The Distributed Engineering Plant (DEP) team at PHD NSWC Detachment San Diego's Integrated Combat Systems Test Division (ICSTD) was recently awarded the DEP's Gunsmoke Award. The ICSTD DEP Site Lead, Brian Madsen and the ICSTD DEP Site Engineer and Test Director, Kevin Pugh, accepted the engraved plaque for the test team at a 17 December DEP working group meeting in San Diego, CA. Other members of the DEP Test Team include: Jason Moy (Code 4X10), Joe Barkley (DRS, Inc.), Kimberly McGaha (Code 4X10), Mike Jacovelli (DRS, Inc.), and Scott Ellis (Integrits Corp.).
Members of the ICSTD DEP test team configure, load, and operate combat systems test beds; write and execute test procedures; analyze recorded data; and report on problems discovered during interoperability test events that use the DEP network infrastructure. During October and November of 2002, ICSTD participated in the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT and USS CARL VINSON Battle Force Interoperability Test, representing the combat systems on both carriers. ICSTD was chosen by the DEP selection panel to receive the Gunsmoke Award for its superior performance during this event. Selection criteria for the award include overall site performance and site availability during formal test periods. The award is given only when a test site's performance is outstanding in all areas of service provided during a test. ICSTD was the only recipient of the DEP's Gunsmoke Award for any event in 2002. The DEP was established in 1998 by the Chief of Naval Operations to address combat system interoperability issues at the battle force level and to coordinate problem resolution with the fleet.
The DEP consists of several landbased test sites each providing one or more test platforms in the form of a complete combat system. The sites are dispersed throughout the country and are connected via a state-of-the-art secure networking system to create a virtual carrier-based battle force environment for testing combat systems interoperability and identifying the source of interoperability failures. Test sites use actual fleet hardware and tactical computer software loads to provide the Navy with a controllable, repeatable environment to detect, quantify, and verify resolution of battle force interoperability problems prior to deployment. ICSTD has participated in DEP test events since the DEP was established and has provided CVN, LHA, LHD, FFG and DD combat systems for interoperability testing. Other DEP test sites include: AEGIS Computer Center, NSWCDD, Dahlgren, VA; AEGIS Training and Readiness Center, NSWCDD, Dahlgren, VA; Surface Combat Systems Center, Wallops Island, VA; Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, CA; Combat Direction System Activity, Dam Neck, VA; Naval Air Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, MD; Naval Air Warfare Division, Point Mugu, CA and China Lake, CA; DEP Operations Center, NSWCDD, Dahlgren, VA.
The PHD NSWC Detachment San Diego DEP Team was the only recipient of the DEP's Gunsmoke Award for any test in 2002. Pictured left to right are: Scott Ellis, Joe Barkley, Kim McGaha, Jason Moy, and Kevin Pugh. Not pictured are Brian Madsen and Mike Jacovelli.
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