Page 2 - Davis-Monthan AFB Desert Lightning News April 2023

2 April 2023 Desert Lightning News www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb
An artist’s depiction shows an E-7A in flight. The E-7A is the Department of Defense’s future tactical battle management, command and control and moving target indica- tion platform scheduled to replace the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System.
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air Force awards e-7a prototype contract
By SeCReTARY oF The AiR FoRCe
Public Affairs
ARLiNGToN, Va. (AFNS) — The Department of the Air Force awarded The Boeing Company a contract to begin work on the E-7A weapon system Feb. 28. The value of this initial contract will not exceed $1.2 billion.
The DAF selected the E-7A to replace the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System. The E-7A will provide advanced Airborne Moving Target Indication and Battle Management, Command and Con- trol capabilities, and advanced Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array radar that enhances airborne battle management and enables long-range kill chains with potential peer adversaries.
In fiscal year 2022, the DAF selected the E-7A to replace the E-3 AWACS and established an E-7A Program Management Office. The DAF is using the rapid proto- typing acquisition pathway to acquire the first two E-7As.
“The E-7A will be the department’s principal airborne sensor for detecting, identifying, tracking, and reporting all air-
Courtesy photo
awareness through its precise, real-time air picture and will be able to control and direct individual aircraft under a wide range of environmental and operational conditions.”
The USAF plans to begin production in fiscal 2025, with the first E-7A expected to be fielded by fiscal 2027. The service anticipates procuring 24 additional E-7As by fiscal 2032. The E-7A total aircraft in- ventory is projected to be 26.
The ongoing modernization of the E-3 AWACS meets the intent of the 2022 National Defense Strategy by continuing worldwide Battle Management, Command and Control and Airborne Moving Target Indication Operations as required by the DAF.
“We conducted a thorough analysis of viable industry options to ensure the selected E-3 replacement could meet the specific needs of the U.S. Until the E-7A is fielded, we will continue to rely on the E-3 AWACS,” Hunter said. “The rapid pro- totyping program will integrate U.S.-based mission systems into the existing airborne platform to meet DAF requirements while simultaneously ensuring interoperability with coalition and allied partners already operating the E-7A.”
borne activity to Joint Force commanders,” said Andrew Hunter, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. “This contract award is a critical step in ensuring that the depart-
ment continues delivering battlespace awareness and management capabilities to U.S. warfighters, allies and partners for the next several decades. The E-7A will enable greater airborne battlespace
idaho airman promoted on same day son enlists
By Staff Sgt. Joseph Morgan
124th Fighter Wing
BoiSe, idaho — Senior Master Sgt. Virginia Hol- mgren, 124th Medical Group operational readiness superintendent, was promoted to chief master sergeant March 4, the same day her oldest son, Nathan, enlisted in the Idaho Air National Guard.
Holmgren began her military career with the Colorado Air Force Reserves at Peterson Air Force Base in 2003. After deploying to Iraq in 2008 and seeing the critical care air transport team in action, she became a respiratory therapist and joined the CCAT mission. She joined the IDANG in September 2017.
“I come from a long line of military service,” said Hol- mgren. “My dad retired after 23 years in the Army, my husband retired from active duty Air Force service last year and my brother works in the 124th Fighter Wing’s Cyber Operations Squadron.”
Lt. Col. Lora Bennett, the 124th MDG commander, said Holmgren has been instrumental in developing the unit’s CCATT mission — from organizing joint medevac train- ing with the Idaho Army National Guard’s State Aviation Group to recruiting and training cardiopulmonary techni- cians and volunteering as the CCATT sustainment and training manager for the National Guard Bureau.
“She is truly an amazing leader, organizer and man- ager,” said Bennett. “She truly deserved this STEP II promotion.”
The Air National Guard STEP II Promotion Program was developed to provide promotion opportunities to ex- ceptionally performing Guard enlisted leaders. According to Bennett, STEP II promotions happen only twice each year across the wing.
“I came in for the benefits and stayed for the people,” said Holmgren. “We have some of the brightest Airmen here in the medical group and I’m grateful for this op- portunity to serve them.”
As Holmgren finds herself at the top of her military
Courtesy photo
Senior Master Sgt. Virginia Holmgren, 124th Medical Group operational readiness superin- tendent, receives a Stripes for Excep- tional Performers
II Program promo- tion to chief mas- ter sergeant after seeing her oldest son, Nathan Hol- mgren, enlist in the Idaho Air National Guard the same day at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, March 4, 2023. Hol- mgren has spent her career with
the critical care air transport team as a respiratory thera- pist.
career, she now has the opportunity to pass the torch to her son.
“I told him that while he’s trying to figure out life, you can join the Guard, receive money for education and get a good job,” said Holmgren. “His surgical tech job will be viable outside of the Guard as well.”
Despite his family’s legacy, Nathan said he’s never felt pressured to join the military.
“Since World War II, I’ve had family members serving in the military,” said Nathan. “So my decision to join was, in part, motivated by that. It’s a family tradition. But they’ve always been supportive of anything I’ve wanted to do and I made the decision to join. This is going to help
me progress in life. I’m excited to see where it takes me.” Over the next several months, Nathan will head to Air Force Basic Military Training and attend technical training to become a surgical technician. From there, he’ll return to Gowen Field to work with a six-person ground surgical team designed to provide damage control, resuscitation
and surgery in austere environments.
Receiving a military education in the medical career field
is just the start for Nathan.
“I’m hoping to get my master’s in nursing, and the Guard
is going to make that possible,” said Nathan. “I’ve always wanted to help people. Now, I’ll be able to do that through the military and then on the civilian side.”