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innovate the command

Airmen invited to innovate the Command with S3 pitch event

BOSSIER CITY, La. — Airmen are encouraged to influence change at their wing, major command, and Air Force through the STRIKEWERX Spark Sprint (S3).

S3 is Air Force Global Strike Command’s pitch competition to identify the best ideas from across the Command. The top two ideas will go on to represent AFGSC at the HAF level.

This year’s S3 will be held Oct. 20 from 1-3 p.m. central time. It will be streamed live on the AFGSC YouTube page.

Dr. Donna Senft, AFGSC chief scientist, is the sponsor for S3. She is working with AFGSC A9 Analyses, Assessments and Lessons Learned Directorate, AFGSC A1 manpower and personnel directorate and all AFGSC Spark Cells to cultivate the best ideas for this year’s event.

“Innovation is crucial to our mission, and events like S3 exemplify how it is encouraged at all levels within Air Force Global Strike Command,” said Dr. Senft. “S3 is our showcase to recognize and encourage Airmen who practice innovative thinking in their daily jobs and who solve problems within their Wing Spark Cells.”

AFGSC will invite all wing finalists to the STRIKEWERX Innovation Hub at the Cyber Innovation Center in Bossier City, Louisiana, to prepare for the event. After receiving professional pitch coaching and practice, they will present their solutions to a group of judges and spectators.

Each finalist will have three minutes to explain the challenge and pitch their solution. They then have two minutes to answer questions from the judges.

The Command will announce live following the event which two AFGSC finalists who will represent the command at the 2023 Air Force Spark Tank competition.

Spark Tank is an annual competition where Airmen pitch innovative ideas on solve operational challenges to Air Force leaders and a panel of industry experts.

“It’s these types of events that are helping to foster the innovation culture and improve mission capabilities,” Dr. Senft said.

This is the third year for the competition. Staff Sgt. Daniel Brewer from Dyess Air Force Base, Tx., and Capt. Robert Moran and Tech. Sgt. Julio Torres from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., won the 2021 S3 competition. Their ideas for a new communications field kit and an upgraded B-52 ejection seat will represent the command at the 2022 Air Force Spark Tank competition.

S3 submissions are open now. Entries are due via the GAIN platform by Aug. 17.

For more information, email info@strikewerx.com.