AFFTC selects new technical advisor Published Oct. 24, 2007 By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 412th Test Wing technical director was named the Air Force Flight Test Center technical advisor on Thursday. Dan Roth will be working in the position vacated by Dr. George Ka'iliwai. "It's great to receive this assignment," Mr. Roth said. "There are many individuals qualified at the AFFTC, within the (Air Force Materiel) Command and in the test and evaluation community. I am honored to be selected." The technical advisor serves as the principle technical authority for flight and associated ground test programs in the airframe-propulsion-avionics and electronic warfare mission areas. "I will provide guidance to develop, operate and maintain test and evaluation engineering technical services, processes, methodologies and facilities for accomplishment of the AFFTC's test and evaluation mission," Mr. Roth said. Other responsibilities include consulting with engineering directors, program directors and high-ranking Air Force and Office of the Secretary of Defense leadership on test and evaluation technical studies. "One responsibility of significant importance to me is being the Center's senior functional manager for scientist and engineer force development," Mr. Roth said. "Our technical workforce is critical to the safe and effective accomplishment of the test and evaluation mission." One of the challenges facing the Air Force is recapitalization. "As the Air Force recapitalizes its fleet and supports the Global War on Terror, we find ourselves in a challenging position," he said. "Our test and evaluation must become more effective to reduce cost and help fund the war on terror." He said test and evaluation processes, methodologies and infrastructure must also advance as recapitalizing the Air Force fleet brings more advanced weapon systems to the AFFTC for development, test and evaluation. "We must do this without losing our focus on safety," Mr. Roth said. "Flight testing is inherently dangerous and very unforgiving." Mr. Roth received his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. He then received his Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the California State University-Fresno. Mr. Roth's career started here in 1977 when he became the flight dynamics engineer for B-1A, air-launched cruise missile. He subsequently worked on the B-52G, HU-25A and F-16XL test projects. In 1984, while working as a system test safety engineer, he was also the project manager for the SKYEYE remotely-piloted vehicle. Mr. Roth was also the performance and flying qualities project engineer for B-1B, YF-23A and YF-22A from 1986 to 1992. After that, he was the director of engineering for the F-16 Fighting Falcon Combined Test Force. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Roth helmed the position of director of development test and evaluation and director of engineering for the F-15 Combined Test Force. In 1998, Mr. Roth was the director of the Commander's Action Group. In 2000, he became the 412th TW re-engineering team lead. From 2000 to 2003, he was the director of projects for F/A-22 Raptor Combined Test Force. During Mr. Roth's tenure as the 412th TW technical director, he has served as the flight and ground test, logistics test and technical support authority to the commander. In this capacity, he provided technical expertise and direction to more than 4,500 personnel, of which more than 500 are professional engineers, mathematicians, computer scientists, computer engineers and engineering psychologists. He also defined technical tasks for about 1,400 contractor personnel in support of the 412th TW mission. In addition, Mr. Roth served as an adviser to the 412th TW commander concerning resource allocation, organizational reengineering issues and contractor award fee determination. Mr. Roth began his new duties immediately after being named to the position.