JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. (AFNS) —
The Department of Air Force has initiated the reassignment of combat air forces advanced intelligence formal training units from Air Education and Training Command to Air Combat Command.
This strategic move, overseen by Gen. Adrian Spain, commander of ACC, and Lt. Gen. Clark Quinn, commander of AETC, will be a streamlined process designed to align intelligence Airmen directly with combat-focused missions. The reassignment will enable the Distributed Common Ground System and Targeting IFTUs and the Contingency Intelligence Network Intelligence Initial Qualification Course to deliberately integrate operational training courses with operational units.
Air Force IFTUs specialize in developing operational proficiency for intelligence Airmen. These units provide system and mission-specific training, ensuring a seamless transition from foundational skills to combat-readiness.
Directed by Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink, the reassignment leverages ACC’s resources and expertise as the Air Force lead for the Distributed Common Ground System and Combat Air Intelligence Systems. This initiative is expected to enhance readiness, match training with combat requirements and optimize all associated training resources.
“By reassigning our intelligence formal training units to Air Combat Command, we are shrinking the gap between the classroom and the battlespace,” said Brig. Gen. Abraham Jackson, Director of Intelligence for Air Combat Command. “Our Airmen will learn the most current tactics and techniques directly from the operational force, ensuring they graduate highly capable and ready to impact the mission from day one. This reassignment allows us to rapidly inject the latest threat realities into our curriculum to meet the demands of a highly dynamic environment.”
AETC has been instrumental in managing IFTUs and producing combat-ready Airmen. Reassigning these intelligence formal training units to ACC connects the students with the operational experts who are currently executing the mission in real-time.
“AETC is the Air Force’s center of excellence for foundational training, and we are proud of the world-class intelligence professionals our instructors produce,” said Col. Andy Freeman, AETC Director of Intelligence. “This CSAF-directed realignment strengthens the training pipeline by formally linking AETC’s foundational expertise with ACC’s front-line operational focus. This partnership ensures our Airmen are more lethal and ready to confront pacing threats from day one.”
As part of this reassignment, the DCGS IFTU, currently located at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, will relocate to the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Additionally, the Targeting IFTU, also located at Goodfellow AFB, will relocate to the 363rd Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance Wing at Langley AFB. The 17th Training Wing at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, will remain assigned to AETC.
An AETC-ACC transition task force will ensure a smooth and seamless transition for affected personnel and their families.
The conditions-based reassignment plan will occur in two phases with the DCGS IFTU and Targeting IFTU transitioning this summer, and the CIN course reassignment occurring in early 2027.
- Distributed Common Ground System IFTU, 17th TRW, Goodfellow AFB, Texas, to 480th ISRW, Langley AFB, Virginia.
- Targeting IFTU, 17th TRW, Goodfellow AFB, Texas, to 363rd ISRW, Langley AFB, Virginia.
- Contingency Intelligence Network Intelligence Initial Qualification Course, 17th TRW, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
By Air Combat Command Public Affairs
