ST. LOUIS – The Logistics Officer Association 2023 Symposium continued on Thursday, March 30th with multiple innovation efforts highlighted throughout the event.
Tesseract, Rapid Sustainment Office, Integrated Multi-Purpose Port Operations Systems and Execution (IMPOSE), Tech Training Transformation and others hosted logisticians at their booths in the exhibit hall and in breakout sessions throughout the symposium.
Featured in LOA’s updated 2023 strategic plan alongside warfighting, sustainment, and education, innovation is a key focus area for the organization in the WISE model.
Attending a session with RSO, two-time LOA attendee John McCrea described how “It was enlightening to get so many insights into the RSO brain trust of the CBM+ initiative. It’s so refreshing to learn how all-in the Air Force is on predictive maintenance and it really ties into my work of building digital twins with Beast Code and also my Reservist role with Space Systems Command. The better we can pursue these holistic efforts to better understand our systems, the more effectively we’ll be able to keep our systems operational and mission capable.”
Speaking on mainstage, Maj Gen McCauley Von Hoffman moderated a MAJCOM/A4 panel discussion with Maj Gen David Sanford, Brig Gen Jen Hammerstedt, and Brig Gen Kenyon Bell. Among the many topics discussed, the generals also spoke about how crucial innovation is for the Air Force to keep pace with near-peer competitors.
“Our Airmen in Minot helped develop an engine cover that will significantly decrease how long it takes us to generate a bomber mission,” Brig Gen Bell described.
Maj Gen Sanford also pointed out how Airmen are coming up with low-cost solutions that not only improve operational effectiveness, but also resulted in fewer safety mishaps.
Building on the momentum and emphasis in these sessions, the LOA Symposium will culminate on the morning of Friday, 31 March. Brig Gen Lyle Drew will share how the Air Force’s plan for Tech Training Transformation at Sheppard AFB. Wrapping up the LOA 2023 symposium, Airmen will deliver innovative pitches to the membership at large as part of the Aether Sprint competitions.
More information about these and other innovation initiatives may be found on the 2023 exhibitor list of the LOA Symposium website here.
Photo credit to Donna Parry.