HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2017

Four former Air Force communicators will be inducted into the Air Force Cyberspace Operations and Support Hall of Fame, Class of 2017.
 

     

Kenneth B. Heitkamp (SES):  During his 42-year AF career,
he was recognized by colleagues and senior IT executives as
an innovator. As Technical Director of the Standard Systems
Center, he pioneered use of bulk purchase agreements for IT.
He guided the Air Force series of desktop computer contracts,
starting with Desktop 1 (90,000+ Zenith computers) in the
1980s. His acquisition model set the standard for DOD and
government purchasing of IT commodities. He earned the
AFCEA International Award for Excellence in Information
Technology.
 

 

    
  

Colonel John J. Garing: Provided 24 years of service to the Air
Force and our nation beginning with the 4th and 1st Mobile
Communications Groups with duty in Vietnam, Squadron
Commander twice, White House Communications Officer with
support to Presidents Carter and Reagan; NATO International
Military Staff; and HQ USAF Division Chief where he led the
creation of the 700 series regulations and served on the Air Staff
Board for Personnel and Joint Matters.

 

 

    
 

Colonel Raymond L. French:  A vital player in strengthening America's security.
Assured connectivity of various DOD C3I resources that ensured America's crisis
response mechanisms were fully functional at all times for the National Command
Authorities and commanders-in-chief with nuclear Single Integrated Operational
Plan taskings. His efforts were key to the timely dissemination of vital security
information to military and civilian decision-makers and continuity of government
operations.

 

 

     

Colonel Linda K. McMahon:  Excelled as a software system developer, satellite
engineer, program manager and leader. While on Air Staff her leadership of more
than 20 AF information assurance programs erased years of readiness decline by
modernizing $1 billion of cryptographic equipment across the AF. At the AFC2ISR
Center, she managed more than 30 programs worth $1.2 billion and delivered the
first bridge between Internet Protocol and non-Internet Protocol airborne networks,
reducing battlefield decision-making time.