Air Force Materiel Command launched a new campaign coinciding with the start of 2011 known as the “Year of the Community College of the Air Force.” Its goal is to encourage all airmen—though the campaign specifically targets E-4s to E-7s—to seek additional education. Currently, 24 percent of AFMC’s enlisted force has earned degrees through CCAF, but Gen. Donald Hoffman, AFMC boss, said he would like to see that number increase by 10 percent in 2011. “Formal education after high school is a path to promotion and personal development for enlisted airmen, and a commodity highly valued in all Air Force members,” writes Hoffman in a letter to AFMC’s airmen. He adds, “Even the wisest mind has something more to learn.” CCAF offers 67 degrees in five general areas. (See CCAF Puts Degree to the Test from the Daily Report archives)
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.