2004 Copernicus Award Winners

Mr. Donald Allen
U.S. Coast Guard Command and Control Engineering Center
Mr. Allen is assigned as a Computer Specialist at the Engineering Center in Portsmouth. As the Senior Test Director for Shipboard Command and Control systems, Mr. Allen provides critical technical expertise for the Coast Guard in C2. The Shipboard Command and Control System (SCCS) deployed aboard Coast Guard cutters combines navigation and tactical operations under the Common Operating Environment. Mr. Allen has significantly enhanced the development and testing of the SCCS across all afloat platforms. Working in conjunction with SPAWAR and NAVSEA he identified a multitude of software problems with the Command Display and Control Integrated Navigation System (COMDAC INS). Mr. Allen's critical finding resulted in a high priority advisory transmitted to the fleet and influenced the manufacturer to modify their production process.

LCDR Stanley Balint, USCG
U.S. Coast Guard Telecommunications and Information Systems Command
LCDR Balint is responsible for the implementation of the Coast Guard's plans to stand-up a SIPRNET Management Office and serves as the first manager of that office. The SMO centralizes the management of all efforts to deploy, manage, and support Coast Guard connectivity to DoD's classified network; connectivity that has proven to be operationally critical in the post 9-11 environment. He has expanded the network to 30 crucial new locations and continues to deploy SIPRNET classified systems to new sites at a rate of five locations a month. Every new site has connectivity established, workstations and servers built and installed, and certification accreditation completed.

ITCS Jeffery Barlow, USN
USS Carney DDG 64
Senior Chief Barlow is assigned as the OC Division LCPO, Information Systems Security Manager and LCPO for Information Division C4I. ITCS Barlow has created an aggressive C4I training program for the division that focuses on all aspects of ship wide communication, from the patching of circuits to the trouble shooting of personal computers and routers. He has been instrumental in the C4I training of the JOHN F KENNEDY Strike Group during the Inter-Deployment Training Cycle and Middle Eastern Forces Deployment. He aggressively identified shortfalls and implemented measures to enhance Strike Group interoperability. As Information Systems Security Manager he has implemented all COMNAVNETWARCOM's policies and directives command wide, ensuring that Carney's LAN is secure and unassailable to outside members.

CAPT Mark Bock, USN
Sea Systems Command, Submarines
Capt Bock is assigned as the Assistant Program Manager for Strike Warfare responsible for all aspects of STRIKE system development, testing, performance and reliability of Submarines; and Assistant Program Manager for C4I Information Assurance responsible for Submarine modernization and systems engineering for PEO Subs. As the NAVSEA lead for Information Assurance operational requirements for the Submarine LAN (Tactical Information Distribution System), he was responsible for incorporating operational requirements into the design. He created solutions to SUBLAN modernization to reduce simultaneous mission tasking, correct IP addressing problems and enhance processor security transitions.

IT1 Jason Bougetz, USN
Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, San Diego
IT1 Bougetz is assigned as the Leading Petty Officer for Technical Control Facility, Operations Department within Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, San Diego. The Advanced Digital Multiplexing System (ADMS) at NTCS suffered a catastrophic global outage rendering the Commerical Wideband Satellite Program, JSIPS-N and Plain Old Telephone Systems (POTS) inoperative. Twelve forward deployed ships were affected by this failure as well as 24 inter-nodal links which connect NCTAMS LANT and PAC. IT1 Bougetz's extensive knowledge of the ADMS and ability to conceptualize architecture problems enabled him to restore this casualty in less than 13 hours. The manual reprogramming of 3 ST-1000 nodes, 2 Link-2+ nodes, two SNMS platforms and 562 POTS lines were required to provide reliable and effective communications to the deployed units participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom.His ability to train and lead led to his selection to the NCTAMS PAC Communications Assistance Team. He provided onsite classroom training in CWSP, JCA, Shipboard Timeplex, Video Teleconferencing and POTS for 14 afloat units, including one Battle/Amphious Ready Group preparing for deployment.

LT Jason Davis, USN
Seal Delivery Vehicle Team One
LT Davis serves as the C4I Department Head at SVDT-1. He expertly led a 15-man department managing a diverse $4.5 million inventory of specialized equipment used to support and conduct Naval Special Warfare operations. LT Davis oversaw the flawless implementation of the C4I plan for the advanced SEAL delivery system, a $350 million SOCOM Flagship program during its successful operational evaluation. He coordinated efforts with COMSUBPAC, COMSUBSQD ONE, NSWG ONE and ONI, allowing real time tracking of SDV's during real world and training operations - a critical player in the improved communication ability between SOF and SSN forces aboard 688 class SSN's.

ITC Angel Diaz-Pellot, USN
Amphibious Group Three
ITC Diaz-Pellot is assigned as the N62 Network Manager/ADP training and support for Commander Amphibious Group 3. He is responsible for the administration and maintenance of the command classified and unclassified Local Area Network. He is also responsible for the ADP support and guidance to 4 Amphibious Squadrons, 17 Amphibious Ships, 8 Amphibious Active Duty shore commands, 59 Reserve shore commands and Maritime Prepositioning Force operations for Commanders 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleets. ITC Diaz-Pellot developed several Preliminary Site Questionnaires for the Commander in preparation of Group 3's transition to the Navy and Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI ), ensuring flawless transition. Chief Diaz-Pellot coordinated the transition of 149 computer seats into the NMCI environment while simultaneously removing 120 legacy computers. Through his vast insight the command experienced zero down time.

LtCol (sel.) John Esquivel, USMC
Joint Information Operations Center (Navy Element)
LtCol (sel.) Esquivel served as Combined Joint Task Force 11 Information Operations Chief in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During his deployment, as the sole planner he was responsible for all phases of planning and execution for highly classified Special Operations units under the most demanding combat conditions in support of national level objectives. As Assistant Team Chief at SOCOM, he provides special operations guidance and technical advice to theater combatant commander operations staffs to deployed Joint Task Force Information Operations Staffs.

FC3 Stephen Fleming, USN
USS Port Royal CG 73
FC3 Fleming is assigned as the Work Center Supervisor for CF04 Division. He is responsible for the AEGIS Display system onboard Port Royal . He is also in charge of the ship's Battle Room, which hosts a new C4I capability that enables information fusion and real-time collaborative planning from the sea. FC3 brought together 16 different inputs, to include multiple live video feeds, helicopter-provided FLIR imagery, multiple Combat System displays, NIPRNET/SIPRNET LAN feeds, and Navigation displays into a single matrix. This saved the Navy thousands of dollars required to hire civilian experts to design such a matrix. Using Video Tele-conferencing technology FC3 designed a switching system that can take any information displayed in the Battle Room and send it live to other units via the SHF communication path.

LTJG Roussell Gober, USN
Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic
LTJG Gober serves as the primary liaison to the fleet, shore and staff customers providing around-the-clock telecommunications support. She has hosted C4I syndicate meetings for deploying Atlantic Fleet Strike Force Groups and Expeditionary Strike Groups, sponsored two C4I conferences hosting over 200 communicators and provides daily information to more than 126 fleet, staff, air and shore based units. She led technical teams providing unprecedented customer assistance for T-1 connectivity to 23 ships, including HARRY S TRUMAN and THEODORE ROOSEVELT Strike groups and Expeditionary Strike groups. With meticulous advance planning she ensured seamless connection of vital C4I services for the returning fleet resolving 25 problems quickly in a 24 hour period upon their return. Her in-depth training program was proved successful during BALTIC operations with U.S. participants communicating with Coalition forces. CCG-8 staff, USS Ross , USS Vella Gulf , and USS Bulkeley received extensive training on set-up, activation and troubleshooting for critical systems.

IT1 Robert Gonzalez, USN
Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific
Petty Officer Gonzalez is assigned to the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group as the Laboratory Leading Petty Officer. He meticulously tracked a $730 thousand budget for equipment and facilities upgrades. He conducted in-depth research on system and facilities requirements and arranged for four different civilian companies to support the overall plan.   IT1 Gonzalez was directly responsible for the planning, coordinating and execution of EWTGPAC's changeover to the NMCI network. He worked countless off-duty hours to ensure the seamless transition of over 400 workstations in five different buildings while simultaneously maintaining a firm grasp on the day-to -day command operations. IT1 Gonzalez also conducted over 20 COMTHIRDFLT sponsored war game scenarios this year, managing war-gaming facility upgrades and systems acquisitions, and providing sound IT guidance and support.

LT Jody Grady, USN
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
LT Grady serves as the Network Plans Officer responsible for the technical direction, expansion and upgrades for NIPRNET, SIPRNET, and Coalition networks for NAVCENT headquarters. He is responsible for implementing a SIPRNET chat solution in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Using a LINUX operating system and Microsoft Internet Relay Chat he served a user base that grew from 600 to over 3600 users. Other significant improvements spearheaded by LT Grady were: 30 percent expansion of SIPRNET/NIPRNET networks in Bahrain; installation of the Legato cluster system providing redundant MS Exchange capability for email and message traffic distribution; new System Management Server for broadcast of IAVA information to over 1000 workstations; and new Defense Message Dissemination System servers.

LCDR Richard Grimes, USN
Joint Information Operations Center (Navy Element)
LCDR Grimes is responsible for coordinating full spectrum Information Operations support requirements for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the daily operations of the CENTCOM support team, consisting of 14 multi-service Officers, contractors, and civilian government personnel. He developed a IO synchronization matrix to determine and define specific IO objectives and tasks required to support CENTCOM's strategy for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He organized, coordinated and moderated online collaborative meetings between CENTCOM's IO staff and IO staffs of all Component Commands located in various areas around the globe.

Mr. David Huff
Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center
Mr. Huff serves as the Director, Science and Technology Advancement Team (STAT). He is charged with exploring the application of disruptive information technologies to Navy Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) problems. Early work of the STAT resulted in the operational implementation of a "Beowulf Cluster". Many Fleet Numerical's customers do not require access to the actual data representing the state of the environment; instead they only need customized images of standard METOC charts. The solution supports a web interface that connects to a cluster that can scale up incrementally and dynamically, driven only by user demand. By adopting this technology and designing the controlling software system in a web services framework, FNMOC was able to meet all requirements at one-tenth the costs of more traditional solutions.

CAPT Speros Koumparakis, USN
Amphibious Group Three
CAPT Koumparakis served as the Amphibious Group Three Landing Force C4 Officer and in preparation for possible offensive operations in Iraq he served as the N6 on the Maritime Prepositioning Force. His mission was to form, organize and deploy a C4 organization for forces located at Kuwait Naval Base with an anticipated force of 3,000 and that could support the Admiral's command and control needs. He coordinated and directed the offload of two Maritime Prepositioning Squadrons, fourteen ships and two Marine Expeditionary units. This would account for over 50 percent of the U.S. Marine Corps' combat power in theater. While working on the establishment of data, voice and message capability CAPT Koumparakis assembled a fly away kit that could support the Admiral and his key staff during their initial days in theater before a reliable C4 Node could be established. Working with commercial vendors he procured a secure voice and secure data capability.

IT2 Aaron Martin, USN
Submarine Group 8
IT2(SW) Martin is assigned to SUBGRU 8 as the Intranet Administrator. IT2 Martin has developed a robust Intranet driven by a Microsoft SQL relational database containing over one hundred ninety separate tables with user interfaces spanning seven distinct computer languages which total approximately five million lines of code on 570 MB of disk space. SIPRNET access was built in and a robust search engine created in-house provides search capabilities that span not only internal, but also external sources to provide excellent results. All departments and work centers are integrated into the Intranet. Equally impressive is the Admiral's Brief, which builds morning brief for the Admiral with minimum human interaction, dramatically reducing the number of man-hours historically spent to produce a cumbersome Powerpoint presentation.

CWO3 Tajuana Martin, USN
USS Kearsarge LHD 3
CWO3 Martin is assigned as the Communications Officer onboard Kearsarge . She has demonstrated outstanding meritorious service and deft leadership while leading 26 personnel in the daily operations and technical control of C5I systems. Her division has consistently received outstanding grades on pre-deployment exercises and on CART II exams. During the surge deployment Kearsarge maintained 100 percent connectivity throughout combat operations in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, POTUS Summit Mission and Operation Shining Express. As Flagship for COMPHIBGRU TWO, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and PHIBRON EIGHT she ensured all Command and Control communications systems were operational and met connectivity requirements. She also provided training to other afloat units for reception and transmission procedures, initiated and perfected Operation Orders and Standard Operating Procedures for dissemination to all Amphibious Ready Group units during OEF and OIF.

Ms. Joyce McClenney
Navy Component Task Force-Computer Network Defense
Ms. McClenney is assigned to the NCTF-CND as the Incident Response Coordinator. She is also the assistant to the NAVCIRT Officer, overseeing all production tasking, while serving as the unit's subject matter expert for all Navy Computer Network Defense matters. She supervised the investigation and resolution of 1,268 reported network incidents Navy-wide in 2003. She directly ensured the timely and accurate reporting of all Navy computer incidents and security events to the Joint Task Force Computer Network Operations (JTF-CNO). She also spearheaded the transition to elevate the NAVCIRT to the position of primary interface to the JTF-CNO for all Navy computer network defense issues. Her work with the global outbreak of the "Blaster" worm clearly showed her ability to maintain a team focus on high levels of production and quality even during the most severe crisis.

LT Mark Mhley, USN
Strike Fighter Weapons School, Atlantic
LT Mhley is assigned as a Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor at the Strike Fighter Weapons School. His investigation of interoperability limitations between the F-14D and RC-135 Rivet Joint revealed a need for a software patch to be installed and subsequently was sent out to the fleet in thirty days. LT Mhley traveled to the Middle East with an engineering team to liaison with three deployed F-14D squadrons in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and while there he addressed a multitude of interoperability issues prior to hostilities breaking out. He identified a critical limitation in F-14Ds and provided excellent insight to the Rivet Joint operators, AWACS Mission Commanders, and the Combined Air Operations Center.

ET3 Sean Mott, USN
USS Milius DDG 69
ET3 Mott is assigned as the Leading Information Systems Maintenance Technician onboard Milius . He was instrumental in the installation of over 57 computers and access points critical to the participation of Milius in Operation Iraqi Freedom. A portion of the installation afforded the embarked Australian Navy Staff the capability to access the Coalition Wide Area Network and Battle Force Email. ET3 Mott was a key member of the Milius team which developed and installed a computer system which interfaced with AEGIS Anti-Submarine Tactical Air Control System. This COTS technology created a system which afforded embarked staff and Miilus Commanding Officer the ability to view Anti-Submarine helicopters infra-red video streaming directly from airborne helicopters to their shipboard quarters.

CWO2 Manuel Pena, USN
U.S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Sicily
CWO2 Pena is assigned as the Operations Officer responsible to Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Sicily (NCTS), for providing LF, HF, SHF, EHF, GBS, DMS, COMSEC and organizational traffic to the warfighters in the Southern European Theater. Under his leadership NCTS has supported fleet units with over 43,000 hours of HF, EHF, Fleet broadcast and Global Broadcast System satellite communications. He ensured outstanding support was provided for more than 23 real-world operations, 55 major fleet, joint and NATO exercises including Operation Enduring Freedom and EUCOM Airborne Nuclear Command Post exercises. CWO2 Pena has also directed several high level upgrades from legacy systems to state of the art communications systems.

IT2 Mark Porcelli, USN
USS Blue Ridge LCC-19
IT2 Porcelli is assigned to the USS Blue Ridge LCC 19 as the Network Control Watch Supervisor. He is responsible for the operations, maintenance and restoration of all satellite, HF, UHF, and VHF LOS telephone circuits in direct support of the embarked Seventh Fleet Commander. During a major fleet exercise IT2 Porcelli developed a plan to enable Blue Ridge to serve as a Gateway site, connecting an operational aircraft carrier to the Army's GMF site in South Korea. His initiative demonstrated the ability for an afloat platform to serve in a role normally associated with a major DISA shore site. During exercise TERMINAL FURY 03 with 500 joint officers, enlisted and civilian contractors he programmed and activated 65 additional KY-68 TRITAC phones, which were needed to offset the already saturated SHF POTS lines. The training and proficiency of IT2 Porcelli was evident in his watch section score of 98 percent during the Communications Readiness Assessment.

LCDR Sandra Schiavo, USN
Carrier Group One
LCDR Schiavo's personal efforts, exceptional thoughts and tenacity were critical contributors to the Fleet sustaining vital capabilities during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Prior to deployment, she gathered analysis on chat use in PACFLT, C5FLT and LANTFLT to improve readiness and identify potential dangerous trends. She further recommended the immediate upgrade of servers in the 5thFlt AOR to handle the increase of OIF users in all branches of the military. The need to establish and train the Strike Group in contingency communications methods in case of primary chat server casualty led her to develop a new Warfare Commander Navy Mission Essential Task (NMET) to switch to a secondary chat server. She assisted three PACFLT strike groups in setting up this secondary chat servers aboard flagships. NMET was adopted by CCG-1 and CCG-4 and will now be used in all future Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) C4I training evolutions.

ETCS Tony Smith, USN
Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
ETCS(SS) Smith is assigned as the Submarine Pacific Fleet Force Radioman. He is responsible for the planning, supervision, and execution of all submarine C4I systems modernization installations. He resolves technical issues that affect C4I system operations and maintenance. Senior Chief Smith coordinated and directed off site voyage repairs for deployed submarines in foreign ports as well as upgrading submarines with the latest technology. The submarine fleet communication and combat systems suites have been upgraded with Automated Digital Network Systems, EHF high and medium Data Rate systems, and the Fire Control systems. These installations represent an investment of more than $15 million per submarine and required extensive coordination with CNO, SPAWARSYSCOM, NAVSEASYSCOM and other laboratories and engineering centers resulting in a seamless transition from legacy communications to TCP/IP connectivity for submarines.

YNC David Sparks, USN
Carrier Air Wing NINE
YNC Sparks is assigned as the Automated Data Processing Officer for Air Wing Nine. He maintains staff communications, computer systems and associated software and supervises nine squadron Information Technicians in providing technical support to over 1,800 Air Wing personnel. Air Wing Nine's challenging deployment schedule consisted of two surge deployments resulting in 17 months of deployment over a 23 month period. Chief Sparks' personal initiative and dedication were essential ingredients in successfully meeting the challenges that lay ahead. He led the transition team of Air Wing Nine staff and three Navy squadrons to the flawless migration to Navy and Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI). Over 400 workstations were migrated with 100% accuracy and zero data loss. He acquired and installed over $150,000 dollars in new computer assets prior to deployment. YNC Sparks organized and executed the "first ever" deployment of NMCI Embarkables onboard a Navy vessel. He authored "lessons learned" that garnered personal praise from the Commander, U.S. Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet.

CDR John Steiner, USN
Carrier Group Two
CDR Steiner is assigned as Communications Officer for Commander, Carrier Group Two. While serving as Communications Officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom, CDR Steiner established the first successful tactical use of the Global Broadcast System. This link enabled the Group to view large bandwidths of imagery products via GBS. He developed and managed three separate communication architectures supporting Amphibious Ready Groups, Mine Warfare Groups and ashore staff commands. His bandwidth management plan enabled Commander Task Force 60 to successfully coordinate combat operations while simultaneously supporting embarked media and administrative functions.

LCDR Andrew Stewart, USN
Naval Information Warfare Activity
LCDR Stewart serves as Naval Information Warfare Activity (NIWA) Action Officer responsible for Information Warfare integrated Electronic Attack systems research, development and Fleet insertion, satisfying Combatant Commander requirements for organic communications. He led programmatic efforts to integrate EA capability with the Ship's Signal Exploitation Equipment (SSSE) - Increment E system. This merger of two separate but related programs will terminate existing stovepipes in favor of an integrated solution. This optimizes nearly $100 million dollars in funding and provides a solution for many years ahead of the stated POM-06 requirements. From experience gained as a Surface Warfare Officer and Naval Aviation Observer, LCDR Stewart provided valuable insight into systems performance allocation, systems engineering, performance trade-offs, classification guidance, implementation, testing, training and fleet delivery options.

ET1 Richard Stover, USN
USS George Washington CVN 7
ET1 Stover is assigned onboard USS George Washington as the Electronic Data Processing Division Leading Petty Officer. He is responsible for the supervision of 20 Information Technology personnel and 15 classified networks including Integrated Shipboard Network System, Global Command and Control System -Maritime, Coalition Networks, Meteorological, Special Intelligence and Imagery. Petty Officer Stover has superbly directed and motivated his team of administrators to successfully ensure seamless connectivity and capability during Joint and Multi-national operations throughout the Arabian and Mediterranean seas. His oversight and quality control enabled the successful installation and configuration of 6 major network enhancements to support National and Coalition tasking. He coordinated the extensive installation of the GOTS-D software load to over 280 workstations which resulted in improved mission planning and C2 resources for decision makers.

LT Peter Van Ness, USCG
U.S. Coast Guard Telecommunications and Information Systems Command
LT Van Ness serves as the C4ISR lead engineer, Radio Systems Division at the Telecommunications and Information Systems Command (TISCOM). Under his direction 25 Coast Guard cutters have received the High Frequency Data Exchange system providing substantially more reliable record message delivery at nearly 700 times the speed of the system it replaced. His efforts enabled critical message delivery to four Coast Guard patrol boats operating in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. To enhance the cutters' capabilities a hybrid commercial SATCOM/HF network that used Coast Guard capital cutters in theatre as a relay and acceleration of the Satellite Data Exchange system being developed at TISCOM were created. LT Van Ness traveled to the Middle East with a five-man team and successfully completed 7 installations improving critical secure message delivery times to the patrol boats from the 6 plus hours to near real time. He also developed an innovative solution to establish SIPRNET email capability on the patrol boats and at CG Patrol Force Southwest Asia, dramatically improving coordination capabilities.

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