Eagle BELVOIR
Belvoir Town Center celebrates 10 years Pages A7-A9
www.belvoireagleonline.com
August 13, 2015
Up Front Volunteers needed
Interpreters, medical personnel and community volunteers are needed Saturday to help the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce provide free school physicals for children without health insurance. The event is at Fairfax County’s South County Government Center, 8350 Richmond Highway, not far from Fort Belvoir. Volunteers need to be there by 7 a.m. for orientation and refreshments. Physicals are scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon. Bilingual volunteers, in any language, are particularly needed. Register by calling 703-805-5001.
Patriotic Paws
Submitted photo
Heidi Shyu, Army Acquisition Executive, receives an update on how Program Executive Office Soldier is working to increase Soldier lethality, survivability, and interoperability from Brig. Gen. Brian P. Cummings, Program Executive Officer Soldier.
Army’s top acquisition executive sees the future at PEO Soldier By Debi Dawson Program Executive Office Soldier
Program Executive Office Soldier hosted the assistant secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics & Technology) and Army Acquisition Executive and showcased the next generation of Soldier equipment. Heidi Shyu visited PEO Soldier Aug. 5 to learn how this equipment will enhance the lethality, survivability and interoperability of America’s warfighters. Program Executive Officer Soldier Brig. Gen. Brian P. Cummings; Deputy PEO Timothy Goddette; and project and product managers briefed cutting-edge programs and developments taking place. Cummings opened the visit with a moment remembering Maj. Gen. Harold Greene, who was killed in action in Afghanistan exactly one year before, and former AAE Claude Bolton, who died July 28. Project Manager Soldier Weapons Col. Brian Stehle updated Shyu on the XM17 Modular Handgun System. Shyu was pleased with the progress that was made in gathering requirements and preparing for the Request for Proposal. Next, the Rapid Equipping Force
director briefed Shyu about his organization’s ability to provide solutions to Soldiers “from the FOB (Forward Operating Base) to the foxhole.” Col. Steven A. Sliwa said the REF harnesses current and emerging technologies to provide immediate solutions to the urgent challenges of Army forces deployed globally. Ensuring integration of Soldier equipment is one of the highest priorities of PEO Soldier today. Kathy Gerstein, director of systems integration, discussed the efforts the PEO has made to further enhance the Soldiers’ capabilities by increasing the integration of PEO Soldier portfolio equipment during the design phase. The emphasis is to lighten the load Soldiers carry without reducing their capabilities. “We’ve created one, single, data source for the dismounted Soldier configuration baseline,” Gerstein said. This baseline will be used to inform tradeoffs between cost, weight and capability as PEO Soldier lightens Soldier load. Human factors are a large part of ensuring Soldier acceptance of any new piece of gear. The Load Effects Assessment Program–Army, LEAPA, measures the quantitative effects of equipment weight, bulk, fit, and comfort on Soldier performance.
Maj. Dan Rowell, assistant product manager for Warrior Integration Site briefed the AAE on the Soldier Baseline that WinSite has developed. Using anthropometric data in a digital environment, anyone in the Army can access the actual dimensions Soldiers will fill when wearing combat gear. “This is right on point,” Shyu said. “I just got a call about the (fit for Soldiers) inside the vehicles.” Shyu was also shown a demonstration of the rapid prototyping capabilities of the WinSite. A laser scanner was used to create a model in a 3D computer-aided design environment, and Shyu was shown a 3Dprinted prototype for a redesigned helmet mount made in the lab. The ability to take a design from concept to reality using these technologies significantly reduces lag time, compared to other prototyping methods. The Ground Soldier System team, including Lt. Col. Adrian Marsh and Maj. Alex Gonzales, briefed Shyu on the latest Nett Warrior program developments. She particularly liked the flexible antenna pack. “I remember Soldiers’ feedback on the earlier antenna, so I’m glad you’re working on this,” she said. During her visit, Shyu had the See PEO, Page A13
Aug. 22, at Van Noy Library, Bldg. 1024, from 2 to 3 p.m., parents can come with their children who may need more confidence as they learn to read. They can read to Sirius Black, a therapy dog, for 15-minute sessions, for free. Pre-registration required by calling 703806-3323 or by stopping by the Library to sign up.
Luau dinner, show
The O Club hosts its annual Hawaiian Luau, with an all-you-can-eat dinner and a show, at 6 p.m. Aug. 28. The show by Tepua Hio Hio Polynesian Dancers starts at 7:30 p.m. Reserve through the O Club, 703-770-0930.
Summer Sunrise 5K
Aug. 29, 6-8 a.m. Challenge yourself and others to beat the sun with an early race throughout Belvoir ending with a beautiful view of the sunrise at the Belvoir O Club. The Summer Sunrise 5K begins at 6 a.m. at Meade & Constitution roads. Once you have beaten the Sunrise, join the competition for an optional breakfast buffet at the O Club for $10 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and younger, while watching the sun rise over the Potomac! Registration is available at Graves Fitness Center, The Body Shop, Kawamura HPC and from Active.com. FMI call 703-806-4659.
Screamfree Marriage
Last four Tuesdays of September, 6 to 8:30 p.m., ACS Bldg. 200, 9800 Belvoir Road. Screamfree Marriage is a four-week course designed to teach people how to communicate with their partner calmly and effectively. Registration is required for the course, and limited childcare is available. Interested people should reserve child care by Aug. 28. 703-8052631.