JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Now is your chance to lead Air Education and Training Command to a three-peat at this year’s Air Force Spark Tank 2022 competition. AETC Airmen can submit their ideas for the AF-level competition using the GAIN platform at the following link: https://gain.apps.dso.mil/.
In 2020, Capt. David Coyle and 1st Lt. Daniel Treece, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, clutched the Air Force Spark Tank trophy with their “Threat Emitter” innovation after successfully demonstrating its capability during Exercise Blue Flag at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The following year, Maj. Kevin Hawkins and 1st Lt. Treece, 56th Fighter Wing, showcased their “Next-Gen Debrief” innovation, which was also lauded by Air Force senior leaders. For additional information on this innovation, visit the AFWERX website at: https://www.afwerx.af.mil/spark-tank.html.
All AETC Airmen are encouraged to submit ideas they believe will significantly impact Air Force missions within the next 6 to 24 months. It is critical to enter submissions as early as possible so AETC innovation experts can assist with your pitch video and prepare you for the competition. The campaign runs until Oct. 15, 2021.
In late October, Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, AETC commander, will chair the command’s selection board to choose the top two command submissions. These two initiatives will represent the First Command as Spark Tank quarter finalists.
The Semi-Finals board, co-chaired by the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the VCSO, with personnel from AFWERX, SAF/MG, and subject matter experts will select the Department of the Air Force’s top six innovations to head to the finals.
The Department of the Air Force Spark Tank Finals will be held in conjunction with the AFA Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida, tentatively scheduled for March 4, 2022.
Airmen can obtain innovation expert support by contacting their local Wing Process Manager or Spark Cell point of contact. A list of these resources can be found on the HQ AETC Innovation Dashboard: https://datastudio.google.com/reporting/bceedd1c-7abf-4016-a58f-0a75b6fd9d0c/page/KKfMC.
The HQ AETC/A9A, Innovation Advancement Division, is the MAJCOM lead for AETC Spark Tank 2022. For more information or assistance, email the HQ AETC/A9A workflow at: aetc.a9a.workflow.2@us.af.mil.
Help AETC keep its winning ways by submitting your Innovation into the GAIN platform using the following link: https://gain.apps.dso.mil/.