Sentinel Focus 10B, the next evaluation of the Air Force’s Distributed Common Ground System, begins Sunday and runs for five days. This event marks the third time that the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing at Langley AFB, Va., will inspect DCGS processes during real-world operations to gauge how well the system is supporting warfighters. DCGS has nodes worldwide where intelligence analysts evaluate overhead imagery and electronic signals and then disseminate intelligence products to the front lines. This SF will explore 15 operational issues, including how effective Air National Guardsmen are being utilized and the ability to transfer information to British allies. (Langley report by Marge McGlinn) (For more background on DCGS, see ISR Revolution from the June issue of Air Force Magazine.)
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.