Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s Phone Call with Australia Chief of the Defence Force Gen. Angus Campbell

Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

October 12, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C., — Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey provided the following readout:

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., held his first call as Chairman with Australia Chief of the Defence Force Gen. Angus Campbell today by phone.

The two military leaders discussed a range of issues, including regional security and operations. The two leaders agreed to continue to strengthen multilateral cooperation and improve interoperability between the two countries.

The U.S.- Australian alliance plays a critical role in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

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CMSAF underscores need for 137th SOW multi-capable Airmen

Source: United States Air Force

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass saw firsthand how Airmen with the 137th Special Operations Wing set the Oklahoma Standard across the force during a visit Oct. 12.

She encouraged every service member she met to understand the “why” of the Air Force’s prioritization of learning multiple skill sets and becoming multi-capable Airmen, noting that the wing had leaned into the concept through its mission sustainment team.

“I hope you appreciate learning this skill set that we hopefully will never have to tap into,” Bass said. “We are more focused on reoptimization than we ever have been before. How do we reoptimize what the Air Force looks like to do the number one thing we are supposed to: defend our nation?”

She noted that the variety of civilian and military experience of Air National Guardsmen makes them ready-made to be formed into small mission teams, whether someone is a power production specialist in the Guard and a mechanic as a civilian, or a fireman in the Guard and a carpenter as a civilian.

Staff Sgt. Anthony Hill, 137th SOW Mission Sustainment Team, or MST, member, is a civil engineer Airman and policy analyst for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma as a civilian. He encountered the MCA concept during a previous deployment to Africa where they did not have the equipment and training needed to rapidly establish a base for austere operations.

“The tent systems we were setting up were more difficult and heavier in design, it took a longer time to train individuals and assemble units with those different levels of experience and they required a dedicated power grid,” he said. “The tent systems that are now part of our MST deployment package would have made a huge difference in sustaining the mission in that expeditionary environment.”

Discovering how to better equip Airmen for expedient operations in locations with limited resources has been the focus of the MST since its inception. A photo of the MST’s preliminary training activity was featured in the U.S. Air Force “Profession of Arms” as it calls for Airmen to serve in whatever form is needed to get the mission accomplished while meeting the expected standard of excellence.

“Our number one job is to deter. If deterrence does not succeed, we will make sure that we are able to compete and win. We are not fighting conflicts that we have before. We have to optimize ourselves in the information, space and cyber domains because if you lose in those things, you lose – period.” Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass

Airmen with the 137th Special Operations Group have developed equipment to be compatible with an expeditionary warfare environment. On the tour, Bass encountered the mobile processing, exploitation and dissemination center, which was built to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations in austere locations.

“We were the first to develop this package,” said Tech. Sgt. Stephen Rosebrook, 285th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron, Oklahoma National Guard. “We have since trained active-duty special operations squadrons as well as partner nation forces.”

The 137th SOW mission is to provide forces organized, trained and equipped to support combatant commanders across the spectrum of conflict. Ensuring its citizen air commandos are prepared to deploy to the fight together anytime, anywhere, is a focus of the wing.

“We have got to reprioritze and reoptimize to make sure that we can continue deterring,” Bass said. “It is not our job to predict when challenges and crises and conflict will come, but it is our job to be ready today for anything.”

Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s Phone Call with Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi

Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

October 12, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C., — Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey provided the following readout:

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., spoke with Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi today by phone.

They discussed the unprovoked and ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and exchanged perspectives and assessments. The Chairman reaffirmed unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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Around the Air Force: T-7A Red Hawks Start Testing, Diversity and Inclusion Conference, Hypersonic Weapons Familiarization

Source: United States Air Force

In this week’s look around the Air Force, a new training aircraft is being put through its paces, the Department of the Air Force focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility at a special conference, and crews from Global Strike and Air Combat Command come together to learn about hypersonic weapons. (Hosted by Tech. Sgt. Eric Mann)

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

VCSAF visits Minot AFB

Source: United States Air Force

Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin visited Minot Air Force Base Oct. 11. Allvin and his team toured the installation to learn about the processes that make Minot AFB operational and to get an in-depth understanding of the base’s nuclear deterrence mission.

During the visit, Allvin met with 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing leaders to gather insight into the only U.S. Air Force base holding two-thirds of the nuclear triad. Minot AFB leadership teams highlighted facilities and operations contributing directly to the success of the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission.

“The strategic importance of the work carried out here at Minot AFB cannot be overstated,” Allvin said. “As the only dual-wing nuclear capable base in the Air Force, the Airmen assigned here are responsible for two legs of our nation’s nuclear triad. It’s a responsibility that is not to be taken lightly, and one the fine Airmen here have risen to meet time and time again.”

Allvin’s visit provided an opportunity to engage directly with the Airmen responsible for mission execution, fostering a sense of unity and purpose in safeguarding the nation’s security interests.

“This whole experience has been very illuminating” Allvin said. “It’s clear that our nation’s nuclear deterrence mission is in the best of hands here at Minot.”

The engagement was one of Allvin’s first visits to any Air Force base in his role as acting chief of staff.

“It’s an honor to be one of the first installations to host the acting chief of staff,” said Col. Daniel Hoadley, 5th BW commander. “His decision to visit Minot AFB really drives home the point to our Airmen that what we do here is of paramount importance to national security.”

Officer Training School embarks on ‘OTS-Victory’

Source: United States Air Force

Officer Training School is implementing a new accessions program aimed at developing Air Force and Space Force leaders who are prepared to compete and win in today’s strategic operating environment.

The new training program, dubbed OTS-Victory, incorporates a five-modular approach designed to enhance the effectiveness of foundational officer development by focusing on specific knowledge, skills and abilities in each module. The course is structured to develop an officer trainee across all foundational competencies within 60 training days.

Officer graduates will be steeped in the Air Force and Space Force competencies through deliberate assessments tied to leadership, mission command, warfighting, communication and professionalism. In the end, OTS’s goal is to produce graduates ready for the challenges in an era of strategic competition.

Starting fiscal year 2024, 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, reduces candidates’ wait time to attend training and allows for increased trainee throughput when necessary. At any point, OTS will have up to five classes in session, in various phases of training.

Additionally, the new training construct allows OTS to easily surge production to meet annual production numbers set by Congress in both steady state and contingency mobilization posture. If called, the school can surge up to 26 classes per year.

“Within existing resource authorizations, we are restoring OTS’s ability to serve as the officer accession ‘shock absorber,’ meaning we have the structural agility and organizational effectiveness to respond to production demands during peace or war,” said Col. Keolani Bailey, OTS commandant. “Whether we need to increase or decrease production, we won’t compromise the quality of training.”

In terms of the instructor cadre, they are now afforded the opportunity to become subject matter experts in the two-week modular blocks of instruction versus teaching the entire 60-day curriculum.

“Instructors will receive increased reps and sets and better feedback to elevate the overall performance of the team. This reduces lesson planning, preparation timelines and creates more opportunities for deliberate development, course updates, and instructor reconstitution time,” Bailey said. “This will allow instructors to reduce bureaucracy and concentrate on their primary mission — building warrior-minded leaders of character focused on the future fight.”

With OTS previously offering only five classes per year, thereby limiting time off between classes, the new program builds 10 weeks “off the line” each year for instructors. Therefore, when not actively instructing a class during these time periods, instructors are afforded the necessary time to refine course delivery, attend professional development programs, and enjoy their well-earned leave with family and friends.

Officer Training School is answering the call to produce warrior-minded leaders of character with a disciplined mindset who are willing and ready for the future fight. Through this reimagined learning-delivery model, OTS-Victory postures the Holm Center and our newest Air Force officers to compete and win, anytime, anyplace.

– Air University Commander and President Lt. Gen. Andrea D. Tullos

The first class of officer trainees to experience OTS-V arrived on campus Oct. 10.

The purpose of OTS is to train and develop new officers to fulfill Air Force and Space Force active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard requirements, in partnership with the U.S. Air Force Academy and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Officer Training School is located at Maxwell Air Force Base and consists of two academic buildings with auditoriums, four dormitories, dining facility, physical conditioning center, parade field, running track and sports fields. Additionally, OTS maintains an Air Expeditionary Force garrison training site, a 200-acre field training facility, confidence course and two expeditionary assault courses.

SECAF visits Sheppard AFB

Source: United States Air Force

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall visited the 82nd Training Wing and the 80th Flying Wing Oct. 4-5, where he got a firsthand look at how Sheppard Air Force Base Airmen are transforming technical and flying training to support the future fight.

Kendall spoke with Airmen from across the wing and community leaders to learn about the base’s challenges and improvements within day-to-day operations. He visited multiple squadrons and agencies to see how they’re modernizing classrooms and impacting Airmen in training.

The Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program leaders briefed Kendall on the unique, 14-nation partnership’s importance to NATO combat power as well as plans for the future beddown of the T-7A Redhawk.

During his visit, Kendall also took time to recognize star performers and their outstanding achievements.

OSI takes aim at laser pointers, aircraft safety

Source: United States Air Force

As the Office of Special Investigations safeguards the Department of the Air Force, they are confronting a surge in incidents involving laser pointers, which pose significant threats to Air Force aircraft, especially at night. 

These seemingly harmless beams, often used for classroom presentations or amusing a house cat, can also disrupt flight operations and create challenges for pilots. 

“We refer to these as lazing incidents. It’s crucial for the public to understand that aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is not only dangerous but a felony,” said an official from the OSI Center. 

Officials added the importance of real-time reporting and response by all agencies and law enforcement, both stateside and overseas, as a key strategy in addressing these incidents. 

In addition, individuals may incur fines up to $250,000 and face imprisonment for up to five years. 

Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration has the authority to impose civil penalties, with fines escalating to $11,000 per violation and $30,800 for multiple incidents. 

Officials said the necessity of ensuring smooth information lanes, emphasizing that efficient communication between pilots, command posts, OSI and local law enforcement is crucial for rapid responses to incidents. 

“The challenge is not just in reporting the incident. What makes it actionable is the pilot’s ability to specify, with a degree of certainty, a geo-coordinate from which the laser originated,” officials said. 

The effect of a laser beam on pilots is like a camera flash in a pitch-black car at night, resulting in sudden disorientation and temporary blindness. This risk is worse during critical phases of flight, potentially leading to the loss of aircraft and crew, thereby imperiling lives on the ground. 

“These are not harmless pranks. There’s a risk of causing permanent visual impairment. From the public’s standpoint, misusing lasers can severely impact a person’s ability to see and function,” said an OSI Center official. 

According to the FAA, the United States has experienced a notable surge in reported laser incidents, with 2021 marking a 41% increase in aircraft laser strikes compared to the previous year. Since 2010, a total of 244 injuries have been reported, underscoring the escalating and pervasive threat. The nearly 9,500 laser strikes reported to the FAA in 2022 highlight the severity of this growing concern. 

The OSI Center officials underscored the significance of public awareness and reporting. They encourage individuals who witness such incidents to describe the individual, location and event, and report it to both local law enforcement and OSI, regardless of whether the aircraft is military or civilian. 

If you or anyone you know witnessed an individual directing a laser towards an aircraft, report the incident to laserreports@faa.gov or contact OSI here.

 

Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s Phone Call with Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces Gen. Metin Gürak

Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

October 5, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C, — Joint Staff Spokesperson U.S. Army Col. Dave Butler provided the following readout:

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., spoke with Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces Gen. Metin Gürak today by phone.

The two leaders discussed our shared objective of defeating ISIS and the need to follow common deconfliction protocols to ensure the safety of our personnel in Syria following today’s incident. 

Türkiye is a NATO ally and the U.S. values its strategic bilateral relationship.

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