Space Force

“I wasn’t going to leave that fight unless it was in a body bag.”

Alaska Army National Guard Lt. Col. Luke Bushatz, 297th Regional Support Group operations officer and former 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment commander, made the stone-faced declaration while recollecting the aftermath of surviving a roadside bomb that eviscerated his Stryker in Afghanistan’s Arghandab Valley in 2009.

He was serving as an infantry rifle company executive officer determined to continue in the billet despite sustaining debilitating brain trauma during the attack.

“My commander was killed a few weeks into combat,” he said. “I stayed the company XO, and they sent a (Maneuver Captains Career Course qualified) captain, who was the assistant operations officer, down to take over the company.”

As the XO, Bushatz said he still often directed company operations in the field.

“I would say that I was the fighting XO because I was the one who understood the battlespace and the mission set at that point,” he said. “I continued to push the company until the new commander had a good grasp of the battle space.”

In addition to pressing the company, Bushatz pushed himself beyond healthy human limits, a choice that would jeopardize his mental health and his marriage, placing him on a path to realizing personal redemption and family wellness through faith and love of the outdoors.

The young lieutenant breached his personal limits following the company’s assignment to one of the most restive regions of the war-torn country.

“Shah Wali Kot, the district where our company was, is the district the Taliban came out of in the early 90s,” he said. “So, when we were there, it was very kinetic, and a lot of our guys got hurt mostly in [improvised explosive device] attacks followed by small arms ambushes.”

Despite riding in a Stryker equipped with special blast protection that replaced his infantry fighting vehicle variant, the armored eight-wheeled vehicle couldn’t protect Bushatz or the soldiers riding with him from the destructive force of the command-detonated bomb.

“That was the one that almost killed me,” he recalled. “I had been in three IED blasts. That was the one that ripped my vehicle in half, and it should have killed me except for the blast doors on the truck. We had so many Strykers destroyed that my truck was the mortar-carrying vehicle.”

The world-shattering explosion was only the beginning of the perils Bushatz and his team faced that day.

“Then we were in a small arms fight,” he said. “We were ambushed on our left flank. They tried to roll us up. But we had a convoy of infantry fighting vehicles, so 30 angry dudes rolled out the back and got in the gunfight. I was trying to manage the chaos that was right on top of me.”

A combat medic requested a dust-off medical evacuation helicopter, and he expected Bushatz to get on board.

“I told the medic to shut up and go deal with other Soldiers,” he said. “He’s not putting me on that bird.”

For three more months, Bushatz endured oppressive headaches while continuing to venture outside the wire with the company.

“You take some Advil, you throw up for the next three days, you can’t see straight for weeks, and you carry on and do your job,” he said. “I was an executive officer in a fighting company in the most kinetic area of Afghanistan in the summer of 2009. I wasn’t going to leave that fight unless it was in a body bag.”

Though he returned home where he was met with family and the safety inherent in exiting the battlefield, Bushatz was plagued with a natural human response from living through the horrors of war and the loss of dear comrades-in-arms.

“The trauma of war is real,” he said. “The vast majority of Soldiers who join the military are not going to actually see real combat. For the small percentage of us who have and who have come through it with all of the trauma that is experienced with it, there is an entire spectrum of emotions: survivor’s guilt, guilt over decisions you made, anger, frustration, shame, fear, feelings of worthlessness. All of these emotions can lead to action, which is doing things to either try and numb the pain of trauma or punish yourself for living.”

In seeking to numb the trauma of war, Bushatz said he pushed away his wife, Amy, and alienated others close to him. Despite hard weeks and months dealing with a spouse who changed for the worse, Bushatz said Amy and others close to him stuck by him.

“It took people who loved me to tell me I was being a knucklehead and to hold me accountable,” he said. “When those people stepped into my life and loved me enough, that made all of the difference. I didn’t get to where I am today without a bunch of people in my life sacrificing significant amounts of capital in their own lives to help me.”

The military couple’s shared faith also greatly helped to bind them together and provide a transcendent North Star to keep Luke’s recovery on track.

“My faith in God, having a support network that wouldn’t quit on me – specifically my wife when I was at my bottom – and having other veterans around me that weren’t going to let me quit on myself, were the things that were able to bastion me in the storm of hitting rock bottom with suicidal ideation and self-destructive addictive behavior,” Bushatz said. “Those people giving me grace as an extension of God’s grace is what pulled me through all of that.”

Bushatz also said leaders senior to him could have dismissed him from the service or told him to suck it up, but they recognized he was struggling and needed time to find his way.

“The people who were willing to let me have the space to be broken and then begin to heal are the leaders I have looked up to most during my career,” he said. “I am thankful they gave me that space.”

Bushatz said he has chosen to pay the care and generosity forward by recognizing signs of trauma in fellow soldiers and coming along side to help them through it.

“If you’re struggling with your marriage or your finances or anything outside of the uniform, I want to support you in getting the help you need to work through those issues so you can be the best person you are in uniform,” he said. “At the end of the day, the mission may be X, Y or Z, but that’s not the mission of life. Our job in the infantry is to close with and destroy the enemy in combat, but the job is not the mission. The mission is at the end of drill, you go home, and you have conversations with the people in your life you have core relationships with, and you’re a better husband, wife, leader, father, mother in your community. My mission is to facilitate that as a leader.”

Despite never being in a running firefight or surviving the concussive blast of an IED, Amy said she has also suffered the toll of a war that found purchase back on home soil.

“I experienced military trauma by virtue of the fact that Luke has been in combat and by virtue of the fact that I have been to a whole lot of memorial services where I sat four rows back from a grieving widow who’s a friend,” Amy said. “That’s traumatic.”

Amy acknowledged that she and other loved ones had to hold Bushatz to account, often taking two steps forward and one step back struggling hand-in-hand with the recovering officer one day at a time.

“I needed to believe I was doing the right thing or that I had done the right thing even when it was really hard,” she said. “I had to establish boundaries and then work in partnership with Luke, and he had to respect those boundaries. In turn, I had to learn to be a person who had healthy boundaries and to keep them.”

Amy said though the couple have made their way to a good place, they will always have to stay vigilant.

“Healing and dealing with trauma is not a journey with a destination, it is a continuous process,” she said. “Every day we get up and make the decision to keep moving forward and to get better one day at a time. We need to actively be participating in our own healing.”

Today, a major outlet and medium for working through trauma comes by venturing into the Alaska outdoors, a venue Bushatz says is host to “cathedrals of the mind.” The fresh cool air blanketing the vast northern landscape stands in stark contrast to the suffocating, smoking confines of the stricken Stryker that threatened to become Bushatz’ tomb. Amy is a journalist who hosts a podcast, Humans Outside, that chronicles the couple’s adventures in healing through the Alaska outdoors.

The officer said anyone suffering the aftermath of life’s hardships needs to find a healthy outlet to work through the pain.

“There are good ways of dealing with your trauma and there are bad, and you’re probably going to have a mix of both as you’re working through the healing process,” he said.

Bushatz encourages anyone suffering through trauma to pursue wellness and to be diligent and hopeful despite inevitable setbacks.

“There is nothing that you experience in life that you can’t come through in terms of trauma,” he said. “Sometimes, things will be broken, and finding a way to pick up the pieces of that and continue to move on with life is what being a human is about.”

The Hawaii Air National Guard’s (HIANG) 154th Wing successfully concluded their long running defense readiness exercise Sentry Aloha on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Feb. 12, 2025.

Designated Sentry Aloha 25-1, this iteration began Jan. 29 and brought approximately 800 joint personnel including Guardsman, Reservists, locally-based active duty partners from the 15th Wing, Sailors and Marines and nearly 30 aircraft from six states.

For more than 20 years, Sentry Aloha is an ongoing series of exercises that enable tailored, cost effective and realistic combat training for Air National Guard, U.S. Air Force, and other Department of Defense services. It provides U.S. war fighters with the skill sets necessary to perform homeland defense and overseas combat missions.

Sentry Aloha is built around Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT), which challenges pilots to engage in combat scenarios against aircraft with different performance capabilities. Rather than training against identical airframes, DACT forces pilots to adapt to unpredictable engagements, testing their ability to exploit their own platform’s strengths while capitalizing on adversary weaknesses.

The exercise operates at an intense tempo, with participants generating back-to-back combat training sorties daily. This high-paced battle rhythm ensures pilots experience continuous exposure to varied threats, refining their decision-making, reaction times and overall combat effectiveness in a dynamic and ever-evolving air combat environment.

Guest participants included U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II’s from California, and U.S. Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotankers from Washington and Mississippi. Visiting aircraft took part in simulated combat exercises with F-22A Raptors operated by the 199th and 19th Fighter Squadrons’ Hickam based ‘Hawaiian Raptors.’

Joint maintenance teams launched, recovered, and maintained the diverse fleet of aircraft—comprising fifth-generation fighters, refueling tankers, and cargo aircraft for support and logistic capabilities—ensuring a seamless flow of sorties and a full-spectrum air combat scenario.

The successful execution of these flight operations highlights the importance of Hawaii’s strategic location and training environment.

“Hawaii offers great weather, especially over-water airspace to train in the Indo-Pacific Theater, as well as the opportunities to practice those agile combat employment tactics, techniques, and procedures,” said

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Matthew Ohman, 201st Combat Operations Squadron, Sentry Aloha senior director, “The Hawaiian Raptors rely heavily on these exercises to accomplish mission readiness – it’s a culmination of a lot of training.”

During this iteration of Sentry Aloha, the 169th Air Defense Squadron provided a team of Battle Management Operators aboard the KC-135 for the first time, delivering non-traditional tactical command and control to the forward edge. From the airborne platform, they relayed near real-time situational awareness provided via beyond line of sight communications by Air Battle Managers and Battle Management Operators on the ground utilizing a simulated Common Operational Picture, exercising fight tonight capabilities.

“The HIANG must continue to integrate,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kukila Carreira-Manin,169th ADS, weapons and tactics NCO-in-charge, “Every service member within USINDOPACOM has a significant responsibility to support each other from every aspect in every rank. Time is precious within this theater and every second counts building our relationships with one another.”

The daily tanker support provided served as a force-multiplier, enabling fighter aircraft to extend their range and mission duration without the need for frequent landings to base, reducing congestion at the airport and creating efficient flight operations. By providing in-flight refueling, tankers allow participants to maximize their flight hours, conduct more extensive training scenarios, and remain engaged in exercises for longer periods to enhance operational effectiveness.

Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concepts were deployed and rehearsed among participants across the Hawaiian Islands. Among these systems were the implementation of a Tactical Operations Center-Lite (TOC-L) brought in by the 103rd Air Control Squadron from the Connecticut Air National Guard.

The mobile system is designed to be compact and ready for rapid deployment and advanced airspace tactical control. Unlike traditional systems that require extensive infrastructure and staffing, TOC-L integrates cloud-based command and control capabilities, enabling seamless operations worldwide. It can be packed into about two dozen hand-carried cases and be operational within an hour with minimal personnel.

“It was our most ambitious TOC-L execution to date,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. J. Seth Bopp, 103rd Air Control Squadron director of operations. “The team planned for months and built off of what they learned from similar exercises, such as AGILE PANDA, NIMBLE CHEETAH, MOBILE MARLIN, and SENTRY SAVANNAH. They did it faster and did it with more sites. We couldn’t have done it without our joint partners from the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Space Force who acted as force enablers for our proof of concept.”

The 103rd ACS exercised a morning vulnerability from Kaneohe Marine Corps Base on Oahu, disassembled equipment, deployed from Oahu on a KC-130J Hercules to the Pacific Missile Range Facility on the neighboring island of Kauai, control vulnerability, and re-deployed back to Oahu in a five-hour window.

“Doing all of that in a short window across two islands was paramount in proving ACE concepts for TOC-L,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jonathan Burr, 103rd Air Control Squadron senior enlisted leader. “Traveling out from our home base in Connecticut and across the Hawaiian Islands, the team had to jump through hoops to make things happen and they were exceptional.”

Over a two-week span, the 103rd ACS trained and tested at three locations across two islands, and ended with four locations across three islands. It was the first time a unit was able to remote in two radio sites.

“I would say the 103rd definitely showed up ready to work and utilize their TOC-L system to kind of be the highlights, it’s definitely something new and different that we haven’t really done before.” said Ohman, “Everyone showed up and did the job they were ready and trained to do. I definitely would give credit to our tankers, it didn’t seem like during the exercise we had many or any tanker cancellations, but the tankers seemed to be flying well throughout the entire exercise.”

With 182 sorties flown and well over 300 flight hours logged, Sentry Aloha 25-1 successfully enhanced combat readiness and interoperability among participating units. The second phase of this year’s training is projected to be held in the first half of this year, bringing another opportunity to refine warfighting capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – The 42nd Air Base Wing earned the Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award for its exceptional service from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023.

Presented by the Secretary of the Air Force, this award recognizes units that demonstrate extraordinary performance and has been a symbol of excellence since its creation in 1954.

The 42nd ABW garnered recognition for its contributions, including emergency response operations, community support, distinguished visitor support, and international defense collaboration.

“This award is a testament to the dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment of the Crusaders of Team 42,” said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Caleb Vaden, 42nd ABW command chief. “Our team of dedicated professionals go above and beyond every day to provide critical combat service support the Air Force, our nation, and global partners. It’s an honor to serve alongside such a remarkable team.”

Over the award period, the wing’s efforts significantly impacted Air University, the 908th Airlift Wing, more than 40 other mission partners, and over 42,600 military personnel and their families.

The wing’s disaster response efforts also showcased its far-reaching impact. During Hurricane Ian in September 2022, the wing played a key role in supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency by distributing 13 million pounds of relief and survival supplies to three states. This included 70% of the relief meals delivered to multiple locations in Florida. The wing also assisted FEMA in establishing a level 1 trauma center that supported over 4,000 patients.

Flight safety and operational readiness ensured the success of over 7,000 air missions and support for 108 distinguished visitors. The wing directly supported the U.S. president, vice president, and more than 150 delegates.

The wing mobilized nine Airmen across five squadrons and deployed them to various locations within U.S. European Command in under 96 hours to provide critical assistance during the Ukraine crisis.

Additionally, the wing supported the first Air Force Special Operations Command U-28A Drago pre-deployment exercise at Maxwell. In direct support of Operation Noble Defender, Maxwell deployed assets to demonstrate its readiness to defend North America in Arctic conditions. This support was instrumental in the first launch of Royal Canadian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the High Arctic, reinforcing joint deterrence efforts.

Demonstrating its commitment to both education and workforce development, the 42nd ABW undertook several key initiatives. The wing conducted tours and briefings at Montgomery Public Schools and regional colleges, exposing 80 students to the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in Air Force and Space Force careers.

The wing spearheaded the development of a $95 million online credentialing program, opening 642 new opportunities for 300,000 enlisted Airmen. It also spearheaded the acquisition of a $7.7 million Air University Learner Environment Design-Student Information System, improving the learning experience for students and staff.

The wing led Air Education and Training Command’s first Landing Zone Safety Officer exercise, which trained Airmen from across the Air Force to operate in austere landing zone operations at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. This exercise paved the way for future training involving Maxwell to support multi-capable Airmen and agile combat employment initiatives.

“We accomplished this all as a team! From supporting national leaders to delivering critical aid during Hurricane Ian, the wing’s impact over the past two years has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Vaden. “These accomplishments were no easy feat. Every day, the wing continues to bring innovation, creativity, and teamwork to solve many complex tasks.”

As a recipient of the AFOUA, the 42nd ABW’s accomplishments showcase its pivotal role in advancing Air Force priorities, enhancing mission readiness, and providing assistance during natural disasters.

As the flagship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, USS America (LHA 6) equips watch standers to develop and refine their small arms skillsets, ashore and at sea. Small arms training shoots are a regular evolution for Sailors and Marines aboard USS America. Each participant must shoot with regular periodicity in order to remain qualified as in port sentry watch standers.

“The purpose of small arms gun shoots is to develop dexterity on the weapons systems required for the performance of duties as security watch standers,” said Lt. Zachary Bixby, the ship’s security officer. “We train for proficiency and to be ready for the unexpected.”

Roving security watches are vital to ensuring the safety of all personnel on the ship. “Requalification helps us to maintain our security force posture,” said Chief Gunner’s Mate Jace Jones, the leading chief petty officer of the ship’s armory division. During live fire evolutions, Jones serves as the primary range safety officer responsible for the oversight of personnel safety and range operations.

Jones and his team of Gunner’s Mates (GM) and Aviation Ordnancemen (AO) work behind the scenes during patrol, planning for the safe execution of gun shoot training to ensure each evolution goes smoothly. During the gun shoots they maintain the safety of the range to assist shooters in fundamental skill building and provide overall range supervision to monitor the safety of the evolution.

While weapons training occurs routinely underway, fitting a gun shoot into the ship’s scheduling becomes a challenge due to the many other evolutions taking place daily. “We’re out here with other ships and everyone has a mission,” said Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Dinobadele Mandley, a Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor and secondary range safety officer. “We’re making sure that we are getting time in between other things that need to be accomplished as a unit.”

In addition to coordinating proper zoning with nearby ships in order to maintain a safe distance during live fire, the armory division also plans evolutions around regularly scheduled flight operations aboard America. This patrol, small arms qualifications are conducted at midnight on the hangar bay’s starboard aircraft elevator. Space is limited due to essential aircraft maintenance nearby, but the armory team works to ensure necessary equipment is available and all personnel involved have what they need to be safe and focus on the target.

Before each evolution, participants must conduct two hours of sterile training as a requirement in accordance with OPNAV 3591.1G Small Arms Training and Qualification. Also known as dry fire training, the sessions are conducted in an environment free of live ammunition. Lessons include presentations, live handling of unloaded weapons, how to assemble and disassemble weapons and establishing the proper shooting stance. “As long as you focus on what you need to do, safety-wise, and follow procedure, you will be good to go,” Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Evin Santana, a line coach, explained.

While many participants are simply renewing their qualification, others are completing their qualification for the first time in order to join America’s armed watch stander team. Being qualified for a sentry watch provides the chance to work with various small arms for target engagement, like the M-18 Sig Sauer, M-4 Carbine and M500 shotgun. Sailors earn the small arms qualification even if it is not a skill directly related to their assigned rate.

“It’s a challenge to brush off the dust after not shooting for so long,” said Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Alyssa Hutchings, who will become newly qualified once completing the evolution’s requirements. When comparing the experience to boot camp, she said, “It’s similar, but there is definitely a lot more coaching and assistance in the fleet when you need it.”

America’s Sailors and Marines are given hands-on instruction from a team trained to coach people with a range of experience levels. In addition, the improvised live fire range created by Jones offers the opportunity for embarked Marines, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, to practice their target acquisition skills while at sea.

“It’s basically set up the same way as it would be on land, but just in a different environment,” said Lance Cpl. Garrett Viscomi, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. “It’s a good way to get some reps in.”

Whether blue or green, weekly live fire evolutions aboard USS America are guaranteed to keep everyone battle-ready.

The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), comprising the America-class amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), and the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), are underway conducting routine integrated operations in U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Naval Support Activity South Potomac (NSASP) recognized its high-performing Sailors and civilians during an awards ceremony at Naval Support Facility (NSF) Indian Head on Feb. 13. Capt. Jonathan Townsend, NSASP commanding officer, praised recipients and emphasized the critical role the installation command will play as the Navy continues its Energetics Comprehensive Modernization Plan (ECMP) at Indian Head. The $2.7 billion plan is revolutionizing operations at the Navy’s only arsenal, and will provide U.S. forces with the quality and quantity of munitions required for modern warfare.

First to be recognized was Security Forces Officer Jasmin Advic, who received a letter of appreciation from Capt. Steve Duba, commanding officer of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division. Duba’s command has primary responsibility for implementing ECMP, and he praised Advic for the steadfast support he provides to members of the workforce.

“When I first checked in, I ran into a guy who I’m always very happy to see at the front gate,” said Duba. “I’ve been observing [Officer Advic] since then and he has never let the Warfare Center down. He’s true professional.”

The letter noted Advic’s “ability to foster the trust and confidence our large, diverse workforce is made possible by his professional demeanor, attention to detail, respect towards others and unparalleled vigilance.”

Townsend then returned to the podium to announce NSASP’s Sailors of the Year for 2024. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate-Aviation Handler 2nd Class Uriah Miller was selected as the Junior Sailor of the Year.

“Petty Officer Miller is responsible for maintaining 53,000 square feet of critical infrastructure to ensure serviceability of four landing pads across four installation,” according to the citation. “He successfully launched and recovered five aircraft, 54 personnel and 300 pounds of equipment for four different commands and agencies, with zero mishaps.”

Yeoman 2nd Class Micah Reed was selected as the command’s Sailor of the Year. “Petty Officer Reed expertly processed 722 pieces of correspondence, 24 awards, 20 fitness reports and evaluations, and 18 directives, ensuring the timely and accurate completion of essential tasks as the administrative leading petty officer,” according to the citation. “Additionally, he oversaw and led a diverse team of 24 Sailors in the successful execution of 12 command events, supporting both NSF Indian Head and NSF Dahlgren.”

Both Sailors received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for their outstanding performance.

Andrew Revelos, public affairs officer, was selected as NSASP’s Senior Civilian of the Quarter for Dahlgren. “Mr. Revelos continues to exceed expectations in every aspect of his role as a one-man team for two installations,” according to the citation. “No task is too big or too small for him to tackle. Mr. Revelos’s unwavering commitment to promoting communication and collaboration with tenants, community leaders and command has been outstanding.”

Corey McCabe, MWR site director for NSF Indian Head, was selected as NSASP’s Senior Civilian of the Quarter for Indian Head. “Mr. McCabe role as NSF Indian Head Morale, Welfare and Recreation director is integral to the success of NSA South Potomac,” according to the citation. “His can-do attitude and unwavering willingness to assist wherever needed make him an indispensable member of the command. Mr. McCabe consistently rises to every challenge.”

McCabe was also selected as NSASP’s Senior Civilian of the Year.

NSF Dahlgren Junior Civilian of the Quarter was MWR maintenance lead Anthony Martinez. “He demonstrated exceptional dedication, tirelessly supporting events such as Harvestfest and Winterfest, all while maintaining his regular duties,” according to the citation. “As sole point-of-contact for various requests, Mr. Martinez’s consistently delivers the highest level of customer service, ensuring every task is completed with professionalism and efficiency.”

Martinez was also selected as NSASP’s Junior Civilian of the Year.

“He’s also a top-notch midfielder on the soccer pitch as well,” added Townsend.

After presenting the awards, NSASP leadership laid out its goals and expectations for staff.

Command Master Chief Andy Reyes-Velez, the newest member of NSASP leadership triad, emphasized the heavy responsibility of installation command. “I can’t stress enough how proud I am of the team, and how excited I am to participate and become part of the Indian Head and Dahlgren family,” he said. “We own the spaces we walk on. It is our duty to ourselves and our shipmates to take pride in how our spaces look, and if you can’t do it yourself, elevate it to me and we’ll get through it.”

NSASP Executive Officer Cmdr. Robert Lusk Jr. echoed the sentiment. “Congratulations to those who received awards, we could not do this without you guys,” he said. “You’ve heard me say it before: pride in ownership. Take pride in everything we do, and own everything we do.”

Townsend concluded the ceremony with a look around the globe at U.S. challenges, and stressed how critical NSF Indian Head and its modernizing mission are to national defense. “The opponents our nation faces today are far more sophisticated, far more organized and far more dangerous” he said. “Today we are deep into the era of peer-to-peer competition, which is a new name for a very old game: great power conflict.

“Every day, we see new and novel threats – it’s not an overstatement to say are witnessing a revolution in warfare,” Townsend continued. “To grossly simplify the matter, we need to build 2025 energetics capability at a scale unseen since World War 2. We must maintain the superiority of our weapons systems, while keeping in mind that quantity is its own quality.”

However, Townsend also noted that conflict is not inevitable, and the success of the missions at NSF Indian Head help ensure deterrence and peace. “Our role is to prevent conflict, our role is to support the mission of the Warfare Center, and to answer the call,” he said. “Doing our job well is the best way to prevent war.”

Congratulations to all the award recipients!

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The future of air and space power demands leaders who understand the intricate relationship between economics and national security. The U.S. Air Force Academy’s Introduction to Economics course prepares cadets for resource allocation challenges in modern warfare.

In this core course, cadets apply economic models to evaluate problems, consider alternative solutions and address complex national security challenges through an economic lens.

Core course provides cadets with a critical thinking framework

Cadet 3rd Class Jacob Birtch, a military and strategic studies major, credits the course with giving him a renewed analytical framework for understanding military strategy.

“I’ve primarily focused on factors like nuclear capabilities and military force projection in my major,” Birtch said. “However, this course has challenged me to consider the complex dynamics of the global trade system and how economic forces shape international relationships. As a future officer, understanding these economic dynamics will be crucial in navigating international relations and making informed decisions in an increasingly interconnected battlespace.”

Cadet 3rd Class Ella Johnson makes paper airplanes in an exercise about production processes

Cadet 3rd Class Ella Johnson makes paper airplanes in an exercise about production processes during an Introduction to Economics course at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Feb. 4, 2025. The exercise trains cadets in the efficient allocation of resources and strategic decision-making future military leaders need. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Developing critical thinkers who adapt

A dynamic world demands critical thinkers. The U.S. Air Force Academy develops leaders who can navigate complex challenges, innovate rapid solutions and execution missions with precision within a budget. Each cadet group applies economic principles to a real-world resource allocation problem of their choice, guided by three intermediate assignments called Milestones.

“If we are doing it correctly, cadets will not be fully satisfied with the answers to the questions they ask in their final project,” said Dr. Nathan Wozny, an economics professor. “That is because they will have learned to critically question their assumptions and the additional information that they need to solve a problem correctly.

“Economic principles are at the core of DoD decisions,” he said. “Economics is the study of the allocation of scarce resources. It is also a study of incentives. To lead people, we should understand how those incentives affect our people. This course helps cadets understand the economic instruments of power and the strengths and limitations of economic tools such as sanctions and tariffs to achieve national security.”

Economics principles equip future leaders with insights and tools

The importance of economics in decision-making and resource allocation are important concepts that each class of cadets learns early in their time at the Academy. It also lays the groundwork for other skills they will need when they lead warfighters in their military careers.

“Through Econ 201, I learned that officers in all Air Force Specialty Codes are required to make financial decisions that have consequences,” said Cadet 2nd Class Mark Tang, a management and political science double major. “These concepts are essential to produce officers who can receive the commander’s intent and apply it in the field.”

A cadet brother team developed an electronic wire stabilization and cutting tool that could revolutionize explosive ordnance operations. Military members are put at risk during explosive ordnance operations as they disarm improvised explosive devices. Cadets 1st Class Gunnar and Simon Gott’s project introduces additional tools for EOD technicians. It offers safer capabilities to approach IED situations to potentially reduce associated risks and hazards through remote operations.

The brothers’ success is an example of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s mission of developing leaders of character who generate innovative and inspirational research to support warfighters. Both cadets are majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and their project could become the latest in a long line of Academy patents. Their provisional patent application is on file in the Air Force Materiel Command Patent Office.

The idea originates during a Cadet Summer Research Program experience

The brothers became inspired to develop their project after Simon’s Cadet Summer Research Program trip to Al Udeid, Qatar, in the summer of 2024. During his visit with Task Force 99, Simon discussed IED challenges with U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Ruben. Ruben is an EOD noncommissioned officer pursuing a doctorate in forensics with a focus on arson and explosives.

When Simon returned to the Academy, the brothers and Ruben began the ideation process for a device that would more effectively and safely cut and secure wires remotely. Their goal is to make explosive ordnance operations safer.

“Our individual experiences in the CSRP helped us understand where there were holes in the engineering community and in our technical understanding,” said Gunnar. “We were motivated to use our critical thinking to help our Airman stay safer while they disarm explosive devices.”

As they grew up, the Gott brothers often discussed innovative ideas they might turn into inventions with each other and their family. Their creative bent was energized when the prior-enlisted Airmen arrived at the Academy. Each day, they pass walls lined with previous Academy patents outside their department’s classrooms and laboratories.

Now they have pushed their idea to the patent application stage. The brothers want to communicate with fellow cadets who may have their own ideas. Their advice is simple: do not underestimate how far your dream can take you.

“Don’t disregard your ideas, no matter how small,” Simon said. “Instead of just shouting it down, brainstorm how you can take the steps to help that idea grow. As cadets, we can create solutions to real-world problems. We must be brave enough to see those ideas to their end.”

The Academy has secured 56 patents since tracking began in 2002, said Amy Berg, Office of Research director of outreach. Faculty patent research began shortly after the Academy’s first class graduated in 1959 and continued into the 1970s. Those early patents focused on aeronautical and propulsion technologies for the Frank G. Seiler Research Laboratory, now the Aeronautics Lab, and reflected the Air Force’s Cold War priorities.

Research shifted into space operations during the 1980s and 1990s. The scope broadened in the early 21st century into other fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and renewable energy with cadets producing their own patent research. The faculty continues to play a major role in the Academy’s patent production, Berg said.

“I can’t stress enough the impact our faculty plays in mentoring cadet research experiences,” Berg said. “We have an outstanding undergraduate faculty who help make these patent projects possible.”