News

BLAZE team members attend AETC Symposium

  • Published
  • By Maj. Tim Stevens
  • 49th Fighter Training Squadron
COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - --  105 top Airmen from Columbus AFB departed in a C-130J to participate in the 2009 Air Education and Training Command Symposium January 14.

The AETC Symposium is a two-day conference on the San Antonio Riverwalk, hosted by AETC and the Air University. General officers, command chiefs, and other intellectual leaders spoke about the many aspects, opportunities and challenges the Air Force faces in the coming years.

Col. Jeff Dunn, 14th Flying Training Wing vice commander, who led the Columbus contingent, said, "This was an excellent opportunity for BLAZE team members to see first-hand where AETC has been, where we are and where we are going."

Columbus AFB increased its participation by over 250 percent this year. The 14th FTW sent a broad cross-section of personnel which included individuals from every unit on base, including active-duty members, civilians and reservists. In fact, the entire symposium saw a huge increase in participants. Attendance topped 3,200 this year.
The symposium began with opening remarks from General Stephen Lorenz, AETC commander, and the presentation of AETC's annual award winners. General Lorenz spoke on the goal to "intellectually explore" many aspects of our Air Force and Air Force doctrine and exhorted each Airman to continue to provide new ideas for the future. The theme of this year's symposium was "developing America's Airmen today, for tomorrow."

The Air University provided more than 90 seminars to choose from, with topics ranging from "Dealing with a Nuclear Iran", "Developing cyber warriors", "The Future of Flight Training", to "Innovations in Enlisted Education".

Lieutenant Gen. Allen Peck, Air University Commander, wrote about the role of the AU in both the Air Force and at the symposium. He said, "As the Intellectual and Leadership Center of the Air Force, Air University produces the students, faculty and ideas which shape how America conducts warfare across the full spectrum of conflict. Our heritage is a testament to the innovative spirit of our Airmen. As such, we've assembled leading thinkers from AU, AETC, and the Air Force at large to provide you with a valuable mix of topics: leadership, operational skills, international understanding, and education/training innovations. We believe these topics will make a difference in how our Airmen fight and win our nation's wars."

The symposium also allowed a forum to question speakers on their topic and provided for much discussion.

Colonel Dunn commented, "Participants were exposed to some of the best minds in these areas in the Air Force, with the goal of encouraging every Airman in AETC to challenge old ways of doing business and developing new and creative ways of thinking and doing in the 21st Century."

During the two lunches, keynote speakers educated the crowd while 3,000 meals were served simultaneously. Major Gen. William Lord, Commander, Air Force Cyberspace Command, and General Robert Kehller, Commander Air Force Space Command, spoke authoritatively of the challenges to the Air Force in each of their respective fields.

Throughout the two days, an exhibition hall was set up displaying booths from 100 of the leading aerospace-industry companies and Air Force groups. Attendees were able to operate an F-35 simulator, learn about satellite technology, see the AF custom-made motorcycle, and much more. The General Officer panel and closing remarks provided senior leader perspective on tough questions asked by personnel throughout AETC.

Finally, the symposium was capped off with a spectacular ball. An incredible meal was followed by the Texas A&M drill team, the Singing Sergeants, and dancing. General William Fraser III, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, spoke to the eager crowd about Air Force-level challenges. General (retired) Lloyd "Fig" Newton, former AETC Commander, emceed the entire two day event.

"The main idea of this event was to learn something" said Technical Sgt. Martin Hardin, 14th FTW. "I learned that no matter what rank you are or position you hold, education is the 'change' which has driven us to learn more and do more with resources and personnel. I only hope we continue the AETC Symposium for future Air Force members to get an understanding of why the Air Force must be a constant and ever-changing military force."

It is important we continue to eagerly seek education and training and to put these skills to use in order to keep the Air Force strong and to keep America safe in this unpredictable world.