Space Force

The 412th Theater Engineer Command (TEC), headquartered in Vicksburg, Mississippi, held its November battle assembly at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center from November 14th to 17th. This four-day event, known as a “super battle assembly,” maximized training opportunities by bringing together leaders, staff, and Soldiers to enhance readiness and strengthen unit cohesion.

Upon arrival at Camp Shelby, the command team initiated a series of planning and operational sessions that set the foundation for the weekend. These sessions focused on upcoming exercises, including a Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX) and Pacific Sentry, aiming to solidify command post operations and rapid response capabilities.

The remainder of the command began preparation for the unit-wide weapons qualification and the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). The end state was the successful qualification of all Soldiers on their assigned weapons and the assessment of individual physical readiness.

Command Sgt. Major Ryan Bodmer, the senior enlisted advisor for the 412th Theater Engineer Command, said, “Our soldiers’ individual fitness and the ability to shoot, move, and communicate are at the core of soldier readiness. Training centers like Camp Shelby are critical to enhancing force readiness; they provide well-equipped environments that prepare our Soldiers for large-scale combat operations.”

While there, the command welcomed Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, the 35th Chief of the Army Reserve and the 10th Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve Command, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Betty, the 15th Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Reserve Command. Their visit highlighted the strategic significance of training centers like Camp Shelby, reinforcing their critical role in preparing Soldiers for large-scale combat operations.

Lt. Gen. Harter emphasized the critical role of training centers such as Camp Shelby in enhancing force readiness earlier this year during a seminar hosted by the Association for the United States Army (AUSA). He highlighted the importance of strategically located, well-equipped training centers that offer realistic training experiences, preparing soldiers for large-scale combat operations.

“Where I see units driving readiness is where they can get to the Fort Dixes, the Fort McCoys, the Camp Shelbys…There, you’ve got commanders engaged at every echelon, driving readiness.”

Active unit participation, engaged leadership at all levels, and dedicated training environments come together to create a robust framework for preparing military personnel to meet the demands of their missions.

Army Reserve commanders have roughly 39 training days yearly—one weekend a month and two weeks annually. As a result, prioritizing essential tasks becomes a balancing act. Training centers provide more space and resources necessary to conduct comprehensive training exercises.

The 412th TEC is not the only Army Reserve command leveraging regional training centers to bolster readiness and capabilities. The 7242nd Installation Medical Support Unit, based in Jackson, Mississippi, a subordinate unit of the 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support) headquartered in Forest Park, Georgia, was also present at Camp Shelby. They utilized the available resources, such as the Leader Reaction Course (LRC), to enhance collaboration and teamwork.

A Leader Reaction Course (LRC) is designed to develop and assess leadership abilities and teamwork within military units. The course typically consists of a series of problem-solving scenarios that require teams to work together to complete tasks under time constraints. Soldiers must demonstrate effective communication, strategic thinking, and collaboration as they navigate challenges that mimic real-world situations, ultimately strengthening leadership and team dynamics.

The 377th Theater Sustainment Command (TSC), headquartered in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, conducted a Contingency Command Post Exercise at Camp McCain, Mississippi, in October of this year to refine its mobile command and control capabilities. Additionally, Soldiers of the 377th TSC completed other readiness requirements, such as the ACFT.

Both the 412th TEC and 377th TSC are located in the Southern region of the United States, which highlights how commands can leverage regional training centers to enhance soldier skills and unit readiness.

From October 17th to October 20th, the 841st Engineer Battalion headquarters based in Miami, Florida, a subordinate unit to the 412th TEC, and its nine companies converged from across the state of Florida to Camp Blanding for a super battle assembly. Units like the 365th Engineer Company from Cape Coral, Florida, the 388th Engineer Company from West Palm Beach, and the 474th Engineer Detachment and 689th Engineer Company, both from Orlando, traveled north to train alongside the 758th Engineer Company from Perrine and the 766th Engineer Company from Fort Lauderdale. This gathering at the expansive 73,000-acre Camp Blanding Joint Training Center focused on elevating capabilities.

Training centers like Camp Shelby, Camp McCain, and Camp Blanding help augment traditional reserve centers by providing resources and capabilities, including access to larger training areas, specialized equipment, and diverse terrain to conduct realistic exercises.

Lt. Col. Carlos Acosta, commander of the 841st Engineer Battalion, explained the significance of these training centers across the Army Reserve. “A field training exercise at training centers like Camp Blanding benefits both our companies and the headquarters,” said Acosta. “It provides the companies with the time, space, and equipment to cross-train and improve their skills. It also provides the headquarters with the opportunity to exercise mission command, establish an effective battle rhythm, and drive readiness. We have the capability to function as a warfighting headquarters at training centers like this.”

Col. Jeff Dulgarian, commander of the 926th Engineer Brigade, based in Montgomery, Alabama—the higher headquarters for the 841st Engineer Battalion—co-signed Lt. Col. Acosta’s sentiments regarding the benefits of training centers like Camp Blanding. “Training centers provide us with the opportunity to engage every component of the force,” he explained. “Whether it’s sharing equipment with the National Guard or demonstrating engineer capabilities to Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs, we’re able to refine our skills and showcase what engineers bring to the fight.”

Col. Dulgarian added, “These training centers are more than just places to gather—they’re a proving ground. It’s a chance for us to assess readiness, integrate operations, and strengthen relationships with our partners. Overall, this helps us operate as a team and helps us get ready to adapt during real-world missions.”

The 841st Engineer Battalion used the time with ROTC cadets to showcase a range of engineer capabilities, including a controlled demolition explosion. Cadets from the University of North Florida and the University of Florida were guided through the entire process of setting, placing, and executing explosives for a door breach operation, offering them a hands-on learning experience in combat engineering tactics.

Training centers play a vital role in enhancing military readiness, and Army Reserve leaders must consider essential questions regarding the frequency at which training is used to conduct battle assemblies.

Commanders must find a balance between enhancing readiness and maintaining close ties to the communities they serve. By doing so, they can ensure that the Army Reserve remains prepared to respond effectively and efficiently whenever and wherever the nation calls upon them.

LIVORNO, Italy – When Giulia Leonardi accepted a job offer with Army Field Support Battalion-Africa at the Leghorn Army Depot and Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 worksite in Livorno during the summer of 2023, she was working on her master’s degree in foreign languages and international communications.

The Italian host nation employee and administrative support assistant at AFSBn-Africa’s directorate of supply said working for the U.S. Army is the right fit for her, and she’s very happy she accepted the job offer.

“I love my job,” said Leonardi who completed her master’s degree from the Universita’ degli Studi Guglielmo Marconi in Rome last week. “I love talking with people. I’m engaged in the workflow, and I’m using English every day. The focus of my degree was English literature and English language, and now I’m using English every day while doing my job. I have to be honest. I love it.”

At work, the 26-year-old resident of Livorno is responsible for time and attendance and payroll for 65 people at the directorate of supply. She also helps with reports and forms and assists her coworkers with any administrative or technical needs they have. Installation access is another responsibility of hers within her directorate.

Leonardi initially worked at the U.S. Post Office on Camp Darby during the 2022 holiday season for three months. It was a temporary job, but it sparked an interest and a desire, and she set a goal to someday work full time for the U.S. Army as an Italian local national employee.

“I’m very proud to be working here,” said Leonardi. “Growing up in Livorno, near to Camp Darby, I always heard and knew about the U.S. Army installations here. To be working here now is an honor for me.”

Leonardi said she doesn’t take her responsibilities providing administrative support to 65 of her fellow coworkers at the AFSBn-Africa directorate of supply lightly. “It’s technically a public position,” she said, “and I like talking to people and helping everyone around me. I feel like – with my personality – this is the perfect job for me.”

AFSBn-Africa is one of four battalions under the command and control of the 405th Army Field Support Brigade. AFSBn-Africa is charged with receiving, maintaining, and storing APS-2 at Leghorn Army Depot, which includes 16 warehouses with 749,000 square feet of humidity-controlled storage space plus four maintenance facilities as well as 1.5 million square feet of outside storage.

Organizations AFSBn-Africa directly support are U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Army Europe and Africa, Southern European Task Force-Africa, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and other strategic partners and allies.

The 405th AFSB is assigned to U.S. Army Sustainment Command and headquartered in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The brigade provides materiel enterprise support to U.S. forces throughout Europe and Africa – providing theater sustainment logistics; synchronizing acquisition, logistics and technology; and leveraging the U.S. Army Materiel Command materiel enterprise to support joint forces. For more information on the 405th AFSB, visit the official website at www.afsbeurope.army.mil and the official Facebook site at www.facebook.com/405thAFSB.

SCHRIEVER SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – The Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Tools, Applications and Processes (TAP) Lab and Joint Commercial Operations – Futures (JCO-F) hosted a roadshow here, Oct. 30, 2024.

The intent of the roadshow was to increase Department of Defense operations’ understanding of SDA TAP Lab and JCO-F efforts on their behalf, gain feedback from operators and increase interest in the SDA TAP Lab Apollo Accelerator demo days which are held every 90 days.

Participants presented project summaries to demonstrate the work being done by Space Systems Command with industry and academic partners to improve ‘fight tonight’ SDA and command and control (C2) capabilities while also obtaining informal feedback by attendees on developing capabilities.

“SDA TAP Lab and the Apollo Accelerator program is an opportunity for companies to showcase capabilities they have been developing that could help the DoD solve problems and broaden our ability to protect and defend the U.S. and our Allies,” said F. Schnell, director of SSC’s Acquisition Delta for SDA. “The TAP Lab has identified multiple problem sets that commercial or academic institutions may already have the resources to solve, and this program helps to fill those gaps.”

The roadshow consisted of seven different companies and universities participating in SDA TAP Lab’s Project Apollo rapid development efforts, as well as representatives from the JCO-F.

Presentations included detecting launch preparations through weather satellites and commercial imagery change detection, detecting launch through seismic and infrasound indicators, characterizing satellites for Camouflage, Concealment, Deception and Maneuver (CCDM), and C2 of kill-chain elements.

Additionally, JCO-F gave an overview of the JCO and presented its commercial Position, Navigation and Timing situational awareness efforts.

This roadshow was an abbreviated version of the SDA TAP Lab Cohort 4 Demo Day that was held Oct. 29 with a combined 56 companies, federally funded research and development centers, and academic institutions participating.

For additional information, visit https://sdataplab.org/.

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. – AEDC Fellow Wendell S. Norman will be remembered for his contributions to Arnold Engineering Development Complex following his passing on Nov. 4, 2024, at the age of 91.

Norman is credited for making sustained and significant contributions to AEDC in advanced hypersonic test facilities, ground test and evaluation of aerospace systems, and innovative test and evaluation technologies and management approaches throughout his career at Arnold Air Force Base, headquarters of AEDC. He was honored as an AEDC Fellow in 2004. The AEDC Fellows program, established in 1989, recognizes AEDC personnel who have made substantial and exceptionally distinguished contributions to the nation’s aerospace ground testing capability.

Norman earned his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1956. He would later earn a Master of Science and doctorate from Purdue University in aeronautical engineering in 1958 and 1961, respectively.

During his time as a first lieutenant in the Air Force from 1961-64, Norman served as an associate professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado where he taught courses in aerodynamics, flight mechanics and space flight mechanics.

Afterward, Norman spent most of the rest of the career with Sverdrup Technology Inc., with both its corporate headquarters and at contract sites including AEDC.

Norman began his career at Arnold AFB in 1964, serving as principal contributor in the Hypervelocity Branch of the von Kármán Gas Dynamics Facility, or VKF.

From the start of his career to 1971, Norman’s roles in the VKF progressed from project engineering to branch manager of the Hypervelocity Branch. In 1971, he moved into the position of deputy director for testing and manager of the Aerodynamics Project Branch in the VKF.

Norman was acknowledged for providing invaluable expertise that bolstered the development of Air Force, space exploration and weapons systems, and he displayed his proficiency during his early roles at AEDC.

“The challenge he and other team members faced and overcame was in getting Tunnel F, an arc heater impulse tunnel, into a mode to deliver valuable data,” the AEDC website states. “Lessons he learned along the way led to troubleshooting methodologies he successfully applied to ever more complex test articles and to sorting out the discrepancies between data obtained from test and operational flights of [intercontinental ballistic missiles] and space re-entry vehicles.”

More specifically, Norman helped NASA with the Apollo Command Module and the Viking reentry system, in addition to helping bolster the development of Air Force systems and assisting the ICBM community by assessing foreign ICBMs.

“From being in a position to review much test data, Dr. Norman was able to shed light on some very interesting tunnel tests,” Virgil Smith, who was inducted as an AEDC Fellow in 1997, wrote in his Fellows nomination of Norman. “For the Apollo Command Module and the NASA Viking Mars Reentry Vehicle, there were troubling inconsistencies between the test data and data from other sources. By taking into account differences in the two physical setups, he was able to determine the sources of the differences in the results and resolve the anomalies. For the [Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory] Blunted Delta Wing and the High Altitude Plume Test, he was able to apply fundamental considerations to determine parameters that helped the interpretation of the data. These efforts helped to establish the validity of the test data to the users and were early examples of an AEDC Analysis & Evaluation effort.

“In addition, Dr. Norman’s expertise in hypervelocity aerodynamics was recognized by the ICBM community, and he was selected to serve as technical advisor to the Foreign Technology Division in the study of foreign reentry vehicles, and in particular how to determine characteristics of the vehicle from external flight test data. This involved developing ways to use base pressure and dynamic characteristics as means of determining the configuration. These results contributed significantly to assessments of ICBM threats to this nation.”

In 1976, Norman took on the role of director of the VKF and Propulsion Wind Tunnel facilities at AEDC. In this capacity, he directed approximately 500 engineers and craftsmen in the operation and maintenance of wind tunnels, ballistic ranges and space chambers. He implemented the consolidation of the various flow diagnostics groups in multiple organizations at AEDC.

“This innovative group of scientists and engineers grew into a major asset for AEDC, one that became a primary supporter of ballistic missile detection and defense,” according to the AEDC Fellows webpage.

He would advance further in 1979 when he became director of the Test Operations Division at Arnold, directing around 1,100 engineers and craftsmen in support of all propulsion and aerodynamic test programs at AEDC, among other responsibilities.

Norman became chief scientist and director of advanced technology at AEDC in the early 1980s. He directed the activities of 80 senior engineering and scientists in advanced technology efforts to support Sverdrup’s AEDC aeropropulsion contract.

In addition to his managerial skill and practical background in testing, Norman is credited for his initiation of computer methods for resource control and management of project information.

“He made the first AEDC study that gave in detail the computer requirements necessary to make use of the emerging numerical techniques, such as computational fluid dynamic and structural analysis techniques,” Smith wrote in his nomination. “Many others had pointed out that significant improvements to the development processes for both weapons systems and test facilities were possible by addressing problems jointly with an experimental and analytical techniques. This study project the computer requirements that would support such an effort. Computer resources of this type were provided at [AEDC] beginning in the late 70s.”

After Sverdrup’s corporate headquarters was awarded a new engineering support contract with the NASA Lewis Research Center, Norman in 1983 assumed the role of vice president and general manager of the Sverdrup group at the center, now known as the Glenn Research Center, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was responsible for a staff that grew to hundreds to provide scientific and technical support for center efforts in aeromechanics, space technologies, structures and materials, and computer science.

Norman was named a senior vice president with Sverdrup in 1989. He was tasked with overseeing Sverdrup’s technical support organizations at the Ohio center, as well as contract operations in Florida and Utah.

Norman was adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee Space Institute from 1964 to 1983. He also served on the Engineering Accreditation Commission from 1980-89, serving on its Executive Committee from 1983-85. He traveled to universities across the country for evaluation of engineering programs. He was also a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sigma Xi, and the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers.

Along with his induction as an AEDC Fellow, awards and honors Norman received include the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award from Purdue University in 1978, Outstanding Aerospace Engineer for the School of Aeronautics & Astronautics from Purdue in 1999 and a place in the University of Kentucky School of Engineering Hall of Distinction in 2008.

Following his retirement from Sverdrup, Norman audited several classes at Middle Tennessee State University each semester in an array of subjects.

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. — Members of Special Operations Command North came together to dedicate their headquarters building during a ceremony here Nov. 15, 2024.

SOCNORTH dedicated its new headquarters Frederick Hall in honor of Maj. Gen. Robert T. Frederick, who organized, trained, and led the combined Canadian-American First Special Service Force during World War II. SOCNORTH deemed Frederick the most appropriate Special Operations leader for the dedication due to the Canadian and U.S. Special Operations Forces’ partnership represented at SOCNORTH and in the area of responsibility, as well as his vast accomplishments to include commanding the FSSF, training winter and mountain warriors, and developing specialized operators.

“Maj. Gen. Frederick was a legendary figure from whom the Special Operations community draws its lineage and legacy,” said Col. Matthew Tucker, SOCNORTH Commander. “Dedicating the new SOCNORTH headquarters to Maj. Gen. Frederick not only embodies our historic and unique relationship with Canada, but also represents where we are today – another period of strategic competition. And, it’s emblematic of what’s being referred to as a SOF Renaissance, a return to what SOF was originally designed and constructed to do, which is compete and operate in places and in ways that require the small footprints and unique capabilities only SOF can provide.”

Frederick’s grandniece, Jennifer Parra, who serves as the First Special Service Force Association President, attended the ceremony. Parra toured the new SOCNORTH headquarters earlier in the day and participated in the ceremony.

“By all accounts Maj. Gen. Robert T. Frederick was a humble man who did not seek recognition for his efforts and accomplishments,” Parra explained. “Though he never sought the spotlight in life, I have no doubt that he would be proud. Today, we stand in a spot where the tradition of Canadian and U.S. soldiers work side-by-side, as a cohesive unit, to protect North America and its citizens continues.”

The ceremony was followed by a ribbon cutting in front of SOCNORTH’s new headquarters signaling the growth and maturation of the command from its inception since 2013.

“Frederick Hall is a purpose-built facility that will allow SOCNORTH to operate at full capacity accompanied by modern digital capabilities that advance communication, coordination, planning, and execution of operations,” said Command Sergeant Major Kevin Dorsh, SOCNORTH Command Senior Enlisted Leader. “The new facility will bring our team of elite and diverse active duty, reserve, National Guard, and civilians together in the right way to work towards the problem sets that we’re assigned.”

SOCNORTH was established Nov. 5, 2013, and was tasked with generating SOF options supporting counterterrorism and counternarcotics. With the Department of Defense’s prioritization of strategic competition and Homeland Defense, and with emerging threats in the North America area of responsibility, U.S. Northern Command directed SOCNORTH to expand its scope and scale and establish a highly operational command that can defend forward, generate effects below the level of conflict, and conduct day-to-day campaigning.

“The dedication of this building comes at a critical time for USNORTHCOM and the nation,” said Lt. Gen. Thomas Carden, Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command and Vice Commander, U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command. “Now we look East to threats from Russia, China, and others, but agility and adaptability is the hallmark of a Special Operator. As the SOF community has evolved from counterinsurgency to [supporting] large scale combat operations, SOCNORTH has kept pace with opportunities and threats and only increased its relevance.”

Today, SOCNORTH employs SOF to degrade adversary capabilities, contest strategic lines of communication, and enhance domain awareness to enable the fight forward. SOCNORTH’s area of responsibility ranges from the western end of the Aleutian Islands to Canada, across the Homeland, Mexico, and portions of the northern Caribbean region to include The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, U.S. and U.K. Virgin Islands, the Turks and Caicos, Bermuda, and the Atlantic and Pacific approaches.

SOCNORTH executes Operation POLAR DAGGER, which is the Command’s premier operation that is a demonstration of rapidly deployable SOF to the Arctic. SOCNORTH’s marquee annual field training exercise is ARCTIC EDGE, which provides SOF the opportunity to sharpen their ability to thrive and operate in the austere environment of the North American Arctic. SOCNORTH executes interagency exercises each year to rehearse SOF-specific support for the resolution of threats to the Homeland. Additionally, SOCNORTH works alongside Mexican and Bahamian partners to bolster their capabilities, address shared threats, pursue mutual interests, and build the generational relationships necessary for operational compatibility in support of North America.

“Our mission set is constantly evolving, but SOCNORTH remains focused on the threats most prevalent to the United States,” Tucker added. “Where strategic competition exists, it’s going to receive our attention throughout the entirely of the USNORTHCOM area of responsibility.”

SOCNORTH plans and executes all-domain Special Operations to detect, deter and disrupt threats throughout the USNORTHCOM AOR, and generate positions of advantage for the Nation.