I bring news from the front lines, having just returned from
a 12-day visit to Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar
as part of a Tiger Team tasked with assessing current biometric
capabilities in theater. I can tell you that the morale of our
troops serving there is high and what impressed me most was
their motivation. The visit really drove home for all of us
on the Team that the work we're doing back home really is vital
to those deployed, and in harms way.
The Tiger Team was composed of members from each of the Services
and was led by MG Conrad Ponder, the Army Chief Integration
Office, CIO/G6. Our visit allowed us to see first-hand how
biometrics are being used in war zones. We were able to assess
the real-world benefits of biometrics in the war efforts,
and as a result, are more firmly committed to optimizing the
use of biometric capabilities in war zones and worldwide to
directly support the warfighter in the Global War on Terrorism.
Bottomline: troops and biometrics are making a difference
to this nation!
On another note, last month we hosted a very successful Community
of Interest conference in Miami. We had overwhelming participation
-more than 100 attendees - who had the opportunity to learn
and appreciate ongoing biometrics initiatives, hear from Marines
who just returned from theater and gain perspectives from
Homeland Defense officials. During the conference, we had
a forum for relevant feedback. I assure you that I will use
the feedback in assessing forthcoming conferences. Thank you
for the wonderful responses.
I am also pleased to report to you that the Vice Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited the Biometrics Fusion
Center last month. During his visit, there was discussion
of the future leveraging of biometrics to further support
the warfighter.
We are actively engaging to continue this emerging biometrics
path of progress and success in attaining identity superiority.
I am very excited to lead this department and thank each one
of you for the continued support.
COL David Scarbalis
Director, DoD Biometrics
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