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Stolen Valor in AETC?

Wednesday, March 31st, 2021

This photo by Kemberly Groue was posted last week to the US Air Force Facebook page under the heading Freestyle Friday!

The caption:

335th Training Squadron freestyle drill team members performed during the 81st Training Group drill down on the Levitow Training Support Facility drill pad at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Airmen competed in a quarterly open ranks inspection, regulation drill routine and freestyle drill routine. Keesler trains more than 30,000 students each year. While in training, Airmen are given the opportunity to volunteer to learn and execute drill down routines.

Here is a screenshot of the full post:

Just take the dubious activity depicted in the top photo out of the equation for a moment and concentrate on the headgear of the participants. This is where the question of stolen valor originates.

The Gray berets worn in the photo have long been solely authorized for wear by Weather Parachutists and the new Special Reconnaissance Air Force specialty.

It’s difficult to tell from the photo but the darker berets are either Blue or Black which belong to the Security Forces and Tactical Air Control Party AFSCs respectively.

Here are the appropriate passages from Air Force Instruction 36-2903 “Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel” which governs who wears what.

Either way, it is highly unlikely that any, let alone all of the Airmen depicted in these photos are from the AFSCs in question.

This begs the question of how long this has been going on and who authorized the behavior. It’s an Air Education Training Command base and unit, a command which is generally hypersensitive to following Air Force Instructions and yet, here we are, AFI 36-2903 out the window.

I’ve got a lot of friends in all three of those communities who are proud of their careerfield heritage. Naturally, they don’t want their beret worn as an ornament for someone who isn’t in their AFSC. I can respect that. Apparently, AETC doesn’t.

Some will say it doesn’t matter. If it doesn’t, then I suppose it would be okay for troops to just put on any old doodad they think would look great in uniform. Imagine A1Cs putting stars on their caps and Master Pilot Wings on their chests.

But, it does matter, and AETC needs to put a stop to this buffoonery.

Posted in Air Force, WTF? | 29 Comments »

Robot Dogs Arrive at Tyndall AFB

Wednesday, March 31st, 2021

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) —

The first official semi-autonomous robot dogs were delivered to Tyndall Air Force Base March 22 for integration into the 325th Security Forces Squadron.

The purpose of the Quad-legged Unmanned Ground Vehicles, or Q-UGVs, is to add an extra level of protection to the base. The robot dogs, designed by Ghost Robotics and Immersive Wisdom, are the first of their kind to be integrated onto a military installation and one of many innovation-based initiatives to begin at Tyndall AFB, coined the “Installation of the Future.”

“As a mobile sensor platform, the Q-UGVs will significantly increase situational awareness for defenders,” said Mark Shackley, Tyndall AFB Program Management Office security forces program manager. “They can patrol the remote areas of a base while defenders can continue to patrol and monitor other critical areas of an installation.”

Features applied to the robot dogs allow for easy navigation on difficult terrains. The robot dogs can operate in minus 40-degree to 131-degree conditions and have 14 sensors to create 360-degree awareness. They are also equipped with a crouch mode that lowers their center-of-gravity and a high-step mode that alters leg mobility, among other features.

Tyndall AFB’s Program Management Office, the 325th SFS, the 325th Civil Engineer Squadron, Air Force Research Laboratory, communications and other organizations have been working since July 2020 to ensure the Q-UGVs are assembled properly before reaching Tyndall AFB. The installation is considered an ideal base to host the new robot dogs with its ongoing rebuild.

“Tyndall (AFB) is a perfect test base as it was deemed ‘The Installation of the Future,’” said Master Sgt. Krystoffer Miller, 325th SFS operations support superintendent. “Across the base, every squadron has been pushing the envelope of how we do things and expanding our optics of what is possible. One huge attraction piece of the robot dogs is that it’s highly mobile and with the amount of construction we will face over the next few years, it helps us maintain and increase our security posture.”

This new technology has the capability to revolutionize the way base security operates. Tyndall AFB is expected to set the benchmark for the rest of the Defense Department when it comes to Q-UGV usage.

“I can say that there is definitely a lot of interest in the capabilities of the technology,” Miller said. “I’m hopeful that other units will see some of the successes at Tyndall (AFB) and will continue to explore the use of non-conventional tactics.”

By Airman 1st Class Anabel Del Valle, 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, K9, Robotics | 3 Comments »

Tomorrow is the Last Day for Airmen to Wear the ABU

Tuesday, March 30th, 2021

Thankfully, 1 April is the wear out date for the most useless utility uniform in modern history. Hot and festooned with cartoonish “camouflage” properties, the ridiculously named Airmen Battle Uniform is what happens when you put the Air Force in charge of ground stuff. Granted, with four colors, it was only slightly more ridiculous than the Army’s ill-fated Universal Camouflage Pattern.

The mandatory wear date for the operational camouflage pattern uniform is April 1. Airman Battle Uniforms will no longer be authorized for wear.

From here on out, the Air Force is back in the same uniform with its Army and Space partner forces, the Army Combat Uniform in the operational camouflage pattern.

Posted in Air Force, Clothing | 19 Comments »

DroneShield – Successful US Air Force Base Demonstration

Friday, March 26th, 2021

DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) (“DroneShield” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce, in partnership with Trakka Systems, a successful demonstration of the TIPS-C (Trakka Interceptor Package Solution) at Eglin Air Force Base. The TIPS-C is designed to better serve the ISR, inspection, UAS and C-UAS marketplaces.

On February 24, 2021, an executive team from DroneShield and Trakka Systems met with multiple key decision makers and members from Hanscom and Eglin AFB at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds to demonstrate the unmatched capabilities of the TIPS-C total package solution.

The TIPS-C, mounted on a mobile platform, provides a flexible, early detection, identification, and neutralizing counter UAS solution for the rapidly evolving UAS threat. Trakka’s partnered vendor DroneShield provided DroneSentry-C2™ software, which is designed to produce a common operating picture for drone detection and tracking within the local airspace. DroneSentry-C2™ ingested the data from several sensors, including the radar, radio frequency (RF), and our TrakkaCam TC-300 to provide an intuitive visualization of the airspace and potential drone threats.

DroneShield’s DroneSentry-C2™ integrates RadarZero™ radar, TrakkaCam TC-300, and DroneOptID™ AI-based computer vision engine to provide real-time drone detection and tracking with slew-to-cue camera for visual threat assessment and video evidence recording.

The backbone of the TIPS-C is an open architecture command and control center with TrakkaMaps TM-100 proprietary mapping solution that can incorporate any number of third-party complementary detection and neutralizing devices. Our advanced software algorithms can detect, identify, and automatically track drones of any size while dismissing other moving objects (including birds) in detections zones. This feature all but eliminates the false positives that challenge other systems, thereby saving precious time in the heat of imminent threats.

The demonstration was, overall, an excellent success. Additional feedback from our partners and customers set the TIPS-C above any product they’ve seen:

“No OEM has been able to successfully demonstrate an integrated system that detects UAS, slews optical sensor onto target and tracks, then classifies the UAS.”

“Setup time from covert to up and detecting was less than 10 minutes. For a mobile, multi-sensor system that’s unprecedented.”

“Integrated capability allows operators to detect and protect while on the move and at the halt in a low-SWaP form factor.”

“The autonomous nature of not only multi-sensor detection, but fusion and continuous tracking of the UAV with little to no cognitive burden on the analyst or operator.”

The breakthrough capabilities of the TIPS-C provide an expert suite of low risk, seamlessly integrated UAS detection and mapping solutions that are flexible, aware, reliable, and economical.

Posted in Air Force, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on DroneShield – Successful US Air Force Base Demonstration

Wild Things Low Loft Jacket To Outfit Airmen B-Bags

Thursday, March 25th, 2021

The US Air Force’s new Combat Ready Airman program has taken great strides to standardize unit issued deployment clothing and equipment across the service. Wild Things is pleased to announce they have successfully added their Low Loft Jacket (style 51017) to this program and it will start filling B-Bags (cold-weather bag which includes jacket/parka, gloves, boots and socks) soon.

The Wild Things Low Loft Jacket features similar performance to the SOCOM issued PCU Level 3B jacket with 2-Layer fabric featuring Gore Military fabric designed for insulation protection combined with PrimaLoft Silver Active 2.4 oz. synthetic insulation.

There are two zippered hand warmer pockets and two zippered biceps pockets along with an internal zippered chest pocket. The Low Loft Jacket has Velcro for USAF insignia placement. Offered in MultiCam for compatibility with the OCP uniform.

Units and agencies can purchase Wild Things garments and accessories by contacting sales@wildthingsgear.com or online at www.wildthingsgear.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Air Force, Clothing | Comments Off on Wild Things Low Loft Jacket To Outfit Airmen B-Bags

11th AF Establishes Special Experience Identifier and Wear of “Arctic” Tab for Arctic Leader Qualified Airmen

Wednesday, March 24th, 2021

In January, LT Gen David Krumm, the Commanding General of the 11th AF which is responsible for air operations in Alaska signed a memorandum creating the Arctic Leader Qualification program, awarding a Special Experience Identifier (3LA) and award of the Arctic tab for those qualified.

The 11th AF is responsible for 79% of DoD Arctic operations and the program is intended to support the 2019 DoD Arctic Strategy. The baseline training is conducted at Alaskan Command’s Arctic Defense Security Orientation. This three-day course covers Arctic history, Alaska Native history, threats from adversaries and provides an extensive big picture overview. After additional experience, the Arctic Leader SEI and tab may be awarded.

In addition to ADSO, Airmen must complete one of the following:

1 Year on station operating in cold weather environment

Fulfill leadership role in exercise Arctic Edge. Arctic Eagle, Navy ICEX, or similar

Deploy in support of contingency op north of 60deg N parallel

USAF Arctic Survival Training

USARAK Northern Warfare Training Center Cold Weather Leader/Orientation Course

USMC Mountain Warfare Training Center Cold Weather Leaders Course

Naval Special Warfare Training – Kodiak

Previously awarded the USAF Arctic “A” Device, Navy Arctic Service Ribbon, USCG Arctic Service Medal, or Antarctic Service Medal

Image by A1C Emily Farnsworth.

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms, Training | Comments Off on 11th AF Establishes Special Experience Identifier and Wear of “Arctic” Tab for Arctic Leader Qualified Airmen

AMC Delivers Multi-capable Airmen During Exercise Mosaic Tiger

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) —

Aircrew from the 3rd Airlift Squadron at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, and the 6th AS, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, participated in exercise Mosaic Tiger led by the 23rd Wing at Moody AFB Feb. 22-26.

The exercise tested Agile Combat Employment skills in a simulated deployed environment to train multi-capable Airmen for the future. Airmen from Air Mobility Command took part in the exercise to enhance readiness and reinforce AMC support to the joint warfighter as well as support of Air Combat Command.

ACE refers to the ability to launch, recover and maintain aircraft away from main air bases and employ the aircraft, as well as multi-capable Airmen from atypical locations. For this exercise, Moody AFB served as the headquarters, while Florida’s MacDill AFB, Patrick Space Force Base and Avon Park Air Force Range served as forward and contingency operating locations.

Multi-capable Airmen teams from a variety of Moody AFB units deployed to the locations across Florida. The Dover AFB C-17 Globemaster III provided passenger transportation and equipped Airmen downrange with necessary accoutrements.

“In order to create a realistic combat environment, you have to have logistical support to do so,” said Maj. Mike Gilpatrick, 6th AS chief of tactics. “In a realistic combat environment, the C-17 would be able to support ACE via delivering multi-capable Airman teams to various forward operating bases.”

Over the course of the five-day exercise, 13 AMC aircrew members transported over 244,370 pounds of cargo and 231 passengers to and from all exercise locations on the C-17. The cargo included vital equipment such as bomb-loading carts, aerospace ground equipment generators and a fuel truck.

“If you don’t have a C-17, you can’t accomplish as many objectives when you are trying to test out the capability,” Gilpatrick said. “We’re delivering multiple Airmen to multiple bases, and you can now have a more dynamic and challenging environment for the exercise to take place in. If you don’t have a C-17 there, you can’t deliver as many folks and stuff to places. Therefore, you can’t have as challenging of a problem set you have to solve.”

Moody AFB also supplied aircraft such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II, HH-60G Pave Hawk, HH-60W Jolly Green II and the HC-130J Combat King II. E-8 Joint Stars, belonging to Robins AFB, also provided support though ground surveillance.

“Our Airmen are performing at a very high and innovative level,” said Lt. Col. Kenneth Roberts, 23rd Mission Support Group deputy commander. “They’re looking for solutions, and the key in this new environment is finding those new solutions.”

Echoing Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr.’s “Accelerate Change or Lose” strategy, Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, commander of AMC, said adaptive and agile Airmen, capable of accomplishing tasks outside their Air Force specialty code, are vital to delivering rapid global mobility in today’s operating environment.

“By operationalizing our innovate, execute and learn methodology, we will aggressively expand upon current capabilities to generate and project the force, defend installations and networks and keep the joint force informed and synchronized across the competition continuum,” Van Ovost said.

Capt. Reed Fleming, 3rd AS pilot said exercises such as Mosaic Tiger have helped mobility Airmen understand their role and skills necessary for the ACE concept.

“Through the implementation of the ACE concept, we’re going to see more integration and more cross talk, with ACC learning how they can use AMC effectively as well as AMC being willing to be flexible for the ACC assets,” Fleming said. “This (was) a great opportunity for us to come together to work (toward) a common goal.”

By A1C Faith Schaefer, 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post | 2 Comments »

Army, Air Force Fund Research to Pursue Quantum Computing

Saturday, March 20th, 2021

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Joint Army- and Air Force-funded researchers have taken a step toward building a fault-tolerant quantum computer, which could provide enhanced data processing capabilities.

Quantum computing has the potential to deliver new computing capabilities for how the Army plans to fight and win in what it calls multi-domain operations. It may also advance materials discovery, artificial intelligence, biochemical engineering and many other disciplines needed for the future military; however, because qubits, the fundamental building blocks of quantum computers, are intrinsically fragile, a longstanding barrier to quantum computing has been effective implementation of quantum error correction.

Researchers at University of Massachusetts Amherst, with funding from the Army Research Office and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, identified a way to protect quantum information from a common error source in superconducting systems, one of the leading platforms for the realization of large-scale quantum computers. The research, published in Nature, realized a novel way for quantum errors to be spontaneously corrected.

ARO is an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory. AFOSR supports basic research for the Air Force and Space Force as part of the Air Force Research Laboratory.

“This is a very exciting accomplishment not only because of the fundamental error correction concept the team was able to demonstrate, but also because the results suggest this overall approach may amenable to implementations with high resource efficiency, said Dr. Sara Gamble, quantum information science program manager, ARO. “Efficiency is increasingly important as quantum computation systems grow in size to the scales we’ll need for Army relevant applications.”

Today’s computers are built with transistors representing classical bits, either a 1 or 0. Quantum computing is a new paradigm of computation using quantum bits or qubits, where quantum superposition and entanglement can be exploited for exponential gains in processing power.

Existing demonstrations of quantum error correction are active, meaning that they require periodically checking for errors and immediately fixing them. This demands hardware resources and thus hinders the scaling of quantum computers.

In contrast, the researchers’ experiment achieves passive quantum error correction by tailoring the friction or dissipation experienced by the qubit. Because friction is commonly considered the nemesis of quantum coherence, this result may appear surprising. The trick is that the dissipation has to be designed specifically in a quantum manner.

This general strategy has been known in theory for about two decades, but a practical way to obtain such dissipation and put it in use for quantum error correction has been a challenge.

“Demonstrating such non-traditional approaches will hopefully spur more clever ideas for overcoming some of the most challenging issues for quantum science,” said Dr. Grace Metcalfe, program officer for Quantum Information Science at AFOSR.

Looking forward, researchers said the implication is that there may be more avenues to protect qubits from errors and do so less expensively.

“Although our experiment is still a rather rudimentary demonstration, we have finally fulfilled this counterintuitive theoretical possibility of dissipative QEC,” said Dr. Chen Wang, University of Massachusetts Amherst physicist. “This experiment raises the outlook of potentially building a useful fault-tolerant quantum computer in the mid to long run.”

By U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Army, Digitization, Disruptive Tech, Guest Post | Comments Off on Army, Air Force Fund Research to Pursue Quantum Computing