PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID TULLAHOMA TN Vol. 64, No. 16 Arnold AFB, Tenn. PERMIT NO. 29 August 21, 2017 AEDC testing leads to successful deployment of NASA’s Roll-Out Solar Array technology By Deidre Ortiz AEDC Public Affairs Testing in an AEDC space chamber at Ar- nold Air Force Base helped in preparing the Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA) for its success- ful experimental deployment at the Interna- tional Space Station on June 26. ROSA is a flexible, lightweight and rol- lable solar panel. According to Michael Mal- loy, AEDC test engineer and John Claybrook, AEDC Space and Missiles Combined Test Force test manager, who headed the test proj- ect for AEDC, ROSA is a newer type of solar panel that has the ability of rolling open and is also more compact than other more rigid solar panel designs. “Deployable Space Systems and Space Systems Loral initiated this technology for use in the Space System Loral’s standard space- craft bus for geosynchronous, or GEO, orbit,” Malloy said. Malloy mentioned Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA also played a big part in development by funding its advancement. “What we did in the 7A Chamber was part of the thermal cycling of the solar panels,” Malloy said. “Because they’re thin in com- parison to other solar arrays we wanted to see how the testing in extreme heat and cold would affect it and validate the cell bonding adhesives.” The Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA) is an innovative prototype of a solar panel that rolls open in space like a tape measure and is more compact than current rigid panel designs. Testing in an AEDC space chamber at Arnold Air See SUCCESSFUL, page 4 Force Base helped in preparing ROSA for its successful deployment on June 26. (NASA photo) 704th Test Group hosts light attack platform capability event By Deidre Ortiz mission scenarios during the live- AEDC Public Affairs fly experiment to evaluate each light attack platform’s military util- As part of the Light Attack Ex- ity. perimentation Campaign, Air Force “We’re experimenting and in- senior leaders and international novating, and we’re doing it in new visitors were in attendance Aug. 9 and faster ways,” said Secretary of for a live-fly capability assessment the Air Force Heather Wilson. “Ex- of off-the-shelf light attack aircraft periments like these help drive in- hosted by the 704th Test Group at novation and play a key role in en- Holloman Air Force Base, New hancing the lethality of our force.” Mexico. The live-fly experiment is part The 704th Test Group is a unit of a broader Air Force effort to ex- of AEDC, which is headquartered plore cost-effective attack platform at Arnold Air Force Base. options under the Light Attack Ex- In its first week, the light-attack perimentation Campaign run by the experiment featured Air Force pi- Air Force Strategic Development lots flying basic surface attack mis- Planning and Experimentation Of- sions in the Sierra Nevada Corp. fice at Wright-Patterson Air Force and Embraer A-29 Super Tucano, Base, Ohio. the Textron Aviation Scorpion jet A light attack concept has not and AT-6 Wolverine turboprop. Air been employed since Vietnam, but A Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano A-29 experimental aircraft flies over White Sands Mis- Force pilots also completed famil- in February, the U.S. Air Force sile Range. The A-29 is participating in the U.S. Air Force Light Attack Experiment (OA- iarization flights of the Air Tractor released an industry Invitation to X), a series of trials to determine the feasibility of using light aircraft in attack roles. Air Inc. and L3 Platform Integration Participate to evaluate the military Force senior leaders and international visitors were there Aug. 9 for the live-fly capability Division’s AT-802L Longsword. utility of light attack platforms in assessment hosted by the 704th Test Group at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. Pilots will continue to fly these future force structure. The 704th Test Group is a unit of the Arnold Engineering Development Complex, which aircraft through a range of combat is headquartered at Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ethan D. See EVENT, page 3 Wagner) Voyager, 40 years since launch An artist concept depicting one of the twin Voyager spacecraft. These farthest and lon- gest-lived spacecraft are celebrating 40 years in August and September 2017. (NASA photo) See “Team AEDC joins in recognizing 40th anniversary of the NASA Voyager 1 and 2 launch” story on page 3. AF Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Col. Cain presents grant to Online Enrollment System launches Hands-On Science Center …Page 2 …Page 3 2 • August 21, 2017 Arnold AF Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Air Force Base Online Enrollment System launches By Patrick Long a year by reducing errors and helpful information will be sent “This new system gives to- Arnold AFB Military Personnel overpayments. SOES also helps out to Total Force Airmen on tal force Airmen with full-time to eliminate unclear designations their birthday month reminding SGLI coverage the ability to August marks the launch of and missing or incomplete forms. them to update their SGLI infor- make online changes to their in- the Air Force Servicemembers’ Like the Virtual Record of mation. surance and beneficiary informa- Group Life Insurance (SGLI) On- Col. Scott Cain Emergency Data, SOES is a SOES is available through tion at any time without having line Enrollment System (SOES). Commander self-service based data system the milConnect web application to complete a paper form or visit Yes, another Air Force icon that centralizes SGLI and Fam- at www.dmdc.osd.mil/milcon- their military personnel flight,” Jason Austin form is going digital. ily Servicemembers’ Group Life nect. After signing in, click on said Lt. Col. Gerald Cullens, the Chief, SOES is an enterprise solution Insurance information into one “SOES” under the “Benefits” tab. Air National Guard advisor for Public Affairs developed by the Department of authoritative system capable of Total Force Airmen who are force management integration at Defense and the Veteran Benefits providing consistent information deploying, separating and retir- the Pentagon. Administration, so you know it is to authorized users. The game ing, including those on the Per- Locally, Capt. Janet Ashitey going to be awesome. plan is a 12-month implementa- manent Disability Retired List took SOES for a test drive. She Cynthia Rivera Transitioning from the paper- tion that begins this month and and the Temporary Disability said, “It was really easy. I had no General Manager, based system to the electronic runs through July 2018. Retired List, should update their issues at all.” National Aerospace process is expected to save the Notification emails contain- elections and coverages before For more information call Solutions DOD approximately $12 million ing the SOES link and other out processing. (931) 454-4574. High Mach Staff: Kathy Gattis, NAS Executive Editor Navigating the path to being forged in the crucible of anxiety Raquel March, NAS Editor By Airman 1st Class Savannah Waters 200 U.S. service members to lead what was while watching fireworks over the Eiffel High Mach is published by 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs essentially France’s Independence Day pa- Tower with some of both France’s and Amer- Lakeway Publishers, Inc. a pri- vate firm in no way connected rade. I honestly didn’t know how I got the ica’s highest ranking individuals,” sound? with the U.S. Air Force, Arnold RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – opportunity. I did my fair share of hardcore fangirling, Air Force Base, Arnold Engi- I re-adjust my shorts for the tenth time as The sun beat down on us as the first pair and by that I mean going to the bathroom and neering Development Complex I walk toward the group of people waiting of strangers came up to show us where we’d dancing in a stall after a few glasses of tasty (AEDC) or National Aerospace around the van, reading the requirements for be staying the next eight nights. Listening to champagne. Solutions (NAS), under exclu- sive written contract with NAS appropriate clothing. the chatter of my fellow Airmen, I could tell With these small victories, the sinking at Arnold AFB, Tenn., 37389. “Are they too short? It’s too hot outside they formed friendships on the way to our feeling of doubt still lingered. Everything advertised in for pants, but what if I’m the only one wear- temporary new home. It’s a sick feeling in the pit of your stom- this publication will be made ing shorts? Oh, she’s wearing sweats and a Camille Sturman, a writer who labels her- ach, the constant questioning of yourself and available for purchase, use or patronage without regard hoodie, I feel a little better. But, she’s wear- self as a gamer, coder and eater of snacks, your surroundings. to race, color, religion, sex, ing pants, too. Do I have time to change? posted this very relatable thought to Quora, Walking in a crowd I feel as if all eyes national origin, age, marital sta- Maybe I should ask her if she thinks they are a question-and-answer site, when asked the are on me, a flush spreading over my body. tus, physical handicap, political too short….nah. Great, it’s raining. Now I’ll question: “What does it feel like to be an ex- The gathering of sweat everywhere causing affiliation or any other non- merit factor of the purchaser, look like a wet trash bag.” trovert with social anxiety?” my legs to speed up.