Homefield advantage at an away game: Air Force Sustainment Center expands global reach Published Feb. 18, 2025 By Grady Epperly Air Force Sustainment Center TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Air Force Sustainment Center is breaking new ground in projecting global integrated sustainment with the Global Enterprise Network for Universal Sustainment or GENUS, an initiative designed to ensure military readiness far from home. The GENUS concept focuses on building a “homefield advantage at an away game,” aligning with the evolving needs of the U.S. Air Force and its allies. The concept was laid out before a crowd of hundreds of military and civilian maintenance and logistics professionals during the Air Force Town Hall at the Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium in Salt Lake City Dec. 11, 2024. The Town Hall was moderated by Lt. Gen. Stacey Hawkins, commander of AFSC, with the commanders of AFSC’s three air logistics complexes as panel members, “GENUS is about projecting depot capabilities and capacity beyond the shores of the United States,” said Lt. Gen. Stacey Hawkins, commander of AFSC. “The aim is to enhance aircraft availability and readiness, creating a sustainable global network that ensures our warfighters have what they need when they need it.” A Global Approach to Sustainment “GENUS is built on three pillars: strengthening military-to-military partnerships, collaborating with indigenous industries in allied/partner nations, and leveraging the capabilities of U.S. companies operating abroad. These efforts aim to create a robust, interconnected system that supports operations across all domains,” said Hawkins. Hawkins emphasized the importance of pairing the Air Force’s domestic depot facilities with GENUS, noting that GENUS is part of a broader strategy and is nested extremely well under the regional sustainment framework to align with the national defense industrial strategy. “This initiative is about bringing sustainment closer to the point of need, particularly in contested or remote areas where rapid repairs can be the difference between mission success and failure,” he said. Building Capabilities Overseas Major Gen. Kenyon Bell, commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Complex, highlighted the success of initial efforts to expand sustainment capabilities. “We’ve visited key locations such as Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Alaska to assess opportunities for regional sustainment hubs,” Bell said. “These visits ensure alignment with major commands and combatant commands, like PACAF and INDOPACOM, while also fostering collaboration with local industries and allies eager to engage with us.” One of the central goals of GENUS is to create regional repair facilities capable of accomplishing aircraft component repair to increase overall operational readiness. Bell noted that these efforts have already gained momentum, which spurred a visit to Japan and Korea in early 2025. Innovative Solutions to Global Challenges Brig. Gen. Brian Moore, commander of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, underscored the importance of innovation in achieving the GENUS objectives. He described the FALCON concept—Forward Air Logistics Complex Operational Nodes—as a game-changer in embedding depot-level capabilities within operational units. “FALCON is about placing depot artisans and repair capabilities closer to the fight,” Moore said. “This approach not only speeds up repair times but also bridges the gap between depot-level maintenance and operational needs, ensuring that critical assets remain mission-ready.” GENUS also embraces cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing and cold spray, enabling on-site production of parts that might otherwise take months to procure through traditional supply chains. “This is about leveraging every tool at our disposal to reduce downtime and increase readiness,” Moore added. Overcoming Challenges The GENUS initiative is not without its hurdles. Legal and policy constraints, such as the 50/50 law governing government versus contractor workload, and foreign disclosure restrictions, pose significant challenges. Hawkins acknowledged these issues but stressed the importance of adaptability. “We are navigating these constraints carefully,” Hawkins said. “Our goal is to ensure compliance with existing statues and policy while still expanding our global capabilities in a way that makes sense for the mission.” GENUS also seeks to address supply chain vulnerabilities exacerbated by recent global disruptions. “By diversifying our sources and creating additional repair locations, we’re building resilience into the system,” Bell said. A Path Forward The panelists at the symposium agreed that GENUS represents a significant step forward in sustaining the Air Force’s operational edge. “With GENUS we can push sustainment closer to the point of need by placing advanced manufacturing and reparable overhaul capability in key locations. Strategically positioning the ability to manufacture and overhaul parts has the potential to substantially move the readiness needle,” said Brig. Gen. Jon Eberlan, commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex. Hawkins concluded with a call to action for continued collaboration and innovation. “GENUS is about building a sustainable network that benefits not just the Air Force, but our joint and allied partners as well,” he said. “Together, we can create a homefield advantage—even in the most remote and contested areas.” As the GENUS initiative moves into its next phase, it is poised to redefine how the Air Force approaches sustainment, ensuring that readiness and resilience remain at the forefront of global operations.