TEC supports Air War College officers

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
  • I.G. Brown Training and Education Center
MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE --  Having the right place to study can make a difference in school, and that's one reason why 78 Air Force officers from across the nation gathered here Dec. 2-13 at the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center.

The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command lieutenant colonels were in their Phase I and II of Air War College (AWC). They were sponsored by their units to collaborate in distance learning program seminars on national security studies as well as prepare formal exam papers.

"It's a distraction-free environment that's cost-effective," said Lt. Col. Tim Kern, an augment facilitator for the Carl A. Spaatz Center for Officer Education.

Kern said the event is typically conducted at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., under the umbrella of AWC, each June. This "out-of-cycle" event added more options for the Guard and Reserve.

Air War College prepares officers to lead at the strategic level.

More than 7,000 students are now enrolled in AWC's distance learning program from across the service components. Distance learners can take many months to complete the program during their nights and weekends.

"This is an important initiative and is a nice opportunity to showcase our capabilities," said Col. Tim Cathcart, TEC commander.

The event was among the largest groups of officers to train at the TEC since 2009, after a departed officer commissioning program graduated its last class.