AFIMSC refines Combat Support Integrator Course Published June 5, 2025 By Shannon Carabajal AFIMSC Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center is enhancing its Combat Support Integrator Course, a program designed to equip combat air base squadron leaders with the skills to train and lead warfighters for deployment. 02:08 VIDEO | 02:08 | AFIMSC Refines Combat Integrator Course Blending classroom instruction with field training, CSIC prepares squadron leaders to navigate every phase of the Air Force Force Generation, or AFFORGEN, model. The course emphasizes tactics development, critical thinking and joint force integration. “CSIC trains leaders and planners to support the unit of action," said Chief Master Sgt. Karla Macey, chief of emergency management and CBRN requirements for AFIMSC. "Graduates are capable of providing in-garrison support for planning large-scale exercises and training plans." Curriculum Expansion and Improvements Building upon lessons learned from an initial beta test last summer, AFIMSC extended CSIC from three to four weeks. The updated curriculum, implemented during a second beta test at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, from April 28–May 23, places greater emphasis on mission planning and training development. "Since the beta course, we've made several improvements," said Master Sgt. Terry Myers, plans and programs superintendent with the 87th Security Forces Squadron. "We lengthened the course by a week and reworked the syllabus to focus on mission planning, exercise integration, and providing students with the skills they need to execute in the future." Capstone Project: Real-World Application A key addition to the course is a capstone project. This final assignment requires students to develop and present training and exercise plans to their unit leadership. The hands-on experience directly supports improved unit performance in real-world scenarios, Macey said. “The beta course revealed the need to provide students with a deliverable to give their commanders upon returning to their units," she said. "The capstone requires students to develop a training plan and achieve at least an 80% solution, giving their units a head start on planning training events." Airmen attending the Combat Support Integrator Course deploy smoke during a full mission profile event May 20 at the Air Force Expeditionary Center, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. Developed by the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, the course blends classroom instruction with field training to prepare squadron leaders to navigate every phase of the Air Force Force Generation model. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Francine D. Martin) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Tech. Sgt. Timothy Van Dyke, 145th Security Forces Squadron, Charlotte Air National Guard Base, North Carolina, briefs opposition forces on the upcoming engagement against fellow students during the Combat Support Integrator Course May 20. Held at the Expeditionary Center on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, the course prepares graduates to apply Air Force and joint doctrine to enhance combat support and enable integrated power projection in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Francine D. Martin) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Airmen attending the Combat Support Integrator Course scout an area before establishing defensive fighting positions during a full mission profile event May 20 at the Expeditionary Center, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. Developed by the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, CSIC trains leaders and planners to support the unit of action, emphasizing tactics development, critical thinking, and joint force integration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Francine D. Martin) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Preparing Agile and Responsive Leaders CSIC graduates leave the course ready to apply Air Force and joint doctrine to enhance combat support and enable integrated power projection in contested environments. They are equipped to serve as primary mission planners for their units’ initial deployments and provide ongoing contingency planning within their area of operations. The course also builds confidence and clarity in mission planning, said Master Sgt. Justin Yungvirt of the 19th Security Forces Squadron at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas. “Mission planning is key in everything we do in the Air Force,” Yungvirt said. The curriculum breaks it down in a way that’s easy to understand at every level, he said, and the focus on decentralized execution empowers Airmen to lead independently. Student Perspectives: Practical and Collaborative Students praised the course’s hands-on approach and real-world relevance. "The best part of the course has been the practical and hands-on training, as well as the tactics development and evaluation process," said 1st Lt. Zolbayar Erdenechimeg, a flight commander from the 891st Missile Security Forces Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. For Master Sgt. Willie Daniels, 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron superintendent, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., the course’s greatest value lies in its emphasis on cross-functional collaboration. Learning how to bring together different support functions to build and sustain mission-ready teams has been invaluable, Daniels said. Understanding the broader picture, across more than 50 Air Force Specialty Codes, “is crucial for our Air Force right now, as we evolve into units of action.” Looking Ahead: Continuous Improvement Going forward, AFIMSC will continue evaluating and refining the CSIC curriculum to ensure it remains relevant and effective in preparing leaders for future challenges, Macey said. "Based on lessons learned from cadre and students, we'll review the course material, tailor it as needed, and potentially condense or expand certain portions of the course."