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Air Force Link News Article

Piper Auditorium dedicated during conference

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- The Air Force's top Intelligence officers gathered here June 4 for their annual leadership conference. Maj. Gen. John P. Casciano, assistant chief of staff for intelligence, hosted the three-day event which included the annual intelligence awards banquet and the dedication of the 1st Lieutenant Laura Ashley Piper Auditorium.

"My focus for this meeting was 'Purpose and People'," Casciano said. It was "a vision of our role in the Air Force of 2025." The conference also presented an opportunity to discuss strategic planning, force management, the national security environment, information warfare and the state of intelligence training. On the final day, students at the intelligence school had the opportunity to meet with the senior leaders.

A highlight of the conference was the dedication of the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System's auditorium. Lieutenant Piper, who was a distinguished graduate of the intelligence officer course here, was killed over northern Iraq April 14, 1994, when the Army Black Hawk helicopter in which she was flying was shot down. The lieutenant's parents, two brothers and grandmothers were present for the dedication.

The new Piper Auditorium is a world-class training facility representing the latest in technology for a secure distance learning network. The auditorium is capable of holding up to 86 people and has links to nine other facilities similarly equipped world-wide. It was completed May 3.

At the annual Intelligence Awards Banquet, held in conjunction with the conference, General Casciano honored the top officers, enlisted members and civilians in the Intelligence career field. Awards were presented to 17 "top performers." Guest speaker for the banquet was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Intelligence and Security, Joan Dempsey. Her key-note address focused on the future of intelligence training at Goodfellow.