GIS Day maps Pendleton students' future

Students from Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary School received inspirational information on the world of military computer-based mapping during the fourth annual Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) Day, Nov. 17.

Children and adults who attend the event at building 1160 learned about the significant role GIS has on the base through visual displays, informational booths and by receiving first-hand information from the base’s GIS experts.

“I’ve attended this event since the beginning and every year it tends to become better and better,” said Penny Wardinsky, 5th grade teacher, Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary School. “The information and how it was delivered to the children really helped them grasp the concept of what GIS is and what it can do.”

The goal of GIS is to produce maps that assist the base in making important planning decisions. These decisions often include keeping base ranges and training areas within safety guidelines and environmental regulations. Careful planning has been especially critical with the recent increase of military construction, said William Russell, director, GEOFidelis.

Geospatial Information Systems has been utilized to manage Marine Corps instal lations through the GEOFidelis program, established under Marine Corps Order 11000.25. GEOFidelis is managed within Headquarters Marine Corps under the authority of the Assistant Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps and for Installations and Logistics. It provides policy, guidance, and standards to ensure geospatial information is readily available to support the efficient and effective operations of the Corps’ installations.

Geospatial Information Systems not only supports the base’s military training needs, they have partnered with the base’s Provost Marshal’s Office and Fire Department to help maintain their mission.

The ability to map criminal incidents on base with data that includes the type of crimes and the location of each incident has been crucial in the mission to prevent crimes on base.

During the affair, children also had time to receive hands-on experience with some of the base’s technologically advance mapping equipment and enjoyed free popcorn and candy.

For more information or services provided by GIS, visit

http://www.geofiwest.usmc.mil.

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