Division chief provides update on force protection programs

  • Published
  • By Patty Welsh
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
LEXINGTON, Mass. - --  The chief of the Force Protection Division at Hanscom AFB, Mass., spoke about the division's work, upcoming opportunities and how industry and government can work together better during the Hanscom Representatives Association luncheon meeting at Waxy O'Connors Feb. 22.

As a majority of the work done is integrated base defense, Pat Dagle talked about dealing with some of his main customers - members of Security Forces.

"Cops will do anything themselves," he said. "We need them to put their trust in us and let them know why we're doing something the way we are."

Dagle added that often personnel think of the systems they work on as pieces of hardware that can just be stuck together, which is not the case.

"It's about the integration and the customer," he said. "If a base is attacked, the Base Defense Operations Center is where they [Security Forces] will fight from."

The division supports Air Force major commands, combatant commanders and tactical missions.

"Organizations can go buy fixed or even tactical systems," Dagle said. "But from a government perspective, we can provide the systems engineers to look over the projects and provide core services."

He told a story about pop-up barriers being used at various bases and how different people thought others were maintaining them. However, until his group got involved, no one was looking at them from an overall perspective covering safety, security and logistics and maintenance.

According to Dagle, work currently ongoing in the division is mainly focused on fixed sites and some nuclear sites.

"We have eight-to-twelve bases in various stages of security systems," he said.

Dagle highlighted the division's acquisition process and said he can overlay their current work to see where any project is at any time.

He also mentioned how the group established siting criteria by working with vendors and manufacturers. In addition, the division has a dedicated range in Florida, set up to represent a forward operating base where items can be tested.

Because of previous problems with equipment, the division now maintains an approved equipment list of items that have been tested and proven. Dagle said companies must comply with applicable Air Force guidance, use the established siting criteria and approved equipment list.

However, he knows the process limits industry's input.

"You have very few degrees of freedom," he said. "We tell you what to build, how to build it and what to build it with. This is the reality of where we are today and the environment our customer feels comfortable with."

Dagle said the division anticipates holding industry days in the March or April timeframe. The first day would be for vendors and small business to discuss their equipment and capabilities, while the second day would be to inform industry about an upcoming follow-on contract. As the draft request for proposal matures, another industry day would be held.

He relayed a story about how an industry representative gave him a valuable piece of advice early on in his career.

"The rep said, 'If you want the best teams bidding, you need to let us know as much information as you can,'" Dagle said. "I took that to heart."

Sticking to a schedule is another area he emphasized.

"If you respect my time, I'll respect yours," he said.

Overall, Dagle stressed the importance of the work the division does.

"We have to protect assets," he said. "That's what is driving us."