NEWS

2012 Okaloosa-Walton Regional Science Fair

The Emerald Coast Chapter also donated $600 to the 2012 Okaloosa-Walton Regional Science Fair. In addition to donating funds to the event, the Chapter also had member participation. Participation involved serving as a judge for middle school and high school contestants with the responsibility of analyzing each contestant’s work.

Emerald Coast ITEA Chapter Awards Five Scholarships

The Emerald Coast Chapter also completed its 2012 Scholarship Program and awarded five $1,000 scholarships to local high school graduates. Certificates were given to the winners at their school’s awards recognition ceremonies. The following is a list of the five winners and their associated high school: Miriam Dennis (Collegiate High School), Jordin Finding (Collegiate High School), Harrison Freeman (Fort Walton Beach High School), Kathrine Stone (Fort Walton Beach High School), Gerrod Voight (Niceville High School).

Test and Training Crosstalk Forum

The Emerald Coast Chapter and George Washington Chapter in partnership with the National Test and Simulation Association (NTSA) sponsored a Test and Training Crosstalk Forum during 21 – 22 Feb 2012 in Sandestin, FL. The theme of the event was “Maximizing Testing and Training Collaboration on Sharing of Range Resources and Events”. Over 160 attendees assembled to discuss practical methods of accommodating Test and Training missions through streamlined operations and utilization of finite resources. The ground breaking forum created a means for better integration of testing and training on our nation’s ranges. A plan is being discussed to have a subsequent Test and Training Forum in two years at a Navy or Army training range.

ITEA 2011 Tester of the Quarter Awards: 4th Quarter

The Emerald Coast Chapter is pleased to announce that the 4th quarter winner of “Tester of the Quarter” was the F-15C V3 Test Team of the OFP CTF, 46th Operations Group (46 OG). The Test Team expertly executed multiple tests involving the APG-63(V)3 active, electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. This extraordinary Team planned, briefed, integrated, and executed time-critical test missions while adhering to strict schedules and limited aircraft availability. The Team’s combined efforts proved valuable with repeated successful missions resulting in zero program delays and in one instance even accelerated the schedule by an astonishing 50 percent.

Upcoming Test and Training Crosstalk Forum

The Emerald Coast Chapter and George Washington Chapter are diligently planning the upcoming Test and Training Crosstalk Forum scheduled for 21 – 22 Feb 2012 in Sandestin, FL. The theme of the event is “Maximizing Testing and Training Collaboration on Sharing of Range Resources and Events”. Using Eglin Air Force Base as a background, efforts to deconflict and integrate Testing and Training missions into a seamless process that ensures overlapping needs for space, time and spectrum with minimal disruption to either’s needs will be examined.

ITEA 2011 Tester of the Quarter Awards: 3rd Quarter

The Emerald Coast Chapter is pleased to announce that the 3rd quarter winner of “Tester of the Quarter” was the F-15E Radar Modernization Program (RMP) Test Team of the OFP CTF, 46th Operations Group (46 OG). The Test Team brilliantly managed the F-15E RMP upgrade effort, an ACAT II acquisition program that was the 46 TW's largest fighter upgrade. The Team planned, executed, and reported the multiple aircraft effort, and upheld an aggressive schedule through the challenging quarter. The Team piloted the Development Test (DT) flight test, and planned, briefed, conducted, and reported missions at a blistering pace. A number of problems were found during this testing, and the Team was able to recognize, fix, and/or recommend solutions to the SPO, averting costly delays to the program.

ITEA 2011 Tester of the Quarter Awards: 2nd Quarter

The Emerald Coast Chapter is pleased to announce that the 2nd quarter winner of “Tester of the Quarter” was Mr. Jason Lucas of the 46 Range Group, 46th Test Systems Squadron (46 TSSQ). As Program Director for the Joint Test & Training Ops Control Capability (JTTOCC) team, Mr. Lucas and his team developed numerous new capabilities to support the Eglin Test and Training Complex (ETTC). The total number of ETTC range missions is expected to increase annually over the next 5 years due to new F-35 training flights, 7th Special Forces Group (SFG) mission requirements, and other additional units recently assigned to Eglin AFB. One of the team’s goals was to integrate the operations of the Eglin Radar Control Facility (ERCF) with the Range Operations Control Center (ROCC) to enhance communication and cooperation between these crucial mission areas. The team designed and managed the development of the architectural plans to modify an existing building to house both ERCF and ROCC functions, and established a timeline for executing the move with an aggressive schedule. The team also developed a Common Operating Picture (COP), fusing the schedule from Center Scheduling Enterprise (CSE) with data from air/ground tracks into a single tailor-able display, providing unprecedented situational awareness of the range complex and storing data for analysis of range usage and facilitating real-time decision-making by range operators.

Test and Evaluation Forum Discussion

The Emerald Coast ITEA Chapter hosted an open Test and Evaluation forum discussion on 29 September 2011 at Eglin AFB. The guest speaker was Col Colin R. Miller, Commander 46th Test Wing, who presented a discussion on the F-35 Lightning II, Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) from the tester's perspective. The briefing provided an overview of the F-35 program, aircraft systems, cockpit, mission systems, and weapon systems. The F-35 is the Air Force's newest 5th generation aircraft and redefines the definition of a multi-role air superiority platform by providing the capability to support multiple missions including air-to-air, air-to-surface, surveillance/reconnaissance, electronic attack, and command & control. Col Miller discussed the importance of risk management and maintained that developing an aircraft that is "ready-to-test" is crucial to a successful test program. His first hand experiences with the JSF confirmed that that efficient program management should include a realistic "re-fly rate" and that a backup plan is always necessary to preserve the program's schedule integrity. "Nothing substitutes for real flight testing." said Col Miller. Col Miller also discussed the importance of having a representative integration lab and/or flight test bed to properly perform integration testing to save time and cost.

Membership Social and Membership Drive

The Emerald Coast ITEA Chapter hosted a Membership Social and Membership Drive on 5 May 2011 at the Eglin Bowling Alley.

2011 Scholarship Winners

The Emerald Coast Chapter of the International Test and Evaluation Association is proud to announce the six winners of a $1,000 scholarship. The following 2011 winners competed against a field of talented local high school seniors and were recognized for their academic, extracurricular activities, and their interest in scientific/engineering disciplines that may lead to careers associated with test and evaluation:

For more information about ITEA Emerald Coast Chapter contact
Mr. Bob Guidry
robert.guidry@eglin.af.mil