Category: Defence Intelligence

Source: United States Air Force

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS) —  

The first Officer Training School-Victory class graduated at Maxwell Air Force Base Dec. 8.

The graduation ceremony marked the historic transformation of the Department of the Air Force’s Officer Training School, setting an elevated standard for the next generation of Air and Space Force leaders. OTS-V provides a competency-based course designed to develop warrior-minded leaders of character committed to the Air Force oath, values and creed.

The new course promotes transformative change through leadership reps and sets in the affective, cognitive and behavioral learning domains. This experiential learning includes 60 hours across 28 days of challenging mission command experiences, as officer trainees lead their teams in multiple demanding environments to achieve the commander’s intent. OTS MCEs are conducted in three primary environments: a new tactical level Multi-Domain Warfighting Lab, an innovative Combined Joint Task Force Wargame and a deployed field exercise to prepare graduates to serve and lead Airmen and Guardians through volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous challenges to accomplish difficult missions.

“All of it has changed to produce a better warfighter,” said Col. Derrick J. Iwanenko, deputy OTS commandant. “For the first time, we’re a competency-based course, executing mission command experiences. Within our condensed timeline, nobody is executing the level of reps and sets we’re able to induce for the trainees through mission command.”

OTS-V incorporates a physically, intellectually and emotionally rigorous five-module approach across 60 training days. OTS will conduct, on average, 20 classes per year with a new class starting every two weeks. The additional class start dates promote flexibility for stakeholders, reduce candidates’ wait time to attend training, and allow for increased trainee throughput. At any point, OTS will have up to five classes in session in various phases of training. The new training construct allows OTS to easily surge production to meet mission requirements in both steady state and a contingency mobilization posture.

“I’m extremely grateful and honored to have had the privilege to serve and to be a part of our OTS transformation,” said Col. Keolani Bailey, OTS commandant. “I’m sincerely appreciative of the entire OTS team for their innovation, passion, and commitment to the mission, each other and our trainees. Our OTS professionals are the best in the leader development business! I am also thankful for the officer trainees who invest their best to develop themselves, their peers, and our staff as we continually improve to become the premier leader development institution within the profession of arms. As warrior-minded leaders of character, our graduates emerge committed to living with honor, lifting others and elevating the performance of their teams to deter, fight and win our nation’s wars.”

Source: United States Air Force

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —  

Chief Master Sgt. David A. Flosi was selected Dec. 11 to be the 20th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, adding a deeply experienced and proven Airman to the top echelon of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin’s emerging leadership team.

In announcing the selection, Allvin noted Flosi’s experience, leadership and achievements across his Air Force career and said Flosi brings qualities to the job that are especially important when the Air Force is navigating one of the most challenging moments in its history.

“Our Airmen deserve the best leaders possible – and that’s Chief Flosi,” Allvin said. “He is a phenomenal leader and wingman who will empower our Total Force. His unique experiences, attitude and commitment will prove essential as we re-optimize our force for Great Power Competition. I am excited to work with him as we follow through on our efforts to meet today’s pacing challenge.”

Flosi emerged as the clear choice from a group of the most highly respected, experienced graduated command chief master sergeants from across the Air Force’s global operations, officials said. These leaders were selected based on breadth of experience, recommendations from senior commanders and performance across each candidate’s Air Force career.

“I’m honored and humbled to represent all Airmen as your 20th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force,” Chief Master Sgt. David A. Flosi said. “We are serving at a time of great consequence where success hinges on our ability to optimize this team toward the changing character of war. I’m excited to serve the Total Force supporting the SECAF and CSAF’s priorities. We have heard the call for action from General Allvin … it is time to follow through!”

With Flosi’s selection, the current Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, JoAnne S. Bass, will soon close out her tenure as the service’s highest ranking noncommissioned leader. Bass has been in the job since August 2020. She was the first woman in Air Force history to be named CMSAF, and the first woman in Department of Defense history to serve as a service-level Senior Enlisted Advisor.

“Chief Flosi is an incredibly strong leader who has proven himself in every role at every level,” Bass said. “I have no doubt he will continue building and developing our Air Force to be the future force our nation needs to compete, deter and win in any domain.”

Department of the Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall offered praise and his endorsement, as well.

“The Department of the Air Force relies on our Senior Enlisted Advisors to represent the needs and perspectives of all our enlisted Airmen and Guardians, the majority of our force,” Kendall said. “I have high confidence that Chief Flosi will build upon the great example provided by his predecessors and serve with distinction as our twentieth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.”

Flosi moves into his new job from Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where he serves as the command chief master sergeant. That role is similar in many respects to the role he will assume at the Pentagon. At Materiel Command he is the senior enlisted leader and the primary advisor to the commander on all matters regarding the readiness, training, professional development and effective utilization of the command’s 89,000 total force Airmen.

Prior to his tour at Wright-Patterson AFB, Flosi served as the command chief master sergeant at the Air Force’s Sustainment Center at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

Flosi began his Air Force career in 1996 as a nuclear weapons specialist. That focus expanded over the years to include various leadership duties in conventional and nuclear munitions, as well as missile operations, program management and test and contingency operations.

Like his predecessor, Flosi has a deployment history, including tours in support of operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Inherent Resolve and Freedom’s Sentinel.

Also, like previous CMSAFs, Flosi will be the public face for Air Force personnel to those in all levels of government. He will be a personal adviser to Allvin and other senior leaders, both military and civilian, and will be expected to provide insight on issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale and proper utilization and progress of the Air Force’s entire cadre of Airmen.

Through his leadership, Flosi will provide direction for the Total Force and will represent the interests of all Airmen. A link to Chief Master Sgt. David A. Flosi’s biography can be found here.

Source: United States Air Force

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —  

The Department of the Air Force released its report on the results of an Air Force Inspector General investigation in response to the unauthorized disclosure of classified information by an individual at the 102nd Intelligence Wing, Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts.

The Secretary of the Air Force directed the investigation of compliance with policy, procedures and standards and the unit environment at the 102 IW. The investigation also included organizations and areas outside the unit. The IG investigation was separate from the criminal investigation into the actions of Airman 1st Class Jack D. Teixeira being led by the Department of Justice.

Report of Investigation

According to the IG investigation report, the cause of the unauthorized disclosure remains the alleged actions of one individual, A1C Teixeira, who has been indicted on six counts for the unauthorized disclosure of national defense information, and is awaiting a trial date. 

The IG investigation found individuals in Teixeira’s unit failed to take proper action after becoming aware of his intelligence-seeking activities.  However, the investigation did not find evidence that members of Teixeira’s supervisory chain were aware of his alleged unauthorized disclosures.

Indirect factors that enabled Teixeira’s unauthorized disclosure include the failure of commanders to adequately inspect areas under their command, inconsistent guidance for reporting security incidents, inconsistent definitions of the “Need to Know” concept, conflation of classified system access with the “Need to Know” principle, inefficient and ineffective processes for administering disciplinary actions, lack of supervision/oversight of night shift operations and a failure to provide security clearance field investigation results. 

Finally, the IG investigation found 102 IW leadership was not vigilant in inspecting the conduct of all persons who were placed under their command.  The IG investigation specifically found the 102 IW leadership did not effectively prioritize the immediate mission security by not taking the required actions to accomplish security program responsibilities fully and effectively.

“Every Airman and Guardian is entrusted with the solemn duty to safeguard our nation’s classified defense information. When there is a breach of that sacred trust, for any reason, we will act in accordance with our laws and policies to hold responsible individuals accountable,” said Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall. “Our national security demands leaders at every level protect critical assets, ensuring they do not fall into the hands of those who would do the United States or our allies and partners harm.”

Accountability Actions

Beginning on Sept. 7, 2023, Air National Guard leaders initiated disciplinary and other administrative actions against 15 individuals, ranging in rank from E-5 to O-6, for dereliction in the performance of duties. The actions ranged from relieving personnel from their positions, including command positions, to non-judicial punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Col. Sean Riley, 102 IW commander, received administrative action and was relieved of command for cause and Enrique Dovalo, 102d Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group commander received administrative action for concerns with unit culture and compliance with policies and standards.

Previously suspended commanders from the 102d Intelligence Support Squadron and the detachment overseeing administrative support for Airmen at the unit mobilized for duty under Title 10 USC were permanently removed.

The 102nd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group was taken off mission when Teixeira was discovered as the source of the unauthorized disclosures.  The group’s mission remains reassigned to other organizations within the Air Force.

Department of the Air Force-Wide Security Improvements

As a result of a department-wide security stand-down conducted within 30 days of the unauthorized disclosure, Airmen and Guardians reviewed security procedure compliance, attended security training and were surveyed on enterprise-wide information security practices.

The Department of the Air Force has implemented several reforms to improve procedures related to need to know and classified access, in addition to improving accountability for protection of classified and sensitive information. Clearance approval levels and need-to-know are two fundamentally distinct concepts. 

Additional reforms include: improving need-to-know enforcement for electronic and hard-copy classified information; providing additional guidance on layered physical security protections for facilities and systems; increasing clarity on the responsibility of individuals and commanders to report behaviors of concern; ensuring hand-off and receipt occurs within personnel security systems when individuals transfer to other assignments; increased emphasis on cyber hygiene; and improving security training content and delivery. 

The need to balance information security protections with the requirement to get the right information to the right people at the right time is a national security imperative and remains a critical focus as Airmen and Guardians work to implement corrective actions and replicate best practices.

Source: United States Air Force

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) —  

In this week’s look around the Air Force, the new Student Success Center fosters academic achievement for Airmen and Guardians, two incentives aim to retain active-duty aviators and rated officers, and a trilateral initiative advances the Space Force’s radar capability for deep space. (Hosted by Tech. Sgt. Vernon Young)

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

Source: United States Air Force

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNS) —  

F-35 Lightning II maintenance experts at Hill Air Force Base are taking on a seemingly impossible task – stitching two mishap damaged aircraft together into a restored, fully operational F-35. 
 
Led by the F-35 Joint Program Office, the project requires a “dream team” of uniquely qualified individuals from the JPO, the 388th Fighter Wing, the Ogden Air Logistics Complex and Lockheed Martin. 
 
“This is a first for the F-35 program and a very exciting project,” said Dan Santos, F-35 JPO heavy maintenance manager. 
 
After researching the feasibility, the F-35 JPO, working with the 388th Fighter Wing, opted to reconstruct AF-211, an aircraft that encountered a nose landing-gear separation in June 2020. 
 
The nose section of this aircraft is being replaced with the undamaged nose from AF-27, an F-35 that experienced a severe engine fire at Eglin AFB, Florida, in 2014, and is now serving as an Air Force Air Battle Damage and Repair trainer at Hill AFB. 
 
Over the past several years, the F-35 JPO has sought out new opportunities to repurpose useable parts and systems from damaged F-35 aircraft, for continued use and benefit to F-35 maintenance and operations. 

 
 
Building on experience gained from several recent salvage aircraft re-purpose projects – including the stand-up of the first F-35 maintainer training facility using salvaged aircraft sections, as well as the partial restoration of a salvaged F-35 airframe for use as an ABDR trainer – the F-35 JPO is now taking the effort a step further. 
 
The F-35 JPO leveraged this newly established network of skilled professionals, resources and facilities, all of which are located at Hill AFB, to undertake the “Franken-bird” project. 
 
The Ogden Air Logistics Complex has played a significant role by providing hangar space and heavy equipment for the project, Santos said. 
 
“It takes a team to make these types of endeavors successful,” Santos said. “I am very impressed with the collaborative efforts from the various agencies across Hill AFB, working together to make this happen. 
 
Along with Lockheed Martin, the F-35 JPO, and the 388th FW, several units in the Ogden Air Logistics Complex, including the 570th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 576th AMS, 809th Maintenance Support Squadron and 309th Expeditionary Depot Maintenance Flight, are among the multiple units providing direct support. 
 
Keith White, 388th FW contracting officer, said while the jet is owned by 388th FW, it’s still part of an F-35 JPO contract, and Lockheed is the contractor responsible for the work. 
 
“Work began on the feasibility of this project in January 2020, when the F-35 JPO reached out to us because we had already accomplished the really big damage restoration projects for the F-22,” said Scott Taylor, Lockheed Martin lead mechanical engineer. 
 
However, unlike previous projects, Taylor said this initiative stands out due to its meticulous documentation, which will be used to establish standardized F-35 procedures that can be seamlessly integrated into routine operations in the future. 
 
“All of the aircraft sections can be de-mated and re-mated theoretically, but it’s just never been done before,” Taylor said. “This is the first F-35 ‘Franken-bird’ to date. This is history.” 
 
To complete the work on site at Hill AFB, entirely new, unique specialized tooling, fixtures and equipment have been designed and built, specifically adapted for mobility. These have potential future uses abroad. 
 
“We’ve designed versatile tooling that fits neatly into a conex box, making it transportable to various locations, including forward operation areas,” Taylor said. 
 
These new mobile fixtures achieve the same results as large, stationary automated manufacturing jigs at the F-35 plant in Fort Worth, Texas, but with a new approach. The additional capability will benefit the entire F-35 program. 
 
“The F-35 program is still young compared to all legacy airframes,” said Dave Myers, F-35 JPO Lightning Support Team lead engineer. “We are doing this for the first time, and organizationally for the future, we are creating a process we can move forward with.” 
 
This project is currently several months ahead of schedule and showing a completion date of March 2025. 
 
“Not only will this project return a combat asset back to the warfighter, but it opens the door for repairing future mishap aircraft using tooling, equipment, techniques, and knowledge that has been developed,” Santos said. 

Source: United States Air Force

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) —  

Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC commander, directed an operational standdown of the Air Force CV-22 fleet Dec. 6, 2023, to mitigate risk while the investigation continues on the Nov. 29, 2023, CV-22 mishap near Yakushima, Japan.

Preliminary investigation information indicates a potential materiel failure caused the mishap, but the underlying cause of the failure is unknown at this time. The standdown will provide time and space for a thorough investigation to determine causal factors and recommendations to ensure the Air Force CV-22 fleet returns to flight operations.

We extend sincere gratitude to the Joint Force and Government of Japan’s Self-Defense Force, Coast Guard, law enforcement and civilian volunteers for their tireless assistance in the search and rescue operations for our Air Commandos.

Further information will be released as it becomes available. Please direct your questions to our org box: afsoc.pa.org@us.af.mil.