Page 8 - Aerotech News and Review March 3 2017

Test wing commander says Air Force is ‘fired up’
by Diane Betzler
staff writer
Brig. Gen. Carl E. Schaefer, com- mander of the 412th Test Wing at Ed- wards Air Force Base, Calif., spoke to a full house at the Antelope Valley Board of Trade’s 45th Annual Business Out- look Conference Feb 24, and told the audience the U.S. Air Force is “fired up” about its future.
The theme for this year’s conference was “Fire Up the Future.”
He said the Antelope Valley and Ed- wards is a huge part of that. “Edwards is the birthplace of modern aviation,” he said, “and it’s the future of air power.”
The general told those attending the conference that they are all a part of that future, he said everyone there has some personal connection to Edwards AFB, “Either you work there right now, or you’ve worked there in the past or you haveamomoradadorabrotherora sister or a friend that has worked there, or you’re supporting the people that work there either through your businesses or schools or universities,” he said.
The general went on to say that he and the 12,000 folks that he represents at Edwards all thank the people of the Antelope Valley for their support of the Air Force.
He showed a video of Air Force air power and described a typical day in the Air Force. “The American Air Force is always there, our mission is global vigi- lance, global reach and global power,” he said.
He explained global vigilance is the Air Force’s capability to provide intel- ligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information to decision makers 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.
“Today, right now we are providing information on how we’re going to target Syria, and Edwards is a big part of that,” he said.
Global reach, he explained, is the Air Force’s ability to move men, women, personnel and equipment across the globe all the time, 24/7.
The general explained global power as the Air Force’s ability to hold target at risk across the globe, “Today we are dropping one bomb every 8 minutes over
Syria, that’s what the Air Force is doing in support of the fight against ISIS,” he said.
The general talked about past military cuts and said the Air Force has been cut about 40 percent and said they are look- ing to build that back up.
He talked about the many on-going programs at Edwards and said their mis- sion is test and their goal is to find the unknown.
“You have the finest Air Force on the face of the planet,” he told the audience. “It is the envy of every other country in the world and it’s made and kept so by the people of Edwards Air Force Base,” he said.
Schaefer said flight test is the first step, “The future is on its way at hypersonic speed, we are the 412th Test Wing.”
Brig Gen Carl E. Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander, chats with Tony Cordero of Boeing during a break at the AVBOT 45th Annual Business Outlook Conference.
Photograph by Diane Betzler
AVBOT honors McBride for navigating change
by Jay Levine
NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center
NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center Di- rector David McBride accepted the Antelope Val- ley Board of Trade’s Navigating Change Award at the 2017 Business Outlook Conference in Lan- caster, Calif., Feb. 24.
“David’s leadership has contributed to collabo- rations, support and partnerships throughout the greater Antelope Valley including Armstrong and Air Force Plant 42,” said Art Thompson, CEO of Sage Cheshire Inc. in his nomination letter. He is also a former award recipient.
“Our community has continued to be the re- cipient of economic benefits and global exposure bringing awareness to the businesses and capabil- ity of the Antelope Valley, while having a global effect on our future,” Thompson continued.
McBride said he is honored by this community recognition.
“I am happy to accept this award on behalf of researchers, managers, innovators, lab staff, tech- nicians, back shops support, flight crews and all of the center employees that make it possible on a daily basis for Armstrong to meet and exceed project and program requirements,” he said.
“We all form one team that provides the best for our customers across a multitude of work in aero- nautics, Earth and space science, exploration and technology, while encouraging the next generation of professionals,” McBride said. “The work Arm- strong staff does benefits the community, NASA, the country and the world.”
McBride has a long record of supporting the community and businesses in the Antelope Valley, Thompson said.
“His encouragement of education, technology and the long-term support and dedication to the lo- cal economy while directing Armstrong down new paths has shown him to be a true leader in Navigat- ing Change within our community,” he said.
McBride first came to the Antelope Valley in 1982 as a cooperative education student at the Center. McBride continued his contributions through numerous programs and projects and vari- ous leadership roles throughout his career before becoming acting center director in 2009 and the permanent director since 2010.
McBride also has been a tireless advocate for flight research vehicles with NASA’s Aeronautics
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NASA photograph by Lauren Hughes NASA Armstrong Center Director David McBride accepts the Navigation Change Award from Kelly Hanley, Antelope Valley Board of Trade president.
Research Mission Directorate for the Agency’s return to piloted X-planes, Thompson said. The development of the X-57 Maxwell, an electric pro- pulsion aircraft, is one such example. The X-57 is undergoing modifications at the Mojave Air and Space Port.
“David has continued to encourage progress for the Antelope Valley and NASA through his direction in the development and flight-testing of full-scale (human piloted) X-planes such as the X-57 and science platforms such as NASA’s Global Hawk,” Thompson said. “In addition, he also has supported testing and development of the Orion space capsule and of private space programs including cooperative efforts at the Mojave Space Port.”
Thompson said McBride was also instrumental in support and international coordination of the partnership with DLR in Germany for the NASA
747SP Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared As- tronomy (SOFIA) research telescope platform, program development leading the way to future commercial aircraft in fuel efficiency and reduced noise, NASA Armstrong’s collaboration with Boeing’s Phantom Eye hydrogen-powered high altitude and long endurance aircraft and Sierra Nevada Corp.’s Dream Chaser.
“David has been a driving force behind maintain- ing a vibrant aeronautics R&D (research and devel- opment) effort for our nation, which has and will continue to yield benefits for commercial, civil and military aviation,” Thompson said. “Through proj- ects and programs conducted at NASA Armstrong, significant contributions have been made, and strides continue, in flight controls and avionics technology, flight safety, aircraft fuel efficiency, noise reduction and other environmental aspects.”
“David’s active participation to engage the com-
munity has developed strong relationships in the Antelope Valley with large and small businesses and helped to develop business opportunities throughout multiple government organizations,” Thompson said. “He also has continued to sup- port STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and is an ongoing advocate for education within the community and encouraging future success toward aerospace and science.”
The Navigate Change award was created to rec- ognize a person or business organization whose spirit of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial approach combined to make a measurable impact on the greater Antelope Valley. The awardee is considered a change agent who is at the helm, in the driver’s seat, or the pilot’s seat to navigating change.
March 3, 2017
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