GULF COAST CHAPTER - 10/17/2019
In October, the chapter kicked into gear for the upcoming fiscal year by hosting guest speaker Col. Heather Blackwell, USAF, commander, 81st Training Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. In addition, as sponsors for 81st Training Wing Information Dominance Awards Program, the chapter presented the award mementos to the 2019 winners. The luncheon signaled the kick-off efforts to reestablish an AFCEA presence at Keesler Air Force Base to provide professional development opportunities for the base's over 400 information technology (IT) and cyber professionals. The chapter also hosted a golf tournament in October, raising $1,500 to go toward STEM scholarships and other chapter programs. The chapter's mission is to strengthen the command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) communities and promote STEM at Keesler and the surrounding Biloxi, Mississippi, area. Furthermore, the chapter partners with local community academia and industry to foster education and d ... READ MORE
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 05/02/2017
The chapter hosted a three-speaker panel discussion and luncheon in May covering the evolution of cybersecurity, the current threat landscape and how to counter the threats facing government and civilian companies. Panelists from Palo Alto Networks were Lucas Moody, chief information security officer; Rinki Sethi, senior director of operations and strategy; and Ronald Dodge, senior director of security engineering. Capt. Capt Steve Januario, USAF, also of Palo Alto Networks, introduced the panelists. The forum included a period for questions and answers.
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 03/31/2017
Lt. Col. Nathaniel Huston, USAF, 333 Training Squad, was the guest speaker at the chapter's luncheon in March. During the luncheon, titled "Is it Comm or is it Cyber?" Col. Huston presented his experience on how we are changing mindsets and operationalizing our forces to meet future engagements. At the end of the lecture, the chapter presented Col. Huston with a certificate of appreciation and a donation to the Fisher House in his name.
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 11/08/2016
The chapter sponsored the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Gen. John P. Jumper Award for Excellence in Warfighting Integration and Information Dominance Professional of the Year Award for 2016. The guest speaker representing the chapter at the ceremony was Lt. Col Michael P. Zink, USAF, commander, 338th Training Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Col. Zink was also the AETC Cyberspace Outstanding Field Grade Officer of the Year, and his unit, the 338th Training Squadron, received the Air Force Maj. Gen. Harold M. McClelland Large Unit of the Year Award. Also recognized was 1st Lieutenant Eric Nevins, USAF, who was named the 81st Training Wing Air Force Outstanding Cyberspace Company Grade Officer of the Year.
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 10/27/2016
The chapter welcomed Chris Waltman, a former instructor of Cyber Transport Systems who previously worked in the IT security sector for Biloxi's casinos, as it's guest speaker in October. In his former role, Waltman had his hands in a secretive IT security realm where glitches could easily lead to millions of dollars in losses. Waltman is in a unique position to link the security practices of the commercial sector with equivalent TTPs in the Department of Defense. Attendees enjoyed Waltman's remarkable perspective.
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 08/24/2016
In August, Gulfport High School's Clint Brawley was presented the Gravely Grant for the 2015-2016 academic year. The school's engineering and robotics department plans to use the grant towards its underwater marine advanced technology education (MATE) program start-up. The MATE program uses underwater remote operated vehicle design, fabrication and programming to strengthen the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills of its members.
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 11/15/2013
The chapter would like to congratulate the winners of its 2013 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) grants and scholarships. The chapter awarded two $500 STEM grants to two local schools in November. The first grant went to Biloxi Junior High, which will use the funds to purchase Advanced Snaps Circuit Kits and a Wave Demonstrator Set. The second grant went to Gulfport High School, and they plan to expand their online STEM collaboration capabilities to other local classrooms. The chapter also gave out two locally funded $512 STEM scholarships to Gulfport High School students Savannah Metz and Lindsay Raybourne. Each student had to write a 512-word essay on balancing privacy and security in the digital age.
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 07/25/2012
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Kendall, USAF, director, Warfighter Systems Integration, Office of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, delivered remarks at the chapter's July luncheon at the Bay Breeze Event Center, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. The chapter also received its third consecutive Model Chapter of the Year Award, which recognizes the top overall chapter structure and program of activities for the year.
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 05/12/2012
In May, the chapter volunteered for the Special Olympics Mississippi State Summer Games at Keesler Air Force Base. Volunteers helped with the ceremonies, the feeding tent and the sporting venues along with serving as cheerleaders for the event. The Special Olympics is run almost entirely by volunteers. More than 6,000 volunteers provide manpower for the Special Olympics Mississippi. The volunteers include high school and college students, retired persons, members of civic and fraternal groups, amateur and professional athletes, sports officials and coaches, teachers, parents and law enforcement personnel. Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in the Special Olympics develop improved fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image. They grow mentally, socially and spiritually and, through their activities, exhibit boundless courage and enthusiasm, enjoy the rewards of friendship and ultimately discover not only new abiliti ... READ MORE
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 09/07/2011
In September, the chapter received its Model Chapter Award banner from Tom Gwaltney, regional vice president, at the Bay Breeze Event Center. AFCEA announced the award winners at the Joint Warfighting Conference in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Model Chapter Award recognizes the top overall chapter structure and program of activities for the year. To apply, chapters must first establish a set of goals for the coming calendar year, which are attainable yet challenging. The chapter then incorporated these goals into their plan and submits the items to AFCEA. The following year, all chapters enrolled in the program submit the results of their efforts for review by their regional vice president and AFCEA.
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 01/27/2010
In January, Brig. Gen. David A. Cotton, USAF, director of cyberspace transformation and strategy, Secretary of the Air Force Office of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, told more than 60 chapter luncheon attendees about how the cyber work force will be transformed in the U.S. Air Force. He shared his vision of how to build a professional cyberspace force on par with air and space operators through education and training of officers, enlisted and civilian personnel. Following the presentation, the chapter made a donation to the Fisher House in Gen. Cotton's name.
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 05/14/2009
In May, Shane Loper, chief information officer, and Ron Millet, information technology director, both from the Hancock Bank Technology Center, gave the chapter a tour of the facility, including the network operations center, the server room and the supporting and backup systems. The center, nicknamed the "fortress" by local residents, was built after Hurricane Katrina and is designed to withstand winds exceeding 200 miles per hour. The facility is an example of the communications installation and infrastructure best practices learned from post-Katrina disaster preparedness.
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 07/29/2009
The chapter hosted a seminar on the Scope Eagle in July. The guest speaker was Brig. Gen. Steven Spano, USAF, director of communications for Headquarters Air Combat Command (ACC), Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. The Scope Eagle is the Air Force's capstone professional development course in the communications and information career field. The general discussed the future of knowledge management in the ACC and the Air Force overall. More than 60 communications professionals attended the event.
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 05/01/2009
In May, the chapter awarded more than $1,000 in scholarships to two outstanding high school students. Seniors Tanner Reid, Vancleave High School, and Gabrielle Davis, St. Martin High School, received the scholarships for their interpretations on how information technology is changing social culture. Both students intend to pursue engineering degrees.
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 04/22/2009
The chapter invited Maj. Gen. John Maluda, USAF, director, cyberspace transformation and strategy, Office of Warfighting Integration, Secretary of the Air Force, and chief information officer, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to speak at the April meeting. Maj. Gen. Paul Cappaso, USAF, director, command, control, communications and computer systems, U.S. Africa Command, Stuttgart, Germany, also spoke during the meeting. More than 80 communications and electronics professionals from industry, government and the military attended the meeting, during which Gen. Maluda explained how the Office of Warfighting Integration supports the Air Force's leadership priorities by focusing on a strong, centralized approach to network management. The agency also has increased the emphasis placed on collaborating with joint partners, including the establishment of an interface with Air Force Space Command to support the standup of the 24th Air Force. The general concluded his remarks by sharing curren ... READ MORE
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 03/11/2009
In March, Col. Bahaael din Khaled, EAF, Information Systems Branch Headquarters, served as the meeting's distinguished guest speaker. The branch headquarters is responsible for the Egyptian air force's network application, security and operations as well as base-level information systems squadrons. The colonel provided an overview of the service branch's history and its internal communications division. He then compared communications courses offered within the Egyptian air force with similar courses offered at Keesler Air Force Base. More than 110 communications and electronics professionals, including members of the communications officer courses and the Communication Leadership Scope Eagle Conference, attended the meeting.
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GULF COAST CHAPTER - 01/28/2009
In January, the chapter kicked off its first meeting of the year by inviting Maj. Gen. Paul F. Capasso, USAF, director, Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems (C4), U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Stuttgart, Germany, to serve as the featured speaker. The general provided an overview of the geographic command's mission, approach and history as the command moves from establishment and activation to full operational capacity. He emphasized the programs and initiatives AFRICOM has instituted to face the interagency and intergovernmental C4 challenges on the continent. More than 70 communications and electronics professionals, including members of the Advanced Communications Officer Course and the Communication Leadership Scope Eagle Conference, attended the meeting.
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