TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- While training for an Air Force Reserve mission is typically conducted at home station or military bases around the world, the 349th Air Mobility Wing stepped into cyberspace to conduct its first virtual Unit Training Assembly for its Reserve Citizen Airmen May 16 and 17, 2020.
In line with guidance from the Department of Defense all the way to local government, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a conversion to a virtual UTA. 349th AMW leadership rescheduled the April UTA to a date later this summer. But as shelter-in-place guidelines continued to be extended, it was important for the wing to look at other methods of operating.
“These are unprecedented times for us,” said Col. Charles Metzgar, acting 349th AMW commander. “We need to balance the needs and safety of our Airmen with readiness requirements and our ability to accomplish the mission.”
With the charge to conduct a UTA in cyberspace, Airmen across the wing identified various technological platforms and combined DoD systems with commercial products to develop plans for the virtual UTA that included administrative tasks, readiness training, and professional development. While each unit was given space to plan for how they wanted to approach the weekend, the goal for most was the same – make the UTA matter.
“We want our members to participate, to get paid, and earn enough points to have a good year, but it had to be relevant,” said Senior Master Sgt. Robert Teames, 349th Security Forces Squadron senior AGR. “By waiting this additional month to conduct a virtual UTA, we were able to put out a program with more of an impact. We’re moving the needle on readiness virtually, and that’s huge.”
For most Airmen assigned to the maintenance and operations group, a typical UTA involves hands-on time with one of the three aircraft systems on base. While flying missions have continued, they have been conducted with minimum personnel. The majority of ops and maintenance Airmen spent their UTA virtually, and unit leadership like that of the 349th Operations Support Squadron spent considerable time building the UTA plan.
“The leadership team got together (virtually) once or twice a week to map out our plan and go through all the pieces,” said Senior Master Sgt. Rhonda Rooney, 349th OSS first sergeant. “We conducted pre-check with our members to resolve any connectivity issues. We followed up with an itinerary and rules of engagement for the weekend. We came up with a very structured plan, with full accountability, for our members.”
The plan for OSS Airmen included accomplishing readiness items such as mobility folder reviews, total force ancillary training, breakout-sessions for individual section training, physical fitness time, and the kick-off of a unit-level professional development program.
The 349th Medical Group immediately set out to see how they could conduct virtual physical health assessments.
“We were able to benefit from the examples of other units who have conducted virtual UTAs, plus we’re blessed to have three very forward-facing units,” said Col. Meredith Goodwin, 349th MDG commander. “We examined all our requirements and identified exactly how many of the PHAs we could accomplish virtually and we put our clinicians to work on that.”
In addition to testing our virtual PHA capabilities, Airmen in the medical group were able to accomplish several computer-based training courses. While beneficial, they can’t be a replacement for in-person training and Airmen will need to get back to clinics soon, said Chief Master Sgt. Michele Ortiz, 349th MDG superintendent. Until that point, she said she hopes the virtual gives Airmen two important things – connectivity and time.
“We’re social creatures and need interaction; being sheltered at home for so long can become difficult,” she said. “We want to make sure people are okay, and we were able to do that. And by having our UTA virtually, hopefully we were able to give Airmen back some of their time. It certainly cuts down on the travel time, and potentially get more done than when they work in-person.”
In addition to individualized unit plans, a few wing-wide virtual events were held. A virtual commander’s call was conducted, with several options for tuning in. This allowed Airmen sheltered at home to hear directly from wing leaders. And for the first-time, a Bring On Leadership Development, or BOLD, course was opened up to all ranks and offered via a virtual platform. Focusing on the topic of resilience, the workshop included speeches from a psychologist, comedian and a motivational speaker. Nearly 500 Airmen participated in the course.
“I’ve been impressed by the resiliency our Airmen have demonstrated -- we’re all following shelter-in-place and social distancing guidelines, but we’re staying connected,” said Chief Master Sgt. James Burmeister, 349th AMW command chief. “I encourage everyone to continue to look out for their wingmen.”
As the first, virtual UTA concludes, units are busy conducting after action reviews and collecting feedback in order to improve processes. The 349th AMW has plans to conduct the June UTA virtually as well – another opportunity to further readiness skills and connect with each other.