Dyess hosts first intel forum tailered for bomber community

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Gene Lappe
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 7th Operations Support Squadron intelligence flight hosted a first-of-its-kind intelligence forum geared specifically for the bomber community April 11-13.

“This is the first time that members of the national intelligence community have come together with unit-level personnel to talk about the threats to the bomber community,” said Maj. Dave Wallin, 7th OSS, chief of intelligence training. “This is unique because most forums or conferences are tailored specifically for the fighters and don’t take into account some of the unique requirements of the bomber missions and the way we perform our missions.”

He said this forum is also an opportunity for unit level intel personnel from other Air Combat Command bases to gather and talk about how the bomber community conducts mission planning support for the aircrews.

“The forum will be custom-made to fit the capabilities and limitations of a bomber,” said Major Wallin. “We have specific requirements that bomber crew need from the intelligence community. We don’t have the same offensive and defensive capabilities as a fighter, so we need different information to safely and effectively accomplish the mission.”

Major Wallin couldn’t discuss the specifics of the topics being addressed in the forum, but that they were all geared toward making the bomber missions more effective.

He said another unique aspect of this forum is unit-level personnel had the opportunity to interact one-on-one with national-level intelligence analyst. Individuals from the Missile and Space Intelligence Center, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, the Office of Naval Intelligence, the Air Force elements of the National Security Agency, and the 317th Airlift Group attended the forum. He said the forum included structured briefings as well as open discussion about the week’s activities.

“Having the national analyst here allows us to establish contacts with the individual and let us know whom to call when we have a question or need help,” said Major Wallin.

“The bottom line is we provide mission planning support for the aircrews, and we wanted to see if there was a way to be more effective in the support we provide to the crews throughout the bomber arena.”