Photo By Master Sgt. Michael Andriacco | Maj. Ryan McGuire poses in front of the 609th Air & Space Operations Center crest in...... read more read more
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SOUTHWEST ASIA – The holidays are a time of year for family and friends, but one Eden Prairie native instead spent it making sure key military leaders have the data they need to conduct current operations in Southwest Asia.
Maj. Ryan McGuire is an analyst with the U.S. Air Force’s Combined Air and Space Operations Center Operational Assessment team and helps collect, analyze and translate essential information for key decision makers throughout the U.S. Air Force Central Command area of responsibility.
The division provides analysis on short and long term priorities as determined by Lt. Gen. David Goldfein, the Combined Forces Air Component commander. Other commanders in the AOR can also use the information, analysis and predictive assessments the OAT provides to aid in critical decision making.
“Our main priority is to support the CFACC and other general officers with their requests for information or analysis,” said Lt. Col. Chris Cullenbine, the OAT chief.
There is no limit in the types of data the OAT can collect and analyze. Examples of important information they’ve provided include metrics on casualties in relation to kinetic events; weapons systems; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance efforts; and combat aircraft sorties.
When a special request comes in, an OAT analyst will begin the research process of the subject. The team calls these requests science projects. The projects can be simple requests for additional information or in-depth research on a specific subject. Through coordination with subject matter experts and using their research tools, the OAT can break down the data, track trends from previous research and compare results with other projects to provide the comprehensive analysis needed.
“Some of the factors we use to determine what science projects we take on include commanders’ needs and daily operations and activities in the AOR,” McGuire said. “As the mission in the AOR changes on a daily basis, so does the need for analysis and information.”
McGuire joined the Air Force as part of his proud family tradition of military service. His grandfather, great uncle and his father all served in the military.
“Serving in the military is my way of giving back to a country that has given me and my family so much,” he said.
McGuire is deployed from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and attended the U.S. Air Force Academy to earn his commission.
He said his favorite part about his job is using math and computer science to help commanders make better decisions and working with, and learning from, a group of very smart officers. The goal of the team is to improve Air Force operations throughout the AOR. In fact, the team is paving the way for future operations.
While ISAF transitions from a lead to support role in Afghanistan, many of OAT’s projects have been helpful to assist with the changes.
“We have been able to track activity on the [transition] to help show how our security forces are passing responsibilities to the [Afghan National Security Forces],” said Maj. David Mills, an OAT analyst.
Their research and analysis aid decisions on such things as how to apportion limited resources to maximize air support to the ground commanders or whether or not to change techniques for IED searches. As analysts from very different bases and missions throughout the Air Force, the members of OAT are able to come together with the collective objective of supporting the AOR missions with their analytical skills.
*Editor’s note* Since this article was written, Maj. McGuire has safely returned to him home station after the successful completion of his deployment.
| Date Taken: | 01.13.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 01.13.2013 03:08 |
| Story ID: | 100304 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Hometown: | EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 60 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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