Category: Defence Intelligence

Source: United States Air Force

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —  

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin, Gina Allvin, the CSAF’s spouse, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass, and Rahn Bass, the CMSAF’s spouse, wish the U.S. Air Force and its Airmen happy holidays.

Source: United States Air Force

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —  

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall provided remarks to Airmen, Guardians and civilian teammates for the remarkable work they’ve provided during 2023. Through the incredible challenges over the course of the year, Kendall offered his thanks and gratitude. One Team One Fight.

 

Source: United States Air Force

The U.S. Department of Defense and the Japanese Ministry of Defense signed a project arrangement for joint research on Overwhelming Response through Collaborative Autonomy, Dec. 22.

The project’s objective is to revolutionize airborne combat by merging state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and machine learning with advanced unmanned air vehicles and is a direct result of the December 2022 MoD-DoD joint statement on cooperation for Japan’s future aircraft.

The AI developed in this joint research is expected to be applied to UAVs operated alongside Japan’s next fighter aircraft.

Japan MoD and the U.S. DoD will continue to coordinate and expand bilateral cooperation on UAVs. Japan-U.S. efforts in this endeavor are beneficial for maintaining the interoperability and technological advantages of the Japan-U.S. alliance.

Source: United States Air Force

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AFNS) —  

On Dec. 19, Keesler Air Force Base welcomed a familiar face, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne Bass, who explored the base to gain a firsthand perspective on how the 81st Training Wing is executing its mission.

Bass represents the highest enlisted level of leadership, as her position includes offering guidance to the enlisted force and advocating for their interests as necessary, both to the American public and across all government levels.

Accompanying her was the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Honorable Alex Wagner and Chief Master Sgt. John Alsvig, Air Force first sergeant special duty manager, also known as Diamond 1.

The tour kicked off with the senior leaders having a sit-down breakfast with Airmen across the wing. Hitting on the 81st TRW’s priority of empowered Airmen, the breakfast provided opportunity for Airmen of all ranks to have open discussion on topics such as the benefits of transitioning from bullet format to narratives for evaluations, capitalizing on military benefits, managing a work life balance and staying motivated.

“Never forget where you came from, why you do what you do and never quit learning,” Bass said.

After breakfast, they witnessed how the 81st TRW is focusing on training through going on tour of the 333rd Training Squadron’s schoolhouse, where officers and enlisted service members go for cyberspace initial and advanced skills training. They surveyed the Cyber Escape Room, designed to challenge students’ skill sets from ​​decoding cyphers and packet tracing to programming and networking. Additionally, the tour highlighted the 334th TS’s air traffic control study room that gives students greater access to radar and tower static tables and Max Sim ATC simulators which has proven to reduce the elimination rate of the course by 4%. Providing study rooms give students more opportunities to absorb and retain information outside of classroom hours, further enhancing dorms as a weapon system.

Following a peak into the 81st Training Group, Bass hosted an all call for approximately 400 Airman across the installation, providing them insight and discussion of our evolving force and answering questions with the support of Wagner and Alsvig.

Bass’s time at Keesler AFB wrapped up with a final formation of all five training squadrons, where she motivated Airmen and Guardians in training and conducted an ‘End of Watch’ retiring of the aiguillette ceremony for two military training leaders.

The tour to Keesler AFB marks the last time Bass will visit the installation as the chief master sergeant of the Air Force. Immediately before her CMSAF assignment, Bass was stationed at Keesler AFB as the Second Air Force command chief making the base an unofficial homecoming tour.

 

Source: United States Air Force

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —  

The Department of the Air Force announced the six Spark Tank 2024 finalists Dec. 14 following the announcement of the 15 semifinalists Dec. 5.

The Spark Tank team presented the top 15 ideas identified through pairwise voting and subject matter expert evaluations from this year’s pool of submissions. DAF senior leaders convened to review and discuss the merits of each idea, reaching consensus to identify Spark Tank 2024’s six finalists.

Out of 138 submissions from across the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Air Force, the following were selected for the semifinals round:
Air Traffic Control Situational Awareness Mobile Network – a man portable combination system that provides a RADAR-like capability in austere environments

CLEAR skies, safe eyes: Protecting aircrews from laser strikes – technology to triangulate locations of ground-based laser attacks directed at aircrews

COMMERCIAL CHECK – Pioneering the Path to Eradicate Acquisition Delays – harnessing automated intelligence and machine learning to securely expedite acquisitions

Enterprise Digital Credentialing Service – a user-centric integration of credentials from both DAF and external systems to provide a wholistic view of Airmen’s knowledge, skills, and abilities

Increasing USAF Air Dominance Lethality and Survivability through M&S – an application for advanced framework for simulation, integration and modeling for rapid tactics evaluation tool

Project Spectrum Shield – a network of connected devices that detect and locate intrusion by unauthorized devices collecting against air bases and sensitive operating locations

Revolutionize the PCS Process–Bring Transportation of HHG from 1975 to 2023 – an application that fully automates household goods shipping management

Secure Agile Communications System – a self-contained fly-away kit that establishes secure communication channels for forward operating bases

Unmanned Flight Interface – a unified dashboard that provides a reliable, seamless integration of all software tools utilized by unmanned vehicle pilots

The following were selected as the finalists from the top 15:
Autonomous Vehicles for Flightline Resupply* – automated delivery vehicles to provide supplies to maintenance crews working on aircraft on the flightline

CyberAssess – like TurboTax for your Authority to Operate* – an application that simplifies the steps and automates the paperwork required to introduce new technology into the Air Force information architecture

F-16 Collapsible Cockpit ACE Ladder* – a collapsible ladder that can be carried inside the cockpit thus removing the need to preposition bulky legacy ladders

Flyways Defender for Airspace Awareness and Defense* – an artificial intelligence-enabled to provide air defense situational awareness and aid decision making

Load Plan+* – an interactive load plan application that allows medevac crews to label patients, select equipment needed for the mission, and optimize placement within the aircraft

Project Lavoy (formerly Project Lifesaver)* – advanced technology for contingency blood transfusions

The six finalist teams will travel to Arlington, Virginia, in January 2024 to refine their pitches and stage presence in preparation for their presentation to the secretary of the Air Force, chief of Space Operations, chief of staff of the Air Force, chief master sergeant of the Space Force, and chief master sergeant of the Air Force next year at a yet-to-be-announced location.

Spark Tank is DAF’s flagship competition in which innovators from across the department pitch their ideas to a panel of top leadership and industry experts in pursuit of sponsorship to realize their idea.

Source: United States Air Force

ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Ontario (AFNS) —  

The United States Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force recently demonstrated their commitment to a strong partnership through the Enlisted Professional Military Education, or EPME, exchange initiative. This initiative has seen mutual collaboration, with four non-commissioned Airmen from the USAF completing the RCAF Primary Leadership Qualification course at the RCAF Academy in Borden. 
 
Participating in this exchange program were two French scholars in the Language Enabled Airman Program, or LEAP; U.S. Air Force technical sergeants, Ndap Tah and Sanvi Panou. As Canada has two official languages, English and French, with most military courses being taught in both languages, their involvement in the program provided them with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the language and culture of their Canadian counterparts. This fostered a close collaboration and mutual understanding of each other’s perspectives. 
 
“The experience of constantly speaking French with my Canadian counterparts was very interesting. It helped us learn about each other’s cultures, our shared goals of serving our countries, and it created a partnership and a very close collaboration,” Tah said.

In a reciprocated gesture, three RCAF members recently graduated from the Airman Leadership School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, underscoring the mutual commitment to cooperation and knowledge exchange between the two air forces. 
 
“This program further strengthens our friendship and partnership between our two great air forces,” said Chief Warrant Officer of the Royal Canadian Air Force Chief Warrant Officer John Hall. “On exercises, operations, and through the bi-national command NORAD, USAF and RCAF members routinely serve side by side.” 
 
This strategic collaboration signifies a significant step in fortifying the interoperability and professional development of noncommissioned leaders, highlighting the commitment to mutual learning and shared expertise. The EPME exchange initiative, which began in 2021, aims to foster greater cooperation and understanding between the enlisted ranks of the two air forces. The RCAF Academy, a modern institution providing leadership and management training to over 1,000 annual students, plays a pivotal role in this initiative. 
 
“The cross-national Enlisted PME initiative illustrates our dedication to nurturing airmen’s development through diverse learning environments. It encompasses more than education; it involves building connections, fostering global perspectives, and strengthening strategic partnerships,” said Chief Master Sgt. Denny Richardson, command chief master sergeant, Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Region (CONR)-First Air Force (U.S. Air Forces Northern and U.S. Air Forces Space). “I would like to express my gratitude to Senior Master Sgt. Alejandro Velez from the CONR-1AF(AFNORTH/AFSPACE)/A5/A8 for playing a crucial role in bringing the program to fruition.” 
 
The partnership between the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force, as demonstrated through the EPME exchange initiative, is a testament to their commitment to mutual learning and collaboration. These joint initiatives signify a significant step in strengthening the professional development of non-commissioned leaders, showcasing the depth and resilience of their partnership. This ongoing collaboration is expected to make a noteworthy contribution to the security landscape in North America.