AFRL receives high ratings in SAB review

  • Published
  • By Jeanne Dailey
  • Air Force Research Laboratory
Kirtland Air Force Base, NM --  The Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate recently received its "report card" from the 2010 Air Force Scientific Advisory Board review -- a review that is conducted every two years. The SAB team reviewed five major technical competencies with a detailed look at a variety of programs within each area. The directorate received three outstanding, 10 excellent, and seven satisfactory ratings and many notable accomplishments.

Among a variety of strengths, the outside board recognized the directorate for its dedicated staff, its disciplined approach to science and technology investment, and its unique, national-class facilities.

Awards for outstanding presentations went to Dr. Susan Heidger for her presentation on "Compact Pulsed Power" and Mr. Craig Robin for his presentation on "Power Scaling and Beam Combination of Kilowatt Class Fiber Amplifiers." Dr. Stacie Williams' poster on "Daylight Imaging on Large Aperture Telescopes" and Mr. Clint Zeringue's poster on "Two-tone Amplifier Delivers High Power" earned outstanding poster awards.

Ms. Debbie Mixon and Ms. Denise McKay with Protocol, and Dr. Dennis Montera and his Starfire Optical Range "special effects" team received special thanks for their support. The entire information technology and logistics support teams were recognized for their services. Many thanks were also expressed to the Directed Energy director, Dr. David Hardy, and the directorate's chief scientist, Dr. Robert Peterkin, as well as Major James Jeter, Ms. Dora Rodriguez, Dr. Kirk Hackett, Dr. Gene Bednarz, Dr. Keith Knox, Dr. Chuck Matson and Dr. Roy Hamil for their assistance throughout the review.

"I am extremely pleased with the Scientific Advisory Board results and congratulate our entire workforce on a job well done," said Dr. Peterkin. "Our solid research foundation and pursuit of excellence in meeting the scientific needs of the nation were evident in the SAB outcome."

The Scientific Advisory Board evolved from a group of distinguished scientists appointed by Gen. Henry H. Arnold as advisors during World War II. SAB board members include scientists, engineers, and academics.