Air Force streamlines Expeditionary Readiness Training

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  • AF News Service
WASHINGTON, (AFNS) --  
Capt. Justin Lapin, 9th Airlift Squadron C-5M Super Galaxy pilot, positions the aircraft below and behind a KC-135R Stratotanker Aug. 11, 2015, during a training mission from Dover Air Force Base, Del. The C-5M is assigned to the 436th Airlift Wing while the KC-135R is assigned to the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pittsburgh International Airport, Pennsylvania Air National Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)During a conventional weapons disposal training exercise, Staff Sgt. John Nelson (right), a 512th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight EOD technician, uses a 9-line form to call in a mock medical evacuation unit for his team leader, Staff Sgt. Charles Hall, 512th CES EOD, Aug. 1, 2015, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Evaluators graded Nelson as he demonstrated administering first-aid buddy care to Hall, who pretendingly suffered from a sniper shot wound. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joe Yanik)


U.S. Air Force officials announced the creation of a new streamlined Expeditionary Readiness Program (ERP) governance construct that replaces the current tiered pre-deployment training model.

The updated program is designed to ensure Expeditionary Readiness Training is relevant, effective, timely, synchronized, standardized and integrated in order to provide combatant commanders with a standard presentation of forces to support specified mission requirements, while maximizing efficiency.
Tech. Sgt. Jon Meyers, 9th Airlift Squadron C-5M Super Galaxy flight engineer instructor, is dwarfed by the massive nose during pre-flight inspection of the aircraft Aug. 11, 2015, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The pre-flight inspection requires the efforts of the entire aircrew and it is an important part of ensuring the mission is done successfully and safely. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)
"We recognize the importance of making sure our Airmen's time is used as efficiently as possible," said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. "Personal and professional time invested in readiness should be done purposefully and with the goal of improving Airmen's ability to perform their duties in fulfilling global expeditionary requirements."

The ERT concept aligns training cycles with the AEF construct, transitioning some training to meet "just-in-time" requirements to support deployments, and eliminating most training currently provided in other venues.

"We've heard, listened and responded to Airmen's feedback regarding pre-deployment training," said Air Force Chief of Staff, General Mark A. Welsh III. "It is my duty and highest priority to ensure our Airmen are prepared to enter any combat environment with the skills needed to be successful and we do that by providing them with the right training at the right time, without redundancy."

Airmen from the 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 728th Air Mobility Squadron unload equipment from a C-5M Super Galaxy from Dover Air Force Base, Del. in support of Operation Inherent Resolve Aug. 9, 2015, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The U.S. Air Force deployed six F-16 Fighting Falcons from Aviano Air Base, Italy, support equipment and approximately 300 personnel to Incirlik AB. (U.S. Air Force photo Senior Airman Krystal Ardrey/Released)

ERT changes include adding pre-tests at the beginning of computer based training allowing proficient Airmen to bypass CBTs, aligning pre-deployment training with the AEF battle rhythm of 36-month cycles, and waiving pre-deployment training for similar ancillary or functional proficiency training Airmen have already accomplished.

Effective October 1, 2015, the new policy modifications will be captured in a new Air Force Guidance Memorandum that will eventually become a new 10-series AFI and will supersede information currently in AFI 36-2201, Air Force Training Program. The AFGM will be posted on e-publications and to myPers.