A collection of news and information specifically for the C4ISR community

Vol. 5, No. 11
March 19, 2009

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Airman 1st Class Shane Corcoran, 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Raven B operator, holds an RQ-11B unmanned aerial system during pre-flight checks Feb. 25. Airman Corcoran, from Swampscott, Mass., is deployed from Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher)

By Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

CAMP BUCCA, Iraq -- "There it is," said Staff Sgt. Jeff Tomkiewicz, 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, as he pointed at a little, buzzing white dot in the sky. As the Raven B operator approached the small strip of sand of Camp Bucca's Burge Field, the tiny Raven B unmanned aerial system hovered above the ground for a moment then unceremoniously fell to the ground, waiting for Sergeant Tomkiewicz to retrieve it.

At four pounds and four-and-a-half feet across, the RQ-11B isn't as elegant as the sleek lines of the larger MQ-1 Predator, but it is rapidly becoming the new face of tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and is being used at Camp Bucca to provide overwatch for 887th ESFS patrols.

"The Raven B system is utilized to provide a persistent eyes-on, day or night, capability outside of the base perimeter," said 1st Lt. Maxwell Kimmel, 887th ESFS Small Unmanned Air Systems officer in charge. "It enables us to watch an area or route without having a footprint on the ground in that area."

"It helps squads outside the wire conduct patrols," Sergeant Tomkiewicz said. "We give eyes-on for them; see things they can't see like insurgents, IEDs and other dangers."

Operated by enlisted Airmen pulled from security forces fire teams, the Raven B provides versatile, tactical ISR directly to Airmen working on the ground. (More)

Commentary
Leadership … GO FOR IT!

Brig. Gen. Terry Feehan

By Brig. Gen. Terry Feehan
Vice Commander, Electronic Systems Center

LEADERSHIP. You are currently in a position of leadership. It does not matter if you’re an airman basic or a general officer, a general schedule grade-two employee or a senior executive. Regardless, you have the ability, and in most cases, an obligation to lead.

Now, I do not profess to be an expert on leadership, nor would I presume to prescribe a checklist on how to be a leader. Instead, my goal here is to convince you that you have both the ability and opportunity to lead from your current position. You must simply GO FOR IT!

To me the ability to lead comes from demonstrating three traits; integrity in what we say and do, excellent performance in our job, and a commitment to the mission and other people. It is not grade dependent. These traits parallel the Air Force Core Values, but they apply anywhere people interact.  (More)

International Operations Office to hold forum March 31

Electronic Systems Center’s International Operations Directorate will sponsor an International Forum March 31 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the O’Neill Auditorium in Building 1612. The theme for the event is “Current and Future Policy Trends in Air Force International Operations.”

The forum will feature a presentation from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations on current threats to the Foreign Military Sales community. In addition, Glenn Anderson from the Air Force Information Assurance Directorate will present an overview of the FMS process. Local speakers will also discuss FMS financial management and safeguarding the export of data.

The entire Hanscom FMS community is encouraged to attend, according to Jim Hogan of the International Programs Office. Two Continuing Learning Points will be earned by attendance at this event.

“The International Forum is the opportunity for the Hanscom Foreign Military Sales and International Affairs community to gain new information and creates the environment for sharing experiences,” Mr. Hogan said.

Those wishing to attend may simply sign in at the door, but anyone seeking additional information should contact Mr. Hogan at (781) 377-0956.

ESC Annual Award Week

Electronic Systems Center’s annual award nominees gather at the Old North Bridge in Concord, Mass., March 17, as part of a comprehensive local-area ‘Awards Week’ tour. The nominees will be heralded, and winners will be announced, during a banquet to be held in their honor tonight at Hanscom’s Minuteman Club. (Photo by Rick Berry)

By Shadi May
Air Force Information Protection Directorate

WASHINGTON -- As security forces Airmen continue to transform into a combat-focused, globally deployable force, they will transfer responsibility for information protection to a newly established organization, the Information Protection Directorate at Headquarters Air Force.

The directorate emerged from Air Force officials' recognition of the need for a single entity to report information protection matters to the Air Force's senior security official, the administrative assistant to the secretary of the Air Force.

New directorate officials will develop Air Force-wide information protection policy, build a professional civilian workforce that is credentialed and work closely with major commands to build offices at both the major command headquarters and installation levels.

The directorate's main focus is on Air Force's information, personnel and industrial security programs.  (More)

Hanscom chapel, captain earn Air Force level-awards

The Air Force Chief of Chaplains has announced the winners of the annual Air Force Chaplain Service Awards program for 2008.

The Edwin R. Chess award for outstanding company grade chaplain was awarded to Hanscom's Chaplain (Capt.) Jeremy Bastian. Chaplain Bastian was recognized for his work in a deployed location, as well as on Hanscom.

During 2008, while deployed as part of Joint Task Force Bravo, the chaplain's work in helping to provide over five tons of aid to Honduran nationals received national press coverage and high praise from the SOUTHCOM commander. Locally, Chaplain Bastian serves as the Suicide Prevention manager and is credited with revitalizing the program and providing briefings to 157 Hanscom community members.

Chaplain Bastian is a deserving recipient, said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Dennis Kitterman, 66th Air Base Wing chaplain. "This is great news. Chaplain Bastian has been a most valuable asset to the chapel and the work he has accomplished, not only here but while deployed, has been just outstanding. This recognition of his efforts is well deserved," he said.  (More)

AFAF charity spotlight: AFVF offers housing, financial assistance 

By Meredith March
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

The Air Force Village Foundation was established in 1964 by members of the Air Force Officers' Wives' Club and Air Force leaders who wanted to offer housing and financial assistance to retired Air Force officers' widows in need. The Air Force Village Foundation continues to offer assistance to widows without adequate financial support or stability.

The first Air Force Village opened in 1970 in San Antonio, Texas, and was originally built on 15 acres of land donated by Ray Ellison, a prominent homebuilder, states the organization's Web site, www.airforcevillages.com. Air Force Village I was not only the first retirement community in the nation that offered care and services for retired military officers and their dependents, it was also the first military-related retirement community to be accredited by the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission.

The Air Force Village I, now located on 30 acres, has 366 independent living apartments, a fitness center, a wellness clinic, home health care services, an assisted living facility and a health care center.

The second AFVF location, Air Force Village II, is located on 660 acres, has 403 independent living apartments, a wellness clinic, home health care services, a 34-bed assisted living facility, and a 68-bed health care center, which is a skilled nursing facility.  (More)

Message to weapons buyers: make it cheaper and faster
-- National Defense Magazine
The Pentagon has been put on notice that the days of lavish spending are over and it must make “tough choices” about what weapons to buy.

Pentagon plans blimp to spy from new heights
-- Los Angeles Times
Reporting from Washington -- The Pentagon said Thursday that it intends to spend $400 million to develop a giant dirigible that will float 65,000 feet above the Earth for 10 years, providing unblinking and intricate radar surveillance of the vehicles, planes and even people below.

Forum highlights needed U.S. actions to fight cyberwar
-- Defense News
Cyber attacks "are growing more frequent and more devastating," Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., said at a discussion on cybersecurity March 17 at the National Press Club in Washington.

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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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