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319th Reconnaissance Wing to Field E-11 Mission at Robins AFB

Friday, July 9th, 2021

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNS) —

The Air Force announced plans recently that the 319th Reconnaissance Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base will now provide command and control support for the Air Force’s E-11 Battlefield Airborne Control Node aircraft mission.

Under the proposed plan, which is contingent on Congressional approval of the retirement of four E-8 JSTARS at Robins AFB, Georgia, an E-11 squadron at Robins AFB would be a geographically separated unit reporting to the 319th RW.

“We’re excited to bring the E-11 BACN mission into the 319th (RW)’s portfolio of world-class Airmen and assets,” said Col. Timothy Curry, 319th RW commander. “The E-11 brings strategic capability and advantages for the joint force which is the mission of the 319th RW.”

As part of its fiscal year 2020 budget request, the Air Force requested to begin retiring four E-8 aircraft next year, which would make way for the new E-11 BACN mission at Robins AFB.

E-11 BACN aircraft and a squadron of active-duty personnel will enable communications support to the joint force on the modern battlefield.

Pending the passing of the National Defense Authorization Act with provisions for JSTARS retirement, the E-11 mission is expected to stand up next year.

The Air Force already possesses three E-11s, and will continue to take delivery until the full fleet inventory is achieved.

Nine E-11 BACN aircraft and a squadron of approximately 290 active-duty personnel will execute a mission with a very high-ops tempo, enabling communications support to the joint force on the modern battlefield.

“As the Air Force looks to the future, we expect to be challenged around the world by China and Russia,” said Acting Secretary of the Air Force John P. Roth. “Those threats require new solutions, which means divesting legacy platforms like the JSTARS. However, our intent is to capitalize on the existing expertise at Team Robins as we bring on these new missions. These missions will play a vital role in how we achieve decision superiority across all domains.”

By 319th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

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

USAF First to Order on Army’s Direct View Optic Contract

Wednesday, July 7th, 2021

According to a source close to the program, the US Air Force has placed the first order on the US Army’s Direct View Optic program, obligating $49 million. This fulfills an Air Force requirement for a variable power optic that has been on the books since at least 2018, although at the time, the service stated that it desired a 1-8 optic rather than the 1-6 capability of DVO. DVO will replace the M68 Close Combat Optic and other systems within the service’s ground combat forces which number nearly 50,000 including the Special Warfare enterprise and around 40,000 Security Forces Airmen.

The Army’s requirement is reportedly still in draft status.

The DVO contract was awarded at the close of Fiscal Year 2020 to SIG Sauer Electro Optics for the 1-6×24 TANGO6T. There are currently three different versions of the TANGO6T adopted by the US military. The initial buy was for the Squad Designated Marksmanship Rifle, next was USSOCOM’s Squad-Variable Power Scope and finally, DVO.

The SDMR and S-VPS variants feature a standard tube length, but the DVO version is slightly shorter based on the Army’s OAL requirement. Some of this length is made up via a narrower diopter.

Each one of the optics features a different reticle. Here’s the breakdown:

DWLR-6 First Focal Plane: Dual Wind, Long Range 6 is currently fielded on the SDMR. Calibrated for the M118LR fired from the SDMR, the DWLR6 provides users with range estimation capability, holdovers for various distances and 5mph and 10mph wind holds out to 1000m.

DWLR-556 First Focal Plane: Dual Wind, Long Range 556 will be the DVO reticle. Similar in design to the DWLR6, the DWLR-556 is calibrated for M855A1. The reticle provides users with range estimation capability, holdovers for various distances and 5mph and 10mph wind holds out to 800m.

FL-6 Second focal plane: This is the SVP-S reticle. The FL-6 is calibrated for M855A1 fired from a customer specific rifle. The reticle provides similar range estimating capability as the others by using horizontal bars equivalent to 20” targets at various distances. When zeroed at 300m these holdovers represent 400, 500, 600 and 700m drops. The horizontal stadia provides directional indictors and holds for engaging moving targets of various speeds.

Posted in Advertiser, Air Force, Contracts, Optics | 3 Comments »

Air Force Releases Cardio and Strength Fitness Assessment Alternatives, New Online Capabilities

Saturday, July 3rd, 2021

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —

The Air Force will provide Airmen five physical fitness assessment alternatives—three for the cardio portion and sit-up components and two for the push-up component of the physical fitness assessment beginning in early 2022.

Airmen will select from the traditional 1.5-mile run, 1-mile walk or the High Aerobic Multi-shuttle Run (20M HAMR) to meet the cardio requirement. Then select from traditional push-ups or hand release push-ups for one strength component; and from sit-ups, the cross-leg reverse crunch or plank for the other strength component to complete the comprehensive fitness assessment.

Finalized fitness assessment scoring charts, with alternative components broken out by gender and age, will be provided at a later date.

“We are moving away from a one-size-fits-all model,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. in the initial change announced May 2021. “More testing options will put flexibility in the hands of our Airmen – where it belongs. We know not all Airmen maintain their fitness the same way and may excel in different areas. Alternate components provide choices while still providing a mechanism to determine overall fitness.”

This initiative is the result of Airmen providing feedback to Air Force leaders through the physical fitness working group in conjunction with looking at the way other services complete their physical fitness programs. From the data collected, the Air Force fitness working group conducted research and testing on the health benefits of the current fitness components and various other components to come up with the alternative options.

Each new component has been developed to be an equivalent measure of fitness regardless of methodology. For example, the 1-mile walk alternative is a scientifically-valid estimation of the member’s aerobic capacity (also referred to as VO2 max), which measures fitness and aerobic power. Test scores incorporate time to complete the 1-mile test along with the member’s age, weight, and heart rate at the time of walk completion. Based on the rigorous scoring to pass this test based on age, weight, speed, and heart rate, there is no significant difference of scores between the walk and run tests.

“What we care about is measuring and testing aerobic fitness. The ‘walk’ is not a stroll in the park and both the pace required and method for computing aerobic fitness make it 100% equivalent to the run,” said Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, deputy chief of staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services. “In fact, I think we’ll find fewer people will prefer that option over the more traditional mile-and-half run.”

Air Force members and fitness monitors will have approximately six months for a break-in period to familiarize themselves with the use and execution of the alternative testing options prior to having them officially available in early 2022. The six-month timeline will help ensure fitness assessment cells are prepared to train physical training leaders to administer tests using the new options. During the six-month break-in period, units and Airmen will also be able to provide feedback on the new components that will allow any adjustments as necessary prior to live use.

Other exercise options such as swim, row, and bike tests were reviewed but are not being implemented at this time. “It’s important for our testing options to be available and executable for all Airmen at all locations,” Kelly said. “If you are at a remote location or a location that does not have a pool or other needed equipment, those options become less equitable. We want our Airmen to have the same options no matter where they are testing.”

These changes align under the Air Force’s Action Order Airmen, people-first approach.

“If we are truly going to get after building a culture that embraces fitness as a lifestyle, then we have to grow beyond the mentality of a one-size-fits-all PT test,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass. “Providing our Airmen with these options is a step in the right direction toward developing an Air Force that is fit to fight, anytime, anywhere.”

The waist measurement is no longer a scored part of the physical fitness test. A separate assessment of body composition, as required by DoD Instruction 1308.3, will continue starting in October 2021. Further details on the body composition program will be released at a later date.

In addition to the fitness component changes, the Department of the Air Force also released the myFitness capability on July 1. The new feature will replace the Air Force Fitness Management Site II and serve as a single location for all total force Airmen and Guardians’ fitness needs.

The capabilities that exist today allow Unit Fitness Program Managers and Fitness Assessment Cells to manage fitness assessments, documentation and scheduling, to include walk-in, same-day fitness testing in myFitness. Additionally, users are able to view past scores, individual fitness reports, dashboards showing completed or updated fitness assessments scores and allow for the download of Fitness Screening Questionnaire as well as medical forms. Users can also access a calculator for estimating fitness results and composite scores.

myFitness will eventually allow users to schedule fitness assessments, receive automated notifications for scheduled testing or cancelations, access and submit fitness assessments, upload medical documents for review.

myFitness is hosted on the myFSS platform and a part of the department’s initiative to improve Airmen and Guardian’s experience with technology by making applications user-friendly and more easily accessible. Active duty, Guard and Reserve personnel will be able to access and use myFitness worldwide.

To access myFitness, go to myfss.us.af.mil.

For additional information on Physical Fitness, Airmen can visit myPers or the Air Force’s Personnel Center’s fitness program page. Draft fitness score charts are available on MyPers to use until final score charts are provided.

The Space Force will follow these fitness standards until service-specific guidance is developed and published.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | 7 Comments »

ACC Activates 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. (AFNS) —

Recognizing an operational need to dominate the electromagnetic spectrum, Air Combat Command activated the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing June 25, which is temporarily located at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, while the Air Force conducts an environmental review for the permanent location.

A first of its kind, the 350th SWW will enable, equip and optimize fielding capabilities to give the U.S. and its allies a sustainable, competitive advantage over adversaries in the electromagnetic spectrum.

The new wing will provide maintenance, operational and technical expertise for electronic warfare in support of the Combat Air Forces.

“The competition in the electromagnetic spectrum is more important than ever before. The joint force is connected by and delivers effects in and through the EMS,” said Col. William Young, 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing commander. “If we lose the fight in the EMS, we will lose the fights in all other domains. We’re here to help make sure that doesn’t happen. Standing up this unit emphasizes the Air Force’s commitment to consolidating and modernizing our entire enterprise so that joint warfighters have freedom to attack, maneuver and protect themselves at the time, place and parameters of our choosing.”

The EMS is a sovereign national resource that exists as part of an intangible world, yet manifests itself through everyday items. The EMS includes everything from radio waves to visible light and affects almost every aspect of life from personal cellular phones and Wi-Fi to advanced technology used in military applications.

The EMS as a warfighting battlespace is not a new concept, but according to Young, advances in technology have created a critical need for Airmen to better understand their role within this intangible domain.

“The activation of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing is the latest step the Air Force has taken to maintain our competitive advantage in electromagnetic warfare,” said Maj. Gen. Case Cunningham, United States Air Force Warfare Center commander. “Placing this critical mission under a wing commander dedicated to this mission set is fundamental to accelerating needed change and ensuring our warfighters can continue to fight and win in the EMS.”

The standup also ensures all Air Force electronic warfare and EMS capabilities are consolidated at one location. The 53rd Electronic Warfare Group will move from the 53rd Wing to the 350th SWW.

In order to remain competitive and in line with the National Defense Strategy, the 350th SWW will help the Air Force rethink its EW capabilities and plan for future requirements. Over time, the wing will mature, evolve and expand its EMS capabilities to provide spectrum warfare capabilities.

The Air Force will conduct further environmental analysis before making a final basing decision for the wing’s permanent location, expected in spring 2022.

By TSgt Emili Koonce, Air Combat Command Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, CEMA, Guest Post | 2 Comments »

Uniform Integrated Protective Ensemble Air 2 Piece Under Garment Completes Testing at Dyess AFB

Tuesday, June 29th, 2021

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) —

A joint military test team recently conducted ongoing developmental and operational testing of the Uniform Integrated Protective Ensemble Air 2 Piece Under Garment at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

UIPE Air 2PUG is a two-piece carbon-based protective undergarment designed to be worn underneath the CWU-27/P flight suit and is intended to provide chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protection to aircrews in toxic environments.

The test team was made up of members from the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center’s Detachment 2 and the 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron from Eglin AFB, Florida, the Navy’s Operational Test and Evaluation Force, and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Agile Combat Support Directorate Human Systems Division.

The new system is intended to offer better mobility, breathability, and a lower thermal burden on aircrews. UIPE Air 2PUG allows aircrews to stay in the suit longer and do their jobs with less heat burden or chances of heat casualties.

During this phase of testing, the UIPE Air 2PUG was tested on C-130J Super Hercules aircrews from the 39th and 40th Airlift Squadrons that are part of the 317th Airlift Wing at Dyess AFB. The aircrew simulated aircraft preflight checks and conducted a ground egress in order to field test the new UIPE Air 2PUG garment. The test event also focused upon the garment’s interoperability and compatibility with current equipment.

“The joint ground test provided critical feedback from the user to the engineering and testing team,” said Lt. Col. Brent Gaylord, 317th Operational Support Squadron commander. “The 317th Airlift Wing utilized a full aircrew complement to include female aircrew members representative of our diverse crew force and ensuring all ergonomic factors are considered. Updating decade’s old equipment is an exciting process to be a part of and is critical to maintaining our qualitative advantage over global competitors as we continually pursue full spectrum readiness.”

“This was the final ground compatibility test event,” said Tech. Sgt. Bryce Gardner, AFOTEC Det. 2 Aircrew Flight Equipment Program manager. “Previous test events were conducted with the KC-135 (Stratotanker) at McConnell AFB, Kansas; the HH-60 (Pave Hawk) at Nellis AFB, Nevada; and the F-15 (Eagle) at Eglin AFB. Multi-Service Operational Test and Evaluation will occur in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.

“This test event went very well and the test team gathered all the required data because of the outstanding support received from the Dyess Aircrew Flight Equipment team and the participating C-130 aircrew,” Gardner said.

Once testing is completed and UIPE Air 2PUG is approved, it will be fielded to all Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Army aircrews across fixed wing, rotary wing, ejection seat and large frame aircrafts.

AFOTEC’s mission is to inform the warfighter and acquisition through operational tests. AFOTEC evaluates the capability of systems to meet warfighter needs by planning, executing, and reporting independent operational assessments, tests, and evaluations. From concept development to system fielding, AFOTEC evaluates a system’s overall operational mission capability under realistic conditions. AFOTEC’s mission requires lock-step efforts with acquisition partners focused on shortening the combat capability delivery timeline.

By Katherine C. Gandara, Public Affairs Advisor, Headquarters Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, CBRNE, Guest Post | Comments Off on Uniform Integrated Protective Ensemble Air 2 Piece Under Garment Completes Testing at Dyess AFB

AFSOC at “Strategic Inflection Point”

Sunday, June 27th, 2021

U.S. Air Force Lt Gen Slife, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, addressed the Global SOF Foundation’s 2021 virtual SOF Imperatives Forum to discuss the critical mission areas AFSOC will need to focus on to remain competitive in the future operating environment on June 6, 2021.

Slife was joined by LTG Francis Beadudette, commanding general of U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

Linda Robinson, Global SOF Advisor, moderated the conversation with the two current SOF component commanders and begin with each commanders’ view of the state of special operations today.

“When I think of where we are at in 2021, we are at a third post-Vietnam discontinuity, a point of time where the future is best understood as not a linear extension of the past, but rather as something requiring something different all together,” Slife began.

“We have to maintain the ability to respond to crisis on behalf of the nation on a short notice anywhere around the globe, maintain pressure on counter violent extremist organizations,” said Slife. “We have to be prepared for conflict with peer adversaries in contested environments, and we have to compete strategically with global competitors who challenge U.S. interests and our way of life.”

Operating in contested environments, Slife continued, may require changes in how AFSOC deploys its forces.

“To the extent that we can, we need to be independent of main operating bases such as large runways, large fixed facilities,” said Slife. “We need to get smaller, lighter, and more expeditionary to succeed.”

“It’s imperative to lower our signature,” he continued. “We have to be able to blend into the noise both physically and electronically around the globe, wherever we want to compete.”

In a fiscally-constrained environment, Robinson asked Slife what areas of AFSOC might still see growth.

“Going forward I think we need to talk about language,” said Slife. “We need to take a look at ourselves in AFSOC and decide to what degree do we need regionally specialized forces who have deepened understanding of regions and cultures and nations inside those regions.”

When asked what AFSOC needs from its sister services in terms of cyber, electronic and communication capabilities, Slife stated he is not interested in growing an organic capability.

“While AFSOC has a range of kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities…as an enabler, I don’t want to be a duplicator of what people are already doing for us at scale,” said Slife. “I’m focused on the things that no one else can do and I don’t think we are in a resourcing environment that permits duplication for stuff that goes on elsewhere.”

When asked, “How much air support is enough?” Slife described his perspective on balancing the variables of mission, resources, and risk.

“The answer is it’s never enough. As you talk to ground formations, clearly they’ll tell you they need more aviation, he said.” “But it’s not a question of do we need more or not, it’s a question of, ‘At what level of risk?’”

“AFSOC is resourcing aviation at an appropriate level of risk. For every dollar we put into growing our aviation capabilities, there’s an opportunity cost elsewhere,” he went on. “That’s why the armed overwatch program is so important to us, because it’s a very cost effective way of providing that air support to our ground teammates who are going to be prosecuting these C-VEO operations for years to come,” said Slife.

In Slife’s closing remarks, he reiterated the men and women in AFSOC are a competitive advantage and it is up to leadership to ensure they are preparing a formation that is prepared and ready for tomorrow.

“Our challenge in leadership is to ensure that those middle school kids today who will put an AFSOC patch on in 10 years know when they come to AFSOC, they’ll still be relevant.”

Story by 1st Lt Melissa Crisostomo, Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Guest Post, SOF | 25 Comments »

AFWERX Agility Prime Partners with Kitty Hawk in First Medevac Exercise with Electric Aircraft

Saturday, June 26th, 2021

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) —

AFWERX Agility Prime and new partner Kitty Hawk reached a milestone in May with their first operational exercise.

“This exercise produced important data that will bolster the program going forward,” said Lt. Col. Martin Salinas, the mission design team lead in the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center.

The technology and companies in the AFWERX Agility Prime program continue to mature rapidly with a new partner Kitty Hawk joining the government/industry team. In the program’s first exercise, a diverse group of industry and government operators, engineers, and test professionals assessed the ability to do medical evacuation, personnel recovery, and logistics with Kitty Hawk’s Heaviside electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOL, aircraft. The Kitty Hawk team also demonstrated Heaviside’s remote flying capabilities.

The multi-disciplinary team gathered a rich catalogue of data to inform dual-use utility at the prototype stage that will inform future developmental and fielding decisions. Besides assessing different loading scenarios, the team also observed demonstrations of remotely piloted and fully autonomous flights with Heaviside.

“The world is going to need new modes of transportation and Heaviside is one path to getting us there,” said Sebastian Thrun, Kitty Hawk CEO. “We are excited to be working with Agility Prime and look forward to our continued collaboration as we bring eVTOLs to more people.”

Founded in 2010 and based in California, Kitty Hawk, has developed numerous eVTOL vehicles including the Heaviside vehicle, named after the English engineer, Oliver Heaviside. Designed to be fast, small, quiet and green, the aircraft flies at up to 180 mph with a potential range of 100 miles plus reserves on a single charge, according to Kitty Hawk’s website. Heaviside takes off and lands in a 30×30 foot space, reaches sound levels of 38 dBA at 1,000 feet, is 100x quieter than a helicopter and requires less than half the energy per mile of a conventional electric car.

“The Agility Prime and Kitty Hawk teams facilitated the convergence of Air Force and Marine Corps testers and operators to engage with Heaviside, all while experimenting within the context of Personnel Recovery and logistics use-case scenarios,” Salinas said.

Salinas attributed the success of the California tests to the eagerness of those involved. “Pushing experimental tests in an operational context is challenging and exciting,” he said.

Col. Don Haley, Air Education and Training Command Detachment 62 commander, who leads a team in developing training syllabi for these new electric aircraft, noted, “this collaborative commercial/DoD use-case exploration revealed common attributes that serve both urban air mobility and search and rescue operations: High-reliability, responsive launch & recovery, minimal logistical footprint, accessibility for mobility-challenged, low acoustic signature, and high levels of autonomy.”

“We are pleased to welcome a new partner and happy about the progress in this first Agility Prime exercise,” said Col. Nathan Diller, AFWERX Director. “This is just the beginning of many examples that the team will be exploring in the coming months to partner with commercial companies in a way that accelerates maturity for commercialization, while providing the Department of the Air Force with decision-quality data for future force design.”

For more information, visit www.afresearchlab.com.

By Air Force Research Lab, AFWERX

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post | 5 Comments »

Royal Danish Air Force Brings Deployment Tradition to Shaw AFB

Friday, June 25th, 2021

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFNS) —

With 49 years of tradition in the making, the Royal Danish Air Force hosted their first Danish Contingent, or DANCON, march on U.S. soil at Shaw Air Force Base, June 5.

More than 60 participants from the RDAF, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), 20th Fighter Wing, U.S. Army Central and other coalition forces had six hours to carry a 22-pound ruck for 15.5 miles.

“The history of the DANCON dates back to 1972, where it was held for the first time at a U.N. mission in Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea,” said Royal Danish Air Force Lt. Col. John Roland Pedersen, the Danish detachment commander. “Ever since, it has become tradition that Danish contingents on a mission around the world have arranged a march similar to this one, which we are doing today.”

The march not only gives participants the opportunity to demonstrate their physical abilities, but it also allows them to build camaraderie within their own units and with members from other military branches and countries.

“At some point my legs were cramped up pretty bad,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Layelquinn Ferguson, a forward observer assigned to the 4th Battlefield Coordination Detachment, USARCENT. “I was actually unable to stand until a coalition member stopped and helped me stretch and that was a huge help. To be honest, I would not have been able to get up by myself if he did not stop and help me up. And that’s what this is all about, coalition forces helping each other out.”

The DANCON march is not just about showing how fast you can finish and who finishes first. This traditional ruck reinforces teamwork and shows how military members take care of each other. They have great pride in upholding traditions and honoring legacies.

“The purpose of the DANCON is to challenge your physical, mental endurance and determination, but more importantly, it is an opportunity to meet new friends, have a few laughs and a pleasant break in the daily routines,” Pedersen said.

Members from the RDAF recently deployed to Shaw AFB as part of the recent transition of the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, known as “Kingpin,” from Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, to Shaw AFB. DANCONs, previously held at deployed locations overseas, are a legacy that will continue by the RDAF at Shaw AFB and other places around the globe.

By TSgt Elysia Wray, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, International, Profession of Arms, Training | 6 Comments »