New Training Tactics Reshape Maintenance at Holloman AFB

Personnel from the 49th Maintenance Group engaged in a realistic deployment scenario as part of the newly launched maintenance knowledge and tactics operation called Project Iron Agility.

Project Iron Agility is a strategically crafted training program that educates senior enlisted leaders and officers in foundational elements of the United States Air Force Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations School and Agile Combat Employment in the execution of mission command exercises in order to prepare Mission Ready Airmen.

Lt. Col. Kristen Torma, 49th MXG deputy commander, an AMMOS graduate, collaborated with senior leaders to build Project Iron Agility at Holloman AFB by implementing training tactics and procedures into PIA’s maintenance knowledge curriculum.

“We conducted interviews with each chief, senior enlisted leader, and officers within the group to identify knowledge gaps,” Torma said. “Our focus is on enhancing lethality, execution efficiency, and collaboration with operations by applying AMMOS, ACE and MRA concepts to a training environment.”

AMMOS offers a graduate-level program that provides training in tactical aircraft maintenance, logistics, and munitions to officers and senior non-commissioned officers selected by a central board from all major commands.

Project Iron Agility was established by Torma, who is the only AMMOS graduate assigned here, to further bolster the existing academic training deficiencies at Holloman AFB.

Collaborating with higher headquarters and serving as a liaison with Air Combat Command, the 19th Air Force, the Department of Defense Maintenance Depot, and the System Program Office enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of training bases such as Holloman AFB, thereby conserving manpower, time, and financial resources for the Air Force, as stated by Torma.

Students selected to participate in Project Iron Agility began their training program in June. Instructors from the AMMOS schoolhouse conducted a week-long course named Ignite at Holloman AFB. During this training, students focused on accurately forecasting flying capabilities and effectively managing personnel to facilitate the execution of flying missions at Holloman AFB.

“We’re bringing AMMOS on the road, taking the advanced curriculum used to train maintenance munitions leaders in the fundamentals of our program,” said Capt. David Barton, AMMOS instructor. “We are teaching sortie production competencies, engarrison fundamentals, and the flying program development.”

Following their acquisition of foundational knowledge during Ignite, students showcased risk analysis scenarios to the group in board meetings that could effectively apply their skills in practical deployment situations.

The leaders participating in this course faced a challenging test on their maintenance and tactical skills acquired throughout the curriculum in real-world deployment scenarios, demonstrating their critical thinking, risk analysis, and communication capabilities.