Big News at Maxwell AFB: Enlisted Education Gets a Prime Spot!

Guess what, ChumCity? The U.S. Air Force Enlisted Professional Military Education (EPME) headquarters is movin' on up! They've officially relocated from Maxwell's Gunter Annex to Chennault Circle, right in the heart of the base's educational action.

The Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education is now chillin' in Building 1400 on the main Maxwell campus. It's all about centralizing the learning!

Ribbon-Cutting Fun

They celebrated with a ribbon-cutting shindig on Friday, May 9th. Big wigs like Col. Damian Schlussel (Barnes Center Commander), Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David A. Flosi, and Maj. Gen. Parker H. Wright (Curtis E. LeMay Center Commander) were all there.

What They're Saying

Col. Schlussel shared some thoughts on Facebook, saying the move "symbolizes the importance of enlisted education and the promotion of Airmindedness across the entirety of our force." He emphasized the crucial role enlisted airmen play, and how PME should reflect that teamwork.

Barnes Center Deets

The Barnes Center, named after Air Force legend Chief Master Sergeant Thomas Barnes, is in charge of some major enlisted development programs:

  • Airman Leadership School
  • Noncommissioned Officer Academy
  • Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy
  • Chief Leadership Course
  • Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructor Course
  • Air Force Enlisted Heritage Research Institute
  • Foundations courses

Chennault Circle History

Chennault Circle (previously Academic Circle), built back in the '50s, honors Lt. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault, the leader of the legendary WWII Flying Tigers. It's the main educational hub for Air University, housing cool schools like the Air War College and the Air Force Warrant Officer Training School.

Maxwell AFB is west of downtown Montgomery, with Gunter Annex off Congressman Dickinson Drive, near the Eastern Boulevard bypass.

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