FLC | Air Force enlists T2 partners to keep Airmen active

Air Force enlists T2 partners to keep Airmen active

March 9, 2020

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) is making technology transfer part of its efforts to improve physical performance and reduce injury rates among its warfighters.

AFWERX, the Air Force’s collaborative innovation team, is partnering with Buffalo, NY-based CoachMePlus and its Reston, Va.-based partner, The Informatics Applications Group (TIAG), to adapt the Warrior Performance Platform (WP2™) for the USAF. CoachMePlus is a human performance technology company based in Buffalo, NY; TIAG, based in Reston, Va., is a technology company that provides transformational solutions to the Department of Defense (DoD).

WP2™ is a human performance optimization system tailored to the DoD's unique requirements. The secure, accreditation-ready platform allows for mobile, multi-channel data collection to provide holistic, customizable evaluations. Through a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award, AFWERX is facilitating a 15-month pilot program utilizing WP2 to monitor and address several key indicators of health, wellness, ability, and performance within the Airmen population.

“One of the biggest challenges and opportunities we face is optimizing the performance of our Airmen, while promoting their readiness and preventing injury,” says Captain Bobby Carbonell, Operations Officer, Air National Guard Innovation. “We closely vetted potential technology partners to help us drive a measurable impact on the availability of our Airmen. Whether it’s reducing training injuries or guidance to improve our Airmen’s overall physical fitness, health, and test scores, nothing compared to the WP2 platform’s technology and the overall approach of the CoachMePlus team.”

The Air National Guard and USAF Health Promotion program will implement the platform across nine Air Force bases as part of a proactive plan to reduce injuries and optimize the physical fitness, performance, and overall readiness of active duty and reserve Airmen. It is the same technology already being explored by the U.S. Navy through a parallel Phase II SBIR award focused on leveraging WP2 in conjunction with enhanced nutrition capabilities and a physical kiosk for use in afloat and ashore environments.