A collection of news and information specifically for the C4ISR community

Vol. 5, No. 9
March 5, 2009

ESC uses new acquisition steps to advance critical program

Maj. Lee Powell (center) leads his program team in acquisition strategy planning following their successful Milestone Decision Document review in January. Other team members pictured (left to right) are: Sean Finley, Mark Curran, Zack Shaw, Mike Mason, Robert Powell, David Ginter, Jim Oldakowski, Bill Morrison and George Lewis. (Photo by Robin Turner)

By Chuck Paone
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

An Electronic Systems Center team has completed one of the Air Force's first Materiel Development Decisions using the new DoD Instruction 5000.02 acquisition procedures approved by the Defense Department in December.

The team, composed of 653rd Electronic Systems Group and Acquisition Excellence Office members, completed the new MDD review for the Senior Leader Command, Control, and Communications System - Airborne Communications Program, referred to as SCP.

The MDD review is now the formal entry point into the acquisition process and is required for all programs. The review required to reach the MDD formalizes the decision that a materiel solution - as opposed to simply changing operational tactics or doctrine - is needed, according to Robert Powell, a member of the 653rd team that worked on this effort.  (More)

By Kevin Gilmartin
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

An Electronic Systems Center civilian recruitment and hiring initiative that was unveiled in November is already paying big dividends, with referrals of more than 300 highly qualified applicants for acquisition-related vacancies.

More than 40 newly hired ESC civilians are expected to report for work at Hanscom in the next two weeks in what will be the first surge of approximately 100 new recruits. Most of the new hires, and about 80 percent of all the candidates referred, currently live in the local area, precluding the need of relocating to the high-cost Boston area.

Several factors contributed to the success of the hiring initiative, according to ESC's Deputy Director of Personnel Sherry Farley, including a re-branding of ESC, launch of an easy-to-use recruitment web site, streamlined hiring procedures and rising unemployment in the private sector.

"We always knew this is a great and satisfying place to work, and the jobs here at ESC are competitive with private industry at all levels, but we had to find a new way to attract qualified applicants to ESC and help them understand the many benefits of becoming an Air Force civilian," she said.  (More)

Congratulations to ESC’s new Senior Master Sergeants

Shelly Barton, 66 ABW Jack S. Bolinger, 751 ELSG Patrik Caron, 635 ELSS William J. Corino, 554 ELSW Derwin L. Henderson, 630 ELSS Brett W. McCracken, 554 ELSG DeWayne J. Reneau, 754 ELSG James D. Rice, 754 ELSG Mark E. Stanaford, AF Band of Liberty Walter A. Zurek, 754 ELSG

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Gen. C. Robert Kehler, commander of Air Force Space Command, attended the Air Force Association's Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando Feb. 27 and spoke on the changing nature of warfare in the 21st century and the measures that must be taken to respond to those changes. (Photo by Airman 1st Class David Dobrydney)

By Staff Sgt. Patrick Brown
Defense Media Activity-San Antonio

The top Air Force leaders outlined today and tomorrow's challenges for the service Feb. 26 at the 25th Annual Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition in Orlando, Fla.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Gen. Norton Schwartz, chief of staff of the Air Force, and several other senior Air Force leaders spoke on what the Air Force brings to the fight, challenges that lay ahead and how the Air Force is evolving to meet the demands of today's dynamic warfighting requirements.

The 500-person audience included civilian, Air Force officer and enlisted Airmen, allied foreign military leaders and civilian industry leaders. The Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of 2008 also attended. The theme of the symposium was "Cross-Domain Integration: Warfare in the 21st Century."

"This forum allows us to renew old friendships and to focus on our heritage, our current challenges and the future," General Schwartz said. "Right here in this room, those three vital aspects of our identity as a service converge for a brief moment in time, and I think it is important for us to stop and think about the magnitude of what we've done, what we are doing now, and what we must do in the future."  (More)

Lackland annual Honor Guard award goes to CPSG Airman 

Senior Airman Matthew Andes makes final adjustments to the U.S. flag prior to a recent retirement ceremony. Airman Andes was recently named Lackland Air Force Base's 2008 Honor Guard Member of the Year.  (Photo by Larry Kishur)

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Senior Airman Matthew Andes, a member of the Electronic Systems Center’s Cryptologic Systems Group was named the base’s 2008 Honor Guard Member of the Year at an awards banquet last Friday. He was named number one from the pool of 100 other base Honor Guard members.

Col. Kevin Collamore, CPSG commander, said that Airman Andes "sets the example of a true professional, and is a great representative to the Air Force and CPSG."

Airman Andes has served as a member of the base’s elite Honor Guard since September 2007.

“Regardless of distance or weather, in 2008, Senior Airman Andes executed 129 details, more than any member in the history of Security Hill,” said Tech. Sgt. Joseph Segarra, NCOIC of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency Honor Guard.

Sergeant Segarra said that Airman Andes led 89 of these details and coordinated more than 350 other details for the year.

"He is an outstanding Honor Guard member. His devotion to the Honor Guard and the United States Air Force is unmatched,” Sergeant Segarra said. “I personally am thankful for him as an Airman and a person in general. To put it simply, he's a superstar."  (More)

Commuter shuttle riders: Transport offers less stress, more convenience
Service between base, Nashua gives Hanscom employees added options

Hanscom commuters take a morning ride on the corporate shuttle that provides transportation between the base and Nashua, N.H. According to current riders, the service provides a flexible, more stress-free commute to and from work.  (Photo by Walt Santos)

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

Cat naps and commutes don’t normally mix, but it’s an acceptable option for some Hanscom employees taking advantage of a corporate shuttle service now offered between the base and Nashua, N.H.

“It’s a comfortable bus with reclining seats, and has light so you can read a book or just sleep,” said Galen Williams, a commuter who works in the 554th Electronic Systems Wing. “It definitely gives you some time to decompress on your way home and reduces the stress of getting on Route 3.”

In January, TransAction Corporate Shuttles began operating a corporate shuttle Monday through Friday between Hanscom and the Park and Ride facility at exit 5W off Route 3 on Route 111 in Nashua.  (More)

Panel: DOD needs experienced procurement people
-- Federal Computer Week
A panel of defense experts today told a Senate committee the acquisition workforce must be an important and high priority if the Defense Department wants to improve its purchases.

Agencies get cost-estimating advice from GAO
-- Federal Computer Week
The Government Accountability Office has published its first manual to help federal, state, and local government agencies develop more reliable cost estimates to better manage government projects. The guide applies to civilian and defense projects managed by government organizations or private contractors, said Gene Dodaro, acting comptroller general.

USAF ISR strategic plan outlines acquisition plan for coming decades
-- Inside the Air Force
Three years into an unprecedented restructuring of its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance enterprise, the Air Force is set to receive a restructured fiscal year 2010 budget in the coming months that many think could see an increased focus on ISR and irregular warfare assets.

command comments ...

This week, units across the Air Force are taking the time to discuss network security and how failure to secure our cyberspace resources impact our Joint and
AF missions. Just as we have Safety Days to reinforce taking care of our wingmen, so too must we understand how to take care of the cyber domain.

Undisciplined use of our networks needlessly exposes critical information to those with malicious intent. Below are a few points to better prepare you to recognize the threat and protect yourself and your mission.

Cyber Threats:
- Social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook can contain malicious content and where personal information is easily gathered
- Phishing emails are legitimate-looking emails used to gain personal information like financial information (i.e., bank accounts, credit cards) or install malicious software on your computer. This code can steal information and/or give others ‘remote control’ of your computer and all of its data ...
 

Air Force photo illustration

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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