I-WEPTAC 2023 is focusing on "Shaping Force Presentation, Generation, and Installation Combat Resilience"

This year's topics and solutions aim to help the Department of the Air Force understand the I&MS equities and impacts of implementing a new force presentation model. Additionally, the Typhoon Mawar, which hit Andersen AFB, Guam in May 2023, drove the need to look at how combat resilience can be incorporated into the rebuild. The AFFORGEN and Guam topics represent a shift from crowd sourced innovation topics to very focused topics that are at the forefront of senior leader thoughts and actions.

I-WEPTAC 2023 topics and MAWG Chairs are:

• Reconfiguring Garrison Installation & Mission Support to Enable AFFORGEN Implementation, chaired by Lt. Col. Ross Dotzlaf, facility sustainment restoration and modernization chief, AFIMSC Installation Support Directorate.
• Focusing Expeditionary Combat Support Capabilities in the AFFORGEN Deployment Model, chaired by Maj. Ronda Underwood, chief of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Expeditionary Engineering Division, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.  
• Combat Support Training Ranges - Providing Regional Readiness Training & Expeditionary Combat Support Certification, chaired by Lt. Col. Kale McGinnis, chief of the AFIMSC Resources Directorate Installation Support Branch. 
• Andersen AB Combat Resilience Master Plan, chaired by Maj. Zachary Schumann, 11th Civil Engineer Squadron Engineering Flight commander, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, DC.

Background on I-WEPTAC

I-WEPTAC is AFIMSC’s principal innovation platform advancing readiness to fulfill ACS requirements in the National Defense Strategy (NDS), align I&MS priorities with the AF Posture Statement 2020, and deliver agile support in Dynamic Force Employment (DFE) and Global Mobility operations.

Modeled after the CAF WEPTAC, AFIMSC hosted its first I-WEPTAC in 2017. Includes Mission Area Working Groups (MAWGs) comprised of 20-40 cross-functional SMEs from Air Force, Joint, and Combined partners to provide senior leaders with actionable recommendations.

• Opportunity to leverage multi-discipline/cross-functional Senior Leader involvement
• Deliberate partnership with Ops to align ACS efforts
• Teambuilding platform to enhance problem solving skills for next-gen AF leaders
• Attendance: CSAF, VCSAF, MAJCOM/CCs and SAF I&E

I-WEPTAC examines fundamental installation and mission support (I&MS) challenges to identify deficiencies, shortfalls and developmental gaps that limit the Air Force's and Space Force’s ability to execute and operate efficiently. I-WEPTAC is charged with developing executable courses of action and recommending solutions while providing valuable information to senior leaders. Subsequently, these studies serve to enhance the agility and lethality of Air Force and Space Force combat support operations worldwide.

Every year, I-WEPTAC Mission Area Working Groups (MAWGs) leverage the expertise of Airmen on cross-functional teams who study and develop courses of action for specific mission topics.

I-WEPTAC spawns Infrastructure Investment Strategy​ 

One example of I-WEPTAC’s success is in the area of agile combat support. Challenges in adaptive basing were studied further during 2018 I-WEPTAC. MAWG No. 4 focused on integrating new, agile unit-type codes into a Combat Support Wing (CSW) construct. The CSW evolved from an idea to form small teams with the capability to conduct agile downrange operations. Airmen stepped out of their comfort zones to learn core skills from other Air Force specialty codes. Proof-of-concept exercises tested and validated this innovative way to deliver lethal airpower efficiently and effectively worldwide.

The I2S blossomed from the Installation Health Assessment.  The IHA initially targeted facility sustainment, restoration and modernization mission areas when it became operational in 2017. AFIMSC added data for additional installation and mission support areas and enhanced predictive analysis capabilities across the 22 installation and mission support areas to better inform those who implement investment strategies.

Through innovative and outside-the-box thinking, AFIMSC and I-WEPTAC ensure the Air Force and Space Force are always able to answer the nation’s call to fly, fight and win.

For more information, contact the I-WEPTAC Engine Room at AFIMSC.I-WEPTAC@us.af.mil.