New Baghdad Chapter Formed
AFCEA International is pleased to announce the creation of the new Baghdad Chapter. The chapter’s presence will help further the establishment of a viable network for Iraqi information technology professionals and will serve as a collaborative forum for Iraqi and
The chapter’s formation has been in development for the past six months. AFCEA’s expansion policy committee supported the creation of the chapter and recently submitted a proposal to the executive committee, which approved the chapter’s formation. To establish a chapter in a country where no previous chapter exists, a chapter must obtain a petition of at least 25 members, the recommendation of the expansion policy committee, the recommendation of the president and chief executive officer of AFCEA International, and the approval of the executive committee in order to be granted charter status.
Curt Adams, director of member and chapter services, credits Col. Karlton Johnson, USAF, J-6, Multinational Security Transition Command—Iraq (MNSTC-I), and chapter president, as the “prime mover” behind the chapter’s charter status. Others who played a key role in the chapter’s formation include Col. Brian Moore, USA, vice president; 1st Lt. Ashley Pyles, USAF, secretary; and Capt. Stephen Grundorf,
Col. Johnson explains that the MNSTC-I helps the Iraqi government as it develops, organizes and trains its ministries and Iraqi Security Forces (SIGNAL Magazine, July, page 41). “I advise and mentor [the Iraqi government] on C4 [command, control, communications and computers]. I wanted to show them that successful nations partner with industry. I wanted to introduce them to the idea of joining a professional organization to better themselves and to introduce them to industry partners. AFCEA is one of the best [professional organizations] out there [to do this],” he shares.
The chapter’s location offers the potential for
Col. Johnson notes that many
Col. Johnson says his Iraqi associates have responded positively to the idea of the chapter. “I spoke to them as Karl, not as a member of the U.S. Air Force, and told them [the chapter] would be worthwhile. They accepted the idea well.” He notes that the chapter will keep in tune with industry best practices in C4ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) to help the Iraqi government understand C4ISR potential.
The first official chapter meeting will take place next month, Col. Johnson relates. He plans to develop a chapter strategic plan as well as hold a series of briefings to determine the chapter’s goals. “Hopefully within the next six to eight months, we’ll have the first TechNet show in
“The biggest benefit to this chapter will be opening a dialogue between [Iraqi and coalition agencies] and showing them the benefit of industry partnerships,” the colonel says.
The chapter’s meeting location will alternate between
AFCEA also has the Camp Arifjan Chapter in
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