April 3, 2018
CRANE, Ind. – Jeff Miller, an electronics technician at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane), received a Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Innovation Excellence award for his contributions to the Ship to Shore Maneuver Exploration and Experimentation (S2ME2) Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX). Miller, a 34-year employee of NSWC Crane, was officially recognized during the ANTX - 2018 Urban 5th Generation Marine (U5G) Exploration and Experimentation Exercise that took place from March 22-25 at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California.
Miller was part of the S2ME2 Task Force, which provided leadership and technical expertise in gathering and showcasing more than 50 Government and industry teams in the first-ever S2ME2 ANTX at Camp Pendleton from April 17-28, 2017. S2ME2 ANTX 2017 was unique because, in less than 7 months, it blended more than 50 systems, 450 scientists and engineers from across the Naval Research and Development Establishment (NRDE), industry, and academia, as well as 200 operators and planners from the Navy and Marine Corps to execute a two-week ANTX. To put those numbers in context, that’s three times more – and three times faster – than previous field experimentation events.
“I feel quite humbled,” Miller said. “To be acknowledged for this work makes me pretty proud. With that said, I have not been out at these events alone. We’ve built up a strong team that is willing and capable of supporting in any way we’re needed.”
With the S2ME2 Task Force, Miller and his team were responsible for radio frequency (RF) spectrum management, using a variety of equipment to monitor the RF environment and make sure that all participants were operating within the allowed parameters.
The S2ME2 Task Force led a ‘team-of-teams’ through a rapid planning effort that rigorously addressed all aspects of safety, security, and resourcing (e.g. field housing, frequencies, permits, etc.), meeting all technical and operational objectives while demonstrating new technologies to over 500 visitors.
"Jeff was instrumental in the success of the S2ME2 ANTX event and is deserving of the Innovation Excellence award because of his efforts, " said Zahid Din, Director, Spectrum Warfare Systems Department, NSWC Crane. " I would like to thank Jeff for his dedication to NSWC Crane and personally congratulate him on receiving such a prestigious award."
The Annual SECNAV Innovation Awards Program was designed to acknowledge top Naval Innovators in today’s workforce and inspire the problem solvers of the future. The awards program recognizes top individuals or teams making significant problem solving contributions in nine categories – Innovation Leadership, Innovation Catalyst, Data Analytics, Technology Development, Outside the Box, Automated Process Development, Enlisted Innovator, Innovation Scholar (PME) and Innovation Scholar (MIDN). Miller and the S2ME2 Task Force received the award in the category ‘Outside the Box’.
NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with focus areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. NSWC Crane is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today’s warfighter.