Category: Aviation

Source: United States Air Force

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) —  

The Secretary of the Air Force Diversity and Inclusion office showcased a pivotal presence at the Air & Space Forces Association’s 2023 Air, Space & Cyber Conference held Sept. 11 to 13 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. 

SAF/DI’s presence was paramount at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference, which provided first-class professional military development and shared emerging requirements and technologies to help fuel connections that advance the cause of air and space power. 

A standout moment was Marianne Malizia, Secretary of the Air Force Diversity and Inclusion director, participating in the AFA panel discussion titled “Shattering Barriers to Success.”

Addressing the critical importance of diversity and inclusion in the Air Force and Space Force, Malizia noted the totality of the DAF’s strength.  

“Our force’s strength is the sum of individual experiences, backgrounds and talents,” she said. “By embracing diversity and inclusion, we enhance adaptability, improve decision-making and boost cohesion and morale.” 

The panel provided a deep dive into how diversity and inclusion intricately tie into mission readiness and overall success. Malizia emphasized how diverse teams lead to improved decision making, a broader spectrum of skills, and a stronger response to international challenges.  

In addition, the discussion shed light on the vital role the Department of the Air Force Barrier Analysis Working Group has played in unearthing institutional barriers and advising senior leaders on necessary policy changes. 

Chief Master Sgt. Don Pedro, SAF DI senior enlisted leader, reinforced the importance of diversity and inclusion in shaping the future of the Air and Space Forces. 

“When our Airmen and Guardians face barriers, it’s our duty to ensure they have the tools and channels to voice concerns and seek mentorship,” he said.  

He urged individuals to engage in diversity and inclusion training, build alliances and tap into mentorship opportunities. 

SAF DI’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion was evident throughout the conference. 

Their partnership with the Ira C. Eaker Center for Leadership Development, live breakout sessions, round table discussions with Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and engagements with other senior DAF leaders showcased a comprehensive and united front. 

During the conference, a crucial round table discussion took place between representatives and champions from  DAFBAWG teams. This provided an opportunity to engage with key DAF leadership, including Secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall; Performing the Duties of Undersecretary of the Air Force, Kristyn Jones; Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Alex Wagner; and the Secretary of the Air Force Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Marianne Malizia.  

A key takeaway from the discussion was the need to create a forum for direct and regular crosstalk between DAF senior leaders and the DAFBAWG teams. 

These events reiterated that the drive toward diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility is not just about ticking boxes but about strengthening the force to tackle the challenges of tomorrow with dignity, respect and unparalleled capability. 

Pedro said SAF DI will lead in championing the cause of diversity and inclusion as the DAF continues to foster professional growth and glean insights into cutting-edge requirements and technologies.

Source: United States Air Force

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) —  

The U.S. Air Force’s ability to rapidly generate airpower at a moment’s notice was put to the test at Kadena Air Base, when the 18th Wing conducted a no-notice agile combat employment exercise Sept. 22. 

Airmen from the 18th Wing partnered with deployed Airmen from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and Eielson AFB, Alaska, to launch multiple F-15C/D Eagles, F-15E Strike Eagles and F-35A Lightning IIs without prior notice to test the base’s ability to rapidly generate and disperse airpower. 

“ACE relies on our team’s ability to quickly mobilize our aircraft from large, centralized hub bases to networks of smaller, dispersed, spoke locations to increase survivability and complicate potential adversary targeting,” said Col. Joshua Lundeby, 18th Wing deputy commander. “Through training like this, we remain postured to deter, deny and defeat any threat to regional stability, our nation, and its allies and partners.  

Airmen were tasked with getting Kadena AB’s diverse fleet of fighter aircraft prepped and ready to launch as though they were being dispersed to spoke locations. Once the fighters taxied, or launched for regularly scheduled training sorties, they were considered ‘departed’ for purposes of evaluation. 

The exercise showcased the capabilities of U.S. Airmen across the spectrum of operational, maintenance and support specializations.

 “This wasn’t a small feat, we brought highly skilled Airmen from four different fighter maintenance units across the globe and asked them to tackle safe, compliant and efficient ACE,” said Col. Randy Schwinler, 18th Maintenance Group commander. “I am extremely proud of their performance.” 

As the Keystone of the Pacific, Kadena AB’s strategic size and location make it a pivotal installation for ensuring the defense of Japan and a free and open Indo-Pacific. Through realistic training like this exercise, Kadena AB Airmen are honing skills necessary to keep pace with evolving threats to the U.S. and its allies and partners. 

“Exercises like this enable decentralized execution by empowering our Airmen to refine their abilities and provides them with opportunities to innovate or adapt new techniques while increasing efficiency within mission command,” Schwinler added. 

Kadena AB is currently hosting deployed fighter units from across the Air Force to ensure uninterrupted fighter coverage at the base through the phased departure of Kadena AB’s venerable fleet of F-15C/D Eagles. 

“The array of fighters in this theater provides us with more opportunities to integrate with our regional partners,” said Col. Henry Schantz, 18th Operations Group commander. “Pairing those distinct capabilities with ACE gives us an increased strategic advantage, ultimately strengthening our combat capability in defense of Japan and the Indo-Pacific region.”

 

Source: United States Air Force

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) —  

Joby Aviation, Inc. officially delivered its first experimental electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft to the Air Force during a ceremony held at Edwards Air Force Base, Sept. 25. The ceremony showcased the unique multi-party collaboration between private industry, AFWERX, the 412th Test Wing and NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center.

The Emerging Technologies Integrated Test Force, part of the recently structured Airpower Foundations Combined Test Force, is the lead element tasked with testing and evaluating the technology for future national defense applications. The ET-ITF will work alongside a team from Joby Aviation as part of a unique collaboration between private industry and the Air Force.

“This partnership between AFWERX, Agility Prime and the ITF is a new, direct, agile path to progress technology through the Acquisition Valley of Death,” said Maj. Phillip Woodhull, ET-ITF director.

The test campaign is part of a larger program known as Agility Prime, an AFWERX led initiative that seeks to harness commercial offerings with military applications through investment in emerging technologies such as transformative vertical lift, distributed electric propulsion, electric, hybrid-electric, hydrogen, and other novel power generation sources, increased autonomy, advanced manufacturing, and agile combat employment support.

Edwards AFB presents an ideal location to conduct developmental flight testing of experimental aircraft due to an abundance of space and consistent ideal weather conditions. The ET ITF will utilize the 412th Test Wing’s world-renowned risk management process to ensure both manned and remotely piloted operations of the eVTOL aircraft are conducted safely.

Ahead of the first delivery, ET-ITF test pilots spent time with the eVTOL aircraft and systems at Joby’s Marina, California facility. This has allowed for a swift transition into developmental flight test operations at Edwards AFB. Test sorties are anticipated to begin eminently.

“As we forge forward and embrace the future of advanced air mobility, our legacy is a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration,” said Col. Douglas Wickert, 412th Test Wing commander. “Through the work of this test team, the electric dreams of today are going to become the aviation realities of tomorrow.”

Source: United States Air Force

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) —  

U.S. Air Force aircrew operating across 20 different rotor, tilt-wing, and fixed-wing aircraft – including but not limited to CV-22 Ospreys, HH-60G Pave Hawks, C-130 Hercules, and C-17 Globemaster IIIs – will receive new body armor carrier systems as part of an effort to update and replace older models. 

“We are replacing approximately 7,300 current legacy body armor carrier systems and components because they are either no longer being sustained by the Defense Logistics Agency or they are impacting mission readiness due to their weight and particular design,” said 1st Lt. Diego Martinez, program manager for Aviation Body Armor within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Human Systems Division. “This effort is crucial because aircrew often operate in hostile environments where they are in real danger, and having the right body armor on the operator or inside the aircraft can be lifesaving.” 

The body armor carriers are unique and designed specifically for aircrew. 

“Aircrew have very different mission sets compared to other Air Force career fields that may require body armor,” Martinez added. “For example, aircrew body armor carrier systems need extraction capabilities in the event they [aircrew] need to be extracted for medical reasons.” 

One of the benefits of the new carrier systems is that they will weigh less than the legacy systems. 

“In the past, weight wasn’t looked at as too much of a big item because people thought that body armor is just heavy inherently,” Martinez said. “But there have been lots of recent efforts by manufacturers to develop different types of materials or different designs to specifically reduce weight.”   

So far, the division has identified two potential replacement systems for aircrew, including the Aviation Body Armor Vest and the Army Aircrew Combat Equipment. 

Testing to evaluate operational use and safety of the two systems is scheduled to begin in October 2023 and will conclude by summer of 2024. The selected system(s) will be fielded by individual units between the summer of 2024 and the summer of 2025.

Source: United States Air Force

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) —  

The Department of the Air Force is set to amend childcare fees, effective Dec. 31, in keeping with the new Department of Defense Program Fee Policy for school year 2023-2024.

“The Defense Department is adjusting how much service members pay in childcare fees for the 2023-2024 school year to reduce the burden on lower-income families and meet the intent of Executive Order 14095,” according to a DoD release.

Executive Order 14095, “Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers,” directs the DoD to improve the affordability of childcare on military installations.

The new fee policy reduces the number of fee categories from 14 to 11, modifies the total family income categories and increases the highest income category to $160,001 and above.

“These adjustments provide a more equitable division of fees based on total family income,” said Lesley Smith, Air Force Services Center chief of Air Force Child and Youth Programs.

“We’re mission enablers and our goal is to care for Air and Space Forces families not only through our traditional programs, but in our local communities as well. These adjusted fees will allow our members to receive high-quality care at a reasonable cost,” she said.

The new fee policy also increases the fee assistance provider rate cap for community-based providers and military-certified family childcare providers up to $100 a month per child.

“Changes to the fee policy will ensure DoD can continue to invest in our service members by providing quality, affordable childcare through both installation-based programs and community-based fee assistance,” said Grier Martin, performing the duties of the assistant secretary of defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. “We recognize the importance of providing military families and DoD civilians with access to quality and affordable childcare, and we’re committed to addressing the increased demand and challenges for this critical issue which directly impacts the readiness of the Total Force.”

Following routine, all-inclusive assessments of childcare fees, the school year 2023-2024 fee policy was developed to make the cost of childcare more equitable and affordable for families with the greatest economic need by reducing the percentage of income that lower income families devote to their childcare needs, according to the DoD news release.

The DoD is also expanding eligibility to service members for Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts. Service members can enroll during the 2023 Federal Benefits Open Season in mid-November through mid-December 2023, and accounts will start for those enrolled on Jan. 1.

Overall, these childcare fee policy changes will help the DoD continue to provide quality child development services to military families, “which is consistent with our ongoing efforts to both improve the affordability of childcare and recruit and retain CDP workers,” Martin said.

The updated DAF fee policy will be released in the next few weeks and will provide more guidance for Air and Space Forces families.

Source: United States Air Force

DUKE FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) —  

AFWERX and one of its Prime division partners, BETA Technologies, an electric aerospace company, broke ground on the first electric aircraft charging station on a military installation at Duke Field Sept. 19.

The expected completion date for the Level 3 direct current electric vehicle fast charging station construction project is Oct. 13, weeks before BETA’s electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft arrives for testing.

“Level 1 is a typical home power outlet and would take days to charge an eVTOL. Level 2 is a dryer or air conditioning outlet and would take hours. Level 3 is a supercharger and only takes minutes,” said Maj. Riley Livermore, 413th Flight Test Squadron flight commander.

“And that’s what these companies need, because if you want to make it viable from a commercial or military perspective, I can’t wait 24 hours to charge my airplane. They need to do it in less than an hour.” – Maj. Riley Livermore, 413th Flight Test Squadron flight commander

To achieve the speeds necessary for fast charging, Level 3 chargers require an extremely high-powered current. To provide enough power to the 480-volt, 400-amp charging station, Livermore said the base had to upgrade its power grid and bought a 1000-kilowatt volt-amp transformer that can increase or decrease the voltage and intensity of an electric current while keeping electricity flow consistent.

“You can power roughly 250 homes simultaneously with the amount of power one charger is using,” Livermore added.

Located 10 miles north of Eglin Air Force Base, Duke Field was strategically selected as the test field for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The field is home to the Air Force’s rotary wing test squadron, the 413th Flight Test Squadron.

“The 413th has a breadth of experience testing a variety of rotor wing aircraft and we’re looking to those experts to assist with the testing of eVTOL aircraft,” said Maj. Anthony Zartman, AFWERX Agility Prime program lead. “We’ve grown to the point now with our partners that we’re ready to put hardware at multiple bases and take a close look at possible use cases. It’s an exciting time for our program.”

AFWERX is partnering with the eVTOL commercial industry to bring zero-emission aviation to the military along with other benefits, including a quiet noise profile and the cost savings to operate and maintain its fleet without dependency on traditional fossil fuels.

“Our mission is to continue to be at the leading edge of emerging technologies in the aerospace industry,” Zartman added. “AFWERX has integrated with each of these eVTOL companies as early as possible, so we can potentially influence those designs and also be up to speed on the pros and cons of current technology. Then we’ll decide whether or not to continue to pursue those technologies, or perhaps pursue them in different ways. When the technology is advanced to a level where it provides a capability for the warfighter, we’ll be ready to pull the trigger and execute.”

Source: United States Air Force

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —  

Melissa Dalton was nominated as under secretary of the Air Force by President Joe Biden Sept. 21.

If confirmed, Dalton would be the 28th official to hold the position.

“On behalf of the Department of the Air Force, we congratulate the Honorable Melissa Dalton on her nomination to serve as the next Under Secretary of the Air Force,” said Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall. “I look forward to the Senate’s consideration of her nomination and, if confirmed, working with her on behalf of all Airmen and Guardians.”

The position of under secretary of the Air Force assists the Secretary of the Air Force to manage the Department of the Air Force, made up of two military services, the Air Force and the Space Force. Duties of the position include assisting with the development and implementation of policy for organizing, training, and equipping Air Forces and Space Forces comprised of 700,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen and Guardians and their families serving around the world.

“Melissa has a distinguished career of service to the nation and service members and their families, including as principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities and now assistant secretary of defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs,” Kendall said. “Her experience and deep expertise will serve the Air Force and Space Force well. I commend President Biden and Secretary Austin for her nomination.”

Kristyn E. Jones, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, has performed the duties of the vacated role of under secretary of the Air Force since March 6, 2023.

“The Honorable Kristyn Jones will continue to perform the duties of the under secretary of the Air Force, pending Melissa’s confirmation,” Kendall said. “Kristyn’s dedicated leadership and many contributions to the Department are deeply appreciated.”

Source: United States Air Force

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) —  

In this week’s look around the Air Force, leaders talk about how the department is changing in light of great power competition in their keynote speeches at the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference at National Harbor, Maryland. (Hosted by Senior Airman Saomy Sabournin)

Watch on DVIDS | Watch on YouTube
For previous episodes, click here for the Air Force TV page.

Source: United States Air Force

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) —  

Air, ground and naval forces from the United States and Canada under the authority of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command successfully completed maneuvers near Shemya, Attu and St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, Sept. 10, as part of a long-planned, bi-national operation to detect, deter and safeguard against potential threats to North America and the Arctic region.

Forces in support of Operation Noble Defender, an operation supporting the NORAD and USNORTHCOM Homeland Defense Campaign plan, demonstrated their ability to operate in the dynamic Arctic region including unfavorable weather and the austere environment.

Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of NORAD and USNORTHCOM, said as the environment continues to change, interest in the Arctic region increases and that makes the ability to execute operations there more important than ever.

“As strategic competitors take advantage of greater access and influence in the region, NORAD and USNORTHCOM must demonstrate the readiness and capability to persistently operate in the arctic,” he said. “Access to ready forces, trained and equipped to operate in the arctic is vital to the defense of North America and ensuring a peaceful and prosperous region.”

Operation Noble Defender included USNORTHCOM air, ground, naval and special forces components conducting Operation Polar Dagger, designed to integrate joint special operations units and test new capabilities while defending critical infrastructure, enhancing all-domain awareness and strengthening the force’s understanding of the region.

USNORTHCOM contributes additional capabilities to Operation Noble Defender events to enhance integrated deterrence across strategic opportunities.

Operation Noble Defender also included an air component, Operation Polar Arrow, to demonstrate the ability to deploy assets in concert with special operations elements, as well as the ability to maintain air sovereignty over North America.

United States and Canadian NORAD assets such as F-16 Fighting Falcons, CF-18 Hornets, E-3 airborne warning and control system and KC-135 Stratotanker demonstrated the interoperability needed by this bi-national command as part of the layered defense structure required to defend North America.

Operation Noble Defender is a recurring NORAD air defense operation that demonstrates and strengthens the command’s ability to maintain mission readiness in various environments and to preserve capacity for follow-on operations.

Source: United States Air Force

VILLAMOR AIR BASE, Philippines (AFNS) —  

At the request of the Philippine government, the 505th Training Squadron located at Hurlburt Field, Florida sent a team of U.S. Air Force Air Operations Center Formal Training Unit instructors to Villamor Air Base, Philippines, Aug. 10-19.

The instructors trained 28 members of the Philippine Air Force’s 300th Air Intelligence and Security Wing and 5th Fighter Wing. The bilateral training focused on joint planning processes; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance fundamentals; and best practices for ISR support to operations.