’s Fund™ that the Foundation administers.
Programs receiving grants at Ft. Carson include rehabilitation for wounded warriors, family programs on marriage counseling, domestic violence seminars, and support for the Fallen Heroes Center and the Family Readiness Center. The Colorado National Guard was awarded a grant to support child care programs, and the US Air Force Academy received a grant for their Airman and Family Readiness Center program.
“We are grateful to the many citizens of our community who have so generously donated to the Fund that allows support of these very worthy programs for our military members and their families. The State of Colorado continues to be very supportive of our men and women in service to our nation,” said Don Addy, President of NHDF.
The Homeland Defender’s Fund is a charitable non-profit fund that receives donations from citizens and corporations who want to support military programs. Donations and gifts to the fund are combined with others and then contributed to various support programs at Colorado military installations. For more information on how to contribute, click on www.thehdfund.org or call 719-577-7417.
April 27, 2012
Northeastern University wins top award; USMA West Point is second; University of Calgary third
Northeastern University captured the top prize of $10,000 for their entry in the 2012 National Security Innovation Competition held at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs on Friday, April 27, 2012.
Congratulations to all the finalists for a job well done. We look forward to seeing you in 2013.
U.S. Coast Guard needs $1 billion-plus in post-9/11 world
By April Jackson
National Homeland Defense Foundation
Editor's note: The 2011 NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM on Homeland Security and Defense™ includes a presentation featuring U.S. Coast Guard Vice Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara. This year's symposium is scheduled Oct. 31-Nov. 2 at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo.
In the 10 years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, the U.S. Coast Guard has made significant changes to ensure our homeland, ports and waterways are safe and secure.
The service is using advanced surveillance tools to monitor activity on the water; has increased vessel and aircraft patrols; and has formed partnerships with governmental and private organizations in the intelligence community, according to Admiral Robert J. Papp Jr., U.S. Coast Guard commandant.
"America is a maritime nation," said the admiral. "Ninety percent of our goods arrive by or are shipped by sea. These same waters that facilitate commerce and stimulate the economy also offer routes to our country for illegal activities, such as drugs and illegal migrants or security threats."
Coast Guard activities and responsibilities have increased, but budgets have tightened and ships, aircraft, boats and infrastructure are aging. This puts a huge amount of stress on the service, Papp said.
This challenge has led to a focus on "higher-order needs" for fiscal year 2012, Papp said in testimony before a House subcommittee earlier this year. These needs include: rebuilding the Coast Guard; sustaining front-line operations; enhancing maritime incident prevention and response; and supporting military families.
Rebuilding the service will require $1.4 billion, and will involve replacing obsolete boats, aircraft, cutters built in the 1960s and Command, Control, Communications, Computers Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems, say Coast Guard officials.
A fleet of eight high-tech National Security Cutters with extensive capabilities will be phased in over the next several years. The first two NSCs, the Bertholf and Waesche, have been commissioned and are conducting operational patrols. The third will be delivered this year. The fourth has been awarded, and the fifth has received funding.
It's critical to expedite funding for the remaining three NSCs, said Papp. The current cutters have become unreliable, are less effective and are expensive to maintain.
"With (NSCs) unmatched combination of range, speed and ability to operate in extreme weather conditions ... we are a safer and more secure nation," said Rear Admiral John Korn, U.S. Coast Guard assistant commandant for acquisition.
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PRESENTATION: "The Ever-Changing Face of the U.S. Coast Guard," featuring U.S. Coast Guard Vice Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara, 3 p.m.-3:45 p.m., Monday, Oct. 31
The NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM on Homeland Security and Defense™ is the nation's leading public forum on homeland security and homeland defense. The 2011 symposium is the ninth annual conference organized by the National Homeland Defense Foundation. The symposium features international experts discussing the latest research, operations and policies affecting homeland security and defense.
Watch the NHDF web site at www.nhdf.org for more information about the symposium, including updates on speakers and panelists.
WHEN/WHERE: Oct. 31-Nov. 2, The Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs, Colo.
REGISTRATION: Pricing for this year's symposium is $400 for members of the military, $600 for industry professionals. To ensure your seat, please REGISTER today.
