Brig. Gen. Robert C. Nolan II assumes command of AFFTC

  • Published
  • By Kenji Thuloweit
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Brig. Gen. Robert C. Nolan II became the 22nd commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center in a ceremony Oct. 5 in Hangar 1600.
 
After a final review of his troops, Maj. Gen. David J. Eichhorn relinquished the center's colors to Gen. Donald J. Hoffman, commander of Air Force Materiel Command,  who presided over the ceremony. General Hoffman then handed the flag to General Nolan, signifying the transfer of command.

General Hoffman remarked on the history and accomplishments of Edwards and said a final goodbye to General Eichhorn.

"When you look at great organizations and you reflect on their accomplishments, you also reflect on the leaders of those organizations," said General Hoffman. "Today, with mixed emotions, we say farewell to Dave and Anita Eichhorn for the great leadership they provided to Team Edwards and the many things they have done during their tour that they have helped nurture along."

After taking possession of the AFFTC guidon, General Nolan addressed several hundred members of his new workforce who attended the ceremony.

"Take a look around this massive hangar and you will see examples of America's power, symbols of our freedom," General Nolan said.  "I am not talking about these impressive airplanes.  I am talking about America's true power - the men and women seated and standing before me."

"Men and women who have freely dedicated their lives, talents, physical abilities and intellectual capital to our vital mission.  The vital mission of taking care of this installation, of proving new aircraft, of pushing the boundaries of technology and of training those who will follow us. I am humbled and privileged to become part of this historic mission again." 

General Nolan comes to Edwards from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., where he served as director of Standing Joint Force Headquarters, U.S. Northern Command.

He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards in 1993.

As AFFTC commander, General Nolan's area of responsibility includes the development, test, and evaluation of manned and unmanned aircraft systems in both experimental and proven aerospace vehicles. He supports the conduct of test and evaluation programs for the Department of Defense, the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

General Nolan will oversee a workforce of more than 10,000 government civilian, contractor and military personnel.