Frontline Views of the Chiefs

The panel featuring views from the chiefs provided a change of pace as conference attendees heard many specific examples of how space systems are used on the battlefield. For example, GPS allows supplies to be dropped to within an area half the size of the conference auditorium's stage on a mountainside in Afghanistan. A combination of GPS and RFID makes it possible to track materiel and equipment as they are transported in convoys along the highways on the other side of the world. It was mentioned that the Air Force Space Command has initiated a "Year of Leadership" program, asking field commanders to set aside one day a week to get out and connect with airmen. In addition, there are efforts to remove the bias against personnel who consistently serve in positions located within the United States. The intention is to create a system in which an airman's value and career prospects are not judged by his or her proximity to the fight. This would help to build an experienced cadre capable of operating systems such as UAVs from remote locations.