Page 2 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 6-12-15
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2 Desert Wings Commentary June 12, 2015
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Thank you and farewell oped strategies to test in ways we never envisioned.
Team, to keep them in the field for many years to come. You have You have adopted the One Wing, One Mission mantra as
Thank You!!! even re-created capabilities to test systems we were told
we would never test again. we merged wings and built a unified force moving forward.
When I was told in January 2012 I would have the privi- You have removed artificial barriers that impaired efficien-
lege to serve as the first Air Force Test Center commander, You have identified the shortfalls in test capabilities cy, and today we are more responsive because of it. You
I was elated. I thought I knew what a dedicated team of across our Enterprise and built a roadmap and strategy to have provided world-class support to the men and women
professional Airmen the new AFTC would be comprised of modernize and revitalize existing test capabilities so we on our installations so they can focus on their mission with
and how the test mission would be executed. are prepared to test our future systems. You have identified clear minds.
new test requirements and emerging test needs and devel-
I use the word “thought” because over the last You have built stronger relationships with our very
three years your efforts across the board have dem- supportive communities. You have demonstrated our
onstrated you are doing much more than I imagined belief that community and sites must partner for the
as we started this journey and you have raised the mutual benefit of each. You have fostered those rela-
level of your performance more than I thought pos- tionships and made those bonds even stronger.
sible.
You are the foundation upon which AFTC is built.
Over the last three years, Caroline and I have been Our Air Force—without peer—executes its air, space
continually amazed as you personify integrity, ser- and cyberspace mission today and will execute its
vice and excellence while we live and work along- mission tomorrow in large part due to your dedicated
side you. You bring those Air Force Core Values efforts to develop and test systems that are currently
to life as you professionally execute your wartime fielded or soon will be fielded. Your intellectual capi-
mission every day. tal, innovation, professionalism, craftsmanship and
skills all make AFTC successful. You enable the Air
Your accomplishments are many. You have moved Force mission!
from a site-centric view of developmental test and
evaluation to an Enterprise approach to address cus- While we have made great strides over the last
tomers’ developmental test and evaluation needs by three years, we must continue our Enterprise jour-
sharing resources, linking sites, building cross-site ney so we become even more agile, responsive, and
Combined Test Forces, standing up and then dissolv- innovative. We must each play our part to ensure our
ing virtual CTFs to meet emerging needs and many Air Force continues to advance and stay ahead of our
other feats. You have developed and tested systems adversaries.
and provided critical information to decision makers.
As a result, you have ensured that systems have been You have made the last three years extremely
thoroughly tested with their performance verified, rewarding and a lot of fun. Caroline and I have come
documented and reported so the decision mak- to treasure our time here because of you. It has been
ers have the best, most complete information upon a privilege and an honor to work for you as the Air
which to base their decisions. Force Test Center Commander. I wish all of you the
best as you further develop the Test Enterprise.
You have executed tests for systems put on the fast
track to meet urgent operational needs for emerging Thank you for what you do each and every day to
issues, tested the latest systems our Air Force, sister make AFTC—and therefore the Air Force—success-
services and allies are counting on to execute the ful and the best in the world!
Nation’s defense far into the future, and tested legacy
systems to ensure they remain relevant as we intend by Maj. Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr.
Air Force Test Center commander
Commander’s
Action Line
email: speak2cc@edwards.af.mil
The Commander’s Action Line gives all Airmen, re-
tirees, families and community members a direct link to
Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander.
The Action Line can be used to express constructive
points of view on the policies and procedures of the
base; discuss safety and security issues; and address
problems, concerns, or suggestions after traditional
methods have been exhausted.
The Commander’s Action Line should not be the
first action taken to resolve an issue. Those seeking
a remedy to a problem should first follow the chain
of command and take up the matter with the office of
primary responsibility, supervisors, first sergeants or
commanders.
Action Line queries may be submitted by sending an
e-mail to speak2cc@edwards.af.mil with Commander’s
Action Line as the subject heading or by calling (661)
277-7325. Action Line submissions must be written in
a courteous and professional tone, and must include a
name, an e-mail address or an alternative method of
contact. The requestor’s contact information will not be
published in compliance with Privacy Act restrictions.
Any messages received without contact information will
not be routed, so please be sure to provide some method
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