Photo By Tech. Sgt. Nick Wilson | Members of the 607th Security Forces Squadron use Google Maps to identify force...... read more read more
GeoBase is a USAF Program that helps people around the world exploit geospatial information to provide situational awareness. The program uses a collection of images, mapping and tabular data and GIS software to provide analysis which is all collectively known as geographic information systems.
“It’s important because it gives an additional level of information that wouldn’t be there if you’re just looking at a spreadsheet,” said Doctor Karen Munroe, 7th Air Force GeoBase administrator. “When you add information, it becomes easier to communicate and easier to recognize when there are issues that you might not see when you’re just looking at numbers.”
The additional level of information GeoBase provides alleviates the decision-making process by improving the confidence service members and Department of Defense employees have in the decisions they make.
“Our goal has been to ensure the tools we provide are user-friendly,” Munroe said. “Some tools require weeks of training before you are allowed to use them. We want to keep things user-friendly so a person can sit down at a computer, pull up data and understand very quickly what is going on.”
The GeoBase tools provided for use by the Department of Defense are preconfigured to only display the data and tools relevant to an individual’s job function.
“When you open it up, you’re viewing information you need to look at for your community,” said Joseph Dillard, 7th AF geospatial consequence management tool architect. “That includes minimizing buttons and choices down to the smallest and most logical items.”
One enabling aspect of a web based geospatial capabilities is that it simplifies the process of information dissemination. This is done by allowing geographically separated units to access the same information, at the same time from multiple locations abroad. This ensures everyone is using the same, current information to make decisions.
“Data management is a big deal,” said Senior Master Sgt. Joseph T. Gawlik, Pacific Air Forces command systems support manager. “For instance, with GeoBase you can not only see maps, roads and infrastructure, but now you can click on the roads to see what its conditions are or you can click on a building to see who’s there, how many people are there and what missions it supports.”
An assortment of web services, applications and tools are available for Airmen to use for their missions, in addition to other mapping capabilities GeoBase provides.
“We manage our linear infrastructure with electrical systems, explosive safety site planning systems, airfield lighting systems and utility systems, to name a few,” Gawlik said. “For instance, if the Air Force Civil Engineer Center is doing a study, Airmen from any base on the planet can go to our web services and click to find out what type of information they need.”
Airmen can also analyze maintenance information for infrastructure. If a water pipe is broken, they can look up specifically what the diameter is of the pipe, what part of the pipe is broken and what type of materials it’s made out of.
“It takes in all of the basic calculations and highlights what needs to be investigated further,” Gawlik said. “It also helps justify the funding. In a financially constrained environment, it’s good to actually have a site picture of the conditions of your assets.”
GeoBase also provides information in support of the Expeditionary Site Mapping process.
“If there is a potential operation in a country, it’s good to be able to get some imagery of that and start planning,” Gawlik said. “A centralized repository of information can always make things more user friendly whether it is used for crisis action planning, humanitarian assistance or to determine available airfields for an overseas operation.”
Whether its contingency planning or infrastructure assessments, there are a multitude of capabilities and tools GeoBase brings to the table.
“We enable automated information systems to provide the data that Airmen in any type of functional area may need,” Gawlik said. “We don’t own the processes. We enable the processes.”
| Date Taken: | 04.21.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.20.2016 20:53 |
| Story ID: | 195988 |
| Location: | KR |
| Web Views: | 420 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, PACAF utilizes GeoBase program, by MSgt Marelise Wood, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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