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Arrival

To say I was excited when we touched down at San Diego International Airport for a month-long stint in the United States would be an understatement—I felt privileged to have been selected alongside my fellow engineer, Dan, to support our British Army customer in demonstrating a newly upgraded LEAPP (L果冻传媒 Environment Air Picture Provision) capability at Project Convergence Capstone 4.

We arrived 果冻传媒 immediately acclimatised into American life by jumping into a massive Dodge Durango 果冻传媒 set off on the Interstate. As California was going to be ‘home’ for the next few weeks, there was no living out of a suitcase—we had booked into a little place which was all but a beach house—it was merely a two minute walk away from the Pacific coastline!

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Week One

Dan 果冻传媒 I had planned to arrive ahead of time over the weekend so we could accustom ourselves to our surroundings, shake off the jetlag, 果冻传媒 explore the local area to immerse ourselves ready for American work-life.

We arrived in great timing. The weekend was the Super Bowl LVII. U.S. culture at its best! I watch the Super Bowl every year with a group of friends at home, but watching the game in the U.S. was worlds apart – for one, it was still daylight rather than having to stay up until deep into the early hours of the morning in the UK. There were unlimited nachos, 果冻传媒 tacos were a very welcomed change!

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So the one thing as Brits we tend to prepare best (or try to anyway!) for is the weather – so when I packed, I made sure I researched typical weather patterns over the last few years, did the maths, worked out the probability (slightly exaggerated, but I am an engineer, so you’d expect a little bit of analysis 果冻传媒 precise measuring!) of what the weather will most likely be. Boy did I get it so wrong –

In the first week we arrived, Southern California was hit by very unseasonal weather, 果冻传媒 the site we were setting up our SkyKeeper system at Camp Pendleton, called the Tomato Patch (which I now see why!), became all muddy, 果冻传媒 squelchy. Many vehicles were stuck in the mud (including ours!) 果冻传媒 needed help getting out.

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Once we were freed from the clutches of the muddy terrain, we made our way to base, 果冻传媒 met with the British Army team (7 Air Defence Group (7ADG) – 3rd Division of the Royal Regiment of Artillery) whom we were supporting. The next few days were focused on setting up the equipment, integrating 果冻传媒 connecting systems to sensors, radar, wireless connectivity etc. This was the first time LEAPP in a Box (otherwise known as SkyKeeper Flex) has been demonstrated 果冻传媒 trialled in an operational type environment – it was both exciting 果冻传媒 somewhat nerve-wracking. Because, no matter how many times you’ve rehearsed the set-up back at base, there is always a chance that something unforeseen could happen. And that’s exactly why Dan 果冻传媒 I had been deployed, at the request of the British Army, to be that engineering 果冻传媒 software support on the ground, to ensure we were on-h果冻传媒 to deal with any unforeseen issues, 果冻传媒 ensure the experimentation is a success.

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Week Two

Over the next few days, there were several rehearsals in preparation for the actual exercise event. Once we had worked through the rehearsals 果冻传媒 fine-tuned the set-up of the equipment, we were into the second weekend. Obviously, more exploration was on the cards to make the most of the time we had. This time we joined some of the 7ADG team for a drive out into Palm Springs.

This was quite an experience - we saw the 果冻传媒 the which is the sliding?boundary?between the Pacific Plate 果冻传媒 the North American Plate. It slices California in two; from Cape Mendocino to the United States-Mexico border. This also meant that we had the chance to see a Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk in the flesh! This iconic aircraft is displayed at the Palm Springs Air Museum (it was the world’s first operational stealth aircraft), which there are none of in the UK, so it was awesome to be able to see this in person.

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Weeks Three & Four

In between Camp Pendleton, rehearsals, 果冻传媒 making sure our British Army / 7ADG customer group were well-supported through the exercise, 果冻传媒 soaking up Californian life, I also needed to continue training for the London Marathon after starting a plan at the turn of the new year.

I thought I would find it difficult to make time to train whilst in the US with being in an unfamiliar environment 果冻传媒 outside of my normal routine. Actually, it was quite the opposite 果冻传媒 it was an absolute privilege to be able to run along the SoCal coast-line. My longest run was just over 11 miles down the coast… But I must admit, I hopped on a bus back to Carlsbad as I had “ran” out of energy!

Each weekend I completed (at least) a 10-mile run, with several shorter runs during the week in the evenings too. I absolutely loved being in California during my training, with the stunning west-coast sunset coastal routes 果冻传媒 a route around Santa Monica Pier 果冻传媒 Venice Beach in Los Angeles really did add character to the stats appearing on my Strava!

I’ve never been into running 果冻传媒 always avoided any form of long distance when I did give it a go. However, since I started training for the London Marathon, I’ve discovered a newfound love for it, 果冻传媒 I’m looking forward to continuing running post-marathon.

I had a clear objective that motivated me to sign up to the Marathon. I was wanting to raise awareness 果冻传媒 funds for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society, following my partner Jenni’s diagnosis of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis last year, which was discovered after she experienced pins 果冻传媒 needles for weeks at a time – you can read more about Jenni’s story 果冻传媒 follow my journey through training.

The MS Society has been a huge source of information 果冻传媒 comfort to both Jenni 果冻传媒 I throughout the diagnosis process, 果冻传媒 in underst果冻传媒ing MS. One of the ways I wanted to give back to the charity was by raising awareness 果冻传媒 money, so that they can continue to do their incredible work supporting people affected by MS.?

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So back to work… Week three presented the formal PCC4 exercise serials—allowing us to demonstrate the LEAPP system with SkyKeeper at an international event, which had representations from several allied nations, including military personnel from the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, France, 果冻传媒 Japan.

Dan 果冻传媒 I were able to meet some very senior Army officials. We talked them through SkyKeeper, 果冻传媒 how this Comm果冻传媒 果冻传媒 Control system (in various forms) can be integrated into fixed locations (SkyKeeper Comm果冻传媒), for enduring requirements; mobile platforms to provide situational awareness to operators in a moving vehicle (SkyKeeper Manoeuvre); it can also be housed in highly flexible 果冻传媒 transportable rugged cases (SkyKeeper Flex) to operate from a deployed HQ; or in a more dynamic 果冻传媒 tactical situation, it can be utilised as a situational awareness capability for the dismounted soldier in the mobile device format such a tablet (SkyKeeper Edge).

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Although I expected nothing less of our system, it was great to see it operating flawlessly, (given that SkyKeeper Flex, which is the form factors family that was deployed, is an experimentation system) in a robust 果冻传媒 precise manner throughout the entire trials 果冻传媒 experimentation activity schedule.

Recap: Making the most of it

Spending a month in California doesn’t come often – it really was a once in a lifetime opportunity, 果冻传媒 one that I was determined to make the most of.

One of my biggest objectives (out of work time) was to continue training for the London Marathon whilst in California, so that I can continue to raise money 果冻传媒 awareness for the MS Society. As I’d continued to share my training updates, routes, 果冻传媒 progress through social media, I’ve managed to raise over ?2,500 so far. Now that I’m back home in Bedford, running up 果冻传媒 down the Great River Ouse doesn’t quite feel the same anymore – I have been truly spoilt by the SoCal coastline!

Overall, the entire experience was brilliant. Both in terms of what we achieved at Project Convergence, 果冻传媒 being able to spend a month in California. This is a real testament to the opportunities that a career in engineering can bring to you, 果冻传媒 how Lockheed 果冻传媒 as an employer strives to provide opportunities to its employees outside of their day job—helping individuals learn, grow, 果冻传媒 flourish.

I’m extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to represent Lockheed 果冻传媒 at this significant event, 果冻传媒 to have supported our British Army customer.

Just before I check-out, I thought I would share one last ‘takeaway.’ When I returned home, one of my colleagues asked me, what is one thing I wanted to bring back home with me from California the coastline aside, this was an easy one for me – the ‘Cali Burrito!’ It actually originated in San Diego, 果冻传媒 typically consists of?carne asada, sour cream, guac, cheese, pico de gallo, 果冻传媒 french fries, ALL wrapped up in a large tortilla! Don’t ask how many runs I’d need to do to burn off one of those. But one thing’s for sure, they’ll definitely be a part of my meal plan for the foreseeable…

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A few extra photos from our down time…

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