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  • Airmen develop, implement test for F-15E RECCE pod adapter system, wiring

    Airmen from the 4th Component Maintenance Squadron electrical and environmental shop and the 4th Fighter Readiness Squadron precision measurement equipment laboratory shop have come together to find a solution for a test set. Using tools and capabilities they already have, these Airmen are taking

  • Metals techs build from ground up

    The 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology flight keeps 20th Fighter Wing F-16 Vipers flying at home station and downrange by embracing innovation in their operations.

  • Smart locker idea wins AFIMSC Innovation Rodeo

    An idea for a smart locker mail system in base dorms won the 2021 Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Innovation Rodeo Feb. 5 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Airman 1st Class Ricardo “Noah” Morales, an E8-C Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System journeyman with

  • 25th OSS reorganizes, innovates for improved combat airpower support

    When Lt. Col. Kaly took command of the 25th Operations Support Squadron, she realized the traditional structure of an Operations Support Squadron did not fit the mold of the 25th Attack Group mission that requires access to 24/7 operations support. To remedy the greater need for support, the 25th

  • 4th CMS hydraulics Airmen design, use apparatus to test stabilator actuators

    The F-15E Strike Eagle depends on many parts to maintain operational status. One mission critical part is the stabilator actuator. Without this part, the F-15E cannot fly. The hydraulic actuator, which moves the stabilator of an F-15E, defects collectively for pitch control and differentially to add

  • The future of test: Black Flag

    General Mark D. Kelly signed COMACC Plan 21 on December 15, 2020, effectively formalizing the 53rd Wing’s Large Force Test Events into “Black Flag” – an event solely focused on test and tactics development in a realistic, massed force, fully integrated, high threat density environment. Established

  • All byte, no bark

    As a part of its one-year pilot program, the Ghost Robotics Vision 60 visited Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, during an evaluation of the robot’s capabilities.

  • Building digital literacy through Digital University

    The Air Force recently launched a program called Digital University to help increase digital literacy, by providing access to free courses from Udemy, Pluralsight, and Udacity to all Department of the Air Force air and space professionals. ACC is pushing to lead the way for the Air Force as a

  • 89th ATKS brings the future faster with DMO accreditation

    In 2005, the U.S. Air Force harnessed the power of technology to allow groups of Airmen across the world to train together on virtual battlefields; all without leaving their unit. Now, with the recent accreditation of the 89th Attack Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force, South Dakota, Remotely Piloted

  • ACC selects top two for Air Force Spark Tank Challenge

    Air Combat Command announced their two 2021 Spark Tank semi-finalists and four wildcards moving on to compete at the Air Force level. ACC commander Gen. Mark Kelly selected two semi-finalists from the command’s top six submissions and the remaining four will move ahead to the challenge as wild card

  • 17th OWS member receives U.S. Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award

    On July 24, 2020, Matthew Kucas, a member of the 17th Operational Weather Squadron assigned to the U.S. Air Force / U.S. Navy Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was awarded the U.S. Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his innovative work on a two-week tropical cyclone

  • DoD, Warfare Center partner to introduce 5G technology at Nellis AFB

    On Oct. 8, 2020, the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center announced the award of a Department of Defense (DoD) contract to build the 5G network infrastructure and support services necessary to establish a dual-use, military and commercial network on Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada and the Nevada Test and

  • GTOC initiates no contact rental service

    In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Air Force bases are adapting new protocol to ensure the safety of their most valuable assets: the Airmen, civilians and their families that are assigned to the installations. The Ground Transportation Operations Center of the 355th Logistics Readiness

  • U-2 Federal Lab Achieves Flight with Kubernetes

    The U-2 Federal Laboratory successfully leveraged Kubernetes during a local training sortie on a U-2 Dragon Lady assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California, on September 22. This represents the first time Kubernetes has flown on an operational major weapon system in

  • Airman’s invention backed by Spark Tank accelerates change

    Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., said in a recent paper outlining his vision for the Air Force, “If we don’t change - if we fail to adapt - we risk losing the certainty with which we have defended our national interests for decades.” In the spirit of this vision, the Air Force

  • One system, one fight

    The 99th Medical Group (MDG) is scheduled to launch a new electronic healthcare record system known as Medical Health System GENESIS on Sept. 26, here. MHS GENESIS provides enhanced secure technology to manage beneficiaries' health information.

  • Lt. Gen. Chris Weggeman virtual keynote at AFITC

    Lt. Gen. Chris Weggeman, deputy commander of Air Combat Command delivered a virtual keynote speech and this year’s Air Force Information Technology and Cyberpower (AFTIC) Conference. Gen. Weggeman had some fun with his speech, referencing a very popular SciFi movie and using it to compare to our

  • ABMS Onramp 2 sees second MQ-9 AIM-9X shot and other CMD tactics development

    From employing an AIM-9X from an MQ-9 to improving AGR-20 cruise missile defense tactics from the F-16, units across the 53d Wing played a critical role in the Advanced Battle Management System Onramp #2 from August 31 to September 3, 2020.  A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 556th Test

  • Innovating to win: Turning ideas into on-the-job solutions

    Whether it’s something as simple as trading in pen and paper for tablets or as sophisticated as automating the daily tanker refueling plan, every innovative practice here in the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility started with someone’s good idea.

  • Raising the bar: Software innovation, ACNS brings the Future Faster

    After six months of planning and development, the 552nd Air Control Networks Squadron drastically improved their mission capabilities for the Airborne Warning and Control System fleet by creating a new system solution that can be transported by a six-pound laptop.

  • A-Staff Inauguration

    On Aug. 28, 2020 the 9th RW begins the Initial Operating Capability (IOC) phase of reorganization. This historic moment will give A-Staff directors a chance to operate in their new roles, while groups officially stand down.

  • 28 TES conducts successful tests of BLU-136 bomb

    The 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron conducted a Force Development Evaluation to operationally test the BLU-136 Next Generation Area Attack Weapon from July 8-24, 2020 at the Nellis Test and Training Range. The fragmentation of the BLU-136 is non-explosive, making it a less-hazardous alternative to

  • Virtual training center leverages enhanced warfighter capabilities

    The Air Force relies on forward-thinking Airmen who are constantly thinking of ways to innovate, refine or improve processes and technology in a way that can modernize the service and its tactics. Nellis Airmen have heard, and answered, that call, and so with the snip of a ribbon, on Aug. 17 the

  • ACC recognizes Fightin’ Fifty-Fifth for excellence in patient care

    The 55th Medical Group was the recipient of the 2019 Air Force Surgeon General’s Best Ambulatory Patient Safety Program Team Award. In 2017, the 55th MDG began their high-reliability organization journey. The entire Air Force Medical System has been on the HRO journey since the third quarter of

  • Hey, that suit looks cool!

    Researchers from Headquarters Air Combat Command’s science and technology department are exploring new and innovative ways to keep Airmen safe while working on the flightline. A recent study conducted with the 1st Fighter Wing at Joint Base Langley-Eustis may provide new opportunities to keep Airmen

  • Jolly Green II begins aerial refueling tests

    The HH-60W Jolly Green II connected with a HC-130J tanker for the first ever aerial refueling by the Air Force’s new combat search and rescue helicopter, Aug. 5. This connection marked the start of two weeks of developmental testing of the aircraft’s aerial refueling abilities by 413th Flight Test

  • It’s the AGE of innovation

    The 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Aerospace Ground Equipment flight is crucial when it comes to accomplishing maintenance tasks for flight line operations. Not only do they provide support to Airmen, but in a time of need, they also work to find creative solutions to problems the base may be

  • MacDill beating the heat with innovation

    It is 5 P.M. and you have been outside on a hot and humid 105-degree day for 12 hours. All you can think about is being able to go inside and feel a cool breeze from the air conditioning unit in your car and house; imagine if you did not have to go inside to stay cool.Aiming to allow military

  • AF technology could help fight virus, disease spread in buildings

    In 2009, the U.S. Air Force submitted a patent application for an invention that coats surfaces with a protective finish, killing toxins on contact. The technology, which was granted a patent in 2013, was invented by Dr. Jeff Owens, a senior chemist with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, to

  • Team Eglin prepared, ready for F-15EX

    In less than a year, Team Eglin takes possession of the Air Force’s newest fighter, the F-15EX. Big plans and procedures are underway so developmental and operational testing can begin as soon as possible when EX1 and EX2 arrives in 2021.

  • Legion Pod achieves major milestones

    The Legion Pod, known for its advanced IRST (infrared search and track) capabilities, hit two major milestones at Eglin AFB with the first missile shot of an AIM-9X using the Legion Pod on an F-15C Eagle and the first-ever flight of an operational F-16 Fighting Falcon with the Legion Pod on July 8

  • DAF awards contract for first lot of F-15EX fighter aircraft

    The contract, awarded to Boeing, provides for the design, development, integration, manufacturing, test, verification, certification, delivery, sustainment and modification of F-15EX aircraft, including spares, support equipment, training materials, technical data and technical support.

  • Optimize aviation fuel? The Air Force wants your ideas

    In partnership with AFWERX, Air Force Operational Energy has launched an Airmen Powered by Innovation Challenge to solicit ideas on how to optimize aviation fuel for the Air Force, enabling greater combat capability, range, and more efficient operations. The challenge is open to Airmen of all ranks

  • Air Force Chief Data Office Announces First Datathon

    The Department of the Air Force (DAF) Chief Data Office (SAF/CO) unveiled plans to host a series of Datathons—events aimed at solving critical DAF challenges by using data. For the first Datathon, SAF/CO is teaming with AFWERX and the USAF-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Artificial

  • AFWERX Fusion 2020 registration announced

    In response to the current global health crisis, the annual Fusion event goes virtual this year as a highly engaging and interactive online event packed with unique experiences.

  • F-35 Micro-Lids bring significant savings to Air Force

    Having up-to-date software is essential in keeping our nation’s aircraft on the cutting edge. The 402nd Software Engineering Group F-35 element at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, now has five Micro Low-Cost Integrated Development stations.

  • 2nd CWSS narrows Air Force Weather’s first-in communications gap

    Members from Air Force Weather and Special Operations communities gathered at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 20, to test a first-in communications capability with potential for the global Air Force mission. Joint Special Operations Command, 2nd Combat Weather Systems Squadron, 18th Weather Squadron

  • Airmen pitch improvement ideas, get funding in 388th FW “Shark Tank”

    Three new improvements will soon be making lives a little easier and impacting the mission here thanks to the Airmen’s research and squadron innovation funds. After a wing-wide competition was announced, three ideas – an F-35A canopy template, and automated industrial crib and an MRE-style nutrition

  • Arguing Artificial Intelligence during pandemic becomes a reality

    Dr. Josh Dickey has been assigned to the Air Force Technical Applications Center here since June 2007, working as an electrical engineer in the Systems Engineering Division. His primary responsibilities centered around the sustainment of AFTAC’s worldwide geophysical sensor network.

  • 836th COS Airman turns hobby into life-saving enterprise

    During times of crisis, the Air Force family rallies to support one another. For some, that family extends beyond those in the blue uniform. As the COVID-19 pandemic caused personal protective equipment shortages across the healthcare industry, Staff Sgt. Austin Cooperrider, 836th Cyberspace

  • Cyber Evolution: 16th Weather Squadron

    The 16th Weather Squadron is leading the way, reorganizing to become the 557th Weather Wing’s dedicated software and innovation squadron, a move that will generate new insights on environmental intelligence for combatant commanders around the globe. When complete, the reorganization will reinforce

  • 28th TES provides support for COVID-19 isolation container testing

    The 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron is providing essential test support on an isolation container prototype, known the Negative Pressure Conex (NPC), which is being evaluated for potential use as a transport module for individuals infected with the COVID-19 virus and other highly infectious

  • Great Minds: MHAFB Airmen protect force health through ingenuity

    With the protection of force health being a top priority during this time of crisis, Gunfighters are protecting Airmen with ingenuitive techniques and advanced technology as they use 3-D printers and materials to craft face shields and masks.Mission success hinges on each Airman's ability to perform

  • Pandemic can’t stop AFTAC’s innovative Airmen

    As cleaning and disinfecting supplies rapidly disappeared from store shelves and warehouse stockrooms, demand far outweighed the availability of these products to protect against COVID-19. The Air Force Technical Applications Center at Patrick AFB, Fla., was no different. So what does the

  • Made with love in Australia by a 2nd WS Airman

    A 2nd Weather Squadron Airman stationed in Australia is crafting hope in her local community in the midst of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Staff Sgt. Kalynn Mitchell, a 2nd WS solar analyst at Learmonth Solar Observatory in Exmouth, Western Australia, is using her sewing machine and fabric from a

  • PMO Engineers thrive with ‘once in a lifetime’ billion-dollar rebuild

    The $4.25 billion rebuild of Tyndall Air Force Base may seem like an overwhelming task to some, but for three Air Force civil engineer captains at the heart of the Program Management Office, the project presents a once in a lifetime opportunity. Project managers for the PMO, and as part of the Air

  • 388th FW maintainers using 3D printer to supply masks

    Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, protective face masks have been in demand world-wide. Instead of first procuring them from a dwindling supply, needed for healthcare workers and first-responders, Airmen in the 388th Fighter Wing are doing their best to contribute.

  • Chapel Provides Virtual Services to Airmen

    The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how everyday Air Force operations are approached. In an effort to prevent the pandemic from spreading, while still providing Airmen and their families the abilities to practice their faith, the chapel at Beale is providing virtual worship services.

  • MHAFB brings future faster with hand-held 3-D scanner

    As technology advances around the world, the Air Force continues to fly to new heights. The future is now and MHAFB is bringing it faster with the HandySCAN 3D, a hand-held 3-D scanner that allows Airmen to scan a structure, eliminating the need to hand-draw the structure on the computer.

  • Making training a (virtual) reality

    The Airfield Operations Flight of the 355th Operational Support Squadron set up a virtual reality training room to enhance training and save time while doing it. This is the first airfield management virtual reality training to be used in the Air Force outside of technical training at Keesler Air

  • ACC looks to Zero Trust architecture for network security

    Air Combat Command hosted industry partners from companies including Google, Microsoft, Unisys, Cisco and Palo Alto on January 23-24, 2020, at the MITRE Corp facility in Hampton, Virginia, for the ‘ACC Zero-Trust Summit’, to discuss a potential zero trust architecture for the U.S. Air Force.

  • Rescue dogs help heal wounded warriors

    The Office of the Warrior Advocate is a first-of-its-kind organization that was founded by two wounded warriors that saw a need. It is in that same spirit of seeing needs and answering the call that service dogs are becoming part of Offutt’s landscape and cultural norms. Organically, a small group

  • I-WEPTAC 2020 registration opens

    Registration for the fourth annual Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conference opened Tuesday. Hosted by the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, the annual event is the Air Force’s only innovation forum for members of the installation and mission support community.

  • AFIMSC announces 2020 Innovation Rodeo finalists

    Eight finalists for the 2020 AFIMSC Innovation Rodeo were selected out of 143 submissions and nearly 2,000 online votes to compete for a share of $1 million in funding and resources to implement their ideas. Finalist include Airmen from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

  • F-16 downs target drone with laser guided rocket in unprecedented test

    The 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron shot down a subscale drone using an AGR-20A Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rocket on December 19, 2019, providing a proof of concept for using rockets queued from an F-16 targeting pod as viable munitions to perform cruise missile

  • Innovative bidding process speeds up construction contracts

    The 20th Contracting Squadron hosted a Multiple Award Contract Contracts Bid Opening, Dec. 6. Contractors used an acquisition strategy for a MACC for the first time called Invitation for Bids which requires the government to conduct a public bid opening. The bid opening increased the lead time for

  • Fiscal triad delivers for the Tyndall Rebuild

    The final months of FY19 were rewarding for Tyndall Air Force Base as they received the June 2019 Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act to increase their annual operations and maintenance budget by a massive 450 percent. Under the act, O&M funding assigned $56 million to sustain

  • Florida resilience chief gets look at Tyndall rebuild

    Florida’s first Chief Resilience Officer Dr. Julia Nesheiwat visited Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, to see first-hand the Tyndall Program Management Office’s plans to develop and rebuild a resilient “Installation of the Future.” The main responsibility of the CRO is to prepare Florida for the

  • AFIMSC innovation streamlines comptroller tasking process

    After three years of brainstorming and research, Linda Alcala and her finance operations team have found a way to simplify management of Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Resources Directorate tasks to installation comptroller squadrons.The team launches an innovative task management

  • PMO, USACE partner to rebuild Tyndall

    After Hurricane Michael hit Tyndall Air Force Base in October 2018, the Air Force and Army forged a partnership with a single vision in mind--to build the “Installation of the future.” The Tyndall Project Management Office is rebuilding the base and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers became an

  • AFTAC leads charge on R&D Roadmap for USAF

    For the past five years, the Air Force Technical Applications Center has hosted its annual Research and Development Roadmap Forum for the scientific community within the U.S. government and beyond. This year was no exception.

  • AFIMSC seeks ideas for Innovation Rodeo

    The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center kicks off its second annual Innovation Rodeo with a call-for-topics campaign Nov. 1. The campaign, open through Dec. 15, gives military and civilian members of mission support groups worldwide a chance to win part of $1 million in funding and

  • University students help JSTARS innovate scheduling

    Team JSTARS, operators of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, are teaming up with Mercer University’s computer science department in Macon to advance an antiquated software system. The goal is to make the multiple databases the unit uses for scheduling missions and flying

  • ACC gears up for Spark Tank 2020

    This year, Air Combat Command is hosting its third annual Spark Tank competition at the Creech Conference Center on Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Oct. 16, 2019. Airmen pitch innovative ideas to Air Force senior leaders and a panel of industry experts during this annual competition.

  • Mission Defense Team: Defending the RPA network

    Mission Defense Teams are the result of the Cyber Squadron Initiative (CS-I), which is a plan to move communications squadrons away from Information Technology (IT) service and toward a mission set that involves the cyberspace side of their wing’s operational mission.