Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      TSgt Daniel Gonzalez, an AC-130 Special Missions Aviator Training Manager, tests out an AC-130J module of the “Virtual Hangar” technology. With a comprehensive XR Training Framework in place, AFSOC is poised to transform its training methodologies, ensuring that Air Commandos are better prepared and equipped for strategic competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Caleb Pavao)Tech. Sgt. Daniel Gonzalez, AC-130 special missions aviator training manager, tests out an AC-130J module of the Virtual Hangar technology. With a comprehensive XR Training Framework in place, Air Force Special Operations Command is poised to transform its training methodologies, ensuring that air commandos are better prepared and equipped for strategic competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Caleb Pavao)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

AFSOC embraces extended reality to enhance readinessPublished Oct. 5, 2023
                    
                    By Capt. Amy Rasmussen
                    
                    
                    Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs
            **HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) --**Extended reality, or XR, is revolutionizing the way **Air Force Special Operations Command** is approaching training and readiness. XR is an umbrella term that encompasses virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality to create a spectrum of experiences that range from fully virtual environments to overlays of digital content onto the real world. These technologies manipulate our perception of reality, hence the term extended. The manipulation of reality is at the core of XR, and it's transforming the training landscape of AFSOC.An Air Commando tries on a Virtual Reality headset during an XR demonstration at the 2023 Weapons and Tactics Conference on August 16, 2023. With a comprehensive XR Training Framework in place, AFSOC is poised to transform its training methodologies, ensuring that Air Commandos are better prepared and equipped for strategic competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Caleb Pavao)An air commando tries on a Virtual Reality headset during an XR demonstration at the 2023 Weapons and Tactics Conference on Aug. 16, 2023. With a comprehensive XR Training Framework in place, Air Force Special Operations Command is poised to transform its training methodologies, ensuring that Air Commandos are better prepared and equipped for strategic competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Caleb Pavao)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    











The XR training program's mission is to provide Air Commandos the ability to conduct repetitive readiness training anyplace at any time through secure, autonomous learning distribution and reporting across all command disciplines. The vision is equally ambitious: to be a training program that employs virtual, mixed, and augmented training methods, producing warfighters with greater skillset competencies and proficiency in a more realistic environment, at a reduced cost and on a shortened timeline.
In the beginning of FY23, AFSOC established an XR cross-functional team dedicated to creating an XR training framework for the entire command.
“Our first step as a command was to admit we had fallen behind in the evolution of training technology,” said Capt. Kyle Schoonover, chief of AFSOC XR training program. “In true AFSOC fashion, in just a few months we went from this realization to producing a major-command-wide framework capable of incorporating all existing XR technologies as well as charting a path forward for future development in the years to come.”
This framework operates on a crawl, walk, run strategy, composed of four distinct lines of effort:**LOE 1: Virtual Hangar**
The foundational effort for XR in AFSOC focuses on initial qualification academic training for all aircrew support and mission support personnel, including maintenance and Mission Sustainment Teams. A prime example of this is the Virtual Hangar initiative by AFSOC A4, logistics and engineering. This innovative program leverages VR to enhance **AC-130J**, **MC-130J**, **CV-22** and munitions maintenance workforce training. The Virtual Hangar offers comprehensive instructor tools and custom-built learning modules, ranging from checklist execution to 3D-modeled schematic overlays.**LOE 2: NexGen Instructor**
AFSOC plans to incorporate VR into all Flying Training Units responsible for training AFSOC aircrew. Training modules will cover the academic phases of the FTU syllabi such as academics on aircraft systems and mission equipment. Collaborative partnerships with other major commands will be pursued when appropriate, and pathfinding will be the norm when required.**LOE 3: Fusion & Integration**
The integration of XR into operational units is a pivotal aspect of AFSOC's strategy, with a particular emphasis on mission events. These events can range from emulated flight of AFSOC aircraft, to special tactics, to our medical community across the entire continuum of patient care.**LOE 4: The Future Fight**
The pinnacle of AFSOC's XR Training Framework envisions the utilization of Augmented Reality for aircrew and special tactics teams. Imagine a CV-22 pilot flying over Melrose Air Force Range in New Mexico while their visor displays real-world terrain from distant locations like the Indo-Pacific region. Meanwhile, the pilot's visor reveals a digital wingman controlled by a ground-based XR device. The goal is to replicate any battlespace via XR technology back at the home station.
“AFSOC’s XR framework provides every unit in the command with a readily digestible and easily repeatable strategy to modernize their training through next-generation methodologies of instruction,” Schoonover said.
The AFSOC XR Training Framework's implementation is ongoing. While teams across AFSOC continue to work through LOE 1 by immersing in VR and Virtual Hangars, LOE 2 is on the horizon with small group XR testing sessions with the AC-130J FTU planned for Summer 2024 and the **C-146** FTU planned for Fall 2024. As investment into the training program framework continues, the line of efforts will gain momentum.Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC commander, is briefed on a new capability of the Extended Reality training on September 29, 2023 as a part of a larger XR training demonstration. With a comprehensive XR Training Framework in place, AFSOC is poised to transform its training methodologies, ensuring that Air Commandos are better prepared and equipped for strategic competition.  (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Caleb Pavao)Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, Air Force Special Operations Command commander, is briefed on a new capability of the extended reality training on Sept. 29, 2023 as a part of a larger XR training demonstration. With a comprehensive XR Training Framework in place, AFSOC is poised to transform its training methodologies, ensuring that Air Commandos are better prepared and equipped for strategic competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Caleb Pavao)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    










"AFSOC is heavily invested in enhancing readiness and training through initiatives like XR,” said **Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind**, AFSOC commander. “The use of XR in training allows Air Commandos to experience highly realistic simulations of complex scenarios, missions, and environments they may encounter in real-world operations. This practice is paramount as we prepare for current and future operating environments. I’m excited to see where this program goes and we will be ready to build upon each line of effort as resources become available.”
With a comprehensive XR Training Framework in place, AFSOC is poised to transform its training methodologies, ensuring that Air Commandos are better prepared and equipped for strategic competition.LR 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



AFSOC 



VR 



AR 



XR 



MR 



Virtual Reality 



training technology 



maintenance 



flying training 



readiness 



Air Commando Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil