The Langley AFA Chapter hosted the annual Airpower Symposium and Salute to Team Langley. 2019 proved to be even better than last year as the symposium program is expanded, built on past successes, covered more information on wider relevant topics, and provided more opportunity for cross reference with Air Force leadership and industry partners.
The expanded program this year included an ACC/A6 discussion on Communications, Cyber and Networks; a panel discussion (Microsoft, Oracle, Regent University) on Developing Cyber Professionals; and, an AFA CyberPatriot presentation. The second program for the afternoon included ACC engagements with Industry, open to CEO Phil Dismukes. Topics, in order, were:
- Future Training Capabilities (e.g. Virtual, Augmented)
- Networks and Data Access (e.g. AOC, DCGS, Multi-level Security, Wx, etc)
- Re-invigorating the Electromagnetic Spectrum (e.g. EMS as a Domain, EMS touch points to other domains including cyber)
- Air Force Adaptive Basing Concept (e.g. deployability and connectivity).
The second day of the expanded program opened with a keynote address by COMACC, General James “Mike” Holmes. The program additionally included:
- ACC/A3, ACC/A6, Industry Panel on Operationalizing Cyber into Combat Air Forces
- ACC/A2, ACC/A6, Industry Panel on Operationalizing Cyber into ISR Missions
- Lunch presentation from Lt Gen (ret) Bruce Wright, new AFA President.
The afternoon held classified sessions with 24th AF/CC discussing Cyber Operations and a classified requirements presentation from ACC/A5.
The SALUTE TO AIRMAN dinner honored several deployed Airman with awards and offered attendees greater opportunity for engagement and social interaction. The speaker was General (ret) Frank Gorenc, former Commander, U.S. Air Forces Europe. The Symposium was well run and attended and was a jump start for BGI to further engage in the CYBER business. CEO Phil Dismukes attended, fortifying existing partner relationships while building new frontiers with several CYBER focused company representatives.