JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
Seventeen company grade officers from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland received a crash course recently on today's vision for the Air Force's basic military training's new Airman Training Complex.
The upcoming state-of-the art complex, one of four projected for construction, will enhance the experience of basic military trainees upon their arrival to the "Gateway to the Air Force".
The junior officers began their Nov. 4 tour at the ATC construction site as part of a CGO base excursion highlighting the vast array of host and mission-partner operations at the installation.
Brian George, ATC program manager, provided the CGOs with an overview of the conceptual design of the $210 million project, and an explanation of how the complex will improve logistical efforts behind the training mission.
"The tour provided the CGOs with a better understanding of the scope of Air Force missions resident at Lackland Air Force Base," said 802nd Mission Support Group Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Kara Neuse. "The organizations that participated in the event did a great job of explaining their respective missions first-hand."
After gaining insight into the future BMT training, the CGOs visited the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency to learn about the crucial role the agency's "silent warriors" play to support the Department of Defense.
The group received a comprehensive mission briefing from a member of the AFISRA Commander's Action Group's all-enlisted briefing team. The briefing touched on the personnel, organizational structure and capabilities of the intercontinental organization with its 19,000-plus members.
After the briefing, the junior officers were given a guided tour of headquarters AFISRA's Heritage Hall by members of the agencies history office. The group received an explanation on the organization's legacy of service to the nation since its inception as the U.S. Air Force Security Service in 1948. In particular, the visit showcased the German, Soviet and American cipher devices that reside exclusively at Heritage Hall.
CGO Council advisor Lt. Col. Mark Delvecchio, deputy commander of the 737th Training Group, headed a mentorship session before the group received a 688th Information Operations Wing mission brief from 1st Lt. Michael Beaudoin, a member of the 688th IOW CAG. The 1,200-member organization is skilled in engineering installation, weaponeering, operations research, intelligence, communications and computer applications.
Tech. Sgt. Conan Mills, 23rd IOS, then presented the group with a threat condition brief covering the current capabilities of adversaries in the cyber realm, and how the organization combats the threats in support of the 24th Air Force mission.
The CGOs also visited the 90th IOS facility, which operates as the Air Force's Information Operations Center 24-hours a day, 365-days a year. The unit integrates and conducts information operations in support of worldwide missions, contingencies and exercises.
"Having the opportunity to see what these units do on a daily basis gives me an appreciation for the reach-back capabilities created by the 90th IOS and made available to the warfighter downrange," said 1st Lt. Joe Misch, 802nd Contracting Squadron, who was the CGO lead for the day-long event.
"Although the CGO tour was the first of its kind, there has already been interest in holding a similar event next year," he added. (Courtesy, 802nd Mission Support Group)