JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --
The 477th Fighter Group will be one of a few units that will be testing alternate unit training assembly schedules, instead of the one weekend a month and two weeks a year. The plan is to forecast and plan UTAs for: sustainability, predictability, and effectiveness.
For fiscal year 2022 there will be one virtual day per quarter, on the Sunday of UTA, to fit within the sustainable training plan. There will not be a set July UTA, it will be a liberal virtual reschedule with squadron commander’s approval.
“Our sustainable training plan provided our unit a predictable forecast of when our members would be trained in a quarterly/systematic plan to avoid our entire unit coming overdue at the same time,” said Col. Jonathan Gration, 477th Fighter Group commander.
The emergence of COVID-19 gave the 477th FG the opportunity to telework and apply different methods of working.
Virtual tasks that can be completed during virtual UTAs
| Award packages / Decorations |
| Meetings / Conferences |
| Online education |
| Evaluations (EPR/OPR) |
| Professional development |
| Reading reports, Air Force Instructions, Technical Orders |
| Computer Based Training / Annual requirements / Total Force Awareness Training |
| Preparing memos and reports |
| Fiscal Year UTA planning |
| Data processing tasks |
| Strategic alignment |
| AFSC identified tasks |
Across the 477th FG there are 42 Air Force Specialty Codes or career fields. There are areas where virtual AFSC training is possible. Currently virtual training modules are in the works. This will include e-learning that is centered on AFSC’s individual Career Field Education and Training Plan.
Requirements must be forecasted and planned using DD Form 2946 Department of Defense Telework Agreement. CFETP/AFSC specific training must be highlighted for remote work.
To be successful, clear expectations must be set so Airmen are aware of what is expected from them. Everyone should be open to new communication methods and take this opportunity to foster a teamwork environment. Airmen must reflect, adjust and be flexible.
“The core piece of this is being mindful of the Airmen, being able to give them time back at some point, someway, and also building in a little bit of flexibility to their life set,” said Maj. Brett Bakner, 477th Fighter Group process manager and 477th Force Support Squadron commander.