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US Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon Battery Debuts in Resolute Hunter Exercise

Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. — The U.S. Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon Battery, part of the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, made history by participating in Exercise Resolute Hunter 24-2, a joint, combined exercise on the base from June 25-27, 2024. This exercise marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time the Army’s hypersonic capability was integrated into the bi-annual joint training exercise.

Hosted by the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, Resolute Hunter 24-2 is the Department of Defense’s only dedicated battle management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance exercise. This year’s event brought together three participating nations and four joint services for a three-week training exercise.

Building on this achievement, Col. Charles Kean, commander of the 1st MDTF, emphasized the importance of this exercise, stating, “these scenarios provide invaluable sets and repetitions that build upon and reinforce the steadfast integration of MDTF capabilities in the broader partnered joint all-domain construct.”

The exercise demonstrated the battery’s ability to integrate with higher joint echelons and sustain operations over an extended period. Bravo Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery (Long Range Fires Battalion), 1MDTF, successfully employed its force package for over 72 hours, showcasing the long-range hypersonic weapon digital kill chain in collaboration with joint partners and providing real-time situational awareness to the joint command post.

Capt. Jennifer Lee, commander of Bravo Battery, highlighted the significance of the exercise, stating, “Exercise Resolute Hunter 24-2 demonstrated the critical role of landpower and the Army’s indispensable contribution to joint operations. I’m proud of our team’s commitment to excellence and their ability to adapt and innovate in a complex and dynamic training scenario.”

The Army’s long-range hypersonic weapon development has been a long-term effort, with Soldiers contributing to the prototyping process since 2019. After receiving the initial hardware delivery in March 2021, the unit initiated new equipment training in September 2021, which consisted of four three-week iterations. The fielding process was completed by the end of fiscal year 2023, enabling Soldiers to train on the equipment, create doctrine, and develop new tactics, techniques and procedures.

In February 2023, the unit deployed the capability more than 3,000 miles away to Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the system’s longest recorded overland movement to date, as part of Exercise Thunderbolt Strike, demonstrating the Army’s ability to rapidly deploy the hypersonic capability.

Since then, the unit has participated in several other named and joint exercises, with Resolute Hunter being the latest.

As a theater-level unit and joint force enabler, assigned to the Indo-Pacific, the 1MDTF plays a vital role in synchronizing long-range precision fires layered with long-range precision effects to create multiple dilemmas and neutralize adversary anti-access and area denial networks. The 1MDTF’s proven innovation, agility and lethality have led the Army to direct five full MDTFs in strategically significant locations worldwide.

By CPT Ryan DeBooy

Posted in Army, Fires, Forces Focus, Guest Post | Comments Off on US Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon Battery Debuts in Resolute Hunter Exercise

USecAF, CMSAF Visit F.E. Warren, Emphasize Essential Role of Ground-Based Nuclear Force

Monday, July 22nd, 2024

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi, and several other senior leaders visited F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, July 1-2.

The group was immersed with Airmen from 20th Air Force and the 90th Missile Wing to discuss nuclear modernization and better understand the vital role of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile force.

Four-hundred ICBMs form the most responsive leg of the nation’s nuclear triad alongside bomber and submarine-launched nuclear weapons. The geographically dispersed basing of the ICBM force, in addition to the range and speed in which it can be employed, complicates potential adversaries’ decision calculus.

“The ground leg of the triad is essential,” Dalton emphasized. “Its responsiveness deters potential threats by signaling that any attack on the U.S. would be impractical, self-defeating and met with severe consequences.”

During the trip, all leaders agreed that while the current weapon system is reliable for now, the Air Force must prioritize a replacement to ensure effectiveness and credibility well into the future.

“Our Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles are the most responsive leg of our nation’s nuclear triad. It requires sustained and fully funded investments,” Flosi added. “Without these resources, we risk leaving ourselves vulnerable to 21st century threats. We must continue to prioritize these investments in order to ensure our military remains the best in the world.”

The Air Force’s fleet of ICBMs have remained on around-the-clock alert since 1959 with the last major recapitalization occurring in the 1980s. The current Minuteman III missiles and 450 launch facilities are set to be replaced by the increasingly accurate, secure and reliable Sentinel program.

While the Sentinel program is one of the largest and most complex programs the Air Force has ever undertaken, it will drastically improve the overall effectiveness of the nuclear triad to counter current and future strategic risks.

“Modernizing the ground-based deterrent while sustaining the Minuteman III system is a challenge that demands significant, responsible investment and a holistic approach,” Dalton noted. “In the face of the nuclear modernization by our competitors, it’s imperative to modernize our own force to underwrite our nation’s defense and uphold our extended deterrence commitments to our allies.”

After a mission brief at 20th Air Force headquarters, the group was hosted at Missile Alert Facility A-01 by missileers, defenders and a myriad of Airmen who perform other critical support functions.

First Lts. Connor Tovey and Sydney Kongquee, 319th Missile Squadron missileers, talked through a day in their life during a 24-hour shift. After a lengthy drive to the facility, the pair travels 60-70 feet underground into a capsule where they monitor their assigned launch facilities and wait for an order they hope never comes, though it’s an order they’re determined to execute if necessary.

Maintaining and operating the 15 missile alert facilities and various launch facilities across F.E. Warren’s 9,600 square-mile missile field is a 24-hour, seven-days a week responsibility.

Flosi, who joined the Air Force in 1996 as a nuclear weapons specialist, is vividly familiar with the importance of the job.

“Our Airmen are critical to national security,” Flosi said. “They are on the front lines of deterrence every single day, working tirelessly to ensure our nation is protected from any threat. Dedicated and professional Airmen are what makes our Air Force the best in the world.”

Later, the group toured a launch facility, more commonly referred to as an underground missile silo. The senior leaders witnessed first-hand how a highly skilled, disciplined cadre of maintainers have kept the Minuteman III operational for more than 50 years.

Until the transition to the Sentinel program is made, the Air Force will continue to rely on these maintainers to ensure the Minuteman III remains a reliable and effective deterrent.

“After meeting these Airmen, and learning about their creativity and innovation, I’ve never been more confident in our military’s ability to deter threats to the U.S. and our allies,” Dalton said. “We owe it our Airmen to ensure that we modernize the force.”

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Forces Focus, Guest Post | No Comments »

SFABs in Army 2030: Experimenting with a Unified Approach

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

FORT MOORE, Ga. — Security Force Assistance Command conducted a tabletop experiment at the Maneuver Battle Lab to prepare for future conflicts and warfighting needs from May 13-17, 2024. It brought advisors together from 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Security Force Assistance Brigades to evaluate and enhance their operational capabilities for 2030 and beyond, focusing on multi-domain operations and large-scale combat readiness during competition, crisis and conflict.

The primary goal of this exercise was for advisors to identify operational gaps and friction points in the current doctrine or structure to enhance readiness by providing improvement solutions. This insight will guide decision-making, optimize resource allocation and refine training and doctrine to foster continuous improvement and preparation for advisors in real-world scenarios.

“We took a deep look in terms of what multi-domain capabilities we would need to enable partner foreign security forces at the operational level, so large-scale formations and multi-domain operations, throughout large-scale combat operations,” said Lt. Col. Mark Morrison, Security Force Assistance Command strategist. “It was a great opportunity to pull Soldiers from the captain-led team level up to the brigade level to understand what capability gaps exist in the SFAB formation and to be able to close those gaps, so SFAB 2030 is capable of performing our wartime role.”

During the experiment, mentors threw out all sorts of scenarios to ensure advisors were ready for anything they might experience in competition, crisis and conflict situations.

This comprehensive approach ensures SFABs can maintain national security and support global stability.

“We incorporate lessons learned from all parts of doctrine, organization, training, material, leader development, personnel, facilities and policy changes,” stated Morrison. “With the training changes, we can implement some of them ourselves and mirror our signature validation exercise, Operation Combined Victory to incorporate some of these lessons learned so we close the gap through training.”

Our advisors must be able to navigate different environments — established through understanding the battle space.

Moving from large-scale combat operations to multi-domain operations, the use of SFABs will be critical to combatant commanders and the SFABs’ use on the battlefield,” said Maj. Jeremy Hillyard, Maneuver Battle Lab simulations officer. “Any exercise that SFABs can do as we transition from competition, crisis to a full conflict phase will only benefit planners going forward, so combatant commanders and divisions commanders in 2030 know how to use SFABs properly and know their capabilities.”

Participants formed small working groups of advisors to discuss detailed scenario analysis, examining potential outcomes and solutions.

“Every brigade does something different because they’re somewhere different, so seeing how they do things is very different from how my brigade does things, and it’s very challenging sometimes to understand how that makes sense to them,” said Capt. Javier Diaz Martinez, fires direction officer from 4th battalion, 4th SFAB.

“But, getting yourself in their shoes and seeing what they do and where they do it starts to make sense, and it’s sometimes even the better plan.”

The simulated scenarios included cyber-attacks, conventional warfare, and logistical challenges – simulating a wide range of threats to identify and address any gaps or friction points in current operational plans.

The Air Force’s participation demonstrated how crucial it is to work together during conflicts. By teaming up with other military branches, we improve our readiness, response capabilities, and effectiveness to achieve our goals with a unified approach.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Andrea Pangrac, logistics air advisor from the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron, highlighted the value of joint solutions and collaboration across different military branches. “The [tabletop exercise] ultimately embodies not only the commitments advisors in the U.S. have with our regional partners but also across the sister services to enhance trust and transparency and create cooperative and collaborative solutions,” she added.

The experiment highlights the important role of an advisor network, a unity of effort across echelons.

Capt. Pangrac mentioned the value of the tabletop exercise in conditioning advisors to think innovatively and strategically.

“It was a phenomenal experience. This experiment prepares us as advisors to operate effectively by conditioning us to think outside of the box, to think about what we weren’t thinking about in existing doctrine and our existing tactics, techniques and procedures,” she explained.

After the simulated scenarios, mentors reviewed how the participants performed and how well the strategies worked. Guest speakers and mentors offered valuable feedback and pointed out areas where they could improve.

“I think that when you look at the SFABs now, and in the future, they are a very important component to the combatant commander, but more importantly, I would say to the Army commander because they can bring a lot of information and systems to the fight,” said Anthony Lieto, U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute.

“They can assess, assist and liaise where the theater commander needs that influence.”

For more information on the SFABs or to volunteer, visit the Security Force Assistance Brigade site on Army.mil.

By SPC Cristina Gomez

Posted in Army, Forces Focus, Guest Post | Comments Off on SFABs in Army 2030: Experimenting with a Unified Approach

5th SOPS Activates, Bolsters Space Delta 9 Objectives

Monday, June 10th, 2024

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —

The 5th Space Operations Squadron unfurled their colors during an activation ceremony on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, June 3.

The ceremony signified the inactivation of Delta 9’s Detachment 1 and the activation of the 5th SOPS which oversees operations of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, an experimental program designed to demonstrate technologies for a reliable, reusable, unmanned space test platform for the U.S. Space Force.

To begin the ceremony, Maj. Eric Wilson, Det. 1 commander, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his exceptional conduct as commander. Wilson highlighted the promising future of the 5th SOPS under the command of Lt. Col. Latasha Spear.

“Fifth SOPS is under great hands with Lt. Col. Spear as I have no doubt she will ensure 5th SOPS is able to continue the great lineage of excellence that Det. 1 Guardians amplified, ensuring mission readiness for the USSF,” Wilson said.

The 5th SOPS was provisionally activated as Operating Location-A, 750th Space Group, on Oct. 1, 1992. However, its roots began in the early 1960s as the Air Force Satellite Control Facility which established one of the Air Force’s major roles in space – satellite operations.

Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific commander, served under the original 5th SOPS from 1995 to 1999 and shared his excitement about the activation of 5th SOPS under DEL 9.

“A heartfelt congratulations to DEL 9 and all the men and women of the 5th Space Operations Squadron,” Mastalir said. “I can’t think of a better mission to assume the legacy and lineage of the original 5 SOPS located at Onizuka Air Station in Sunnyvale, California.”

Mastalir also discussed how the 5th SOPS activation will affect the USSF at large, specifically how their mission will help ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“Space Forces Indo-Pacific is one of the many beneficiaries of the ground-breaking missions that will be executed by this new unit. The knowledge gained through test and experimentation at 5 SOPS will be instrumental in our goal to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Mastalir added.

During the ceremony, Col. Mark Bigley, DEL 9 commander, further expressed the importance and his excitement of the 5th SOPS activating and continuing a legacy of demonstrating technological advancements of the X-37B.

“The first members of 5 SOPS will continue to set the bar of excellence high as well as mark new heights for the future technology capabilities of the X-37B. It is with great honor I welcome 5 SOPS to the USSF,” Bigley said.

Master Sgt. Joseph Wood, 5th SOPS senior enlisted leader, revealed the colors and raised the guidon initiating the assumption-of-command ceremony for the newly activated squadron.

Service members watched as Bigley passed the colors to Spear, entrusting her to lead as the first commander of the 5th SOPS.

Prior to taking command of the 5th SOPS, Spear served as the DEL 5 division chief of joint fires and information operations, Space Forces-Space at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. During her time in this role, she led joint and combined personnel to deliver space electromagnetic warfare targeting effects and planning as well as command and control operations in alignment with Combined Joint Force Space Component Command.

“To the men and women of the mighty 5th SOPS, I am truly honored to be your first commander,” Spear said. “Fifth SOPS aligns with the objectives of the chief of space operations, Space Operations Command and DEL 9 by contributing to the spacepower of this nation as we collectivity strive to maintain a durable peace for ourselves and our allies in this era of Great Power Competition.”

By 2nd Lt. Danielle Rose, Space Base Delta 1 Public Affairs

Posted in Forces Focus, Guest Post, Space | Comments Off on 5th SOPS Activates, Bolsters Space Delta 9 Objectives

USAF Units of Action: Air Task Forces Defined, First locations Announced

Friday, May 24th, 2024

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

The Department of the Air Force identified six locations May 15, to host experimental Air Task Forces that will test new methods to generate more efficient, integrated deployable Units of Action.

As part of a pilot program, the following installations are expected to receive an ATF command echelon this summer, pending the successful completion of the National Environmental Policy Act process. This is a step toward forming the new Air Force combat wings as Units of Action.

• Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona

• Scott AFB, Illinois

• Joint Base San Antonio, Texas

• Dyess AFB, Texas

• Fairchild AFB, Washington

• Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina

“These pathfinding ATFs will work and train together throughout their AFFORGEN cycle to ensure they are at peak effectiveness on Day-1 of any deployment,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. “That’s a significant change from how we deployed over the last 20 years, but the threat has evolved and so must we. The first ATFs will also be learning organizations and shape our forthcoming Combat Wing design.”

Airmen assigned to the ATF will work and train together throughout the AFFORGEN cycle to deploy as Units of Action in fiscal year 2026.

During his Air and Space Forces Association conference keynote in September 2023, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall emphasized the urgency for the Air Force to adapt and innovate in response to growing global challenges with the announcement of ATFs. Clearly defining the force presentation model and rotational demands through the AFFORGEN cycle ensures the joint force receives Airmen prepared for high-end conflict.

Lt. Gen. Adrian Spain, the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for operations, further elaborated during a panel on Air Task Forces and the Future of Force Presentation at the Air and Space Force Association’s 2024 Warfare Symposium Feb. 14.

“In all the ways that matter, this makes us better prepared,” Spain said. “During the Prepare and Certify phases of the AFFORGEN cycle, Airmen will develop into cohesive units, attuned to each other’s strengths and weaknesses. This preparation is key to ensuring that, when deployed, these teams can operate effectively under pressure and achieve their objectives with precision.”

The Expeditionary Air Base model which first deployed in October 2023, served as a critical first step in the transition. The next step is to adopt a more modular organization of teams which generate together through the AFFORGEN cycle and deploy as a unit to maximize combat effectiveness, while minimizing risk to the base mission.

The AFFORGEN cycle is built to enable Airmen to train and exercise together before being operationally employed together as part of a team. While its implementation differs depending on the mission of each major command, the goal is to achieve a common lexicon, more individual predictability, and greater alignment of readiness generating activities such as large-scale exercises across the Air Force.

The introduction of ATFs marks a significant milestone in the journey toward modernization and readiness, laying the groundwork to ensure the Air Force maintains a competitive advantage over the pacing challenge.

“This force generation and force presentation model best articulates our capabilities and capacity to the Joint Force and in turn, improves the readiness of our Airmen,” Spain said.

What Airmen need to know about the Air Task Force

• ATFs will enter the AFFORGEN cycle during the reset phase in summer 2024 and will be prepared to deploy beginning fiscal year 2026

• ATFs will team, train, and deploy together throughout the AFFORGEN cycle

• Over time, the elements of the ATF will be incorporated into operational wings

Elements of an ATF

The ATF consists of a command element with an attached expeditionary A-Staff and Special Staff, Combat Air Base Squadron, and Mission Generation Force Elements with attached Mission Sustainment Teams.

The ATF’s A-staff includes a chief of staff who, along with the A-staff, assists with the commander’s interaction with higher headquarters and fulfills the commander’s responsibility to provide resourcing, policy, oversight, and guidance to the various forces under his or her command. The A-Staff is a standardized organizational structure, representing the following Air Force functions: A1 Manpower, Personnel, and Services; A2, Intelligence; A3, Operations; A4, Logistics and Engineering; A5, Plans and Integration; and A6, Communications. The ATF also has a Special Staff to provide staff assistance for the commander.

The Combat Air Base Squadron is the ATF’s primary base operation support element and provides sustainment, protection, and/or airfield management. The ATF commander determines support requirements based upon deployment location and mission. A standard CABS consists of one Combat Service Support Team – Lead and one to two Combat Service Support Teams capable of supporting from several hundred to several thousand service members, depending on size. CSSTs consists of cross-functional teams each sourced from a singular installation.

The Mission Generation Force Element provides the combat capability of the ATF, for example, an expeditionary fighter squadron or an expeditionary special warfare squadron. The MGFEs train throughout the AFFORGEN cycle at home station as they do today and join their assigned ATF for specific training and certification events throughout the AFFORGEN cycle before fully attaching with the ATF for the available phase.

Mission Sustainment Teams pair with an MGFE to provide mission specific combat support functions to enable agile combat employment and other operations at a Forward Operating Site or more austere Contingency Location. MSTs provide sustainment and protection for the portions of a MGFE moving forward to one or more locations. The MSTs may be able to augment the CABS when at a Main Operating Base.

Where Combat Wings Come In

At the Feb. 12 Air and Space Force Association’s 2024 Warfare Symposium in Colorado, Kendall highlighted the need to evolve the Air Force’s approach to organizing, training, and equipping to maintain a competitive advantage in preparation for great power competition.

“We need these changes now; we are out of time to reoptimize our forces to meet the strategic challenges in a time of Great Power Competition,” Kendall said.

Air Force combat wings will be structured as mission ready Units of Action with the same basic framework as the ATFs. However, as opposed to only coming together during events in the AFFORGEN prepare/certify phase, these operational wings will have all the necessary elements stationed together at the same installation where they can train together on a day-to-day basis. Over time, the lessons learned from the ATFs will be incorporated into our combat wings, with the goal to move toward combat wings as the singular force presentation model for the Air Force.

Combat wings will evolve to deploy as fully trained teams leaving behind functional base commands prepared to continue operating the base in competition, crisis and conflict.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Forces Focus, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | 2 Comments »

350th SWW Reactivates Two Historic EW Squadrons

Sunday, May 12th, 2024

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) —

To meet the Air Force’s growing demand for spectrum effects, the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing recently reactivated two historic squadrons, the 563rd Electronic Warfare Squadron, in San Antonio, Texas, and the 388th Electronic Warfare Squadron, at Eglin Air Force Base.

The 563rd EWS’ history dates to World War II, and the unit most recently served as the Air Force’s electronic warfare and navigation officer training squadron. It provided undergraduate training to newly commissioned officers as the 563rd Flying Training Squadron until its deactivation in 2010.

Many officers at the 350th SWW either served in or were trained by the 563rd FTS. Multiple alumni attended the ceremony, including retired Col. Eric Paulson, former 563rd FTS instructor and former 350th SWW deputy commander.

“I was honored to be a part of this historic ceremony and see the heritage of the 563rd continue,” Paulsonsaid. “As a previous EW instructor at the 563rd Flying Training Squadron, we saw great capability delivered to the Air Force, and now we’ll see the 563rd Electronic Warfare Squadron deliver essential EW capability to directly to the warfighter.”

The 563rd EWS’ new mission is to design, develop and employ software-based EW capabilities that provide modern capabilities to warfighters. The unit will focus on executing software development, exploring areas for new software initiative, and educating the 350th SWW on software integration.

The 563rd EWS reactivated on April 25 and Lt. Col. Charles Friesz assumed command.

“The modern threats we are facing are software defined,” Friesz said. “The 563rd will be the Air Force’s answer to combatting our challenges in the spectrum. The next generation of electromagnetic capabilities will be generated and supported at this unit.”

One week later, the 388th EWS reactivated on May 2 with Lt. Col. Timothy West assuming command.

The 388th EWS’ history began in World War II with an antisubmarine mission in the Atlantic before being reassigned to the Pacific in support of the Island-Hopping Campaign. It most recently operated as the 388th Electronic Combat Squadron based out of Naval Air Station Whidbey, Washington, flying EA-6B Prowlers until its deactivation in 2010.

Previous members of the 388th ECS were in attendance for the reactivation, including Col. John Christianson, 350th SWW deputy commander, who served as a flight commander before the unit deactivated.

“It was amazing seeing a squadron with such history reactivate,” Christianson said. “My time in the 388th during its last iteration was a formative assignment for me as a young captain, and I look forward to seeing all the amazing things are they are going to do this time around.”

The 388th EWS will focus on weapons and tactics, intelligence, test management and education and training. The 388th EWS will evaluate & assess adversaries’ capabilities and identify their vulnerabilities, informing capability prioritization and development at the wing.

Focusing on improving the Air Force’s EW capability and driving waveform development, the 388th EWS will ensure warfighters are integrating EW effects into operations in a way that directly increases lethality and survivability of platforms and systems.

“There is not a single kill chain that does not inherently rely on the spectrum,” West said. “We are weaponizing the electromagnetic spectrum and will punish our adversaries for believing they can rely on the electromagnetic spectrum to achieve their objectives.”

The 563rd and 388th EWS bring the number of new units at the wing in the past year up to five. This rapid growth reinforces the Air Force’s commitment to prioritizing electromagnetic spectrum operations and the critical role they play in military operations.

“The 563rd and 388th will allow the wing to deliver the capabilities the Air Force needs to take on the pacing challenge in the spectrum,” said Col. Josh Koslov, 350th SWW commander. “The challenges we face in the electromagnetic spectrum are demanding and we can’t afford to be stagnant.”

As the Air Force reoptimizes itself for a new strategic environment, the electromagnetic spectrum is the global common that unites all domains of battle. The 350th SWW serves as the Air Force’s most consequential wing in winning its battles of today and tomorrow in the spectrum.

“If we don’t win in the spectrum, we won’t win at all,” Koslov said. “The 563rd and 388th have provided our forces with strategic excellence in the past, and that’s what we are asking of them again. We’re ruthlessly pursuing spectrum superiority over our adversaries, and the growth we’ve had in the past week is a how we achieve that.”

By Capt Benjamin Aronson

350th Spectrum Warfare Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, EW, Forces Focus, Guest Post | Comments Off on 350th SWW Reactivates Two Historic EW Squadrons

319th Special Operations Squadron Changes Command, Marks Reassignment to 492nd Special Operations Wing

Thursday, May 9th, 2024

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

On May 3, Lt. Col. Caitlin Reilly took command of the 319th Special Operations Squadron colloquially known as Slayers; simultaneously the squadron transitioned from the 1st Special Operations Group to the 492nd Special Operations Wing as part of a previously announced force restructure by Air Force Special Operations Command to ensure it is postured to rapidly deploy and sustain power in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“To the Slayers of the 319th Special Operations Squadron each one of you embodies the spirit of resilience and selflessness that will drive our Wing’s success forward with unwavering determination and tenacity,” said Col. Patrick Wnetrzak, commander 492nd Special Operations Wing. “Together, we stand as a formidable force, united in purpose and bound by the proud legacy of our traditions as we embark on this new chapter. Let us embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead with courage, unity and unwavering resolve,” he added.

In addition to the 319 SOS, other units that will realign under the 492 SOW include: 6 SOS/6 SOAMXS, Cannon AFB, N.M.; 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Army Airfield, N.C.; 22 STS, JB Lewis-McChord, Wash.

By realigning these units, the 492 SOW will encompass all AFSOC’s mission capabilities – SOF Strike, SOF Mobility, SOF ISR, and SOF Air-to-Ground Integration.

“The Slayers have accomplished heroic missions and have changed history and are on the leading edge of new capabilities that will shape the future. You are silent professionals who don’t brag about any of these achievements because excellence has simply become a habit,” said Lt. Col. Caitlin Reilly, the 319th Special Operations Squadrons commander.

The unit realignments will take place over time and culminate with the relocation of the 492 SOW. Currently, an Environmental Impact Statement is being developed for the 492 SOW beddown at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.

By Jennifer Gonzalez

Posted in Air Force, Forces Focus, Guest Post, SOF | Comments Off on 319th Special Operations Squadron Changes Command, Marks Reassignment to 492nd Special Operations Wing

Assessing the Joint Force: An Inside Look at the Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation

Saturday, April 27th, 2024

Congress requires the independent assessment of the operational effectiveness, suitability, survivability and — where applicable — lethality of Defense Department weapon and business systems by testing production representative systems, used by regular service members who are trained on the systems before a decision on full-rate production is reached.

This is where the Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation comes in.

Established by Congress in 1983, the DOT&E serves as the principal official and adviser to the secretary of defense, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, and the secretaries of the military departments on all matters related to both the operational test and evaluation and live-fire test and evaluation of the services and systems acquired by DOD.

Currently, the DOT&E is independently assessing about 250 systems throughout DOD, with a system being “anything from a business system all the way to space satellites and everything in between,” said Raymond O’Toole Jr., principal deputy director of operational test and evaluation during a recent interview.

The standard routine for evaluating a system begins with a team from DOT&E partnering with the program office responsible for the acquisition of the system. The team then works with the program office, as well as members of the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, which is responsible for developmental testing, to develop a test and evaluation master plan or a test and evaluation strategy if it’s following a pathway other than the major capability acquisition pathway.

During system testing, DOT&E works to get a credible evaluation of each system’s suitability, survivability, operational effectiveness and — when appropriate — lethality with a goal of enabling the delivery and fielding of proven capabilities to warfighters.

One key aspect of DOT&E’s testing process is that weapons systems are tested in realistic combat conditions.

“We’re not restricted or bound by a requirements document with regard to our assessment of the operational effectiveness and suitability of the system,” said Garry Bishop, deputy director of operational test and evaluation for land and expeditionary warfare.

“We look at it from a realistic combat environment [with] realistic combat conditions,” Bishop continued. “A system may not be required to have certain capabilities against certain threats … but we assess that in that operational environment.”

As an example of such testing in the operational environment rather than just testing basic system requirements, O’Toole referenced the Army’s Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

“The Bradley doesn’t go out by itself,” he said. “So, while we do look at the individual Bradley with respect to its survivability against live-fire threats, when we do operational testing, we’re also assessing how it’s used in operations … as a unit of [fighting vehicles] and not just an individual Bradley.”

In addition to the independent assessments that DOT&E conducts, the office also assembles an annual report each fiscal year for Congress and the secretary of defense.

“While we don’t report on all 250 programs, we do report on the programs that have had significant operational and live-fire testing in that fiscal year,” said O’Toole, who holds a doctorate in engineering. He added that the National Defense Authorization Act requires DOD’s service secretaries to document their positions with respect to DOT&E’s report.

Along with testing in realistic combat conditions, another aspect of what makes DOT&E somewhat unique among government organizations is the office’s independence.

“Under Title 10 [of the U.S. Code], that’s what we owe to Congress: our independent assessment, not filtered by the secretary of defense and not filtered by the services, but [rather] it’s our assessment. The director’s assessment is based upon the data that we provide and the operational testing and live-fire testing that was conducted,” Bishop explained.

“So, … an unbiased, unfiltered assessment is what you get from DOT&E,” he said.

Though Congress and the secretary of defense are DOT&E’s primary audience, O’Toole sees the organization as being a service to the front-line men and women in uniform.

“I really believe our customer is the warfighter,” said O’Toole. “Because we are telling the warfighter what the truth is about, what they are getting out in the field.”

To that end, O’Toole said DOT&E has been working for years to see how the organization can speed up the process of gathering data generated in other fields, in hopes of being able to use that data to satisfy some elements of a system’s operational test and evaluation master plan, thus potentially expediting that system’s delivery.

“We are constantly looking at the ability to increase the speed of our assessments as a faster way to support the needs of the warfighter,” O’Toole said.

One way DOT&E is going about that is by working to get away from the linear test model — in which a system has to go through contractor testing and developmental testing before it can get to operational testing — to a more integrated test model.

“We’re trying to get more of our operational insights earlier in the [system’s] development phase where you can actually affect changes to the design, if needed, and get some insight that determines the scale and scoping of operational testing as you progress through the life cycle of the program,” Bishop said.

As one example of that, Bishop referenced a recently completed test of the Army’s terrestrial layer system, which is designed to deliver integrated cyber and electronic warfare capabilities to soldiers on the battlefield.

Bishop said that DOT&E was involved from the very early stages of that system’s development, which allowed DOT&E to explain to the system developer what the team was looking for in operational testing. As a result, the developer was able to adjust some of the system’s testing mechanisms to account for how the soldiers were actually using the system out in the field.

“Testing doesn’t cause delays; the results of testing cause delays if deficiencies are found and the developer chooses to correct them,” said Bishop. “So, the job of testers — both developmental and operational — is to inform the developer. The earlier they can find those deficiencies and vulnerabilities, the earlier the opportunity to fix the system, so that when it’s filtered to our warfighters, they get a credible system.”

In addition to test and evaluation within the Defense Department, DOT&E also is responsible for the International Test and Evaluation Program. According to DOT&E literature on the program, the ITEP “permits establishment of bilateral and multilateral agreements between the United States and international partners.”

“We are unique,” O’Toole said. “There is no other organization like DOT&E, in the world that provides independent assessment.”

Being responsible for international test and evaluation sometimes affords DOT&E leadership the opportunity to interact with members of international defense communities. One example is when O’Toole recently held a briefing at the International Armoured Vehicles Conference in London in January.

“During the briefing, the room was very focused, and it’s not because I was the guy standing up there; it’s because of the message I was delivering,” O’Toole said. “And that message was [that] we provide credible assessment, and we’re not afraid to go and say where things are wrong, how to go fix it, and then retest it. We also say what is right or working as intended.”

Moving forward, O’Toole said that DOT&E will be focusing not just on testing individual systems, but families of interconnected systems.

“And we’re looking at that not just from a testing standpoint, but from a training standpoint,” he added.

As an example of that, O’Toole mentioned the Joint Simulation Environment that is used to train pilots of the F-35 Lightning II — the DOD’s premiere, multirole combat aircraft.

“People are saying to me … that they’ve gotten more out of sitting in a JSE cockpit than they ever got when they were on the range and out in the open air because of the threats and capabilities that they were able to actually utilize,” he said, referring to the fact that safety and environmental restrictions on ranges sometimes preclude the testing of certain capabilities and threats.

O’Toole also said DOT&E is getting more involved with the world of artificial intelligence.

“We’re very involved with the industry, and the best and the brightest [individuals] on how to utilize and test artificial intelligence,” O’Toole said, adding that DOT&E is fully engaged with DOD’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office.

“We’re thinking ahead, and that’s where we’re going; that’s where we want to be going; and that’s where we need to go for the future.”

By Matthew Olay, DOD News

Posted in Forces Focus, Guest Post | Comments Off on Assessing the Joint Force: An Inside Look at the Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation