Edwards AFB News

Schaefer takes command of 412th Test Wing

  • Published
  • By Rebecca Amber
  • Staff writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Brig. Gen. Michael T. Brewer relinquished command of the 412th Test Wing to Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer March 31.

Before coming to Edwards, Schaefer served as special assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force and Air Force Chief of Staff for Joint Strike Fighter Integration. He first entered the Air Force in 1990 as a distinguished graduate from the United States Air Force Academy.

Presiding over the change of command ceremony in Hangar 1600 was Maj. Gen. Arnold Bunch Jr., Air Force Test Center commander.

"General Schaefer is an outstanding officer...Every step of his career he has been rated ahead of his peers and selected for early advancement," said Bunch. "Serving at this level is a team sport and the families are critical. While it is tough to see a great command team go, it is easier said when you realize you're getting another great command team."

Schaefer has been a test squadron commander, an operations group commander and a wing commander. He has also served on operational tours with combat time.

This is not his first time serving at Edwards AFB. He first came to the high desert in 2000 as a student at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. He went on to become an instructor and evaluator test pilot in the F-15 and T-38 until 2003.

In 2006 he returned as the commander of the 445th Flight Test Squadron and left in 2009 after serving as deputy commander of the 412th Operations Group.

Schaefer is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours logged, with time in the F-15, F-16, T-38 and 29 other aircraft.

"My first thank you is always to God, the first priority in my life. His grace and mercy has led me to serving the men and women of the 412th," said Schaefer, just after receiving command of the wing. "The second thank you is to my wife, Pauline. I am sincere in saying that I would not be standing here if it wasn't for all she does for me, our children and the Air Force."

The new commander called the 412th TW an "enabler" to the top priorities of the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force; taking care of people, balancing today's readiness with tomorrow's readiness and ensuring that the U.S. Air Force is the most capable at the least cost to the American tax payer.

"Members of the test wing, you need to know that I deeply value and respect each and every one of you. You are all patriots and should be extremely proud of all you have done and all you continue to do. We will continue to execute safe, secure, world-class testing and training to deliver the best products to the warfighter."

As commander of 412th TW, Schaefer is responsible for operating the base and supporting more than 10,000 active duty, reserve, civil service, Marine, Army, NASA and defense contractors. He leads the 412th Test Wing in developmental test and evaluation of F-35, F-22, F-16, B-1, B-2, B-52, C-17, C-130, KC-135, Global Hawk, joint Remotely Piloted Aircraft and emerging technologies. The wing executes electronic warfare testing, logistics test and evaluation, operates the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and oversees more than $5 billion in test-unique assets for the Department of Defense. His operations directly support the Air Force Test Center, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Air Force Research Laboratory, among additional organizations.