Air Force

While the nation is seeing a decline in COVID-19 cases, hospitals and other facilities across the country are still reeling.

At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, nearly 1,000 U.S. Air Force active duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard medics are serving in civilian hospitals, care facilities, and other public institutions. The Air Force Medical Service has continued to step up as part of the federal COVID-19 response, working alongside other military departments and federal agencies.

The Air Force has upwards of 24 active duty and Reserve teams currently deployed across the country, made up of pulmonologists, trauma nurses, respiratory therapist and medical technicians. Civilian medical facilities and other institutions in 34 states are also receiving support from ANG medics.

“As military medics, it is our duty to go where our nation calls us, and that means continuing our COVID-19 mission,” said Air Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Robert Miller. “We ask a lot of our medics, who have played an integral role in the joint fight against COVID-19, working across federal agencies, military departments and the entire health care system.”

One of the recent deployments included the Cleveland Clinic, in Ohio, a premier medical center that both Ohioans and the nation relies on for elite specialty medical care. Like other hospitals, COVID-19 surges have impacted the Cleveland Clinic staff.

“A lot of their staff have been stretched very thin taking care of these very sick COVID patients and it has also effected their ability to do their normal mission to take in transfers and specialty care from around Ohio,” said Maj. Peter Johnson, internal medicine physician assigned to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. “We are here in a variety of ways, as physicians, as nurses, and respiratory therapists.”

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While the nation is seeing a decline in COVID-19 cases, hospitals and other facilities across the country are still reeling.

At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, nearly 1,000 U.S. Air Force active duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard medics are serving in civilian hospitals, care facilities, and other public institutions. The Air Force Medical Service has continued to step up as part of the federal COVID-19 response, working alongside other military departments and federal agencies.

The Air Force has upwards of 24 active duty and Reserve teams currently deployed across the country, made up of pulmonologists, trauma nurses, respiratory therapist and medical technicians. Civilian medical facilities and other institutions in 34 states are also receiving support from ANG medics.

“As military medics, it is our duty to go where our nation calls us, and that means continuing our COVID-19 mission,” said Air Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Robert Miller. “We ask a lot of our medics, who have played an integral role in the joint fight against COVID-19, working across federal agencies, military departments and the entire health care system.”

One of the recent deployments included the Cleveland Clinic, in Ohio, a premier medical center that both Ohioans and the nation relies on for elite specialty medical care. Like other hospitals, COVID-19 surges have impacted the Cleveland Clinic staff.

“A lot of their staff have been stretched very thin taking care of these very sick COVID patients and it has also effected their ability to do their normal mission to take in transfers and specialty care from around Ohio,” said Maj. Peter Johnson, internal medicine physician assigned to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. “We are here in a variety of ways, as physicians, as nurses, and respiratory therapists.”

From JB Andrews, the Air Force sent a team of 20 medics to Cleveland in January to provide hospital augmentation support in the intensive care unit, emergency room and medical-surgical areas. Additionally, a 20-person team has been sent to Oklahoma and another 10-person team has been sent to Louisiana.

Joining the team from JB Andrews, Joint Base Langley-Eustis also sent a 10 medical personnel team to Louisiana.

From JB San Antonio-Lackland, three 20-person teams have been deployed to Pennsylvania, Maine and Connecticut.

Keesler Air Force Base has sent two teams, including a 15-person team to Pennsylvania, and a 20-person team to New York.

“We, in Air Education and Training Command, are extremely proud of the numerous teams of medics from all of our bases who have deployed forward conducting COVID-19 support operations in a variety of hospitals and areas throughout the country,” said Col. Michael J. Higgins, AETC command surgeon. “Taking care of our own people in this way is a sacred and honorable calling. Our lead medical centers from the 59th Medical Wing at JB San Antonio and the 81st Medical Group at Keesler AFB (Mississippi) shoulder an incredible responsibility. Our smaller medical groups volunteered their precious staff to augment these teams as well, a testament to their professionalism and sense of duty.”

Three medical teams from Nellis AFB, Nevada have been deployed to New Hampshire, Connecticut and New York.

The two 20-person teams deployed to New York are specifically providing support to the University of Rochester Medicine’s Strong Memorial Hospital where they have received training on the hospital’s systems and procedures and will integrate into the staff.

“Our team is excited to be here and help out during this time of need,” said Lt. Col. Allan Delgado, a Family and Aerospace Medicine nurse practitioner with the 99th Medical Group, Nellis AFB. “We’re proud and grateful to support FEMA and the great state of New York, serving alongside those who we swore to protect.”

Travis AFB, California deployed two 20-person teams, one to Connecticut and another to Louisiana. A 15-person team was also sent to California, specifically supporting the Emanate Health Queen of the Valley Hospital in West Covina.

“The hospital itself has been very welcoming and making the process very easy for us,” said 1st Lt. Katelyn Warren, 60th Medical Group physician assistant at Travis AFB. “So, our nurses, for example, are working with other nurses. They’re working the same schedules and they’re doing the same exact things that not only we’ve been trained to do, but also what is asked of them and needed here to help alleviate the strain that the hospital’s under.”

From Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, a 15-person team has been sent to Maine, a 20-person team to Oklahoma, and another 20-person team to Massachusetts.

“Our Airmen are always proud to serve, but there is something even more special to our team members in providing care to our nation’s citizens alongside our civilian medical partners,” said Col. Christian Lyons, 88th Medical Group commander, Wright-Patterson AFB. “Nothing is more inspiring than the military-civilian partnership being demonstrated right now to save lives.”

Eglin AFB, Florida has deployed a 20-person team to Maine, a 15-person team to Arizona and a 20-person team to Massachusetts.

“I am so proud of our Air Combat Command medics who demonstrate excellence daily by simultaneously providing COVID staffing relief to numerous civilian hospitals across the United States,” said Brig. Gen. Robert Bogart, ACC command surgeon. “At the same time, they have also found innovative ways to generate ready medics for the future fight and deliver timely, high-quality medical care to our Airmen and their families.”

Air Force Reserve medical personnel are also currently deployed to New York, consisting of two 20-person teams.

“I am just honored to support the effort with the COVID-19 operation in the U.S. in a hospital setting,” said Maj. Sanjiv M. Baxi, a physician activated from the 349th Medical Squadron at Travis AFB. “We are particularly trained to bring unique skill sets to help Americans on American soil, and it’s just a tremendous thing.”

These deployments in support of FEMA were approved by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Dec. 30, 2021.

“Air Force core values and our AFMS Trusted Care culture promotes competency and individual leadership within complex systems, which prepares our medics to enter an unfamiliar environment and quickly provide valuable professional skills and leadership,” said Col. James Sampson, Air Force Surgeon General chief surgical consultant. “In the long term, I expect that for many individuals the experience of working alongside our civilian and joint partners across the U.S. will result in even greater commitment to service. The lessons learned from this will enable greater agility and greater capabilities to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

ANG medical personnel are currently deployed to 34 states, totaling nearly 500 doctors, nurses and other medical specialties deployed to long-term care and nursing homes, mobile blood drives, and COVID-19 vaccine administration facilities.

“This is a Total Force effort, and whether we are responding in our state or across the nation, we are wearing Air Force blue, and our participation in these missions assists the goals of the chief of staff of the Air Force and the Department of Defense,” said Maj. Gen. Brett A. Wyrick, ANG assistant to the Surgeon General. “Our participation assures the people of America that we are always ready and always there in time of need.”

While these are temporary deployments, there is also an impact to some military treatment facilities. As Air Force medics deploy, staff at military treatment facilities are working to ensure patients continue getting the care they need.

“The nation has leaned on our medics for the last two years and I cannot express my gratitude enough for their incredible dedication,” said Chief Master Sgt. Dawn Kolczynski, Medical Enlisted Force chief and Enlisted Corps chief. “Each time we ask you to respond to our nation’s need, you have stepped up with integrity and excellence in all you do.”

KINSTON, N.C.– After taking the first game of the three-game Freedom Classic over Navy on Friday, Air Force was unable to pick up either of the two games in today’s doubleheader, first losing 5-1 and then 2-1 against the Midshipmen.

“Everyone says pitching and defense wins games, but you also have to score to win,” said head coach Mike Kazlausky. “We have the offensive firepower, but we’ve underachieved the last two weeks.”

GAME ONE (Air Force 1, Navy 5)

The Air Force lineup produced just one extra-base hit in the first game of today’s doubleheader, as a late-inning surge from Navy proved too much to overcome in a 5-1 loss.

Rob Martin gave the Falcons 3.2 solid innings in his second start of 2022, allowing just one run on three hits. His line included two walks and two strikeouts. Jake Sansing was hit the loss after entering in the 5th inning, as the junior allowed two runs, two hits, and a walk after recording just one out. 

Sam Kulasingam was 2-4 with a pair of singles, while Cayden Zimmerman finished 1-3, as his 5th inning RBI single resulted in the Falcons only run of the game. Gabriel Garcia was 1-4, having produced the lone extra-base hit for the Falcons following his double in the 1st inning.

Navy began the 2nd inning with a single and a double, as the Midshipmen eventually took a 1-0 lead following an RBI groundout later in the frame. The Falcons countered in the top of the 5th to tie the game with Zimmerman’s single. However, Navy’s half of the 5th began with a triple, a walk, and a go-ahead RBI double.

Dylan Rogers relieved Sansing after the first three batters reached, with the freshman inducing a sacrifice fly before before finding a punch out a to end the inning.

Trailing 3-1 entering the 6th, Air Force saw a Navy solo home run and eventual RBI double pad the Midshipmen lead to 5-1. The Falcons were retired in order in the top of the 7th to wrap up Game One.

GAME TWO (Navy 2, Air Force 1)

The Falcons managed only three hits in the second game of the afternoon doubleheader, as Air Force couldn’t grab the decisive rubber game with Navy, losing 2-1.

Seungmin Shim was again efficient over the course of five innings on the mound, surrendering just two runs on three hits. Sawyer Hawks and Doyle Gehring combined to toss two clean innings out of the bullpen.

Kulasingam was 1-2, scoring Air Force’s single run after Jake Greiving’s pinch-hit RBI double in the 6th. Paul Skenes was 1-3 with a base-hit.

Shim set down the first six Navy batters he faced before running into trouble in the 3rd. The Midshipmen opened the inning with a single, a walk and another single, as Navy suddenly loaded the bases with no outs. Shim did well to limit the damage, as the next two batters grounded into outs. 

The Air Force lineup put runners on base in six of the seven innings, but couldn’t find enough key hits.

“We are hitting a dismal .139 as a team and averaging just over two runs a game,” said Kaz. “I don’t care how good you pitch and play defense. Offensively right now, we stink.”

Next, the Falcons will stay in North Carolina, traveling to Campbell to play the Camels on Monday, February 28. First-pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm MT.

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Senior Alex Schilling stopped all 22 shots he faced as Air Force defeated RIT, 1-0, in overtime in the final regular season game of the season, Feb. 26, at Cadet Ice Arena. With the win, Air Force secured the sixth seed in the Atlantic Hockey tournament. The Falcons have a bye in the first round and will travel to Army in the quarterfinals, March 11-13.

Nate Horn netted his second overtime game-winner of the season with 40 seconds left in the extra period to give the Falcons two points in the standings. On senior night, Schilling, the Falcons’ only senior, recorded his third career shutout, and his first since blanking RIT in 2020.

After three scoreless periods, the game headed to a 3-on-3 overtime period. With under a minute remaining, Willie Reim started a rush down the left wing. His shot was saved, but Brandon Koch poked the puck free from a group of players and Horn scored his 11^th of the season with 40 seconds left in overtime.

On the first shift of the game, RIT (16-14-4, 12-10-4 AHA) forced a turnover leading to a flurry in front of Schilling. RIT outshot Air Force, 5-0 in the first three minutes of the game, but Schilling kept the net clean.

Early in the second period, a major penalty was called on RIT’s Gianfranco Cassaro for a hit on Blake Bride. The Tigers killed the penalty, allowing just three shots on goal. On that power play, Schilling stopped a 3-on-1 shorthanded breakaway by Kobe Walker.

Air Force (13-16-3, 11-12-3 AHA) outshot RIT, 21-8, in the second and third periods, but Tiger goalie Tommy Scarfone kept the game scoreless until Horn’s third career game winner.

“What a great night,” Schilling said. “It was awesome to take a lap in front of our great fans after that win. I always try to do my very best for the boys in front of me. I can’t wait to go into the playoffs with this team. We know it will be a great environment at Army. But we have a mature group. We are young, but we are mature. We stay level-headed when things get hectic and we will need that at Army.”

Air Force outshot RIT, 34-22, in the game. The Falcons were 0-for-3 on the power play and killed all four of RIT’s advantages. Scarfone made 33 saves for the visitors.

“I’m happy for our boys,” head coach Frank Serratore said. “With all the adversity that we have had over the last couple weeks with giving up so many third period leads. We were in a situation tonight where we needed to win and we did. We earned this first-round bye. Having won this game, and winning our way in, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t feel good about ourselves heading to West Point. It will be a series for the ages.”

–30—

 

 

Football
2/25/2022 10:15:00 PM

Air Force Second Lieutenant Demonte Meeks and former Falcon Major Nathan Walker, class of 2011, were honored at the Air Force football banquet Friday, Feb. 25, at the Marriott Hotel. Meeks won the Bullard Award, while Walker and his family earned the Carson Bird Award.
 
Meeks, who graduated in December with a degree in civil engineering, recorded 36 total tackles and 3.5 sacks this season. He had a season-high nine tackles and a career-high two sacks for nine yards at Navy. He recorded four stops on third down to force punts and one on fourth down to force a turnover on downs. Meeks was named College Sports Madness defensive player of the week for the MW vs. Navy for his efforts. He finished his career with 150 total tackles and 15 tackles for loss for 65 yards.
 
The Bullard Award, established in 1984 and voted on by the football team, is based on the criteria that typifies the late Brian Bullard – unselfishness, 110 percent effort, total team commitment and pride in his role on the team whether he’s a starter or not. Bullard was a 1982 graduate of Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs. He attended the Academy the following year and played on the football team for two years. During Thanksgiving vacation in 1983, Bullard and his girlfriend, fellow cadet Dianne Williams, died from carbon monoxide poisoning while returning from a trip to Kansas in a snow storm.
 
Walker lettered in 2009 and 10 as a fullback. He helped the Falcons to a 19-9 record in those seasons and a pair of bowl wins. The Falcons beat Houston, 47-20, in 2009 and Georgia Tech, 14-7, in the Independence Bowl in 2010. Air Force secured the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in 2010. Walker and his family suffered a loss of a family member killed during a military training exercise last summer.
 
This Carson Bird Award was established to honor the 2008 graduate who was a three-year starter and All-American in 2007. The award goes to an Air Force football family member that has proven themselves to be courageous, selfless, relentless and tenacious. In addition, the award goes to someone who made a difference in a positive way. The award is not just a celebration of feats conquered, but also a charge to continue to attack every day no matter the odds stacked against you.
 
Air Force finished the season 10-3 overall and was co-champion of the Mountain West Mountain Division with a 6-2 mark. The Falcons posted double digit wins for the second time in three seasons (2019), fourth time under Head Coach Troy Calhoun and ninth time in school history. Air Force capped the season with a 31-28 victory over Louisville in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas, Texas, to record its third consecutive bowl win dating back to 2016, including two straight over a Power 5 team.
 

The year 2021 proved to be a pivotal one for Air Force Operational Energy as programs received unprecedented support – enabling many long-hoped-for initiatives to get the greenlight and progress to the next stage of development.

“A tremendous amount of effort has led up to this year when we were able to secure funding for operational energy efficiency programs vital to the future of the Air Force,” said Roberto Guerrero, deputy assistant secretary of Air Force Operational Energy. “These initiatives make a lot of sense. They improve our capability, reduce our costs, mitigate our fuel logistics supply risks, and increase readiness and lethality. These initiatives also support the administration’s focus on climate,” he continued. “We hope this spurs even more interest in optimizing the Air Force through operational energy initiatives.”

Here are some of the ways the Air Force optimized aviation fuel usage and worked to mitigate operational risk in the past year:

Operational energy efficiency programs funded for FY22

In previous years, the Department of the Air Force relied on congressional add funding to pay for all operational energy programs. However, the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2022, signed into law by President Joe Biden in December and awaiting appropriation in 2022, allocated $49 million in funding toward Air Force operational energy initiatives.

The new flow of money will begin to finance low-cost and high return-on-investment aerodynamic technologies like Microvanes or Finlets on the C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker, and C-130 Hercules, KC-135 vertical windshield wipers, control-surface rigging analysis across the mobility fleet, and propulsion sustainment initiatives.

It will also fund an education and training program launching this month, known as the Mission Execution Excellence Program, which aims to increase Airmen’s awareness of operational energy challenges and incentivize more fuel-efficient behavior.

For the pilot phase, MEEP will focus on the heaviest fuel consumers in the Air Force, C-17s, as well as other airframes, and will educate pilots, operational planners, maintainers, and logisticians on how to improve energy effectiveness during missions and training.

Set the standard for logistical realism in wargaming

The DAF extended logistical realism in planning and execution of the Air Force Chief of Staff’s Title 10 wargame, Global Engagement 2021/2022, setting a new gaming standard for playing in logistically-constrained air power scenarios.

Subject matter expertise combined with modeling and simulation advancements enabled participants from across all services, including Special Operations Forces, to assess the logistical supportability of operations – from force deployment and sustainment to recovery from force attrition and logistics network disruption.

Although COVID-19 postponed GE 21 execution, the wargaming team plans to implement the logistical advancements in GE 22, Futures Game 22, Future Air Mobility Tabletop Exercise 22, and Long Duration Logistics Wargame 23.

The exercises will help inform critical decisions for advanced capabilities, future force postures, and investment strategies at the senior leader level to include a more informed understanding of fuel logistics supply chain issues.  

Expanded fuel use data pipeline to all Air Force aircraft

Prior to Air Force Operational Energy’s data strategy, first introduced in 2018, there was limited insight into how aviation fuel was used across the force.

As of December 2021, the Air Force now collects and analyzes data for 57% of all aircraft fuel use to better detect efficiency gaps and operational risk while enabling automated and near real-time access to mission-related data.

For example, sortie-level data analysis revealed that some heavy aircraft are landing with up to 30,000 more pounds of fuel than required on average – even when accounting for divert fuel.

With the heavier weight, carrying excess fuel increases fuel burn by 3.5% per year and puts added stress on airframes, leading to increased maintenance man hours and lower readiness.  

By identifying the root cause of these practices, the Air Force will be able fund solutions that address the non-optimized mission execution and thereby increase readiness and lethality.

Funded and supported scheduling software to support Airmen and service members  

Puckboard, a mobile and collaborative scheduling software tool, successfully transitioned from a wing-level to a major command-level effort.

Started as a product of Tron Air Force, an Airmen-driven software and enablement organization in Hawaii, Puckboard is now fully owned and operated by Air Mobility Command and is in the process of transitioning into a long-term program of record.

It saw tremendous growth and adoption throughout 2021, expanding from just over 100 users to 15,000 and scheduling over 100,000 events for 383 organizations in just one year, according to Capt. Christian Brechbuhl and Maj. Eric Robinson, government leads for the effort.

The tool, informed from operational user input, allows planners to match aircraft commanders, pilots, and loadmasters with available flights that complete currency requirements such as aerial refueling and tactical training events.

The digital interface enables members to visualize flight schedules while considering required qualifications, aircrew preference, and crew rest, as well as log training data from electronic flight bags, visualize training logging issues quickly, and soon will automatically push that data to the Aviation Resource Management System.  

Over the past year, the team released 35 major features including Puckboard Logging for post mission paperwork and now supports users from Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Forces, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Air Force Special Operations Command, the United States Space Force, and the Marine Corps.

The KC-135 acquires new fan duct panels

In 2021, Air Force Operational Energy initiated a program in partnership with the Advanced Power Technology Office to acquire new fan duct panels on the KC-135, replacing a legacy repair method that reduced airflow, and therefore, decreased engine efficiency while adding a significant maintenance burden.

The new fan ducts will improve airflow and engine performance, saving more than $1 million per year in fuel costs and is anticipated to grow to greater than $5.5 million per year once implemented across the fleet.

The upgraded fan ducts will also help avoid approximately 1,700 maintenance hours per year, saving $1.85 million, which is expected to grow to $9 million annually as more panels require replacement.

Demonstrated how 21st century wash methods improve engine life and power

Air Force Operational Energy identified and sponsored AeroCore Technologies LLC for an AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research award to demonstrate how nucleated foam washing on the Air Force Special Operations Command CV-22 Osprey engines reduces specific fuel consumption and exhaust gas temperature, lowers maintenance costs, decreases carbon emissions, and extends time on wing.

The results showed significant performance improvement of over 5% on average, leading to the expansion of the wash onto the AFSOC C-130 platforms.

Fuel flow data on the AFSOC C-130’s involved in the program are showing an improvement in aircraft fuel efficiency, and if applied to all Air Force C-130s, would result in a $7 million annual cost avoidance.

Separately, we tested the effect of adding detergent to standard aircraft water washing on Air National Guard KC-135s at Rickenbacker Air Force Base, Ohio, which resulted in a significant reduction in engine temperature.

Additionally, we pursued a change to the engine wash contract covering the KC-135, C-5 Galaxy, B-52 Stratofortress and E-3 Sentry aircraft, which will occur in 2022. 

This change will help to collect data and complete follow-on tests between nucleated foam and detergent washing, allowing the Air Force to conduct a business-case analysis for the different wash methods on large high-bypass engines.

Air Force Operational Energy seeks to optimize Air Force operations and improve combat capability through operational energy solutions, innovative technologies, and data-informed processes.

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – RIT tied the game with 58 seconds left in regulation and then scored the game-winner 38 seconds into overtime for a 3-2 win over Air Force in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Friday, Feb. 25, at the Cadet Ice Arena.

RIT earned two points in the AHA standings, while Air Force gained one. With one game left in the regular season, Air Force can still finish as high as sixth or as low as ninth. Sixth place would mean a bye in the first round and on the road in the quarterfinals. The seventh and eighth seeds would host a first-round series while the ninth seed will be on the road in the first round.

RIT (16-13-4, 12-9-4 AHA) capitalized on an Air Force turnover late in the first period as Grady Hobbs scored from Carter Wilkie at 14:55. Air Force (12-16-3, 10-12-3 AHA) tied the game late in the second period on the rush. Will Gavin gained the zone and dropped the puck at the left point. Bennett Norlin poked the puck to Clayton Cosentino in the slot and the freshman from San Carlos, Calif., tied the game at 16:10 of the second period.

Midway through the third period, the Falcons took a 2-1 lead. Austin Schwartz won a faceoff in the offensive zone and Brian Adams snapped a wrister from the right circle for his fifth goal of the season at 9:02. Late in the third, Blake Bride drew a penalty putting the Falcons on the power play with 3:37 remaining. However, it was short-lived as a Falcon penalty nullified the man-advantage and then gave the Tigers a late power play. The Tigers pulled the goalie for a 6-on-4 advantage with 1:15 remaining and Kobe Walker scored from the left circle to tie the game. In overtime, the Falcons turned the puck over in the neutral zone and RIT capitalized as Wilkie scored on the back door just 38 seconds into the extra frame.

Each team had 22 shots in the game. RIT was 1-for-3 on the power play, while Air Force was 0-for-3. Tommy Scarfone made 20 saves for the Tigers while Alex Schilling made 19 for the Falcons.

“We worked hard to get back into the game and then we get the lead,” head coach Frank Serratore said. “But we self-destructed at the end. If we don’t figure it out soon, we will not be long for this season.”

Air Force and RIT conclude the series, and the 2021-22 regular season, on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 5:05 pm MT.

–30–

 

Team Moody is preparing to kick-off exercise Ready Tiger here, Feb. 28, 2021.

Ready Tiger is a Lead-Wing exercise focused on testing Moody’s ability to employ Air Base Squadrons to help generate air power downrange and maintain Command and Control in contested environments.

”This isn’t yesterday’s deployment operations, so we must adapt to deliver world-class airpower anywhere, anytime,” said Maj. Chris Stewart, Air Base Squadron commander for the exercise.

Due to evolving requirements, Moody knows it must find ways to exercise and demonstrate Lead-Wing and Air Base Squadron capabilities.

“We’re taking small steps toward setting up an Air Base Squadron for the exercise,” Stewart said. “We want people to start thinking Air Base Squadron instead of their functional community so they can fall under that single command.”

An Air Base Squadron combines Airmen from various career fields and focuses them on specific missions.

“You’ve got members of the medical community, maintenance community, and the fighter community all under a single squadron and tailored for a singular mission set,” Stewart said.

Ready Tiger is continuing the work of the Mosaic Tiger exercise last fall by further testing Moody’s communication and logistical capabilities under pressure.

“Communications and logistics can be a big problem; those areas are always contested,” said Stewart. “We have to think about primary and alternative contingency methods.”

The exercise will also include a contingency location to simulate a hostile and austere environment.

“The main things being stressed are relocating the wing operations center and enabling the Air Base Squadron,” said 1st Lt. Alexander Sidawi, 23rd Wing A-Staff director of Lead-Wing communications. “We have to identify how to coordinate for logistical movement in both a control denied environment and a logistically denied environment.”

The Airmen participating in Ready Tiger will be tested in new ways as they are exposed to different aspects of Lead-Wing methods.

“The biggest challenge will be the different mindsets from each different community,” Stewart said. “Everyone has their own idea of what [Agile Combat Employment] means in their own community. We’re focused on integrating those different career fields and making sure they understand what an Air Base Squadron does.”

Ready Tiger will ensure Moody Airmen can better execute Lead-Wing concepts while deployed.

“We want to posture ourselves so we can prepare for a certain amount of unknown,” said Sidawi. “We don’t always know what environment we’re going to fall into. We want to be prepared for that, and the Airmen understanding why we’re doing this could be the one of the largest contributing factors to actually getting to mission success.”

Last year, Kessel Run’s C2IMERA was used in support of the Noncombatant Evacuation Operation in Afghanistan during Operation Allies Refuge. The application used during Cope North 22 showcases the advances Kessel Run’s applications are making toward modernizing the Air Force and delivering enhanced capabilities. 
 
“We would not be able to achieve these milestones without the support of our users,” said Col. Brian Beachkofski, Kessel Run commander. “We are committed in our efforts to deliver capabilities that meet our Airmen’s needs.”

The F-15 ACTIVE might not exactly be a big part of aviation history but it could have made the F-15 even better than it is today. What was the Air Force‘s thinking? The F-15 has long been a legendary fighter, but NASA’s ACTIVE program aimed to make it even better. Faced with the looming threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union, the United States began testing next-generation capabilities before the 10th F-15 even rolled off the assembly line.