NORAD, NORTHCOM leaders demonstrate logistics data-sharing tool for ASOC staff

FORT BELVOIR, Va. -

Leaders from the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command demonstrated a data integration and sharing tool April 23 for members of the Defense Logistics Agency's Agency Synchronization Operations Center.

Army Maj. Robert Yauger, chief of current operations, and Army Maj. James Toomey, mobility operations officer, showcased the commands' electronic common operating picture, known as NorthStar. The tool reflects NORAD and NORTHCOM's intent to give senior leaders a simple, quick view of operational logistics information.

ASOC Acting Director Marcus Bowers thanked NORTHCOM colleagues for partnering with DLA to share real-time data.

"From an ASOC perspective, a clear understanding of combatant commands' choice of data integration platforms is critical to our own selection and logistics common operating picture development," he said.

NorthStar integrates data from authoritative sources like DLA's Enterprise Business System and Advana, a Defense Department platform that pulls data from hundreds of business systems for advanced analytics. NorthStar gives decision makers and analysts a single platform to access data and structured analytics in a scalable, reliable and secure environment. It can be used during military operations and exercises and eliminates reliance on manual, time-consuming tools such as PowerPoint to share information.

Pete Browne, the ASOC's Future Operations Branch chief, said it was valuable to have logistics planners from NORAD and NORTHCOM give a live demonstration of NorthStar.

"It is clear that briefings grounded on PowerPoint slides will no longer satisfy the senior-leader appetite for data required to make informed decisions," he said.

DLA regularly shares data with military and whole-of-government partners to increase awareness of logistics capabilities, and NorthStar could be among the tools the agency uses in the future to collaborate with partners.

Through the Digital-Business Transformation initiative, DLA aims to modernize and its own information technology capabilities, advanced analytics, automation, cybersecurity and technology governance.

NORAD and USNORTHCOM are headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.

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