THE ENGINEERING EDGE
EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER
Volume 6, Issue 6
June 2014
POWERED BY ENGINEERING: Customer Success Fueled by the Engineering Directorate Powering Product Integration and Delivery: ECBC Matrixed Personnel Integrate and Deliver CBRN Dismounted Reconnaissance Sets, Kits and Outfits to Joint Forces pg.4 Powering Innovation: JPM-Protection Working Toward Critical NIOSH Certification for M53 Mask pg.5 Powering the Warfighter: New JPMElimination (P) Transitioning Chemical Agent Disposal Expertise to Projects for Warfighter Use pg.6-7
To access the electronic version of this newsletter, visit: http://www.ecbc.army.mil/news/ENG/ APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
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INSIDE THIS MONTH’S ISSUE: pg.3|Leadership Profile: Randy Laye, Deputy Director pg.4|Powering Product Integration and Delivery: ECBC Matrixed Personnel Integrate and Deliver CBRN Dismounted Reconnaissance Sets, Kits and Outfits to Joint Forces pg.5| Powering Innovation: JPMProtection Working Toward Critical NIOSH Certification for M53 Mask pg.6-7|Powering the Warfighter: New JPM-Elimination (P) Transitioning Chemical Agent Disposal Expertise to Projects for Warfighter Use pg.8|Two Engineering Employees Selected as Finalists for ECBC Excellence in Safety Award
Semi-Annual Review Recaps the Pilot Effort FY14 BD Plan and Business Management Tool
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he first semi-annual review of the Engineering Directorate’s new business development plan and process was held on May 15 in the Berger Auditorium. All Division Chiefs and Branch Chiefs from the Directorate were invited to attend and hear an update on the Business Development Initiative and a status of the piloted FY14 Business Development Plan and new Business Management Tool (BMT). The review provided an outline of key themes identified in the FY14 BD Plan and highlighted a timeline of recent accomplishments. The focus of the meeting was the creation and rollout of the BMT and the need for feedback regarding the tool data input process. The BMT was developed in March and rolled out in a series of roadshows for the Directorate’s leadership as well as all the Divisions and the Financial Management Office. Following the roadshows, the first data call request was made for all Divisions to populate the tool with current project information, such as project name, customer name, project value, breakdown of labor versus non-labor expenses, and internal ECBC fund transfers. The primary purpose of the semi-annual review was to gather feedback regarding the BMT and the process in which the Divisions populate the tool with project information. Breakout sessions were conducted to allow open dialogue between Divisions to highlight areas of concern and/or improvement. Feedback from these sessions was presented to the entire forum and summarized for follow-up, so that concerns identified will be properly addressed for subsequent BMT data calls. The end goal is to have a strong tool in place that captures and reports project information consistently to facilitate better business development planning moving forward across the Directorate. “The new Business Management Tool is a pilot effort that we have launched to provide better business planning for the Directorate as a whole. We are happy to have had the time to meet with the Division supervisors to gain an understanding of how the tool worked for them and recommendations for its improvement,” said Humberto Galarraga, who is leading the Directorate’s BD initiative. Feedback collected from the breakout sessions is being reviewed. Updates to the tool are being considered that will further enhance its ability to capture key information necessary to support the Directorate’s business development and planning.
This newsletter was published through the Balanced Scorecard. For article suggestions, questions or comments please contact Ed Bowen at edward.c.bowen8.civ@mail.mil.
Ask a Tech Tip: Saving a Stained Formica Countertop Mike Kauzlarich, of the Pyrotechnics and Explosives Branch, reveals how the techniques and lessons learned in labs can help you solve your household problems. Submit a question to him at usarmy.APG.ecbc.mbx.engineering-directorate@mail.mil. Formica laminate countertops are still the standard in many homes. Have you accidently stained your Formica laminate countertop? Try this: put a little bit of Soft Scrub with bleach on the stain and smooth it over the stain with a gloved hand. Let it sit for a bit. Some stains disappear almost instantly, so keep an eye on it. Wipe it after the stain goes away! If the Soft Scrub helped but did not remove the stain completely, give it another try. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to roll out the big guns … Very carefully put a little liquid household bleach on the stain with gloved hands. Watch the stain and wipe up the bleach as soon as the stain goes away. Then clean the area with water and you’re done! APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
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Leadership Profile:
Randy Laye, Deputy Director In addition to serving as Deputy Director of the Engineering Directorate, Randy Laye is the senior client manager for the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense (JPEO-CBD) and its subordinate Joint Project Managers (JPMs). As a core competency, the Engineering Directorate provides trained and knowledgeable acquisition professionals to support the program offices in the JPEO-CBD, U.S. Army and other agency partners. The Directorate also provides subject matter expertise and reach-back support on products and programs across the CBRNE community. In this leadership profile, Laye explains the Directorate’s service to the JPEO and how its workforce answers the call of duty for its customers and the Warfighter. What is your role as the Engineering Directorate’s liaison to its customers?
What are the challenges in your role – and how do you overcome them?
My main role is to manage the support of our personnel who are matrixed to the JPEO and JPMs. At nearly 200 employees, that is a substantial amount of manpower and expertise that we are able to provide our customers to help execute their missions. It is important for me to understand both the technical challenges and workforce needs of our customers and to be able to offer solutions that respond to those needs. Building strong relationships and partnerships with customers is one of the most rewarding aspects of the job – it establishes trust and confidence in the work the Engineering Directorate provides for the CBRNE community.
The future of our work in the CBRNE community requires having an in-depth understanding and ability to address emerging threats. The Internet has made it that much easier for our adversaries to develop chemical and biological agents, which has made everyone’s job more difficult. That, in combination with challenges of the current fiscal climate, has made it more important than ever to leverage all of the knowledge and expertise that we have in support of our customers and the community. Communication, efficiency, and sharing of knowledge and resources across the community are keys to overcoming these challenges. As the threat evolves, we will work together to ensure our technology and solutions remain on the cutting edge.
What are the Directorate’s main objectives of providing this level of support? Strong and prompt customer service is a major objective and something that we strive for in all customer interactions. It’s also our goal to be recognized as a subject matter expert (SME) across the CBRNE community and to utilize our expertise to the fullest extent. In addition to the engineering, technology and logistics expertise provided by our matrixed personnel, we are here to provide reachback support as well as technical advice and services to include both surety and non-surety testing and verification and analysis of test results. Our staff in Rock Island, Ill., operates the CBRNE Hotline, which is available 24/7 to take calls from troops in the field and other end users to provide advice on equipment capabilities or how to properly handle agent materiel.
What can customers expect when partnering with the Engineering Directorate? Our slogan is “Design–Build–Test–Support” because the Engineering Directorate supports customer solutions across the chemical-biological lifecycle. Our skills are highly-technical and diverse, and there is a sense of pride in the work we do and in the customers we serve – and a dedication to the mutual mission of preparing and protecting the Warfighter.
SharePoint Tip: What is the Ribbon? Borrowing liberally from Office 2007 and Office 2010, SharePoint includes “the ribbon,” a panel at the top of the window where almost all of the functions possible on a given page are displayed. Most SharePoint pages have the “Browse” tab turned on by default, which gives you a breadcrumb-style hierarchy and helps you to navigate among pages on the site and see how you arrived at the current page. The ribbon is also context-sensitive; it shows you different options depending on where you are within SharePoint. For example, if you are in a document library, the “Library Tools” ribbon panel will appear; if you are on another page, other tools will show up in the ribbon.
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Powering Product Integration and Delivery: ECBC Matrixed Personnel Integrate and Deliver CBRN Dismounted Reconnaissance Sets, Kits and Outfits to Joint Forces
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n the past decade, a number of quick-response capabilities have been fielded to the U.S. military branches to fulfill the need to conduct dismounted reconnaissance and site assessment for the full spectrum of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) hazards that Warfighters may encounter in the field. These quick responses provided the best capability available at the time, but varied between the Services and were not sustainable. A need emerged for a standard set of equipment that could be used across the Services to assess potentially hazardous areas where traditional mounted CBRN equipment cannot reach. The solution is a modular, tailorable and sustainable set of equipment for personal protection, hazard detection and identification, decontamination and associated support that will provide all Warfighters with complete capability to perform their mission. This system is called the Dismounted Reconnaissance Sets, Kits and Outfits (DR SKO) and was developed by the Joint Project Manager for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Contamination Avoidance (JPM-NBC CA), the organization responsible for the development, production, integration, testing and fielding of NBC detection, obscuration and reconnaissance systems for the Joint Warfighter. It was approved for full rate production by the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense (JPEO-CBD) in March 2014. First delivery is scheduled for September 2014 to the U.S. Navy. Deliveries begin in FY15 to the CBRN teams in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Army National Guard, and U.S. Marine Corps. In subsequent years, the U.S. Air Force readiness teams will also receive the capability. The system includes a full spectrum of detection, protection, decontamination and sampling equipment for use against CBRN hazards and toxic industrial chemicals on the battlefield and provides a dismountable reconnaissance capability consistent with mission requirements for each Service. Joint Forces will use the system to quickly perform initial field assessments of potentially dangerous material and determine if there is a need for action by a follow-on CBRN Sensitive Site Exploitation/Hazardous Response Team. The DR SKO also provides equipment to respond to personnel contamination by CBRN agents. To develop the system, a team of scientists, engineers, logistics specialists and program analysts – all ECBC employees matrixed to the JPM – needed to determine the set of equipment and components that would complete the system for the range of military operations across all Services. “While the DR SKO merely seems to be a collection of equipment, the evaluation and selection process was very complex,” explained Edward Conley, DR SKO team lead and system manager. The team worked with stakeholders and a contractor to consider all criteria and requirements in order to identify candidate components.
Joint Project Manager for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Contamination Avoidance (JPM-NBC CA) Mission: Responsible for the development, production, integration, testing and fielding of NBC detection, obscuration and reconnaissance systems. We ensure that our system developments, integration efforts and services focus on the Joint Warfighter’s needs within cost, schedule, performance and risk. Location: Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. A baseline system was established and went through multiple tiers of assessment including a market survey, performance criteria, cost assessment and evaluation of trade-offs. The system components went through an extensive selection process and were subjected to the full range of reliability, environmental, vibration, shock, transportation, performance and operational testing to ensure they could withstand the military environment. The final version of the system contains 32 major components; each has been packaged within one of 20 individual capability sets that can stand alone if needed. The capability sets have been organized into five distinct configurations to meet concept of operations and needs of each Service, as well as the National Guard’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams. The sets are man-portable and customizable for the mission at hand, and steps were taken to ensure the system can be maintained in the field, while supported and sustained through the supply system in the U.S. “The result of this extensive process is a system that best balances performance and affordability,” said Conley. The DR SKO team members used their expertise in CBRN science, engineering, logistics and program analysis to tackle the challenge of developing such a robust system. “In addition to providing their technical expertise, the team was responsible for everything from program management and analysis, to budget and contract management, test and evaluation, and acquisition logistics and integration,” said Conley. ECBC personnel from the Acquisition Logistics Division, Advanced Design and Manufacturing Division and Product Engineering Division also supported the system by developing technical manuals and training materials; supporting provisioning and packaging efforts; and providing drawing, specification, and design and prototyping support. “Through a coordinated team effort, we are proud to be able to offer the best capability possible to keep our Joint Forces safe and prepared for their missions.”
Credit: Dugway Proving Ground Data Management Division Test Referee Branch A decon team prepares to contain contaminated materials from the survey team.
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Powering Innovation: JPM-Protection Working Toward Critical NIOSH Certification for M53 Mask
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o ensure maximum usability of the M53 Mask, a multifunctional team in the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense (JPEO-CBD) Joint Project Manager Protection (JPM-P) is securing crucial certifications that will allow the equipment to be widely used in partnerships with Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Teams (WMD CST) and other first responders. The goal is to modify the M53 to become the first military mask to achieve National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certification and be recognized as fully compliant with both NIOSH and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. For engineers, testers, designers, logistics managers and researchers developing equipment like the M53 that will save Warfighter lives in case of an emergency, the ultimate hope is that technology is never put to the test in a potentially threatening emergency. However, noted Gerald Young, a chemical engineer in the Engineering Directorate’s Protection Engineering Division, being prepared isn’t optional. “Having NIOSH certification ensures that Soldiers can work side-by-side with civil authorities in the event of an attack,” Young said. “Obviously we hope that day will never come. But preparation is essential.” The mask will be put through as many as 63 separate tests to measure each of its individual technologies and their effectiveness against various agents, in different environments and temperatures, in rough handling and after impact. NIOSH will use a specially equipped lab in Pittsburgh, with many of the same test capabilities housed at ECBC to put the M53 through the paces. An example of a situation-specific test is using Simulant Agent Resistant Test Manikin (SMARTMAN) test apparatus to ensure that the mask can provide protection against nerve or blister agents. The Engineering Directorate changed several elements on the original M53 mask at the request of the JMP-P to prepare the equipment for NIOSH approval, using specifications outlined by private partner Avon Protection. These changes included a major filter alteration and minor adjustments to the filter mount, canister, gasket, marking and variable resistance exhalation unit lever. The changes resulted in what will be called the M53A1 NIOSH CBRN. The new mask will provide protection against traditional chemical,
Joint Project Manager Protection (JPM-P) Mission: To develop, field, and sustain chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) protection and hazard mitigation capabilities for the nation and facilitate integration of CBRN survivability into non-CBRN programs. Location: Stafford, Va. biological, radiological and nuclear warfare agents; select Toxic Industrial Materials; Toxic Industrial Chemicals; and particulate matter including radioactive dust. To achieve the NIOSH CBRN certification for the M53, the mask will be fitted with the NIOSHapproved CBRN filter in place of the standard military M53 series respirator filter. Partnerships are an essential part of securing final certification for the M53. The proposed M53A1 NIOSH CBRN respirator will have enhanced operational flexibility. Its features include reduced sustainment and lower life-cycle costs; improved chemical protection; better field of view; and superior weapon sighting. The M53 also integrates superior comfort and communication capabilities. The NIOSH-certified version of the respirator is expected to yield tangible benefits to Warfighters and command organizations due to its reduced logistics burden, better global support capability and most importantly by allowing WMD-CSTs to use the M53A1 CBRN mask to support both civil emergency response and military CBRN missions. Avon Protection is facilitating NIOSH testing and is playing a key collaboration role in the certification process. Avon succeeded in securing NIOSH certification for the M53 mask for private use, called the FM53. Together, the JPM-P, the JPEO-CBD and ECBC Engineering Directorate are leveraging their various competencies to pursue final certification, which is expected in the next year. The project is currently in the contract award stage, and the critical phases of NIOSH submission, testing and approval are expected to continue through April 2015. Until then, the team is working to have the supply chain prepared and other logistic considerations readied for adoption of the new mask “We are on a journey to certification, but we aren’t there yet,” Young said. “Generally, Soldiers do not have to comply with occupational safety requirements, but CSTs have special requirements to comply with NIOSH rules and to be able to work with their civilian first responder counterparts during a national emergency.” Young and other engineers work closely with specialties such as specifications and standards, packaging engineering and maintenance engineering. The Protection Engineering Division reports progress to the JPM-P and holds regular information exchange sessions so that the JPM-P and JPEO can be fully aware of progress as the team makes its way through the engineering and test phases to achieve certification. Credit: Avon Protection Systems, Inc. The Engineering Directorate worked closely with JPM-Protection and Avon Protection Systems to modify elements of the M53 mask so the new iteration, the M53A1 NIOSH CBRN, meets National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requirements.
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Powering the Warfighter: New JPM-Elimination (P) Transitioning Chemical Agent Disposal Expertise to Projects for Warfighter Use being managed by the Army Program Executive Office for Assembled Weapons Alternatives (PEO-ACWA), with support from the JPM-E (P). In support of ACWA, the JPM-E (P) will be managing the use of a transportable agent-destruction technology known as the Explosive Destruction System to access and neutralize chemical agent inside munitions that cannot be processed by ACWA’s automated systems at the Pueblo Chemical Agency Pilot Plant at Pueblo Chemical Depot, Colo. “ACWA selected the JPM-E (P) to augment its mission because of our successful experience in eliminating stockpiles with eight destruction facilities in seven locations around the United States, as well as at other international sites,” said Amy Dean, acting director of the JPM-E (P) Infrastructure, Decontamination and Recovery Directorate. Now the JPM-E (P) is taking that experience to the next level with the development of the Field Deployable Elimination System (FDES), a family of transportable systems designed to deal with elimination of bulk chem-bio agent anywhere in the world. The FDES is being designed with a different user in mind – the Warfighter. “The Army is currently establishing the requirements to eventually transition this system to Credit: JPM-E (P) a Program of Record (POR) and put Ed Lawson, Deputy Joint Project Manager for Elimination, explains the Field Deployable Hydrolysis System aboard this critical capability into the hands the MV Cape Ray to visitors from the Department of Defense. of our Soldiers,” said José G. Irizarry, a chemical engineer matrixed from the ECBC Engineering Directorate who provides acquisition support to the JPM-E (P) Product Development he newly formed Joint Project Manager for Elimination Directorate. “In planning and executing the acquisition of the system, (Provisional)(JPM-E (P)) is transitioning its extensive knowledge we must follow all military guidelines and ensure that the technology is and expertise in domestic chemical stockpile elimination into a achievable and usable for military operations.” new space — many of its projects are now intended for U.S. military use Should the FDES transition to a POR, the JPM-E (P) would be tasked so that Warfighters will have the capability to safely destroy Weapons of with transferring the technology to the Warfighter and training Soldiers Mass Destruction (WMD) materiel in the field, anywhere in the world. on its proper use, as well as providing reach-back support for the life The JPM-E (P) was established in August 2013 with the goal of of the system. “Support to Combatant Commanders is new for JPM-E becoming the premier acquisition enterprise delivering agile and (P), and integration and partnership will be essential as that support tailored capabilities supporting the destruction and prevention of develops,” said Dean. “ECBC has been an excellent partner in the past WMD materiel for the Department of Defense, and will officially join that we will continue to reach to for advice and expertise.” the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense The long-standing partnership between JPM-E (P) and ECBC is (JPEO-CBD) in fall 2014. As part of the U.S. Army Chemical Materials demonstrated by the teaming on the Field Deployable Hydrolysis Activity (CMA), the JPM’s workforce was responsible for managing the System (FDHS), a transportable, high throughput neutralization system construction, operation and closure of the nation’s eight chemical designed to neutralize bulk amounts of chemical warfare agents. Two weapons disposal facilities. Five of those facilities are now closed FDHS units are currently installed on board the Motor Vessel Cape Ray and the remaining three are in closure – a process which includes in response to the requirement to destroy a portion of Syria’s chemical decontamination and decommissioning of the site, waste management weapons stockpile. When the Department of Defense identified the and off-site waste transportation, facility re-utilization and rerequirement, the two organizations formed a partnership to develop occupancy, and facility demolition as necessary. a solution. JPM-E (P) brought its expertise in neutralization process, Their assignment to destroy 90 percent of the nation’s chemical documentation, operator training and environmental and waste stockpile was completed in 2012, with the remaining 10 percent management to the project; it also provided the neutralization vessels
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that would be installed in the first mobile units and provided overall operations oversight. ECBC provided its experience in field operations, 3-D modeling, fabrication and equipment specifications, testing and packaging. The organizations worked together on the design process, operating procedures, system testing, shipboard installation and operational planning. The close collaboration was essential for the completion and on-time deployment of the system. “Every project relies on the expertise of many people coming together as a team,” said Irizarry. “There is a level of trust and understanding between the organizations that is the result of many years of working together. That partnership is significant in accomplishing our mutual mission of ridding the world of chemical and biological weapons.” As JPM-E (P)’s mission expands to include Warfighter support, it will be looking for more opportunities to grow its capabilities and leverage its partnerships. “It is a benefit to the Warfighter that so
Joint Project Manager Elimination (Provisional) (JPM-E (P)) Mission: Develop, produce, test, integrate, sustain, operate and field the capabilities required to conduct Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) elimination operations worldwide; prevent proliferation of WMD materiel; and provide chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) response support. Location: Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.
much CBRNE expertise is consolidated here at Aberdeen Proving Ground,” said Dean. “We are excited to bring our expertise in chemical demilitarization to the CBRNE community in support of our Warfighters’ protection and mission success.”
Credit: JPM-E (P) A demolition crew at the Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility at Anniston Army Depot, Ala., pulls down a section of the main stack during facility demolition. JPM-E (P) is transitioning its chemical disposal expertise from fixed-plant stockpile disposal to transportable systems in support of Combatant Commanders.
Want Us to Tell Your Story? Articles from The Engineering Edge newsletter are used to tell internal and external audiences about the capabilities and expertise available in our Directorate. Are you willing to share your story? Please send all article suggestions to Ed Bowen at edward.c.bowen8.civ@mail.mil.
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Two Engineering Employees Selected as Finalists for ECBC Excellence in Safety Award NATIONAL
SAFETY MONTH
The Engineering Directorate congratulates two employees from the Engineering Support Division who were selected as finalists for this year’s ECBC Excellence in Safety Award.
Mike Kauzlarich, an engineering technician with the Pyrotechnics and Explosives Branch, provides safety oversight for pyrotechnic operations and makes recommendations to improve safety and reduce risk. He was recognized for his continual efforts to ensure safety is engrained into the culture of his branch. “Mike always has helpful advice for doing our work safely, whether it’s a reminder to wear gloves, eyewear and hearing protection, or to outfit ourselves in the proper clothing and gear in the field,” said Branch Chief Nino Bonavito, who nominated Kauzlarich. “It is reassuring to know that there is someone like Mike always looking out for the wellbeing of the team.” A longtime ECBC employee, Kauzlarich mentors young engineers in the safest ways to handle pyrotechnical devices and fabrications and writes the “Ask a Tech Tip” column for The Engineering Edge newsletter.
John Stortstrom, a mechanical engineer with the Obscuration and Nonlethal Engineering Branch, was nominated for preparing and hosting the branch’s monthly safety meetings and presenting safety material with enthusiasm. In addition to the safety briefings provided by the Center, Stortstrom includes safety topics that are interesting and pertinent to everyday life. He also conducts safety walkthroughs to make sure the branch’s office space is safe and compliant and monitors safety during testing. “When we are testing obscuration and non-lethal ammunition, John is always vigilant in making sure that participants have the required eye and ear protection,” said Christine Pan, who nominated Stortstrom. “When testing at Pine Bluff Arsenal’s production facilities, he reminds us to wear anti-static shoe straps, as well as other safety equipment.”
“I tell any new scientist or engineer who joins our team that, when it comes to safety, there are three ways to do things here. That’s the correct way, the Army way and my way – and all three are the same.” - Mike Kauzlarich
“Safety is the cornerstone of a successful program.” - John Stortstrom
The ECBC Excellence in Safety Award is presented annually to a team, office or individual that has made a significant contribution to the prevention of incidents and injuries; implemented safety management system initiatives; or taken other action to promote and improve a culture where safety is a core value. The recipient of
this year’s Excellence in Safety Award is Tim Evans, a Directorate of Program Integration employee. Evans will be presented with a plaque by Joseph D. Wienand, ECBC director, at a future Executive Safety Committee meeting when he returns from long-term TDY.
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