Edwards AFB Desert Wings Newspaper June 17, 2016

Public Affairs, Volume 63, Number 48

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Test Wing begins ‘innovation journey’

June 17, 2016

Test Wing introduces new command chief

By Kenji Thuloweit 412th Test Wing Public Affairs

One theme the Department of Defense is emphasizing is getting warfighters what they need, when they need it. Now and in the future. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter says he is looking at the intersection between technology and defense as he looks to place programs and organizations to meet the needs of warfighters faster and more efficiently in an increasingly competitive world.

To do that, DOD has intensified its push for innovation and innovative ideas, bringing together minds from the military with those of companies like Google and Space-X. For the Air Force, innovation begins here, and needs to be nurtured here, according to Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander.

“This is the place we should be innovating in the Air Force -- the 412th Test Wing."

During a commander’s call last week, Schaefer stressed the need to have an innovation culture, and through a newly-assembled team, is setting up the path for the wing’s “innovation journey.”

“If you have an innovative idea, I want to know about it. I want to see what it is and see if we can fund it.”

One innovation project that is getting its legs is the Single Operator Multiple Antenna endeavor from the 412th Range Squadron at Ridley Mission Control Center.

When a test mission is flown, telemetry tracking systems (antennas) take data from the aircraft and send it back to mission control where it is monitored and recorded.

Currently, one person is required to monitor one antenna during a test mission.

See Innovation, Page 2

The Single Operator Multiple Antenna innovation project aims to have one person monitor up to four telemetry system antennas freeing up other employees for different duties.

SOMA is one example of an innovation collaboration that Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander, wants Team Edwards to promote throughout the wing. He wants an innovation culture at Edwards to not only come up with creative ways to make things more efficient, but also to think of creative methods for the future. (U.S. Air Force photo

by Kenji Thuloweit)

Chief Master Sgt. Todd Simmons is the new 412th Test Wing command chief. Simmons hails from Hardeeville, South Carolina, and is a 21-year security forces defender.

He will serve as the top enlisted advisor to Schaefer on matters regarding the Edwards enlisted force. Simmons entered the Air Force in September 1994. His background includes various duties at the unit and major-command levels including flight chief, S2/Intelligence, S3/Operations, S4/Resources & Logistics, large unit security forces manager, major command branch manager, MAJCOM functional manager, Air Force Central Command Security Forces senior enlisted leader and Air Force Forces senior enlisted leader. His career includes duty assignments in Alabama, England, Kyrgyz Republic, Alaska, Curacao, Japan, Korea, Colorado, Qatar and Ohio. Prior to assuming his current position, he served as the Air Force Materiel Command Security Forces MAJCOM functional manager.

As command chief, Simmons is the principal advisor to the commander on matters concerning morale, welfare, discipline, training, fitness and effective utilization of the wing's force of military, civilian, contractor personnel and their families. He also represents the enlisted force at a multitude of meetings, committees, boards and steering councils supporting the wing's personnel across 57 organizations. He presents the senior enlisted corps with motivational speaking engagements and professional development forums with First Term Airman Center, Airman Leadership School and Professional Development seminars. http://issuu.com/desertwings/docs/current

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June 17, 2016

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Edwards employee wins national award

By Christopher Ball 412th Test Wing Public Affairs

A member of the 412th Civil Engineer Group was recently recognized for his contributions to the Edwards mission and to American Indians in government service.

Robin “Bubba” Hairston, a 412th CEG heavy equipment operator, travelled to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he received a Meritorious Service Award from the Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) June 7.

Hairston is an Apache Indian, and a military veteran. “I am a 20-year veteran of the Marine Corps and the Army. I am also an Apache Warrior. Apaches have always been known to be tough. But I feel proud, very humbled and very emotional to win this award.”

This is a prestigious award,” Hairston said.

“It’s only given to American Indians for exemplary acts or performances. All the Indian nations in the country are reaching out to me and telling me how proud they are that I won this award.”

Hairston said that as well as the Indian nations being represented at the awards ceremony, there were representative members from all branches of the military.

The award commends Hairston for displaying an exceptionally high level of dedication and professionalism in the performance of his duties.

David Sampson, 412th Operations Support Squadron airfield manager, praised Hairston as one of the most conscientious flightline workers he knows of.

“He drives the airfield sweeper and is meticulous about FOD (debris) clean-up,” Sampson said. “He talks about keeping "his" pilots safe out there, and he really means it! I wish everyone on the flightline took his job as seriously as Bubba!”

One day on the job, Hairston was running the sweeper on the flightline when he noticed a C-5 taxiing out. “The aircraft was leaking fluid profusely,” he said. “I contacted the tower and they stopped the aircraft from taking off.”

Hairston’s award nomination stated that the

Innovation, from Page 1 The range squadron has 10 fixed and four mobile telemetry tracking systems.

SOMA aims to use manpower more efficiently and ultimately save the test wing money by having one operator monitor up to four tracking systems. Thus, freeing up personnel to handle other duties.

Funding was provided and 412th RS built their first SOMA station complete with all the monitors and switching features needed for one person to monitor four antennas. The station was demonstrated for the first time to innovation team members and test wing leadership June 7.

Some issues still need to be worked out before SOMA can be fully implemented, but if fully operational, the 412th RS predicts it can save 66 percent in telemetry labor and $240,000 annually

Heavy equipment operator Robin “Bubba” Hairston, 412th Civil Engineer Group, climbs aboard his sweeper truck. Hairston was recently honored by the Society of American Indian Government Employees for his contributions to the Edwards mission and to American Indians in government service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Ball)

aircrew confirmed that the C-5 would have suffered catastrophic failure of the hydraulic system if the aircraft had flown. His actions potentially saved the aircraft and its entire crew.

Hairston is also responsible for saving the life of a coworker.

“My coworker was in full cardiac arrest,” Hairston explained. “His heart had stopped and he wasn’t breathing. So I immediately started CPR and kept going until the fire department arrived and rushed him to the hospital. The fire captain later told me that if I hadn’t been there the coworker would have died.”

In addition to his on-duty actions, Hairston’s

award cites his active support for the local community as a member of “Blue Mountain Tribe,” an all-Indian rock band. The group performs at many local events, and through their performances they endeavor to help impoverished families.

“We focus most of our attention on donating to impoverished Indian communities and other poor families. Not just American Indian families,” Hairston said. “And whenever we play, we always mention that Blue Mountain Tribe is from Edwards Air Force Base,” he said.

“We love our troops, and we love the base.”

in costs to customers. It could also increase telemetry antenna availability by 25 percent.

The 412th RS used a concept, design and realization route to their SOMA innovation project.

“We want people to feel empowered to innovate and we want them to talk to people about their ideas, get buy-in from others, collaborate with others, and execute their ideas,” said T.J. Wuth, who is part of the 412th TW Innovation group. “We're developing a framework to help people pursue their innovative ideas, but one of the key ideas is that there is not only one path or procedure for people to follow to start innovating.”

Wuth added that people with ideas should collaborate with their teammates and unit leadership. He can also point people in the right direction if they need guidance.

Stay tuned for more highlights and information about innovative ideas and plans coming from Edwards.

Funding was provided and 412th RS built their first SOMA station complete with all the monitors and switching features needed for one person to monitor four antennas. The station was demonstrated for the first time to innovation team members and test wing leadership June 7. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)

June 17, 2016

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EOD destroys hazardous chemical found in Lancaster

by Kenji Thuloweit 412th Test Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -Explosive Ordnance Disposal Airmen from the 812th Civil Engineering Squadron blew up 20 gallons of a hazardous chemical at an on-base range June 6. The chemical was determined to be a nitrocellulose-dope lacquer, which was found at a drop-off point for hazardous materials waste in Lancaster, California. The city was able to track it back to General William J. Fox Airfield. "Nitrocellulose-dope lacquer was originally used to harden the flight surfaces of fabric-based aircraft," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Severe, 812th CES, EOD. "We knew from our research that this particular lot could have been used from between 1940 and 1956. We take a worst-case scenario approach so we assumed it was in its most dangerous state from 1940." Severe said this particular compound has a known issue of spontaneously combusting or igniting if it's set down too hard. According to the Environmental Protection Agency and DOD, as a general rule the military is responsible for disposing of military munitions found in local areas. Munitions also include chemicals. Although it is undetermined who the nitrocellulose-dope belonged to, Edwards EOD and Environmental Management had no problem helping out. "We have a very good working relationship with the local communities.

The emergency coordinator for the City of Lancaster contacted us to see if we might be able to help them identify and deal with the nitrocellulose-dope," Severe said. EOD and Edwards Environmental Management partnered with Lancaster and contractor Worldwide Waste Management to transport the four five-gallon drums of the chemical to base for disposal. The contractor packed up the nitrocellulose drums early in the morning and transported them with an escort provided by the Lancaster Sheriff's

An Airman from the 812th Civil Engineering Squadron, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, watches the fire ball as 15 gallons of nitrocellulose-dope lacquer is blown up with C-4 June 6. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)

Department. After reaching the outskirts of the south gate, 412th Security Forces Squadron took over the escort duties. The nitrocellulose was placed at EOD's Open Burn/Open Detention range. "This is a state-permitted treatment facility we have for doing this kind of disposal," said Severe. EOD detonated the material with two planned "shots." "The first detonation was to ensure all of our initial tests and calculations were correct and we would achieve the effect we wanted. This shot contained 250 pounds of C-4 with one five-gallon container of nitrocellulose-dope and a non-electric initiation system.

Since the first shot went off perfectly we were able to combine the three remaining containers into one shot. This shot contained 1,062.5 pounds of C-4. If you were to convert the second shot to

TNT, which is something we do as part of our safety work-up, it would equal about 1,500 lbs of TNT." EOD initially looked at two methods of disposal for the substance. The first one was to absorb it into a medium like saw dust and then burn it. "We felt this would be too dangerous of a situation because the expected burn temperature was in excess of 3,000 degrees Celsius (5,432 degrees Fahrenheit), this would make it a hotter burn than our military AN-M14 thermite grenades. The cleaner solution was to use large amounts of explosives and achieve what we call total consumption. This is where all of the material is consumed in the detonation leaving nothing behind," said Severe. The operation went according to schedule and planning with all of the nitrocellulose-dope destroyed by 9:30 a.m.

Middleton assumes command of 419th FLTS

by Kenji Thuloweit 412th Test Wing Public Affairs The 412th Test Wing's bomber test squadron received a new commander June 10. Lt. Col. Miles Middleton assumed command of the 419th Flight Test Squadron during a change of command ceremony in Hanger 1210. Middleton takes over from Lt. Col. Michael Williams who has commanded the squadron for the past two years. As 419th FLTS commander, Middleton will oversee the developmental test and evaluation of B-1, B-2 and B-52 bomber aircraft to include maintenance, flight test engineering and flight test operations.

Middleton is a graduate from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (Class 05B). He is a command pilot with more than 2,300 hours in 30-plus types of aircraft.

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June 17, 2016

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This week in Edwards Flight Test History On June 15, 1964 - The first Douglas B-26K counter-insurgency aircraft was ferried to Edwards to begin limited Category II evaluation for the Aeronautical Systems Center. The B-26K was a modification of Korean War-era Douglas B-26Bs adapted for combat service in Vietnam, and later was redesignated A-26A. (Edwards History Office file photo)

Airmen put wingman concept in action across AFMC

by Kim Bowden Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs For many, "wingman" is just a buzzword or something discussed at stand-down days.

However, Airmen across Air Force Materiel Command are putting the wingman concept into action.

"As AFMC continues to emphasize a culture of respect and resiliency, it is important to remember that we all have a responsibility to be accountable for ourselves and to be accountable as a wingman," said Jennifer Treat, AFMC Community Support Coordinator. "A good wingman stays alert for signs of danger from whatever source -whether suicide, safety mishaps, alcohol abuse, sexual assault, bullying, or something else; gets involved by knowing their fellow Airmen; and takes action when necessary to protect their wingman, on and off duty."

In one example of successful wingman intervention, some co-workers and friends of an Airman received a frantic phone call from that Airman's family saying the Airman was distressed and had attempted suicide. They immediately went to the Airman's house and

Commander’s Action Line email: speak2cc@edwards.af.mil

Parking lots being repaired An upcoming pavement project will repair the parking lot for the golf course, the parking lot for Building 5601 (Lodging), and Crossfield Road. The project will start Monday and will last for approximately three weeks. The golf course will remain open but parking will be reduced by half. The parking lot for Building 5601 will be closed, alternate parking will be provided behind the building.

discovered the Airman had tried to overdose on prescription medication. One wingman induced vomiting while another called emergency services. Thanks to the prompt attention of the wingmen and emergency responders, the Airman received treatment and recovered -- and the Airman's family was spared the loss of a loved one. Following the distressed Airman's hospitalization, the wingmen continued to provide support to their friend.

In another situation, a vigilant wingman observed the medical distress of his friend, a fellow Airman. The Airman's symptoms seemed life-threatening, and the wingman's self-aid and buddy care training immediately kicked in. The wingman instructed others to call for emergency assistance while he kept the distressed Airman calm and safe. Because of the life-saving actions of a concerned wingman, the Airman was transported to the local hospital and stabilized.

In yet another example, two wingmen were talking to a friend before the weekend, when the individual expressed thoughts of suicide. The wingmen stayed in close contact with the distressed Airman throughout the weekend and secured items which the Airman might have used for self-harm. On Monday morning, the wingmen

escorted their friend to the Mental Health Clinic and secured counseling services. Thanks to the wingmen acting , the distressed Airman was connected with right helping agencies.

"In AFMC, and across the Air Force, we accomplish our mission as a dedicated team committed to our core values and to each other," Treat said. "Success rests with Airmen engaging with other Airmen in a way that fosters communication and connection. AFMC is proud to have true wingmen who look out for the welfare of their colleagues and community."

AFMC has been consciously building the concept of wingman intervention since 2004. The goals are to raise awareness of helping behaviors, increase the motivation to help, develop the skills and confidence to intervene and assist when necessary, and ensure the safety and well-being of self and others.

If you become aware of situations in which personnel have recognized at-risk behaviors and proactively intervened, please contact your local Community Support Coordinator. AFMC's goal is to highlight these situations as teachable moments to encourage similar behavior and continue its focus of maintaining a "Culture of Respect and Resiliency."

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Editorial Staff Commander, 412th TW ................................ Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer Installation Support Director, 412th TW.................... Dr. David Smith Command Chief, 412th TW ........... Chief Master Sgt. Todd Simmons Director, 412th TW, Public Affairs ................................... Ed Buclatin Editor ......................................................................... Christopher Ball Staff Writer ................................................................ Kenji Thuloweit Contributor ................................................................. Dawn Waldman

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