A collection of news and information specifically for the C4ISR community

Vol. 4, No. 43
November 6, 2008

General Carlson assesses career, command and caliber of Airmen

Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, discusses his career, the status of AFMC and the high caliber of Airmen during an Oct. 30 interview here. The general was at Hanscom as part of a high-level team that reviewed the Air Force Command and Control and Combat Support acquisition program portfolio, which is managed by the Electronic Systems Center. (Photo by Linda LaBonte-Britt)

By Chuck Paone
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The caliber of people joining the U.S. Air Force today is better than ever before, Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of the Air Force Materiel Command, said in an interview Oct. 30, during his final official visit here.

General Carlson is scheduled to retire Nov. 21.

"They know what they're coming into; they know they're going to war, and still they come," he said. "And they're ready, willing and able to do whatever we ask of them."

General Carlson said watching this steady improvement in the quality of personnel has been "the crowning series of events during [his] Air Force tenure."

Approaching the end of his 37-year active-duty career, he said that, if given the chance himself, he'd join those now entering.

"I would start over in a minute," he said. "I loved every bit of it. From the time I was a young college student and I hooked a ride on a jet, I knew that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to serve my country, and I wanted to serve it that way. I thought it was noble and good, and our nation is worthy of the service that one can render."

The general spoke highly, as well, of his most recent, and final, Air Force assignment, as AFMC commander. He acknowledged that some initiatives he's developed or advocated have been more successful than others, but on the whole, he feels good about the course that's been set.

He talked about AFMC's civilian indoctrination program, a first-of-its-kind initiative now being adopted by the Air Force, which seeks to bring new civilian employees quickly up to speed on mission, culture and other key matters.  (More)

Inspection targets readiness

Hanscom Airmen tend to a victim during a Targeted Readiness Inspection scenario at Camp Patriot on Oct. 31. The base is undergoing a Unit Compliance Inspection and Targeted Readiness Inspection through Nov. 10. The Air Force Materiel Command Inspector General team will brief Hanscom’s senior leaders on the inspection results Monday afternoon.  (Photo by Walter Santos)

The Electronic Systems Center recently announced a rotation of assignments for various Hanscom senior leaders.

Tony Monaco, formerly the 653rd Electronic Systems Group deputy director, was named the 551st Electronic Systems Wing deputy director.

Jim MacStravic, who previously served as the 751st Electronic Systems Group deputy director, 551st Electronic Systems Wing, is now the 653rd Electronic Systems Group deputy director, 653rd Electronic Systems Wing.

Patrick Dagle, formerly the Weather Systems Division director within the 951st Electronic Systems Group, 551st Electronic Systems Wing, was named the 751st Electronic Systems Group deputy director.

Steve Cote, who previously served as the 951st Electronic Systems Group deputy director, 551st Electronic Systems Wing, is now the Weather Systems Division director.

Col. Russ Fellers, formerly the chief of the ESC Program Execution Group, was named 951st Electronic Systems Group deputy director, 551st Electronic Systems Wing.
 

Monaco	MacStravic	Dagle	Cote	Fellers

Prepping engines for JSTARS testing

Chuck Thompson and Chris Ferrara pull a Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 engine from under Omega Air’s test aircraft following its arrival in Melbourne, Fla., last month. The engines will be mounted on the U.S. Air Force’s E-8C Joint STARS test bed aircraft in the background. (Courtesy photo)

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Hanscom's Combined Federal Campaign is winding down. With a little over a week to go, key workers will be out making their final push, helping the base further exceed its goal of raising $237,000 for this year's drive. Hanscom members have donated $240,242 to date.

"It's crunch time," said Capt. Kate Stowe, Hanscom CFC representative. "We are asking everyone who hasn't yet made a contribution to please take the time to do so. It's really a great opportunity to make a difference."

Military Affairs Council to host Holiday Shopping Spree event Nov. 13

The Military Affairs Council of the North Suburban Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual MAC Holiday Shopping Spree Nov. 13 from 3 to 9 p.m. Government employees and military members are eligible to attend for a cost of $45, which includes round-trip bus transportation from Hartwell Avenue to the Shops at Prudential and Copley Place and a four-course dinner at the Top of The Hub restaurant atop Boston’s Prudential Building. Buses will depart the Oasis parking lot at 81 Hartwell Avenue at 3 p.m. and return by 9 p.m. For information and to sign up, contact the chamber at (781) 933-3499.

Acquisition chief rails services on budget games
-- Defense News
The Air Force has too often used its authority as overseer of the military's space assets to play budgetary "games," the Pentagon's outgoing acquisition chief said.

Examining MP-RTIP for Joint STARS
-- AFA Daily Report
The Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a $5.8 million contract to study the feasibility of installing the multi-platform radar technology insertion radar on the E-8C ground-surveillance platform, the Department of Defense announced Nov. 4.

Security experts predict cyber attacks will increase
-- Air Force Times
Cyber attacks like those that accompanied the Russian invasion of Georgia in August are likely to accompany almost any traditional military action in the future, security experts warn in a report on cyber threats published by Georgia Tech University.

Air Force will test bolt-on Link-16, multiple JTRS waveforms at JEFX-09
-- Inside the Air Force
The Air Force this year plans to test a system giving bolt-on Link-16 capability to aircraft that are not equipped with the crucial combat communications link at this year’s series of networking tests collectively known as the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment.

command comments ...

-- Gen. Bruce Carlson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, in Veterans Day message

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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