the last remaining analog aircraft in the Army’s fleet, while providing our Soldiers access to the global information grid over the next 30 years. My UH-60V office also recapitalized 40 Black Hawks for the Army, Air Force, foreign military sales and other government agencies. We also developed several programs for aircraft currently in the fight.
One of the most critical needs met was the immediate acquisition and fielding of equipment to units in the field, including replacements for the UH-60L Attitude and Heading Reference System. My team provided CAB [combat aviation brigade] commanders with increased capability by fielding these systems in a rapid fashion. CAB commanders have lauded this effort as “critical to the war effort” in writing and in briefings.
How did you become part of the AL&T Workforce?
I wanted to work in the aerospace industry. Te Redstone Technical Test Center— now the Redstone Test Center—was hiring test engineers through the Army’s intern program. After receiving my bach- elor’s degree in mechanical/aerospace engineering, I interviewed and was hired as a test engineer with the Airborne and Field Sensors Test Branch, responsible for system-level test planning, execution and reporting of Army aviation assets.
During your career with the Army AL&T Workforce, what changes have you noticed that have impressed you the most? What change has surprised you the most, and why?
I became a member of the Army AL&T Workforce in 2002, with OEF and OIF [Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom] spanning my entire career. During this time, we have experienced an
abundance of new requirements driven by the unique challenges of the counter- terrorism problem set. Te biggest change is the increase in our combat effectiveness because of the maturation of networking capabilities. Te speed at which critical information can be gathered, assessed and communicated to support decision- making at all levels is unmatched in comparison with previous wars. Te speed and effectiveness in meeting war- fighter needs with materiel solutions that combat emerging threats and improve situational awareness and survivability have been the most impressive contribu- tion from the AL&T Workforce.
What’s the greatest satisfaction you have in being a part of the AL&T Workforce?
My greatest satisfaction is making tangi- ble contributions to our nation’s security. We serve as an enabler for our combat forces, continually increasing the lethality of our kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities while simultaneously improving surviv- ability. Working in this field is both an honor and a responsibility, providing opportunities to enhance the security of our nation through the development of solutions that increase the odds of achiev- ing mission success while improving the chances of a safe return. As a member of the reserve armed forces actively engaged in OCO [overseas contingency opera- tions], I have witnessed the results of the AL&T Workforce’s efforts and the superiority that those efforts have enabled in our fighting forces.
Acquisition has changed profoundly in many ways in the past 25 years. How do you see it changing in the future, or how would you like to see it change?
During my AL&T career, we have enjoyed an abundance of financial and personnel resources, which have enabled
the rapid development and fielding of materiel solutions. It is critical to our national security that we combat ever- changing threats within a financially constricted environment. We must enable and reward critical thinking. Growing a talented workforce will improve the effi- ciency in developing and acquiring new technologies and materiel solutions.
Te government must refocus its efforts on those critical warfighter requirements that are derived from a national secu- rity strategy that
effectively addresses
our current and emerging threats. Part- nering with industry to develop new contract structures that effectively spur innovation while incentivizing the con- trol of cost growth will be critical in the future to maintain the same level of capability advancement within a resource-constricted environment.
What’s something that most people don’t know about your job? What sur- prises outsiders most when you tell them about your job?
Te quality and breadth of dedicated active-duty
[personnel], civilians and
contractors that I have the honor of working with daily is something most people do not appreciate about the AL&T Workforce. My team is profes- sional, dedicated and proficient, enabling the successful execution of daily combat missions through the modification of UH-60L Black Hawks for operations and OCO deployments in Africa and the Middle East. Te most surprising part of my job is the size of the utility helicopter fleet (2,135 aircraft) and the number of roles and special mission sets it performs across the services and other government agencies.
—MR. ROBERT E. COULTAS
ASC.ARMY.MIL
9
ACQUISITION
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