AFSOC culture of “LIVE” highlighted at LOA
ARLINGTON, Va. --
Lt. Gen. Brad Heithold, Air Force Special Operations Command commander, spoke to over 3,000 military officers and civilians during the Logistics Officer Association Symposium, Oct 22.
Heithold spoke on how AFSOC has always led the way on air battlefield innovation, brimming with examples of leadership, innovation, velocity and excellence (LIVE), which was this year’s theme of the symposium.
In April 1944, the 1st Air Commando Group became the first air unit to employ the R-4 Hoverfly helicopter in combat. Seventy years later, AFSOC completely revolutionized air support again with an aircraft that can maximize vertical lift landing zones and fly as fast as a C-130: the CV-22 Osprey.
Heithold stressed the need to continue to leverage training and innovation to support forces on the battlefield.
One of his innovation priorities is the proper application of Directed Energy and how it can prove to be a game changer.
“While we have guns to strike loudly with lethal and psychological effect, DE allows us to strike precisely and quietly, as if we were never there,” said Heithold.
Use of DE allows AFSOC to support special and conventional forces by increasing our versatility in protecting SOF air assets, supporting troops in contact, prosecuting high value targets, targeting stationary and mobile targets and dispersing unruly crowds.
“There is a window of opportunity here for a major technological breakthrough which benefits the entire Airman enterprise,” said Heithold.
Heithold spoke on how AFSOC has always led the way on air battlefield innovation, brimming with examples of leadership, innovation, velocity and excellence (LIVE), which was this year’s theme of the symposium.
In April 1944, the 1st Air Commando Group became the first air unit to employ the R-4 Hoverfly helicopter in combat. Seventy years later, AFSOC completely revolutionized air support again with an aircraft that can maximize vertical lift landing zones and fly as fast as a C-130: the CV-22 Osprey.
Heithold stressed the need to continue to leverage training and innovation to support forces on the battlefield.
One of his innovation priorities is the proper application of Directed Energy and how it can prove to be a game changer.
“While we have guns to strike loudly with lethal and psychological effect, DE allows us to strike precisely and quietly, as if we were never there,” said Heithold.
Use of DE allows AFSOC to support special and conventional forces by increasing our versatility in protecting SOF air assets, supporting troops in contact, prosecuting high value targets, targeting stationary and mobile targets and dispersing unruly crowds.
“There is a window of opportunity here for a major technological breakthrough which benefits the entire Airman enterprise,” said Heithold.
