Team Sheppard welcomes AETC command team Published Oct. 22, 2024 By Senior Airman Katie McKee 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Team Sheppard welcomed Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of the Air Education and Training Command, his wife, Maureen and Chief Master Sgt. Chad Bickley, AETC command chief, Oct. 16-17, 2024. Robinson and Bickley witnessed multiple programs and initiatives in action across the installation, focused on transforming technical and pilot training to meet the challenges of Great Power Competition. 01:31 The command team visited programs such as Airmanship 200 in the 82nd and the Mental Health Resource Team in the 80th, demonstrating efforts to incorporate foundational competencies – the human performance and resiliency skills all Airmen need to win in combat – into the training environment. They also observed the modernization of both technical and flying training through the application of technology and by increasing the realism and interactivity of training. Their visits included the Radar Approach Control simulator, where new air traffic controllers gain highly realistic experience, and the 363rd Training Squadron nuclear munitions training area, where virtual reality is giving students more opportunities to perform core tasks and functions. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brian Costilla, 363rd Training Squadron instructor, provides a weapons brief to Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of the Air Education and Training Command, Oct. 16, 2024, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. The AETC command team visit focused on reoptimization of competency-based training and curriculum development. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katie McKee) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The two Sheppard wings showcased the BRACER FORGE Mission Generation Demonstration, which prepares students for their combat missions early in their careers. This program integrates aircraft maintainers, civil engineers, pilots, security forces and other specialties to help students understand the complexities of generating a combat sortie and how each role contributes to the mission. During an all-call, Robinson emphasized the need to accelerate the development of mission-ready Airmen and curriculum in the era of Great Power Competition. “The Air Force is going to project power via air as quickly as we can,” said Robinson. “That’s what makes this installation and what we’re doing here so incredibly important. We’re in a period of Great Power Competition and the military’s role is making sure that we’re successful and allow deterrence with our facing challenges. We must be comfortable progressing Airmen through training faster than what we’re doing today.” Bickley stressed the importance of standards and discipline to ensure Airmen are trained with a mix of skills needed for wartime readiness. “We exist for two reasons: to fight and deter wars,” he said. “Three things separate us from our enemies and cause us to win every time, that’s our people, training and standards. Airman Development Command will get us where we need to go with integrated capabilities and mission-focused Airmen.” U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of the Air Education and Training Command, and Chief Master Sgt. Chad Bickley, AETC command chief, discuss upgrades to curriculum for Airmen in Training with the 82nd Training Support Squadron Oct. 16, 2024, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. The AETC command team visit focused on reoptimization of competency-based training and curriculum development. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katie McKee) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res In line with the command’s priorities of building international capabilities, Robinson and Bickley met with Senior National Representatives from the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program’s 14 partner nations. Discussions focused on enhancing the quality of life for international personnel and further integrating participants’ families into installation support systems. The multinational aspect of ENJJPT fosters partnership within pilot training, allowing pilots from various nations to learn, collaborate and train together early in their careers. The tour also included an update on the ongoing runway construction project, scheduled for completion in early 2026. Mrs. Maureen Robinson, spouse of U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, greets leadership and personnel during a tour of the 82d Medical Group Oct. 17, 2024, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. The tour showcased the EFMP program that has created benchmarks across the Air Force, a vital part of the ability to PCS members and ensure they have adequate care at the following installation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rachel Ross) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Mrs. Robinson met with spouses, families and community leaders to further enhance relationships and resources for the installation. Members of The Chamber of Commerce discussed the first-ever community-specific Thrive Guide which features base, local and state resources for military families, stemming from the Air Force initiative “Five and Thrive.” She also toured Midwestern State University, the Child Development Center construction site and other facilities on base. U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, receives an update from Tech. Sgt. Manuel Jimenez, 80th Flying Training Wing quality assurance inspector, on the T-6 Automatic Backup Oxygen System to gain insight into current progress and challenges from a maintenance perspective Oct. 17, 2024, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. The AETC command team visit focused on reoptimization of competency-based training and curriculum development. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katie McKee) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Mrs. Maureen Robinson, spouse of U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, tours Midwestern State University’s campus facilities with Ms. Stacia Haynie Ph.D, Midwestern State University’s current president Oct. 16, 2024, in Wichita Falls, Texas. The tour highlighted MSU’s Military Education Center to showcase MSU's impactful scholarship program for military members and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rachel Ross) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Chad Bickley, command chief of Air Education and Training Command, received a tower runway construction update from Lt. Col. Michael Marchand, deputy commander of the 80th Operations Group Oct. 17, 2024, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. The AETC command team visit focused on reoptimization of competency-based training and curriculum development. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katie McKee) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res