AFCEA International Chapter News
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BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 05/28/2024
During the May event, Lt. Gen. Frank Leidenberger (Ret.), Maj. Gen. Michael Färber, Col. Bernd Stingl and Jochen Reinhardt engage in a panel discussion. Armed forces must combine across all military dimensions. This ensures they are resiliently connected and always have access to mission-relevant data. To exchange information about current information technology projects and technological developments intended to increase operational readiness, the chapter and BWI invited representatives from military and industry to Cologne, Germany, in May. More than 130 participants joined the conference, which took place under the heading: "With Information and Command Superiority To Combat Superiority-the Digital Contribution to Operational Readiness of the Bundeswehr." The focus of the day was the most important technologies and projects for the German military to become digitally fit for war. The topic is not new, as Brig. Gen. Armin Fleischmann, Federal Ministry of Defense and chapter chairman, made clear in his keynote. Since the war in Iraq, there have been requirements for conducting combined operations. Unlike then, today, technologies e ... READ MORE

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 05/11/2023
The chapter offers thanks and bids farewell to Col. Friedrich W. Benz (Ret.). Col. Benz headed up 17 AFCEA exhibitions. After 17 exhibitions, this year's 36th AFCEA Exhibition was the last under the leadership of Col. Friedrich W. Benz (Ret.). He has grown the exhibition from the Godesberger Stadthalle to the Hotel Maritim over the years and has continuously achieved new records in both exhibitor and visitor numbers almost every year. Today, the AFCEA trade exhibition is established in the World Conference Center in Bonn with this year's record of 250 exhibitors.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 05/10/2023
Visitors listen to the program of the 36th AFCEA Exhibition in Bonn, Germany, in May. The 36th AFCEA Exhibition, held in May at the World Conference Center in Bonn (WCCB), set a record for exhibitors and visitors. Two hundred fifty companies and organizations exhibited at one of Germany's most important information technology trade shows for defense and security. More than 4,100 participants came to the WCCB.

"We have turbulent times. We need to shake Germany up!" said Brig. Gen. Armin Fleischmann, German Air Force, chapter chairman and sub-department head, Cyber and Information Technology Department (CIT) 1 at the Federal Ministry of Defense, in his opening remarks on the current relevance of the exhibition, which this year was themed "(Artificial) Intelligence and Innovations - Concrete Uses."

This look at concrete uses is more urgent than ever: modern wars are digitally supported and digitally waged, notes Lt. Gen. Michael Vetter, German Air Force, head of CIT Department at the Federal Ministry of Defense, in his welcoming speech at the opening. "Let ... READ MORE

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 10/08/2020
In October, a workshop took place at the Cyber Innovation Hub (CIH) in Berlin to tackle how digital innovation can be managed from an integrated point of view. Organized by the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) and the German Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media (BITKOM), the workshop presented current digitization projects and initiatives to foster innovation at the Bundeswehr.

The event shed light on the challenges of designing and implementing user-centric development and procurement processes within the Bundeswehr. These challenges revolve around factors that hinder the early adoption of key digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data; fragmented supply and demand sides; insufficient conditions in terms of budget planning; and innovation-hampering regulatory frameworks under current public procurement laws.

Against this backdrop, the Bundeswehr increasingly is pursuing diverse initiatives to enable holistic ... READ MORE

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 02/24/2021
In February, Brig. Gen. Armin Fleischmann, chapter president, and Breger from IBM Germany, present at the Event Hub at IBM's Defense garage in Bonn. Quo vadis digitization of the German Armed Forces after the coronavirus? This exciting question, with emphasis on synergies in the area of defense and homeland security, was answered at a hybrid evening event hosted by the chapter in February. Among others, Lt. Gen. Vetter, chief information officer, German Ministry of Defense (MoD), and Lt. Gen. Ansgar Rieks, vice chief, German Air Force, spoke.

This was the first large hybrid event hosted by the chapter. It was supported by the partner chapter in Munich and the member company IBM Germany.

Almost 300 participants followed an interesting panel debate involving two members of the German Parliament (Defense and Homeland Security Committees) and a senior Chancellery official. All have clearly spoken out in favor of more political attention, greater visibility in the ministries and authorities, more qualified staff at all levels and a radical cultural change (more agile and more willing to take risks), regarding digitizati ... READ MORE

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 08/30/2018
AFCEA Europe General Manager Maj. Gen. Erich Staudacher, GEAF (Ret.) (l), pauses for a photo with high-ranking speakers and guests in August at the 12th Koblenz IT Conference. The chapter and the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) examined the topic of the digital future in August at the 12th Koblenz IT Conference. Chapter President Armin Fleischmann and Brig. Gen. Michael Hauschild, representing BAAINBw, provided opening remarks. Speaking at the conference, Benedikt Zimmer, secretary of state at the Federal Ministry of Defense, said the armed forces are part of the digital future, but not all leaders are aware of the effects of digitalization. This could include new requirements, personnel adjustments or reorganization of processes. Leaders will have to say goodbye to using solutions as long as possible because technological development is progressing so fast, Zimmer said. Klaus Vitt, secretary of state in the Federal Ministry of the Interior and commissioner for information technology for the federal government, presented a planned portal network for the federal government, federal states and ... READ MORE

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 09/07/2017
Michael Wunder (l), chapter vice president of academia, presents the AFCEA Study Award to Lt. Marcel Antzek (second from l), along with (l-r) his professor Volker Eiseler, the University of the Armed Forces in Munich, and Maj. Gen. Erich Staudacher, GEAF (Ret.), AFCEA Europe General Manager, at the IT Symposium in September. In September, for the 10th time, the chapter awarded the best final master theses in communications and electronics with its "AFCEA Studienpreis" awards. More than 18,000 Euro were given to five graduate students. The first prize of 6,000 Euro was awarded to Lt. Marcel Antzek, University of the Federal Armed Forces, Munich. The awards were presented at the IT Symposium in Koblenz, Germany.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 09/07/2017
High-ranking speakers and participants attend the IT Symposium in Koblenz, Germany in September to discuss the challenges of IT security and cyber defense. More than 400 participants took part in the 13th IT Symposium in September hosted by the chapter and the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) in Koblenz, Germany. For a full day, high-level speakers and panels discussed the challenges of IT security and cyber defense. According to Dr. Katrin Suder, state secretary in the Federal Ministry of Defense, there is an immense importance for cybersecurity, especially to fight international terrorism. This is the base argument for the digitization of the German Armed Forces, a hot topic at the ministry. The armed forces are transitioning towards a more digitized organization. Three top leaders have been placed at key positions: Lt. Gen. Ludig Leinhos as commander, Cyber and Information Domain; Klaus Hardy Mühleck, director, Cyber and Information Domain in the Ministry; and Ulrich Meister, CEO of BWI GmbH. Yet there are many challenges to overcome, for example how to staff this new br ... READ MORE

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 04/12/2016
At the signing of a new cooperation bewteen the chapter and the German Armed Forces Association are (l-r) Gen. Maj. Dr. Ansgar Rieks, chapter vice president; Lt. Col. Andre Wustner, president of the German Armed Forces Association; Gen. Maj. Erich Staudacher, chapter president; and Christian Hartrott, chapter secretary. Maj. Gen. Erich Staudacher, chapter president and Lt. Col. Andre Wustner, president of the German Armed Forces Association, signed a partnership agreement in April. One major goal is to bring more technology expertise to a large audience in the German Armed Forces by sharing information, events and support. The German Armed Forces Association is Germany's largest association for soldiers.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 04/12/2016
Dr. Hans-Dieter Lucas, German Ambassador to NATO, speaks to attendees at the parliamentary event in April. The chapter and Bitkom—Germany's digital industry association—held a parliamentary evening in April in Berlin. About 70 participants, among them members of the German Federal Parliament (Defense Committee), high ranking military, and industry professionals, shared insights and discussed the final stage of the NATO reform. The event was opened by Henning Otte, a member of Parliament and host of the evening, and Maj. Gen. Erich Staudacher, chapter president. High ranking speakers include: Dr. Hans-Dieter Lucas, German Ambassador to NATO, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commanding general of the U.S. Army Europe, Lt. Gen. Michel Yakovleff, NATO vice chief of staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), and Winfried Holz, member of the executive committee of Bitkom and CEO, Atos Germany. The key message of the evening was NATO is facing historic challenges. Besides the threats and challenges from the East, with ISIS and migration, there lie challenges in the south. Cyber and hybrid th ... READ MORE

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 03/16/2016
Young AFCEANs from four chapters in Germany enjoy a guided tour at the CeBIT IT fair in March in Hannover, Germany. Young AFCEANs from four German chapters visited the CeBIT IT fair in March. Members from Bonn, Eifel, KMC and Tri-Border Geilenkirchen joined for a packed tour and a social event on the fairgrounds in Hannover, Germany. Several corporate members of the Bonn chapter offered guided tours at their booth, explained their showcases and were ready to answer questions. The joint event was part of the Young AFCEAN 70 Day Challenge to grow membership and improve networking among the Young AFCEANs of the different chapters.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 09/21/2015
Attending the chapter's September event are (from l) Capt. Peter Nelte, deputy social media manager, German Armed Forces; Jochen Reinhardt, vice president of the chapter's Young AFCEANs; and Thomas Vehmeier, digital transformation consultant.  The chapter's Young AFCEANs met in September for a discussion about changes through disruptive information technology innovations in government. Capt. Peter Nelte, deputy social media manager of the German Armed Forces newsroom, outlined the social media strategy of the armed forces. Thomas Vehmeier, digital transformation consultant, showed what is to come—many disruptive changes have not yet reached government bodies.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 09/02/2015
Following tradition, high-ranking speakers and guests at the co-hosted Koblenz Information Technology Symposium in September gather for a photo. About 400 individuals from industry, military, government and academia in September participated in the Koblenz Information Technology Symposium—an all-day event co-hosted by the chapter and the Federal Office of Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support. Armament State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Dr. Katrin Suder and Hans-Georg Engelke, state secretary of the ministry of the interior, highlighted complex challenges in cybersecurity. The annual symposium is a neutral government-industry exchange on command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) topics. This year's focus was information technology organization and the disruptive power of technological innovations.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 05/06/2015
Discussing their career experiences at the May forum are Young AFCEANs (l-r) Tom Schmidt, Materna GmbH; Katja Frintrop of the Bonn board of directors; Anja Pfisterer, BWI Systeme GmbH; Sebastian Luhmer, Geosecur Informatik GmbH; and Sebastian Leinhos, qedcon Gmbh. For the second time, the chapter invited Young AFCEANs to a career-starter forum in the town hall of Bonn-Bad Godesberg. Katja Frintrop, member of the board of directors, led the discussion for graduates and work force entrants. Four young professionals shared their choice of career, how they entered their profession and what the first years were like. A personnel manager complemented the speakers. Questions about the importance of service in the armed forces and other topics were addressed. The next career-starter forum is planned for 2017.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 05/06/2015
The chapter's TechNet event in May attracted 2,200 participants, and 106 exhibitors showed trends and solutions for armed forces and homeland security. This year's focus was “Organized IT—Armed Forces and Institutions in a Digitized World.” At the symposium, high-ranking officers such as Vice Adm. Andreas Krause, chief of the German navy, talked about information technology challenges.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 03/29/2015
Young AFCEAN form a half marathon group in March. The German Young AFCEANs are always looking for new exciting endeavours to connect and socialize. The 35th Berlin Half Marathon in March seemed to be the perfect event for this. Hence, six Young AFCEANs decided to start together with 32,000 other participants.

Stable weather conditions, perfect preparations of each individual beforehand and an amazing team spirit were key success factors for the group to accomplish the exhausting distance of 21,09 kilometers.

The fastest Young AFCEAN crossed the finish line after only 1 hour and 55 minutes.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 10/09/2014
AFCEA Bonn e.V. has continued to reach out to the German capital, Berlin. A new regular meeting started in October. Every third month, the new Berlin Group plans to have speakers and discussions for up to 30 people. With this engagement, AFCEA Bonn offers a platform for growing armed forces topics in the capital. After the latest restructuring, more branches of the federal forces and the Ministries of Defence will move to Berlin.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 09/04/2014
More than 300 participants attended the Koblenz IT Symposium in September. The German Armament Office and AFCEA Bonn e.V. presented their Joint Koblenz IT Symposium for the 10th time in September. This year's topic was "From Sensor to Shooter: How Interoperable Is It?" More than 300 participants discussed and listened to experts from the armed forces, industry and academia. The Koblenz IT Symposium has become a tradition with innovative elements, said Maj. Gen. Erich Staudacher, GEAF, chapter president. Challenges of interoperability among systems and international collaboration were among the main issues of the day. International experts and guests are part of the Koblenz IT Symposium, which has become a major event for federal forces in Germany over the years.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 08/28/2014
In August, Young AFCEANs take in a view of Berlin at Tempelhof Airport, high above historical ground. For the first time, the chapter's Young AFCEANs hosted an event in Berlin in August. They visited one of the Bundeswehr tactical air command and control service units at Tempelhof Airport. Jochen Reinhardt, vice president of the chapter Young AFCEANs, was very pleased to see so many new faces: "I am glad to extend our network to Berlin and to get such a positive resonance." Twelve Young AFCEANs met exactly at the place where British and U.S. candy bombers touched ground during the airlift in the Cold War. Today, the German Air Force monitors the airspace and maintains the radar tower. After that, the participants ascended the radar tower. At a height of more than 50 meters, the Young AFCEANs had a magnificent view of Berlin. The event ended with a social gathering. After this success, the planning for the next Berlin event in 2015 has already started.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 05/08/2014
Maj. Gen. Erich Staudacher, GEAF, chapter president, opens the 28th Bonn TechExpo in May. About 2,000 visitors and exhibitors visited the Bonn town hall for the 28th AFCEA Bonn TechExpo in May. The event was bigger than ever before with 111 exhibitors showing their solutions for the armed forces and homeland security organizations. This year's focus topic of the symposium was interoperability. High-ranking speakers of the German armed forces, NATO, federal police and academia were presented their views and solutions on this topic. Maj. Gen. Erich Staudacher, GEAF, chapter president, stated: "All the technological solutions are important, yet the lack of communications makes interoperability a challenging task."

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 05/07/2014
In May, (l-r) Swenja Kremer of Secusmart; Col. Ruprecht von Butler, GEA; Professor Dr. Andreas Knopp; and Jochen Reinhard of the chapter discuss career paths at the third Young Leadership Forum in Bonn. About 30 young professionals and leaders discussed careers in the military, academia and industry at the third Young Leadership Forum in May. Every other year, the Young AFCEAN Council of the Bonn E.V. chapter organizes this forum. With high-ranking officers and industry leaders as well as professors, the group had the chance to get first-hand insights on how to work on their personal careers.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 05/07/2014
Young AFCEANs Maj. Lars Bibow, GEAF (l), Master Sgt. Todd Weingeroff, USAF, and Jochen Reinhardt, BWI Informationstechnik, discuss information technology trends at this year's Bonn TechExpo in May. German Young AFCEANs teamed up again for a joint event at this year's AFCEA Bonn TechExpo in May. With Master Sgt. Todd Weingeroff, USAF, of the Kaiserslautern Chapter, exhibitors and visitors had the chance for an exclusive Young AFCEAN guided tour, the third Young Leadership Forum and a reception. The meeting in Bonn was part of a series of joint events of Young AFCEANs from all of the German chapters.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 03/13/2014
In March, a cybersecurity forum at CeBIT 2014 offered by the chapter and Behoerden Spiegel draws a crowd. The chapter and Behoerden Spiegel offered a well-received forum at CeBIT 2014, the world's largest information technology show in Hannover, Germany, held in March. Experts from federal law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Defense, a political security think tank and information technology security companies discussed the future of cybersecurity in a world of organized crime and boundless espionage. The event raised the question, "How do we defend the digital society?" Cyberdefense has to become better, faster and more reliable. Yet, there is a challenge between secure communications and the possibility to defend systems and track down offenders. Some of the experts argued that more regulation would not work. For spies and offenders, the risk to get caught and the publicity has to increase.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 01/31/2014
Together at the chapter's even ton NATO app stores are (l-r) Hartmut Jaeschke, chapter member; Col. Heiko Muehlmann, GEAF; Christoph Reich, Saoftware AG; Axel Koersgen, Thales Germany; Michael Mundt, Geosecure Informatik; Marko Prisky, Esri Germany; and Maj. Gen. Erich Staudacher, GEAF, chapter president, who opened the event. The chapter gathered at the start of the year to discuss app stores for NATO, activities of national interest and a consolidated use for federal ministries. These app stores should be secured and internal—and if possibly should be “military off-the-shelf” (MOTS). It should be easy to use for both the armed forces and the civilian side.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 02/17/2014
Approximately 50 participants from the military and industry join together for the firs chapter Young AFCEAN information technology event for the year. The chapter's Young AFCEANs discussed social networks and collaboration tools for government and military with industry and government participants during an event covering the chapter's focus topic: interoperability. As part of the discussion, Bettina Berg, Ministry of Defense, gave an insider view on how the German Armed Forces are using forums and wikis to support efforts to restructure the armed forces. Olaf Keitzel and Anne Rahdohs of CSC Germany showed plans to integrate social intranets as common platform for all German ministries. This is part of the German plan to consolidate its government information technology. The long-term goals include more efficiency and elimination of emails. The chapter's Young AFCEANs offer regular information technology events for their constituencies in government, military and industry to build up a network of young professionals.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 08/29/2013
Approximately 400 visitors attend the Koblenz IT Convention in August. Approximately 400 people participated at the ninth Koblenz IT Convention in August in Germany. The conference topic was: “IT Service Orientation: Recurring Hype or a Blueprint for the Bundeswehr?” Stéphane Beemelmans, state secretary for the German Ministry of Defense, claimed in his welcoming speech to implement the service orientation beyond the Bundeswehr. For example, he cited the aim to consolidate the federal government networks. According to Beemelmans, projects such as SASPF and HERKULES are important steps for service orientation. An open, standardized and flexible service architecture required enormous management efforts in the fields of data storage and security that should not be underestimated, stated Dr. Rüdiger Grimm, Institute for IS Research, University Koblenz-Landau. In a nutshell, the service orientation is an appropriate mean to reduce costs. Jörn Becker, head of global product line, civil and national security, ATOS, presented the project to harmonize the comma ... READ MORE

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 04/24/2013
The opening day of the annual Bonn Tech Expo draws a crowd. This year, the chapter held its annual tech expo event and symposium on a record level. Over two days, approximately 1,900 visitors came to see 111 exhibitors. This makes the Bonn Tech Expo the leading show and symposium for the industry and the public information technology community in Germany. During the show, high-ranking speakers such as Dr. Dietmar Theis, information technology director of the German Armed Forces, and Maj. Gen. Koen Gijsbers, RNLA (Ret.), general manager NATO Communications and Information Agency, spoke on information technology trends and solutions at the parallel symposium. Several international exhibitors participated in the two-day-show as well.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 06/20/2013
Young AFCEANs from the Bonn, Kaiserslautern and Spangdahlem chapters get insight into the early days of computing during a tour of the IBM Lab and Museum in June. For the third time, Young AFCEANs from the Bonn, Kaiserslautern and Spangdahlem chapters in Germany teamed up for a joint event. In June, they took a day trip to the IBM Lab and Museum in Boeblingen, where attendees were able to explore big data and IBM's Global Technology Outlook as well as view the first Hollerith punch card machine. The Young AFCEAN representatives from the chapters established this kind of joint event in 2012. "It is a great opportunity to bring Young AFCEANs together for the first time," said Jochen Reinhardt, Young AFCEAN Advisory Council representative for the Central Europe region on the U.S.-German initiative.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 01/21/2013
At the podium during the chapter's 96th expert symposium are (l-r) Maj. Gen. Erich Staudacher, GE A, chapter president; Dr. Jens Woch, Information Technology Office of the Armed Forces; Juergen Grundau, IABG; Michael Mohr, Information Technology Office of the Armed Forces; Raimund Richter, Thales; and Capt. Goetz Stuck, GE N, chapter member. The chapter kicked off its annual program with a symposium title "Service Orientation in Information Technology: New Hype or Something Useful?" Approximately 110 information technology experts met in Wachtberg, Germany, nearby Bonn to exchange thoughts on service-oriented architecture (SOA) for processes in the military. This concept allows for more flexibility in information technology services, and therefore it is part of the German national armed forces information technology strategy.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 07/17/2012
Young AFCEANs from the Bonn and Kaiserslautern chapters visit the Ramstein TechExpo in July as part of the first joint event, organized by Jochen Reinhardt (5th from r), chapter Young AFCEAN representative, and Master Sgt. Douglas Brock, USAF (4th from r), Kaiserslautern Chapter. For the first time ever, Young AFCEANs from the Kaiserslautern and Bonn chapters organized and met for a joint event at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. In July, the chapter organized travel to the air base for 10 Young AFCEANs from Bonn and Koblenz. There, Master Sgt. Doug Brock, USAF, and Master Sgt. Todd Weingeroff, USAF, of the Kaiserslautern Chapter organized information technology (IT) briefings and a small tour. Together, they discussed the efforts and experiences of the Air Force to consolidate its unclassified networks and IT services for 400,000 users worldwide. The Young AFCEANs also gained an insight into the IT services on base as well for all U.S. installations in Germany. Young AFCEANs from both chapters regarded the event a success, and they plan to host another event in the future in the Bonn area, Jochen Reinhardt, chapter Young AFCEAN representative, said.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 02/23/2012
Discussing career advice for young leaders at the chapter event in February are (l-r) Dr. Georg Wilmers, BWI Informationstechnik; Dr. Mirko Hornung, Tech University Munich; Jochen Reinhardt, Young AFCEAN representative and panel moderator; Jrn Becker, CSC; and Lt. Gen. Klaus-Peter Stieglitz, GEAF (Ret.). Forty Young AFCEANs gathered in February to discuss critical success factors in military and business careers at the chapter's second Young Leadership Forum. The panel included Lt. Gen. Klaus-Peter Stieglitz, GEAF (Ret.), former chief of the German Air Force, along with other former military officers now working in industry and academia. Differences in hierarchies or culture do not matter very much, said Dr. Georg Wilmers, a member of the Executive Board of the German Armed Forces information technology services provider BWI Informationstechnik. Prior to that position, he served as head of the Human Resources Department for the German Department of Defense.

In addition, Gen. Stieglitz said that it is more important to be visible with your strengths and to be fascinated by what you do. You always have to have targets, he related. Gen. Stieglitz wanted to be pilot, he wanted to study or he wanted to lead a squadron. Targets are better drivers than money or power, he said. Jrn ... READ MORE

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 03/22/2012
Georges D'hollander, general manager, NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency, outlines the impact of the NATO reform on information technology during the chapter's March discussion. The chapter discussed the plans and developments of the NATO reform with NATO leaders, German federal representatives and business leaders at a parliamentary event in Berlin in March. Attendees agree that many challenges still exist, and success is not yet certain. Parts of the NATO reform are changes to the civil and military command structures, as well as an agency reform. From 14 agencies today, only three will remain. Martin Erdmann, ambassador of Germany at NATO, stated that it is also a highly complex and political reform. Also, it is not very popular, said Gen. Manfred Lange, GEAF, chief of staff at the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). In the new structure, five headquarters are planned as well as a reduction of staff from 13,000 to 8,000 people. This could impact education and responsiveness, said Gen. Lange. Georges D'hollander, general manager, NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency, outlined the positive effects on the NATO information techno ... READ MORE

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 10/05/2011
In May, Maj. Gen. Erich Staudacher, GAF, chapter president, opens the 25th AFCEA IT Show in Bonn, Germany. In May, the chapter broke its personal records when 107 exhibitors and nearly 1,400 visitors attended its major information technology show in Germany. The event has become international with exhibitors not only from Germany but other European countries and the United States as well. During the show, several keynote speakers discussed this year's focus topic: system integration. The speakers included high ranking military as well as representatives from the Ministry of Defence and the Bundeswehr information technology office. The upcoming restructuring of the Bundeswehr and the route to network centric warfare were the guiding questions of most of the speeches.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 09/01/2011
In September, Maj. Gen. Erich Staudacher, GAF (l), chapter president, presents student awards to (2nd to l-r) Jens Vieweg, Martin Weier, Jonathan Kirchhoff, Stefanie Hegele, Marc Arends, Roland Müller and Jan Gassen.
In September, the chapter awarded technical final thesis student awards totaling $21,635. The first award for $5,770 went to Jan Gassen, Bonn University, for his thesis on efficient malware clustering. Roland Müller of the University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg received $4,327 for his master thesis on Open Geospatial Consortium sensor observation services for Global Positioning System and mobile sensors. Further recipients of $1,442 awards were Marc Arends, University of Koblenz-Landau; Thomas Breuer, University of Applied Sciences in Bonn-Rhein-Sieg; Stefanie Hegele, University of Bonn; Jonathan Kirchhoff, University of Bonn; Jan Leduc, University of Applied Sciences in Bonn-Rhein-Sieg; Cologne Jens Vieweg, University of Koblenz-Landau; and Martin Weier, University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg The chapter presented the awards at its international information technology symposium in Koblenz, Germany, in front of more than 400 participants.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 09/01/2011
In September, Keynote speakers and hosts of the Koblenz IT Symposium in front of more than 400 participants. Now more than ever, the German Bundeswehr is required to be a part of the joint forces and to act in a wide spectrum of multinational operations. In September, the chapter held a symposium on the topic with more than 400 participants in Koblenz, Germany. The chapter joined with the Bundeswehr information technology office to discuss challenges for the command and control capability of military forces—both in theater and in the home country.

New operating environments demand high-performance information and communication systems. En route to network-enabled operations, the technical architecture of the Bundeswehr information technology system will, in the medium term, be subject to comprehensive modifications. Up-to-date system technology will provide for a significant contribution to operations. From an information technology perspective, the Bundeswehr has achieved the initial capability for network-enabled operations. Examples illustrating this are the deployment of the 1s ... READ MORE

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 09/29/2010
In September, Lt. Col. Thomas Scheibe, GAF, Federal Ministry of Defence, gives insight as the chapter's Young AFCEANs host the first official presentation of the Web 2.0 strategy for the ministry. In September, the chapter's Young AFCEANs hosted experts and users for the first annual presentation of the Web 2.0 strategy for the Federal Ministry of Defence. It was the first time the German ministry officially took part in an event on the public use of social media by German armed forces. Lt. Col. Thomas Scheibe, GAF, Federal Ministry of Defence, explained the latest activities of the armed forces on YouTube and Flickr. Beside these platforms, the department acts quite restrictively because of operational security and the official character of any statements from military staff. Boris Barschow, author of the Afghanistan Blog, added the outside view. He asked for more activity and openness. Capt. Dennis Marc Busch, German Armed Forces Office, presented the internal Wiki services of the German armed forces. Dr. Karsten Ehms of Siemens presented results from industry activities with social media.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 09/02/2010
Nearly 400 attendees from the armed forces and industry attend the chapter's Koblenz Symposium on Information Technology 2010 in September. In September, the chapter held the Koblenz Symposium on Information Technology 2010, which focused on “Joint and Combined Operations—Modern Information Systems in an Operational Environment.”

Hosted by the chapter and the German Armed Forces Information Technology and Management Office (IT-AmtBw), it was the sixth annual Koblenz Symposium on information technology in the theater. This year's event featured more international topics, and it included speakers such as Dag Wilhelmsen, technical director, NATO Communication and Information Systems Services Agency; Kevin J. Scheid, deputy general manager, NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency; and Lt. Gen. John A. Dubia, USA (Ret.), executive vice president of AFCEA International.

The event was co-hosted by Brig. Gen. Klaus F. Veit, GEA, deputy director, IT-AmtBw, and Brig. Gen. Reimar Scherz, GEA (Ret.), chapter vice president.

This year's event focused on Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) information system ... READ MORE

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 09/03/2009
The chapter held the Koblenz Symposium in September. The one-day event's theme was "Information Technology 2009: Joint and Combined Operations, Communications Networking." Lt. Gen. Carl-Hubertus von Butler, GEA, commander, German Army Forces Command, provided the opening remarks, in which he called for broadband solutions to move vital reconnaissance data down to warfighters. Air Cdre. Tony Boyle, RAF (Ret.), ISS head of solutions, Defence Equipment and Support Organisation, United Kingdom, discussed the potential to over-engineer capabilities. He suggested giving warfighters flexible tools to avoid that pitfall. EDir. IT-AmtBw Hans-Ulrich Schade, chief of Division C, Bundeswehr IT Office, emphasized the need for good information architecture. He noted that the Bundeswehr has more than 120,000 radios. Because the military cannot afford to replace them all, any solution must incorporate these legacy systems. Malcolm Green, chief, Capability Area Team Communications Infrastructure ... READ MORE

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 02/16/2009
Tillmann Werner, a student at Bonn University and recipient of the chapter's first oustanding student award, discusses his award-winning suggestions on intrusion detection prevention during the February Young AFCEAN event. The chapter's February Young AFCEAN event, a discussion on cyberdefense and how to counter operational system attacks, proved to be particularly timely after the German armed forces experienced a recent malware attack. The incident led to the armed forces adopting a new network operations force. Martin Bierwirth, Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI), an information technology security agency; Lt. Col. Norbert Wildstacke, information technology office, German Armed Forces; Stefan Reuter, AG, a security company; and Tillmann Werner, Bonn University, served as guest speakers at the event. Werner discussed new implementations for intrusion detection, a presentation that earned him the chapter's first outstanding student award. The event ended with a concluding thought: An attack upon a nation's information technology system could cause the nation to fall.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 11/10/2008
Dr. Uwe Bettscheider (l), principal of the Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Gymnasium, Bonn, Germany, receives $1,000 teaching award from Maj. Gen. Klaus-Peter Treche, GEA (Ret.), chapter president, at the November meeting. At the November meeting, the chapter presented $1,000 from its educational fund to the Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Gymnasium of Bonn. The donation will go toward providing enhanced tools and technologies for the science, mathematics and information technology faculty in Bonn's leading science and mathematics school. Maj. Gen. Klaus-Peter Treche, GEA (Ret.), chapter president, made the presentation to Dr. Uwe Bettscheider, the school's principal. According to Bettscheider, the teaching award will be used for an urgent modernization of the natural science collection. The Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Gymnasium was founded in 1882 and, in the recent decades, he noted, it has developed a focus on mathematics and science classes, as well as arts. Today, the school is renowned as one of Germany's leading schools of excellence in the hard sciences and information technology.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 06/26/2008
The chapter celebrated its 25th anniversary in June. Joining in the celebration are (front row, l-r) Brig. Gen. Reimar Scherz, GE A (Ret.), first chapter vice president; Baerbel Diekmann, lord mayor of Bonn; Maj. Gen. Klaus-Peter Treche, GEAF, chapter president; and Rear Adm. Willi Krauss, GE N (Ret.), former chapter president. In the second row (l-r) are Lt. Gen. Heinza Marzi, GEAF, deputy chief of the GEAF; Sigrid Treche; Andrea Kubeile, second chapter vice president; and Ingrid Hollinde, a founding member of the chapter.
The chapter's June meeting was a celebration of its 25th anniversary. Baerbel Diekmann, lord mayor of Bonn, hosted a reception in the historic town hall. During her speech, she highlighted the chapter's "well-respected and indispensable place" in the city's scientific community.

BONN E.V. CHAPTER - 05/26/2008
Robert F. Lentz, chief information assurance officer, Department of Defense, outlines how leaders can benefit by understanding cyber defense at the chapter's June event. On May 26 in Berlin, the chapter hosted a discussion on cyber defense. Ulrike Merten, member of the Bundestag and chairwoman, Defense Committee, co-hosted the event. Robert F. Lentz, chief information assurance officer, Department of Defense, provided the keynote speech, "Cyber Defense: the Threat and its Significance to Leadership." Several Bundestag members and chief information officers from major ministries and agencies in defense and homeland security attended the event and expressed great interest in Lentz's presentation.


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