Command Post Tampa

Proposed Defense Budget Saves Clearwater-based National Guard WMD Unit

2013-04-18T13:09:36-05:00

In January 2012, I profiled the 48th Civil Support Team, a 22-member unit of the Florida National Guard that waits in their hangar at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport for disasters human-made and natural.

The unit had been on the budget chopping block, but their funding was restored in the…

Pentagon announces deaths of 3 soldiers this week

2013-03-29T16:21:10-05:00

The Pentagon announced the deaths of three soldiers last week.

Sgt. Michael C. Cable, 26, of Philpot, Ky., died March 27, from injuries sustained when his unit was attacked by enemy forces in Shinwar District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. Cable was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry,…

SOCOM to induct two Medal of Honor recipients into SOCOM Hall of Honor

2013-03-29T16:22:09-05:00

I’ve been terribly remiss in posting to this blog, but here’s a good place to restart.

U.S. Special Operations Command will host a ceremony inducting Medal of Honor recipients Army Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller and Army Sgt. 1st Class Leroy A. Petry into the Socom Hall of Honor at…

Odessa Firm Wins $800,000 DOD Energy Efficiency Grant

2013-01-23T13:36:05-05:00

An Odessa company is one of five nationwide receiving a military grant to find new ways of conserving energy on the battlefield.

Dais Analytic Corp., which provides “industry-changing, nanotechnology-based applications for heating and cooling, water treatment, and energy storage,” according to the company Web site, will receive an $800,000 grant…

SOCCENT getting new CG

2013-01-23T13:07:00-05:00

U.S. Special Operations Command Central Command, known as SOCCENT, is getting a new commander.

Maj. Gen. Michael K. Nagata, deputy director for special operations, J-37, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C., has been named to replace Maj. Gen. Ken Tovo, who has been commander since Sept., 2011.
The command, headquartered at…

Groundbreaking on Home For Wounded Vet Saturday In Tampa

2013-01-02T11:07:26-05:00

An Army Staff Sgt. severely wounded in Afghanistan will become the latest injured service member to have a home built for him in the area.

Homes for Our Troops, a national non-profit organization dedicated to building specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans, will hold…

Pentagon Announces Deaths of 3 U.S. Troops in Past 8 Days

2013-01-05T15:22:35-05:00

The Pentagon announced the deaths of three U.S. troops in the past eight days.

Pfc. Markie T. Sims, 20, of Citra, Fla., died Dec. 29 in Panjwal, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 38th Engineer Company,…

DOD Announces 1 Troop Death This Week

2012-12-22T16:21:50-05:00

The Department of Defense announced the death of one soldier last week.

Sgt. 1st Class Kevin E. Lipari, 39, of Baldwin, N.Y., died Dec. 14 in Logar province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to HHC 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Bamberg, Germany. This incident is under investigation.

There have now been…

Bucs’ Jackson Creates Fund For Military Kids, Kicks Off First Event Tonight At MacDinton’s

2012-12-18T14:30:21-05:00

Vincent Jackson makes big contributions to the Bucs on the field, but he is trying to have an even bigger impact off the field.

Jackson, a wide receiver, has formed the Jackson in Action 83 Foundation, dedicated to “helping children stay connected with parents or loved ones serving in the…

Combat Wounded Afghan Vet To Get New Home In Tampa

2012-12-18T08:02:27-05:00

After losing both of his legs in Afghanistan, SPC Charlie Lemon came home and received months of rehabilitation. Later this morning, he will receive the keys to his new home as part of Operation FINALLY HOME.

Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor will be the keynote speaker at a 10 a.m.…