Global Vigilance CTF welcomes new director

  • Published
  • By Kenji Thuloweit
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  With a Global Hawk sitting in the background and the U.S. Navy's X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration aircraft in the air making its third flight, the Global Vigilance Combined Test Force changed leaders Mar. 4.

Lt. Col. Nathan Smith relinquished responsibilities to new director Lt. Col. Landon L. Henderson.

The change of directorship ceremony was held in Hangar 1414 and was presided over by Col. Colin Miller, 412th Operations Group commander.

The GVCTF oversees testing for all unmanned aerial vehicles and remotely piloted aircraft for the 412th Test Wing. The CTF is responsible for the developmental test and evaluation of those air vehicles in support of the United States and allied forces.

In his final remarks as director, Colonel Smith talked about the many accomplishments his team has made during his tenure.

"One thing comes to mind as I reflect on the past year and a half - firsts," said Colonel Smith. "None of it could have been done without the expertise, knowledge and commitment of the great people of the Combined Test Force."

Among the firsts are the first hydrogen-powered flight of the Global Observer; the first remotely piloted aircraft to use synthetic fuel; and the first flight of the X-47B.

Colonel Smith said he is most proud of completing the operational testing of the Global Hawk Block 40.

His next assignment will be overseas serving under United States Central Command.

Colonel Henderson comes to the CTF from within the 412th TW. He previously served as the 412th OG deputy commander.

Colonel Henderson will lead an organization of 500 military, civilian and contractor personnel responsible for the test and evaluation of the Global Hawk, Eurohawk, Global Observer and the X-47B UCAS-D aircraft. He will be responsible for a $43 million test budget and over $700 million in test assets.

Colonel Henderson has logged more than 3,400 flying hours in 38 different aircraft including the C-27, C-141, C-17, C-130, C-12 and T-38.