A collection of news and information specifically for the C4ISR community

Vol. 4, No. 6
February 14, 2008

New group director looks to set steady course

Director of the 653rd Electronic Systems Wing Bruce Hevey (left) passes the 853rd Electronic Systems Group flag to Ronnie Carter during an assumption of leadership ceremony for the group Feb. 7. Prior to that, Mr. Carter had served as deputy director of the Cryptologic Systems Group at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, since September 2000. (Photo by Linda LaBonte-Britt)

By Chuck Paone
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

His recent appointment as director of the 853rd Electronic Systems Group will allow Ronnie Carter to gain three things – four, if you count windows.

For its civilian senior leaders, the Air Force is emphasizing three major career broadening components: moving to new locations, taking on new mission areas, and accepting higher levels of responsibility. Mr. Carter, who since September 2000 had served as deputy director of the Cryptologic Systems Group at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, is now accomplishing all three in one shot.

In addition to that and to exposing Mr. Carter and his wife, Karen, to some harsher winter weather, the new job has provided him with something he hasn’t had in over 20 years.

“I’ve spent pretty much my entire career working in cryptography and intel, so I’ve never had an office with windows,” he said, pointing at the row of glass in his building 1630 office. “This is nice.”  (More)

Incoming Engineering director no stranger to ESC, Hanscom

Mr. Steven Wert

The Air Force last month named a new director of Engineering for the Electronic Systems Center, but many in ESC already know him well.

Steve Wert, who while on Air Force active duty served two previous tours at Hanscom AFB, the most recent ending in 2004, is expecting to begin his new job here sometime next month. At that time, Mr. Wert, who retired from active duty as a colonel last summer, will become a new member of the Senior Executive Service.

“I'm excited to have the chance to serve at Hanscom for a third time. The mission is important. The challenges are complex and extremely motivating,” he said during a recent interview.

In his previous Hanscom assignments, Mr. Wert managed the AWACS Radar System Improvement Program and later the Air Force’s Distributed Common Ground System. He also served as executive officer to the ESC commander.  (More)

Air Force’s IM service boasts capability that reaches past AF members

By Chris Favreau
754th ELSG DSD Laboratories

A new layer of capability within the 754th Electronic Systems Group’s Air Force Instant Messenger now allows deployed members to communicate with non-Air Force Portal users all over the globe.

The Friends and Family Instant Messenger provides for sponsorship of up to five people to participate in the AFIM program.

“This capability has made such a huge difference in my life during a difficult time,” wrote one user. “This is my son’s fourth deployment to the desert. … What you have done is wonderful! My son and I are able to talk each day that he works, and we take full advantage of it.”

To meet the morale needs of Air Force members, the Global Combat Support System-Air Force based out of the 554th Electronic Systems Wing, created the Friends and Family Instant Messenger within the existing Air Force Instant Messenger. This commercial software application provides a free messenger service via the Air Force Portal which allows users to communicate with individuals outside of the Air Force.

Previously, the AF Portal would only support other Portal users through the AFIM.  (More)

By Rhonda Siciliano
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Last fall, the 66th Air Base Wing Safety Office launched a new tool for base personnel to easily report a safety hazard. Since that time the Hazard Report button found on the ESC Centernet has received 82 reports through the online system.

"It's great to see that people are utilizing the Hazard Report button," said Michael Trudeau, 66th Air Base Wing Safety Office. "We wanted to ensure people had an easy way to report safety hazards and get problems corrected. The online tool gives everyone that ability plus it allows the user to monitor actions being taken to correct the hazard if an immediate fix is not possible."

"While the online tool is a great way to raise safety concerns to the ABW Safety Office, an even faster way to correct some concerns can involve utilizing the chain of command to report a hazard in their own work area or building first," Mr. Trudeau said. "Often safety hazards can be easily resolved by working with your supervisor or facility manager to make them aware of a problem. We've seen some great examples across the base of how people were able to address a safety problem or concern with their supervisor or facility manager and together they worked to get the problem corrected. That's what our Voluntary Protection Program is all about," Mr. Trudeau said.  (More)

By Meredith March
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Hanscom's Public Affairs officers were recently honored with 2007 Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs Achievement Awards.

Outstanding New Print Journalist of the Year
Second Lt. C. Michaela Walrond, 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Web Operations chief, was named AFMC's Outstanding New Print Journalist of the Year for 2007.

Lieutenant Walrond demonstrated her commitment to telling the Air Force and Hanscom stories to both the base community and the public by writing high-quality articles across the print journalism spectrum for the Hansconian and the 66 ABW's public Web site.

During 2007, Lieutenant Walrond had four articles published on AFMC News Service, and two published on the Air Force News Web site.  (More)

Pentagon could award big radio contract this month
-- Reuters
The Pentagon will soon choose either Boeing Co. or Lockheed Martin Corp  to design a next-generation radio system for aircraft, ships and ground stations, a deal potentially worth billions of dollars to the winning bidder.

Testing the wind
-- Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle
About 30 acres of land stretch across the northeastern part of Hamilton and is known as Sagamore Hill. It’s also one of the highest points in town.

Two local Guard units receive Air Force recognition
-- Macon (Ga.) Telegraph
Two local Georgia Air National Guard units are among five across the state to receive the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

Obering: U.S. could place another anti-missile radar system in Europe
-- Defense News
U.S. defense officials are considering placing a mobile radar system in Europe to guard against Iranian ballistic missile launches on American facilities or allies in the region, said Air Force Lt. Gen. Henry “Trey” Obering, director of the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

command comments ...

-- Secretary of Defense
Robert M. Gates
at the Feb 10. Munich Conference on Security Policy, Munich, Germany

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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