Keesler | 335th TRS celebrates 1st anniversary of the Space Weather Course

The 335th Training Squadron’s Space Weather Course achieved its one-year milestone, Oct. 4.

As the first of its kind, this course demonstrates the importance of the space domain and furthers Joint All-Domain Command and Control capabilities.

“Ultimately, this course was designed to support evolving Space Force needs,” said Arthur Nelson, 335th TRS space weather instructor meteorologist. “When we understand the impact of phenomena like solar flares, geomagnetic storms and disturbances in the ionosphere and terrestrial weather, we see how all those can affect not only Space Force operations but also land, maritime, air, cyber and space domains.”

The course was designed with a blended learning model, combining distance and in-person learning. Students spend three weeks learning foundational concepts through distance learning and three more in-residence applying those skills.

Students come to this course with varying levels of familiarity with Space Force operations. Recognizing the value in student-led learning, the course instructors have encouraged their students to collaborate with their classmates as they progress through the course.

“In every class we have had a few students with an abundance of expertise with the space environment and Space Force operations,” said Nelson. “We see them supplementing the learning experience by sharing their experiences with their classmates.”

The course instructors have also implemented various interactive teaching moments, including using a guitar to demonstrate wave frequencies and using iron filaments to demonstrate the properties of magnetic fields.

The 81st Training Group will continue to develop the course to match growing Space Force mission needs and capabilities.

“Training like the Space Weather Course are enhancing the readiness and lethality of our force,” said Col. Laura King, 81st TRG commander. “We are looking at the future fight and developing our curriculum to remain relevant and ready in delivering focus driven warriors to operational units.”