SSC Logistics and Product Support Team Shines at DoD Maintenance Symposium

Published March 22, 2024
By Lisa Sodders, SSC Public Affairs

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- “In the past, many of our satellites had a 5-year design life, yet in reality the space vehicles are lasting 3-5 times longer,” explained Brad Leonard, director of Space Systems Command Logistics and Product Support (S4). “This has generated a paradigm where the ground segment, including the Command-and-Control operational facilities and remote antennas, are in demand for many decades. Over time, this has become a significant cost driver on our U.S. Space Force Weapon System Sustainment budget.”

“While the space community is excited to see new satellites launched into space, many don’t see the amount of time and effort that goes into acquiring and sustaining the ground segment,” Leonard said.

This and other logistics and product support challenges were discussed at the Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium, the only DoD event solely focused on maintenance of weapon systems and military equipment.

“This conference was an amazing opportunity to meet other DoD professionals, who, like us, are looking for innovative maintenance solutions and partnerships,” said Lea Homstad, SSC’s S4 division chief. “Our team talked to so many professionals looking to derive solutions to common cross-service topics, such as corrosion control, digital transformation, and the depot source of repair process – which is the crucial balance of organic and contractor depot-level maintenance.”

SSC’s S4 booth showcased the Space Force field command’s mission areas and satellite constellations to a broad audience including all DoD services as well as DoD organizations that are not military services, such as the Defense Micro Electronics Agency, as well as contractor and military personnel.

“We were honored to represent U.S. Space Force and Space Systems Command and discuss our sustainment toolbox with such a wide variety of field, depot, and software maintenance professionals,” Leonard said. “Many of the attendees we talked to weren’t fully aware of the Space Force mission, its background, or capabilities.”

During the Symposium, Leonard and his team participated in a variety of in-depth panel discussions, including DoD Inspector General and Air Force Audit Agency guidance, Artificial Intelligence on preventative maintenance, Corrosion Control for Weapon System Sustainment, and Organic Industrial Base Capabilities. They also coordinated specific meetings and trip consultation for Assistant Secretary of Defense Hon. Christopher Lowman and USSF Associate Chief Operations Officer, Bruce Hollywood.

Additionally, Leonard, Homstad, and SSC S4 team members Jeremy Rogers, civilian development team lead; Anthony David, logistics management specialist; Jesse Garcia, civilian recruiter; and Mark Royer, senior principal analyst provided information about the mission, available positions, and the hiring process connected with more than 125 potential civilian employment candidates who expressed interest in the Space Force.

The 2023 Symposium in San Diego, Calif., was attended by more than 2,000 stakeholders, including representatives from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and space industry. he next DoD Maintenance Symposium is scheduled 10-13 Dec 24 in Salt Lake City, UT.