Commander adds CDC to ‘Back in Saddle’ Day’s 2026 mission focus Published Jan. 7, 2026 By Mike Paoli 412th Test Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Tuesday’s Back-in-the-Saddle Day briefing in the base theater took an unusual turn, with the 412th Test Wing commander adding child development standards to a day typically focused on mission and mishap prevention. “We’re gonna demonstrate our re-commitment to excellence,” said Col. Tom Tauer, 412th TW commander, “That’s not just on the flightline, that’s across our entire mission and includes the way we take care of families here on base. “As a command team, we are charged with the safe and stimulating environment that we provide all the kids in [Child and Youth] Programs,” said Tauer. “I’ll be direct. We are currently missing the mark.” Last month the Air Force Services Center conducted an inspection of the wing’s Child and Youth Programs, noting 91 areas between School Age Care, also known as the after-school annex, and the Child Development Center that are out of compliance with Air Force standards. Those same deficiencies were previously identified during an initial inspection last August. “That’s unacceptable,” said Tauer. “Those are programs that many of you depend on, and you need to have complete confidence in those programs so that you can focus on doing the mission safely. “We are going to recommit ourselves to Child and Youth Programs,” he said. “I’ve directed our Civil Engineer Group, Medical Group and Force Support Squadron commanders to focus on identifying the urgent needs and quickly make those fixes in the short term.” “In the longer term, we’re not merely seeking compliance,” he said, “we are seeking excellence in those programs.” Tauer also encouraged base members to text him directly using the Commander’s Action Line at 707-412-TWCC, or 8922, with questions or comments on the CDC or any other topic relevant to living and working on Edwards or at Plant 42. During their latest visit, Air Force Services Center inspectors acknowledged that Child and Youth Program staff had sufficiently addressed more than 120 deficiencies identified during their previous inspection. No deficiencies were noted at the Youth Center, or for the Family Child Care or School Liaison programs. “Not good enough,” said Col. Chris Carnduff, 412th Mission Support Group commander. “First, we have to remember that it’s a child development center, not a childcare center, which means we’re not just focused on care and feeding. We’re entrusted with providing safe and stimulating environments and tools for individual growth,” said Carnduff. According to Lt. Col. Christian Vigo, 412th Force Support Squadron commander, the preponderance of remaining deficiencies falls into three categories – facility furnishing conditions, inadequate training of staff and inconsistent oversight of safety procedures. “Training and oversight can both be tied back to inadequate staffing,” said Vigo, “which gets back to the remote and isolated nature of Edwards. We’re aggressively hiring highly qualified professionals right now to go after that issue.” “The good news is Headquarters Air Force recently gave us about $9 million for modernization and renovation work at the CDC,” said Col. Brad Bucholz, 412th Civil Engineer Group commander. “We started that work in August, and the phased project is scheduled to run through this next December.” “In the meantime,” said Carnduff, “we’re unwilling to accept safety risks within our Child and Youth facilities. We’re laser focused on correcting safety related deficiencies first, while implementing new processes to ensure we sustain improvements.” Air Force Test Center's Ashley Stiles, accompanied by daughter Ripley, picks up her son Maverick, from childcare provider Rowena Depaz, at the Child Development Center on Edwards Air Force Base, California, Jan. 6. (Photo by Giancarlo Casem) 412th Medical Group public health and bioenvironmental teams are also actively monitoring the safety of CYP facilities, according to Col. (Dr.) Mary Carnduff, 412th Medical Group commander. To address the other two categories, 412th FSS is reallocating current staff and hiring new staff to fill key vacancies, prioritizing supervisory and trainer positions. “Our Child and Youth Programs Flight worked throughout the holiday break to correct 20 of the most concerning deficiencies,” said Vigo. “Chief [Master Sgt. Joshua Skarloken, 412th Test Wing command chief master sergeant] and I personally spent hours over there at the CDC reviewing those plans ourselves to ensure their adequacy,” said Tauer. “We won’t be happy until we’re at 100% and we have a program that’s sustainable for years to come.” The CYP Flight also paired with other base agencies to ensure experts are leading the needed changes, according to Vigo, such as enlisting the help of the 412th Medical Group to meet evolving demands. “Our Family Advocacy team is excited to share their experience to enhance the training and development of our childcare professionals,” said Col. (Dr.) Carnduff. Parents of children enrolled in Child and Youth Programs are critically important sensors and advisors, according to Tauer. “If you are a parent interested in helping us improve, I encourage you to get involved with the Parent Advisory Board.” Parents interested in the PAB should email edwardsafb.fab@gmail.com, or contact Tiffany Caldwell, Child & Youth Programs Flight chief, at 661-275-8687.