PEO looks to the future

  • Published
  • By Patty Welsh
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Electronic System Center's new program executive officer for Battle Management, Col. Roger D. Thrasher, says he has a major advantage in his new role - this is his third tour at ESC.

"I have a strong sense and understanding of what ESC brings to the fight," he said. "What we do is vitally important to future wars."

For the Battle Management Directorate, Colonel Thrasher is focused on three main areas: sustaining, executing and transforming.

As many of the programs in his portfolio, such as AWACS, Joint STARS, mission planning and air space management, are mature programs, he said they need to be sustained to support the warfighter and also looked at to see if any quick reaction capabilities can be incorporated.

"The forces fighting our current wars need to get the best we can give them," Colonel Thrasher said.

He said execution is the largest part of the job.

"We need to make sure we are providing great systems to warfighters and also making good business decisions for the government."

He hopes his experience, and being able to incorporate best practices, will help with executing good programs.

"I'm a core acquisition guy, an engineer and have been a program manager," Colonel Thrasher said. "I have an academic background in command and control, and in addition, my most recent assignments have been in support or logistics. I'm able to see the other parts of our materiel world. I know the decisions we make have impacts down the line for sustainment."

With regard to transformation, the new PEO says personnel need to look ahead to see what might be in the future for battle management.

"The seeds for AWACS were planted in the 60's and 70's; the seeds for Joint STARS in the 70's and 80's," Colonel Thrasher said. "What seeds are we planting now for battle management capabilities for 2020 or 2030?"

Another transformation he sees is the growing workforce.

"This gives up the opportunity to focus on advanced acquisition craft," he said.

Under his purview, he would like the Battle Management Directorate to look at their work a little differently.

"I don't want it to just be a collection of programs or systems but a portfolio of battle management capabilities," the colonel said.

Having the PEO have a more intimate knowledge of programs, being able to engage with stakeholders and get faster decisions are some of the benefits Colonel Thrasher sees from the new Air Force-wide PEO organizational structure.

"With the new structure, some of the load can be taken off the program directors, and they can focus on executing their programs," he said.

He said he's excited to be back at Hanscom and his return has felt like "coming home."

"I'd like to thank Team Hanscom for being so welcoming," Colonel Thrasher said. "There are outstanding people here, and I've seen people I know from before and am getting to meet a bunch of great new people."