Senior civilian reflects on 'fascinating journey' at Hanscom

  • Published
  • By Patty Welsh
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  A federal career spanning more than three decades at Hanscom AFB, now at a close, almost never was.

"I had just completed graduate school and had no particular job targeted when I decided to take the Professional and Administrative Career Examination," said Anthony Monaco, who served as deputy director of the 551st Electronic Systems Wing until his retirement
Jan. 3.

At the time, the exam was required to become a federal employee. Although Mr. Monaco received a perfect score on his test, his application was admistratively lost for the better part of a year.

"After working part-time and doing other things in the interim, Hanscom was one of the first organizations that contacted me, and I thought I had better accept the position before anything else could go wrong."

The job was a cost analyst (economist) position and Mr. Monaco started in March of 1978. After working in the Comptroller Cost Analysis area for approximately 10 years, he then moved to program control for the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).

"I got an opportunity while working on the Japanese AWACS program start-up to jump career fields into program management and I've been on that side of the fence for about 15 years," said Mr. Monaco.

During that time, he played a significant role in ensuring a modern AWACS capability was delivered to Japan.

"This gave Japan the ability to assume the 1,000 mile sea-lane defense role around its country," he said.

"We also pioneered the split Foreign Military Sales/Direct Commercial Sales concept for AWACS/Airborne Early Warning (AEW) systems, and helped develop some of the policy that still guides AEW acquisitions in the Air Force."

One of the most impressive programs he worked on was the E-10. "Although it succumbed to budget issues, it was pushing the frontier on greater sensor capabilities, improved kill chain, communications and data processing," said Mr. Monaco.

Later, while working on airborne networking in the 653rd Electronic Systems Group, he was able to take a broader view to see how the whole enterprise works together.

While he had the opportunity to work on a lot of great programs, Mr. Monaco said the most gratifying part of his job has been working with a fantastic group of people, encompassing the workforce, the contractors and the warfighters.

"This has been a fascinating journey and I think we're all enriched by the experiences we have here. We're able to see a lot further than our commuting horizons."

During the last few years, Mr. Monaco's focus has shifted.

"I want to make sure people still doing this job have the same understanding and view that I have of the importance of the work that is done here," he said.

He emphasized that, in moving forward, the Air Force needs to have a focus on getting things fielded "quickly, effectively and efficiently."

"Times continue to change and they are changing faster than ever," said Mr. Monaco. "We need to respond a lot faster than we do."

Mr. Monaco has no specific retirement plans yet, other than continuing to work.
"With one daughter still in college, it's not fishing time yet."

His retirement ceremony was held Dec. 30 at the American Heritage Museum in Lexington, Mass.