Net-centric ops conference to be held Sept. 24 at Wentworth

  • Published
  • By Chuck Paone
  • ESC Public Affairs
Hanscom AFB, Mass. --  The Electronic Systems Center and the Patriot Roost Chapter of the Association of Old Crows are teaming again this year to host a net-centric operations conference September 24. The conference will be held at the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel in New Castle, N.H., and will also feature a golf tournament on Sept. 25.

"This is perhaps the seminal Air Force event specifically focused on network-centric operations," said Senior Executive Service member and conference co-chair Bruce Hevey, director of the 653rd Electronic Systems Wing. "We focus on big-picture needs, as well as on many of the specific efforts and ideas that we're already employing, or soon will be, to help make net-centric ops a reality."

SES member Charles Riechers, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition and Management, will provide the keynote speech, setting the stage for numerous other distinguished speakers. Among them: Maj. Gen. William Rajczak, deputy director to Joint Capabilities Development and Joint Doctrine for U.S. Joint Forces Command; and Maj. Gen. William Lord, director of the Information, Services and Integration Division of the Secretary of the Air Force's Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Office.

The conference will feature many other high-level presentations, ending with a dinner speech by ESC Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Art Rooney.

"As in the past, we've worked hard to create a forum that provides a lot of synergy on a topic that ranks among the top concerns of the U.S. defense and homeland security communities," said Nino Amoroso, the AOC chapter president.

Mr. Amoroso emphasized the conference's track record in terms of "bringing together the right people from industry and government" to discuss net-centricity. However, he added that this year's conference will also highlight the area of cyber warfare.

Along those lines, Col. Tony Buntyn, director of the Global Cyberspace air operations center for 8th Air Force, will address the conference. Last November, Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne designated 8th Air Force as the new Air Force Cyberspace Command.

Mr. Hevey also spoke about the specific addition of a cyber-focus to this year's conference while discussing the short- and longer-term benefits of doing all this.

"Both the immediate and enduring value of a conference like this is the great exchange of knowledge and ideas," he said. "With specialists in requirement generation, acquisition management and technology all together in one place, the synergy is amazing."

The conference is intentionally limited to a manageable size - about 150 people will attend - to enable interactive discussion and collaboration, Mr. Amoroso said.

The money raised allows the Patriot Roost to provide more dollars for scholarships and community support than any other AOC chapter in the country, he said.

"My great thanks to the Old Crows for the tremendous effort they put into this event each year," said Mr. Hevey. "I think this year's event not only continues what has become a great tradition, but will bring us to even greater heights."