Pilot mentoring program propels the future of hypersonics and young engineers

by Raquel March
Arnold Engineering Development Complex Public Affairs

3/24/2014 - ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. -- Hypersonic research and several young engineers are reaping the benefits of a pilot mentoring program at Arnold Engineering Development Complex's Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 in  White Oak, Md. The program, the Hypersonic Center of Testing Excellence, began in fiscal 2011 and combines two organizations that provide funding, instruction and testing.

"In the short time we have been running this pilot program, we have seen extraordinary gains in test technology and employee growth and we have already seen students placed in the T&E (testing and evaluation) enterprise -- one at Tunnel 9 and one at Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md.," said Dan Marren, the AEDC White Oak Site director and HCoTE co-founder. "Hardly a week goes by that I am not reminded of the gains from this activity."

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research, one of the funding organizations, teamed with the University of Maryland to fund students and research which began in fiscal 2011 and will end in fiscal 2017. The Department of Defense's Test Resource Management Center, the second funding organization, provides funds for testing, hardware and instrumentation for the students to conduct research. TRMC's support began in fiscal 2012 and will extend to fiscal 2016.

The program, the first of its kind, is geared toward preparing future engineers in leading the hypersonic testing and evaluation field while conducting basic and applied research testing for the U.S. Air Force, DOD and hypersonic T&E communities.

A brief given by the University of Maryland and Tunnel 9 presented that current T&E personnel are nearing retirement and that there is an insufficient investment in new and young engineers.

Marren and co-founder Dr. Mark Lewis, the Science and Technology Policy Institute director, suggest that the pilot program will be instrumental to hypersonic research developments.

"My hope is that we are able to successfully navigate this pilot and mine lessons learned and strategies that actually are useful in workforce development," Marren said. "As our simple concept 'learn by doing' progresses, it is my hope that aspects of our program are applied to other areas of hypersonic T&E where we as a nation have a shortfall in our hypersonic testing workforce.

"That said, today, a national study team from the Office of Science and Technology Policy and TRMC are looking really closely at our program to see if they can base a national plan on this pilot."

Currently there are six Tunnel 9 personnel mentoring nine graduate students and nine undergraduate students in the program from the University of Maryland. Students are involved in research activities related to unsteady shocks, turbulence characterization, simulation, modeling and validation. The students' work in diagnostics include temperature sensitive paint and focused and background-oriented Schlieren.

Marren explained that the students' knowledge and expertise have grown as well as the mentors'.

"I have seen, in the last three years, great changes in how we accomplish our tasks," Marren said. "While it started out as a program that required a lot of high level guidance, each year mentors and students grow, the research matures, and this program is beginning to run itself.

"One day, while touring the student lab with a distinguished visitor, I noticed a student, a young Tunnel 9 engineer and a rotational Navy employee in the lab working on a device. When I inquired as to what it was, they informed me that the upcoming experiment required a certain UV light source that did not exist on the market," he continued. "With a mechanical designer, they conceptualized a new product, designed it and built them. The fact that they were empowered to solve a problem on their own and in the process came up with a device that never existed, all without my knowledge, was telling. That day I knew our program was doing something right."

Defense Meteorological Satellite Program 19 Encapsulation

3/19/2014 - LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, El Segundo, Calif.  -- The U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and United Launch Alliance(ULA) team have successfully moved one step closer to the launching of the 19th Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) block 5D weather satellite. On March 14, engineers completed spacecraft encapsulation within the launch fairing at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

The DMSP-19 encapsulation within the Atlas V launch vehicle payload fairing represents an important milestone for the DMSP-19 launch campaign. This event marks the completion of spacecraft integration, functional testing and compatibility checks with the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN).

The final phase of the DMSP-19 launch integration process is set to take place. The encapsulated payload will be carried on a transporter to the launch pad. Once at the launch pad, the payload fairing assembly will be lifted and integrated onto the 57 meter tall Atlas V launch vehicle. The Atlas is developed by ULA, headquartered in Denver, Colo.

DMSP-19 is scheduled to launch on April 3, 2014. This will be the second time a DMSP satellite is launched with an Atlas V rocket.

For the past 50 years, the DMSP satellites have been the primary provider of terrestrial and space weather information to the US military. DMSP satellites have fulfilled the military's most critical requirements for global atmospheric, oceanic, terrestrial, and space environment information. DMSP sensors provide imagery in visible, infrared and microwave bands to enhance information available to the warfighter. Through these satellites, military users find, track and forecast weather systems over remote and hostile areas for deployed troops.

The Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the U.S. Air Force's center of acquisition excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems. Its portfolio includes GPS, military satellite communications, defense meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control networks, space based infrared systems and space situational awareness capabilities.

960th Cyber Group activates new squadron

by 1st Lt. Lori Fiorello
960th Cyberspace Operations Group Public Affairs

3/20/2014 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas  -- The Air Force Reserve Command deactivated the 960th Cyberspace Operations Group - Detachment 2 and re-designated the unit the 426th Network Warfare Squadron in a ceremony March 8 at the Bob Hope Theater here.

The squadron, formerly two detachments designed to house cyber defense Airmen and build to squadron strength, joins the 960th Cyberspace Operations Group here. It now boasts more than 60 Reservists and protects the Air Force's vast network infrastructure from cyber warfare and enemy surveillance.

"I'm honored to take command of this squadron of dedicated cyber defense warriors," said Maj. Rocko Rodriguez, 426th NWS commander. "Our mission, while a detachment, was to produce effects for the Air Force and combatant commands in, through and from cyberspace by employing synchronized network defense operations to detect, respond to and prevent network intrusions. Now, we will do the very same as a squadron at full strength, continuing to provide the best quality protection and security for our Air Force."

The 426th NWS' storied history began under the name 26 Airdrome Squadron in 1943 at Kearney Air Base, Netherlands, as part of 2nd Air Force, serving honorably throughout World War II and earning several outstanding unit awards. Over the years, it has served as intelligence and information operations squadrons, before arriving in Texas as a cyber defense unit.
Rodriguez, who is also an air reserve technician with the squadron, is adding his own piece to the remarkable history of this decorated unit. He is the only one who will ever have served as the commander of the once detachment, which grew to squadron size before a different person could be named commander.
"It's exciting to think I'm the only commander that will ever have been the commander of Detachment 2, but it's even better to be able to build on what we've started," said Rodriguez. "I'm confident in our Reservists to provide unrivaled network strength at this level, as they have always done.

"We are poised and ready to serve by continuing to provide the very best in defensive cyber operations."

The reorganization will now position the 426th NWS under the 960th CYOG, supporting their "Guardians of the Grid" mission of providing combat-ready forces with specialized expertise in the operation and defense of Air Force and Defense Department global information grids.

"We're growing in leaps in bounds from where we were last year, from two detachments to a squadron," said Col. Lloyd Terry, 960th CYOG commander. "We started out small and now just a year later, we have grown the unit to close to 60 and we're continuing to expand that growth."

Those interested in a cyber career should contact Chief Master Sgt. William Fountas at 210-945-7224 or william.fountas@us.af.mil or check out www.usajobs.gov for a listing of current ART positions available.

Women of the 21st Space Wing: A new family tradition

by Staff Sgt. Jacob Morgan
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

3/18/2014 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- In 1952, Neva Cole had just graduated college. Her family had a long history of military service; so she set off to join the Navy as part of the family tradition. The role of women in her family at the time was much different than it is today. Her father and her husband told her she would absolutely not be joining the Navy; so with much regret, she didn't join.

Fast forward nearly 60 years and times have changed, allowing her granddaughter different opportunities. Staff Sgt. Madeline Whiton, who was looking for a new career in 2008, went to her grandma for advice. The young woman was encouraged to join the military along with her 16 other male family members in service.

"When I went to my grandma, the answer was to try something new, go see the world and not have any regrets," said Whiton.

When Whiton enlisted she found her future as a material management technician. Currently with the 21st Space Wing, she helps manage the flight service center and warehouse, which encompasses at least $1 million of replacement equipment per quarter and stores more than 3,000 items.

"Sixty years ago, things were different for women who wanted to serve," said Whiton. "Joining the Air Force was something I always wanted to do, and now I provide support for some very important missions around the world."

In the meticulous profession of supply, Whiton believes she brings the same detail-oriented approach she has with her children to the workplace.

In 2013, the 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron was tasked with inventorying roughly 20,000 new items and either finding a new home for them or retiring them from service. Whiton said she wanted to take a calculated approach to the project in order to find the best homes for each item if one was available.

"I believe that women bring something different to the table," said Whiton. "We view situations in different ways and we can bring a diverse approach to leadership. In no way are we better, but diversity can be an extremely positive influence in any work environment."

Whiton has brought a different approach to her working environment, winning her multiple awards including the 2012 Material Management Airman of the Year for Air Force Space Command, the AFSPC Logistics Readiness Airman of the Year 2012 and the Air Force Association Lt. Gen. DeKok Outstanding Airman of the Year 2012.

"When I come to work, I treat situations like I would with my family," said Whiton. "Every decision I make will affect someone's life in a way; I want to make sure I make the right decision."

Whiton said she has found her place in the Air Force and thinks of her colleagues as family. She intends to continue her career in the Air Force and work hard to support her family at home and at work.

"Women shouldn't be discouraged from service," said Whiton. "Women can be just as mentally, physically and spiritually capable as men and they are truly recognized for it (in the Air Force); it doesn't matter who you are or your gender."

Whiton's family now has a total of 17 veterans who have served the country in the armed forces. While only one of them is a woman, the next 17 will undoubtedly have more than one.

(This is part one of a series spotlighting women in the military. March is Women's History Month.)

Defense Meteorological Satellite Program 19 Encapsulation

Release Number: 010314

3/19/2014 - LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, El Segundo, Calif.  -- The U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and United Launch Alliance (ULA) team have successfully moved one step closer to the launching of the 19th Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) block 5D weather satellite. On March 14 engineers completed spacecraft encapsulation within the launch fairing at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The DMSP-19 encapsulation within the Atlas V launch vehicle payload fairing represents an important milestone for the DMSP-19 launch campaign. This event marks the completion of spacecraft integration, functional testing and compatibility checks with the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN).

The final phase of the DMSP-19 launch integration process is set to take place. The encapsulated payload will be carried on a transporter to the launch pad. Once at the launch pad, the payload fairing assembly will be lifted and integrated onto the 57 meter tall Atlas V launch vehicle. The Atlas is developed by ULA, headquartered in Denver, CO.

DMSP-19 is scheduled to launch on April 3, 2014. This will be the second time a DMSP satellite is launched with an Atlas V rocket.

For the past 50 years, the DMSP satellites have been the primary provider of terrestrial and space weather information to the US military. DMSP satellites have fulfilled the military's most critical requirements for global atmospheric, oceanic, terrestrial, and space environment information. DMSP sensors provide imagery in visible, infrared and microwave bands to enhance information available to the warfighter. Through these satellites, military users find, track and forecast weather systems over remote and hostile areas for deployed troops.

The Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the U.S. Air Force's center of acquisition excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems. Its portfolio includes GPS, military satellite communications, defense meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control networks, space based infrared systems and space situational awareness capabilities.

Pentagon Official: Research, Development No Place to Cut Costs

By Claudette Roulo

American Forces Press Service

SPRINGFIELD, Va., March 18, 2014 – At a time when technological development is flourishing in countries such as China and North Korea, the United States is at risk of falling behind due to budgetary constraints, the acting assistant secretary of defense for research and engineering said here today.

“Although we’re budgeting this way, research and development is not a variable-cost activity,” Alan R. Shaffer told attendees at the 2014 Precision Strike Annual Review. Regardless of force size, he explained, the nonrecurring engineering costs of developing a new system are the same.

Cuts to research in development accounts will slow technological advancement, and lost time is lost for good, Shaffer said.

“If we take much of a strategic pause in developing new systems, it will take a long time to get those restarted,” he said. And, Shaffer noted, given the speed of technological development, it doesn’t make sense to do so.

"The pace of technology maturation is accelerating at the same time that we're starting to have some weakness in our technology accounts,” he said. “That's not a comfortable place to be.”

Research and engineering in the Defense Department is about three things, Shaffer said: addressing present and future threats, enabling new and extended capabilities in current systems, and developing technological surprise.

But, he noted, high-tech fields such as space are evolving so quickly that “by 2020, I do not believe we will have any space asset now in orbit that cannot be denied or degraded [by an adversary].”

This means alternatives must be found for ubiquitous systems such as GPS and satellite communications, Shaffer said.

As the budget environment looks as if it will be constrained for at least the next decade, the department won’t be buying as many finished systems, he said. This will place additional emphasis on prototyping and developing capabilities, Shaffer said, even if they are never fielded.

At these early stages of research and development, he said, failures are part of the process. However, Shaffer noted, the department can’t afford to fail in acquisitions.

“We … can afford failure if we’ve only spent 12 months’ worth of money,” he said, but it becomes a lot harder to justify if the department has invested eight years in a failed project.

One sign of the changing culture within the department’s research and development office is a name change, Shaffer said. The Rapid Fielding Office is now the Emerging Capabilities and Prototypes Office. The office is now focused on delivering capabilities that can be developed and prototyped for and with warfighters, he explained.

Shaffer noted the example of the X-1 development process as a model for the department to emulate as it moves forward. The Air Force and NASA partnered to develop hypersonic vehicles that were never intended to become operational systems, he said.

“It was intended to demonstrate we could have controlled flight through the sound barrier,” Shaffer said. Each subsequent X-plane version was focused on solving increasingly difficult aeronautical engineering problems, he said, and the outcome was explosive development in aviation technology.

"Aviation … went from, effectively, no jet planes -- unless you want to count the Messerschmitt 262 -- at the end of World War II, to supersonic controlled flight by the late '50s. That was a 15-year period,” Shaffer said.

The program continues today, and the X-35 is the lone exception to the prototype-only model, entering production as the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter.

Similar revolutions are most likely to come in three areas, Shaffer said: autonomous systems, hypersonic weapons and electronic warfare.

More than any other area of technology, Shaffer said, the loss of U.S. dominance in electronic warfare makes him unhappy.

“Between digital signal processing, advanced electronics [and] advanced microelectronics … people are expanding the electronic warfare envelope,” Shaffer said. “Simply, this becomes a point-counterpoint game that’s very hard to play.”

Now is a great time to be a technologist, Shaffer said. The department remains committed to science and technology and future system development, he noted, and there are plenty of challenges waiting for inventive people to solve them.

Cyber warriors invest time in IT futures

by Senior Master Sgt. Dorian Chapman
24th Air Force Public Affairs

3/17/2014 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- The steadily growing, nation-wide teen competition known as CyberPatriot piqued the interest of school-aged computer experts right here at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland's Stacey High School this school year, which created a great opportunity for some cyber-savvy Airmen assigned to 24th Air Force to step in to mentor these computer defense hopefuls in the ways of cybersecurity.

"It's been exceptionally rewarding to mentor the CyberPatriot team this year," said Senior Master Sgt. Brian Meeks, senior enlisted leader of Joint Force Headquarters - Cyber, the 24th Air Force organization responsible for command and control of cutting-edge Cyber Mission Force teams. "Last year was Stacey High School's first year competing in CyberPatriot," he recalled. "I helped get things started last year, but this was my first year mentoring, and it's been a whole lot of fun."

According to Master Sgt. Joseph Harkleroad, chief of training for the 624th Operations Center, the numbered air force's command and control hub for cyber operations across the Air Force, he jumped at the chance to mentor for the second year in a row.

"The opportunity to plant seeds in these kids' minds about things like security, learning open source operating systems, and just offering a different way of thinking about computing from the cookie cutter, off-the-shelf experience was just too good to pass up," Harkleroad said.

CyberPatriot applies established standards nationwide outlining qualifications for students, coaches and mentors within the competition, but Meeks was quick to explain that mentorship wasn't exclusively reserved for fully trained computer specialists.

"The [CyberPatriot] website provides all the training a volunteer would need to assist the kids," Meeks said. "For me, I've been out of the hands-on, technical part of my job for a while so it was good to have the refresher. Digging back into the technology was rewarding to me, personally, but anyone willing to do a little homework can get the basics down in order to teach in the classroom."

Meeks said teamwork is fundamental to all aspects of CyberPatriot, even among the mentors.

"Everyone brings assets and certain skills to the mentoring team and we try to use that to our advantage," Meeks explained. "Someone may have extensive [information technology] knowledge but be less experienced in a teaching role, whereas someone else may only have the fundamentals from the online training, but have a knack for communicating with the kids. It works out great."

"Everyone has something to bring and everyone is going to learn something along the way," said Harkleroad.

For potential CyberPatriot mentors who don't live on or near JBSA - Lackland, there were 85 teams competing across San Antonio this year, which created hundreds of opportunities to volunteer. In fact, San Antonio was second only to Los Angeles in the number of competing CyberPatriot teams among participating cities across the nation. Those looking for opportunities to mentor can either work with a school's designated CyberPatriot coach or, if no specific school affiliation is desired, the registration system will assign one. Specific requirements and prerequisites are explained on the CyberPatriot website.

Though often compared to other extracurricular activities such as band or football, the specifics of what the competitors actually learn and do are sometimes misunderstood.
"Some people think CyberPatriot is about teaching these kids to be hackers, and that just isn't the case," said Meeks. "Primarily, the focus is system hardening, which is making a system less vulnerable to a cyber attack or to malicious actors on the internet. The students learn about patching, antivirus, password policies and many other aspects of making a system secure. And they learn these capabilities across multiple operating systems, such as Windows, Windows Server, and Linux," he explained.

According to the mentors, many parents have expressed gratitude and support for what their children are learning and encourage the students to use their new skills to make their home computer systems more secure.

"CyberPatriot is still in its infancy," said Meeks. "But more and more the parents are understanding what it's all about and supporting the kids' participation because they can appreciate the skills these kids are gaining, skills they will take with them throughout high school and college and into their future careers."

"The students get so much out of this program," said Harkleroad. "I've heard it said that those kids who participate in band have a measurably increased likelihood of success in life, based largely on the soft skills they learn. I feel CyberPatriot offers something very similar, but with hard skills thrown in. It's a link to career paths these kids would likely not get any other way," he explained. "They learn about the importance of sharing resources, a very real challenge in almost any endeavor. I can't think of a way to make these students better global citizens."

"Literally, these kids make our nation's cyber infrastructure more secure by going home, using these skills on their home computers and teaching their friends and families how to do it," added Meeks.

"For our team, we spend one lunch period, once per week during the school day teaching," explained Harkleroad. "But we maximized participation by having weekend sessions and even a field trip to see the inner workings of one of the industry leaders in cloud computing here in San Antonio. Where else are they going to get that?"

"The mentoring experience is truly about the kids, and I can't think of a better program that pays more dividends to the participant than CyberPatriot, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it," said Meeks.

For more information about CyberPatriot or to register as a mentor, go to www.uscyberpatriot.org .