PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID TULLAHOMA TN Vol. 68, No. 7 Arnold AFB, Tenn. PERMIT NO. 29 April 5, 2021 Full speed ahead: Mach 18 now available to test customers at AEDC Tunnel 9 By Bradley Hicks AEDC Public Affairs WHITE OAK, Md. – Test customers in need of serious speed are lining up to take advantage of an unprecedented capability now available at Arnold Engineering Development Complex Hy- pervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 in White Oak, Md. Calibration of the Mach 18 system was com- pleted at Tunnel 9 in July 2020, less than two months after the mid-May initiation of the pro- cess. Performed to ensure the system would op- erate as expected, the calibration documented the flow properties and uniformity for four differ- ent test conditions based on Reynolds number, which expresses the relationship between inertial and viscous effects. The system checked out, opening the door for Team AEDC members at AEDC Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 in White Oak, Md., conduct the initial shakeout of Tunnel 9 to begin offering Mach 18 testing to the Mach 18 system from the facility control room in 2019. Calibration of the Mach 18 system was completed at customers. It wasn’t long before Tunnel 9 had its Tunnel 9 in July 2020. The system checked out, allowing Tunnel 9 to begin offering Mach 18 testing to custom- ers. The first customer runs at Mach 18 occurred in August 2020.(Courtesy photo) (This is image was altered by See MACH 18, page 3 obscuring badges for security purposes.) U.S. Space Force official gets first-hand look at Arnold AFB By Bradley Hicks Development Complex is home AEDC Public Affairs to a talented workforce with unique skills and to exquisite Gen. David D. Thompson, ground test facilities that have vice chief of space operations supported systems development for the U.S. Space Force, re- across the Department of De- cently visited the Arnold En- fense for decades,” Thompson gineering Development Com- said. “As the U.S. Space Force plex headquarters at Arnold Air develops space systems to oper- Force Base, Tenn., to gauge how ate in a newly-contested envi- AEDC space test and evalua- ronment, we need to evolve how tion capabilities can support the we test and evaluate our capabil- newest branch of the nation’s ities to ensure their survivability military. and effectiveness in the face of On Feb. 5, Thompson spent attack. the day at Arnold AFB meeting “One of the key aspects of with AEDC leadership, touring the agility we need in develop- test and evaluation capabilities ing and fielding space capabili- across the installation and con- ties more rapidly is the ability versing with base personnel. He to validate and refine models gleaned from his various stops in physical data quickly. Arnold Gen. David Thompson, second from right, vice chief of space operations, U.S. Space Force, and discussions that AEDC has the facilities and expertise al- poses a question to Jonathan Carroll, right, capability manager for the Arnold Engineering technical staff prowess and test ready in place to help with that. Development Complex Hypervelocity Flyout, Impact and Lethality Ground Test and Evaluation, facilities could be leveraged to Our visit was built around trying about the capability as they tour Range G at Arnold Air Force Base, , headquarters of AEDC, enhance the Space Force mis- to identify those opportunities Feb. 5. Also pictured are, from left, Col. Nick Hague, Space Force director of Test and Evalua- sion. tion; and Lt. Col. David Zesinger, executive officer to the vice commander of the Space Force. “The Arnold Engineering See SPACE FORCE, page 4 (U.S. Air Force photo by Jill Pickett) Lamb named 2020 AFMC Outstanding Quality Assurance Program Coordinator By Jill Pickett government employees that per- of the pandemic for my job is AEDC Public Affairs form surveillance on government some of the training and docu- contractors are properly trained mentation needed in the system Stacey Lamb, the Arnold En- for the task. She also acts as the I have always done one-on-one,” gineering Development Com- administrator for the surveillance Lamb said. “I just had to find a plex Quality Assurance Program program that tracks surveillance way to work the one-on-one by coordinator (QAPC) and Small reports, training and reviews. getting them to call my cell and Business specialist at Arnold “Stacey truly enjoys her share their desktop so that I could Air Force Base, has once again job working with multifunc- walk them through needed steps. distinguished herself among tional teams to ensure AEDC I feel like I am still able to pro- her peers, earning the Air Force is in compliance with its con- vide the same level of training Material Command Award for tract oversight requirements,” as in the past by adjusting to the Outstanding QAPC for a second said Rebecca Gardner, chief of change and everyone being pa- time. the Test Range and Specialized tient as we’ve worked through Lamb earned the award the Contracting Division for AEDC the challenges.” first time for her work in fiscal and Lamb’s supervisor. “She Lamb said the success she’s year 2018. has developed new processes achieved is only possible because “I was so honored to have within the QA program to ensure of equally dedicated co-workers. even received this award the Contracting Officer Represen- “I do think I win these awards first time; so the second time…,” tatives are thoroughly trained because of the great team I work Lamb said. “I’m really shocked and that their documentation is with,” she said. “The team that and a lit bit speechless because I inspected each year. Stacey is I have makes me glad to go out work with some really great QA- very proactive and reaches out to of my way to do everything PCs from other bases.” CORs frequently to ensure any one-on-one and give more per- Lamb has been in the field of issues are mitigated early.” sonal attention to each person Stacey Lamb, the Arnold Engineering Development Complex government contracting for more As it did for so many, the I train and work with because Quality Assurance Program coordinator (QAPC) and Small COVID-19 pandemic forced they do the same for me Business specialist at Arnold Air Force Base, poses for a than 15 years, previously work- photo with AEDC Commander Col. Jeffrey Geraghty after the ing with the Department of Vet- Lamb to make changes to when I need them.” AEDC annual awards ceremony Feb. 24 at Arnold Lakeside erans Affairs. As a QAPC, she complete her tasks. Complex at Arnold AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jill Pickett) is responsible for ensuring all “The most challenging aspect National Welding Month: April is Distracted Driving Cop Corner: Welders play vital role Awareness Month Installation Access Control in AEDC mission and Gate Hours …Page 2 …Page 5 …Page 5 2 • April 5, 2021 v Arnold Air Force Base Col. Jeffrey Geraghty Commander Jason Austin Chief, Public Affairs Richard Tighe General Manager, National Aerospace Solutions High Mach Staff: Kathy Jacobsen, NAS Executive Editor Jill Pickett NAS Editor Dustin Williams, right, a pipefitter, holds a flange in place as fellow pipefitter Billy Joe Emberton places tack welds March 4 at the High Mach is published by Model Shop at Arnold Air Force Base. April is National Welding Month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jill Pickett) Lakeway Publishers, Inc. a pri- vate firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, Arnold Air Force Base, Arnold Engi- neering Development Complex (AEDC) or National Aerospace Solutions (NAS), under exclu- National Welding Month: Welders sive written contract with NAS at Arnold AFB, Tenn., 37389. Everything advertised in this publication will be made available for purchase, use play vital role in AEDC mission or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital sta- By Deidre Moon to perform various types of weld- tus, physical handicap, political AEDC Public Affairs ing, including Tungsten Inert affiliation or any other non- merit factor of the purchaser, Gas, or TIG, a method of welding user or patron. Welding is the process of us- in which the arc is maintained by The High Mach office is ing high heat to fuse metal to- a tungsten electrode and shielded located at 100 Kindel Drive, gether. At Arnold Air Force Base, from the access of air by an in- Suite A236, Arnold AFB, Tenn. 37389-1236. Editorial content the headquarters for Arnold Engi- ert gas. They also conduct Metal is edited and prepared by NAS. neering Development Complex, Inert Gas welding, or MIG, a Deadline for copy is Wednes- there are boilermakers, pipefitters, method in which the filler metal day at close of business one ironworkers, sheet metal workers supplies the electric current to week before publication. and machinists in the Model and maintain the arc. Like TIG, in This commercial enterprise newspaper is an allowable Machine Shop who specialize in MIG welding, the arc is shielded NAS contractor publication the skill of welding. from the access of air by an inert for personnel at Arnold AFB. In recognition of the folks who gas, usually argon. The content of High Mach possess this ability, the American “Stick welding” is another does not necessarily reflect the views of the Air Force, Arnold Welding Society, or AWS, cel- form of welding performed here. AFB, AEDC or NAS. The ap- ebrates National Welding Month This method is a manual arc pearance of advertising in this each April to bring awareness to welding process that uses a con- publication does not constitute the industry and its available ca- sumable electrode covered with a endorsement of the products reer paths.