VKF modernization program reaches a milestone

20 Pages·2013·4.79 MB·English

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Vol. 60, No. 18 Arnold AFB, Tenn. TULLAHOMA TN September 9, 2013
PERMIT NO. 29
VKF modernization program reaches a milestone
Wind tunnel ready to pave the way for next-generation flight simulation testing
AEDC Staff Report
A team comprised of en-
gineers, outside machinists,
schedulers and other special-
ists at AEDC have focused their
ideas, energy and time over the
past four years on completing
the first major modernization
program on the 1950s-era von
Kármán Gas Dynamics Facility
(VKF).
Win Phipps, the senior test
project manager for AEDC’s
Propulsion Wind Tunnel Test
group, said, “The initial operat-
ing capability (IOC) test runs
for VKF Wind Tunnel B were
completed in March, with Tun-
nel A completed in August, and
the IOC for Wind Tunnel C is
scheduled for September.”
Over the years, virtually ev-
ery high speed flight vehicle has
required testing in Tunnels A, B
and C – from reentry and tacti-
cal vehicles and space capsules
to the X-planes and winged ve- Joe Syler, Aerospace Testing Alliance outside machinist, makes an adjustment to the Ares I first stage booster model in the
center’s von Karman Facility’s Tunnel B prior to the resumption of heat transfer testing. (AEDC photo)
hicles.
VKF is comprised of three
air processing and conditioning pressure air is used to simulate arc heater chambers, ballis- VKF modernization program in
continuous-flow units, Super-
plant that incorporates a multi- jet flows from the models under tic ranges G and S, Propulsion 2007, VKF had not undergone a
sonic Wind Tunnel A and Hy-
stage air compressor system and test in the wind tunnels and also Wind Tunnel (PWT) and Aero- major upgrade, other than being
personic Wind Tunnels B and
reservoirs for high pressure air provides high-pressure air for propulsion Test Unit (APTU).
C. The facility also includes an
storage. The conditioned, high the power ejectors in AEDC’s Prior to the funding of the See MILESTONE, page 3
Arnold Community Council announces annual dinner Oct. 10
By Kathy Gattis Deptula spent more than 34 eration Northern Watch and flew experience as a fighter pilot cer-
ATA Public Affairs years in the Air Force as a pilot more than 3,000 hours during tainly fits well with the AEDC
and later a recognized expert in his career. About 400 of those test facility support council ban-
The Arnold Community conceptualizing, planning and hours, he was a pilot in combat, quet, and we look forward hav-
Council (ACC), a community executing national security op- to include multiple operational ing him here on October 10th.”
support group for AEDC, will erations from humanitarian re- fighter command assignments in ACC incoming president Ben
host its annual dinner Oct. 10 at lief to major combat operations. the F-15 Strike Eagle. Craig said he is thrilled Deptula
the Manchester-Coffee County He became the first U.S. Air “The annual banquet is the accepted the invitation to speak
Conference Center. Force Deputy Chief of Staff for culmination of a great year with at the group’s annual dinner.
The guest speaker is retired Intelligence, Surveillance and so many of our members work- The event is the ACC’s only
Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula. After Reconnaissance and was a Com- ing hard for Arnold Engineering fundraiser and the money raised
a distinguished military career, bined /Joint Task Force Com- Development Complex,” said is used to support and promote
Deptula became the dean of the mander twice – first in Operation ACC President Steve Cope. “It AEDC.
Mitchell Institute for Airpower Northern Watch and the second is fitting that Lt. Gen. Deptula Each year the community
Studies and is a senior scholar time in Operation Deep Freeze. has accepted our invitation to be council sponsors and collects
for the United States Air Force Deptula flew 82 combat mis- the keynote speaker at this pre- ACC Dinner guest speaker re-
Academy. sions as a general officer in Op- mier event. His background and tired Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula
See DINNER, page 4
ATA awards vocational
technology scholarships
to personnel’s dependents
By Raquel March ployee in the ATA Test Assets
ATA Public Affairs and Support Division and Col-
tin’s father, said, “I would like to
ATA’s focus on Science, thank ATA for the Scholarship.
Technology, Engineering and The opportunity for such reward
Mathematics (STEM) is opening is greatly appreciated.”
new doors for ATA personnel’s Coltin is enrolled at the Ten-
dependents by awarding schol- nessee College of Applied Tech-
arships in a different educational nology (TCAT) in Shelbyville
area – vocational technology. and plans to study Industrial
ATA awarded three ATA Vo- Maintenance, as well as Justin,
cational Technology Scholar- beginning this month.
ships with a maximum value Justin’s mother, Sonia Gault,
totaling $6,000 to Coltin Bea- is an employee in the ATA In- Air Force Test Center commander is promoted
vers, Justin Gault and Matt Mc- formation Technology and
Arnold “Arnie” Bunch Jr., Air Force Test Center commander, has his wife Caroline and his fa-
Adams. Each student received Systems Division. She also
ther Arnie Sr. pin on his major general rank of two stars during his promotion ceremony Aug.
$1,000 this year and will receive expressed her appreciation for
23. Bunch was formally promoted to major general after being frocked to the rank in April. The
$1,000 next year if they maintain ATA awarding Justin a scholar- cceerreemmoonnyy wwaass aatttteennddeedd bbyy ffaammiillyy aanndd ffrriieennddss aalloonngg wwiitthh AAiirrmmeenn,, cciivviilliiaannss aanndd ccoonnttrraaccttoorrss ooff
a 3.0 GPA and meet school atten- ship. Team Edwards. ((UU..SS.. AAiirr FFoorrccee pphhoottoo bbyy RReebbeeccccaa AAmmbbeerr))
dance requirements. See full story on page 3.
Frankie Beavers, an em- See SCHOLARSHIPS, page 7
SSSSSeeeeepppppttttteeeeemmmmmbbbbbeeeeerrrrr
AATTAA mmaakkeess ddoonnaattiioonn ttoo
iiiiisssss NNNNNaaaaatttttiiiiiooooonnnnnaaaaalllll
TTuullllaahhoommaa HHiigghh SScchhooooll PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
MMoonntthh
…Page 9
…Page 2
2 • September 9, 2013
HIGH MACH
This September ‘You Can be the Hero’
Arnold Engineering
Development Complex
An Air Force Materiel
Command
Test Complex
Since September
Col. Raymond Toth 11th, the US Govern-
Commander ment has taken steps to
encourage all citizens to
Jason Austin
make their own survival
Director,
preparations. September
Public Affairs
was chosen as National
Preparedness Month,
as the tragedies of Sep-
tember 11th highlighted
to the nation the impor-
tance of being prepared.
Steve Pearson
Police, fire and res-
General Manager,
cue may not always be
Aerospace Testing
able to reach you quick-
Alliance
ly in an emergency or
Commentary by Bradley disaster. The most im-
High Mach Staff:
Kathy Gattis, ATA Public Walker portant step you can take
Affairs Manager & AEDC Contributing Writer in helping your local re-
Executive Editor sponders is being able
September is Nation-
Raquel March, Editor to take care of yourself
al Preparedness Month.
and those in your care.
It is a time to prepare
High Mach is published by The more you are pre-
yourself and those in
The Tullahoma News, a private pared, the quicker your
firm in no way connected with your care for emergen- community will recover.
the U.S. Air Force, Arnold cies and disasters. If
This September, prepare
Engineering Development
you have seen the news
Complex (AEDC) or and plan in the event
recently, you know that
Aerospace Testing Alliance you must go for three
(ATA), under exclusive written emergencies can happen
days without electricity,
contract with ATA, complex unexpectedly in com-
water service, access to
support contractor, at Air
munities just like yours,
Force Materiel Command’s a supermarket, or local
to people like you. We
AEDC, Arnold AFB, Tenn., services.
37389. have seen tornado out-
Here are four steps
Everything advertised in breaks, river floods and
you can take to “Be
this publication will be made
flash floods, wild fires,
available for purchase, use Ready’:
or patronage without regard historic earthquakes,
to race, color, religion, sex, tsunamis, and even wa-
Stay Informed
national origin, age, marital ter main breaks and
status, physical handicap, Information is avail-
power outages in U.S.
political affiliation or any able from federal, state,
other non-merit factor of the cities affecting millions local, tribal, and territo-
purchaser, user or patron. of people for days at a
rial resources. The AF
The High Mach office is
time.
located at 100 Kindel Drive, “Be Ready” App and
National Prepared-
Suite B212, Arnold AFB, TEMAs “Ready TN”
Tenn. 37389-2212. Editorial ness Month is a part of
App are excellent for
content is edited and prepared the committed effort to
planning and staying in-
by AEDC support contractor
strengthen the United
ATA. Deadline for copy is formed.
States’ preparedness ca-
Wednesday at close of business
the week before publication. pabilities. The national
Make a Plan flashlight, and battery- to get involved espe- suring a safer homeland
This commercial enterprise preparedness architec-
Discuss, agree on, powered radio on hand cially before a disaster consists of volunteers,
newspaper is an allowable
ture encompasses the
ATA contractor publication for and document an emer- - for you and those in occurs. The whole com- a trained and informed
personnel at AEDC. full spectrum of pre- gency plan with those in your care. Have you munity can participate public, and increased
The content of High vention, protection, re-
your family. planned for the family in programs and activi- support of emergency
Mach does not necessarily sponse, and recovery
pets? A stash of cash ties to make their fami- response agencies dur-
reflect the views of the Air
efforts to prepare the
Force, AEDC or ATA. The Build a Kit when electricity is out lies, homes and places ing disasters.
appearance of advertising United States for all Keep enough emer- and ATMs won’t work? of worship safer from Access Ready.gov to
in this publication does not hazards – whether ter-
gency supplies - water, risks and threats. Com- learn what to do before,
constitute endorsement by the
rorist attack or natural
Department of Defense, the nonperishable food, Get Involved munity leaders agree during, and after an
disaster.
Department of the Air Force, first aid, prescriptions, There are many ways that the formula for en- emergency.
AEDC, ATA or The Tullahoma
News of the products or
services advertised.
For advertising information,
What do you mean, ‘Back to basics’?
call [phone].
For general information
about High Mach, call
[phone] or visit
www.arnold.af.mil.
By Lt. Col. David cerns come to fruition, required by an Air Force ing new ones to meet our you’re just starting your
Fazenbaker most notably in the form instruction? Is it some- requirements. We find Air Force career, strive
The complex’s vision: Be 10th Airlift Squadron of sequestration. We thing your predecessor these opportunities for to be that expert. Learn
the nation’s best value ground have felt the impact, at did, so you feel you have improvement by continu- your job and how to do
commander
test and analysis source
varying levels, of losing to also? ing to be who we are and it the best you can. Ask
for aerospace and defense
JOINT BASE LEW- our civilian workforce Understanding why experts in what we do. the “why” questions. Go
systems.
IS-MCCHORD, Wash. for 20 percent of their we do things is the basis If you’re an expert in back to basics and con-
(AFNS) – Last Septem- pay periods. for identifying new pro- your career field, con- tinue to make a differ-
ber, in his first speech In order to continue cesses and new ideas to tinue to be that expert. If ence.
as the Air Force Chief operations, we identified improve the way we ac-
of Staff, Gen. Mark A. the minimum require- complish our mission. Action Line
Welsh III advocated a ments to accomplish our The budgetary limi-
back-to-basics approach mission. We’ve found tations Welsh spoke of Team AEDC
for the Air Force. He that we must go back to are upon us and they I believe in free and open communications with
noted that the missions basics. will continue over the our Team AEDC employees, and that’s why we
of the Air Force have So what does that ac- foreseeable future. As have the Action Line available. People can use
Core Values
not changed over time, tually mean? it always has been, it is the Action Line to clear up rumors, ask questions,
• Integrity first but rather, the terms by To me, it means look- our job to be good stew- suggest ideas on improvements, enter complaints
• Service before self which we identify the ing at every task I ac- ards of the resources we or get other issues off their chests. They can
• Excellence in all we do missions have changed. complish – every meet- have. This is not about access the Action Line in one of three ways: via
the AEDC intranet home page, Action Line boxes
Welsh outlined that, ing and every process finding ways to do more
at the base cafeterias and by calling 454-6000.
from a strategic view, in - then asking myself a with less; it is actually Although the Action Line is always available,
order for us to continue simple question. about finding ways to do the best and fastest way to get things resolved is
to do what the Air Force Why? less with less. by using your chain of command or by contacting
does best, we will have Why do I accomplish We do less by find- the organization directly involved. I encourage
Vision to work around budget- that task? Why is this ing the tasks that are es- everyone to go that route first, then if the situation
ary pressures. In recent meeting important? Why sential in our jobs and isn’t made right, give us a chance.
“ATA will be a trusted partner in months, we have seen is a particular process by amending existing Col. Raymond Toth
delivering best value warfighter AEDC Commander
support and assert stewardship those budgetary con- done a certain way? Is it processes or develop-
to AEDC”
Core Values
Smoking Policy
• Be accountable for our
1. The following revised AEDC smoking policy is effective immediately. Smoking is permitted solely in designated areas identified by a plastic “smoke genie.” This receptacle is for
own actions
the sole purpose of cigarette butt disposal. If there is no receptacle, you cannot smoke in that area. It is the responsibility of all smokers to clean up the area surrounding the receptacles
• Ensure the safety of
for any cigarette butts on the ground. Smoking in government-owned vehicles is strictly prohibited. Personnel are allowed to smoke in their personal vehicles at any time. In case of
individuals and equipment
inclement or cold weather, employees are encouraged to use their personal vehicles if a sheltered designated smoking area is not available nearby. Smoking areas will be held to the
• Demonstrate the highest
absolute minimum and will be located in low traffic, low visibility areas away from points of building ingress/egress and air intakes. A map of all authorized smoking areas is available
integrity and ethical
on the AEDC web portal at https://cs.eis.afmc.af.mil/sites/cio/IM/Pubs/AEDC/Pubs%20and%20Forms/AEDC%20Publications/Smoking_area_map.pdf. Smoking near a facility in
standards
an area not designated on the map is prohibited and any smoking receptacles located in areas not shown on the map will be removed. All “smoking permitted” and “no smoking” signs
• Communicate clearly and
will be removed unless specifically required by OSHA.
openly
The fact a person smokes has no bearing on the number of breaks they may take. Breaks should be taken in accordance with the company/agency personnel policies that apply to
• Deliver professional and
all employees.
technical excellence
Regarding use of smokeless tobacco, containers of tobacco waste product, including sealed containers, must not be left unattended or disposed of in trash receptacles. Users of
• Nurture, enable and treat
people fairly smokeless tobacco must flush tobacco waste down the toilet. Smokeless is strictly prohibited in conference room meetings and other areas, e.g. PMEL, where Air Force regulations
• Align with customer goals specifically prohibit.
and objectives Due to the nature, appearance, and safety concerns of electronic cigarettes (also known as “e-cigs”), they are considered to be in the same category of tobacco products whose use
• Use disciplined and is governed by Air Force Instruction (AFI) 40-102, Tobacco Use in the Air Force. Therefore, all rules stated above for tobacco products apply to electronic cigarettes.
innovative processes 2. Supervisors at every level will ensure this policy is followed. Disciplinary action is appropriate for repeated violations.
• Continually improve in all 3. Updates to this policy will be made in the future to further align with Air Force guidelines.
that we do 4. This letter supersedes previous letter dated 28 October 2006, subject as above.
September 9, 2013 • 3
ATA receives certificate of ISO 9001:2008 Recertification
By Raquel March
ATA Public Affairs
ATA was recently
certified ISO 9001:2008
compliant after an audit
performed by external
registrar Det Norske Ver-
itas (DNV.)
ATA received the
DNV Business Assurance
Management System Cer-
tificate plaque certifying
that ATA has been found
to conform to the Man-
agement System Stan-
dard: ISO 9001:2008. The
plaque also states that the
“certificate is valid for
the following product or
service ranges: The De-
velopment and Testing of
Aerospace Applications.”
“Recertification to
the ISO 9001:2008 Stan-
dard means that the ATA
Management System has ATA General Manager Steve Pearson and J.T. Northcutt, an ATA quality manager and management system branch manager, display
proven inherent value the recently received ISO 9001:2008 certificate plaque certifying that ATA has been found to conform to the Management System
over time for sustain- Standard. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)
ing and improving orga-
a requirement to pro- ductivity and also pro- procedures. An audit re- contract with AEDC. proven time and again to
nizational performance
vide test and develop- mote enhanced customer veals evidence that the “Process discipline enable the kind of pro-
for operating and main-
ment services for some satisfaction. system is continually and continual improve- cess discipline needed by
taining AEDC,” said
of AEDC’s commercial The audit, performed improving and meeting ment is a key to meeting AEDC,” Northcutt said.
Jerry “J.T.” Northcutt,
customers.” by DNV, assessed the customer requirements. this objective. Develop- ISO 9001:2008 is
ATA quality manager
ISO 9001:2008’s stra- maintenance and com- The audit resulted in a ing and maintaining our implemented by more
and management system
tegic tools reduce costs pliance of ATA’s es- three-year recertification management system to than one million compa-
branch manager. “Also,
by minimizing waste and tablished management which continues through meet ISO 9001 certifi- nies and organizations in
being ISO certified is
errors, increasing pro- system like policies and the end of ATA’s current cation requirements has more than 170 countries.
AFTC CC formally promoted to major general
By Kenji Thuloweit him formally promoted to Bunch was frocked al Bunch,” said Wolfen- here today, but also for Bunch conducted devel-
412th Test Wing Public major general Aug. 23. in April and has already barger. Eglin AFB, Arnold AFB opmental testing in the
Affairs The promotion cer- been wearing the major Bunch is no stranger and the rest of the test B-2 Spirit and B-52 and
emony took place in the general rank device of to Edwards AFB. A U.S. center enterprise. You served as an instructor
EDWARDS AIR Base Theater and was two stars on his uniform; Air Force Test Pilot amaze me every day. in each. Additionally,
FORCE BASE, Calif. – presided over by Gen. and he had assumed the School graduate, Bunch I get up smiling and go he has commanded at
Team Edwards joined Janet C. Wolfenbarger, responsibilities of a ma- returned to Edwards to to bed smiling because the squadron, group and
family and friends of Ar- Air Force Materiel Com- jor general when he be- serve as the 419th Flight you make it special. wing levels. Prior to his
nold W. Bunch Jr. to watch mand commander. came the first Air Force Test Squadron com- Thank you for what you current assignment, he
Test Center command- mander and later as the do everyday to make the was the Commander of
er during the Summer 412th Test Wing com- test center successful.” the Air Force Security
Department of Defense of 2012 following the mander. Bunch thanked his Assistance Center, Air
5-Center reorganization “To the men and family and friends for Force Materiel Com-
of AFMC. This month, women of the Air Force their attendance, along mand, Wright-Patterson
awards contract to ATA Bunch officially attained Test Center, those in at- with several of his Air AFB, Ohio.
the pay grade of a major tendance and all the rest Force Academy and Test As the AFTC com-
general. across the enterprise, Pilot School classmates mander, he directs a
at Arnold AFB
Wolfenbarger praised ‘thank you’ for your sup- before wrapping up the $31 billion enterprise of
Bunch’s wide range port,” said Bunch. “It is ceremony and inviting more than 18,000 mili-
of experience in which he a privilege to work for Team Edwards to a re- tary, civilian and con-
Office of the Assistant
excelled both in and out you. I wake up every ception at Club Muroc. tractor personnel across
Secretary of Defense Public Affairs
of the flight test world day knowing I have the General Bunch was Edwards AFB, Eglin
and how he is more than best job in the Air Force commissioned in 1984 AFB, Fla., and Arnold
WASHINGTON – Aerospace Testing Alliance, (a
ready to tackle the posi- and it is all because of as a graduate of the U.S. AFB, Tenn. The AFTC
joint venture of Jacobs, Inc., Computer Sciences
tion of two-star general. you. Your professional Air Force Academy. provides developmental
Corp., and General Physics Corp.) Tullahoma, Tenn.,
“We [the Air Force] conduct sets the stan- He completed under- test and evaluation of ex-
has been awarded a $218,590,871 modification
are very careful with dard that others should graduate pilot training perimental and research
(P00307) on a cost-plus-award-fee contract (F40600-
choosing those people emulate; as you dedicate in 1985. He completed manned and unmanned
03-C-0001) for operation, maintenance, information
with the right mix of yourselves to testing sys- operational assignments air, space and cyber sys-
management and support of Arnold Engineering
experience, wisdom, tems for the warfighter as an instructor, evalu- tems for military servic-
Development Complex (AEDC). Work will be per-
character and leadership and providing world- ator and aircraft com- es, DARPA, NASA and
formed at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., and is ex-
to fill those positions class test support. That’s mander for B-52 Stra- international partners, in
pected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2014. No funds
at these kinds of levels not just here at Edwards, tofortresses. Following addition to operation of
are obligated at time of award. AEDC/PZZ, Arnold
and that is absolutely the you are the ones who are graduation from the Air the U.S. Air Force Test
Air Force Base, Tenn., is the contracting activity.
case today with Gener- able to be in attendance Force Test Pilot School, Pilot School.
MILESTONE from page 1
semi-automated in 1980. the improvements to the VKF plant VKF wind tunnel Schlieren systems and erations could be sustained
The VKF plant’s main VKF wind tunnels. modernization modernization cleaning the mirrors too. for days without interrup-
drive motors and mo- “VKF is near comple- “The VKF modern- Phipps said the VKF The Tunnel A, Tunnel B tion. A model insertion
tor controls were original tion and once the 4T im- ization program has in- modernization program and Tunnel C test article system, which is similar in
equipment from when the provement program com- cluded modernizing and has also focused on the hy- control systems were re- all the tunnels allows you
facility first became opera- pletes in Fiscal Year 2014, rewiring the plant main personic wind tunnels and furbished just before we to make model changes
tional in 1958. wind tunnels A, B and C drive system motors to their components. took the systems out of in a tank below the test
“Our goal is to ensure and Propulsion Wind Tun- take advantage of the “We’ve replaced the service to start this mod- cell and go right back in
the viability of the VKF nel 4T will all have that new wiring and insula- Tunnel A oil filled actua- ernization. the test cell immediately.
plant for another 20 to 25 common data acquisitions tion capabilities to get tors in the nozzle and dif- “That plant and test Uninterrupted test times
years of operation,” Lucy system template,” he said. more horsepower out of fuser with new electrically cells were built in the means acquiring lots of
said. “This team effort, led “So, a test customer can the same physical space driven ones,” Phipps said. 1950s and this is a really data quickly.
by Frank Wonder, Aero- come in and run a test in of the iron on those mo- “The oil filled ones were significant upgrade. It’s “That contrasts remark-
space Testing Alliance’s a transonic through the tors,” Phipps said. “It a maintenance headache, probably just in time too. ably from a blow-down fa-
Flight Systems Acquisi- supersonic-hypersonic re- did away with the start- which required eight hours For example, Convention- cility where you blow for a
tion acting section manag- gimes with a common data ing motors through the of cleaning after 24 hours al Prompt Global Strike, few seconds and get a few
er and Ozey Young, VKF setup or common record- increased horsepower of operation. The old noz- High Speed Strike Weap- seconds of data, then you
Modernization Program ing tool. of the main drives too. zle positioning computer on, High Speed Missile, make a test article change,
Manager, increased safety “This will increase Electrolyte coolers that was the oldest one on base Space Launch Systems, then you have to pump up
with some new switchgear productivity within A, B were part of the old start- at the time it was replaced and High Performance In- again to get the next run.
and we also made it more and C wind tunnels. We ing system, and a main- too. We fixed it with parts terceptor customers have A customer commented
efficient by putting in new replaced the three separate tenance headache, went from eBay, the last time we expressed strong interest that he got twice as much
control systems and a new VKF control rooms with a away, too. used it. So, we’re excited in leveraging AEDC su- data in one 20-hour period
variable frequency starting brand new common opera- “Installing a new vari- about the productivity and personic and hypersonic in Tunnel A, as it took to
system. These combine to tions center. It’s going to able frequency starting reliability gains here. capabilities.” get in 12 weeks of 12-hour
decrease the operational be useful to have the test system and getting rid of “Standardization across Asked why VKF is im- days at a blow down facil-
cost of running the VKF customer and AEDC oper- the starting motors also wind tunnels is one of the portant to the customer, ity. So, getting lots of data
plant.” ators all co-located, which reduced maintenance and modernization program Phipps said it’s all about is what Tunnel ABC is all
Switchgear is the com- will improve communica- increased the productiv- goals. For, example, the productivity. about.”
bination of electrical-dis- tion.” ity, because we used to same nozzle and diffuser “Tunnel A and B and C Phipps added, “VKF
connect switches, fuses Lucy added, “We also stop every 60 hours to actuators type acquired are what’s called continu- Wind Tunnel A, B and
or circuit breakers used to have a new shadowgraph clean those brushes on for Tunnel A will be used ous flow test facilities,” he C are the most produc-
control, protect and isolate Schlieren system, provid- those old starter motors. in 4T too, which enhances said. “Although it takes a tive tunnels in the world.
electrical equipment at a ing great graphical and Now, we can run for 120 maintenance and reduces few hours to get on con- A/B/C, collectively, have
place like AEDC. video test data to the cus- hours and stop to clean the the part types on base. ditions, once the facilities the highest data rates of
Lucy also spoke about tomers.” brushes on the main drive. “We’re upgrading the are on conditions, test op- any tunnels in the world.”
4 • September 9, 2013
AEDC focuses on the human elements of maintenance and reliability
By Raquel March nel didn’t want him to lead
ATA Public Affairs but instead wanted to lead
themselves. The person-
AEDC professionals nel, however, did express
and engineers attended they wanted his overall
workshops and a lunch and leadership for the com-
learn sponsored by the So- pany.
ciety for Maintenance and “They said they wanted
Reliability Professionals to do it (lead themselves)
(SMRP) Middle Tennes- and I said ‘you don’t know
see Chapter and ATA. The
anything about reliability’
events focused on factors
and so we began to devel-
least considered in mainte-
op a system so they could
nance and reliability such
know,” O’Hanlon said.
as the people.
“They said ‘we can learn
Speaker Terrence
it, we can know about it,
O’Hanlon, publisher of
we hear you talking about
Reliabilityweb.com and
it and we go to the (reli-
Uptime Magazine and
ability) conferences.’ We
the executive director of
set out to develop a system
the Association for Main-
so that people could know
tenance Professionals
it.”
(AMP), engaged engineer-
That system, called Up-
ing and technical profes-
time ElementsTM, guides
sionals to consider three
on how reliability occurs.
things in his presentation
Uptime Elements is a se-
to implement in their pro-
ries of domains with ele-
cesses of Maintenance and Speaker Terrence O’Hanlon, publisher of Reliabilityweb.com and Uptime Magazine and the executive di-
ments including Reliabil-
Reliability. rector of the Association for Maintenance Professionals (AMP), speaks to a group of professionals at UTSI
ity Engineering for Main-
O’Hanlon said that for a Maintenance and Reliability Lunch and Learn hosted by the Society for Maintenance and Reliability
tenance, Asset Condition Professionals (SMRP) Middle Tennessee Chapter and ATA. (Image by Dakin Seligman)
often Maintenance and
Management, Work Ex-
Reliability focuses on the workshops were held at AEDC folks in industry as well as others from in- said. “He also provided his
ecution Management and
mechanical elements of a AEDC in which Air Force best practices, two to four dustries in the surrounding views on how to deal with
Leadership for Reliability.
corporation instead of the and ATA systems, project times a year. In addition, it area. and what’s important in
Part of his presentation
people that control the me- and maintenance engineers gives us an opportunity to Lynn Moran, SMRP the reliability culture, in-
focused on embedding
chanical elements. He be- and managers were in at- network with our industri- Middle Tennessee Chap- tegrity and safety.”
sustainable leadership and
gan his presentation with a tendance for the first day’s al neighbors in this area to ter chairperson, thought SMRP is a nonprofit
culture. Personnel should
way to incorporate people session,” said Ramesh Gu- share our experiences and O’Hanlon provided key professional society formed
be trained in elements
into the reliability process. lati, in the ATA Test As- lessons learned.” elements that the par- by practitioners, with a
Due to a previous ill- that keep the mission on sets and Support Division. O’Hanlon’s visit con- ticipants could take with mission to serve leaders in
ness, O’Hanlon was forced track because reliability “The second day’s session cluded with a third and them to implement in their advancing Reliability and
to take a leave from his or maintenance decisions was presented to AEDC final session at UTSI as a Maintenance and Reliabil- Physical Asset Manage-
leadership role while per- may be influenced by what asset owners and capital Lunch and Learn. More ity areas. ment. SMRP provides val-
sonnel at his company upper level management investment project manag- than 90 people, including “I think the speaker ue for individual practitio-
began to temporarily lead believes is critical to the ers. those from AEDC, Nissan, provided an overview of ners as well as companies
themselves. Upon his re- mission’s operation. “We try to bring the Honda, Condition Moni- what’s happening in the practicing and sustaining
turn to lead the company, “Prior to the lunch best speakers from the toring and Reliability So- reliability and asset man- Maintenance and Reliabil-
he found that the person- and learn session, several industry to educate our lutions, were in attendance agement area,” Moran ity best practices.
DINNER from page 1
donations for the Veterans tions for visiting dignitar- Congressional delegation ATA announced it expect- organizations who sponsor Silver sponsors will re-
Picnic; makes a donation ies. and key test and evaluation ed a significant reduction at the gold level will re- ceive five reserved seats at
to the AEDC Children’s The group also travels and ground testing officials in force. ceive 10 seats at the event the dinner, five ACC mem-
Christmas Party, provides to Washington, D.C. each at the Pentagon to discuss If you are interested in at a reserved table with the berships for one year and
gifts for the Complex’s an- year to promote AEDC. issues facing AEDC. attending the ACC’s an- sponsor name; 10 ACC in- recognition in the program,
nual military award win- About 20-25 ACC mem- Members of the council nual event, table sponsor- dividual memberships for dinner slide show and on
ners; donates to Honor bers schedule appoint- each pay for their trip ex- ships are $700 for a gold one year and recognition the ACC web site.
Flight and sponsors recep- ments with the Tennessee penses out-of-pocket. and $350 for silver; indi- in the program, the dinner Individual attendees
In July, ACC sponsored vidual seats are $75 per slide show and on the ACC will get one seat in the gen-
a regional job fair after person. Companies and website. eral seating area along with
a membership to ACC for
one year.
All members are invit-
ed to ACC meetings held
each month and other spe-
cial events throughout the
year.
To sponsor a table or
individual seats at the
ACC’s annual event, email
2013dinner@arnoldcom-
munitycouncil.com or
call Ben Craig (931) 639-
0694; Steve Cope (931)
212-4093; Temple Bowl-
ing [phone]; Harry
Brittain [phone].
The social begins at
5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6
p.m. and the official pro-
gram at 7 p.m.
September 9, 2013 • 5
6 • September 9, 2013
Airmen perform first F-35A weapons load verification
Master Sgt. Karen Griffin and Tech. Sgt. Russ Fontaine maneuver the guided-bomb-unit-31 into position to be loaded onto an F-35A Lightning II Aug. 27, 2013,
at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This marked the first time Airmen have loaded weapons onto the new joint strike fighter here. Each step and procedure was ana-
lyzed to ensure it was correct or needed to be changed. The weapons load procedures perfected by the 33rd Maintenance Group Airmen will be taught to main-
tenance students in the future. Griffin and Fontaine are assigned to the 33rd Maintenance Group. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
By Lt. j.g. Lisa Lill performed the first muni- will validate weapons step towards F-35 initial
33rd Fighter Wing Public tions load verification on loading procedures. This war fighting capability,”
Affairs the F-35A Lightning II involves loading and un- explained Lt. Col. Ron
here Aug. 27. loading laser-guided and Huzzard, the deputy com-
EGLIN AIR FORCE “Over the next couple GPS-guided bombs, and mander of the 33rd MXG.
BASE, Fla. (AFNS) – of days, our 33d Fighter air-to-air missiles into the The SLC has been
After months of prepara- Wing maintenance pro- weapons bays of the air- practicing this load veri-
tion the weapons troop fessionals, alongside craft and ensuring the in- fication using a series
standardization load representatives from the structions we provide our of tabletop exercises for
crew, or SLC, from the F-35 Program Office and load crews are accurate several months. This
33rd Maintenance Group Air Combat Command, and effective - one more marked the first hands-
on load verification for
the crew.
Give Me A Break
“Watching our weap-
ons troops verify loading
procedures was like get-
Give-A-Way ting a glimpse into the
future. Ultimately, this
will be the work that is
performed down range
when it counts, and we
are laying that foun-
dation here at Eglin,”
said Navy Capt. Lance
Massey II, the command-
er of the 33rd MXG.
“The stealth capability
on the F-35 is beyond
incredible, but the weap-
ons capability rounds out
the whole purpose of the
joint strike fighter.”
The procedure was
overseen by Chief Mas-
ter Sgt. Christopher
Wilbur, the wing weap-
ons manager at the 33rd
MXG.
“The Airmen walked
through the technical
instructions to verify
the data is accurate and
make adjustments as
necessary,” Wilbur said
about the verification
load exercise.
The three-person SLC
included Master Sgt.
Karen Griffin, Tech. Sgt.
Russell Fontaine and
Staff Sgt. Steven Dash.
Working as a cohesive
team, the trio carefully
performed several itera-
tions of loading and un-
loading four different
munitions. Once the pro-
cedures are verified SLC
members will train the
weapon troops.
“Getting this step ver-
ified in ALIS (the auto-
mated logistics informa-
tion system) for the F-
35A is important, so we
can move forward and
get our 60-plus main-
tainers trained and work-
ing,” Griffin said.
September 9, 2013 • 7
F-22 training on the bayou
By Maj. John Deloney Travis Koch, 43rd FS The 325th Fighter manner. However, with 43rd FS assistant direc- a joint environment re-
43rd Fighter Squadron commander. “Even in Wing trains and projects budget constraints, tor of operations. alistic to today’s battle-
tough fiscal times, we unrivaled combat power finding a flying adver- To graduate students field. Montgomery Air
TYNDALL AIR are able to pool our re- by providing F-22 pilots saries able to deploy on time, the squadron National Guard F-16s
FORCE BASE, Fla. – sources, maximize our for the combat air force. to Tyndall has become needs 240 Raptor di- Fighting Falcons and
With a higher demand training opportunities The Air Force requires more and more difficult. rect support adversary Eglin Air Force Base’s
for expertly trained 5th and get the job done.” 38 F-22 Basic-Course Team Tyndall will training flights, which F-15C, F-16 and F-35
generation F-22 Raptor Team Tyndall per- graduates in 2013 and now travel to those is 160 flights short of Lightning aircraft will
pilots and less budget sonnel will travel to 2014. training support assets. Tyndall’s self-support fly in both advisory and
and resources, mem- Naval Air Station Joint This requirement “In our austere fi- capability. Pilots and ally roles. In addition, a
bers of the 43rd Fight- Reserve Base New Or- presented a resource nancial environment, maintainers developed dedicated air refueling
er Squadron and 43rd leans with the purpose challenge to the 43rd FS resources to accom- this mission to make up tanker will further max-
Aircraft Maintenance of maximizing flying and the 43rd AMU. plish our mission have the difference. imize flying training.
Unit formed a training and air combat training Normally, during dwindled. In order to The plan takes eight “The ability for us to
mission to mirror pos- for six F-22 students in the students’ final air achieve success, we F-22s and 124 person- accomplish our objec-
sible real world situa- late August. The train- combat tactics phase of created a great plan to nel to JRB New Orleans tive of graduating capa-
tions without sacrificing ing mission will accom- training, the required give our students the to accomplish the mis- ble F-22 on-time pilots
quality to the students plish 40 syllabus items adversary support are best training while be- sion. is a direct reflection of
or combat commanders. in eight days, which brought to Tyndall. This ing good stewards of The trip offers the the teamwork and com-
“I am proud of our place students ahead of support maximizes near our assets. This model ability to train with mitment by everyone
Tyndall Airmen for the their proposed timeline real-world training ver- ensures the Air Force the New Orleans Air in the 325th Fighter
plan they have devel- and send new F-22 pi- sus fourth-generation will receive the best National Guard F-15C Wing,” said Maj. Bill
oped to accomplish our lots to their operational aircraft and graduates trained pilots on time,” Eagles and U.S. Navy Creeden, the 43rd FS
mission,” said Lt. Col. units on time. students in a timely said Maj. John Hensz, F-18s Hornets creating operations officer.
SCHOLARSHIPS from page 1
Coltin Beavers (second from left) accepts a $1,000 ATA Vocational Technology
Scholarship from ATA Deputy General Manager Phil Stich (left). Coltin is joined
by his father and ATA employee Frankie Beavers (third from left) and mother
Justin Gault (second from left) accepts a $1,000 ATA Vocational Technology
Tammy Beavers. (Photo by Jacqueline Cowan)
Scholarship from ATA Deputy General Manager Phil Stich (left). Justin is joined
“We are very excited dustrial education related may be authorized on a
by his mother and ATA employee Sonia Gault (third from left) and father Ronnie
that Justin received the to ATA’s mission and oper- pre-approved basis. Gault. (Photo by Jacqueline Cowan)
ATA Vocational Trade ations. Three scholarships Dependents of ATA
School scholarship and ap- will be awarded annually. personnel interested in
preciate it greatly,” Sonia “ATA employs a work- applying for scholarships
said. “He is excited about force of men and women may apply beginning
starting his trade school who are experienced and March 2014.
program.” skilled in mechanical, elec- “Students applied by
Matt is also enrolled at trical and industrial sys- submitting an application
the TCAT and he began his tems and crafts,” said ATA packet to the ATA Voca-
classes in May and com- General Manager Steve tional Technology Schol-
pleted his first term in the Pearson. “Their knowl- arship committee,” said
Industrial Maintenance edge, skills, and abilities Teri Black, in the ATA
Program last month. are critical to successful Performance Management
Aaron McAdams, facility and test support. Division. “As part of the
Matt’s father and an em- This program supports vo- application process, stu-
ployee in the ATA Mission cational training toward dents were also required
Support Division, said he that level of expertise, to answer two essay ques-
and his son are thankful whether students eventu- tions related to future plans
that ATA is providing the ally work here or at other and work safety.”
scholarship. industrial complexes.” To be eligible for the
“Matt commented Students applying for scholarship, the applicant
to me and my wife that the scholarships must ma- must be a dependent of
he was honored and this jor in industrial full-time an employee. A depen- Matt McAdams (second from left) accepts a $1,000 ATA Vocational Technology
gives him more incentive programs such as Draft- dent may include a natural Scholarship from ATA Deputy General Manager Phil Stich (left). Matt is joined
by his father and ATA employee Aaron McAdams (right) and mother Shannoah
to do his best every day at ing and CAD; Heating, child, stepchild, legally ad-
McAdams. (Photo by Jacqueline Cowan)
school,” Aaron said. “By Ventilation, Air Condi- opted child, child acquired
helping provide assistance tioning and Refrigeration by adoption, or a child
to further his education (HVAC); Industrial Elec- for whom legal guardian-
Matthew is going to strive tricity; Industrial Mainte- ship has been awarded to
even more to do his best nance; Welding; Machine the spouse of an ATA em-
and further his education.” Tool Technology; Aviation ployee.
The ATA Vocational Maintenance Technology; For more information
Technology Scholarship or Mechatronics. Other in- about the ATA Vocational
Program was created to dustrial full-time programs Technology Scholarship
support post-secondary in- with comparable curricula contact Black at 454-7170.
8 • September 9, 2013
AEDC team conducts AMT testing on F-22 Raptor engine
Scott Slabaugh, ATA project engineer on the test, inspects the F119 in AEDC’s sea level turbine engine test cell after an accelerated mission (AMT) test run. (Photo
by Rick Goodfriend)
Tinker ramps up repair of fighter’s F119 engines
By Mike Ray the Air Force eight years this year and expects two
Tinker Public Affairs ago. more before the year is
The Raptor’s engines out, Mr. Thompson said.
TINKER AIR are scheduled for pro- PDM takes 13 to 14
FORCE BASE, Okla. – grammed depot main- months to complete, he
The 76th Propulsion tenance upon reaching said. This includes total
Maintenance Group is 4,325 total accumulated teardown of the modules
amplifying its F119 jet cycles, Mr. Thompson and their various compo-
engine repair capabili- said. (A cycle spans the nents.
ties. period from when the The F119 has five
“We are ramping up throttle is shifted from modules – fan, gearbox,
repairs of the F119 mod- down to full military core, low-pressure tur-
ules, and more parts will power and back down bine, and nozzle – that
be routed to the compo- again.) Raptor engines are disassembled and
nent repair cells,” F119 have begun reaching the repaired here. The mod-
Program Manager Brian TAC threshold, he said. ules, in turn, have 405
Thompson said recently. The first F119 engine components, Mr. Thomp-
The F119 propels the sent to Tinker was com- son said. “We route these
F-22 Raptor; the fighter pleted last December, to our back shops or
is powered by dual F119 the Oklahoma City Air elsewhere for repairs.”
turbofan jet engines. The Logistics Complex re- Some of the component
F-22 entered service in ceived two of the engines repair work is propri- Aircraft mechanics Ira McFadden, left, of the 548th Propulsion Maintenance
etary and, consequently, Squadron, and Mike Blackmore of the 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group
torque the diffuser on an F119 jet engine. The diffuser is where the jet fuel is
is performed by the en-
atomized, or reduced to a fine spray. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mike Ray)
gine manufacturer, Pratt
& Whitney, or by some OC-ALC is projected said: eight engines in In a related matter,
particular contractor. to double in the years FY2014, 16 in FY2015, 76th PMXG mechanics
F119 workload at the ahead, Mr. Thompson and 32 in FY2016. have been performing
“We have 23 mechan- some Raptor airframe re-
ics working on these en- pairs for the past year.
gines” in the heavy main- F-22 Airframe
tenance center and by Mounted Nozzle Side-
FY2017 the 76th PMXG wall repair capabilities
will have 75 to 80 me- on liners and structures
chanics working on F119 were transferred from
engines, Mr. Thompson the supplier, Pratt &
said. “And that’s just Whitney, to the Okla-
the front shops” disas- homa City Air Logis-
sembling the modules, tics Complex, over a
he added; it does not in- 30-month transition pe-
clude scores of mechan- riod that concluded in
ics who will be needed in August 2012. This has
the back shops to repair brought an estimated
the various components 37,000 hours of repair
removed from the mod- work annually to Tinker
ules. mechanics.
September 9, 2013 • 9
ATA makes donation to Tullahoma High School due to blood donation
Mark Brandon (left), an Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA) Instrumentation and Diagnostics Manager, and Leslie Myers (center), a Comprehensive Occupational
Resources (CORE) registered nurse (RN) for ATA, present a check to Tullahoma High School (THS) Executive Principal Mike Landis. Brandon was one of 96
AEDC employees who volunteered to donate blood to the Red Cross during the August 19 – 23 blood drive at AEDC. To help promote the blood drive, names
of ATA personnel who signed up to donate blood were submitted for a random drawing for a $500 donation in the person’s name to the school of their choice.
Brandon’s name was drawn and he requested the donation be made to Tullahoma High School. According to Myers, coordinator of the blood drives, this is a
35 percent improvement from the last Red Cross visit in March. ATA General Manager Steve Pearson has announced that ATA will also provide the same $500
incentive program for Blood Assurance’s visit Oct. 22-25. (Photo by Jacqueline Cowan)
Milestones
40 YEARS Joel Reynolds Jr., ATA Jonathan Lister, ATA RETIREMENTS
Philip Jacobs, ATA Nelson Tate, ATA Brian Pittman, ATA Terry Cartwright, ATA
Donald York, ATA Catherine Plunkett, ATA Ronnie Hall, ATA
35 YEARS Robert Stevens, AF John Ledbetter, ATA
William Cathcart, ATA 20 YEARS Thomas Sweeney, ATA Master Sgt. Randall Lusk
Douglas Hamilton, ATA Troy Blevins, ATA
Geoffrey Griffin, ATA NEW HIRES
5 YEARS
30 YEARS Thomas Hall, ATA Michelle Frame, ATA
John Fisher II, ATA
Willie Bryant, ATA Juergen Joellenbeck, Sonja Hayes, AF
Ramesh Gulati, ATA ATA Ray Kelly, ATA
INBOUND MILITARY
Angela Gunn, ATA Jacky Young, ATA Daniel Lee, AF
Col. James Krajewski
Nita Hargrove, ATA Patrick Leccese, AF
Charles Lester, ATA 15 YEARS Michelle Licata, AF
OUTBOUND MILI-
Robert Russ, ATA Bobbie Arnold, ATA
TARY
Sabrina Williams, ATA Jason Klepper, ATA PROMOTIONS
Capt. Timothy Calver Eric Brumley, ATA
25 YEARS 10 YEARS Lt. Col. Leland Davis David Garrett, ATA
Bobby Dunbar, ATA Trence Hitchcock, ATA Capt. Drew Miller Christina Norman, ATA
Cathcart Hamilton
40th FTS expands A-10 fuel limitations in combat
By Samuel King Jr.
Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE
BASE, Fla. – The dreaded
fuel light, either blinking
or glowing red indicat-
ing low on gas, becomes
a constant reminder that a
stoppage of the drive, trip
or mission is imminent.
The A-10 section of the
40th Flight Test Squadron
is testing the expansion of
the Thunderbolt II’s fuel
capability to prolong its
flight time, remain in the
fight and keep that fuel
light off a while longer.
In 2012, Air Com-
bat Command requested
testing, via the Air Force
Seek Eagle Office here,
to possibly expand the
A-10 carriage limits of its
600-gallon fuel tank with
all existing fuel tank con-
An A-10C Thunderbolt II from the 40th Flight Test Squadron, moves down the runway at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The aircraft is
figurations such as various
loaded up with weaponry to test the combat carriage limits of the Sargent Fletcher external fuel tank. The A-10 flight personnel are
weapon loads. testing to ensure the A-10 can carry the tank into a combat environment safely. If proven to be safe to carry, the tank will add up to 60
“Currently, the A-10 minutes of flight time to its combat sortie. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
doesn’t carry an external determine if the aircraft combat situation longer, sible combat setting. most combat weapons said.
fuel store into combat,” could safely reach those provide lengthier periods At first, missions fo- loaded on the aircraft,” With only a few mis-
said Maj. Olivia Elliott, combat flight limits carry- of armed over-watch for cused on gathering data said Capt. Rojas, of the sions left to fly, the test
the test pilot for the expan- ing the tank, thus carrying ground missions, as well to set the baseline for the 40th FTS. team will begin the report
sion. “The present flight more fuel into battle. as limit the amount of time aircraft’s handling charac- There have been no write-up. The 40th passes
limitations on the Sar- “By expanding the spent air-to-air refueling teristics. Then other mis- anomalies seen to date in on their findings to Seek
gent Fletcher tank restrict fuel carriage limits, A- during a combat sortie.” sions focused on different the testing, according to Eagle. AFSEO will deter-
it from being flown in a 10C units can carry the In more than 30 mis- aircraft load configura- Elliott. “The flying quali- mine if a flight clearance
combat environment.” 600-gallon tank into com- sions, the tank was pushed tions to ensure sound flight ties of the aircraft show can be issued. If it is, the
Flight testing was ac- bat expanding loiter time to greater airspeeds, Mach capability. slightly reduced stability Air Force Special Projects
complished on the SF tank by 45-60 minutes and levels and higher symmet- “The scenarios were in the yaw axis; but during Office will update the A-
in 1997, but it was never pushing back tanker sup- rical (pulling Gs without engineered to check a va- handling quality evalua- 10s flight clearance to in-
evaluated for combat re- port,” said Elliott. “This rolling) and asymmetrical riety of weapons on the tions, there has been no clude the expanded tank
quirements. The goal for will allow the aircraft to (rolling and pulling Gs) A-10 and clear the tank to decrease in aircraft track- limits and the tank will be
the 40th FTS team was to remain in flight during a limits to simulate a pos- the expanded limits with ing performance,” she able to be used in combat.
10 • September 9, 2013
National Reconnaissance Office Mission
susccessfully launches on world’s largest rocket
VANDENBERG AIR mission.”
FORCE BASE, Calif. – This mission was
A United Launch Alliance launched aboard a Delta
(ULA) Delta IV Heavy IV Heavy configura-
rocket carrying a payload tion Evolved Expendable
for the National Recon- Launch Vehicle (EELV),
naissance Office (NROO) which featured a cen-
lifted off from Space ter common booster core
Launch Complex-6 at along with two strap-on
11:30 a.m. Aug. 28. Desig- common booster cores.
nated NROL-65, the mis- Each common booster
sion is in support of nation- core was powered by an
al defense. This is ULA’s RS-68 Liquid Hydrogen/
eighth launch in 2013, the Liquid Oxygen engine
24th Delta IV mission and producing 663,000 pounds
the second Delta IV Heavy of thrust. A single RS10
launch from Vandenberg Liquid Hydrogen/Liquid
Air Force Base. Oxygen engine powered
“We are truly honored the second stage. The
to deliver this critical asset booster and upper stage
to orbit,” said Jim Spon- engines are both built by
nick, ULA vice president, Aerojet Rocketdyne. The
Atlas and Delta Programs. payload was encased by a
“The ULA Delta IV Heavy five-meter diameter (16.7-
is currently the world’s foot diameter), 65-foot,
largest rocket, providing metallic tri-sector payload
the nation with reliable, fairing. ULA constructed
proven, heavy lift capa- the Delta IV Heavy launch
bility for our country’s vehicle in Decatur, Ala.
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance
national security payloads ULA’s next launch is
Office (NRO) lifts off from Space Launch Complex-6 Aug. 28 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. (Photo cour-
from both the east and the Atlas V AEHF-3 mis-
tesy of United Launch Alliance)
west coasts. I congratulate sion for the united States
Station, Fla. assured access to space for cially developed EELV delivering on schedule and
the combined NRO, Air Air Force scheduled on
The EELV program Department of Defense Program supports the full providing significant cost
Force, ULA, and supplier Sept. 18, from Space
was established by the and other government range of government mis- savings over the heritage
team on today’s successful Launch Complex-41 at
U.S. Air Force to provide payloads. The commer- sion requirements, while launch systems.
launch of the NROL-65 Cape Canaveral Air Force
AF tuition assistance application window delayed for FY14
WASHINGTON This program is appli- Airmen in any level of will only be approved if for voluntary education velopment. “This will
(AFNS) – Airmen apply- cable to Guard and Re- upgrade training, if the they are part of a degree will be rewritten to reflect help leaders ensure Air-
ing for tuition assistance serve only when they are Airman will be TDY or or are on the approved these changes. men take advantage of
in fiscal 2014 will see activated. will be PCSing during the language shortage list. Failing to meet Air academic opportunities
several changes in both The cornerstone of the academic term, if the Air- TA will not be approved Force standards will im- while balancing their
eligibility for and admin- Air Force’s FY14 pro- man is enrolled in PME for Airmen seeking a de- pact an Airman’s eligi- goals with mission re-
istration of the program. gram will be supervisor or for any other factors gree at the same level as bility. TA requests from quirements.”
Due to these changes, involvement. Airmen the supervisor determines they currently hold, with Airmen who have unfa- The Air Force Virtual
the application window who apply for TA will would impede the Air- a few exceptions in sup- vorable information files, Education Center will un-
for classes beginning on be required to obtain su- man’s ability to complete port of certain graduate failed/overdue physical dergo significant modifi-
or after Oct. 1 will not pervisor approval for all the course. foreign language/affairs fitness testing, received cations to accommodate
open until Sept. 9 to allow requests. Supervisors Requests for TA for programs, cyber law mas- referral performance re- these changes, which
for system updates. may deny requests for foreign language courses ter’s degrees and multiple ports or are on a control has driven a delay in the
Community College of roster will automatically opening of the application
the Air Force degrees for be denied. window for FY14 courses
Airmen who hold mul- The fundamental fi- from Aug. 1 until Sept. 9.
tiple enlisted Air Force nancial benefits of TA are “The delay will help us
specialty codes. unchanged. Airmen who test the system and ensure
“Air Force leaders are approved to receive it is user friendly and will
worked very hard to de- TA may receive up to work smoothly for Air-
velop a TA program that $4,500 per fiscal year and men,” Yates said. For the
provides the best oppor- a maximum of $250 per first time, Airmen in the
tunities for Airmen and semester hour including field are involved in test-
meets Air Force needs. tuition and allowable fees. ing the updated system
Higher education contin- “The changes to TA in and providing feedback to
ues to be a cornerstone of FY14 require Airmen and make it as user friendly as
Airmen’s development at their supervisors to more possible.
all levels,” said Kimberly actively engage in manag- Airmen should contact
Yates, the Air Force Vol- ing academic pursuits and their base education office
untary Education chief. goals,” said Russell Frasz, for more details or for as-
The Air Force instruction the director of Force De- sistance in applying.
AF e-Learning offers free
self-development 24/7
AFMC Manpower, Personnel and Services
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – AF e-Learning is a ro-
bust, on-line, self-development tool that is free and available to active duty and gov-
ernment civilian Air Force employees 24/7. It contains a large, searchable collection
of free on-line courses, books, simulations, and other e-learning resources for your
self-development – whenever and wherever you have the need and time. Below are
just a few of the features accessible via AF e-Learning:
• Thousands of on-line courses: Choose one of the many short courses acces-
sible from your desktop 24/7 to maximize your time while advancing your self-
development.
• Books 24x7, an on-line library of searchable content: Read a book and recom-
mend to a colleague or set up feeds to notify you when new books arrive plus
much more.
• Mobile “On the Go” options: Download certain content to your smart phone,
Kindle, or iPad.
• Leadership Knowledge Center portal: Use one of the topical learning road-
maps with links to related books, articles, courses, video challenges, simulations,
and professional sites such as:
The Center for Creative Leadership
o
Harvard Business School
o
Hale Chief Executive Leadership Institute
o
Wharton Center for Leadership and Change Management
o
Leadership Now
o
Forbes
o
These resources are free and available on-demand from any Common Access
Card-enabled computer through the Air Force Portal. From the Portal home page, go
to Top Portal Links and select Education/Training/Force Development.