Category: Defense

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.