AFLCMC using innovation to operate in austere environments

  • Published
  • By Daryl Mayer, AFLCMC Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio (AFLCMC) – Over the past 30 years, the Air Force has gained a lot of experience operating sophisticated equipment in remote or austere environments. 
 
Today, the Rapid Sustainment Office is scouring industry for ways new technology can enhance operations from anywhere in the world.  This can go anywhere from photovoltaic tents to drones inspecting runways for debris.    
 
“The Air Force is going back to now we need to be a less dependent on established airfields and the focus is if we need to deploy into an austere locations, can we support those operations from those locations where the logistical footprint is very small,” said Julio Cesar Vega-Flores, Rapid Austere Focus Area program manager. 
 
As an example, Vega-Flores mentioned using solar fabric on tents that can draw free energy from the sun. 
 
“Can we can we provide [Airmen] with solar technology that they can operate in most austere locations, without being dependent on fossil fuels?”
 
Such a move would relieve the cost of fuel as well as the logistical burden to transport and maintain stockpiles. 
 
The office is reaching out to industry, in particular small businesses to find solutions that could impact forward operations. 
 
To hear the full conversation, you can watch Leadership Log on YouTube at https://youtu.be/iNVncYJteIY.  You can also listen by searching “Leadership Log” on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, Overcast, Radio Public or Breaker.