On August 12, personnel from the 49th Maintenance Group participated in a realistic operational scenario as part of the newly launched maintenance knowledge and tactics improvement operation called Project Iron Agility.

Project Iron Agility is a strategically designed training program that trains senior leaders and officers in the fundamental elements of U.S. Air Force School of Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations And Agile combat operations in conducting operational command exercises to prepare operational pilots.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kristen Torma, 49th MXG vice commander and AMMOS graduate, worked with senior leaders to establish Project Iron Agility at Holloman by implementing training tactics and procedures into PIA’s maintenance curriculum.

“We conducted interviews with every chief, senior noncommissioned officer and officer in the group to identify knowledge gaps,” Torma said. “Our focus is to improve lethality, efficiency of execution and cooperation with operations by applying AMMOS, ACE and MRA concepts in a training environment.”

AMMOS offers a graduate program that provides state-of-the-art training in tactical aircraft maintenance, logistics and munitions to officers and senior noncommissioned officers selected by a central panel from all major commands.

Project Iron Agility was initiated by Torma, the only AMMOS graduate transferred here, to further address the existing deficiencies in academic training at Holloman.

Working with higher headquarters and serving as a liaison with Air Combat Command, 19th Air Force, Department of Defense Maintenance Depot and System Program Office increases the efficiency and effectiveness of training bases like Holloman, saving the Air Force personnel, time and financial resources, Torma said.

The students selected for Project Iron Agility began their training program in June. Instructors from the AMMOS school conducted a week-long course called Ignite at Holloman. During this training, students focused on accurately predicting flight skills and effectively leading personnel to facilitate the execution of flight missions at Holloman Air Force Base.

“We are taking AMMOS on the road using the advanced curriculum used to train munitions maintenance supervisors in the fundamentals of our program,” said U.S. Air Force Captain David Barton, AMMOS instructor. “We teach operational production competencies, manning fundamentals and flight program development.”

After acquiring the foundational knowledge during Ignite, the students presented risk analysis scenarios to the group in board meetings that enabled them to effectively apply their skills in practical operational situations.

The leaders participating in this course had to face a demanding test of the maintenance and tactical skills acquired throughout the curriculum in real-world operational scenarios, demonstrating their critical thinking, risk analysis and communication skills.

Students participating in Project Iron Agility completed a three-week academic course designed to prepare them to plan and execute a week-long operational exercise. They were confronted with scenarios that required transporting F-16 fighter aircraft from their home base to a deployed location to ensure a safe and successful return.

“The most important thing to take away from this program is that it helped us prepare for deployment and do things we wouldn’t normally do here at Holloman,” said U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Cayce Hafer, 49th Equipment Maintenance Squadron flight commander. “Many of our counterparts at other bases deploy every six months, but that’s not the case for us. Many Soldiers appreciated the opportunity to have a different experience while gaining skills to operate in a harsh environment.”

The first iteration of Project Iron Agility at Holloman was successfully conducted by the 49th MXG, focusing on resolving unit readiness challenges to ensure the availability of combat-ready weapon systems for air operations.

“This type of leadership doesn’t just happen,” said Master Sgt. Bradley Butler, chief of the U.S. Air Force’s 49th Maintenance and Tactics Division. “Targeted development and practice are essential to prepare pilots to make bold decisions on their own.”

Project Iron Agility focuses on staying abreast of global developments while helping the Air Force maintain its competitive advantage in the Competition between the great powers.