Space Force

In a rapidly changing global environment, where technological advancements shape the nature of conflict, every Airman’s contribution is critical. Dr. Lisa Tripp, Air Education and Training Command’s command analytics officer and AI liaison emphasized, “Digital literacy is key to enabling Airmen to understand their role in collecting, managing and utilizing data effectively, which in turn strengthens the entire force.”

As the Department of the Air Force faces the increasing demands of modern warfare, it’s working to equip Airmen with advanced skills in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cybersecurity. To maximize the benefits of these tools, digital literacy —understanding how to use digital technologies to access, evaluate, and communicate information — is essential for both individual development and mission success.

“For decades, our air and space power has relied on cutting-edge technology. But today, it’s not enough to simply operate high-tech equipment,” said Col. Paul Brenner, AETC senior reserve advisor to the chief information officer. “We must leverage data, communicate effectively in digital spaces, and protect sensitive information.”

Brenner, who is also a computing and data science professor at the University of Notre Dame, added, “In both my military and academic work, I’ve seen how good data management transforms decision-making. Airmen need to be as proficient with data as they are with any weapon in their arsenal.”

Understanding why digital literacy is essential for every Airman starts with recognizing how deeply technology is embedded in daily operations across all roles and ranks. “In today’s Air Force, every Airman interacts with data that can influence outcomes on a strategic level, whether they’re maintaining aircraft, securing communications, or planning missions,” Dr. Tripp explained.

The decisions made by individual Airmen can have far-reaching implications, making digital proficiency not just an advantage but a necessity.

For example, maintenance personnel use digital tools to diagnose aircraft systems, predict failures before they occur, and ensure mission readiness. Without the ability to interpret data accurately, critical issues might be missed, leading to equipment failure or mission delays. Similarly, Airmen involved in logistics rely on data analytics to manage supply chains. Misinterpretation of this data could result in resource shortages at crucial moments.

Dr. Tripp stressed that digital literacy empowers Airmen to take a proactive approach. “When Airmen can handle and interpret data, they can spot patterns and anomalies that may indicate security threats or operational inefficiencies. This kind of proactive thinking is essential in a landscape where adversaries are constantly seeking vulnerabilities.”

To meet this growing need, Col. Brenner and Dr. Tripp have collaborated with the rest of the AETC staff to develop the AETC Data Literacy Foundations course, designed to help Airmen manage data effectively in their roles. “The course is our starting point to digitally upskill the entire headquarters AETC Staff and could potentially become available to all Airmen in the Air Force,” Brenner explains. “It’s about more than just learning new tools; it’s about changing how we think and approach problems.”

Available through the DAF eLearning platform, the course goes beyond basic data management.

“It teaches Airmen about the data and analytic tools and training available to them and sets a foundation to build the analytic skills to employ data to inform decisions and enhance operational effectiveness,” Dr. Tripp says. “We want Airmen to understand that their interaction with data influences mission success and, ultimately, national security.”

The course provides scenarios that are relevant to a wide range of roles within the Air Force. Airmen from various specialties are introduced to advanced data analytics and data management practices that enhance decision-making and operational efficiency. By linking these skills to their daily responsibilities, Airmen can see how improving digital literacy directly contributes to mission success.

Looking ahead, these digital concepts and capabilities will be reinforced throughout an Airman’s career, from basic military training to advanced professional military education.

“Digital transformation is not a one-time event; it’s an ongoing journey,” Dr. Tripp said. “We must ensure that our Airmen continuously develop their skills to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.”

“We have a mission imperative to foster a culture of continuous learning and provide tools for Airmen to refresh and advance their skills,” added Gordon Pfeil, DAF eLearning Services chief of the Acquisition and Compliance Branch at AETC. In partnership with Skillsoft, the DAF eLearning platform uses AI-driven learning paths to create personalized development plans.

“AI delivers decision-quality information in real-time and identifies trends that might otherwise go unnoticed,” Pfeil explained. “The platform benchmarks current skill levels and recommends targeted learning to improve those skills.”

This personalized approach ensures each service member enhances the competencies necessary to support mission outcomes.

For individual Airmen, embracing digital literacy means enhancing their effectiveness and career prospects. Proficiency in digital skills not only improves performance in current roles but also prepares Airmen for future responsibilities that may involve more complex technological systems.

“By investing in their own digital education, Airmen are positioning themselves to ensure they are effective and agile in a rapidly evolving, digitally-driven operational environment,” said Dr. Tripp.

The DAF’s commitment to digital literacy extends beyond individual development and directly influences mission success and national security.

“Success in the Great Power Competition depends on how effectively we harness data,” Brenner noted. “By embedding digital literacy throughout our ranks, we’re building a force capable of outthinking, outmaneuvering, and outpacing our adversaries.”

By prioritizing digital literacy, professional development, and the strategic use of data, the Air Force empowers its personnel to excel in a tech-driven world. This not only safeguards U.S. dominance but also ensures mission success in an increasingly digitized and contested global landscape.

U.S. Army Garrison-Fort McCoy was among many garrisons that recently earned the Army Superior Unit Award for mission excellence in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021.

Fort McCoy Garrison Commander Col. Sheyla Baez officially presented the award to the garrison during a townhall meeting Oct. 24 in building 905.

“As you look around, we have civilians who have been here for a long time because they love their job, and they do it very, very well,” Baez said. “Thank you for your service. … As an organization, the Army changed in their practice, in their policies. … Many installations across the globe shut down and closed and stopped doing what they were doing. … Fort McCoy continued to work. We had some diminished capacity in some sections, but Fort McCoy did not shut down.

“Fort McCoy did not close the gates, did not close the door. Why?” Baez said. “Because we have people who are committed. Because we had the space to take the measures that we could take to do the separation between people. … This award is for every one of you. So, a big round of applause.”

The citation for the award states fully what the award was all about.

“Army Superior Unit Award. By order of the Secretary of the Army, United States Army Garrison-Fort McCoy, demonstrated superior performance and devotion to duty from Feb. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2021,” the citation states. “United States Army Garrison-Fort McCoy, conducted an exceptionally difficult and challenging mission under extraordinary circumstances that resulted in safe communities and preservation of lives across the Coulee Region, including Sparta, Tomah, Black River Falls, and Fort McCoy, consisting of 37 tenant units and 1,500 Soldiers and Department of Army civilians.

“The collective effort and selflessness of each individual and unit to serving Soldiers, civilians, families, and retirees will have a lasting impact for years to come,” the citation states. “The dedication and outstanding performance of United States Army Garrison-Fort McCoy is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States Army.”

Baez said the citation is posted at Fort McCoy Garrison Headquarters for anyone who wants to see it.

In September 2020, former Garrison Commander Col. Mike Poss reviewed what the installation had completed to stay open from the start of the pandemic until that point. When Fort McCoy Garrison Commander Col. Michael D. Poss took command of the garrison on June 10, 2020, he was likely the first to assume that role while the country was responding to a global pandemic.

“I was experiencing the pandemic like everyone else,” said Poss, who prior to coming to Fort McCoy was the chief of staff for the 451st Expeditionary Sustainment Command at the Army Reserve Center in Wichita, Kansas. “We were undergoing probably the same thing that everyone else was dealing with. We were trying to figure out how to operate in this new environment.

“I was coming in every day working 12-hours with a small team, and we were trying to plan out the training requirements that were coming up,” Poss said. “In addition, I was simultaneously planning my transition to Fort McCoy that was certainly unique with some challenges from COVID.”

The COVID-19 pandemic had been ongoing for more than two months when Poss took the reins of the garrison. Many services and facilities were closed at that time, and training was at a standstill. However, he said the Fort McCoy team did a great job bringing many important services and capabilities back online.

“I think it helped us as an Army collectively to learn that we can operate in an environment such as this,” Poss said. “We have been trained in the Army that sometimes you have to operate in less-than-perfect conditions. … So, this was a new situation where we had to learn how to operate in the COVID environment. … I started asking was what sort of services here on Fort McCoy can we look to open up in a safe and effective manner?”

One of first places to reopen on post was Pine View Campground.

“The installation first opened the campground for recreation,” Poss said. “It’s a place that is outdoors so you can socially distance fairly easily out there.”

Then Poss said the installation needed to reopen the Child Development Center (CDC) and the School Age Center/Youth Center because those facilities directly support military and civilian workforce members on post.

“We wanted to look at opening up the CDC, and I was there on opening day to see how it would go. Prior to that, we had visited the center quite extensively and talked with the staff. … It was great to see the employees bringing the children. It was a new environment, but we adapted with new procedures.”

As services began to reopen, strong COVID-19 protective measures had to be installed. The post already had policy letter 37 in place, which enforced sanitation and hygiene procedures for the Fort McCoy community and workforce. Next, the Fort McCoy team worked to create policy letter 38. “Policy 38 spells out how we will operate and train in a COVID-19 environment,” Poss said.

With the policies in place, chapel services operated by the Religious Support Office resumed, and Rumpel Fitness Center reopened as well.

According to a story by Victoria Eby at https://www.army.mil/article/221267/army_superior_unit_award, Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), dated June 25, 2015, describes the Department of the Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards and describes the Army Superior Unit Award as follows:

The Army Superior Unit Award was established by the Secretary of the Army on April 8, 1985, to recognize outstanding meritorious performance by a unit during peacetime of a difficult and challenging mission under extraordinary circumstances.

“Circumstances may be deemed to be extraordinary when they do not represent the typical day-to-day circumstances under which the unit normally performs, or may reasonably be expected to perform, its peacetime mission,” the article states.

Fort McCoy’s motto is to be the “Total Force Training Center.” Located in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin.

The installation has provided support and facilities for the field and classroom training of more than 100,000 military personnel from all services nearly every year since 1984.

Learn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/fortmccoywi, and on X (formerly Twitter) by searching “usagmccoy.”

Also try downloading the My Army Post app to your smartphone and set “Fort McCoy” or another installation as your preferred base. Fort McCoy is also part of Army’s Installation Management Command where “We Are The Army’s Home.”

CAMP LESTER, Okinawa, Japan – American and Japanese middle school students gathered at Lester Middle School to finish the final event of a Student Education Exchange Dialogue program on Camp Lester, Oct. 26-27.

The SEED program is a collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Department of Defense Education Activity Pacific that invites local Japanese students to share their culture at schools on military bases. The program consists of two-day projects that occur on U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force bases, where students participate in different activities together throughout the year.

Students who participated in this project came from Lester Middle School and Japanese middle schools in Kitanakagusuku, Chatan, Okinawa City, Ginowan, and Kadena. Although many interpreters were available to provide translation for the students, most of the time. Unfortunately, they couldn’t be everywhere at once. Despite this minor setback, the students still worked to find ways to communicate with each other due their united goal: an interest in each other’s language and culture.

“Sometimes you can get so focused on the language barrier, that you start to isolate yourself from other kids that maybe don’t speak English,” said Julianna Aubin, a seventh grade student at Lester Middle School. “But after the course of a day you begin to see that we’re all kids and we have favorite books and sports, and language is just a way to communicate, so we’re not all that different.”

Aubin, who has been living in Okinawa for six years, joined this language exchange project after seeing an advertisement in her Japanese class to break out of her routine. Through the program, she was able to spend time with Japanese students her age by participating in activities like exploring a haunted house, playing volleyball, scavenger hunts, and making a group presentation.

“I think that living on a base can be sort of isolating because you’re with the same group of people every day,” said Aubin. “You tend to just stay on your little hamster wheel of a daily cycle.”

Sawa Agarie, a third-year student at Ageda Middle School, also volunteered to be part of the project after seeing an advertisement at her school.

Agarie’s first interest in learning English came from her older sister, who had studied abroad in Australia. She watched her sister speak English fluently and enjoyed communicating with many of her friends. Agarie hopes to one day share the same experience through a study abroad program or by moving to an English-speaking country.

Just like Aubin, Agarie recalled moments where it was difficult to communicate with other students.

“It was sometimes slightly difficult to communicate because of the differences in languages and cultures,” said Agarie. “But I did my best to communicate by using sign body language and also my feelings through expressions.”

The final activity of the project tested the students’ ability to overcome communication and language barriers. Students, who were split into groups, brainstormed ideas for businesses and establishments and presented those ideas on a canvas. During the presentations, students shared what their businesses or establishments would achieve while also discussing what was learned about Okinawa’s culture. Some ideas focused on selling Japanese food and beverages, some gave tours of historical locations, and some provided a space for entertainment.

After each group presented, they gathered for the closing ceremony. Students received a special message from distinguished guests: Col. Marc Walker, commanding officer of Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific; Masashi Toguchi, mayor of Chatan Town; and Manabu Miyagawa, ambassador in charge of Okinawa Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

With the conclusion of the ceremony, students spoke with each other one last time before parting ways. For some, this project fostered new relationships and an opportunity to break into a new cultural bubble.

“I felt I’ve made very strong friendships,” said Agarie. “There was one girl who I will try to stay in touch with through social media.”

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio—The Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School honored 27 graduating Airmen at a ceremony Oct. 17, 2024, in the Wright-Patt Club.

The guest speaker, class mentor Chief Master Sgt. Erreca Berry, 88th Comptroller Squadron and Wing Staff Agencies senior enlisted leader, told the class made up of Airmen from the 88th Air Base Wing, 445th Airlift Wing, Ohio Air National Guard, 76th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron and other organizations, to take pride in their accomplishment.

“Each of you has reached an important milestone, not just in your careers, but in your personal growth as well,” Berry said.

She also stressed that, as the Airmen advance and become supervisors, they will shape those working for them.

“Lead well and with heart,” Berry said. “Lead knowing that you can make a lasting impact on the people around you, but it’s your choice on whether that impact will be positive or negative.”

The Airman Leadership Course is a requirement of Airmen selected for the rank of staff sergeant. The graduates of ALS Class 24-G are:

788th Civil Engineer Squadron

o Senior Airman Thomas Giglio Jr.

88th Communications Squadron

o Senior Airman Benjamin Elmore (John L. Levitow Award, top graduate)

o Senior Airman Oscar Flores (Distinguished Graduate Award)

o Senior Airman Robert Moore

o Senior Airman Zane Woodruff

88th Comptroller Squadron

o Senior Airman Trenton Crump

88th Dental Squadron

o Senior Airman Gaudely Henry

88th Healthcare Operation Squadron

o Senior Airman Kaitlyn Nokes

88th Medical Support Squadron

o Senior Airman Aaliyah Jhane Decena

o Senior Airman Mitchell Flint

o Senior Airman Javier Flores Gonzalez

o Senior Airman Anthony Rugama

88th Security Forces Squadron

o Senior Airman Felix De Jesus Ponce

o Senior Airman Devin Krause

o Senior Airman Taquierra Pittman

o Senior Airman Maxwell Stewart

88th Surgical Operations Squadron

o Senior Airman Daniela Chavez Almanza

o Senior Airman Jazmine Smith

76th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron

o Sgt. Torrance Green (Leadership Award)

o Spc. 4 Raymond Ortiz

o Spc. 4 Alyssa Jo Simonetti (Academic Achievement and Distinguished Graduate Awards)

121st Operations Support Squadron

o Senior Airman Lauren Laski

178th Logistics Readiness Squadron

o Senior Airman Mathieu Rekeraho

445th Maintenance Squadron

o Senior Airman Stephanie Gillispie

446th Force Support Squadron

o Senior Airman Averi Houck

Air Force Life Cycle Management Center

o Senior Airman Kevin Jones

Air Force Materiel Command Operations

o Senior Airman Ashby Landrum

The 56th Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium gathered Air Force and Joint Force leaders, civic leaders, industry representatives and more than 1,000 current and former Airmen Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, 2024, to underscore the critical role of the U.S. Air Force in a rapidly shifting global landscape.

With a focus on reoptimizing for Great Power Competition, speakers highlighted the strategic necessity of agile and resilient air mobility forces to counter threats, particularly from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Gen. Johnny Lamontagne, Air Mobility Command commander kicked off the event with a keynote speech celebrating a landmark year for AMC. He also revealed his Commander’s Intent, grouped in three categories: Airmen, Mission and Commitment.

“It starts and ends with the Airmen,” he said, defining the role of mission-ready Airmen who are accountable to themselves and one another, and empowered to lead resiliently.

His focus on mission emphasized the importance of guaranteeing the nuclear mission and enhancing digital connectivity for integrated command and control and to mitigate threats, a theme echoed by other senior leaders throughout the symposium.

Lamontagne previewed significant updates to AMC’s structure and capabilities, including a white sheet review of the command’s employment of aeromedical evacuation and global air mobility support system capabilities, aimed at prioritizing effectiveness in great power conflict. He also announced the next iteration of AMC’s flagship exercise, Mobility Guardian, set for summer 2025 in the Pacific, which will advance and support joint and multinational training to prepare for peer conflict.

In early October 2024, Lamontagne hosted a senior leader offsite focusing on the tasks at hand for GPC, tasking leadership to address challenges and develop operational priorities relevant to the command. The three-day symposium shared a similar sentiment across senior leaders: mobility forces play a crucial role in the future fight.

On the second day of the symposium, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall continued the theme of readiness and adaptation, addressing the critical need to align mobility force capabilities with the evolving threat landscape.

Kendall outlined his three main pillars: modernization for competitive advantage, organizational restructuring for GPC, and resource adequacy. Warning against complacency, Kendall pointed to historical lessons of adapting tactics to overcome formidable opponents.

“For a long time, we’ve been able to operate relatively freely…China has, like the Soviet Union, adapted. So must we,” Kendall said.

His emphasis on strengthening airbase resilience and advancing tanker capabilities resonated with Lamontagne’s focus on fleet modernization. Kendall closed by acknowledging the Total Force mobility team’s commitment, which keeps aircrews on the move around the clock, sustaining the global reach that underpins U.S. deterrence and readiness.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi echoed the sense of urgency in his keynote, urging Airmen to remain mission-focused and resilient amid ongoing reoptimization. He stressed the significance of countering PRC aggression, which he described as a systemic threat to international security and stability.

“Our Airmen have always been there when the world gets messy,” said Flosi, who highlighted Total Force initiatives in the Pacific, including AUKUS tri-lateral operations with Australian and UK partners, which illustrate the necessity of allied integration in preparing for future conflicts.

Flosi emphasized that mobility Airmen are crucial to Rapid Global Mobility and called on Airmen to continue adapting to challenges while sourcing innovative ideas for the path ahead.

Chief Master Sgt. Jamie Newman, AMC command chief, said Total Force Airmen are handling challenges every single day, giving an example from his past to highlight the strength of the U.S. Air Force’s noncommissioned officer corps.

“As a young Airman, an air crew took us into an airstrip…they took a plane that was working and left the broken plane with [me] and my Raven partner for five days… no communication, no expectation, no food, no water for five days,” Newman said. “The air crew got on the other plane, and they left. They didn’t leave behind directions. They didn’t ask us what we thought.”

His story showcased the ability of empowered, competent, and well-trained Airmen finding solutions on the go and their ability to operate in contested environments. Lt. Gen. John Healy, Chief of Air Force Reserve, and commander, Air Force Reserve Command, echoed the confidence leaders have in today’s Airmen.

“We need to start pushing this level of risk, understanding of risk, mitigation of risk, down to the lowest levels,” Healy said, driving home the importance of flat decision space and empowered Airmen. “It’s very likely that we’re going to have a cell of 20 folks out on some second island chain with 8,000 feet of runway or road in front of them. And this might be a master sergeant or a senior master sergeant responsible for understanding the risks associated with getting F-35s in and out and making them successful or not successful.”

“We need now to make sure that we’re engendering that trust and that support, that leadership trust in those NCOs to be able to do that,” Healy continued. “And I know our NCO corps is up to the task of this. No question about that. But we need to start practicing that right now.”

Continuing to beat the drum on reoptimization for GPC, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David W. Allvin acknowledged that the Airmen in attendance make up the team that will change the Air Force to one that privileges speed and tempo, and resilience and agility, as the character of war evolves for the future fight.

“We’ve inherited a legacy of excellence, and we stand of the shoulder of giants who have done this year over year, and deliver for our Air Force, for the rest of our services, for the joint community, for our nation,” Allvin said referring legacy of mobility forces. “But that’s today, what’s tomorrow?”

According to Allvin, “this” is the mobility moment.

“So, what I’m asking is pick up the pen, and let’s write this next chapter together.” he said, charging the audience with action.

Gen. Randall Reed, United States Transportation Command commander, closed the symposium with the thoughts of focusing on mobility culture and the long legacy.

“…We look back at the legends who came before, and we had the audacity to ask one simple question… are they better than us or is it simply our turn?” Reed said. “Inside of you, you have what it takes. Inside of you, you know what to do. And above you, we’re doing everything we can to equip you.”

The 2024 Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium illuminated the path forward for Rapid Global Mobility, underscoring the strategic and operational shifts required to maintain a competitive edge. Over the three-day symposium, attendees were given access to nine different keynotes and 22 seminars. As threats from peer competitors grow, the symposium served as a reminder of the indispensable role of mobility, not only in executing current missions but in preparing for future conflicts where readiness and resilience will be decisive.

All keynote speeches and AMC articles, photos, and videos can be accessed through the 2024 A/TA Symposium feature page.