In the dynamic landscape of technological advancements for national security and defense, it is heartening to celebrate success stories that exemplify innovation, collaboration, and excellence. In August 2023 Air Force Research Laboratory’s Dr. Dan Berrigan, AFRL, received the Google Cloud Customer Award winner in the government category.
Developed as a pilot project, Wright Brothers Institute (WBI), established proof of concept prior to the COVID shutdowns of 2020, allowing a handful of AFRL scientists and engineers to continue working when other teams and divisions waited for a work-from-home solution.
A Path to Excellence
The "Accelerating Innovation in RX" project, initiated by AFRL’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX) in 2019, set the stage for a transformative journey. With a focus on enhancing research and development capabilities through Google Cloud Services, this project attracted attention due to its ambitious goals and innovative approach.
WBI's involvement in this project was instrumental in navigating the intricacies of implementing Google Cloud Services. Their support was a catalyst for success:
- Setting the Foundation: In the project's early stages, WBI played a key role in setting up the pilot program with ONIX, a Google Cloud Partner. They provided valuable assistance in system setup, training, and resolving account conflicts. During this phase, the exact number of licenses was not a priority; rather, the focus was on feasibility and potential benefits.
- Expansion and Adaptation: As the project evolved, so did its scope. In March 2020, AFRL took significant steps to scale its Google Cloud Services usage. With WBI's guidance, AFRL added 30 more licenses, further establishing the foundation for growth.
- Timely Resource Infusion: March 2020 brought unprecedented challenges, notably global lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this pivotal period, WBI facilitated rapid expansion of Google Cloud Services usage by adding an impressive 500 licenses on March 31, 2020.
“With AFRL’s use of Google Workspace, we were able to uncover what was there all along — that when unleashed, our people are creative and brilliant,” said Berrigan, who at the time of the award nomination, served as digital manufacturing research team lead in the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate. “Users gained the ability to build custom automations for themselves to link Google Cloud services together to eliminate toil [and] AFRL is now capable of coordinating efforts and ideas across the global research system.”- Dr. Dan Berrigan, afresearchlab.com
Celebrating Excellence: The 2023 Google Cloud Customer Award
Early collaboration between AFRL and the Wright Brothers Institute has now achieved remarkable recognition. AFRL has been honored as a 2023 Google Cloud Customer Award winner in the government category. This prestigious accolade underscores the project's excellence and its positive impact on the government sector. Google describes the achievement, saying, “What initially began as an effort by two researchers to transition to Google Cloud swiftly expanded to encompass over 2,000 researchers. With Google Cloud and Google Workspace replacing legacy collaboration tools, researchers estimate that they now save 500,000 hours weekly while collaborating with peers globally. AFRL’s researchers can now confidently share secure information and innovate more readily.”
The pilot program’s efforts in 2019 were a catalyst for this recognition. Berrigan says, “It would not have happened with (WBI), especially Bob Lee. There is no doubt in my mind that his dedication and amazing force of will got AFRL to this point. You did what the PIA was designed to do. Enable tech transition. In this case it was commercial concepts into AFRL.”
A Visionary Future
Winning the 2023 Google Cloud Customer Award serves as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and adaptability in the defense and research sectors. It highlights the resilience and dedication of organizations committed to advancing technological innovation for the betterment of national security.
Dan Berrigan's leadership, coupled with the invaluable contributions of the Wright Brothers Institute, has set a high standard for future endeavors in defense research and digital transformation. As we look ahead, we are inspired by this story of triumph, knowing that it paves the way for a future filled with groundbreaking innovations and collaborative achievements in the realm of technology and security.