As director of the Defense Mapping Agency from 1987 to 1990, Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert F. Durkin oversaw the development of products that supported the Single Integrated Operational Plan – the U.S.’s broad plan for nuclear war for over 40 years – which was a vital component in defense of our nation during the final years of the Cold War.

Also during his tenure, Durkin oversaw Phase II (Mark 90) of the Digital Production System (DPS), an ambitious and critical modernization program which sought to redesign and retool the agency’s mapping, charting, and geodesy production systems and processes. Phase I (Mark 85) of the DPS upgraded DMA’s film-based production system and provided an initial digital exploitation capability using new source materials. Phase II (Mark 90) provided an all-digital production system, increased throughput, provided greater product flexibility and improved responsiveness for the products in the DPS baseline.

Before heading DMA – a heritage organization of NGA – Durkin was a command pilot with more than 4,600 flying hours, including ninety-seven combat missions in Southeast Asia.