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Air Force technical leaders get up-close look at AEDC operations

  • Published
  • By Deidre Moon
  • AEDC Public Affairs

Technical leaders with the 412th Test Wing and 96th Test Wing met with Arnold Engineering Development Complex leadership over three days to view the ground test capabilities at Arnold Air Force Base.

These two test wings, along with AEDC, make up the Air Force Test Center. 

As part of their stop at the engine test facilities, Lt. Col. Ryne Roady, commander of the AEDC 717th Test Squadron, said the group got the opportunity to see inside the C-2 test cell.

“This tour gave them a firsthand account of how we perform engine testing here at AEDC,” Roady said. “In general, the whole visit was about improving the coordination between Arnold and the other two test wings on our current and future programs.

“Many of the test projects we work on will eventually transition into flight test programs, and the earlier that Edwards Air Force Base and Eglin Air Force Base engineers can become familiar with the programs and data that we are working to collect, the better the future flight test programs will execute.”

Roady added that the three wings are successfully sharing data, but the process could also be strengthened.

“We currently are doing a great job of integrating on a program-by-program basis using personal connections to help facilitate data sharing, but we'd like to establish a more institutional and enduring process for how we share data and expertise to become more efficient and effective testers,” he said.

Lt. Col. James Gresham, commander of the AEDC 716th Test Squadron, mentioned his team also had interactions with the guests.

“Our engineers provided the 412th Test Wing and 96th Test Wing visitors with an overview of recent wind tunnel test projects and the analysis relevant to our flight test partners,” Gresham said. “They toured Tunnel 16T [the 16-foot transonic wind tunnel] and the Propulsion Wind Tunnel model installation building in the 716th mission area. We also jointly toured Tunnel D, to highlight the collaboration between AEDC and the Air Force Research Laboratory.”

With the members of the AEDC 718th Test Squadron, the visitors were able to see space test facilities that are used for high temperature materials testing and testing space asset resilience.

“There were significant conversations about electro-optic/infrared, or EO-IR, test capabilities, as our team in the Advanced Missile Signature Center has a great depth of knowledge on that subject and EO-IR testing is conducted at both the 412th Test Wing and 96th Test Wing,” said Lt. Col. Dayvid Prahl, commander of the 718 TS.

As most of the group had not been to Arnold before, Prahl noted this was an opportunity for them to gain a “wider understanding across the AFTC about the capabilities available here.”

“Also, on a personal note, Mr. Dan Osburn, 412th Test Wing technical director, was my first supervisor when I commissioned and we both worked at the 418th Test Squadron doing flight test work on C-17s, and this was an excellent opportunity to reconnect and reflect on the paths both of our careers have taken,” Prahl said.

Of her trip to Arnold, Jessica Peterson, technical director for the 412th Operations Group, said it allowed her and the group to “experience the facilities and people that test the cutting-edge technology for the United States Air Force.”

“It was truly awe-inspiring,” Peterson said. “Being able to see and experience firsthand the wind tunnels, engine test cells and ground test facilities that provide our Air Force with information on critical new technologies gave me a new appreciation for the path to get to first flight.”

In addition to her work as technical director, Peterson has been an instructor flight test engineer at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, or TPS, at Edwards Air Force Base, California. During her visit, Peterson provided a Lunch and Learn presentation to the AEDC workforce on TPS and the opportunities for military and civilians to apply and attend.

“The possibility for AEDC engineers and operators to attend Test Pilot School and fly in the aircraft that they have worked so hard to test is an amazing opportunity,” she said, noting that those interested can sign up at https://www.edwards.af.mil/Units/USAFTPS/.

Peterson commented that in her flight test career, she has been able to test and fly in the supersonic aircraft that were ground tested at Arnold before they were ever in flight.

“The people of AEDC are the ones who have tested and provided the data so that our aircraft can safely get to those conditions,” she said. “As an instructor at Test Pilot School, we have an event where we teach students about supersonic flight and the interactions between two aircraft when flying through a shockwave.

“To visualize the event, we show students NASA schlieren photography of two U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School T-38 aircraft interacting with each other. It was exciting to learn how AEDC uses similar technology to capture shockwave interactions in the wind tunnel.”

With progress and innovation being a top priority in support of the National Defense Strategy, Peterson added that the work AEDC is doing is important. 

“The U.S. Air Force just recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of supersonic flight and is looking toward future technologies,” she said. “AEDC is a critical partner in the Air Force Test Center mission to develop and test the cutting-edge technologies.”

Slide show

Air Force technical leaders get up-close look at AEDC operations

  • Published
  • By Deidre Moon
  • AEDC Public Affairs

Technical leaders with the 412th Test Wing and 96th Test Wing met with Arnold Engineering Development Complex leadership over three days to view the ground test capabilities at Arnold Air Force Base.

These two test wings, along with AEDC, make up the Air Force Test Center. 

As part of their stop at the engine test facilities, Lt. Col. Ryne Roady, commander of the AEDC 717th Test Squadron, said the group got the opportunity to see inside the C-2 test cell.

“This tour gave them a firsthand account of how we perform engine testing here at AEDC,” Roady said. “In general, the whole visit was about improving the coordination between Arnold and the other two test wings on our current and future programs.

“Many of the test projects we work on will eventually transition into flight test programs, and the earlier that Edwards Air Force Base and Eglin Air Force Base engineers can become familiar with the programs and data that we are working to collect, the better the future flight test programs will execute.”

Roady added that the three wings are successfully sharing data, but the process could also be strengthened.

“We currently are doing a great job of integrating on a program-by-program basis using personal connections to help facilitate data sharing, but we'd like to establish a more institutional and enduring process for how we share data and expertise to become more efficient and effective testers,” he said.

Lt. Col. James Gresham, commander of the AEDC 716th Test Squadron, mentioned his team also had interactions with the guests.

“Our engineers provided the 412th Test Wing and 96th Test Wing visitors with an overview of recent wind tunnel test projects and the analysis relevant to our flight test partners,” Gresham said. “They toured Tunnel 16T [the 16-foot transonic wind tunnel] and the Propulsion Wind Tunnel model installation building in the 716th mission area. We also jointly toured Tunnel D, to highlight the collaboration between AEDC and the Air Force Research Laboratory.”

With the members of the AEDC 718th Test Squadron, the visitors were able to see space test facilities that are used for high temperature materials testing and testing space asset resilience.

“There were significant conversations about electro-optic/infrared, or EO-IR, test capabilities, as our team in the Advanced Missile Signature Center has a great depth of knowledge on that subject and EO-IR testing is conducted at both the 412th Test Wing and 96th Test Wing,” said Lt. Col. Dayvid Prahl, commander of the 718 TS.

As most of the group had not been to Arnold before, Prahl noted this was an opportunity for them to gain a “wider understanding across the AFTC about the capabilities available here.”

“Also, on a personal note, Mr. Dan Osburn, 412th Test Wing technical director, was my first supervisor when I commissioned and we both worked at the 418th Test Squadron doing flight test work on C-17s, and this was an excellent opportunity to reconnect and reflect on the paths both of our careers have taken,” Prahl said.

Of her trip to Arnold, Jessica Peterson, technical director for the 412th Operations Group, said it allowed her and the group to “experience the facilities and people that test the cutting-edge technology for the United States Air Force.”

“It was truly awe-inspiring,” Peterson said. “Being able to see and experience firsthand the wind tunnels, engine test cells and ground test facilities that provide our Air Force with information on critical new technologies gave me a new appreciation for the path to get to first flight.”

In addition to her work as technical director, Peterson has been an instructor flight test engineer at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, or TPS, at Edwards Air Force Base, California. During her visit, Peterson provided a Lunch and Learn presentation to the AEDC workforce on TPS and the opportunities for military and civilians to apply and attend.

“The possibility for AEDC engineers and operators to attend Test Pilot School and fly in the aircraft that they have worked so hard to test is an amazing opportunity,” she said, noting that those interested can sign up at https://www.edwards.af.mil/Units/USAFTPS/.

Peterson commented that in her flight test career, she has been able to test and fly in the supersonic aircraft that were ground tested at Arnold before they were ever in flight.

“The people of AEDC are the ones who have tested and provided the data so that our aircraft can safely get to those conditions,” she said. “As an instructor at Test Pilot School, we have an event where we teach students about supersonic flight and the interactions between two aircraft when flying through a shockwave.

“To visualize the event, we show students NASA schlieren photography of two U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School T-38 aircraft interacting with each other. It was exciting to learn how AEDC uses similar technology to capture shockwave interactions in the wind tunnel.”

With progress and innovation being a top priority in support of the National Defense Strategy, Peterson added that the work AEDC is doing is important. 

“The U.S. Air Force just recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of supersonic flight and is looking toward future technologies,” she said. “AEDC is a critical partner in the Air Force Test Center mission to develop and test the cutting-edge technologies.”

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.