Welcome to the Air Force Institute of Technology

Lt. Col. Terrance Kilgore, Air Force Institute of Technology School of Systems and Logistics, presents the Joint Logistics Course Overview at the 2016 Logistics Officer Association Annual Symposium, Washington D.C., in October 2016. (Air Force Institute of Technology photo/Dennis Stewart)

By Will Huntington 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

In the world of military logistics, the old adage often attributed to French Emperor and General Napoleon Bonaparte that " an Army travels on its stomach" refers to much more than just food for the troops.

Recorded history is replete with examples of military victories or defeats where logistics was a key player to either outcome. The Air Force Institute of Technology's School of Systems and Logistics strives to keep the Air Force on the winning side of the equation.

The word " logistics," from the Greek adjective logistikos, means " skilled in calculating." Military logistics is the discipline of planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of military forces and has become a capability prized by successful military leaders throughout history.

In World War II, the United States' ability to generate materiel and personnel and deliver it to the warfighter was a prime example of successful logistics in action. It was essential to the Allied victory.

Gen. Walter Bedell Smith, chief of staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces under Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, pointed out the importance of effective and agile logistics, especially during the heat of battle.

" It is no great matter to change tactical plans in a hurry and send troops off in new directions," Smith said. " But adjusting supply plans to the altered tactical scheme is far more difficult."

The AFIT School of Systems and Logistics provides logisticians with course work designed to keep them aware, informed and up-to-date on the profession.

" Our department provides logistics professionals with continuing education for the entire Air Force," said Guy Fritchman, Logistics Management department head.

They do so by using a variety of delivery methods, including classroom, online, video and via satellite. The school's online venues employ both synchronous... an instructor and a student working together ... and asynchronous paths, with the student working independently.

Some satellite-based offerings use the Air Technology Network, which provide the school with the ability to reach out with a quality signal to convey their courses. The ATN is an Air Force-wide system, based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, using high-definition television.

According to Fritchman, many of the school's in-the-classroom sessions are not limited to Wright-Patterson.

" Most of our classroom classes are conducted on-site," he said, " and we go on-site all over the world. We teach at almost every Air Force base around over the course of a two-year period."

To effectively carry out their mission to serve the Air Force logistics workforce of officers, enlisted, civilian workers and contractors, Fritchman said that the school's staff represents the full spectrum of logistics.

" We have a real unique position in the Air Force here," he said. " Just about every person that we have working here is a subject matter expert in some phase of logistics."

Supporting that cadre of logisticians at the school are a highly experienced group of what Fritchman termed as " generalists" in the logistics arena who are also very capable teachers, too.

Annually, the Logistics and Systems team provides their 8,000 students with more than 40 course offerings and have more courses in development. The courses represent an array of logistics-related topics and vary in length from one day to around two weeks.

In the realm of joint operations, other military branch logistics operations courses are presented with " an Airman's view." There is even a course titled " Multinational Logistics - an Airman's View" to help logisticians effectively work in a multinational environment.

Course offerings and other details about the school are available online at www.afit.edu/ls/.
 

Originally published in the Skywrighter, Friday, Jun 30, 2017, page A3