Page 8 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition April 2020

8 April 2021 Desert Lightning News Desert Lightning News April 2021 9
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AfwERx (from Page 1) senting their ideas to a panel of nine production of the Spark Tank event. AwARD (from Page 4)
A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team pilot announced Force specialty codes and mission sets. was made up of civilian professionals Charles Q. Brown, Jr. stated that his procedures and better the ones already in place. This
In 2020, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.
celebrity judges. The panel of judges
included supporting a President-directed immediate
William Gautier, Spark Tank ca-
pability lead, emphasized that with and investors with experience in gov- vision for the force is to “Accelerate response force, multiple high-level training events and
Change or Lose.” The AFWERX Spark
ernment service and leading technol-
the Spark Tank event, “We celebrate ogy industries. Additionally, the sec- Tank event allows Airmen to personal- deployments, correcting parachute deficits, rotary-wing
by Staff Sergeants graduate of the University of Tennessee. He joined risk-takers and idea-makers from retary of the Air Force, the Air Force ly embody that vision. Events such as aircraft issues and other shortfalls across the rescue
SeRGio A. GAMBoA and ShAWN MABRY the Air Force to pay tribute to his grandfathers — across the department; Airmen and chief of staff, the U.S. Space Force chief Spark Tank provide Airmen with the group.
both Vietnam War veterans. Guardian intrapreneurs who refuse “We train to be real-world ready every day,” Wallace
355th Wing Public Affairs of space operations, the chief master opportunity to voice their solutions to
On Feb. 26, the team unveiled a new Vietnam to accept the status quo and who have sergeant of the Air Force and the chief key enablers and potentially improve said. “We collaborate across sections within the flight,
General Mark Kelly, Air Combat Command com- War-era paint scheme for the demonstration jet in created solutions to make it easier for master sergeant of the Space Force the way the mission is accomplished train each other and count on each other for support as
mander, certified the new A-10C Thunderbolt II honor of the 97 Airmen assigned to the 355th Tac- us to bring the very best to the fight.” also sat on the judge’s panel. in the Air Force. we continue to think ahead, identify problems and get
Demonstration Team pilot and commander during tical Fighter Wing, who either made the ultimate This year, Airmen created every- Although all teams provided out- All Spark Tank semi-finalists and after the mission. We work really well as a team and
the Heritage Flight Training Course at Davis- sacrifice of losing their lives during that conflict or thing from ear plugs that allow main- standing improvements to critical finalists have received “go-do’s” by that keeps us ready to go.”
Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, March 6. became prisoners of war. Their names have been tainers to communicate effectively in operational processes, Bauer was senior leadership to make their ideas Readiness is a key aspect in the National Defense
Capt. Haden “Gator” Fullam will be leading a inscribed on the side of the aircraft, so they will loud environments on the flightline crowned Spark Tank’s 2021 winner. a reality in the Air Force and Space Strategy and is fueled by innovation and progression. As
team of 10 Airmen, who will narrate, supervise always be remembered. while preserving their hearing, to In addition to the title of Spark Tank Force. This means that once the stage highlighted in the continual development of the team,
and maintain the aircraft for the 2021 and 2022 “The opportunity to fly an aircraft with a Vietnam augmented reality headsets that en- 2021 winner, Bauer is awarded one lights dim, and the Spark Tank compe- the 563rd OSS AFE is getting after readiness to ensure
airshow seasons. As the certified demonstration War-era paint scheme is one I never thought I would hance the mission-debrief process for year’s possession of the Spark Tank tition is over, the innovators get hard the nation’s ability to deter and defeat any near-peer
pilot, he will perform aerial maneuvers and show- have,” Fullam said. “Every time I fly that aircraft, it Air Force aviators. When discussing trophy. All teams shared the incred- at work continuing to refine and test adversary that may arise.
case the combat capabilities of the A-10 and the will have a special meaning to me. So, giving the best Spark Tank participation across the ible opportunity to present their their ideas with the Spark Tank team “Our team was hand-chosen by the major command
Airmen who maintain it. Fullum will also perform and safest demonstrations at airshows is, without Department of the Air Force, Brou innovative ideas to Air Force senior connecting them to the people neces- to execute tip of the spear type projects, which shows
heritage flights with Air Force aircraft from past question, my priority. What is going to make that mentioned that “the numbers this leadership. All finalists will receive sary to support validation, refinement, the capabilities and excellence of our team,” said Senior
generations, paying tribute to those who paved the happen is the experience and professionalism we year were impressive. We saw that a follow-up from leadership to propel and further investment decisions Master Sgt. Marcus Kelley, 563rd OSS AFE superin-
way for Airmen who serve today. have as a team.” over 19,000 Airmen and Guardians their ideas into reality and begin im- and identifying resources, like the tendent. “We have an incredible team that adapted to
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be commanding He replaces Maj. Cody “ShIV” Wilton, who stood viewed the over 300 ideas on the Air- pacting the Air Force on a large scale. right color of money and “investor” changes and cross-flowed between rotary and fix-winged
this group of Airmen,” Fullam said. “The work the the team back up in 2018 after a six-year hiatus. man Powered by Innovation platform. AFWERX would like to extend a available to assist. The best of these aircraft, making us more flexible and ready for situa-
team does day-in and day-out is remarkable and “Gator is the perfect pilot to be leading the team They provided almost 1,000 feedback gracious thank you to three celebrity ideas, when ready, will be piloted in tions we face downrange. It continues to amaze me how
shows the dedication and commitment we have to because he embodies the attack pilot mentality comments on the ideas and, most judges: Meagan Metzger, chief execu- an appropriate Air and or Space Force this team continues moving forward and going above
our mission, each other and everyone who attends prevalent in our community,” Wilton said. “He will importantly, cast more than 14,000 tive officer, Dcode; Matt Booty, head setting and then scaled up to be lever- and beyond. We have a no-fail mission and a team that
the shows.” ensure the team continues to progress and over- votes for their favorite idea, giving it of Xbox Game Studios and Brittany aged across military bases globally. continues to never fail.”
Before being named the team commander, he deliver on our promise to recruit, retain and inspire the best chance at competing for the Davis, general partner, Backstage This process is designed to help the This unit exemplifies U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.
was an A-10 instructor pilot assigned to the 354th the next generation of Airmen, and I am excited for stage today.” This year’s Spark Tank Capital. Their focused questioning entire Department of the Air Force, Charles Q. Brown, Jr.’s initiative to Accelerate Change
Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan. He is an the future of the team under his leadership.” event took place during the Virtual on funding and the long-term im- through innovation, experimentation, or Lose. They do this by adapting to this new way for-
experienced combat pilot with more than 1,500 For more information on the A-10C Thunderbolt Aerospace Warfare Symposium pro- pact of ideas in the Air Force helped and a collaborative approach with our ward and continuing to build a culture of innovation,
flying hours. II Demonstration Team’s upcoming season, follow Courtesy photo vided by the Air Force Association. ensure that all ideas were evaluated service and industry teammates, be teamwork, leadership and respect. This team is leading
Fullam is from Rising Fawn, Georgia, and is a them on Facebook or Instagram @A10DemoTeam. Capt. Haden “Gator” Fullam The AFWERX Spark Tank event to the highest degree. Their par- more flexible and ready for the future the way in how the Air Force is preparing for tomorrow’s
consisted of five teams of Airmen pre- ticipation proved invaluable in the high-end fight. fight by keeping rescue forces ready.

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