The 81st Training Wing’s mission of training, developing and inspiring premier warfighters is essential for the development of the Air Force and its future.

However, with the threat of COVID-19 impacting the health and well-being of the technical school students in training on Keesler Air Force Base, leadership has had to develop creative solutions to a unique problem.

To prevent the spread of the virus, the 333rd Training Squadron has implemented new online classes to safely teach the students of cyber warfare operations.

The instructors connect with the students through a Discord chatroom and a cyber training evaluation platform, which allows them to communicate with the students and display the class material. Tech. Sgt. Kyle Griffin, 333rd Training Squadron instructor supervisor, explains the alternate and safer approach to teaching his students during this time.


“The virtual class allows us to hear our students’ voices and reduce the chances of our Airmen contracting the virus,” Griffin said. “The instructors have the tools to effectively teach our students the material. Being able to show our students our computer screens and interact with them through streaming allows us to efficiently present the class.”

Staff Sgt. John Raulston, 333rd TRS instructor, said he believes this approach is necessary to protect his students from the virus.

“We don’t know the true danger of the virus,” Raulston said. “We are still discovering more about it, and keeping the students safe is a top priority.”

This opportunity has allowed Raulston and the other instructors to create an effective method of training.

“Our leadership has given us this opportunity to give our full effort and ideas into an interactive way of teaching and it has been very beneficial,” Raulston said. “The students have given positive feedback and we want to continue to teach our Airmen this way.”

Griffin said he believes the virtual classes are necessary because of Keesler AFB’s crucial mission.

“Our mission is essential to the Air Force and we must continue to deliver mission-ready professionals,” Griffin said. “The students are comfortable and focused, giving us an effective way of teaching them while maintaining safety precautions.”