The chapter kicked off the U.S. Marine Corps' 249th birthday month with Col. Edward Healey, afloat deputy commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2, and a cake-cutting ceremony, honoring the time-honored tradition, celebrating the birth of the illustrious Corps. The youngest Marine present was Sgt. Joseph Bonilla, USMC, from ESG-2, and the oldest Marine present was long-time Hampton Roads Chapter board member and retired USMC Col. Dennis Garcia.
Col. Healey began his discussion with the latest update to the USMC's Force Design 2030 and what that means for the updated strategic guidance, as the United States' priorities turn away from terrorism and toward "divest to invest."
"Marines are ready to fight all over the globe," Col. Healey said, but the characteristics of war are changing.
In recent years, the Marine Corps has made many strides toward modernization, including the following innovations: the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, the Amphibious Combat Vehicle, the Marine Air Defense Integrated System, the Light MADIS, the Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar and the MQ-9 "Reaper."
Other projects still in development include the Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System for sea control and sea denial operations around Indo-Pacific Command, as well as the Long-Range Unmanned Surface Vessel and the Autonomous Low-Profile Vehicle, both of which prototypes were designed for extended Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). The Marine Aerial Resupply Vehicle - Expeditionary Logistics and the V-BAT, a vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle, are both new platforms in development by the USMC for local ISR and defense of amphibious units. Col. Healey took the time to point out several challenges facing the USMC that can be addressed and assisted with industry, particularly a common tactical picture communicating with the Landing Force Operations Center and other headquarters elements to provide the best up-to-date picture for decision-makers.
He also identified two other needs that industry and partners could assist with a need to field the C5I collaboration and interoperability for coalition interconnectivity with partner nations and synthetic training for craft operators and tactical air controllers for training in a team environment. Think of a bridge simulator for ship drivers and aircraft simulators for pilots.
In addition, the chapter presented two AFCEA Military Cyber Professional of the Month Awards: Information Systems Technician Second Class (IT2) Yajahira Gonzalez, USN, and Sgt. Bonilla. |
