MilsatMagazine
General Hamel, your career in the U.S. Air Force has been an exemplary example of leadership and innovation. As you approach your retirement, would you care to pass along to our readers some of the history of those watershed events for which you have become so well known? What do you consider to be the missions with the most impact within the U.S. Air Force during your career in milsatcom?

General Hamel
During my 36 years in the United State Air Force, I have had the very good fortune to work on a fascinating array of military space programs and duties; from development, to launch, to on-orbit operations, to intelligence, to command and national policy levels. In each job, I’ve had the opportunity to work on leading edge efforts in; the National Reconnaissance Office, integrating and launching DoD (Department of Defense) payloads on the Space Shuttle, building capabilities critical to preserving peace and winning our nation’s wars. I commanded the Air Force’s Space Operations after 9/11, and now lead Air Force Space Development as we deliver the next generation of space capabilities that will shape our military operations and national security for decades to come.



MilsatMagazine
Your work at SMC has lead to an amazing record of successful launches. Would you highlight the events you feel are the most significant, in as far as being true assets to our warfighters?


General Hamel
Air Force Space Command and SMC are proud of our record of 58 consecutive successful major operational launches. To select which of those launches are the most significant is difficult, as each one was extremely important, and all are contributing every day to our warfighters.

Ushering in the EELV (Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle) families of Atlas V and Delta IV has been a major accomplishment. The vehicles are proving to be a reliable means in which to ensure the United States’ access to space in the future, and, in turn, will guarantee our warfighters have the space assets on orbit they have come to depend upon to accomplish their mission. Without Atlas V and Delta IV, our country’s access to space would be limited, and potentially dependent, upon other nations to launch some of our critical space assets.


MilsatMagazine
Your command’s budget is most impressive, and the number of military and civilian personnel you manage is a staggering number. How do you handle the scope of your position, as far as command is concerned? What are the lessons you have learned and wish to pass along to your successor in regard to being successful in this critical endeavor?

General Hamel
This may sound cliché, but I have to give a great deal of credit to the men and women as well as the leadership team of the Space & Missile Systems Center. The space professionals under my command amaze me everyday with their dedication and devotion to their mission to develop, acquire, field, and sustain the world’s best space and missile capabilities for the joint warfighter and the nation. Further, the role the Aerospace Corporation plays in providing technical and engineering support to the center is indispensable. I rely on every one of them to be able to do my job.

MilsatMagazine
Would you be kind enough to offer us a look at your history in the U.S. Air Force?

General Hamel
I was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the U.S. Air Force Academy in June 1972, where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering. After attaining my degree, I was sent off to be a Staff Development Planner at the then Los Angeles Air Force Station, the first of my many assignments here.

My career includes responsibilities in a variety of command, acquisition, operations, and policy positions involving space, system development, intelligence, space operations, and launch. I have served in senior staff positions at Headquarters U.S. Air Force and Air Force Space Command, and was Vice President Gore’s military adviser on defense, nonproliferation, and space policy.

Prior to my current position, I commanded the 14th Air Force “Flying Tigers”, and was responsible for all U.S. Air Force space forces and operations, as well as the execution of assigned U.S. Strategic Command’s space operations.

MilsatMagazine
The latest Global Positioning System IIR-19(M) was recently launched... what are the advantages of the new system over its predecessor, and how will the new GPS system perform in relation to the Russian, Indian, and European navigation systems? Was the inclusion of the civilian component planned from the start? How will the process work?

General Hamel
The Block IIR(M) modernized GPS satellites offer advantages over previous Block IIA/IIR satellites in terms of new signals and improved accuracy. In addition to the Block IIA/IIR civil signal (L1 C/A) and military signals (L1 P(Y) & L2 P(Y)), each of the eight Block IIR(M) modernized GPS satellites will broadcast a second civil signal (L2C) and two additional military signals (L1M & L2M). GPS receivers that process dual frequency signals, whether civil or military, gain a significant accuracy improvement by removing the ionospheric error that results as satellite signals pass through the ionosphere. New military signals are less vulnerable than P(Y). All receivers will benefit from superior clock performance associated with the newer satellites.

GPS technical experts have worked with the U.S. Department of State to proactively engage other global satellite navigation system (GNSS) designers to ensure their radio frequency compatibility and interoperability with GPS. As a result, GPS and Galileo will have a high level of interoperability with the new GPS L1C civil signal that will be broadcast from GPS Block III satellites. Thanks to a common design effort, the GPS L1C signal has an identical frequency spectrum with that of the Galileo E1 open service (E1OS) signal. As a result, a common GPS-Galileo signal will be broadcast from both constellations. GPS experts have also worked with Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) to achieve a high level of interoperability such that QZSS will broadcast GPS-compatible signals (L1C, L2C, and L5). Likewise, GPS has worked diligently with other GNSS developers to obtain similar levels of compatibility and interoperability.

Yes, GPS has planned to broadcast the L2C civil signal ever since the Block IIR modernization contract was awarded in August 2000.

MilsatMagazine
What are your thoughts regarding the civilian sector, rather than the U.S. Air Force, now being the driver of government policy when it comes to the joint military and civilian control of GPS, as seems to be indicated within a new Department of Defense (DoD) directive? The new and “firmer” voice in such dealings appears to be the Department of Transportation in the February 19th published PNT directive. The directive seems to indicate that the U.S.A.F. has given up whatever control they may have possessed within this arena, but we do not know what they may have acquired by surrendering such control in a balance of power exchange. How do you see this change?

General Hamel
The new Department of Defense Directive on Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) (i.e., DoDD 4650.05, dated 19 Feb 08) is a straightforward update of the previous DoDD 4650.5, dated 2 Jun 03. The new DoDD 4650.05 incorporates national-level changes over the past five years related to PNT policy and governance. Most notably, the previous Presidential Decision Directive (PDD/NSTC-6) on U.S. Global Positioning System Policy, dated 28 Mar 96, was updated with the new National Security Policy Directive (NSPD) on U.S. Space Based PNT Policy, dated 8 Dec 04. Moreover, NSPD replaced the previous governance structure, the Interagency GPS Executive Board (IGEB), with the new National Space-Based PNT Executive Committee (NPEC).

The DoD PNT directive reaffirms that the U.S. Air Force will continue to lead GPS development, acquisition, and operations. Indeed, the DoD PNT directive makes no major changes related to GPS acquisition and operations. The GPS Wing at Los Angles AFB will continue to acquire and modernize GPS satellites, the ground control system, and military user equipment for U.S. and allied forces. The 50th Space Wing at Schriever AFB will continue to operate the GPS constellation and deliver unrivaled GPS service.

Both GPS performance standards (i.e., the Standard Positioning Service PS dated 4 Oct 01 and the Precise Positioning Service PS dated 23 Feb 07) were developed by the U.S. Air Force and approved/published by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (ASD) office responsible for GPS. In addition, the U.S. Air Force leads GPS radio frequency compatibility and interoperability with other Radio-navigation Satellite Systems. In addition, the U.S. Air Force defends GPS spectrum at the International Telecommunications Union. In line with this new PNT DoD directive, the U.S. Air Force takes great pride in developing and delivering the world’s best PNT services and equipment.

Things have not changed in actual operation as much as media reports tend to indicate. There has been civil presence at the GPS Wing, AFSPC and 2SOPS for a very long time. The civil agencies have, for a long time, cooperated on GPS capabilities and operation. The civil presence has brought additional direct contact of many users to the program for the benefit of those and other civil users, which has also provided benefit to the military. The civil agencies and the commercial manufacturers/users help build that cooperation that has made GPS a uniquely significant part of the economic engine delivered by the US Government.

MilsatMagazine
The future remains a tenuous proposition. Do you feel confident in our nation’s ability to counter those who would harm us with our technologies? What do you see as critical for the protection of our nation and to our warfighters, the primary responsibility of a nation to its citizenry? What projects do you foresee as having enormous impact on our security and on our future?

General Hamel
I believe that with the Chinese ASAT demonstration, proliferation of GPS and satellite communications’ jammers, and other anti-satellite technology readily available around the world, our nation’s space capabilities face an increasing threat and could be attacked, or disrupted, by those who want to do us harm. A robust and comprehensive Space Situational Awareness capability is critical to protecting our military, civil, and commercial space systems to insure the security and well being of our nation and our friends.

MilsatMagazine
With your well-deserved retirement just around the corner, were you able to assist in the selection of a successor at SMC? If so, who might that be and what can we expect from the new commander?

General Hamel
Lt. Gen. (select) Tom Sheridan, currently the Deputy Director of the National Reconnaissance Office and Program Executive Officer and System Program Director for Space Radar, has been named as my successor at SMC. He has an extensive career in space development and operations, and has been a personal friend and colleague for some 25 years. He is the perfect choice to assume command of this extraordinary organization and its critical mission.

MilsatMagazine
We hear a great deal about new programs... would you please tell us a little bit about each of these systems? Which ones are on track for on-time completion and which are the critical systems you feel we simply cannot do without? Would you please tell us a little bit about each of these systems?

General Hamel
TSAT is the Transformational Satellite Communications System and will provide worldwide, secure, survivable satellite communications to U.S. strategic and tactical forces during all levels of conflict. It is the future of the Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) architecture and will provide a magnitude of increased capability across the spectrum of mission areas, to include land, air, and naval warfare; special operations; strategic nuclear operations; strategic defense; homeland security; theater operations; and space operations and intelligence. TSAT will provide Internet-like capability and extend the DoD Global Information GIG to deployed users.

TSAT will deliver huge improvements in connectivity, capacity, interoperability, availability, security, and speed. TSAT will provide increased connectivity for protected communications (low probability of detection, low probability of intercept and jam resistance) to users “on the move” with small antennas. Additionally, TSAT will enable real-time and persistent worldwide connectivity to Air and Space Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (AISR/SISR) assets, thereby providing increased situational awareness and targeting information to the warfighter. TSAT’s total worldwide capacity will be 36 Gbps, and will support a broad range of users across ground, air and space from the foot solder to the Network Command Authorities.

MilsatMagazine
Is TSAT on track for on-time completion?

General Hamel
The Department of Defense is reassessing the optimal strategy for satisfying future satellite communication requirements in light of economic realities, program interrelationships, and user demand for these services. The Department remains committed to delivering the transformational communications capabilities envisioned for TSAT. However, until this assessment is complete, the long term TSAT program schedule remains to be determined.

The Transformational Satellite Communications System Mission Operations System will provide network management for the TSAT system, providing network-centric interoperability between TSAT and the Department of Defense’s Global Information Grid. For the joint warfighter and deployed worldwide users, this means they are one step closer to obtaining network-centric warfare.

MilsatMagazine
Is the TSAT system critical and do you feel we simply cannot do without?”

General Hamel
Yes. There are validated warfighter requirements for assured, global, network-centric, high-capacity communications. User needs cannot be met with more of our current systems, or solely by ground, aerial, or commercial SATCOM systems. TSAT is the nation’s only protected net-centric MILSATCOM program that will provide survivable and endurable communications crucial to joint warfighting.

TSAT supports the Army’s Future Combat System (FCS) program by enabling Communications On The Move (COTM) to users with small terminals. TSAT will also collect information from protected Airborne and Spaceborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (AISR, SISR) assets to enhance situational awareness.

MilsatMagazine
And AEHF?

General Hamel
The Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) system will consist of four satellites in geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) that provides 10 times the capacity of the 1990s-era Milstar satellites. AEHF will provide continuous 24-hour coverage between 65 degrees north and 65 degrees south latitude. The AEHF system is composed of three segments: space (the satellites), ground (mission operations and mission planning) and terminals (the users). The system will provide communications in data rates from 75 bps to approximately 8 Mbps. The space segment consists of a cross-linked constellation of four satellites. The mission control segment controls satellites on orbit, monitors satellite health and provides communications’ system planning and monitoring. This segment is highly survivable, with both fixed and mobile control stations. System uplinks and crosslinks will operate in the extremely high frequency (EHF) range and downlinks in the super high frequency (SHF) range. The terminal segment includes; fixed and ground mobile terminals; ship and submarine terminals; and airborne terminals used by all of the Services and international partners (Canada, Netherlands and UK). MCSW is responsible for acquisition of the space and ground segments, as well as the Air Force terminal segments. The Army and Navy will acquire their own terminals.

AEHF is essential, as it’s the follow-on system to Milstar. It will provide the protected satcom capability to the highest priority users in the nation, even including the President. Protected, survivable strategic communications is the foundation of our nation’s communications capability. With the AEHF system, it will assure continuity, and will deliver an order of magnitude of improvement in capacity. AEHF is currently on track for the inaugural launch of Space Vehicle (SV)-1 in the First Quarter of 2009.


MilsatMagazine
SBSS?

General Hamel
The Space Based Space Surveillance System (SBSS) is a space situational awareness system, comprised of space, ground, and launch segments. The SBSS mission is to provide timely detection, collection, identification, and tracking of man-made space objects from deep space to low earth orbits.

The first SBSS satellite, designated Block 10, is a single Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite. The satellite is comprised of a space vehicle bus with a visible optical payload and associated command, control, communications, and computer (C4) equipment. It is on schedule to be launched from Vandenberg AFB in early 2009 on a Minotaur IV space launch vehicle. The ground segment provides satellite control, mission operations, and interfaces to users and the command structure from a new Space Operations Center, located at Schriever AFB, CO.

The SBSS system is a critical system that will operate in conjunction with the Space Surveillance Network (SSN) to support spaceflight safety, ensure space catalogue completeness, warn of on-orbit separations and maneuvers, and provide indications and warnings in space.

MilsatMagazine
Thank you, General Hamel, for this interview. We also wish to express our gratitude to you for your selfless and dedicated service to our country and our citizens. We wish you well in your new career—well-deserved retirement.

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Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel officially retires from his posting as the Commander of SMC on July 1, 2008. He has received the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with three oak leaf clusters, and the global War on Terrorism Service Medal.