Chris Owens, RES ’03
I am a defense contractor managing a program at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. I have a group working to build models showing the spread of COVID-19 across CONUS and other regions of the world. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), located at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, is responsible for reducing the threat to the Nation from Weapons of Mass Destruction. This mission includes a specific focus on reducing the threat to the nation from Nuclear, Chemical and Biological weapons and materials. DTRA is widely recognized for its work related to supporting the Nation’s nuclear deterrent and the cooperative reduction of strategic offensive arms in countries of the former Soviet Union. DTRA is less recognized for the significant work it has done and is currently doing to reduce the threat and impact of biological weapons and biological materials, both man-made and naturally occurring. DTRA is currently leveraging its past experience supporting the H1N1 and ebola outbreaks in an effort to assist DoD and the broader U.S. Government in a comprehensive response to the COVID -19 outbreak. A number of groups across the agency have been working around the clock supporting response activities across the spectrum of crises response and future planning requirements. The DTRA Research and Development Directorate includes a team of subject matter experts focused on the utilization of both in-house and outsourced computer models, simulations and other mathematical tools to provide 24/7 365 support to DoD and the Combatant Commands. This cell resides within DTRA’s Technical Reachback Division. This division, led by Mr. Todd Hann, is supported by a team of technical contractors with advanced degrees in the Nuclear Chemical and Biological subject areas. I am the program manager for this team of subject matter experts. The combined team is providing daily modeling information on current and future predicated infections and hospitalizations within CONUS and OCONUS countries of interest to guide a wide range of current and near-term operational decisions. As of April 22nd, DTRA Reachback Division had responded to 150 Requests for Information (RFIs) and produced over 236 analytical products to support information requests from Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Combatant Commands, the National Guard Bureau, and a range of other organizations throughout DoD. The Reachback Division has established a weekly CONUS modeling update, broken down by each state and FEMA region, that is distributed to over 110 customers. In addition, the division is producing a daily situational awareness briefing which is being sent to over 200 customers. These products are being used by a number of high-level government officials including: National Security Council, OSD, Joint Staff, White House, CoComs and other Federal partners.
COL (Ret) Christopher G. Owens
Resident Class of 2003
