Colonel Discusses Cyber Threat Activities

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 targets and threats for developmental and operational test and evaluation (T&E). Additionally, the PM ITTS is the executor for programs/funding of Army-led Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Central T&E Investment Program (CTEIP) initiatives and projects. Of particular interest to the chapter were the PM ITTS/Threat Systems Management Office threat cyber activities; its involvement in supporting Network Integration Evaluations; and his electronic warfare overview to include the new T&E/S&T Electronic Warfare Test Technology Area. It became readily apparent that the PM ITTS is a dynamic organization executing a unique mission and is the only Army project manager aligned with the test community. Also at the luncheon, Fred Eisele, an associate director for AFCEA International, swore in the newly elected 2012 chapter officers: Wells Barlow, president; Gabe Ruiz, vice president; Li McCombs, treasurer; and Don Johnson, secretary.

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