Building Digital Leaders: AFLCMC’s SALT thrives under COVID constraints

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WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE (AFLCMC), Ohio---The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center strengthens war-winning capabilities by developing new programs and modernization efforts as well as investing in people who contribute towards the Air Force vision. One of these people investments is the Strategic Acquisition Leadership Team.

Championed by AFLCMC Executive Director, Kathy Watern, SALT is in its 3rd year affording 10 people the opportunity to shadow senior leaders, attend Ivy League courses, interact with professionals on high visibility programs, and collaborate to solve a Center challenge.

“We absolutely have to inspire, innovate and educate our upcoming, next generation leaders to meet the complexities of ever changing environments.  I wanted to offer a different, non-traditional approach for this leadership opportunity,” Watern said. 

This 8-month program is conducted across various AFLCMC sites. Participants maintain their current duties while providing a portion of their time and expertise in engineering, contracting, logistics, and program and financial management.

In previous years, SALT involved group travel allowing in-person education and collaboration. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, SALT quickly adapted to a virtual environment.

The 2020 SALT team members are Billy Hassel, Mobility and Training Aircraft Directorate,  Andrew Dzara Armament Directorate, Patrick Morse, ISR and SOF Directorate, Ricale Keith, ISR and SOF Directorate, Trent Madsen, Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate, Christina Powell Technical Engineering Services Directorate, Mounira Daher, Digital Directorate, Shawn Walles, C3I and Networks Directorate, Matthew Dansereau, Rapid Sustainment Directorate, and Kevin Patel, Agile Combat Support Directorate.

To strengthen team cohesion, the SALT team launched their first stages of team development and cohesion through structured Zoom activities and commercial team-building services. These applications allowed the team to embrace the virtual environment and build the cohesive glue to meet this year’s challenge.

The 2020 SALT challenge is developing a model contract for a fully digital acquisition, better known as Lone Zenith. The challenge centered upon pioneering strategies, inspiring innovation, and finding new contractual gateways to expedite Air Force digital capabilities.

“We would like to recognize and thank the Digital Directorate for developing the challenge. Specifically, none of this would have been possible without Steve Wert, Director, Col. Ryan Mantz, Deputy Director, Mike Derosa, Director of Intelligence, Robert Weeks, Director of Contracts, Mechille Braden, Technical Director and many others who dedicated their time and expertise to mentoring this SALT cohort,” said SALT program facilitator, 1st Lt. Samuel Howard.

“This multifunctional team embraced the challenge presented by AFLCMC’s Digital Directorate:  develop a model contract for a fully digital acquisition of a notional Joint Personnel Recovery Agency urgent requirement for a low-cost autonomous air vehicle capable of self-navigation to an identified GPS location, recovering a single isolated person, and safely returning,” said Braden.

“The SALT cohort is re-writing the book on how to acquire goods and services in the Digital Age.  Their efforts in creating a fully digital request for proposal that will serve as a baseline for future program offices in defining methods and strategies utilizing digital approaches,” added Weeks.

The cohort consistently maximized Commercial Virtual Remote Environment capabilities and employed file-sharing applications. This allowed team exposure to multiple contract methodologies and lessons learned within eT-7 Red Hawk, Three-Dimensional Long-Range Radar, and other HB program participants.

“The effort – was masterfully executed by the students – was of strategic significance.” and as  Andy Warhol put it ‘They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself,’” said Derosa

SALT member, Patel reflected on the program, “This collaborative effort on Digital Engineering with team members across AFLCMC expanded my horizons on how to approach and lead acquisition efforts.”

When asked about the impacts COVID had on the group, Howard said, “What impact?  It was amazing to see how the members united and committed to the challenge, attended leadership courses and briefs, and performed everyday duties, all while under pandemic constraints.”

The solicitation for SALT IV will kick off again early this fall for 10 new members and will provide a new team the opportunity to refine leadership skills and deliver on a new AFLCMC challenge.