Chiarelli visits CTSF to determine way ahead, possible mission expansion

By David Landmann (CTSF)September 29, 2010

Maj. Gen. Randolph P. Strong and General Peter W. Chiarelli
CECOM Commander Maj. Gen. Randolph P. Strong makes a point to Vice Chief of Staff of the Army General Peter W. Chiarelli during Chiarelli's recent visit to the Whitfill Central Technical Support Facility at Fort Hood, Texas. Chiarelli used the visit ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT HOOD, Texas (Sept. 29, 2010) -- Leaders of the Central Technical Support Facility believe the Sept. 21 visit of Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Peter Chiarelli may result in what they are calling an Aca,!A"expanded roleAca,!A? in testing and integrating technology before it reaches the warfighter.

The CTSF Director Col. Steven G. Drake assured employees at an all-hands meeting held in the aftermath of ChiarelliAca,!a,,cs visit that the former 1st Cavalry Division commander left the facility with a working understanding of the CTSF current mission.

Aca,!A"He now believes the CTSF will play an expanded role in supporting the maturing Army capabilities in the future,Aca,!A? Drake said. Aca,!A"I believe our mission will be growing.Aca,!A?

Drake was quick to add that Chiarelli emphasized no decision has been made about relocating the CTSF, or about standing up a CTSF forward presence at Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

Chiarelli spent the better part of four hours at the CTSF, touring the facility, and discussing his views of the work the CTSF should be doing, and what it now does under its current mission as defined in a 2007 execution order. He was accompanied by an entourage that included Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for C3, Space and Spectrum Dr. Ronald Jost, CECOM Commander Maj. Gen. Randolph P. Strong and 3rd Corps Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. William Grimsley.

ChiarelliAca,!a,,cs visit was expected to center on the question of whether to keep the CTSF at Fort Hood or to move it to Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range where the Army is centering its network integration efforts. Chiarelli, however, insisted on looking into the CTSFAca,!a,,cs current mission and what he feels the Army needs in the way of system testing.

He agreed the CTSFAca,!a,,cs mission is being well-executed as far as it goes, but Chiarelli said he felt that the mission should be expanded to begin during the development phase of a system and follow the system through testing all the way to the hands of the Warfighter.

He said that too many times Soldiers are faced with having to figure out how to work around system Aca,!A"bugsAca,!A? on the battlefield.

Aca,!A"That shouldnAca,!a,,ct ever happen,Aca,!A? Chiarelli said. Aca,!A"ThatAca,!a,,cs not your fault, I know, but we have to stop that from happening.Aca,!A?

Chiarelli said he felt the CTSF had the experience, the expertise and the location to handle that task, and apparently his feelings were confirmed when he toured the CTSF campus. During the tour, he was taken to the CTSF test floor, where he was shown the Afghan Mission Network and Joint labs, the data product test area, and the Configurable Tactical Operations Center. He also visited aviation, Force 21 Battle Command Brigade and below, and other program manager areas on the CTSF campus.

Aca,!A"General Chiarelli,Aca,!A? Drake commented, Aca,!A"recognized the value of the work being performed at the CTSF, and made several complementary remarks about the dedicated and professional workforce here.Aca,!A?

Aca,!A"IAca,!a,,cm grateful to each of you,Aca,!A? Drake told the gathering of CTSF workers, Aca,!A"for your dedication to this facility, and for the time you spent preparing for (TuesdayAca,!a,,cs) very successful visit.Aca,!A?

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