PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID TULLAHOMA TN Vol. 66, No. 20 Arnold AFB, Tenn. PERMIT NO. 29 October 21, 2019 Team members’ innovative methods advance test operations for AEDC hypersonic propulsion facility By Deidre Ortiz AEDC Public Affairs

Improvements by team members of the AEDC Aerodynamics and Propulsion Test Unit (APTU) at Arnold Air Force Base have prevented unscheduled downtime and avoided equipment damage at the facility. Adam Webb, an electrical engineer for the Test Operations and Sustainment (TOS) contractor, National Aerospace Solutions, improved upon software for the rectifiers by enabling it to detect an unsafe condition and restore the rectifier to normal operations, preventing damage to expensive equipment. A rectifier is an electrical device that- con verts alternating current to direct current. The software was successful during a re- cent APTU test, when one of the rectifiers went into an un-commanded runaway. “A runaway is when the output current increases significantly above the set point value,” Webb said. “If left unchecked, it can cause the APTU Facility Control Sys- tem to trip the heated fuel system offline. This results in an unplanned early test ter- mination, possible damage to the Heated Fuel System and a required repeat of the test conditions. A repeat test at APTU can be expensive and could cause additional Electricians Lon Britt, left, and Robert Campbell, right, along with electrical engineer Adam Webb look at a rectifier, like degradation to the test article.” one that was responsible for an un-commanded “runaway” condition, outside the AEDC Aerodynamic and Propulsion Test Unit at Arnold Air Force base. Webb improved the logic used in the Programmable Logic Controllers on the units to handle un-commanded “runaways,” which allowed him to identify the part at fault. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jill Pickett) See , page 3 FACILITY (This image has been altered by obscuring items for security reasons.) AEDC testing cost-, time-saving water line repair method By Jill Pickett “The cost of total replacement AEDC Public Affairs is roughly 10 times the cost of this repair project,” Quattlebaum said. When it’s possible to increase Congestion in the underground operational reliability while mini- space with ducting, other utilities mizing the cost and disruption and equipment foundations com- caused by maintenance, it’s a win- plicates repairs by limiting access win. to excavate, explained Quattle- Arnold Engineering Develop- baum. This often requires holes to ment Complex team members are be repaired from inside the pipe implementing a trial run of such and forces base-wide raw water a solution to the problem of leaks outages of four to six days for each in raw water pipes at Arnold Air outage. Force Base. Raw water is used in Outages are costly both finan- the cooling systems of the test cells cially and in terms of testing time. on base. “Each outage costs the base According to Jeff Quattlebaum, tens of thousands of dollars in ef- cooling water system engineer at fort, requires personnel to crawl Arnold, the leaks are a result of into awfully long, tight spaces, and corrosion causing holes in the steel AEDC loses significant amounts of pipe. The flooding caused when a potential test time,” said Maj. Mi- leak becomes significant impacts chael Knauf, Aeropropulsion op- Dusty Pickens, from left, 2nd Lt. Adam Doyle and Andy Crum look on as Maj. Michael Knauf ex- pits, manholes and structure foun- erations officer. its a 30-inch pipe in the raw water pipe system at Arnold Air Force Base. The group conducted dations; and it causes a safety issue an inspection of pipes recently lined with a fiber-reinforced polymer, Sept. 23. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bradley Hicks) in freezing temperatures. See TESTING, page 3 Laws allowing establishment of AEDC turn 70 By Bradley Hicks years before the passage of these laws. This AEDC Public Affairs work was precipitated by the foresight of eventual General of the Air Force Henry It was 70 years ago this month that “Hap” Arnold. President Harry S. Truman signed legisla- It was during a visit to England in the tion that paved the way for the establish- spring of 1941 that Arnold, who was com- ment of Arnold Engineering Development manding general of the Army Air Forces Complex (AEDC). during World War II, observed a British On Oct. 27 and 28, 1949, Truman signed plane flying without a propeller. He wanted the Unitary Wind Tunnel Plan Act and the to bring this type of capability to the U.S. Air Engineering Development Center Act military. of 1949. The first bill authorized a unitary Realizing that developing new equip- plan for the construction of transonic and ment would require the establishment of supersonic wind tunnel facilities in an effort research and development organizations to bolster national defense. The second bill, and better testing facilities, Arnold met signed the following day, authorized the with renowned mathematician, engineer $100 million appropriated by Congress for and physicist Dr. Theodore von Kármán in the construction of the Air Engineering De- New York in 1944 to discuss the future de- velopment Center, the site that would soon fense needs of the nation. This photo shows Arnold Air Force Base as it appeared during its construction become known as the Arnold Engineering in the 1950s. During the month of October, 70 years ago, President Harry Tru- Development Center and eventually the Ar- man signed into law the bills that allowed for the establishment of what would nold Engineering Development Complex. See AEDC, page 4 become Arnold Engineering Development Center, now Arnold Engineering De- Work to bring AEDC to fruition began velopment Complex. (U.S. Air Force photo)

VKF named in honor of Take steps to prevent illness von Kármán 60 years ago during cold and flu season …Page 2 …Page 5 2 • October 21, 2019

Arnold VKF named in honor of von Kármán 60 years ago Air Force By Bradley Hicks Base AEDC Public Affairs

Sixty years ago, a test facility at Arnold Air Force Base was re- named in honor of the man who helped provide the blueprint that led to the construction of the now Arnold Engineering Develop- ment Complex headquartered at Col. Jeffrey Geraghty Arnold AFB. Commander During an Oct. 30, 1959, cere- Jason Austin mony, the Gas Dynamics Facility Chief, was dedicated as the von Kármán Public Affairs Gas Dynamics Facility, a hyper- sonic wind tunnel testing facility, in honor of mathematician, phys- icist and engineer Dr. Theodore Richard Tighe von Kármán. General Manager, The event marked the first National Aerospace time that the Air Force had Solutions named a major facility after a High Mach Staff: living person. Von Kármán ad- Kathy Gattis, dressed the crowd gathered for NAS Executive Editor the ceremony. “There is no doubt in my Dr. Theodore von Kármán speaks during the Oct. 30, 1959, ceremony to dedicate the Gas Dynamics Jill Pickett mind that this is the greatest hon- Facility at Arnold Air Force Base in his honor. Von Kármán helped provide the blueprint that led to NAS Editor or that I have ever experienced,” the construction of Arnold Engineering Development Complex at Arnold AFB. Seated behind von High Mach is published by von Kármán said. “But I would Kármán is Gen. Bernard Schriever, then-commander of Air Force Systems. (U.S. Air Force photo) Lakeway Publishers, Inc. a pri- vate firm in no way connected have thought the Air Force would ing, aircraft structures and wind with the U.S. Air Force, Arnold have waited a few years until I erosion of soil. Air Force Base, Arnold Engi- had the occasion to look back at Von Kármán’s work caught neering Development Complex this from beyond infinity. I think the attention of Henry “Hap” Ar- (AEDC) or National Aerospace Solutions (NAS), under exclu- that is really the tradition, that nold, the man who would later sive written contract with NAS the scientist, if he gets something become General of the Air Force. at Arnold AFB, Tenn., 37389. dedicated in his name, should al- The two had several meetings to Everything advertised in ready be dead. But I am glad the discuss the future of air research, this publication will be made and von Kármán began working available for purchase, use Air Force managed an exception or patronage without regard and gave me the opportunity to with Arnold to advance the Unit- to race, color, religion, sex, accept this honor.” ed States’ air force. national origin, age, marital sta- Von Kármán, a native Jewish In 1939, Arnold asked von tus, physical handicap, political Hungarian, was born May 11, Kármán to design a 20-foot affiliation or any other non- merit factor of the purchaser, 1881. His mathematical prowess wind tunnel for Wright Field in user or patron. was evident from an early age. Ohio. Toward the end of World The High Mach office is By the time he was 6 years old, War II, Arnold again sought located at 100 Kindel Drive, von Kármán could reportedly von Kármán’s help. This time, Suite A236, Arnold AFB, Tenn. 37389-1236. Editorial content multiply six-digit numbers in his Arnold asked him to establish a is edited and prepared by NAS. head with the speed of a calcu- scientific advisory group to de- Deadline for copy is Wednes- lator. When he was 16, he was velop a blueprint for future air day at close of business one awarded the Eotvos Prize as the research. The Gas Dynamics Facility at Arnold Air Force Base was dedi- week before publication. finest mathematics and science In spring 1945, von Kármán cated in honor of Dr. Theodore von Kármán on Oct. 30, 1959. (U.S. This commercial enterprise Air Force photo) newspaper is an allowable student in all of Hungary. and a group of scientists trav- NAS contractor publication Von Kármán began his career eled to Europe and questioned Construction on this facil- the future. That man is Doctor for personnel at Arnold AFB. studying fluid mechanics at the German engineers about their ity, today known as Arnold En- Theodore von Kármán.” The content of High Mach does not necessarily reflect the Göttingen Mathematical Institute progress in aviation during the gineering Development Com- Von Kármán would make views of the Air Force, Arnold in Germany, but he became inter- war. The group also visited sev- plex, would begin less than further contributions to the AFB, AEDC or NAS. The ap- ested in aeronautics after attend- eral facilities, including the Ty- five years later. field of aerodynamics, includ- pearance of advertising in this ing an aerial demonstration. He rolian Alps, where the world’s Then-Air Force Chief of ing his involvement in the publication does not constitute relocated to Aachen, Germany, to most powerful wind tunnel was Staff Gen. Thomas White pro- development of supersonic endorsement of the products or services advertised by the pursue his interest in aerodynam- then under construction. vided a message to then-AEDC aircraft and intercontinental Department of Defense, the ics. In 1912, he accepted the po- In a 1945 letter to Arnold, Commander Maj. Gen. Troup ballistic missiles, developed Department of the Air Force, sition of director of the Aachen von Kármán recommended the Miller Jr. for the Oct. 30, 1959, theories and co-founded the Arnold AFB, AEDC, NAS or Aeronautical Institute. creation of new facilities that ceremony. NASA Jet Propulsion Labora- Lakeway Publishers, Inc. During World War I, von Kár- could help meet the objective “There can be no doubt in tory in California. He was also For general information about High Mach, call (931) mán took on the role of director of developing supersonic and anyone’s mind that our sur- a founder of the Aerojet Cor- 454-5655 or visit www. of research of the Austro-Hun- pilotless aircraft. vival as an independent coun- poration. arnold.af.mil. garian Aviation Corps. Also an That December, the group try in a free world may well He also received approval Use High Mach to mar- Austrian lieutenant during the presented its findings in a report depend upon our technologi- from the North Atlantic Treaty ket your products and war, von Kármán worked on he- entitled Toward New Horizons. cal preeminence and the ex- Organization, more commonly services. Contact Joe at 931-455-4545 or jmartin@ licopters, machine gun and pro- In it, they called for the creation tent of the support behind it,” referred to as NATO, to launch tullahomanews.com peller synchronization and fuel of a research and development White wrote. “The combined the NATO Advisory Group for tank penetration while getting an facility that could be used for vision and collaborative effort Aeronautical Research and up-close look at advancements in the study and development of of General Arnold, the military Development. Von Kármán aerial warfare. jet propulsion, supersonic air- man, and Dr. von Kármán, the chaired that group until his After the war, von Kármán re- craft and ballistic missiles. distinguished scientist, recog- death in May 1963. sumed his position at the Aachen “The Center for Supersonic nized this fact many years ago. Von Kármán was posthu- Aeronautical Institute and once and Pilotless Aircraft Develop- Together, they did something mously recognized as an Hon- again focused on aerodynamics ment should be equipped with about it. For this, our country orary AEDC Fellow in 2002. research. adequate wind tunnel facili- should be eternally grateful. The VKF at Arnold is com- Core Values In the late 1920s, the Cali- ties to attain speeds up to three “In naming the Gas Dynam- prised of several wind tunnels fornia Institute of Technology, times the velocity of sound, ics Facility in honor of Dr. von used to obtain large aerody- • Integrity first also known as Caltech, hired von with large enough test sec- Kármán, the Air Force is dedi- namic and aerothermodynamic • Service before self Kármán to serve as a consultant tions to accommodate models cating a facility which already databases to develop super- • Excellence in all for a new wind tunnel. By 1930, of reasonable size, including jet has proved of untold value in sonic and hypersonic flight we do Caltech had added von Kármán propulsion units, and one ultra- our national research and de- vehicles. Customers use these to their staff as full-time director sonic wind tunnel for explora- velopment programs, a facility facilities to conduct testing for of the Guggenheim Aeronauti- tion of the upper frontier of the which has the capacity to grow static stability, pressure loads, cal Laboratory of the California supersonic speed range,” the in importance and usefulness in jet interaction, store separation Institute of Technology. It was report states. “Ample facilities step with technical advances as and vehicle staging, heat trans- Vision there that he made significant for the study of combustion and they occur. This is true because fer, inlet integration, material “NAS delivers the best contributions to fluid mechanics, other characteristics of propul- one man’s intuitive and crystal sampling, thermal mapping, aerospace testing turbulence theory, supersonic sion systems at very high alti- clear thinking has opened the and dynamic stability, includ- capabilities today and in flight, mathematics in engineer- tudes should be provided.” door to greater successes in ing forced and free oscillation. the future.” Values • Ethics. We are uncompromising in our Action Line integrity, honesty, and fairness. Smoking Policy • Safety & Health. We are relentless in Team AEDC, keeping people safe from harm, and 1. The following revised Arnold AFB smoking policy is effective immediately and applies to all individuals on I believe in free and open communications we provide a safe and healthy work Arnold AFB. with our Team AEDC employees, and that’s why environment. we have the Action Line available. People can • Security. We are disciplined and vigilant 2. Traditional Tobacco products (e.g. cigars and cigarettes): in protecting sensitive AEDC information a. Smoking is permitted solely in Designated Tobacco Areas (DTAs) identified by designated signage. If no use the Action Line to clear up rumors, ask ques- and ensuring system integrity to support signage exists, smoking is not permitted in that area. It is the responsibility of all smokers to keep DTAs tions, suggest ideas on improvements, enter national security and our customers. clean of cigarette butts. complaints or get other issues off their chests. • Excellence. We thrive on challenge, b. Tobacco use on the Arnold AFB Golf Course is permitted, but discouraged based on the health hazards The Action Line has been expanded to in- accomplishment, and mission success. • Quality. We are passionate about doing of tobacco use and secondhand smoke. No smoking is permitted within 50 feet of golf course buildings clude an option for your ideas, comments, or our work right the first time. except in the approved DTA. suggestions on the AcqDemo personnel sys- • People. We have a mission-focused, c. Smoking in government-owned/leased vehicles is strictly prohibited. Personnel are allowed to smoke in their tem. Simply call the normal x6000 commander’s inclusive workforce who have a diverse personal vehicles at any time; however, at no time will personnel discard cigarette butts outside their vehicle. action line. You will then be prompted to select skill set, are committed to success, option 1 for the Commander’s Action Line or Op- demonstrate innovation and have a can d. For government employees, the fact that a person smokes has no bearing on the number of breaks they do attitude. may take. Breaks should be taken in accordance with the current supervisory and personnel policies that tion 2 for the AcqDemo line. They can access the • Culture. Our team is proud of our diver- afford all employees the same break opportunities consistent with good work practices and accomplish- Action Line via the AEDC intranet home page sity, inclusiveness, and collaborative work ment of the mission. and by calling 454-6000. environment. We are proud of what we do Although the Action Line is always available, and how we do it. 3. Smokeless Tobacco products (e.g. snuff and dip): • Relationships. We build positive, long- Smokeless tobacco products are not to be restricted to DTAs. Smokeless tobacco use will be permitted in all the best and fastest way to get things resolved term business relationships through trust, workplace areas (inside and out) subject to reasonable safety and sanitary conditions. Specifically, containers is by using your chain of command or by con- respect, and collaboration. of tobacco waste product, including sealed containers, must not be left unattended or disposed of in trash tacting the organization directly involved. I en- • Innovation. We overcome challenges courage everyone to go that route first, then if through creativity, perseverance, technol- receptacles. Users of smokeless tobacco must flush tobacco waste down the toilet. ogy, and flexibility. We actively seek to 4. Electronic Cigarettes (also known as “e-cigs”): the situation isn’t made right, give us a chance. continually improve. Pursuant to Air Force Instruction (AFI) 40-102, Tobacco Free Living, e-cigs are considered to be equivalent to • Sustainability. We plan and act for the tobacco products; however, e-cigs are not restricted to DTAs and are allowed to be used outdoors at a minimum Col. Jeffrey Geraghty long term benefit of our communities and distance of 25 feet from building entry/egress points. (This policy is dated July 27, 2016) AEDC Commander our environment. October 21 2019 • 3

FACILITY from page 1

Webb explained that the soft- spreadsheet method of tracking ware modifications also allowed instruments into a fully-functional him to isolate the cause of the un- computer database format,” Ri- commanded runaway. gney said. “When the software detected This database format allows a runaway, it swapped control instrument technicians, ID&C modes,” he said. “This enabled us engineers like Penfold, and other to continue normal operations and APTU team members to know provided the run data we needed to what equipment is due for cali- better understand what was really bration at any given time, and it going on. With this new informa- includes an inventory of spare in- tion we were able to determine struments available substitutions that a poorly-designed component of failed items or items needing connection by the manufacturer, calibration. Additionally, the new along with high vibration during database keeps track of warranty testing, was causing the issue. We dates and time-sensitive informa- developed a new connection meth- tion required for engineering deci- od which eliminates the potential sion making. for this to occur in the future.” “We were previously working Sharon Rigney, APTU group off a giant spreadsheet that was manager for TOS at Arnold, hard to interpret and update,” Pen- commended Webb for his work fold said. “To make the process improving upon the rectifier soft- easier, I turned it into a Microsoft ware. Access Database system that al- “Innovative ideas and forward lows us to look ahead and pull thinking in anticipation of pos- up reports on testing and mainte- sible failure modes and problems nance. Now we can know when it greatly improves the performance is best to calibrate so that we can Gareth Penfold, an instrumentation, data and control engineer, views the digital database he of our Instrumentation, Data meet the Air Force requirements and Controls systems,” she said. created to track calibration requirements for test, measurement and diagnostic equipment for calibrations.” used in the AEDC Aerodynamic and Propulsion Test Unit at Arnold Air Force Base. The calibra- “Adam is to be commended for He added that previously it tion records were previously kept in binders, then moved to a spreadsheet and now are tracked his proactive approach towards was hard to determine where dif- via the database created by Penfold. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jill Pickett) (This image has been possible failure modes and correc- ferent instruments were located. altered by obscuring badges for security purposes.) tion actions.” “We can now see where those Efforts by Gareth Penfold, “Gareth’s ingenuity and atten- About APTU energy lethality. The facility can instruments are, and we’re also an instrumentation data and con- tiveness has produced a tool that APTU is a blowdown wind produce test conditions from more prepared if an issue comes trols engineer, have also benefited will reduce the need for emergen- tunnel designed for aerodynamic Mach 3.1 to Mach 7.2. APTU. Penfold moved to fill an up, which helps to prevent lost cy calibrations or waivers, which testing of supersonic and hy- Most recently at APTU, Air immediate need in APTU for im- test time,” he said. recently has been a focus area for personic systems and hardware Force Research Laboratory and proved tracking of the test, mea- Penfold has only been work- the Air Force,” Rigney said. at true flight conditions. Given Air Force Test Center ground test surement and diagnostic equip- ing as an ID&C engineer at Ar- NAS management has rec- its versatile design, APTU can teams set a record for the high- ment (TMDE) due for calibra- nold for two years, but manage- ognized both Penfold and Webb support a myriad of test setups: est thrust produced by an air- tions. ment is already taking notice of with Significant Contributor propulsion, material, structures, breathing hypersonic engine in “Gareth leveraged a previous his hard work. Awards for their efforts. store separation, and directed Air Force history.

TESTING from page 1 Underground conges- tion also restricts the lo- cation of new water lines. The lines being repaired are 72-inches in diameter and 30-inches in diameter. Above-ground installa- tion poses other problems. “Installing the pipe above grade would block access to the other sys- tems and equipment in the area,” Quattlebaum said. “Water piping as large as 72-inch diameter requires significant support struc- tures if installed above grade.” These difficulties in -lo cating a new line contrib- ute to the high cost of re- placement when compared to repair. The solution – have a subcontractor line the in- terior of the pipes with a fiber-reinforced polymer, an option that is both faster and cost-saving. “Part of my job as a servant to this great nation is to find the most efficient and cost effective method Maj. Michael Knauf looks on as Dusty Pickens sweeps water in raw water pipes near the Engine Test Facility J-3 test cell at Arnold to fix any problem that the Air Force Base during a Sept. 23 inspection of pipes recently lined with a fiber-reinforced polymer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bradley U.S. Air Force has,” said Hicks) 2nd Lt. Adam Doyle, a quent leaks that had a base- project manager with the wide impact to repair. This Test Systems Sustainment line only serves two (Engine Division. “I believe this Test Facility) test cells, J-1 project is a step in that di- and J-2, so if the lining does rection.” not perform as advertised Using this method, a re- and comes loose, only J-1 pair of approximately 450 and J-2 testing would be im- feet total between the two pacted.” sizes of pipe was recently With the repair com- completed in about three plete, the sections should weeks – a considerable be leak free and able to time-savings when com- handle full pressure. pared to the several months “This composite pipe needed for replacement. will be as strong as a new “Replacing the under- steel pipe on its own, hav- ground pipes would have ing the strength required to significantly impacted test- withstand the full 150 psi ing, because it would have of water pressure, even if required a raw water out- the entire steel pipe erodes age for six months to one away,” Knauf said. year,” said Corey Jenkins, It is anticipated the lin- a Test Operations and Sus- ing will have a 50-plus year tainment contractor capital lifespan. project manager. “Many people on base The repair location of- fered an opportunity to are eyeing this project to see make a base-wide impact what AEDC can take away with success, but minimize from this new method,” impact if there are any fail- Doyle said. “This project ures of the lining. has the potential to change “This location was a the way Arnold AFB con- lower risk candidate than ducts all its pipe repairs in the future by giving a dras- most other locations on Maj. Michael Knauf, from left, Dusty Pickens and 2nd Lt. Adam Doyle conduct an inspection of raw water tically cheaper and time- base,” Quattlebaum said. pipes that were recently lined with a fiber-reinforced polymer, Sept. 23 at Arnold Air Force Base. (U.S. Air “We were experiencing fre- effective method.” Force photo by Bradley Hicks) 4 • October 21, 2019

AEDC from page 1 Arnold asked von Kár- the study and development mán to form an advisory of jet propulsion, super- group tasked with provid- sonic aircraft and ballistic ing recommendations on missiles. The envisioned the direction of future avi- facility was brought to life ation research. At Arnold’s with the eventual construc- request, members of this tion of the Air Engineering group visited Germany in Development Center. May 1945 to view test and Both reports recom- research facilities captured mended the use of captured during the Second World German test facilities in a War. They found facili- new installation in order to ties, aircraft, engines and save time of facility design rockets more advanced and construction. It was than the Allied nations had also recommended that the imagined. installation be located near Among those who large sources of water and made the trip to Germany electric power. was American scientist Dr. After a report titled Frank Wattendorf. After “Proposed Air Engineering the survey of the superior Development Center” was German ground testing fa- presented to the Air Staff cilities had been complet- in January 1946, a $1.5 ed, Wattendorf penned a million Army Air Forces report known as the Trans- contract was awarded to Atlantic Memo. This June Sverdrup & Parcel Inc., an 1945 report would become engineering firm based out the baseline for establish- of St. Louis, Missouri, to ing “a new Air Forces de- conduct further planning Arnold Air Force Base is shown in this photo from the 1990s. It was 70 years ago this month that President Harry Truman signed into law the bills that allowed for the establishment of what would become Arnold velopment center.” for the proposed center. Engineering Development Center. (U.S. Air Force photo) The Trans-Atlantic Sverdrup & Parcel Inc. Memo was provided to recommended several pos- used as a training cen- Brig. Gen. Franklin O. sible sites for the new cen- ter for infantry, artillery, Carroll, who was then ter, including Moses Lake engineering and signal commander of the en- in Washington, Grand units. Camp Forrest be- gineering division at Wash Cliffs in Arizona and came a Prisoner of War Wright Field, which was the Tennessee Valley area. camp in May 1942. After later combined with the The Moses Lake site the end of World War II, nearby Patterson Field to was considered too vulner- the camp was closed. It form Wright-Patterson Air able to attack, and a water was declared surplus in Force Base in Ohio. Us- dispute between Arizona 1946 and dismantled. ing information from the and California essentially Along with the Camp report, Carroll delivered disqualified the Grand Forrest site, McKellar of- a presentation to Arnold’s Wash Cliffs site from con- fered to help push neces- Air Staff. Carroll dis- sideration. sary legislation through cussed the advancements Huntsville, Alabama Congress. the Germans had made became the preferred site. The Air Force accept- in ground testing while The Army was preparing ed. noting the deficiencies in to deactivate the Redstone On April 28, 1948, the American wind tunnels. Arsenal, and the use of year after the Air Force Carroll, who would this site could save time in officially separated from later go on to become the the construction of hous- the Army to become its During a June 25, 1951, ceremony at Arnold Air Force Base, President Harry Truman draws aside the curtain to reveal a dedicatory plaque mounted to a first AEDC commander, ing and offices for the Air own branch of the mili- tary, Camp Forrest was granite rock. The ceremony was held to dedicate the Air Engineering Develop- requested the Air Tech- Engineering Develop- ment Center as the Arnold Engineering Development Center in honor of Gen. nical Service Command ment Center. However, the named as the site for the Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, who had passed away before the ceremony and whose conduct a preliminary Army changed course on new Air Force Engineer- vision was instrumental in bringing the center to fruition. Pictured with Truman study “for the establish- the Redstone closure after ing Development Center. is Arnold’s widow, Bee. (U.S. Air Force photo) ment of a new Army Air the Air Force began to take In early March 1950, Corps of Engineers began Force’s Applied Research interest in it. the year after Congress construction on a perime- and Development Center U.S. Sen. Kenneth authorized $100 million ter fence and access road. for Fluid Dynamics.” McKellar of Tennessee for the construction of Later that month, work A committee was stepped in with an offer. the Air Engineering De- began on a dam on the formed to complete this He said the state could velopment Center and Elk River to create what study. The group’s report donate Camp Forrest to less than 5 months after would become known as was released on Dec. 18, the Air Force for the cen- the signing of Unitary Woods Reservoir to pro- 1945, less than a week ter. Wind Tunnel Plan Act vide cooling water for before Toward New Hori- Camp Forrest was an and Air Engineering De- testing facilities. zons was published. The active Army post located velopment Center Act of It was directed that latter was a report from in southern middle Ten- 1949, the Secretary of the new center would be von Kármán’s group that nessee. The camp was the Defense approved the operated by a corporation visited Germany in which active between 1941 and construction of the cen- under contract to the Air they proposed a facility for 1946 and was initially ter. That June, the Army Force. On June 29, 1950, A model of the Boeing Dyna-Soar is tested in a tran- the Arnold Research Or- sonic wind tunnel at then-Arnold Engineering De- ganization, or ARO, the velopment Center in 1959. It was 70 years ago this corporation established month that President Harry Truman signed into law to manage and operate the bills that allowed for the establishment of what the center, was awarded would become Arnold Engineering Development a contract from the Air Complex. (U.S. Air Force photo) Force to cover the first 15 Development Center. Falcon air-to-air missile months of operation. On Oct. 21, 1952, su- was performed in what Gen. Arnold died in personic airflow was first would come to be known January 1950. On June achieved at AEDC in the as the von Kármán Gas 25 of the following year, one-foot transonic wind Dynamics Facility. Truman visited the center tunnel known as “Pee- The Arnold Engineer- in Tennessee that Arnold Wee.” The following ing Development Center helped bring to life and year, construction on the was re-designated as Ar- dedicated the site in Ar- Engine Test Facility was nold Engineering Devel- nold’s honor, naming it completed, and a super- opment Complex in July the Arnold Engineering sonic test of the Air Force 2012. October 21 2019 • 5 Take steps to prevent illness during cold and flu season By AEDC Safety 650,000 respiratory related deaths months of age and older. You ness to others. eyes, nose or mouth. each year. should get the vaccination early in 3. Cover your mouth and Germs are often spread The 2019-2020 flu season is Getting a flu vaccination is the flu season; it takes at least two nose. Cover your mouth when a person touches upon us. Flu viruses, also known one of the most effective ways to weeks for your body to develop and nose with a tissue something that is contami- as influenza, can occur year- protect a person against flu virus- disease-fighting antibodies to pro- when coughing or sneez- nated with germs and then round. es. Studies have shown that the flu tect you. ing. It may prevent those touches his or her eyes, Seasonal flu activity often vaccine can decrease the chance According to the CDC, the around you from getting nose, or mouth. begins in October and Novem- of coming down with the flu by as following are the best ways to sick. Flu and other serious 6. Practice other good ber and continues into late May, much as 70 to 90 percent. prevent seasonal flu: respiratory illnesses, like health habits. Clean with the peak months occurring Unfortunately, the flu vaccine 1. Avoid close contact. respiratory syncytial virus and disinfect frequently between December and February. cannot completely prevent a per- Avoid close contact with (RSV), whooping cough, touched surfaces at home, Flu is one of the most com- son from getting the flu; however, people who are sick. and severe acute respirato- work or school, especially mon infectious diseases that can it can lessen the severity and du- When you are sick, keep ry syndrome (SARS), are when someone is ill. Get affect anyone regardless of age. ration of symptoms. Getting vac- your distance from others spread by cough, sneez- plenty of sleep, be physi- The group of people most vulner- cinated not only helps protect the to protect them from get- ing, or unclean hands. cally active, manage your able to complications from the flu vaccinated person, but also helps ting sick too. 4. Clean your hands. Wash- stress, drink plenty of are young children, older adults, protect those around that individ- 2. Stay home when you ing your hands often will fluids, and eat nutritious pregnant women, and those with ual by lessening the amount of flu are sick. If possible, stay help protect you from food. chronic conditions. Per the World in the work area, home and com- home from work, school germs. If soap and water For other helpful tips, visit the Health Organization the flu results munities. and errands when you are are not available, use an following link: https://www.cdc. in 3 to 5 million cases of severe The CDC recommends flu sick. This will help pre- alcohol-based hand rub. gov/flu/prevent/actions-prevent- illnesses and about 290,000 to vaccinations for everyone 6 vent spreading your ill- 5. Avoid touching your flu.htm. Ascension Island’s hydroponics lab is revitalizing life on the volcanic island

By Airman 1st Class Zoe isn’t a laboratory in the Thacker traditional sense,” Little 45th Space Wing Public said. “Our facility is an Affairs 8,721 square foot green- house that has two vine ASCENSION ISLAND crop bays and one leaf AUXILIARY AIR- crop bay.” FIELD (AFNS) – Space In the greenhouse, the has been the center of con- team on Ascension uses versation in the news and two different systems to entertainment. There was grow fresh produce on the even a movie about fu- volcanic island. For vin- ture human inhabitants on ing crops, like tomatoes Mars! But how would that and peppers, they use a happen? How would we nutrient injection system, be able to sustain grow- bucket system and Perlite, ing food? Mars, a dry and which is a naturally oc- dusty planet, would not be curring volcanic glass that able to support human life has a relatively high water organically. content. For leafy crops, And just like the case like lettuce and herbs, they would be on Mars, the use a nutrient film tech- food choices on Ascension nique, where a very shal- are very limited and de- low stream of nutrient- pend completely on what filled water is re-circulated supplies are flown to the past the bare roots of the island. plants. With the revitalization “If you’ve ever been to Though the lab has of the hydroponics lab, Lit- Ascension Island, or even grown over the years, hy- tle thinks a shift could be on looked at photos online, droponics is not new to As- the horizon for Ascension the island doesn’t differ cension Island. Island. much from Mars,” said “During World War II, “In addition to having Cathy Little, Ascension the shipping of fresh veg- a virtually limitless sup- Island Auxiliary Airfield etables overseas was not ply of fresh produce and agricultural specialist. practical and remote islands reducing the cost of trans- Supplies, including where troops were stationed portation, morale is greatly food, are flown to the- is were not a place where they improved knowing that land because Ascension’s could be grown in the soil,” produce, picked that very water cycle, soil and to- said Rick Simmons, hydro- day, is awaiting everyone in pography make it very dif- ponics expert, in a 2008 the base dining hall,” Little ficult for anything to grow article. “In 1945, the U.S. said. “Hydroponics allows on the island – what does Air Force built one of the us to meet demands, reduce grow, you cannot or would first large hydroponic farms costs and provide nutrition- not want to eat, until re- on Ascension Island, using al value for our personnel.” cently. crushed volcanic rock as a As the team continues Introducing Ascen- growing medium.” to experiment with different sion Island’s own personal “Growing conditions crops, they hope to expand The 45th Space Wing's Ascension Island Auxiliary Airfield looks quite similar ‘garden’, the hydroponics haven’t changed since the size of the lab and the to Mars, per its physical characteristics. Food must be flown in because the laboratory. World War II; therefore, the list of what they’re able to topography of the island isn't able to grow food organically. However, a team Hydroponics, or the need for hydroponics still grow. from the 45th Mission Support Group Detachment 2 has revamped the hydro- process of growing plants exists,” Little said. “Just “If we were to operate at ponics lab so that fresh vegetables can be grown and consumed by the 700 inhabitants of the volcanic island. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cathy Little) in sand, gravel or liquid as it was in 1945, shipping a full greenhouse capacity, instead of soil, can be seen fresh vegetables to a remote we could produce enough in the movie “The Mar- island is not cost effective fresh produce to feed the tian.” Though it seems and with the lack of arable entire population of Ascen- like something only a soil on the island. We face sion Island,” Little said. screenwriter could come the same dilemma as our “That’s about 700 people.” up with, the agricultural forebears—how to reduce For the 45th Space team on Ascension Island costs and meet the nutri- Wing’s Ascension Island has taken the idea and run tional needs of the troops Auxiliary Airfield, nei- with it. and contractor personnel ther the sky, nor Mars, is “The hydroponics lab stationed here.” the limit. 6 • October 21, 2019 AFRL team enhances safety for survival specialists through wearable health monitoring technology

By Whitney Wetsig tachment 3, 66th Training which requires installation Air Force Research Squadron, Maj. Toby An- and manual upgrades. Laboratory Corporate drews, said he appreciates The team simplified the Communications Division that SHARK “gives (in- startup process with Quick structors) real-time alerts Response, or QR, codes WRIGHT-PATTERSON on the health and well- that automatically input AIR FORCE BASE, being of students.” The students’ information when Ohio – An Air Force Re- system “truly eases my scanned, Baum said. This search Laboratory team mind as a commander,” he measure reduced the total recently delivered version said since it “allows us to setup time from one hour 2.0 of the Survival Health provide preventative care to five minutes, and makes Awareness Responders (in cases) that could other- it easier for students and Kit, or SHARK, to U.S. wise lead to serious medi- instructors to begin a new Air Force instructors at cal situations.” session. Joint Base San Antonio- Prior to SHARK, in- In June 2019, the team Lackland Camp Bullis, a structors checked on train- traveled to Joint Base San 28,000-acre site in Texas, ees at regular intervals to Antonio-Lackland Camp used to train Survival, ensure their well-being. In Bullis and conducted initial Evasion, Resistance and certain cases, they adminis- tests with version 2.0. Once Escape, or SERE, special- ter ice baths to students with the team integrated addi- ists. elevated body temperatures, tional software improve- With SHARK, sensors said Tech. Sgt. John Garcia, ments, SERE instructors U.S. Air Force Capt. Logan Hawke, a pilot assigned to the 16th Airlift Squadron, embedded in shirts trans- a SERE instructor. Howev- officially launched the- up U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. William Davis and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Randall mit key metrics including er, since the introduction of grade in September. Moss, loadmasters assigned to the 16th Airlift Squadron, communicate with heart rate and estimated this monitoring technology, The SHARK team con- rescue forces with a radio during a survival, evasion, resistance, and escape core temperature from zero ice baths have been re- tinues to work with other exercise Aug. 21 in North, South Carolina. SERE specialists assigned to the smartphones to a serv- quired because the system squadron key leaders to 437th Operations Support Squadron conducted this exercise in order to iden- er. As students undergo alerts instructors before stu- address related needs. One tify potential areas of improvement in both SERE training and equipment pro- physical endurance tests dents reach what they call such application involves vided to aircrew in case of a potential isolating event. (U.S. Air Force photo by during extended periods “the danger zone.” using the included heart rate Airman 1st Class Duncan C. Bevan) of isolation, the system al- To develop version 2.0, variability measurement medical readiness personnel needed a broad range of team arranged field tests lows instructors to moni- the SHARK team enlisted to provide real-time feed- recovery training research skill sets,” said Dr. James with end-users. Several tor this data in real-time, the help of Cedarville Uni- back regarding students’ team. When administering Christensen, a product line team members lived with and issues alerts for heart versity students majoring reactions to various training physical tests, instructors lead within the 711HPW. Joint Base San Antonio- rate spikes and significant in computer science. Loren stressors. must achieve the purpose of He explains that to produce Lackland Camp Bullis in- increases in temperature. Baum, who now works full- This data would enable the training and minimize an effective system, the team structors for one week to Since the device identifies time in 711HPW, improved instructors to evaluate the negative impacts, whether relied on expertise in wear- test SHARK 1.0 in 2018. the user’s location, medi- the code for his senior de- effectiveness of interroga- they be physical or emotion- able devices, electronics, Now, a year later, an up- cal personnel can quickly sign project. He optimized tion techniques and deter- al, he explains. software development, com- graded system is in the respond to those in need the software, added func- mine the extent to which SHARK technology munications, human factors field. of care. tionality, enhanced the se- they affect individuals, said was born when the U.S. and physiology. In the meantime, the 2nd Lt. Matthew Dick- curity measures and stream- 1st Lt. David Feibus, a for- Air Force Survival School “We pulled together ca- SHARK team is also work- inson, a biomechanical lined the startup process. mer software team lead, at Fairchild Air Force Base pabilities from several dif- ing with other groups who engineer within AFRL’s Baum explains that the who is now a student at the opted to include more pro- ferent parts of the organiza- are interested in acquiring 711th Human Perfor- team moved SHARK from Air Force Institute of Tech- active safety measures in tion to assemble the sen- this technology including mance Wing, says that the mobile app arena to the nology. its training programs. Since sors, develop the software firefighters, NASA scien- SHARK 2.0 is user-friend- web to make the system us- While SHARK is use- AFRL had experience with to pull sensor data together, tists and U.S. Army Spe- ly and more secure. He ex- able in a wider variety of ful in various situations, Air wearable monitoring tech- and then build the commu- cial Forces. Members are plains that instructors and scenarios. With the new ap- Force instructors currently nology, leadership from 711 nications capability to then currently exploring a ver- students alike are pleased proach, instructors simply rely on this tool to offer HPW offered to develop a send that data and be able sion of the system that the with the streamlined setup log into a website from any “strenuous exercises in the solution for the SERE in- to monitor it continuously Department of Defense process and the new web computer to monitor stu- safest manner possible,” structors during an immer- and remotely.” Fire Academy can use un- interface. dents’ health status instead said Ted Harmer, a 711HPW sion visit. Following the initial de- der fire protection gear to The commander of De- of launching an application, engineer who also leads a “Going in, we knew we sign and development, the prevent heat injuries.

See the November Services calendar on page 6. October 21 2019 • 7 8 • October 21, 2019 Air Force observes National Cybersecurity Awareness Month Missile warning radars see modern equipment installed By Tech. Sgt. Armando A. formation cord being created in the victim’s Schwier-Morales • Week 4: Phishing – Con- name. When this occurs, the vic- Secretary of the Air Force tinuous training makes a dif- tim of criminal identity theft can Public Affairs ference have problems with law enforce- An already scary cyber world ment or be unable to gain employ- October is not all skeletons can be scarier when one com- ment. and jack-o-lanterns, there are mon threat, identity theft, comes Another form of identity theft also scary things that live in cy- knocking, seeking a reward. involves social security numbers berspace. October is National However, like other threats, be- and benefits. Most government Cybersecurity Awareness Month ing cyber smart can help the Air benefits require a social security with this year’s theme, “Be Cy- Force family be prepared and re- number to obtain. Social security ber Smart.” silient. There are eight common number thieves can falsify official The awareness month is a types of identity theft: documents when they have access collaborative effort between the • Financial identity theft to a victim’s social security num- Department of Defense, along • Driver’s license identity ber. with the Department of Home- theft Medical identity theft can be land Security and its public and • Criminal identity theft used to commit fraud involv- private partners. It is up to the • Social security identity theft ing health insurance and medi- total force to stay vigilant, keep • Medical identity theft cal coverage. Related to medical learning and be ready for any • Insurance identity theft identity theft is insurance identity potential cyber threat. • Child identity theft theft. Thieves leave the victim The Air Force Office of In- • Synthetic identity theft with the problems after they use formation Dominance and chief The most well-known is fi- the victim’s identity, including information officer worked to nancial identity theft, classified difficulties in settling payments, develop themes that align with in one of two ways: when a thief potentially higher insurance pre- the DOD weekly themes. These maxes out credit, steals the vic- miums and quite possibly trouble weekly themes are meant to as- tim’s money or when thieves in acquiring medical coverage sist with changing the culture of open new credit cards and loans later on. cybersecurity throughout the Air in the victim’s name. Even children fall victim to Force: Two more types of identity cyber threats and identity theft. A • Week 1: Cybersecurity is theft are driver’s license and crim- child’s information can be used everyone’s responsibility inal identity theft. Driver’s license to defraud the government, cre- Thieves can create scary prob- berSmart. For events happening • Week 2: Defending the theft is when a thief poses as the ate documents, commit crimes lems for potential victims. Know- at a specific location, contact the family – Cybersecurity prac- person, possibly damaging the and apply for loans. Additionally, ing each common type is just the local information protection of- tices at home victim’s driving record. Criminal when thieves can’t get a victim’s beginning of being cyber smart. fice. Visit https://www.safcioa6. • Week 3: Privacy, PII and identity theft takes place when complete information, they can For tips, tricks and more in- af.mil/Organizations/CISO- FOIA – Reducing mission the victim’s identity is used with still use parts of an identification formation on identity theft, fol- Homepage/NCSAM-2019/ for cyber risks by protecting in- police, resulting in a criminal re- to create a synthetic identity. low this year’s theme, #BeCy- more information. Air Force scientists discover unique stretchable conductor

By Donna Lindner ties as they are strained states virtually the same, simply because the current within the last year and lymerized Liquid Metal Air Force Research or stretched. Typically, and still return to their has to pass through more was developed in AFRL Networks is ideal for Laboratory electrical conductivity de- original state. It is all due material. Experimenting with fundamental re- stretchable power deliv- Air Force Recognizes Energy Action Month 2019 creases and resistance in- to the self-organized nano- with these liquid metal search dollars from the ery, sensing and circuitry,” WRIGHT-PATTERSON creases with stretching. structure within the mate- systems and seeing the op- Air Force Office of Sci- said Capt. Carl Thrasher, AIR FORCE BASE, The material recently rial that performs these re- posite response was com- entific Research. It is cur- research chemist within Ohio – The Air Force developed by AFRL scien- sponses automatically. pletely unexpected and rently being explored for the Materials and Manu- Research Laboratory has tists, called Polymerized “This response to frankly unbelievable until further development in facturing Directorate at developed liquid metal Liquid Metal Networks, stretching is the exact op- we understood what was partnership with both pri- AFRL and lead author on systems which autono- does just the opposite. posite of what you would going on.” vate companies and uni- the Journal Article. “Hu- mously change structure These liquid metal net- expect,” said Dr. Chris- Wires maintaining their versities. Working with man interfacing systems so that they become better works can be strained up topher Tabor, AFRL lead properties under these dif- companies on cooperative will be able to operate conductors in response to to 700 percent, autono- research scientist on the ferent kinds of mechanical research is beneficial be- continuously, weigh less, strain. mously respond to that project. “Typically a ma- conditions have many ap- cause they take early sys- and deliver more power Conductive materi- strain to keep the resis- terial will increase in re- plications, such as next- tems that function well in with this technology.” als change their proper- tance between those two sistance as it is stretched generation wearable elec- the lab and optimize them “We think this is re- tronics. For instance, the for potential scale up. In ally exciting for a mul- material could be integrat- this case, they will enable titude of applications,” ed into a long-sleeve gar- integration of these mate- he added. “This is some- ment and used for trans- rials into textiles that can thing that isn’t available ferring power through the serve to monitor and aug- on the market today so shirt and across the body ment human performance. we are really excited in a way that bending an The researchers start to introduce this to the elbow or rotating a shoul- with individual particles of world and spread the der won’t change the pow- liquid metal enclosed in a word.” er transferred. shell, which resemble wa- The Air Force Re- AFRL researchers also ter balloons. Each particle search Laboratory is evaluated the material’s is then chemically tethered the primary scientific heating properties in a to the next one through a research and develop- form factor resembling a polymerization process, ment center for the Air heated glove. They mea- akin to adding links into Force. AFRL plays an sured thermal response a chain; in that way all of integral role in leading with sustained finger the particles are connected the discovery, develop- movement and retained to each other. ment, and integration of a nearly constant tem- As the connected liq- affordable warfighting perature with a constant uid metal particles are technologies for our air, applied voltage, unlike strained, the particles tear space, and cyberspace current state-of-the-art open and liquid metal force. With a workforce stretchable heaters that spills out. Connections of more than 11,000 lose substantial thermal form to give the system across nine technology power generation when both conductivity and in- areas and 40 other oper- strained due to the resis- herent stretchability. Dur- ations across the globe, tance changes. These prop- ing each stretching cycle AFRL provides a diverse erties and the material fab- after the first, the conduc- portfolio of science and rication details are directly tivity increases and returns technology ranging from compared in the current is- back to normal. To top it fundamental to advanced sue of Advanced Materials off, there is no detection research and technology at https://doi.org/10.1002/ of fatigue after 10,000 development. For more adma.201903864. cycles. information, visit: www. This project started “The discovery of Po- afresearchlab.com. October 21 2019 • 9 Missile warning radars see modern equipment installed

By Benjamin Newell age, no one makes parts for 66th Air Base Group Public it anymore. Things break and Affairs you run out of spares and then have to find workarounds. By HANSCOM AIR FORCE upgrading the system with BASE, Mass. – Program Ex- more modern and supportable ecutive Office Digital is up- equipment, we are extending grading the five radars that the life of the radars.” serve as the United States’ The 17th Test Squadron first warning of sudden mis- based in Schriever Air Force sile attack. Base, Colorado, completed Upgraded Early Warning the first operational test of the Radars, or UEWR, arrayed computer systems at Beale Air throughout the Northern Force Base, California, May Hemisphere have the primary 7. After a 30-day trial period, mission of missile warning Air Force Space Command and missile defense, and a operationally accepted the secondary mission of track- UEWR June 6, proving the ing space-borne objects. They systems effective and suitable are all undergoing upgrades for operations. to their computer systems and The program team here will continue to provide accu- is fielding systems in vari- The sun sets behind the Upgraded Early Warning Radar at Beale Air Force Base, California. rate and timely data to com- ous stages of deployment at Program Executive Office Digital is upgrading the five radars that serve as the United States’ batant commanders. four other sites: Fylingdales, first warning of sudden missile attack.(Courtesy photo by Eddie W. Clark, InDyne) These latest upgrades will United Kingdom; Clear Air “Airmen operators at all the sion. According to Sim, it is five-fold reduction in size.” focus on the processing equip- Force Station, Alaska; Thule UEWR sites, as a result of difficult to shut systems like The Raytheon Co. is the ment that builds information Air Base, Greenland; and equipping them with modern, the EWR down long enough to primary contractor and it’s commanders and senior lead- Cape Cod Air Force Station, sustainable equipment, will perform nonstop work. Con- working with subcontractors ers use to make decisions and Massachusetts. The Air Force be able to use these powerful tractors must build a switch- to complete work on systems provide warning in case of at- expects to complete the final tools to build a picture using ing system to facilitate rapid and infrastructure within the tack, as well as support mis- upgrades by the end of 2020. the information these radars reconfiguration between the radar. Forty-eight PEO Digital sile defense requirements for “With these upgrades to provide.” legacy and upgraded systems and Missile Defense Agency homeland defense. computer systems at the Early The requirement for these in order to minimize down- employees at Hanscom and “The upgrades address sev- Warning Radar sites, they can upgrades dates back to 2009, time. Peterson Air Force Base, Col- eral issues, but the biggest one now use algorithms and soft- and this current upgrade pro- “We’re going from 14 serv- orado, are working the project is obsolescence and sustain- ware to track missiles and po- gram began in 2012. The con- er racks with a 500 megahertz from the program manage- ability,” said Lt. Col. Yong tentially defend against them tract is worth $329 million processing capacity to three ment side, working closely Sim, PEO Digital’s program with more accuracy,” said and has been challenged by servers with a two gigahertz with Airmen, civilians and manager for the radar up- Kevin Donoghue, a MITRE the need to install significant processing speed,” said Sim. contractors at the five radar grades. “When the processing company engineer assigned amounts of equipment into ra- “That’s a four-fold processing sites who ensure work stays equipment reaches a certain to the program at Hanscom. dar sites that have a 24/7 mis- improvement with a nearly on schedule. Air Force Recognizes Energy Action Month 2019

By Corrie Poland readily available can pose serious ings performance contracting, the Air Force Energy, SAF/IE risks and challenges for troops. Air Force is prepared to fly, fight Powering aviation assets requires and win from its installations un- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Octo- complex fuel planning and logis- der any conditions. ber is Energy Action Month, an tics, all the way from refinery and During Energy Action Month, opportunity to highlight why en- storage facilities to fuel convoys the Air Force will emphasize the ergy is a critical enabler to combat and transport to the end-user. As need for smart energy solutions capability for the U.S. Air Force power projection platforms, in- and inform Airmen, Air Force se- and Department of Defense, and stallations depend on secure, reli- nior leaders, policy makers, and to encourage smarter energy use able and quality power to ensure aligned organizations about what and management for installations, Air Force mission assurance. they can do to effectively distrib- ground vehicles, and aircraft. The Air Force is focusing on ute, generate, and manage resil- Unveiled this year, the Air Force energy resilience and optimization ient and reliable energy across the theme of “Energy Able, Mission Every October, we recognize Energy Action Month to highlight to sustain warfighting capabilities enterprise. the critical role energy plays in Air Force operations, and to Capable” educates Airmen about in the air and on the ground. For To share the message, visit the importance of energy readi- encourage smart energy use and management for our installa- tions, ground vehicles, and aircraft. This year, our new theme instance, upgraded aircraft aero- www.safie.hq.af.mil/Energ- ness and resilience for the global of "Energy Able – Mission Capable” will showcase how effi- dynamics increase range and limit yActionMonth for resources mission. cient energy use increases mission capability and readiness the need for aerial refueling. In- and follow the hashtag #Energ- “By prioritizing energy man- for our global mission. Whether we’re championing projects vestments in modern software im- yAbleMissionCapable at www. agement and resilience, we are that optimize aviation fuel use, or encouraging Airmen to make prove the effectiveness of tankers facebook.com/AirForceEnergy building a strong foundation for smart energy decisions at individual installations, our goal is and streamline mission planning. and www.twitter.com/AFEn- the future warfighter and ensur- to foster a culture that prioritizes energy optimization and wa- Engine sustainment initiatives in- ergy. ing Airmen have energy when ter management. (Courtesy graphic) crease time on wing and prevent Air Force Energy, comprised of and where they need it,” said the Every year the U.S. Air Force 2 percent for ground vehicles. some maintenance issues. At the Operational and Installation Ener- Honorable John W. Henderson, spends nearly $6 billion on ener- While energy is a necessary part installation level, from new onsite gy, is led by the Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary of the Air gy, with approximately 82 percent of operations, as the modern generating capabilities to ensure of the Air Force for Installations, Force for Installations, Environ- used for aviation fuel, 16 percent battlefield grows increasingly energy resilient operations, to a Environment, and Energy and is ment, and Energy. for facilities and installations, and complex, keeping it secure and record setting year of energy sav- located in the Pentagon. 10 • October 21, 2019 Zoologist to speak at AEDC Woman’s Club November meeting

By Barbara McGuire featured guest. Stone Fort State Archaeologi- gram beginning at 10 a.m. itary connections or be involved AEDC Woman’s Club Withers has been with the cal Park. She spoke of her time Reservations must be made with Arnold Air Force Base to program since 1993. A large as a student at Middle Tennes- no later than noon Oct. 31. visit and become a member. The AEDC Woman’s Club part of his research is at the see State University and then Make reservations by calling For information about the will hold its next meeting Nov. Sherwood Forest of the South training to become a ranger. 931-393-2552 or 931-434- AEDCWC, call the member- 7 at the Arnold Lakeside Center Cumberland State Park. Table donations were given to 5415. ship chairman at 248-872-7923. with David Withers, a zoolo- Table donations will be go- The Shepherd’s House of Tul- The AEDCWC meetings Disclaimer: This is a private gist with the National Heritage ing to the Blue Monarch. lahoma. are open to the public and pro- organization which is not part Inventory Program of the Ten- During the Oct. 3 meet- The social hour of the Nov. 7 vide the opportunity to meet the of the Department of Defense or nessee Department of Environ- ing, the club welcomed Leigh meeting starts at 9:30 a.m., with members and become a mem- any of its components and has ment and Conservation, as the Gardner, a park ranger with Old the business meeting and pro- ber. You don’t need to have mil- no governmental status.

Leigh Gardner, a park ranger at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, shares about being a park ranger during the October meeting of the AEDC Women of the AEDC Woman's Club pose for a photo in shirts representing Woman's Club at the Arnold Lakeside Center. (Courtesy photo) their favorite colleges. (Courtesy photo) Local VFW post under new management By Dave Uselton erages. The club is open from noon to VFW Post 1893 midnight Thursday through Sunday. Karaoke is held every Thursday, Fri- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1893 day and Saturday from 8 p.m. to mid- is under new management. night. The mission of the post, located on The VFW is a congressionally char- Woods Reservoir at 6190 AEDC Road, tered 501c3 nonprofit Veterans Service Estill Springs, TN 37330, is to serve Organization. veterans and local communities. The Disclaimer: This is a private organi- facility is also open to the public. zation which is not part of the Depart- Available activities include a bowl- ment of Defense or any of its compo- ing machine, pool, and food and bev- nents and has no governmental status.

See the October Services calendar on page 6. October 21 2019 • 11 Same team, different uniform: The story of an Iraqi translator who became an American Airman

By Senior Airman flight equipment techni- Alyssa D. Van Hook cian, stationed at Joint 11th Wing Public Affairs Base Andrews, Maryland. From then on, Shnawa JOINT BASE AN- translated for the Ameri- DREWS, Md. (AFNS) cans frequently at various – In 2003, Airman 1st locations. They not only Class Saeed Shnawa was provided supplies and es- not Airman 1st Class sential aid, but also re- Saeed Shnawa. He was a moved rockets left by the 21-year-old Iraqi student regime from abandoned of technology at a univer- schools and medical clin- sity in Baghdad. ics. That’s when Ameri- “I witnessed, time can and coalition forces and time again, the good arrived to overthrow the deeds of the U.S. and co- Iraqi government, turning alition forces in the Sunni Baghdad into a war zone. and Shia regions of Iraq,” Like many young men and Shnawa said. women in Baghdad, Shna- Side by side, coalition wa fled the city, bound for troops trained new Iraqi western Iraq, where his forces, acquired contracts parents lived at the time. to rebuild schools and His life was upturned, his hospitals and empowered future uncertain. citizens with resources. Shnawa said Saddam Shnawa worked with both Hussein’s propaganda the U.S. Marine Corps and convinced much of the the U.S. Army, receiving Airman 1st Class Saeed Shnawa, 811th Operations Support Squadron, aircrew flight equipment techni- country that America was letters of recognition and cian poses for a photo at Joint Base Andrews, Md., June 6. Shnawa is an Iraq native who served as a evil. But those notions commemorative coins as translator for coalition forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2017. were soon tested when tokens of gratitude from (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa D. Van Hook) he came face to face with every unit rotation. Shnawa locked his phone American service mem- Shnawa said he loved and disappeared for longer bers. the work he was doing than ever before. “I fled to West Iraq – and he developed an ad- “That was the worst where my parents lived miration for the different seven months of my life,” around that time,” Shnawa branches of service. Be- Inaam said. said. “Many villages, in- cause of them, he felt he In order to keep his cluding that area, had been was able to help impact family safe, Shnawa had deprived of necessities by his nation on a large scale. decided to cut off all con- the regime. That’s where “But the great heroes of tact with his wife while we first met.” the U.S. forces did not get gone working with coali- The first meeting -hap to see what I saw,” he said. tion forces. pened when he noticed “While they were trading “When my baby came, a crowd of people sur- off for year-long deploy- I had to make a choice,” rounding an American ments, I was observing. Shnawa said. “I was liv- convoy. Curious, Shnawa And I observed many ac- ing in paranoia and knew I approached the crowd and complishments.” was being watched.” discovered the troops were From 2003 through Finally, he returned having great difficulty 2008, Shnawa said he home to Inaam, but was communicating with the watched as the nation unable to give her answers villagers. grew and improved thanks about where he had been Airman 1st Class Saeed Shnawa, 811th Operations Support Squadron, aircrew “Where are the women to the military efforts. or what he’d been doing. flight equipment technician, displays his commemorative coin collection, at and children in need?” But even in all his pride, He only told her he was Joint Base Andrews, Md., June 6. Shnawa received coins and letters of com- he heard the uniformed he said he found himself ok. Too soon after, he had mendation for his work with the U.S. and coalition forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa D. Van Hook) troops ask, in a barely in- disappointed; he said he to leave again. And again. telligible attempt at a local wished the troops who did Something changed Inaam said she spent “I hold a tremendous After they spent time dialect. Because he attend- the work could witness its when Shnawa left for an- much of the next two amount of honor toward researching the different ed college in the capital, long-term, positive im- other mission in late 2010. years being interviewed those troops in Iraq,” service branches, Inaam Shnawa seemed to under- pact. “This time it was dif- at the U.S. Embassy in Shnawa said. “It’s some- said she started to warm up stand the communication To make matters ferent, I just knew it,” Iraq. Whenever they could thing I will never be able to to the idea. better than the gathered worse, he said, news out- Inaam said. “He sent me schedule it, they spoke on describe. I used to wonder, “I realized it was dif- Iraqis. lets across the world had a message saying, ‘I’m the phone. ‘Will I ever get the chance ferent than his service in “I jumped in to help turned on the U.S. and going to find a better life “It was hard, but so to do their job, in their uni- Iraq,” Inaam said. “Togeth- the elders, but was quickly coalition forces. From his for us,’ and turned off his much better than before,” form?’ Before, I wrote it off er we made the decision kicked out of the crowd,” vantage point, the media phone. I cried frequently Inaam said. “I finally had as an impossible dream.” he would enlist in the Air he said. “But I was persis- coverage was focused and did not know what to assurance that he was In 2017, Saeed came Force.” tent, and instead of going too much on bullets and do. I just waited in fear for alive.” home with his citizenship This time, the separa- to the elders again, I went bombs and not enough on him to call me.” In January of 2013, after papers and an idea his wife tion had an entirely differ- directly to the Americans. the progress. Shortly thereafter, In- more than two years apart, did not expect to hear. ent meaning. When I broke through the According to Shnawa, aam remembers an indi- Inaam was finally reunited “After all the danger- “When Saeed left for crowd I said, ‘I can take less than 1 percent of the vidual from the village with her husband in the ous things he had done, Basic Military Training, he you to the women and operations he observed came to her brother and U.S. The disappearances, he still wanted to join the reminded me of all the bad children in need of sup- were met with violence. asked questions about the hiding, the fear – it was military!” Inaam said. “Of things that happened to us plies. I know where they Soon, though, the cal- Shnawa. over. course, I said absolutely and our country,” Inaam are.’” culus of danger changed “He came forward “When I arrived here, not.” said. “He said, ‘Good peo- The troops immedi- for Shnawa himself. He’d questioning whether or not I felt a sense of peace,” In- “And I didn’t blame ple here in America saved ately loaded Shnawa into spent years as one of the my husband was a transla- aam said. “We started a bet- her,” Shnawa said. “No our lives. I want to serve their Humvee, and he di- coalition forces’ most tor for the American Forc- ter life together.” one in the world could this country because of rected them where to go. trusted translators, but that es,” Inaam said. “I told Shnawa, however, said blame her because of the those heroes, and all they “After we delivered also meant he was known him I was sure he was not, he still had a dream to fulfill. torture I put her through.” sacrificed for us.’” all the supplies, the com- by the enemy. Insurgent but I was still warned. He mander told me the loca- forces could recognize said, ‘They know you are tion of their base, in case him, he said, and that’s the wife of Saeed Shnawa. I wanted to help again,” when he started to worry – If you want your family to Shnawa said. “At that especially thinking about remain alive, then do not point, I was still very his new bride, Inaam. leave the safety of your hesitant to join them on In an effort to protect home.’” a regular basis. After ac- her, Shnawa kept his job She complied. Finally, companying them again a secret from her, some- her husband broke the si- to deliver aid to some times leaving for days at a lence. One call turned into families in need, though, time without communica- a few text messages, fol- I was convinced of their tion. lowed by daily email. Her sincere motives to help my “He told me he was a fear began to give way to people. All of my precon- computer technician and hope. ceived notions about the translator with embas- Americans went out the sies,” Inaam said. “I al- Inaam still didn’t know window, and the rest was ways knew he was cover- where he was -- and she history.” ing something up, and I never would’ve guessed It was those early in- felt he was in danger.” he had escaped to Jordan teractions – right around A year after their mar- and sought asylum in the the time the coalition was riage, 2008 brought the U.S. overthrowing the Hussein birth of their first child. “I knew if I stayed regime – that put him on “I thought that because in Iraq, my family and I the long winding path that we had a child he was would not survive,” Shna- ended with Shnawa be- going to be home more wa said. coming an Air Force Air- often,” Inaam said. “Af- It was 2011 when In- man. ter she was born, though, aam finally got the whole Now, 16 years later, my life was turned upside story. “He called me from he’s an 811th Operations down.” America and finally told Support Squadron aircrew In November 2009, me everything,” she said. 12 • October 21, 2019