15 Air Force Trainees Graduate Program Supporting Warfighters

When an F-15E fighter jet went down during combat operations earlier this year, both pilots ejected safely and one used a special radio to call for help. That radio exists because of people like the 15 graduates who just completed the Air Force's Palace Acquire program at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts.

The Palace Acquire program gives recent college graduates two to three years of paid, hands-on training in Air Force acquisition. That means they learn how to develop, buy, and maintain the equipment that keeps service members safe in the field.

"The warfighters can't do anything without the work we do," Stephen Demers, Hanscom's acquisitions senior leader, told the graduates at their September ceremony. His words proved prophetic when the Combat Survivor Evader Locator radio helped coordinate a successful rescue mission months earlier.

For graduate Loredana Rogue, the program offered more than just technical skills. She gained mentorship, real-world experience, and a deeper understanding of how her work connects to military missions around the world.

"The program gave me the experience that has strengthened my commitment to supporting the Air Force mission," Rogue said. "I'm grateful for the journey and will carry what I have learned into the next chapter of my career."

The Ripple Effect

These 15 graduates join a growing workforce responsible for keeping America's Air Force equipped and ready. The program addresses a critical need by training the next generation of acquisition professionals who understand both the technical requirements and the human stakes of their work.

The Electronics Systems Directorate showcased at the ceremony how their sustained efforts on programs like the CSEL radio translate into real-world impact. When that pilot needed rescue, the equipment worked exactly as designed because acquisition professionals had done their jobs well.

The graduates now move from trainees to full contributors in an enterprise that delivers today's capabilities while building tomorrow's Air Force. Their celebration marks both an ending and a beginning for careers dedicated to supporting those who serve on the front lines.