Across our company

When Steve Paramore saw firsthand how much destruction recent Iowa floodwaters caused to the basement and first floor of his administrative assistant's home in Cedar Rapids, he knew he wanted to help in any way possible.

"There have been about 10 people in my department going to Lisa's (French) house every day to help," said Paramore, director of Systems Marketing for Commercial Systems at Rockwell Collins. "In that environment, you can really see the devastation and how important it is to serve others."

Photo by Paul Marlow, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
A helping hand - Rockwell Collins Senior Software Engineer Trevor Sheeley was among the first group of employees organized by our company to help Cedar Rapids areas affected by the mid-June flood. Sheeley spent his four-hour shift removing drywall and other debris.

Lisa French is one of about 400 Rockwell Collins employees across Eastern Iowa who were directly affected when the Cedar and Iowa Rivers poured over their banks in mid-June. But thanks to the efforts of people like Paramore, French's home life will soon be back to normal.

"I can't believe the huge hearts of all of the people here at Rockwell Collins," said French. "Had they not stepped in when they did while my boyfriend and I were standing there overwhelmed with what to do first, we would have lost our home to mold. These people truly saved our home."

For thousands of other home and business owners, the road to recovery might take a little longer. Eastern Iowa has sustained billons of dollars worth of damage, but Rockwell Collins employees are doing what they can to help rebuild the communities.

Paramore was among the first group of employees organized by our company to help areas affected by the flood. During a four-hour morning shift, Paramore and his colleagues cleaned out flooded apartments in downtown Cedar Rapids owned by the Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC) Heart of Iowa. These apartments provide a non-institutional setting for families receiving support and treatment for drug and alcohol abuse.

Volunteers were transported to the site after gathering at a rally point in the Rockwell Collins parking lot near the C Avenue Complex. The group spent the morning removing waterlogged furniture, rotting stacks of carpet, ruined toys and other debris.

"It's amazing to see how our community has come together," said Paramore. "They've already come a long way in terms of clean-up at these apartments, but it's going to be a long, long recovery process for this community."

In addition to volunteering for shifts that operate during regular business hours, many of our employees have opted to use vacation time as a way to ensure they are able to assist.

"I wasn't sure about the best way to volunteer, but I knew Rockwell Collins would be organizing opportunities to help," said Trevor Sheeley, a technical project manager in Special Operations Systems. "I had already taken today off, and this seemed like the right way to spend the day."

Rockwell Collins will continue to coordinate volunteer shifts as the community continues rebuilding efforts. Employees can sign up for four-hour shifts by visiting the Flood Recovery Volunteer Opportunities site, which is accessible via the Flood Recovery TeamSpace site on the Rockwell Collins Online Home Page.

Tom Easton didn't think twice about whether he should set time aside to view the Bradley Fighting Vehicle technology demonstrator that towered over automobiles in Rockwell Collins' Building 120 parking lot in Cedar Rapids.

An electrical engineer in Meteorology Services, Easton spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and he wanted to see for himself the type of vehicle now being used to shuttle infantry to key positions on the battlefield.

"I served in the military and as soon as I heard a Bradley would be here, I just had to see it," said Easton. "It makes me feel better seeing this vehicle and knowing that our troops have this kind of technology available."

According to Jeff Howington, principal marketing manager for Ground Vehicles at Rockwell Collins, BAE Systems arranged the visit in appreciation for the products our company provides to U.S. Armed Forces and for our support in developing the next generation Bradley vehicle.

"We are fortunate to have a good relationship with BAE," said Howington. "As a prime manufacturer for both Bradley vehicles and future manned ground vehicles, BAE is well-positioned as a long-term supplier to the U.S. military."

An updated version of the Bradley A3 currently used by the U.S. Army, the demonstrator displayed capabilities that will be used in the future.

Updates include room for 12 instead of 10 soldiers, and improved Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA) capability. In addition, crews will rely more on sensors to operate and fight the platform, and to keep dismounted soldiers safer.

"Today, when soldiers dismount the vehicle, the crew eventually loses track of them," said Howington. "That puts dismounts in danger from the vehicle weapons. By providing each a modified Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR), we can track those soldiers constantly."

Our company also provided two camera displays and an embedded training system. Dismount soldiers carry our Helmet Mounted Displays and rifle mounted cameras.

The vehicle also will carry the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) and the Future Combat Systems (FCS) Integrated Computer System (ICS) when development is completed.

Several Rockwell Collins employees in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, recently celebrated the beginning of spring by sending May baskets to American troops stationed in Afghanistan.

Flight Systems White Room employees in our C Avenue Complex sent a dozen baskets to the 173rd Airborne Combat Brigade in Afghanistan, which included Specialist Jonathon Albert, son of Rockwell Collins employee Michele Albert.

"When many of us think of May Day, we think about candy, popcorn and kids leaving May baskets on their neighbors' front door steps," said Michele Albert, senior administrative assistant in Flight Systems. "But, this May Day had a different meaning for us. We wanted to do something for our troops ... to help lift their spirits."

Albert's son was critically injured on Nov. 9, 2007, when his unit was ambushed as they were returning to base from an overnight mission. He was shot four times and suffered multiple injuries – the most severe injury being a shattered kneecap.

"It's a true service when you give what you don't have to give, give when you don't need to give, but give because you want to give," said Albert, whose son is still recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. "The generosity of our employees has been incredible."

That generosity actually began months ago when the Flight Systems White Room became the collection point for all C Avenue employees who wanted to send items overseas.

In addition to sending care packages to Specialist Albert, the group also sent items to Capt. Chad Seagren, son of Test Technician Wayne Seagren, and Major Marty Roemerman, a Rockwell Collins employee currently on military leave. Both men are deployed in Iraq.

"We decorated a window in our production area with patriotic red, white and blue streamers, and we hung photos of each soldier along with a wish list," said Albert. "Word spread quickly and before we knew it, we had hundreds of items."

Employees also added a personal touch by sending cards that included messages of appreciation and wishes for safe returns.

Capt. Gregory Silvernagel from the U.S. Navy and members of the Defense Contract Management Agency joined employees from Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids for a picnic lunch on Tuesday, April 29, to celebrate the delivery of the 25,000th ARC-210 radio.

Since its inception 15 years ago, the ARC-210 has become the accepted standard for multi-band, multi-mode communications within all branches of the military.

Today, it is fielded on more than 180 platforms worldwide and is operating in more than 40 countries. In the United States, ARC-210s are installed in a wide range of aircraft and helicopters across all the U.S. military services and the U.S. Coast Guard.

"This ARC-210 accomplishment is a tribute to the hard work, enthusiasm and dedication of Rockwell Collins and government employees," said Thom Grote, programs manager for V/UHF products, during a short ceremony following lunch. "It demonstrates the support we all provide to the service personnel who keep our nation free each and every day."

During the event, Greg Churchill, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Government Systems at Rockwell Collins, presented Captain Silvernagel, program manager for Air Combat Electronics from the Naval Air Systems Command, PMA-209, with a ceremonial DD Form 250 - the Department of Defense material inspection and receiving report - for government receipt of the 25,000th ARC-210.

"Clearly this program was a frame-breaking opportunity for both parties to come together and strategize in a uniform way to provide a service and product that helps the warfighter," said Churchill. "It is great to celebrate 25,000 units when we really only had a forecast of 2,500 units."

The ARC-210 program began as a pilot project to improve the government acquisition process, and has become a model for government-industry teaming.

Photo by Rebecca L. Coady, Johnston, Iowa
Patriotic award — Rockwell Collins employees
Jim Simon and James Mellinger recently received
the Patriotic Employer Award, given by the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) organization. Simon was nominated by Karl Garman (pictured, far left). Also pictured (from left) are: Mellinger, ESGR Representative Tad Cooper, and Rockwell Collins Systems Engineer Geovani Felicilda.

Rockwell Collins Senior Engineering Managers Jim Simon and James Mellinger were recently recognized for the support they give their military employees. Both received the Patriotic Employer Award, given by the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) organization, during an award ceremony in Cedar Rapids.

Nominated by Systems Engineer Karl Garman, who makes regular 13-hour roundtrip drives to and from Grand Haven, Mich., for his U.S. Coast Guard Reserve duties, Simon knows all about military dedication. Having spent 10 years in the U.S. Air Force as an avionics technician, Simon "tries to be flexible with those who have Guard and Reserve commitments."

"Jim understands my commitment to both of my jobs," said Garman, who says it's important for any Guard or Reserve member to have their manager's support. "He has a military background, so he appreciates the importance of my Coast Guard duties and works with me to meet my obligations to Rockwell Collins and the Coast Guard Reserve."

Nominated by Systems Engineer Geovani Felicilda, who is a member of the Illinois Army National Guard, Mellinger felt a sense of pride when he found out about the award. Having served 11 years as an Army helicopter pilot, he also understands the commitment Guard members and Reservists have.

"James is such an asset to our company, the military and our country," said Felicilda. "He's accommodating to reservists and the guard, and that makes it so much easier on us."

According to the ESGR, the Guard and Reserve make up almost half of today's military force. Citizen soldiers face an increasing challenge balancing their civilian and military careers. Companies and individual managers can play a crucial role by supporting their Guard and Reserve employees.