Beale Air Force Base Enhances Training with Virtual Reality Technology
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Recce-U program at Beale Air Force Base has recently integrated cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology into its curriculum for the Air Force Enlisted Airmanship Continuum Foundation Courses.
Initiated in October 2023, these foundational courses are poised to become essential prerequisites for the Enlisted Professional Military Education (EPME) courses, effective December 31, 2025.
An examination of the enlisted professional development framework revealed significant disparities between initial skills training and formal EPME, which rendered the base-level Professional Enhancement Seminars inadequate.
Consequently, the Enlisted Airmanship Continuum Foundations Courses were established to effectively bridge this knowledge and application chasm.
Designed to enrich the developmental trajectory of enlisted personnel, the Foundations Courses serve as vital connectors within the Enlisted Force Development Model.
The curriculum emphasizes experiential exercises, relevant case studies, and collaborative activities, all standardized through the Barnes Center for Enlisted Education.
“These Foundations Courses aim to impart pertinent and exhaustive content that equips Airmen to make judicious decisions and execute the commander’s vision in alignment with the Joint Force,” stated Master Sgt. William Cronin, development advisor at the 9th Force Support Squadron Force Support Professional Development School-Recce-U.
“Our goal is to prepare Airmen for future leadership roles, enhancing readiness and endowing them with the essential skills needed in an era defined by Great Power Competition, alongside the capacity to train others effectively.”
While enlisted members at Beale AFB participate in the Foundations Courses at Recce-U, a unique challenge was identified: a disconnect between the acquisition of skills and their practical implementation.
Collaborating with the Beale Innovation Team (BIT), Recce-U successfully adopted augmented training and retention methodologies through the incorporation of VR technology powered by Moth+Flame programming.
“At Recce-U, Beale AFB personnel receive training on pivotal topics like leadership communication and crucial conversations, yet identified a deficiency in the ‘continuation of learning line’ essential for cultivating these competencies,” remarked Master Sgt. Brandon Eastman, AFWERX Developmental Special Experiences Coordinator and BIT director of innovation.
“With this new technology, members can rehearse these foundational skills within a secure and controlled environment, translating lessons learned into actionable competencies relevant in real-world scenarios.”
The Moth+Flame software, utilized via VR headsets, enables students enrolled in the Foundations Courses to navigate and enact responses in high-stress situations. This immersive practice cultivates exposure and self-assurance, preparing them for varied challenges.
The Air Force’s commitment to modernizing training through innovative technology is evidenced by initiatives like the Air Force Research Laboratory’s AFWERX, designed to channel American ingenuity from burgeoning enterprises to tackle pressing challenges faced by the Department of the Air Force (DAF).
Programs such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) are instrumental in this endeavor.
Through the SBIR initiative, Moth+Flame technology has been employed in diverse VR training projects, including modules for the DAF Suicide Prevention Program.
BIT identified the applicability of Moth+Flame technologies in addressing gaps in conventional military training and successfully secured VR resources for Beale AFB via the SBIR sector of AFWERX.
“The integration of VR into these courses presents hands-on scenarios for Airmen, fostering critical thinking and decision-making skills in challenging yet controlled environments,” noted Cronin.
“Such innovative training methodologies empower the Air Force to sustain a competitive edge by cultivating a more lethal and prepared Total Force against near-peer adversarial threats.”
This initiative exemplifies the progressive ethos of Beale AFB, showcasing the Air Force’s dedication to harnessing contemporary American innovation throughout its ranks in preparation for the challenges that lie ahead.
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