Dahlgren Source - April, 2015

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Dahlgren Vol. 26, No. 4, APRIL 2015

What’s Inside

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NSWC Dahlgren Division Inventors Honored at Patent Awards Ceremony

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Washington — More than 35,000 guests gathered on the White House South Lawn on April 6. Parents and children dressed in their Easter finest celebrated the 137-year tradition of rolling brightly colored eggs across the grass. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama introduced the Easter Bunny to the crowd at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll from the top balcony on the South Portico. The trio of 13 year olds, ID4Girls sang the National Anthem. The President welcomed the guests saying, “This is a particularly special Easter Egg Roll because we’ve actually got a birthday to celebrate. It is the fifth anniversary of the First Lady’s Let’s Move initiative.” The group Fifth Harmony joined the president and First Lady to lead the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday.” The 2015 Easter Egg Roll theme, “GimmeFive” was named in honor of the anniversary of the “Let’s Move!” initiative. “GimmeFive” is Michelle Obama’s

challenge to Americans to share five things they’re doing to eat better, stay active, and lead a healthier life. Details on her challenge can be found at www.LetsMove.gov. The First Lady told the crowd, “I want you to enjoy this day.” She invited the guests to join her over at the main stage, “to do the, “Gimme Five dance with the So You Think You Can Dance all-stars and mentors.” First Daughters Malia and Sasha did not participate in the event. The President said, “They had a little school stuff going on today, but they want to send their love.” The President, First Lady, First Dogs Bo and Sunny, and the Easter Bunny descended the portico stairway to join their guests at the egg roll contest. The Obama’s spent some time with egg roll participants with the President blowing the whistle to kick off one race. He headed off to the Storytime Stage where he read Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are.” The appearance of a bee got his

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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama introduce the Easter Bunny on the South Portico of the White House.

U.S. Navy Engineer impacts public-private sector research on wearable and embeddable technology NSWC Dahlgren Division Corporate Communications

Developing the AEGIS Fire Controlman combat systems training continuum

Woodstock, Va. 22664

Easter Eggs roll for 137th time on White House South Lawn

“NISE” Funds Support Weapon Systems Integration for New Surface Warfare Capability

Navy Scientists and Engineers Mentor Students at FIRST Tech Challenge Virginia State Championship

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How easy is it to hack a pacemaker? Your “FitBit” is designed to track your physical movements. Who else can see it? These are among the myriad of questions Naval Surface Warfare Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) engineer Brenden McMullen researched for six months

U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Released

Brenden McMullen jumps out of a civilian fixed wing aircraft while testing the next generation of Marine Corps personnel parachutes as a Navy Senior Chief assigned to the Marine Corps Systems Command Raids and Reconnaissance Test Branch in 2006.

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APRIL 2015 • THE SOURCE

“NISE” Funds Support Weapon Systems Integration for New Surface Warfare Capability DAHLGREN, Va. - (NNS) – Navy officials – confident a new technological capability tested on the Potomac River Test Range will transform surface warfare – are looking ahead to its future impact in the Fleet. Their outlook, however, would be clouded if the live fire test featuring unmanned vehicles and the Aegis weapon system never occurred. Fortunately, Navy Innovative Science and Engineering (NISE) funding ensured that the military and civilian leaders could see technologies supporting the science of integration guide gun fire onto distant targets at a Sept. 29, 2014 event. NISE funding permitted Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) scientists and engineers to research, develop, test, and evaluate the new integrated surface warfare capability in a maritime environment over the past 12 months of this effort’s initial phase. “This demonstration was a fantastic example of the utilization of internal laboratory NISE funds to educate our junior workforce while exploring technical gaps between traditional system funded development and mission level integration to fully demonstrate a kill chain,” said Neil Baron, NSWCDD distinguished scientist for combat control. “We also demonstrated a tangible example of proactively designing interoperability and integration into our surface Fleet’s future warfighting capabilities.” For the first time, unmanned surface and air vehicles – integrated with naval guns and the Aegis combat system - relayed targeting data to operators engaging fictitious threats on the Potomac River Test Range. “This is a major first step in demonstrating an integrated surface warfare capability utilizing unmanned vehicles in support of the key engagement functions of plan, detect, control, engage and assess,” said Baron. “We are working hard at focusing on the integration sciences to deal with mission engineering challenges for surface warfare.” Specifically, Baron and his team of Navy scientists and engineers used the science of integration to make surface warfare systems interoperable with unmanned air and surface vehicles, allowing naval gunnery to receive streaming identification and shot correction data. “It’s a spectacular example of how scientists and engineers are enabling new technologies for the warfighter,” said Baron. “NISE funding was critical to the successful demonstration as an enabler of the integration needs between the individual systems used to detect, control, engage and assess the target threat – demonstrating the full sensor-to-shooter kill chain.” Surface warfare officers evaluating the technology joined civilian technologists at the event to prove the Navy can bridge interoperability gaps - known as the interstitial space - between complex system-ofsystems. “The ability to send a small, persistent unmanned system down range in hostile territory for real-time gun or missile engagement spotting and targeting is needed by warships,” said NSWCDD Engagement Systems Department Military Deputy Cmdr. Marc Williams. “The technology has the potential to be important for surface ships, especially relating to Aegis weapon system, Naval Surface Fire Support, and surface warfare.” Williams - the surface warfare tactical action officer for the experiment - ordered a gun engagement on a fictitious threat based on identification and targeting data he saw streaming from an unmanned surface vehicle. At that point, the commander used a deployed

Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle’s streaming video data to spot, precisely target, engage and continually support reengagement through gun targeting corrections to the MK160 gun weapon system operator. “Scan Eagle has been deployed on guided missile destroyers for years to provide persistent electrooptical and infrared surveillance,” said Williams, adding that, “it has been used for Naval Surface Fire Support spotting to walk gun rounds onto an enemy target, but not in an automated fashion like in this experiment.” Williams used a Navy technology called Visual Automated Scoring System (VASS) to instantly correct the gun targeting. The NSWCDD-patented system is an automated, computerized tool for determining gunfire miss distances using video data. With a non-line of sight weapon system, VASS allows the gunner to adapt gun pointing angle and converge gunfire onto a target without having to risk the lives of forward observers. “This was as much a demonstration about integration as it was about the three research initiatives being exercised,” said Baron. “Through NISE funds, we plan to continue this advancement throughout 2015 by complicating the threat definition and bringing to bear multiple gun engagements – from different virtual ships – onto the threat to demonstrate force level engagement coordination.” The command’s NISE funded initiatives featured a virtual ship called the USS Dahlgren, VASS adaptive fire control, and new mission engineering efforts to link surface combatant warfare systems with unmanned vehicles. Throughout the test, the cybernetic USS Dahlgren responded to reports of hostile threats by searching intelligence and data across multiple air and ship control operational systems, maximizing response accuracy and timeliness. “The virtual USS Dahlgren is hosting new technological advancements and platforms for integrated test and evaluation full speed ahead,” said NSWCDD Technical Director Dennis McLaughlin who watched the demonstration. “We are providing linkage that ensures our test and evaluation capabilities can be rapidly adapted to changing warfighter needs.” NISE funding allowed the Navy to establish connectivity and security boundaries between dispersed laboratories making the virtual USS Dahlgren possible. The NISE money also supported in-house development of the VASS adaptive fire control and its streaming video from the UAV. “The science of integration - a relatively new area of investigation for NSWC Dahlgren Division - hides in the interstitial space,” said Baron. “We are working hard at focusing on the integration sciences to deal with mission engineering challenges for surface warfare. These demonstrations are casting a strong light into the interstitial space to address naval interoperability and integration challenges and continue to advance warfighting capabilities into our surface fleet.” Bridging the interstitial space between Navy surface combatants, integrated systems, and adaptive fire control is vital to accomplish key fiscal year 2015 Navy objectives - proliferating unmanned systems, integrating unmanned systems into the Navy culture, and developing, fielding, and deploying unmanned systems in the air, on and under the sea, and on the ground.

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Top: A Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launches from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) Potomac River Test Range. NSWCDD scientists and engineers demonstrated how the science of integration makes surface warfare systems interoperable with unmanned systems - including Scan Eagle UAVs - during a surface warfare integration experiment. They used Navy Innovative Science and Engineering funding to research, develop, test, and evaluate a new integrated surface warfare capability. (U.S. Navy photo by John Williams/Released) Above: An autonomous unmanned surface vehicle (USV) transmits real-time targeting data to an Aegis weapon system that engaged a target on the Potomac River Test Range with the MK34 5 inch/62 caliber gun weapon system during a surface warfare integration test. The fall of shot - observed by a Scan Eagle Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) optical sensor - was used to provide gun targeting corrections immediately to the MK160 gun weapon system operator. (U.S. Navy photo by Patrick Dunn/Released)

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THE SOURCE • APRIL 2015

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Congressional ban leads to White House Easter Egg Roll White House Easter Eggs Official White House Easter Eggs can be purchased through the National Park Foundation. Orders can be placed at http://Easter. NationalParks.org

Marty van Duyne/News Net News

Marty van Duyne/News Net News

Youngsters employ unique methods to roll their Easter Egg.

Roll: Anniversary of “Let’s Move” initiative From page 1 audience upset and the President attempted to regain their attention by telling them how important bees were to our ecosystem. But he finally had to tell them “If you’re

a Wild Thing, you can’t be scared of bees.” By then the bee had disappeared and he finished the story. Sendak’sbook,whichthePresident says is a childhood favorite, has also been read by his daughters at

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previous Easter Egg Rolls. The President went on to shoot some hoops with a group of children and the Washington Wizards then joined some youngsters learning how to play tennis. The First Lady had appeared on the “Live With Kelly and Michael” show that was broadcast from the White House Lawn from 9 to 10 a.m. Hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan tried their hand at rolling Easter eggs across the lawn during the show. Accompanied by Thing One and Thing Two and the Cat in the Hat, Michelle Obama took over the Storytime Stage early in the afternoon. She read a “new Dr. Seuss book,” titled, “Oh The Things You Can Do That Are Good for You: All About Staying Healthy.” The book by Tish Rabe was written for “Let’s Move” as part of a Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) with Dr. Seuss Enterprises (DSE) and Random House Children’s Books, according to the Lets Move website. The annual White House Easter Egg Roll began at 7:30 a.m. and concluded at 6:45 p.m. The event featured a myriad of live music performances, “egg-tivity” centers, cooking stations, and storytelling. Details of the 2015 Annual White House Easter Egg Roll can be found at www.WhiteHouse.gov.

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Marty van Duyne News Net News A Congressional edict to “keep off the grass” resulted in the establishment of the White House Easter Egg Roll. The Turf Protection Law of 1876 prohibited the practice of children rolling Easter Eggs down the hill on Capitol grounds for the traditional Easter Monday Egg Roll. In 1887 Easter dawned with a pouring rain and children’s activities were limited to indoor pastimes. On Easter Saturday 1878 a small notice in the local newspaper informed would be egg rollers the Turf Protection Law would be enforced. President Rutherford B. Hayes was approached during his daily walk by youngsters who asked, “Are you going to let us roll eggs in your yard?” After being briefed on the subject by his staff upon his return to the White House, Hayes issued an official order that any children that arrived to roll eggs on Easter Monday be allowed to do so. When youngsters arrived at the Capitol on Easter Monday, 1878 they were greeted by Capitol Hill police and turned away, but word quickly spread that they were welcome on the White House grounds. The tradition has continued and endured since then, with only a few cancellations due to weather and during World War I and World War II. Today, the White House continues to open the South Lawn for the Annual Easter Egg Roll with a full day of activities.

White House Easter Egg Roll Firsts Marty van Duyne News Net News 1878 - President Rutherford B. Hayes invites youngsters to First Annual White House Easter Egg Roll 1889 - President Benjamin Harrison begins tradition of “The President’s Own” Marine Band playing at the event 1933 - First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt greets visitors and listeners for the first time in a nationwide radio broadcast 1969 - First Lady Pat Nixon introduces the White House Easter Bunny (a staffer in a White Bunny costume) She also initiated certificates of participation during the Nixon Administration 1974 - The Nixon administration borrows spoons from the White House kitchen and introduces organized egg-rolling races 1980 - First Ladies Betty Ford and Rosalynn Carter give out ten thousand plastic eggs, each with a printed note from the first lady folded up inside 1981 - Guests discover 1,000 autographed wooden eggs in the straw pit egg hunt 1982 - Ten thousand eggs distributed with celebrities on hand to add their autographs 1987 - The Annual White House Easter Egg Roll theme is inscribed on each egg 1989 - President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush add their facsimile signatures to the eggs 1991 - The eggs and programs were imprinted with the forget-me-not yellow ribbon in honor of armed forces serving in the Persian Gulf 1992 - Clintons’ cat, Socks, “paw-printed” a few eggs 2012 - First Dog Bo Obama’s image and paw print appears on an egg 2014 - First Dog Sunny Obama’s image and paw print joins that of First Dog Bo on an egg 2015 - The first White House teams with Snapchat to create an Easter Egg Roll “Our Story” In previous years prizes were given to winners of egg hunts and egg rolls. Today an official egg is given to each child under twelve as they leave the South Lawn. Additional details on the history of the annual White House Easter Egg Roll can be found at www.Archives.gov, www.LOC.gov, and most Presidential Libraries.


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APRIL 2015 • THE SOURCE

Wearables: Threats and risks From page 1 as a member of a focus group sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2014. The questions McMullen and his counterparts analyzed had one common denominator -”wearable and embeddable technology”. They examined surgically implanted items such as pacemakers and telemetry as well as wearable items ranging from physical fitness bands and chips to medical telemetry, including LifeAlert and GoogleGlass. L i ke Mc Mu l l e n , scores of federal and private sector experts throughout the country volunteered their spare time to participate in the program - managed by the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis on behalf of the Director U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Released of National Intelligence Brenden McMullen jumps from a Marine - to identify threats, Corps UH1Y over Marine Corps Base risks, and vulnerabilities Quantico while assigned to Marine associated with wearable Corps Systems Command as a Navy a n d e m b e d d a b l e Senior Chief Special Amphibious technologies. Reconnaissance Corpsman in 2006. “Whattheprivatesector volunteers contributed was nothing short of genius,” said McMullen. “This was a great way to engage in cutting-edge technology. The government intelligence community volunteers were equally talented, and brought the necessary contexts from their respective organizations.” The annual initiative - officially known as the Intelligence Community Analyst-Private Sector Partnership Program - facilitates collaborative partnerships between members of the private sector and teams of experienced intelligence community analysts. It provides intelligence community analysts and private sector partners with a better understanding of select national security and homeland security issues. “I was particularly impressed with the level of expertise and experience in the working groups,” said McMullen, whose active duty positions ranged from Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center dive instructor to Camp David medical officer before he retired as a Navy Senior Chief Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman. “Programs like this are important to participate in, and a great way to stay abreast with new and emerging science that impacts national security.” Jennifer Lasley - former Department of Homeland Security, Deputy Undersecretary for Analysis, Office of Intelligence and Analysis - also considers the volunteers’ participation important. In a letter to NSWCDD expressing appreciation for McMullen’s contribution to the program, she stressed that her DHS office and the Director of National Intelligence recognize the critical value of public-private sector partnerships in contributing to the national security mission. The effort seeks to increase the depth of expertise among the participating analysts but is not intended as a mechanism for operational activities or formal coordination between industries and the intelligence community. It enables the intelligence community and industry partners to gain insight leading to a better understanding of their respective areas of expertise. McMullen’s military experience in ground warfare and security, and underwater and aviation environments, in addition to his current work as a Navy government civilian in antiterrorism and force protection positively impacted the group’s analytic research and deliverables, according to Lasley. “This year’s program would not have been a success without Brenden’s active engagement and partnership,” she said. “We were particularly impressed by the diversity of analytic deliverables the teams created, and we will ensure each team’s products are widely disseminated to include posting on the DHS Homeland Security Information Network, as well as other information sharing environments.” McMullen was the only DoD civilian in his group, which included private sector members from Disney, Monsanto, and St. Jude’s Medical. Intelligence community members in the focus group represented the Defense Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, FBI, and DHS.

NSWCDD chief of staff wants to build, sustain relationships around Dahlgren Zack Shelby Naval Support Activity South Potomac Public Affairs After 17 years of working at Dahlgren, the new Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) chief of staff has a diverse history and background with the installation. “I’ve been in this position as chief of staff since midDecember,” said Meredith Bondurant, who replaced Ann Swope, her previous mentor. “Immediately before, I was the lab director for the (NSWCDD) Chemical, Biological and Radiological Defense Division. I was there for almost six years.” She also worked for the command’s safety office among her other previous assignments around base. “I’ve been at JWAC (Joint Warfare Analysis Center), NSWCDD Weapons Systems Department and NSWCDD Command Safety and Environmental,” Bondurant explained. “I’ve been in such a variety of positions at NSWCCDD that I have a good grasp of our mission which I’m applying here as chief of staff.” She got her start as a co-op in graduate school where she was pursuing advanced coursework in biology. “I do consider myself a biologist, although I haven’t been a bench biologist in years,” she said. One of Bondurant’s goals is to improve communication within NSWCDD and externally with the base, tenant commands, and the community. “It’s one of my strong suits – building relationships and improving communication,” Bondurant said. “Ann Swope left some huge shoes to fill,” she said. As Bondurant continues the process of putting her own footprint on NSWCDD, she considers herself a hands-off leader, but also available when needed. “I told someone one time that if you do your job, you’ll never see me,” Bondurant said. “You have to have the freedom to execute your job without interference, but I’m always available to help guide or provide input if you need it. I’m definitely a believer that you have to trust people to do their job.”

Bondurant describes herself as a generally happy person who loves coming to work and talking to people. “I really love developing relationships with people,” she said. “I’m just happy to be here. I have a lot of good friends on the base – some that I have been Bondurant friends with since day one – for 17 years now.” Bondurant is a friend to many and a mother of three – two sons – Will, 15, Carter, 11, and daughter Mia, 8. “They’re very, very active,” she said. “I’m always trying to keep up with their schedules.” Her husband, J.D., works for the Virginia Housing Authority. No matter their schedules, her family loves to keep up with the Washington Capitals. “I’m a big fan,” Bondurant said. “I love the Caps. Hockey is the only sport I follow. We are over-the-top Caps fans.” “I watch every game,” Bondurant said. “If I’m on the road, I listen on satellite radio.” Her family also attends games occasionally. “It’s fun to watch at any level,” she said of hockey. Personally, she enjoys watching some of the best athletes in the world on skates. Professionally, Bondurant is exposed to many who are among the best in their field. “Every day, I learn something new that happens on this base,” Bondurant said of her time here at Dahlgren. “I’m always amazed by the diversity of missions within NSWCDD and on NSASP (Naval Support Activity South Potomac).” Bondurant, impressed with the talent that surrounds her, describes the engineers as “world class.” “There’s a lot of cool stuff that goes on here,” she said. “I’m just thrilled to do my small part.”


THE SOURCE • APRIL 2015

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NSWC Dahlgren Division Inventors Honored at Patent Awards Ceremony Melissa Lederer, Naval Surface Wa r f a r e C e nt e r D a h l g r e n Division (NSWCDD) Systems Safety Engineering Division head, presents an award certificate to Greg Buchanan, an NSWCDD Aerospace & Mechanics Engineer, at a ceremony honoring the command’s inventors here March 24. “I believe it’s a game changer,” said Buchanan about his “Rotary Piston Engine” patent. “It could spur the development of vehicles, weapons, and tools that we’ve never seen before. This rotary piston engine will allow systems of all types and sizes to do things they never had the power to do before, and will harness the power necessary to leap forward in the evolution of the human-robot experience.” BuchananwasoneofsixNSWCDD inventors recognized for their new patents at the event. Susan Bartyczak was honored for her patent, called “Gas Gun Fixture to Evaluate Blast Wave on Target Sample” and Dr. William Howard Thomas was recognized for his “Cooperative Communication Control Between

Vehicles” invention. In addition, Shawn Schneider, Seth Williamson, Scott Smith, and Stephen Dix were recognized for their patent - “Inert and Pressure-Actuated Submunitions Dispensing Projectile”. T he p ate nt s re pre s e nt a culmination of effort by many individuals, including the inventors, the Invention Evaluation Board members, patent attorneys, and others who conceive and reduced to practice - the technological innovations arising from the command’s research and development activities. NSWCDD innovations are patented to benefit the taxpayer, the Navy, and the command’s inventors. Patents ensure the Navy’s ability to integrate complex systems and enables the Navy to work smarter in addition to saving time and money. Moreover, the patents provide a technological return to the taxpayer by licensing the command’s inventions to U.S. businesses so they

may be commercially developed for public use. The patents provide defensive protection for the Navy so that others cannot obtain patents

to Navy inventions, preventing the Navy from using its own inventions. The patents also increase international recognition and enable

potential financial remuneration for the inventors of useful, novel, and non-obvious inventions.

We welcome your news of how your office or organization is working in our community. Send your news to jherrink@journalpress.com

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APRIL 2015 • THE SOURCE

Navy Scientists and Engineers Mentor Students at FIRST Tech Challenge Virginia State Championship Richmond — The Navym e n t o r e d “ H o r n e t s” a n d “RoboJackets” joined 50 robotics teams – all with intriguing names – to compete at the FIRST Tech Challenge Virginia State Championship here Feb. 28. The Orange County High School Hornets and James Monroe High School Robojackets team members were among 500 students cheered on by parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors at St. Christopher’s School. What’s more, the Hornets and 11 exotically named teams – ED Too, Geeks in Just their Underpants, Tuxedo Pandas, Heptahelix, Team Aperture, Techie Tornadoes, The Blockheads, The Bionic Tigers, Vertigo, Nerd Herd, and Evil Purple Sox – qualified for the FIRST Tech Challenge East SuperRegional Championship to be held in Scranton, Penn., March 19-21. All student teams designed, built and programmed their own robots prior to competing against other teams at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) event. “This is a superb effort for this team and what they represent,” said Simon Gray, Assistant Program Manager for Mission Systems in the NAVSEA Electric Ships Office and Hornet team mentor. “Coming from a rural location, the team overcame significant challenges to access engineering resources. Thanks to a group of mentors with a gracious professional mindset, our team has become an inspiration to others and knows no bounds to their potential.” The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and the National Defense Education Program (NDEP) sponsored teams advanced to the state championship by winning awards and robot performance categories at qualifying tournaments across Virginia throughout the competition season. “Not only have NAVSEA guidance and the NDEP grant increased our team’s awareness of Navy engineering, but the personal interaction with Navy civilians has promoted an understanding of engineering fundamentals,” said Gray. “It is immensely gratifying to witness the team spirit and see the smiles on all of the team members.” Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Commander, joined about 1,500 spectators at the event, inspiring students – ranging from sixth graders to high school seniors -

Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Commander Rear Adm. Lorin Selby speaks to students at the 2015 FIRST Tech Challenge Virginia State Championship. The admiral joined about 1,500 spectators at the event, inspiring students – ranging from sixth graders to high school seniors - in his opening remarks and as he engaged them in conversation. Two Navy-mentored teams were among 52 student teams who designed, built and programmed their own robots prior to competing against other squads at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) event. in his opening remarks and as he engaged them in conversation. “FIRST Tech Challenge is a great opportunity for students to get hands-on experience in math, science and engineering,” said Selby. “Programs like FIRST Tech Challenge are absolutely critical in developing and inspiring our nation’s next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians.” “The admiral said he had a blast,” reported Marin Kobin, NSWC Dahlgren Division computer scientist who is the RoboJackets lead Navy mentor. “The students and spectators loved meeting and talking to Admiral Selby, and he clearly enjoyed getting to know the program, the teams, and the robots.” Kobin exudes enthusiasm as she talks about mentoring students participating in FIRST as a way to build students’ science, engineering and technology skill – to inspire innovation and foster well-rounded life capabilities that include selfconfidence, communication, and leadership. “By exposing students to the FIRST program, we give them the skills and the resources to pursue college degrees or certificate programs,” said Kobin, who personally benefitted from FIRST as a high school student in New York. Kobin and Gray also help the students they mentor to develop critical thinking skills to solve a particular problem or series of

problems by researching, designing, building and operating a robot. As mentors, they guide robotics team members to resolve issues on their own with a minimal amount of adult intervention. They are among hundreds of NAVSEA mentors who volunteer in the FIRST science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program to show a diversity of pre-teens and teens that

Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Commander Rear Adm. Lorin Selby and members of the Orange County High School Hornets are pictured at the 2015 FIRST Tech Challenge Virginia State Championship. The Hornets scored high enough to win a spot at the FIRST Super-Regional Championship to be held in Scranton, Penn., March 19-21.

Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Commander Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, NSWC Dahlgren Division computer scientist Marin Kobin (left), and members of the James Monroe High School RoboJackets are pictured at the 2015 FIRST Tech Challenge Virginia State Championship. See FIRST, page 7

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THE SOURCE • APRIL 2015

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Developing the AEGIS Fire Controlman combat systems training continuum Dahlgren — The AEGIS Training and Readiness Center (ATRC), who manages and operates Fire Controlman (FC) “C” school, recently hosted the FC Combat Systems Strategic Training Ratings Review (CSSTRR) at Vista Point Catering and Conference Center onboard Naval Station Norfolk Mar. 31 – Apr. 2. 20 U.S. Navy commands and four ships, including USS Mahan (DDG 72), USS James E. Williams (DDG 95), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS Leyete Gulf (CG 55), attended to discuss AEGIS FC rating, “A,” “C,” and Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) awarding schools, shipboard training, maintenance activity support, and fleet concentration waterfront training. Representatives from fleet and training commands, as well as community mangers from the Navy Personnel Command, attended the review. The Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) oversees 14 learning sites, including ATRC, and is responsible for combat systems training across the rates of fire controlman, operations specialist, gunner’s mate, sonar technician, mineman, interior

communications electrician, and electronics technician. ATRC’s Senior Instructor Master Chief Fire Controlman Jeffrey Clarke, who coordinated the rating review, says the review was a great platform to discuss the future of AEGIS training. “The AEGIS FC CSSTRR was an opportunity for all interested stakeholders and those of us with history and experience in the AEGIS community to come together and identify any shortfalls across all aspects of the rating, in order to shape the training, manning, and readiness for future generations of AEGIS technicians,” Clarke said. Capt. Pete Galluch, ATRC commanding officer, says the objectives of the FC CSSTRR were achieved. “The team conducted a three day in-depth review to lay the ground work for what will become a strategic plan outlining a career continuum for AEGIS Fire Controlman for Navy leadership review and consideration,” Galluch said. “The strategy will be a significant move forward towards implementation of ready, relevant training.” The goals of the CSSTRR were

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Left to right: AEGIS Training and Readiness’ Instructor Fire Controlman 1st Class Jacob Baker is explaining to his students, Fire Controlman 3rd Class Rishaunda McKinney and Fire Controlman 3rd Class Estevan Rodriguez, the various circuit cards found in the Advanced Signal Processor. to identify what aspects of the AEGIS FC continuum require improvement, look at ways to reduce accession training time, and investigate ways to implement technology in the process. “The initial focus of the plan will be to increase effectiveness and efficiency of the current rate construct while continuing to examine and develop a long range plan for 2025 and beyond,” Galluch explained. CSCS Detachment West will host the next review, Gunner’s Mate rating, at the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare TrainingCenter(FLEASWTRACEN)

Apr. 28 - 30. It is critical that Senior Weapons Officers and enlisted GM Subject Matter Experts (SME), the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) community, and Senior Surface Warfare Officers attend. “The reviews CSCS are hosting are not only important to our mission as a training command but to the U.S. Navy’s as well,” Galluch said. AEGIS Training and Readiness Center (ATRC) falls under the Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) command. ATRC provides enlisted personnel with the knowledge, ability, and skill to operate and maintain the Aegis

Combat System through timely, effective, and integrated training delivered across the Sailors’ careers. ATRC also provides officers the knowledge, ability, and skill to operate, employ, and assess the readiness of the Aegis and Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) combat systems aboard surface warships. In our ever-advancing world, ATRC utilizes a blended learning solution that includes standard classrooms, hands-on labs, simulations, as well as computer-based and interactive courseware training while still maintaining the training mission for the legacy Aegis fleet.

FIRST: Mentors From page 6 math, science and engineering are fascinating, fun and socially relevant. Navy officials anticipate the students may one day use their STEM skills at Navy warfare center laboratories to design future technologies supporting U.S. warfighters and America’s homeland defense and security personnel engaged in real-world missions. All FIRST Robotics Competition regionals and tournaments are free and open to the public. For additional information on FIRST programs and events, visit the FIRST website at www.usfirst. org or the Virginia FIRST website at: www.virginiafirst.org.


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APRIL 2015 • THE SOURCE

Unbearably cute

Andean Bear cubs make public debut Marty van Duyne News Net News Washington — After an early morning downpour two 19 week old Andean Bear cubs stepped out to meet the press at the National Zoo. The male cubs that were born at the Zoo Nov. 10 and 11, 2014 made their media debut on March 26 and met their public on March 28. The public was invited to vote to name the cubs in collaboration with Univision’s ¡Despierta America!, who broadcast live from the event to announce the results of the voting.

Ambassador of Peru to the United States Luis Miguel Castilla was on hand for the unveiling of the names. In the poll conducted on the Zoo’s website Cub 1 was named Mayni [MY-nee] which means “unique” in the Aymara language. Cub 2 was named Muniri [mooNEE-ree], which means “loving” in the Quechua language. The names reflect the cultural significance of Andean bears to the indigenous Quechua and Aymara, communities of the Andes region. Andean Bears are also known as “spectacled bears” for the beige markings that encircle their eyes,

giving each individual a unique set of markings. Muniri has a crescent shaped marking that curves over his right eye while Mayni has a shorter more symmetrical marking between his eyes. These cubs’ births are significant for the population of Andean bears in human care. They are the third litter of cubs born at the Zoo since 2010, and one of only five surviving litters born in North American zoos in the past 10 years. The cubs were born to 8-year-old mother Billie Jean and 21-year-old father Cisco. They have spent the past four months bonding with Billie Jean in a den at the Andean Bear exhibit while being closely monitored via a closed circuit cam by Animal care staff. “This is the first time we’ve had a pair of male cubs, and already we’re seeing them wrestle, pounce on and play with each other much more than our previous litters,” said animal keeper Karen Abbott. “Their interaction with one another and Mom is especially endearing; I think the public will enjoy watching them play and explore their yard.” Director of the National Zoo Dennis Kelly hopes that inviting the public to select the names has helped to instill a connection to this vulnerable but charismatic species. “Bear conservation efforts are vital for bears in their native habitats,” said Kelly. “I’m proud of our success in the past five years, which has been a combination of cooperative animals and keeper expertise.” Andean bears are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. It is estimated that there are only 20,000

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Top: Mayni (left) rests on a tree with his new “toy” while Muniri watches the press activity surrounding the yard. Above: Mom Billie Jean is always close by to keep an eye on her rambunctious young boys and provide some TLC. left in the wild. In addition to the new cubs, Zoo visitors can see 2-year-old Andean bears Curt and Nicole, as well as Cisco, on exhibit near the lower entrance to American Trail. Details on the Andean Bear cubs and all animals at the National Zoo can be found at http://NationalZoo.SI.Edu

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Andean Bears Andean bears are South America’s only bear species. They live in the Andes and outlying mountain range from western Venezuela through the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and northwest Argentina. Andean bears are known as Ukumari or Ukuku in Quechua and Hukumari or Jukumari in Aymara. They are said to protect travelers, especially musicians and dancers, during their pilgrimage to Q’oylluriti (a festival held high in the Andes mountain near Cusco), oversee thefestivities, and are conduits between the Apus (gods of the mountains) and the people. To native cultures, Andean bears are known as loving and happy, seeking harmony and balance in nature. Also called spectacled bears, Andean bears have beige “spectacles” that encircle their eyes, giving each individual a unique set of markings. Andean bears grow 5 to 6 feet long and stand 2 to 3 feet high at the shoulder. Males weigh up to 340 pounds. Females weigh up to 180 pounds.


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