ERDC-TEC's Bowles receives State Department's Franklin Award

12 Jun 2006 -- Alexandria, Va. -- Justin Bowles of TEC's Operations Division received the Franklin Award in a ceremony at the State Department May 16. He is the first individual from an external organization to receive the award while not directly assigned to the agency. He is a technical information specialist (imagery), in the TEC Imagery Office (TIO).

Bowles was recognized for his support and contribution in creating imagery products for incorporation into a Geographic Information System (GIS) for the agency's Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR). The imagery supplied will become part of the satellite image base layer of a GIS which will be used by bureau personnel for planning and construction, force protection and evacuation, map production and analyses, contingency planning, and task force management efforts.

In August 2005, TIO received a request from Brian VanPay, INR, for high-resolution commercial satellite imagery over approximately 250 OCONUS State Department locations. Bowles responded to the request by processing more than 30 satellite images in three weeks. In an e-mail VanPay wrote, "TEC's response to this effort has been a stellar example of interagency cooperation. We look forward to working with you and your colleagues in the future."

"I searched the Commercial Satellite Imagery Library (CSIL) for high-resolution commercial satellite imagery (Quickbird or Ikonos) and ordered the most recent panchromatic and multispectral image pairs available," Bowles said. He then processed the "raw" imagery using ERDAS Imagine's Resolution Merge tool to pan-sharpen the imagery. "I had to mosaic and/or geometrically correct several images before using the tool." After producing pan-sharpened images, he generated a shapefile which outlined each image footprint. "By November 2005, I had searched the CSIL for imagery over all targets in the Western Hemisphere and most of Europe . I provided Mr. VanPay with approximately 140 pan-sharpened images," Bowles said.

In recognizing Bowles' effort, VanPay wrote, "The imagery that you have processed has gone far in giving the State Department decision makers a better understanding of the geography in and around our embassies and consulates."

The award is named for Benjamin Franklin in honor of his distinguished service as a public servant and United States diplomat. It recognizes the achievements of individuals in a variety of areas of importance to the State Department. These areas are: superior performance, customer service, innovation, teamwork, crisis management and negotiation. The award may be granted for a special act or superior performance. This award may also be presented for contributions specific to a bureau (i.e., trade promotion, financial management, and personnel administration.)

Bowles also received the 2005 ERDC Award for Excellence in Operational Support as a member of the BuckEye Deployed Team. He deployed to Iraq from November 2005 to March 2006 in support of the BuckEye high-resolution imaging system.