Page 7 - Aerotech News and Review, Feb. 17 2017

Top performers honored at 412th Test Wing Annual Awards
AVBOT, from 6 international asset.”
Although Northrop Grumman has not an- nounced where the latest bomber, the B-21, will be tested, he is hoping it will be at Edwards. “We’re becoming a center of excellence for testing autonomy. Anything from the size of your hand all the way to large intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms like the Global Hawk.”
More than 72,000 U. S. Air Force pilots have been trained in Northrop Grumman’s T-38 Talon which was produced from 1961-1978. In Decem- ber 2016 the Pentagon released details for trainer requirements for the new upcoming T-X program, a trainer that will replace the T-38 to train F-22 and F-35 pilots. The new trainer will be tested at Edwards. With new projects on the horizon including hypersonic aircraft, Schaefer said Ed- wards will be very busy for the next 50 years.
Approximately every 2.8 minutes Schaefer said that the Air Force is launching some type of air- craft around the world.
“It starts with a foundation based on our nuclear capabilities,” he explained, adding that the nation has not spoken publically about strategic deter- rence in years, but that is about to change. “Make no doubt about it, our adversaries have been build- ing up.”
With a reduction of 40 percent in personnel since 1991, Schafer said America must continue to grow in global reach, vigilance and power — and that the testing done at Edwards is monumental.
Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Joseph Connors, 412th Civil Engineering Group
NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Amanda Esparza, 412th Mission Support Group
Senior NCO of the Year
Master Sgt. Christopher Roach, 412th MSG
Company Grade Officer of the Year
Capt Brian Gilliam, 412th MSG
Field Grade Officer of the Year
Maj. Margaret Coppini, 412th Medical Group
Honor Guardsman of the Year
Senior Airman Ambrose Ledesma, 412th MSG
Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Waldrip, 412th MSG
Individual Mobilized Augmentee Senior NCO of the Year
Master Sgt. Anhtuan Dang, 412th Test Wing Staff Agency
IMA Company Grade Officer of the Year
Capt. Richardson Honore, 412th Test Wing Staff Agency
IMA Field Grade Officer of the Year
Maj. Lena Freienmuth, 412th Maintenance Group
Supervision/Management of the Year
Robert Warner, 412th Test Wing Staff Agency
Scientific/Engineering of the Year
Jeremy Cookson, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
Technician of the Year
Gordon Ruiz, 412th MXG
Trades & Labor of the Year
Paul Hernandez, 412th Operations Group
Secretarial/Clerical of the Year
Christine Avilucea, U.S. Air Force Plant 42
Staff/Specialist/Analyst of the Year
Marquette Moore, 412th OG
Program Manager of the Year
Timothy James, 412th CEG
Team of the Year
Benefield Anechoic Facility, 412th EWG
Innovator of the Year
KyleSchaller,412thElectronicWarfareGroup
Innovation Team of the Year
Scarlet Snake, 412th EWG
February 17, 2017
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