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Air Force Space Command increasing combat readiness as enlisted space operators head to advanced instructor course

  • Published

Two dynamic units, each with a legacy of advancement, recently came together to make space and education history.

 

Air Force Space Command and the Air Force Weapons School joined forces to make history by holding the first-ever selection board for the emerging 1C6 Space Warfighter Advanced Instructor Course (AIC) on Nov. 29, 2018 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. 

 

“This is one more way AFSPC is acting decisively to increase joint warfighter lethality,” said Brig. Gen. Deanna Burt, Air Force Space Command director of Operations and Communications. “We are investing in our space operators to build multi-domain Airmen who will fight and win as part of the joint and combined force.”

 

The six primary Airmen selected are:

Master Sgt. Mark David Tomasetti

Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Clement

Tech Sgt. Lane Dorenbusch

Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hallford

Tech. Sgt. Aaron Christopher Hensley

Tech. Sgt. Roberto Cruz Hero

 

Selection board members reviewed highly-competitive applications from five Space Wings and headquarters AFSPC.

 

The six primary instructors will begin writing the 1C6 AIC curriculum staring January 2019 with the first official class to begin July of 2019. This new course, taking place at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, is an instructor course providing advanced academic and practical training to plan, employ and integrate space capabilities into joint operations. These six 1C6 graduates will train the Air Force’s best space advanced instructors to fight in, through and from the space domain.

 

“The space warfighter AIC will produce the Air Force’s most highly-trained enlisted space instructors,” said Chief Master Sgt. Ray Smith, Air Force Space Command chief of operations and communications. “As we continue to build a warfighting force required to compete and win in a contested space domain, there is a need for a select cadre of enlisted instructors who will serve as unit level leaders and expert instructors.”

 

The Air Force has roughly 1,500 enlisted space operators stationed around the world. With the addition of this course, units will have an enlisted subject matter expert at the squadron level, tasked with elevating the entire squadron’s weapons and tactics training.

 

“This is a great opportunity to further develop the leadership, problem solving and instructor abilities of the enlisted, tactical operators that will be assigned to space units,” said Lt. Col. Kelly Anderson, 328th Weapons Squadron commander. 

 

In addition to training other enlisted space operators, AIC graduates will be an advisor to the unit commander on tactical employment and space crew operations. Furthermore, graduates will conduct mission planning cells to identify courses of action the unit may take in response to emerging threats.

 

“This course is a huge step forward in growing the warfighting mindset our Airmen need to possess in the 21st century,” Burt said. “Space is not only a congested, but a contested environment and the current threats are real.

 

“Capabilities delivered in, from and through space are essential to enabling global joint operations with unmatched speed, agility and lethality,” she continued. “The American people are counting on us to defend their way of life.”

 

Course graduates will also assist in the development of training exercises to improve unit combat capability while coordinating tactics development, validation, and documentation.

 

“Adding a Space Warfighter Advanced Instructor Course to the Weapons School is another fantastic opportunity for our enlisted force,” said Chief Master Sgt. Laurie Bach, United States Air Force Weapons School superintendent. “Holding a board for the initial cadre is about talent management and selecting the right mix of experience to guarantee a successful course.”

 

Official board results were released on Dec. 4, 2018 and notification to the selectees will be made by their respective Wing Commanders.