WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- More than 560 participants from 392 organizations gathered here last week for Air Threat Week 2024, hosted by the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
This year’s event – dubbed “Sharpening the Spear: Arming for Near-Term Threats" – took place from October 21 to 25 and featured a diverse array of attendees, including representatives from all branches of the military; intelligence community agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Security Agency, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, and Office of Naval Intelligence; and partners from several allied nations.
The week-long conference focused on critical air threats across multiple areas of responsibility, including U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. Central Command. The intent was to enhance collaboration between NASIC’s intelligence community with acquisition and operational customers, raising situational awareness on systems and areas of responsibility.
Those who attended were briefed over the five days by 42 subject matter experts in the threat showcase, complemented by four working groups that provided deep dives into analysis. Concurrently, a virtual threat showcase featured more than 150 briefings on classified systems, serving as a year-round training repository accessible to global customers, including partners.
“This year marks the tenth annual iteration of Air Threat Week, and we’re proud to continue this tradition of fostering collaboration and understanding within our community,” said Capt. Joseph Nacionales, NASIC Air Threat Week project manager. “The insights shared during this week will inform our strategies and shape our approach to emerging threats.”
Keynote speakers throughout the week included Brig. Gen. Jason Bartolomei, Air Force Research Laboratory commander; Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel, Force Design, Integration, and Wargaming director; and Brig. Gen. David Elsen, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Intelligence J-2 director, who all underscored the importance of intelligence in maintaining air superiority.
As NASIC continues to address evolving air threats, Air Threat Week remains a critical platform for discussion and collaboration, ensuring that the United States and its allies are prepared to face any challenges in the air domain.