Page 5 - Aerotech News and Review, April 5, 2019

Air Force’s top NCO gets look at all things Edwards
by Kenji Thuloweit
Edwards AFB, Calif.
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright received a whirlwind tour of the Center of the Aerospace Testing Universe March 18-19.
The highest ranking enlisted member in the Air Force got a firsthand look at almost every squadron and unit at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Wright visited with everyone from secu- rity forces defenders to testers at the F-35 Joint Operation Test Team, 418th Flight Test Squad- ron and 416th Flight Test Squadron.
The chief and his traveling staff met with base leadership for a rundown of the 412th Test Wing and Air Force Test Center mission. During his two-day tour around base, he met with the Ed- wards workforce and recognized outstanding Airmen with challenge coins from the highest level of the Air Force.
“I’m thoroughly impressed by all the things they do here at Edwards, but honestly I’m more impressed by the people,” Wright said. “I got to meet some incredible Airmen who are doing some incredible things and who are extremely dedicated and confident.”
Wright is the 18th chief master sergeant ap- pointed to the highest noncommissioned officer position.
As CMSAF, Wright provides direction for the enlisted force and represents their inter- ests, as appropriate, to the American public, and to those in all levels of government. He serves as the personal adviser to Gen. David Goldfein, U.S. Air Force chief of staff, and the secretary of the Air Force, Heather A. Wilson, on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness,
morale, and proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force.
Wright was scheduled to visit Edwards late last year, but had to postpone his trip to visit Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., to examine the damage there following Hurricane Michael.
After eventually landing at Edwards this past week, Wright said he was impressed by the
base’s work ethic and the test mission’s goal of supporting the warfighter now and for the future. “The level of dedication and commitment of all the Airmen who are here to some pretty in- credible missions in the test world has just been amazing,” said Wright. “I’m actually looking forward to going back and talking to General Goldfein about the incredible things that are hap-
pening here at Edwards. I was also particularly impressed with the high level, strong level and very influential level of innovation that’s occur- ring here at Edwards ... and I see it all over the wing. I’m looking forward to some great things coming out of the 412th Test Wing and Team Edwards in terms of innovation and leading the way for our United States Air Force.”
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright poses for a photo with Airman 1st Class Kyesha Thomas, 412th Security Forces Squadron (left), and Airman 1st Class Parris Gonzalez, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, at the Joshua Tree Inn Dining Facility, March 18, 2019. The Air Force’s top enlisted Airman received a two-day tour of Edwards Air Force Base.
Air Force photograph by Christopher Okula
April 5, 2019
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