The Engineering Edge
EdgeWood Chemical Biological Center Volume 4, Issue 5 May 2012
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.3,8|ECBC’s Detection Engineering Branch Continues Partnership with Japan Ministry of Defense to Improve Chemical Agent Detector pg.5-6| Serving ECBC pg.5-6| Balancing Act: A Conversation with LTC Nakano, Deputy Director for Test Infrastructure, Joint Project Manager for Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Contamination Avoidance pg.5-6|The Science of it All: A Conversation with COL Raymond Compton, Military Deputy of ECBC pg.7|Test, Reliability & Evaluation Branch Demonstrates Expanded Capabilities to Product Manager, Force Protection Systems (PdM-FPS) pg.6,8|ECBC “Hard to Fit Program” Finds Correct Fitting Mask Solutions for Faces of All Sizes
Awareness Tip: May Military Appreciation Month May Military Appreciation Month is a Congress-designated month meant for citizens to honor the history, diversity and achievements of the United States, military, including active duty in all branches of the services, the National Guard and Reserves, plus retirees, veterans, and all of their families. According to the Military Appreciation Month office website, this number equals well over 90 million Americans and more than 230 years of our Nation’s history. There are four sub-holidays within the month, which are: • Loyalty Day on 1 May
• VE Day on 8 May
• Military Spouse Appreciation Day • Armed Forces Day on 19 May on 11 May • Memorial Day on 28 May Military Appreciation month first started in 1999 with the support and sponsorship of Senator John McCain, (R-AZ) and Representative Duncan Hunter, (R-CA) of San Diego along with over 50 veteran service organizations. Aberdeen Proving Ground will host an Armed Forces Day Celebration on the grounds of the APG Museum, 16 May as part of Armed Forces Week, 14-19 May. This year’s theme is “Heroes on the Home Front.”
Safety Tip: Quick Tips On How To Avoid Ticks • Avoid tick-infested areas as much as possible. Ticks prefer moist environments, near wooded or grassy areas. If you are in a tick-infested area, walk in the center of the trails to avoid contact with vegetation. • Use a repellent with DEET (on skin or clothing) or permethrin (on clothing) and wear long sleeves, long pants and socks. • When hiking in wooded areas: ––Wear light-colored clothing, which allows you to see ticks crawling on your clothing ––Tuck your pant legs into your socks so that ticks cannot crawl up inside of your pant legs • Check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Conduct a head-to-toe check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas by searching your entire body for ticks. • Toss clothes in the dryer. Ticks may be carried into the house on clothing, but placing clothes in the dryer on high heat will kill ticks. For more information on tick prevention and treatment of tick bites visit ECBC’s SharePoint site at: https://cbconnect.apgea.army.mil/Pages/Default.aspx.
Ask a Tech! 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 michael.f.kauzlarich.civ@mail.mil.
This newsletter was published through the Balanced Scorecard. For article suggestions, questions or comments please contact Ed Bowen at ed.bowen8.civ@mail.mil.
Most cat owners can attest - at some point and time their cat has sprayed indoors. It is an odor that can take over the house in a short period of time. In order to counter the odor, pet stores offer entire aisles of chemicals made to eliminate cat smell. To save a few dollars, rather than purchasing one of the marked-up odor eliminators in the store, try this home remedy to eliminate the cat odor for good: 1 cup of Hydrogen Peroxide (the three percent kind available in every store) 1 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate 2 drops of Dawn dishwashing liquid Place these chemicals in a bowl and stir with a spoon. Sponge this on to the affected area. Allow to dry. On non-porous surfaces you may need to do this several times. On cloth furniture one application usually is enough. The combined chemicals make an oxygen generator that converts the cat urine quickly. Do not attempt to put this mixture in a hand pump spray bottle; it creates so much gas that the pick tube will not be able to pull up the liquid. Additionally, this mixture will work to eliminate the odor of a skunk, should you have the unfortunate luck of being sprayed. APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
The Engineering Edge|May 2012| 3
ECBC’s Detection Engineering Branch Continues Partnership with Japan Ministry of Defense to Improve Chemical Agent Detector
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he U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) Detection Engineering Branch (DEB) and the Japan Ministry of Defense (MOD), Technical Research and Development Institute, Advanced Defense Technology Center (TRDI-ADTeC) have continued to partner together on a Cooperative Research Project to improve an existing chemical agent detector.
“All international efforts require extra care and attention because of language barriers and cultural barriers. The Detection Engineering Branch has really gone the extra mile to make sure that this project is a success and they deserve a lot of credit for that.” -- Dr. James Baker, ECBC Associate Director The two partners agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in March 2008, with objectives to cooperatively research, design, fabricate and test a chemical agent detector prototype. Entitled the Palm-sized Automated Chemical Agent Detector (PACAD), the prototype is based on the chemistry of the U.S. M256A1 Chemical Agent Detector and Japanese expertise in microfluidic, electro-optical, and miniaturization technologies. The project was extended in April 2011 by way of an approved Amendment to the PACAD MOU to provide for additional time for both sides to address the unexpected results observed in testing. This allowed ECBC and TRDI-ADTeC to further their efforts to develop and test the PACAD prototype and continue the strong cooperative relationship between the two organizations. At the last meeting of the ECBC and TRDI-ADTeC PACAD Teams in March 2012, both sides agreed to continue efforts for the rest of Amendment One of the PACAD MOU, which ends March 2013. As part of the activities under the Amendment One of the PACAD MOU, DEB has hosted various activities at Aberdeen Proving Ground (Edgewood Area), Maryland. Representatives of TRDI-ADTeC and their contractor visited ECBC from September-October 2011 to support cooperative testing of the PACAD prototype. For nearly seven weeks, the team of Japanese scientists and technical officials worked alongside ECBC personnel, providing technical expertise on the PACAD prototype and supporting data collection and analysis aspects of the project. The purpose of this testing was to evaluate the current hardware and software performance for the PACAD prototype.
The collection and analysis of the extensive chemical agent test data required cooperation from both sides. “An interesting part of the lengthy testing period was that the ECBC team had ample opportunity to interact with the Japanese visitors on a personal level,” said U.S. Lead PACAD Project Engineer Michael Palko. In preparation for testing and also due to changes in TRDI-ADTeC project personnel, the first week of their visit to ECBC included meetings devoted to ensuring the visitors’ safety and familiarization with procedures for testing at ECBC and solidifying the partner relationships to ensure continued project continuity and successful completion of the PACAD testing. “All the project members worked together so well, and it was particularly satisfying to see the positive interaction between the visitors and ECBC Lab personnel. I think everyone involved really enjoyed collectively working together in this unique capacity to meet the test goals of the project,” Palko said. Following the testing phase of the project, members of the ECBC PACAD Project Team traveled to Japan in December 2011 to meet with the TRDI-ADTeC team to conduct preliminary review of the test results, evaluate the current level of capability, and determine the next steps in the project. The teams also began compiling the recent test results with previous testing results into a required Joint Final Report for final submission to their necessary agencies. In March 2012, ECBC hosted the TRDI-ADTeC team to review and finalize test results before reporting the current status of the PACAD Project to the Joint Steering Committee (JSC), co-chaired by Dr. James Baker, ECBC Associate Director and U.S. Technical Project Officer, and the Director of TRDI-ADTeC. ECBC also proposed Joint Follow-on efforts to continue the U.S.-Japan working relationship. “Working on a project like this has been a wonderful experience for the Detection Engineering Branch,” said Dr. Baker. “I hope that we find other projects that will allow us to collaborate with the Japanese to capitalize on both of our strengths and continue this relationship.” Additional testing is planned for the upcoming year at the Japan MOD Chemical School, which members of the ECBC PACAD Project Team plan to observe. Both ECBC and TRDI-ADTeC agreed upon dates and locations for additional meetings to prepare for project close-out, including the Joint Final Report, and to discuss possible Follow-on efforts. Continues on Page 8
Japanese scientists and technical officials work alongside ECBC Engineering personnel to improve the Palm-sized Automated Chemical Agent Detector (PACAD). This partnership, which began in March 2008, was extended to April 2011 with an agreement to continue until March 2013. APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
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Military Appreciation Month Recognition Wall
The ECBC Engineering Directorate will debut a Recognition Wall in the A Lobby of the Berger Building on May 8 with an informal unveiling ceremony and a cupcake sale to benefit the ECBC O-Day Committee. The wall is a place for ECBC employees to pay their respects to current and former members of the military. It will remain in the lobby for the month of May and employees are encouraged to write respectful messages showing their gratitude for those who serve or have served their country. Your messages will be seen by the Warfighter and fellow ECBC employees in theater. In June, the wall will be sent to the Research, Development and Engineering Command Field Assistance in Science and Technology facility at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, where several ECBC employees are deployed to work alongside the Warfighter to repair equipment in theater. Details for Unveiling of Recognition Wall WHEN: 8 May 2012, 1100-1200
WHERE: Berger Building (E3549), A LOBBY
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: 1130-1200: Official unveiling ceremony with brief remarks from COL Daniel J. McCormick, Joint Project Manager for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Contamination Avoidance (JPM NBC CA); Dr. James Baker, ECBC Associate Director; Humberto Galarraga, Division Chief, ECBC Detection and Decontamination Division; Chika Nzelibe, Senior Chemical Engineer, ECBC Advanced Design and Manufacturing along with other members of the ECBC workforce who have served in the military 1100-1400: Cupcake sale with proceeds benefiting the ECBC O-Day Committee APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
The Engineering Edge|May 2012| 5
Serving ECBC
To celebrate May Military Appreciation Month, The Engineering Edge sat down with Former Acting ECBC Military Deputy LTC Victor Nakano and current ECBC Military Deputy COL Raymond Compton to discuss their service, their time spent at ECBC and their thoughts about how to survive today’s economic challenges. Read the perspectives of other former and current servicemen and women at ECBC all month long at http://edgewoodchembio.blogspot.com.
Balancing Act: A Conversation with LTC Nakano, Deputy Director for Test Infrastructure, Joint Project Manager for Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Contamination Avoidance
1. How and when did you know you wanted to be a part of the United States Military? I was first interested in the Military as a young child. Growing up, my father sparked my interest in the military by taking me to visit Naval ships that stopped in Seattle. After attending a state university for two years, I was offered an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. People were surprised to learn that I enjoyed the regimented college experience West Point offers. The small class size (no more than 18 cadets in a class), competing on the judo team, and the military training did an excellent job with preparing me to be an Army officer. 2. Can you describe some of your different career roles and how you have learned from them? I’ve held several different roles throughout my career. First and foremost, leading soldiers as a platoon leader and company commander were both extremely rewarding. I also served as an assistant professor of civil engineering at West Point and coached the judo team there. My assignment as the ECBC Military Deputy introduced me to the Army’s science and technology community and allowed me the chance to work with the outstanding ECBC workforce. After ECBC, I spent a year in Iraq working foreign military sales. I had the opportunity to work directly with Iraqi Ministry of Defense officials, assisting in the procurement of M1 tanks, howitzers, and armored personnel carriers, which helped to rebuild their ground forces. With each assignment, the Army has provided a very diverse set of experiences and allowed me to work with some great soldiers, government civilians and contractors. 3. How have you seen the work done at ECBC specifically impact servicemen and women abroad and stateside? I am constantly amazed at the impact the ECBC workforce has on the Warfighter. Projects from the Advanced Design and Manufacturing Division and the work done to detect and deter homemade explosives have directly supported the current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. ECBC-matrix personnel assigned to the JPEO CBD are developing and fielding equipment for military operational units from all four services. ECBC scientists are actively conducting research to understand emerging threats to protect both service members and the Nation. I have witnessed ECBC’s generosity and compassion for the Warfighter and their families in activities such as blood Continues On Page 6
The Science of it All: A Conversation with COL Raymond Compton, Military Deputy of ECBC
1. How did you get started with the United States Military? When I was in college, I knew that I wanted to pursue the military as an officer, so I interviewed for the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at my university and received a scholarship for the Army. From there I’ve gone on to pursue a fulfilling and vast career with the United States Army that has taken me everywhere from Uganda to the Czech Republic. 2. How has your prior experience prepared you for your current role as ECBC Military Deputy? My educational experience and interest has always been in Computer Science, but my role as Director of Military Operations and Acting Director of the Center at the RDECOM Simulation and Training Technology Center prepared me for my current ECBC job. 3. What do you think makes ECBC stand apart from other Army labs or U.S. military organizations? I actually first heard about ECBC in the early 1990s in a Chemical Officer course, but there was a lot I did not know about ECBC when I first arrived. I had no idea that there were 202 buildings. I did not know the employees went on Temporary Duty Assignments or traveled abroad on a regular basis. It was refreshing to learn about all of the opportunities that ECBC employees take advantage of to maintain a direct link with the Warfighter. The most interesting thing that I was glad to learn about ECBC however, was how involved so many people are within the community. The time and effort put into planning Science, Technology, Engineering and Math presentations at local schools and the amount of people who participate in these activities is impressive. To me, that shows the biggest impact that ECBC can have, because they are not only taking care of the now, they are also helping to spread knowledge for the future. 4. What are the most common military misconceptions you have noticed among civilians? It is surprising how confusing the promotion and ranking system seems to be to those outside of the military. The ranking system and general military culture are usually the biggest questions I get. My advice for anybody who is interested in learning more about military customs and procedures would be: 1) do not be afraid to ask questions and 2) take advantage of the information available online to do personal research. 5. How have you seen the work done at ECBC impact servicemen and women abroad and stateside? I think all of the projects at ECBC directly impact the Warfighter on a daily basis. For starters, every Warfighter needs a Continues On Page 6
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Balancing Act: A Conversation with LTC Nakano, Deputy Director of JPM NBC CA Continued From Page 5 drives, care packages and donations to military families. These are just some of the reasons why the ECBC workforce is considered so special. 4. What advice would you give to young men and women deciding to join the Armed Forces? Similar to government service, the Armed Forces is a higher calling and provides an experience that is very unique. I would highly encourage anyone interested in the Armed Forces to research the opportunities, benefits and challenges of this type of profession. The Armed Forces also provide several programs to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees, which are great incentives especially in this economy. Whether an individual serves a short enlistment or spends a career in the Armed Forces, I believe the experience is worthwhile. 5. What is the most common military misconception that you have noticed among civilians? Surprisingly, I receive a lot of questions centered around the Army officer promotion system. People want to know how soldiers move up and I tell them that there are numerous factors which impact an officer’s promotion potential such as past assignments,
evaluations, and time in service. Having opportunities to explain the promotion process in detail has helped to bridge the gap in government and military cultures. 6. With the drawdown of the Armed Forces and shifting direction of the U.S. Military’s focus, how do you see ECBC impacted as an organization? What would be your suggestions on how to remain relevant and effective during this time of change? The drawdown of the Armed Forces and the significant reduction of the Department of Defense budget are inevitable. Historically, this is a cycle the U.S. goes through after every major war or conflict. As a 90 plus percent reimbursable organization, ECBC is accustomed to being lean and flexible within the fiscal environment. This time, the workforce might be challenged to do “more with less” or do the “same with less.” Creativity and stretching oneself might be necessary in this fiscal environment. Individuals should not be afraid to expand their portfolio, investigate other funding sources and enhance their skill sets. For example, Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense is planning to stand up the Joint Project Offices for radiological/nuclear and biosurveillance, which could be new areas for expansion. Yes, the next several years will be very challenging, but I am confident the talented ECBC workforce can adapt to this change.
The Science of it All: A Conversation with COL Raymond Compton, Usually, it is times like these, when people are placed under fiscal Military Deputy of ECBC Continued From Page 5 protective mask and that is something tested and created here frequently. Some other specific ECBC projects that benefit the Warfighter include detection of homemade explosives, the smoke and explosives work, as well as some of the chemical demilitarization work done in the Directorate of Program Integration. 6. With the drawdown of the Armed Forces and shifting direction of the military’s focus, how do you see ECBC impacted as an organization? What are your suggestions on how to weather this climate change? In order to weather this change, people must not be complacent.
constraints that the best and most innovative ideas emerge. As long as we continue to think creatively and try to find new solutions to problems, I think this draw down will come and go just like any of the others. It reminds me of the broke college student who might only be able to afford Ramen to eat. That student will find ways to make each meal of Ramen different through adding ketchup or cheese, or whatever they have lying around. That same creative innovation can be applied to the work we do here at ECBC: find creative solutions with what you have. You never know what kind of lasting results can come of those moments of inspiration.
ECBC “Hard to Fit Program” Finds Correct Fitting Mask Solutions for Faces of All Sizes
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hen it comes to masking and special equipment for the Warfighter, one size does not always fit all. Some servicemen and women need custom tailored clothing and equipment, and not having that equipment can cost opportunities and even jobs. Cindy Learn, an engineer with the Joint Service Respirator Sustainment and Test Technology Branch, recalls comforting a distraught servicewoman over the phone when her deployment was in jeopardy because of an ill-fitting mask. “The standard protective mask did not fit the small frame of her face,” Learn said. “A Warfighter cannot be deployed without a mask that fits properly and securely to the face.” Thanks to the Hard to Fit program, rejuvenated by Learn and others in her branch, that same servicewoman was able to obtain a protective mask specially adjusted to fit her face just in time for deployment. “I remember her being so grateful we were able to help her get the right mask,” Learn said. “Many do not realize there are infinite different shapes and sizes of faces, and having a protective
mask that fits well is essential to any deployable mission. Not being able to get your hands on the right fitting mask could be a career ender for some.”
No Warfighter Left Behind With a team motto of “No Warfighter left behind,” members of the Hard to Fit Program make it their mission to ensure all deployable personnel have the correct-sized mask. Hard to Fit is a G-8 funded program housed within ECBC’s Protection Engineering Division. The program fits members of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as civilians who have mask requirements for their jobs. Continues on Page 8
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Test, Reliability & Evaluation Branch Demonstrates Expanded Capabilities to Product Manager, Force Protection Systems (PdM-FPS) “Centralizing testing, shipping, fielding, and training of equipment allows for a more thorough, efficient process. This consolidation ultimately allows for better support to the Warfighter.” - Dan O’Neill, Test, Reliability and Evaluation Branch Engineer ECBC’s Engineering Test Division and other ECBC branches have demonstrated a close professional working relationship with Joint Program Manager Guardian and Product Manager, Force Protection Systems (PdM-FPS). Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Lackovic and Major Angel Rojas visited the Test, Reliability & Evaluation Branch (TREB) facilities in early March to evaluate the current logistical support for their detection systems. During their tour of the facility, they received an overview of the inventory database recently developed by TREB and were able to walk through the shipping warehouse. The PdM-FPS team provided positive feedback from their visit and expressed their gratitude to the TREB team for providing professional support to the Warfighter’s mission. TREB currently supports the PM to co-chair the Production, Test and Evaluation Integrated Product Teams for the Battlefield Anti-Intrusion System and Lighting Kit Motion Detector (LKMD). LTC Lackovic expects TREB’s role to increase for LKMD as the system prepares to undergo Production Verification and Product Acceptance Testing for its new production contract in Third Quarter FY12.
currently have several New Equipment Training (NET) certified instructors. Per request of the PdM-FPS, TREB and DEB conducted a LKMD and BAIS NET in March to demonstrate the capabilities of the newly formed fielding team. Not only was the proficiency of the training team established, but personnel from the Communications and Electronic Command (CECOM) were able to learn about the capabilities of these two systems, which will be placed under their umbrella for sustainment in the near future. This additional fielding support will assist the Product Manager to accelerate its fielding schedule and make these systems available to soldiers sooner than expected. This enhanced force protection capability will allow for increased advanced knowledge of the area of (AOR) responsibility related to the current battlefield environment. This recent visit provided LTC Lackovic and MAJ Rojas an overview of the critical support provided from the TREB team and reaffirmed their confidence on successful management of the logistical support for their systems. TREB will continue to explore expanding partnerships with internal ECBC organizations and looks forward to continuing its relationship with PdM-FPS in the future. ”Centralizing testing, shipping, fielding, and training of equipment allows for a more thorough, efficient process. This consolidation ultimately allows for better support to the Warfighter,” said Dan O’Neill, Test, Reliability and Evaluation Branch Engineer.
In addition to the inventory database system, TREB developed a new fielding support process that allows current fielding teams to conduct their mission in a much more efficient manner. Critical to the fielding support process is the Product Quality Deficiency Reports (PQDR) currently in place to process systems returning from the field that need to be replaced immediately. The PQDR documents all action and communication between the contractor, government and DCMA to ensure the problem is fixed and prevented in future units. To review the PQDR process, visit https://www.pdrep.csd.disa.mil/. In 2011, TREB partnered with the Environmental Field Test Branch (EFTB) and conducted First Article Testing (FAT) on the LKMD systems for PdM-FPS. The focus of the test was on Reliability, Availability and Maintainability to ensure these systems met all requirements prior to the Program Office committing to Full-Rate Production. Due to TREB’s outstanding performance during this test event, PdM-FPS leadership decided to add fielding support to the current logistical support agreement. In order to accommodate PdM-FPS fielding needs, TREB requested assistance from the Detection Engineering Branch (DEB) which
ECBC Engineering’s Test, Reliability and Evaluation Branch (TREB) partner with Detection Engineering Branch as well as other Engineering Test Division Branches to accommodate the needs of Product Manager, Force Protection Systems.
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ECBC “Hard to Fit Program” Finds Correct Fitting Mask Solutions for Faces of All Sizes Continued From Page 6 Learn said current mask styles are designed to fit up to 95 percent of users, while the most current masks are designed for as many as 98 percent. The Hard to Fit program targets the remainder who need special-fit equipment to make a difference for their country. According to Learn, the group fit 100 people in 2011 and has fit 30 so far in 2012. “Whether the need for a special fit mask is due to natural size or asymmetry, or an injury sustained that may have changed the contour of the face or head, our goal is to fit the user so he or she can be successful in the mission,” Learn said. “We have issued only one NonDeployable Memorandum since I started working with this program in 2006. We do our best to attain the mask with the best fit for those who need them.” The Hard to Fit Program does not redesign a new mask for the servicemen and women who need fitting. Instead, each mask has removable nose cups and face blank sizes that each come in five and four sizes respectively. The group alters a mask to fit a particular person’s face by mixing and matching these parts. In some cases, the Hard to Fit Program has received approval from the Pentagon to issue masks from the U.K. to people with much smaller faces. The process of fitting and ordering the needed sizes usually takes two to three weeks, but the group is working to accelerate the process. Once a person obtains their mask from Hard to Fit, it is theirs to keep for life. “Sometimes we get last minute requests from groups who are just about to deploy to come in and fit someone,” said Joint Service Respirator Sustainment and Test Technology Branch Chief Jim Church. “But usually people know before two or three weeks that they will need a different sized mask.”
Organized Solutions Hard to Fit’s biggest customer base comes from Fort Dix Chemical School in New Jersey because it is a mobilization site and the mask is the last item to be checked before deployment. The program also gets a lot of requests from Fort Leonard Wood Chemical School in Missouri since it is a large training site. Church said the Hard to Fit Program has roots dating back to the late 1970s, when engineers would custom make someone a mask, which took time and money. “Later during Desert Storm in the early 1990s, people who could not be fitted with the M17 mask wore the M40 mask before it actually became
The Hard to Fit Program, which is based in the Protection Engineering Division, ensures that all deployable personnel have the correct-sized mask. So far in 2012, the group has fitted 30 hard-to-fit individuals.
the M40,” Church said. “But since Cindy came on board, the program has become more formalized and more visible. I think we are definitely in a place to help more people than we ever were before.” Church said prior to Learn’s involvement with the program, obtaining a mask with different sized parts was a more disorganized process where the person in need would ask around and whoever they talked to would see what they could find. “Now, the program partners with TACOM to control the inventory and track usage, while we perform a quality check on all the masks. Improved organization and communication with the Navy, Marines and Army allows the Warfighter access to the mask fit resources available with greater ease and quicker service, so the progress made since 2006 is immense,” Church said.
ECBC’s Detection Engineering Branch Continues Partnership with Japan Ministry of Defense to Improve Chemical Agent Detector Continued From Page 3 “ECBC and TRDI personnel have developed an excellent working relationship during the execution of the PACAD Program,” U.S. PACAD Project Manager and Detection Engineering Branch Chief Bill Argiropoulos said. “The synergy that has developed between the two Centers creates an environment of win-win cooperative knowledge sharing.” Another practical benefit of a cooperative research and development project is that by sharing and exchanging technical information, partners also share the cost. In the case of the PACAD, the U.S. shared the technology behind the M256A1 Chemical Agent Detector, Japan led the development of the PACAD prototype, and the U.S. led the testing of the PACAD Prototype. “Although the project has involved some unique situations and challenges, the strong working relationships established during the project have allowed the team to overcome these matters to continue successful cooperation,” Palko said.
“All international efforts require extra care and attention because of language barriers and cultural barriers,” said Baker. “I think that the Detection Engineering Branch has really gone the extra mile to make sure that this project is a success and they deserve a lot of credit for that.” The current PACAD project, as outlined in the MOU, is scheduled to close out by March 2013. Both ECBC and TRDI-ADTeC are currently planning possible Joint Follow-on efforts and are working towards a path forward for the PACAD Project. In addition to the PACAD project, ECBC and TRDI-ADTeC have maintained a working relationship under higher level International Agreements for explorative discussions of other areas of mutual interest and possible collaboration regarding future Chemical and Biological defense technology.
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