Tech Expo highlights technology in the Air Force

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Varga
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Technology surrounds all of us and is part of almost every aspect of our lives, connecting us and providing the tools necessary to complete our missions in the most professional and expedient way possible. 

Sheppard hosted its 8th Annual Technology Expo June 16 at the Sheppard Club to showcase current local military technology abilities and to review new technologies available from vendors all across the country. 

As an Air Education and Training Command base, Sheppard is the spearhead to bringing technology into the military training environment, Mrs. Gina Johnson, 82nd Training Wing training technology manager said. She said by working to mobilize and streamline training processes to make them more interactive and stimulating for students and instructors alike it leverages Sheppard to be the leader in classroom technology. 

They are striving for professional growth for all instructors at Sheppard and Air Force wide overall, by maximizing our use of technology in training environments, Mrs. Johnson said. 

Since technology is changing the way young men and women learn before they enter the Air Force, the service must change how they train Airmen, said Larry Clemons, of AETC Future Learning Division. 

"We are looking to transform how we educate and train our new generation of young airmen who grew up in a digital age," he said. 

One thing the Air Force is utilizing as an educational, training and recruiting tool is Second Life, a social networking website, which allows Airman and civilians alike to experience the Air Force in a virtual world. This is only one piece of the many new tools being used to reach the general public and help improve training for current military members. 

"All of our AETC tech training bases will play a key role in the exploration and implementation of emerging instructional methods and media, however Sheppard is leading the pack when it comes to applying these technologies," Mr. Clemons said.