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Air Force DASH sprint pioneers human-machine teaming for faster battle management decisions
June 16, 2025 — The Department of the Air Force took a bold step toward future command and control capabilities with the successful completion of its first Decision Advantage Sprint for Human-Machine Teaming, or DASH, experiment, recently held at the Howard Hughes Operations Center, or H2O, in Las Vegas, Nevada... MORE

photo of military members in civilian clothing wearing headsets sitting desks with computer screens in front of them and one large screen above them

Around the Air Force: Real ID ready, C-17 fuel-saving tech, training aircraft update
January 24, 2025 — In this week’s look Around the Air Force, visitor access to military bases and some federal installations will be required to present Real ID credentials, microvane drag technology will modernize the C-17 Globemaster III fleet, and updates for the T-7A Red Hawk training aircraft... MORE

DAF announces 2024 Spark Tank winner
November 6, 2024 — A prototype F-16 Fight Falcon cockpit collapsible ladder for agile combat employment and contingency operations emerged as the 2024 Spark Tank winner at the Pentagon... MORE

Undersecretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. James Slife and Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Michael Guetlein host the Spark Tank competition finals at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. Oct. 30, 2024. Spark Tank is the flagship competition in which innovators from across the Department of the Air Force pitch their ideas to a panel of top leadership and industry experts in pursuit of sponsorship to realize their idea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)

Optimizing decision advantage through human-machine team experimentation
October 17, 2024 — The Department of the Air Force’s Advanced Battle Management System Cross-Functional Team hosted the first software sprint experiment to examine software solutions for enhanced command and control in conjunction with the Shadow Operations Center – Nellis, at the Howard Hughes Operations, or H2O, facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sept. 9-13... MORE

Department of the Air Force launches NIPRGPT
June 10, 2024 — The Department of the Air Force chief information officer and the Air Force Research Laboratory are accelerating initiatives to provide the Air Force and Space Force with the ability to responsibly experiment with Generative AI... MORE

As part of its ongoing modernization efforts, the Department of the Air Force chief information officer, in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory, is accelerating initiatives to provide Guardians, Airmen, civilian employees, and contractors the ability to responsibly experiment with Generative AI, with adequate safeguards in place. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

AFWERX accepting applications for spring 2024 fellowship
December 14, 2023 — AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory is accepting applications for its upcoming spring Traditional Fellowship Program through Jan. 5... MORE

AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is accepting applications for its upcoming spring Traditional Fellowship Program through Jan. 5. Fellowships are open to all ranks of the Air and Space Forces, Reserve, Guard and government civilians. (Courtesy graphic)

AFRL, 59th Medical Wing launch space medical research group
November 30, 2023 — A newly established collaboration between the 711th Human Performance Wing’s Human Effectiveness Directorate, the Air Force Research Laboratory and the 59th Medical Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is creating a military research working group to address defense space-linked medical research gaps... MORE

A graphic depicting Rocket Cargo, one of the Department of Air Force Vanguard programs that focuses on rapid global mobility including delivery of medical supplies. The Clinical and Operational Space Medicine Innovation Consortium, or COSMIC, created a research working group to address defense space-linked medical research gaps. This newly established collaboration between the 711th Human Performance Wing’s Human Effectiveness Directorate, the Air Force Research Laboratory and the 59th Medical Wing will serve as a platform to fuse human health and performance research capabilities and expertise across both organizations. (U.S. Air Force illustration)

U.S. Air Force upgrades eye protection for aircrew
November 20, 2023 — Comprised of eight different devices and known as the Block 3 family of products, the eyewear will provide protection from laser threats and introduces a combined laser and ballistic protection capability for the first time... MORE

A B-52 aircrew member participating in a laser eye protection test. (U.S. Air Force/courtesy photo)

From the battlefield to the football field: Air Force surgeon’s skills knows no bounds
February 7, 2023 — On Jan. 2, when many football fans were watching the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, Lt. Col. Valerie Sams, an Air Force surgeon, was on call at UC Health’s University of Cincinnati Medical Center not knowing what she was about to face... MORE

Innovation Industry Days event to educate small businesses, academia
December 21, 2022 — Small businesses, academics and government officials involved in emerging technologies will gather Jan. 24-26, 2023, at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, for Innovation Industry Days, a networking and educational event sponsored by AFWERX and the Air Force Installation Mission Support Center, or AFIMSC... MORE

AFWERX and the Air Force Installation Mission Support Center will host Innovation Industry Days 2023, a networking and educational event in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 24-26, 2023. Attendees from industry, academia and government will have the opportunity to discuss technologies and Department of the Air Force problem areas during the three-day event, which is open to the public. (Courtesy graphic)

AFWERX Refinery supports Airman, Guardian innovators
December 5, 2022 — The Refinery program, an initiative of AFWERX’s Spark division, will host its seventh cohort of Airmen and Guardians for a four-week, hybrid Accelerator program in February 2023 to target grassroots efforts within the Department of the Air Force and rapidly advance innovative projects that directly aid warfighters... MORE

Airmen and Guardians from the Refinery program meet virtually with Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass Oct. 13, 2022, to discuss their projects. The Refinery’s fifth cohort met with Bass to discuss innovative projects focused on improving systems, operations and processes. The Refinery, an initiative of AFWERX’s Spark Division, targets grassroots innovation efforts within the Department of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo / Dennis Stewart).

Air Force SMART program sustains readiness and currency through tailored training
October 27, 2022 — The Air Force’s Sustained Medical and Readiness Trained, or SMART, program has become a dynamic training platform. Through tailored training and multidisciplinary opportunities, Air Force medics retain their currency and are ready for the fight... MORE

New medical profile system to enhance communication, readiness
July 19, 2022 — A new medical profile system aimed at improving communication and overall readiness has been developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory in collaboration with the Air Force Medical Readiness Agency and the Defense Health Agency, and is slated to roll out to military treatment facilities later this summer... MORE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Lashawn Dennis, 52nd Fighter Wing non-commissioned officer in charge of the wing professional development office, performs a physical therapy exercise in the medical clinic at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, June 14, 2022. Physical therapy allows Airmen to work through their injuries and provides tools for prevention in the future. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chance Nardone)

Air Force selects future aircrew helmet
June 28, 2022 — The helmet prototype was chosen after Air Combat Command initiated the search for a next-generation helmet to address issues with long-term neck and back injuries, optimize aircraft technology, improve pilot longevity, and provide better fitment to diverse aircrews... MORE

Photo: LIFT Airborne Technologies next-generation helmet.

Air Force medical policies for aviators are research-based, data-driven
April 18, 2022 — The Air Force continuously assesses the medical policies surrounding its aviators, updating policies as new data and research emerge. This commitment to data driven medical decisions and policy updates keep Airmen flying safely and the mission on track... MORE

USAF School of Aerospace Medicine inducted into San Antonio Aviation Hall of Fame
March 10, 2022 — The Air Force Research Laboratory’s United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine was inducted into the San Antonio Aviation Hall of Fame during the Dee Howard Foundation’s 2022 San Antonio Aerospace Hall of Fame awards banquet held at the Boeing Hangar at Port San Antonio March 2... MORE

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) was inducted into the San Antonio Aviation Hall of Fame during the Dee Howard Foundation’s 2022 San Antonio Aerospace Hall of Fame awards banquet held at the Boeing Hangar at Port San Antonio March 2, 2022. Accepting the honor on behalf of USAFSAM was retired Col. (Dr.) Charles R. Fisher Jr., who was joined by Jim Perschbach, President & CEO, Port San Antonio, and Christina Martinez, Executive Director, Dee Howard Foundation. (Courtesy photo)

Voting open for Spark Tank 2022 ideas
February 28, 2022 — Cast a vote for your favorite entry in the Department of the Air Force Spark Tank 2022 competition. Online polling is open through March 4... MORE

Cast a vote for your favorite entry in the Department of the Air Force Spark Tank 2022 competition. Online polling is open through March 4. Finalists will take the stage March 4 in Orlando, Florida, during the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium, to pitch their innovation ideas to Air Force and Space Force senior leadership and industry experts. The audience poll will select the Fan Favorite and be included in the panel’s votes to determine the Spark Tank winner. (Courtesy graphic)

Air Force awards airworthiness approval to Kitty Hawk through AFWERX Agility Prime electric aircraft program
July 30, 2021 — AFWERX Agility Prime partner Kitty Hawk has been awarded an airworthiness approval by the U.S. Air Force. With this award, the Heaviside aircraft is able to enter its next phase of flight testing under Air Force direction... MORE

Kitty Hawk demonstrates the eVTOL aircraft Heaviside’s automated and remote flight capabilities. (Courtesy photo/Kitty Hawk)

Air Force updates medical courses with COVID-19 content, procedures
July 27, 2020 — Air Force medical instructors and trainers are improving curriculum and adapting procedures to account for COVID-19 operations. COVID-19 has shed new light on the methods of conducting medical training and education... MORE

Image of Staff Sgt. Lee Nembhard, an aeromedical evacuation technician assigned to the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron from Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

Wearable tech for survival specialists now at JBSA-Camp Bullis
October 22, 2019 — An Air Force Research Laboratory team recently delivered version 2.0 of the Survival Health Awareness Responders Kit, or SHARK, to U.S. Air Force instructors at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, a 28,000-acre site in Texas used to train Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialists... MORE

Air Force Capt. Logan Hawke, a pilot assigned to the 16th Airlift Squadron; Master Sgt. William Davis and Staff Sgt. Randall Moss, loadmasters assigned to the 16th Airlift Squadron, communicate with rescue forces with a radio during a survival, evasion, resistance, and escape exercise in North, South Carolina, Aug. 21. SERE specialists assigned to the 437th Operations Support Squadron conducted this exercise in order to identify potential areas of improvement in both SERE training and equipment provided to aircrew in case of a potential isolating event.