Air Force debuts first-ever augmented reality mobile tour Published April 27, 2010 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The U.S. Air Force's newest mobile marketing tour, "Command Center Alpha," will be unveiled today at the Suwannee River Jam in Live Oak, Fla.. Command Center Alpha is a first-of-its-kind augmented reality mobile tour experience that immerses visitors in the "sci-fi" world of the United Sates Air Force. The interactive tour includes 3-D computer graphics, videos, educational kiosks, digital downloads and a full-size F-16 Thunderbird display. Augmented reality is an interactive experience where virtual components are dynamically merged into a live video stream in real-time. Visitors are given handheld devices and when placed on triggers located throughout the footprint, they are able to experience augmented reality in the form of 3-D animations and video. "We are excited to be using this new form of technology to inspire and educate the American public about the United States Air Force," said Col. Michael Tillema, Air Force Recruiting Service's Chief of Strategic Marketing and Communications Division. "Technology changes the way we fly, fight and win, and by using cutting-edge technology like augmented reality, the Command Center Alpha tour is able to illustrate the high-tech nature of the Air Force." The mobile marketing tour is an extension of the Air Force's Sci-Fi advertising campaign. The ad campaign is geared toward demonstrating technology that was once thought to be science fiction, is actually being employed by the Air Force today. Command Center Alpha will offer visitors the chance to be educated on the breadth and variety of opportunities the Air Force has to offer and can be seen touring this summer at events like the Indianapolis 500, Ocean City Air Show and the CMA Music Festival.