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Air Force Global Strike Command Directs Stop Use of AN/PRM-10 Test Oscillator Set

Sunday, August 30th, 2026

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. —

Air Force Global Stike Command has directed units within the command to stop use of the AN/PRM-10 test oscillator set, a signal generator used to examine intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)communications systems.

This order stems from a notification AFGSC and 20th Air Force received in August that an Airman assigned to F.E. Warren AFB discovered and was exposed to residue on a component of an AN/PRM-10 kit while performing a routine inspection. The Airman reported the issue, received medical attention, and was returned to duty with no adverse effects.

Subsequent tests on the residue confirmed the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a substance commonly used in electrical devices during the time that equipment was developed to maintain the Minuteman III ICBM system.

Upon notification confirming the presence of PCBs in one AN/PRM-10 unit at F.E. Warren AFB, 20th AF directed a one-time inspection (OTI) to assess all AN/PRM-10 kits. Officials also directed updated safety warnings, precautions, and mandatory personal protective equipment requirements where legacy testers remained in use.

The OTI-directed review was completed within three days of issuance and covered the entire inventory of AN/PRM-10 kits across the command. Inspections found potential residue on six of eight AN/PRM-10 systems. Samples have been collected and are being sent for testing.

Upon receiving the OTI findings indicating the presence of potential residue on additional AN/PRM-10 kits, and as a precautionary measure while sample test results are pending, units in 20th AF are immediately stopping use of the AN/PRM-10 and transitioning from the AN/PRM-10 to a modern, PCB-free replacement tester.

“Twentieth Air Force takes the responsibility to protect our Airmen very seriously,” said Maj. Gen. Colin Connor, 20th AF commander. “As our Airmen are our greatest asset, their safety and health are my top priority.”

In addition to these measures, AFGSC and 20th AF officials are working closely with the Minuteman III systems program office to appropriately dispose of existing AN/PRM-10 kits and identify any other pieces of test equipment that may contain PCBs.

There are no mission impacts as a result of these actions, and U.S. ICBM forces remain safe, secure, and effective to protect the U.S. homeland.

“We remain vigilant for issues like these and will continue to aggressively and immediately take the appropriate actions,” added Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of AFGSC.

This effort is the latest in a series of initiatives Air Force officials have directed, following the launch of the Missile Community Cancer Study in 2023, to review the Minuteman III system and its associated equipment to ensure a safe, hazard-free working environment for America’s ICBM force.

For more information on the Missile Community Cancer Study, please follow this link: www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/Resources/Missile-Community-Cancer-Study.

By Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

Posted in Admin, Air Force, Comms, Medical, Press Release | Comments Off on Air Force Global Strike Command Directs Stop Use of AN/PRM-10 Test Oscillator Set

919th SOW Proves Mettle in New Readiness Inspection Construct

Sunday, August 30th, 2026

DUKE FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) —

Air Commandos from the 919th Special Operations Wing validated their warfighting capabilities during a Combat Readiness Inspection Aug. 6-9 at Duke Field and Hurlburt Field, Florida.

The inspection was formally spearheaded by the Air Force Reserve Command Inspector General to evaluate the wing’s ability to generate combat power under realistic, high-pressure situations in a simulated forward operating location.

“The ability of our wing to take a complex operational concept and within a month execute a synchronized event across multiple platforms is a profound testament to the work our wing does every day,” said Lt. Col. Brandon Wood, lead exercise planner, 919th SOW Inspector General’s office.

The August inspection marked the operational climax of a ground-breaking, four-month long distributed campaign that spanned across the INDOPACOM and SOUTHCOM theaters of operations since April 2026. Representing a revolutionary shift from traditional, localized events, the 919th SOW produced the model blueprint for all future AFRC CRIs.

The 919th SOW validated its distributed mission command and agile combat support alongside simulated partner nation forces proving the readiness and capability in a new high-tempo, campaign construct.

The assessment evaluated the wing across three phases: generation, employment and sustainment. Simulated deploying personnel processed through formal deployment lines to verify readiness, receive mission-essential equipment, and marshal cargo to evaluate mobilization capabilities.

Operating from a simulated forward operating location, Air Commandos demonstrated their ability to project power, assist host-nation partners in disrupting transnational threat networks, and counter near-peer adversarial influence within the region. Concurrently, tactical aviation and maintenance operations generated sorties and maintained a strict readiness posture from their respective simulated home stations.

“Our members were incredibly motivated to demonstrate their capabilities during this exercise, and their professional drive was a huge factor in our success,” said Wood.

Executing such a vast operation alongside AFRC required extensive preparation. Wood noted that designing the exercise and aligning the evaluating organizations came with its own set of internal hurdles.

“One of the greatest challenges during the exercise development was the communication and integration of dissimilar mission sets across the wing to ultimately operate together in harmony.” said Wood.

Setting up a framework then allowing the units to express their own mission sets was critical to success, Wood further credited the wing’s local inspection team for the massive undertaking in capturing the 919th SOW’s performance across many unique mission sets throughout the campaign.

Col. Scott Hurrelbrink, 919th SOW commander, praised the wing’s performance under pressure.

“The wing demonstrated outstanding tactical lethality, particularly in aircraft maintenance and base defense operations,” said Hurrelbrink. “We prepared for these assessments by focusing on the wing’s priorities: achieving a maximum state of readiness and promoting innovation across all daily operations.”

By integrating compliance checks directly into ongoing training cycles, the wing treated routine preparation as the foundation of its combat capability. This ensures Citizen Air Commandos are ready now for immediate taskings while fostering the innovation needed to transform for future operations.

“We welcomed this external evaluation as an opportunity to find our blind spots and improve our warfighting posture,” said Hurrelbrink. “I am incredibly proud of this wing’s hard work and outstanding performance. We will use these findings to refine our training, streamline our resources, and ensure the 919th SOW remains the premier special operations wing in the Air Force Reserve.”

By Senior Airman Emily Bloodworth

919th Special Operations Wing

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, SOF | Comments Off on 919th SOW Proves Mettle in New Readiness Inspection Construct

‘Final Denial’: Air Force Leaders Lean in to the Future of Drone Defense

Thursday, August 27th, 2026

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. — The 31st Air Task Force sharpened and refined a layered counter-small unmanned aerial system defense capability, culminating in a kinetic “final denial” live-fire demonstration, August 3-7, 2026.

The week-long training event built on counter-sUAS initiatives first employed during the ATF’s February field exercise and increased knowledge among Airmen from Hurlburt Field and Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, assigned to the 31st ATF.

“Through a crawl, walk, run approach, Airmen gained practical knowledge of a full spectrum of layered counter-sUAS capabilities,” said the 31st ATF’s force protection superintendent. “The ATF is posturing to provide tiered defense through detection, electronic warfare defeat, and physical interception of hostile drones.”

Throughout the week, Airmen trained on AI-powered systems that detect, track, and filter aerial objects from planes and drones to birds. They also improved real-time data sharing across multiple levels of command and control from an expeditionary base defense operations center.

The 31st ATF hosted leaders from Air Force Special Operations Command and the 1st Special Operations Wing, joining experts on drone warfare, precision munitions, and unmanned threat detection and mitigation. They explored the latest ways to protect the warfighter and counter emergent UAS threats.

“It’s inspiring to see a unit at this level proactively tackling a problem-set that is top of mind for leaders across the Air Force and the Department of War,” said 1st SOW Deputy Commander, Col. Clayton Schuety. “The blend of entrepreneurial foresight, AI surveillance, and human-directed targeting will no doubt create positive impacts for the warfighter. We look forward to seeing how this effort continues to mature and receiving the lessons learned which will benefit Air Commandos and the larger force.”

By teaming with top industry partners and using existing Air Force equipment, the 31st ATF trained Airmen on weapons designed to defend against hostile drones and safeguard against electromagnetic warfare threats. Airmen practiced organic reconnaissance and denial of high-speed sUAS targets mimicking hostile flight patterns.

“The team successfully executed a capstone event that validated new tactics, techniques, and procedures across force protection and distributed communications,” said 31st ATF commander, Col. Brad Dvorak. “Our mission is to enable airpower operations, anytime, anywhere. By establishing a sUAS instructor cadre, we trained our personnel on counter-sUAS architecture and employed unique solutions for Airmen to track, jam, and kinetically defeat sUAS threats.”

The 31st ATF is a combat-ready unit of action bringing competitive advantage to meet pacing challenges. The wing, commanded by an Air Force colonel, consists of a command-and-control element and a combat air base squadron with up to 2,500 Airmen across more than 60 Air Force specialty codes. The team can provide base operating support for deployed flying units, also known as mission generation force elements, and the necessary logistics to execute agile combat employment.

Story by 2nd Lt Daniel White

Air Force Special Operations Command

Posted in Air Force, C-UAS, Guest Post | Comments Off on ‘Final Denial’: Air Force Leaders Lean in to the Future of Drone Defense

Cold War-era Law Finds New Use at America’s B-2 Bomber Base

Monday, August 17th, 2026

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AFNS) —

Qilin Wu, a Chinese national who returned to Whiteman Air Force Base after being warned not to photograph the installation, was sentenced to six months in federal custody following a case built on a 76-year-old executive order signed by President Harry Truman.

The conviction showed how a Cold War-era legal framework can be used against repeated, unauthorized photography around sensitive military installations, and how Special Agents will investigate similar cases before they develop into something more.

“For our Special Agents, this isn’t about a single case,” said Col. David Bethel, commander of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Region 8. “It’s about recognizing that the operating environment has changed.”

Bethel was referring to a shift from clear-cut threats in overseas environments to more ambiguous activity around military installations inside the United States. In Wu’s case, investigators said the concern was not just his camera, but that he returned after being warned and photographed more than the aircraft.

That conduct ultimately led to an investigation, guilty plea and sentencing. After the hearing, held earlier last month, the court remanded Wu to the U.S. Marshals Service. He was later processed on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer and will be deported to China.

“When someone gathers information around a sensitive military installation, AFOSI has the tools to hold them accountable,” Bethel said.

The encounter began on Dec. 2, 2025, when members of the 509th Security Forces Squadron responded to a report of a suspicious minivan near Whiteman’s perimeter. Wu, who was driving a vehicle with Massachusetts license plates, said he had come to observe the B-2.

“What made this different was the pattern of behavior,” said a senior AFOSI official involved in the investigation. Wu’s return after the warning, along with his focus on the base’s perimeter and infrastructure, heightened concerns.

Wu later admitted to photographing aircraft and installations at other U.S. military bases, including locations in Florida and Virginia.

Section 795 of Title 18, together with Executive Order 10104, prohibits unauthorized photographs, sketches, maps and other visual representations of designated military installations, aircraft, weapons and equipment requiring protection from the general dissemination of information.

AFOSI officials said the law provides authorities with a means to address unauthorized photography involving protected military property. In Wu’s case, investigators focused on his repeated conduct, his return after being warned and the subjects captured in his photographs.

Officials said the case also demonstrates the importance of coordination between installation security forces and federal investigators when suspicious activity is reported near sensitive military facilities.

AFOSI will continue to identify, assess and investigate suspected unauthorized photography around protected installations and equipment, officials said, while evaluating each incident based on its specific facts and circumstances.

For Bethel, the case highlights the agency’s role in protecting the homeland.

“Det. 811’s work delivered strategic deterrence,” he said. “This case reflects AFOSI’s professionalism, integration and operational discipline required to defend our installations in an increasingly complex threat environment.”

By Thomas Brading

AFOSI Public Affairs

Editor’s note: Some AFOSI personnel and mission partners are not identified by name in this article to protect operational security, personal privacy and ongoing mission readiness.

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post | Comments Off on Cold War-era Law Finds New Use at America’s B-2 Bomber Base

Air National Guard Squadron Sharpens Readiness in Jungle Terrain

Monday, August 10th, 2026

Wind moves through the trees at Schofield Barracks’ East Range as leaves crunch underfoot and boots sink into mud. Humidity clings to uniforms as security forces airmen navigate steep terrain, flowing water and unfamiliar surroundings, trading the familiar landscape of the Midwest for the jungle terrain of Oahu, Hawaii.

For two weeks, July 13-27, airmen assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard’s 178th Security Forces Squadron challenged themselves through annual training designed to strengthen small-unit tactics, decision-making and expeditionary readiness.

The training combined classroom instruction with hands-on field exercises, including jungle familiarization, dismounted patrolling, ambush training, land navigation and rope systems. The realistic environment challenged airmen to apply what they learned while operating in unfamiliar terrain.

This was part of an 18-month effort by the squadron to increase its focus on small-team operations and prepare airmen to make tactical-level decisions in increasingly decentralized environments that will be needed in the future, said Air Force Maj. Eric Minshaw, 178th Security Forces Squadron commander.

The jungle environment quickly became one of the most valuable instructors.

“The terrain and the environment have been perfect,” Minshaw said. “It certainly has been the greatest challenge that we’ve faced out here, just navigating through the water and elevation changes.”

For Air Force 1st Lt. Kyle Mackerig, a guest jungle instructor assigned to the 820th Base Defense Group at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, the training provided an opportunity to share knowledge gained through his experience operating in jungle environments.

Mackerig graduated from the Army Jungle Operations Training Course in May 2025 and joined the 178th SFS to help airmen develop the skills necessary to operate in jungle terrain.

The goal extended beyond simply learning how to navigate. The training challenged airmen to remain effective when conditions were unfamiliar, and the path forward was uncertain.

“The jungle is the classroom, not the objective,” said Air Force Master Sgt. Bradley Akers. “Our purpose is to push our airmen beyond their comfort zones in one of the world’s most demanding environments, reinforcing disciplined leadership, teamwork and adaptability. Those are the qualities that make them more capable defenders, regardless of where the mission takes them.”

That challenge took many forms throughout the two weeks. Airmen hiked through steep terrain and mud, navigated waterways and practiced moving through the jungle while carrying their equipment.

During one exercise, they made their way to a river and moved chest-deep through the water, testing whether their packs could float and learning how to operate in and around a water obstacle. They emerged from the river covered in mud, carrying another lesson from an environment far removed from what they typically encounter in Ohio.

For Air Force Staff Sgt. Macy Flannery, squadron member, the experience also provided an opportunity to strengthen the bonds within her team. Flannery, who is in her fifth year of service, said the training challenged them to work together while learning basic survival skills and small-unit tactics.

“It’s been a good bonding experience for our team,” she said. “We’re going through it all together and having to do a lot of teamwork for our different training experiences.”

Mackerig said the teamwork he witnessed throughout the training gave him a new appreciation for the squadron.

“The biggest thing that surprised me about working with the [National] Guard, and in particular the 178th, is how tight-knit they are, how much of a family they are,” he said. “Everyone feels welcome here, even from being an outsider.”

That sense of teamwork became evident throughout the training, as airmen and noncommissioned officers looked after one another and shared skills developed through previous training and experience.

“We’ve got a great team,” Minshaw said. “The NCOs that we have and the instructor cadre that have come in [are] absolutely top shelf.”

From checking water supplies and applying sunscreen to sharing specialized skills and helping teammates navigate difficult terrain, the small actions demonstrated the team’s commitment to one another, he said.

“It’s really awesome to see the team come together” and use some of the special skills they have in the training environment and then teach their teammates, Minshaw said, adding that the ultimate value of the training lies in what airmen take with them when they leave. Training environments like this allow airmen to discover their limits in a controlled setting, giving them the confidence to face future challenges.

“It’s better to find … your breaking points and move past those in a training environment like this, rather than to be caught flat-footed in our operational environment,” Minshaw said.

As the airmen leave the mud, water and steep terrain of Schofield Barracks, the lessons learned in the jungle will follow them. The physical challenges, tactical problems and moments of uncertainty provided more than a test of endurance. It allowed them to build confidence, strengthen teamwork and develop the ability to make decisions in unfamiliar environments.

By Air Force TSgt Tiffany Scofield, 178th Wing

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Training | Comments Off on Air National Guard Squadron Sharpens Readiness in Jungle Terrain

Air National Guard Details Bonuses, Policy Changes Amid ‘Summer Surge Incentives’

Sunday, August 9th, 2026

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Air National Guard is rolling out sweeping recruiting and retention transformation initiatives—removing accession barriers, expanding enterprise support and reshaping how it competes for the talent required to build dominating air power and ensure wartime readiness.

The ANG has also launched a “Summer Surge Incentive,” which pairs $7,500 bonuses with 3-year enlistment contracts, to secure ANG reenlistments and to recruit Airmen looking to transfer from active duty or the Air Force Reserve.

“It is all part of an effort to continue reaching individuals seeking purpose, growth and the opportunity to make a lasting impact,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Mark Williams, director of Recruiting and Retention for the Air National Guard. “As the Air National Guard recapitalizes and modernizes its force to meet the needs of tomorrow, we must also evolve how we recruit and retain the talent our missions require.”

While the ANG has led a string of successful recruiting campaigns in years’ past, recent efforts highlighted an important lesson for U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. James Chubb, chief, Air National Guard Recruiting and Retention Accessions Branch.

“Standing still is not an option,” he said. “The Air National Guard wins when every state succeeds with recruiting efforts,”

Another new initiative empowers the Air Guard’s highest-producing recruiters to support wings facing the greatest recruiting challenges.

“This initiative creates an enterprise approach to recruiting, allowing us to maximize talent across the nation instead of limiting success to individual states,” said Chubb, adding the measure also significantly expands Air Guard “visibility by saturating key recruiting markets with experienced professionals who consistently produce results.”

Recruiting and Retention’s Marketing Branch launched an enterprise-wide “Guard What Matters” campaign and empowered local marketing teams with a 179% increase in funding while also transitioning wings to a data-driven funding model in lieu of a fixed allocation model.

“Every Airman protects something meaningful – family, community, freedom or future generations,” said Chubb. “This campaign connects military service to those deeply personal motivations while reinforcing the Guard’s unique role as both a community and national defense force.”

To generate reach and a strong social media program, the Marketing Branch created a collaborator program, which leverages hand-selected social media influencers to provide training, promotion, and development support to recruiting teams and wings.

The ANG’s R&R Directorate at the Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, implemented several procedural and policy changes following a collaborative, top-to-bottom analysis of workflows and challenges.

“The best ideas rarely originate at headquarters. They come from the recruiters serving their communities every day,” said Chubb. “Our responsibility is to listen, remove barriers, and provide them with every possible advantage to succeed.”

In an effort to unlock recruiting capacity, empower high-performing teams, and accelerate state, wing and national end strength growth, R&R implemented a Strength Management Initiative (SMI) adjustment that give wings the ability to fill positions at 100% plus four or 10% (whichever is greater) provided the wing maintains 90% or greater effective manning.

“One of our greatest challenges is balancing recruiting success with limited authorized vacancies,” said Chubb. “As recruiters successfully fill formations, available positions naturally become scarce, creating an artificial ceiling on continued growth.”

The SMI, Chubb added, provides states the flexibility to temporarily exceed authorizations while remaining within overall end-strength objectives, allowing the Air Guard to retain recruiting momentum, preserve high-quality talent and build on critical career fields.

“As we approach the end of the fiscal year, every accession and every retained Airman matters,” said Chubb. “By consolidating accession and retention incentives into a focused campaign, we encourage immediate action from qualified applicants while helping commanders retain experienced Airmen.”

Chubb said the future of successful recruitment marketing efforts will depend on collaboration, not competition among recruiters and other services, which is why the ANG Digital Recruiting Training and Standards Program was created “on the philosophy of train, create and collaborate,” Chubb said.

The program aims to create an enterprise where innovative digital media tactics developed by one recruitment team can benefit others – encouraging states to share digital content, recruiting campaigns and community-engagement ideas rather than “work in isolation.”

In the continued spirit of collaboration, the Air Guard established Recruiting Leadership Councils – made up of regional recruiting leaders – that serve to anticipate changes in recruiting markets.

In the end, recruitment efforts shine a light on what the Air Guard has always offered to those who may want to join the ranks of the nation’s primary air reserve component, said Williams, the recruiting and retention director.

“It’s about meaningful work, professional development and the opportunity to serve our nation, state and communities,” he said. “Whether you are a high school graduate, attending college or already established in the workforce, the Air National Guard offers a proven pathway to gain valuable skills, develop as a leader and achieve long-term personal and professional success.”

By MSgt Erich Smith

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, TacJobs | Comments Off on Air National Guard Details Bonuses, Policy Changes Amid ‘Summer Surge Incentives’

US Air Force Supplemental Inspection of M18 Modular Handguns Found Zero Evidence of Conditions Which Would Allow “Uncommanded Discharge”

Friday, August 7th, 2026

Last July Amn Brayden Lovan was tragically killed in a shooting which occurred in the Weapons Storage Area of FE Warren AFB, Wyoming. It is alleged he was shot by another member of his squadron, Amn Marcus White-Allen who was charged with involuntary manslaughter as well as making a false official statement. That Airman was later found dead in his dorm room when his command failed to hold him in pre-trial confinement.

But that’s not the story most people heard for many months after the shooting. The Air Force failed to address the death in a timely fashion which gave opportunity for false accounts of the shooting to infest the internet. Even after lies about the M18 MHS “going off on its own” the Air Force allowed the issue to fester while Air Force Global Strike Command Commanding General Gen Thomas Bussiere removed the weapon from service so that the command’s inventory could be inspected for defects, despite knowing almost immediately that the assailant had lied about his role in the death.

While General Bussiere (who is now retired) remained on leave and failed to address the issue, a paranoid firestorm led to calls to remove MHS from service across the entire Department of War (as well as other agencies at all levels of government) based on unfounded rumors that were circulating the internet. Although the pistols were returned to service with AFGSC by late August, the command did not fully set the record straight as to how AMN Lovat died for over three months.

Eventually, the Air Force directed a complete “Supplemental Inspection” of the service’s entire inventory of MHS. This was “to ensure Airmen/Guardians with an arming requirement, whether at home station or deployed, have a weapon which is safe, reliable, and functional if the moment of need may arise.” The Supplemental Inspection Criteria went above and beyond the requirements of the Technical Order at the time and have since been incorporated into the TO.

Despite consisting of nearly 126,000 pistols, the AF inspection was completed last year and the report was signed on 23 January, 2026 by Brig Gen Brian Filler, Director of Security Forces.

Unfortunately, it has taken over six months for us to obtain a redacted version of the Final Report. At only three pages it is succinct and to the point.

The executive summary tells the story:

“100% of the inspected weapons exhibited no signs of any condition that could have allowed the weapons to experience an “uncommanded discharge.”

Rather than just telling you what is in it, we are sharing the report for you to read every detail yourself. This revelation should put further rumors to bed that the Air Force inventory of sidearms is not safe. To the contrary, MHS is both safe and reliable and this has been attested to time and again. As you can see, no weapon exhibited anything beyond normal wear and tear and those deficiencies have been addressed by maintenance.

Adopted in 2017, there are currently around 500,00 MHS in the US military’s inventory consisting of the M17 and M18 pistols. They are based on the SIG SAUER P320 pistol which is also issued to militaries and law enforcement agencies worldwide. Combined with civilian owned versions of the pistol, they number in the millions.

Posted in Advertiser, Air Force, weapons | 7 Comments »

Left of ‘Go’: CSAF’s Vision for Allied Airpower Depends on Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture

Thursday, August 6th, 2026

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. —

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach recently delivered a clear message to the global defense community: “The most effective airpower is combined airpower.”

Speaking at the Global Air and Space Chiefs Conference in London, Wilsbach stressed that when allied and partner air forces operate in unison, they create “options, dilemmas, and effects that no nation can generate independently.”

His vision for the future of global deterrence is clear. The U.S. and its allies are actively forging a united front, backed by an increasing presence of high-end platforms like the F-35. But as Wilsbach pointed out, true interoperability isn’t just about exquisite hardware or compatible data links. It is fundamentally about how quickly a coalition can process information, make unified decisions, and take decisive action.

“Future conflict demands that we expand our thinking, to include how we share information, make decisions, and how quickly we can translate awareness into action,” Wilsbach said. “In an increasingly contested environment, speed is critical. The force that can understand a situation, make better decisions, and act first will possess the advantage.”

But how does a coalition rapidly understand a shared operational picture when the forces looking at it speak different languages and view the world through different cultural lenses?

The answer sits at the very core of Air University’s Air Force Culture and Language Center’s (AFCLC)mission: Interoperability hinges on Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture (LREC) in all things left of “GO.”

Before a single engine turns, before Koku Jieitai refuelers in Japan can perform hot-pit refueling on U.S. aircraft, and before forces can rapidly mobilize across European borders during exercises like Steadfast Dart, there has to be a baseline of human understanding. You can’t share information at the speed of relevance if you cannot communicate effectively with the partner beside you.

This is exactly why Air University is heavily invested in building joint coalition warfighters through the Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP). To solve big Air Force problems and drive enterprise integration, AFCLC developed a new form of Language Intensive Training Events (LITEs): the Language Enabled Airmen Postured for Agile Combat Employment (LEAP-ACE) course series.

LEAP-ACE teaches advanced-proficiency LEAP Scholars how to express complex ACE concepts in a target strategic language. We become highly effective as a combined force when our Airmen can understand exactly what our partners are saying, especially when utilizing highly technical, mission-related vocabulary in the heat of an operation.

To understand what Wilsbach means by translating awareness into action, look no further than a recent Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) exercise at Morón Air Base, Spain.

During the exercise, 1st Lt. Aliyah Brown, a Logistics Readiness Officer, participated in LEAP-ACE by embedding directly at the airfield repair site as a Portuguese interpreter alongside Portuguese and Spanish Air Force civil engineers.

“My role was critical in facilitating accurate, timely, and mission-focused communication between U.S., Portuguese, and Spanish forces,” Brown said. “Given the complexity of the multi-phase operation with moving equipment, evolving objectives, and coordination between three countries’ engineering teams, precise communication was vital. We ensured that Portuguese personnel understood what was needed, when, where, and why—helping prevent confusion and delay in a highly dynamic and fast-paced environment.”

But LREC is more than just translating words; it is about cultural intelligence and team integration. Brown found herself actively managing the human element of the mission to maximize operational flow.

“Being an interpreter in that environment is not just about utilizing your fluency, but also actively participating in getting the right people in the right place to leverage the full extent of what they bring to the operation,” Brown explained. “There were times when we identified that a Spanish engineer, for example, had a high level of proficiency with a certain technique or process that a younger Portuguese Airman could benefit from learning. You’re out there constantly recalculating who needs to be where and how to team people up.”

This friction-reducing integration helps make combined airpower lethal. Tech. Sgt. Camilo Guzman, a Requirements and Optimization Section Chief with the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron who also participated in the Morón Air Base exercise, noted that LEAP-ACE is a direct force multiplier.

“This program educated me as a LEAP Scholar by providing advanced knowledge to proficiently articulate Agile Combat Employment paradigms in a selected strategic language,” Guzman said. “This training enhances my effectiveness in coalition and multinational operations while improving my understanding of potential adversaries.”

To create the operational “dilemmas” Wilsbach emphasized, the U.S. military must deeply understand how its adversaries think, communicate, and perceive actions. Adversary understanding is the second side of the LREC coin, ensuring that we are not only united with our allies but a step ahead of our pacing threats.

“One of the most powerful deterrent signals we can send is demonstrating that free nations are united, capable, and prepared to act together,” Wilsbach said.

That unity doesn’t happen by accident, and it can’t be achieved by technology alone. It is forged by Language Enabled Airmen who are equipped to bridge the gaps between nations. As the Air Force relies on allied contributions for global defense, the strategic imperative is clear: combined airpower is the vehicle, but LREC is the key that turns the ignition.

By James Brown, AFCLC Outreach Team

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post | Comments Off on Left of ‘Go’: CSAF’s Vision for Allied Airpower Depends on Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture