New 951 ELSG commander looks to group successes for today, tomorrow

  • Published
  • By Monica D. Morales
  • 66 ABW Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  It was while unloading household goods after the arrival of his family to Hanscom that 951st Electronic Systems Group Commander Col. Gary Hetland was reminded of the opportunities the Air Force has afforded him and his philosophy of seizing the most of each.

"Just last week while unpacking, my wife and I were talking about all the things I have been able to do in the Air Force -- things a kid from a farm in South Dakota would never have dreamed of doing," he said. "I feel extremely fortunate to have been given so many opportunities, and I want to cherish every moment of it."

In his position as the 951 ELSG commander, Colonel Hetland is responsible for developing and supporting a suite of PC and UNIX-based mission planning systems that meet the needs of nearly 50 Air Force aircraft and weapon systems. The United States Navy, Marines, Army, several government agencies and 36 allied nations also depend upon the group's mission planning systems for daily operations.

"It was a very humbling experience to know I'd be taking on this role," the colonel said. "Fortunately, I found out shortly after my arrival that my predecessor, Col. Daryl Hauck, had left me a superb group blessed with dedicated people."

With a team already focused on mission execution, Colonel Hetland said his goals for the organization are to look to short-term successes and future endeavors that will both aid the warfighter.

First among his priorities is for the group to continue its commitment of delivering capabilities that further the organization's tradition of "warfighter focus."

"Our ability to deliver capabilities, as promised, is vital to maintaining our credibility with both our operational users and our acquisition authorities," said Colonel Hetland. "With several key fieldings in the next year, success depends upon a concerted team effort involving the 951st, our developmental contractors, the test community, our users and our acquisition leadership."

As for what's to come, the colonel makes a comparison to how today's warfighter capabilities can be improved for future use. In the present, crews plan missions and use a transfer device to take data to the aircraft.

"Tomorrow, we want to be able to electronically update the aircraft-loaded data while the aircraft is en route to or in the target area. Our goal is to be able to provide the latest information to aircrews executing the mission real time, enhancing their effectiveness and survivability," he said.

The colonel said that the group is at the ready for any subsequent challenges. Topping that list is requirements coordination and integration across varying platforms with both common and unique requirements.

"We must keep pace with multiple aircraft fielding schedules and ensure we are delivering capabilities on time and on cost across all Air Force aircraft and weapon systems," Colonel Hetland said.

And it's his experience six years ago as deputy chief of the Systems Requirements Division at Headquarters Air Mobility Command that he feels has best prepared him for the duties he will face in his present post.

He said that, while stationed at HQ AMC, his division's responsibility for requirements for all airlift and tanker programs including C-17, C-5, C-130J, and the presidential support aircraft made quick learning and time management vital keys to success.

"Ironically, one of the programs we oversaw was mission planning. While much of our attention was focused on fielding new C-17s and C-130Js, I recall thinking even then that mission planning was a huge effort," he said. "Hopefully, I will be able to apply a similar time management approach to focus on key mission planning issues."