REPORTERTOBYHANNA Permit No. 50

First ClassU.S. Postage Paid

Tobyhanna, PA 18466

VOL. 51, NO. 24 TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, TOBYHANNA, PA. (WWW.TOBYHANNA.ARMY.MIL) DECEMBER 18, 2007

Page 3 Page 4

CFC surpasses goal Safety practices earn awards

Santa Claus comes to town

Page 5

“MAY PEACE BE YOUR GIFT AT CHRISTMAS AND YOUR BLESSING ALL YEAR THROUGH!” — UNKNOWN

(Photo by Steve Grzezdzinski)

Herbert Ziegler, left, and Randal Brace use computers to perform multiple tasks and communicate with other individuals within the TOC or elsewhere in the world. Ziegler is a training instructor and Brace is an electronics technician in the Voice Communications Division, Communications Systems Directorate. (Photo by Steve Grzezdzinski)

Tobyhanna offers expanded tactical operations trainingby Anthony RicchiazziEditor

See TOCNET on Page 3

Tobyhanna personnel have created a realistic training tool for TOC fi eld service representatives.

A Tactical Operations Center (TOC) training facility in the form of a tent will be available in January for training fi eld service representatives (FSRs).

“The tent gives the FSRs a real fi eld environment feeling to support the TOC equipment,” said Mark Williams, a new equipment training instructor. “The tent has all the equipment a TOC would have, including a generator and an environmental control unit, as well as the TOC equipment.”

Williams works in the Business Management Directorate’s New Equipment Training Division.

TOCs are command and control systems used for communications and data transmission. The systems, in shelters and other facilities, serve as a commander’s planning, coordinating, monitoring, advising and directing agency. TOC systems include radios, such as the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System, telephones, networking equipment, computers and other systems.

They work in concert with systems like Blue Force Tracking to give a command center complete access to a theater of operations. Commanders can monitor and direct actions throughout the theater.

FSRs maintain TOC and other communications-electronics equipment and new FSRs require training.

Williams, Dave Jurosky, James Lamie and Lynwood Turlington, all new equipment training instructors, hit on the idea of providing a realistic environment and directed the tent’s placement outside Building 3. The division personnel set up the tent themselves and use DVDs to simulate actual video feed a TOC receives.

The tent can accommodate classes of up to 30 people. The new equipment training team dismantled it temporarily to place a gravel base under it.

TOBYHANNA REPORTER DECEMBER 18, 20072

TOBYHANNA REPORTERCommander, Col. Ron Alberto Public Affairs Offi cer, Kevin M. ToolanEditor, Anthony J. RicchiazziAssistant Editor, Jacqueline R. BoucherStaff Writer, Jennifer CaprioliPhotographers, Anthony S. Medici, Steve Grzezdzinski

PRINTED ON PARTIALLY RECYCLED PAPER.PLEASE RECYCLE AS OFFICE QUALITY PAPER.

TEAM TOBYHANNA

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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. gov ernment, 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

COMMANDER’SCOLUMN

by Col. Ron Alberto

Every time I watch “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” I get my laughter fi x for the Christmas season.

Chevy Chase stars as Clark Griswold, a family man, who just wants to have the perfect “good, old-fashioned Griswold family Christmas.”

As he attempts to acquire things like the perfect Christmas tree and concoct the perfect egg nog, the family goes from one disaster to another. He spends an entire day fi nding the tree, while his family freezes in the snow, and it’s way too big for the house. The lights strung on the house won’t work. The relatives fi ght and carry on. The neighbors taunt him and the shopping trips are a bust. The fi nal straw comes when his Christmas bonus turns out to be a membership for the “jelly of the month” club rather than money for his dream pool. Although the language he uses during his meltdown is not the best, his frustration and sense of powerlessness in an intolerable situation comes through loud and clear.

I enjoy this screwball comedy, because it speaks to our own realities in so many ways. You can’t help but feel sorry for Clark Griswold. He tries so hard to make everything perfect, and it all falls apart despite his best efforts.

Think back to the times when you and your family experienced some of these same situations. How many holidays went wrong in your life, even though you did your absolute best to make it just right? How many times

have you promised yourself that this year will be different, only to miss the mark by a country mile? Perfect doesn’t exist in our world. And the need to get everything just right only adds to your stress.

Holidays, especially Christmas, should be enjoyed and cherished. They should

produce warm memories and bind families closer together. They were never meant to be nightmares of frustration and misery.

I think we should pause a moment and try to determine just what is really important to us as we celebrate this special season. Is Christmas really about having the perfect tree, beautiful lights and tons of presents overfl owing under the evergreen boughs? I don’t think so. Some of my fondest memories are of simple times and quiet moments, spent with my family, my children and my friends.

As a pastor and as a chaplain, Christmas Eve services have always been a part of our celebration. I love singing the carols, reading the passages of scripture and refl ecting on heaven’s gift. I can get lost in wonderful memories as I listen to “Silent Night” played soft and low.

And then there is the sharing of gifts representing the love we have for one another. In my family, we always opened one present each on Christmas Eve, and all the rest were saved for Christmas morning. Watching the delight on my children’s faces as they opened their gifts; and seeing

the joy on my wife’s face as she received my tokens of love to her—these are the things I really enjoy about Christmas. Its all about giving and sharing; not perfect decorations, or getting, competing or winning.

No matter what your tradition is, this season can be special to you. Luke 2:14 says this: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”. (King James Version) Think about this for a moment. Peace on earth; good will toward men. This idea is too big to miss.

In the Christian tradition, God’s gift puts the world to rights. War is replaced with peace. Misunderstandings melt into acceptance. And despair turns into hope. And fi nally, a beautiful future replaces an empty end.

Are these ideals something you could use this holiday season? Take a look around you, and savor the simple joys available to every one of us; family, friends, loved ones. Time off from work! Time to play; time to worship; time to plan for the future. Good food, beautiful music, pretty lights, and best of all, time to express love and appreciation to all who mean the world to you.

So, how will you spend this holiday season? Will you act like Clark Griswold chasing the perfect family Christmas, or will you keep it simple and concentrate on the important things, like family, and giving, and hope?

As you celebrate this year, make the right choices, and enjoy all the wonders this season can bring.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays and may God bless you.

Christmas is about making choices, making memories

Alberto commends depot employees, looks to futureWe now are

entering the fi nal weeks of 2007 and the end of another banner year in the proud history of Tobyhanna Army Depot. This week we will continue our push to expedite our work on the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems that are so critical to our warfi ghters.

But, as the Christmas holiday approaches, I urge you to take time to enjoy the blessings of this special season and to spend time with those closest to you. Our team has worked extra hours and gone that extra mile in so many ways this year. Now is the time for a well-earned break from all of your efforts to recharge your batteries for a new year and to step-back to reassess our mission and what it means to the nation.

This year is noteworthy in so many ways. Our Tobyhanna Team is larger than ever and we continue to grow to fulfi ll our record mission requirements. We noted a major milestone in June when we exceeded 5,000 personnel. Our numbers continue to climb and we continue to generate workload to keep everyone employed doing meaningful and essential work.

Another signifi cant number is two—for the two Shingo awards we have earned in the last two years. We continue to spread our Lean Six Sigma methodologies throughout the depot and our Shingo participation is a key component in its growing use and acceptance by team members here.

I am also deeply grateful for the contributions you make to the quality of life in northeastern Pennsylvania. From our Days of Caring Program and many other on-post volunteer activities to Operation Santa Claus and the Combined Federal Campaign, you help make this a better place to live and work.

This year you pledged $177,000 to the CFC and exceeded our campaign goal. Every one of those dollars will make a

positive difference in someone’s life— in northeastern Pennsylvania, across the nation or at some distant location halfway around the world. Next year, we will look to build on that number and fi nd ways to increase our participation rate in this noble charity program.

Similarly, we had 520 visitors—children, veterans and other guests—to our Operation Santa Claus parties. Their holiday is already brighter with the gifts and the memories of the good cheer you made possible.

Some other numbers are less precise but are the most signifi cant, such as the number of warfi ghters we are protecting with the products and services we deliver. Your talent and dedication are defeating improvised explosive devices (IEDs), reducing mortar and rocket attacks, and increasing the situational awareness of our forces on the battlefi eld. All of you share in these successes.

Now, it is time to enjoy the holidays. As always, please take time to remember our armed forces personnel and their families, as well as our forward-deployed team members, who will not be home for Christmas. They

are all outstanding Americans, willingly sacrifi cing their comfort and security, and their holiday with loved ones, so that we may live in liberty and safety.

And safety is how I will conclude my holiday wishes for you. This is a wonderful season, but it is frequently marred by accidents and incidents that are very often avoidable and preventable.

Act responsibly. Limit your use of alcohol and never drink and drive. If you are traveling to visit friends and relatives, allow extra time to account for traffi c congestion and winter weather. Decorate your home safely; overuse of decorations can cause fi res with devastating results. Proper food preparation is another essential.

Be safety-smart through the holidays and into 2008. We have important work to do next year, and we need each of you back and rested.

On behalf of all of us in the Command Group: Thank you for your service to the depot and to our armed forces. Happy holidays to you and your loved ones.

Team Tobyhanna—Excellence in Electronics!

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

by Chaplain (Maj.) Philip Smiley

DECEMER 18, 2007 TOBYHANNA REPORTER 3

THANKSI thank everyone who sent get well cards,

prayers and wishes, fl owers, phone calls and other get well mementos while I was hospitalized and at home recuperating. I am doing much better and am looking forward to returning to work in the very near future. Once again, thank you for your thoughts, concerns and kindness.

Bernadette McGinley Command Group secretary

Yes, it’s true….an icon among us has announced his retirement for Jan. 3.

It’s diffi cult to fi nd the right words to thank Dan McCauley (personal services offi cer) for all he has done for us. A thank you just doesn’t cut it.

Dan has been our unsung hero for 30-plus years at the depot. Many things he has done for us remain unspoken and always will. As he often tells his clients, “if you come see me, your issue is between you, me and the grave.”

What would we have done without him? Think about it….he has touched so many of us in such a positive fashion.

Dan may be the only depot employee who has held the same position for his entire career. Yet he never became bored; and more importantly, he never waivered from his awesome dedication to the job at hand.

He has done an amazing job for us. Just ask those who called upon him or leaned on him for fi nancial assistance, advice on divorce, drug problems with a son or daughter, post traumatic stress disorder, death of a loved one, or drug and/or alcohol addiction. He’s an expert in all these areas and more.

Dan has been there for all of us any time of day or night. It didn’t matter if it was 2 a.m. When we

needed him he made himself available ASAP. We will truly miss Dan. His work has been part

of his life, I’m sure, and will always remain part of his soul. There are no words to truly say how much we have appreciated his services, knowledge, guidance and friendship.

He has literally saved the lives of many people and signifi cantly touched the lives of so many more. So, how do we say good-bye to such a person? It won’t be easy—that’s for sure.

We wish Dan the best! We send him off with a debt of gratitude for all he has done. We wish him, his wife and family much health, happiness and success as they enter this new phase of life together.

Although Dan is retiring from Tobyhanna Army Depot, he will remain in the hearts of all those he has helped forever.

Name witheld upon request

My father and I would like to thank co-workers and friends for the kind words, thoughts,and prayers during our time of loss.

My mother will always be loved and missed very much by me and my father, who will always love and dearly miss is wife of 50 years.

It is really nice to know that when you have a tragedy in your life, you can count on friends and co-workers to get you through. I have met a lot of people in my 25-plus years at the depot, and this time in my life really makes me appreciate all the friends that I have.

Many people talk about the “Tobyhanna family,” well, a lot of you have shown me that when it really matters, it really does exist. Thanks again.

Ed and Norman Gayz

Employees have given about $177,000 in pledges and donations to the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) as of Dec. 12.

This year, employees have so far exceeded the goal of $160,000 by more than $17,000. This is 111 percent of the goal.

Last year, CFC collected $160,823 in pledges, exceeding that year’s goal by $5,000.

The 2007 campaign was headed by Chairperson Melanie Kane and Co-Chairperson Melissa Flowers. Kane is a management assistant in the Command, Control and Computer/Avionics Directorate. Flowers is a program analyst in the Communications Systems Directorate.

Employees handed in 1,348 pledge cards and participated in numerous fundraising efforts. Fundraising efforts included the annual chili cook-off and spaghetti dinner.

“We wanted to add a few more activities to keep people thinking about CFC,” says Kane. She and Flowers came into the campaign knowing that they wanted to try something new and different, Kane said, so they added a pumpkin

carving contest and a hoagie sale. This year employees bought over 900 hoagies. And for the second year in a row, fi shing reels were donated and raffl ed off.

The chili cook-off and bake sale raised over $1,000 and the hoagie sale brought in over $2,500. The spaghetti dinner raised $1,500 and the raffl e contributed $1,000 for a total of $6,000, which all went into CFC.

The campaign offi cially ended Nov. 15, but CFC will continue to accept pledges through the end of the year. “There are over 3,000 charities to give to and it’s not too late to give,” says Flowers.

“This year’s slogan—The Key is ME—really is what the whole campaign is about,” she noted.

“We’re thankful to our key-persons and volunteers for their efforts and support in making this year’s campaign a success,” says Kane. “We also thank all of the directors and supervisors for their support.”

Volunteers assisted in fundraising efforts, collected pledges, distributed incentives and acted as cost center representatives. All key-persons and volunteers were recognized at a CFC celebration on Dec. 10. Volunteers were awarded certifi cates and coins.

CFC surpasses goalby more than $17kby Jennifer CaprioliStaff Writer

TOCNET from Page 1

A Tactical Operations Center (TOC) training shelter has all the equipment a TOC would have, including a generator and an environmental control unit, as well as the TOC equipment. (Photo by Steve Grzezdzinski)

Training is done in two phases. “Phase one involves supporting the electronics, fi ber optics, networking and communications equipment,” Turlington explained. “Phase two is supporting the environmental equipment such as the air conditioners, and generators.”

Between phases, FSRS are given problems to solve to test what they’ve learned.

“Soldiers and FSRs call us from the fi eld on a regular basis for help,” Williams said. “We duplicate the problems here to give real-world training.”

Training updates will be automatically incorporated as equipment changes, Jurosky noted.

Part of the improvements to the courses is to provide Powerpoint slides as training aids. To lower printing costs, all handouts will be provided on CDs.

Lamie noted they also regularly receive requests for training and the new training tent adds to the depot’s capability to fulfi ll the requests.

“And it’s nice to get those requests because it builds our reputation as a fi rst class training facility,” he said.

So far, they have trained in excess of 100 FSRS and hundreds of Soldiers in the Continental United States (CONUS) and Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS). They also provide training on deployment, including the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., for TOCs and the Command Post Platform.

The team acknowledged the contributions of Public Works, Systems Integration and Support, and Command,

Computer, Control and Avionics directorate employees for assisting with the environmental control unit system, setting up the shelter, networking and testing equipment, and providing upgrades to the facility, grounds and power requirements.

Paul Baumes, training administrator, commented that the team was provided fl oor space and equipment when

requested for short periods of time and that the staff from the High Tech Regional Training Site–Maintenance staff has also provided continuing support.

“They went above and beyond to help,” Jurosky said. “With their expertise, and their management’s cooperation and support, we got the work environment best suited for this training.”

TOBYHANNA REPORTER DECEMBER 18, 20074

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE UPDATES MAILING LISTTOBYHANNA REPORTER/SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS DEC. 31

The Tobyhanna Army Depot Public Affairs Offi ce is updating the Reporter mailing list. The information provided in the spaces below will be kept on fi le and updated as needed.

Mail to: Public Affairs Offi ce, ATTN: AMSEL-TY-PA, Tobyhanna Army Depot, 11 Hap Arnold Blvd, Tobyhanna, PA, 18466-5076. Send Fax to 570-895-7868. Those who do not respond will be deleted from the mailing list. Please print clearly. For more information, call Jacqueline Boucher, assistant editor, 570-895-8073.NAME:

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From left, Karen Kimsey, LOGSA Safety and Health Working Group; Archie Parker, SIS logistics management specialist; Col. Ron Alberto, depot commander; John Armitage, SIS electroplater, and Bob Miller, welding shop leader, attend the Safety awards ceremony. (Photo by Steve Grzezdzinski)

Safety methods garner annual awards

WASHINGTON—The Army is getting ready to launch a new pay and personnel system next year that will streamline personnel processes and integrate the active-duty, National Guard and Army Reserve components, the Army representative for the new program said Dec. 7.

The Army Defense Integrated Human Resources System, which is part of a Defense Department initiative, will be implemented Oct. 1, 2008, at all Army installations and within all service components, Army Col. Patrick Devine, program director of DIMHRS, told online journalists and “bloggers” during a conference call.

DIMHRS is a commercial product that

will take the pay and personnel data from all three components of the Army and put it in a single database accessible online 24 hours a day. A key feature of DIMHRS is that it integrates the pay and personnel systems, which means that when a personnel action is taken, the system automatically will trigger any associated pay change, Devine said.

DIMHRS goes toward solving the problem of multi-component units, or those units made up of Soldiers from the active duty, National Guard and Army Reserve, Devine said. In the past, these units had to deal with six different personnel systems and three pay systems, he noted, and DIMHRS will consolidate those into one system.

A big benefi t that DIMHRS will give National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers is continuity of pay when they are mobilized,

Devine said. In the current environment, National Guard Soldiers go through fi ve different sites from mobilization to deployment and have to complete paperwork and be certifi ed at each location, he said. When DIMHRS is launched, all military pay will be handled in the one system, and is coordinated with personnel data, so problems can be avoided.

“In a DIMHRS environment, it’s one record per Soldier for military personnel and pay, so all that information is shared and it further expedites his entitlements and getting his compensation,” Devine said.

A unique aspect of DIMHRS is that it will allow Soldiers to access their records and make certain self-service changes, such as a change of address or requesting a personnel action, Devine said. In this way, every

Soldier will be a user of the system, and all supervisors, including Army civilians who supervise Soldiers, will be required to know the system so they can process leave requests, awards and evaluations, he said.

To prepare for the implementation of this new system, the Army is launching an ambitious training program designed to reach all installations, Devine said. The training team starts by briefi ng senior leadership on the program, he said, then moves to battalion- and brigade-level leadership, and then briefs the human resources personnel who will be using the system the most.

The Army also is making distance-learning materials available for DIMHRS, and will be training Soldiers to be instructors on the system, Devine said. The DIMHRS Web site, at www.armydimhrs.army.mil, also will have all the training materials available to Soldiers, he said.

The Web site also includes other helpful materials, such as a universal translator to help with commercial terms Soldiers may not be familiar with, and work force readiness packages, which describe how each action was done under the old system and how it will be done under DIMHRS.

The Air Force also is set to launch DIMHRS in February 2009, and although the Navy has not set a date for implementation, Navy offi cials have appointed a program director.

Army prepares to launch new pay, personnel system by Sgt. Sara Moore, USAAmerican Forces Press Service

The Tobyhanna Safety Division presented the 2007 Safety Area of the Year Awards to two directorates and one tenant agency during a Dec. 3 ceremony in the Post Restaurant.

The Finishing and Etching Branch, Systems Integration and Support Directorate, took top honors in the Heavy Industrial Area; the Welding Branch, SIS, earned fi rst place in the Light Industrial Area; the Command, Control, Guidance and Support Scheduling Division, Production Management Directorate, prevailed in the Administrative Area; and the Logistics Support Activity’s Packaging, Storage and Containerization Center (PSCC) walked away with the Tenant Activity Award.

Nomination packages indicated workers in each area developed best practices, communicated regularly, shared information and conducted training to keep work areas safe.

Members of the Industrial Services Division’s Welding Branch worked closely with the Safety Division to identify and self-correct hazards and organize safety information, according to Paula Mesaris, safety and occupational health specialist, stating that the branch hasn’t had a recordable injury since April 2006.

“Employees are empowered to identify, correct and report

hazards as they are identifi ed,” said Michael Fisher, division chief. “Everyone is encouraged to bring issues to the table and recommend possible solutions.”

Safety offi cials noticed that the Command, Control, Guidance and Support Scheduling Division updated all their Job Hazard Analysis forms to refl ect hazards in each work area. In addition, all employees kept their personal protective equipment available and maintained good ergonomic practices in offi ce areas, according to the package.

“We control and eliminate hazards through education and awareness,” said Ron Neher, division chief, explaining that employees are taught to recognize tripping hazards. Furthermore, Neher remarked that people who work a desk job, can suffer repetitive motion injuries. “Ergonomic awareness is stressed and employees are encouraged to walk during their breaks and use depot exercise facilities,” he said.

The PSCC boasts a Safety and Health Working Group to address hazards and conduct training. Records show the organization has no reportable injuries for fi scal year 2007.

“Management is not only committed to maintaining safe practices in the work place,” said Francis Flynn, LOGSA director, “but also in being proactive, educating center personnel on safety issues as well as other applicable health issues.”

Most notable in the heavy industrial category was the

Finishing and Etching Branch’s spill response team for maintaining a best-practice for locating material safety data sheets.

“Safety is stressed every week at the home team meetings and new employees are given a worksite safety orientation their fi rst day of work” said Louis Bocci, branch chief. “We work as a team to ensure compliance of safety standards.”

It’s been more than two years since the branch had a recordable injury.

by Jacqueline BoucherAssistant Editor

TOBYHANNA CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY CLICK ON THE CUSTOMER SERVICE LINK TO

RATE DEPOT SUPPORT, SERVICES

www.tobyhanna.army.mil

HOW ARE WE DOING?

DECEMBER 18, 2007 TOBYHANNA REPORTER 5

WhenSanta Claus

comes to Tobyhanna

(Photos by Tony Medici, Steve Grzezdzinski)

More than 500 children and adults attended Operation Santa Claus parties Dec. 5 and 6. During the annual event 115 volunteers dressed in costumes, assisted Santa, worked the craft table and helped the children.

Dozens of people also attended the Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 5 at the Landing. The ceremony included caroling, pictures with Santa and gifts for the children.

“This year’s OSC parties were a huge success. We are thankful to the civilians, retirees, Soldiers and family members for the charitable work they do for OSC. Everyone’s contributions are what make this such a successful program,” said Walter Dorosky, Community Services director.

Each child received a blanket donated by the Tobyhanna Army Depot Federal Credit Union, a coloring book and crayons, and a special toy.

TOBYHANNA REPORTER DECEMBER 18, 20076

OrganizationTitleJustin Abromavage Electrical worker D/SISAntonio Amesquita Sheet metal mechanic D/C3/AvionicsRobert Bachart Electronics mechanic helper D/CSAndre Bailey Electronics mechanic D/C3/AvionicsMorris Battle Logistics mgmt specialist D/C3/AvionicsMatthew Beavers Electronics mechanic helper D/C3/AvionicsValery Belikov Electronics worker D/ISRBrett Bellas Electronics mechanic helper D/ISRChris Blackwell Engineering equipment operator D/PWSlade Blair Electronics mechanic D/ISRJeffery Borger Electronics mechanic helper D/ISRMichael Boylan Electronics mechanic helper D/CSAnthony Brandi Electronics worker D/CSJoseph Breymeier Electronics worker D/ISRDaniel Brown Electronics worker D/SISMatthew Brush Painter D/SISThomas Burke Painter D/SISDwight Burridge Electronics mechanic D/ISRStephen Calles Electronics worker D/C3/AvionicsAngelo Castelli Electronics mechanic D/ISRJodi Chiodo Secretary D/PMJason Clark Electronics worker D/CSKathy Cordick Electronics mechanic D/ISRJustin Davis Electronics mechanic helper D/SISRichard Davis Electronics mechanic helper D/ISRJoseph Defazio Electronics mechanic helper D/C3/AvionicsKathleen Defazio Electronics mechanic helper D/CSJamie DeMaria Electronics mechanic D/ISRAnthony Dennis Electronics mechanic helper D/ISRPaul DePaoli Electronics worker D/C3/AvionicsGary DesChenes Electronics worker D/ISRWilliam Deweese Electronics mechanic D/C3/AvionicsWilliam Dierolf Electronics worker D/C3/AvionicsPatricia Duffy Secretary D/SISStacy Edwards Electronics worker D/CSJeffrey Esposito Electronics worker D/C3/AvionicsStanley Evans Electronics mechanic D/ISRLibby Faust Secretary D/BMTimothy Finch Electronics mechanic helper D/CSJeffrey Frisbie Electronics worker D/ISRDavid Frommert Electronics worker D/CSFrancis Glowatski Electronics mechanic D/ISRRobert Graziul Electronics mechanic helper D/ISREugene Haikes Painter D/SISRichard Hansen Production controller D/PMJonathan Hart Electronics worker D/SISIan Haslam Electronics worker D/CSMichelle Heyward Metal photo worker D/SISJohn Hickman Equipment specialist, electronics D/C3/AvionicsFrancis Hill Electronics worker D/ISRScott Holmes Electronics mechanic D/ISRDeborah Hussung Electronics worker D/CSJamie Jabara Electronics mechanic helper D/ISRClifford Jones Electronics mechanic helper D/CSEdward Jones Painter D/SISJeffery Kalendowicz Electronics mechanic helper D/ISRDustin Kandrac Electronics worker D/C3/AvionicsSteven Kenzakowki Electronics mechanic helper D/C3/Avionics

Name

WELCOME TO THE DEPOT NEW SUPERVISORSS

Ross Watkins

Melissa Ross is the material examiner and identifi er supervisor, Commodity Processing Branch, Production Management Directorate.

She supervises 25 people who receive and process all incoming material to the depot.

Prior to her current position she was a material examiner and identifi er. She began her career at Tobyhanna in July 1987.

Ross is a 1987 graduate of North Pocono High School in Moscow.

She and her husband, Richard, reside in Scranton.

Wayne Watkins is chief of the Tactical Missile Division, Command, Control and Computer/Avionics Directorate.

He supervises 70 people who test, overhaul, repair and modify guidance and control sections for the AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-84(E) Standoff

Land Attack Missile—Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) and AIM-9(M) Sidewinder Tactical Missile systems.

Watkins served seven years in the Coast Guard and three years in the Navy Reserves. During his military career he was a radioman.

Prior to his current position he was the Sidewinder Missile Branch chief. He began his career at Tobyhanna in December 1982.

Watkins is a 1967 graduate of Wyoming Valley West High School in Plymouth.

He and his wife, Brenda, reside in Plymouth. They are the parents of Melissa, who teaches elementary school and lives with her husband, James, in Maryland.

Watkins’ hobbies include golf. He is a member of the Association of the United States Army, Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and Franklin Street Primitive Methodist Church.

From left, John Santoni, John Evarts, Andrea Kneiss, depot commander Col. Ron Alberto, Anne Dolinsky and Thomas Medar attend the Length of Service Awards ceremony held Dec. 12.

Five Tobyhanna employees were recognized for their years of government service during the Dec. 12 Length of Service ceremony.

Andrea Kneiss—35 years, management assistant, Equipment and Supply Division, Public Works Directorate.

Thomas Medar—35 years, sheet metal mechanic, Refi nishing Services Division, Systems Integration and Support Directorate.

Anne Dolinsky—30 years, process improvement specialist, Process Improvement Division, Productivity Improvement and Innovation Directorate.

John Evarts—30 years, electronics mechanic

leader, Range Threat Systems Division, Command, Control and Computers/Avionics Directorate.

John Santoni—30 years, electronics worker, Firefi nder Division, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Directorate.

In addition to their service certifi cates and pins, employees with 35 years of service receive an engraved mantel clock and 30-year honorees receive a framed American fl ag that includes a photo of the depot.

Honorees who attended their Length of Service ceremony also receive a four-hour time-off award. Depot commander Col. Ron Alberto presented the awards.

NEWS NOTESBlood drive appointments available

Appointments are being accepted for the Red Cross Blood Drives scheduled for Wednesday and Jan. 2. To make an appointment, call X57091.

AUSA plans next luncheonThe Tobyhanna chapter of the Association of the United

States Army is having a general membership luncheon on Jan. 15 beginning at 11:30 a.m.

The luncheon will be held at The Landing. Guest speaker is Dr. Richard Wittstruck, chief systems engineer for the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Offi ce for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors. His presentation is titled “Quick Reaction Capabilities: The Logistics Challenge.”

The buffet lunch features stuffed chicken breast, Stan’s Roast Porketta, garlic roasted red potatoes, tangerine–glazed baby carrots, almond chocolate chip pound cake and salad.

Tickets are $10 and must be purchased by Jan. 11. For

tickets, contact your directorate offi ce. Military members contact Alecia Grady, 895–7069.

For further information, contact James Mangino, 895–7886.

Store sets holiday hoursThe Commissary will be open normal business hours on

days not listed: Dec. 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Dec. 24, closed; Dec. 25, closed; Dec 31, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Jan. 1, closed.

continued on Page 7

DECEMBER 18, 2007 TOBYHANNA REPORTER 7

OrganizationTitleName

WELCOME TO THE DEPOT

James Kessell Electronics mechanic D/C3/AvionicsDavid Kutch Electronics worker D/CSChristopher Kutra Electronics worker D/ISRRyan Lacomis Electronics worker D/CSDavid Lamoreux Security guard D/IRMEmmanuel Layos Electronics worker D/C3/AvionicsGeorge Marhelko Electronics mechanic helper D/ISRScott Marzec Electronics mechanic helper D/ISRJoshua Mast Electronics mechanic helper D/ISRRobert Mazur Electronics mechanic helper D/C3/AvionicsJoseph McHale Electronics mechanic helper D/SISDavid Meaney Electronics mechanic helper D/CSGary Mellin Electronics mechanic helper D/C3/AvionicsChristopher Meyers Electronics worker D/C3/AvionicsJonathan Miller Electronics worker D/C3/AvionicsJoseph Molanda Electronics worker D/ISRElaine Mondak Electronics mechanic helper D/C3/AvionicsJohn Morcom Electronics worker D/CSRaymond Nardelli Electronics mechanic helper D/CSChristopher Nick Electronics mechanic helper D/ISRMichael Osmeyer Sandblaster D/SISAlan Pace Electronics worker D/C3/AvionicsDavid Paglianite Electronics mechanic helper D/ISRDavid Partyka Electronics mechanic helper D/C3/AvionicsFerdinando Posser Electronics mechanic helper D/C3/AvionicsJason Radle Electronics worker D/C3/AvionicsDennis Redding Electronics worker D/CSJames Riggall Security guard D/IRMRichard Robinson Electronics worker D/CSWalter Rohan Electronics worker D/CSSteve Rontinonis Electronics mechanic helper D/ISRCraig Rosenberger Electronics mechanic D/CSKyle Samuels Painter D/SISRobert Sauers Electronics worker D/CSPeter Savage Electronics mechanic helper D/ISRRobert Schultz Electronics worker D/CSJames Sciandra Painter D/SISIan Sessock Electronics mechanic helper D/C3/AvionicsGregory Shevchuck Electronics mechanic helper D/CSFranklin Shinn Electronics mechanic D/CSRussell Smale Electronics worker D/ISRHoward Smith Sandblaster D/SISJonathan Souders Electronics worker D/C3/AvionicsEdward Steber Electronics mechanic helper D/C3/AvionicsNorman Stollberg Environmental protection spec D/IRMWieslawa Szlgiewicz Electronics mechanic helper D/C3/AvionicsWilliam Taynton Electronics mechanic helper D/ISRDonald Thompson Sandblaster D/SISEdward Warunek Electronics worker D/CSAndrew Weston Electronics mechanic helper D/SISDarryl White Electronics worker D/SISJohn Wojciechowski Electronics mechanic helper D/ISRKevin Woomer Electronics worker D/CSJohathan Writer Security guard D/IRMJoseph Weisgable Electronics worker D/C3/AvionicsDonna Williams Electronics worker D/ISRFelicia Wolverton Electronics worker D/ISRGlenn Womer Electronics worker D/CSAlan Yuscavage Electronics worker D/C3/Avionics

COMMUNITY BULLETIN

• Dupont, Avoca, Moosic: 1 opening, van, 7 passengers, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., call Janice, X56269.• West End, Palmerton, Brodheadsville: seeks riders, 5/4/9, both Fridays, contact Keith, X56249 or keith.orach@us.army.mil.• Stroudsburg: 5/4/5, meet in South Stroudsburg, call John Kulp, X58751.• Montdale, Eynon, Peckville, Jessup, Dunmore: 1 opening, 5/4/9, van, both Fridays, “A” placard, shared driving, various pick ups on Route 247, call Michele, X57565 or Rich, X55943.• Nanticoke, Sugar Notch: 1 opening, 14 passengers, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. shift, “A” placard, call John Bienick, X57361 or X57646.• Dickson City: 1 opening, van, 7 passengers, 5/4/9, available in January, call Dave Stevens, X59065.• Route 590, Lakeville, Ledgedale, Greentown areas: 1 opening, van, 5/4/9, runs both Fridays, call Shep, X56059.• White Haven: 1 opening, van, 7 passengers, 5/4/9, nonsmoking, call Jeanne, X57783.• Wilkes Barre: reforming 15-passenger van pool, Dec. 3, limited space available, 5/4/9, meet at Sam’s Club 5:45 a.m./drop off about 5:30 p.m., cost per month is $110, contact John Alden, X58640 or send e-mail.• Wilkes Barre: 2 openings, van, 7 passengers, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. shift, meets at Sam’s Club, call Rosanne, X57285, or Arlene, X58008.

• Scranton, West Side: 1 opening, van, 7 passengers, 5/4/9, house-to-house pick up, available Dec. 1, “A” placard, call Ron Hazlett, X59646.• Wilkes Barre, Pittston: openings, 5/4/9, nonsmoking, van, departs 5:55 a.m., pick up points are Home Depot and park and ride, call Jim, X58693.• Tannersville: 1 opening, van, 7 passengers, 5/4/9, runs both Fridays, pick up point is Tannersville Fire House, available in January, call Tom, X57081.• Talor, Old Forge, Minooka: 1 opening, van, 7 passengers, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. shift, “A” placard, shared driving, call Mike, X57784, or Dave, X57420.• New Jersey, Route 80: individual wants to car pool with someone who rides Route 80 or lives near the Water Gap area, call Robin, X57345.

• Vehicle: 2000 Pontiac Grand AM GT, 4-door, sedan, Ram Air V6, dark green, new tires and alloy wheels, all belts recently replaced, loaded with options, needs nothing, excellent condition, 66k miles, Blue Book value $7,400, asking $5,800 OBO, call 457-9795 or 856-3742.• Snow blower: 9.5 hp Ariens, new, never used, $875, call Jan, 848-2551.• Misc. items: Panasonic television, $30; recliner, $20, call Paul, 655-8207.• Used car: 2000 Ford Explorer XLS, 4WD, good condition, V-6 4.0 liter, air, ABS, all 4 wheel, P/S, P/W, P/L, single CD player, automatic, 53,050 miles, serious inquiries only, $5,000 as is, call Peg, 842-0566.• Collectibles: Miniature liquor bottles, 500-1,000 assorted, many hard to get, old/new, sets included, serious inquiries only, call Steve, 954-5881.• Motorcycle: 2006 Yamaha Road Star Silverado 1700cc, gold/silver two tone, 3,500 miles, special edition, lots of factory extras, Vance and Hines Long Shots, stock pipes, chromed out, serious inquiries only, $9,750, call 347-5294.• Jeep: 1992 Jeep Renegade, mint condition, red, 6-cylinder, wide fender kit (red), 130k miles, fog lights, AC, CD/MP3, neoprene seat covers, undercarriage accent lighting, 3 roofs (red hard top, full soft top, bikini top), hard doors, soft doors with removable plastic windows, factory lifted, must see, asking $4,250, call 347-5294.

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 TRADING POST

Winter weather often produces hazardous conditions that may impact Winter weather often produces hazardous conditions that may impact the depot’s operational status. Public announcements regarding depot the depot’s operational status. Public announcements regarding depot closings or starting time delays will be provided to local television and closings or starting time delays will be provided to local television and radio stations, and recorded on a toll free information hotline. Employees radio stations, and recorded on a toll free information hotline. Employees are encouraged to tune in to the media outlets listed below or call 1-800-are encouraged to tune in to the media outlets listed below or call 1-800-429-4496 to hear the recorded announcement. Television stations will 429-4496 to hear the recorded announcement. Television stations will not add Tobyhanna to their scroll lists. Employees must listen for the not add Tobyhanna to their scroll lists. Employees must listen for the announcementannouncement

STAY TUNED STAY TUNED LOCAL MEDIA ANNOUNCE WEATHER DELAYS, CLOSURES LOCAL MEDIA ANNOUNCE WEATHER DELAYS, CLOSURES Television stationsWNEP, Channel 16WYOU, Channel 22WBRE, Channel 28

AM radio stationsWAEB, 790 (Allentown)WARM, 590 (Scranton)WKAP, 1470 (Allentown)WEJL (ESPN), 630 (Scranton)WILK, 910/980 (Pittston)WICK, 1400 (Scranton)

FM radio stationsWAEB, 104.1 (Allentown)WKAB, 103.5 (Berwick)WMGS, 92.9 (Scranton)WKRZ, 98.5 (Pittston)WGGY, 101.3 (Pittston)WWDL, 105 (Scranton)WEZX, 106.9 (Scranton)

OR SEND AN E-MAIL TO

ask-toby@conus.army.mil

ASK-TOBYCUSTOMER SERVICE DESK

1-877-275-8629570-895-8629

DISN 795-8629

TOBYHANNA REPORTER DECEMBER 18, 20078

(Photos by Tony Medici)

Above, (from left) Brig. Gen. Thomas M. Cole, program executive offi cer for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare, and Sensors, Jim Iverson, deputy product manager, Radars, and Lt. Col. Al Visconti, product manager, Radars, CECOM Life Cycle Management Command, toured the depot industrial complex during their visit Nov. 19. Right, Michael Lombardo, electronics mechanic leader, briefs Ann Reese, professional staff member, House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense, during her Nov. 30 visit to the depot. Her visit included a tour and briefi ngs on depot capabilities and missions, including Reset workload, staffi ng and investment, and modernization of infrastructure. Lombardo works in the Air Traffi c Control Division, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Directorate.

Depot welcomes visitors

Medical Maintenance making house calls in SWAby Anthony RicchiazziEditor

Increasing demand for medical equipment repair has driven the establishment of a Forward Repair Activity for a tenant activity here.

The Medical Maintenance Operations Division has opened an FRA in Southwest Asia to support anesthesia, laboratory and X-ray equipment.

The division, part of the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency, provides direct, general and depot–level support for medical equipment to the active Army, Army Reserve, National Guard, authorized Department of Defense activities and other federal agencies, according to Wayne Collins, division chief. The agency is part of the Medical Research and Materiel Command.

The agency earned ISO 9001 registration in 2003 and recently passed a surveillance audit to maintain its certifi cation until October 2009.

Personnel also operate the Medical Standby Equipment Program and Repairable Exchange Program. The Maintenance Operations Division has developed locations of specialized expertise, called “Centers of Excellence.”

The division here is a Center of Excellence and supports units from Maine to Florida, repairing and calibrating medical systems such as optical, dental, X-ray, audiometers and blood chemistry analyzers.

Two other divisions, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and Tracy, Calif., cover the rest of the country.

“USAMMA established the FRA in August to serve Army hospitals there,” said Collins. “Contractor support to units in–theater was getting very costly. Now we have depot-level repair capability for computed radiography, computed tomography, anesthesia and laboratory equipment.”

Computed radiography uses a laser to make images rather than fi lm. Because the images are digital, they can be transmitted via the Internet.

The technicians also repair equipment in the fi eld throughout Southwest Asia and train Soldiers to carry out fi eld-level repairs. Collins said a MEDWEB server allows them to transfer electronic information such as images and patient information from medical equipment located anywhere in the world, called modalities. Technicians work in both setting up modalities to transfer information as well as troubleshoot systems when images do not transfer.

Technicians will carry out Reset equipment for units coming back from Southwest Asia by refurbishing the items to a like new condition.

“We also perform technical inspections and bring equipment to a fully mission capable status in accordance with the federal 10/20 standards on equipment left behind or stored as units prepared to depart,” Collins said.

They provide disaster relief assistance outside their assigned area. For example, they assisted with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in New Orleans.

“I went with two other technicians, Vincent Parise and Mark Mills, to New Orleans as part of a Joint Task Force to assist the 14th Combat Support Hospital out of Fort Stewart, Georgia,” said Jesse Rude, now a production controller. “We transported tools, medical equipment and everything needed to sustain ourselves in box trucks to repair their medical equipment. We had tents set up, generators, 14-passenger vans, and everything we needed to support that fi eld hospital.”

“I started in Medical Maintenance in October 2003 as a contractor, and two years later, joined as a federal employee. My fi rst day as a civil servant, I received orders to go to Fort Detrick in Maryland to process equipment for Katrina,” said Tom

Fortner, biomedical maintenance equipment technician. “Equipment was calibrated at Tobyhanna, and then sent to Detrick.

The technicians said the most challenging part of their jobs is the wide variety of medical equipment they must be able to test and repair. “Whatever you fi nd in a hospital, we work on,” Collins said. “It takes time to learn all that.”

“And equipment ranges from old dental chairs to state–of–the–art blood and tissue analyzers,” Fortner said. “We work on ultrasound machines the size of a notebook that use Doppler imaging and have four or fi ve different probes for different organs. So we have to keep up with technology.”

Collins said traveling is a fact of life for the technicians. It is not uncommon for them to travel over 50 percent of their time.

The entire agency must maintain credentials

to keep the ISO 9001 rating, he said. “If one division fails, the entire agency fails, so we all strive to keep up with training and being as effi cient as possible.”

To earn the ISO 9001 rating, Collins said they reduced work order backlog from about 1,750 to about 350.

“We reduced our turnaround time from up to 90 days to about seven days for repair and return, 30 days for hand pieces and 50 days for contracted services,” he said. “We also established performance reports to track work order turnaround and man hour utilization.” He said they are now working to expand their support to Soldiers by going to additional Guard and Reserve units to service their medical equipment.

“We have been providing sustainment maintenance for three years and it has been very successful,” he said.

John Callender, a biomedical maintenance equipment technician, refurbishes and reconditions a Defi brillator/Monitor Recording System. (Photo by Steve Grzezdzinski)