On Friday, June 22, 2018, Joint Test and Evaluation – Suffolk (JT&E-Suffolk) held its annual summer cookout. As in past years, residents of JT&E-Suffolk were welcome to bring family members to join in on the fun! An invitation was also extended to SimIS, Inc., headquarters personnel, and several employees came to participate. Altogether, approximately 70 people were in attendance.

The cookout planning committee organized an outstanding lunch, which included grilled chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, and bratwurst, as well as side dishes and desserts prepared and contributed by attendees and guests. After lunch, a number of people headed outside to listen to good music and play cornhole, Frisbee, and other lawn games. A very close round of cornhole drew many spectators out to enjoy the competition and the beautiful day! Inside the facility, the committee set up Giant Jenga, Wii golf and dance competitions on the big screens in the conference room, and an old west photo booth with accessories!

JT&E-Suffolk, an extension of the JT&E Program Office in Alexandria, Virginia, is led by U.S. Government civilians, Mr. Rickey Williams (Director) and Mr. Mel Walton (Deputy Director). Three civilian Action Officers, an Information Technology Manager, and eight military personnel from the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force are also resident and provide guidance and support to the JT&E Program and the JT&E projects located at Joint Test Unit – Suffolk (JTU-Suffolk), JTU-Aberdeen Proving Ground, and JTU-Nellis Air Force Base. The permanent Joint Test Support Cell, Technical Advisors, and support staff, all of whom support JT&E-Suffolk leadership, JT&E project teams, and, ultimately, the warfighter, are made up of contractors who are now in their second year of the contract awarded to SimIS in spring 2017!

Written by Lee Ann Jones