GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Military students from all over the world attend innovative and integrated intelligence courses taught at the 313th Training Squadron.
Following National Defense Strategy priorities, the 313th TRS’ International Intelligence Training Center has modernized its training methods used to develop and inspire intelligence professionals for both the U.S. Air Force as well as international partners.
The 313th TRS’ mission is to provide world-class international, mission-qualification, as well as intermediate and advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) training.
The squadron focuses on transforming the way students learn by incorporating virtual simulations for the first time at the International Intelligence Training Center, allowing simulated video from airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms and mapping simulations to create a more realistic training environment.
Additionally, the squadron is creating a new operations exercise room which will maximize the common operating picture and airborne video simulations currently being developed for international training. The operations exercise room will enhanced student experience and learning retention through hands on and applications-based methods.
“The International Intelligence Training Center fulfills national defense priorities by strengthening alliances and attracting new partners,” said Tech. Sgt. Mickey Bretado, 313th TRS IITC instructor, “We do that through intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance training.”
By providing a more immersive training with new technologies, the IITC provides its students advanced training in an immersive environment that mimics what the students will experience in the field.
One example of a new technology used at the IITC is the Air Force Synthetic Environment for Reconnaissance and Surveillance system, which simulates life-like video across various battlefield environments and scenarios. Used for training purposes, it also allows foreign partner countries around the world with an avenue to learn the United States Air Force’s intelligence language.
“Our main course, the International Intelligence Applications Officer course, mirrors training objectives from the Air Force Intelligence Officer course also taught here on base,” said Bretado. “This benefits our international partners as they will be taught the same basic principles we teach our intelligence officers in the United States Air Force.”
Through a combined training environment, the 313th TRS builds the next generation of ISR Airmen.
“Our end goal is when our international partners depart Goodfellow, we can fight together in a coalition environment,” said Bretado. “We rarely go to war without our partners and allies, so this training prepares them to work in future combined operations. That way, all parties are speaking the same intelligence language and we can work together as partners.”