Whiteman Air Force Base Airmen have a new means to influence change at the 509th Bomb Wing, Air Force Global Strike, and Air Force-level through the STEALTHWERX Spark Tank.
STEALTHWERX Spark Tank is Whiteman’s competition to identify the best ideas from across our organization. The winner will go on to represent the base during the AFGSC Strikewerx Spark Sprint (S3) competition in October 2021. The winners of S3 will move on to represent AFGSC at the Air Force Spark Tank Competition.
Innovation is about applying methods, processes, technology, or a combination of those to solve problems facing Airmen in the accomplishment of their mission. If you have an innovative idea that helps Airmen by increasing readiness or lethality, whether in your own career field or not, we want to hear from you!
The STEALTHWERX competition is open to all service members and DOD civilians. If you have a great idea, but don’t like to present in front of people, submit your idea and we will team you up with someone who you can work with to present on your behalf. If you don’t have an idea, but would like to participate in another capacity, let us know!
Whiteman will send one finalist to Barksdale AFB to compete at the MAJCOM level and select an alternate as a backup. The finalist and alternate will receive coaching to optimize their project pitches and to enhance their submission video to a professional quality. The finalist will then pitch their idea in-person to AFGSC leadership to turn their idea into reality. Even if you are not one of the finalists, every submission will be considered to receive funding and resources for implementation from both the Wing and MAJCOM levels. The previous year’s finalist for the 509 BW was A1C Paul Olexa with his idea for the MagRug, a sensor mat that could be unrolled underneath the B-2 that could detect when parts fell out of the aircraft while mechanics worked. His idea was selected for funding and development by AFGSC and is now being designed by Texas A&M!
To compete, you must submit your idea no later than September 2, 2021, but submissions are open now! The STEALTHWERX Spark Tank will take place September 14, 2021, with presentations made to Wing and Group leadership. Each individual or team will have eight minutes while in the “Tank”: three minutes to make their pitch, three minutes to show a video explaining their idea, and two minutes for questions.
Submit your idea before the deadline so we can help you prepare your pitch and video for the Spark Tank competition!
Three ways to submit:
- Visit Stealthwerx (Wing Innovation Office) in the Library and tell us your idea in person. If we aren’t there, you can email us at the org box below or call us at 660-687-3904.
- Fill out the electronic STEALTHWERX Submission Form on the Whiteman Air Force Base Website. On the home page, use the CONNECT drop down list and select STEALTHWERX.
- Email our org box at 509BW.DOWI.Innovations@us.af.mil with your name, unit, idea name, and contact info and we will follow up with you.
You don’t need to have an idea to stop by, come get hands-on experience with some of the newest technology and services on the market, from Virtual and Augmented Reality, to 360 video recording, software coding, 3D printing and laser prototyping. Our goal is to inspire Airmen to get creative and come up with the next big innovative solution. We are located in the Whiteman Library, first door on the left!