TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Military and industry leaders gathered for the 2025 Air Mobility Command’s (AMC) Spring Industry Preview (SIP), an event focused on advancing aeromedical evacuation (AE) solutions and fostering collaboration between the Department of Defense (DoD) and private sector innovators at Travis Air Force Base, California, June 3-4, 2025.
Attendees included U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Corey Simmons, AMC director of strategy, plans, requirements and programs, and more than 140 industry partners. The two-day event highlighted current challenges and emerging technologies in the AE mission set. During his opening remarks, Simmons emphasized the urgency and focus of the event.
“You’re here because the Chief of Staff of the Air Force gave my boss four things to go do—and this was one of them,” said Simmons. “Relook, rethink, reimagine- do all of those things associated with this enterprise, because we don't have enough of it.”
This frame of thought set the tone for the two-day AE industry event, where military and civilian experts gathered to address capability shortfalls, equipment modernization and streamlined patient movement in future contested environments.
“During the Spring Industry Preview, our primary objective was to effectively communicate AMC's operational challenges to both our DoD and industry partners,” said Teresa Alesch, AMC Legislative and Industry Affairs chief. “SIP 2025 focused on one of AMC’s core missions: aeromedical operations, with the theme of ‘Revolutionizing the lifeline: Forging the future of aeromedical operations.’”
To illustrate those operational challenges, the event incorporated stage-setter presentations, briefings and hands-on demonstrations that show the hurdles faced and overcome by AE Airmen.
Travis was selected as this year’s host location due to its strong alignment with AE operations.
“Travis was the obvious choice this year because of the intersection of the AE squadron, the flying mission and Contingency Response Group (CRG),” said Alesch. “The plan was always to hold this year’s event at Travis to put a laser focus on the AE operational mission.”
This year marks the fourth iteration of the Spring Industry Preview. Previous events were hosted at Scott AFB, Illinois, and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, respectively, each one emphasizing different mission sets such as airlift, aerial refueling and contingency response.
Industry attendees received insight into AE-specific challenges including expeditionary communications, patient loading, AE equipment and aircrew technology.
“The SIP was a very important event and an exciting opportunity to showcase our mission and how we perform our jobs daily to industry partners,” said 1st Lt. Kailyn Keller, 60th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse. “This event will allow us to collaborate with industry partners to find innovative solutions and ways we can advance AE, to provide more effective and efficient patient care.”
While SIP focuses on informing and engaging partners, companies will have a chance to formally present their solutions later in the year.
“SIP is the call to action and we ask companies to come back to the Fall Industry Panels (FIP) we hold in October/November,” said Alesch. “During these panels, they present their ideas to a panel of subject matter experts. After the panel, if the solution is compelling, we ask the company to further engage with AMC staff or units to demonstrate their products.”
The event also plays a broader role in shaping future Air Force acquisition strategies and mission capabilities. Alesch noted the importance of strong military-industry relationships across all levels.
“Having a relationship with industry is crucial to the military industrial base that has made this country strong for over 250 years,” she said. “This relationship can exist at all echelons, from the squadron or spark cell at Travis all the way through the Numbered Air Force, command and up. SIP and FIP are key to AMC building and keeping the relationships strong.”
The SIP is one of several AMC-led initiatives designed to align innovative technology with operational needs and enhance readiness across the Air Force mobility enterprise.