YOKOSUKA, Japan – A team from Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic completed a critical telephony transition in Yokosuka, Japan, on May 16, migrating over 9,000 users to a new call manager system.

The sizable project, which took several months to complete, was crucial to maintaining uninterrupted communications for the Yokosuka region following the scheduled demolition of the original communications facility. The effort helped avoid a complete loss of communications services, including for the Regional Dispatch Center.

Project Engineer LaManual McKinney led the team, overseeing the project's scope, plan, coordination, and risk management. A key challenge was seamlessly transitioning the Regional Dispatch Center's communication circuits, which are vital for emergency services.

"""With such a demanding schedule, it was essential to encourage the team, provide them with the resources they needed to manage the stress and uncertainty, and keep us on track," McKinney said. "Equally crucial was establishing a clear and consistent line of communication to and from the team, and incorporating their feedback.""

Kevin Thorpe, the Unified Capabilities Voice Solutions (UCVS) Integrated Product Team (IPT) lead, provided resources to McKinney's team, which worked extended hours to ensure the migration's success.

"The team's unwavering commitment and dedication were paramount to the success of this critical transition," said Thorpe. I was particularly impressed by their willingness to work unconventional hours."

To address the 13-hour time difference, stateside support personnel accommodated late-evening meetings with the Yokosuka team.

"The successful transition to the new system provides the Yokosuka region with a scalable and robust enterprise information and communication platform. This improved security posture strengthens our ability to protect sensitive information and maintain operational readiness in a dynamic threat environment," Thorpe said.

McKinney recalled a significant challenge during the cutover phase. The team had to transition a high-profile facility with over 700 users after hours. A last-minute change shifted the anticipated start time of 6 p.m. by more than four hours.

"[Facility managers] informed us that transition could not start until after 10p.m." To address the setback, McKinney emphasized collaboration and empowerment throughout his team. "Leveraging their collective knowledge, creativity, and their participation in taking ownership contributed to a solution that was critical in meeting the schedule in a shortened transition window."

McKinney highlighted the importance of the team's resilience and resourcefulness in overcoming unexpected challenges. He gave the credit for the success of the project to the team itself, adding, "Those traits are indicative of great technicians."

He also emphasized the team's problem-solving skills, attention to detail, adaptability, and resourcefulness, and noted their willingness to take initiative, even if it meant overnight research to find solutions.

"The specific achievement that stands out was executing the System Operation & Verification Test with no discrepancies for a system that encompasses nearly a hundred, servers, routers, gateways and network switches. installed at four geographically dispersed locations," said McKinney.

"The thing I am most proud of is accomplishing the transition under a condensed schedule due to emerging customer requirements in the Far East theater," he said.

According to Thorpe, the team's dedication and expertise ensured the project met crucial operational needs.

"We're proud of Mac and his team!" Thorpe said. "Their efforts towards the successful completion of the project ensures continued operational readiness and enhances communications capabilities in the Yokosuka region."