REPORTERTOBYHANNA Permit No. 30

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Tobyhanna, PA 18466

VOL. 52, NO. 16 TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, TOBYHANNA, PA. (WWW.TOBYHANNA.ARMY.MIL) AUGUST 19, 2008

Page 3 Page 4,5

Partnership preps students

for future careers

Displays chronicle depot

history

CFC kicks off soon

Page 6

NEWS NOTES

Third Shingo awardFor the third time in three years, the

depot has won a Shingo prize.The achievement comes for Tobyhanna

support of the AN/TYQ-23 Tactical Air Operations Module repair process, for which the depot won a 2008 Shingo Bronze Medallion.

Look for complete coverage of this Tobyhanna team accomplishment in the Sept. 9 edition of the Reporter.

Financial aid advice availableThe Education and Outreach Services

will host an Education Financial Awareness Night on Sept. 23, 6 p.m., in Building 335, the new Child Development Center.

The guest speaker is Cathy Caffrey of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), who will provide an overview of fi nancial aid available for college students.

Families will receive resource fi nancial aid materials and have the opportunity to meet with a fi nancial aid expert.

To register, contact the Education and Outreach Services offi ce, X59013.

AUSA plans next luncheonA Tobyhanna chapter of the

Association of the United States Army (AUSA) general membership luncheon will be held Sept. 17, 11:30 a.m., at The Landing.

The guest speaker is retired Maj. Gen. John P. Herrling, who will discuss the National Museum of the United States Army.

Tickets are $12 and are available in directorate offi ces. Military members can call Alecia Grady, 895-7069.

For more information, call James Mangino, 895-7886.

Technicians are successfully remanufacturing a Data Transfer Device (DTD) system new to Tobyhanna.

“We began this remanufacturing mission in March 2008 with the arrival of the Technical Data Package and test equipment,” said David Riley, chief of the Secure Telecommunications Branch, “The fi rst device was remanufactured in June 2008 and we have a workload of 1,400 DTD’s for FY08.”

The branch is part of the Communications Systems Directorate’s Communications Security (COMSEC) Division.

About 1,000 AN/CYZ-10 (V3) Data Transfer Devices, often called a Crazy 10 or DTD, have been remanufactured and tested for the Army’s Communications Security Logistics Agency.

The device is used with the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System as well as other controlled cryptographic equipment.

The AN/CYZ-10 (V3) is replacing the legacy family of Common Fill Devices, including the KYK-13, KYX-15 electronic storage devices, and the KOI-18 paper tape reader.

Technicians inspect, test and remanufacture the DTDs. Once a device passes the self-certifi cation process, it is placed in storage until needed.

“We inspect the hardware and evaluate the software versions and this also involves two reloads of software applications,” noted

Robert Malcolm, electronics technician. COMSEC technicians practice Lean techniques, including Value

Stream Analysis and Rapid Improvement Events, to “streamline the remanufacturing process,” said Phyllis Snyder, electronics worker.

“The point is that the technicians stepped up to the plate with their knowledge of Lean processes and their own Lean experiences,” Riley said. “They understand the importance of the quality of these devices as well as the urgency of getting them back to the Warfi ghter in the fi eld.”

Robert Malcolm said they received help from personnel in the Production Engineering, Production Management and Public Works directorate’s; the Productivity Improvement and Innovation (PII) Directorate’s Quality Management Division; and COMSEC Division’s Accountability and Documentation and Support Services branches.

“They helped to locate parts sources, set up the test equipment, and establish a procedure for the software applications, which is a very tedious process,” said John Peters, electronics technician. “The Quality personnel helped us establish an inspection point, fi nal check and continuous improvement processes.”

In Fiscal Year 2009, workload will increase to thousands of the devices. Riley said he is very confi dent the technicians can handle the larger mission.

“We’ve come a long way with the new mission workload,” Riley said. “We only trained for this last year, and we’re already seeing a signifi cant increase from the preliminary numbers.”

by Anthony Ricchiazzi

Editor

New Data Transfer Device mission grows

Robert Malcolm prepares to install an AN/CYZ-10 (V3) circuit card into a laser machine that will remove the conformal coating. Malcolm is an electronics

technician in the Communications Systems Directorate’s Communications Security Division. Depot technicians will Reset thousands of the Datat Transfer

Devices in Fiscal Year 2009. (Photo by Tony Medici)

TOBYHANNA REPORTER AUGUST 19, 20082

TOBYHANNA REPORTER

Commander, Col. Ron Alberto Public Aff airs Offi cer, Kevin M. ToolanEditor, Anthony J. RicchiazziAssistant Editor, Jacqueline R. BoucherPhotographers, Anthony S. Medici, Steve Grzezdzinski

PRINTED ON PARTIALLY RECYCLED PAPER.

PLEASE RECYCLE AS OFFICE QUALITY PAPER.

TEAM

TOBYHANNA

E X C E L L E N C E I N

E L E C T R O N I C S

The Tobyhanna Reporter is an authorized, biweekly publication for members of the Department of Defense.

Contents of the Tobyhanna Reporter are not necessarily the offi cial views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Army. The 6,000 copies are printed by a

private fi rm in no way connected with the U.S. government, under exclusive written contract with Tobyhanna Army Depot.

The editor reserves the right to edit all information submitted for publication. News may be submitted to the Tobyhanna Reporter, Tobyhanna Army Depot, 11 Hap Arnold Boulevard, Tobyhanna, Pa., 18466-5076.

(Internal Mail Stop 5076.) Telephone (570) 895-7557 or DISN 795-7557.

The Tobyhanna Reporter staff can also be reached by electronic mail using the following addresses:

Anthony.Ricchiazzi@us.army.milJacqueline.Boucher@us.army.mil

PUT YOUR THOUGHTS ON ICE

Provide feedback about installation products and services by accessing the

Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) Web site.

• Click on “Tobyhanna Army Depot”

• Select a category from the list

• Click on information column to see service provider information

• Click on the service provider list to fi ll out a comment card

Another click sends suggestions, complaints or compliments to the Customer

Focus Team that monitors and forwards customer feedback to the proper service

provider for action. For more information, call Terry Williams, X56347, or Michele

Yeager, X56988.

H T T P : / / I C E . D I S A . M I L

Washington D.C.—In the coming months, the Army will be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the creation of the Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) and leadership’s ongoing commitment to families embodied in the Army Family Covenant.

The Army Family Covenant says that Soldiers’ strength comes from their Families. It pledges to provide for and support those Families, increase the accessibility and quality of healthcare, improve Soldier and Family housing and standardize and fund family programs and services.

“Tobyhanna has submitted and addressed issues such as adjusting the post exchange and commissary hours to support the needs of the community,” said Nicole Nelson, Army Family Action Plan Program Manager. “The future hope for the depot and AFAP process is to introduce issues not only of local concern, but also those that will have a broad impact on the problems facing many throughout their service within the Department of the Army.”

Army Chief of Staff Gen. John A. Wickham signed a ground breaking “white paper” titled The Army Family on August 15, 1983. It identifi ed the need for the Army to increase support to its families. Wickham and his staff asserted that a healthy family environment allows Soldiers to concentrate more fully on their mission.

“The readiness of our all-volunteer force depends on the health of the families,” said Secretary of the Army Pete Geren. “I can assure you that your Army leadership understands the important contribution each and every one of you makes. We need to make sure we step up and provide the support families need to stay healthy and ready.”

The Army was in transition in 1983—it was moving from an organization composed mostly of draftees and short-term enlistees, to an all-volunteer force consisting of more than 50 percent married personnel. Wickham set a new vision and course for Army families that carries on today.

AFAP was created with an initial planning conference

in 1984, the Year of the Army Family. Its mission is to help Army leaders address the needs and concerns of Family members. Delegates meet and vote on the top fi ve conference issues every year. These issues are briefed at the next general offi cer steering committee. The process involves voicing of what’s working and what isn’t, and a recommended solution to fi x it. Senior Army leadership is alerted to areas of concern that need their attention.

Six hundred thirty three issues have been identifi ed in the past 24 years. AFAP has driven 101 legislative changes, 147 Army policy and regulatory changes and 165 improved programs and services.

“We recognize what it takes to be an Army family, and that our Soldiers draw strength from their families,” said Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey, Jr. “The welfare of Army families is increasingly important to all of us,” he said, adding that the Army was committed to building a partnership with families.

In the coming months and leading up to the AFAP national meeting in Alexandria, Va., in January, installations and garrisons around the world will conduct local meetings to identify key issues to be addressed by Army leadership. Thanks to the foresight of Wickham and his staff 25 years ago, the needs of the Army family remain front and center in the hearts and minds of Army leaders.

AFAP helps validate, gauge concernsThe Army Community Service is beginning the 2009

Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) process early this year. The annual Community Forum will be in November.The AFAP is input from the people of the Army to

Army leadership. It’s a process that lets Soldiers, civilians, retirees and families say what’s working, what is not working, and what they think will fi x it.

It alerts commanders and Army leaders to areas of concern that need their

attention and it gives them the opportunity to quickly put plans into place to work toward resolving the issues.

How it works: Installations hold AFAP forums where Soldiers (active, National Guard, Reserve, and retired), Department of the Army civilians and family members identify issues that they believe are important for maintaining a good quality of life.

The commander sees to it that the issues are worked toward resolution. Some issues are applicable beyond the local level. These are sent to the major command

AFAP conference or to the headquarters Department of the Army worldwide conference, where many of them are put into the overall Army Plan.

You and your ideas are needed in the AFAP process. Issue sheets for the 2009 AFAP are available at the following Web site: www.tobyhanna.army.mil/community/acs.html. For more information, call Alecia Grady, AFAP coordinator, X57069.

Are you concerned about:

• Job security• A quality education for your children• Health benefi ts/medical care• How transformation will impact youCan you think of improvements:

• In your local community• For the Army as a whole• Better ways to do business• More convenient operating hours for on-post services• Improved family assistance programs• Better job opportunities

AFAP

• Gives commanders a gauge to validate concerns and measure satisfaction.• Helps retain the best and the brightest.• Results in legislation, policies, programs and services that strengthen readiness and retention.• Safeguards well-being.

Child care in the Army exemplifi es the success of the AFAP:

• There was no funding for construction in 1981

• Between 1983 and 2006, 132 child care facilities were

built or renovated, at a total cost of $325 million.

• The Army funded 22 new child development centers

(CDC) in FY07; 92 projects are programmed for FY08-13.

• One new youth center was funded in FY07; 24 projects

are programmed during FY08-12.

Family support programs and services impacted by the

AFAP process include:

• Family Readiness Groups are funded, staff ed and a unit

requirement as a result of policy changes.

• The Family Advocacy Program, created after an AFAP

issue identifi ed the need to assist families in crisis, provided

training and support to more than 164,000 Soldiers or

families in FY06.

• Financial Readiness Program managers conducted

110,041 courses and provided support to 49,681.

• More than 50,000 spouses have found employment

through the Army Spouse Employment Program.

• Army Garrisons provide more than 50 support

programs/activities ranging from “Army Family Team

Building” classes to Youth Services Activities designed to

ease the burden on the spouses of deployed Soldiers.

Army celebrates 25th anniversary of Army Family Action Plan program

AUGUST 19, 2008 TOBYHANNA REPORTER 3

Tobyhanna and the University of Scranton Operations and Information Management (OIM) Department have joined forces to provide college students the tools they’ll need for a career in big business.

The collaborative effort brought the classroom to the worksite during Lean Six Sigma events conducted here Aug. 4-7. Five university professors, depot employees and SCEP students applied textbook theory and hands-on experience to improve business processes on the production fl oor via two rapid improvement events (RIE) and a value stream analysis (VSA).

Lean Six Sigma is a disciplined approach that helps Tobyhanna consistently meet customer requirements and drive continuous improvement through process-focused management.

The teams spent four days targeting specifi c processes or tasks to identify and eliminate waste.

“This partnership expands the professors’ ability to teach Lean Six Sigma because it exposes them to how it is deployed in a production setting here. Plus, we [Tobyhanna] benefi t from their expertise on the latest academic research and studies in this area,” said Brad Jones, Productivity Improvement and Innovation Directorate director. “It’s a win-win and it’s just the beginning of mutually benefi cial projects we’ve got planned.”

The university’s curriculum covers productivity, workplace effi ciency, supply chain matters, enterprise resource planning systems and other operational management processes.

“Reading the textbook is one thing, but putting it into practice is another,” said Rose Sebastianelli. “When you sit in on an event, you begin to understand the challenges and obstacles that are in a real organization.” Sebastianelli is a statistics and forecasting professor. She also teaches quality management.

University students studying OIM who participated in the Lean Six Sigma events remarked on how much the experience taught them. The students are employed here under the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP).

“When I started working here, I didn’t know much about Lean,” said Melissa Marczak, explaining that her job as a management analyst trainee has reinforced a love of OIM. “I’ve learned so much from all the reading material and hands-on events, I’m thinking of switching my major to operational management,” she said. Marczak starts her junior year this fall.

The VSA team worked to improve the AN/TSC-147 shelter maintenance process by mapping out ways to eliminate waste while establishing a one-piece fl ow, similar to the AN/TYQ-23 process. The RIE teams worked to improve the AN/TPS-75 line repairable unit (LRU) overhaul process and reduce rework, and develop and implement

standard work for the AN/TSC-154 Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical Terminal (SMART-T) cells/stations in Building 72A.

Professors Ying Chien and Kingsley Gnanendran were members of the VSA team. Gnanendran teaches supply chain management and Chien teaches management science.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to see the real thing.” said Chien, associate professor of operations management. “Our group was wonderful, the environment was relaxed and everyone was very knowledgeable.”

Both professors were impressed with the group’s teamwork and cooperation while working through the process.

“Everybody was an equal partner from the students to the division head,” Gnanendran said. “It was amazing to see everyone getting the opportunity to participate.”

The educators also earned rave reviews from the team leaders and facilitators who headed the three events.

“They were knowledgeable and helpful,” said Thomas Cline, VSA facilitator. “They participated in the data gathering exercise by walking the system route through the support shops and helped calculate the lineal feet between each operation.”

Ramona Kost said the professor assigned to the SMART-T event provided suggestions and identifi ed areas for improvement.

“Having someone in the group who wasn’t part of the depot organization was refreshing,” she said. “They were able to help everyone think outside the box.”

James Martin’s group was tasked to decrease the amount of rework performed on LRUs during system testing on Powder Smoke Ridge. During the RIE, professors Sebastianelli and Tamimi evaluated the process using Lean tools then offered suggestions or opinions on how to make improvements, according to Bill Stevens and Chris Simko, event facilitators.

“I thought the professors were knowledgeable in the theory of Lean Six Sigma,” Simko said. “One of the professors, a statistician, was able to offer insightful perspectives on better ways to compile and analyze the data required to make improvements.”

At the end of the four days, everyone felt they had accomplished what they set out to do.

“A lot of problematic areas were identifi ed and new methods were implemented,” said Nabil Tamimi, a management science professor who teaches operations management. “Participating in events like this will help us teach our students skills to better equip them for a career in business.”

Jennifer O’Hara starts her junior year at the University of Scranton this fall. As a management analyst trainee at Tobyhanna, she said participating in Lean events has helped her apply what she’s learned in school to the business world.

“I haven’t decided what I want to do after graduation,” said O’Hara, “but working here would be a great place to start my career.”

by Jacqueline Boucher

Assistant Editor

From left, Emily Dickinson, John Tolerico, Vincent Nguyen, Jim Cardona, Christopher Keiper and Jesse

Brown work on a process map for the SMART-T rapid improvement event. Team members insert the

manual and wait times before calculating the total for the whole process. (Photo by Ramona Kost)

“SUSTAINING THE GAIN”

Depot, university partner to groom future business leaders

Women’s club awards scholarships

The Tobyhanna Women’s Club (TWC) recently awarded $1,000 scholarships to

four students in its 2008 scholarship program. Participating in the presentation

were, from left, students John Parada and Adam Holschuch, depot commander

Col. Ron Alberto; students Kaitlin Regula and Michael Kachmarsky. Parada will

attend the University of North Carolina Charlotte, Holschuch will attend Indiana

University of Pennsylvania, Regula attends Temple University and Kachmarsky

will attend Wilkes University. The students and their parents were honored at

the TWC’s July luncheon. (Photo by Tony Medici)

TOBYHANNA REPORTER AUGUST 19, 20086

TRADING POST

Editor’s Note: The Community Bulletin provides an avenue for depot and tenant employees to advertise van or car pools, and for-sale items. Money making items such as rentals and personal business will not be accepted. Information must be submitted via e-mail to Jacqueline.Boucher@us.army.mil, or written items can be mailed to the Public Affairs Offi ce, mail stop 5076.

Submissions must include a name and telephone extension. Only home phone numbers will be published in the Trading Post section. Ads will be published in four consecutive newspapers. It is the customer’s responsibility to update or renew items listed in the Community Bulletin.

For information, call Jacqueline Boucher, X58073.

VAN/CAR POOLS

COMMUNITY BULLETIN

Organization Title

Richard Harris Fabric worker D/SISDavid Heath Electronics mechanic D/C3/AvionicsHubert Jones Equipment specialist D/C3/AvionicsAlan Karpavich Sandblaster D/SISDavid Peters Production controller D/PMJames Rhodes Material handler D/CSKevin Wade Materials expeditor D/ISRJustine Williams Secretary D/PM

Name

WELCOME TO THE DEPOT

Organization

RETIREESS

Retirement date

Keith Williams July 30 D/PWRichard Mooney July 31 D/CSRichard McKee July 31 D/C3/AvionicsLee Rominger Aug. 1 D/CSLouis Refi ce Aug. 1 CPACJoseph Stefursky Aug. 1 D/PEDouglas McWilliams Aug. 2 D/PIIJoseph Marconi Aug. 30 D/PWLee Swingle Aug. 30 D/PW

Name

• Mountain Top: 1 opening, van, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., leaves Mr. Z’s at 5:45 a.m., travels through White Haven and Route 940, leaves depot between 4:50 and 5 p.m., call Dale, X57245.• Blakely: new van pool, 7 passengers, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m., mid-valley area, call Kevin, X59415.• Dickson City: 1 opening, van, 15 passengers, 5/4/9,

nonsmoking, runs every Friday, leaves Giant parking lot, call Joe Lilik, X56227.• Factoryville, Dalton, Clarks Summit: 1 opening, van, 5/4/9, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m., fi rst Friday, A placard/handicap, call Richard Pomicter, X59343.• Hazleton, Drums, Mountaintop: 1 opening, van, 7 passengers, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.,nonsmoking, “A” placard, call Don Cook, X58363.• Pittston Commons: 1 opening, 6 passengers, van, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. shift, nonsmoking, leaves daily 6:05 a.m., call Frank Slempa, X58009 or Joe Scheff, X58401.• Clarks Summit: new, 7 passengers, van, “A” placard, nonsmoking, 5/4/9, call Akhtar Nayeem, X59062.

• Furniture: Contemporary living room set; red sofa and loveseat, black chair and ottoman, all with chrome legs, round glass and chrome coffee table and 2 end tables, good condition, asking $750, call Peggy 388-2087.• House: West Pittston, move-in condition, 1,300 sq. ft., good family neighborhood, 3 bedroom, 1 bath, large garage, close to many van pools, $85,000, call Chris, 484-868-1190,• NASCAR collectables: Dale Earnhardt Jr/Sr, Jeff Gordon,

Harvick and others, mostly winners circle, some transporters and special items, sold in sets or parted out, prices start at $2.50, call Walter, 499-4219.• Exercise equipment: Stepper exerciser, like new, paid $800, asking $450, negotiable. Woman’s bike, new, paid $600, asking $350, negotiable , call Denise, 582-4838 or e-mail Sandypatches@gmail.com.• Condo: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, end unit, new paint, great condition, near shopping/highway/new casino, in Mount Pocono, $79,996, call 424-8211.• Puppies: 3 males, long hair, black/tan, miniature Dachshunds, AKC registered, vet checked, fi rst shots and de-wormed, 8 weeks old as of Aug. 2, $475 each, call Becky, 344-9910.• Computer: 2001 ibook, Mac OSC operating system installed, has itunes, imovie, iphoto, DVD player, Appleworks, needs new battery, does not connect to the Internet, call Terry at 839-9428.• Memorabilia: Wade Boggs, 5x7 photo mounted on plaque, baseball cards, $25, call 969-3123 and leave phone number.• Parrot: Yellow Nap Amazon, DOB 4/27/08, Band No. 2413, name is Angel, talks and sings, green with yellow on top of head and back of neck, cage and toys included, someone with a knowledge of parrots is best, asking $800, call Jean or Hank, 722-0503 or leave message.

Flowers Winowich

Chairperson Co-chairperson

The 2008 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) will begin Sept. 15 with the Chili Contest.

The CFC is the only federal program that offers federal employees the opportunity to donate time or money to help family, friends and neighbors in less

fortunate situations.The CFC began in 1961 when

President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order to set into motion a unifi ed campaign which allowed approved charities to ask for donations from federal, postal and military employees. Since then, the CFC has become the largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign.

CFC contributions totaled $12.9 million in 1964, when record keeping began. The total for 2006 was $271 million and since the CFC began, federal workers have donated over $5.75 billion.

“Last year, personnel contributed more than $177,000 to help local, national and international charities,” says Chairperson Melissa Flowers. “We are confi dent that we will meet this year’s goal of $201,000.”

This year’s CFC slogan is, “Caring for the Community.” The winning slogan was submitted by George Marcin, Test, Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE) Support Center.

Depot employees can help the CFC by volunteering to make chili for the

annual kick-off campaign. They can also serve at the Spaghetti Dinner Oct. 9, or volunteer as a key person for their offi ce or cost center. Key person training will be held on Aug. 28.

“We are also going to have a Hoagie sale in October,” said Kathy Winowich, co-chairperson. “What is most important is that employees know that whatever they give, time or money, is especially needed in this time of economic diffi culty. Even a small donation is helpful.”

To donate, employees simply fi ll out a pledge card for a one-time donation or payroll deduction. Key persons will be available to answer questions.

Chili award winners will receive a plaque for the fi rst, second and third place “People’s Choice” and for the “Fireman’s Choice” award recipient. Other food, such as hot dogs, soda and baked goods, will also be available that day for purchase, with all proceeds going toward the CFC.

To volunteer, make chili or donate baked goods, call Flowers, X57899, or Winowich, X56656.

Depot kicks off CFC fund drive Sept. 15by Anthony Ricchiazzi

Editor

Day of Caring deadline to volunteer is Monday

The United Way of Lackawanna and Monroe counties will conduct their annual community-wide Day of Caring volunteer event Sept. 4.

On this day, thousands of people volunteer to work on various service projects to benefi t the United Way and other non-profi t organizations. Indoor and outdoor projects such as opening area camp sites, planting fl owers, painting, clerical tasks, landscaping, carpentry, and maintenance are available.

Last year, Tobyhanna Army Depot employees joined over 2,000 volunteers representing more than 75 local businesses in both counties participated in the Day of Caring.

The deadline to volunteer is Monday. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact me, X57256 or john.j.ross@us.army.mil.

Let’s all show our support to the community and have a great showing this year.

by John Ross

Day of Caring coordinator

AUGUST 19, 2008 TOBYHANNA REPORTER 7

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala.—Workers at the Stryker battle damage repair facility here have reached a milestone in their efforts to repair the Army’s 19-ton, eight-wheeled armored vehicles that have returned from Southwest Asia.

The depot, in partnership with General Dynamics Land Systems, Defense Contract Management Agency and the U.S. Army Project Manager’s Offi ce for the Stryker Brigade Combat Team, recognized the 100th Stryker to roll out the depot’s maintenance complex in a vehicle acceptance event Tuesday.

“Anniston is the backbone of the Stryker production and manufacturing program,” said Col. Robert Schumitz, project manager for the Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

A Stryker Mobile Gun System, known to the production crew as MGS-0036, was the 100th vehicle accepted in the battle- and combat-damaged repair program here. All 10 variants in the Stryker family of vehicles are built here; nine of the 10 variants have come back for repairs.

“Our team of government and Defense contractor mechanics, welders and machinists invested heavily in time, effort and sacrifi ce in their own way to get these Strykers back in the fi eld where the Soldiers need them,” said depot commander Col. S. B. Keller. “Soldiers in harm’s way are fully aware that the products they receive from Anniston are of the best quality, and the Stryker is no exception.”

The Stryker is designed to enable the Stryker Brigade Combat Team to maneuver more easily in close and urban terrain while providing protection in open terrain.

100th Stryker repaired at Anniston

ANNISTON STRYKER REPAIR—BY THE NUMBERS

• 2003—year Strykers were fi elded in Iraq

• 2006—year repair program began here

• 12—number of Strykers workers can repair in

one month

• 100—quantity repaired here as of Aug. 5

• 49—days it takes to repair one vehicle (it

took more than 100 days in 2006)

New child development center opens doorsDozens of state and local offi cials, Child and Youth Services staff and family

members attend the grand opening of Tobyhanna’s new Child Development

Center (CDC) on Aug. 11. From left, Dan Ferguson, representing State. Rep.

Mario Scavello; Anne Wombacker, Child and Youth Services (CYS) coordinator;

Walter Dorosky, director of Community Services; Lee Dexter, chief, Morale,

Welfare and Recreation, Northeast Region, U.S. Army Installation Management

Command; Dr. Catherine Sweeney, principal, Pocono Elementary Center;

Col. Ron Alberto, depot commander; Jennifer Williams, CYS director, Robert

Canova with son Robert in foreground; Ron Cappellini, chief of staff , Chaplain

(Maj.) Tammie Crews , (kneeling) Chloe and Deacon Kimmins and their mother,

Brook Kimmins, participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The new 20,000 square foot, state-of-the-art CDC is equipped with computer

labs and a multi-purpose sport room. New program plans include music

and sound, and technology classes. The Child and Yourh Services Program

is Department of Defense (DoD) certifi ed, state certifi ed and nationally

accredited. Upon completion of the new building and renovations to existing

structures, there will be enough room for up to 221 children. Active duty

parents, DoD employees, DoD contractors and military retirees are eligible to

enroll their children in the CDC programs. (Photos by Tony Medici)

WINNERS CIRCLE

EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY

CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE

Two Chevys from the 1960s and one late model Japanese car took top honors at the Employee Appreciation Day Car Show.

Joe Alexander’s 1965 Chevrolet pick up truck won fi rst place. Alexander, who works in the Productivity Improvement and Innovation Directorate, earned a trophy, a $25 gift card and a car supply gift basket.

Merrill Mayenschein’s 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS earned second place. Mayenschein, Command, Control and Computers/Avionics

Directorate, earned a car supply gift basket.

Warren Ferrese’s 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle took third. Ferrese, Systems Integrations and Support Directorate, also earned a car supply basket.

TOBYHANNA REPORTER AUGUST 19, 20088

Clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and timber has started as part of the process to transfer new radar workload to Tobyhanna. The work is the fi rst phase to build a radome and two radar antenna pads on the depot’s Powder Smoke Ridge, along with support infrastructure to include an access road and a clear lane for a new communications target tower.

The depot work will accommodate Marine Corps radar systems that are transferring to Tobyhanna as determined during the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment process. The systems are the AN/TPS-59 and AN/TPS-63 radars. When complete, the site will include a 77-foot radome for the AN/TPS-59, which will undergo testing and repair at the new site. A new 330 foot communications tower also will be constructed on depot property near the Munson Road Test Track. This will be the tallest structure on the depot when it is completed, says George Galaydick, an electronics engineer in the C4ISR Maintenance Engineering Division.

Underway now is the effort to identify and remove old munitions from the period when Tobyhanna was the Army’s east coast fi eld artillery training site, 1912-41. After the unexploded ordnance is removed, tree-removal operations will begin for the radar test pads and other facilities, as well as a clear line of sight lane from Powder Smoke Ridge to the target tower, said Phil Winowich of the Environmental Management Division.

The UXO clearance effort will cover almost 30 acres, eight acres for the construction of the test pads and access road and 21 acres cleared to allow for timbering of the area. To date, efforts have found several types of shells, including 37mm, 75mm and 155 mm munitions. Powder Smoke Ridge was an impact area during the installation’s fi eld artillery training period.

The new radar test area will be near the current AN/TPS-75 radar test site. A new roadway will link the two sites. Construction will begin in Fiscal Year 2009.

by Kevin Toolan

Public Aff airs Offi cer

WASHINGTON—The Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation has recommended fee changes to Tricare, the military’s health care system.

The recommendations would mostly affect retirees and will not affect active-duty servicemembers or their family members, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jan D. “Denny” Eakle, the director of the study.

“Retiree fees ought to relate to how much the plan is worth,” she said. “The ... higher-value plans should have higher premiums associated with them.”

One problem is the fee structure for Tricare has not changed in 13 years. “When Tricare started out in 1995, military members, retirees were charged $230 per individual, $460 per family,” she said. “Today in 2008, they’re charged $230 per individual, $460 per family.”

In 1995, servicemembers paid 27 percent of their health care cost. Today that share is less than 12 percent.

The panel wants to redress some of this imbalance. Other recommendations include using the Medicare

deductible rate —$135 per person in 2008—for Tricare. The panel also recommended to the department that all co-pays and co-insurance for any preventative service be provided at no cost to all members and retirees who have access to Tricare.

The fi nal panel recommendation to DoD is to establish an open enrollment period for Tricare, Eakle said.

Depot preps for transfer of radar workload;

clears UXO, timber on Powder Smoke Ridge

E.F. “Sonny” Richardson, senior technical manager, demonstrates how

a Schonstedts Magnetometer is used to locate unexploded ordnance.

Richardson works for Weston Solutions Inc. (Photos by Tony Medici)

From left, Brian Addison, Wayne Brown, Jake McClosky, Dan Dorrell and

David Carlin place sandbags prior to destroying a 155mm high explosive

projectile. The men are unexploded ordnance technicians working for Weston

Solutions.

Compensation panel recommends changing Tricare fees for retirees

by Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

FORT BELVOIR, Va—Thanks to a renewed command emphasis and commitment to safety and occupational health at every level, the U.S. Army Materiel Command won two signifi cant Army safety awards designed to recognize, promote and motivate success in accident prevention.

Brig. Gen. William H. Forrester, director of Army safety and commanding general of the U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center presented the Army Headquarters Safety Award for 2007 for Superior Contributions to Army Combat Readiness to Gen. Benjamin S. Griffi n, AMC’s commanding general, in a ceremony at AMC headquarters recently.

“You have distinguished yourself in safety excellence and have brought intrinsic value for safety to the rest of the Army. Each person at AMC knows they are a part of an organization bigger than themselves—you have infused the culture as a band of brothers,” said Forrester.

“AMC continued to improve its safety and occupational

health program by using Safety Rapid Review Teams to provide direct, multidisciplinary assistance to commanders in the fi eld; by sharing best practices across the command; and by using weekly production updates with AMC sites as safety council meetings between the commanding general and the commanders of those facilities,” said John Manfre, AMC’s director of safety, who also helped accept the award on behalf of AMC.

“AMC also reduced lost work days by 11 percent from fi scal year 2006 to 2007 and reduced its Total Case Incident Rates/Days Away-Restricted-Transfers rates in spite of increased mission and higher OPTEMPO at our facilities,” he said.

“This award is for the entire AMC enterprise - from the worker at the ammo plant, the arsenal, the fi eld support brigade - there is a total focus on safety and I’m extremely proud of everyone in AMC for winning this signifi cant award,” said Griffi n.

Griffi n then presented the Individual Award of Excellence in Safety to Douglas Day, a 36-year employee of AMC’s Radford Army Ammunition Plant, Va. The individual award is given to the civilian, contractor, offi cer and non-commissioned offi cer who have each made the most signifi cant contributions to their organization’s accident prevention effort.

“What you do at Radford is a critical asset for the warfi ghter and you do it safely. You set the example for the rest of AMC and are the epitome of the leadership and workforce here at AMC,” said Griffi n.

Under Day’s direct involvement, the plant reached one million hours of work without a recordable injury; implemented a foreign object damage control program that reduced those incidents by 50 percent from fi scal year 2006 to 2007; and conducted plant-wide safety stand-down days to increase safety awareness, said Manfre.

Army Materiel Command wins two top Army-level safety awards

TOBYHANNA REPORTER AUGUST 19, 20084 AUGUST 19, 2008 TOBYHANNA REPORTER 5

THROUGH THE YEARS . . . . .TO B Y H A N N A D E L I V E R S T E C H N O L O G Y TO T H E WA R F I G H T E R

M113A2 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERprovides transport of infantry and engineer units, medical evacuation, fi re support, and command and control functions on the battlefi eld. Built in 1980, the full-tracked carrier weighs 27,000 pounds, has a range of 300 miles and travels at a top speed of 42 mph.

M-60 MAIN BATTLE TANKrelied heavily on communications-electronics repaired here. Built in 1963, the full-tracked vehicle weighs 108,000 pounds, has a range of 310 miles, and is armed with a 105mm gun and AN/VSS-2 night vision. It’s top speed is 30 mph.

UH-1C BELL “HUEY” GUNSHIPis a Vietnam-era helicopter gunship that used communication-electronics equipment maintained here. This aircraft served in Vietnam from 1969-1973.

OV-1B MOHAWKwas used for aerial reconnaissance. This fi xed wing aircraft fl ew over 2,000 combat hours in Vietnam, monitoring enemy activity along the demilitarized zone and the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Tobyhanna was the prime depot for all the electronic sensors equipment used in the aircraft.

M901A1 IMPROVED TOW VEHICLEis a long-range, anti-tank, tube-launched, optically tracked, wire guided (TOW) missile system. The vehicle is armed with two loaded missiles and ten stowed, carries a crew of four, has a range of 300 miles and a top speed of 40 mph.

AH-1S “HUEY” COBRAis an attack helicopter that used avionics and communications-electronics equipment maintained here. Built in 1970, the helicopter has a range of 315 miles, travels at a top speed of 141 mph, and can climb 1,620 feet per minute to of 12,200 feet. The crew consists of a pilot and gunner.

M110A2 SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZERis used in conjunction with communications and fi re control systems maintained by Tobyhanna.Built in 1960, the howitzer carries a crew of fi ve, weighs 62,000 pounds, as a range of 450 miles and is armed with an 8-inch cannon. It’s top speed is 34 mph.

M577A1 ARMORED COMMAND POST is a lightly armored, full-tracked carrier with amphibious capability. It is designed to be used as a command post or observation vehicle. It can be equipped with various communications-electronics systems used for command and control. Built in 1970.

M578 RECOVERY VEHICLEis a light armored vehicle used to recover, tow and aid in the repair of disabled vehicles and to change major subsystems in the fi eld. First saw combat in Vietnam. The vehicle carries a crew of three, is armed with a 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun, weighs 53,000 pounds and has a range of 450 miles. It’s top speed is 34 mph.

AN/MLQ-34 TACJAMis an electronic warfare VHF tactical jamming system. This vehicle was used in Kuwait during Desert Storm by the 501st Military Intelligence Battalion. The system is maintained at Tobyhanna. Built in 1987.

OH-6A CAYUSEis an Army aircraft that used navigation and communications-electronics equipment repaired at the depot. Built in1966, the aircraft was commonly referred to as the “Loach”. These aircraft were used as part of hunter-killer teams with Cobra or Huey gunships. This aircraft served in Vietnam from 1969-1972.

AN/MPQ-4 RADAR SETis a 1950s-era counter-battery radar set maintained here. It is considered the forerunner to the Firefi nder. It is a mobile beam-intercept, non-tracking radar. It was designed to locate hostile mortars and other high-trajectory weapons to assist artillery units to return fi re.

M163A1 VULCAN AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMcarries a crew of four, weighs 27,478 pounds, has a range of 300 miles and is armed with an M168 gun system capable of fi ring 3,000 rounds per minute. Top speed is 35 mph.

AN/MPQ-10 RADAR SET is a 1950s-era counter-battery

radar set maintained here. A forerunner of the AN/MPQ-4 and the AN/TPQ-36, it’s a

lightweight transportable radar. It was designed to locate and

track hostile mortar and artillery projectiles to assist artillery units to

return fi re.

AN/TPQ-36 RADAR SYSTEM is a mortar and artillery locating radar

system maintained at the depot. Commonly referred to as Firefi nder, it is a highly mobile phased-array radar,

which automatically and accurately locates mortars, artillery and short

range rocket launchers.

M109A3 SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZER is capable of direct and indirect fi re support, and is air transportable. It can fi re in a 360-degree circle with

it’s 155mm cannon assembly and its M2 .50 caliber machine gun. It carries a crew of six, weighs 55,000 pounds,

and has a range of 217 miles.

AN/TSQ-72 LANDING CONTROL is a 1960s-era air traffi c control

system once maintained at Tobyhanna. It was used at Army

airfi elds to provide air traffi c regulation, aircraft identifi cation,

separation, infl ight assistance, ground approach radar control and

ground traffi c control.

UH-1H HELICOPTERis a Vietnam-era helicopter gunship

that used communications and electronics equipment maintained

at the depot. The aircraft entered service in 1969 with the 11th Armored Cavalry in Vietnam.

M48A3 MISSILE GUIDES LAUNCHERis a 1960s-era Chapparal Air Defense

System with ground version of Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. It is a

four rail, turret-mounted launcher on an M730 trackes cargo carrier chasis.

The missile has a range of 3.1 miles and altitude of 8,200 feet.

AN/TSC-54 TRANSPORTABLE SATELLITE

COMMUNICATIONS TERMINAL is considered the forerunner

of the worldwide satellite communications network. This

system has the unique distinction of being called “The Last Voice

out of Saigon.” Tobyhanna repairs and itegrates all ground terminals for Defense Department SATCOM

requirements.

F-14 TOMCATrecently joined the ranks of military exhibits along Hap Arnold Boulevard. The Navy fi ghter aircraft

is armed with Sidewinder missiles that are maintained at Tobyhanna. This aircraft was the last to leave the naval fl eet. The F-14, a U.S. carrier-based aircraft, entered the U.S. Navy inventory in

1972 and retired in September 1996.

A portion of Tobyhanna’s past and present lines Hap Arnold Boulevard. The aircraft, tracked vehicles and other systems on display are examples of military might showcasing more than 50 years of electronics technology.

The growing collection of historical artifacts is the realization of an idea to boost morale and reinforce the fact that this Army installation is an active proponent of the Department of Defense. In peacetime and war, employees here have repaired and overhauled equipment installed in vehicles and aircraft for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

In the early 1990s, the depot deputy commander decided it was time to draw attention to the versatility of the work

accomplished at the state-of-the-art facility. “I always felt Tobyhanna should look

more like a military installation,” said Frank Zardecki, deputy commander. “The items on display are representative of the work we do here; we have supported the electronics in each of the systems out there.”

Tobyhanna obtained the equipment through an Army program which manages the disposition of excess, obsolete or condemned combat material, including historical items identifi ed by the Center of Military History. In addition, there is a large model of the Army’s fi rst communications satellite on loan from the Smithsonian Institute located on the main aisle of Building 1A. The depot is responsible for the care and safekeeping of all the pieces.

“Adding the F-14 Tomcat to our

collection illustrates that we’re a DoD depot that supports everyone,” said Zardecki. “These artifacts depict our joint mission and make a positive fi rst impression when people come through the gate.”

The Navy fi ghter was placed on display last month and is on loan to Tobyhanna from the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Fla. It was the last to leave the naval fl eet.

“Tobyhanna maintained the guidance and control systems for the AIM-7 Sparrow and the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile,” said Robert Lamanna, adding that the depot still works on the Sidewinder. Furthermore, employees also maintain the APX-72 Identifi cation Friend or Foe Transponder, KY-58 COMSEC and ARC radios, he added. Lamanna is a former Navy pilot and was instrumental

in bringing the F-14 here. He is also the chief of the Business Management Directorate’s Business Management Division.

Unique to this Tomcat is the Skull and Cross Bones insignia that was adopted by Fighter Squadron 84 in the 1950s. The squadron was later nicknamed the “Jolly Rogers.”

The F-14, a U.S. carrier-based aircraft, entered the U.S. Navy inventory in 1972 and retired in September 1996.

“The Tomcat stands as a proud reminder of our commitment and dedication to excellent service in support to our warfi ghters throughout the joint services,” Lamanna said.

In addition to the 21 outdoor artifacts, there are several pieces on display in depot buildings.

Also in Building 1A is a M998 Humvee

equipped with the Tobyhanna-fabricated and installed Blue Force Tracking System. It is used to depict the depot’s engineering, fabrication and systems integration capabilities. It is located adjacent to other mission-related displays.

“Many employees can relate to these systems,” Zardecki said. “We have a lot of military retirees and civilians who worked on them at some point.”

Shortly after acquiring the M-88 retrieval vehicle, a former employee said he drove one while serving in Vietnam, he added.

“The Mohawk is my favorite,” Zardecki said. “The aircraft supports a large electronics platform and I spent years travelling the world fi elding new upgrades.” Now the former Air Force avionics technician works with Army museums restoring old aircraft.

by Jacqueline Boucher

Assistant Editor

Photos by Tony Medici and Steve Grzezdzinski