In his recent Virginian Pilot Op-Ed piece, “A Vital Spinoff from JFCOM”, Jack Ezzell pointed out many of Hampton Roads’ strengths in the area of modeling and simulation. He defined modeling and simulation as:

“Modeling and simulation refers to the process of developing a mathematical model of a real-world process, such as the flow of containers through a port facility and solving the model under different conditions. The information extracted from the model can be used to enhance the effectiveness of the real-world process and increase efficiency and profitability.”

This excellent example from the economically critical ports extends to traffic and transportation analysis. Still other current modeling and simulation applications that should be of interest to Hampton Roads’ citizens include tidal level predictions for hurricanes and nor’easters being developed at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at William & Mary (VIMS); innovative designs for aircraft carrier landing systems at Northrop-Grumman Newport News (NGNN); design and development at NASA Langley Research Center (NASA-LARC), of launch pad abort systems to save astronauts’ lives in the event of a rocket anomaly during launch; design of particle accelerators and instrumentation at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab); a “virtual stethoscope”, developed at the Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) in collaboration with Old Dominion University’s Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center (VMASC), as a training device that simulates the sounds of the human body’s circulatory and respiratory systems; and many, many others.

While modeling and simulation only approximates real-world behaviors and does not simply replace physical experiments, it does allow for extensive insights into system behaviors where full scale experimentation is not possible such as with hurricanes, or where experiments might involve human safety such as possible changes to the air traffic control system to allow the integration of drones with piloted aircraft, or are too expensive such as with NASA’s pioneering missions aimed at landing scientific instruments on other planets in the solar system. We know that hurricane prediction is not perfect, but with the data collected and analyzed from each unique storm, scientists improve the mathematical models making predictions for the next storms better. So it is not only the capabilities of modeling and simulation, but also the implications and limits of the model used that today’s student must learn.

What has allowed for this recent explosion of
modeling and simulation applications? Find out by reading more...

The Virginia Beach Crime Prevention Steering Committee was established in 1977 to act as an advocate for community participation in crime prevention as well as to support and advise the Virginia Beach Police Department with community concerns regarding crime. Each year the Steering Committee has honored individuals, community organizations and businesses that exemplified the values and mission of the Virginia Beach Crime Prevention Steering Committee. Nominations are being sought for this year’s awards, i.e., activities that occurred during the past twelve months.

Award categories are...

Click HERE for a complete Hampton Roads Resource Page on Joint Forces Command with links to organizations such as the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance, local and state resources such as Congressman Forbes webpage, regional strategies such as Vision Hampton Roads and the Hampton Roads Modeling and Simulation Strategy 2020, events such as MODSIM World 2010, JFCOM news and more...

On 8-9-10, Secretary of Defense Gates recommended closure of Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), headquartered in Hampton Roads. JFCOM develops and employs modeling and simulation tools, the centerpiece of joint training. Modeling and Simulation (M&S) refers to the process of developing a mathematical model of a real world process, such as the flow of containers through a port facility, and solving the model under different conditions. The information extracted from the model can be used to enhance the effectiveness of the real world process and increase efficiency and profitability.

M&S is not a military-only tool.

Regardless of the outcome of Sec. Gates’ recommendation, the region-wide comprehensive economic development strategy, Vision Hampton Roads, has a structure already in place to coordinate existing and future efforts to grow the M&S community in Hampton Roads.

Hampton Roads is one of the country's three leading regions in M&S along with Orlando, FL and Huntsville, AL. The unique strength in the Hampton Roads region is in three areas:

1. M&S education from high school through PhD. The Hampton Roads region is the only place you will find that continuum of M&S education.
2. Training. Significant expertise exists in how to employ M&S to perform all types of training from the military to medical and healthcare.
3. Decision support command and control. The Hampton Roads region is set apart by its expertise in employing M&S to analyze complex problems and to help individuals or groups make better decisions because of the insight they gain from the models.

The Virginia Modeling Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC) at Old Dominion University is a key contributor to this sector of the economy with the past help of JFCOM.

The following are on-going M&S diversification efforts in the region that deserve to be championed and supported:

• MODSIM World Conference & Expo, now in its fourth year and franchised in Canada, has seen a 25% annual growth and focuses on promoting M&S activity outside of DoD, encouraging the transfer of technology and information across domains.
• Senator Mark Warner’s M&S Taskforce has put a special focus on medical M&S for 2011.
• Hampton Roads M&S Strategy 2020 pays special attention to entrepreneurship, commercialization, research and development, expanding into new markets, educational linkages and leveraging unique assets. The Strategy is designed to capitalize on, not rely on, existing DoD M&S work to expand and grow the industry base in Hampton Roads.
• Hampton Roads M&S Leadership Council was developed to coordinate the implementation of the M&S Strategy 2020 and has taken active steps to operate in-line with Vision Hampton Roads.
• Vision Hampton Roads specifically includes M&S as a cluster which deserves attention and support to continue its growth in the region as it presents tremendous opportunity to diversify the economy while providing clean, high-paying jobs.

A 2007 technology survey identified over 2,000 direct M&S jobs paying an average of $82,733 per year (more than double the region's average salary) spread throughout the region, with nearly 60% on the Peninsula and 40% on the Southside. Although strongly supported by the military, jobs have expanded to transportation, port operations, education and the medical world.

The survey also noted many M&S research strengths in the region: ODU, Eastern VA Medical School, Hampton University, National Institute of Aeronautics, NASA Langley Research Center, Jefferson Lab, Norfolk State University and Christopher Newport University.

And, according to Virginia's Economic Development Partnership, Virginia's M&S industry employs 11,500 people in the private sector while government and military is estimated at another 2,900 people. The top two regions by employment are Northern Virginia (5,900) and Hampton Roads (5,200) and account for 97% of all M&S employment in Virginia.

So what is the region’s next step? Focus M&S efforts with the existing region-wide strategic plan already in place led by the Vision Hampton Roads Innovation Task Force (Dr. Joe Bouchard, Lead) and the Hampton Roads M&S Leadership Council (VMASC’s Dr. John Sokolowski, Chair) which aligns with designated community leaders in specific areas of interest (ex: higher education, healthcare) for implementation of Vision’s strategic actions.

Engage directly with the M&S community and learn more by attending the MODSIM World Conference and Expo, October 13-15, 2010, at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, http://ModSimWorldConference.com.

Ten professional leaders and top level executives in our community have volunteered once again to present a seminar from their respective expertise. It is a fantastic series for a very low cost that is aimed at those in our community exploring the idea of doing business with the government (especially the DoD). At the Seminars you’ll learn Strategic Planning, Marketing, Proposal Development, Contract Performance, Contract Administration and Accounting, Government Customer Expectations, Subcontracting with Prime Contractors, Profitability and Administration, Employee Relations and Small Business Resources.

Classes are held at the Peninsula Workforce Development Center, 600 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, VA on Tuesdays, September 14 - November 16, 2010 from 7:00 to 9:15 p.m. Participants will receive an official certificate of completion from Thomas Nelson Community College and 2.0 Continuing Education Units.

“I very strongly recommend this seminar. For a small investment in time and cost, it provides a unique opportunity to be exposed to the full spectrum of the business environment for contractors operating in the defense and homeland security marketplace, crossing all functional lines.” — Harry Train, Admiral, U.S. Navy (ret.)

“As I retired from the Navy, the seminar helped me understand the business. I was able to use it immediately in my job in industry.” — Rick Doran, Allied Command Transformation, Norfolk, VA

For further information or to register contact Carolyn Tarrant or Rita Bond at the Peninsula Council for Workforce Development. Phone: (757) 826.3327 or Email: ctarrant@pcfwd.org or rbond@pcfwd.org.

From Matthew James, President & CEO, Peninsula Council for Workforce Development (PCFWD)

IPads, Text Messaging Enhances Communication Efforts in Williamsburg, Va.

Posted Aug 18, 2010, By Russell Nichols, Staff Writer for Government Technology

As iPads and smartphones continue to transform ideas of how governments communicate, officials in Williamsburg, Va., have realized the power of touch.

In July, the city chose to adopt iPads to eliminate printed materials for City Council meetings and enhance e-mail and Web access for council members. And this week, local officials launched CITY411, a text messaging system that allows residents to text problems that need to be fixed around the city.

In both cases, the idea is to move beyond traditional methods of communication so city workers and citizens can better navigate the digital landscape with the latest tech tools and save money, time and resources.

With iPads, for instance, the city cuts out the $2,000 a year ...

WORKING TOGETHER TO FIGHT CRIME ON THE PENINSULA

From the Public Information Office in the City of Newport News' Office of the Chief of Police (PIO).

After being contacted by the publisher of the Daily Press asking to meet with the police chief and the agencies’ Public Information Officers (PIO) “to discuss an idea that may prove mutually beneficial,” the Newport News Police Department and the Hampton Police Division began a very successful crime fighting project.

Newport News Chief James D. Fox and Hampton Chief Charles Jordan, along with their PIOs, met with the Daily Press publisher, Mr. Digby A. Solomon, who spoke about how the newspaper, in the past, has sold the most papers, and in some cases every paper printed, on days when either agency, as a part of their “warrant list” operations, placed a paid advertisement in the paper listing some of their most wanted persons, including photos.

To the delight of the chiefs and the PIOs, Mr. Solomon offered, at no charge, a full page, for the two agencies to share, in the paper each week listing wanted persons and their photographs along with a crime of the week. Considering the cost of a full page advertisement, both the chiefs and the PIOs were extremely excited about this opportunity.

The “warrant list” operations have taken place two to three times a year since 2004 and have proven extremely successful for both agencies. The day the advertisement appears in the paper and for a day or two after, the department has a number of law enforcement officers (from local, state and federal agencies) divided into arrest teams. These teams follow up on the numerous tips called in to provide information on the location of wanted persons and also attempt to serve other outstanding warrants. The most recent operation in Newport News netted approximately 70 arrests nearly all of which involved felony charges.

This opportunity is a definite win – win for everyone involved. Law enforcement gets to put out their information at no cost, in tough budget times, thereby helping the community, and the paper will most likely see an increase in revenue, while performing a service to the community by working with the police to make the cities safer places to live, work and play.

Since the weekly “Wanted Page” began on May 6, 2010, well over 100 wanted persons have been arrested in Newport News and Hampton....

Sooner or later it was bound to happen, as even a hyperpower has limits. After nine years, the United States is reassessing its commitment to the longest war it has to date prosecuted. Monday's announcement by Defense Secretary Robert Gates of budget cuts, a personnel freeze and the dissolution of the U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) represents the beginning of a marked change in how America will protect itself and how it calculates priorities within our nation's defense.

by Sebestyén L.V. Gorka posted on the New Atlanticist Policy and Analysis Blog on August 16, 2010

Coming as these decisions do a matter of days after the wholesale disclosure of classified information by a renegade website and the launch of a series of investigative reports by a national daily into waste and redundancy within the intelligence community, they will satisfy two different constituencies: those which favor a less activist national security sector and those who, whilst more hawkish of persuasion, support a leaner and more efficient national defense establishment.

However, the merits of Secretary Gates' proposed austerity measures cannot be gauged in terms of dollars and cents alone. Any such large-scale alteration to how an administration invests in the security of the country must by its nature have doctrinal as well as operational consequences. Especially the decision that has been institutionally the easiest to focus upon: the dismantling of the four-star joint command in Norfolk, Va....

Representatives from ABC-Virginia will be on hand and magazines available at MegaVention 2010 on August 25th at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. "The Future for Virginia’s Cities Resembles a Charming Past" By Lindsay Minard

The term "edge city" debuted in 1991 in Joel Garreau’s EDGE CITY: Life on the New Frontier. With the right amount of epiphany and wit, his stab at describing the 20th century evolution of cities was convincing enough to get baptized urban dictionary-style.

Defined by Garreau, "edge cities" have five million square feet or more of office space, over 600,000 square feet of retail space, an early morning increase in population followed by a significant drop in numbers beginning at 5:00 PM and an aura of being a place with it all; and likely featured, 30 years prior to their current state, a single pump gas station with a sign in the window indicating LAST STOP FOR GAS FOR 50 MILES.

Edge city, the term, had a good run; in 20 years it was snatched from its urban dictionary digs to title a magazine, a café, a website, a video game, its own film, and yes, even a band. But the spotlight is fleeting even for the brightest of trends....

Escapes: Norfolk is more than just a Navy town By Cindy Loose, Special Contributor to The Washington Post on August 13, 2010 (a former Travel writer for The Post, Loose now works in public relations)

Having lunch at Rowena's Tea Shop in Norfolk is like dining inside a nursery rhyme. One wall features a garden mural with larger-than-life images of Mr. Jellyford Jam III and other whimsical characters that owner Rowena Fullinwider has created. Quiche, sandwiches and the desserts that have been featured in Gourmet and Bon Appetit are delivered on tiered silver platters.

Fullinwider began making cakes from her home to raise money for the Norfolk opera. Today, her shop ships tons of gourmet food across the country.

Her progress is emblematic of what has been happening in Norfolk the past decade or two, as government and private entrepreneurs have worked to transform a deteriorating Navy town into a thriving, attractive, fun city for residents and tourists alike.

A recent visit proved that the effort has paid off. Norfolk is ready for prime time. A long weekend provided art, history, gorging and an outdoor adventure.

It started with a Segway tour that begins and ends along the waterfront, where tall ships and tugboats, sailboats and barges traverse the Elizabeth River near the Chesapeake Bay. Until the city completes a tramway that will eventually run all the way to Virginia Beach, Segways and bikes can ride along the tracks through town.

The city has invested millions in its waterfront, including a recent renovation of Town Point Park, where kids run through water fountains and play on grassy fields in front of an outdoor concert stage.

Norfolk is a city of waterfront festivals: One of the biggest, the wine festival, comes to town Oct. 16-17. Vintners from 30 wineries will join restaurateurs and musicians and sailors who parade and race on the river.

The waterfront is dotted with outdoor sculptures. During the Segway tour, we stop to read the collection of bronzed letters sculpted to look as if they're blowing in the wind. Each letter is the last written by an American serviceman or servicewoman killed in war. The dates range from 1777 to 1991.

On Aug. 29, 1862, Robert Henry Miller wrote to his mother: "War looks a great deal better in the newspapers than anywhere else." On Oct. 21, 1944, a nurse named Frances Slager wrote: "They are brought in bloody, dirty, and most of them so tired. Somebody's brothers. Somebody's fathers. Somebody's sons."

I've been looking forward to renting a bike and riding a miles-long path along the water, through a park and a wildlife sanctuary....