A collection of news and information specifically for the C4ISR community

Vol. 4, No. 31
August 14, 2008

General Bowlds offers center assessment at call

Electronic Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds addresses members of the workforce inside the tennis bubble at Hanscom Aug. 11. The general said he’s been impressed with the performance and innovative spirit demonstrated by ESC personnel who are working to provide warfighter support.  (Photo by Mark Wyatt)

By Chuck Paone
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

On Monday, Electronic Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds, speaking in two separate commander’s call sessions, told employees that after eight months in command his center-wide assessment is positive.

“Some people, when they found out I was coming here, told me, ‘That group at ESC is hard to deal with, stuck in their ways, that they believe they know it all, they’re not very supportive, etc.,’” the general said. “I will tell you that after 249 days – and actually within about seven days – I’ve realized that the folks who had that impression were the ones who were wrong.”

He’s found the opposite of what they told him to be true, in fact.

“I’ve seen a group that is willing to try lots of stuff, to be out in front, wherever we can,” General Bowlds said. He noted, however, that constraints sometimes block ESC personnel from implementing innovative solutions.  (More)

Mr. Richard Lombardi

Lombardi named as Center executive director

The Air Force announced Aug. 7 that Senior Executive Service member Richard Lombardi will become the next Electronic Systems Center executive director.

Mr. Lombardi is currently serving as director of budget investment within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Financial Management and Comptroller, at the Pentagon. There he has been responsible for planning, directing and supervising the budget formulation and financial execution of Air Force procurement, research, development, test and evaluation, military construction, family housing, and Base Realignment and Closure appropriations that total more than $40 billion annually.

A native of Lowell, Mass., Mr. Lombardi served within the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom AFB for a four-year period in the mid-1980s.
 

New ABW commander: Lead by example, provide high-quality service

Col. David L. Orr, who took command of the 66th Air Base Wing two weeks ago, addresses wing members during an Aug. 7 commander’s call in the base theater. The colonel emphasized a commitment to providing top-notch service and to leading by example.  (Photo by Rick Berry)

By Kevin Gilmartin
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

The 66th Air Base Wing’s new commander, Col. David L. Orr, has only been at Hanscom a short time, but already he’s identified a number of priorities – with the goal for the wing to provide world-class support to Electronic Systems Center and optimize the quality of life for those who live and work here.

He outlined his focus areas for the Hanscom team during a series of commander’s calls Aug. 7, and expanded on them in an interview later that day.

The colonel, an F-16 fighter pilot with the call sign “Iron” Orr, brings a strong Air Force background to his new position, having grown up on bases around the world as the son of an Air Force officer and serving on active duty for 24 years.  (More)

Incoming 653 ELSW director coming ‘home’

Mr. Ron Mason

For Ron Mason, who recently was named the incoming director of the 653rd Electronic Systems Wing, returning to Hanscom will provide a multi-part homecoming.

It allows him to come back to New England, where he’s from, and where most of his family – including his son, daughter, mother and sister – still lives. Coming to the 653rd, in particular, will also bring him in direct contact with a number of programs he’s previously managed.

The list includes many programs that are still quite vibrant, such as military satellite communications terminals, air traffic control and landing, and information transport systems. Also, as the acting program director for what had been the Networks and Information Integration Program Office, Mr. Mason oversaw what was in many ways an early iteration of the 653 ELSW.  (More)

Iraqi officials learn about local government via Hanscom VTC 

Members of the New Bedford, Mass., City Council hold a mock city council meeting via video teleconference at Hanscom Aug. 10 for approximately 30 city and town officials from various districts in Iraq. The meeting was to demonstrate for the Iraqi officials some of the parliamentary, legislative and executive communication procedures applied by American town governments. (Photo by J.C. Corcoran)

By J.C. Corcoran
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

The Hanscom Video Teleconference Center has been the site of many different types of meetings over the years, from discussions between Electronic Systems Center officials and others within the Air Force to holiday greetings between deployed members and their loved ones.

But on Aug. 10, the Hanscom VTC became the site of a unique civics lesson between members of the New Bedford, Mass., City Council and approximately 30 city and town officials from various districts in Iraq.

The idea to hold a "mock" city council meeting came from a State Department official who is a New Bedford resident currently working in Iraq. The purpose of the VTC was to demonstrate for the Iraqi officials some of the parliamentary, legislative and executive communication procedures applied by American town governments.  (More)

Gen. Norton A. Schwartz accepts the Air Force flag from Acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley Aug. 12 during a welcoming ceremony at Bolling Air Force Base D.C., in honor of General Schwartz. The general is the 19th Air Force chief of staff. (Air Force photo by Scott M. Ash)

By Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

The Air Force's 19th chief of staff spoke of mending fences and earning trust in his speech after taking charge of the service during a ceremony here Aug. 12.

"Without trust, we are nothing," Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said to the crowd of about 600 people on the base's ceremonial lawn. "Trust must be earned, yet the American public trusts those in uniform. We will show ourselves worthy of the sacred trust our leaders, our joint brethren and the American people place in us, because this business is all about trust."

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley both attended the ceremony, along with friends, family and Airmen who will work for General Schwartz.

"What most people don't know is that General Schwartz and I have something in common: both of us were planning to retire," Secretary Gates said. "I thought Washington D.C. was in my rearview mirror 15 years ago, but circumstances changed and here I am today, able to do unto others what others have done to
me."  (More)

By Robert Pursell
USJFCOM Public Affairs

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – U.S. Joint Forces Command recently wrapped up a demonstration here that included some innovative applications of a technology known as the Battlefield Target Identification Device.

Bold Quest Plus provided 340 deployed participants the opportunity to look at the performance of coalition combat identification technologies designed to enhance combat effectiveness and successful identification of friendly forces.

Participants from Canada, the United Kingdom, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Command provided technologies and forces, including 15 fixed wing aircraft, for the demonstration.

Canadian Forces Maj. Mike Groh, a technical lead at Bold Quest Plus, said participants used BTID in the demonstration to improve ground-to-ground and air-to-ground combat identification. BTID enables forces to identify each other via query and response.  (More)

Service leaders mull future of Cyber Command
-- Federal Computer Week
In response to reports that Air Force officials have halted efforts to create a cyberspace command, a spokesman acknowledged that the program is under review.

Boeing announces opening of MROTC hangars in Oklahoma
-- Oklahoma City Business News
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems announced today it will open two new steel hangars at the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Technology Center Saturday.

On call: Honing weapon effects for the close air support role
-- Jane's Defence Daily
It has often been said that the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq in recent years has forced Western militaries to relearn some old lessons, particularly regarding close air support (CAS).

Embedded intelligence
-- Defense News
Embedded training gives militaries a two-fer: battle-ready gear that comes with a built-in trainer.

command comments ...

... The imperative is now. We are, after all, a nation at war. And the capabilities we are called upon to provide the joint team are essential to our nation's success. We've made a solemn commitment to deliver those capabilities without fail, whenever, wherever and however we are called upon to serve. The United States Air Force will deliver
the best-trained and the most effective force to support the joint
fight.

We have a lot of work to do. But we have a lot to be proud of as
well. We are proud of what we do for all, for America, for the joint
team, for our Air Force and for our airmen and our wounded warriors and our families. ...
 

-- Air Force Chief of Staff
Gen. Norton A. Schwartz
at Aug. 12 Pentagon press briefing

 To read complete transcript,
click here

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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