Page 1 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 1-22-15

Volume 63, Number 28 Serving the community of Edwards Air Force Base, California January 22, 2016

www.edwards.af.mil – www.facebook.com/edwardsairforcebase

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An F-35 from the 461st Flight Test
Squadron launches an AIM-9X missile
for the first time over the Pacific Sea
Test Range Jan. 12. The Flight Sciences
aircraft, AF-1, of the Joint Strike Fighter
Integrated Test Force, was piloted by
David Nelson, Lockheed Martin chief F-35
test pilot. The AIM-9X is an advanced
infrared missile and the newest of the
Sidewinder family of short-range air-to-air
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jets. The missile was launched at 6,000
feet. The shot paves the way for the F-35
to utilize the weapon’s high off-boresight
and targeting capabilities, increasing
lethality in the visual arena.

Lockheed Martin photograph by Chad Bellay

AFTC accomplishments highlighted at commander’s call

by Rebecca Amber torate except for the test center, the Air Force photograph by Chris Okula environment exposure in a matter
Staff writer place where engineering is at the of weeks.
heart of our organizational mission Maj. Gen. David Harris, Air Force Test Center commander, addresses
Maj. Gen. David Harris, Air statement,” said Harris. “In order the audience during a commander’s call in the base theater Jan. 14. At Eglin Air Force Base,
Force Test Center commander, re- to be on an equal footing with Fla., the F-35 is undergoing a hot
minded Edwards personnel to be them and in order, quite frankly, to The Air Force Test Center has example, the F-135 engine that is and cold weather testing series for
proud of what they do at the Jan. serve the science and engineering been hard at work and Harris came used in the F-35 is undergoing cor- extreme weather conditions.
14 commander’s call. workforce better, we’re standing prepared to show off some of the rosion testing for the U.S. Navy.
up a small, a very small engineer- testing that’s been done around Their F-35s will be over the ocean Eglin and Edwards have devel-
“It’s great to be at Edwards AFB, ing directorate.” the center over the last year. At for decades at a time and Arnold oped the capability of controlling
this is the closest thing to holy Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., for AFB has simulated decades of sea DWHVWPLVVLRQÀRZQRYHUWKH3D-
ground that there is in the United Although not all of the annual FL¿F2FHDQLQUHDOWLPHDOORZLQJ
States military,” he said. “This is award winners have been selected resources to be used more effec-
where so much history took place yet, Harris shared those individu- tively.
and this group, this ‘tribe’ I call us, als who have already won awards
within our Air Force is special.” at the Air Force and Air Force $W:ULJKW3DWWHUVRQ$LU)RUFH
Materiel Command level — a list Base, Ohio, the Air Force is able to
One change that is coming to the which is already “long and distin- simulate the runway surface of any
AFTC staff structure is the stand- guished.” runway in the Air Force for F-35
ing up of a small engineering di- tire wear testing. And in Washing-
rectorate. They will be in charge of “This is our time, we’re ramp- ton, members of the 418th Flight
policy, professional development, ing down as a nation from war- Test Squadron have been working
and helping the scientist and en- fare. We’re getting ready for the out of Boeing Field on the new
gineering community with career next big fight — recapitalizing KC-46 tanker.
progression. It will also give the WKHÀHHW²VHWWLQJXSIRUWKDWQH[W
AFTC a strong voice in Air Force off set strategy, the one that will In addition to an opportunity to
Materiel Command circles to ad- outpace our peer competitors like recognize the accomplishments of
vocate for AFTC scientists and Russia and China,” said Harris. the AFTC and its members, the
engineers. “Without you, it doesn’t happen. commander’s call was a chance to
:LWKRXW\RXZH¿JKWWKHODVWZDU get to know the new center com-
“All of the other centers in and loose. Don’t forget it.” mand chief, Chief Master Sgt.
AFMC have an engineering direc-
See AFTC, Page 4