Public Affairs, Volume 63, Number 67
Serving the community of Edwards Air Force Base California www.edwards.af.mil - www.facebook.com/EdwardsAirForceBase
Nov. 11, 2016
Adaptive flight control tests benefit TPS, college students By Christopher Ball 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
A recent test management project helped not only to validate an adaptive flight control system, but provided valuable educational experience to military and university students. The L1 adaptive control system was developed and built by a professor and students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and tested by a team of students at the U. S. Air Force Test Pilot School here. According to Dr. Chris Cotting, TPS solicits government customers and academia looking for different sorts of projects and ideas that they would like to have flight tested. “We tell them, basically, ‘You give us your concept, and we’ll bring it in and flight test it right here at the school.’” “We provide flight hours, planning, data processing and reduction for someone who might have an idea that they couldn’t figure out how to put on an airplane and flight test otherwise.” The L1 adaptive controller was developed and built by professor Naira Hovakimyan and graduate students Kasey
The X-15A-3 rocket plane flies over Edwards Air Force base during a mission in the 1960s. The aircraft crashed in 1967, killing pilot Maj. Michael J. Adams. According to a NASA report, the X-15A-3 crashed “due to stable, albeit non-robust adaptive controller.” The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot school recently validated a much more robust adaptive controller which was built by a team at the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana. The controller is designed to adapt to any fly-by-wire aircraft. (Archive photo courtesy of NASA)
Ackerman and Javier Navarro of UIUC. Flight testing was accomplished by a TPS team consisting of staff advisor Dr. Chris Cotting and five students – test pilots Capt. Daniel Edelstein, Italian Air Force Capt. Raffaele Odesco, French Air Force Maj. Nicolas Langevin and flight test engineers Capt. Craig Porter and Capt. Clark McGehee. Hovakimyan said her team developed the system primarily with unmanned or remotely piloted vehicles in mind. “The technology is developing rapidly,” she said. “Wind tunnel testing for each mod-
el and variant would be cost-prohibitive. “The goal was to develop a controller that would adapt to changing conditions, compensate and provide predictable performance,” she said. Cotting said the professor had spent a lot of time working on the theory but had not been able to actually see how the controller performed during flight test. “I told her it looks like a great idea. We’d be happy to flight test it for you as long as you can build a controller that See TPS, page 2
AF approves request to realign AFTC assets under Arnold AFB
From Air Force Test Center
The Air Force has approved an Organizational Change Request to realign selected Air Force Test Center operations and facilities from several separate locations under one commander at Arnold Engineering Development Complex, Tennessee. This change consolidates the current capabilities of the AEDC at Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee; the Hypersonic Combined Test Force, which is currently part of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards AFB, California; and all the current capabilities of the 96th Test Group, headquartered at Holloman AFB, New Mexico; and the McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin AFB, Florida. The 96th TG and the MCL are currently part of the 96th Test Wing at Eglin AFB, Florida.
Additional capabilities to be consolidated are located at the Federal Research Center at White Oak, Maryland and operating locations at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico; Moffett Federal Airfield, California; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; and the Army’s White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. As part of this action the 96th Test Group and 796th Test Support Squadron at Holloman will be inactivated and will then be activated as the 704th Test Group and 704th Test Support Squadron, respectively. The duty locations, manpower authorizations and resources of the 704th TG and 704th TSS will be exactly the same as the inactivated 96th TG and 796th TSS. Only the parent unit will change – from the 96th TW to AEDC. This re-
(U.S. Air Force graphic)
alignment will only impact the administrative reporting chain of the affected organizations and will not require the See AFTC, page 3
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Desert robotics club engages Edwards Youth Center students By Christopher Ball 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
An onlooker at the Edwards Youth Center gets a robotic high five. The robot was one of two displayed and demonstrated by the Desert Junior and Senior High School Robotics Club during an outreach event at the Youth Center Nov. 3. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Ball)
Members of the Desert Junior and Senior High Robotics Club recently took their creations on the road to generate interest among the next generation of potential robot builders. The 11 members of the robotics club – six students from varsity team 9074, Robo-Scorpions, and five from junior varsity 7227, Scorpion Robotics – presented their robots to the children at the Edwards Youth Center Nov. 3, explaining the workings of the machines and what is involved in being a member of the Robotics Club. Ana Franco, one of the robotics coaches, said the idea was to get the younger students interested in robotics and STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “They’re also doing some community outreach, which is something they have to do as a club,” she said. “The idea is to get younger students interested in robotics and STEM.”
The teams are preparing for their first “scrimmage” at the Palmdale Aerospace Academy Dec. 3. According to coach Tony Gore, the teams are challenged with creating a robot that can complete a series of tasks, but they don’t know what those tasks will be until a short time before the competition. “This means they have to learn a lot of teamwork and cooperation,” he said. “And there’s a lot of learning on the fly.” This preparation involves much more than just building a capable machine. Once the teams arrive at the competition, they have to assess the competing robots’ abilities and formulate strategies to win, Gore explained. Since the competitors don’t know in advance which robots will be pitted against each other, the teams must plan for every robot in the scrimmage. For more information on the Desert Junior and Senior High Robotics Club, e-mail scorpion-robotics@googlegroups.com.
The season of giving
Volunteers from Edwards’ First Sergeants Council and Lockheed Martin prepare Operation Home Front holiday meal gift bags for Edwards families that may need extra help. The bags contained dry goods to create a holiday meal, as well as a $25 Commissary gift certificate to get a turkey or ham, a small AAFES BX certificate, a family game and a movie. The First Sergeants Council worked with supervisors across the base to help identify those families that would benefit from some extra holiday help. Lockheed Martin provided finances and volunteers to help with the effort. Operation Homefront is a nationwide nonprofit organization that assists military families during difficult financial times by providing food assistance, auto and home repair, vision care, travel and transportation, moving assistance, essential home items, and rent-free transitional housing for wounded veterans and their families. Operation Homefront arranged for approximately 250 meals at Edwards, and will provide more than 1,000 holiday meals in California. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Ball)
L1 system built by university, tested by students at USAF TPS From TPS, page 1
would work on one of our platforms. She had some of her graduate students build a controller that would work on the F-16 VISTA that we have and that is what we flight tested as part of this project.” Adaptive control systems are not a new concept, according to Hovakimyan. One of the first tested, in 1967, was unsuccessful and killed the pilot. This was the X-15A-3 piloted by Maj. Michael J. Adams. According to a NASA report, The X-15A-3 crashed “due to stable, albeit non-robust adaptive controller.” Since then, the systems have been refined, and in 1997 the L1 system had its
first successful test with an X-37 aircraft, she explained. “The challenge is how to adapt and maintain robustness in the control system,” Hovakimyan said. Essentially, robustness is the measure of the control system’s ability to still do its job adequately under adverse conditions, Cotting said. “We use robustness margins to pre-determine how different the aircraft can be from the model we use to design the control system,” he said. The teamwork between TPS and the university has further demonstrated the benefits of the adaptive control systems in regards to aviation, but the benefits to
the students are also substantial. Students at TPS earn a master’s degree in flight test at the completion of their course. But to do that they have to complete a test management project, the equivalent to a thesis. The TPS students benefit by having the opportunity to test advanced theory, Hovakimyan said. “The educational benefit for university students is they get to work with TPS, developing methods with real vehicles and creating real test points. They’re faced with real-world challenges,” she said. (This is the final article in a series about the L1 Adaptive Controller.)
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Family Advocacy November classes and workshops All classes are held in Bldg. 5513, the Mental Health/Family Advocacy Clinic unless otherwise noted. For more information on these and other offerings, call 277-5292. Managing Anger starts Nov. 14, 10 a.m.-noon. This class is for anyone who would like to better understand anger or who struggles with others’ (or their own) emotions at times. This class is a four part seminar, each class being two hours each. Dads4Dads Class 1, is Nov. 17, 9:30 -11:30 a.m. The Dads4Dads class 2 is normally held the fourth Thursday of each month but will not be held this month due to Thanksgiving. The Dads4Dads Class 2 will resume next month on the fourth Thursday. Dads4Dads Class 3 is held once a quarter and is for dads whose baby is already home. The next Dads4Dads Class 3 is scheduled for Dec. 8. Parenting Children ages 2-12 begins Nov. 29, 1:30-3:30 p.m. This class is intended to help participants use humor, hope and empathy to build parent - child relationships, provide boundaries and limits in a loving way and teach consequences and healthy decision making. This class is six sessions, two hours each. All classes are open to active duty, and are authorized for civilian and contract employees and all family members. Childcare is available. Fees are based on family income. Please call 277-5292 in advance to make arrangements.
Announcements
Nov. 11, 2016
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FSS Thanksgiving Day holiday hours Aero Club.................................... Flying from sunrise to sunset. Office closed. Joshua Tree Dining Facility Breakfast...........................................................................................6-8 a.m. Lunch...................................................................................... 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Dinner...........................................................................................4-6:30 p.m. Midnight Meal.......................................................................... 11 p.m.-1 a.m. High Desert Inn.............................................................................. always open Club Muroc (reservations only)................................................. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Rosburg Fitness Center...............................................................8 a.m.-4 p.m.
FSS Family Day (Nov. 25) hours Aero Club.................................... Flying from sunrise to sunset. Office closed. Joshua Tree Dining Facility Brunch.......................................................................................6 a.m.-1 p.m. Dinner...................................................................................4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Midnight Meal......................................................................... 11 p.m. -1 a.m. High Desert Inn.............................................................................. always open High Desert Lanes Bowling Center.................................. 10:30 a.m.-midnight Rosburg Fitness Center...............................................................8 a.m.-4 p.m.
All other FSS facilities will close for Thanksgiving Day and Family Day. Normal hours will resume Nov. 28
412th Security Forces Squadron issues speeding citations
The 412th Security Forces Squadron issued four speeding citations and processed zero driving suspensions from Oct. 31 through Nov. 6.
Citations issued
1 to 10 mph.................................................1 11 to 15 mph................................................1 16 to 20 mph...............................................2 21 to 24 mph...............................................0 25+ mph......................................................0
Driving privilege suspensions (current)
15 days........................................................0 30 days........................................................1 45 days........................................................0 90 days........................................................3 180 days (six months).................................3 365 days (one year)..................................14 730 days (two years)...................................0 1,095 days (three years).............................1
Per AFI 31-218 and EAFBI 31-218, a DD Form 1408 Armed Forces traffic tickets (no-fine) are issued to military members. Military members receiving 1408s are subject to Uniform Code of Military Justice action. A U.S. District Court Violation Notice (USDCVN) (a fine) is issued to all civilians, dependents, and retirees. If issued a USDCVN, violators may be required to be present at Magistrate Court in Bakersfield, California, receive traffic violation points against their state-issued driver’s license, and potentially receive suspension of on-base driving privileges.
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Announcements
Nov. 11, 2016
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412th Force Support Squadron upcoming events Aero Club
275-AERO Aero Camp is coming soon. Three winter sessions are available; Dec. 19-23, Dec. 26-30, and Jan. 2-6, 2017. Sessions are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Aero Camp provides the first steps in training our future pilots. Minimum of three to maximum of six participants. Pre-registration is required.
Airman and Family Readiness
277-0723 Department of Labor 5-day Transition Assistance Program is Monday through Nov. 18, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The Transition Assistance Program workshop is required for all separating and retiring military members; spouses are welcome and encouraged to attend. Heart Link is Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. This is an introduction to the Air Force for spouses who are newly married or want to learn more about the Air Force way of life. Workshop-based, speakers from various service agencies give an overview of services available. Lunch is included and childcare needs to be requested two weeks prior. Hearts Apart is Thursday, 5 - 7 p.m. Our monthly event for families of service members who are deployed, on an extended TDY or on a remote tour assignment. Join us for dinner and fun activities Women’s, Infants’ & Children’s Clinic is Nov. 21, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Open for both walk-ins and appointments, closed for lunch noon - 1 p.m. For an appointment or voucher information, call toll free 1-866-327-3074. Pre-Separation Counseling is Nov. 23, 8:30 a.m.-noon. Pre-Separation Counseling is a prerequisite for the 5-day Transition Assistance Program. Spouses are highly encouraged to attend.
Club Muroc
275-CLUB Fight Night: UFC 205 is Saturday, 5 p.m. Conor McGregor will go for the lightweight belt against Eddie Alvarez. Enter to win a trip to watch UFC live in Las Vegas. Kids Club is Tuesday, 5-7 p.m. Games, prizes, Members’ children eat for free. Adults must supervise their children. Members only. Movie Night is Nov. 19. Doors open at 5 p.m., movie begins at 6. Enjoy dinner and a movie with one free kid’s meal (under 12) with the purchase of one adult meal. Thanksgiving Luncheon is Nov. 24, Seatings are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Reservations are required. Menu includes Turkey, ham, roast, mashed potatoes & gravy, sweet potatoes, corn, stuffing, mac & cheese, green bean casserole, baby carrots, deviled eggs, cranberry sauce, rolls and assorted pies. Let Club Muroc cook your holiday meal so you can enjoy time with friends and family! Main dish choices; 20-pound turkey (about 15 servings) or a 12-pound smoked boneless ham (about 18 servings). Side Servings for 20 portions; mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans,
stuffing and cranberry sauce. Apple Dutch or pumpkin pie. Orders need to be in by 4 p.m. on Nov. 18 and must be picked up no later than 9 a.m. on Nov. 24
Education and Training
277-2713 Job Training, Employment Skill Training, Apprenticeships and Internships is a new career skills program which institutes job apprenticeships, on-the-job training, job shadowing, employment skills training, and internships that offer skills training opportunities. Available to Airmen (officers and enlisted) preparing to transition from military to civilian employment who have 160 days left on active duty. Eligibility and program information will be forthcoming as Air Force rolls out additional implementation guidance. For more information, please contact the Education and Training Center at 277-1462 / 2713.
High Desert Lanes Bowling Center 275-BOWL
Thanksgiving 9 Pin No Tap Tournament is Nov. 18, 5 p.m. Registration is underway at High Desert Lanes. 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-place cash prizes will be awarded. NFL Sunday Ticket is Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Active Duty who wear their team’s shirt, get a free game of bowling with rental shoes. Breakfast served all day. Appetizers and wing specials.
For more information about 412th FSS offerings, visit www.edwardsfss.com/wordpress. Nov. 18, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Foosball, ping pong, air hockey, shuffleboard and pool are available.
Youth Programs 275-5437
Gymnastics classes for ages 3-17 are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For more information call 570-640-5895 or email ssgymnastic1@yahoo.com
Youth Sports 277-8961
Archery Classes are Tuesday and Thursday through Nov. 17, 3:30-4:45 p.m., at the Youth Center. Shot records and sports physicals will be required. For more information, call Emil Graves at 277-8961. Youth Basketball sign-ups are now through Dec. 2. The season begins Jan. 11, 2017. Youth Programs is also looking for basketball coaches. Sign up at the Main Youth Center. For more information, call Emil Graves at 277-8961.
Library
275-BOOK Children’s Story Time is every Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. Toddlers and pre-school children are invited for story time and to create very unique craft projects. Volunteer readers are welcome. Special Holiday Story Time for Thanksgiving is Nov. 23.
Muroc Lake Golf Course
275-PUTT Turkey Trot Tournament is Saturday, Nov. 19, 8 a.m., with a shotgun start (if not frosty). Sign up by Wednesday. This Thanksgiving-themed event features prizes for closest to the turkey. All participants will receive a coupon for a frozen turkey. Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) handicap required.
Oasis Community Center
275-CNTR Holiday Card Lane Registration runs through Nov. 23. This year’s theme is “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” All cards must be in place by Dec. 1 and will be displayed throughout the holiday season. The cards will be judged and the winners announced at the annual tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m. at the BX parking lot. Thanksgiving Craft Night is Nov. 18, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Participants will make Thanksgiving coloring placemats. Lunch Hour Table Games Tournament is
Adopt! Daisy is an amazingly sweet dachshund mix who just loves attention, car rides, trips to Petsmart, and treats. She's outgoing and friendly, likes other dogs, doesn't seem to mind cats, and likes kids. She truly would make a great addition to any home. Contact APET Rescue to adopt this sweetie! APET is located at 615 S. Forbes Ave. They’re open Monday-Friday, 4:30-6 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 3:30-5 p.m. 661-258-9525.
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Scholarship applications available for military children, spouses From Corvias Foundation
Applications for 2017 educational scholarships are now available from Corvias Foundation, a private, charitable foundation – the charitable arm of Corvias. Applications for the scholarships for high school seniors must be submitted by Feb. 9, 2017. These scholarships will be awarded to students with plans of attending a four-year university or college. These scholarships are awarded in the amount of up to $50,000 per person. The scholarships are available to children of active-duty servicemembers stationed at Forts Meade, Bragg, Polk, Rucker, Riley, and Sill; Aberdeen Proving Ground, Edwards Air Force Base, Eglin Air Force Base, Eielson Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, McConnell Air Force Base and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. A total of 10 applicants will be selected to receive a scholarship. All scholarship applicants will be notified of their award status by the end of April. Applications for the scholarships for spouses must be submitted by May 4, 2017. These $5,000 scholarships are awarded to spouses of active-duty servicemembers stationed at the military installations listed above. Applicants may be in any stage of their educational process. Corvias Foundation will select 20 recipients and all applicants will be notified of their award status by the end of July.
Families do not have to reside in onbase housing to be eligible for scholarships. Eligible service members stationed at the 13 Army and Air Force installations mentioned above can serve in any branch of the military. Scholarship applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the due date in order to be considered. Selected recipients may begin using their scholarship funds in the fall of 2017. The foundation is committed to supporting military families in the pursuit of higher education, spokesmen say. The foundation has awarded more than $6.5 million in scholarships to children and spouses of active-duty servicemembers since 2006. Each year the foundation awards 10 scholarships up to $50,000 to high school seniors and 20 $5,000 scholarships to military spouses. “For more than a decade, Corvias Foundation has been inspired by the ambition and compassion exhibited by each scholar we’ve come in contact
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with,” said Maria Montalvo, Executive Director of Corvias Foundation. “Each year we are excited to welcome new members to the foundation family and appreciate the opportunity to be a part of their journey by doing whatever we can to provide a strong support network in addition to funds to help the recipients achieve their dreams.” Applications are available now at http://corviasfoundation.org. Please contact info@corviasfoundation.org or 401228-2836 with any questions about eligibility or the application process.
Don’t get sick, get stuck
Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer (left), 412th Test Wing commander, receives his flu shot from Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Rodriguez, 412th Medical Operations Squadron. Getting the flu vaccine every year is the best way to protect you, your family and your community from the flu. The flu virus is always changing, so the vaccine changes every year. The Immunization Clinic hours are 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesdays, hours are 7:30-11 a.m. Flu shots are available to active duty, retirees and dependents.
Realigned AFTC assets makes test force more efficient, agile From AFTC, page 1
transfer of personnel or any change in missions at those locations. “This Air Force approval of these organizational realignments is a major step toward achieving an objective set by the AFTC in 2015, said Maj. Gen. David A. Harris, commander, AFTC. “These changes give us the right fit
to help us deliver the best value to the warfighter, who we support every day,” Harris said. “We are continually looking for opportunities to leverage our assets and develop synergies that will help us be the best, most efficient test force we can be. These changes allow us a better balance of management, resources and advocacy across the test enterprise and will make
us a more agile tester of choice today and tomorrow,” Harris said. The center is also waiting for Air Force approval to designate AEDC as a wing-equivalent-organization. That designation would allow the center to select the next AEDC commander from the Command Screening Board. The center anticipates a decision on that request could come later this year.
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This Week in Edwards Flight Test History On Nov. 7, 2000, the Lockheed Martin X-35A accomplished its first aerial refueling. During its 10th flight, the Joint Strike Fighter demonstrator completed four refueling evolutions from a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker at 23,000 feet and verified its compatibility with the tanker’s flow-field wake and refueling boom. (Edwards History Office file photo)
Edwards marathoner helps Air Force team win silver medal
By Kenji Thuloweit 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
Some 22,000 runners competed in the 41st Marine Corps Marathon held Oct. 30 in Washington D.C., an event that since 1998 has served as the Armed Forces Championship. One of Team Edwards’ own helped the Air Force to a second-place finish among the four armed services. Maj. Bryan Kelly from the 419th Flight Test Squadron finished 28th overall and 11th among armed forces runners to help pace the Air Force team. Kelly finished with a time of two hours, 43 minutes and six seconds. The military men’s teams consisted of six runners each with the top four finishing places on each team added up at the end. The lowest combined-finish-position total wins. “I was the third runner on the Air Force team and ran the marathon in 2:43:06, averaging 6:13 per mile,” said Kelly. This year’s race began at the Pentagon, wound through Arlington, Virginia, the District of Columbia and ended near the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, beside Arlington National Cemetery. “I wasn’t a college runner,” said Kelly.
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“I signed up for a marathon in 2009 and since then I’ve probably run close to 10 marathons. I actually just ran the Boston Marathon last April and, oddly enough, ran a 2:43:06 there as well. I ran my personal best of 2:38:08 last year.” Kelly submitted an application to Air Force Sports (www.myairforcelife.com/ sports/). They reviewed his previous performances and selected six men and four women to represent the Air Force on its marathon teams. “I try to run 50-70 miles a week. It really depends on how busy my work week is. I also do triathlons during the summer months to take a break from running and to prevent injury,” he said. The Air Force won the silver medal during the Armed Forces Championship with the Army taking first place and the Navy earning the bronze medal. The Air Force Women’s Team finished third among the armed services. “I was proud to represent the Air Force and compete against the Marine Corps, Navy and Army. It was also a very unique opportunity to run on the same team as some of the top runners in the Air Force.” For a complete list of winners and To start receiving Edwards Alerts text messages on your phone, text “Follow EAFBAlerts” to 40404
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Maj. Bryan Kelly, 419th Flight Test Squadron, competes in the 2016 Marine Corps Marathon Oct. 30. The event has served as the Armed Forces Championship since 1998. (Courtesy photo by Maggie Ruddinger)
finishers visit http://armedforcessports. defense.gov/Media/News-Stories/Article-View/Article/994730/army-sweepsmens-and-womens-armed-forces-marathon-kosgei-wins-second-marine-cor/.
Commander, 412th TW ................ Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer Installation Support Director ..................... Dr. David Smith Command Chief .............. Chief Master Sgt. Todd Simmons Director, 412th TW, Public Affairs ................... Ed Buclatin Editor ......................................................... Kenji Thuloweit Contributors ................... Christopher Ball, Dawn Waldman To submit articles or upcoming events send an email to newsroom@edwards.af.mil