New warfighter education courseware released

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Mary C. McCarthy
  • Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFPN) --  The commander of Air University has launched a major initiative aimed at enhancing the professional development of the Air Force warfighter. Lt. Gen. Stephen Lorenz recently released the first two courses of the Warfighter Developmental Education program. WDE is a Web-based educational program consisting of five doctrine-based warfighter education courses spanning an Airman's career.

The first course, The Airmen's Perspective, is important to any Airman who wishes to fully understand the fundamental and critical principles underpinning air, space and cyberspace warfare. The Airman's Perspective is designed to be applicable to officers prior to attending the Air and Space Basic Course. This first course introduces Air Force Doctrine Document 1, Air Force Basic Doctrine, and has four lessons: Integrated Air, Space and Cyberspace Power; Foundations of Air; Space and Cyberspace Power; Principles of War; and Tenets of Air, Space and Cyberspace Power.

The second course, Foundations of Warfighting, provides to any Airman involved in the employment of Air Force forces a foundational understanding of employing air, space and cyberspace power from homeland to expeditionary operations. This course is intended for officers prior to attending Squadron Officer School. 

The lessons examine fundamental concepts essential to successful operations and provide an understanding of the crucial elements of air, space and cyberspace power capabilities. Additionally, the course addresses significant issues that impact the success of Air Force operations. Lessons in this course include:  Airman's Perspective, Total Force, Presentation of Forces, Command and Control of Air and Space Forces, and Operational Functions of Air and Space Power.

Some of the lessons across the five courses have the same topic areas; however, they differ in levels of learning and in the depth and breadth of material that is relevant to the context of a given career point.  All of the other courses, focusing where appropriate at the service, joint, DOD and national level, contain such topic areas as The Airman's Perspective, Expeditionary Operations, Air Operations Center Operations, Total Force, and Theater Operations.

The courseware is globally accessible on the Web to all Airmen and at the same time. The WDE courses are independent from professional military education curricula, yet intended to allow the PME schools to leverage the materials presented within WDE. 

The ability to "reach-forward" and "reach-back" to access the courses as a whole, or individual lessons within, provides all Airmen from lieutenant to general officer a resource to complement both current and future assignments. 

The courses are vital elements of a deliberate force development program to build operational competence and strategic vision. In developing warfighter expertise, Airmen will be better prepared to lead air and space forces as part of the joint effort. 

The most valuable Airman in any joint environment is the one who clearly and expertly articulates air, space and cyberspace power and what it can bring to the joint fight. Plans call for the other three courses to be completed by mid-2008.

Personnel who do not have access to .mil sites can link to the WDE courseware here at AU Online. For more information contact Roger Philipsek at the Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center, DSN 493-3904 or commercial 334-953-3904. 

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