Page 2 - Aerotech News and Review, January 8, 2021.

Edwards Air Force Base

Reader’s
Command changes
412th Test Wing: Col. Matthew Higher as-
sumed command of the 412th Test Wing from Services
Brig. Gen. E. John Teichert during a Feb. 5
ceremony at the base. Higer was previously
commandant of the Test Pilot School, also at How to contact
Edwards. Aerotech News and Review
“It is also an honor to be selected to command • Mail: 220 E. Ave. K-4, #7
Lancaster CA 93535
the Wing that has the sacred American mission • E-Mail: editor@aerotechnews.com
of teaching test fundamentals, like world-class • Phone: (661) 945-5634
risk management and adaptive test solutions to • Fax: (661) 723-7757
the next generation of test professionals,” Higer
said. “To the members of the 412th Test Wing
…it is truly an honor to be your commander. Advertising
Our nation has never needed us more, and I am Corporate Headquarters:
beyond description excited to be your biggest (877) 247-9288
fan and supporter.”’
Higer was promoted to brigadier general in Subscriber Services
May. Subscriptions to Aerotech News
and Review are $59 for six
Air Force Plant 42: On July 1, Air Force months or $89 for one year. For
Operating Location Air Force Plant 42 changed more information, contact the
leadership hands during a Change of Leadership subscription department at:
Ceremony at Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif. Col. 220 E. Ave. K-4, #7,
Dwayne Robison relinquished leadership to Dr. Lancaster CA 93535
David Smith in a ceremony presided over by Air Force photograph by Giancarlo Casem
Brig. Gen. Matthew Higer, the 412th Test Wing The 412th Test Wing’s new commander, Col. Matthew Higer, assumes command of the Wing by Story ideas, letters, editorials
commander. receiving the unit guidon from Maj. Gen. Christopher Azzano, Air Force Test Center Commander, Please address all letters and editorials
Plant 42 has played a significant role in the during the Wing’s Change of Command Ceremony at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Feb. 5, 2020. to Stuart A. Ibberson, editor, 220 E.
history of the Aerospace Valley. The sprawling Ave. K-4, # 7, Lancaster CA 93535 or
facility is home to the Lockheed Martin Skunk Stratofortress navigator and later on as a civil- Col. Ryan Blake, and welcomed its new com- email editor@aerotechnews.com.
Works division and the birthplace of notable air- ian. He has even served as a Regimental Air mandant, Col. Sebrina Pabon, during a Change
craft such as the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, and Liaison Officer attached to the 11th Armored of Command ceremony on Edwards Air Force
where Northrop Grumman is currently manu- Cavalry Regiment at the National Training Cen- Base, California, July 9. Web Site
facturing the nation’s next generation stealth ter on Fort Irwin, Calif. The commander of the 412th Test Wing, Brig. Access the Aerotech News web
bomber, the B-21 Raider. All of NASA’s space He recalled that, as a child, he dreamt about Gen. Matthew Higer presided over the ceremony site at www.aerotechnews.com
shuttle orbiters were also built at the plant. being a part of the Aerospace Testing Universe, which saw history made as Pabon became the Submissions for upcoming events, air
Prior to being named director of Plant 42, and now with his new assignment as Plant 42 first female and non-pilot commandant of the shows and museums
Smith had previously served as the Installation director, he said it was “absolutely humbling.” school since its inception in 1944. should be addressed to
Support Director at Edwards AFB. Smith has “It is quite the honor and a privilege to pre- Web Updates, 220 E. Ave. K-4,
had a long and storied career with the 412th TW, Test Pilot School: The Air Force Test Pilot side over this, very near and dear to my heart, # 7, Lancaster CA 93535
Edwards and the Air Force starting as a B-52 School bid farewell to outgoing commandant, change of command ceremony,” said Higer, or email editor@aerotechnews.com.
who was Blake’s predecessor when he served For questions concerning the web site,
as commandant of the school from July 2017 contact the webmaster at
to July 2018. webmaster@aerotechnews.com.
Pabon, meanwhile, is no stranger to TPS and
Edwards. Pabon graduated from Desert High Where you can get
School on Edwards prior to commissioning as Aerotech News and Review
an Air Force officer. She graduated from TPS in
2006 as a Flight Test Engineer and subsequently For information on
served as Chief of Flight Test Safety and Flight Aerotech distribution, call
Commander with the 416th Flight Test Squadron (661) 945-5634 or visit
at Edwards. She then became the Performance www.aerotechnews.com/distribution.
Branch Chief and FTE instructor at TPS.
“I am excited to be back, and I am extremely
honored and humbled for this amazing opportu- Aerotech News and Review is published
nity to serve and lead this outstanding team as every other Friday, serving the
we continue to educate and train our future flight aerospace and defense industry of
test professionals,” Pabon said. “My family and Southern California, Nevada and
I are very excited to be back here at Edwards; Arizona. News and ad copy deadline
definitely never thought 25 years ago I’d be is noon on the Tuesday prior to
back in the very same stage where I graduated publication. The publisher assumes no
high school.” responsibility for error in ads other
than space used. Your comments are
welcomed and encouraged. Write to
COVID-19
In March, as the scope of the pan- the address below.
Air Force photograph by Ethan Wagner demic became clear, Edwards Air Force
Col. Sebrina Pabon, Test Pilot School Commandant, salutes Brig. Gen. Matthew Higer, 412th Test Base, and Air Force Plant 42 moved to
Wing Commander, as she becomes the newest school commandant during a Change of Command • Publisher ....................Paul Kinison
ceremony at Edwards Air Force Base, July 10. • Business Manager ....... Lisa Kinison
See EDWARDS, Page 3 • Editor .................... Stuart Ibberson
• National Advertising
Manager .....................Paul Kinison
YEAR, from 1
sioned a hybrid air show instead. So come October, the entire event Veterans Home in Lancaster because the residents were on lock-
went ‘hybrid’ with a combination of online, virtual STEM classes, a down; people took to celebrating veterans’ milestones and birthdays Aerotech News and Review
life stream broadcast hosted by base leadership, and featuring people, with drive-by celebrations; and local companies and schools col- 220 E. Ave. K-4, #7
aircraft videos, online information about local aerospace companies laborated on designing, developing and producing PPE and needed Lancaster, CA 93535
and organizations, and aircraft in the air. medical equipment. e-mail: editor@aerotechnews.com
Throughout the year, people started going above and beyond. Vol- In this special issue of Aerotech News and Review, we take a look Visit our web site at
unteers delivered meals and gifts to the residents of the Pete Knight back at 2020 — the year everything changed. www.aerotechnews.com

Aerotech News and Review
2 www.aerotechnews.com ........ facebook.com/aerotechnewsandreview January 8, 2021