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• Financial Responsibility for Port Security: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, United States House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventh Congress, Second Session, March 14, 2002

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  The purpose of this hearing is to examine who is responsible for implementing security procedures and consider ways to finance the new security equipment that individual ports and marine terminal facilities must install to address the increased terrorist threat to our Nation. The Subcommittee will receive testimony from the Administration, vessel and marine facility operators, as well as several local port authorities. Included is a review of Port Security Grants for critical national seaports. Statements include those of the following: William G. Schubert, Joseph Cox, Richard Steinke, Frederick R. Ferrin, and Paul F. Richardson.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

  2002-03-14
• Port Security: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, United States House of Representatives One Hundred Seventh Congress, Second Session, March 26, 2002

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  The purpose of this hearing is to discuss the current maritime security efforts implemented in the Port of New York and New Jersey and to investigate suggestions on ways to further reduce the vulnerability of our ports and waterways to terrorist attacks. Included is a review of Coast Guard security measures taken after September 11th, as well as current Coast Guard authorities. No testimonies are available as yet. This document contains only information on the purpose of the hearing and a lengthy background description.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

  2002-03-26
• Coast Guard FY 2000 Operational Cuts: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, United States House of Representatives One Hundred Sixth Congress, Second Session, June 7, 2000

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  On June 7, 2000, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation will conduct an oversight hearing on the Coast Guard's fiscal year 2000 shortfall of approximately $225 million. This shortfall has resulted in Coast Guard operational reductions in various parts of the country of 20 to 30 percent. Emergency supplemental funding is necessary to cover the Coast Guard funding shortfall and avoid additional operational cutbacks later this fiscal year. The cumulative effects of streamlining, budgetary shortfalls, personnel shortages, inexperienced personnel, and increased demands for services have reduced the Coast Guard's overall readiness posture. In the past, the Coast Guard has deferred maintenance on vessels, cannibalized aircraft, and significantly increased the number of hours that personnel work to overcome readiness shortfalls. However, the Coast Guard has deferred maintenance on its aircraft, vessels and shore facilities to the point that it is no longer able to sustain the current level of operations. In addition, this fiscal year the Coast Guard has diverted funds from law enforcement operations to pay for unbudgeted cost increases related to pay and entitlement programs enacted under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2000. Statements include that of James M. Loy.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

  2000-06-07
• Coast Guard FY 2001 Supplemental Funding Needs: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, United States House of Representatives One Hundred Seventh Congress, First Session, May 3, 2001

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  On March 8, 2001, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation will conduct an oversight hearing on the Coast Guard's fiscal year 2001 shortfall of approximately $91 million. This shortfall has resulted in a 10 percent reduction in Coast Guard operations. Emergency supplemental funding is necessary to cover the Coast Guard funding shortfall and avoid a 30 percent reduction in operations during the third and fourth quarters of the year. Congress appropriated $3.192 billion for Coast Guard Operating Expenses (OE) in fiscal year 2001, a $336 million or 12 percent increase over the fiscal year 2000 appropriated level. This figure was $7 million less than was requested by the previous Administration. While the requested level and appropriated level of funding was nearly identical, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001, which was enacted into law after the Department of Transportation Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001, contained a number of expanded personnel entitlements which had not been included in the President's budget request. Statements include that of James M. Loy.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

  2001
• Coast Guard Fiscal Year 2003 Budget: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, United States House of Representatives One Hundred Seventh Congress, Second Session, March 7, 2002

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  The purpose of this hearing is to consider the Administration's fiscal year 2003 budget request for the U. S. Coast Guard. The Administration requests $7.1 billion for fiscal year 2003 for Coast Guard activities that are subject to appropriation. This request is $1.6 billion (28 percent) more than the amount appropriated for the Coast Guard in fiscal year 2002. This request places specific emphasis on the Coast Guard's search and rescue and homeland security focused missions. Approximately $700 million of the increase is provided for new military entitlement programs and to enhance Coast Guard operations. The remaining increase of $900 million is due to an accounting change which fully accrues the Coast Guard's retirements and health care costs. Both of these accounting initiatives would require the enactment of legislation to become effective. Statements include those of James M. Loy, and Vincent Patton, III.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

  2002-03-17
• Port Security: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, United States House of Representatives One Hundred Seventh Congress, First Session, December 6, 2002

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  The purpose of this hearing is to receive the recommendations of the Secretary of Transportation on the need to increase security in our nation's ports and waterways against terrorist attacks. The Subcommittee will discuss the Federal government's current maritime security efforts and the Administration's suggestions on ways to further reduce the vulnerability of our ports and waterways to terrorist attacks. In response to the terrorist attacks, Congress passed a $40 billion emergency supplemental appropriation to combat terrorism. The Coast Guard received $18 million to cover operating expenses in New York Harbor and for Coast Guard Reserve activations. The President requested an additional $203 million for the next 6 months for the Coast Guard to activate reservists, increase its homeland security operations, and provide for three nuclear and biological detection strike teams. Division B of H.R. 3338, the Fiscal Year 2002 Supplemental Appropriation, contains approximately $145 million in supplemental funding to cover additional Coast Guard homeland security costs. Statements include those of Norman Mineta and James M. Loy.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

  2003
• Hearing on H.R. 307: Federal Protection Service Reform Act, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, United States House of Representatives One Hundred Seventh Congress, First Session, September 6, 2001

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  The Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management met to receive testimony on H.R. 307, the Federal Protective Service Reform Act. The Subcommittee will receive testimony from the primary sponsor of the legislation, Congressman Traficant, the Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service of the General Services Administration, the Fraternal Order of Police and from the American Federation of Government Employees. The bill directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to conduct a survey of the pay and benefits of all other Federal police forces to determine disparities between the pay and benefits of such forces. The Director of OPM is to transmit the findings to Congress six months after the date of enactment. Also, within one year of enactment the minimum level of full time equivalent police officers is established at 730. The Commissioner of FPS is required to prescribe the minimum standards of suitability in contracting for security guards and will conduct a cost analysis on each security personnel contract. Title II of H.R. 307, amends the Public Buildings Act of 1959, concerning safety and security of children enrolled in childcare facilities located in Federal buildings. The bill instructs GSA to notify the parents or guardians enrolling their children in a childcare center located in a Federal building of the current Federal agencies occupying the building, the level of security of that particular Federal building and to notify parents of any change of Federal tenants in the building. It also requires GSA to submit a comprehensive report to Congress on childcare facilities under the control of the Administrator. Statements include those of Jim Traficant and Steven Bellew.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

  2002
• Protecting America's Meat, Poultry and Egg Products: A Report to the Secretary on the Food Security Initiatives of the Food Safety and Inspection Service

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  Since the attacks on September 11, 2001, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has strengthened coordinated efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to food-related emergencies resulting from acts of terrorism. With a strong food safety infrastructure already in place, FSIS has been able to focus on fortifying existing programs and improving lines of communication both internally and externally. Through cooperation with industry, consumers and other government agencies, FSIS has an extensive system in place that, with enhancements completed and underway, can reduce the threat of, and properly respond to, a food security emergency. This booklet details ongoing efforts to improve food safety--for example, improving surveillance systems for identifying food-borne illnesses and outbreaks more quickly, ensuring that risk-reduction strategies are more science based, and conducting public education programs.

  United States. Department of Agriculture

  2003-01
• Characterization of the Surface Morphology of Bacillus Spores by Atomic Force Microscopy

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  The surface morphology of Bacillus spores was resolved by atomic force microscopy in order to determine if characteristic surface features could be used to distinguish between closely related species. Four strains were studied: Bacillus anthracis Sterne strain, Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, Bacillus cereus strain 569, and Bacillus globigii var. niger. The spores were separated from a nutrient agar culture by filtering and centrifugation, suspended in deionized water, and immobilized on a graphite substrate by spin-coating. Atomic force microscopy imaging was done using intermittent contact mode, in air, under reduced humidity. Seven to ten spores of each species were fully characterized at three scan sizes: whole spore, 750nm2, and 500nm2. Images were captured with both height and phase information. Height images showed an irregular topography of subtle grooves, bumps, and steps across the curved upper surface of the spores. Phase images showed a superficial grain structure with different levels of phase contrast. Although some similarities were observed among spores of the same species, there was also significant variability within each species. The four species were not distinguished by observed surface morphology. Surface texture analysis (roughness, power spectral density, and bearing) did not establish quantitative differences between species based on surface topography. Overall, atomic force microscopy revealed a spore surface morphology rich with information. Additionally, it appears that further analysis and a larger sample size could provide sufficient information to allow identification and differentiation between B. anthracis and its close relatives based on spore surface morphology.

  Air Force Institute of Technology (U.S.)

  Zolock, Ruth A.

  2002-03
• Analysis of GPS Satellite Allocation for the United States Nuclear Detonation Detection System (USNDS)

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  The United States Nuclear Detonation Detection System (USNDS) relies on sensors onboard NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to detect atmospheric nuclear detonations. Though there are currently over 24 operational GPS satellites, USNDS ground based antennas are only capable of actively monitoring 24 satellites at a time. Personnel at the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) desire a well-defined methodology for selecting which 24 satellites should be monitored to maximize global coverage capability. This research introduces a means to numerically quantify each satellites individual contribution to the coverage provided by the constellation as a whole. A heuristic generates a set of possible combinations of satellites that yield high global coverage.

  Air Force Institute of Technology (U.S.)

  Bell, Aaron J.

  2003-02
• Information Technology: Terrorist Watch Lists Should Be Consolidated to Promote Better Integration and Sharing, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  Terrorist and criminal watch list systems--sometimes referred to as watchout, lookout, target, or tip-off systems--are important tools in controlling and protecting our nation's borders. The events of September 11, 2001, and other incidents since then, have highlighted the need to share these watch lists. In light of the importance of border security, GAO was asked to identify federal databases and systems that contain watch lists, the agencies that maintain and use them in protecting our nation's borders, the kind of data they contain, whether federal agencies are sharing information from these lists with each other and with state and local governments and private organizations, the structural characteristics of those lists that are automated, and whether opportunities exist to consolidate these watch lists. GAO recommends that the Secretary of DHS, in collaboration with the heads of the other departments and agencies that have and use watch lists, lead an effort to consolidate and standardize the federal government's watch list structures and policies. DHS and other departments involved in this study generally agreed with GAO's findings and recommendations.

  United States. General Accounting Office

  2003-04-15
• Operations Security (OPSEC)

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  This instruction implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 10-11, "Operations Security"; DoD Directive 5205.2, "DoD Operations Security Program", November 29, 1999; Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction (CJCSI) 3210.01A, "Joint Information Warfare Policy", January 2, 1996;CJCSI 3213.01, "Joint Operations Security", May 28, 1993; and Operations Security requirements for DoD Instruction 5000.2, "Defense Acquisition Management Policies and Procedures", October 23, 2000. The reporting requirements in paragraphs 3.6., 3.6.1. and 3.6.2. are exempt from licensing in accordance with paragraph 2.11.1 of AFI 33-324, The Controlling Internal, Public, and Interagency Air Force Information Collections. The instruction supports AFPD 10-20, "Air Force Defensive Counterinformation Operations", and related instructions include AFI 33-129, "Transmission of Information via the Internet", and AFI 33-219, "Telecommunications" "Monitoring and Assessment Program". It provides guidance for all Air Force personnel and supporting contractors in implementing and maintaining OPSEC programs. It describes the OPSEC process, and discusses integration of OPSEC into Air Force plans, operations, and support activities. Maintain and dispose of records created as a result of prescribed processes in accordance with AFMAN 37-139, "Records Disposition Schedule"

  United States. Department of the Air Force

  2001-05-31
• AF Policy Directive 10-20: Air Force Defensive Counterinformation Operations

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  This policy directive provides guidance for planning and conducting defensive counterinformation (DCI) operations, the aerospace function through which the Air Force employs its defensive Information Operations (IO) capabilities. This policy applies to all military and civilian Air Force personnel, members of the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, DoD contractors, and individuals or activities under legal agreement or obligation with the Department of the Air Force. The success of aerospace operations depends on the Air Force's ability to access reliable information, effectively utilize information systems, and perform information functions despite adversarial attempts to exploit or deny those capabilities. The Air Force will employ comprehensive, integrated defensive counterinformation (DCI) operations to protect and defend Air Force information and information systems. DCI is a multi-discipline mission area impacting many functional areas. Air Force DCI capabilities include information assurance, operations security (OPSEC), counterintelligence, counter-deception, counterpsychological operations, and electronic protection. Effective DCI requires the full integration of numerous supporting activities to include intelligence and IO-related law enforcement efforts, as well as physical, personnel, industrial, and information security (e.g., document classification and control) measures. The Air Force will integrate DCI awareness, objectives and capabilities into strategy, plans, operations, acquisition and procurement, exercises, inspections, training, communications and computer architectures, systems development, and professional education. AFPD 10-20 is not intended to duplicate or interfere with the management of those functional aspects of DCI that are already working well; rather, it provides the policy basis for an overarching, integrated DCI program for the Air Force.

  United States. Department of the Air Force

  1998-10-01
• AF Policy Directive 10-11: Operations Security

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  This policy directive provides guidance for planning and conducting Operations Security (OPSEC). This policy applies to all military and civilian personnel, members of the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, DoD contractors, and individuals or activities under legal agreement or obligation with the Department of the Air Force. The primary need to update this AFPD stems from publication of AFPD 10-20, Defensive Counterinformation Operations and the integration of the Operations Security (OPSEC) process into information operations (IO). The update also includes new reporting requirements, integration of OPSEC into Force Protection/Antiterrorism, and updates office symbols resulting from Air Staff reorganization.

  United States. Department of the Air Force

  2001-05-31
• Application of Information Retrieval Techniques to Heterogeneous Databases in the Virtual Distributed Laboratory

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  The Department of Defense (DoD) maintains thousands of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Infrared (IR), Hyper-Spectral intelligence imagery and Electro-Optical (EO) target signature data. These images are essential to evaluating and testing individual algorithm methodologies and development techniques within the Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) community. The Air Force Research Laboratory Sensors Directorate (AFRL/SN) has proposed the Virtual Distributed Laboratory (VDL) to maintain a central collection of the associated imagery metadata and a query mechanism to retrieve the desired imagery. All imagery metadata is stored in relational database format for access from agencies throughout the federal government and large civilian universities. Each set of imagery is independently maintained at each agency's location along with a local copy of the associated metadata that is periodically updated and sent to the VDL. This research focuses on applying information retrieval techniques to the multiple heterogeneous imagery metadata databases to present users the most relevant images based on user defined search criteria. More specifically, it defines a hierarchical concept thesaurus development methodology to handle the complexities of heterogeneous databases and the application of two classic information retrieval models. The results indicate this type of thesaurus-based approach can significantly increase the precision and recall levels of retrieving relevant documents.

  Air Force Institute of Technology (U.S.)

  Lykins, Rodney D.

  2002-03
• 2002 National Money Laundering Strategy

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  The 2002 National Money Laundering Strategy reports on the progress that has been made to implement the Goals and Objectives of the 2001 Strategy. Baseline numbers have been identified for money laundering transactions in a variety of American cities; negotiated an international agreement with four governments to plan a coordinated fight against the Black Market Peso Exchange; and provided advanced money laundering training to front-line investigators. It also adresses the financing of terrorist groups, and directs government resources against money launderers and those who finance terrorist activities and individuals.

  United States. Department of Justice

  2002-07
• Combating Terrorism: Observations on National Strategies Related to Terrorism, Statement of Raymond J. Decker, Director, Defense Capabilities Management, Testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives

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  This testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives, discusses national strategies related to terrorism. The testimony addresses two major topics: (1) whether the new national strategies form a framework that is cohesive and comprehensive and (2) whether the strategies will facilitate the implementation of programs that are strategy-driven, integrated, and effective.

  United States. General Accounting Office

  2003-03-03
• Preliminary Results of GAO's Survey of Guard and Reserve Pilots and Aircrew Members

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  In December 1997, the Secretary of Defense announced that all U.S. forces would be inoculated against the potential use of anthrax on the battlefield. In August 1998, DOD began immunizing its 2.4 million U.S. military personnel--including active and reserve component personnel--with a licensed anthrax vaccine. This program is mandatory. Some members of the armed forces have expressed concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of the anthrax vaccine. Anecdotal information suggests that an unknown number of Reservists and National Guard members have resigned or transferred to units or nonflying positions that do not require anthrax vaccinations at this time. Congress and the Department of Defense have become increasingly concerned about the readiness of U.S. armed forces. Key reasons for this concern are the increasing pace (tempo) of operations due to deployments, parts shortages and maintenance backlogs, and past problems in recruiting and retaining quality people. Report responds to the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives' request, we are examining the impact of the vaccination program on retention, the basic views of Guard and Reserve pilots and other aircrew members regarding the program, and the extent of adverse reactions experienced by anthrax vaccine recipients.

  United States. General Accounting Office

  2000-10-11
• Annual Report to Congress on Combating Terrorism, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), 2001

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  In the last three years that OMB has submitted the Annual Report to Congress on Combating Terrorism, efforts to counter unconventional threats such as weapons of mass destruction and cyber attack have moved from relative obscurity to become a familiar element of the national security debate. The importance of a strong defense against these emerging threats is now widely recognized, and it is clear that both the Administration and Congress are committed to building that defense. But, as evident from recent terrorism Commission reports and Congressional hearings, and the proliferation of new terrorism and domestic preparedness legislation, questions remain about how best to accomplish the task. OMB's Annual Report examines the Administration's progress in building a strong defense against emerging terrorist threats. The report provides funding and programmatic information on the Federal Government's efforts to combat terrorism and protect critical infrastructures.

  United States. Office of Management and Budget

  2001
• Management of National Guard Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Teams, Office of the Inspector General, Department of Defense, Audit Report No. D-2001-043, January 31, 2001

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  This report is part one in a series of audit reports on U.S. forces' management of chemical and biological (CB) defense resources and their readiness to operate in a CB warfare environment. The Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Counterproliferation and Chemical/Biological Defense requested the audit. The Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team (WMD-CST) Program is intended to help prepare the United States against terrorist use of a weapon of mass destruction and is commonly referred to as a homeland defense measure. Originally, 10 WMD-CSTs were established with a planned initial operational capability date of January 2000. In FY 2000 and FY 2001, Congress authorized an additional 17 and 5 WMD-CSTs, respectively. In FY 1999 Congress established Secretary of Defense certification requirements for the WMD-CSTs. The overall audit objective was to evaluate the program management of chemical and biological defense resources in the National Guard and Reserve forces. This segment of the audit evaluated the program management of National Guard units charged with chemical and biological defense responsibilities for homeland defense. Subsequent segments of the audit will address the financial management of the CoMPIO and the management of CB defense resources in the National Guard and Reserve forces in support of deployed forces. For part two of the draft, go to /homesec/docs/dodig01-043pt2.pdf.

  United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Inspector General

  2001-01-31
• Suspicious Indicators and Security Countermeasures for Foreign Collection Activities Directed Against the U.S. Defense Industry

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  Provides information to assist security professionals, counterintelligence personnel, and cleared contractors in recognizing suspicious contacts, and implementing threat-appropriate, cost-effective, and rational-security countermeasures. A summary of the suspicious contacts in 1999, reported by cleared defense contractors, indicates foreign entities employed a variety of Modus Operandi (MO) in attempting to acquire information. The following reported MOs along with the percentage employed in 1999 are as follows: Requests for Information, 25%; Foreign Visits, 14%; Solitication and Marketing of Services, 11%; Acquisition of Technology and Companies, 9%; Exploitation of Internet (Hacking), 6%; Exploitation of Joint Ventures and Joint Research, 5%; Targeting at International Conventions/Exhibitions, 5%; Foreign Employees, 2%; Targeting Cultural Commonalities, 2%; Targeting Former Employees, 1%. DSS has identified activities or circumstances that are part of these MOs, which can serve as indicators. While these indicators do not always equate to an actual foreign collection threat, they can serve as a signal. A number of indicators in a given situation might warrant further examination.

  United States. Defense Intelligence Agency

  2000-02
• AF Pamphlet 14-210: USAF Intelligence Targeting Guide

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  This pamphlet explains the principles and concepts of targeting. The data included pertains to tactical, operational, and strategic levels of operations. It begins with a discussion of a target and target systems, then describes the information and intelligence required for targeting, the scope and functions of targeting, analytical techniques, battlefield targeting, and legal aspects of targeting. This pamphlet was prepared by the Targeting Division, HQ 497 Intelligence Group, Air Intelligence Agency. This pamphlet is a revision to AFP 200-17, AFP 200-18 Volumes I and II, and updates target intelligence concepts. Time tested target intelligence techniques and procedures have been reincorporated, updated information on doctrinal issues in the intelligence and operations arena has been included, migration automated systems are described where they pertain to targeting, existing chapters were reordered, and two sections added; a chapter on targeting and information warfare and an attachment on the evolution of targeting. This document supercedes AFP 200-17 from June 1989 and AFO 299-18 volumes I and II from October 1990. This publication is available digitally on the SAF/AAD WWW site at: http://afpubs.hq.af.mil.

  United States. Department of the Air Force

  1998-02-01
• Pharmacokinetic Study of the Effects of Stress and Exercise on Chemical Exposure

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  Several concerns about the effects of the combination of human chemical exposure with the stressful conditions of the Gulf War have been raised. The wartime stress experienced by soldiers can vary from physical to mental and emotional stress. Each type of stress causes changes in the human body, including blood flow, hormonal, and ventilation changes, and may increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. Each change influences the chemical uptake, distribution, and accumulation in the body. The purpose of this thesis was to model and predict the changes that occur when stress and exercise are combined with chemical exposure. A Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was used as a tool to visualize, predict, and generate a hypothesis about chemical exposures. The PBPK model developed simulated human tissue compartments during chemical exposure under varying stress and exercise conditions. As a result of the system dynamics process, the PBPK model developed may be a valid tool for helping to explain and predict the fate and transport of a chemical on an individual under the physical stress of exercise, and other less-defined stressors which directly affect the blood-brain barrier transport mechanisms in the model. The results suggest that the chemical concentrations in the brain are highly dependent on the transport mechanisms involved. The transport mechanisms and their respective strengths have been identified as key parameters for further study. The model developed is a simple tool that can be applied to future exploration.

  Air Force Institute of Technology (U.S.)

  Watson, Karen M.

  2001-03
• Quality Initiatives in the Air Force Development of Reusable Launch Vehicles

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  This thesis identifies useful tools and techniques available to aid the Air Force development of a reusable launch vehicle (RLV). These tools are identified by comparing traits found within the Lean Aerospace Initiative, Six Sigma and systems engineering. While identified specifically for the RLV effort, these tools and techniques will be of use to many development programs. Historical perspectives of both RLV development efforts within the Air Force and origins of modern quality teachings are provided, to establish a common foundation of knowledge, upon which, further analysis can be conducted. This thesis, also, summarizes the current RLV effort within the Air Force and NASA. With the tool-set identified and the RLV effort enumerated, the toolset and RLV effort are matched to determine the current level of integration. More importantly, the tools-set serves as the basis to form specific recommendations to aid the Air Force RLV effort.

  Air Force Institute of Technology (U.S.)

  Galbreath, Charles S.

  2001-03
• Performance Evaluation of Hyperbolic Position Location Technique in Cellular Wireless Networks

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  This study addresses the wireless geolocation problem that has been an attractive subject for the last few years after Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate for wireless service providers to locate emergency 911 users with a high degree of accuracy -within a radius of 125 meters, 67 percent of the time by October 2001. There are a number of different geolocation technologies that have been proposed. These include Assisted GPS (A-GPS), network-based technologies such as Enhanced Observed Time Difference (E-OTD), Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Angle of Arrival (AOA), and Cell of Origin (COO). This research focuses on network based techniques, namely the more prominent TDOA which is also called hyperbolic position location technique. The main problem in time-based positioning systems is solving nonlinear hyperbolic equations derived from set of TDOA estimates. Two algorithms are implemented as a solution to this problem: A closed form solution and a Least Squares (LS) algorithm. Accuracy and computational efficiency performances are compared in a wireless system established using DGPS measurements in Dayton, OH area.

  Air Force Institute of Technology (U.S.)

  Senturk, Hakan

  2002-03
• Post-Processing Resolution Enhancement of Open Skies Photographic Imagery

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  The Treaty on Opens Skies allows any signatory nation to fly a specifically equipped reconnaissance aircraft anywhere over the territory of any other signatory nation. For photographic images, this treaty allows for a maximum ground resolution of 30 cm. The National Air Intelligence Center (NAIC), which manages implementation of the Open Skies Treaty for the US Air Force, wants to determine if post-processing of the photographic images can improve spatial resolution beyond 30 cm, and if so, determine the improvement achievable. Results presented in this thesis show that standard linear filters (edge and sharpening) do not improve resolution significantly and that super-resolution techniques are necessary. Most importantly, this thesis describes a prior-knowledge model fitting technique that improves resolution beyond the 30 cm treaty limit. The capabilities of this technique are demonstrated for a standard 3-Bar target, an optically degraded 2-Bar target, and the USAF air star emblem.

  Air Force Institute of Technology (U.S.)

  Sperl, Daniel E.

  2000-03
• Whose Information is it Anyway? An Argument for Information Stewardship

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  Information is an important resource for businesses and government, with information quality influencing decision quality, and highlighting our need to manage our information well: as a resource. Information Resource Management (IRM) has as its goal the management of information as a resource, but has not been implemented with the level of success expected. Problems with the implementation of IRM are indicated by the presence of redundant or inconsistent data, inability to share information across systems, and difficulty finding the information on systems. We propose that these difficulties are related to behaviors linked to perceived ownership of corporate information by organizational sub-units. To evaluate the proposition, we performed a case study on an organization to see if we could identify the presence of problems, and the presence of the ownership behaviors. The case study revealed the presence of both problems with information management and behaviors related to ownership. To improve the management of information in organizations, we recommend that organizations take ownership of the information resource at the corporate executive level, and educate users of the information on the benefits of stewardship of the information they use. This will encourage staff at all levels to see information as a resource, not merely a cost of doing business.

  Air Force Institute of Technology (U.S.)

  Plant, Trevor W. M.

  2001
• Effect of External Safeguards on Human-Information System Trust in an Information Warfare Environment

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  This research looks at how human trust in an information system is influenced by external safeguards in an Information Warfare (IW) domain. The military command and control environment requires decision-makers to make tactical judgments based on complex and conflicting information received from various sources such as automated information systems. Information systems are relied upon in command and control environments to provide fast and reliable information to the decision-makers. The degree of reliance placed in these systems by the decision-makers suggests a significant level of trust. Understanding this trust relationship and what affects it is the focus of this study. A model is proposed that predicts behavior associated with human trust in information systems. It is hypothesized that a decision-maker's belief in the effectiveness of external safeguards will positively influence a decision-maker's trusting behavior. Likewise, the presence of an Information Warfare attack will have a negative affect a decision-maker's trusting behavior. Two experiments were conducted in which the perceived effectiveness of external safeguards and the information provided by an information system were manipulated in order to test the hypotheses presented in this study. The findings from both experiments suggest that a person's trust computers in specific situations are useful in predicting trusting behavior, external safeguards have a negative effect on trusting behavior, and that Information Warfare attacks have no effect on trusting behavior.

  Air Force Institute of Technology (U.S.)

  Fields, Gregory S.

  2001-03
• Inhalational Anthrax Outbreak Among Postal Workers, Washington, D.C., 2001

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  In October 2001, four cases of inhalational anthrax occurred in workers in a Washington, D.C., mail facility that processed envelopes containing "Bacillus anthracis" spores. We reviewed the envelopes' paths and obtained exposure histories and nasal swab cultures from postal workers. Environmental sampling was performed. A sample of employees was assessed for antibody concentrations to "B. anthracis" protective antigen. Case-patients worked on nonoverlapping shifts throughout the facility, suggesting multiple aerosolization events. Environmental sampling showed diffuse contamination of the facility. Potential workplace exposures were similar for the case-patients and the sample of workers. All nasal swab cultures and serum antibody tests were negative. Available tools could not identify subgroups of employees at higher risk for exposure or disease. Prophylaxis was necessary for all employees. To protect postal workers against bioterrorism, measures to reduce the risk of occupational exposure are necessary.

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)

  Socorro Jefferds, Maríaelena del

  2002-10
• Surface Sampling Methods for Bacillus Anthracis Spore Contamination

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  During an investigation conducted December 17-20, 2001, we collected environmental samples from a U.S. postal facility in Washington, D.C., known to be extensively contaminated with "Bacillus anthracis" spores. Because methods for collecting and analyzing "B. anthracis" spores have not yet been validated, our objective was to compare the relative effectiveness of sampling methods used for collecting spores from contaminated surfaces. Comparison of wipe, wet and dry swab, and HEPA vacuum sock samples on nonporous surfaces indicated good agreement between results with HEPA vacuum and wipe samples. However, results from HEPA vacuum sock and wipe samples agreed poorly with the swab samples. Dry swabs failed to detect spores >75% of the time when they were detected by wipe and HEPA vacuum samples. Wipe samples collected after HEPA vacuum samples and HEPA vacuum samples collected after wipe samples indicated that neither method completely removed spores from the sampled surfaces.

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)

  Sanderson, Wayne T.

  2002-10