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Air Force Announces Spark Tank 2022 Semifinalists

Friday, December 31st, 2021

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

A panel of nearly 30 subject matter experts from across the Department of the Air Force met Nov. 16, 2021 at the Basic Research Innovation and Collaboration Center in Arlington and via a virtual teleconferencing platform to conduct the Spark Tank 2022 quarterfinals.

“Spark Tank is the department’s take on the television show “Shark Tank” and is designed to recognize the great work our Airmen and Guardians put into overcoming performance obstacles and making our services more capable,” said William Gautier, Spark Tank director. “The goal of the quarterfinals round was to narrow the 184 ideas submitted for ST22 down to the top 15 ideas that will advance to the semifinals,” he said.

Only the top 8% percent of ideas were selected to compete in the semifinals scheduled for Jan. 6, 2022.

On the final day of the quarterfinal round, the panel evaluated 29 ideas nominated by U.S. Air Force major commands and U.S. Space Force field commands, plus four at-large “wildcard” submissions. The wildcards were selected by Guardians and Airmen who cast nearly 17,000 ballots in pairwise voting conducted over the last two weeks of October through the Guardians and Airmen Innovation Network platform.

Using a similar voting system, the panel reviewed and scored all 29 ideas using criteria designed to assess each idea from multiple perspectives: friendly disruption, adversary disruption, inspiration/cultural disruption, and the level of senior leadership needed to execute the idea. The scoring criteria logic takes into account atmospheric perspectives that traditional voting methods don’t consider. Many impressive ideas were submitted that touched on all aspects the criteria addressed.

“The new questions required a different perspective for our panel and prompted fresh dialogue for the ST22 vetting process. We think the results represent incredibly innovative solutions that the department’s senior leadership should hear,” said Maj. Alisha Temples, Spark Tank’s deputy director.

The selection process looked at the need for specific capabilities as well as concerns of safety, policy, department-wide implementation, technical feasibility, and scalability.

The quarterfinalists are listed below. (An asterisk (*) denotes semi-finalists.)

Blood Delivery by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Air Combat Command *
Mobile Alternative for Canopy Trailer, Air Combat Command
Developing Airmen with Games, Air Education and Training Command *
PME outLOUD! Audio-Enabled PME, Air Education and Training Command
Agile Spectrum Assignment System, Air Force District of Washington
Go-Comm Kit, Air Force Global Strike Command *
Sustaining the B-52 Ejection System, Air Force Global Strike Command *
Air Force Live Integrated Test Environment, Air Force Materiel Command *
F-22 Project Fighter Optimization Experiment, Air Force Materiel Command *
C-130 Engine Oil Pan Hoist, Air Force Reserve Command
Digital Dent Mapping, Air Force Reserve Command *
Digital Crew Book, Air Force Special Operations Command
Mid-Air Collisions & Electronic Flight Bags, Air Force Special Operations Command
KC-135 Fuel Systems Virtual Tour, Air Mobility Command
“Spotty” Bar – Safer Process, Faster Solution, Air Mobility Command
Any Airmen Can Build Their Own Secure App!, Pacific Air Forces *
Preparing the Warfighter for the Pacing Threat, Pacific Air Forces *
Reliable & Resilient Thule Power, Space Operations Command *
Space Control Interactive Procedures Interface, Space Operations Command
Every Second Counts When Saving Someone’s Life, Space Systems Command
TaskMaster, Space Systems Command
Aerial Tow Rehookup – Novel Range Extension, United States Air Force Academy *
Custom Facemasks for Fighter Pilots and Beyond, United States Air Force Academy *
Oil Cart Trailer, United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa
Project Arcwater – Water and Power from Thin Air, United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa *
Project Hermes – Air Force Digital Recall Roster, Air Education Training Command, Wild Card *
Modern Logistics System for Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, Wild Card *

The United States Army Futures Command also hosts an innovation competition named “Dragon’s Lair” and is conducted in Shark Tank-like episodes. Together, these innovation showcases provide platforms for Department of Defense Total Force military and civilian personnel to show off their creativity and ideas to better prepare for ‘tomorrow’s fight.’

To date, Spark Tank, started in 2018, has produced about 70 ideas that DAF transformation teams investigate and evaluate for implementation and sustainment going forward. While not all ideas are implemented, about a dozen have been and Spark Tank continues to empower Airmen and Guardians to turn on the creativity switch to effect change. Spark Tank 2022 will be hosted on March 4, 2022 by the Air Force Association at the 2022 Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida. Registration is planned to open in December.

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First Army National Guard Soldier Graduates Air Force Multi-Domain Warfare Officer Course

Thursday, December 30th, 2021

Successfully operating in a multi-domain warfighting environment will require all of our nation’s services and components to train and fight together. It may be a challenge, but that challenge is one U.S. Army Capt. Craig Simmon of the Michigan National Guard took head-on. Simmon spent 20 weeks and countless hours on academics and training to become the first joint member and only Army Soldier to graduate from the Air Force’s Multi-Domain Warfare Officers course, Hurlburt Field, Florida.

“The course was a very good experience,” said Simmon, officer-in-charge of supply, 3rd Battalion, 238th General Support Aviation Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard. “The student body at the course was awesome. The Air Force is grabbing Airmen from all the different career fields to create the new Thirteen Oscar career field.”

The 18 graduates were the fifth class to complete the course run by the 505th Command and Control Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

“The training encompassed operational level air component planning,” said Simmon. “It tied in almost the entirety of an air component campaign with an emphasis on space and cyber. The end goal was to have graduates who could go to joint staffs, air staffs or different planning groups and come up with solutions to challenges.”

According to the 505th CCW public affairs office, the main course focus areas include the Air Operations Center; Air Force Forces staff; joint planning process for air, joint air targeting cycle; Agile Combat Employment; Integrated Air and Missile Defense; information operations; non-kinetic operations; and seminars with each joint and functional component.

Simmon applied to attend the course in part due to joint courses he has attended in the past and his additional role in the Michigan National Guard’s largest all-domain exercise as Northern Strike’s lead rotary-wing planner. Northern Strike is held annually at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center in Northern Michigan.

“There was a lot of value added for me. It gave me a much better understanding of how the air component works, plans, and operates,” said Simmon. “I had never really been exposed to anything in the space and cyber domains before, so having insight on those capabilities means I know whom to talk to in order to get the desired effects.”

Simmon’s experience in large-scale, joint exercise planning and Army rotary-wing aviation meant his attendance was beneficial to the course as well.

“The expertise and partnerships with joint forces are critical to mission success when providing holistic approaches to operational planning for air component commanders,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Mark Scott, 705th Training Squadron Thirteen Oscar course director. “The attendance of the first joint student was invaluable in providing our air component planners a different perspective to ensure operational-level planning is not only synchronized, but integrated across all components”

While Simmon can’t don the title of a Thirteen Oscar, he is one of three Michigan guardsmen who have successfully completed the course. His drive to improve set an example for any MIARNG soldiers thinking about attending in the future.

“It was a good experience, and I am glad I had the opportunity to go,” said Simmon. “I look forward to using the information I learned in the future.”

The next Multi-Domain Warfare Officer Initial Skills Training class begins in January 2022 with class 22A and aims to continue improving upon operational C2 in order to deliver solutions for air component commands.

To learn more about the Multi-Domain Warfare Officer career field or training visit the following websites: intelshare.intelink.gov/sites/C2/13O and www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/13O.

The 705th TRS reports to the 505th Test and Training Group and 505th Command and Control Wing, both are headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

By Deb Henley
505th Command and Control Wing
Public Affairs

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Air Force Service Dress Shortages to Affect BMT Graduates

Wednesday, December 29th, 2021

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —

Due to a shortage of fabric used to manufacture service dress uniforms, Airmen and Guardians graduating from basic military training will temporarily be issued fewer uniform items.

This proactive measure will allow Airmen and Guardians to have, at minimum, one full set of service dress while Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support works with the manufacturer to restore full production.

This fabric shortage will also affect the supply of service dress items across the Department of the Air Force, however BMT recruits have priority.

Men and women are normally issued two short sleeve blue shirts and two long sleeve blue shirts at BMT. Additionally, men are normally issued three pairs of trousers and women two pairs of slacks. Starting in November, some service members will only be issued one each of those items.

To make sure service members eventually receive their full uniform complement, the DAF will provide the affected active duty BMT graduates a cash allowance in their pay check to buy the missing uniform items as available from the Army and Air Force Exchange Service when they arrive at their next duty station or school. Air Reserve Component graduates will be issued missing items after arrival at their home unit, upon availability.

Burlington Industries is the sole U.S. supplier of approved worsted and poly-wool dress fabric used in all military services’ dress uniforms. The continued shortage in the fabric supply as a result of labor challenges and increased material cost is anticipated to have a greater impact on the production and availability of dress uniforms starting in the third quarter of fiscal year 2022.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

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Signature Block Pronouns Now Allowed for Airmen, Guardians

Monday, December 27th, 2021

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —

A recent update to the Department of the Air Force writing guide, The Tongue and Quill, now allows Airmen and Guardians to include pronouns in their signature block.

The Tongue and Quill provides formatting standards and guidelines for a number of official documents, including email, memoranda, letters and papers.

“An inclusive force is a mission-ready force, and I’m thankful to the LGBTQ Initiatives Team for helping us realize this opportunity to be a more inclusive force,” said Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones.

The LGBTQ Initiatives Team, or LIT, a part of the Department of the Air Force Barrier Analysis Working Group, advocated for this change, one of the latest initiatives the DAF undertook to address barriers to service and promote a more inclusive culture.

“The change request was driven by awareness of a restrictive policy that was being used against transgender Airmen and Guardians who were authentically representing themselves,” said Lt. Col. Bree Fram, a LIT Transgender Policy Team co-lead. “It was also important for many individuals often confused as being a different gender in their communications.”

This effort was led by the LIT, with support from the Pacific Islander/Asian American Community Team, and the Women’s Initiatives Team, other teams of the DAFBAWG.
Master Sgt. Jamie Hash, the other LIT Transgender Policy Team co-lead, also explained that the explicit permission to use pronouns, a practice that is now common in the civilian sector, gets the DAF further down the road of explicitly acknowledging the existence and dignity of non-binary military members and civilians. She added that this change eliminates confusion for people with non-Anglo/Western or gender-neutral names.

“The LIT provided an opportunity to streamline the process for this change,” Hash said, explaining that this change was a request she started from her installation’s Diversity and Inclusion committee. “It is an example of how the DAFBAWG teams are addressing barriers, collaborating, and executing solutions in ways that have not been seen before to help Airmen and Guardians thrive.”

Official signature blocks should include name, rank, service affiliation, duty title, organization name, phone numbers and social media contact information. Pronouns such as he/him, she/her, or they/them are now authorized but not required. An example is:

ANGEL ALONSO, Capt, USAF (he/him/his)
Occupational Therapy Element Leader
48th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron
RAF Lakenheath, UK
DSN: 555-1212

Pronouns can be placed immediately after the name in parentheses or on separate lines within the signature block.

“A foundational competency of the DAF is to foster inclusion,” Fram said. “The use of correct pronouns is an easy way to show care and respect for Airmen and Guardians as individuals, and can help the DAF retain highly qualified individuals. Allowing pronouns in an individual’s signature block is a quick and simple way to eliminate confusion and promote a more inclusive culture.

By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post | 36 Comments »

Kardax Solutions Installs Range for 351st Special Warfare Training Squadron

Thursday, December 23rd, 2021

Kardax Solutions, working in coordination with Improve Group, is pleased to announce the completion of Phase I of the ACTION (Advanced Combat Training InnovatiON) Range for the 351ST Special Warfare Training Squadron at Kirtland AFB in New Mexico. The success of Phase I is notable in several ways, and we look forward to the next phases of the program. The focus for this innovative range is to improve the lethality, survivability, and combat readiness of the PJ and CRO students. The specific goals of Phase I were:

• Improve the efficiency of the overall training program

• Improve the effectiveness and realism of the training program

• Provide meaningful, repeatable metrics to enable evaluation of training methods and increased capabilities of students.

Each of these goals were addressed using various methods to provide a significant upgrade to the total training capability of the range. Because of the flexibility of the design of the facility, usage can be easily adapted to the requirements of other US Air Force combat teams, other special warfare personnel, and other branches of the DoDs training requirements. The modular design will allow the foundation technology to be scaled to larger or smaller footprints and other locations.

The first of the three-phase program for the 351st SWTS provided two innovative ranges:

The first range is a 37-lane, 50m flat shooting range for qualification, marksmanship and fundamental movement and tactics with automated, hit sensing, auto-scoring targets. The auto-scoring targets have three distinct zones that provide real-time results for each student. Each lane also has an integrated live camera feed that makes zeroing rifles more efficient. The camera system allows a “pinch-to-zoom” interface to show hit location for every shot, eliminating the need to call a range cold to check shot location. The range has an integrated camera system providing multi-angle video on six lanes with recording features that broadcast to the instructional coaching booths, allowing on-site, instant instructional feedback to increase training effectiveness and skill retention. The Range Extractor Database enables the managements of students, real-time leaderboards, flexible reporting, and facilitates analysis of performance at the class or individual level. The data can also be evaluated over the length of the class training to show historical trends and improvement for individuals, teams, and the class as a whole. The 50m range is a fully illuminated range with low level lighting for the targets as well.

The second range is a Shoot-Move-Communicate (SMC) range that consists of three separate lanes of action including 30 targets, each with progressively more challenging terrain for long range skill building, combat marksmanship and advance/retreat tactical movements for small teams. This is the first live-fire SMC range approved and owned by the US Air Force. This training facility significantly increases the real-world scenario simulation for students, increasing student competency for fire and movement training. All firing positions teach students use of cover and concealment and all targets in the system are programmable, hit sensing, and controllable from the RSO Tower.

During the initial phase of the program, Kardax Solutions also provided the MVP HEKTR (Humanoid Engageable Kinetic Training Robot). HEKTR is a remote control, fully armored, all-terrain, responsive, live-fire target that emulates the realism of a moving threat. HEKTR brings an entirely new level of dynamic engagement to the range with humanoid movement, multiple target zones, geofencing, motion restraints and fully programmable features in terms of time, hits, and responses. The HEKTR provides enhanced training scenarios to both ranges to develop the combat mindset of students.

The metrics from this complex training environment will not only drive improvements in weapons training methodologies and student performance but also provide a foundation for mapping Human Performance data and enhancing sound tactical decision-making processes.

Phase II and III of the range hold tremendous potential for further expansion and advancement of training capabilities with ranges such as a live-fire vehicle track, high angle shooting with immediate shot detection feedback and disabled vehicle rescue. In additional, the infrastructure is now in place to expand realistic training scenario ranges.

For further information regarding the prototype range and for additional contracting opportunities using the OTA contract, please contact Lance McGlocklin at Kardax Solutions (lance@kardaxsolutions.com).

Posted in AFSW, Air Force, Press Release, Training | 1 Comment »

Photo Of The USAF’s Maintainer Duty Uniform

Thursday, December 23rd, 2021

We finally got ahold of photos of the new Maintainer Duty Uniform. You may recall that it was mentioned in the recent update to AFI 36-2903.

Maintenance Duty Uniform (MDU). Commanders of Airmen in these AFSCs, 2A, 2F, 2G, 2M, 2P, 2S, 2T, 2W, 3E, 3D, and 1P may authorize Airmen to wear the sage MDU. The sage color MDU will be unit funded as organizational clothing and equipment. MDU will be worn with nametape, service tape and rank along with the higher headquarters patch on the left sleeve and a subdued U.S. flag and organizational patch on the right sleeve. Note: Duty identifiers, as applicable may be worn on the left sleeve. The coyote brown t-shirt, OCP patrol or tactical cap, coyote brown or green socks, and coyote brown boots, are worn with the uniform. The MDU will not be utilized for office work environments, non-industrial or non- labor tasking. The MDU is authorized for wear when transiting from home to duty location, off base short convenience stops, eating at restaurants where people wear comparable civilian attire and all locations on installations. It must be worn in serviceable condition. Do not wear off base to eat in restaurants where most diners wear business attire or at establishments that operate primarily to serve alcohol. Local coverall variants are still authorized but only in work centers and on the flight line.

We’re guessing the choice of Sage Green was to control costs as solid color fabric is less expensive than a print and to help blend in a bit better with Ops’ flights suits.

At any rate, word on the street is that maintainers would prefer something nicer, like the two-piece work uniforms worn by MX for flight demonstration teams.

Posted in Air Force, Clothing | 14 Comments »

505th Command and Control Wing: Accelerating and Advancing Command and Control

Thursday, December 23rd, 2021

The 505th CCW held a wing-wide workgroup to provide updates on upcoming major changes to 505th exercises and syllabi. The workgroup was advised by several U.S. Air Force senior mentors, including Lt. Gen. (ret) Russell Handy and Lt. Gen. (ret) Jeffrey Lofgren, who provided critical insights into how the wing can accelerate change.

Col. Frederick Coleman, 505th CCW commander, told his squadron and group commanders, “There are a lot of things in the operational C2 enterprise that we don’t control. But we own training, and if we want to enable the air component commanders to fight and win our nations wars, we have to get training right.”

Col. Coleman directed changes to the Air Operations Center initial qualification syllabus to ensure training includes academics on new and emerging systems; he directed the consolidation of AOC and Air Force Forces courses into a single air component course; and he gave guidance on changes to the 505th’s BLUE FLAG and VIRTUAL FLAG exercises to ensure they were more customer-focused and geared towards Agile Combat, or ACE, and resiliency requirements.

Coleman continued, “The 505th CCW has the Air Force’s largest pool of operational C2 subject matter experts. We have to leverage the knowledge and expertise in this wing to enable our warfighters.”

By Deb Henley

505th Command and Control Wing

Public Affairs

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137th SOW Hosts CANSOFCOM Aircrew for MC-12W Training

Saturday, December 18th, 2021

Members of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) participated in the first-ever Manned Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Fundamentals Course held by the 137th Special Operations Group (SOG), Aug. 2-Oct. 25, 2021, at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City.

The Canadian aircrew and American instructors collaborated to develop tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) for operations with the MC-12W that the CANSOFCOM aircrew could use to further develop a training syllabus for their aircraft.

“The training gained here will be invaluable to developing TTPs and bringing our new aircraft into the service,” said Canadian LCol François Lavertu, Commanding Officer of 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron. “We are grateful for U.S. Special Operations Command, Air Force Special Operations Command and the 137th Special Operations Wing’s support and training provided to our troops.”

The program covered both air and ground training, incorporating tactical air control party experience with the Canadian aircrew’s exposure to ground tactics, bringing squadrons from around the base together, including: the 185th Special Operations Squadron, the 146th Air Support Operations Squadron, the 137th Special Operations Support Squadron, the 285th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron and the 189th Intelligence Squadron.

“One of the unique aspects of the courses offered by the 137th SOG is the focused integration of MISR with close air support (CAS) through our MISR management course,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Karl Hurdle, security cooperation director with the 137th Special Operations Group. “This exposes aircrew to the ground perspective of operating in a two-dimensional battlespace.”

For the aircrew, this perspective helps them understand the platform and how it integrates into a bigger picture.

“This is my first exposure to helping bring a major capability online, and we worked as a team to learn new skillsets and apply them to future roles,” said a CANSOFCOM training participant.

This collaboration is part of the Canadian aircrew’s initial operational training, bringing two years of planning to fruition.

“The 137th Special Operations Wing is uniquely postured to aid in training having stood up our own program under AFSOC less than five years ago,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Korey Larson, operations officer for the 137th SOG, Detachment 1. “With a two-week academic phase and three flying phases, our expert instructors in both the ground and air provided these aviators with perspective on the mission that other wings are not able to do without outsourcing the training. To my knowledge, the 137th Special Operations Wing is one of the only ones that has both a MISR squadron and an air support operations squadron assigned and collocated, making for much more effective operators with this enhanced integration.”

With six NATO partner nations participating in various training programs hosted by 137th Special Operations Wing units this year, the training marked a new addition to the already extensive training catalogue. Squadrons from around Will Rogers ANGB worked in concert to create a multi-functional and international battlespace to develop effective training for these aviators.

“The CANSOFCOM aviators had backgrounds in multiple fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, which allowed for great feedback to our instructor cadre on the course, and we will implement many of the recommendations that they provided for any future training with foreign partners,” said Larson. “Sharing our unique program and honing training with this iteration will allow the wing to have lasting effects on both partner force and United States Combined Operations throughout the world.”

Story by TSgt Brigette Waltermire

137th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, International, SOF, Training | 2 Comments »