Page 27 - Aerotech News and Review, April 7, 2017

Edwards’ News
Teamwork hailed for CTF’s smooth move to new facility
by Kenji Thuloweit
Edwards AFB, Calif.
Moving into a new house can be a daunting task, but imagine moving an entire squadron with almost 350 personnel, fighter jets and main- tenance and communications equipment, into a new flightline test facility in one year’s time.
The completion of that task and the spirit of teamwork was celebrated March 22, 2017, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new home for the 411th Flight Test Squadron, at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
The squadron had overseen the developmental test and evaluation of the F-22 Raptor and its sys- tems for 24 years at its old location on Ramp 11. The construction contractor and base units were able to make the project’s 365-day deadline two weeks ahead of schedule. The effort involved ex- traordinary teamwork and hard work to ensure F-22 flight test operations were not hindered while still meeting the movement task, leadership said.
“From an overall perspective, the F-22 CTF is in the middle of a modernization program for the Raptor weapons and avionics systems, so in the midst of all that, we were also trying to move the CTF,” said Chuck Staley, former deputy director for the F-22 CTF. “I’m trying to keep it from be- ing disruptive. [The F-22 System Program Office]
has a schedule that we’re trying to meet, and we also have a construction contractor who is trying to meet a schedule, so that was the stressful part of it.”
The new 411th FLTS and the F-22 Combined Test Force facilities on Ramp 7 used to be home to the 416th Flight Test Squadron, which has since moved operations to Bldg. 1199 on the flightline.
The shuffle in squadron locations came from a decision made in December 2015 by base leader- ship to make way for future test programs coming to Edwards, according to Larry Wolford, 412th Test Wing Strategic Planning program manager.
The 412th Test Wing and 412th Civil Engineer- ing Group worked with the Army Corps of Engi-
neers to award a contract to a construction com- pany who renovated the 411th FLTS’ new facility, which has seven buildings and three hangars. New floors, roofs and electrical systems were installed as well as new fire suppression systems. After all the construction was done, the F-22 CTF began their physical move of office personnel, computer systems and furniture Jan. 3, which they finished up mid-February.
“When you ask the F-22 members, it’s a lot better than where they were,” said Wolford.
Staley and Sally Scheuer, F-22 CTF, business lead, both said the move provided an opportunity to rearrange office space to maximize efficiency in their new work areas.
“Most people in the CTF will tell you they like how everything is arranged now. We had a CTF director with a good vision of how he wanted things and put everybody in the right places. The people who have to function together are togeth- er,” said Scheuer.
Another challenge during the moving process was movement of F-22 CTF specialized computer systems and the need for new information tech- nology infrastructure at the new location.
“The contractor was responsible for all the con- struction but not the communications infrastruc- ture,” said Erick Potter, 412th CEG. “The 412th Communications Squadron had an enormous role in the move.”
According to the 412th CS program man- ager Mike Leonard, their JT3 team members installed 350 new phones along with 4,000 data jacks. They also installed 293,000 feet of cop- per wiring and 43,000 feet of fiber optic cable in preparation for the relocation.
“It’s a pretty significant upgrade. I think the team is postured to work better together in the new facility,” Staley said. “I think the F-22 Program Office would agree, the move was accomplished with very little impact on the F-22 modernization programs and I think that’s a huge tribute to a lot of people working together.”
“From an overall perspective, the F-22 CTF is in the middle of a modernization program for the Raptor weapons and avionics systems, so in the midst of all that, we were also trying to move the CTF. I’m trying to keep it from being disruptive. [The F-22 System Program Office] has a schedule that we’re trying to meet, and we also have a construction contractor who is trying to meet a schedule, so that was the stressful part of it.”
Chuck Staley former deputy director, F-22 CTF
Making a wish come true
Detour coming to Edwards South Gate
South Lancaster Blvd. at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., will be closed from the Edwards sign to Mercury Blvd. for a pavement repair project. South Gate will stay open throughout construction. Motorists will need to use a detour route — 140th St. E. to Mercury Blvd. — to bypass construction and reach south gate. Construction work will take place April 3-June 1. Questions or concerns can be directed to Bayram Kurbanov at 661-858-7159.
April 7, 2017
Six-year-old Elijah mugs for the camera with Military Working Dog Rolf and members of the 412th Security Forces Working Dog Section — Rolf’s partner Staff Sgt. Grace Daniels (kneeling), Senior Airman Jacob Dent, Staff Sgt. Erick Hernandez, Staff Sgt. James Ramsey, Staff Sgt. Zackery Hons, Tech. Sgt. Gerald Martinez and Staff Sgt. Tylor Stolp, — during a visit arranged by the Greater Los Angeles Make-A-Wish foundation March 22, 2017. Elijah’s favorite movie is Max, a story about Military Working Dog that helped the U.S. Marines in Afghanistan who returns to the United States and is adopted by his handler’s family. The 412th MWD Section made Elijah an honorary K9 handler, presenting him with a Security Forces beret and badge, an honorary K9 handler certificate and other K9 themed gifts. Elijah’s family members, the 412th Security Forces Squadron, and Dorothy Daniels with the Make-A-Wish foundation, presented Elijah with his wish reveal of going to Disney World.
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Courtesy photograph