Page 3 - Aerotech News and Review, December 3, 2021

AFMC asks for civilian aid in challenge

by Larry Grooms egy at The Aerospace Corporation.
special to Aerotech News One of the group’s more nation-
ally recognized names in science and
LANCASTER, Calif.—At an in- technology education is Dean Kamen,
formal dinner banquet arranged by the founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and
Civilian/Military Support Group (Civ/ Recognition of Science and Technol-
Mil) for Edwards Air Force Base, an ogy), an organization dedicated to
audience of 100 received a briefing motivating the next generation to un-
on expanding global military threats derstand, use and enjoy science and
and new challenges at home as the technology. FIRST is a household
Air Force Materiel Command imple- word in Aerospace Valley schools
ments organizational programs to im- where students excel in FIRST robot-
prove the quality of life for Airmen ics activities.
and families. An inventor and entrepreneur hold-
The evening session brought to- ing more than 1,000 patents, Kamen’s
gether local Civ/Mil members, re- list of new technologies includes the
gional elected officials or their rep- HomeChoice™ portable dialysis ma-
resentatives, Edwards officials and chine, the iBOT™ Mobility System,
a reported 14 of some 50 volunteers the Segway™ Human Transporter, a
in the Air and Space Forces Civic DARPA-funded robotic arm, a new
Leaders Program on an advisory tour and improved Stirling engine, and
with general officers of the Air Force the Slingshot water purifier. Serving
Materiel Command Headquarters at at-large from his home in New Hamp-
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. shire, Kamen volunteers his brainpow-
Air and Space Forces Civic Leaders er to the Air Force in the fields of Sci-
Program volunteers were touring bases ence, Technology, Medical Devices,
with top officers of Air Force Materiel Innovation and Aviation.
Command, which provides managerial Coming from Oklahoma City was
support for the Space Force to avoid J.D. Baker, representing the Tinker
duplication of effort. AFMC is already
in charge of developing, testing and Air Force photographs by Giancarlo Casem AFB community in areas of Spouse
and Family Support, Mental Health
sustaining weapons systems, and also Brig. Gen. Matthew Higer, 412th Test Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Denisha Ward-Swanigan, 412th Test
responsible for management of struc- Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant, welcome members of the Air and Space Force Community Leader Program and Suicide Prevention, and Diversity
tures, 89,000 people and a $60 billion to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Nov. 3, 2021. and Inclusion.
Kathryn Thornton, former NASA
annual budget.
Gen. Arnold W. Bunch, Jr., Com- Topping everything is the power- sidering a service at Edwards, CIV/ military life in a program at Edwards Astronaut and University of Virginia
mander of the Air Force Materiel fully succinct message Air Force Chief MIL went above and beyond from the called “Five to Thrive,” addressing: Professor Emeritus in the Department
Command Headquarters and a former of Staff Gen. CQ Brown recently sent, beginning, carrying out multiple an- • Improved, abundant and afford- of Mechanical and Aerospace Engi-
test wing commander at Edwards, “Accelerate, change, or lose. The Peo- nual projects and base family support able housing, on-base and off, through neering, covers specialties including
unable to attend the Lancaster gath- ples Republic of China is coming for functions through the decades. Beyond an alliance; education, community / base partner-
ering, was represented by Lt. Gen. us, and we must accelerate change or that, CIV/MIL members volunteered • Excellence in education, ranging ships and workforce development.
Carl E. Schaefer, vice commander at lose the future to tyranny.” their time and treasure to become from newly built structures to hiring Other Civic Leaders in the group of-
Air Force Materiel Command and a The heavily Civ/Mil audience heard well-informed and influential voices in more highly qualified teachers; fer expertise in a range of specialties
former commander of the 412th Test loud and clear that the words acceler- advocating to aid and protect the base, • Greater access to available and and disciplines, including
Wing at Edwards. ate and change means going forward as well as those living and working on affordable child-care; • Cybersecurity, Innovation, Tech-
Prior to arriving at Edwards, the with the Air Force’s decade-old need the base who protect the nation. • Availability of superior mental nology, Information Technology
week-long Air and Space Forces Civic to retire 40 and 50-year-old, high- In its earlier years, a delegation of health care and wellness opportunities; • Municipal, county, state and na-
Leaders Program tour witnessed all- maintenance warplanes whose costs CIV/MIL members from Antelope • Removal of state-imposed finan- tional government affairs and rela-
calls with Airmen and civilians at rise as performance falls year after Valley traveled aboard Air Force cially harmful barriers to employment tions.
Vandenberg and Los Angeles Space year. transports already scheduled to fly of occupationally licensed spouses of • Community Partnerships and Ser-
Force Bases, Calif., Buckley SFB, The Edwards Civilian-Military to a base where visitors were hosted military personnel. Although Califor- vices, Media Relations and PR, Com-
Colo., and Patrick Space Force Base Support Group, founded by the late — not at government expense — by nia just passed legislation to correct munity Relations, Base Inclusion,
in Florida. The volunteer advisers Aerospace Valley businesswoman and the local CIV/MIL group while being the longstanding practice, the new law Diversity and Equity, Cultural Aware-
travelled at their own expense. civic leader Aida O’Connor, was for- briefed about base operations. Accord- won’t take effect for a year. ness, Indigenous Population.
Schaefer spoke of a new and urgent mally organized in 1989 to “establish ing to an Edwards information official, Lisa Moulton, president of Edwards • Infrastructure, Resiliency, Com-
to-do list in the mix, including provid- a friendly benevolent non-profit as- the practice was discontinued about a AFB CIV/MIL, and Past President Al munity Support and Workforce Devel-
ing major Air Force Materiel Com- sociation of civic leaders and military decade ago. Hoffman welcomed and introduced opment, Recruitment and Retention.
mand services to U.S. Space Force in- personnel at Edwards AFB, to act as It was that community-based pro- guests and local dignitaries. Cam Mar- • Skills Portability, Military Spouse
stallations, and of equally prioritizing a host group whenever needed, and to tective instinct that Air Force Mate- tin, Chaplain of the Experimental Air- Transferable Certification.
improving quality of life and living consider an annual service project to riel Command leaders stressed in the craft Association and CIV/MIL mem- • Mental Health, PTSD/TBI Treat-
standards for all base personnel and benefit Edwards.” appeal both locally and nationally to ber delivered the invocation. Kern ment and Suicide Prevention, Pediatric
dependents. Along with more than just con- add quality values and amenities to County 2nd District Supervisor Zack Health Care, Mobility Issues, Pandem-
Lt. Col. Hans Buckwalter, U.S. Air Scrivner led the Pledge of Allegiance. ic Preparation. Supporting Airmen and
Force Test Pilot School deputy Moulton noted that civic leaders Families.
commandant, briefs members of among those traveling with the Air • Aircraft & Systems Development
the Air and Space Force Community and Space Forces Program included and Inventory, currently including –
Leader Program about the capabilities influential individuals uniquely po- F-35A, RQ-4 Global Hawk, C-130
of the X-62A VISTA (Variable In-Flight sitioned and qualified to understand Hercules, KC-46A, Fifth Generation
Simulator Aircraft) during their visit to and share their valued knowledge, as Aircraft.
Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Nov. well as advise the Air Force in areas • Engineering, Logistics and Natu-
4, 2021.
of expertise. ral Resources.
Included among the civilians who • Real Estate, Land Use Issues, Eco-
rotated in and out of the extended tour, nomic Development, Job Creation,
were such volunteers as Monica Ban- Economic Research, Construction.
ken, a deputy for Los Angeles County • Access to higher education for en-
Supervisor Kathryn Barger in policy listed personnel. Base Quality of Life
areas including Space bases, work- Improvement.
force development for veterans and • Strategic Deterrence and Compe-
returning service members, education, tition
social services, and economic devel- • Joint-base Management, Collab-
opment. Banken was previously com- orative Relationships, Special Events
munications and public affairs lead for Support, Industry Relationships and
the Center for Space Policy and Strat- Innovation Opportunities.
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