New Horizons spotlights delivery speed, new business

  • Published
  • By Chuck Paone
  • 66 ABW Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Nearly every speaker at this year's New Horizons Symposium, held Jan. 27 and 28 at the Marriott Newton Hotel, added a personal or organizational perspective on the event's theme: 'Rapidly Delivering Information to the Warfighter.' 

From Dr. Donald Hanson, director of Air Force Research Laboratory's Information Directorate, who kicked off the event Jan. 27, to Electronic Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds, who wrapped things up with his 'State of ESC Address' Jan. 28, speakers shared ideas on getting capability to operators quickly. 

Many discussed how their organizations are responding to urgent warfighter needs, but also discussed the need to standardize faster delivery processes. Col. Steve Hocking, commander of the 850th Electronic Systems Group, said his group has reduced Integrated Strategic Planning and Analysis Network delivery cycles from one year to just eight weeks. 

Speakers also discussed more frequent and innovative use of existing commercial technology, rapid prototyping, and several other tactics. 

The need for predictive technologies, those that enable U.S. and coalition forces to determine an adversary's intentions before they act, also surfaced as a recurring issue. Dr. Hanson discussed eight broad Air Force challenges, the first two of which were Anticipatory Command and Control and Pro-active Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance. 

Each ESC acquisition wing and group commander or director also spoke about their programs, with specific emphasis on new business opportunities. Many, including 653rd Electronic Systems Wing Director Ron Mason, said how important it is to maintain a steady dialogue with industry. 

"As long as we're having close, continuous communication with industry while we're developing the [request for proposals], the final RFP should be rock solid," he said. 

In addition to all the acquisition discussion, this year's symposium also featured a special warfighter perspective.  Capt. Christopher Robinson of the 66th Security Forces Squadron told the nearly 600 attendees about various experiences he'd had during the course of three separate tours in Iraq. Those experiences included working to train Iraqi police officers.

The symposium was sponsored by the Lexington-Concord Chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. The Chapter announced several local awards and acknowledged the special accomplishments of its 'Young AFCEANS.'

The Lexington-Concord Chapter also contributed a total of $15,000 for education and other Hanscom causes at the symposium. It provided $10,000 in Enlisted Aid for Education, $4,000 for the Company Grade Officers' Troop Care Drive, and $1,000 for Operation Concern. 

"By all accounts, this was another very successful New Horizons," said Chapter President Larry Coe. "I really want to thank the incredible team of volunteers who made it all happen."