ANG CAT make use of interoperability by modernization; nominated for 2024 General Larry O. Spencer Innovation Award

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md.—The Air National Guard Crisis Action Team was nominated for the 2024 General Larry O. Spencer Innovation Award, recognizing the CAT’s innovation that improved effectivity and operational readiness throughout the Air Force enterprise.

“The primary objective of the CAT is to provide ANG senior leadership with a scalable force presentation and awareness capability, specifically designed for situations that require continuous or near-continuous ANG attention and timely response to Air Force and joint staff tasking,” stated Lt. Col. Michael T. Holton, director, Air National Guard Crisis Action Team. “We provide a wide-range of support to not only the National Guard, but also other U.S. military services, and federal agencies during crisis events.”

Through $3.5 million in recent upgrades, the CAT revolutionized disaster response capabilities by using new audio-visual and video teleconference applied sciences, enhancing coordination, enhancing communication, and growing situational consciousness throughout disaster conditions, explains Holton.

“By incorporating their innovative methods, the enhanced operations floor allows the CAT to monitor and receive updates from multiple sources simultaneously, including major commands, joint staff, and ANG communities,” he stated. “This continuous awareness ensures that the CAT remains informed and can respond promptly to changing circumstances, improving their ability to mitigate risks and address emerging challenges.”

The CAT’s use of cutting-edge applied sciences units a brand new commonplace for disaster response throughout the Air Force, demonstrating its dedication to steady enchancment and innovation, which is why modernization of the CAT was a excessive precedence.

“The upgrade was driven by the need to enhance communication, collaboration, and situational awareness during crisis events,” stated Maj. Gen. Keith G. MacDonald, commander of the Air National Guard Readiness Center. “Involvement of geographically separated agencies drove the increasing need for remote collaboration and teleconferencing capabilities which necessitated the modernization of CAT’s audio-visual and video teleconference systems. This allowed team members to participate in crisis response efforts from different locations, improving coordination and decision-making.”

During occasion help, the ANG CAT is the central Air Guard level of contact for all associated issues and the contributions the CAT gives improve operational continuity between commanders within the discipline and senior leaders on the National Guard Bureau.

“The upgraded A/V and VTC systems support collaborative decision-making by enabling multiple stakeholders to participate in virtual meetings and discussions both classified and unclassified,” stated MacDonald. “This fosters a shared senior leader understanding of the crisis and improves ANG response actions.”

With the latest upgrades, the CAT can leverage the latest developments in communication, info sharing, and situational consciousness, and supply help across the clock for a wide range of contingencies.

“Coordinating and integrating the Air National Guard’s response to crises and emergencies can include hurricanes, major flooding, civil unrest, and military contingencies,” stated Senior Master Sgt. Katelyn S. Murphy, superintendent for the ANG CAT. “The CAT serves as a central hub for coordination, communication, and decision-making that connects the functional area managers with the necessary resources and information they need to fulfill their roles effectively and respond during a crisis or contingency.”

“During the calendar year 2023, we provided assistance to five real-world activations: unauthorized disclosure event, Typhoon Mawar, Hawaii wildfire response, Hurricane Idalia, and the Israel-Hamas conflict,” she added.

The upgrades will permit using interoperable tools, programs, and processes which are deployable, sustainable, and overmatch present and future threats.

“These upgrades resulted in significant annual cost savings of 20% and improved resource allocation,” stated Murphy.

The CAT conducts steady-state and disaster motion response in help of federal and state operations, and lives the National Guard motto: Always Ready, Always There.

“We are committed to supporting the Air National Guard mission of defending the homeland and its allies,” stated Murphy. “Through modernization, we are able to effectively and efficiently deliver multiple capabilities at the speed of relevance, allowing leadership at all levels to make better well-informed decisions.”