Tesseract AF

🔉 Aether Sprint 2025: Final Call for Applications! 🔉

Attention Airman innovators and problem-solvers! We’re still accepting submissions for innovative solutions to the Air Force's logistical challenges.

Check out the five key logistics problem areas we’ve identified this year on the Aether Sprint page, choose one that resonates with you, and develop a practical, implementable solution. We’re also seeking actionable ideas that can be scaled and utilized at an enterprise level 🚀

Why Participate:

🔸 Impact: Your solution could create meaningful change in logistics operations
🔸 Visibility: Showcase your project at the Logistics Officer Association Symposium in March 2025.
🔸 Support: Receive direct guidance and advocacy from AF/A4L Tesseract to take your idea to the next level.

Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference.

Visit the Aether Sprint page to review the challenge questions and submit your application by September 27th!

It’s been a couple of days since Air & Space Forces Association's 2024 Air, Space and Cyber Conference wrapped up, and we’re grateful for the incredible connections and conversations we had. Here are some highlights From Day 2 & 3:

🔹 SSgt Ryan Amador showcased Project Weapon.
🔹 MSgt Kalib McBride shared the WMS Cover.
🔹 MSgt Joseph Blahut presented the Autonomous Flight Line Droid.
🔹 MSgt Khalil Bashir & MSgt Kaitlyn McKenzie discussed CLAWS.

We also made meaningful connections, discussing how Airmen innovation is driving improvements in Air Force sustainment and supporting grassroots efforts. Additionally, we explored how the Theory of Constraints can be applied at different bases and how we can assist with those implementations. We were honored to have General Tom Miller and General Linda Hurry visit and engage with us on these initiatives!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by! It was an inspiring week of collaboration.

Happy Birthday to the U.S. Air Force! 🎉

✈️ For 77 years, the Air Force has been pushing boundaries, advancing innovation, and defending freedom in the skies. Today, we celebrate the Airmen who continue to lead with excellence, courage, and dedication. Thank you for your service, and here’s to many more years of aiming high! ✈️🇺🇸

It's the last day at the Air & Space Forces Association's 2024 Air, Space and Cyber Conference, and we’ve saved some incredible innovations for today!

Stop by the Maryland Ballroom, Spark Street exhibit section, to hear from our Airmen innovators:

🕘 Throughout the day: MSgt Khalil Bashir & MSgt Kaitlyn McKenzie will be presenting CLAWS!

While you're there, be sure to talk to our team about our ongoing Theory of Constraints efforts across the Air Force and how we’re working to remove bottlenecks and drive sustainment improvements.

This is your last chance to connect with us and learn more about the work being done to enhance sustainment efforts. See you there!

Day 2 at Air & Space Forces Association's 2024 Air, Space and Cyber Conference 2024: Here’s What’s Happening at Our Booth!

We’ve got a full lineup of Airmen innovators sharing their projects today! Stop by the Maryland Ballroom, Spark Street exhibit section, and catch these presentations:

🕘 Now to Noon: SSgt Ryan Amador will be presenting Project Weapon
🕐 Around 1300: MSgt Kalib McBride will showcase the WMS Cover
🕒 At 1500: MSgt Joseph Blahut will introduce the Autonomous Flight Line Droid

Make sure to swing by, ask questions, and see these innovations up close!

Day 1 Recap: Air & Space Forces Association's 2024 Air, Space and Cyber Conference!

On the first day, the Tesseract team had a great time connecting with Airmen and industry leaders, discussing our commitment to empowering Airmen’s innovation and turning their ideas into reality.

Key Highlights:
🔹 TSgt Mariana Hernández-Chávez introduced A-PRT, a digital platform designed to help PCS-ing personnel easily book and manage travel with TMO.
🔹 TSgt Cameron Olson showcased Rays to Jet Power (R2JP), a trailer-based solar power generation kit bringing sustainable energy solutions to the field.

Stay tuned for what’s next at AFA 2024 as we continue to highlight more Airmen-led innovations!

Air & Space Forces Association's 2024 Air, Space and Cyber Conference is officially underway! 🚀

Don’t forget to stop by our booth in the Maryland Ballroom, part of the Spark Street exhibit section. Today, we have TSgt Mariana Hernández-Chávez talking about A-PRT, and later, TSgt Cameron Olson will be presenting R2JP!

Come by to learn more, ask questions, and connect with our team. See you there!

Is multitasking slowing you down?🛑 Join us at Booth 123 at the Air & Space Forces Association's 2024 Air, Space and Cyber Conference to explore how multitasking can become a major bottleneck. Through our ABC-123 simulation exercise, we'll show how ineffective processes can create constraints and how the Theory of Constraints can help streamline efforts for better results.

Stop by for a hands-on experience and see how you can apply these insights to your work! 🔍

🇺🇸On this Patriot Day, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and honor the countless heroes who emerged in the face of unimaginable tragedy. From first responders who charged into danger to service members who have defended our nation ever since, we pay tribute to their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment. Today, we reflect on our shared resilience and the spirit of unity that carries us forward.

Come see the innovations Airmen are bringing to the field! At the Air & Space Forces Association's 2024 Air, Space and Cyber Conference, meet the Airmen whose innovative ideas and solutions Tesseract has helped bring to life. Hear from them directly about their work and the projects they’re implementing:

🔹 TSgt Mariana Hernández-Chávez: A-PRT
🔹 TSgt Cameron Olson: R2JP
🔹 MSgt Kalib McBride: WMS Cover
🔹 SSgt Ryan Amador: Project Weapon
🔹 MSgt Khalil Bashir: CLAWS

📍 Find us at Booth 123 in the Maryland Ballroom from September 16-18 at the Ga***rd National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. Swing by to explore these projects, ask questions, and see how these innovations are making an impact. Don't miss it!

Last week, Tesseract hosted the Royal Australian Air Force at our office, discussing how we accelerate Airmen innovation and demonstrating the effectiveness of our ongoing Theory of Constraints (ToC) efforts. We highlighted how ToC can benefit other military organizations and shared our success in bringing Aether Sprint innovations to life. The visit also allowed us to explore potential future collaborations and build a strategic bilateral relationship. We look forward to our ongoing partnership! 🌍✈️



Photo Caption: Tesseract team members engage in a discussion with the Royal Australian Air Force on the Theory of Constraints and its applications across military functions during a visit to the Tesseract office and Airmen innovation, Aug. 2024.

Last week, Tesseract was proud to participate in the Air Force Materiel Command Improvement and Innovation Training Summit, where we shared our expertise on the Theory of Constraints methodology, BLADE (Basing and Logistics Analytics Data Environment) application, and the Build Your Own Adventure workshop. The team engaged with senior leaders, educated attendees, and continued to build a strong network for future collaborations.

Special thanks to our hosts and all those who connected with us!💡✈️

(Photo Caption: MSgt Heikell Perez, Capt Jillian Parker, and 1st Lt In Bok Lee present at the AFMC Summit)

Tesseract spotlights TSgt Michael Sturtevant, who recently led the final testing of his innovation, the C-130 Hoist Point, at Wright-Patterson AFB. This tool offers a quick solution for moving pallets off aircraft in tough environments, lifting up to 5,400 pounds during testing. 🚚

While there’s more work ahead, the impact is already being felt. Tesseract believed in this innovation from the start, connecting the right resources to bring it to life. Special thanks to NSIN and Ohio State University. 💪✈

(Photo caption: TSgt Michael Sturtevant testing the C-130 Hoist Point at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio)

Photos by Wright-Patterson AFB Public Affairs

🚀 Exciting News! Tesseract will be at the Air & Space Forces Association's 2024 Air, Space and Cyber Conference!

📍 Find us at Booth 123 in the Maryland Ballroom to learn how we support Airmen innovation and grassroots efforts toward sustainment! Our team is also ready to share insights on our recent Theory of Constraints initiatives—discover how we're pushing boundaries and driving change!

🗓️ Join us from September 16-18 at the Ga***rd National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. Don't miss out!

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🚀 Aether Sprint 2025 is Here! 🚀

We’re thrilled to kick off this year’s Aether Sprint competition! 🎉 This is your chance to shape the future of Air Force logistics and maintenance with your innovative ideas. Whether it’s improving combat readiness, streamlining operations, or leveraging emerging tech, we want to hear from you!

🔍 The Challenge: Your Expertise, One Solution
This year, we’ve identified five critical logistics problems that need your creativity and expertise. Choose one challenge that speaks to you, and develop a solution that’s practical, actionable, and ready to make a difference. We’re not just looking for ideas—we want solutions that can be implemented and scaled.

🎯 How It Works:
🔸 Review the five challenge questions on our Aether Sprint page.
🔸 Dive deep into the problem and craft a solution that’s grounded in reality and feasibility.
🔸 Enter your project through our submission form by September 27th.
🔸 Finalists will present their solutions on the main stage at the Logistics Officer Association Symposium in March 2025.

💡 Ready to make an impact? Visit our Aether Sprint page for more details and to get started! 🔗 https://www.tesseract.af.mil/Aether-Sprint/

Aether Sprint is about driving real change in the Air Force. So, gear up, choose your challenge, and let’s innovate together!

🎯 Join Tesseract at the Air Force Materiel Command Improvement and Innovation Training Summit!

On Wednesday, August 14th, we're excited to lead several breakout learning labs at the AFMC Summit. If you'll be there, be sure to check out:

◾ Blade Application Demonstration by MSgt Heikell Perez
◾Intro to Build Your Own Adventure by Lt In Bok Lee
◾Theory of Constraints (Parts 1 & 2) by Capt Jillian Parker

At the end, catch our Branch Chiefs, Lt In Bok Lee and Capt Jillian Parker, as they take the main stage to share Tesseract’s success stories in generating readiness!

Don’t miss these opportunities to learn, innovate, and connect with us!

📢 The U.S. Air Force has announced a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) that will propel the development of RAWHIDE and JI-JOE to the next level. RAWHIDE, an integrated system of interoperable applications, provides a comprehensive, one-stop solution for cargo deployment functions, digitizing the entire process from start to finish. JI-JOE, on the other hand, enhances Joint Inspection for both traditional and contested logistics scenarios.

This TACFI will advance the JI-JOE Phase II SBIR effort by deploying the software suite to Air Force Cloud One through BESPIN and conducting operational pilots at Air Force installations over the next year.

A huge thanks to the Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL, our Tesseract Concept Integration team, Air Mobility Command, and AFWERX for their partnership in enhancing our Digital Deployment solutions for Department of Defense Warfighters.

📣 Attention DAF! Do you have a nomination for the next location and candidates for ToC? Contact our help desk by the suspense date of August 9th, 2024.

If your unit is interested in implementing the Theory of Constraints (ToC), we want to hear from you! Your input is invaluable as we strive to optimize our operations across the board.

To nominate your project, please contact us through the Tesseract help desk on our website and click the option: Slingshot Request. Don’t miss out on this chance to drive operational excellence!

Join us in this journey towards efficiency and success! 🌐

Airman Innovation Lead The Way 🛫 ✨

Continuing from our recent visit to Aviano Air Base , Tesseract had the chance to dive deeper into the innovative projects led by Airmen at the 31st Fighter Wing Innovation and Transformation Office at Aviano AB!

First, the team (SMSgt Amanda Dennis and MSgt Georgia Riggs) learned about IssuePro+ from SSgt Chandra Maya of the 31st Maintenance Squadron. IssuePro+ is an inventory management application designed to help units track inventory, monitor issued items, and capture defect data for trend analysis. This project will be entered in the upcoming Spark Tank 2025 competition. 🚀

We also met with SSgt Isaac Quella from the 31st Mission Support Group to discuss Craft-Scan-Go, a project in Tesseract’s own Concept Integrations’ portfolio. Craft-Scan-Go is an innovative approach to Civil Engineering inventory management using QR codes and a mobile app with an SMS website interface to streamline operations and improve accuracy. This project is currently being tested at Aviano and will soon be field-tested at Spangdahlem AB. It’s also being submitted to the National Security Innovation Network for consideration as a capstone course at a university for further refinement

We are excited to explore these projects further and will keep you updated on their progress!

A big thank you to 31 FW for allowing us to connect with the forward-thinking Airmen who continue to inspire us every day!



Group photo (Left to Right: SSgt Chandra Maya, IssuePRO+; SSgt Isaac Quella, Craft-Scan-Go; MSgt Todd Bosley, 31 FW Innovation Manager; Mr. Federico Olimpi, Craft-Scan-Go)

Tesseract Visit to Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Our team at Tesseract recently had the privilege to visit Johns Hopkins APL, where we gained valuable insights from the lab's innovations in advanced materials and manufacturing 🔬 ✨

We'd like to thank the Expeditionary Logistics Program team for their hospitality and for sharing their expertise with us. It was a great experience, and we’re looking forward to what the future holds 🚀



(Photo caption: TSgt Daniel Kosty Jr., program manager, and 1st Lt In Bok Lee, chief of the Tesseract Concept Integrations team, visited Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory to gain insights into the lab's innovations.)

Innovation Spotlight 💡

Last week, Tesseract visited Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to conduct RAWHIDE application testing with the 621st Contingency Response Squadron, 87th Air Base Wing, and 305th Aerial Port Squadron!

The collaboration with engineers provided valuable user feedback and showcased Cargo Deployment Function (CDF) activities in action. Logistics planners and load planners explored the full potential of RAWHIDE, ensuring holistic CDF processes within the app to meet user and persona needs for deployment operations. 📦 🛩

App Capabilities and Benefits:
📌 A high-level view of cargo mobilization workflow for installation and units
📌 Deployment management and oversight
📌 Cargo preparation and increments progression monitoring
📌 Rapid aircraft cargo load inspections
📌 Ramp operations and aircraft loading functions

Additionally, Tesseract team members In Bok Lee and Daniel Kosty Jr. visited DevilWerx, JBMDL’s innovation team, to gain insights into their latest projects.

Shout out to the DevilWerx team at JBMDL for their impressive innovation projects—stay tuned for more updates! 🛠💡

And congratulations to the RAWHIDE development team! We look forward to more updates on the application’s progress 🎉

Build Your Own Adventure (BYOA) In Action

Tesseract connected with Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing Innovation and Transformation Office at Aviano AB in mid-July, where they had dynamic discussions and knowledge-sharing on boosting performance and driving innovation.

31 FW personnel were immersed into the world of the Theory of Constraints (ToC), learning how to identify system’s constraints and increase flow. The Tesseract team shared multiple case studies, and how to utilize five key steps to improve flow. Through the application of ToC, Airmen learned that they could resolve a vicious cycle rather than focusing on the symptoms.

Through hands-on exercises taken from Tesseract’s Build Your Own Adventure (BYOA), Airmen of the 31 FW unlocked the formula on how to structure teams, streamline projects, and increase performance by harnessing the principles of Agile methodologies. BYOA is a 5-day workshop focused on identifying a problem, developing a project or initiative to solve it, and creating a plan to reach the goal. At the end of the week, Airmen have an actionable plan and are readied to brief senior leadership on the way forward.

By following these steps, Airmen will not only be able to plan for challenges that might stand in their way and effectively plan to overcome those barriers, but also identify key stakeholders who will influence their ability to reach their goal.

But wait, there’s more! Tesseract also had a chance to learn about exciting innovation projects by Airmen at Aviano. Want to know more about these projects? Stay tuned for upcoming updates!

Tesseract On The Road ✈

Ramstein AB - USAFE's only expeditionary open-the-base force seeks to identify areas of improvement as they are looking ahead to be postured for the future fight.

Tesseract recently flew to Germany and collaborated with the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing as part of a “Slingshot” event, where participants teamed up to identify areas of improvement to enhance the 435th Contingency Response Group’s ability to prepare for future contested operations.

The 435th AGOW rapidly establishes expeditionary airfield ops across the full spectrum of conflict. Our Process Advancement team, embedded with members of the 435th AGOW got down to business with a process improvement event and methodology that compels two questions: What causes the pain? How do we fix it?

Theory of Constraints (ToC) helps identify the pain and bottlenecks within units by using a data driven approach and frontline subject matter expertise to harvest potential within, building solutions around that constraint. The “Slingshot” event is a deliberate method, aimed to address a performance gap in a specific unit. They teamed up with members of the AGOW, identifying challenges that exist in a contested environment and exploring barriers to readiness.

Members of the 435th Contingency Response Group, charged to provide a scalable, cross-functional, rapidly deployable force enabling rapid standup of combat operations anywhere in the EUCOM AOR, utilized ToC to identify the fix: 435th CRG remaining agile and ready for future challenges in a contested environment.

At the conclusion of the event, the Tesseract team and key members of the CRG developed actionable items, and the core team will provide continued collaboration as the CRG implements solutions over the upcoming months.

We are humbled by the opportunity to support the 435th Contingency Response Group. The passion and dedication shown by the members of the wing and group ensure the future of Air Force readiness. Stay tuned for progress updates!

Interested in participating in future Slingshot? Get in touch with our team for more details!

LNO Fireside chat: Command and Control, Risk Reward in Innovation with Michael Moore

Join us as we chat with Master Sergeant Michael Moore from Honolulu, Hawaii. Michael recounts his path from joining the Air Force in 2010 as a Security Forces member to becoming the Commandant at the Pitsenbarger Airman Leadership School in Spangdahlem, Germany.

Michael shares stories from his career across bases like Osan, Kadena, and Spangdahlem, focusing on his efforts to drive innovation through simple yet effective process improvements. He emphasizes that innovation isn't just about technology but also about making everyday tasks more efficient.

We explore the unique Heritage Hall at Pitsenbarger, filled with historical memorabilia, and hear about students' reactions to seeing their legacy. Michael discusses his current projects to enhance leadership training and integrate new tech in the schoolhouse.

Tune in for a conversation that highlights the importance of honoring our past while pushing for a better future in the Air Force.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/52wnImGFr6w

or

Listen here: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-kjnp6-1668a16

Recently, the Tesseract team had the opportunity to travel to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson and worked firsthand with the 611 Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center folks to explore practical solutions and tools, including the potential implementation of the Theory of Constraints.

Thanks again to the 611 PRSC for hosting us! It was a pleasure getting to know you, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for our collaboration.

Exciting visit at Tesseract HQ!

This week, we welcomed two cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy to our Tesseract office. They came to learn more about Theory of Constraints (ToC) and its practical applications.

In partnership with AFWERX, these cadets will soon join our Process Advancement team as they head to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to execute a Slingshot, with the goal of implementing ToC principles in PACAF to enhance readiness.

We hope this journey inspires these future Air Force leaders. Best of luck to our Tesseract team and the USAFA cadets as they take ToC to new heights in Alaska!