The Integrator

A collection of news and information specifically for the C4ISR community

Vol. 5, No.16
April 23, 2009

ESC group developing acquisition strategy for JSpOC Mission System

Joint Space Operations Center

Paul McMeekin, a system program analyst at the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., reviews received data. The JSpOC provides a focal point for the operational employment of worldwide joint space forces, and enables the commander of Joint Functional Component Command Space to integrate space power into global military operations. The Electronic Systems Center's 850th Electronic Systems Group is currently working on developing the acquisition strategy for the JSpOC Mission System.  (Photo by Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)

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

Whether it’s the size of a chair or a driver’s license, space debris travelling at speeds of 15,000 mph yields the same result if it crosses the orbital path of a space asset – collision and subsequent loss. With the work of an Electronic Systems Center group to bolster space situational awareness, these types of potential disasters can be detected early and avoided.

The 850th Electronic Systems Group is currently working to develop the acquisition strategy for the Joint Space Operations Center Mission System, a combination of capabilities that existed in former space command and control programs.

“Space situational awareness is a big part of what the JSpOC will continue to maintain,” said Col. Steven Hocking, 850 ELSG acting director.

Operators at the 614th Air and Space Operations Center, located at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., will use the JSpOC Mission System for space situational awareness -- to track objects orbiting the Earth, monitor space weather and assess foreign launches.  (More)



Breakfast briefing 

Kevin Smith of ManTech Corp. discusses services-oriented architecture during an April 17 Military Affairs Council breakfast meeting at the Doubletree Bedford Glen Hotel in Bedford, Mass. Electronic Systems Center’s chief technology officer, Dr. Tim Rudolph, provided a complementary government briefing on the same subject. (Photo by Rick Berry)

Secretary Gates presses to boost network security

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON -- Defense Department officials are working to reduce vulnerability to cyber-attack attempts that occur regularly and are likely to continue for the foreseeable future, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

"We are under attack virtually all the time, every day here," Secretary Gates told CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric April 21 during an interview broadcast on the show.

Attempts to attack Defense Department computer networks have more than doubled recently, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters April 21. He declined to cite details, saying that to do so would only "make it easier for people trying to do us harm."

The perpetrators run the gamut, Mr. Whitman explained. The threats range from "that recreational hacker all the way up to self-styled vigilantes to nationalistic or ideological kinds of groups with various agendas," as well as nation states and transnational actors. (More)

Commentary
No time for cutting corners		 

Mason 
Mr. Ron Mason
By Ron Mason
653rd Electronic Systems Wing Director

The costs of reacting to workplace injuries and illnesses far exceed the costs to prevent them from happening in the first place.

This mindset fosters communication, understanding and positive results by increasing support of safety and health systems, decreasing workplace safety and health hazards and expanding partnership opportunities.

All of us from the top - down need to be setting goals to become more collaborative in our work areas with everyone, regardless of status or category of employment.

ESC has deep rooted core values related to quality, productivity and talented employees. Our reputation is built on quality and giving our customer - the warfighter - products that they want and need. When the pressure was on to cut corners or use cheaper "ingredients" - We just didn't do it! The same holds true for worker safety and health. (More)

Base leaders, specialists urge civilians to maintain wellness momentum

Rock climbing wall

Misha Ivanov of Lincoln Lab (left) and Capt. James Scoville, Air Force Research Laboratory, ascend the rock climbing wall at Hanscom’s Fitness Center April 17. Rock climbing classes at the Fitness Center are one of several increasingly popular ways for civilians, and all Hanscom ID holders, to keep fit. (Photo by Linda LaBonte-Britt)
By Chuck Paone
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Keep the momentum going. 

That's the main message base leaders and health, wellness and fitness specialists have for Hanscom's civilian workforce. Several months into a civilian wellness initiative instituted by 66th Air Base Wing Commander Col. Dave 'Iron' Orr, some positive trends have emerged. 

"Please accept my thanks to the hundreds of Hanscom civilians who have 'sustained the pace' with a physical wellness program," said Colonel Orr. 

"It's not too late for Hanscom members who have not yet taken the Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) and established a plan," he said. "I've had four thank you letters from Hanscom civilians who took the HRA survey and follow-on Cardiac Risk Assessment and learned they had potentially life-threatening health conditions.  (More)

Commentary
A team approach to workplace safety, health		 

Col. Richardson
Col. Derrick Richardson
By Col. Derrick Richardson
554th Electronic Systems Wing Commander

The Voluntary Protection Program promotes effective workplace safety and health by emphasizing trust and cooperation among our organization's leaders, managers and team members. In the 554th Electronic Systems Wing, we wholeheartedly embrace the VPP concept. 

In many ways, VPP simply lends a name to what we already know is the most effective approach to safety and health management - working as a team.

For our 554 ELSW community at Hanscom, implementation of VPP has not been a dramatic cultural change. In fact, the elements of VPP, which foster prevention through cooperative relationships and communication, have allowed us to build on the strong base of our existing safety and health programs. 

As VPP promotes greater leadership and individual involvement in safety and health issues, we look forward to bringing the VPP mindset to all our wing's geographically separated units.

We are proud to be a part of Hanscom's pursuit of the VPP Star Quality rating, and look forward to showing our OSHA visitors the team commitment we have to maintaining a safer and more healthful work environment during the May 18 to 21 audit.

AFA's spring golf tournament scheduled for June 3

The Paul Revere Chapter of the Air Force Association will hold its annual Spring Golf Tournament June 3 at the International Country Club in Bolton, Mass.

Golfer’s registration will begin at 6:45 a.m.  Coffee and doughnuts will be available. The tournament begins with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. A luncheon will be held inside the Country Club following the tournament.

Format for the tournament will be a four-person scramble, according to Joe Magnone, AFA golf chairperson.

“The International course is one of the finest in New England, with scenic views and pristine playing conditions,” said Mr. Magnone.  “If you are a serious golfer, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to play at this premiere private golf club.” 

The tournament is being held in conjunction with the chapter’s annual Chief of Staff Scholarship Dinner, where deserving students related to military members associated with Hanscom are awarded scholarships.  The dinner will be held the evening of June 2 at the International Country Club.  (More)

HRA to host Gen. Lord at May luncheon

HRA
The Hanscom Representatives Association will host Maj. Gen. William T. Lord, commander of Air Force Cyberspace Command (Provisional), as guest  speaker at its May 8 luncheon.  The event will be held at the Minuteman Club beginning at 11:30 a.m., and is open to the entire Hanscom and Electronic Systems Center community, including government and military members as well as industry representatives. The luncheon, which costs $20, includes a choice of Chicken Cordon Bleu or New England Scrod.  Seating is limited to ballroom occupancy and will be on a first-come-first-served basis.

To register, send an email to the HRA at hra@odysseyconsult.com with GEN LORD in the subject line and you will receive an automated form where you can indicate meal choice and make payment.  If you have any questions, contact HRA President Joe Carriere at (781) 272-3133, or Secretary John Dionne at (603) 821-6814. 

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in the news ...
Use of these articles does not reflect official endorsement.  Reproduction for private use or gain is subject to original copyright restrictions.

 Net-Centric leader: Delivering best value, operationally relevant enterprise services
-- Military Information Technology
Rebecca S. Harris is the program director, Program Executive Office, Global Information Grid Enterprise Services, for the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) ...

DoD buying officials must rethink process: Gansler
-- Defense News
The U.S. Department of Defense must face up to reality and rethink some of its standard acquisition processes, industry analyst Jacques Gansler said April 14 at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) acquisition conference here.
Downshifting in space
-- Air Force Magazine
Space long has been critical to USAF’s intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance power. Because of this, the Air Force traditionally has sought top-of-the-line ISR space satellites, developed in-house at great cost in time and money.

Gates plans ISR boost for fiscal 2010
-- Aviation Week
One year after establishing an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) task force, Defense Secretary Robert Gates is continuing his push by outlining up to six new platforms that will be funded in his Fiscal 2010 budget proposal.

DOD needs Web 2.0 strategy
-- Federal Computer Week
The Defense Department has a lot to gain from the use of social-networking technology, but only if it first develops a department-wide Web 2.0 strategy to address operational, policy and technology concerns, according to a report sponsored by the National Defense University.

command comments ...

… It’s not a convenience any more, it’s a dependency. We need to recognize that we need this domain and we need these systems to conduct our fight today and tomorrow. We need to recognize that we can fight in this domain just as an air-to-air fighter can fight in the air domain; and we can fight through this domain and affect other domains just as an airplane can drop a bomb on a land domain and create affects across a domain. And as commanders we must appreciate the vulnerability of this domain, not just its importance. We have to transition from a culture of convenience to a culture of responsibility. We must recognize vulnerability -- the vulnerability that one system can create here on the other side of the world, not just locally. …

-- Gen. Kevin Chilton, U.S. Strategic Command commander, at April 7 Cyberspace Symposium speech, Omaha, Neb.

To read complete speech,
click here

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