Team Travis hosts first innovation expo

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathon Carnell
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Pew pew pew is the sound buzzing by your ears while sprinting, carrying a 60 pound bag, an M4 and dog tags through hostile land. You made a huge mistake, but there’s no turning around.

Thankfully, though, it only took place in virtual reality, where you can learn from mistakes before you encounter a similar situation in a real war zone.

Approximately 100 Airmen saw this first-hand March 27, at an innovation expo at Travis Air Force Base, where different technology companies offered insight and background information on 3-D printing, cybersecurity and augmented virtual reality headsets.

“This was the first time the Phoenix Spark Hub has had an innovation expo and, with the great turnout we had, I can definitely see us doing an annual program,” said Capt. Jacob Payton, Phoenix Spark Hub chief.

The Phoenix Spark Hub’s mission is to bring tomorrow’s tools to the war fighter today.

The virtual reality equipment we brought will put Airmen in real-time environments, said Bryan Luhn, Myriad Global Media representative.

“They will actually be emerged in real-life surroundings,” he added. “If they have to train on a plane or in the cockpit or even in the medical field, this technology can put them in any realistic situation which may arise.”

Airmen had the opportunity to try virtual headsets and get hands-on experience with the technology.

“I could operate every button and control all of the functions,” said Master Sgt. Richard Williams, 548th Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group Public Affairs superintendent. “The controls were sensitive and I feel if I practiced more I could get a better hold on being a pilot.”

Events like this give squadrons knowledge about the tools and resources that can be available to them.

“It was really amazing to see the innovation expo and see some of the products which could allow our unit to be more mission ready,” said Master Sgt. Aaron Scott, 821st Contingency Response Squadron.

This event is one way the Phoenix Spark Hub generates discussion on innovation, Scott said

“As the Air Force continues to grow, we will continue to find better and more efficient ways of doing operations,” Scott said. “It’s programs like the Innovation expo that could create new sparks in our young Airmen.”

With day-to-day operations in full function, many Airmen spend their time after hours in the Phoenix Spark Hub, creating a more lethal Air Force.

“The Phoenix Spark program has Airmen working many volunteer hours and I think this event will amp up the excitement and maybe get some new faces in the lab,” Payton said.

The warfighter down range can benefit from some of these great technologies.

“Events like this can help spark thought processes to our Airmen and their leadership,” Payton said.

Phoenix Spark meets at noon every Friday in Bldg. 181.

For more information, contact the Phoenix Spark Hub at 60amw.ps.phoenixspark@us.af.mil or 707-424-8920.