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INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER NEWS [Signal](Signal Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) EDITORIAL POLICY: Chapter News must be received by the 20th of the month two months prior to publication date. Alamo Scholarships, Grant Aid STEM Teachers and CyberPatriots Two recent college graduates, Ziomara Blanco and Catherine Davison, each received $5,000 at the chapters July luncheon, after winning STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Teachers Scholarships through the AFCEA Educational Foundation. The STEM Teachers Scholarships, funded by several industry partners and regional AFCEA chapters, go to students seeking degrees or licensure to teach STEM subjects at a U.S. middle or secondary school. Blanco, who was among the 2014 AFCEA International scholarship winners announced earlier this year, is a recent University of Houston graduate with degrees in biology, education and psychology and a 3.7 GPA. She is the first member of her family to finish college. She currently works as a dental assistant and volunteers as a teacher at the Godwin community center in San Antonio. Davison, whose scholarship was sponsored by the chapter, graduated summa cum lauae with a degree in math from Trinity University. She is pursuing a masters degree. Speakers Offer Glimpse Into the Future Tbe chapter hosted strong speakers at luncheon events in June and July, focusing on Air Force cyber initiatives and the future of the Defense Health Agency. Maj. Gen. Earl Matthews, USAF, who was part of a visiting team of cyber military and civilian development teams visiting Randolph Air Force Base, addressed the chapter in June. Gen. Matthews is director of cyberspace operations at the Office of Information Dominance and chief information officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. More than 200 people signed up to attend the luncheon, which was moved to the Parr Officers' Club at Randolph to accommodate the development team visitors. In July, Dr. Peter Marks touched on the rationale and steps needed to create the new U.S. Defense Department electronic health record, with a focus on standardizing business processes and infrastructure. Marks is acting chief operating officer for the Defense Health Agency Infrastructure and Operations Directorate and director for Enterprise Technology Navy Medicine. Chapter Honors Award Winners Several San Antonio business leaders received public recognition in June as chapter awards were announced. Chapter Executive Vice President David Kovacn presented the 2014 Small Business Award to Diligent Consulting Incorporated; the Small Business Person of the Year award to Sharon O'Malley-Burg, CEO of O'Malley Burg Consulting; and the Distinguished Award for Excellence in Information Technology to Joe Sanchez, senior adviser to the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency. The Small Business award goes each year to a company that demonstrates commitment to AFCEA's mission, values and activities, while the annual Small Business Person award recognizes someone who demonstrates a positive and tangible economic, social or strategic impact within the community or over a wide range of markets. The Distinguished Award for Excellence in Information Technology honors career contributions of a senior-level person over a sustained period. Argentina Quantum Computation and Quantum Cryptography The chapter sponsored a conference, Quantum Computation and Quantum Cryptography, at the Argentina Army's Army University in Buenos Aires in June. Forty-five attendees heard from Juan Pablo Paz, Ph.D., senior researcher at the National Council of Scientific and Technical Research, and Miguel A. Larotonda, Ph.D., Quantum Optics division chief at the Institute for Scientific and Technological Research of the Armed Forces for lasers and applications. The conference focused on the basics of the art of quantum computation and cryptography, allowing participants to explore these disruptive technologies that revolutionize the computing world. Cyberdefense: Current Status and Trends The chapter sponsored a symposium, Cyberdefense: Current Status and Trends, in May at the Argentina Army's Army University in Buenos Aires. There were 50 attendees. Speakers included professor Roberto Uzal, director of the Ph.D. program in computer engineering at the National University of San Luis (UNSL), and bachelor's degree recipients Claudio Baielli and Walter Agüero of UNSL. The event featured an overview of the state of the cyberdefense, its singularities in the regional framework and draft guidelines at the national level. Camp Pendleton Tactical Communications Within First Marine Division Col. Charles Dowling, USMC, assistant chief of staff G-6, First Marine Division, was the guest speaker at the chapters June luncheon. He provided his vision of the future of tactical communications within the division and spoke of the need to transition back to a maneuver-type mindset after many years of operating in a static environment. His vision of the road ahead for the division includes the need to train to the autonomous command post scenario where the Division Forward and the Division Main operate as separate entities. The chapter also completed the presentation of a 2014 Senior Scholarship in June when Chapter President Maj. Mark Witzel, USMC (Ret.), presented Jeanette Gillie with her scholarship at High Tech High North County. The chapter handed out a total of $12,000 in scholarships to seniors from the 12 North County high schools who will be pursuing college degrees in the areas of science and technology. Canaveral Hurricane Preparation and Planning At its July luncheon, the chapter received a briefing on action to take and plans to make in the event of a hurricane. Ron Ricci, senior emergency management coordinator for Brevard County, Florida, reminded the group that hurricane season started June 1, though there have been no storms so far this year. He described the evacuation system for handicapped people, telling of emergency shelters throughout the county. Presenting some detailed plans to have in advance, he did admit that many people do not have or do not follow their plans. Hurricane-planning booklets were given to the group, as were lists of emergency shelters. Huntsville Maj. Gen. Brown Talks Testing at MDA Mai. Gen. Heidi V. Brown, USA, of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), spoke at the chapters May luncheon. As director of test for the MDA, Gen. Brown is responsible for planning, budgeting, staffing and managing a comprehensive Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) test program that characterizes the BMD capabilities of the United States. She presented attendees with a sobering example of how Redstone Arsenal and MDA are closely involved with real-world events, discussing how a new Iranian missile with sufficient range to reach Israel is nearing completion. Gen. Brown spoke about advancements at the MDA and countermeasures to thwart the Iranian threat. She also said the Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) is performing well during testing. In other chapter news, Chapter President Mike Schexnayder was presented with a lifetime membership award. Ted Henrich, chapter treasurer, was honored at the annual Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (HATS) award dinner as the chapters Person of the Year HATS selection. Okinawa ActioNet Supports July Luncheon Alan "Joe" Joseph III, CCIE #17190, manager, Global Operations/Asia at ActioNet Incorporated, was the speaker for the July luncheon. His presentation was titled "Network Analysis Tools and Techniques." Master Gunnery Sgt. Arthur Allen III, USMC, chapter president, also demonstrated the SIGNAI. Magazine app during the meeting. Portugal Cybersecurity: Technological Issues and Legal Implications In July, the chapter, in cooperation with the Portuguese Naval Academy, the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon (FDUL) and Instituto Superior Técnico (1ST), organized a seminar on "Cybersecurity: Technological Issues and Legal Implications." The event attracted about 150 attendees, including members of the armed and security forces, government organizations, academia and research centers, and industry. The seminar focused on the relevant issues related to the security of information and the law in cyberspace, with the intention of creating an effective dialogue between the various actors: users, technicians and jurists. The event emphasized the importance of a joint action between government authorities and private agents to face current challenges, and it pointed to the need for a regulatory body, on a global scale, to develop a concerted strategy for mitigating cybersecurity risks and application of international law related to cybercrime. Chapter Celebrates 25th Anniversary In June, the Portugal chapter concluded the celebration of its 25th anniversary with a ceremony at the Portuguese Joint War College (IESM) to thank current and former AFCEA members, partners and supporters. About 200 guests from military and civilian institutions, including armed forces, security forces and services, and universities and research centers, as well as companies and associates, attended the event. The following distinguished guests were present: Gen. Pina Monteiro, PRT AR, chief of the Joint General Staff; Dr. Antero Luis, secretary-general of the Internal Security System; Dr. Julio Pereira, secretary-general of the Intelligence System of the Portuguese Republic; Gen. Jose Pinheiro, chief of the Air Force Staff; Adm. Macieira Fragoso, chief of Navy Staff; Gen. Carlos Gerónimo, chief of Army Staff; Lt. Gen. Manuel Couto, general commander of the Republican Guard; Vice Adm. Torres Sobral, National Security Authority; Maj. Gen. Manuel Chambel, National Armaments director; Figueiredo Lopes, president of EuroDefense Portugal; and Adriano Moreira, eminent professor and politician. After the welcome address from Lt. Gen. Xavier Matias, director of IESM, Rear Adm. Carlos Rodolfo, PRT NA (Ret.), chapter president, opened the event with a speech, followed by Jorge Rocha de Matos, president of the Portuguese Industrial Association Foundation, and Gen. Monteiro. During the event, the evocative book of 25 years of the chapter activity was presented and the AFCEA Medal for Outstanding Service was given to the distinguished personalities that contributed to the mission and goals of the association. Chapter founders and previous board members also received chapter awards. Tampa-St. Petersburg Col. Nitzschke Discusses SOCOM Innovation Lab The chapter welcomed guest Col. Stephen Nitzschke, USMC, director of the U.S. Special Operations Commands Innovation Lab (iLab), in June. Col. Nitzschke is responsible for directing the organizational initiative to build public/private networks of experts and expertise to address strategy and policy challenges within the special operations community. The iLab was established to improve organizational performance through crossfunctional collaboration and improved business processes, structures and systems, and leverages transformational ideas and actively manages change. The iLab adds structure to ungovernea space, those outside normal J-8 policies. Tne mission is simple: Encourage new ideas, accept appropriate risk and develop new solutions that add value to the enterprise. Col. Nitzchke described the iLab as a catalyst playing a major role in providing proof of concept, performing pilot programs/ projects and conducting trend analysis. He stated the iLab is able to offer a resource perspective, taking an idea from its inception through implementation. Vandenberg-Central Coast Central Coast Space Initiatives and Award Winners Col. Keith W. Balts, USAF, 30th Space Wing commander, updated the chapter on the latest space initiatives affecting the Western Range during a meeting in July. Col. Balts first recognized and expressed his appreciation for the important role of technology in improving space operations. He referenced a standardization and consolidation effort of space command and control assets that will lead to greater effectiveness between the space launch ranges at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Air Force Base. "The biggest challenge will he modernizing aging space infrastructure," Col. Balts said. He compared the growth of operations in cyber to those of the pre-existing space domain, hut with current modernization projects, it appears that this time cyber is leading the way ahead for space. Additionally, Tech. Sgt. Corlena Schramm, USAF, and Riccardo Magni were awarded a $500 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) scholarship and teaching grant, respectively. Washington, D.C. Adm. Rogers Addresses Evolving Cyber Command at Summit The chapter hosted its Fifth Annual Cybersecurity Summit in May at the Capital Hilton in downtown Washington, D.C. This year's theme was "Evolving to Operationalize Cyber: Presenting Solutions to the Top Five Challenges of Federal, Defense and Intelligence Agencies." Participants heard the U.S. Defense Department, federal agencies and industry experts discuss challenges, solutions and teamwork in 2014. Adm. Michael S. Rogers, USN, commander, U.S. Cyber Command and director, National Security Agency/chief, Central Security Service, was a keynote speaker, discussing the evolving role of the U.S. Cyber Command. Issues discussed included innovation, insider threat, continuous monitoring, cloud security, cyber policy, professionalization of cybersecurity, threat modeling and other trending cyber topics. Other keynote speakers included: Lt. Gen. Edward C. Cardon, USA, commander, U.S. Army Cyber Command; Ari Schwartz, senior director for cybersecurity on the U.S. National Security Council Staff at the White House; Avivah Litan, Gartner; and 28 other cyber executives from both the government and industry. YACs Launch Annual Rocket Box Program In June, Hanscom Air Force Base and Young afceans (yacS) Megan Kozacka and Kasie Moriarty teamed with Matt Deutsch, program coordinator, to plan and execute this year's Rocket Box program. Rocket Box is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiative providing selected middle schools with grants from the chapter's Education Fund to support a week of rocketry, providing students with hands-on experience in science, aeronautics and math. Rocket week culminates with an actual rocket launch assisted by the YACs, making the experience not only educational but also fun for each student. This year, the YACs awarded $3,000 in grants to four area schools, including Hanscom Middle School, Parker and McCarthy middle schools in Chelmsford and Freetown-Lakeville Middle School in I.akeville. Hanscom Middle School held its actual Rocket Day launch on June 24, supported by Deutsch and school science teacher Fred l.ipton, who assisted the students in setting their launch sequences and launches. LEXINGTON-CONCORD-Bud Vazquez, chapter president (far r), joins Matt Deutsch, Young AFCEAN Rocket Box program coordinator (far I), science teacher Fred Lipton (back row, second from I), and Hanscom Middle School students in celebrating Rocket Day in June. LEXINGTON-CONCORD-Hanscom Middle School students prepare their rocket for launch at the school's Rocket Day, held on Hanscom Air Force Base in June. LEXINGTON-CONCORDA Hanscom Middle School student prepares forrocket launch while one rocket is already on its way at the school's. Rocket Day-inJiïrre..' ALAMO-Dr. Peter Marks, acting chief operating officer for the Defense Health Agency Infrastructure and Operations Directorate, discusses the steps involved with deploying the new electronic health record concept during the Alamo chapter's July luncheon. ALAMO-Catherine Davison (I) and Ziomara Blanco each received $5,000 STEM Teachers Scholarship checks at the Alamo chapter's luncheon in July. Blanco was named one of the 2014 STEM Teachers Scholarship winners by AFCEA International, and Davison received a similar honor at the chapter level. ALAMO-Jacob Stauffer (c), commander of the Alamo region Civil Air Patrol unit, receives a $6,610 grant to support a new CyberPatriot training initiative from Keith Jordan, chapter vice president of scholarships and grants (I), and Chapter President Bill Morrow in July. ALAMO-Maj. Gen. Earl Matthews, USAF, visiting San Antonio from the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, discusses cyber initiatives with the Alamo chapter in June. ARGENTINA-In May, Rear Adm. Nigoul (r) presents a certificate of recognition to Claudio Baielli. ARGENTINA-Juan Pablo Paz, Ph.D., senior researcher at the National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (I), receives a certificate of recognition from Rear Adm. Emilio Nigoul, ARA (Ret.), chapter president, at the conference in June. ARGENTINA-In June, Miguel A. Larotonda, Ph.D., division chief at the Institute for Scientific and Technological Research of the Armed Forces (I), receives a certificate of recognition from Col. Oscar Gonzalez, FAA (Ret.), chapter first vice president. ARGENTINA-Walter Agüero (I) receives a certificate of recognition from Rear Adm. Nigoul in May. CAMP PENDLETON-Col. Charles Dowling, USMC, assistant chief of staff G-6, First Marine Division, the guest speaker at the June luncheon, discusses the road ahead for "Tactical Communications within the First Marine Division in a Post-OEF Environment." CAMP PENDLETON-Chapter President Maj. Mark Witzel, USMC (Ret.), and Col. Dowling greet each other following the June luncheon. GREATER OMAHA-Robert W. Madden, deputy director, Global Shield Program Management Office, U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), Offutt Air Force Base, addresses the chapter's TechNet Golf Tournament assembly in June on how the new STRATCOM facility is progressing and when it is projected for completion. GREATER OMAHAIn June, Bill Bonwit, department head, Command and Control (C2) Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, gives the TechNet Golf Tournament assembly some insight into what SPAWAR does for government projects like the new U.S. Strategic Command facility. GREATER OMAHA-Master Sgt. Matthew Collingridge, USAF (r), TechNet Golf Tournament coordinator for the chapter, shakes hands with Col. Eric Bjurstrom, chapter president and commander, Defense Information Systems Agency Field Office at U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base. Master Sgt. Collingridge was instrumental in putting together the AFCEA Heartland TechNet Golf Tournament, held in June at the Tregaron Golf Course, Bellevue, Nebraska. Several vendors exhibited in conjunction with the golf tournament, including: Clearfield, Minneapolis; Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, California; Iron Bow Technologies, Chantilly, Virginia; Pivot3, Austin, Texas; STERLING Computers Corporation, Norfolk, Nebraska; and Wesco Communications Supply Corporation, Carol Stream, Illinois. In addition, the tournament was co-hosted by the following sponsors: CommScope Incorporated, Hickory, North Carolina; CSC, Falls Church, Virginia; GEIST Global, Lincoln, Nebraska; Harris, Melbourne, Florida; Hewlett-Packard; Iron Bow Technologies; ITT Exelis Mission Systems, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Symantec, Mountain View, California; SES, Bellevue, Nebraska; STERLING Computers Corporation; and TEKsystems, Hanover, Maryland. HUNTSVILLE-Gathered at the May luncheon are (l-r) Kathy Broad, Women in Defense president; Cindy Kurt, chapter secretary; Maj. Gen. Heidi V. Brown, USA; and Mik^ Schexnayder, chapter president. HUNTSVILLE-Ted Henrich, chapter treasurer, is honored in May at the Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (HATS) award dinner. HUNTSVILLE-Col. Bob Bell, USA (Ret.) (I), presents Schexnayder with an AFCEA lifetime membership award in May. OKINAWA-Master Gunnery Sgt. Arthur Allen III, USMC, chapter president (I), presents a certificate of appreciation to Alan "Joe" Joseph III, CCIE #17190, manager, Global Operations/Asia at ActioNet Incorporated, for speaking at the chapter's July luncheon. OKINAWA-Master Gunnery Sgt. Arthur Allen III, USMC, chapter president, demonstrates the SIGNAL Magazine iPad app to the audience during the chapter's July general membership meeting. Allen is the communications chief, III Marine Expeditionary Force G-6, and is the senior enlisted communicator across all Marine forces in Japan. PORTUGAL-Opening the chapter's conference on "Cybersecurity: Technological Issues and Legal Implications" in July are (l-r): Jose Torres Sobral, National Security Authority; Rear Adm. Bastos Ribeiro, PRT NA, Naval Academy commander; professor Jorge Duarte Pinheiro, director of the Faculty of Law; professor Arlindo de Oliveira, president of Instituto Superior Técnico; and Rear Adm. Carlos Rodolfo, PRT NA (Ret.), chapter president. PORTUGAL-Professor Paulo Verissimo (2nd from I) moderates a session on cybersecurity and its impact on organizations at the chapter's conference in July, with speakers Manuel Honorato (I), director of the Management Center for Government Computer Network; Antonio Costa e Silva, Ph.D., PARTEX Oil & Gas Portugal; and Rear Adm. Gameiro Marques (r), Portuguese Ministry of Defense. PORTUGAL-Cdr. Ribeiro Correia, professor at the Portuguese Naval Academy, addresses the chapter conference in July on information security management. PORTUGAL-In June, Rear Adm. Carlos Rodolfo, PRT NA (Ret.), chapter president, addresses the audience at the anniversary ceremony presenting the evocative book of 25 years of chapter activity. PORTUGAL-Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the chapter in June are (l-r) Lt. Gen. Xavier Matias, director of the Portuguese Joint War College; Rocha de Matos, president of the Portuguese Industrial Association Foundation; Dr. Antero Luis, secretary-general of the Internal Security System; Gen. Pina Monteiro, PRT AR, chief of the Joint General Staff; and Rear Adm. Rodolfo. PORTUGAL-The audience at the chapter's celebration of its 25th anniversary in June includes (1st row l-r): Dr. Julio Pereira, secretary-general of the Intelligence System of the Portuguese Republic; Gen. Jose Pinheiro, chief of the Air Force Staff; Adm. Macieira Fragoso, chief of Navy Staff; and Gen. Carlos Gerónimo, chief of Army Staff. VANDENBERGCENTRAL COASTCol. Keith W. Balts, USAF, 30th Space Wing commander, speaks to the chapter in July. VANDENBERG-CENTRAL COAST-Nathan Simmons, chapter vice president, awards (I) and Senior Master Sgt. Patrick Hackman, USAF, chapter vice president, Young AFCEAN Affairs, present a science, technology, engineering and mathematics scholarship to Tech. Sgt. Corlena Schramm, USAF. WASHINGTON, D.C.Together at the Fifth Annual Cybersecurity Summit in May are (l-r): Sheryl Dunlap, Empower Solutions; Barbara Ellen Bridges, Empower Solutions; Adm. Michael S. Rogers, USN, commander, U.S. Cyber Command and director, National Security Agency/chief, Central Security Service; Geoff Hancock, CGI Federal; and Carlo Espíritu, Triple Point Security. TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURGCol. Stephen Nitzschke, USMC, director of the U.S. Special Operations Command's Innovation Lab (r), is welcomed by Chapter President Col. Michael Hill, USAF, in June. (c) 2014 Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association |