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New service center provides communication power

US Marine Corps News

10/15/2010
By MCIWEST Public Affairs, Marine Corps Installations West

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marine Corps Installations West (MCI West) opened its new MAGTF IT Support Center (MITSC) West facility which supports current and anticipated regional data network management.

The center is one of eight Marine Corps-wide facilities primarily focused on regional network management. The center is designed to support the transition from the Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) to the Department of Navy Next Generation Enterprise Network (NGEN) program.

“I am virtually powerless without the networks that you are going to establish, defend and ensure operate on a daily basis,” said Maj. Gen. Anthony L. Jackson, commanding general of MCI West, to the employees and supporters attending MITSC West’s grand opening.

The transition to MITSC operations is not only expected to give the Marine Corps more autonomy and better security, but also provide the necessary control to quickly resolve network problems so that warfighter training and operations are not affected.

Jackson underscored the importance of communication when he said, “All of the influence I have is literally through a communication network, and without that network I don’t have any power.”

Michael D. Survilas, operations officer for MCI West G-6 Communications and Information Systems, understands the vital role of network security and availability in strategic operations. He explained that MITSC West’s goal is to become the premiere service-providing organization in the Marine Corps.

“We make it a point to ensure that IT service and support to meet the warfighter's needs is and remains our top priority. When interruptions occur, which unfortunately they do, our focus is to quickly restore service so that the warfighter's ability to command, control and train is minimally impacted,” said Survilas.

According to Survilas, the new centralized location and updated facility allows a synergy of effort and a united regional approach to ensuring network availability, enabling network defense and solving network problems, which will become a critical part of each of the MITSC’s responsibilities as the change to NGEN is finalized.

“The necessity to move here was determined by our future mission. We realized in order to accomplish our mission, we required a facility that would enable us to effectively manage the network. Ultimately, we will become a more efficient organization because we are here and operating out of this newly renovated facility,” said Survilas who was the lead project manager on the buildings renovation.

The new facility features ample workspace, an innovation room for employees to suggest original ideas, a customer support center, and a complete network operations facility with multiple status screens with real-time displays monitoring network health. All of the upgrades are designed to encourage a proactive approach to network maintenance and responsive customer service.

There are always a few growing pains with any major transfer of management, but the move to a completely Marine Corps-run network is well-planned and will be phased in over time to ensure the transition does no harm to network users.

Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Services (HP-ES) was awarded the continuity of services (COSC) which ensures that service and support are uninterrupted during the transition to the NGEN program.

Alan W. Brown, director of MITSC West, believes this will provide an opportunity to identify and address any potential problems and allow the organization to prepare to take the reigns of regional network service management.

When asked about the different organizations the new facility will house he explained that the building was designed to accommodate all team members.

“This new facility is the hub of regional network management, and since there are multiple organizations that make up this team we specifically designed space for them. The facility houses the Marine Corps Systems Command Regional Contract Officers representatives that oversee the COSC contract, the HP-ES District Manager, members from the Head Quarters Marine Corps C4 Information Assurance team, as well as the MCIWEST G-6. These organizations comprise the core group managing the regional environment, and having them all under the same roof truly provides the operating forces and all network users with the responsiveness they need,” said Brown.

This particular MITSC facility will serve all of MCI West's seven installations in Southern California and Arizona, as well as Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.