Barksdale Air Force Base Partners with North Louisiana Colleges for DETER Program
Initiative to Promote Digital Fluency Among Airmen
Bossier City, Louisiana – A groundbreaking partnership has been announced between Barksdale Air Force Base and north Louisiana academic institutions, Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC), the Cyber Innovation Center, and Louisiana Tech University. These entities have allied to create the Digital Education Training for Enhanced Readiness (DETER) program.
Strengthening Military Preparedness
The DETER program has a primary objective of fostering digital fluency among the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) Airmen and nurturing a data proficiency culture among action officers (AO). “Digital fluency is an essential skill for anyone living and working in the modern era, especially our military,” stated Louisiana Tech President, Jim Henderson.
A Six-Tiered Program
The DETER program is a six-tiered educational initiative that is designed to prepare AOs for their careers. Chief of Data Analytic Education Requirements, Connie Carr, explained that DETER will streamline the processing of educating and advancing members of Barksdale. According to Carr, it is time to bring the wealth of underlying data to the forefront.
Legacy Preservation and Job Creation
Major Nathan Haluska, the military deputy to the chief scientist, expressed the importance of preserving the legacy of B-52, which is central to creating jobs. He emphasized that the B-52 platforms have helped accumulate nearly six decades of data. By harnessing the power of local academia and industry, not only are they solving key challenges for the command and national security but also creating STEM jobs within Northern Louisiana and the greater ArkLaTex area.
DETER Program: The Way Forward
BPCC officials revealed that the DETER initiative would involve BPCC instructors leading 4-day bootcamps with small groups. The aim is to provide further curriculum and training to hone skills. The first two boot camps are expected to take place in late July.
Conclusion
The Barksdale Air Force Base’s collaboration with Bossier Parish Community College, the Cyber Innovation Center, and Louisiana Tech University signals a monumental step toward enhanced digital fluency and data proficiency within the military ranks. As technological advancement continues at a blistering pace, such initiatives become increasingly critical in maintaining operational readiness among military personnel and improving national security.
