Army secretary visits White addresses NCOs, local media

Capt. Deanna Bague
5035th GSU PAO

"We are blessed with what I think is the finest NCO (noncommissioned officer) Corps on the face of the earth," said the Honorable Thomas E. White, Secretary of the Army, referring to the Sergeants Major Academy that is housed on Fort Bliss.

A press conference was held this past Monday afternoon at the new deployment facility on Biggs Army Air Field, where White addressed several issues concerning soldier welfare, readiness, recruitment, and the war on terrorism.

White had addressed the NCOs at the Sergeants Major Academy earlier that same day. "They made me an honorary noncom-missioned officer," said White, as he pointed to the first sergeant rank pinned on his lapel.

The Secretary of the Army told reporters that he is aware that the soldiers are heavily involved in today's Army, which he described as, "an Army at war." "They are intensely interested in the direction, the transformation and readiness of the Army, and what this means to them as noncommissioned offi-cers," White said.

In respect to caring for soldiers and their families, White pointed out that taking care of soldiers' families is critical and the president fully supports improvements in family programs.

According to White, the current budget addresses housing, health, educational opportunities and pay. Due to this, he said that soldiers will continue to see an increase in pay raises, in basic allowance for housing and "improvements in the economics of being a soldier."

Again, White stressed the good quality of soldiers in the Army. He stated that the last two years have been extremely successful recruiting years in which recruiting goals have been met "without sacrificing the quality we look for," he said.

In his discussion of the war on terrorism, White noted that Fort Bliss has vital capabilities in air defense. "The Patriot will be very important in whatever the President decides to order us to do. Fort Bliss soldiers stationed here will play a vital role," said White.

White concluded by saying that the Army will continue its mission to pursue the war on terrorism as part of the joint force, and at the same time continue to support taskings in Kosovo and the Sinai.

This is a very busy Army, but "morale is excellent," said White.

Cassidy Gate to be closed until Jan. 19

Master Sgt. Steve Miller
Public Affairs Chief

Motorists approaching the Cassidy Road gate entrance Monday morning were greeted by barriers and a "Road Closed" sign.

The entrance, perhaps the busiest route onto or off of Fort Bliss, closed at 5 a.m. Monday for safety reasons while construction workers build the support structure for a canopy, which will provide cover for the vehicle inspection and ID check areas, post officials say. The Cassidy Road entrance will remain closed through 5 a.m. Jan. 19.

"The (Cassidy) gate is closed for the construction of the overhead work for the canopy. They couldn't safely do this work at night, and it would have delayed completion," said Mike Lockamy, chief of Engineering, Plans and Services for the Department of Public Works and Logistics. "It's a big help having the gate closed for this short time. It makes it safer for everyone involved, including the contractor personnel."

To help alleviate some of the congestion caused by the closure, post officials opened the J.E.B. Stuart North gate, next to Fort Bliss National Cemetery, at 5 a.m. Monday. That entrance will be open around the clock, seven days a week, during the construction period at the Cassidy Road entrance, Lockamy said. When the Cassidy Road gate reopens Jan. 19, the J.E.B. Stuart North gate will close.

Day passes for visitors will only be available at the Sheridan North gate (near U.S. Highway 54 and Fred Wilson Boulevard), and the Robert E. Lee gate off Airport Road, Military Police said.

Parents walking their children to and from Bliss Elementary School can continue to do so without disruption because the pedestrian entrance at the Cassidy Road gate will be open from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, Military Police said.

Construction at the Cassidy Road entrance began Nov. 4 and is expected to continue until July 15. In addition to the canopy, the entrance will get a new guardhouse, additional paving, a gate guard waiting/ rest building and multiple new antiterrorism/force protection devices, including automatic vehicle barriers and a security camera system, Lockamy noted during a recent interview.

"We're hoping it will be earlier," Lockamy said of the July 15 completion date. "It still depends somewhat on the delivery of force-protection equipment."

Lockamy also said Cassidy's inbound and outbound lanes will shift, as required, later during construction, with one inbound and one outbound lane open at all times.