The arrival of a C-130 Hercules at Robins AFB (Georgia) on 31 July marked the beginning of what is expected to be a dramatic change in the way aircraft maintenance is done.
The Air Mobility Command plane will be the first validation aircraft for High Velocity Maintenance, which means it will be used to test the new method of programmed depot maintenance aimed at reducing aircraft downtime.
"It's the largest philosophical and cultural change in how we do scheduled maintenance in the last 25 to 30 years," said Jerry Mobley, the HVM team lead.
The essence of HVM is that rather than bringing planes in for PDM every five to six years, the planes will come in every 18 months. The expected benefit is that by bringing planes in more regularly, the overall downtime will be significantly less, which is critically important to meeting the Air Force's demand.
In the current PDM cycle, a C-130 is at Robins for an average of 164 days. HVM team members believe the new process will cut the total downtime in that same five- to six-year period by half or better.
They are confident HVM will achieve the expected results, Mr. Mobley said, because it is patterned after the same maintenance practice being used by major commercial airlines. For two years, the HVM team has consulted closely with several airlines on how the process works.
"We are very confident, and one of the reasons we are very confident is that we are not the first ones to come up with it," Mr. Mobley said. "Commercial airlines have been producing airplanes like this for years."
The reduction in downtime is expected to be achieved through several means. One of the biggest is that planes will be inspected in the field before coming to Robins for maintenance. That will allow maintainers to be far better prepared to get work done because they will know what the planes need before they get here.
For example, when the first validation aircraft was inspected, it was found to be in need of a new scuff plate, a 13-foot part where the ramp meets the fuselage. It's a significant replacement that requires numerous additional parts, said John Huff, production flight chief for HVM.
Previously the plane would have come in for PDM, an inspection would have been done, and then the determination would be made that a scuff plate replacement was needed. All of those parts would then have to be acquired, along with the needed tools - all while the plane was sitting in the hangar making no contribution to the war effort.
Now the scuff plate parts have been collected and prepared and a "task kit" has been made so when the plane gets here, the replacement can be made without delay.
Furthermore, now that the plane is scheduled to come back in 18 months, there will not be another need for a field inspection because with a shorter interval between PDM, there is little chance of significant problems for which advance preparation would be needed. Also, with that shorter interval between PDM, some work can be deferred if it does not relate to safety. Under the five- to six-year interval, that wasn't really an option because it would be so long before the plane would be seen again.
Also, Mr. Mobley said, HVM will eliminate the need for isochronal inspections, which are field maintenance inspections. In the case of the C-130, those must be done every 15 months and puts the plane out of service for two to three weeks. But, because of the shorter interval, that inspection will now become part of the regular PDM, thus further reducing down time.
The move toward HVM began two years ago at the behest of Maj. Gen. Tom Owen, then commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, said Doug Keene, HVM product lead.
"The proposal was made at that time that we needed to take on an effort to dramatically increase the availability of aircraft," Mr. Keene said. "If we can increase the velocity of maintenance between scheduled maintenance in depot, we give those back to the warfighter and increase their availability."
The HVM process will be further tested with another C-130, which will arrive here Sept. 30 and another on Nov. 12. On those occasions, Mr. Mobley said, the focus will not be on speed but on seeing how the process is working and making any needed changes.
Following those evaluations, the plan is for C-130 maintenance at Robins to move fully into active HVM transition. Over the next seven years, the transition to full C-130 HVM will include both HVM and PDM C-130 aircraft. Eventually, other airframes will follow the C-130 lead into HVM.
Mr. Huff said maintainers have generally been enthusiastic about the change.
"They are excited about participation in the new process," he said. "The mechanic is the bread and butter of the Center and that's where the focus should be."
While Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City and Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah, are also doing HVM tests, with the B-1 Lancer at Tinker and the F-22 Raptor at Hill, Robins will be the first to actually implement the program.
Wayne Crenshaw
# END
Friday, July 31, 2009
UAVs Join Air Force Academy Core Curriculum
U.S. Air Force Academy officials have integrated unmanned aircraft systems into the school's curriculum.
"The Air Force has made unmanned aircraft systems a priority for our service, and the value of these capabilities is evidenced on a daily basis in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Lt. Gen. Michael C. Gould, the Academy superintendent.
"So it is only fitting that our cadets have a keen understanding of this vital piece of our national security," he said.
He added the Academy's UAS program is designed to educate cadets and interest them to serve as UAS leaders after graduation.
Training on the two Viking 300 UAS' is being held Camp Red Devil at Fort Carson, Colo., and is included in the Academy's UAS and Intelligences Surveillance and Reconnaissance Education Program.
Training has been contracted through Bosh Global Services and its subcontractor, L3 Communications.
Four cadets were selected to serve as the first cadre in the program that opened July 12. The four cadets first spent time at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., home to the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft that flies daily in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The four cadets began to train 21 other cadets at the Fort Carson site July 22. More than 80 cadets originally volunteered for the program.
Training is held under the academic course Airmanship 200 and 201. In the fall, cadets will have 10 ground training lessons and 10 flights. In the spring they will begin 30 hours of airpower theory and will begin flying again in April.
The program serves two purposes, said Lt. Col. Dean Bushey, the Academy UAS director.
"The training is primarily motivational," he said. "If they get motivated, I've done my job."
The program will also introduce key skills cadets will use in their Air Force careers.
Colonel Bushey said he anticipates the program will grow substantially to include about 300 cadets and stressed the future leaders of the Air Force will at some point encounter brushes with UAS' regardless of career choices. Talks are underway for the creation of an additional Air Force specialty code for the technology.
The Viking 300 weighs between 200 and 300 pounds and reaches a top speed of 100 knots with a cruising speed of 55 knots.
Cadets are also receiving the full scope of managing information gathered by the Vikings, by monitoring such sources such as cell phones, computers, chat rooms, radios and cameras. They also are training in exercises involving identifying, planning and carrying out missions.
"It's amazing what we can do in combat," Colonel Bushey said.
He pointed out military application is but one use for UAS', which have evolved from flying drones to armed combat. The broader uses include crop dusting, crowd control and observation of floods and fires.
The Israelis were first to employ the unmanned aircraft in the 1970s. The Air Force integrated it in the mid- to late 1990s, and it was used in Bosnia.
Michael Gendron, a retired Air Force member now on the Bosh staff, praised the Academy for its initiative.
"The Academy is the first service academy to institute unmanned systems," he said. "It's nice to see the Air Force moving forward with this."
Cadets are enthusiastic about the newest addition to the Academy curriculum.
"This is an outstanding opportunity," said Cadet 2nd Class Jeffrey Nakayama. "It's good to be a pioneer and a great leadership opportunity."
Cadet 2nd Class Rupert Domingo also said he appreciates being in the forefront of the relatively new technology.
"This is the future of the military," he said. "It's good to have our eyes in the sky and know what's going on."
Ann Patton (AFNS)
# END
"The Air Force has made unmanned aircraft systems a priority for our service, and the value of these capabilities is evidenced on a daily basis in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Lt. Gen. Michael C. Gould, the Academy superintendent.
"So it is only fitting that our cadets have a keen understanding of this vital piece of our national security," he said.
He added the Academy's UAS program is designed to educate cadets and interest them to serve as UAS leaders after graduation.
Training on the two Viking 300 UAS' is being held Camp Red Devil at Fort Carson, Colo., and is included in the Academy's UAS and Intelligences Surveillance and Reconnaissance Education Program.
Training has been contracted through Bosh Global Services and its subcontractor, L3 Communications.
Four cadets were selected to serve as the first cadre in the program that opened July 12. The four cadets first spent time at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., home to the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft that flies daily in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The four cadets began to train 21 other cadets at the Fort Carson site July 22. More than 80 cadets originally volunteered for the program.
Training is held under the academic course Airmanship 200 and 201. In the fall, cadets will have 10 ground training lessons and 10 flights. In the spring they will begin 30 hours of airpower theory and will begin flying again in April.
The program serves two purposes, said Lt. Col. Dean Bushey, the Academy UAS director.
"The training is primarily motivational," he said. "If they get motivated, I've done my job."
The program will also introduce key skills cadets will use in their Air Force careers.
Colonel Bushey said he anticipates the program will grow substantially to include about 300 cadets and stressed the future leaders of the Air Force will at some point encounter brushes with UAS' regardless of career choices. Talks are underway for the creation of an additional Air Force specialty code for the technology.
The Viking 300 weighs between 200 and 300 pounds and reaches a top speed of 100 knots with a cruising speed of 55 knots.
Cadets are also receiving the full scope of managing information gathered by the Vikings, by monitoring such sources such as cell phones, computers, chat rooms, radios and cameras. They also are training in exercises involving identifying, planning and carrying out missions.
"It's amazing what we can do in combat," Colonel Bushey said.
He pointed out military application is but one use for UAS', which have evolved from flying drones to armed combat. The broader uses include crop dusting, crowd control and observation of floods and fires.
The Israelis were first to employ the unmanned aircraft in the 1970s. The Air Force integrated it in the mid- to late 1990s, and it was used in Bosnia.
Michael Gendron, a retired Air Force member now on the Bosh staff, praised the Academy for its initiative.
"The Academy is the first service academy to institute unmanned systems," he said. "It's nice to see the Air Force moving forward with this."
Cadets are enthusiastic about the newest addition to the Academy curriculum.
"This is an outstanding opportunity," said Cadet 2nd Class Jeffrey Nakayama. "It's good to be a pioneer and a great leadership opportunity."
Cadet 2nd Class Rupert Domingo also said he appreciates being in the forefront of the relatively new technology.
"This is the future of the military," he said. "It's good to have our eyes in the sky and know what's going on."
Ann Patton (AFNS)
# END
SOCCENT Opens New Southwest Asian HQ
Special Operations Command Central officials opened a new in-theater Southwest Asian home with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new building July 29.
The headquarters will allow SOCCENT members to better accomplish its mission of exercising operational control of more than 7,000 special operations servicemembers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
"We're privileged to be at the center of our nation's efforts," said Army Maj. Gen. Charles Cleveland, the SOCCENT commander who officiated at the grand opening. "With the help of our partners, we look forward to continuing to work toward a future that offers greater peace and stability in this region and throughout the world."
A part of the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command, SOCCENT includes and supports members from all services, as well as civilians and coalition partners.
"It's all four services, plus our support people like those who work on parachute rigging, medical folks, transportation and logistics," said Army Lt. Col. Holly Silkman, a SOCCENT public affairs officer deployed from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. "We've got lots of partners in the area helping us out," said the Albuquerque, N.M., native, citing Iraqi special forces and Afghan commandos as examples.
From SOCCENT's rear headquarters located at MacDill AFB, more than 700 members from the United States can deploy here for up to a year, or rotate through the AOR for temporary duties of one to three months. On any given night, SOCCENT headquarters is monitoring at least a dozen special forces operations in the AOR. A joint operations center can reach out and communicate with forces where ever they may be.
"It's safe to say our area of interest is indeed the most vital area of importance, not only for the U.S. but for the world," General Cleveland said to the gathered troops and distinguished visitors. "Our operations are increasingly becoming the stuff of history."
The main headquarters had previously been located in a temporary facility on another base in Southwest Asia.
"All of the U.S. forces wanted to be co-located and for the headquarters to be a world-class facility," Colonel Silkman said. That desire led to the creation of this state-of-the-art compound.
"We've planted the flag right here in the area of operations, which means it's easier to react," she said. "We're in the same time zone as the people we're supporting."
General Cleveland sees no comparison between the old and new headquarters.
"There was a huge need for a new facility," he said. "So it's great to get into a permanent building."
Four years in the making, the new facility has a number of features that will make it an effective headquarters. These include an indoor rifle range and SOCCENT's only parachute-rigging tower in the area. Yet the new headquarters compound is just a small footprint of a larger modernization project in the works around the base.
"This is just the beginning," General Cleveland said.
Additions in the future will include hangars currently under construction, bigger maintenance bays and a new training facility.
General Cleveland said he hoped members of SOCCENT would look upon their new facility as a "home away from home."
"I know it can't replace your family and all that waits for you back home," he said. "I understand the hardships of serving the nation overseas in a time of war, and I want to publicly thank you and your families for the sacrifices you've made in the name of freedom."
David Dobrydney (AFNS)
# END
The headquarters will allow SOCCENT members to better accomplish its mission of exercising operational control of more than 7,000 special operations servicemembers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
"We're privileged to be at the center of our nation's efforts," said Army Maj. Gen. Charles Cleveland, the SOCCENT commander who officiated at the grand opening. "With the help of our partners, we look forward to continuing to work toward a future that offers greater peace and stability in this region and throughout the world."
A part of the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command, SOCCENT includes and supports members from all services, as well as civilians and coalition partners.
"It's all four services, plus our support people like those who work on parachute rigging, medical folks, transportation and logistics," said Army Lt. Col. Holly Silkman, a SOCCENT public affairs officer deployed from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. "We've got lots of partners in the area helping us out," said the Albuquerque, N.M., native, citing Iraqi special forces and Afghan commandos as examples.
From SOCCENT's rear headquarters located at MacDill AFB, more than 700 members from the United States can deploy here for up to a year, or rotate through the AOR for temporary duties of one to three months. On any given night, SOCCENT headquarters is monitoring at least a dozen special forces operations in the AOR. A joint operations center can reach out and communicate with forces where ever they may be.
"It's safe to say our area of interest is indeed the most vital area of importance, not only for the U.S. but for the world," General Cleveland said to the gathered troops and distinguished visitors. "Our operations are increasingly becoming the stuff of history."
The main headquarters had previously been located in a temporary facility on another base in Southwest Asia.
"All of the U.S. forces wanted to be co-located and for the headquarters to be a world-class facility," Colonel Silkman said. That desire led to the creation of this state-of-the-art compound.
"We've planted the flag right here in the area of operations, which means it's easier to react," she said. "We're in the same time zone as the people we're supporting."
General Cleveland sees no comparison between the old and new headquarters.
"There was a huge need for a new facility," he said. "So it's great to get into a permanent building."
Four years in the making, the new facility has a number of features that will make it an effective headquarters. These include an indoor rifle range and SOCCENT's only parachute-rigging tower in the area. Yet the new headquarters compound is just a small footprint of a larger modernization project in the works around the base.
"This is just the beginning," General Cleveland said.
Additions in the future will include hangars currently under construction, bigger maintenance bays and a new training facility.
General Cleveland said he hoped members of SOCCENT would look upon their new facility as a "home away from home."
"I know it can't replace your family and all that waits for you back home," he said. "I understand the hardships of serving the nation overseas in a time of war, and I want to publicly thank you and your families for the sacrifices you've made in the name of freedom."
David Dobrydney (AFNS)
# END
AFSOC Builds Strategic Foreign Partnerships
The U.S. Air Force Special Operations School hosted the inaugural Building Partner Aviation Capacity Course at Hurlburt Field (Florida) July 20 to 31, which included representatives from the U.S., Costa Rica and Sudan.
BPACC is a two-week, civilian and military aviation-focused course designed for up to 30 international and 10 American participants.
"This is helping me to understand the economy of aviation," said Costa Rican Police Capt. Alexander Romero Salazar. "I understand how my country was developed years ago, and it was through aviation."
Discussions focus on aviation, including civilian aviation assets and resources, as a vital component in a country's internal defense and development plan.
"The BPACC is an ambitious, major revamp based on the Civil-Military Strategies for Internal Development Course previously offered by USAFSOS," said Maj. Eric Larson, course director. "The BPACC retains some of CMSID's civil-military focus, but has evolved to put particular emphasis on the development of civilian and military aviation resources as a component of a partner nation's internal defense and development plan."
The American participants included personnel from Air Force Central Command, Coalition Irregular Warfare Center, Air and Education Training Command, Headquarters Air Force Requirements division, U.S. Special Operations Command and local students from the 19th Special Operations Squadron.
The intent is to include other Department of Defense and interagency partners with roles in aviation defense and development.
"Improving on the legacy of the CMSID Course, the BPACC seeks to be an innovative and ground-breaking approach to building the capacity of the U.S.'s global partners to address common concerns: political violence, under-governed spaces, under-development, humanitarian disasters and transnational crime networks.
"Working by, with and through our global partners to address their security and development challenges today, may prevent the need for U.S. forces to deploy to rapidly deteriorating trouble zones," Major Larson said.
The course also examines civil-military aviation development, U.S. government and security and foreign assistance programs, as well as cooperative practical exercises and field trips.
One exercise required participants to discuss how aviation could be used in the development of Tanzania. Captain Salazar said Costa Rica is 98 percent developed thanks to "little planes" that took trips everywhere to "help grow up the country" during a time when there were no roads.
"Aviation can help. Little planes will help develop the country, like my country was," Captain Salazar said.
K.D. Duncan
# END
BPACC is a two-week, civilian and military aviation-focused course designed for up to 30 international and 10 American participants.
"This is helping me to understand the economy of aviation," said Costa Rican Police Capt. Alexander Romero Salazar. "I understand how my country was developed years ago, and it was through aviation."
Discussions focus on aviation, including civilian aviation assets and resources, as a vital component in a country's internal defense and development plan.
"The BPACC is an ambitious, major revamp based on the Civil-Military Strategies for Internal Development Course previously offered by USAFSOS," said Maj. Eric Larson, course director. "The BPACC retains some of CMSID's civil-military focus, but has evolved to put particular emphasis on the development of civilian and military aviation resources as a component of a partner nation's internal defense and development plan."
The American participants included personnel from Air Force Central Command, Coalition Irregular Warfare Center, Air and Education Training Command, Headquarters Air Force Requirements division, U.S. Special Operations Command and local students from the 19th Special Operations Squadron.
The intent is to include other Department of Defense and interagency partners with roles in aviation defense and development.
"Improving on the legacy of the CMSID Course, the BPACC seeks to be an innovative and ground-breaking approach to building the capacity of the U.S.'s global partners to address common concerns: political violence, under-governed spaces, under-development, humanitarian disasters and transnational crime networks.
"Working by, with and through our global partners to address their security and development challenges today, may prevent the need for U.S. forces to deploy to rapidly deteriorating trouble zones," Major Larson said.
The course also examines civil-military aviation development, U.S. government and security and foreign assistance programs, as well as cooperative practical exercises and field trips.
One exercise required participants to discuss how aviation could be used in the development of Tanzania. Captain Salazar said Costa Rica is 98 percent developed thanks to "little planes" that took trips everywhere to "help grow up the country" during a time when there were no roads.
"Aviation can help. Little planes will help develop the country, like my country was," Captain Salazar said.
K.D. Duncan
# END
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Harbor Security Force Established in Djibouti
A ribbon-cutting ceremony July 30 celebrated the establishment of a U.S. military harbor security force at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.
Officials from United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), the Djiboutian government and U.S. and Djiboutian military personnel attended the ceremony at Port de Djibouti.
AFRICOM Commander Gen. William 'Kip' Ward, CJTF-HOA Commander Rear Adm. Tony Kurta, Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti Eric Wong and Camp Lemonier's Commanding Officer Capt. William Finn were in attendance to witness the historic step toward enhancing the security operations for the port.
The new harbor security force was established after many months of coordination between the U.S. Navy's Camp Lemonier leadership and the Djiboutian Navy. The establishment of the harbor security force will enable increased capabilities to protect maritime vessels transiting through the port in addition to providing training and operational opportunities between U.S. and Djiboutian personnel.
The harbor security force will consist of personnel from other U.S. Navy installations throughout the Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia region. The diverse group of harbor security professionals will ensure the port is and will stay a secure environment for conducting maritime operations.
Finn said this diverse group of harbor security professionals will ensure the port is and will stay a secure environment to conduct maritime operations.
"I am honored to recognize and commemorate the efforts made between U.S. and Djiboutian forces in support of our harbor security force," said Finn. "Working together to compliment each other's capabilities, we have increased our ability to protect our ships as well as provide training and operational opportunities between U.S. and Djiboutian personnel. I sincerely appreciate the great support from our Djiboutian hosts."
Camp Lemonier, Djibouti is located in the Horn of Africa and is the only U.S. military infrastructure located in Africa to provide a base of operations for support services. The camp has approximately 2,500 U.S., joint and allied military forces, civilian personnel, Department of Defense contractors and 1,200 local and third country nation workers. The camp is the primary base of operations for U.S. Africa Command in the Horn of Africa and supports more than 23 tenant commands, including Commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa; U.S. Army 218th Field Artillery Regiment; and naval mobile construction battalion detachments.
Mark Rockwell-Pate (NNS)
# END
Officials from United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), the Djiboutian government and U.S. and Djiboutian military personnel attended the ceremony at Port de Djibouti.
AFRICOM Commander Gen. William 'Kip' Ward, CJTF-HOA Commander Rear Adm. Tony Kurta, Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti Eric Wong and Camp Lemonier's Commanding Officer Capt. William Finn were in attendance to witness the historic step toward enhancing the security operations for the port.
The new harbor security force was established after many months of coordination between the U.S. Navy's Camp Lemonier leadership and the Djiboutian Navy. The establishment of the harbor security force will enable increased capabilities to protect maritime vessels transiting through the port in addition to providing training and operational opportunities between U.S. and Djiboutian personnel.
The harbor security force will consist of personnel from other U.S. Navy installations throughout the Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia region. The diverse group of harbor security professionals will ensure the port is and will stay a secure environment for conducting maritime operations.
Finn said this diverse group of harbor security professionals will ensure the port is and will stay a secure environment to conduct maritime operations.
"I am honored to recognize and commemorate the efforts made between U.S. and Djiboutian forces in support of our harbor security force," said Finn. "Working together to compliment each other's capabilities, we have increased our ability to protect our ships as well as provide training and operational opportunities between U.S. and Djiboutian personnel. I sincerely appreciate the great support from our Djiboutian hosts."
Camp Lemonier, Djibouti is located in the Horn of Africa and is the only U.S. military infrastructure located in Africa to provide a base of operations for support services. The camp has approximately 2,500 U.S., joint and allied military forces, civilian personnel, Department of Defense contractors and 1,200 local and third country nation workers. The camp is the primary base of operations for U.S. Africa Command in the Horn of Africa and supports more than 23 tenant commands, including Commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa; U.S. Army 218th Field Artillery Regiment; and naval mobile construction battalion detachments.
Mark Rockwell-Pate (NNS)
# END
Naval Postgraduate School Turns 100
The Naval Postgraduate School is celebrating its 100th anniversary of delivering "Excellence through Knowledge" with events designed to highlight the institution's role in forming naval leaders.
President Daniel Oliver launched the school's Centennial Kick-Off and Alumni Reunion Weekend with a State of the University address, followed by a review of its first century of world-class military-relevant research by Provost and Executive Vice President Leonard Ferrari.
"These extraordinary celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the Naval Postgraduate School signal the beginning of a year-long tribute to the legacy that has been created by this wonderful institution over a full century of its life," Oliver said.
"We honor NPS for the magnificent university it has become and the even greater university it will be 100 years from now."
Visiting alumni, students, faculty and staff then gathered for the dedication of the new NPS Centennial Timeline -- 48 large outdoor panels covering the entire scope of NPS history from its founding at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1909 to the unveiling of the timeline itself.
"This was a monumental team effort that drew from every corner of the campus," Oliver said in christening the two-dimensional display that takes up an entire outside wall of the Root Hall lab and classroom building.
"The initiative and leadership for this project came from Kari Miglaw, director of both our Centennial Program and Alumni Relations. We will be forever in her debt because this permanent timeline will continue to serve as a remarkable and enduring gift."
For some the 'jewel in the crown' of the Centennial Kick-Off Weekend was a Centennial Gala dinner and ball held in the Barbara McNitt Ballroom in historic Herrmann Hall. Oliver opened the gala by inducting only the tenth alumnus out of more than 60,000 graduates throughout the university's history into its Hall of Fame -- former Marine Corps Commandant General Michael Hagee (Electrical Engineering, 1969).
"General Hagee is and has always been a tireless advocate for military higher education," Oliver told the guests at the elegant black tie event. "As Major General Mel Spiese, who is on our board of advisors, said so well, 'General Hagee is a model of advanced education in the armed forces and the value it brings to the service member and the service.'"
Other highlights of the centennial weekend were a remembrance service; an alumni open house at the newly renovated Dudley Knox Library; a ribbon cutting and retrospective celebrating more than half a century of NPS computing by the Information Technology and Communications Services Department; a Battle of Midway lecture by the School of International Graduate Studies; open houses and guided tours of the university's schools, labs and research institutes as well as Center for Homeland Defense and Security; a State of the NPS Foundation address; an NPS exhibit, lectures and a reception at the Monterey Maritime and History Museum.
The Naval Postgraduate School then flung open its gates to the entire local community for a special centennial rendition of its popular annual Memorial Day Concert on the Lawn on the theme "NPS: Honoring Heroes and Traditions."
"Thank you all for being part of the kick-off of our Centennial Year of the Naval Postgraduate School," Oliver told the crowd of thousands sitting on a colorful patchwork of picnic blankets on the lawn in front of Herrmann Hall. "I am proud to be the president of this special institution at this very special moment in its history."
The next highlight of the year-long celebrations is NPS Air and Space Week, Aug. 4-9, to which the school has invited its almost three dozen former astronaut graduates to return to their alma mater.
Barbara Honneger (NNS)
# END
President Daniel Oliver launched the school's Centennial Kick-Off and Alumni Reunion Weekend with a State of the University address, followed by a review of its first century of world-class military-relevant research by Provost and Executive Vice President Leonard Ferrari.
"These extraordinary celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the Naval Postgraduate School signal the beginning of a year-long tribute to the legacy that has been created by this wonderful institution over a full century of its life," Oliver said.
"We honor NPS for the magnificent university it has become and the even greater university it will be 100 years from now."
Visiting alumni, students, faculty and staff then gathered for the dedication of the new NPS Centennial Timeline -- 48 large outdoor panels covering the entire scope of NPS history from its founding at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1909 to the unveiling of the timeline itself.
"This was a monumental team effort that drew from every corner of the campus," Oliver said in christening the two-dimensional display that takes up an entire outside wall of the Root Hall lab and classroom building.
"The initiative and leadership for this project came from Kari Miglaw, director of both our Centennial Program and Alumni Relations. We will be forever in her debt because this permanent timeline will continue to serve as a remarkable and enduring gift."
For some the 'jewel in the crown' of the Centennial Kick-Off Weekend was a Centennial Gala dinner and ball held in the Barbara McNitt Ballroom in historic Herrmann Hall. Oliver opened the gala by inducting only the tenth alumnus out of more than 60,000 graduates throughout the university's history into its Hall of Fame -- former Marine Corps Commandant General Michael Hagee (Electrical Engineering, 1969).
"General Hagee is and has always been a tireless advocate for military higher education," Oliver told the guests at the elegant black tie event. "As Major General Mel Spiese, who is on our board of advisors, said so well, 'General Hagee is a model of advanced education in the armed forces and the value it brings to the service member and the service.'"
Other highlights of the centennial weekend were a remembrance service; an alumni open house at the newly renovated Dudley Knox Library; a ribbon cutting and retrospective celebrating more than half a century of NPS computing by the Information Technology and Communications Services Department; a Battle of Midway lecture by the School of International Graduate Studies; open houses and guided tours of the university's schools, labs and research institutes as well as Center for Homeland Defense and Security; a State of the NPS Foundation address; an NPS exhibit, lectures and a reception at the Monterey Maritime and History Museum.
The Naval Postgraduate School then flung open its gates to the entire local community for a special centennial rendition of its popular annual Memorial Day Concert on the Lawn on the theme "NPS: Honoring Heroes and Traditions."
"Thank you all for being part of the kick-off of our Centennial Year of the Naval Postgraduate School," Oliver told the crowd of thousands sitting on a colorful patchwork of picnic blankets on the lawn in front of Herrmann Hall. "I am proud to be the president of this special institution at this very special moment in its history."
The next highlight of the year-long celebrations is NPS Air and Space Week, Aug. 4-9, to which the school has invited its almost three dozen former astronaut graduates to return to their alma mater.
Barbara Honneger (NNS)
# END
Army's Electric Warehouse Vehicles Save Fuel
The implementation of two electric vehicles will help reduce fossil fuel emissions at Tobyhanna Army Depot (PA) and save on fuel costs, one piece of equipment at a time.
In May, Tobyhanna received an electric forklift and a fifth wheel tug, which will be used by motor-vehicle operators to transport systems and shelters throughout the depot.
The fifth wheel tug, which is the first of its kind at Tobyhanna, is a hybrid of several different systems. The custom-made vehicle will be used strictly on-post to move large pieces of trailer-able equipment in and out of depot shops.
The fifth wheel tug is intended for indoor/outdoor use, weather permitting.
"It hasn't been proven in the winter yet but the company is working with depot personnel to make modifications for winter use," explained John Kelly, chief of the Production Management Directorate's Materiel Movement Branch.
The forklift, which can lift up to 23,000 pounds, is being used to move large shelters and systems in and out of the paint booths in Building 9. Kelly noted that future plans are to use the forklift in the High Bay, Building 4 Bay 6, and in locations that would normally require a diesel vehicle's assistance.
"We're gradually moving toward an electric-vehicle environment across the depot," said Anthony Ferreira, president of the AFGE Local 1647. He was instrumental with introducing the electric vehicles to Tobyhanna.
"We're committed to minimizing our employee's exposure to fossil fuel emissions and have additional pieces of electric lifting equipment on order, such as another lift and another tug," Kelly said. "We also continue to research new equipment and technologies which we hope will one day get us to a diesel free environment."
Tobyhanna Army Depot is the Defense Department's largest center for the repair, overhaul and fabrication of a wide variety of electronics systems and components, from tactical field radios to the ground terminals for the defense satellite communications network. Tobyhanna's missions support all branches of the Armed Forces.
About 5,600 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania.
Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army CECOM Life Cycle Management Command. Headquartered at Fort Monmouth, N.J., the command's mission is to research, develop, acquire, field and sustain communications, command, control computer, intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors capabilities for the armed forces.
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In May, Tobyhanna received an electric forklift and a fifth wheel tug, which will be used by motor-vehicle operators to transport systems and shelters throughout the depot.
The fifth wheel tug, which is the first of its kind at Tobyhanna, is a hybrid of several different systems. The custom-made vehicle will be used strictly on-post to move large pieces of trailer-able equipment in and out of depot shops.
The fifth wheel tug is intended for indoor/outdoor use, weather permitting.
"It hasn't been proven in the winter yet but the company is working with depot personnel to make modifications for winter use," explained John Kelly, chief of the Production Management Directorate's Materiel Movement Branch.
The forklift, which can lift up to 23,000 pounds, is being used to move large shelters and systems in and out of the paint booths in Building 9. Kelly noted that future plans are to use the forklift in the High Bay, Building 4 Bay 6, and in locations that would normally require a diesel vehicle's assistance.
"We're gradually moving toward an electric-vehicle environment across the depot," said Anthony Ferreira, president of the AFGE Local 1647. He was instrumental with introducing the electric vehicles to Tobyhanna.
"We're committed to minimizing our employee's exposure to fossil fuel emissions and have additional pieces of electric lifting equipment on order, such as another lift and another tug," Kelly said. "We also continue to research new equipment and technologies which we hope will one day get us to a diesel free environment."
Tobyhanna Army Depot is the Defense Department's largest center for the repair, overhaul and fabrication of a wide variety of electronics systems and components, from tactical field radios to the ground terminals for the defense satellite communications network. Tobyhanna's missions support all branches of the Armed Forces.
About 5,600 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania.
Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army CECOM Life Cycle Management Command. Headquartered at Fort Monmouth, N.J., the command's mission is to research, develop, acquire, field and sustain communications, command, control computer, intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors capabilities for the armed forces.
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