Article Title: Advancing Development Capabilities: Creation of Air Education and Training Command Centers of Excellence
In an effort to prepare for rising Intercontinental conflicts, Air Education and Training Command (AETC) has directed its headquarters, Nineteenth Air Force (19th AF), and Second Air Force (2nd AF) to create Centers of Excellence (CoEs) with the aim to improve development capabilities across the force.
This initiative forms part of the strategy to uphold the Secretary of the Air Force’s directive to reshape and redesignate AETC as a reoptimized Airman Development Command (ADC). To fulfill this directive, AETC examined the strategies by which command’s headquarters and Numbered Air Forces carry out training, curriculum development, operational integration, and other functions.
The envisioned Centers of Excellence, at both the Headquarters and Numbered Air Force levels, will serve as key points for initial integration and coordination with Air Force Materiel Command, Air Combat Command and Integrated Capabilities Command. They will dedicate their resources to ensure the outfitting, operational feedback, and future capabilities development reflect the skills and leadership qualities every Airman requires for success in future global situations.
According to Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, AETC commander, the ultimate goal is to develop Mission Ready Airmen capable of integrating themselves as part of a joint expeditionary force, ready for action at the command of combatant commanders. The ADC must accordingly foster Airmen equipped with modern and future warfighting concepts without delay.
The Centers of Excellence will focus on key initiatives including the development of curriculum, generating training requirements, coordinating new training requirements, integrating with Integrated Capabilities Command for future capability development, and informing Air Force Doctrine.
The 2nd AF is known for its provision of Basic Military Training (BMT), technical training, and expeditionary training for 93% of the Air Force, including joint and coalition forces across the world.
Traditionally, the Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) curricula have been categorized into five groups or CoEs namely, Institutional, Information, Logistics, Command and Control, and Combined Operations. However, the ADC’s emphasis on skills and “mission over function” has taken precedence as new standards are established.
Another focus area has been integrating competency-based training into Agile Combat Employment across individual AFSCs, launching the development of the mission-ready Airmen needed for future challenges. Maj. Gen. Wolfe Davidson, 2nd AF commander, stressed the need for developing curriculums and training in a way that is future-oriented and relevant in the context of global conflicts.
Another component of the CoEs is the Flying Training Center of Excellence within 19th AF. It is accountable for over 45% of the annual flying training of the U.S. Air Force. It directs aircrew training programs producing over 24,000 graduates annually.
The Flying Training CoE’s remit entails developing and maintaining existing training syllabi, courseware and refining training competencies. It also involves leveraging innovative work by focusing on five major areas: Quality Instructor Pilots, Student-Centered Learning, Use of Immersive Technology, Seamless Access to Quality Content, and Human Performance Optimization.
Major Gen. Gregory Kreuder, 19th AF commander, expressed that the establishment of the Flying Training CoE highlights their dedication to developing highly capable, adaptable Airmen and setting new standards for pilot training.
Though the number of AFSCs the Flying Training CoE manages does not rival that of 2nd AF, it plays a significant role in refining and enhancing pilot training programs. It employs the latest technologies and methodologies to create an optimal learning environment.
As the vision for the 19th AF CoE becomes more apparent, and the 2nd AF CoE’s framework for redefining foundational curriculums and competencies develops, ADC inches closer to initial operational capability, buttressing the U.S. Air Force’s preparation for Great Power Competition.
