A collection of news and information specifically for the C4ISR community

Vol. 4, No. 41
October 23, 2008

Senior leaders to visit Hanscom next week for program portfolio reviews

	Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Sue Payton and Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, will visit Hanscom Air Force Base Oct. 28 and 29 for the Electronic Systems Center Portfolio review. The portfolio review is designed to allow senior leaders to take a comprehensive look at all major programs being managed by the center. General Carlson will also provide the keynote address at the Shiely, Wright and O’Neill Awards banquet, to be held at Hanscom’s Minuteman Club the evening of Oct. 29.
Gen. Carlson		Ms. Payton

Much anticipated compliance inspection begins next week

By Kevin Gilmartin
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Ninety-six inspectors representing Air Force Materiel Command will descend on Hanscom next week for a 10-day Unit Compliance Inspection and Targeted Readiness Inspection.

The inspectors will fan out to every base organization with clipboards in hand, spending much of their time here reviewing each unit’s compliance with governing Air Force instructions and checklists. They will also review the base’s deployment readiness and initial response, emergency management and force protection capabilities. When their review is finished, the inspectors will provide feedback on Hanscom’s strengths and weaknesses during a presentation by AFMC Inspector General Col. Kenneth Moran Nov. 10.

“Everyone has worked hard over the past months to review their checklists, work their processes, and ensure they’re in compliance,” said Electronic Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds. “Now it’s show time, where we demonstrate to these inspectors what a great and professional organization we have here at ESC and Hanscom."  (More)

653 ELSW element joins with U. S. Army to deliver warfighter tool

Cryptologic Systems Group members Tim Farias, Encryption Prototype lead engineer, and Roxanne Gafford, the project manager, are shown with a first-ever Encrypted Digital Data Link Raven B. The Raven B is a lightweight unmanned aerial system designed for rapid deployment and high mobility for both military and commercial applications. (Photo by Larry Kishur)

By Larry Kishur
Cryptologic Systems Group

The Cryptologic Systems Group, located on Lackland AFB, Texas, and recently aligned under the 653rd Electronic Systems Wing, has teamed with the United States Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center to develop a prototype encryption module for the Raven B’s (RQ-11B) new Digital Data Link.

The Raven B system, an enhanced version of the battle-proven Raven A system, is a lightweight solution designed for rapid deployment and high mobility for both military and commercial applications, requiring low-altitude surveillance and reconnaissance intelligence.

Members of CPSG’s Cryptographic Modernization Program Office (CMPO), including Nancy Pham, the Engineering Division chief, Roxanne Gafford, the project manager, Eric Dube, the lead engineer, and Timothy Farias, Encryption Prototype lead engineer, are working with their sister service to provide a state-of-the-art surveillance and reconnaissance platform.(More)

Acquisition official visits Hanscom

Blaise Durante, the Air Force deputy assistant secretary for Acquisition Integration, visits with Electronic Systems Center acquisition program management trainees Elisa Esterley (left) and Christin Gurgo Oct. 16. Mr. Durante addressed government and industry members at a luncheon sponsored by the Lexington-Concord Chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association at the Doubletree Bedford Glen Hotel. (Photo by JC Corcoran)

Colonel speaks at HRA luncheon

Col. Cordell DeLaPena, commander of the 653rd Electronic Systems Group, addresses members of the Hanscom Representatives Association at their monthly luncheon meeting Oct. 22. The colonel talked about challenges facing his group and discussed the need to move data effectively to and among combined forces in order to meet strategic and tactical warfighting objectives.  (Photo by Rick Berry)

O’Neill Award finalists announced for Oct. 29 banquet

The John W. O’Neill award is given annually to two Electronic Systems Center military officers who have made outstanding contributions to ESC’s mission. The namesake for the trophy, Lt. Gen. John W. O’Neill, served as the Electronic Systems Division commander from July 1964 to July 1967. The awards are presented in two categories -- major and below and lieutenant colonel and above.

These officers have displayed outstanding qualities within their organization, including integrity, leadership and performing above and beyond the task required.

The O’Neill award recipients along with the Shiely and Wright award recipients will be announced at the annual awards banquet at 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at The Minuteman Club.

Gen. Bruce Carlson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, will be the guest speaker at the event. Electronic Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Ted F. Bowlds will present the awards.  (More)

By Rhonda Siciliano
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Hanscom's Combined Federal Campaign is moving closer to its goal of raising $237,000 for this year's drive but there is still a ways to go.

"We're very pleased with the results so far," said Capt. Kate Stowe, Hanscom CFC representative. "For the first two weeks of the campaign Hanscom collected more than $93,000 in donations."

CFC unit representatives are available to help donors fill out their contribution forms. Once the donor chooses his or her favorite charities from the CFC brochure, it takes less than a minute to complete the contribution form.  (More)

Free AFA reception set for this evening

The Paul Revere Chapter of the Air Force Association will be hosting a chapter membership event today from 5-7 p.m. at the Minuteman Club. Everyone is welcome to attend the social, which will feature refreshments and information on AFA membership. Prior to the open membership session, the AFA will host a special workshop for New England ROTC cadets with briefings by members of Hanscom’s Company Grade Officers Council.

Military to turn more officers into acquisition
-- Federal Computer Week
Provisions of a new law require the Defense Department to recast acquisition as an exciting career field to attract the best officers.

Air Force to grow RC-12 fleet in response to burgeoning ISR demand
-- Defense Daily
The Air Force plans to purchase and modify nearly 40 Beech C-12 Huron manned aircraft over the next year and could purchase even more of the lightweight twin turboprop planes in the following five years to provide more intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to documents detailing the service's upcoming six-year spending plan.

Congress overrules DoD, intel chief on mapping sats
-- Defense News
As a matter of basic economics, Congress' decision to cancel the BASIC satellite program makes good sense, civilian satellite experts say.

command comments ...

-- Secretary of Defense
Robert M. Gates at swearing-in ceremony of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley

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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