‘AFRL Inspire’ coming to Eglin 2020

DAYTON, Ohio - Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) technology personnel across the country presented inspiring talks at the fourth AFRL Inspire event held May 16 at the Dayton Convention Center. The event was sponsored by AFRL’s Learning Office. Inspire showcases the innovative ideas and passionate people AFRL has to offer as they provide entertaining and thought-provoking talks. This year’s Inspire event, themed “Breaking the status quo,” also highlighted advancements in 16 different research areas as part of AFRL’s Tech Expo. “AFRL Inspire is an opportunity for the Air Force Research Laboratory to inspire both our current and our future workforce and to inspire our stakeholders who depend on AFRL to deliver technology,” said Maj. Gen. William Cooley, AFRL commander. “Inspire presents an opportunity to communicate across the laboratory,” Cooley said. At the Tech Expo, mechanical engineer J.D. Bales and Christopher Falkowski, a facilities engineer, at AFRL discussed their lightweight milk stool, designed to save fuel, time and reduce manpower requirements among C-130 units across the Defense Department. “The original request came from a C-130 loadmaster from Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla., who had spent many years carrying the old milk stool, which is used to prop up the rear bottom ramp door,” Bales said. “He asked us if we could help him out with a lightweight milk stool.” The duo helped develop the product and manufactured the product in the back-shops of the maintenance squadrons to help keep costs down. The current milk stool weighs 85 pounds and the version they are working on is a little more than 32 pounds. “An idea has the power to change the world, but ideas are transformed to reality through people, and the people who make this happen are thought leaders,” said Dr. Dan Miracle, a senior scientist at AFRL. The next AFRL event is scheduled for 2020 at Eglin AFB, Fla. (Source: 88th Air Base Wing 05/22/19)