Air Force | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘Air Force’ Category

Annual Conference Refines Military and Civilian Aviation Safety

Monday, September 4th, 2023

DESTIN, Fla. —

The 492d Special Operations Wing safety office organized the annual Mid-Air Collision Avoidance conference at Destin Executive Airport in Destin, Florida, August 10, 2023.

This year’s MACA conference brought together the 96th Test Wing from Eglin Air Force Base, the 919th Special Operations Wing from Duke Field, the 1st Special Operations Wing and 492nd SOW from Hurlburt Field. Planners refined the event to extend outreach to several civilian airports within the Eglin AFB range of operations, covering the world’s largest U.S. military airspace range. Civilian pilots that fly out of multiple airfields within the range received an integrated brief from the MACA safety team, Federal Aviation Administration officials, and local air traffic controllers.

“A lot of the (civilian) pilots around here have been flying for several years and know the military airspace,” said Ray Mansfield, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety education and training team volunteer. “They don’t always know the changes that occur every year, but this meeting tells us what aircraft are there and what’s going on.”

This annual event aims to bolster the knowledge of general aviation aircrew about operating in and around the military airspace from fields like the Destin Executive Airport and the surrounding area. Every branch of the U.S. military conducts aircraft training in this local area at times. Attendees benefit by gaining an understanding of military aircraft types they may encounter, insights from Air Traffic Control officials and lessons learned from the previous year. Civilian pilots attending the event learn more about the functions and procedures of this unique airspace over the bases in the Florida Panhandle.

“What makes it unique here is the total mixture of airfields,” said Eric Zimmerman, chief of airspace management mission planning at Eglin AFB. “You have everything from Hurlburt’s combat type aircraft to Eglin’s fighters, the fast movers, and then we’re mixing that with civilian air traffic like here at the Destin airport.”

The joint participation raises safety awareness and fosters stronger bonds with the wider area aviation community. Education and awareness learned in the conference also results in stronger cooperation between bases using the shared airspace and operating environment. While existing safety agreements are in place across the wings at Duke, Eglin, and Hurlburt, this collective effort significantly strengthens wing and Air Force safety relationships.

“Public outreach and conversation with the general aviation community about past experiences promotes a mutual exchange for military and civilian aviators, enhancing airspace safety for all,” said Major Brent Dillard, 492nd SOW flight safety officer. “We’re pleased with this year’s achievements and look forward to growth in next year’s event.”

This annual alliance with civilian partners achieves safer skies and fosters a commitment to shared airspace safety. The collaboration solidifies and strengthens the backbone of military air power and general aviation, in dedication to safe flying experiences for all.

By TSgt Jonathan McCallum, 492d Special Operations Wing

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Guest Post | Comments Off on Annual Conference Refines Military and Civilian Aviation Safety

DAF Selects JetZero to Develop Blended Wing Body Aircraft Prototype

Sunday, September 3rd, 2023

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

The Department of the Air Force selected JetZero for the next phase of a blended wing body prototype aircraft project Aug. 16.

The effort aims to mature BWB technology and demonstrate its capabilities, giving the department and commercial industry more options for future air platforms.

With a design that differs from a traditional tube-and-wing aircraft, the BWB blends the aircraft body into its high-aspect-ratio wing, decreasing aerodynamic drag by at least 30% and providing additional lift. This increased efficiency will enable extended range, more loiter time, and increased payload delivery efficiencies, capabilities that are vital to mitigating logistics risks.

“Blended wing body aircraft have the potential to significantly reduce fuel demand and increase global reach,” said Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall. “Moving forces and cargo quickly, efficiently, and over long distance is a critical capability to enable national security strategy.”

Several military transport configurations are possible with the BWB. Together, these aircraft types account for approximately 60% of the Air Force’s total annual jet fuel consumption.

As outlined in the fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, the Department of Defense plans to invest $235 million over the next four years to fast-track the development of this transformational dual-use technology, with additional private investment expected. The effort is the result of collaboration between the Department of the Air Force, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Defense Innovation Unit, with assistance from the DoD’s Office of Strategic Capital.

“It’s been a little over a hundred years since a few brave Airmen took to the skies and proved the first aerial refueling capability, extending the global reach of our Air Force. This announcement marks another game-changing milestone for the Air Force in our efforts to maintain the advantage of airpower effectiveness against any future competitors,” said Dr. Ravi Chaudhary, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment. A former C-17 Globemaster III pilot and engineer, Chaudhary is leading efforts to ensure efficiencies in operational energy to build greater agility for theater commanders.

While the BWB concept has been around for decades, more recent technology advancements in structural design, materials technology, manufacturing, and other areas have made large-scale production achievable.

The commercial industry, including passenger airlines and air freight companies, stand to benefit from development of this technology as well, increasing available cabin or cargo space while decreasing operational fuel costs.

The Air Force Operational Energy Office expects completion of initial flight testing as early as 2027.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Contracts, Guest Post | Comments Off on DAF Selects JetZero to Develop Blended Wing Body Aircraft Prototype

Air Force Releases New Memo, Doctrine on Mission Command

Friday, August 25th, 2023

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

The Air Force recently released two documents on mission command.

On Aug. 16, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. released a memo that elaborates on the operationalization of mission command and its application to the Air Force Future Operating Concept, Agile Combat Employment and the daily mission accomplishment of Airmen at all levels.

In addition, Brown signed Air Force Doctrine Publication 1-1, Mission Command, which illustrates the mission command framework of centralized command, distributed control, and decentralized execution. It also introduces the “Five Cs” of mission command — character, competence, capability, cohesion, and capacity — which are the individual and organizational attributes needed to implement mission command.

In 2021, Air Force Doctrine Publication-1: The Air Force was revised to orient the Air Force for strategic competition and reflect the service’s strategic approach, Accelerate Change or Lose. AFDP-1 acknowledges that Airmen will operate in environments characterized by increasing uncertainty, complexity and rapid change, and establishes mission command as the Air Force’s approach to command and control of airpower. AFPD 1-1 provides additional guidance on the application of mission command.

The release of these two additional documents reinforces the service’s return to a philosophy of mission accomplishment that empowers subordinate decision-making guided by commander’s intent.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | Comments Off on Air Force Releases New Memo, Doctrine on Mission Command

AFSOC hosts 2023 Weapons and Tactics Conference

Thursday, August 24th, 2023

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

AFSOC held the 2023 Weapons and Tactics Conference led by the command’s Operations directorate, 2-11 Aug.

Weapons and tactics experts from across the AFSOC enterprise gathered to participate in mission focused working groups to produce warfighter driven solutions to tactical problems. The conference also facilitated an academics portion as well as a Tactics Review Board to evaluate current practices, to ensure the command is postured to defeat threats now and in the future.

Brig Gen Rebecca Sonkiss, AFSOC deputy commander, kicked off the conference explaining the importance of continuously improving weapons and tactics.

“As America’s Air Commandos, we must be Ready to Fight Tonight and be Pathfinders for Tomorrow. Ready tonight means that we consistently and realistically train and train hard,” said Sonkiss. “It is important that you build expertise and toughness through challenging and complex scenarios and continue to iterate and innovate to stay ahead of our adversaries across the spectrum of conflict.”

Working groups during the conference included focus areas such as precision strike, irregular warfare, specialized mobility, information warfare, and small unmanned aerial systems tactics.

Weapons and tactics experts were able to work together to identify solutions and objectives to effectively improve Special Operations tactics, techniques, and procedures in highlighted focus areas prioritized by AFSOC.

On the last day of the conference, Lt Gen Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC commander and command’s leaders were briefed on Tactic Improvement Proposals from the TRB in addition to proposed solutions gathered from the working groups.

Bauernfeind concluded the conference by energizing the weapons and tactics experts in the room with gratitude and intent on the way forward.

“It is going to be this team of experts that will make us more effective against our adversaries,” said Bauernfeind. “We must continue to tackle these hard problem sets, drive for solutions, and then go faster so we are postured to best enable the joint force. The solutions we work through during WEPTAC conferences are imperative to shaping our tactics and the mission effectiveness of our Air Commandos for tomorrow.”

By Capt Amy Rasmussen, Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, SOF | Comments Off on AFSOC hosts 2023 Weapons and Tactics Conference

Minot AFB Develop Prototype Gloves for Extreme Cold Temperatures

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNS) —

Minot Air Force Base’s innovation cell, also known as Atomic Spark, brought another innovative solution to the mission.

Atomic Spark is an agency that accelerates grassroots innovations within Minot AFB, providing both a voice and conduit to turn powerful ideas into operational capabilities. The newest innovative solution brought forward to the cell … gloves.

“Innovation can start with any Airman; they are the subject matter experts and know how to solve the problems,” said Capt. Matthew Matuszak, 91st Missile Wing Atomic Spark director. “Atomic Spark helps refine and elevate the Airman’s idea so that it can be seen by a decision maker.”

With frigid winter temperatures that can reach 50 below zero, Airmen working outdoors are exposed to extreme weather. This makes gloves an essential item in the winter. The standard-issue gloves currently used by many Airmen may protect them from the elements but don’t offer the dexterity and movement needed to perform duties easily. A custom, heated glove was identified as a potential solution by the 54th Helicopter Squadron during a recent IGNITOR outreach project with their unit. Commercially-available gloves did not offer the right amount of dexterity, comfort and insulation required by the mission.

“You can’t effectively employ your weapon system or the hoist if you can’t feel your fingers in the winter,” said Staff Sgt. Mathew Brown, 54th HS flight engineer. “The previously issued version had some limitations, so it was determined that an improved glove was needed.”

These issues were brought to the IGNITOR group, a working group whose goal is partnering with Minot AFB units to identify feasible contractual, facilities or process improvement solutions to tactical problems.

The IGNITOR group saw the need for a custom heated glove opportunity that spanned several career fields across both the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st MW. Atomic Spark brought the idea for custom heated gloves to base leadership and assisted with drafting the required documents to request innovation funds at the Air Force level. As a result, custom heated gloves are now being developed to not only help Airmen assigned to the 54th HS, but all base personnel working in extreme weather conditions.

“It can be difficult to get good training in ambient temperatures of 20 below zero or lower if you’re only thinking about how cold you are so anything that can help you focus on the task you’re accomplishing in the aircraft only makes you and your squadron better,” Brown said.

Minot AFB’s custom glove proposal was selected by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. as the recipient of a portion of his Momentum Innovation Fund. The next step in the process involved the 5th Contracting Squadron soliciting and awarding a contract prior to the winter.

The Atomic Spark and IGNITOR teams at Minot AFB have shown no signs of stopping their streak of innovation, having acquired over $45 million in Small Business Innovation Research funding in just under two years. These funds allow Minot AFB to identify small businesses that can provide solutions to the warfighter in a faster, more efficient manner.

“Atomic Spark is critical to Team Minot’s innovation goals, having been extremely successful obtaining Department of Defense innovation funds,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Kroft, 5th CONS commander. “The partnership between Atomic Spark and IGNITOR has been a key factor in turning Team Minot into a hotbed for innovation.”

Atomic Spark and IGNITOR have more than 40 projects currently in the works. Custom heated gloves won’t be the last innovation coming from Minot AFB as Airmen work hard to improve not only the base but the Air Force as a whole.

By Airman 1st Class Alexander Nottingham, 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Handwear | Comments Off on Minot AFB Develop Prototype Gloves for Extreme Cold Temperatures

Combat Support Training Ranges Proof of Concept Tests Defender Unit-Led Training, Equipment Delivery

Saturday, August 19th, 2023

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) —

The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center moved another step forward in establishing combat support training ranges across the enterprise with a security forces-focused proof of concept exercise at the Silver Flag site on Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, July 17-28.

As part of the CSTR concept, the exercise tested the delivery of Defender unit-led combat skills training using low-density, high-demand equipment at a new site.

Florida’s 801st RED HORSE Training Squadron Silver Flag site is primarily used for civil engineer combat training.

Currently, security forces deployment training is only available at the Air Force Security Forces Center’s Desert Defender Ground Combat Readiness Training Center at Fort Bliss, Texas, because it uses equipment categorized as low density, high demand, meaning it’s only at select overseas locations or the Fort Bliss training site because of cost-effectiveness, said David Clifford, AFIMSC expeditionary and readiness training lead analyst and CSTR action officer.

The Tyndall proof of concept exercise involved two squads of 13 Defenders from the 78th Security Forces Squadron at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and the 96th SFS from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

It is one of several beta tests organized and funded by AFIMSC this summer as the center builds out a CSTR plan for fully equipped, multi-functional installation and mission support training sites across the Department of the Air Force. Its goal is CSTR training sites within 400 miles of most installations, giving commanders the flexibility to conduct unit-led training without having to travel long distances with troops and equipment. Thus far, nine sites are proposed in the continental U.S. and three overseas at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; RAF Feltwell, England; and Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Helping commanders maintain readiness and ensuring Airmen are prepared to deploy and win future wars is the focus of the CSTR initiative, said Col. Lance Turner, director of AFIMSC Expeditionary Support and Innovation Directorate.

“We don’t get to win wars because of what the previous generation of Air Force leaders did,” Turner said. “We win wars because of what we are doing today and how we are preparing Airmen today. That’s what this is all about.”

Leaders use the terms “sets and reps,” Clifford said. “The CSTR locations will allow our agile combat support Airmen to complete unit-led training … sets and reps … on low-density, high-demand equipment unit type codes in austere field conditions.

“That’s what this is about … prepping our ACS Airmen for the next high-end fight against near-peer competitors in distributed operations and theaters,” Clifford said.

Previous and planned proof-of-concept events allow units to create scenarios that cover the full range of military operations, said Pervis King, counter improvised explosive device integrator at the Air Force Security Forces Center.

The exercise began with cadre from Desert Defender transporting equipment from Fort Bliss to Florida, setting it up and standing ready for security forces to begin training July 17.

The equipment, like a Base Defense Operations Center and tactical radios normally only found at Fort Bliss or in a deployed environment, allowed security forces teams to receive deployment training on mounted and dismounted patrols, base defense scenarios involving land navigation, night vision goggles, intelligence, prepping the battlespace, formations, troop movements, battle drills, urban operations and mission planning. The event ended with a field exercise and evaluation.

“Access to this equipment allows Defenders to come out and practice their full scale of operations using equipment not readily available at home station,” King said. It’s also an opportunity to train in austere, simulated operational environments before they are deployed to permissive or non-permissive hostile locations.”

The security forces-focused event “went very well, as we’d hoped it would,” he said.

“Each unit sent well-trained Airmen to oversee the training and develop lesson plans and timelines, and the squads supporting it executed it with excitement and vigor even though the heat and elements were harsh at times. They were still excited and executed at a high level,” King said.

This exercise and others like it this summer serve as beta tests that allow CSTR planners to gather data and lessons learned from after-action reports.

“All of this data will allow AFIMSC to select sites, gather cost data, build our requirements and resources needed, and eventually submit that information into a program objective memorandum, or POM, to allocate future funding,” Clifford said.

A final proof of concept is set for next month at Desert Defender site at Fort Bliss. The AFIMSC team will then hold a CSTR lessons-learned conference in mid-September in San Antonio to capture and discuss the data and after-action reviews.

“From there, our CSTR working group will meet sometime late May 2024 to transition the program with final site selection and a fiscal year 2026 POM build,” Clifford said.

Story by Debbie Aragon, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Public Affairs

Photos by Emily Mifsud

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

Investing In Our Next Generation: Air Commandos Partner with FWBHS Football Program to Build Expert Teams

Sunday, August 13th, 2023

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

The Fort Walton Beach High School Vikings football team recently took part in a three-day Youth Athletic Camp in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force’s Air Commandos at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

The camp, organized in partnership with Hurlburt Field’s school liaison, Ms. Lacey Allen, and the Okaloosa County School District, was held on July 19, July 26, and August 2, 2023. The primary goal is to invest into the next generation and enhance their teamwork skills while educating them about the Air Force Special Operations Command mission. The football camp also aimed to bridge the gap between the military and the local community by promoting teamwork and collaboration through various activities.

Col. Allison Black, 1st Special Operations Wing commander, stated that the team wanted to create an engaging experience that would have a long-lasting impact on the young athletes. She also emphasized that the skills they were reinforcing would help define their future success.

The first day of the camp focused on Basic Military Training exercises led by our AFSOC Airmen who were former skilled Military Training Instructors, providing the students with a glimpse into the dedication and discipline required in the military. During this time, athletes completed a circuit workout including push-ups, weighted vest runs, tire flips and more.

On the second day, the football team joined the Air Commandos for a formation run, highlighting the importance of unity and teamwork. The athletes then participated in rigorous military-style drills in the sand and surf that tested their endurance and resilience.

During the final day of the camp, the Vikings learned how to build military tents with the 1st Special Operations Squadron’s Mission Sustainment Team. They also engaged in a friendly competition, racing against the clock to set up their tents with precision, further strengthening their teamwork skills and attention to detail.

At the conclusion of the camp, Okaloosa School District superintendent Marcus Chambers and Col. Black presented each participant with 1st SOW patches and offered words of encouragement to the team members.

“These athletes are part of a team. They’re committed! Their energy and enthusiasm is contagious.” said Black. “Our hope is that this program will continue to grow, involving our local high school athletes from all sports. Through this, they can experience the grit, determination, perseverance, and teamwork that it takes to be an Air Commando.”

“The Okaloosa County School District is fortunate to have an amazing partnership with the Military installments in our community and with that comes the opportunity for experiences like this one,” stated Chambers. “These athletes will remember this experience for the rest of their lives. They have gained so many valuable life skills in the sessions spent with the Air Commandos that will be used both on the field and off the field. We appreciate Col. Allison Black, Chief Master Sgt. Joey Meininger, and their troops, for the time and effort they poured into our student athletes this summer as it not only had a direct impact on them but will have a lasting impact on the friends they interact with.”

The Fort Walton Beach High School Vikings football team left the camp with lasting memories and a deeper understanding of the power of teamwork and unity.

Col. Black and Mr. Chambers expressed that this was just the beginning of a deliberate effort to connect the base with the next generation of leaders and problem solvers in the community. The Hurlburt Field Community Engagement Council is actively exploring ways to engage meaningfully with the community.

For now, the bonds formed and lessons learned during the training camp are expected to empower these young athletes to overcome any challenges in the future, inspired by the spirit of the Air Commandos.

By SSgt Miranda Mahoney, 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, SOF | Comments Off on Investing In Our Next Generation: Air Commandos Partner with FWBHS Football Program to Build Expert Teams

BDG Rehearses ACE, Validates SFS Tactics at Red Flag

Saturday, August 12th, 2023

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — The 820th Base Defense Group (BDG) honed their air base defense expertise necessary for Agile Combat Employment, July 16 to 30, 2023, during exercise Red Flag 23-3 at Nellis AFB, Nev.

During the exercise, 83 air base defense professionals and security forces members combined forces from seven squadrons to independently rehearse forward operating site and contingency-location missions while validating security force-specific implementation.

“The BDG is unique in that we focus on the downrange deployment related execution tasks,” said Col. Joe Sorensen, 820th BDG Commander. “The BDG benefits from being singularly focused on expeditionary and contingency operations, allowing us to develop combat-related capabilities and provide that expertise to elevate the security forces enterprise.”

A BDG headquarters element aligned 66-members from various organizations’ Air Force Specialty Codes into a blue force team which executed three iterations of establishing the temporary basing structure required for Agile Combat Employment.

ACE relies on the agile combat support provided by forward operating sites and contingency locations to provide temporary basing options for refueling and rearmament of aircraft closer to the fight to provide flexibility to combatant commanders in how they employ air assets.

“The first thing that we highlighted was the success of our headquarters element,” said Master Sgt. Bradley Akers, 820th BDG weapons and tactics chief. “We haven’t had a formal battle staff training program in the BDG for quite a while, so this has been the opportunity for us to redesign it, retrain it, and see how it operates.”

This headquarters element received warning orders and air tasking orders anywhere from 30 to 72 hours in advance of a mission and was responsible for generating operations orders, organizing squads, aggregating mission information and directing security and sustainment for up to 36 hours of continuous field operations.

“Had we not had the BDG’s headquarters element, it would not have been nearly as successful as it was,” said Master Sgt. Niles Bartram, 377th Weapons System Security Squadron weapons and tactics chief. “It was a pretty clear indicator that the BDG members bring a significant capability, and we need to find a way to duplicate that in some of our traditional squadrons if we’re going to be able to execute these ACE mission-sets or future theater operations.”

These personnel didn’t have access to aircraft to perform their training, but they didn’t allow this limitation to impede their ability to provide a realistic training and testing opportunity required to validate the tactics they generated. A motivated adversary force led by Air Force Special Operations Command’s Deployed Aircraft Ground Response Element provided a very real threat which tested defensive fortifications and Airmen’s fortitude alike.

These blue force air base defenders entrenched in the desert landscape in temperatures elevating to a peak of 117 degrees Fahrenheit as their adversaries launched physical attacks with blank rounds and attempted to exploit vulnerabilities found through ground reconnaissance.

Through this arduous testing of defensive capabilities, 820th BDG members and their mission partners validated that their new squad sizes and formations function and survive first contact with an adversary.

“We took a lot of tactics that are in development at the BDG, new [unit type code] squad sizes, to include rifle squad, weapons squads, headquarters elements, reconnaissance teams, and we’ve tested all those out there with non-BDG security forces members to see what kind of leveling training is needed security forces-wide,” said Akers. “We learned that a lot of our new squad sizes and formations work, and they can be trained throughout the enterprise with minimal leveling training.”

These validations contribute to the 820th BDG objectives of restructuring to meet future warfighting demands.

“We’re trying to bring ourselves back to focusing on defense aligned with doctrine,” said Akers. “We’re reorganizing ourselves, and we’re trying to use that information to reorganize the whole career field to do any type of defensive operation.”

Story by 1st Lt Christian Little, 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing

Posted in Air Force, Forces Focus, Guest Post | Comments Off on BDG Rehearses ACE, Validates SFS Tactics at Red Flag