31st TES assigns squadron’s first F-35 dedicated crew chiefs

The 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron recently honored 16 dedicated crew chiefs during a recognition ceremony in Hangar 1810 June 14. The ceremony marked a milestone that coincided with the squadron’s recent acquisition of its first F-35 Lightning II aircraft specifically assigned for operational test and evaluation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

31st TES assigns squadron’s first F-35 dedicated crew chiefs

The 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron recently honored 16 dedicated crew chiefs during a recognition ceremony in Hangar 1810 June 14. The ceremony marked a milestone that coincided with the squadron’s recent acquisition of its first F-35 Lightning II aircraft specifically assigned for operational test and evaluation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

Edwards crew chief leaves historic mark at squadron

Tech. Sgt. Chad McBunch, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron B-1 crew chief, stands in front of one of the first B-1s he worked on as a first-term Airman upon arriving at Edwards as a dedicated crew chief in 2002. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

Edwards crew chief leaves historic mark at squadron

This oil painting, which is currently in the care of the 419th Flight Test Squadron, depicts a variety of Bomber Combined Test Force personnel preparing for a B-1 mission with Tech. Sgt. Chad McBunch’s image in the center of the painting handing a helmet bag to a B-1 pilot. The oil painting embodies the history, unity and collaboration that countless engineers, contractors, government employees and crew chiefs, like Sergeant McBunch, have provided to the Bomber Combined Test Force over the years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

F-35A

A new phase of testing with the F-35 Lightning II program begins with the arrival Mar. 6 of the first two operational test aircraft at Edwards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Laura Mowry)

Flag Football Championship 31st TES

Justin Dion, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron quarterback, rushes against a group of 412th Medical Group defenders during the Edwards intramural flag football championship at Wings Field Nov. 29. The 31st TES Desert Pirates defeated the 412th MDG Desert Medics 32-21. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

Gallegos Educational Journey

Then Staff Sgt. Robby Gallegos (right) shakes hands with former Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald Murray during an official CMSAF visit. Gallegos finished his Community College of the Air Force degree, bachelors degree and is now about to finish his masters degree, while now serving as a captain in the U.S. Air Force. (Courtesy photo)

quilt of valor

Tech. Sgt. Lawrence Bredwell (left) and retired Army Sgt.1st Class Christopher Chebahtah were both presented with Quilts of Valor during a presentation ceremony Aug. 8 at Building 2800. The Quilts of Valor Foundation is a foundation that presents quilts to servicemembers and veterans as a way of paying tribute and honoring those servicemembers. Bredwell is currently a fighter aircraft crew chief with the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron and Mr. Chebahtah is an electrical technician with the 412th Maintenance Group Bomber Instrumentation shop. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

Warrior of the Week Kuhn

(Courtesy photo)

31st TES ramps up for F-35 operational testing at Edwards

For members with the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, a tenant unit assigned to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., under the Air Combat Command, the squadron is ramping up to become ACC's first operational test unit to begin initial operational testing on the F-35 Lightning II in July 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

Sergeant receives STEP promotion to master sergeant

Maj. Gen. David Eichhorn (left), Air Force Flight Test Center commander, and Col. William Thornton, 412th Test Wing commander, tack on a new stripe for Master Sgt. Steven Caron, 412th Maintenance Squadron section supervisor, during an award ceremony at the base theater Dec. 12. Sergeant Caron was promoted to the rank of master sergeant through the Stripes to Exceptional Performers program, or STEP. (Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

412th MXG hosts first Maintenance Olympics

Edwards maintainers sort through a box of loose tools as part of the composite tool kit dash, a competitive event for the 412th Maintenance Group's first Maintenance Olympics at hangar 1600 Nov. 7. After three hours of competition, the 412 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron came out as the victor and took home the highly-coveted first place 412th MXG Maintenance Olympics Wrench. The 412th Logistics Test Squadron took second while the 412th MXG staff took third. (Air Force photo by Chad Bellay)

412th MXG hosts first Maintenance Olympics

Tech. Sgt. Joseph Seiuli, 412th Maintenance Group aircraft armament systems specialist, tosses a chock as part of the 412th MXG's first Maintenance Olympics at hangar 1600 Nov. 7. Airmen and civilians from the 412th MXG and 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron participated in the event. (Air Force photo by Chad Bellay)

412th MXG hosts first Maintenance Olympics

Maintainers roll large tires as part of the 412th Maintenance Group's Maintenance Olympics. After three hours of competition, the 412 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron came out as the victor and took home the highly-coveted first place 412th MXG Maintenance Olympics Wrench. The 412th Logistics Test Squadron took second while the 412th MXG staff took third. (Air Force photo by Chad Bellay)

Testers time Reaper's ability to deploy

A team of testers lifts the MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for a landing gear operational check. The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 5 and the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron recently tested the Reaper system's ability to deploy to a forward operating location in support of mission tasking. The team performed the testing at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan, from Sept. 4 through 25. (Courtesy photo)

31st TES hosts motorcycle safety day

Tech. Sgts. Ross Seaborn (center) and Jon Camplin (right), from the Muroc Green Knights motorcycle club, answer questions from attendees during a motorcycle safety day event at the Base Exchange parking lot July 18. The event provided base motorcycle riders a proficiency course to hone their riding skills, briefings on regulations and safety equipment and a chance to talk to motorcycle officers from the California Highway Patrol. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jay Fury)