PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID TULLAHOMA TN Vol. 66, No. 6 Arnold AFB, Tenn. PERMIT NO. 29 March 18, 2019 ‘The Bone’ returns to Arnold Air Force Base for store separation testing

By Bradley Hicks AEDC Public Affairs

It had been nearly 20 years since a test involving the B-1B Lancer aircraft was conducted by Arnold En- gineering Development Complex at Arnold Air Force Base. This long absence recently came to an end, as a 10 percent model of the bomber, known in the flight world as “The Bone,” is now being used to conduct a series of store separation tests in the 16-foot transonic wind tunnel at Arnold AFB. The tests, which began earlier this year, were re- quested by an AEDC testing partner, the Air Force SEEK EAGLE Office (AFSEO), based out of , Florida. A new targeting pod design has been introduced for the aircraft, and officials in the SEEK EAGLE Office will examine the effects of the new pod on the B-1B Lancer. Tests will be conducted on five different store models at Arnold to determine whether the full-size munitions will cleanly release from the actual bomber during flight. “AFSEO and AEDC engineers are running numer- ous tests in the wind tunnel to collect data that will allow them to analyze the forces, moments and aero- dynamic effects on the store and be able to determine if Lt. Johnathan Gutierrez, test manager in the Flight Systems Combined Test Force at Arnold Air Force the trajectories from the aircraft are safe and effective for Base, looks on as a store model performs an offline simulation of store separation from a 10 percent flight,” said 1st Lt. Johnathan Gutierrez, test manager in model of the B-1B Lancer. Store separation tests are currently being conducted in the 16-foot transonic wind tunnel at Arnold to assess the impact a newly-introduced targeting pod for the B-1B would have on stores released from the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bradley Hicks) (This image was altered by See THE BONE, page 3 obscuring badges for security purposes) Arnold Air Force Base Legal Office earns MAJCOM-level recognition for team and individual efforts

By Bradley Hicks standing Legal Service Civilian service, whether active duty or duty Air Force and retirees, as AEDC Public Affairs of the Year for 2018. now as a civilian employee. She well as the dependents of active- McGowan was nominated for entered the Air Force after gradu- duty members, can seek legal The Arnold Air Force Base the MAJCOM-level award by ating high school. While serving advice from those in the office. Legal Office was recently recog- Lt. Col. Andrew Barker, Arnold in Japan, she began legal training McGowan also runs the office nized for its work supporting the AFB Staff Judge Advocate. and served as a military paralegal tax program, in which individu- base mission. A member of the “I was a little shocked and at Altus Air Force Base in Okla- als can schedule appointments to team was also recognized for the surprised because I feel there’s homa before her military separa- receive guidance needed to help oversight she provides for sever- a lot of civilian paralegals out tion. McGowan then worked as them complete tax forms. al programs offered by the office. there,” McGowan said. “I’m a civilian legal assistant at Altus Additionally, she runs the tax The office was named the Air very happy, and I appreciate Lt. before joining the Arnold AFB program for Rome Laboratory, a Force Materiel Command Small Col. Barker putting me up for the Legal Office. small Air Force Base located in Legal Office of the Quarter for the award.” McGowan currently manages Rome, New York, and she acts fourth quarter of 2018, and Para- McGowan has worked at Ar- a number of programs offered by as the claims examiner for all of legal Specialist Leslie McGowan nold since 2006. She began her Leslie McGowan the Arnold Legal Office, includ- Arnold AFB. was recognized with the Harold career at the base as a claims ex- rent role of paralegal specialist. ing its legal assistance program. R. Vague Award for AFMC Out- aminer before assuming her cur- She has a history of Air Force Through this program, active- See RECOGNITION, page 6 Fire and Emergency Services personnel participate in live fire training By Bradley Hicks AEDC Public Affairs

A pair of Arnold Air Force Base firefighters cut through the thick smoke to gain entry into the small living room just as the flames engulfing a couch climbed higher. As soon as the duo suppressed this blaze, a sec- ond fire emanated from a stove in the kitchen. While the firefighters focused their attention on these flames, the fire in the living room reignited. As this occurred, a group of Arnold firefighters on the roof braved a blinding haze to gain entry from the atop the home. The fire and smoke were real, but the situation was only a drill. It was all part of the live fire training re- cently completed by firefighters with Arnold Fire and Emergency Services. Live fire training is an annual requirement for fire- fighters according to National Fire Protection Associ- ation standards. To ensure compliance among the Ar- nold AFB Fire and Emergency Services, a mobile live fire simulator was brought to Arnold. The training unit resembles a mobile home and is designed to replicate Brandon Gunn, left, and Lee Brassfield, driver/operators with the Arnold Air Force Base Fire and Emer- situations crews could encounter while responding to gency Services, move a firehose into position to battle a blaze during live fire training. The department a residential structure fire. took part in the training Feb. 26-28. The training was carried out using a simulator capable of replicating the fire, smoke and heat firefighters would face in actual structure fire situations. (U.S. Air Force photo See TRAINING, page 6 by Bradley Hicks)

Working with : Sen. Bowling speaks to AEDC Local Stellar Xplorers teams AEDC’s John Washer shares his personnel as part of International place second and third in experience Women’s Day celebration Southeast Region

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Arnold Computer and network performance Air Force Base improvements are on the way

By Dan Hall donut when suddenly Outlook re- perience in five key areas. They are: new Virtual Desktop Infrastructure AFTC Center Information sponds and sends your message. • E-mail (VDI). Technology Office For too many of us, this is a • Virtual Private Network This VDI solution allows for typical start to our workday. We (VPN) Connectivity small and inexpensive terminals You arrive at work, turn on your have learned to tolerate the delays • Local Application Latency to be deployed to end users, while computer and login. Then it’s off to of poor performing computers and • Failed Authentication & the processing and storage is main- Col. Scott Cain pour the first cup of coffee, maybe networks, and it never seems to get Logon Delays tained at redundant back end fa- Commander a restroom visit, put lunch in the better. You are not alone. The good • Web Traffic Latency cilities. This makes operation and Jason Austin fridge and greet a few coworkers. news is, your frustrations are being These teams are meeting week- maintenance much easier, with up- Chief, By now maybe the computer is heard and addressed by many lev- ly, some daily, to research and dates being deployed very quickly. Public Affairs finished loading and you can get to els of senior leadership. implement solutions, with 14-day, This architecture also allows for work. You launch email and wait Col. Rick “Rico” Johns, deputy 30-day, and long-term targets. They much greater flexibility and scal- for that to load. In the meantime director for Air, Space and Cyber- are looking at everything from net- ability. The central hardware and maybe launch the web browser to space Operations & Chief Infor- work traffic content filtering to- in software has already been installed Richard Tighe see what’s going on in the world. mation Officer of Headquarters crease throughput of the most com- and configured. A secondary fail- General Manager, That fails to load with a message Air Force Materiel Command, has monly used data; to desktop client over site is also being deployed. The National Aerospace that the site took too long to re- Operation Bottleneck as No. 1 on software configuration to speed next step is to identify key users for Solutions spond. his top 10 priorities. Brig. Gen. load times; to the physical location early implementation and testing, High Mach Staff: Back to Outlook and an impor- Christopher Azzano, commander and configuration of authentication which is currently underway. Kathy Gattis, tant message from the boss needs of the , com- servers to speed login prompts. Ev- It is clear that computer and net- NAS Executive Editor your attention. You click and wait mented after a recent AFTC climate erything is being implemented and work performance is receiving the for the PIN authentication to come survey that network and computer tested with the end-user experience attention and resources needed to Deidre Ortiz, up. You respond to the email and performance was reported as the in mind. allow personnel to be more produc- NAS Editor are prompted that the message must No. 1 hindrance to productivity. Our unclassified environment is tive in support of their various mis- High Mach is published by Lakeway Publishers, Inc. a pri- be encrypted because of PII, even Improvements are on the way. not the only network being looked sions. Hopefully we will all begin vate firm in no way connected though you know there isn’t any. It 24th Air Force/Air Forces Cy- at for performance enhancements. to see the fruits of their efforts in the with the U.S. Air Force, Arnold won’t send without agreeing to the ber, who is the lead organization AFMC SIPRNET has been in coming weeks and months. Air Force Base, Arnold Engi- nonexistent PII, so your message tasked with maintaining and de- need of a complete modernization To quote Col. Johns, “Providing neering Development Complex (AEDC) or National Aerospace is forever altered with an array of fending the Air Force Network for some time. The AFMC Com- our users an amazing cyber experi- Solutions (NAS), under exclu- legal warnings, along with another (AFNET), is undertaking signifi- mander approved funds to modern- ence is job 1 at AFMC A3/6 (head- sive written contract with NAS wait for the PIN entry to digitally cant efforts to remediate the prob- ize and expand the entire AFMC quarters)…we will keep fighting at Arnold AFB, Tenn., 37389. sign it. Outlook then freezes and lems. They have created five Prob- SIPRNET architecture. This over- tirelessly to ensure the greatest Air Everything advertised in says ‘not responding’. You are al- lem Resolution Teams (PRTs) to haul includes expanded storage ca- Force in the world has the greatest this publication will be made available for purchase, use most hypnotized by the spinning research and enhance the user ex- pacity for shared files, along with a network in the world.” or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital sta- Main Gate tus, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non- upgrades to be merit factor of the purchaser, completed soon user or patron. The High Mach office is Work continues on modifi- located at 100 Kindel Drive, cations to the Main Gate at Suite A236, Arnold AFB, Tenn. 37389-1236. Editorial content Arnold Air Force Base. "We is edited and prepared by NAS. expect to be finished with Deadline for copy is Wednes- the project completely by day at close of business one the end of April," said Josh week before publication. Cooke, utility asset manager This commercial enterprise for the Test Support Division newspaper is an allowable Operations Section at the NAS contractor publication base. The active vehicle bar- for personnel at Arnold AFB. The content of High Mach rier foundations are in place does not necessarily reflect the and installation of new fenc- views of the Air Force, Arnold ing and overwatch building AFB, AEDC or NAS. The ap- was scheduled to begin the pearance of advertising in this week of March 11, Cooke publication does not constitute said. (U.S. Air Force photo endorsement of the products by Jill Pickett) or services advertised by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, Arnold AFB, AEDC, NAS or Lakeway Publishers, Inc. For general information about High Mach, call (931) 454-5655 or visit www. arnold.af.mil. Use High Mach to market your products and servic- es. Contact Renee at 931- 455-4545 or tnadvmgr@ lcs.net.

Core Values • Integrity first • Service before self • Excellence in all we do

Vision “NAS delivers the best aerospace testing capabilities today and in 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. 2. Traditional Tobacco products (e.g. cigars and cigarettes): we have the Action Line available. People can • Security. We are disciplined and vigilant use the Action Line to clear up rumors, ask ques- in protecting sensitive AEDC information a. Smoking is permitted solely in Designated Tobacco Areas (DTAs) identified by designated signage. If no 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. clude an option for your ideas, comments, or • Quality. We are passionate about doing of tobacco use and secondhand smoke. No smoking is permitted within 50 feet of golf course buildings 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 3. Smokeless Tobacco products (e.g. snuff and dip): Although the Action Line is always available, and how we do it. • 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 receptacles. Users of smokeless tobacco must flush tobacco waste down the toilet. courage everyone to go that route first, then if through creativity, perseverance, technol- the situation isn’t made right, give us a chance. ogy, and flexibility. We actively seek to 4. Electronic Cigarettes (also known as “e-cigs”): 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. Scott Cain 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. March 18, 2019 • 3 Working with Air Force One: AEDC’s John Washer shares his experience

By Kathy Gattis AEDC Public Affairs

Very few of us can say we’ve met even one U.S. president, but Test Operations and Sustainment contractor John Washer has met two – President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. He met them when he started working with Air Force One, the president’s airplane. “The team I was assigned to conducted all security once the president exited Air Force One and subsequently departed on Marine One,” Washer said. While his interactions with the president and vice president were limited, he got to know the Security Forces assigned to the Phoenix Raven program well. This was the group who actually flew with the president and his staff. You’ve seen them; they’re the people standing at the bottom of the stairs who wait patiently as the president and his entou- rage board or depart the plane. “We were a very close group, and I miss those times just work- ing with them,” Washer said. “They became family, and we NAS Industrial Security Specialist John Washer, right, and the NAS Deputy General Manger Mike Belzil, left, conduct security were all very close and would do checks bi-weekly along with Elise Sherrill, NAS Security Manager and Facility Security Officer (not pictured). Belzil is also the anything for each other. When I NAS Industrial Security Executive Sponsor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bradley Hicks) sit and think about it, something world incidents, the vindica- Another time Washer re- as simple as entering a complex, tor operator would be in direct counts providing a tour for Vice walking down the hall and see- communication with appropriate President Dick Cheney’s family. ing pictures of past presidents on commanders and, if the situa- Washer was the area supervisor the aircraft, some with historical tion warranted, the White House for security of the famed U-2 significance in context and some Military Office. Reconnaissance aircraft also that were just candid; it’s those During his three years with known as Dragon Lady during experiences that I probably cher- the Air Force One team, Washer the Joint Service Open House ish the most.” had many memorable experi- when the tour was requested. The assignment of working ences. “I truly enjoyed the people for Air Force One didn’t happen “My first night on duty at An- I got to work with and, looking instantly. Washer first applied for drews (AFB), we did a security back now, being a part of history. a special duty assignment to An- detail for then-Prime Minister I don’t think I truly appreciated it drews Air Force Base while sta- Tony Blair. It was one I remem- like I do now. I took my job very tioned at Minot Air Force Base, ber partly because it was my first seriously and did it to the best of North Dakota. He received or- security detail. Another one that my abilities, but I never really ders and was assigned to the stuck out to me was the return of took a deep breath and thought 89th Security Forces Squadron Captain Richard Phillips, who about how much of an honor it and deployed to Camp Bucca, had been held hostage by Somali was,” he said. Iraq, when he learned that his pirates while he and his crew In November of 2009, Wash- clearance came through and he were on the Maersk Alabama. er was honorably discharged would begin working for the This one was memorable be- after serving six years on active Air Force One Maintenance and cause the event was world news duty; three with Air Force One. John Washer, left, and his Air Force One teammates prepare Support Complex. and it was a big deal when he He then returned to Tennes- then Vice President Dick Cheney’s family to tour. Washer, who His initial title was Security was rescued and brought back to see and began working in state now works as National Aerospace Solutions Industrial Securi- Response team leader. This is the U.S. government before landing at ty Specialist, was the area supervisor for security of the famed U-2 Reconnaissance aircraft also known as Dragon Lady dur- the area supervisor for security “I remember that prior to AEDC. ing the Joint Service Open House when the tour for the vice leaving office, President George “This base (AEDC) offers of the Air Force One Mainte- president’s family was requested. (Courtesy photo) nance and Support Complex for W. Bush came to the Air Force me an opportunity to continue a specific shift. After undergoing One Maintenance and Support to serve my country and allows awe each time I get to go visit stationed here before he retired,” extensive training, Washer later Complex to meet with each Air- me to utilize some of my skill- these areas.” Washer said. “I think at the time became one of the vindicator op- man that took direct part in sup- sets I acquired from the military. Washer now works for Na- there were maybe two to three erators for his shift, which was port missions during his term in It’s also one of the coolest mis- tional Aerospace Solutions in active duty members in Security known as Panther Flight. As the office. This included logistics, sions in all the military. I don’t Industrial Security. Forces at AEDC. vindicator operator, the primary maintenance, security, food ser- know if people truly appreciate He heard about AEDC “I think AEDC is one of the responsibility is to monitor the vices and the flight crew. It was it; the work everyone does is so through his first flight chief who best kept secrets; this is a tre- alarm system and dispatch se- more than a quick five-second unique. The men and women was also from . mendous place to work. I’m tru- curity patrols to alarms for the handshake and it was a humbling who work in the test areas do an “TSgt. Wagner told me about ly proud to come to work every complex when activated. In real experience for so many of us.” absolutely amazing job. I’m in the base and how he hoped to be day.” THE BONE from page 1 the Flight Systems Combined Test simulating the release of the mu- Force. “One end goal is to make nition. Depending on the aerody- sure that once a store leaves the namic effects the store sensors are aircraft, it moves away from the reading, the store will drive itself aircraft and not back towards it in away from the aircraft model as aerodynamic flight.” it is in actual free flight. The test The targeting pod currently system will run continuous cal- used on the B-1B Lancer has been culations to determine where the in place for about 10 years. Gutier- store should be going as the store rez said the new pod configuration continues to drive itself. This test will enhance the avionics of the studies the behavior of the store weapons system, bolstering the as it leaves the aircraft. Engineers aircrew’s ability to locate a target. input specific commands for the “Because the pod has a differ- store before testing is done. ent shape than the original one, the Further testing to examine engineers need to study the aero- stores at specific trajectories dynamic effects of that on the air- away from the aircraft are com- craft and the weapons as they re- pleted later. lease from the aircraft, because if “We can take that store and they encounter turbulence or other roll it negative 90 degrees to pos- disturbances across those weap- itive 90 degrees. We can pitch it ons bays, then it is likely to cause up or down. We can yaw it side- the store to behave in a way that’s to-side,” Gutierrez said. “It just unfavorable for the aircrew,” Guti- depends on what our customer A store model positions near one of the three weapons bays on a 10 percent model of the B-1B errez said. wants to see based upon how Lancer. For the first time since 2000, the B-1B is involved in testing at Arnold Air Force Base. Tests are currently ongoing to determine the effects a newly-introduced targeting pod for the The Captive Trajectory Sys- they think the store will behave B-1B would have on stores released from the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bradley Hicks) tem, or CTS, in the 16-foot tran- as it leaves the aircraft, and then sonic wind tunnel, also known as they can examine data to come there that’s untested, then there The B-1B Lancer has served curred in 2000. 16T, is used to position the store closer to that.” is a significantly higher risk to the U.S. Air Force since the mid- The aircraft is capable of car- models at any of the weapons bays Gutierrez reiterated that the the aircrew,” he said. “But the 1980s, and Gutierrez said the air- rying many payloads, so individ- of the B-1B Lancer. testing now being conducted is AEDC and AFSEO team is go- craft is still used regularly. Prior ual tests can last anywhere from One of the testing methods in- vital in ensuring the safety of the ing to crunch the numbers and do to the recent efforts, the last test a few days to multiple months. volves using the CTS to place a B-1B aircrew. the engineering work to find out at Arnold involving the B-1B – The ongoing testing is expected store close to a weapons bay and “If we put something out if that’s safe for flight.” also a store separation test - oc- to continue through mid-Spring. 4 • March 18, 2019 XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator completes inaugural flight

By 88 Air Base Wing Public Affairs designing and building UAS faster by developing better design tools, and ma- The XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator, turing and leveraging commercial manu- a long-range, high subsonic unmanned facturing processes to reduce build time air vehicle completed its inaugural flight and cost. March 5, 2019 at Yuma Proving Grounds, Developed for independence, Arizona. The Air Force Research Labo- the aircraft behaved as expected and ratory partnered with Kratos Unmanned completed 76 minutes of flight time. The Aerial Systems to develop the XQ-58A. time to first flight took a little over 2.5 The 586th Flight Test Squadron, part years from contract award. The XQ-58A of the Arnold Engineering Development has a total of five planned test flights in Complex, provided assistance and men- two phases with objectives that include toring to AFRL from test planning all the evaluating system functionality, aerody- way through safety chase of the flight. namic performance, and launch and re- This joint effort falls within the Air covery systems. Force Research Laboratory’s Low Cost “XQ-58A is the first example of a Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) class of UAV that is defined by low pro- portfolio, which has the objective to curement and operating costs while pro- break the escalating cost trajectory of viding game changing combat capabil- The XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator, a long-range, high subsonic unmanned air tactically relevant aircraft. The objec- ity,” said Doug Szczublewski, AFRL’s vehicle completed its inaugural flight March 5, 2019 at Yuma Proving Grounds, tives of the LCAAT initiative include XQ-58A Program Manager. Arizona. Sen. Bowling speaks to AEDC personnel as part of International Women’s Day celebration

By Deidre Ortiz uty Speaker of the Ten- 1981 he worked for the AEDC Public Affairs nessee Senate. Prior to deputy of Contracting, her involvement in state and in 1995, became the On International politics, she also served director of Contracting. Women’s Day, March at the local level as al- He also served as act- 8, Tennessee State Sen. derwoman for the City ing executive director in Janice Bowling was in- of Tullahoma from 1992- 2006 before being asked vited to Arnold Air Force 2004 and 2005-2008. to serve as the deputy di- Base to discuss how AEDC and Arnold Air rector of the 704th Mis- women are making a dif- Force Base are special to sion Support Group that ference in Tennessee and Bowling, who has twice same year. her own role in state gov- served as president of Many at Arnold are ernment. the Arnold Community still familiar with the Members of the Council, a nonprofit or- Bowlings, and a large AEDC Test Operations ganization founded in group took advantage of and Sustainment contrac- 2000 to support and pro- the opportunity to hear tor at Arnold Air Force mote AEDC. Sen. Bowling speak at Base organized the event Her husband, Temple the Main Auditorium to in recognition of Interna- Bowling, worked at Ar- learn how she got her Tennessee State Sen. Janice Bowling speaks to a crowd at the Main Audito- tional Women’s Day. nold AFB for 37 years start in state politics. rium at Arnold Air Force Base on International Women’s Day, March 8. Bowling As senator, Bowling before retiring in 2010. Bowling explained talked about her life and career and how she eventually became involved in serves Tennessee District He served in many roles that in 1993, Van Hil- state politics. As senator, Bowling serves Tennessee District 16, which covers 16, which covers Coffee, during his AEDC career, leary had asked her to Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Sequatchie, Van Buren and Warren counties. Franklin, Grundy, Mari- as an active duty member help lead the Coffee (U.S. Air Force photo by Jill Pickett) on, Sequatchie, Van Bu- of the Air Force, a con- County efforts for his served as the field repre- ren and Warren counties. tractor employee and a campaign for congress. sentative in the 4th Con- She is currently the Dep- government civilian. In After he was elected, she gressional district cover- ing nine counties. She then went on to become district director over all 11 counties in the dis- trict. Having made con- nections and built re- lationships within the communities in her district, she decided to run for U.S. Congress. Though her two con- gressional runs were not successful, Bowling mentioned that her ca- Prior to speaking at the Main Auditorium at Arnold reer has become what it Air Force Base March 8, Tennessee Sen. Janice is today because of her Bowling introduces herself to Dr. Richard Tighe, perseverance. general manager of the AEDC Test Operations and When asked if she’s Sustainment (TOS) contractor at Arnold AFB. (U.S. ever had difficulty be- Air Force photo by Jill Pickett) ing a woman in a mostly ing to information pro- nationwide celebration male political environ- vided by the Internation- of women started in the ment, she mentioned al Women’s Day website. 1980s. In 1981, U.S. that she hasn’t really ex- Of the efforts for Congress passed Pub. perienced any issues. gender equality over the L. 97-28, which autho- “As a woman you years, Gloria Steinem, rized and requested the do have to work harder, world-renowned femi- President to proclaim the smarter and faster,’” nist, journalist and activ- week beginning March 7, Bowling said. “But now ist once said, “The story 1982, as “Women’s His- they know, ‘She’s Jan- of women's struggle for tory Week.” Throughout ice and she’s a worker.’ equality belongs to no the next five years, Con- I’ve always gone in with single feminist nor to gress continued to pass the expectation that I’m any one organization but joint resolutions desig- here and I’m part of a to the collective efforts nating a week in March team, and it’s worked.” of all who care about hu- as “Women’s History Bowling said a great man rights.” Week.” part of her career has In addition to Interna- Then in 1987, after been when she has made tional Women’s Day, the being petitioned by the her family proud. She entire month of March is National Women’s His- mentioned a conver- Women’s History Month. tory Project, Congress sation with her young Throughout the month, passed Pub. L. 100-9, granddaughter when The Library of Congress, designating the month of she became Tennessee’s National Archives and March 1987 as “Wom- first Deputy Speaker of Records Administration, en’s History Month.” the Senate. National Endowment for Between 1988 and 1994, “She said, ‘Nana, the Humanities, National Congress has passed ad- it makes me so proud Gallery of Art, National ditional resolutions re- when our family makes Park Service, Smith- questing and authorizing history,’” Bowling re- sonian Institution and the President to proclaim called. Holocaust March of each year as International Wom- Memorial Museum join Women’s History Month. en’s Day falls on March in commemorating and Since 1995, U.S. 8 annually, and the 2019 encouraging the study, presidents have also is- campaign theme is “Bal- observance and celebra- sued a series of annual ance for Better,” focus- tion of the vital role of proclamations designat- ing on gender equality women in American his- ing the month of March and creating a gender- tory. as “Women’s History balanced world, accord- The movement for a Month.” March 18, 2019 • 5 AEDC Team Profile: Katie Pierce The workforce at Arnold Air Force Manager. These range from the ministration. Also has many years Base and other AEDC locations creation of a SharePoint site for of nonprofit experience as the ex- is comprised of not only Depart- the Flight Branch to the design of ecutive director of the Tullahoma ment of Defense workers and the NAS sign for the NAS Office Fine Arts Center and financial co- salaried employees but also of of the General Manager. She is ordinator for Partners for Healing. non-exempt salary and Service also available to assist any Flight Contract Act employees across team member with tasks as they Describe a memorable or various contractors. NES and need help. exciting project with which SCA personnel include techni- “I began my job in March of 2018 you’ve been involved: “I have cians, designers, processors, and have enjoyed every minute learned so much in the short time specialists, security staff and of being part of the NAS orga- I have been with NAS, but I think administrative assistants. Each nization. The AEDC family is a one of the most exciting projects month, one NES or SCA employ- special group, and they have wel- I have been asked to be a part ee and his or her contributions to comed me with open arms. The of is sitting with the 16S Return the AEDC mission will be high- staff here is so proud of the work to Service Independent Review lighted in the High Mach. they are doing and are eager to Board to assist Walt Bishop with share information and answer taking notes for the meetings. I Name: Katie Pierce any questions I ask. The mission had a front-row seat, witness- Contract: Test Operations and at Arnold AFB has such a rich his- ing the engineers and craftsmen Sustainment tory; I am just happy to be a tiny reviewing the past knowledge Company: National Aerospace part of the important work that is of how the tunnel operated and Solutions, LLC happening here. But, above all, hearing the discussions on how having the privilege to provide as- to bring it back to life. Being new Hometown: From Tullahoma, sistance to team members, mak- to the base, it was a great history Since my time sitting with the ing time with her three children, Tennessee, where she resides. ing their work days easier, is very lesson on the mission of AEDC IRB, there has been an ener- ages 17, 14 and 10. fulfilling. It is nice to know my job and what the future holds here at getic buzz all around 16S, with “We spend many nights and Time at Arnold: Employed on is about helping others and hav- Arnold AFB. many NAS and Air Force team weekends at various sports base since March 2018. ing the ability to provide relief to “It was very exciting to hear the members working together as events rooting for Tullahoma.” our hardworking engineers and plans and potential of the 16S they begin ‘waking the sleeping She also enjoys working on vol- Job: Administrative Assistant for craftsmen.” Tunnel and to watch the infor- dragon.’ It is history in the mak- unteer projects with area non- the NAS Flight Branch. Pierce’s mation being shared between ing and I look forward to hearing profits. Pierce added she and job duties include a variety of Education: Received associate the experienced engineers and the tunnel running.” her husband enjoy traveling and administrative tasks and specific degree from Motlow State Com- the younger engineers who will spending time with family and job assignments by the Branch munity College in Business Ad- be taking this project forward. Hobbies: Pierce enjoys spend- friends. Preventing common warehouse accidents

By AEDC Safety in operating the equipment, your ability should not be used, not even for a one- Do you need assistance from one of your to anticipate hazards in the warehouse time job. Make sure the plate is properly co-workers, or do you need mechanical An accident in a warehouse can and your concentration regarding the anchored in place before loading or assistance from a forklift? Without injure you or your co-workers, damage task at hand. unloading. assistance, you may injure your back or equipment, and ruin cargo. It has the You can prevent traffic incidents The trailer can also contribute to damage the cargo. potential for a multiple loss. The most while operating the forklift, by using the an accident. The impact of lift trucks All AEDC employees have the common warehouse accidents involve same safe practices that apply to traffic moving in and out can cause the trailer to responsibility and authority to stop forklifts and manual material handling. driving. Observe the rules regarding inch away from the dock. Trailers should work when there is imminent danger The forklift is one of the most speed, maneuvering, and loading and be chocked and frequently checked to to an individual. This authority applies important mechanical devices you have. unloading. Keep your arms and legs insure they have not shifted. When the to Air Force/DOD, inside and outside It can also be one of the most dangerous inside the guard and wear your seatbelt. trailer is parked, jacks should be placed contractors. if not properly used. Statistics show The seatbelt will keep you inside the to prevent the trailer from tipping over. If you observe an unsafe action that forklifts are involved in only forklift in the event it tips over. Odds As a pedestrian in the warehouse, or condition that needs immediate about 1 percent of lost time accidents, are you won't be able to jump clear. stay clear of moving loads. When action (i.e. one that creates immediate yet they account for about 10 percent Unfortunately too many people have palletized cargo is being picked up, it danger to life or health), please stop the of the serious injuries. Some of those tried…unsuccessfully. can topple. Be alert. The rear of a forklift unsafe action and then call the AEDC injuries occur when a forklift strikes a The dock plate is all that is between swings wide, since the steering axle is Safety Hotline, 454-7233 (S-A-F-E). pedestrian; a load falls on a pedestrian you and an accident when transferring in the rear. So stay clear, and give the This number rings in AEDC Safety on or the driver; a forklift falls between cargo between a trailer and the dock. equipment plenty of room to maneuver. weekdays during business hours. The a trailer and dock or off a truck; or a Damaged plates should not be used. Before you attempt to lift, move Operations Center answers calls at forklift overturns. Check for cracks or if curbs are missing or shift heavy items in the cramped night, on weekends, and after the fourth The key to forklift safety is your skill or broken, report it. Makeshift plates confines of a trailer, assess the situation. ring during regular duty hours. Supporting warfighters: Two workforces come together with one mission in mind

By Debbie Aragon All of these efforts play a Air Force Installation and Mis- vital role in building resiliency, sion Support Center Public unit cohesion and readiness in Affairs our Air Force, said Col. Donna Turner, AFSVA commander. WHITEMAN AIR Brian Roush, AFSVA hu- FORCE BASE, Mo. (AFNS) man resources and benefits di- – Child care, golf, bowling, vision chief, began his career community center, lodging as a NAF employee in 1984 at operations and outdoor recre- Offutt Air Force Base, Nebras- ation. These operations, and ka, as a busboy and general many more, are designed to purpose clerk working Sunday support the morale, welfare brunch at the officers’ club. and recreation of Airmen and “Little did I realize then their families and rely heavily that my part-time job in high on one thing to make them tick school for gas and fun money … nonappropriated fund, or would be the start of a 30 plus NAF, employees. year career as an Air Force ci- Although paid by a differ- vilian,” Roush said. “By being ent funding source than gen- open to new opportunities and eral schedule, or GS, civilian challenges, having great men- employees, NAF employees tors and bosses, access to edu- “are committed to the same cation and tuition assistance thing as their GS counterparts programs and, honestly, a lot Jeremiah Parks, Maxwell Fitness and Wellness Center recreation aide, poses for a photo in – delivering capabilities to of hard work and long hours, I the weight room of the fitness center, Sept. 7, 2018, at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama Parks generate combat-ready and re- progressed.” retired after 61 years of service to the Maxwell community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Air- silient warfighters,” said Mike NAF positions, like those man Alexa Culbert) Hildebrandt, Air Force Servic- filled by Roush along his jour- lies are well taken care of as ever closed?” Roush asked, ties we provide to our service es Activity human resources ney, offer opportunity, employ- they complete their mission “The child development cen- members and their families program management branch ment and careers for spouses, at home station or while de- ter, lodging, restaurants and would not be possible,” said chief. other family members and the ployed.” snack bars.” Turner. “They are a vital part Currently, there are more local community, Roush ex- “NAF employees are part “Our NAF employees are of our Air Force mission and than 20,000 NAF employees plained. of the overall team that deliv- right there, on installations, we appreciate their dedication around the globe doing things “Through installation mo- ers the mission of the Air Force as part of the core of our Air and commitment to taking care like caring for children and rale, welfare and recreation and brings the importance of Force family community,” of Airmen and families each youth, conducting art classes, facilities, NAF employees that mission home to the com- Roush added. and every day.” managing outdoor recreation deliver service programs and munity,” Roush said. “NAF employees are a To find out more about programs, preparing healthy activities to build and sustain “After a snowstorm hits and force multiplier and backbone NAF careers for you or your meals and helping people Airmen and their families,” the base needs to return to nor- of our installation MWR ac- family members, visit the NAF achieve a pilot’s license or re- Hildebrandt said. “It’s one way mal operations, what are the tivities. Without them, the mis- careers page at https://www. pair their cars. Airmen know that their fami- first places to re-open, if they sion and resiliency opportuni- nafjobs.org/default.aspx. 6 • March 18, 2019

RECOGNITION from page 1 Over the past year, Mc- Gowan has twice been named AEDC Civilian of the Quarter. Barker described Mc- Gowan as an “outstanding performer” who has excelled in her duties. “I was delighted that she won,” he said. “That’s be- cause Leslie has been a top performer in the legal world for many years who has been recognized many times and is someone who has built good relationships with all the oth- er organizations. She does a great job.” McGowan competed against 12 other AFMC legal offices for the Harold R. Vague Award. Next month, she’ll vie against other top paralegals across Air Force MAJCOMs for the Air Force Judge Advo- cate General Award. While McGowan said she was surprised by her individ- ual award, she was not by the MAJCOM-level recognition earned by the Arnold Legal Office. “We have a great office,” The Arnold Air Force Base Legal Office was recently awarded Air Force Materiel Command Small Legal Office of the Quarter for she said. “We work well to- the fourth quarter of 2018. Pictured from left are Ryan Mueller, attorney advisor; Lt. Col. Andrew Barker, staff judge advocate; Leslie McGowan, paralegal specialist; Greg Porter, senior attorney advisor; and Eric Norton, paralegal specialist. Not pictured gether. I can’t say enough is Capt. Janet Ashitey, deputy staff judge advocate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bradley Hicks) good things about what our office does, what the attorneys Gowan and Barker in the Ar- this team gets recognized be- valuable it is to the efficacy across the base. do.” nold Legal Office are Capt. Ja- cause the legal office has its of the base and the base’s mis- “The driving force behind The office provides legal net Ashitey, deputy staff judge hand in everything that hap- sion.” our legal office award and also support for the command at advocate; Greg Porter, senior pens on the base in one way Five legal offices within Leslie’s individual award is Arnold AFB, and its efforts attorney advisor; Ryan Muel- or another through some kind the AFMC are considered that we have great leadership impact everything from con- ler, attorney advisor; and Eric of legal review or approval, Small Legal Offices. The of- here on the base and we have a struction around base to com- Norton, paralegal specialist. and not just the big things fice has been recognized be- very important mission, so we missary operations. Along Barker said the Arnold Le- like source selection, but lots fore, also having been named are all motivated to support with the legal assistance and gal Office is a “great team,” of small things, too,” Barker the AFMC Small Legal Office our leadership and the mission tax help programs, the office adding he is glad he gets to said. “These guys work really of the Quarter in 2017. here,” Barker said. “They’re helps with acquisitions for observe all of the behind-the- hard and put in a lot of hours. Barker said much of the good examples, so we strive to testing and legal review of scenes work done by its mem- “An award like this really credit for the recognition the make sure that we reach their contracts and agreements. bers. helps highlight how important Arnold Legal Office has re- goals and all that’s expected Working alongside Mc- “I’m always glad when the legal office is and how ceived belongs to leadership of us.” TRAINING from page 1 Thomas Lombard, an trainees with improved control temperatures and assistant fire chief at Ar- safety when compared provide instructors with nold AFB, said the train- to other live fire training greater insight into the ing not only better pre- methods. situations trainees are pares the department to “Propane allows us facing. The simulator respond to calls around to have continuous fires, programming can also the base and mutual aid which means I don’t need determine when firefight- emergencies, it also bol- additional crews to actu- ers aren’t working the sters synergy among ally stoke the fire. I don’t fire as effectively as they members of the crew need to have four or five should. while giving departmen- people help start the fire “If there’s a rapid rise tal leaders an opportunity and keep it running in in temperature, the in- to see them in action. that fashion,” Lombard structor at the panel can “It builds teamwork said. “The benefit of pro- shut it off,” Lombard and comradery amongst pane is we can control said. “In addition, there’s the crew to get the job the temperatures and, if a computer system that done,” he said. something’s not working monitors the entire op- The training began on out, we can shut it down. eration, so it has some Feb. 26 and concluded on If we were using Class set parameters. If the fire Feb. 28. During the exer- A materials like wood jumps too high or it’s not cises, Arnold firefighters products, or even in the being put out aggressive- formed teams of two, and days of hay, you couldn’t ly enough, it’ll continue each team was tasked really control that fire ex- the fire fight until the with working its way cept by putting it out. So firefighter performs and through the simulator. if something was going gets water where they The teams had to tackle wrong, you couldn’t just need to on those sen- the mock living room stop. You had to do an sors.” fire before proceeding emergency evacuation to But even with the forward to the simulated reset the burn scenario.” safety measures and con- kitchen. As each group The smoke that fills trols, Lombard said get- worked on the stove fire, the training unit through ting through the simu- the living room fire was controlled releases is lator is no easy task as relit. water-based, making it trainees face many of “They had to coor- safer for the firefighters. the same challenges they dinate as a team to go And while it does not would while responding back and extinguish the behave quite like smoke to real-world situations. fire behind them to make would during an actual “Once a firefighter sure they still have a safe fire emergency, Lombard dons their gear, they’re egress,” Lombard said. said it gives personnel an wearing an additional 85 Personnel on the top idea of the obstructive pounds of equipment,” portion of the simulator impact smoke has on vi- Lombard said. “Once battled through heavy sion during real structure they enter the simula- smoke and collaborated fires. tor, they completely Arnold Air Force Base firefighter Sam Teat works to extinguish a blaze in the to get their fire hose into Built into the training lose visibility inside the “kitchen” area of the live fire simulator recently used by the Arnold AFB Fire position to combat the simulator are other safety structure, so they have to and Emergency Services to complete the annually-required live fire training. below grade blaze. features. Lombard said learn to work within that (U.S. Air Force photo by Bradley Hicks) The simulator was there are push-button parameter of left-hand rise, and even the sweat More training is on provided to Arnold by components throughout or right-hand search pat- on their body starts to the horizon for the Ar- the Kentucky Fire Com- the unit that allow in- terns. They’re also fac- steam off and evaporate, nold AFB firefighters as mission, which is part of structors to immediately ing the heat of the fire so it’s definitely an envi- they are set to take part the Kentucky Communi- stop an exercise. There itself. As they enter, the ronmental change from in aircraft live fire train- ty and Technical College are also sensors which temperature starts to outside to inside.” ing later this spring. System. Lombard said his crew has worked with the KCTCS for the past several years to complete the necessary training. “They’ve performed with us the last several years, and they’ve done a great job doing so,” he said. The fires in the simu- lator are created via a propane-driven system. This provides adminis- trators with greater con- trol over the fires and March 18, 2019 • 7 8 • March 18, 2019 Air Force provides employment support for spouses

By Tammy Cournoyer This is where cation and career goals, Air Force’s Personnel A&FRC counselors whether it’s finishing an Center Airman and Family excel. They cover the undergraduate degree, Sustainment gamut of spouse employ- pursuing a training cer- ment, from referrals for tificate or landing a new JOINT BASE SAN education and training, job,” McCree added. ANTONIO-RAN- to the fundamentals of Spouse Education and DOLPH, Texas (AFNS) resume writing and in- Career Opportunities, or – Professionals at Air- terviewing, to assisting SECO, is an initiative man and Family Readi- spouses with finding the that seeks to strengthen ness Centers stand ready perfect-fit job. education and career op- to support military “We can help spouses portunities for military spouses with achieving who are just starting out spouses by providing their short and long-term in the work force as well career exploration tools employment goals re- as those who have an es- and resources. SECO gardless of where they tablished career path,” offers military spouses are stationed. said Javonika McCree, comprehensive educa- Employment skills a community readiness tion and career support, counselors Air Force- analyst and employment including career coaches wide understand mili- specialist at Joint Base who can help with: tary spouses face unique San Antonio-Randolph. Career exploration – challenges in the work “As a military spouse, identifying your skills, force, and they must be you have access to a interests and aptitudes prepared to create and number of unique re- and selecting an interest- maintain a portable ca- sources that will help ing and rewarding career. reer. you achieve your edu- Education, training and licensure – acquir- ing the right education, technical training, li- cense or credential for your career goals. Employment readi- ness – resources that can help you brush up on current trends, write a resume, network and hone your interviewing skills. Career connections – opening the door to op- portunities and connec- tions through Military Spouse Employment Partnership, USAJOBS. gov, CareerOneStop and more. To learn more about SECO, visit https://my- seco.militaryonesource. mil/portal/.

See the April Services calendar on page 10. March 18, 2019 • 9 2019 Engineers Week concludes with inspirational speech from special guest

By Paul Kelly AEDC Technical Management Advisory Services

Engineers Week was brought to con- clusion with the Engineers Week Ban- quet Feb. 21 at the University of Ten- nessee Space Institute Dining Hall. Engineers Week activities were planned and hosted with help from the Tullahoma chapter of the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers and the Tennessee section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronauts, along with volunteers from AEDC, UTSI, the Hands-On Science Center and the Arnold Air Force Base STEM Program. As part of the banquet, FIRST® Tech Challenge team of area students present- ed their robot and discussed its capabili- ties. Short presentations were made to review the MATHCOUNTS® compe- tition, the Student Design Competition and the Engineer for a Day program. The speaker for the evening was Lt. Col. Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton, who is the commander of the F-35 Lightning II Integrated Test Force. He is responsible for over 700 men and women and for Lt. Col. Tucker Hamilton, the guest speaker of the 2019 Engineers Week Banquet, tells the story of his grandmother Betty Robinson, an Olympic gold medalist. The banquet was Feb. 21 at UTSI for those who participated in the weeklong putting the F-35 through all of its flight Engineers Week events. (Courtesy photo by Michael Millraney) tests. Hamilton gave the audience things to Olympics as part of the 4x100 meter re- life is and how you have to pick yourself cleared, and then a controlled layer of think about in addition to discussing the lay team that won the gold medal. She up, prioritize your life, and continue on. ice put down on the runway, and land- flight attributes of the F-35. He began had affinity or calling to run, great abil- In discussing the F-35, he said it ings and taxiing were executed on the his talk with four words for the audience ity, was ready to respond to the opportu- was the easiest plane to land that he has icy runway. to think about: affinity, ability, opportu- nity to be in the Olympics, and resilient flown and it can almost land itself. He Hamilton also showed videos of pilots nity and resiliency. He defined each of by not giving up when others told her discussed the F-35 flight helmet which experiencing G-loc, which is the loss of the words: affinity as a calling, ability as she couldn’t run again. carries a cost of $400,000. He said that consciousness due to G-forces. When a skill, opportunity as being ready to re- Hamilton’s grandmother encouraged it provides augmented reality, and it fighter aircraft accelerates vertically, the spond, and resiliency as never giving up him to aspire to be an astronaut. His ca- gives the pilot situational awareness. pilot can experience higher than 9Gs ac- even in the face of adversity. reer has not yet lead him to space, but he The Test Force puts all three ver- celeration. This will render the pilot un- He spoke to the audience about his has already put into practice those four sions of the F-35, a, b, and c through an conscious. When this happens, the plane grandmother, Olympic gold medalist words. extensive flight test program with over can become out of control. One of his ex- Betty Robinson, who taught him a lot Hamilton told the audience that their 30,000 test points. On a typical day, 40 periences was to be one of the first to fly about never giving up even when life personal stories are important and to people in four control rooms will moni- a fighter (an F-16) with an air collision deals you a difficult blow. She was the pass them on, even (or especially) sto- tor data from an approximate four-hour avoidance system. Today, these systems first woman gold medalist in the modern ries of failure. He was involved in a mid- flight. Over 500 missions are flown in a are typical and are saving pilots’ lives. Olympics, winning gold in the 100-me- air collision with another fighter aircraft typical year. He emphasized that everyone should ter dash in the 1928 Olympics. In 1931 over the Gulf Coast. The other pilot lost This group also tests aircraft that will tell their stories, and he brought the talk she was injured in a plane crash and told his life, and Hamilton was lucky to be be flown by our allies. One test had to be back to the first four words he started she would not walk or run again. How- rescued from the Gulf by fishermen. The conducted in Alaska for the Norwegian with: affinity, ability, opportunity and re- ever, she went on to compete in the 1936 incident made him aware of how fragile Air Force. Ice on the runway had to be siliency. Local Stellar Xplorers teams place second and third in Southeast Region

By Kim Nelson as the team coach. This is the third Coffee County Stellar Xplorers year Lt. Col. Kim M. Nelson, Team Mentor U.S. Air Force retired, has served as the team mentor. Lt Col Nel- Two of the three Stellar Xplor- son is the former Chief of AEDC ers teams from Coffee County Space and Missile Testing and is Central High School recently the local TN-Valley Chapter WID placed in the top three positions in STEM director. Chad Overcast, the Southeast Region. former AEDC physicist, also as- Stellar Xplorers is an Air sisted the team with the Systems Force Association sponsored Tool Kit. program designed to inspire and As coach, Angle took a new attract high school students to approach this year and had the pursue studies and careers in Sci- CCCHS Stellar Xplorers program ence, Technology, Engineering be a student-led and student- and Mathematicsthrough a chal- run activity. The 15 students, lenging space system design com- led by Tabby Syferd, managed petition involving all aspects of the schedule, team responsibili- system development and opera- ties, meetings, and competitions. tion with a spacecraft and payload These students did an outstand- focus. ing job balancing school, activi- Over 100 teams participated ties, and this program. Some of in competitions across the nation the technical aspects of the STK this year. The three teams from are beyond the student’s knowl- Members of the Coffee County Central High School Stellar Xplorers teams celebrate their re- CCCHS competed throughout edge, so Angle and Nelson will be cent recognition as Region Awards Winners for the Southeast Region of the Stellar Xplorers. the 2018-2019 season, from Sep- working this summer to develop CCCHS Air Force Junior ROTC Team #2 received second place and CCCHS Air Force Junior tember 2018 to February 2019, basic training courseware that can ROTC Team #4 received third place. These teams were part of over 100 teams to participate in and participated in three Practice be used each year to train students Stellar Xplorers competitions across the nation this year. (Courtesy photo) Rounds, two Qualifying Rounds on STK and basic orbital mechan- Science Center in Tullahoma at ing round. The Program supplies as outlined in a scenario describ- and the Prestige Round. ics. This will help balance the (931) 455-8387. a self-contained academic/educa- ing the system’s mission and con- This was the third year in a workload between the student-led Who can participate? tion component accessed online straints. row that the Arnold Air Force and mentor/coach-led sections Teams can come from any high as a curriculum supplement, as Practice Rounds precede two Base STEM program and the Ten- during the actual competitions. school (including home schools), well as specific training in the use Qualification Rounds with the nessee Valley Women in Defense The AF STEM Program pro- JROTC, CAP, School Clubs, Boy/ of system simulation software, QR scores determining which Chapter partnered together to sup- vided the registration fees for this Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs, Systems Tool Kit. The competi- teams advance to either the Pres- port the Stellar Xplorers Program year’s competition, and the Ten- or any organized youth organiza- tion leading up to the finals is- ac- tige Round, or the higher scoring at Coffee County CCCHS. nessee Valley Chapter of WID tion. Teams consist of an adult complished from the team’s home Semi-Finals in March. The top For the 2018-2019 school provided the high-speed lap-top team director, usually a teacher, location on any Windows-based teams from the Semi-Finals will year, the CCCHS Air Force Junior computers required to run the and two to six students. Team personal computer. receive an all-expense-paid trip ROTC Commander, Col. Mike STK software. If you are inter- mentors with space experience Teams will be asked for their the Finals in Colorado in early Angle, U.S. Air Force retired, for- ested in helping mentor a team at are available in-person or online. solutions to a typical space design April. mer Director of Policy, Plans & your school or a CCCHS, please Participation is free until after problem, such as orbit determina- For further information on the Programs, Joint Forces Compo- contact the Arnold Air Force Base teams have had the opportunity tion, satellite component selec- Stellar Xplorers program visit: nent Commander SPACE, served STEM Director at the Hands-On to compete for the first qualify- tion, and launch vehicle planning, http://www.stellarxplorers.org. 10 • March 18, 2019 Tennessee Fisher House president to speak at AEDC Woman’s Club meeting

By Barbara McGuire tion. He will be talking about the Fisher by AEDCWC ladies walking around to the public and provides the opportu- AEDC Woman’s Club House, the amenities guests receives, the club room. Donations from our nity to meet the members and become a sharing many pictures and more. members went to the AEDCWC Schol- member. You don’t need to have mili- The AEDC Woman’s Club will hold Those attending will also be intro- arship Foundation. tary connections or be involved with their next meeting April 4 at the Arnold duced to this year’s AEDCWC Schol- The social hour of the April 4 meet- Arnold Air Force Base to visit and be- Lakeside Center and will be welcoming arship recipients at this meeting. Table ing starts at 9:30 a.m., with the business come a member. Don Wright from The Tennessee Fisher donations will be going to The Tennes- meeting and program beginning at 10 For information about the AEDC- House in Murfreesboro as the special see Fisher House in Murfreesboro. a.m. WC, call the membership chairman at guest. The March program for the AEDC Reservations must be made no later 931-455-3569. Wright is president of the Tennessee Woman’s Club was presented by than noon March 28. Make reservations Disclaimer: This is a private organi- Fisher House Foundation, which en- Dorene Briggs of Dillard’s of Cool by calling 931-393-2552 or 931-434- zation which is not part of the Depart- ables family members of veterans to be Springs with makeup specialists from 5415. ment of Defense or any of its compo- close to a loved one during hospitaliza- Dior. Beautiful spring styles displayed The AEDCWC meetings are open nents and has no governmental status.

AEDC Woman’s Club members display the latest spring fashions during their March meeting at the Arnold Lakeside Center. Pictured left to right are Joan Hartvigsen, Stephanie Mittuch, Lisa Schroeder, Susan Schultz, Sande Hayes, Susan Harris and Barbie More. (Courtesy photo)

See the March Services calendar on page 8. March 18, 2019 • 11 Emerging Technologies CTF conducts first autonomous flight test

By Kenji Thuloweit Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) – The 412th Test Wing’s Emerging Tech- nologies Combined Test Force conducted its first autonomy flight test Feb. 26-28. The team collected data on the Testing of Autonomy in Complex Environments system, or TACE. The TACE system is test middleware developed by Johns Hopkins Univer- sity that sits between an autonomy/artificial intelli- gence computer and an air- craft’s autopilot, according to Capt. Riley Livermore, 412th Test Wing ET CTF Autonomy lead. It moni- tors the commands being sent from the autonomy to the autopilot and then sends back the aircraft state information such as position, speed and orien- tation to the autonomy. “Today we had an David Freeman, 412th Test Wing Emerging Technologies Combined Test Force, hand launches a small unmanned aircraft system in autonomous algorithm the north part of , California, Feb. 27. The ET CTF conducted its first autonomy flight test Feb. 26-28.(U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit) commanding the aircraft without any direct hu- sees and therefore can man involvement; we call manipulate that informa- it human ON the loop as tion to allow for simulated opposed to most remotely entities to influence its piloted aircraft that are hu- decision making,” Riley man IN the loop,” Riley said. “For example, us- said. ing TACE, a single live The flight test involved aircraft can fly in forma- hand launching a Lynx tion with a virtual wing- small unmanned aircraft man, with simulated sen- system, or sUAS, made by sors, flying in a simulated Swift Radio Planes. The GPS-denied environment. TACE payload itself is not The beautiful thing about designed for a specific air- TACE and LVC is that it craft, but can be used on can stress the autonomous different aircraft sizes for algorithms without jeopar- test, Riley said. dizing the safety of flight.” There are two pri- The three-day flight mary functions for TACE. test demonstrated how the One is called “autonomy TACE system aboard the watchdog.” Lynx sUAS would turn the “If a safety-of-flight aircraft around to its safety parameter is violated dur- area when approaching a ing an autonomously com- virtual border and its abil- manded maneuver — aka ity to track a simulated ve- proximity to other test air- hicle on the ground with- craft, flying out of an - air out human commands. The 412th Test Wing’s Emerging Technologies Combined Test Force Autonomy test team monitors a small space boundary, or losing According to Riley, unmanned aircraft system Feb. 27, at Edwards Air Force Base, California, during the ET CTF’s first au- tonomy flight test.(U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit) communications with the mastery of an autonomous ground unit — then TACE flying system could be an use case for autonomous testing, the unit will be us to rapidly and safely test AI algorithms developed will stop the commands asset for the warfighter. systems in the Air Force able to declare autonomy unknown autonomy and by third-party vendors.” from the autonomy and “Both the 2018 Nation- is as a loyal wingman. The test Initial Operation Ca- force it to remediate and al Defense Strategy and concept there being an au- pability, according to Ri- loiter at a pre-determined the 2019 National Defense tonomous wingman who ley. He added the ET CTF safety location,” Riley Appropriations Act man- can cooperatively work plans this summer on fly- said. date that the services de- with and help a manned ing autonomy on much The second function, velop, test, and implement aircraft through a variety larger unmanned systems Live-Virtual-Constructive, autonomous and AI sys- of scenarios.” that can fly up to 250 mph. is the ability for TACE to tems,” Riley said. “TACE The ET CTF will con- “The main features will allow simulated entities to is a crucial first step in pro- duct another autonomous be our flight tested TACE interact with live aircraft. viding a safe, rapid and ef- flight test in a couple system that is compatible “TACE controls what fective tool for evaluating weeks. Upon successful with an open systems ar- the autonomy computer these systems. The current completion of TACE flight chitecture. This will allow 12 • March 18, 2019