Naval Station Commander Says Networks Must Be Run Like a Business

The chapter's featured speaker in May was Capt. Herman Archibald, USN, commanding officer, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station, Pacific (NCTAMS PAC). The station is the main command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) capabilities provider in the Pacific and, as such, works hard to drive technology trends and improvements throughout the enterprise. Capt. Archibald spoke proudly about how the station has improved the Authorized Service Interruption (ASI) process and was adamant that the service must run information technology networks like a business to "fight like a warfighter." He discussed how network robustness is only restricted by the dollars spent on the networks-the old adage "you get what you pay for." The captain mentioned that commercial satellite communications is a robust industry, and the government should invest more time and effort in learning how it could be transformational for the military. He also said network defense is constantly under attack from outside entities probing for ways to get inside to corrupt those networks and anything else they can destroy. Network defense relies on the ability to rapidly deploy much-needed active and passive cyber tools, Capt. Archibald said. Industry needs to expand artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning and collaborate to develop proactive doctrine to achieve enduring success, he explained. The captain said he believes the service should look at unified systems and get away from expensive legacy systems for future C4I success across the enterprise. The chapter salutes Capt. Archibald for his contributions to the naval network enterprise during his long career in the Navy and wishes him well on his impending retirement. His wealth of knowledge and experience in information dominance is what keeps the country's warfighters on the forefront of the fight around the world. The chapter also recognized two outgoing officers at the May meeting: Tech. Sgt. Angel Olivas, USAF, vice president of membership, and E.B. Lawson, public relations vice president. Former treasurer Christine Lanning will now serve as vice president of programs.

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