Team Edwards welcomes 2015 Honorary Commanders

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  • By 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
Base leadership and civic leaders from around the Antelope Valley gathered at Club Muroc March 4 to formally induct new representatives into the Edwards Honorary Commanders Program.

The primary objective of the Honorary Commanders Program is to provide Edwards commanders with the capability to develop, promote and maintain a continuous working partnership with the surrounding communities. It helps to familiarize community leaders with Edwards' operations by pairing them with unit commanders and directors at both social and official functions.

The HCC program is an avenue for community leaders and partners to learn about Air Force mission, personnel, programs and operations. Likewise, base commanders and personnel will benefit from continued cooperation with the community and its key leaders.

Honorary commanders are asked to serve a one-year term. During that term, the HCCs are invited to participate in activities such as change-of-command ceremonies, quarterly mission tours, promotion and award ceremonies, and commander's calls. The HCCs can participate in as many events they wish.

Similarly, the HCCs can invite their military commander counterpart to attend civilian and corporate events within the local community.

The new HCCs received certificates welcoming them into the program from their military counterparts.

Edwards AFB Unit Honorary Commander Affiliation/Title
411th Flight Test Squadron Isaac Barcelona Field Rep for 21st State Senate District, President Emeritus, AV Hispanic Chamber
412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Kim Nixon Tehachapi City Council
412th Civil Engineer Group Nathan Francis Land Manager, Rio Tinto Minerals, Boron Operations
412th Communications Squadron Steve Radford Regional Director, College/Career Preparation and Adult Education, AVHSD
412th Electronic Warfare Group Dr. Andy Glatfelter Principal, Discovery School
412th Force Support Squadron Ronda Perez Parks & Recreation Director, City of Lancaster
412th Maintenance Group Dr. Terry Norris CEO, Precision Labs Calibration, Palmdale, also President of AV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
412th Medical Group Carol Crabson CEO, Valley Oasis
412th Security Forces Squadron Shaun Beasley Commander, Kern County Sheriff Substations Division
412th Test Engineer Group Debie Keys Assistant Principal, Rosamond High School
412th Test Management Division Kimberly Maevers President, Greater AV Economic Alliance
412th Test Wing Hypersonics Matt Anderson Principal, Quartz Hill High School
412th Test Wing Plans and Programs Angela Rockwood Board member, Global Mobility Foundation; Ambassador, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
416th Flight Test Squadron Traci Minjares Instructional Services & Technology, Tehachapi Unified School District
419th Flight Test Squadron Matt Konnerth Principal, Bethel Academy
461st Flight Test Squadron Joe Kelly Director of School Improvement, AV High School District
Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 1 Gary Chapman LA County Commission on Veterans Affairs
Air Force Research Laboratory Dr. Jessica Harper Chemistry Professor at Antelope Valley College
US Air Force Plant 42 Will Laird Knight High School, Palmdale
USAF Test Pilot School Dr. Bonnie Suderman Vice President of Academic Affairs, AV College
412th Operations Support Squadron Beverly Vander Wall Lone Pine business owner and Inyo Associates member
412th Mission Support Group Dr. David Ellms Principal, Desert High School
412th Operations Group Zach Scrivner Kern County Supervisor, Second District