Home >> July 2008 Edition >> COMMAND CENTER: Colonel Michael D. Sarchet
COMMAND CENTER: Colonel Michael D. Sarchet

Commander
Protected Satellite Communications Group
Air Force Space Command’s
Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing



The leader of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite communications system delivery is Colonel Michael D. Sarchet. He is the Commander for the Protected Satellite Communications Group, Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) Systems Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), at Los Angeles Air Force Base. AEHF is designed to aid all warfighters by providing secure, survivable communications, no matter the level of conflict within which such needs to be employed.

MilsatMagazine was delighted to have the opportunity to speak with Colonel Sarchet regarding his career and his current position with the U.S.A.F.’s critical AEHF program. With responsibility for a $6.7B budget, the $1.3B Enhanced Polar System, as well as Milstar constellation sustainment, Colonel Sarchet is an extremely busy individual.

His previous career assignments have encompassed a variety of leadership, engineering, and program management positions within electronic warfare systems, space acquisition, C4ISR ops and special communications. Prior to his current position, Colonel Sarchet was the Chief Engineer for the MILSATCOM Systems Wing at L.A.A.F.B.

MilsatMagazine
Colonel Sarchet, we thank you for interrupting your busy schedule to talk with us. Would you please offer us some insight into your Air Force career?

Colonel Sarchet
I have been with the Air Force for just over 22 years. My first assignment was to the Air Force Electronic Warfare Center, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, where I worked on a variety of projects to improve the operational effectiveness of Air Force electronic warfare systems. In that assignment I received my first experience with space systems—and I was hooked!

In 1989, I moved to the Office of Special Projects, Los Angeles Air Force Base (LAAFB), California, which was the Air Force arm of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). I served as a systems engineer and worked on requirements and system testing, as well as new satellite concept development.

In 1993, I moved to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where I earned my Masters Degree at the Air Force Institute of Technology. In 1995, I moved to the NRO in Chantilly, Virginia where I led a variety of satellite ground system developments. In 1998, I moved on to Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. There, I directed the 24x7 operations of the command center, network operations center, and communications center. Working with special operators was a new and fantastic experience for me, and it strongly influenced my career from that point forward.

In 2001, I returned to the NRO in Chantilly and led a variety of satellite command & control and special communications programs. I also served as the Chief of Staff for the Signals Intelligence Directorate. In 2007, I moved to the Military Satellite Communication (MILSATCOM) Systems Wing, LAAFB, where I served as the Wing’s Chief Engineer.

On April 11, 2008, I assumed command of the MILSATCOM System Wing’s Protected Satellite Communications Group. Throughout my career, I have been extremely fortunate to work with exceptionally skilled professionals across the electronic warfare, special operations, and space communities. I want to take this opportunity to thank them for all they have done to positively shape my career.

MilsatMagazine
Colonel, would you please highlight the events you’ve participated in that you are most proud of the final results?

Colonel Sarchet
I am extremely blessed to have been part of several high-performing teams that have delivered new space reconnaissance capabilities to orbit for our nation. I have experienced, first-hand, how valuable the information from our satellites is to our nation’s warfighters and senior decision makers. Truly, that gives me a tremendous sense of professional satisfaction and pride. I look forward to leading the team that delivers the first AEHF satellite to orbit in 2009, and being able to share this same sense of professional satisfaction and pride with all of the team.

MilsatMagazine
Do you know how were you selected to become the Program Manager of such an important U.S.A.F. project as AEHF?

Colonel Sarchet
Advanced EHF is the flagship program of the Protected SATCOM product line. I suspect that my 15-years of experience in acquisition of space systems, and my background as a communications officer played in my selection for this specific program. I’m honored and privileged the Air Force selected me for such an important position, and has the trust and confidence in my abilities to execute this nationally important mission.

MilsatMagazine
AEHF is rather unique for an Air Force program due to its international flavor. How have you managed to influence the other nations’ program managers so all have a unified approach to the end result?

Colonel Sarchet
Our strategy in working with AEHF’s international partners is not necessarily one of influencing our allies’ program managers, but more of a mutual understanding of the common goal that unifies us. With that common goal in mind, the most important part of our strategy regarding the international community is in communicating how the program itself is achieving that common goal.

We focus on maintaining an information flow between the program office and the international partners via regularly scheduled teleconferences, written communiqués, and face-to-face working groups. Of special importance is in-person communication—such is essential to ensure our allies are actively engaged in the acquisition process. The ‘personal touch’ of meeting face-to-face and having open discussions, as opposed to impersonal email traffic or teleconferences, helps maintain a strong relationship with each ally. In addition, this personal involvement gives each ally a greater sense of system ownership.

MilsatMagazine
What other nations are involved?

Colonel Sarchet
Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

MilsatMagazine
Colonel, can you tell us how many satellites will actually comprise the completed AEHF program?

Colonel Sarchet
Currently, there are three AEHF’s on contract. Based on Congressional direction, we have initiated the advance procurement of long lead parts for the fourth AEHF satellite.

MilsatMagazine
Protected communications are critically important to the warfighter—will AEHF manage to accomplish this goal and help our nation, as well as our allies, to secure the battlefield, and, what other U.S. services are involved in this $6.7 billion project?

Colonel Sarchet
The AEHF constellation will help secure the battlefield by providing global, secure, protected, and jam-resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea, and air assets. The physics of the AEHF waveform make the satellite well suited for strategic communications in a nuclear stressed environment, as well. The tight beam is an enormous benefit to tactical and special ops units due to the low probability of detection and interception. AEHF offers significantly more coverage opportunities with the addition of the electronically steerable beams and the accommodation of simultaneous users. The AEHF mission planning will be much more flexible by allowing users in the field to borrow/trade versus going back to a headquarters for a re-apportionment approval and retasking. In addition to the Air Force, other AEHF users will be the Army, Navy, and the Marine Corps.

MilsatMagazine
Finally, Colonel, what do you perceive as among the most serious challenges facing our nation’s security, challenges that can be remedied through the use of our space technologies?

Colonel Sarchet
There are multiple threats to our national security: weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and cyber attacks just to name a few. As these threats have grown, so has our reliance on space-based capabilities. Our nation’s communications, missile warning, navigation, weather, and reconnaissance space systems all play an integral role in our ability to combat these threats.

MilsatMagazine
We appreciate your insight into the AEHF program and thank you for your time, Colonel.