Search AFCEA Site
 |
CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 06/25/2025
The chapter was joined by Steve Hindle, who was formerly with the British government intelligence community and is now CEO of Simple Security and founder of Achilles Shield. Hindle discussed the current cybersecurity crises in the world and how to combat today's current threat landscape. Ransomware attacks are set to drastically exceed previous years, and not only are there more attacks, the average time to exploit sensitive information is down to just minutes. Another interesting fact that Hindle shared was that North Korea operatives have infiltrated roughly 7% of Fortune 2000 companies. Considering the recent events in the Middle East, Hindle discussed the possibility of retaliation by Iran via cyber attacks. Companies and individuals should take preemptive measures to patch up networks and secure their data now before it's too late.
|
 |
CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 05/05/2025
The chapter hosted its annual STEM charity golf tournament in May at The Eagles Golf Club in Odessa, Florida. The tournament featured over 150 golfers and raised over $34,000 for cyber outreach and scholarships in the community through sponsorships, raffles and auctions.
|
|
CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 01/22/2025
The chapter was honored to be joined by Thaddeus Bullard, also known as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar, Titus O'Neil. Bullard delivered an important message of waking up each day with the goal of being a "Great human being." Bullard also spoke about his tough juvenile upbringing and overcoming many obstacles to secure a full scholarship to the University of Florida (UF). At UF he was a part of two Southeastern Conference Championships and won the National Championship in 1996. Following his playing and wrestling career, he has gone on to do great philanthropic work in the Tampa Bay area. Under his foundation, he has helped more than 250 student athletes across the Tampa Bay area get into college and hosts an annual "Joy of Giving" event that provides over 3,000 at-risk kids with backpacks, school supplies and physical exams. Following the event, Bullard stuck around for autographs and pictures with the chapter members. Additionally, Katherine Fredlund, chapter program ... READ MORE
|
|
CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 04/24/2024
April marked an important expansion with the inauguration of AFCEA's newest chapter on the Space Coast. Located in Melbourne, Florida, and covering the surrounding areas, this chapter is strategically positioned in one of the United States' most vital aerospace and defense hubs, reflecting an important growth step in AFCEA's global network.Michael Black, vice president of Defense at AFCEA International, inaugurated the chapter opening. He outlined the rigorous milestones required before founding a chapter, emphasizing the dedication and strategic planning involved within such a critical region. He jubilantly declared, "Ladies and gentlemen, all systems are go! We have liftoff at 1817-the AFCEA Space Coast Chapter. The 139th chapter for this international organization has successfully launched!" This statement also highlighted the organization's continuing expansion and influence in the global defense community. The Space Coast hosts a concentration of aerospace and de ... READ MORE |
|
CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 02/20/2024
In February, the chapter's STEM Scholarship Committee member, Will Ceglar, presented a STEM Scholarship to Taylor Hanes, a dedicated cyber-intelligence major at the University of South Florida.Additionally, the chapter was proud to present STEM Scholarships to the talented students of the University of South Florida's College of Information & Technology. Congratulations to all the recipients! Your passion and dedication to STEM are truly inspiring. Thank you for being the future of innovation! |
|
CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 01/22/2024
In a bid to demystify the intricacies of doing business with the federal government, AFCEA hosted a highly anticipated Small Business Panel this January. The event featured a distinguished lineup of panelists, including Paul Ward, deputy director of the Office of Small Business Programs at U.S. Special Operations Command; Leslie Babich, director of SOFWERX; Karen Krymski, consultant at the Florida APEX Accelerator; and Jessica Gaskins from the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Government Contracting Area III.The panel, representing a spectrum of expertise, provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of engaging with the federal government. Attendees had the unique opportunity to glean knowledge from ground-level startup strategies to navigate the complex process of presenting their company's capabilities to USSOCOM. The discussion delved into crucial aspects of government contracting, addressing queries from the audience and shedding li ... READ MORE |
|
CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 08/31/2023
Chapter members and leaders attended TechNet Augusta in August. They rallied together for a picture at the AFCEA booth on the show floor, which has become an annual chapter tradition for those attending.
|
|
CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 08/04/2023
The chapter hosted its 6th Annual Bowling Tournament with 135 bowlers representing 27 different companies. The event raised close to $14,000 for the chapter's High School Cyber Outreach Program.
|
|
CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 03/22/2023
Brig. Gen. James Turinetti, USA, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) J6, addressed the chapter at its March Luncheon. He commented on three general areas for the J6: people, partners and innovation. Mainly speaking about innovation, he announced CENTCOM has hired a chief information officer for the first time and will be creating a "Shark Tank" type event in the coming months. They are also working on a website for vendors to interact with the command and to introduce new technologies. The chapter recognized Lt. Megan Getlinger, USAF, and Cheyenne Hasse with Leadership Awards for the first and second quarter. The chapter would like thank Title Sponsor GDIT/ARMA and raffle sponsors SAIC and Crystal Clear Technologies.
|
|
CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 11/22/2022
In November, the chapter, in partnership with the Hillsborough County Public Schools CyberLaunch Program, coordinated and sponsored field trips for 82 computer science students to explore cyber-related active-duty and civilian career opportunities.These trips were hosted by the team at Special Operations Forces Works (SOFWERX), an innovation lab for the U.S. Special Operations Command located in Tampa, Florida. The students were split into small groups so they could get hands-on experience soldering flashlights, learning more about the mission and capabilities of SOFWERX by touring the foundry and data engineering spaces, and candidly interacting with 13 active-duty military volunteers from U.S. Special Operations Command, Joint Support Communications Element and the 6th Communications Squadron. By bringing along equipment and telling of their experiences, the volunteers brought these activities to life. |
|
CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 02/23/2022.jpg)
In February, Paul Ward with the Small Business Programs for U.S. Southern Command (USSOCOM) discussed the best ways for small business to work with the command. Ward's top four tips were: 1) When meeting with the Small Business Office, focus on your capabilities, not your status. 2) Respond to requests for information (RFIs). The more qualified small business responses, the easier it is to justify releasing the RFI as a small business set aside. 3) Read the solicitation and answer the questions. Your answers should be technical responses that explain "how" you do something, not that you do it. 4) When meeting with the Small Business Office, bring your technical experts. BD can attend but should not come alone. If your organization is interested in meeting with the USSOCOM Small Business Office, they meet with industry every Thursday at an off-base location. Email Ward for a meeting request.
|
|
CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 12/15/2021.jpeg)
For the 14th year in a row, the chapter hosted children from the Hope Children's Home for a Holiday Celebration in December. The children performed Christmas carols for the members and then enjoyed a visit from Santa. The chapter provides gifts for all the children and a donation to the home.
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 01/10/2014
The chapter's Combined Professional Association Group (CPAG) had its 13th annual Team Orlando Defense Forum Breakfast in January. It was a sold-out event with roughly 150 attendees. The speakers included Dr. Jim Blake, U.S. Army program executive officer for simulation, training and instrumentation; Daniel Torgler, U.S. Marine Corps program manager for training systems; Capt. Steven “Snak” Nakagawa, USN, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division; and Col. Franz Plescha, USAF, Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation. The speakers provided insights on the current activities and significant changes occurring within their organizations as well as within their respective services. CPAG Council Chair Jerry Stahl, chapter vice president, corporate affairs, organized the event on behalf of CPAG. In addition to the chapter, which was represented by its President Wells Barlow, CPAG also consists of the following organizations: AAAA, AFA, ASMC, AUSA, CFVA, INCOSE, ITEA, MOAA, NLU ... READ MORE
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 11/15/2012
The chapter hosted Lt. Col. Johnny Powers, USA, in November. Col. Powers is a simulation operations officer assigned to the Program Executive Office of Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) serving as the executive agent for the Simulation to Mission Command Interoperability (SIMCI) program. This program supports both PEO STRI and the Program Executive Office – Command, Control and Communications Tactical (PEO C3T). Col. Powers provided an overview of three areas: the duties and responsibilities of a simulations operations (FA57) officer; SIMCI functions; and his service as the contracting officer representative in Afghanistan. As FA57's, the officers in this career field are expected to provide subject matter expertise in three areas. First, simulation officers are provided the education and experience in the use of simulations to support operations and training functions; they are expected to provide expertise on the use and integration of mission command systems and ... READ MORE
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 03/01/2012
The chapter hosted Col. Mike Zarbo, USA, project manager for instrumentation, targets and threat simulators (PM ITTS), Program Executive Office of Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), at its March luncheon. In addition, the chapter thanked the colonel for his previous address to the chapter several years ago upon assuming his current position as PM ITTS, where he discussed his previous role as the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, forward deployed senior acquisition corps adviser to the U.S. Army Central Command, in Kuwait. The PM ITTS provides centralized acquisition of the research, development, production and fielding of test assets and investments in support of full spectrum, developmental and operational testing for the Army. The colonel also oversees the life cycle manager of major test instrumentation, aerial and ground targets, and threat simulators/systems, as well as manager of the operation and maintenance of target ... READ MORE
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 01/18/2012
The chapter partnered with the local chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) to host the 11th annual Warfighter TechNet Conference – Orlando. The speakers and panels provided insights in line with the conference theme of “Supporting the Warfighters' Evolutionary Battle Space Requirements.” Lt. Gen. John Dubia, USA (Ret.), executive vice president of AFCA International, gave the welcoming remarks and stated that this conference has had the best ratio of industry to senior leaders of all symposiums since it was established 10 years ago. Rob Reyenga, deputy program executive officer, U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), gave his remarks and noted that the conference theme is on target with the current challenges. The keynote speaker, L.S. Steenrod, G-8 Force Development, Headquarters, Department of the Army, set the stage for the panels and presentations that followed on the tight budget constraints impa ... READ MORE |
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 12/14/2011
The chapter hosted Col. Wayne Epps, USA, project manager for constructive simulation, Program Executive Office of Simulation, Training and Instrumentation, at its December meeting. Col. Epps provided an insightful view of how military leaders must adapt to the evolving spectrum and intensity of current warfare. The training that young leaders received over the past 10 years of war does not prepare them for the battlefield of the future. Each element of leadership has been required to function outside the box of his or her defined responsibilities. Citing one example, the colonel discussed that a platoon leader has had to perform many of the responsibilities usually performed by his company commander or staff. In turn, they too are required to do aspects of meeting requirements normally accomplished at the battalion level. The tactical situation and intensity of contingency operations in an urban setting requires instant strategic decisions and actions. As this relates to his current ... READ MORE
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 10/18/2011
In October, the chapter hosted Col. Mike Flanagan, USA, program manager for training devices, Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation. His organization's mission is to develop and field training ranges and instrumentation for the U.S. Army and its allies. It accomplishes this through three main program and mission areas: live training systems, digitized training and combat training instrumentation systems at home station and combat training centers. One of the most critical elements in this training is the Personal Area Network. It is extremely important in providing a state-of-the-art technology that ties together the dismounted units and vehicles via a common player unit at the training centers. Col. Flanagan focused mainly on the Common Operating Environment (COE) Initiative. Currently, the COE shortcomings are painful and costly interoperability, unnecessary duplication, inefficiency from a sustainment standpoint and inconsistent with the current ra ... READ MORE
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 08/04/2011
In August, the chapter partnered with the Central Florida International Test and Evaluation Association to host Josh Stephens, vice president of technology and head geek of SolarWinds. Stephens advised attendees that Vivek Kundra, the federal chief information officer, issued a mandate requiring that by the end of fiscal year 2012, all external sites must be IPv6 compliant, and by the end of fiscal year 2014, internal client applications must also be IPv6 compliant. With the last free IPv4 addresses officially issued by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority in February 2011, it is no wonder that information technology managers are in a scramble. Stephens went into detail on how organizations and companies can start planning their IPv6 transition and what information technology managers need to know about IPv6 today.
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 05/25/2011
In May, the chapter hosted Lt. Col. Daniel Steele, USAF, commander of the 45th U.S. Air Force Space Communications Squadron located at Patrick Air Force Base (AFB). In addition, he is vice president of the Cape Canaveral Chapter of AFCEA. He provided an insightful presentation on Air Force network operations and how his squadron is organized to support these operations at Patrick AFB. He also discussed the ongoing centralization of Air Force operations and the impact that is having on his squadron. He spoke about how the command is organized to function and assist in the cyber operations world. Following his speech, Col. Steele answered questions from attendees.
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 03/16/2011
The chapter hosted Pete Marion at their luncheon in March. Marion is the assistant program executive officer for customer support at the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI). Marion made a presentation on the Army's movement toward and challenges concerning mobile applications. In doing so, he focused on the Army's major players for digital applications and what they are doing to advance the development and fielding of this new wave technology. He also noted that PEO STRI sees a tremendous value in the use of mobile apps to assist training service members at their home stations and in theater. In addition, he cited some of the challenges the Army is currently having in getting digital applications into the hands of soldiers and leaders. He discussed what industry could do to assist the Army in their implementation of applications for training at home and on the battlefield. Marion said that he believes the use of mobile applicati ... READ MORE
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 01/19/2011
In January, the chapter partnered with the Association of the United States Army for the 10th annual Warfighter TechNet Conference in Orlando. The speakers provided outstanding insight in line with the conference theme of “Supporting the Warfighters Evolutionary Battle Space Requirements.” Keynote speaker Maj. Gen. Susan Lawrence, USA, special assistant to the U.S. Army vice chief of staff, set the tone for the examination of battle space requirements in land, sea, air and space operations. Panel members stressed the importance of assessing the requirements of the services and developing the capabilities to meet these evolutionary challenges. Speakers included: Maj. Gen. Mark Bowman, USA; Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Layfield, USA; Maj. Gen. Randy Strong, USA; Maj. Gen. Nick Justice, USA; Brig. Gen. N. Lee S. Price, USA; Cindy Moran; Douglas Wiltsie; Col. Mark Churchwell, USA; Col. David Barlow, USA; and Rob Reyenga.In addition, the conference included two professional education dev ... READ MORE |
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 01/07/2011
The chapter partnered with the Combined Professional Association Group (CPAG) for its 10th annual Team Orlando Defense Forum Breakfast in January. It was a sold-out event with roughly 135 attendees. The speakers included Rob Reyanga, Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation; Col. David Smith, USMC, program manager for training systems; Capt. William Reuter, USN, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division; and Col. Marcus Boyd, USAF, Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation. The speakers provided insights on the current activities and significant changes occurring within their organizations as well as within their respective services. Steve Painter, chapter president, served as the panel moderator, and Fred Eisele, chapter vice president for programs, served as the CPAG council chair.
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 10/20/2010
The chapter hosted Dr. Michael R. Macedonia, vice president and chief scientist for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), as its October luncheon speaker. In presenting his views on the current cyber challenges concerning the government and industry, he addressed the impact the modeling and simulation industry can have in addressing these problems. Macedonia drew on his experience with Forterra Federal Systems, which was acquired by SAIC; his work as a senior national intelligence executive and the director of the Disruptive Technology Office for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and his role as the chief technology officer for the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation. He addressed the nation's total dependence on information technology, which dominates everyday living, including cell and smart phones that are prevalent even in the most remote parts on the world. He discussed how to control critical infra ... READ MORE
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 04/27/2010
At the April luncheon, the chapter welcomed keynote speaker Col. Francisco Espaillat, USA, Project Manager Combined Arms Tactical Trainers (PM CATT). Col. Espaillat provided a brief overview of the Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation and PM CATT. He discussed the power of simulation, citing the highly successful Route Clearance Mission Convoy Trainer program and the medical simulation training centers. He spoke about the importance of partnership between the project managers, customers and industry partners and called the future of simulations and training extremely important to overseas contingency operations. In addition, he said the upcoming Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference 2010 in December will have a large display of the PM CATT products. Chapter Vice President Wells Barlow conducted the meeting. In other business, Dr. Roger Smith, former chapter president, presented a check from the AFCEA International Educat ... READ MORE
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 01/22/2010
In January, the chapter co-sponsored TechNet Orlando with the Sunshine Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army for the ninth year. The symposium focused on command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) and training support to the warfighter. In addition, the event concentrated on how to overcome the challenges related to C4ISR, including cyberwar and the merger of training and testing in the Global War on Terrorism. Rob Reyanga, senior executive service, deputy program executive officer of simulation, training and instrumentation (DPEO STRI), welcomed senior officials in his opening remarks and provided insight into what PEO STRI is doing to meet joint warfighting requirements. Lt. Gen. John Dubia, USA (Ret.), executive vice president, AFCEA International, expressed his appreciation to the chapters for pulling together such a successful event and cited this conference as a model for other associations to emulate.
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 12/08/2010
At the chapter's December meeting, Capt. Bill Reuter, USN, executive officer, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, served as the keynote speaker. He discussed the important role command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) plays in naval operations and the ongoing effort to improve the C4ISR infrastructure.
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 10/26/2009
The chapter welcomed Col. Mike Jones, USAR, deputy chief cyber officer, U.S. Army chief information office/G-6, as the distinguished speaker at the October meeting. Col. Jones' office serves as the focal point for all of the Army's cyber-related issues. His presentation covered cyberthreats, current U.S. Defense Department cyber initiatives and the mission and vision of the Army Cyberspace Task Force. The colonel noted that cyberthreats vary in sophistication level, capability and intent. Characteristics of cyberthreats include well-resourced cyberespionage, Web site attacks that exploit browser vulnerabilities, blended social engineering/phishing attacks, Web application security exploits, malicious spyware and more. Col. Jones emphasized the need to force change by knowing and controlling what is operating on the networks, remaining proactive and holding leaders accountable. He shared that the Army's chief information officer, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sorenson, has established prioriti ... READ MORE
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 04/29/2009
Col. Pete Gallagher, USA, commander, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Central Field Command, and president of the Tampa-St. Petersburg Chapter, served as the keynote speaker for the April meeting. The colonel explained the roles, missions and areas of responsibility of both DISA and the U.S. Central Command. He also discussed the current conflicts occurring in the Middle East. Col. Gallagher shared the agencies' major focus areas: improving the command, control, communications and computers (C4) infrastructure; C2 on the move; network operations; joint enterprise service; and coalition information sharing. During a question-and-answer session, the colonel admitted that cybersecurity is an area that keeps him "awake at night."
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 01/01/2009
In January, the chapter joined forces with the Association of the U.S. Army's (AUSA's) Sunshine Chapter to co-sponsor TechNet Orlando. The symposium's theme was "C4ISR and Training Challenges of Rebalancing the Force." Dr. Jim Blake, Program Executive Office of Simulation, Training and Instrumentation, provided the event's welcome address, in which he emphasized the symposium's value as a forum to address the challenges the armed forces face in transforming the joint warfighter and in providing new technology to help fight the Global War on Terrorism. Jerry Stahl, chapter vice president for corporate affairs, and Jim Taylor, AUSA, served as general chairs for the event, and Fred Eisele, chapter vice president for programs, served as the program's technical chair. Keynote speakers included Lt. Gen. David P. Fridovich, USA, director, Center for Special Operations, and Vice Adm. H. Denby Starling II, USN, commander, Naval Network Warfare Command. Maj. Gen. Dennis L. Via, USA, comman ... READ MORE
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 02/17/2009
The chapter welcomed Rear Adm. Timothy L. Heely, USN (Ret.), president, SPARTA Incorporated, as the featured speaker during the February meeting. The admiral provided both a warfighter's and an acquisition executive's perspective of the current and future missions performed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Adm. Heely discussed how UAVs have impacted battle space, the detection of threats and saving lives and how they serve as weapons platforms. He also noted that UAVs present challenges associated with their operational use and proliferation in addition to the overlap of prospective missions in joint operations. Dr. Roger Smith, chapter president, opened the meeting by thanking the chapter officers for a successful year, the events of which included scholarships and science fairs, TechNet and its TechNet golf tournament, and chapter meetings. Events such as these have helped the chapter win a Model Chapter award as well as an Ingles Award for Best Small Chapter.
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 01/08/2009
In January, the chapter co-hosted the 9th Annual Team Orlando Defense Breakfast Forum with members from the Central Florida Combined Professional Associations Group (CPAG). The forum is sponsored by the Orlando Area Defense Professional Associations, of which the chapter is a member. The forum featured such guest speakers as Col. Ken Wheeler, USA, Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation; Capt. Bill Reuter, USN, commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division; Col. Frank Kelley, USMC, program manager, Training Systems; and Col. James Dennis, USAF, commander, Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation. Fred Eisele, AFCEA chapter vice president for programs and CPAG council chair, provided the opening remarks. Jerry Stahl, chair of the AFCEA chapter advisory board, served as moderator. The event's theme was distributed and integrated training for the coalition warfighter.
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 07/30/2008
In July, the chapter collaborated for the first time with the Central Florida Chapter of the Navy League of the United States (NLUS) for the monthly luncheon. Dr. Roger Smith, chapter president, and Jeff Jancek, NLUS chapter president, presided over the luncheon, which featured Robert M. Matthews, director of acquisition and operations, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division. His presentation examined U.S. Navy organizations, operations and new programs and discussed the Navy's efforts in the war against terrorism. Matthews also highlighted the role that C4ISR plays in naval operations.
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 05/08/2008
The May chapter luncheon featured Col. John R. "Buck" Surdu, USA, program manager, Information Processing Technology Office, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, who discussed the Deep Green Project. He explained that the project is an effort to build a battle command decision support system, at the brigade level, that interleaves anticipatory planning with adaptive execution. This will enable the commander to think ahead, to identify when a plan is going awry and to develop alternatives "ahead of real time." According to Col. Surdu, Deep Green will aid in battle command and battlefield visualization. With that crucial information, the commander can make better decisions. In addition, Deep Green must comply with current and future modeling and simulation standards.
|
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 02/20/2008 The chapter welcomed Col. John Wilcox, USA, United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) (J-6) at its February luncheon meeting. Col. Wilcox reviewed the roles and missions of USSOCOM and highlighted the command's history and structure. He discussed the priorities set by the USSOCOM commander to deter, disrupt and defeat terrorist threats; develop and support people and families; and sustain and modernize the Special Operations Forces (SOF). As the command's J-6, Col. Wilcox's responsibilities are to insure full spectrum information dominance for SOF through its global network and communications systems. He said a key capability to accomplish the latter is through the SOF Information Enterprise, the command's global network supporting the conduct of operations across the spectrum of military operations. He noted that while the ability to rapidly pass information has improved greatly in recent years, the force still operates in a seamed world of virtual hurdles limiting shared ... READ MORE |
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 01/10/2008
In January the chapter cohosted the 2008 Defense Forum, which attracted a record-breaking 165 attendees. Speakers included Bob Matthews, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division; Col. Frank Kelley, USMC, program manager for Training Systems; Col. Kevin Dietrick, USA, deputy program executive office-Simulation, Training and Instrumentation; and Col. Lou Olinto, USAF, commander, Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation. Fred Eisele, chapter council chair, in his opening remarks advised the audience that the conference's primary purpose is to address issues of mutual interest and coordinate program activities. Each of the speakers provided an overview of their organization's as well as their respective service's activities. A common thread was that there are tremendous changes going on in the acquisition process and integrated training for the coalition warfighter is a central focus.
|
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 09/13/2007 At the luncheon, Dr. Roger Smith, chief scientist for U.S. Army PEO-STRI, presented the vision for extending training to all soldiers deployed around the world. One of the technical parts of supporting large and multiple simultaneous exercises is in the computer power at the simulation centers. High performance computers (HPCs) have evolved from unique devices employed for specialized problems to a broad line of machines that provide extensive processing power for a number of problems and customers that are difficult to satisfy with individual or networked computers. Potentially these machines may be useful in expending the breadth and depth of interactive simulations. Smith gave examples of JFCOM exercises which had used HPCs to drive one million active objects during the Urban Resolve experiments, as well as their use to accurately model chemical plume dispersion in conjunction with the OneSAF simulation. These experiments show that there is promise in HPCs for interactive simu ... READ MORE |
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 01/31/2008
In January, Fred Eisele, AFCEA International associate director, installed the newest chapter officers. The new slate of officers include Dr Roger Smith, chapter president; Steve Painter, vice president; Li McCombs, treasurer; and Wells Barlow, secretary.
|
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 07/06/2007 In July the chapter joined with the International Council of System Engineers (INCOSE) in sponsoring a AFCEA Orlando/INCOSE joint luncheon. It featured as guest speaker Dan Kaufman, who currently serves as the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) program manager for the Real World program. Kaufman was involved in the earlier DARWARS Ambush project, which resulted in a convoy training game that is now managed by Program Executive Office-Simulation, Training and Instrumentation. Using this experience he is leading the effort to develop Real World, which is a computer system that provides U.S. Defense Department users, including soldiers in the field, with the ability to rapidly create their own mission rehearsal scenarios in geo-specific terrain over a scalable and fully distributed network. Chapter president Jerry Stahl and INCOSE president William Beebe presided over the joint meeting. |
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 05/01/2007 In May the chapter broke from its tradition of government and military speakers and invited James Skurka, vice president of Orlando operations, AT&T, to address the monthly luncheon. Skurka previously worked as the deputy to the commanding general of Simulation Training Command after serving at Fort Monmouth as deputy for procurement and readiness at Communications Electronics Command. Skurka drew on his current and previous assignments to discuss industry perspectives on supporting the warfighter. He addressed the industry response to the warfighter timeline and offered a history of the dynamic evolution of technology. He also gave an overview of modeling and simulation overview and discussed the evolution as a force multiplier for the warfighter. Finally, Skurka talked about requirements, technology and products in the pre-9/11 and post-9/11 periods as well as challenges for government and industry partners are facing. |
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 01/23/2007
January marked the seventh year of TechNet Orlando, co-sponsored by Orlando-Central Florida Chapter and Association of the U.S. Army Sunshine Chapter. The symposium focused on a theme of 'Meeting the Transformation Challenges,' with special emphasis on training, testing, equipping and sustaining the coalition warfighter in the Global War on Terror (GWOT). Dr. Jim Blake, Program Executive Officer-Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (STRI) offered welcoming remarks to senior officials in attendance, emphasizing the importance of the annual forum for discussion of challenges the services face in transforming the Joint Warfighter and new technology in the GWOT. Keynote speakers included Lt. Gen. Ross Thompson, USA, military deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army and Master Gen. Richard Rowe, USA, deputy director, Army Capabilities Integration Center. The speakers set the tone for the conference, stressing that the challenges of transformation to the Future Force occurs on a ... READ MORE
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 01/11/2007
Defense Forum 2007 united several forces in co-sponsorship of the 6th annual Central Florida Combined Professional Associations' Group (CPAG) breakfast forum in January. Presidents of the 12 member associations participated with Jerry Stahl, chapter president; serving as the panel moderator was Fred Eisele, AFCEA International associate director and CPAG council chair. Speakers included Capt. Steve Burris, USN, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Training Systems Division; Col. Walt Augustin, USMC, program manager, training systems, U.S. Marine Corps Test and Evaluation Command; Peter Marion, U.S. Army Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Program Executive Office; and Col. Lou "Spanky" Olinto, USAF, commander, U.S. Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation. Each speaker provided an overview of respective organizational changes and challenges, revealing several common issues to address including training programs, experimental development, budget constraints, and improvement of the ... READ MORE
|
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 11/01/2006
The Orlando-Central Florida Chapter had a joint November meeting with the local International, Test & Evaluation Association (ITEA) and welcomed Col. David Lockhart, USA, project manager with Project Manager Instrumentation, Targets and Threat Simulators (PM ITTS). Col. Lockhart delivered a presentation on the mission and vision of the PM ITTS program and discussed the updates on recent test and evaluations (T & E) activities. The briefing outlined the challenges and initiatives PM ITTS faces in achieving its goals. The colonel noted that through such processes as partnering, test and training convergence, and acquisition rigor PM ITTS hopes to work toward making the acquisition process more responsive and forward looking.At the luncheon, Fred Eisele, AFCEA International Associate Director, conducted the Installations of officers. Jerry Stahl and Wells Barlow were sworn in by Eisele. Stahl and Barlow were re-elected to their positions as pr ... READ MORE |
|
ORLANDO-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER - 08/10/2006
Col. Kevin Dietrick recently returned to PEO STRI with assignment as deputy program executive officer of Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (DPEO-STRI). Col. Dietrick addressed one of the largest ever chapter audiences and provided a great update and insight on the status of meeting the acquisition challenges of Southwest Asia. He just returned from assignment as ASA(ALT) liaison officer in Kuwait and the point man for the Acquisition Corps in Southwest Asia, including Iraq. The colonel cited two specific challenges: the high turnover rate in personnel with 100 percent rotation of fighting units; and adapting to changing rules concerning force protection. He listed key modernization efforts, such asarmoring programs, route clearance capabilities, individual soldier protection, robotics, unmanned air vehicles, and improved intelligence and signal capabilities. Chapter President Jerry Stahl recognized Wells Barlow for being voted Chapter AFCEAN of the Quarter. Stahl a ... READ MORE |
|
