Rome engineer receive Harold Brown Award

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ROME, N.Y. (AFPN) --  H. John Mucks, an electronics engineer for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s information directorate here, is the recipient of the 2004 Harold Brown Award, the Air Force's highest honor for research and development.

The award, named for the former secretary of the Air Force and later secretary of defense, recognizes significant achievements in research and development. It is awarded through the Air Force chief scientist's office to a researcher who has made a substantial improvement to the operational effectiveness of the Air Force.

"The selection of John Mucks for this prestigious award is another confirmation of the world-class caliber of the scientists and engineers at the AFRL Rome Research Site," said Raymond P. Urtz, director of the information directorate. "This award recognizes not only the expertise of our staff, but also the relevance of our technology to the needs of national security and homeland defense."

Mr. Mucks, a 22-year member of the Rome staff, was selected for the honor in recognition of his development and application of the Web-based Time Line Analysis System.

WebTAS provides a capability to rapidly connect to diverse data sources and combine the data in multiple analytical/visualization tools, with the goal of providing alerts or warnings of developing situations. Currently, WebTAS supports operational users in the tracking of events, individuals, and/or organizations supporting counterinsurgency, counterdrug, counterterrorism and law enforcement. It was also used by the Department of Defense Columbia Investigation Support Team to correlate, validate and visualize multiple databases of sensors and related information involving the Feb. 1, 2003, breakup of the space shuttle.

Timeline analysis has been used for years by the defense and intelligence communities, primarily for predicting foreign government actions and responses to world events. By having a way to visualize events chronologically and geographically, patterns are revealed that can be seen no other way. These patterns can help predict terrorist activity, narcotics activities, and other criminal behavior of suspects, focusing investigations and limiting wasted man-hours. Timeline analysis can also aid prosecutors in presenting clear, cohesive cases.

Mr. Mucks, a native of Prospect Park, N.J., received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Rollins College. He was the recipient of the directorate's 2002 Harry S. Davis Award, presented each year to a laboratory scientist or engineer for outstanding technical achievement, usually contributing toward the solution of an operational problem.

In June 2003, he was honored by the Department of Defense’s counterdrug technology development program office with its John J. Pennella Award, presented annually to recognize individuals whose dedication and performance have made a significant contribution to the counterdrug program. He was also one of two engineers from the directorate's information and intelligence exploitation division to share the 2001 DOD Counterdrug Technology Development Program Technical Agent of the Year award, recognizing an individual or individuals who are "effective, efficient and pro-active in executing technology programs that meet the needs of the counterdrug community."