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Five Deployable Combat Wings Selected in Evolution of Force Presentation

Friday, April 4th, 2025

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

The U.S. Air Force has identified the first five Regular Air Force candidate locations to build a Deployable Combat Wing Unit Type Code and is scheduling site surveys to begin in the coming weeks. Site surveys will determine the ability of these locations to build a DCW UTC, and findings will be submitted for final location approval.

The first five installations selected as candidates are the 19th Airlift Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas; 23rd Wing, Moody AFB, Georgia; the 366th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; the 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina; and the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw AFB, South Carolina.

The change marks an evolution in how the U.S. Air Force deploys its forces from a crowd-sourced model to one in which Airmen from the same installation deploy together as part of a mission-ready Unit of Action built for today’s fight. It acknowledges the need for Airmen to train together and build team cohesion to arrive in theater as a lethal team ready to operate in environments that will likely be more contested than those of the past two decades.

“We are transitioning our Deployment Model to best meet the evolving national security environment,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin, in a recent memo to Airmen. “At the heart of this transformation is the creation of the Deployable Combat Wing Unit Type Codes – a shift in how we prepare for and execute deployments.”

After final approval in the strategic basing process, selected locations will be responsible for entering into the AFFORGEN cycle through their DCW UTCs beginning in 2025. Part of this process will involve increasing the population of Airmen assigned to each installation in order to ensure wings are able to meet their home station and deployed requirements and are manned to accomplish their respective missions.

The Air Force Personnel Center is postured to conduct permanent changes of station, maximizing volunteer opportunities, to provide the required manpower to these five installations pending final approval in the strategic basing process. Air Force leaders are calling for Airmen to lean into this organizational change and be eager to take on the challenges and rewards of shaping this new way of operating in defense of the nation.

In his memo, Allvin emphasized the need for “highly motivated Airmen,” ready to work together to, “enhance combat readiness,” and “deliver decisive airpower from day one.”

Airmen aligned to the DCW UTC will complete the Air Force Force Generation cycle together. The overall AFFORGEN model improves unit readiness through greater deployment predictability, improves pre-deployment training, and establishes certification requirements that demonstrate unit preparedness for specific missions.

DCW UTCs represent the next phase in the evolution of how the U.S. Air Force presents and deploys forces. As the model is phased in it is expected to replace the Expeditionary Air Base and Air Task Force. XABs are expected to sunset in fiscal year 2027 with ATFs anticipated to be phased out in fiscal year 2028. A phased approach with more than one type of unit of action is required to ensure near-continuous crisis response availability and sustained readiness for the force while DCW UTCs are under construction.

There will be follow-on information for Total Force and additional Regular Air Force locations released in coming months as the Air Force completes the strategic basing process for the first five DCW UTC candidates.

By SSgt Cheyenne Lewis-Roberts
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

AETC Prioritizes Data Literacy to Equip Staff for Digital Future

Tuesday, April 1st, 2025

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) —  

In today’s increasingly data-driven landscape, the ability to collect, analyze and interpret information effectively is paramount to developing a lethal and ready force. 

Recognizing this, Air Education and Training Command has launched a comprehensive initiative to enhance the data literacy of its staff, equipping them with essential skills for the digital age. 

“The initiative emerged from the command’s strategic operational approach and supports a key line of effort for the command,” Jerry Perez, AETC Chief of Force Development Experiences and Validation, told attendees during the command’s annual Force Development Summit, March 25. “Failure to adapt puts us behind our peers and competitors, impacting our ability to make the right and best decisions.” 

The initiative began with a self-assessment survey administered to AETC staff in November 2023, revealing that over 50% of respondents assessed their data literacy proficiency as basic or less. 

“This concerning trend underscored the need for upskilling,” Perez said. “We’ve got to be better than that. In today’s environment, a basic level is not going to be good enough.” 

The response to the trend has been a multi-pronged approach, Perez said. 

A new performance element, emphasizing foundational training in data literacy was introduced for this year. 

Three core competencies – data management, data analysis and data visualization – were identified, each with four proficiency levels, with the current focus on achieving basic and intermediate proficiency levels across the staff. 

A foundational data literacy course, developed in collaboration with AETC/A9 and AETC/A6, was made available on the AETC learning platform and is mandatory for all staff. 

Additionally, tailored learning pathways focusing on specific areas like AI and Power BI were created to further enhance data literacy skills. 

Looking ahead, AETC’s commitment to data literacy extends beyond this initial push, said Perez. 

A new civilian performance element for the 2025-2026 appraisal period will focus on the practical application of learned data skills. 

Senior staff at the director level will soon be required to undergo AI training. 

Furthermore, personalized learning pathways based on specific roles and responsibilities are being developed to provide more targeted training. 

“By investing in its workforce’s data literacy, AETC is taking proactive steps to ensure its readiness for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age,” Perez said. “This forward-thinking approach will undoubtedly pay dividends, enabling the command to make more informed decisions and maintain its competitive edge for years to come.” 

By Dreshawn Murray, Air Education and Training Command

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post | Comments Off on AETC Prioritizes Data Literacy to Equip Staff for Digital Future

Melrose Air Force Range Achieves Milestone Joint National Training Capability Certification

Saturday, March 29th, 2025

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. —  

Melrose Air Force Range has reached a new milestone – achieving Joint National Training Capability accreditation.

The JNTC program provides consistent, holistic, and relevant assessment of joint training programs across the armed services and U.S. Special Operations Command. The program documents capabilities and enables valid comparisons of joint training challenges, setting the standard for training capabilities.

“This certification enables the DOD’s ability to conduct training scenarios which translate to battlefield application here at MAFR, ultimately enabling the strategic advantage and lethality of Special Operations Forces to accomplish their mission,” said Col. Robert Johnston, 27th Special Operations Wing commander.

Due to its prime location west of Cannon Air Force Base, MAFR is the crown jewel of Air Force Special Operations Command, providing more than 4,500 training hours for Special Operation Forces every year.

These future upgrades will enhance MAFR’s existing capabilities and introduce new features, further solidifying its role as a premiere training location. This includes bolstering the range’s ability to provide critical Certification, Validation, and Verification (CV2) for its primary users: AFSOC Special Operations Task Groups and Special Operations Task Units.

Achieving CV2 for SOTU’s and SOTG’s here at MAFR helps AFSOC align with the Department of the Air Force AFORGEN cycles. Upgrades to the range also align with the Secretary of Defense’s priority of ensuring Cannon’s Air Commandos are a ready, modern, and lethal fighting force prepared to defeat and destroy our nations enemies.

The range is a training site for multiple iterations of Emerald Warrior exercises annually. This joint, combined exercise provides realistic and relevant, high-end training to prepare special operations forces, conventional forces, and international partners for the evolving strategic environment. Emerald Warrior shifts the focus to growing kinetic and non-kinetic effects in strategic competition.

EW training sites are assessed to provide seven core joint functions: Command and Control (C2), Intelligence, Fires, Movement and Maneuver, Protection, Sustainment, and Information.

“In an effort to improve our joint warfighters training experience on the range, we have identified limitations that are being targeted for improvement,” said Johnston. “The JNTC certification will provide additional financial support through Unfunded Requirements and Presidential Budget Requests to the Joint Staff.”

By TSgt Jacob Albers

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, SOF | No Comments »

AV2.2 Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet (NGFWH) Testing Update

Monday, March 24th, 2025

LIFT Airborne Technologies, in collaboration with the Human Systems Program Office (AFLCMC/ROU), has successfully conducted over fifty-three (53) Performance Specification (P-Spec) environmental test events, windblast test events, and ejection sled test events on the AV2.2 NGFWH under the current Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract.

The AV2.2 NGFWH Slick Variant and the AV2.2 NGFWH equipped with the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) Modification Adapter Kit have undergone windblast testing at two seat angles: 17 degrees (representing aircraft such as the F-15, A-10, and F-22) and 32 degrees (representing the F-16). Testing at various speeds included 325 Knots Equivalent Airspeed (KEAS), 450 KEAS, and 600 KEAS for the AV2.2 NGFWH Slick Variant, while the AV2.2 NGFWH with JHMCS Modification Adapter Kit was tested at 450 KEAS.

The successful performance enabled progression to ejection sled testing.

Subsequently, The AV2.2 NGFWH Slick Variant has successfully completed ejection sled testing at 450 KEAS and 600 KEAS, conducted at both 17-degree and 32-degree seat angles. Additionally, the AV2.2 NGFWH equipped with the JHMCS Modification Adapter Kit underwent testing at 450 KEAS at both seat angles. The results from these tests were satisfactory, with both configurations meeting the P-Spec requirements.

The AV2.2 NGFWH is currently operational in various aircraft worldwide, including the latest addition to the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) fleet, the OA-1K Sky Warden. Aircrew operating the OA-1K Sky Warden are enthusiastic about the advanced capabilities of the AV2.2 NGFWH helmet system.

Having met all the requirements outlined in the P-Spec, the AV2.2 NGFWH Slick Variant now enables LIFT Airborne Technologies and the Human Systems Program Office to collaborate on advancing the program to the Milestone C Acquisition Phase and working towards a production contract.

For Department of Defense users seeking testing data regarding the AV2.2 NGFWH, please contact Samantha McKee, NGFWH Contracting Officer at AFLCMC/ROU, at samantha.mckee.1@us.af.mil.

For international users seeking testing data, please contact your respective government officials to request the testing data from the United States Air Force.

For any further inquiries regarding the AV2.2 NGFWH, please reach out to Chris Kitts, Director of Military Programs at LIFT Airborne Technologies, at chris.k@liftairborne.com or Todd Lentz, Chief Revenue Officer at LIFT Airborne Technologies, at todd.l@liftairborne.com.

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Guest Post, Helmets | No Comments »

US, JGSDF Strengthen Interoperability During Airborne 25

Monday, March 24th, 2025

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) —  

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron supported the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 1st Airborne Brigade by delivering 215 Japanese paratroopers over the East Fuji Maneuver Area in Gotemba City, Japan, March 4, as part of exercise Airborne 25.

Airborne is an annual large-scale exercise that integrates air and ground forces from the U.S. and Japan. This year’s iteration featured six U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules, with 36th AS aircrews working to insert JGSDF Soldiers into a simulated contested area. The scenario tested the ability of U.S.-Japan forces to secure territory in the event of a contingency and underscored the collaborative effort between both countries to strengthen combat readiness.

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force paratrooper assigned to the 1st Airborne Brigade carries his equipment after landing at JGSDF East Fuji Maneuver Area, Japan, March 4, 2025, during Airborne 25. Airborne 25 is the largest annual static-line personnel jump exercise between the U.S. Air Force and JGSDF. The exercise integrated six C-130J Super Hercules from the 36th Airlift Squadron carrying 215 JGSDF soldiers for an airdrop training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Zachary Riley, 36th AS C-130J pilot and Airborne 25 mission commander, emphasized the importance of this event.

“Airborne is a great opportunity for us and the JGSDF to work together at the most fundamental, tactical level,” Riley said. “We have a lot of cooperation between higher level leadership, but exercises like Airborne allow us to actually test our capabilities as an Air Force supporting a ground unit. It’s important for us to stay sharp on all our procedures and to work more efficiently with the JGSDF every single time.”

Prior to the personnel drop, members of the 374th Airlift Wing and 1st Airborne Brigade met to discuss the details of Airborne 25. Leaders from both forces reviewed the training scenario developed by U.S.-Japan operations personnel and addressed how they would mitigate various threats and work together to accomplish mission objectives.

For Riley and members of the 36th AS, this provided valuable insight into joint operations.

“Working with the JGSDF helps us better understand each other’s language and priorities,” Riley said. “It’s about recognizing what matters to an army unit versus an Air Force unit and highlighting those differences. Overcoming those challenges and working together to find efficient solutions is invaluable.”

The execution of Airborne 25 reinforced the partnership between the 36th AS and 1 AB as they demonstrated their ability to operate in a joint environment. As both forces continue to refine interoperability, exercises like Airborne play a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Story b Senior Airman Natalie Doan, 374th Airlift Wing

Additional photos by Yasuo Osakabe

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Parachuting | 1 Comment »

Air Force Awards Contract for Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Platform, F-47

Sunday, March 23rd, 2025

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —  

The Department of the Air Force announced today the contract award for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Platform, marking a major milestone in the advancement of air superiority. The contract, awarded to Boeing, will lead to the development of the F-47, the world’s first sixth-generation fighter aircraft.

“I’m thrilled to announce that, at my direction, the United States Air Force is moving forward with the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet,” said President Donald J. Trump during a press briefing at the White House. “Nothing in the world comes even close to it, and it’ll be known as the F-47.”

This decision follows a fair and thorough source selection process conducted by the Air Force, reaffirming the NGAD Platform as the most capable and cost-effective solution to maintain air superiority in an increasingly complex and contested global threat environment. The decision reflects the Air Force’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to the warfighter while optimizing taxpayer investment.

“In terms of all of the attributes of a fighter jet, there’s never been anything even close to it, from speed to maneuverability, to what it can have, to payload. And this has been in the works for a long period of time,” Trump added. “America’s enemies will never see it coming.”

In May 2024, the Air Force conducted a strategic pause in the program to ensure it was making the right decision for its warfighters and for the security of the nation. During this time, the Air Force continued collaborating with industry to aggressively mature critical technologies and accelerate innovation.

“Now we have the F-47, which sends a very direct, clear message to our allies that we’re not going anywhere… and to our enemies that we can, and we will be able to project power around the globe, unimpeded, for generations to come,” said Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth stated the F-47 represents a significant advancement over the F-22, which is currently the U.S. Air Force’s primary air superiority fighter.

“This is a historic investment in the American military, in the American Industrial Base, that will help revive the warrior ethos inside our military, which we’re doing–rebuilding our military,” Hegseth added. “We know this is cheaper, longer range and more stealthy.”

As the cornerstone of the NGAD Family of Systems, the F-47 is designed to integrate next-generation stealth, sensor fusion, and long-range strike capabilities to counter the most sophisticated adversaries in contested environments. Its adaptability and modular design ensure seamless integration with emerging technologies, positioning it as a dominant platform for decades to come.

“With this F-47 as the crown jewel in the Next Generation Air Dominance Family of Systems, we believe that this provides more lethality,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. “It provides more capability, more modernized capability, in a way that is built to adapt, along with our Collaborative Combat Aircraft.”

Over the past five years, in strong partnership between the Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, X-planes have been laying the foundation for the F-47. These experimental aircraft have flown hundreds of hours, advancing stealth, range, and autonomous systems while refining operational concepts.

“Hopefully, these magnificent planes will be built and in the air during my administration. It’s ready to go. They’ve already built much of what has to be built in terms of production, including the sheds.” Trump added. “We will ensure that the USA continues to dominate the skies.”

By leveraging cutting-edge digital engineering techniques and government-owned architecture, the F-47 benefits from a streamlined and accelerated development timeline compared to previous fighter programs. These advancements enable rapid technology integration, ensuring the F-47 remains adaptable and upgradable to meet future mission requirements and counter emerging threats.

“Air dominance is not a birthright, but it’s become synonymous with American airpower, but our dominance needs to be earned every single day,” said Allvin. “Since the earliest days of aerial warfare, brave American Airmen have jumped into their machines, taken to the air, and they’ve cleared the skies. That’s been our commitment to the fight, and that’s really been our promise to America, and with this F-47 we’re going to be able to keep that promise well into the future.”

The contract award funds the engineering and manufacturing development phase, which includes maturing, integrating, and testing all aspects of the F-47. This phase will produce a small number of test aircraft for evaluation. The contract also includes competitively priced options for low-rate initial production.

Future basing decisions and additional program elements will be determined in the coming years as the Air Force advances the F-47 toward operational deployment.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Contracts, Press Release | 8 Comments »

Air Force Aims to Instill Warrior Ethos, Increase Lethality

Saturday, March 15th, 2025

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —

The Air Force is making progress toward Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s priorities, which will ultimately result in giving the president more options, said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, who provided a keynote address, March 3, at the 2025 Air and Space Forces Association’s Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado.

Allvin mentioned those priorities — restoring the warrior ethos, reestablishing deterrence, meritocracy, reforming acquisition, passing an audit, matching threats to capabilities and defending the homeland — and how the Air Force is executing them.

Reviving the warrior ethos means letting every Airman know what it means to fight as a unit, what’s going to be expected of them, and focusing on the threat, he said.

“Your Air Force continues to kick butt. Our Airmen are doing amazing things every day. They make it look just normal,” he said, noting how Airmen, along with allies and partners, controlled the skies over the Middle East and are increasing interoperability with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

Also, every day, Airmen protect the skies over the homeland through exercises and nuclear deterrence, he said.

“We’re a well-used Air Force, and we’ve been used well and used often. Every time we ask them to do more, they continue to do more,” Allvin said.

Ensuring all of the service’s investments increase combat readiness and effectiveness is now the focus, he said.

For example, the Air Force maintains excess infrastructure, approximately 20-30% too much, he said.

“All of that is not adding to combat capability. All of that is infrastructure that needs to be maintained, sustained and doesn’t necessarily provide more combat lethality,” he said.

Greater lethality, he said, has been degraded by a drop in aircraft availability as the fleet ages and needs more maintenance. Also, weapon sustainment costs are growing, and the nuclear triad needs to finish its modernization efforts.

As threats continue to evolve, the Air Force is racing toward adding unmanned fighters to the fleet, training for human-machine integration and using autonomy more effectively, he said. 

When the new Air Force secretary and undersecretary get confirmed, they will examine how effectively the force is executing the defense secretary’s priorities, Allvin said.

“I have a hunch that when they see some of these things we’re doing, we’re going to be told to go faster,” he added.

Lastly, he pointed out that “Americans keep signing up, saying they want to join the team. And the team that is the United States Air Force continues to be the best in the world. They show up every day. They do what they’re asked. They do it with excellence. They do it in a way that makes us all proud.”

The Air Force is ahead of its annual recruiting goal, with more recruits currently in the delayed entry program than at any point in nearly 10 years.

By David Vergun, DoD News

Photos by Master Sgt John Hillier, Airman 1st Class Koby Mitchell, and Airman Elijah Van Zandt

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | No Comments »

36th AS Flexes Agility, Conducts Airdrop Operations Under Limited Visibility

Thursday, March 13th, 2025

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) —

As the sun set over the Yokota Air Base flightline, four C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron revved engines in preparation for a routine, yet convincing, demonstration of world-class agility, Feb. 6.

This night time sortie – also known as a night tac – would take aircrews over the Mount Fuji drop zone for the swift and synchronized delivery of container delivery system bundles and heavy equipment.

“This particular one was a multi-element formation lead flight,” said Capt. Zachary Norton, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130J pilot. “We also trained on airdrops, so we did visual low-levels over the Mount Fuji drop zone with heavy equipment and CDS bundles.”

Night tacs present unique challenges and provide pilots and loadmasters an opportunity to implement tactics and techniques under limited visibility. These missions rely on critical tools such as aircraft station-keeping equipment, avionics systems used to maintain formation flight in low-visibility or night operations. Aircrew also utilized night vision goggles during the flight.

“NVGs bring a whole different challenge because you lose depth perception when using them.” said Senior Airman Blake Janssen, 36th AS loadmaster. “We do this because in the event we have to conduct night operations, we’re just as proficient as we are at day operations.”

Such exercises are part of the squadron’s unwavering commitment to meet the demands of region-wide airlift support. Their rigorous training schedule includes drumbeat, scenario-based events, and exercise injections to ensure that pilots and loadmasters meet their training objectives and maintain peak proficiency.

“We aim for at least one student on all of our training flights so they can meet all of their requirements,” Janssen said.

The 36th Airlift Squadron champions synchronized logistics by continuously refining their capabilities, ensuring they remain capable of delivering rapid and precise airlift support across the Indo-Pacific.

By SSgt Spencer Tobler, 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, For the Ladies, Guest Post | No Comments »

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