Edwards showcases readiness to AFMC commander

  • Published
  • By Mary Kozaitis
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs Office
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, visited here April 13–15 to gain greater insights into the 412th Test Wing’s mission readiness, to include installation support, warfighting readiness, and capability to support an increasing demand for test operations.

Commanders and subject-matter experts briefed the general on local artificial intelligence innovations and applications, installation readiness and critical infrastructure resiliency, among other topics. Demonstrations of new AI tools ranged from integration into counter-unmanned aerial system detection and kill capabilities to time-saving use cases, including the drafting of civilian evaluation reports and environmental impact statements. 


Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, held small group sessions with the Edwards AFB workforce during his visit to the installation April 13-15. (U.S. Air Force photo).

“I’m overwhelmingly impressed with how far ahead the 412th is on embracing and leveraging AI,” Richardson said. “The Air Force will always be receptive to new ideas, and I especially appreciate how adaptive you are at Edwards in using emergent AI tech to rapidly evolve the test and evaluation mission. Our nation needs you to keep that up.”

Richardson’s comments were made within the context of China’s unprecedented military buildup and the resulting pacing threat to U.S. and allied security interests. The Defense Department holds warfighting readiness and warrior ethos as key priorities.

“I see this wing’s innovative spirit in accelerating capability everywhere I go." Gen. Duke Z. Richardson

“Warfighting readiness and the warrior ethos at an AFMC base is different than at the 1st Fighter Wing, where the focus is on deploying forward to the fight,” said Brig. Gen. Doug Wickert, 412th Test Wing commander.

“We measure warfighting readiness by our ability to solve complex technological challenges as we develop and deliver next-generation capability to the warfighter.  We also need to sustain resilient physical and digital infrastructures and to defend our base infrastructure from both physical and cyber-attack. Adaptive people who test the future, reliable infrastructure and all-domain installation defense, that’s what warfighting readiness means at Edwards,” said Wickert.


Lonnie Dierkson, 412th Communications Squadron, demonstrated his team's counter-cyber-attack capabilities during a recent visit by Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, commander of Air Force Materiel Command. The research, development, test and enterprise defensive cyber operations response element, or REDCORE, used by Dierkson provides continuous cyber defense for 412th Test Wing and Air Force Test Center assets on Edwards Air Force Base (Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem).

“The warrior ethos is also unique depending on your mission set,” said Wickert. “If you’re in Air Combat Command, it’s going down range with a knife in your teeth. If you’re in AFMC, it’s developing, accelerating and delivering advanced capability to the warfighter. That’s our warrior ethos.” During the two days of Richardson’s visit, members of the Operations, Maintenance and Civil Engineer groups, and Communications, Force Support, Security Forces and 416th Flight Test squadrons, and other subject-matter experts showcased the wing's dedication to readiness and its commitment to providing fellow Airmen with the resources necessary to fly, fight and win. 

“I see this wing’s innovative spirit in accelerating capability everywhere I go,” said Richardson.

During his visit, Richardson also recognized uniformed and civilian Airmen supporting the Air Force’s modernization efforts. This included recognizing Capt. Alexander Johnson, 412th Security Forces Squadron, who was named the command’s company grade officer of the year. Johnson worked with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security to establish an integrated capabilities office within the base aerial defense center and secure technology solutions to counter UAV incursions over Edwards and Plant 42.

“Edwards is mission ready, and I’m confident you will remain that way,” said Richardson. “But it will require your constant focus. We are midway through a decisive decade of building peace through strength as we test, evaluate, develop, improve and deliver the Air Force of tomorrow.”