Edwards AFB News

Thornton returns, takes TW helm

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stacy Sanchez
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  After a six year hiatus from Edwards, a Airman has returned for his third tour of duty on the base -- this time as the 412th Test Wing commander.

Col. William Thornton took command of the wing during a change of command ceremony at hangar 1600, May 19. He was first stationed here in 1993 to attend the U.S Air Force Test Pilot School, and he later returned in 2000 to be the commander of the 445th Flight Test Squadron and 416th FLTS.

Colonel Thornton assumed command from Col. Arnold Bunch, who moved on to become the vice commander of the Air Armament Center in Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

"This is a great day for the test wing and the base," said Maj. Gen. David Eichhorn, Air Force Flight Test Center commander. "Colonel Thornton comes to us with a very distinguished career. He is the perfect person to fill in the leadership that we trade off today. Because indeed it is a trade, we have received a great leader and great family and in return, Eglin will get a great leader and family as well. This is exactly the cross flow that is needed in the test community to ensure we are as robust as possible."

As the 412th TW commander, Colonel Thornton is responsible for the air frame, power plant, avionics, and electronic warfare development, test, evaluation of manned and unmanned aerospace systems, to include the operations of all Edwards test facilities and ranges and the Test Pilot School.

"A lot of great leadership has preceded me here," Colonel Thornton said. "Colonel Bunch is certainly in that list. Lisa (his wife) and I are very honored to be here. Counting test pilot school, this will be our third time here, and we have loved it. It is all about the community on Edwards.

There is something very special about Edwards, Colonel Thornton said. 

"There is history and a proud legacy here," he said. "Also, what a great mission the test wing has. Terrorist and aggressor feel the wrath of the United States through the air power here. Our mobility aircraft are operating at an unprecedented tempo. All that power had its genesis right at Edwards."

Colonel Thornton said his priorities for the wing are very simple -- the Air Force priorities.

"We will win today's fight, we will develop our Airmen, which includes taking care of our people, and we will remodernize and recapitalize," Colonel Thornton said. "Clearly, the 412th Test Wing is supporting all those priorities. We will work as one to enterprise the state-of-the-art testing and provide senior leaders with the information and recommendations they need to make decisions to ensure our systems."

Although Edwards has created several milestones, Colonel Thornton said he wants to focus more on the future.

"It is important to know what this place has done for America's security," Colonel Thornton said. "However, I don't want to focus on the past, because we are making history now. The future of U.S. air power, the enabler of America's military dominance, is being created here today. We are ensuring America's security now and for the future."

In leading the wing, Colonel Thornton spoke about the challenges that are on the horizon.

 "Since we are at war, we are expected to increase our effectiveness and expedite testing to get capabilities to the warfighters hands as fast as possible," Colonel Thornton said. "These challenges put tremendous stress on us, but we must continue to develop test capabilities. We cannot and will not accept mission failure. Our country needs and expects the best of us. Right now, I am looking at the Air Force's finest military, civilian and contactor workforce. I have absolutely no doubt that Team Edwards will beat these challenges the way they always have, harnessing our people's ingenuity, their experience and their tenacity."

Prior to coming to Edwards, Colonel Thornton was the commander of the 46th Operations Group at Eglin. He is a command pilot with more than 3,500 flight hours and has flown various aircraft including fighters and trainers.