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New sanitation procedures take effect at Ridley Mission Control

  • Published
  • By Giancarlo Casem
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

New expanded sanitation procedures were initiated recently at Edwards Air Force Base, California, to stem the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak to ensure the 412th Test Wing remains mission capable.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 412th Test Wing Commander, Col. Matthew Higer, and 412th Test Wing Technical Director, Daniel Osburn, both received a first-hand “walk-through” of the expanded sanitization procedures being implemented at the Ridley Mission Control Center on Edwards.

Ridley Mission Control Center (RMCC) serves as a data nexus hub between flight crews in the air and flight test engineers on the ground. Real-time flight data from aircraft can be sent directly to engineers at Ridley, where they monitor multiple facets of a test flight.

"The eyes-on tour was an important first step to the 412th Test Wing leadership to demonstrate that Airmen’s health concerns are being appropriately prioritized before test execution. The new sanitization procedures are designed to mitigate the health risk to Team Edwards personnel as the Wing seeks to ramp up strategically important test and evaluation (T&E) flight operations later in the week supporting our Warfighter needs," Osburn said.

The new procedures actually begin during the pre-flight briefings held at the combined test force (CTF) level by self-identifying individual health risks prior to arriving at RMCC. Each CTF will administer health screening questionnaires, assuring individual safe health status, Osburn explained.

Increased vigilance through strict hygiene practices and disciplined social distancing will be emphasized with additional sign postings within RMCC. In addition, the Range Team will be sanitizing Mission Control Rooms (MCRs) with pre-mission work area disinfecting procedures which include headsets, keyboards and common test touchpoints. During mission operations, a disciplined seating plan will be followed to support social distancing. Post-Mission sanitization of the MCRs will also be completed in between missions to maximize Health and Safety to the workforce in preparation for follow-on missions at RMCC.

After the tour, Higer and Osburn both expressed confidence that these added procedures will ensure that Edwards will remain mission capable and ready.

“The 412th Test Wing is well-postured to continue to execute world-class risk management with our Airmen at the forefront of T&E missions for Warfighters around the world,” Higer said.

Slide show

New sanitation procedures take effect at Ridley Mission Control

  • Published
  • By Giancarlo Casem
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

New expanded sanitation procedures were initiated recently at Edwards Air Force Base, California, to stem the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak to ensure the 412th Test Wing remains mission capable.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 412th Test Wing Commander, Col. Matthew Higer, and 412th Test Wing Technical Director, Daniel Osburn, both received a first-hand “walk-through” of the expanded sanitization procedures being implemented at the Ridley Mission Control Center on Edwards.

Ridley Mission Control Center (RMCC) serves as a data nexus hub between flight crews in the air and flight test engineers on the ground. Real-time flight data from aircraft can be sent directly to engineers at Ridley, where they monitor multiple facets of a test flight.

"The eyes-on tour was an important first step to the 412th Test Wing leadership to demonstrate that Airmen’s health concerns are being appropriately prioritized before test execution. The new sanitization procedures are designed to mitigate the health risk to Team Edwards personnel as the Wing seeks to ramp up strategically important test and evaluation (T&E) flight operations later in the week supporting our Warfighter needs," Osburn said.

The new procedures actually begin during the pre-flight briefings held at the combined test force (CTF) level by self-identifying individual health risks prior to arriving at RMCC. Each CTF will administer health screening questionnaires, assuring individual safe health status, Osburn explained.

Increased vigilance through strict hygiene practices and disciplined social distancing will be emphasized with additional sign postings within RMCC. In addition, the Range Team will be sanitizing Mission Control Rooms (MCRs) with pre-mission work area disinfecting procedures which include headsets, keyboards and common test touchpoints. During mission operations, a disciplined seating plan will be followed to support social distancing. Post-Mission sanitization of the MCRs will also be completed in between missions to maximize Health and Safety to the workforce in preparation for follow-on missions at RMCC.

After the tour, Higer and Osburn both expressed confidence that these added procedures will ensure that Edwards will remain mission capable and ready.

“The 412th Test Wing is well-postured to continue to execute world-class risk management with our Airmen at the forefront of T&E missions for Warfighters around the world,” Higer said.

Edwards provides care, opportunities for children aged six weeks through high school graduation

Edwards provides care, opportunities for childrenaged six weeks through high school graduation

The Child and Youth Program at Edwards AFB provides care and opportunities for kids ages six weeks old through high school graduation. A brief summary of those services follows:

  •                    The Child Development Center cares for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with a DOD-wide curriculum. The curriculum is focused on learning through play activities supporting social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Installations across DOD follow the curriculum on the same timeline to allow seamless permanent change-of-station transitions for youth enrolled in care.
  •                    The School Age Center provides before and after-school care and summer camp for children ages 5 to 12. During school breaks, full-day camps are offered. SAC promotes cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, language and physical development through programs that encourage self-confidence, curiosity, self-discipline and resiliency.
  •                    The open recreation program at the Main Youth Center provides a safe space for ages 9 to 12 to attend after school. Programs include Power Hour, STEM, Torch Club, social recreation, youth camps, special events and more.
  •                    The youth sports program provides intro and league opportunities for ages 3 to 12, and promotes inclusiveness, self-discipline, commitment, resiliency and social skills. There are four sports offered annually for ages five to 12: baseball/softball, soccer, flag football and basketball. Smart start programs are available to ages 3 to 5. There are many other sports and camps offered throughout the year.
  •                    The Teen Center is available for ages 13 to 18 during the school year. Programs offered include Military Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, social recreation, STEM activities, college trips, leadership camps and more.
  •                    Youth programs (SAC, open rec and teen) are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.
  •                    Family Child Care homes – there are currently three FCC homes on the installation. They can provide care for ages two weeks to 12 years. FCC providers are trained by Child and Youth Program training and curriculum specialists and have the flexibility to determine their hours of operation and the ages of youth within their care. The program’s new dedicated manager, Jennifer Stegmann, may be reached at 661-275-7529.

Although CDC enrollment capacity is 317, not all slots are currently filled because of a shortage of childcare workers. School Age Center enrollment capacity is 156. After-school care enrollment is 130. Before-school care enrollment is 75. Summer Camp 2022 was at its capacity and enrollment for Summer Camp 2023 opens April 3.