MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn. – The I.G. Brown Training and Education Center championed innovation and expanded its global reach in 2025, delivering high-impact education and partner support initiatives across the Total Force.
Through its three core divisions, the Chief Master Sergeant Paul H. Lankford Professional Military Education Center, TEC University, and the Mission Support Division, the center balanced dynamic mission demands with a commitment to efficiency and measurable results.
The Lankford PME Center continued to be a cornerstone of enlisted education, graduating 931 students and conferring 3,724 Community College of the Air Force credits. Responding to funding challenges, the center launched a virtual Airman Leadership School option, enabling more than 60 Regular Air Force Airmen across 12 time zones to continue their professional development.
The curriculum was also enhanced through a new Senior Class Mentor Program, which provided students with access to wing-level leadership perspectives.
A dedicated cadre of instructors supported the global EPME enterprise through four manpower augmentee deployments and led virtual training initiatives. This commitment to educational excellence was reflected in the team's own development, with 11 instructors becoming newly qualified, eight earning dual-qualification status, and three achieving the rank of instructor supervisor.
The TEC University's Learning Development team recently hosted 807 students across its in-residence and virtual programs. A significant achievement was the certification of 106 Airmen as instructors through the Air National Guard Instructor Course. In total, 359 individuals graduated from various professional development courses, with an additional 609 participating in virtual classes.
In addition to student training, the team redesigned the ANGIC course to incorporate practical, real-world techniques. They also launched a new Curriculum Development Course and four virtual courses focused on Professional Development and Air Force foundational ideologies.
Furthering their reach, the team established partnerships with the Marine Corps, Air Reserve Component Works, Danish Home Guard, and the Jordanian Air Force to share best practices in instructional development. To support these efforts, the learning management system was upgraded for a more streamlined and centralized content delivery and progress tracking experience.
Telling the TEC story to a global audience, the TEC University production team created 72 videos and broadcasts that generated nearly 50,000 views. Highlights included coverage of the Presidential Inauguration and a documentary on the National Guard’s role in the event. The team’s storytelling also extended internationally, documenting a State Partnership Program between Airmen from Benin and North Dakota.
Underpinning these achievements were the center's mission support teams. The Commander Support Staff accelerated more than 2,000 personnel actions and resolved a backlog of 95 overdue separation documents, restoring critical post-service benefits for 27 members. The team also secured a $30,000 increase for instructor training.
Campus Operations facilitated 82 courses and events, managing over 52,000 bed-nights. Strategic lodging management yielded significant cost savings, including $360,000 during drill weekends. The Cyber Operations team ensured uninterrupted learning for more than 660 students by managing 350 technology assets and maintaining mission continuity through more than 10 power outages.
Fostering readiness and community connection, the TEC’s First Sergeant team enhanced the Air National Guard’s Awards Program and organized a food drive that collected 165 pounds of food for the Second Harvest Food Bank. In partnership with the 134th Air Refueling Wing, they also collected and donated items for 55 local families and seniors.
The center’s story was shared widely through the efforts of its Public Affairs office, which grew its Facebook audience by four percent and had news content featured by 29 outlets across five states.
In 2025, the TEC team demonstrated what disciplined execution and collaboration can achieve.
To symbolize a sense of unity and a collaborative culture, the TEC University team has adopted the Red Wolf as its mascot. This choice is embodied in their motto, "Our strength is the pack," which underscores the team's belief that their collective success is built on teamwork and mutual support.
To continue to build on their motto, the Red Wolves held their inaugural Red Wolves Rally. This event was a team-based competition that used deliberate integrated physical activities to enhance leadership, encourage collaboration, and improve communication.
This landmark year of achievement earned formal recognition, with the TEC being named the Air Force Association's Unit of the Year. Individual honors included the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Civilian of the Year and the East Tennessee Distinguished Service Member of the Year.