JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Torchbearers help Air Education and Training Command reach Air Force Spark Tank success for the fourth year.
In 2020, U.S Air Force Capts. David Coyle and Daniel Treece, from the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, were the co-winners of the Air Force Spark Tank trophy with their “low-cost threat emitter” proposal, and later successfully demonstrated its capability during Exercise Blue Flag at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
The following year, U.S. Air Force Maj. Kevin Hawkins and Treece, from the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, showcased their “next-gen debrief” proposal at the Air Force finals and were lauded by Air Force senior leaders.
Then, in 2022, Matthew Correia, from the Eaker Center at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, presented “Developing Airmen and Guardians with Games for Enhanced Readiness (DAGGER),” an educational games-based learning innovation that deliberately grows Airmen through Air Force foundational competencies and core values.
AETC Airmen should submit ideas that will significantly impact Air Force missions within six to 24 months. Enter submissions as early as possible for AETC innovation experts to assist with the pitch video and competition preparations. The campaign submission window continues until Aug. 17.
In late October 2022, the command’s selection board convenes to choose AETC’s top two submissions. The top two submissions will represent the First Command as Spark Tank quarter-finalists.
Spark Tank finals are held in conjunction with the 2023 Air Force Association Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado, tentatively scheduled for March 6, 2023.
Airmen can get innovation expert support by contacting their local wing process manager or spark cell point of contact. A list of these resources can be found at the Headquarters AETC innovation dashboard at https://datastudio.google.com/reporting/bceedd1c-7abf-4016-a58f-0a75b6fd9d0c/page/KKfMC.
The AETC’s Innovation Advancement Division, or AETC/A9A, is the lead for AETC Spark Tank 2023. For more information or assistance, email the HQ AETC/A9A workflow at aetc.a9a.workflow.2@us.af.mil.
Help AETC by submitting innovative ideas at https://gain.apps.dso.mil/daf/spark-tank-2023