AFMC Command News

ASC commander tours Brooks City-Base

  • Published
  • By Joe N. Wiggins
  • 311th Air Base Group
BROOKS CITY-BASE, Texas --  Lt. Gen. Thomas Owen, commander of the Aeronautical Systems Center, spent a day at Brooks City-Base Jan. 26, and learned how Airmen from multiple units balance the demands of supporting their Air Force mission while implementing the requirements of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure decision to close the unique base.

As the commander of the Air Force Materiel Command center that develops and delivers dominant aerospace weapon systems and capabilities for U.S. Air Force warfighters around the world, General Owen was briefed by senior leaders at Brooks City-Base.

This was the first visit to Brooks by the general since assuming command of ASC in August. During his visit, he was briefed by Airmen working in several diverse and unique units.

"I just wanted to show General Owen that regardless of BRAC and getting ready to move to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, this summer, our organization is still working hard to accomplish our mission of safety for our fellow Airmen around the world," said 2nd Lt. Karen Potter, a program manager with the 648th Aeronautical Systems Squadron.

"We develop and acquire many capabilities to include fire-retardant combat uniforms, aircrew helmets, ejection seats, laser eye protection, hearing protection, locator beacons, and more. We also have a textile lab and the POW/MIA and mishap lab," Lieutenant Potter said. "He saw a lot of organizations that day; I think we were able to show General Owen what our organization is all about."

While the general learned a lot about the missions of Brooks City-Base, he also stressed he wanted to see that people had the tools needed to do their jobs.

"As the ASC commander, my role is to help my people get their jobs done," General Owen said.

"I believe in getting people what I like to call the four 't's: the time, tools, training and technical data needed to accomplish their mission," he said during the initial briefings.

The 311th's senior enlisted leader said the general saw how the people of Brooks were using those four 't's' while preparing for closure.

"I believe we showcased the stellar performers-from the youngest Airman to the oldest civilians-and what they have accomplished at Brooks City-Base is remarkable," said Chief Master Sgt. Donald Sibble, 311th Air Base Group command chief.

While the daily mission of supporting Airmen with research and development was a significant part of what the general saw, he also talked to some of the people working on cutting-edge medical research.

"We are investigating whether hyperbaric oxygen can be an option in treating our wounded warriors who have sustained traumatic brain injury," said Dr. George Wolf, a physician supporting an Air Force study on Traumatic Brain Injury.

He and Col. (Dr.) Robert Michaelson are part of a U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace study and briefed the general on their project. "I believe he now has an understanding of what the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine study is trying to accomplish."

Although the visit presented many missions and people in a condensed format, senior leaders agreed the time was well spent for their staff and informative for the general.

"It was a great opportunity to provide General Owen a first-hand sample of our success stories with actual fielded items for him to view," said Col. Stephen Gray, 77th Aeronautical Systems Group commander.

The general's host, Col. Harry Kimberly III, commander of the 311th Air Base Group, said he agreed with his staff's assessment.

"We put a lot of our great people in front of the general, and gave him a glimpse of the diversity of their missions, as well as the complexity of what is being done to close Brooks on schedule. He clearly indicated he was leaving with a better understanding of what we do, as well as what we will be doing to close Brooks successfully and on time."