Public Affairs, Volume 63, Number 59
Serving the community of Edwards Air Force Base California www.edwards.af.mil - www.facebook.com/EdwardsAirForceBase
Sept. 16, 2016
Raptors converge on F-22 CTF as it prepares to move
(U.S. Air Force photo by Christian Turner)
By Kenji Thuloweit 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
Just after the turn of the century, it wasn’t unusual to see seven F-22A Raptors parked around the 411th Flight Test Squadron compound during the fighter’s early developmental test and evaluation days. Today, the 411th and F-22 Combined Test Force has just
four of the fifth-generation fighters left – including one in the hangar undergoing maintenance – to conduct testing to continually improve the Raptor fleet’s combat and long-term capabilities. For the past few weeks, however, Edwards AFB’s Raptors have been joined by four operational F-22s for testing. The jets are from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia; Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada; and Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The planes are accompanied by pilots and maintenance crews from their respective bases. Lt. Col. Randel Gordon, F-22 CTF director and 411th FLTS commander, said operational F-22s from the Air Force come to Edwards for testing occasionally, but it is “highly unusual” to have eight total Raptors here, including the one being serviced in the 411th FLTS hangar. The visit by the four operational jets prompted a unique photo opportunity for squadron workers, who were given the chance to take photos with seven planes in the background. The event marks a bittersweet occasion. “This will be the last time we have this many jets ever in this compound,” said Gordon. In four months, the F-22 CTF is scheduled to move out of the facilities it has occupied since the 1990s. The squadron will move to another location on base as part of a reorganizaSee Raptors, page 2
Commander talks past, present, future at civilian call By Christopher Ball 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing Commander, took center stage at the Base Theater to discuss issues –past, present and future – during a civilian call Sept. 6. The test wing’s top officer spent nearly an hour with the civilian workforce discussing milestones, priorities, personnel issues, safety and a variety of other subjects. Schaefer set the call in motion by saying thank you. “Thank you to what I think is the DOD’s best workforce – our workforce here at the 412th,” he said. He then transitioned into recent milestones for the KC-46 and F-35 programs, and Team Edwards’ contributions to both. “Over the summer, every one of you had a hand in enabling some key decisions for the Air Force,” Schaefer said. In August, the KC-46A Pegasus program received Milestone C approval from Frank Kendall, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, signaling the aircraft is ready to enter into production. “It’s our folks here and up in Seattle that are making this program happen for the Air Force,” Schaefer said. “When we go into combat, we don’t execute without tankers. It is critically important for us to project global power with our tanker
Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer speaks at the first of two civilian calls Sept. 6 at the Base Theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joseph Gocong)
force, and you’re part of that.” Earlier last month, August 2, The F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter aircraft was declared combat ready by Gen. Herbert J. “Hawk” Carlisle, the commander of Air Combat Command. “You enabled initial operational capability for the F-35,” Schaefer said. “That is huge. We haven’t gone IOC on a fighter See Civilian Call, page 2