Hurlburt Field, Fla. – Extended Reality (XR) is revolutionizing the way Air Force Special Operations Command is approaching training and readiness. XR is an umbrella term that encompasses Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) to create a spectrum of experiences that range from fully virtual environments to overlays of digital content onto the real world. These technologies manipulate our perception of reality, hence the term “extended.” The manipulation of reality is at the core of XR, and it’s transforming the training landscape of AFSOC.

Eglin Air Force Base – The base hosted two resiliency training sessions here Oct. 2.

Kristen Christy, a national resilience trainer, shared her message with base personnel, including her own heartbreaking story of tragic losses.

Eglin Air Force Base – The Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, a highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle successfully completed its first test flight here Oct 3.

The Marine Corps partnered with the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Naval Air Systems Command and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division to facilitate the ongoing research, development, test and evaluation of the aircraft.

A soldier from Milton was killed in a helicopter crash at Fort Campbell in Kentucky March 29. The crash killed nine other soldiers as well. Warrant Officer 1 Jeffrey Barnes, 33, of Milton, had been flying in a Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopter during a training exercise when his helicopter and another Black Hawk crashed around 10 p.m. During a news conference the following day, Brig. Gen. John Lubas said the helicopters were flying a multiship formation and using night vision goggles.

A group of Marine veterans met at The Hangar in Milton to support a cause close to their hearts.

The USMC Combat Helicopter and Tiltrotor Association, also known as Pop A Smoke, raised funds on April 14 and 15 to refurbish the Marine Aviation Memorial Tower. They also used the opportunity to meet up with old and new friends.

Milton’s team scored a 238.1 to earn its first win of the season. Trigger Time finished with a score of 207.9.