A collection of news and information specifically for the C4ISR community

Vol. 4, No. 14
April 10, 2008

Secretary talks tankers, cyber, C2 at Hanscom

Staff Sgt. Justin Cremer, a tactical air control party (TAC-P) Airman, nominates a target for a close air support mission during a demonstration conducted for Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne during his visit to Hanscom AFB, Mass., April 3. The target was derived using a machine-to-machine interface, which by automatically transferring coordinates into the cockpit, streamlines the kill chain.  (Photo by Mark Wyatt)

By Chuck Paone
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Visiting Hanscom AFB, Mass., April 3 and 4, Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne spoke of the future while reflecting on the past.

"For all the advances we've made, I still believe there are more imaginative things to be done with electronics," the secretary said. He added that he considered Hanscom, which is home to the Air Force Electronic Systems Center and the base where he was first stationed, the right place for this additional innovation.

"I remember being here as a brand new second lieutenant," he said. "Back then, I was working on digital switches before anyone had ever heard of digital switches."

He said that ESC and Hanscom still provide a critical "nexus of all the advances of electronics for the benefit of the warfighter."  (More)

Secretary Wynne: Airmen doing phenomenal things

Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne addresses questions on the current deployment operations tempo, recapitalization, cyberspace and other related topics during an interview with the 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office here April 4. Secretary Wynne visited Hanscom as part of a two-day trip that included a stop at Harvard University.  (Photo by Mark Wyatt)

By 2nd Lt. C. Michaela Judge
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Hanscom had an opportunity to showcase both the progress and dedication of the base's workforce to the Air Force's top leader last week.

While on a two-day trip that included a stop at Harvard University, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne met with men and women of the Hanscom community April 3 and 4, his first visit since assuming the position in 2005.

During his tour here, he met with base and Electronic Systems Center leaders, and received various briefings on mission developments and the continued growth of Hanscom as a whole.

Secretary Wynne, who was stationed at Hanscom as a young second lieutenant, briefly reflected on his time here, saying that he has "good memories" and that "... the hospitality at Hanscom is certainly unchanged."  (More)

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By Kevin Gilmartin
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Registration is going fast for the Air Force Cyber Symposium II, June 17-19 at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center in Marlborough, Mass., with more than 300 people already signed up.

The symposium features an all-star line up of speakers, headed by Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James E. Cartwright, U.S. Marine Corps.

Those wanting to attend the symposium, which is co-sponsored by Electronic Systems Center, Air Force Cyberspace Command (Provisional) and the Air Force Association’s Paul Revere Chapter, can register online at the AFA chapter’s Web site: www.paulrevereafa.org . Cost for attending the symposium is $330 for both government and industry.

“We’re about 10 weeks out and nearly a third of the 1,000 available seats are already taken, so I’d recommend that anyone who is planning on attending, either from government or industry, get online and sign up soon,” said Angela Dupont, president of the Paul Revere Chapter. “Don’t wait until the last minute and be shut out.”  (More)

To see the agenda slated for the Air Force Cyberspace Symposium II, click here.

754 ELSG spouse earns AFMC award

Electronic Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds presents the 2007 Air Force Materiel Command Connie Yates Spouse of the Year Award to Virginia "Ginger" Dosedel, wife of Electronic Systems Center’s Lt. Col Stefan Dosedel of the 754th Electronic Systems Group during a ceremony April 2 at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.  (Courtesy photo)
 

Survey aims to improve news, information delivery to AFMC work force

Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFMCNS) — Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command will launch a study soon to find out how AFMC people, both military and civilian, want to get news and information about AFMC and the Air Force.

A randomly selected group of military members and civilian employees will receive an e-mail invitation asking them to complete an online questionnaire to share their views on several information sources, products and technologies.

“This is a very important project for AFMC, because we’re working hard to improve our Air Force information delivery channels and products so our people get the information they want and need, when and how they want it,” said Ron Fry, AFMC director of Public Affairs. “If we hear that some of the information channels are working well while others are not, we’ll know where best to focus our resources and create the best communication efficiencies for both commanders and our work force. When people receive news and information in a format they like, they’re much more likely to absorb it, understand it, retain it and even share it.”  (More)

Red Sox opening day ceremony

Hanscom service members line the field in military formation at Fenway Park April 8 as part of Opening Day ceremonies. Four F-16s from the Vermont Air National Guard also took part in the festivities, performing a fly-by at the end of the National Anthem. The Boston Red Sox went on to beat the Detroit Tigers 5-0.
 (Photo by Walter Santos)
 

AFAF Charity Spotlight: AFAS helps Airmen through difficult times

By 2nd Lt. C. Michaela Judge
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Every year Air Force personnel have the opportunity to give to four charities that help provide for the well-being of fellow Airmen by participating in the Air Force Assistance Fund.

The AFAF campaign, led by 2nd Lt. Karl Artis III, 66th Mission Support Squadron, and 2nd Lt. Kenneth Tanyi, Air Force Research Laboratory, benefits four charities: the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Village Foundation, the General and Mrs. Curtis LeMay Foundation and the Air Force Enlisted Village.

Hanscom's monetary goal for this year's campaign is $37,089. If that goal is met, and at least 50 percent of active-duty troops participate in the campaign by donating money, then the Hanscom community will be eligible to receive $2,500. The use of the funds awarded will be determined by the installation commander.

Those who wish to contribute can do so online by visiting the AFAF Web site, www.afassistancefund.org , and completing the form. Once completed, forms should be turned into the individual's group or squadron key worker.  (More)

Space Command needs data fusion, protective measure technologies
-- Inside the Air Force
Air Force Space Command hopes that industry is working on the advancement of technologies that do not “get a lot of play,” ...

US cyberwarfare prep includes offense
-- Associated Press
U.S. military officials seeking to boost the nation's cyberwarfare capabilities are looking beyond defending the Internet ...

Light-attack plane could save USAF billions in O&M, preserver fighters
-- Inside the Air Force
The Air Force could save billions in operations and maintenance costs if it shifts away from using gas-guzzling fighter jets in Iraq and Afghanistan ...

editorials and opinion ...
Use of these articles does not reflect official endorsement.  Reproduction for private use or gain is subject to original copyright restrictions.

The real security challenge
-- Federal Computer Week
Last month, the federal government was caught up in yet another security incident, this time involving a stolen laptop PC ...

Air Force radar plan imperils troops
-- Lexington Institute
What's wrong with this picture? The Air Force plans to spend over a hundred billion dollars to buy 2,000 new fighters, but it can't find the money to upgrade ...

command comments ...

... Recently the Department of Defense learned that four non-nuclear nose cones for a ballistic missile were mistakenly shipped to Taiwan in the fall of 2006. Regardless of the results of the ongoing investigation, this situation has identified important lessons for all of the DoD as we increasingly automate procedures and systems - lessons we Airmen must absorb as members of the Joint team. These lessons follow our core values, and they illuminate the critical nature of attention to detail and checking initial entries.

Our values first and foremost encompass Integrity. We must always have the moral and intellectual courage to do the right thing and must continue to follow our moral compass in the decisions we make and actions we take. Integrity also refers to going the extra mile to ensure our work is absolutely accurate. The Air Force is made up of skilled Airmen who perform highly technical jobs. From entering target coordinates on a GPS-guided weapon to filling out forms, they all entail putting precise and sometimes complex entries into a computer. Our data entry actions may have immediate effects, or others may rely on our entry at times well into the future. Often, many people rely on the pinpoint accuracy of just one person's work. Every action of this Air Force is critical for our Nation; as we automate more and more, any data errors become part of a larger error set. ...
 

AF photo illustration by Mike Carabajal

-- Secretary of the Air Force
Michael W. Wynne

The Integrator is a weekly product of the 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office designed to give ESC decision makers a snapshot of news affecting the C4ISR community.  This e-publication is approved by Kevin Gilmartin, Chief of Public Affairs, (DSN) 478-4110 or commercial (781) 377-4110.  Back issues are available online.  To facilitate service, please select a link for your e-mails:  
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