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  • 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

  • Live Capabilities: 726 ACS executes real world adaptive skill

    The Air Force’s ability to adapt, innovate and overcome dates back to it's inception. Implementing those adaptive skills, even in the midst of uncertainty, sets the Air Force apart as service. The 726th Air Control Squadron exemplified this when they executed a live mission take over for the 266th

  • 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

  • HH-60W Jolly Green II begins live-fire testing

    Deep within Eglin’s range, rapid, powerful gunfire reverberated across the expanse beginning Aug. 17. Live fire testing began for the HH-60W Jolly Green II’s three primary weapons, the GAU-2, GAU-18 and GAU-21.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • AFIMSC seeks ideas for 2021 Innovation Rodeo

    The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center kicks off its third annual Innovation Rodeo with a call-for-topics campaign starting Sept. 1. The campaign, open through Dec. 1, gives military and civilian members of mission support groups around the world a chance to win part of $1 million in

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 20th AMXS reorganizes to increase agility, readiness

    Some things never change, but the 20th Fighter Wing is not one of them. As the Air Force works to bring the future faster and develop innovative new ways to increase the agility and lethality of its people, units and tactics, so does its premier suppression of enemy air defenses wing.

  • Jet 87-173: Innovation keeps Air Force legend in the fight

    Many jets become legends for their heroic feats in battle, but they are unable to tell their stories as they experienced them. Fortunately, legends never tell their own stories. This is the story of F-15E Strike Eagle, tail number 87-173, where it comes from and how innovation keeps it ready to

  • 557th WW integrating with 16th AF missions

    The 557th Weather Wing is working to integrate its strengths into the recently formed 16th Air Force, which brought intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, cyber, electronic warfare, information operations and weather all under one roof. Integration is a key theme for the Air Force’s first

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Air Force integrates missions, strengthens information warfare capabilities

    In March 2019, Air Force leaders decided to create a new information warfare Numbered Air Force with enhanced missions and capabilities. Today, Sixteenth Air Force activated here, integrating Twenty-Fourth Air Force, to include Air Forces Cyber, and Twenty-Fifth Air Force into a single headquarters

  • Air Force Recognizes Energy Action Month 2019

    During Energy Action Month, the Air Force will emphasize the need for smart energy solutions and inform Airmen, Air Force senior leaders, policy makers and aligned organizations about what they can do to effectively distribute, generate and manage resilient and reliable energy across the enterprise.

  • Team Robins “sparks” innovation: Spark Cell hosts inaugural Pitch Day

    The Robins Spark Cell hosted its Inaugural Pitch Day Sept. 20 at the Advanced Technology and Training Center in Warner Robins, alongside Air Force Sustainment Center Contracting located at Robins Air Force Base. The pitch day is a first of its kind for AFSC, cutting a process that can take, on

  • 552nd Air Control Wing integrates with Australia

    Time zones couldn’t stop the 552nd Air Control Wing from visiting the Royal Australian Air Force in September 2019. During their week-long visit, the 960th AACS and RAAF had the opportunity to conduct a joint flying mission.

  • Academy cadets’ invention to support battlefield Airmen awarded patents

    A team of Air Force Academy cadets took on this exact challenge while completing their mechanical and systems engineering degrees in 2016 and now their technology has been awarded three patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.“This project taught me several things including that the process

  • “Bootcamp” brings Moody innovative solutions

    Members from Team Moody participated in a National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) “Innovation Bootcamp” course, July 23-26, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga.Over the four-day bootcamp, 29 Airmen learned how to apply innovative solutions to Moody specific challenges under guidance of a team from the

  • Bringing defense planning into the 21st century through modern software

    For much of the defense community, the ease and functionality of modern technology is not translated to military planning systems. While cumbersome acquisitions processes, funding issues, and security concerns are often valid causes, many Department of Defense processes (and any software associated

  • Developing solutions for Intel enterprise

    Analysts operate a number of software applications to develop intelligence assessments and reports. By utilizing technical strengths and familiarity with these applications to execute missions, the 497th Intelligence, Reconnaissance and Surveillance Group here has implemented a Software Development

  • Air Force gathers innovators for Tyndall rebuild

    Air Force leaders are leaving no stone unturned in their search for the best industry practices and innovations to consider in rebuilding Tyndall AFB, Florida, which was devastated by Hurricane Michael in October 2018.

  • Gunfighters use 1950s tech on F-35 for a huge win

    ‘Things aren’t made the way they used to be’ is a sentiment often tossed around when a new car or appliance breaks down. Even with all the new inventions and integrated technology there’s something to be said about the simplicity of an original design. Gunfighters at Mountain Home Air Force Base,

  • Radar survey team uses new innovation for faster surveys

    The Radar Survey section of the 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, recently obtained new technology that revolutionizes how they survey terrain and man-made features. That new technology is a 3-D terrestrial laser scanner called the Riegl VZ-2000i.

  • 8th IS initiative preps Airmen for life and mission in Hawaii

    The 692nd Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group’s 8th Intelligence Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, incorporated Aeronautical Reconnaissance Coverage Geographical Information System Online into their sponsorship program in December 2018.

  • Team Moody sparks innovation

    Moody Airmen had the opportunity to pitch their innovative ideas before a panel of 23d Wing and local community leaders during the base’s second annual Air Force Spark Tank competition, May 3, 2019, here. Seven Airmen presented ideas that will cost-effectively modernize various missions and drive

  • Operation Restore Paradise enhances readiness through adaptive basing

    Airmen deploy all the time, leaving their work centers behind. But what if the Airman stayed and their work centers deployed?The Air Force has two deployable Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratories (PMEL) called a Rapid Assistance Support for Calibration (RASCAL) unit. And Mountain Home Air

  • Team JSTARS maintainers design tool saving Air Force estimated $500k yearly

    Eight Airmen from Team JSTARS at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, recently designed an innovative tool estimated to save the Air Force nearly $500k a year in cowling repairs for the E-8C Joint STARS aircraft.The cowling fixture table, an approved tool intended for field-level repairs, was a response

  • 1 WXG’s virtual training brings real benefits

    Airmen assigned to the 1st Weather Group are rolling out virtual reality training tailored to the needs of the Air Force Weather community, allowing them to train faster and smarter.Delivered on March 14, 2019, 1st WXG’s NextGen Environmental Weather Training System simulates setting up and

  • 726th ACS updates Control and Reporting Center

    The 726th Air Control Squadron, a geographically separated unit of the 552nd Air Control Wing, impressed at recent training exercise, Red Flag 19-2. Better known by their call sign, Hardrock, the unit became the first to fully integrate the new generation of Control and Reporting Center into their

  • I-WEPTAC delivers third straight year of innovation

    Mission Area Working Groups delivered innovative solutions to the Air Force’s top Agile Combat Support challenges at the 3rd Annual Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conference outbrief here April 10. One of those senior leaders in attendance was Gen. Mike Holmes, commander of Air

  • 2nd WXG innovations: Task Force Bat Phone delivers data Airmen need

    This is the second part of a series highlighting innovations by the 557th Weather Wing’s 2nd Weather Group.Using off-the-shelf components, new processes and a little inspiration from Batman, a group of innovative Airmen from the 557th Weather Wing’s 2nd Weather Group are changing how information is

  • 552nd ACW Fuel Systems Creates New Tool in 12 Hours

    “What’s the game plan,” said the Accessories Flight Chief. “Well sir I do not think you are going to like it… we are going to have to do something that has never been done before,” replied Tech. Sgt. Marquis Gaines.

  • PTN innovations move to undergraduate pilot training

    Beginning May 31, 2019, flying training wings across Air Education and Training Command will formally begin integrating innovations from Pilot Training Next into the undergraduate pilot training curriculum, 19th Air Force officials announced at the PTN Technology Expo held March 12-13.

  • USAF Spark Tank finalists, winner visit AFTAC

    Finalists from the 2019 Air Force Spark Tank competition visited the Air Force Technical Applications Center here March 1 to meet with members of the center’s Innovation Lab and observe how failure has led to success for the nuclear treaty monitoring organization.

  • Innovation Rodeo moves ideas closer to reality

    During the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Innovation Rodeo, similar to the Air Force’s Spark Tank and national television’s Shark Tank, a panel of five senior Air Force leaders in the installation and mission support community watched eight presentations before selecting the three

  • AFIMSC continues to innovate in 2019

    The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center has been at the innovation forefront since it stood up in 2015, and it's taking it to the next level in 2019. In addition to more than 50 innovations fielded to date that are having a positive effect on installation and mission support

  • AFIMSC Innovation Office seeks game-changing ideas

    The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Innovation Office launches a program in the new year to help Airmen implement their innovative ideas. The campaign, open Jan. 1-31, 2019, gives military and civilian members of mission support groups worldwide a chance to fund their ideas and

  • PEO Digital finds north for lost Airmen

    Home units use software like the Personnel Recovery Mission Management system, or PRMM, to track deployed personnel. It defaults to “true north” when in use, but the deployed personnel often use a compass, which points to magnetic north. Magnetic north is subject to variations based on time,

  • Innovation at its finest

    The Air Force looks to its Airmen to be innovative in order to save time and money. Staff Sgt. Justin Tankersley, 20th Maintenance Group weapons lead crew chief, created a new tool for F-16 Fighting Falcons.

  • Squadron Innovation Fund: 9th CONS executes, meets unit demands

    The Air Force announced a new program known as the Squadron Innovation Fund (SIF) designed to fund new ideas. The program was inspired by the success of the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron’s initiative to overcome challenges they experienced while performing their mission independent of leadership

  • Cyber Airmen “fuel” innovation

    Cyber Airmen assigned to the 557th Weather Wing recently teamed together with the Defense Innovation Unit program making changes to how airborne tankers are scheduled. The changes are the direct result of a March 8, 2018, memo from Gen. Mike Holmes, commander of Air Combat Command, where he stated,

  • eFAILution Wall: Failure + Learning = Successful Evolution

    In 2013, AFTAC formed an Innovation Lab to find ways to improve and accomplish their mission by developing concepts and technologies faster and cheaper. But the number one reason for establishing the lab was to enable innovators within the center to take calculated risks and evolve from failure to

  • Secretary of the Air Force urges innovation in software acquisition model

    The process used by the Air Force to acquire software is archaic and needs to modernize now if the service is to win in a peer-to-peer conflict, said Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson.The secretary made those observations and gave a glimpse into the future of software acquisition during her

  • Nellis first base to use Tele-ICU

    The Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center here partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Tele-Intensive Care Unit (ICU) staff to work collaboratively with the bedside team to allow continuous monitoring of the ICU patients’ vitals when medical center providers are out of the

  • Advocates for change: 70th ISRW presents Innovation Summit 2018

    Innovation is a word that is often misapplied, overused or just seen as a buzzword. But, innovation for the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing and the Intelligence Community is a necessity to stay ahead of adversaries. The 70th ISRW continued to build a powerful network of

  • AF tests in-flight respiratory monitoring

    To lower risks of in-flight breathing issues and protect the health and performance of aircrew, Air Force researchers rely on innovative technology to deliver advanced respiratory monitoring, without the added weight.Researchers with the 711th Human Performance Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force

  • Stop the Bleed teaches crisis care

    University Medical Center of Southern Nevada and Nellis Air Force Base, have partnered to teach approximately 40 Stop the Bleed instructors to educate members of the community on crisis care.

  • AFWERX’s innovation strengthens perimeter security

    Approximately 75 military members, small businesses, entrepreneurs and academia innovators presented technology designs to address Air Force perimeter security issues, at the inaugural AFWERX Fusion Xperience June 20 and 21 at the Enclave in downtown Las Vegas.

  • NATO focuses on big data and artificial intelligence

    Members of the scientific and military communities from approximately 20 NATO countries came together to discuss leading developments in big data and artificial intelligence (AI) at the NATO Science and Technology Organization’s specialists meeting, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence for Military

  • A ‘simple fix’ will save the Air Force a lot of money

    In early May, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Tech. Sgt. Chance Cole, 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flight line expediter, came up with an idea – and it’s going to save the Air Force a lot of money. Each time maintenance personnel were unable to replace a spline

  • AFPC launches database for special trophies, awards information

    As the Air Force continues to streamline guidance and target improvements that impact Total Force Airmen in the squadrons, the Air Force’s Personnel Center has implemented an initiative placing all special trophies and award descriptions and eligibility information into a single location for maximum

  • ICON Talks: The road to innovation starts here

    ICON Talks provide a venue where Airmen can pitch their innovative ideas, not only to the 480th ISR Wing leadership but also to key innovators from other units assigned to the Air Combat Command, like the 432nd Wing.

  • Davis-Monthan named top base in the Air Force

    The Office of the Secretary of Defense named Davis-Monthan the top base in the Air Force for the second time in six years. The base won the 2018 Commander-in-Chief's Installation Excellence Award, which recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the service members who operate and maintain

  • Analyst eliminates threats faster through innovative targeting

    In the field of missile targeting, Staff Sgt. Sean, mobile missile targeting analyst, 20th Intelligence Squadron, is one of the most innovative and motivated members of 25th Air Force. As a member of the Ballistic Missile Projects Team, Sean developed mobile missile targeting strategies, led the

  • AGOW celebrates 10 years, looks to future

    Since 2008, the 93d Air Ground Operations Wing has been on the front lines of the global war against terrorism providing ground combat forces specially trained to integrate air and space power into the joint scheme maneuver.As the AGOW Spartans celebrate their 10th anniversary, they usher in changes

  • COMACC discusses the warfighter’s edge

    The commander of Air Combat Command Gen. Mike Holmes discussed the importance of taking the lead in warfighting through innovation at the 2018 Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida, Feb. 23, 2018.

  • Sun setting the MQ-1 Predator: A history of innovation

    The MQ-1 Predator is a Remotely Piloted Aircraft flown by aircrew assigned to the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Creech and units around the world. It has contributed to the U.S. warfighting efforts in unprecedented ways and is scheduled to sunset on March 9, 2018 as the Air Force

  • Airman finds solution to unsolvable problem

    When Airmen at the 363rd Intelligence and Surveillance Squadron discovered an issue with the three dimensional functionality on computer workstations vital to target analysts, one of their own highly-skilled Airmen found a solution and prevented $100,000 in equipment from becoming useless.

  • Team Moody brings holiday spirit to DFAC

    Leadership from Moody Air Force Base came to the Georgia Pines Dining Facility to serve the annual Christmas meal, Dec. 25, 2017, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The meal was an opportunity for Airmen, retirees, dependents and leadership to enjoy a traditional Christmas meal.

  • Metals tech: perfection in precision

    Precision is the name of the game for the metals technicians, who must abide by the welding and machinery measuring tolerance of three thousandths of an inch, which is approximately the width of a human hair.The 23d Maintenance Squadron’s (MXS) aircraft metals technology technicians strive for

  • DFAC services: Bringing the heat, feeding the force

    When it comes to winning a war, victory can fall on which “army’s” troops are fed. To feed an Air Force, the Dining Facility Airmen bring the heat to their battleground: the kitchen. Through teamwork, adaption and striving for excellence, the Georgia Pines DFAC Airmen are able to ensure Team Moody

  • Nomination window open for 2018 AF innovation award

    Application packages for the 2018 General Larry O. Spencer Innovation Award, based on contributions occurring between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018, are due to the Air Force’s Personnel Center by April 20, 2018.

  • CSAF impressed by Team Beale’s initiative, lead on CSAF focus areas

    The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General David L. Goldfein, recently met with members of Team Beale to receive a first-hand look of the continual progression made to maintain and supply readiness to our air and space superiority Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2017, at Beale Air Force Base,

  • Airman brings Reaper, ISR capabilities closer together

    Among the exceptional Airmen of the 25th Air Force are many inspirational leaders, motivators and innovators. Staff Sgt. Nick, noncommissioned officer in charge of Distributed Mission Site Flight Operations, 526th Intelligence Squadron, is one of those unique Airmen.

  • 347th Rescue Group initiates new medical, survival training

    Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialists and Independent Duty Medical Technicians recently partnered to innovate a more realistic training experience for 23d Wing aircrew.The training is designed to merge many smaller courses into one three-day course that seamlessly ties together

  • AFwerX Vegas opens new doors to innovation

    The men and women of the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center will once again be on the leading edge of testing, tactics, and training innovation, establishing the force’s most ambitious knowledge outreach program to date. Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson announced the launch of AFwerX during her

  • Continuous Process Improvement bears fruit

    The investment in Airmen’s ideas through a Continuous Process Improvement event this past January has Moody’s propulsion team displaying measurable improvements in the timeliness and effectiveness of supporting the A-10C Thunderbolt II’s increased flying mission.Over the last seven months, The 23d

  • SECAF visits ISR Airmen in Virginia

    Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson visited 25th Air Force Airmen during her trip to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Aug. 3, 2017.