News/Features

Department of the Air Force announces Spark Tank 2023 semifinalists

by Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, Management

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)—The sixth annual Spark Tank 2023, or ST23, quarterfinals were held Nov. 9, at the Basic Research Innovation and Collaboration Center in Arlington, with the top 15 ideas selected to advance to semifinals. The Spark Tank competition identifies, supports and celebrates high-performing Department of the Air Force innovators who submit and rally around ideas through the Guardians and Airmen Innovation Network, or GAIN, a force-wide crowdsourcing platform. “Spark Tank’s democratized and iterative vetting processes are how we determine the top 15 ideas,” said William Brou Gautier, Spark Tank director. “We want to ensure the ideas that have the best potential for significant positive change in advancing military capability are provided a path to DAF advocacy and becoming a reality.” The venture capital style pitch to investment Spark Tank competition is co-sponsored and organized by the Office of theDeputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, Management, or SAF/MG, and AFWERX. The event featured a hybrid panel of in-person and virtual subject matter experts from across the Air Force who discussed the merits of each pitch. During the 78-day innovation incubation period, Guardians and Air-

See SPARK TANK, Page 6

U.S. CENTCOM Activates U.S. Space Forces-Central

USCENTCOM

U.S. Central Command activated U.S. Space Forces-Central today at the component’s permanent headquarters located at MacDill Air Force Base.

The activation of USSPACEFORCENT is another step for the U.S. Space Force to provide forces to combatant commands, providing combatant commanders with organic space planning and employment expertise. USSPACEFORCENT is responsible for space operations within the CENTCOM area of responsibility including capabilities such as positioning, navigation and timing, satellite communication, missile warnings, and other missions as required.

“Just as the evolution of space as a warfighting domain necessitated the establishment of a separate service, USSPACEFORCENT provides CENTCOM a subordinate command focused solely and continuously on space integration across the command, within all domains and all components,” said U.S. Space Force Col. Christopher Putman, USSPACEFORCENT commander.

Activating this component under CENTCOM provides expert Guardians to work with coalition and regional partners to integrate space activities into shared operations and adds another level of commitment to partners by further strengthening regional stability and security within the CENTCOM area of responsibility.

“Space underpins every element of warfighting in the CENTCOM region,” said CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla. “Today’s ceremony catches us up to the reality of history: since the Cold War, space has ceased to be a sanctuary. It is no longer solely the realm of progress and peace. Space is now a domain of conquest, conflict, and –for us – cooperation.”