Air Education and Training Command opened its new innovation center April 30 at Randolph AFB, Tex. The center is meant to support AETC’s future learning division in promoting out-of-the-box thinking and generating creative ideas to aid recruiting, training, and education of airmen. Inspiration for the center came from similar facilities used by leading universities and major corporations. The center features an “electronic laboratory” for service members and civilians to explore better training and educational methods and has state-of-the art computer and gaming equipment, as well as other learning tools and materials. The innovation center held its first brainstorming session the day following its opening. “We are excited about exploring new concepts and the art of the possible, and invite everyone interested in cutting-edge education and training to visit and participate in our AETC future learning initiatives,” said AETC Commander Gen. Stephen Lorenz. (Randolph report by TSgt. Jennifer Lindsey)
The Space Force awarded three contracts for rocket launches worth up to a combined $13.68 billion on April 4—and the usual players SpaceX and United Launch Alliance have got some competition in the form of newcomer Blue Origin.