IDGA Q&A: Optimizing RESET Logistics Support for Warfighter Readiness

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IDGA Q&A: TRAVIS CURTIS, SR., DML

Chief Warrant Officer (Retired) Travis Curtis, Sr., DML, is the Tobyhanna Army Depot Liaison Officer supporting the Aviation Missile Life Cycle Management Command (AMCOM), Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. He assumed the position in July 2008. In March 2011, he also was detailed for four months as the Director of Business Management for Tobyhanna Army Depot.

His responsibility includes providing integrated logistics support for the life cycle management for a variety of C4ISR equipment that is RESET, RECAP and overhauled by the depot and managed by the Communication Electronics Life Cycle Management Command (CECOM).  His awards include the United States Army Bronze Star, Army Meritorious Service Medals (5^thAward), United States Army Superior Civilian Service Medal, Army Commendation Medals (4^thAward), Secretary of Defense Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the United States Army Commander’s Medals for Civilian Service (3^rdAward).

IDGA recently spoke with Mr. Curtis about Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) RESET logistics support for warfighter readiness, and opportunities for industry partnerships in this sphere.

 IDGA: While RESET logistics support is a vital component for warfighter readiness across a broad spectrum of military equipment, it seems particularly important for C4ISR equipment.  What are the unique challenges in C4ISR logistics support?

 TC: CECOM and Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) are in a unique posture when it comes to RESET. One of the ways we overcome our challenges are through the use of our CEER-T (Communications-Electronic Evaluation Repair Team) mission; this team is operationally controlled by our CECOM Logistics Readiness Center (LRC) and managed by Tobyhanna, using depot level repair experts from Tobyhanna Army Depot.  These teams go out to the Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) and provide RESET on certain C4ISR equipment, such as SINCGARS radios and Night Vision Devices.  Another example is that in addition to our depot proper capabilities in Pennsylvania, we have three additional regional Forward Repair Activities (FRAs) that performs depot level RESET forward at locations such as Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Fort Hood, Texas, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington in support of one of our programs called SICPS (Standardized Integrated Command Post Systems) in support of Program Manager (PM) Command Post Systems & Integration (CPS&I). These items mentioned above are some of the tools that we use at Tobyhanna Army Depot to mitigate RESET challenges and meet our ARFORGEN schedule. The BLUF is that getting the equipment on time ‘from’ the customer is critical to our scheduling and RESET efforts.

 IDGA: How are RESET issues for counter radio-controlled IED electronic warfare receiver/jammers (CVRJ) assets approached?

 TC: That type of electronic warfare equipment repaired at Tobyhanna Army Depot is as follows:  The Army Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (CREW), also known as DUKE V3, is RESET at Tobyhanna Army Depot; while the CVRJ/THOR 3 is repaired only in Theater by Tobyhanna Army Depot.  We also did engineering support and cable fabrication on THOR 3 in support of the Program Manager.

 IDGA: Can you describe the opportunities for industry partnerships in this field?

 TC: Public-Private Partnerships (P3) are important not only to Tobyhanna Army Depot, but our Army Materiel Command (AMC) Enterprise as well.

Currently at Tobyhanna Army Depot, we have a total of 21 partnerships for FY 11, of which 8 are completed and 13 currently active, along with 47 potential private partnerships with Industry. 

Our view is that P3 is a collective and collaborative effort to put something into the hands of the soldier that is cost effective, meets performance, and within time. Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) has 13 years of public-private partnership experience which has broadened its reach across the entire spectrum of full-service electronics maintenance products, support and services.  Tobyhanna has both private and organic partnerships.

 IDGA:  In your role at AMCOM, what strikes you as the one issue that is of the most interest to the defense & government communities?

 TC: Soldier support!  We have a responsibility to ensure that our solders receive their equipment on time and that it performs as advertised.  I have a genuine love and support for and to the AMCOM community. The AMCOM customer base is my number one priority; and as the TYAD Liaison Officer at AMCOM, I have a huge responsibility to ensure that our products reach the AMCOM customers on time, within cost and that it performs.

 Chief Warrant Officer (Retired) Travis Curtis, Sr., DML, will be speaking at IDGA’s 2^ndAnnual Military Logistics and RESET Summit, to be held Jan. 24-25, 2012 in Washington DC.

Contributor:   Christopher Dauer

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