Page 3 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, April 2022

Thunderbolt NEWS April 2022 3 http://www.luke.af.mil Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt
56th Fighter Wing transforms learning with Embry-Riddle educational partnership
Training the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat- ready warfighters is nothing new for the 56th Fighter Wing, where education and innovation merge to create the epicenter of airpower.
Operating under the Air Education and Training Com- mand, the fighter wing has been granted the responsibil- ity to research, teach, and train to fulfill the Air Force’s mission to Fly, Fight, and Win; thus, in February 2022, AETC and Luke Air Force Base took a huge step in ex- panding the wing’s training potential.
The 56th FW entered into a mutually beneficial Educa- tion Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to provide access for under- graduate researchers and software developers to foster the development of new technologies in the aviation and aerospace arenas.
Embry-Riddle, whose Worldwide Campus has been working with military members since 1970, has been a staple for Luke’s airmen looking to earn undergraduate certifications and a number of degrees for years. Now, with this partnership, Embry-Riddle will offer students the ability to produce deliverables and train in a real- world environment alongside the military.
According to Abby Boggs, AETC Defense Lab Tech- nology Transfer Manager at Joint Base San Antonio- Randolph, Texas, the EPA enables AETC to promote the education of future scientists and engineers, while enhancing and broadening the professional and techni- cal career development of its personnel through joint research exchanges.
Much of the emerging technologies that will deter- mine our future are no longer created or funded by the Department of Defense, according to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown’s Accelerate Change or Lose strategic approach, meaning innovation, partnership, collaboration, and reducing cost and risk are integral to achieving the Air Force mission.
Boggs revealed this EPA addresses Gen Brown’s strat- egy by providing information exchanges and research projects in the areas of data management and transfer, electromagnetic spectrum and advanced communications, software development, and machine learning. Other tech- nologies include augmented and mixed reality, artificial intelligence, and autonomous mobility.
The partnership Boggs and her office structured aligns with the Air Force Science and Technology Strategy’s ele- ment of investing in science and technology with partners to integrate existing capabilities and mature technologies into innovative, affordable, and sustainable solutions.
Overseeing this five-year agreement with Embry-Riddle is Capt. Wesley Reid, a 56th FW instructor pilot and In- novation Spark Cell lead.
“We got started in February with the objective of pairing Embry-Riddle’s academic expertise to our wing’s problem sets,” Reid said. “The first projects in this five-year agree- ment will involve students assisting with the digitiza- tion of a squadron recall roster. Later, students will help work to further develop tools and applications such as an airspace scheduling tool, an aircraft hydraulic main- tenance inventory tracking tool, a fighter aircraft launch and recovery tool, and an application to track real-time information for ground transportation.”
As projects become available, Reid believes the ability for the students to gain experience with projects, reports, and presentations by working directly with professionals is one that cannot be replicated in a classroom.
“When problems or innovative ideas arise, we are able to source students and experts in the field to create novel solutions. The students will work through the faculty men- tors and Undergraduate Research Institute for reporting process and delivery,” he added.
building blocks for both the military and educational insti- tutions as a whole, with student experiences opening the aperture on a potential military career after graduation.
“This partnership really will provide students with hands-on experience on projects aligned with their degree programs and will expose them to Air Force life in general to see if the military might be a career direction they want to go in,” Reid said. “The students will also get to build networking opportunities within and across programs.”
“Academics in operations research, software develop- ment, or mechanical engineering can help us develop kaizen within our processes,” Reid concluded. Kaizen, the
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philosophical term in Japanese business meaning “change for the better”, accurately depicts the focus of this EPA as the 56 FW and Embry-Riddle partner on this five-year innovative journey.
Education Partnership Agreements are offered through the Air Force Technology Transfer and Transition (AFT3) Program Office, enabling a broad spectrum of productive interactions with educational institutions. A comprehen- sive suite of T3 mechanisms for partnering with industry and academia are offered through the office. To find out how you can partner with AFT3 Program, please visit https://www.aft3.af.mil.
LUKE AFB CELEBRATES EARTH DAY
Earth Day was founded in 1970 by former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson. This activated 20 million Americans from all lifestyles to focus on environ- mental issues through legislation, community and action. On Earth Day, more than 1 billion people from more than 193 countries are expected to participate in various events globally, reminding everyone about the importance of our environment.
On Tuesday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 56th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental will host an Earth Day event at Luke Air Force Base in front of the Military Clothing Store. GreenSheen Eco-Friendly Paints and eGreen IT Solutions LLC will be on site to collect consumer electronic waste and latex/water- based paint for recycling off base.
Eligible e-waste includes: computers, laptops, moni- tors, keyboards, mice, peripherals, cables, copiers, CD/ DVD drives, fax machines, phones, stereos, radios, projectors, networking equipment, TVs, etc. All PCs and laptops with hard drives will be wiped clean and certified by NIST Standards. A certificate of recycling will be emailed upon final disposition by eGreen IT Solutions. Consumer property only.
Eligible paint includes: latex/water-based paints, stains, and clear finishes. Paints must be in their original container. There is no need to consolidate partially full cans together. No oil, alkyd, lacquer, urethane paints, or other chemicals will be accepted.
Visit the booth to pick up recycling information and giveaways! For questions, please call (623) 856-4748.
Looking forward, Reid envisions the mutual benefits as