Air Force introduces new combat AFSC

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Emily E. Amyotte
  • 190th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Forbes Field Air National Guard Base, Topeka, Kan. --  Air Force senior leaders have released details of the service's plan to announce a new Air Force Specialty Code, combat barista, beginning in April 2016.

"Alertness levels have been below required sustainment for quite some time," said Brig. Gen. Dee Kaff, Air Force director of operations. "We all have to learn how to do more with less and we've pushed hard on innovation in recent years. Introducing the combat barista will jumpstart the efficiency of our battle Airmen both at home and overseas by providing the caffeine and energy required for the job."

The purpose of combat baristas will be to raise alertness, support current combat missions and provide essential caffeine and morale. Their primary role will be to deploy and directly aid Airmen on the front lines.

"If Airmen were to have caffeine at an arm's reach at all times, even on the front lines, the efficiency levels should skyrocket," exclaimed Kaff.

Baristas will be placed in all combatant commands, being tied directly to all areas of special operations Airmen to include: combat rescue officers, special tactics officers, special operations weather officers, enlisted combat controllers, enlisted tactical air command and control parties, enlisted pararescue and enlisted special operations weather operators.

Coffee has always been the key to the Air Force's success, explained Maj. Maxwell Haus, 190th KC-135 pilot. The focus needs to remain on productivity and staying sharp, he added.

"Our work is stressful and it can wear a person down," said Master Sgt. John Starbuck, 190th security forces squadron. "Airmen have become so reliant on coffee while at our home station, that you start to notice a severe decrease in alertness while deployed. We need caffeine overseas too, so I'm excited to see this come to fruition."

Eligible Airmen interested in cross training into this new AFSC should contact their commanders for recommendation as well as complete the attached package. Airmen will be required to perform both brewing and serving functions, while training incorporates a mix of brewing instruction and extensive hands-on laboratory experience.

"Combat Baristas will become a staple to the war-fighting mission and the future of our Air Force," Haus added. "And remember, Coyotes... today is April first. Have a wonderful day, and April Fools."