Operations Research Management Science - Military OR

<BODY bgcolor="#ffffff" link="cc0000" vlink="cc0000" text="#000000"> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=4 border=0><br>   <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=480><tr valign=top> <td width=10><img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 hspace=4 border=0></td> <td width=470> <FONT face="verdana, arial, helvetica" SIZE=2><B><I><A HREF="../../ORMS.shtml" TARGET="_top">OR/MS Today</A> - June 2003</I></B></font><BR> <hr size="1"> <img src="cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=4 border=0><br> <font face="times new roman, times"> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=4 border=0><br> <FONT face="verdana, arial, helvetica" SIZE=2><B>Military OR</B></FONT><br> <IMG SRC="../barbluehook.gif" WIDTH="468" HEIGHT="4"><br> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=8 border=0><br> <FONT SIZE="+2"><B>The Air Force Modeling and Simulation Resource Repository</B></FONT><BR> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=6 border=0><br> <FONT face="verdana, arial, helvetica" SIZE=2><B>By Michael S. Barnes and Catherine DiPlacido</B></FONT><br> <hr size="1"> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=12 border=0><br>    Ever wonder what operations research topics are being looked at in the Air Force? You may be surprised to know that the answers are available on the Web and are just a click away.<BR> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=6 border=0><br> In June 1996, the Air Force created a new field operating agency  the Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation (AFAMS)  to coordinate its growing requirement for modeling and simulation. AFAMS is located in Orlando's Central Florida Research Park, which hosts other similar joint, service, contractor and educational facilities. Proximity to other agencies engaged in simulation and training implementation offers the Air Force the maximum advantage of the newest technologies and what they can do for the Air Force in terms of providing ready forces.<BR> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=6 border=0><br> AFAMS has the responsibility to implement the Air Force Modeling and Simulation Resource Repository (AFMSRR) as directed by Headquarters Air Force, Deputy Chief of Staff for Warfighting Integration. AFAMS is a top-level modeling and simulation (M&S) policy implementation, integration and support entity. Its mission is accomplished by implementing Air Force and Department of Defense (DoD) M&S policy and standards, managing, coordinating and integrating major Air Force M&S programs and initiatives, supporting corporate Air Force M&S operations, and promoting and supporting technology improvements.<BR> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=6 border=0><br> The AFMSRR is the official Air Force node of a DoD-wide system of M&S resources that allows users to discover, access and obtain M&S resources and information in support of military assessments, training and acquisition. It is a Web-based application that provides users the ability to search or browse a catalog of records containing descriptions of architectures, models, simulations, simulators, data sources, support tools/utilities, references, related web sites, facilities, studies and technology research. The goal of the AFMSRR is to aid customers in gaining knowledge. It provides a single source for information about, and access to, DoD models, simulations, data sources and other M&S resources in order to facilitate reuse of software and avoid duplication. Air Force organizations that have existing models, simulations, data sources and other M&S resources are encouraged to register with the AFMSRR.<BR> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=6 border=0><br> While AFAMS has overall responsibility for managing the AFMSRR, individual maintenance of items within the AFMSRR is the responsibility of each information provider. Only registered personnel may submit resources for the AFMSRR. The individual submitting the resource is responsible for accuracy, obtaining clearance for public release, updates and answering questions from potential users of the resource. The approval process is automated and managed by a resource coordinator (RC) identified by each major command (MAJCOM), field operating agency (FOA) and direct reporting unit (DRU). Resource submitters are required to validate resource information every six months.<BR> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=6 border=0><br> The overall resource coordinator, located at AFAMS, has final approval on all resource submissions. Upon final approval, the resource moves into the public database accessible by any AFMSRR user.<BR> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=6 border=0><br> The AFMSRR allows the user to search for a specific item. For example, conducting a search on the word "airlift" brings up 25 resources. The user can also browse by resource or organization. Furthermore, the user can browse by type or sponsoring organization. Currently, there are 23 sponsoring organizations. There are 11 types of registered resources with a total of nearly 600 entries. Over the long term, the AFMSRR will aim to provide information for strategic planners, bring content and people together, and help manage knowledge to innovate.<BR> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=6 border=0><br> This article has provided the reader with an introduction to the AFMSRR. The AFMSRR represents one node out of seven that comprise the overall Department of Defense Modeling and Simulation Resource Repository. The other six nodes are the Army MSRR, Navy MSRR, DMSO MSRR, Missile Defense Agency MSRR, Master Environmental Library, and the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) MSRR. All of these nodes are accessible from the AFMSRR Web site: <A HREF="http://afmsrr.afams.af.mil" TARGET="_new">afmsrr.afams.af.mil</A>.<BR> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=4 border=0><br> <IMG SRC="../barbluehook.gif" WIDTH="468" HEIGHT="4"><br> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=2 border=0><br>  Return to the main story: <A HREF="frnetwar.html" TARGET="_top">The Netwar in Iraq</A><BR> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=4 border=0><br> <IMG SRC="../barbluehook.gif" WIDTH="468" HEIGHT="4"><br> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=2 border=0><br> <FONT face="verdana, arial, helvetica" SIZE=2><I><B>Michael S. Barnes</B> (<A HREF="mailto:michael.barnes@scott.af.mil">michael.barnes@scott.af.mil</A>) is an operations research analyst at the Studies and Analysis Division, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. He is also the president of St. Louis INFORMS Gateway Chapter.<BR> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=6 border=0><br> <B>Catherine DiPlacido</B> (<A HREF="mailto:cathy.diplacido@afams.af.mil">cathy.diplacido@afams.af.mil</A>) is the program manager at Air Force Modeling & Simulation, Resource Repository, Innovations Division, Air Force Agency for Modeling & Simulation, Orlando, Fla.</i></font><BR>  <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=5 border=0><br>  <img src="../barblue.gif" width=468 height=1 border=0 alt=" "><br> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=8 border=0><br> <font face="verdana, arial, helvetica" size="1"> <CENTER><script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></CENTER><br> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=8 border=0><br> <LI> <A HREF="tocfr.html" Target="_top"><I>Table of Contents</A><br> <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=4 border=0><br> <LI> <A HREF="../../ORMS.shtml" TARGET="_top"><I>OR/MS Today</I> Home Page</A><br>  <img src="../cleardot.gif" width=1 height=1 vspace=8 border=0><br> <img src="../barblue.gif" width=468 height=1 border=0 alt=" "><br> <b><i>OR/MS Today</i></b> copyright © 2003 by <A HREF="http://www.informs.org/" target="_new">the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences</a>. 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