Still keeping cool…

Another week has passed and life in Baghdad continues. The dirt keeps blowing, the temperatures have been very comfortable, and the soldiers keep going outside the wire keeping ground-level lanes of communication clear for military and commercial traffic alike. EOD teams continue to respond to tasking (i.e. in the hundreds per week) from route clearance to IED’s discovered by civilians in homes and/or businesses. Rocket attacks here at Victory Base Camp and in downtown Baghdad (i.e. in the IZ or Green Zone) have stepped up in concert with the overall rise in insurgent activity in the area and in Basra.

When the pace picks up like we have experienced over the last week or two, I see one constant and that is the “focus” of all here, i.e. the ones supporting the forces, back at base camp. Whether we are talking about Motor Pool maintenance support, administration support (i.e. the J1 shop) or the Rapid Equipment Force, (i.e. a rapid prototyping shop) all “step up” and meet the challenge. For us in the J8, Science and Technology, this increase in operations tempo typically means our testing of prototypical equipment is affected due to personnel training needs.  We have an increased awareness of efforts to survey the S&T arena for emerging new technologies or techniques to address the evolving high priority threat, and we augment training of EOD personnel when new equipment is introduced into the field. I will very briefly highlight a few of the importance aspects the J8 places on introduction of new equipment into the Iraqi Theater of Operations (ITO) for the Counter-Improved Explosive Device (C-IED).

As I have tried to highlight in previous entries, many urgent operational needs are identified and validated by the DoD chain of command in support of the fight against the insurgent/terrorist IED. I have tried to document the local, in theater process that feeds the mainstream technology development and acquisition processes. Since the onset of the war, March 2003, there have been mission needs and capability gaps that need addressing.  Also, frequently there are technologies that need maturation to meet specific needs.  Over the last 2-3 years in rapidly fielding equipment to meet these needs, “lessons learned” have provided the insight that a couple of system metrics are paramount. Their importance is such that we cannot field equipment if we do not have assessment data to characterize these parameters. The high priority four are; reliability, availability, maintainability and interoperability. While this list isn’t comprehensive, it is a focus of selected suitability aspects of any new technology or equipment that most be characterized prior to introducing equipment into the field. Capabilities and Limitations need to be understood by the war fighter prior to introducing the equipment into the field. This premise is not in the same perspective as establishing thresholds and objectives the way we do for traditional ACAT programs. If the war fighter understands that the reliability of the UAV is 50% in an extreme environment, they can derive Tactics, Techniques and Procedures to apply this system solution to the operational problem if the associated performance parameters warrant. However, if we understand the system has the capability to fly high & far, observe areas of interest, and communicate the details back to the area commander, but we do not have a good grasp of the system’s reliability, availability and/or interoperability, then its value as an operational asset is suspect. Accordingly, operational risk is high. The operative word here is “understand”.  There needs to be a consensus between the rear component and the forward war fighters as to what adequate validation of these key metrics are with respect to evaluation environment, number of trials, and pedigree of configuration.

That’s the latest word from Baghdad.  Hopefully there was some insight here, if not a focus on a new paradigm for some maybe just a re-emphasis of the obvious for others. Before I depart I will include a picture or two of the world over here, for your interest.

Me next to a Cougar-MRAP

The Wire at Night

Sgt. 1st Class Scott R. Smith

Sgt. 1st Class Scott R. Smith died in Iraq while doing his job — disarming bombs. At a ceremony last year at the military installation, friends and loved ones of the Pennsylvania native remembered him as an affable fix-it man who didn’t shirk from dangerous tasks. Picatinny Arsenal has honored Sgt. 1st Class Scott R. Smith by placing his name on the military building here where he used to work. “He saved lives and did things most of us couldn’t imagine,” said Smith’s widow, 27-year-old Gari-Lynn Smith. Master Sgt. Gregory T. Miller, who worked with Smith as an explosive ordnance disposal specialist, remembered his friend by his nickname — “Smitty.” “He was happy, he never let things get him down,” Miller said of the 34-year-old Punxsutawney, Pa., man.

Smith worked as a mechanic before joining the Army in the early 1990s, becoming a military policeman. Responding to bomb threats got him interested in disarming explosives. At Picatinny, Smith worked at the building now named after him, where he and his colleagues helped train bomb recognition and disposal to other soldiers. Smith was also involved in developing and testing robots designed to detect bombs. Smith was based at Picatinny from 2000 until February 2006, when he was deployed to Iraq. He died on July 17, 2006, while attempting to defuse an improvised explosive device when another exploded nearby, according to the Army.

April 1

Hope all is well. The time is really flying by and my days are packed with activity. Trying to get prototypical equipment into theater, continuation of testing assets and liaison with CONUS elements really takes up the majority of the daytime and nighttime hours. I was fortunate this past Sunday and was able to run in a 5K Special Olympic Run. We probably had about 500 participants and the weather cooperated. It was about 80F at the start. Also, I’m inserting a picture of the inside of the Al Faw Palace.  This is the former residence of Saddam Hussein and is currently housing many elements of the Multi-National Coalition-Iraq including the Headquarters component. As you can see, the US has added a couple decorative features to the rotunda area of the palace.

Al Faw Palace Rotunda with US Flag

This week, I will attempt to focus on two main pitfalls I see to date with respect to making progress towards getting in-theater capabilities from technology demonstration to operational assessment. In this submission I will further amplify a topic I’ve discussed in the past, i.e. getting a notional concept of an operational issue to validation of a mission need. I also will lay out timelines of two issues that were confirmed mission needs and they will show how the bureaucracy can affect even those in a wartime environment. The one metric I do not have to complete the picture of the extended timeline you will see for the mission need is the value added to the definition and exit criteria developed and refined by the members of the requirements definition organization. So let me highlight to you the process I described about 3 weeks ago.

While this process seems trivial and at first glance one would believe it should not be a significant aspect of the program, I can tell you from experience, that having a champion to facilitate the movement of the capability gap through the chain is a driver relative to getting hardware into the operator’s hands. This was exemplified in two different circumstances involving the Joint Urgent Operational Needs process. Please see the slides below, they highlight actual timeframes involved and the timeline goals (i.e. is 41 days from submission to identification of a funding source) for the all JUONS. For various reasons I have blacked out the organizations involved and I do not intend to imply that anyone didn’t do their job, but I did want to highlight the distinctions between rapid acquisition theory and actual practice.

As I have done for the past several submissions, in closing I want to highlight a fallen soldier, sailor, Marine or airman that paid the ultimate price in supporting the OIF warfighting cause.

A hometown girl, Tracy Alger grew up in New Auburn, WI, went to the local High School and then studied graphic design at the University of Wisconsin near her home.

After college, she worked as a graphic artist and also a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home. Aside from school, Tracy had a singular passion – barrel racing. She and her horse Tango were known in rodeo circles around the state. Her skill and commitment earned her a place on the River Falls, WI rodeo team and she even served as president of the Wisconsin Girls Barrel Racing Association.

Tracy would certainly have had a promising future regardless of her career choice; however, in the wake of the attacks on September 11th, she had an enduring desire to serve her country. It’s not too surprising that a talented young lady like Tracy Alger would volunteer for the National Guard. Her sister and brother-in-law served in the Air Force and her mother was also a National Guard member. Her mother said, “Serving her country was what she wanted.”
Respectfully,
Rob

Happy Easter

I guess it is about time to fill you in on what is happening in Baghdad. As you probably read in this morning’s news or learned while watching your favorite, Sunday morning news show, there was an extended rocket/mortar attack in “IZ” or Green Zone as the media refers to it. About 0530 this morning there was a barrage of indirect fire for about 15 minutes. Indirect fire is what the analyst’s refer to the random rocket/mortar episode’s that harass coalition installations. We, here at Camp Victory, were not affected by a similar attack. Fortunately, it sounds like there was little to no casualties experienced for coalition forces.

Ironically enough, I was getting up at that time to attend the Easter Sunrise service on the grounds of the Al Faw Palace. The service was remarkable; not withstanding the stress experienced about 6 miles north of us in downtown Baghdad. The morning was beautiful with the sun rising above a cloud bank on the horizon. Just below is a picture of the palace. It is quite remarkable and massive.

The service included participation of 9 US Army, US Navy and Australian chaplains in total. The execution of the service was indicative of a military event, i.e. we were notified 5 minutes before the service began, 1 minute before the service began and after 59 seconds later-the service started. Approximately 200 attendees participated and it lasted about 45 minutes. This event is typical for how the command at the base brings a little bit of home and normalcy, to theater. Throughout the week, at the DFAC (i.e. chow hall) there were significant Easter decorations. All members of our office, received cards and/or care packages that contained candy, Easter baskets and other mementos that reminded us of home. The care packages and cards really make everyone feel good.

The week before we had a “Hail and Farewell” party that had a St. Patrick’s Day theme. Our office, the TF Troy (J8), had the responsibility for the decorations and MAJ Stamm’s wife, Marsha, sent boxes of decorations from home. The special event room at the DFAC looked like it had been dipped in green, it was great. To give you a feel for the work the J1 (Admin) and the J5(Resources, manning) have in support of the Task Force, there is estimated that over 2500 personnel movement actions will occur in support the next 15 months of TF Troy operations. At the “Hail and Farewell”, over 50 people were recognized for entering or departing the force. I was one of those 50. Another aspect of the experience here that really enables the personnel to work the hours and endure the conditions, was something MAJ Stamm recommended we do as an office.

After about 1900 this past Saturday, we left work and went to the other end of the base. It took us about 30 minutes of navigating the pothole infested roads to get to “North End Pizza”. Te picture of the road is shown below for your viewing pleasure. Potholes and speed bumps are the norm here at Camp Victory. 

Anyway, we grabbed at couple of pizzas, a six pack of diet cokes and alcohol-free Beck’s beer and went back to the office a watched a movie, “I Am Legend” with Will Smith. While the movie wasn’t uplifting-the whole pizza, coke/beer and movie montage was nice-very nice. The four of us, enjoyed, kicking back, relaxing and being entertained. Now it didn’t compete with the troops enjoyed in Kuwait the weekend before-a visit from Jessica Simpson, but it was fun nonetheless. Another part of home that has established a foothold at Camp Victory, is Remote Control Car and Monster Truck racing. The racetrack below, was built and is operated by soldiers, sailors, Marines and Airmen here at Camp Victory, As you can see by the picture, it is very impressive. Every Saturday night and/or Sunday afternoon, they race and there are plenty of spectators. There was a big event at the track last Sunday, but we were testing, so I didn’t get to go, but I will before I leave. Both my son Sam, and daughter, Katie would enjoy going to the track-but hopefully they won’t see this track anytime too soon.

I guess, I’ll sign off, I do plan to revert back to some acquisition discussions in my next entry so for those of you that aren’t as excited about that as me-congratulations, you probably have a more exciting life than I do. Also, I wanted to highlight the details of another fallen hero in support of our country and in direct support of OIF. Please remember, routinely, just like we all see in the daily editions of USA Today, our soldiers are paying the ultimate price all too frequently. So any effort, any way, those engaged in moving technology from the laboratory to the war fighter need to feel a sense of urgency. When we read about these individuals, they put a personal reflection on what direct impact YOU may have if we can field equipment and remove them from harms way to reducing their risk in executing their assigned mission.  Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician First Class Luis A. Souffront, was known to his family and friends as Ariel. He loved to spend his spare time washing his truck, cleaning his boat or taking his boat out for spear fishing. One of Ariel’s cousins, Rosanna, said, “The water was his life and joining the Navy was his passion.” As a combat-support specialist, Petty Officer Souffront trained and fought shoulder-to-shoulder with SEAL team members. While the exact nature of his work and service in Iraq has been withheld, the respect that his fellow Sailors had for him is no secret. One SEAL team member that he served with explained Ariel’s place on the team, saying “explosive ordnance specialists play a critical role in special warfare missions.

They go through the same training that the SEALs do and then they work side-by-side with the SEALs in combat, assuming the same risk.” He concluded by saying, “While they may not wear the same patches and insignia, they are our brothers in arms on the battlefield.”