AFMC Command News

AFMC vice commander learns about Hanscom during visit

  • Published
  • By Patty Welsh
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The vice commander of the Air Force Materiel Command visited Hanscom Nov. 9 for an orientation of the base and its mission.

Acknowledging that it was his first time visiting the base and, because his background is more logistics-focused, Lt. Gen. Andrew Busch said his goal was to learn as much as he could. He said he often might be the one who has to speak for the program executive officers or the installation commander at a meeting such as the Air Force Council.

"Sometimes the lowest common denominator on your topics might be me," he said. "I want to talk to the PEOs and learn about their portfolio issues. That way I'll know if something [that's being said about them] might be off."

Busch received overviews from both the Battle Management and C3I and Networks program executive offices, including various program demonstrations.

For Battle Management, topics covered included Dismount Detection Radar, Eagle Vision, Integrated Base Defense Security System and Mission Planning. Some of the C3I and Networks programs briefed included Battlefield Airborne Communications Node Joint Urgent Operational Need, Architecture and Services, Responsive Cyber and the Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals.

The general also got a chance to hear about the progress and challenges regarding the base itself by meeting with personnel from the 66th Air Base Group and having an installation tour. The Vandenberg Gate, the new Resiliency Center, the Minuteman Commons and the medical clinic were some of the stops.

Busch said he realized Col. Lester A. Weilacher, installation commander, has a big job in front of him.

"Even though you are designated as a group, you have all the responsibilities and challenges of a wing."

During a luncheon talk, the general highlighted some areas that are of special interest to him and the command.

One area he is focused on is the nuclear mission. Busch said he knows things are currently working well, but realizes there was a previous lack of confidence regarding the overall nuclear enterprise due to some missteps.

Saying he'll probably be more engaged than a vice normally would be, he said he'll be looking at the way the nuclear command, control and communication programs are aligned, from PEOs, to services, to major commands. This family of systems will need to be looked at for how it can be sustained and modernized, he added.

Another area is the sexual assault prevention program. Busch said it is a program that the command takes very seriously. He said Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, AFMC commander, has given him the task to go out to the bases to engage with the Sexual Assault Response Coordinators, or SARCs, who are on the front line.

"We need to look at areas for bolstering the program, such as resources, policies and/or training," he said.

Busch also mentioned the 5-Center restructure, noting that there is still a lot of progress required before it reaches full operational capability in fall of 2013.

The general said the visit gave him a chance to gain more knowledge and take that knowledge back to headquarters with him.

"I appreciate what you do," Busch said to the briefers.