Given the current state of affairs in our world, those with experience in the military aspect of our space and satellite capabilities are sought after by companies all over the world for their expertise. AMERICOM Government Services (AGS) has been highly involved with civilian and defense-related government agencies and their contractors since 1973.

One critical area within which the company works is in their Air Force Programs division. AGS integrates hybrid telecom and info technology systems, including IP platforms and applications, and provides secure broadband communications in support of mission-critical needs as well as day-to-day operations. The company’s full range of satellite services includes highly reliable fixed, transportable, and on-the-move solutions. These are especially valuable as AGS has access to 37 satellites that offer global coverage and bandwidth portability.

In January of this year, AGS appointed a highly experienced individual to lead this important division—Timothy L. Deaver. With more than two decades of U.S. Air Force experience under his belt, and attainment of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Mr. Deaver’s most recent military assignment was a Deputy Chief, Space Control Architecture Division, National Security Space Office. He directed the development of a long-term architecture for the Department of Defense’s space control capabilities. Prior to that position, he was the Chief of the Space Control and Force Application Branch for the Undersecretary of the Air Force, where he led the Air Force Policy Team on three National Security Policy Directives signed by President Bush. He also led overseas operations that involved a $260M/US surveillance system.

Somehow, between establishing his new office and new projects, Tim allocated some time for SatMagazine to discuss his new appointment.

SatMagazine
Tim, we understand you are the new Director for Air Force Programs for Americom Government Services. Would tell us a little bit about your background?

Tim
I have more than 22 years of experience in the space industry as well as degrees in communication systems and spacecraft design. I have worked in various areas of the industry, ranging from spacecraft operations, space surveillance and intelligence, to policy and acquisition.

SatMagazine
You mentioned acquisitions as part of your experience. Can you elaborate on these areas? Who did you work with in that capacity?

Tim
My acquisition experience was mainly in the test and evaluation area until I started working at the Pentagon five-years ago. I was working in a policy office that became part of the Under Secretary of the Air Force’s office. This shift occurred as result of the Department of Defense (DoD) establishing the Secretary of the Air Force as the Executive Agent for Space. At the same time, DoD assigned the Under Secretary of the Air Force as the milestone decision authority for space systems. I spent the last couple of years in this office developing long-term architectures and performing program assessments as part of the DoD’s annual funding development process.

SatMagazine
Your record reveals you have tremendous military experience. Can you tell us about your experience within the commercial satellite industry?

Tim
My previous experience with the commercial satellite industry focused on the ability for commercial communications and imagery companies to provide reliable and assured capabilities to the military at all times. I was part of the team that established the first meeting between senior DoD officials and the commercial providers’ CEOs and Presidents. This meeting initiated an entirely new dialog between the DoD and the agency’s providers. Quarterly coordination meetings continue to this day, with annual meetings between the senior DoD officials and corporate leaders. In fact, I will be representing AGS at the government’s quarterly coordination meetings.

SatMagazine
What are your responsibilities in your new AGS position?

Tim
AGS prides itself on providing complete solutions for the U.S. Government; be it Transponder, Custom Network, or Strategic Satellite Solutions. I will be working across all three business areas to ensure we meet the needs of our Air Force customers with highly secure, fully integrated, complete end-to-end solutions. One area I am very enthusiastic about is the potential for hosting payloads for the U.S. Government on our satellites. We have a satellite manufacture and launch schedule, which allows us to offer approximately three spacecraft a year for a hosted payload. This is an exciting time in this area, as it has the potential to dramatically change the commercial SATCOM providers’ relationships with the USG.

SatMagazine
Certainly, your experience should be of great benefit to Americom Government Services. How do you see yourself in this new role?

Tim
I hope to be able to combine my knowledge of the DoD acquisition process, the needs of the services (specifically, the Air Force) with the full-spectrum solutions capabilities offered by Americom Government Services. I am extremely familiar with the challenges the DoD community is experiencing in space system acquisition. One of my primary responsibilities will be to find the synergy between DoD requirements and our ability to deliver custom solutions. As we uncover these opportunities, we will work closely with the Department of Defense, U.S. Strategic Command, the services, and their respective operational and product centers to develop these opportunities as cost beneficial capabilities for the warfighter.

SatMagazine
As Director for Air Force Programs, what do you believe Americom Government Services can do to support the unique requirements of the U.S. Air Force, given the hostile adversities warfighters face in protecting our nation and our worldwide interests as successful solutions must be afforded them as quickly as possible?

Tim
On the transponder solutions side, meeting the exponentially increasing bandwidth needs of mobile users will continue to be a challenge for all services. The growth in Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (AISR) assets provides a great partnership opportunity between AGS and the Air Force to meet the growing need. Some of the unique requirements in this area pertain to the potential operating locations of the AISR assets. Some of these areas have limited coverage by commercial SATCOM. In addition to hosted payload activities, Americom Government Services is looking at ways to help the Air Force meet specific space situational awareness (SSA) requirements. As a global satellite system operator, we are enormously interested in making sure we can operate in a safe environment and we believe we can help the Air Force with its national SSA mission.

SatMagazine
You mentioned AGS could help the Air Force with its national SSA mission. Are you in a position to provide some additional details?

Tim
As a geosynchronous satellite operator, we are concerned about other satellites and space debris that may come too close to our spacecraft and could potentially cause damage. We track, with great precision (within a few hundred meters), where our spacecrafts are at all times. Additionally, we know our maneuver schedule and the relative state-of-health of our spacecraft. We are working closely with the Air Force and other geosynchronous satellite operators on mechanisms to share this information for mutual benefit. It is comforting to know that U.S. Strategic Command has procedures in place to warn us if they believe something is a threat to our satellites; we believe through information sharing, we can help them do their job with great precision.