A collection of news and information specifically for the C4ISR community

Vol. 5, No. 7
February 19, 2009

HRA meeting focuses on Airborne networking challenges

Mike Therrien, chief of the Airborne Networking division with the 653rd Electronic Systems Group, addresses the Hanscom Representatives Association Feb. 12 at the Hanscom Minuteman Club. Mr. Therrien discussed airborne networking plans and challenges and then fielded questions from members. (Photo by Mark Wyatt)

By Chuck Paone
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Mention of an airborne network conveys the sense of one monolithic entity, and someday, if all goes well, that's what it will be.

Right now, however, "we have a lot of disparate networks," Mike Therrien, Airborne Networking division chief, told the Hanscom Representatives Association members at their monthly luncheon meeting Feb. 12. "Connecting them all is something that has to be done incrementally."

He spoke about the need to connect the command and control world with the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance world. One aspect of this involves UAVs. While the U.S. is adding more and more unmanned aerial vehicles to the fleet, and into theater, their ultimate utility depends on others gaining speedy access to the information they collect.

While discussing the networking challenge, Mr. Therrien offered a scenario involving ground troops in Afghanistan calling in close air support.

"It's high in the mountains, so there's a lot of blockage, a lot of things you can't see," he said. "I'm flying the A-10 coming in and I still don't know where you are, and it's not quiet, so (the enemy forces) can hear it coming. So I fly by once, because no one's passing me any information.

I'm hoping I can talk to you, but maybe I can't talk or you keep breaking up every time I bend or go around a curve. So I fly by and, OK, I see where you are now, but then I need another pass to get an exact reference point and to see where the enemy is. If I get it on the second pass, maybe I can release, but I may not be able to get it, so then I have to come around a third time. You want to guess where the enemy is by then?"  (More)

Col. Greg Gutterman, 554th Electronic Systems Group commander, speaks to personnel from the 554 ELSG Personnel Systems Division at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas,  Feb. 10. (Courtesy photo)

By Ben Gamble
554th Electronic Systems Wing

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas – The commander of the 554th Electronic Systems Group (554 ELSG) traveled here Feb. 10-11 to meet with military and civilian members of the Personnel Systems Division of the Group, as well as the co-located members of the 643rd Electronic Systems Squadron (643 ELSS), and support contractors.

In his first commander’s call at Randolph since taking command of the group, Col. Greg Gutterman focused on meeting Group members, learning more about their mission, and communicating the importance of their organizations to the overall Air Force mission. Even before his arrival, there was rising anticipation.

“It’s always an honor when the commander makes it a priority to visit and meet the individuals doing the work of the Personnel Systems Division. Our team members, who are very dedicated to supporting the warfighter, truly appreciated his message, and his candor,” said Matthew Benavides, the division’s deputy director.  (More)

653 ELSW announces annual award winners

Airman Category		NCO Category		SNCO Category		Jr. CGO Category		Sr. CGO Category
Airman 1st Class Rachel Gabbard		Tech. Sgt. Sonia Vaquera		Master Sgt. Caroline Schmitzer		1st Lt. Monica Clodwick		Capt. Alex White

FGO Category		Civilian Category I		Civilian Category II		Civilian Category III
Maj. Patrick Maddox		Lisa Quinonez		Angela Nadem-Mollaei		James Barnett

By J.C. Corcoran
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Air Force Materiel Command recently announced more 2008 top performers from Hanscom.

Master Sgt. Bradford Trayler, 66th Mission Support Squadron Manpower and Organization Flight superintendent, received the Manpower Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year award for 2008. Sergeant Trayler was recognized for his detail and people-oriented leadership.

"Sergeant Trayler is the epitome of leadership and volunteerism. He is committed to excellence in his own efforts and is always ready and willing to contribute to the successes of those around him. His service makes Hanscom a better place," said Col. Deborah Van De Ven, 66th Mission Support Group commander.

Hanscom's Education and Training Flight received the Nathan Altschuler Outstanding Education and Training Program of the Year award for a small base.  (More)

Free cardiac risk screening offers key first step to wellness 

Deanne Casey, R.N., Federal Occupational Health nurse coordinator and health educator, administers a finger-stick to Electronic Systems Center Executive Director Rich Lombardi at the Health and Wellness Center Feb. 12. The simple test yields lots of health data, and results are available in minutes. (Photo by Linda LaBonte-Britt)

By Chuck Paone
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Base officials suggest that civilian employees start their wellness journey by visiting the Health and Wellness Center and having a 15-minute cardiac risk screening done.

The screening conducted by Deanne Casey, R.N., Federal Occupational Health nurse coordinator and health educator, includes a quick finger stick that within minutes yields total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides and glucose measurements. Ms. Casey also provides a blood pressure check and measures weight and Body Mass Index.

Participants are encouraged to fast for eight to 12 hours before the screening, but the HAWC does also offer afternoon screenings, which can be conducted after just four hours of fasting.  (More)

554 ELSW announces annual award winners

Airman Category		NCO Category		SNCO Category		CGO Category		FGO Category
Airman 1st Class Laurence Burden		Staff Sgt. Anthokira Izelu		Master Sgt. John Roxbury		Capt. Nicholas Petren		Maj. Andrew Nicklas

Civilian Category I		Civilian Category II		Civilian Category III
Linda Duke		Eric Tremblay		Lloyd Corricelli

U.S. must craft cyberwarfare battle strategy
-- Government Computer News
America has to face up to the realities of cyberwarfare with tactical and strategic planning, Kurtz says

New Reaper sensors offer a bigger picture
-- Air Force Times
The Air Force plans to install a wide-area airborne surveillance sensor under its MQ-9 Reapers that lets troops look at more of the battlefield from more angles. Ten of the service’s Reapers will start getting the sensor in spring 2010.

Chief of staff working on bonuses, new ISR jobs, fair PT, deployments to Afghanistan -- Air Force Times
Six months after taking over a demoralized and scandalized Air Force, Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz is turning his eyes to growing the Air Force, fixing the physical training program and getting the right mix of airmen and assets into the war zone.

command comments ...

-- Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. 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:  
Subscribe -- Unsubscribe -- Offer Comments

Having trouble viewing The Integrator? Click here, http://integrator.hanscom.af.mil/2009/February/02192009/02192009.htm