AFCEA Hawaii
SOSi and Google Public Sector Host Tech Talk on Mission-Ready AI
SOSi and Google Public Sector recently partnered to host an AFCEA Hawaiʻi Tech Talk, Mission-Ready AI: Delivering Decision Advantage in Contested Environments, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The event brought together military leaders, government stakeholders and industry innovators to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can be operationalized at the tactical edge across the Pacific.
SOSi and Google Public Sector centered the discussion on transforming AI from a promising technology into a capability that can support operations in contested, disconnected and bandwidth-constrained environments. Col. Michael "Toby" Hlad, USMC, commander, Defense Information Systems Agency Pacific, set the stage by emphasizing the importance of resilient networks, which have evolved from a support function into a core component of modern warfighting. He outlined three priorities for industry: deliver solutions that remain operational even when disconnected, move critical infrastructure forward and ensure systems can support secure collaboration at speed across joint and coalition forces.
Government and industry panelists discussed how AI, cloud technologies and data can enable faster and more effective decision-making in complex environments. A recurring theme was the urgency of fielding technologies that work in real-world conditions today, rather than relying on solutions dependent on continuous connectivity or centralized infrastructure. The conversations reinforced that accelerating capability delivery is a shared responsibility between government and industry. Panelists emphasized the value of open, interoperable systems and the importance of balancing innovation, security and mission requirements.
In addition to panel discussions, attendees experienced these concepts firsthand through interactive Mission Engineering Cells and hands-on technology demonstrations. At each station, visitors had an opportunity to explore a different aspect of AI, from building a functional AI agent in minutes and distilling it into a version small enough to run from relocatable, forward-deployed infrastructure, to examining how secure, sovereign AI systems can remain operational and rapidly adapt to emerging threats even when disconnected from the cloud.
Through open discussion and hands-on demonstrations, the chapter, SOSi, and Google Public Sector fostered meaningful dialogue on the technologies, partnerships and approaches needed to deliver mission-ready AI solutions to the tactical edge. Throughout the event, military and industry leaders repeatedly returned to the same conclusion: success will require open systems, resilient architectures and commitment from both government and industry to move faster together.
MANTECH and IBM recently co-hosted a Quantum Computing workshop entitled "The Quantum Advantage: Understanding the Strategic Impact on Indo-Pacific Readiness."
During the session, IBM provided a high-level overview of Quantum Computing, Quantum Safe, and Quantum Cryptography, along with several practical use cases. MANTECH shared insights into how organizations can build the internal capacity necessary to support Quantum Computing initiatives.
A key takeaway from the workshop is that while classical computing remains the solution for most current problems, quantum computing is designed to solve challenges that fall outside classical capabilities. If a problem can be solved classically and affordably, that remains the best approach. However, for organizations facing significant computational challenges, now is the time to explore if those issues are candidates for quantum solutions.
If you're interested in learning more, please contact:
Byron Leong - byron.leong@mantech.com
Zach Chester - zachary.chester@mantech.com
Duane Martin - DuaneMartin@us.ibm.com
Jack Brinson - jack.brinson@us.ibm.com
Leidos TechTalk March 2026
AFCEA Hawai‘i recently hosted a Tech Talk, sponsored by Leidos, focused on
“Integrating the Fight: Delivering Theater-Wide Effects Across Domains.”
The session brought together leaders from across government and industry to examine how forces can effectively operate in the Indo-Pacific’s uniquely challenging environment—defined by vast distances, contested infrastructure, and Denied, Degraded, Intermittent, and Limited (DDIL) conditions.
Panelists highlighted that modern operations demand more than advanced individual capabilities; they require resilient, integrated systems that connect networks, platforms, and partners across all domains.
Key discussion areas included enabling decision-making at the tactical edge, ensuring assured command and control in disrupted environments, and accelerating coalition interoperability to achieve decision advantage.
A central takeaway from the discussion was that the challenge is no longer the availability of technology, but the alignment required to employ it effectively.
Speakers emphasized the importance of clearly defined decision authorities, improved data accessibility across classification boundaries, and a shared understanding of operational constructs such as JADC2 beyond the joint level.
Industry was encouraged to bring proven, mission-ready capabilities and to focus on integration within real operational environments rather than standalone innovation.
The event reinforced AFCEA’s role as a critical convening force—bringing together operators, technologists, and partners to move beyond discussion and toward practical, mission-focused solutions that enhance readiness and effectiveness across the Indo-Pacific.
