Page 4 - Aerotech News and Review, Sept. 20, 2019

Teichert talks safety at Lancaster Chamber lunch

by Alisha Semchuck anti-collision software, called Automatic Ground
staff writer Collision Avoidance System, or Auto GCAS, in-
tegrated into the first F-35s seven years ahead of
On Sept. 11 — 18 years after terrorists attacked schedule, Teichert said.
the United States killing nearly 3,000 people and If a pilot becomes disoriented or blacks out,
injuring more than 6,000 — Brig. General E. John the plane won’t crash. Nine pilots were saved by
“Dragon” Teichert told of innovative safety mea- that capability. Recently a young pilot in Japan
sures being implemented at Edwards Air Force blacked out. Just before he hit the ground the air-
Base, Calif., when he attended the Lancaster craft took over. Auto GCAS was not only installed
Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon as the on Air Force F-35s, but also the U.S. Navy, U.S.
keynote speaker, an event sponsored by Aerotech Marine Corps and international partners versions
News and Review. of the aircraft. The original date for this innova-
Efforts to thwart any current or future assaults tion had been scheduled for 2025.
are an ongoing priority at Edwards, along with Edwards has made history throughout the years
other endeavors such as educating today’s youth with technological advances, Teichert noted.
and forming more bonds with the surrounding In 1961, President John F. Kennedy fueled the
civilian community, according to Teichert, com- space race against the Soviet Union with a speech
mander of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards. aimed at putting an American on the moon — a
Unmanned aircraft systems pose a particularly concept that kicked off the Apollo program. Tei-
difficult threat, he said. A would-be assailant can chert quoted Kennedy as saying,” We chose to go
go to the store, purchase an unmanned system, to the moon, not because it’s easy, but because
strap a grenade to it, then fly over the B-2 com- it’s hard”
pound or the presidential aircraft compound at In July 1969, America achieved the moon land-
Edwards and drop the grenade with the intention ing with astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Col-
of causing destruction. lins and Buzz Aldrin on board the spaceship. Tests
“We are actively working at Edwards today to for Apollo 11 were conducted at Edwards.
find ways to detect and neutralize in a safe way For years Edwards has been the catalyst for Photograph by Alisha Semchuck
those types of systems,” Teichert said. solving or resolving difficult issues that arise in Brig. Gen. E. John “Dragon” Teichert, commander of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force
He experienced one of his proudest moments government. Base, Calif., speaks with former Congressman Steve Knight at the Sept. 11 Lancaster Chamber
recently was when Edwards received the annual “They send us hard problems. They know we of Commerce luncheon.
Collier Award, this nation’s most prestigious aero- can handle those hard problems because we have
space honor. Teichert described the award as a historically,” Teichert said. the Valley stands alone like an island when it on rail.” But, he added, what’s truly necessary
525-pound trophy that sits at the National Aero- He identified four areas of concentration that comes to ease of transportation. Teichert said it is economically viable air transportation out of
space Museum in Washington, D.C. Recipients of are necessary for the Antelope Valley to move for- takes him one and a half hours to get from the Val- the Valley, travel that’s inexpensive. He estimated
the Collier have achieved the greatest improve- ward on a worldwide perspective — connectivity; ley to LAX “on an average, no traffic day. There that 30 seats a day on a plane can be filled for the
ments for performance, efficiency and safety in education; marketing and branding; and true col- is no such thing as a no traffic day.” So, he must business travel needs of EAFB personnel alone.
air or space vehicles. laboration. leave home around 4 a.m. for the journey.
Edwards received the Collier for lifesaving, When it comes to connectivity, in many ways “We need to work on roads, we need to work See CHAMBER, Page 5

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