Page 2 - Aerotech News and Review – September 12, 2025

2 September 12, 2025 www.aerotechnews.com
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New command chief emphasizes readiness, people, at Edwards
by Giancarlo Casem
Edwards AFB, Calif.
For Chief Master Sgt. Joshua Skarloken, stepping into the role of Command Chief Master Ser- geant of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., is both a new challenge and a unique opportunity.
With more than 25 years in the Air Force, much of it spent in Security Forces, the chief brings with him a leadership philoso- phy shaped by deployments, remote assignments, and a deep appreciation for resiliency.
“In Security Forces, you’re leading Airmen very early in your career,” he explained. “You deal with long shifts, difficult missions, and a lot of young troops facing challenges. That shaped my leadership style and taught me the importance of resilience.”
Now, as the senior enlisted leader at Edwards, the chief said his priorities center on two core themes: readiness and valuing people.
While Air Force Materiel Command is not heavily de- ployable compared to other major commands, he believes readiness still plays a crucial role.
“Readiness means being pre- pared for anything — whether it’s a natural disaster, an ill- ness or a personal crisis,” he said. “It’s about having a strong social network, financial stabil- ity, physical fitness and mental resiliency so our Airmen and families can weather whatever comes their way.”
Equally important, he
Air Force photograph by C.J. Raterman
Chief Master Sgt. Joshua Skarloken, Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 412th Test Wing take one of the first swings to bring down the 412 Test Engineering Group’s former workplace, Building 1400.
a deployment under the Air Force’s new expeditionary air base concept, the chief said the value of knowing your team’s strengths and weaknesses can- not be overstated.
“When you deploy with peo- ple you know and train with, you don’t waste time figuring each other out while the mission is underway. You already know strengths and weaknesses of the team so you can hit the ground running.”
Off duty, the chief and his family are looking forward to exploring Southern California. A Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Braves fan, he says sports and travel are favorite pastimes, along with visiting zoos — a family tradition that started when he and his wife, Mandy, were married at the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson.
Family remains central to his journey. His daughter, Aneidra, a high school junior, and his son, Magnus, a fifth grader, are both adjusting to new schools on base. Between them, they’ve moved numerous times, a re- minder of the sacrifices military families make.
As he looks ahead, the chief remains committed to serving. “This mission is unlike any-
thing I’ve seen in my career. There’s just a breadth of experi- ence you will get at a base like this, a unique opportunity that you’re never going to get at any other location.
“Edwards is a unique place, and I’m excited to learn, to serve, and to take care of our people,” Skarloken said. “We’re excited to be here and happy to be part of the team.”
stressed, is ensuring the people behind the mission are sup- ported.
“We test the newest aerospace systems and technologies here, but none of it happens without the Airmen, civilians, and con- tractors,” Skarloken said. “Tak- ing care of them first ensures the mission gets done in the best and safest way possible.”
Life at Edwards, he admitted, presents its own challenges.
“This is a remote base. You have to drive 30 to 50 min- utes just to get to the nearest Walmart,” he said with a laugh.
“But the goal isn’t what I think makes the base better — it’s about asking our Airmen, our families and our civilians what they need to improve quality of life.”
The chief is no stranger to remote and isolated duty. From Minot and Grand Forks in North Dakota to a year-long assignment in Greenland, he’s learned that the strength of a base community depends on its people.
“It sounds cliché, but it’s al- ways about the people in your organization. When families
connect, when squadrons sup- port each other, those bonds carry you through the toughest times,” he said.
That sense of connectedness extends to Edwards’ relationship with the surrounding commu- nities.
“We rely heavily on our community partners,” he said. “Many of our military families live in those towns, and in times of crisis, we need each other. That’s why we exercise and train together — so we’re ready to respond as one team.”
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