Last year the AF ceased the wear of the popular Duty Identifier Patches on the left sleeve of the OCP uniform. Many in the force were demoralized as these identifiers instilled pride in the various AF careerfields. The patches have the added value of identifying who does what.
Today, morale was raised as Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Wolfe took to social media to announce the reinstated patches. Below is the memorandum of implementation along with the list of approved patches.
The 2025 series of the Decision Advantage Sprint for Human-Machine Teaming marked a significant step forward in the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into battle management operations. Through a series of groundbreaking experiments, including the recent DASH 3 iteration, the U.S. Air Force, alongside its coalition partners, Canada and the United Kingdom, tested and refined AI’s potential to enhance decision-making, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen interoperability in the face of growing global security challenges.
Held at the unclassified location of the Shadow Operations Center-Nellis in downtown Las Vegas, DASH 3 set the stage for this collaboration, led by the Advanced Battle Management System Cross-Functional Team. The experiment was executed in partnership with the Air Force Research Lab’s 711th Human Performance Wing, U.S. Space Force, and the 805th Combat Training Squadron, also known as the ShOC-N, further solidifying the commitment to advancing battle management capabilities for the future.
AI Integration into Operational Decision-Making
In the third iteration of the DASH series seven teams, six from industry teams and one from the ShOC-N innovation team partnered with U.S., Canadian, and U.K. operators to test a range of decision advantage tools aimed at enhancing the rapid and effective generation of battle course of actions with multiple paths. The goal of a Battle COA is to map sequences of actions that align with the commander’s intent while overcoming the complexities of modern warfare, including the fog and friction of battle. Examples of Battle COAs include recommended solutions for long-range kill chains, electromagnetic battle management problems, space and cyber challenges, or agile combat employment such as re-basing aircraft.
U.S. Air Force Col. John Ohlund, ABMS Cross Functional Team lead overseeing capability development, explained the importance of flexibility in COA generation: “For example, a bomber may be able to attack from multiple avenues of approach, each presenting unique risks and requires different supporting assets such as cyber, ISR [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance], refueling, and air defense suppression. Machines can generate multiple paths, supporting assets, compounding uncertainties, timing, and more. Machines provide a rich solution space where many COAs are explored, but only some are executed, ensuring options remain open as the situation develops.”
This ability to explore multiple COAs simultaneously allows for faster adaptation to unforeseen challenges and provides operators with diverse strategies to act upon as the situation unfolds. AI’s integration into this process aims to not only speed up the decision-making cycle but also increase the quality of the solutions generated.
AI Speeds Decision Advantage
The speed at which AI systems can generate actionable recommendations is proving to be a game-changer in the decision-making process. Transitioning from the manual creation of COAs that once took minutes or tens of minutes to producing viable options in just tens of seconds was identified as a radical advantage in combat scenarios. Initial results from the DASH 3 experiment show the power of AI in enabling faster, more efficient decision-making.
“AI systems demonstrated the ability to generate multi-domain COAs considering risk, fuel, time constraints, force packaging, and geospatial routing in under one minute,” said Ohlund. “These machine-generated recommendations were up to 90% faster than traditional methods, with the best in machine-class solutions showing 97% viability and tactical validity.”
For comparison, human performance in generating courses of action typically took around 19 minutes, with only 48% of the options being considered viable and tactically valid.
“This dramatic reduction in time and improvement in the quality of solutions underscores AI’s potential to significantly enhance the speed and accuracy of the decision-making process, while still allowing humans to make the final decisions on the battlefield,” Ohlund added.
The ability to quickly generate multiple viable COAs not only improves the speed of decision-making but also gives commanders more options to work within a compressed time frame, making AI an essential tool for maintaining a strategic advantage in fast-paced combat situations.
Building Trust in AI: From Skepticism to Confidence
Skepticism surrounding the integration of AI in operational decision-making was common at the start of the DASH 3 experiment. However, participating operators saw a notable shift in their perspectives as the DASH progressed. U.S. Air Force First Lt. Ashley Nguyen, 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron DASH 3 participant, expressed initial doubt about the role AI could play in such a complex process. “I was skeptical about technology being integrated into decision-making, given how difficult and nuanced battle COA building can be,” said Nguyen. “But working with the tools, I saw how user-friendly and timesaving they could be. The AI didn’t replace us; it gave us a solid starting point to build from.”
As the experiment unfolded, trust in AI steadily increased. Operators, gaining more hands-on experience, began to see the value in the AI’s ability to generate viable solutions at an unprecedented speed. “Some of the AI-generated outputs were about 80% solutions,” said Nguyen. “They weren’t perfect, but they were a good foundation. This increased my trust in the system; AI became a helpful tool in generating a starting point for decision-making.”
Trust and Collaboration Across Nations
The collaboration between the U.S. and its coalition partners was highlighted throughout the 2025 DASH series. The inclusion of operators from the UK and Canada brought invaluable perspectives, ensuring that the decision support tools tested could address a broad range of operational requirements.
“We understand that the next conflict cannot be won alone without the help of machine teammates and supported by our allies,” said Royal Canadian Air Force Capt. Dennis Williams, RCAF DASH 3 participant. “DASH 3 demonstrated the value of these partnerships as we worked together in a coalition-led, simulated combat scenario. The tools we tested are vital for maintaining a decision advantage, and we look forward to expanding this collaboration in future DASH events.”
This integration of human-machine teaming and coalition participation highlighted the potential for improving multinational interoperability in the command-and-control battlespace. “The involvement of our coalition partners was crucial, not just for the success of DASH 3 but also for reinforcing the alliances that underpin global security. DASH experimentation is intentionally a low barrier for entry from a security classification standpoint, enabling broad participation from allies and coalition partners alike,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Shawn Finney, commander of the 805th Combat Training Squadron/ShOC-N.
Addressing Challenges: Weather and AI Hallucinations
The DASH 3 experiment was not just a test of new AI tools, but a continuation of a concerted effort to tackle persistent challenges, including the integration of weather data and the potential for AI “hallucinations.” These issues have been focus areas throughout the DASH series, with each iteration bringing new insights and refinements to ensure AI systems are operationally effective.
Weather-related challenges are a critical factor in real-world operations, but due to simulation limitations, they were not fully integrated in the DASH series. Instead, weather-related challenges were manually simulated by human operators through ‘white carding’, a method that provided scenario-based weather effects, such as airfield closures or delays, into the experiment.
“We didn’t overlook the role of weather,” explained Ohlund. “While it wasn’t a primary focus of this experiment, we fully understand its operational impact and are committed to integrating weather data into future decision-making models.”
The risk of AI hallucinations, instances where AI produces incorrect or irrelevant outputs, particularly when using large language models, was another challenge tackled during the DASH 3 experiment. Aware of this potential issue, the development teams took proactive steps to design AI tools that minimized the risk of hallucinations and organizers diligently monitored the outputs throughout the experiment.
“Our team didn’t observe hallucinations during the experiment, underscoring the effectiveness of the AI systems employed during the experiment,” said Ohlund. “While this is a positive outcome, we remain vigilant about the potential risks, particularly when utilizing LLMs that may not be trained on military-specific jargon and acronyms. We are actively refining our systems to mitigate these risks and ensure AI outputs are reliable and relevant.”
Looking Ahead: Building Trust in AI for Future Operations
As the U.S. Air Force moves forward with the 2026 series of DASH experiments, the lessons learned from 2025 iterations will serve as a crucial foundation for future efforts. The growing trust in human-machine collaboration, the strengthening of international partnerships, and the continuous refinement of AI tools all point to a future where AI plays an integral role in operational decision-making.
“The 2025 DASH series has established a strong foundation for future experiments, with the potential to further expand AI’s role in battle management,” said Ohlund. “By continuing to build trust with operators, improve AI systems, and foster international cooperation, the U.S. and its allies are taking critical steps toward ensuring they are prepared to address the evolving challenges of modern warfare.”
“This is just the beginning,” said Williams. “The more we can integrate AI into the decision-making process, the more time we can free up to focus on the human aspects of warfare. These tools are key to staying ahead of our adversaries and maintaining peace and stability on a global scale.”
Deb Henley
505th Command and Control Wing
Public Affairs
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —
The Air Force announced an update to its physical fitness assessment standards and implementation timeline.
Changes from the September 2025 announcement include a shortened physical fitness diagnostic testing period to end in June and the option for either the 2-mile run or the 20-meter High Aerobic Multi-shuttle Run every six months.
“We care about the long-term health of our Airmen and that starts with physical fitness,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. “The habits Airmen build by working out daily directly impact their quality of life in and out of uniform. I am confident our commanders will continue to implement a culture of fitness so our warfighters are healthy and ready.”
The components of the updated bi-annual PFA offer Airmen a choice between traditional and alternative exercises:
Cardiovascular: 2-mile run or 20-meter HAMR.
Strength: One minute of push-ups or two minutes of hand-release push-ups.
Core: One minute of sit-ups, two minutes of cross-leg reverse crunches, or a timed forearm plank.
Body Composition: Waist-to-Height Ratio measurement.
From March 1 through June 30, 2026, all fitness tests will be diagnostic to provide Airmen time to adapt to the new standards. Beginning July 1, 2026, the Air Force will resume official testing under the new PFA standards.
Fitness testing is currently paused to facilitate the transition to the updated program.
Per the Secretary of War’s guidance, PFA scores will be included in officer and enlisted performance briefs beginning in February 2026. The first groups to be affected by this change will be colonels in February 2026, then lieutenant colonels, majors, and chief master sergeants in May 2026. Senior airman EPBs closing out in in March 2026 will not include PFA scores.
The most recent PFA score included on an Airman’s performance brief may include tests accomplished on previous standards.
“Your physical health is important to us, not just as a readiness metric but as a human being as well,” Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David R. Wolfe said. “When you’re physically healthy, you are not only happier, but in a better position to excel at your job.”
Updated fitness score charts incorporating feedback from the field and a thorough review of score distributions will be released soon. Additionally, an updated AFMAN 36-2905, Air Force Physical Fitness Program, will be published soon.
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. —
In 1913, the first two military aviation badges, silver wings, were issued to members of the U.S. Army Air Corps. As time went on, pilots of all airframes have been awarded their silver wings and given the rating of pilot, senior pilot and command pilot. Since then, the Air Force has grown rapidly by constantly adapting to new playing fields and integrating technology into everyday operations while preparing for the future fight.
This innovation led to a new class of airframe, remotely piloted aircraft. They perform a multitude of missions including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and precision strike. However, it was not until 2025 that remotely piloted aircraft pilots or the 18X career field could be awarded the rating of command pilot on just their airframe.
There have been pilots in the RPA career field who have obtained this rating, but only if they had been on other airframes prior to being an RPA pilot.
Pilots of all airframes must have 15 years of service as a rated pilot, and 3000 total hours of flight time for the rating of command pilot, which is the highest rating a pilot can receive.
Compared to other career fields, they are relatively new, and their history began a little over 15 years ago. In 2008, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz brought attention to the shortage of pilots for the RPA mission.
To combat the shortage, it was initially decided that 100 graduates from standard undergraduate pilot training each year would learn to fly RPA’s instead of manned aircraft, but an official career field was not established.
“When I first started in the career field in 2009, we were just this test group,” said Lt. Col. Eric Baldock, 15th Attack Squadron director of operations. “The command pilot rating for us signifies how mature our career field has gotten and shows that it was needed to meet the Air Force’s mission requirements.”
In 2009, the 18X career field was established to create professional RPA pilots to meet joint warfighter requirements. It officially began in 2010 by Air Staff officials institutionalizing it with undergraduate RPA training and rolling out the first class of trained RPA MQ-1 Predator pilots.
In 2010, Lt. Gen. Philip Breedlove, then-Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, plans and Requirements at Headquarters Air Force, stated that the formalized training signified the Air Force’s commitment to RPAs and the importance of the aircraft to the joint community.
“I have been in the 18X career field since 2013, and I always saw the potential of what this career field could be,” said Lt. Col. Justin Storm, 489th Attack Squadron director of operations. “This career field fits into the Air Forces overall mission, and I see that growing with mission planning, intelligence and how we contribute to air power overall.”
Since 2010, the RPA mission has grown to the size of two wings entirely dedicated to it, including the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing and the 25th Attack Wing.
The RPA community have continually changed and adapted, honing their skills while innovating their technology such as the recent change to Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability-enabled Satellite Launch and Recovery. Additionally, they continue to adapt by re-designating their squadrons such as the 489th ATKS becoming the 42nd ATKS sometime in 2026 and 11th Attack Squadron returning to combat operations from being a training squadron.
“Our career field has such an innovative spirit,” said Lt. Col. Ahmed Nelson, 17th Attack Squadron commander. “We have always been adapting and integrating technology into how we operate, and I think we will see more of that as time goes on. We have also over time been integrated in multiple domains and I think that, along with our sister services, that will expand as well.”
Additionally, they have performed combat and ISR operations 24/7/365 in multiple Areas of Responsibility around the globe over the last fifteen years.
“We have changed so much over the years since I have been in,” said Nelson. ”We have had a greater emphasis on our standardized training in how we get our young officers to be full-fledged pilots. Additionally, there was no such thing as dwell time or the Air Force Generation model which is better for our airmen, and they now have time to rest, repair and to certify before going to deploy. We also have huge/tremendous support from organizations like the Human Performance Team, which is read into our missions and can provide us appropriate mental health care.
As time goes on, the 18X career field will continue to grow their operations and conquer even more milestones. The 18X career field being able to obtain the command pilot rating without being on any other airframe is a testament to the pilots’ dedication to the future fight as the Air Force continues to adapt to obstacles as they come with new innovation.
“Our career field has experienced so much, and we still have so much more to come,” said Nelson. “I, myself, am the first 18X squadron commander for the 17th ATKS and it is an honor to be one of the firsts.”
The 18X career field being able to obtain the command pilot rating without being on any other airframe is a testament to their career field’s dedication to the future fight as the Air Force continues to adapt to obstacles as they come with innovation. They will continue to grow as MQ-9 Reapers and other RPAs continue to take to the skies piloted by the vital 18X pilots.
By Senior Airman Victoria Nuzzi, 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
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LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFNS) —
On June 17th, Gen. Ken Wilsbach thought he had successfully flown his last sortie in the F-22 Raptor, but on Nov. 24th, he returned to the cockpit in America’s premier air supremacy platform.
“Every opportunity to step to the jet is a great privilege,” Wilsbach said. “For leaders of flying units, being current and qualified builds credibility and demonstrates leading from the front.”
Hours after Wilsbach assumed the duties of Chief of Staff of the Air Force, he encouraged commanders and leaders of all flying units to maintain or regain active flying status in their primary mission design series—the aircraft to which they are primarily assigned.
“Air superiority is not a given, it must be earned every day,” Wilsbach urged. “To maintain our edge as the world’s greatest and most powerful Air Force, our warfighting abilities must be constantly honed.”
As Americans heard the story of their Air Force flawlessly executing the bombing run on Iranian nuclear facilities this summer, the skill of the entire Air Force enterprise was on clear display.
Alongside the bombers of Air Force Global Strike, which dropped bombs during Operation Midnight Hammer, Air Combat Command is the primary force provider of combat airpower and vital to America’s defense strategy.
“Flightline operations is both the hardest and most important thing we do,” said ACC Commander Gen. Adrian Spain. “You can’t truly understand the ecosystem of the flightline unless you’re out there on it … seeing how support, operations, and maintenance come together in real time. As a senior leader, I need that firsthand awareness to recognize where the balance is fragile and where roadblocks exist, so that I can help clear them. Flying and experiencing that flightline convergence also enables a visceral sense of our battlefield standards that keep our Air Force ready to fight and win.”
In a contest with a peer adversary, flying acumen and experience across the Total Force will be indispensable.
Mobility aircrews enable the joint force to overcome the tyranny of distance when operating under mission type orders in anti-access, area denial scenarios while facing increased operational risk.
“The touchpoints with Airmen when stepping to the aircraft, running your checklists, and executing the mission deliver insights not found in a slide deck or a headquarters building,” said Commander of Air Mobility Command Gen. Johnny Lamontagne. “Remaining current isn’t just about flying an aircraft, it’s about experiencing the latest tactics, techniques and procedures, and the challenges our Airmen must overcome as we face an evolving, contested strategic environment.”
Special operations aircrews must be prepared to conduct battlefield air operations, agile combat support; information operations, precision strike, specialized air mobility, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and more.
On preparing for these mission sets, Air Force Special Operations Command Commander Lt. Gen. Michael Conley said, “Flying keeps me connected to the mission, and more importantly, our Air Commandos. Training alongside them reinforces my trust in the aircraft, our crews, our maintainers, and everyone who plays a role in ensuring we’re ready to fight. As the commander, it also provides me firsthand perspectives of the challenges and opportunities we face in delivering specialized airpower where the nation needs it.”
Readiness in every MDS [Mission Design Series] for every mission begins with realistic, world-class training. From the first time on the stick to track selection, from undergraduate pilot and navigator to loadmaster, boom operator and aerial gunner training, and from weapons school to test pilot school, Air Education and Training Command facilitates it all.
“Our Airmen expect leaders that are grounded in the realities of the daily mission,” said AETC Commander Lt. Gen. Clark Quinn. “While flying is just one part of our mission, it provides an invaluable opportunity to connect with the Total Force team that fly, fix and support our operations. Briefing, flying and debriefing with our teams ensures I see firsthand the challenges our instructors and students face every day and the effort our maintenance teams put in to keep our aircraft mission ready.”
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
FALLS CHURCH, Va. —
The Department of the Air Force updated its medical guidance for shaving profiles, Dec. 15, 2025, to align with the Secretary of War’s grooming standards.
Effective Jan. 31, 2026, all shaving profiles issued before March 1, 2025, are invalid. Airmen and Guardians who have medical shaving profiles issued prior to March 1, 2025, should schedule an appointment with a military health care provider for further evaluation before the January deadline.
Additionally, the Dec. 15, 2025, memorandum equips primary care providers, medical profile officers and unit commanders with guidance to inform their decision to recommend and approve or deny a medical shaving profile.
Key updates
Primary care manager role – recommend
Profile officer role – review
Commander role – approve
Airmen and Guardians who have or are at risk of getting PFB will be given preventive education on appropriate shaving hygiene and, if needed, medication, a consultation with a Dermatologist (or specialist) or a recommendation for laser hair removal.
The Dec. 15 memo is an update to the policy in January 2025, designed to assist health care providers in evaluating Airmen and Guardians for a Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) diagnosis. That memo differentiated between shaving irritation and PFB, and provided criteria to distinguish between mild, moderate and severe cases of PFB.
The Air Force Medical Service is committed to the health and safety of its service members while ensuring readiness standards consistent with the Department of War. The updated memorandum serves to maintain an informed environment on grooming standards to minimize harmful effects on operational readiness.
Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. —
Twelve LEAP Scholars recently took a star turn during Southern Star 2025 in Chile, enhancing communication and understanding among U.S. forces, six participating nations, and 10 observers throughout the complex multinational exercise.
“Southern Star 2025 was a two-week multinational special operations exercise hosted by Chile and co-led by U.S. Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH),” said Senior Master Sgt. Pedro Estrada, a flight chief with the Operations Branch, 502 Communications Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. “It involved over 2,700 personnel from six participating countries and 10 observers. The exercise simulated a UN-authorized stabilization mission with scenarios involving amphibious navigation, urban combat, non-combatant evacuation operations, maritime and air control, and live-fire precision training across 3,700 kilometers of Chilean territory, from Antofagasta to Punta Arenas. It’s considered the largest SOF (Special Operations Forces) exercise of its kind in Latin America.”
Because of the scope of the exercise, the team of LEAP Scholars performed a large assortment of roles during the training.
“Upon arrival, I was assigned to Rancagua (Headquarters) as a translator, assisting in both English to Spanish and Spanish to English translations for the Plans and Future Operations Cell,” said 1st Lt. Dalismarie Guzman-Velez, a Resources Deputy Flight Commander with the 937 Training Support Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio. “I served as a key communications facilitator for Army J35 / Lt. Col. Timothy Moore and 40 Chilean War College students. During my time there, I facilitated real-time communication between Lt. Col. Moore and the Chilean War College students. I also had the opportunity to translate briefs for 10 general officers during the exercise and approximately 40 general officers / civilian equivalents on the last day. During the exercise, I supported the coordination and execution of 45 joint missions, providing direct interpretation during planning and targeting meetings, CONOPS briefs, and executive-level engagements. I produced over 80 pages of operational documents, including operational orders, fragmentary orders , intelligence bulletins, visual tools, and assessments. I was frequently called upon for unscheduled interpretation needs throughout the headquarters.”
“My role specifically was to translate and interpret for the Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component in Rancagua Air Base,” said Master Sgt. Martin H. Hermosillo, a staff superintendent with the 524 Special Operations Squadron at Duke Field, Fla. “My role evolved into playing more of just a translation role at times due to my experience in SOF aviation through which I was able to streamline a vast amount of the processes and efforts due to my knowledge in aviation and in the Special Operations enterprise.”
The variety of participating nations, branches, and agencies involved in the exercise helped make this mission a memorable one for the LEAP Scholars who participated.
“This was a truly magnificent experience due to the fact that every service and ally nation have their own way of navigating a task,” said Hermosillo. “What really made everything flow in synchrony is the openness and willingness to learn from each other. Like any other exercise, things are meant to run a bit rough but with the ability to have a team mentality and leave egos aside every mission turned into a learning opportunity.”
“It was an incredibly enriching experience,” said Estrada. “I worked alongside Chilean SOF, MARSOC (Marine Forces Special Operations Command), the U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Squadron, and Chilean law enforcement and customs agencies. Each interaction deepened my appreciation for joint and multinational operations. It also reinforced how vital clear communication, trust, and cultural fluency are in high-tempo coalition environments. Every agency brought a unique perspective, and mutual respect drove mission success. These engagements broadened my understanding of Latin American defense structures and highlighted the essential role of language and culture in joint operations.”
While the LEAP Scholars were enriched by their Southern Star experiences, they also elevated the exercise with all the capabilities they bring to the table.
“LEAP Scholars bring more than just language skills,” said Estrada. “We offer cultural insight, diplomatic awareness, and operational fluency. In my case, I prevented potential international incidents, kept logistics flowing, and enabled mission-critical decisions through real-time translation. Without embedded LEAP professionals, miscommunication could’ve caused delays or even mission failure. We bridge the gap between strategy and execution across cultures and languages. LEAP Airmen serve as force multipliers by enhancing cooperation, reducing friction, and enabling real-time problem-solving in complex joint environments.”
“Having LEAP scholars was crucial for this exercise; it made it a lot smoother when it comes to communication between both nations,” said Staff Sgt. Vanesa Wagner, an Air Force recruiter out of Randolph AFB, Texas. “There is already a high level of complexity for this exercise especially because of the number of moving pieces. So having the communication portion taken care of and ensuring the correct message was being delivered was key.”
The LEAP team played a pivotal role in Southern Star, and they also gained additional skills that can be used in future missions.
“Overall, I learned a great deal about operations planning,” said Guzman-Velez. “I was actively involved in the process, with shifts lasting 12 hours each day. I appreciated the opportunity to see behind the scenes of how operations are conducted, how intelligence is collected, and the logic behind how personnel and equipment are assigned to accomplish missions. It was an interesting and rewarding experience, especially as a prior enlisted individual who has a passion for readiness and deployments!”
“This experience reaffirmed that language and cultural fluency are not just support tools, they are mission enablers,” said Estrada. “I learned how to adapt my communication style to rapidly changing operational environments and how to mediate between multiple stakeholders with competing interests. I also gained deeper insights into Latin American military protocols, civil-military coordination, and the strategic role of soft power in international defense cooperation. I also learned that language is power, especially in joint environments and helped hone my ability to operate in fluid, high-stakes scenarios.”
The rigorous curriculum that the Air Force Culture and Language Center provides to LEAP Scholars is one of the reasons why they can thrive and be force multipliers in exercises like Southern Star.
“Before this LITE, the AFCLC provided me with the opportunity to attend the University of Montana’s Defense Critical Language Program, where I learned a lot about Latin America, including our relationships with partner nations and the importance of collaboration,” said Guzman-Velez. “The course covered various aspects, including language, socio-political, and economic factors. I believe that experience prepared me significantly for this exercise, and I am grateful that the team trusts the program enough to send us out for these amazing opportunities. I can’t wait to participate in other LITES!”
“AFCLC’s LEAP program prepared me exceptionally well,” said Estrada. “The consistent language immersion, eMentor sessions, and prior LITE experiences gave me the confidence to operate in complex, multilingual scenarios. More importantly, the cultural training helped me read the room, understand unspoken dynamics, and navigate sensitive situations with professionalism and tact. LEAP gave me the tools to not just translate words, but to build bridges.”
Since LEAP Scholars come from the general force and bring their military skills and experiences with them, they are also able to communicate in technical and military terms with partner allies.
“This is exactly the type of exercise LEAP Scholars should participate in,” said Capt. Joshua Taylor, an Intelligence Officer with the 9th ASOS. “We were doing joint operations, and you had to use joint operational language. One of my tasks was to take the operations order that was written in Spanish and give it to Navy Seals. Technical terms for diving, boating, landing zones, these are terms that you would never use in daily life. We were using military jargon in English and Spanish.”
Because LEAP Scholars are well prepared and dynamic force multipliers, they are sought out by the leadership of large multinational exercises like Southern Star 25.
“Language Enabled Airman Program Scholars were essential in the execution of the Special Operations Command South largest joint exercise, SOUTHERN STAR 2025, supporting over 2,000 military members from multiple partner nations,” said Capt. Anton Klokun, Chief, J13 Plans & Operations, SOCSOUTH, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. “They provided real-time translation within the Combined Forces Special Component Command headquarters, briefing senior leaders and enabling operational coordination between United States and Chilean forces in five geographically separated units, spread across 3,700 kilometers.”
By James Brown, AFCLC Outreach Team
AFCLC
