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U.S. Air Force News

  • AFMC launches Spark Tank competition

    The submitters of the top five, most innovative, game-changing ideas will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges during the AFMC Senior Leader Conference this September. This panel will then select the top two ideas as the major command nominees for the 2021 Air Force-wide competition.

  • AFWERX Fusion 2020 registration announced

    In response to the current global health crisis, the annual Fusion event goes virtual this year as a highly engaging and interactive online event packed with unique experiences.

  • AFLCMC acquires new Air Force handgun

    The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Small Arms Program Office acquired approximately 125,000 M18s from Sig Sauer for $22.1 million, and is making them available to Air Force organizations that have a handgun requirement.

  • Texas Guard team wins first NGB innovation competition

    The Texas Guard team, whose entry focused on development of 3D printer technology, beat out 110 submissions nationwide. Competitors pitched their ideas in rounds at the unit, state and regional levels. The winners advanced to the final round, held June 12.

  • AFRS releases Aim High mobile app

    The Aim High app is a comprehensive, intuitive recruiting tool powered by a data-rich, enterprise solution that helps the Air Force find elite Airmen, as well as guides recruits to discover their passions through intuitive, interactive means.

  • AFCEC study gives new life to old chemical defense decon kits

    The Air Force Civil Engineer’s Readiness Lab recently determined more than 75,000 expired M295 decontamination kits used in chemical defense ensembles are still effective and can be used, saving the Air Force more than $2.3 million over a four-year period.

  • AFIMSC analytics tool expands, helps leaders prioritize investments

    Developed and launched by the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in August 2018, the Installation Health Assessment analytics platform was initially designed to forecast facility and infrastructure funding requirements for Air Force bases. By April

  • Barrett, Raymond speak with US astronaut ahead of historic launch

    The conversation with Behnken, an Air Force colonel, came six days before the scheduled May 27 launch of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft in Florida. The launch and the mission to the International Space Station (ISS) are significant because it is the first time since the space shuttle was retired in

  • Satellite hacking challenge shifts to fully virtual event

    Despite a transition to an all online event, the Air Force, Space Force, and DDS will continue partnering with DEF CON’s Aerospace Village to virtually showcase the team’s mission: build a diverse community committed to promoting and developing aerospace cybersecurity expertise and knowledge through

  • Agile contracting team delivers COVID-19 protection to Airmen

    Air Force Installation Contracting Center’s contracting experts -- teaming with colleagues at all levels -- showed agility and innovation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic when they quickly got cloth protective masks in the hands of Airmen and their families. It's a great example of how Airmen

  • Magellan mobility allocation planning app gets an upgrade

    Hosted on the Kessel Run platform, Magellan provides an electronic interface for operational planners to allocate mobility aircraft and their associated crews over several months, providing greater visibility and enabling them to de-conflict recurring missions and high-demand periods.

  • Air Force SERE modernizes training

    Initial SERE training for Airmen at high risk of isolation has been conducted through four courses over a 26-day period. Now, leaders at 336th TRG believe they have found a way to restructure the training requirements, which make it more efficient and ultimately saves time. COVID-19 expedited the

  • Thinking ahead: Agility Prime kicks off

    The objective of this week’s event is to reinforce the Air Force’s commitment in partnering with industry, investors and the interagency to help ensure there is a robust domestic capability in the aerospace sector.

  • Faster, smarter: virtual hiring fair recruits STEM talent

    In conjunction with the Air Force’s Personnel Center, the Air Force Materiel Command held a virtual hiring fair April 23, 2020 to fill open science, technology, engineering and mathematics positions across the command.

  • AFLCMC-led team delivers isolation container prototype for testing

    Rapidly developed in response to the United States Transportation Command's Joint Urgent Operational Need, the Negatively Pressurized Conex, or NPC, is designed to fit inside of a C-17 Globemaster III, and enable the safe transport of as many as 28 patients both ambulatory and litter, and teams of

  • Squadron redesignations bolster enterprise contracting support

    In joining other enterprise sourcing squadrons, the new ESSs are positioned as “centers of excellence” for distinct business-line strategic contract support across the enterprise, eliminating duplication of effort and contract execution for the same requirements.

  • AFICC dashboard to help clean up custodial costs

    The Custodial Services Dashboard directly supports category management, a federal government-wide initiative that drives organizations to strategically manage costs for common goods and services.

  • Vertical wiper blades reduce aircraft drag, tests show

    Across the KC-135 fleet, blades are positioned horizontally on the windshield as part of the aircraft’s original 1950s design. However, as the understanding of aviation aerodynamics advanced, research indicated placing the wipers vertically when not in use could improve aerodynamic efficiency and

  • AFIMSC geospatial tools help commanders manage COVID-19 risk

    Geospatial tools developed by the detachment’s GeoBase team are providing commanders with near real-time data detailing the spread of the disease in their areas of responsibility. Commanders are using this capability to make decisions to sustain mission readiness and help mitigate the threat of

  • Aircraft airflow tested in Nebraska to reduce COVID-19 spread

    Active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard components from AMC, in coordination with the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, worked April 4-11 at the 155th Air Refueling Wing examining airflow and particles to assess ways to prevent the spread of the

  • Illinois Air Guard C-130s join the fight against COVID-19

    Two aircrews assigned to the 182nd Airlift Wing departed Peoria Air National Guard Base, Illinois, April 7, to pick up and transport 250 medical isolation pods from the Oregon manufacturer to Chicago Midway International Airport the next day.

  • Agility Prime to hold virtual launch event

    During the week of 27 April, Dr. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, will officially launch Agility Prime, the Air Force program to accelerate the growth of the transformative vertical flight market for subsequent government use.

  • Travis AFB innovates PPE, helps DGMC fight spread of coronavirus

    David Grant U.S. Air Force Medical Center medics at Travis AFB contacted the base’s 60th Air Mobility Wing Phoenix Spark innovation cell, which quickly sprang into action prototyping and developing N95 mask covers and face shields for 3D printing to prolong the life cycle of certified N95 masks.

  • 419th Fighter Wing hosts F-35 virtual field trip

    During the virtual field trip, Silkey provided an overview of the aircraft’s capabilities to his online audience to include details on its stealth technology and how it gives pilots a significant advantage on the battlefield.

  • AFRL team selected for Excellence in Tech Transfer Award

    Dr. Brian Simpson, 711 HPW sensory psychologist and one of the inventors of MMC along with Dr. James Kearns, 711 HPW program manager were selected for the successful technology transfer of MMC, which is a system invented to manage complex communication environments.

  • Scheduling training is about to get easier for C-17 crews

    The digital interface, which will start using live data March 20, enables planners to visualize flight schedules and generates recommended schedules for each crew member while taking into consideration required qualifications, crew rest and conflicting events.

  • Fairchild AFB Airmen create maintenance vehicle of the future

    The base leases utility vans to service aircraft on the flightline, which get replaced every 20 years once they have reached their end of life. These vans, however, have a stripped interior, with the exception of the driver and passenger seats, and come without insulation.

  • AFIMSC innovation project receives $3 million award

    The project uses drones and machine learning to revolutionize how the Air Force Civil Engineer Center collects data for its environmental mission. The initiative is powered by a partnership between AFIMSC, Air Force Innovation Hub Network (AFWERX) and Aerial Applications, a small business providing

  • Kessel Run brings new software to Vermont ANG aircraft maintainers

    In the course of two weeks, Kessel Run personnel started with zero Mad Hatter users from the Vermont ANG and grew to 78 user accounts at the 158th Maintenance Group. Airmen were able to recover, service and launch aircraft entirely using Mad Hatter applications, resulting in 10 successful sorties

  • Robotic process automation introduces digital workforce

    By collaborating with UiPath, a global software company that develops a platform for robotic process automation, and utilizing innovation funds, personnel will be able to increase productivity, accuracy and overall mission success through the help of bots.

  • Air Force announces Vanguard PEOs

    Vanguard programs will rapidly advance emerging weapon systems and warfighting concepts through prototyping and experimentation.

  • SecAF visits RAF Mildenhall

    The 25th Secretary of the Air Force visited the air traffic control tower, fire station and various units within the 352 Special Operations Wing.

  • Voting for Spark Tank 2020 opens

    Spark Tank is an annual event in which Airmen pitch innovative ideas that build upon senior leader priorities to restore readiness, cost-effectively modernize and drive innovation.

  • AFIMSC holds world-wide finance conference

    Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center's Financial Operations Division hosted their third annual Air Force Financial Operations Conference Feb. 11-13.

  • Air Force implements pathfinder program for cybersecurity certification

    The Security+ certification can be acquired through passing the Security+ exam and is necessary to validate that an individual possesses the necessary skills to perform in an information technology security-based career. The exam is known to be complex and difficult and many Airmen fail and lose

  • Mobile app supports new hire process

    The “Newcomers” feature on the Air Force Materiel Command instance of the Air Force Connect mobile application provides new employees with step-by-step pre-employment and onboarding process information, checklists, installation maps, pay and benefits data, making the first days of work easier for

  • Instructor pilots: Creating world-class aviators

    At Columbus Air Force Base, more than 300 instructor pilots are responsible for graduating close to 350 student pilots a year from programs such as Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals and the Aviation Leadership Program.

  • AETC partners with UTSA to refine pilot candidate selection

    In an effort to gain more insight into what attributes could best predict the success of pilot training candidates, Air Education and Training Command turned to the data analytics program at the University of Texas-San Antonio to help them refine and validate the Pilot Candidate Selection Method as

  • Digital Directorate sets new pace for Phase II SBIR awards

    The Digital Directorate at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., recently awarded seven Phase II Small Business Innovation Research Program contracts to some of the startups who participated in the July 2019 UAS and Kessel Run Pitch Days.

  • Air Force partners with Google to improve IT security

    The effort covers three areas: Network-as-a-Service, End User Services and Compute and Store, and consists of technical assessments to determine if alternative solutions can meet unique Air Force requirements.

  • MacDill AFB awards contracts to small businesses

    At MacDill AFB Pitch Day, small-business vendors presented proposals to help fulfill requirements, close capability gaps or provide potential technology advancements at the 6th Air Refueling Wing.

  • DoD innovation units join forces to engage small business

    Over the past few months, AFWERX, Army Futures Command, NavalX, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Security Innovation Network have joined forces to make this experimental concept an interagency initiative to bridge the gap between startups, small businesses and government.

  • AFMC standardizes on-boarding, civilian acculturation

    The Air Force Materiel Command Civilian Acculturation Program, officially launched in May 2019, standardizes and streamlines the on-boarding process across AFMC, with impacts ranging from increased job satisfaction to improved new employee retention and more.

  • Air Force Aid Society launches new enhancements to its mobile budget app

    The initial version of the AFAS Budget Builder App was launched in 2018 and was created primarily as a budgeting tool to help Airmen and their families improve how they save and budget their money each month. Prior to the Budget Builder App, AFAS provided paper check registers to Airmen and other

  • Air Force announces Spark Tank 2020 selectees

    Spark Tank also offers Airmen the opportunity to get their ideas in front of key enabling agencies that can share expertise and resources such as funding or personnel for the projects being presented and demonstrate pathways for intrapreneurs to make their initiatives successful.

  • AFGSC names 2020 Spark Tank finalists

    Air Force Spark Tank is an open call for Airmen to bring forward their best ideas that build upon senior leader priorities to restore readiness, cost-effectively modernize and drive innovation.

  • First virtual pitch day contract awarded

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa A8I Operational Innovation Branch and the 764th Enterprising Solutions Squadron awarded their first virtual Pitch Day contract, Dec. 13.

  • AFRL completes initial Ultra LEAP flight tests

    The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Center for Rapid Innovation has successfully completed initial flight tests for the revolutionary unmanned aerial system with a customizable suite of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tools that supports extended missions.

  • AETC Learning Wi-Fi Service begins roll out across command

    In an effort to expand learning opportunities for Airmen and enable training and education from any device, Air Education and Training Command has begun the Learning Wi-Fi Service project to install commercial wireless internet across the command’s installations.

  • Final CALCM missile package retired

    The CALCM missile has been employed in combat operations to include Desert Storm, Desert Strike, Desert Fox, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Decades later, the final missile package was disassembled to become demilitarized.

  • AFMC announces 2020 Spark Tank finalists

    The Liquid Cooled Plate Carrier and Virtual Visitor Control Center projects were selected from more than 15 submissions from across AFMC as having the highest probability of delivering game-changing impact for Air Force needs.

  • Faculty development takes evolutionary steps in classroom

    The 82nd Training Wing Faculty Development Flight’s Basic Instructor Course is heading down a path where students are able to collaborate in an evolutionary educational workspace. They are building on the concept of modernizing the training environment at Sheppard AFB, with the hope of seeing this

  • AFMC to host virtual career fair

    A virtual career fair, hosted by the Air Force Materiel Command, will focus on filling more than 100 vacancies across the command in career fields to include contracting, financial management, force support, information technology, intelligence, logistics, medical, program management, public

  • AFIMSC announces topics for I-WEPTAC 2020

    The topics have been selected for the Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conference 2020, and the chairpersons will be on board this month. What remains is determining who will fill the ranks of the four Mission Area Working Groups charged with tackling some of the Air Force’s

  • Air Force welcomes small businesses to pitch their space ideas

    The two-day event will feature esteemed keynotes, expert panels, innovative startup pitches, a dynamic expo floor of more than 60 booths and the potential for the participating small companies to win an on-the-spot contract with the Air Force.

  • AETC announces 2020 Spark Tank winner

    The 381st Training Group’s idea to transform low-fidelity training into a student-centered, solid foundation for space warfighters and Air University’s “give makerspace” idea that enables creative, innovative Airmen to devise solutions in a dedicated makerspace by providing physical space to work