By Robert K. Ackerman
The recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have generated a wealth of information about information specifically, technologies that are at the core of network-centric operations. The U.S. Army, which long has been transitioning to a force built around information technology (IT) capabilities, gleaned considerable experience from those conflicts. With the service already in the midst of a wide-ranging transformation, the new capabilities emerging from the two successful wars offer new avenues for exploiting the power of network centricity.
These topics will be foremost on the minds of the high-ranking panelists and speakers at the 4th Annual AFCEA NOVA Army IT Day. Titled "Army at War: Relevant and Ready Through Technology," the daylong event takes place on June 30 at the McLean Hilton, Tysons Corner, Virginia.
Leading off the program is slated to be Lt. Gen. Richard A. Cody, USA, deputy chief of staff for operations and plans/G-3. Gen. Cody will discuss where the Army is headed, including its ongoing restructuring, its future direction and needs, its deployments and overall Army challenges. Gen. Cody's talk differs from the traditional kickoff speech for this type of event in that he is not focusing specifically on IT, but instead he is concentrating on discussing overall Army needs. His speech is designed to lay the groundwork for the rest of the day's speakers who will discuss how they will help the Army achieve these goals through the use of IT.
In that vein, following Gen. Cody is Lt. Gen. Steven W. Boutelle, USA, chief information officer (CIO)/G-6. He is describing his vision for Army IT and how to translate the Army needs enunciated by Gen. Cody into IT solutions. Gen. Boutelle also is focusing on tactical Army IT needs and future directions and directives. His presentation includes the ongoing Army drive toward digitization and a Web-based network-centric infrastructure.
Gen. Boutelle's address is followed by a panel discussion chaired by Brig. Gen. (P) Michael R. Mazzucchi, USA, program executive officer, command, control and communications tactical (PEO C3T) and incoming commander, U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM). He is joined by Brig. Gen. (P) Dennis C. Moran, USA, director, information operations, space and networks; Col. Nick Justice, USA, acting assistant deputy of acquisitions and systems management; and Maj. Gen. George Fay, USA, assistant deputy chief of staff for intelligence, G-2.
These four men are participating in a 100-minute panel titled "Army Battle Command Systems."Their discussion topics include lessons learned from the recent Afghanistan and Iraq wars; Army intelligence systems; tactical communications systems; and Blue Force Tracking and FBCB2.
Following that panel, the keynote luncheon address is being given by Gen. George W. Casey, USA, Army vice chief of staff. His focus is on where the Army is heading; its restructuring; its future needs; and its overall challenges.
After Gen. Casey's address, a two-man panel is discussing the Army infostructure. Joe C. Capps, director, enterprise systems technology activity, Army network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM)/9th Army Signal Command, is joined by Gary Winkler, principal director of enterprise integration. They are focusing on IT architecture and requirements definition; IT policy and governance; the Battle Command Knowledge System, and they will also look at the extension of Army Knowledge Online (AKO) on the battlefield; and the layout and structure of Army information systems.
The day's final panel features a discussion on Army enterprise systems. Participating are chairman Kevin Carroll, PEO Enterprise Information Systems (PEO EIS); Sue Baker, principal deputy G-3, Army Materiel Command; Bill Howell, deputy for acquisition and advanced development, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command; and Lois Hickey, director of Army personnel transformation, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel/G-1.
These four officials are reviewing topics such as the AKO; building the IT infrastructure; tactical Army operations and logistics; just-in-time sustainment; restructuring the backbone infrastructure; the Defense Integrated Military Human Resource System; and medical support from the station to the hospital, including technologies needed for improved battlefield care.
Wrapping up the day is an address by Vernon M. Bettencourt, Jr., deputy CIO/G-6. His summation of the day's discussions includes a recounting of common themes, trends and future directions, capped off with a reminder to the audience of key challenges and opportunities.
For more information,
click here or visit
www.afceanova.org
