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Reserve intelligence squadron leads annual disruptive technology seminar

  • Published
  • By Maj. John T. Stamm
  • 655 ISRG Public Affairs
FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md --  

The 655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group’s 512 Intelligence Squadron hosted their 4th annual “Convergence 2018” seminar at John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), Laurel, Maryland, June 8, 2018.

 

The seminar was held to discuss the latest trends in disruptive technologies in cyber, space, and air, and to bring the experience of reserve members with jobs in disruptive industries to assist their active duty counterparts. 

 

Lt. Col. Todd Borzych, former commander of the 512 IS, led this year’s forum to teach reserve and active duty personnel about disruptive technology and its differences from incremental innovation. Five of the six speakers were Air Force Reservists, who demonstrated the diversity that is present in the Reserve Armed Forces and how they are bringing unique skillsets to the Department of Defense.

 

“This forum provides an avenue for Reserve Citizen Airmen who work in disruptive industries to teach their active duty counterparts about what is going on in that industry,” Borzych said.

 

Historical collaborators at this multi-year program include David Roberts of Singularity University, a world-renowned expert on Disruptive Technology; 1 Cubit, a lead Quantum Software Company; Made-In-Space, the world’s only company to 3-D print in space;  the Defense Innovation Unit – Experimental (DIUx);  Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (JHU/APL); and the 16th Intelligence Squadron.   Attendees have included Airmen and leadership from across the ISR community, the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing, a former Chief of Staff of the National Security Council, a former Undersecretary of the Navy, and other government and industry leaders interested in Disruptive Technology. 

 

Tech. Sgt. Wilson (first name withheld), 512 IS analyst and Facebook employee, shared her experiences with ongoing cyber security efforts that are helping to make Facebook a stronger platform for millions of users worldwide.  Wilson is a member of a team at Facebook who is creating innovative and disruptive techniques to secure the enterprise and its users. 

 

512 IS analyst Airman 1st Class Taylor (first name withheld), who holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science, is a subject matter expert on Enterprise Data Systems Architecture, Robotics, and Data Science.  Taylor presented on disruptive technologies that are helping the Social Security Administration to track and eliminate fraudulent social security claims, a multi-billion dollar loss annually, and Master Sgt. Hackner (first name withheld), 16 IS, presented on the intricacies of the current cyber threats amongst state actors from the perspective of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis.

 

For the final presentation of the day, Mr. Kenneth Hibbard (NASA), shared his insights into an APL project that is one of the top contenders for NASAs effort to travel and gather test data from the surface of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon.  Borzych explained how these technologies are enabling efforts to potentially stop a future strike by a Near Earth Object. 

 

“NASA’s Office of Planetary Defense is finding a way, through Disruptive Technology, for our species to save itself,” Hibbard said.

 

The seminar was such a success, the 70 ISRW invited the 512 IS to participate in their “Innovation Summit” currently scheduled for July at the University of Maryland Center for Advance Study of Language (CASL) facility.  The targeted audience will be primarily squadron leadership and innovation/technology leads across the 70th ISRW’s six groups and 21 squadrons comprised of more than 6,000 Airmen. 

 

The 655 Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group is dedicated to serving as the premier and most diverse ISR Group in the United States Air Force, delivering timely, reliable, accurate and actionable intelligence products enabling a decision advantage over adversaries of the United States.  The 655th consists of a headquarters and three tenant squadrons in Ohio, and 11 geographically separated units in California, Texas, Nebraska, Virginia, Florida and Maryland.  For exciting and rewarding career opportunities with the 655 ISRG, please contact your local Air Force Reserve recruiter or call 937-257-8117.