AETC commander addresses technology conference

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jonathan D. Simmons
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AETCNS) --  The U.S. Air Force is the world's greatest air and space power. This dominance owes much to the world-class training Airmen receive and the technology that brings it to them.

Gen. William R. Looney III delivered the keynote address May 10 at the Technology in Education and Training Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

The general's comments focused on the fact that Americans, military and non-military must work together to win the "long war" the country is fighting. "It's important to recognize the fact we face a serious enemy," General Looney said. "This enemy doesn't want to only defeat us, it wants to destroy us."

He also underscored the importance of technology in training.

"There is such promise out there with technology and training," said General Looney. "With technology, there's potential to provide training nearly equivalent to actual combat."

Exhibitors at the conference showcased a variety of technology systems designed to streamline, automate and better target Air Force training objectives.

Displays weren't limited to high-fidelity aircraft simulators. One of the technologies exhibited was software to repurpose computer-aided-design data for brilliant, full-color interactive three-dimensional forms that could be used to train maintainers on new parts that are not readily available for training. There was also a multi-airframe maintenance program operable on desktop or in virtual reality. Another displayed technology was a "Simunitions" package to refit actual weapons for high-tech, paintball-style combat training, packing a realistic punch that's distinctly absent from the current laser-based systems.

"Our enemy wants to bankrupt and exhaust us," warned the general. "What you do in bringing new technology to us, helps create the military of the 21st century. What's going to win this war isn't only technology, but the resolve of this nation to use its resources to create the kind of warrior needed."