AUSTIN, Texas –
Airmen from across the Air Force gathered in Austin Dec. 13 and 14 to learn about the Department of Defense’s innovation ecosystem and the best ways to plug into the overall culture of innovation at every level of the total force.
The Spark Cell workshop, hosted by the AFWERX-Austin hub team, was designed to help grow the network of willing collaborators and share ideas and approaches that foster a results-driven culture of innovation.
“Every Airman has the opportunity to shape the future force and help us maintain our competitive advantage over our adversaries,” said Maj. Tony Perez, AFWERX Spark director. “We want our Airmen to know that they're not alone on this innovation journey. There are pockets of excellence all across the Air Force that we want to connect in a decentralized network of semi-autonomous cells.
The workshop included classes on innovation fundamentals, tools, building a team and existing Spark Cell lessons learned case studies.
Representatives from wings across Air Education and Training Command attended the workshop to share ideas and collaborate, including Spark Cell directors from Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, Joint Base San Antonio and Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
“AETC attendees used this workshop as a way to tighten our communications and work directly with AFWERX and Pilot Training Next in order to move forward as a team on specific projects and requirements,” said Maj. Ryan Brewer, 14th Flying Training Wing innovation director. “Although we have been talking weekly, it was good to meet face to face and plan a strategic way forward.”
Experiencing AFWERX collaboration efforts with industry and learning more about the contracting and acquisition processes was critical learning over the two days.
“Seeing all of the work that AFWERX is putting in with industry partners is going to help accelerate Air Force innovation,” Brewer said. “Some of our biggest issues involve the contracting processes and AFWERX is helping us travel those roads faster and more efficiently.”
Perez said the mission of Spark Cells is generating ideas and solutions that help get solutions out to the warfighter rapidly and allow units to accomplish their missions more effectively.
“We want every Airman to shape the Spark Cell network in a way that meets their mission needs,” Perez said. “This dynamic network is results-driven and is always evolving based on the contributions of every Airman. We support efforts that make the Air Force more mission effective at the tactical level and make our Airmen's lives better.”