A collection of news and information specifically for the C4ISR community

Vol. 4, No. 28
July 24, 2008

Weather toolkit's latest capabilities fielded to first of more than 200 sites
Joint Environmental Toolkit Increment 2 to yield savings in time, money

Reserve Capt. Dan Zehner uses the Joint Environmental Toolkit Increment 2 to  view an enhanced satellite image  and an airfield sensor display to monitor weather conditions. JET provides the user with a single, fully integrated system of weather analyses, forecasting, and dissemination capabilities to replace a number of currently separate and disparate systems.  (Courtesy photo)

By Monica D. Morales
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Long before intelligence data comes into play, a warfighter’s mission must be attuned to weather -- an often relentless competitor, and sometimes fickle ally, whose operations function 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Last week’s fielding of the 651st Electronic Systems Squadron’s Joint Environmental Toolkit Increment 2 is helping U.S. forces deal with this constantly present but ever-changing force. Not only will it ensure accurate weather data reaches warfighters, but it also saves time and money.

The Air Force Weather Agency, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the first of more than 200 locations around the globe to receive the second increment of JET’s capabilities.

“We’re proud of the JET system, the true partnership and teamwork between ESC, AFWA and the contractor, and all the work that’s led up to this point,” said Pat Dagle, 651 ELSS director. (More)

Symposium gets to core of Air Force's role in cyberspace

Lt. Gen. Robert Elder, commander of 8th Air Force and joint functional component commander for global strike and integration at U.S. Strategic Command, speaks to attendees July 15 at the Cyberspace Symposium at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. The symposium brought some 250 professional civilian and military experts who gathered to discuss the implications of cyberspace as it relates to the Air Force and national defense. (Photo by Melanie Rodgers)

By Scott Knuteson
Air University Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- In an effort to bring together minds and ideas from across the cyberspace community, Air University officials hosted a week-long cyberspace symposium here recently. Some 250 professional civilian and military information experts gathered to discuss the implications of cyberspace, especially with regard to the Air Force and national defense.

Officials from the United States Strategic Command, 8th Air Force and the provisional Air Force Cyber Command helped host the symposium.

"Airmen must implement their warfighting traditions in the cyberspace domain," said Dr. Rebecca Grant, founder and president of IRIS Independent Research. "I think we need the Air Force to truly embrace and understand this and excel in cyberspace, as they have in the domain of air and space.

"If there was ever a domain that needed an 'air-minded' look, [cyberspace] is it," she said, after comparing the current development in the cyber realm to that of Brig. Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell's approach to airpower.  (More)

AFA, AFSA host veterans picnic

Volunteers from the Paul Revere Chapter of the Air Force Association and the Hanscom Air Force Sergeants Association serve veterans during a picnic at Hanscom July 19. Hundreds of veterans from across the state turned out for the event, sponsored by the two associations, and enjoyed a full meal along with softball, horseshoes, volleyball and other games. The 66th Air Base Wing supported the veterans event, providing equipment for the recreational activities, and helping out with the cooking and serving. (Photo by Rick Berry)
 

MQ-9 Reaper enhances Air Force capabilities in Iraq 

An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft takes off July 17 from Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The Reaper can loiter over battlefields or targets for hours at a time without refueling and carries up to 3,750 pounds of laser-guided munitions, giving ground commanders unprecedented situational awareness and the ability to bring the right amount of force to bear on a target. The Reaper, deployed from Creech Air Force Base, Nev., flew its first combat mission over Iraq July 18. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Richard Lisum)

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- The Air Force flew its first operational MQ-9 Reaper mission from here July 18, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The integration of the Reaper into theater-flight operations significantly enhances the strike and close-air-support capabilities of airpower forces in Iraq. The Reaper has a unique combination of long loiter times and large payloads, integrating and synchronizing with other air assets in the complex battlespace facing commanders.

"The Reaper gives the joint warfighting tremendous airpower to bear on hostile forces who do not want the mission we share with the government in Iraq to succeed," said Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, the Combined Force Air Component commander.

"Our experience with the Predator has already proven the intelligence value of the persistent stare -- the ability to keep a target in your sights for multiple hours at a time," General North said. (More)

Officials conduct 'Road Show' for acquisition transformation 

WASHINGTON -- The Installation Acquisition Transformation initiative, a comprehensive restructuring of continental U.S. installation acquisition practices, is moving forward as Air Force contracting officials continue traveling to affected bases to explain the changes ahead.

Under the transformation, Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, will head five geographically-based installation acquisition groups, leaving only a small contracting presence at each installation. The team will visit Hanscom Aug. 28.

The IAT Road Show began in February and has already visited bases in the Southwest, Midwest and Southeast. The team plans to reach each stateside Air Force base by the end of September.

Col. Mark Hobson, provisional director for the newly formed Installation Acquisition Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, heads the Road Show team and said he is excited about meeting with the contracting workforce and local industry.   (More)

Air Force green-lights Northrop Global Hawk Lot-7 production
-- Inside the Air Force
The Air Force has authorized Northrop Grumman to begin building the seventh lot of the RQ-4B Global Hawk high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle ...

Politics and bureaucracy hinder program performance
-- Federal Computer Week
Senior agency managers have little confidence in the ability of the federal government to design effective policy and carry it out successfully, according to a new survey.

Nukes, UAVs top USAF nominees' priority lists 
-- Defense News
The U.S. Air Force's top priorities in the months ahead will be fixing the nuclear enterprise, addressing the shortage of unmanned aerial vehicles and repairing the acquisition system ...

command comments ...

-- Secretary of Defense
Robert M. Gates
at July 23 speech on 60th anniversary of armed forces integration

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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