Permit No. 30 Standard TOBYHANNA U.S. Postage Paid REPORTER Tobyhanna, PA 18466 VOL. 61, NO. 9 TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, TOBYHANNA, PA. (WWW.TOBYHANNA.ARMY.MIL) SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 Mel Roberts, left, shows John Ross how to program radio frequencies using a laptop inside one of the Army’s new AN/MSQ-135 Mobile Tower System. Roberts and Ross are electronics mechanics assigned to the C4ISR Directorate’s Surveillance and Reconnaissance Division. (Photo by Jim Lentz) Depot upgrades newest product in Army’s air traffi c control portfolio “We’ve been working side-by-side with program ago. All systems are scheduled for upgrade and will cycle by Jacqueline Boucher offi cials to develop processes for integrating an through the depot between December and April. Editor upgrade to the MOTS, a standard communications The organization charged with developing and Technicians here are working on the newest product in system called TOCNET® (Tactical Operations Center supporting the Army fi xed-base and tactical systems the Army’s air traffi c control portfolio that uses the latest Intercommunications System),” said Mike Lombardo, necessary to support the ATC mission is in the Product digital technologies to better support tactical aviation. logistics management specialist in the Production Manager (PM) Air Traffi c Control. It supports Army The fi rst three AN/MSQ-135 Mobile Tower Systems Management Directorate’s ISR Program Management airfi elds worldwide with tactical systems that enable safe (MOTS) arrived at Tobyhanna Army Depot earlier this Division. “They wanted a commonality among all of their operations of Army, joint and civil aircraft. year, launching upgrade, overhaul and repair missions. In products and since Tobyhanna was already supporting the ATC facilities, systems and support must be provided addition, the organic industrial base facility is slated to AN/TSW-7A it was a natural transition.” both at traditional airfi elds and forward-deployed assume system sustainment once production is complete. Of the three MOTS on the depot, one was deployed battlefi elds. Each ATC platform must be able to The next generation tower system is replacing the aging to Southwest Asia and technicians are performing an communicate and interact with all aircraft, regardless of AN/TSW-7A Tactical Tower, which has been in the field overhaul, according to Lombardo. Another system that where the platform is located. Army ATC controllers track since 1976. The MOTS provides the joint force commander had been damaged is being repaired prior to upgrading the and direct planes, control airborne and ground traffi c and with a highly mobile, self-contained, integrated and reliable communications package. process fl ight data. information system platform. Its modular tactical air traffic Sierra Nevada Corp. in Sparks, Nevada, delivered 10 “Depot personnel are building the upgrade kits according control (ATC) tower system is mounted on an armored versions of the company’s MOTS to the Army under terms family of medium tactical vehicles. of a low rate initial production contract nearly three years See TOWER SYSTEM on Page 6 Peers, supervisors praise Around the Depot spotlights Observance recognizes depot employees mission, personnel Hispanic American contributions Page 3 Page 5 Page 7 2 TOBYHANNA REPORTER SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 NEWS NOTES New division oversees IAVA mission The Production Engineering Directorate’s new Software Sustainment Division is responsible for developing and testing Information Assurance Vulnerability Assessment patches for assigned systems. The organization consists of two branches — Cyber Services and Systems Test — which will employ about 50 information technology specialists when all positions are filled. Dan Soderberg is the division chief and Donna Askew will head the Cyber Services Branch. The branch chief for the Systems Test Branch has not been selected. Fishing Derby open to public There will be a free fi shing derby from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Barney’s Lake. Participants 16 years old and older must carry a Pennsylvnia fi shing license and trout stamp. Registration starts at 7 a.m. Youth ages 2-to 15 will compete in the kids derby from 8 to 10 a.m. The adult derby C OMMANDER ’ S C ORNER follows from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The day’s activities include a raffl e, refreshments, bounce house, arts and crafts, and music. Plaques and awads will be presented to the derby winners. For The difference between success, failure is a great team more information, call 570-615-5782. informed workforce who understands the result, or AOR. A positive AOR can by Col. Gregory D. Peterson business and decision-making process. help stabilize rates or absorb unplanned Depot Commander FEGLI open season underway Most of you have probably heard a lot expenses. The strategic use of the NOR The Offi ce of Personnel Management Federal As we approach the end of fiscal of talk about the issue of carryover. As ultimately helps keep us competitive, Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) open 2016, it is critical that we remain steadfast the discussions continue at all levels of ensuring we are the best value to our season ends Sept. 30. Eligible employees can elect in our commitment to our customers. the Army, it is our obligation to reduce customers and Tobyhanna is their or increase their coverage. Subject to FEGLI law We do this by executing our mission to carryover wherever possible. Thank support provider of choice. and regulations, the effective date for changes will increase warfi ghter readiness by providing you for doing your part to accelerate Another consideration for the NOR is be delayed one full year to the beginning of the high quality products on time and within the execution of the workload in your an employee special cash award. fi rst full pay period on or after Oct. 1, 2017. As budget. respective areas. This year, in response to all of your a reminder, retirees can’t increase their coverage, Tobyhanna’s workload structure has Looking ahead, Tobyhanna is going to hard work, the leadership at Tobyhanna even during an open season. No action is required evolved signifi cantly over the last several be busy. The strategic plan to rejuvenate would like to express our appreciation for for employees who are satisfi ed with their current years. However, it is no secret our overall our infrastructure sets the stage for future your commitment to the mission with a coverage. For details, call X55108. workload has declined in recent years. requirements and capability with a state- one-time cash award to eligible employees In response to that, you’ve all worked of-the-art facility. The modernization of Tobyhanna Army Depot in fiscal 2016. Prevention fair in October hard to expand Tobyhanna’s portfolio. We projects underway are worth over $200 You can expect to receive this award in There will be a Prevention Fair on Oct. 19 from routinely embrace every opportunity to million. Continued investments like these November. 9 to 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Building communicate the criticality of the organic will make Tobyhanna successful for years Thank you for all you do each day. 1C, Bay 1. The event will feature free health industrial base, and specifi cally, what you to come. Let us rise to the occasion in response to screenings, information booths, door prizes and do each day. To determine the path forward, depot the ever-changing requirements of the giveaways. For details contact a member of the The diversifi cation of our C4ISR leaders will look at the overall health of warfi ghter and our mission at Tobyhanna. Tobyhanna Prevention and Wellness Team: Eva global support and your ability to adapt the business, including the net operating Your adaptability as a workforce is an Granville, Paula Mesaris, Janine Yablonski and as a workforce has contributed to our result, or NOR. advantage as we eagerly anticipate the Sheila Opsasnick. success as an organization. The NOR is something we budget for many challenges of the next fiscal year. An adaptable workforce is also an and adds to our accumulated operating Army Strong. Correction Thomas Cruser was incorrectly listed as retiring on July 31 in the Aug. 16 issue of the THANKS OBITUARIES Tobyhanna Reporter. His retirement date is Aug. Thank you to everyone at Tobyhanna James Popovich, 62, died Aug. West Scranton Technical High 31. Army Depot for the prayers and support 24. He worked as a sheet metal School. Popovich earned an following the death of my wife. Forty- mechanic helper in the Systems associate’s degree in tool and die Integration and Support making from Johnson Technical Well done! one years is a long time to be married to someone then suddenly lose her. The Directorate. His depot career Institute. He was an Air Force “I have been participating in exercises all over began in September 2006. Born veteran. Popovich is survived by the world for 20-plus years and working with love and support from each of you has helped me through this diffi cult time. in Scranton, son of George his wife of 28 years, Dorothy, a number of Global Command and Control and Madelyn Hildebrand a son, three brothers, a sister, Systems — Army fi eld service representatives. Don Nowalk and family Popovich, he graduated from aunts, nieces and nephews. Popovich One of the best I’ve ever worked with is David Pfendler, an information technology specialist in Tobyhanna’s C4ISR Directorate’s Field Logistics TOBYHANNA REPORTER Division and stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. The Tobyhanna Reporter is an authorized, monthly exclusive written contract with Tobyhanna Army Commander, Col. Gregory D. Peterson Thanks to his support Warfi ghter Exercise 16-5 publication for members of the Department of Depot.