Press Release
☷Air National Guard Crisis Team Recognized for Innovation
National Guard ( By Press Release office)
Mar 03,2024
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The Air National Guard Crisis Action Team has been nominated for the 2024 General Larry O . Spencer Innovation Award for their innovative efforts in improving efficiency and readiness across the Air Force . According to Lt . Col . Michael T . Holton , the director of the team , their main goal is to provide ANG senior leadership with a flexible and responsive capability for situations that require constant attention and quick action . They offer support to the National Guard , as well as other military services and federal agencies during crisis events . Through recent upgrades costing $3 . 5 million , the CAT has strengthened their crisis response capabilities by utilizing new audiovisual and video teleconference technologies . This has improved coordination and communication , as well as increased situational awareness during crises . By incorporating these innovative methods , the CAT can now monitor and receive updates from multiple sources simultaneously , ensuring they remain informed and can respond promptly to changing circumstances . This has improved their ability to mitigate risks and address emerging challenges . The CAT ' s use of cutting - edge technologies sets a new standard for crisis response within the Air Force , demonstrating their commitment to continuous improvement and innovation . The upgrade was necessary to enhance communication , collaboration , and situational awareness during crisis events . The involvement of geographically separated agencies led to the increasing need for remote collaboration and teleconferencing capabilities . This drove the modernization of the CAT ' s audiovisual and video teleconference systems , allowing team members to participate in crisis response efforts from different locations . This has greatly improved coordination and decision - making . The ANG CAT serves as the central point of contact for all matters related to event support . Their contributions enhance operational continuity between field commanders and senior leaders at the National Guard Bureau . The upgraded audiovisual and video teleconference systems support collaborative decision - making by enabling multiple stakeholders to participate in virtual meetings and discussions , both classified and unclassified . This fosters a shared understanding of the crisis among senior leaders and improves ANG response actions . “The upgrades allow the CAT to leverage the latest advances in communications , information sharing and situational awareness , providing around - the - clock support for a variety of contingencies . ” Coordinating and integrating the Air National Guard ' s response to crises and emergencies can include hurricanes , major flooding , civil unrest and military emergencies , ” said Senior Master Sgt . Katelyn S . Murphy , ANG CAT superintendent . “The CAT serves as a central hub for coordination , communication and decision - making , connecting functional area managers to the necessary resources and information they need to effectively perform their duties and respond in the event of a crisis or emergency , ” she said have assisted in five activations in 2023: an unauthorized disclosure event , the Israel - Hamas conflict , and responses to Typhoon Mawar , the Hawaii wildfire , and Hurricane Idalia . “These upgrades resulted in significant annual cost savings of 20% and improved resource allocation , ” he told Murphy “We are committed to supporting the Air National Guard’s mission to defend the homeland and its allies , ” Murphy said . “By modernizing , we are able to deliver multiple functions effectively and efficiently at the speed they need , enabling leaders at all levels to make better , more informed decisions . ”
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