Teamwork Critical to Achieving Initial Operational Capability

  • Published
  • By Capt. Bryon M. Turner
  • 103rd Air and Space Operations Group
A four-day site survey was completed here on Feb. 5, 2010, to determine the Connecticut Air National Guard's level of readiness to accept and support the installation of a 2.5 million dollar equipment suite that will enable the 103rd Air and Space Operations Group to achieve its initial operational capability.

The survey team consisted of 14 individuals including contractors from the Air Operations Center Weapons System Integrator and the Air Force's AOC Special Program Office. Representatives from the National Guard Bureau were also on hand for the survey. The team provided a detailed assessment of the temporary facilities and infrastructure earmarked to receive and eventually house the equipment and worked closely with mission experts from the 103rd AOG to establish the weapon system's operational baseline and additional requirements.

"Face-to-face interviews conducted with subject matter experts went well," said Dave McKenzie, P.E., AOC WSI Project Lead, Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Services. "Additional mission requirements were identified and all objectives for the engineering assessment were accomplished."

The team also inspected the area in the building where the equipment will eventually be installed and worked to highlight areas that needed additional improvement before the installation can be conducted.

"On our initial walkthrough, we observed little progress in major infrastructure improvements, such as power and HVAC distribution," said McKenzie. "So, we developed a plan with wing leadership to closely monitor renovations over the next three months to ensure completion by the start of the installation."

The AOC Weapons System Special Program Office was invited to participate in upcoming milestone reviews by wing leadership as a part of the plan, said McKenzie.

"As the survey wraps up, it is apparent that we have a long list of things we need to accomplish in a short time," said Lt. Col. John Warren, commander, 103rd Air Communications Squadron. "The teamwork we saw on base this week will need to continue over the next few months to make this endeavor a success."

Members of 103rd Mission Support Group will play a critical role in getting Bradley ready for the installation team, whose visit is scheduled for May 10, 2010. Stakeholders from the 103rd MSG are providing expertise in communications, engineering, security and logistics.

"[We] will continue to support the AOG and will absolutely ensure there is no delay or questions on the fielding," said Lt. Col. Roy Walton, deputy commander, 103rd Mission Support Group.

"I have complete confidence that Bradley will be ready in May," said McKenzie.