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USAF Test Pilot School and Finnish Air Force Demonstrate Historic First Upon Accession with NATO

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

The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB made another historic first. On April 4, Finland officially became the 31st member to join NATO on the 74th anniversary of the signing of the Washington Treaty. Coincidentally, TPS became the first Air Force organization to fly a joint-test mission as part of a technical exchange between the U.S. Air Force and the Finnish Air Force. Finland became a NATO partner nation only minutes before this joint endeavor.

For the first flight operation in this unification, TPS Class 23A students Capt. Sami Nisonen of the Finnish Air Force and Capt. Jacob Olsen of the U.S. Air Force flew a T-38 Talon student crew solo aircraft together as part of an Edwards AFB joint endeavor. 

"While only a short routine T-38 flight by two TPS students, the symbolism is significant now that Finland is a member of NATO,” Mr. David Vanhoy, Technical Director of TPS, said. “This is just the first of many future joint endeavors between the U.S. and our NATO ally, Finland."

Hosting foreign exchange students at TPS allows for enhanced deterrence and mission readiness on a global scale. As part of this consequential partnership, the two TPS students worked together to meet the objectives of an assigned performance phase test plan. Nisonen and Olsen demonstrated teamwork essential for joint operations. While sharing both flight experiences and cultural traditions, the goal of the exchange was to make the students more well-rounded flight test professionals by exposure to different aircraft, test centers and test facilities.

As a result of this U.S.-Finland exchange, this crucial unification and collaboration strengthens mission readiness with U.S. Air Force’s key allies while also enhancing Edward’s test mission for the warfighter.

Slide show

USAF Test Pilot School and Finnish Air Force Demonstrate Historic First Upon Accession with NATO

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

The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB made another historic first. On April 4, Finland officially became the 31st member to join NATO on the 74th anniversary of the signing of the Washington Treaty. Coincidentally, TPS became the first Air Force organization to fly a joint-test mission as part of a technical exchange between the U.S. Air Force and the Finnish Air Force. Finland became a NATO partner nation only minutes before this joint endeavor.

For the first flight operation in this unification, TPS Class 23A students Capt. Sami Nisonen of the Finnish Air Force and Capt. Jacob Olsen of the U.S. Air Force flew a T-38 Talon student crew solo aircraft together as part of an Edwards AFB joint endeavor. 

"While only a short routine T-38 flight by two TPS students, the symbolism is significant now that Finland is a member of NATO,” Mr. David Vanhoy, Technical Director of TPS, said. “This is just the first of many future joint endeavors between the U.S. and our NATO ally, Finland."

Hosting foreign exchange students at TPS allows for enhanced deterrence and mission readiness on a global scale. As part of this consequential partnership, the two TPS students worked together to meet the objectives of an assigned performance phase test plan. Nisonen and Olsen demonstrated teamwork essential for joint operations. While sharing both flight experiences and cultural traditions, the goal of the exchange was to make the students more well-rounded flight test professionals by exposure to different aircraft, test centers and test facilities.

As a result of this U.S.-Finland exchange, this crucial unification and collaboration strengthens mission readiness with U.S. Air Force’s key allies while also enhancing Edward’s test mission for the warfighter.

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.