Public Affairs, Volume 63, Number 71
Dec. 16, 2016
Base Town Hall meeting keeps community up to date
By Christopher Ball 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
Approximately 50 people from the Edwards Air Force Base community attended a town hall meeting Dec.1 in the Airman and Family Readiness Center Galaxy Room here. Representatives from several organizations on base provided updates on the latest information in their fields of expertise. Presentations were given by the 412th Force Support Squadron, the 412th Security Forces Squadron, the 412th Medical Group, the 412th Test Wing Safety Office, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Corvias Housing, the Airman’s Attic, and the Muroc Joint Unified School District. Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander, opened the meeting with comments and introductions. “This venue is meaningful to me as a commander, and to all the commanders, first sergeants and directors,” Schaefer said. “The value of this for us is the feedback we get from our members. This is about making Edwards the best possible place in the Air Force to work.” Josh Crawford of Corvias briefed about the Mojave Sky Community Center services and making access easier for housing residents. He also discussed the housing renovation project currently underway. “The renovation program is way ahead of schedule,” he said. We only have about 15 homes to renovate next year.” He spoke a bit about park renovations also. “The best thing we’re doing with our parks is putting up shade structures over play areas.” He said this initiative came directly from feed-
Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander, and Col. Norman West, 412th Medical Group commander, address the audience at the Edwards Town Hall meeting held Dec. 1 in the Airman and Family Readiness Center. The Town Hall covered a variety of topics concerning the Edwards community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joseph Gocong)
back from residents. Tech. Sgt. Michael Campbell, 412th Security Forces Squadron, briefed about changes in installation access and talked about weapons registration and some changes in DOD instructions. His main topic was changes to visitor access through the Visitor Control Center. Instructions from DOD require using a SharePoint site for sponsoring guests on base. “We have been using the system for over a year now, but it will soon be the law,” he said. See Meeting, page 2
Airman Leadership School graduates largest class ever
By Kenji Thuloweit 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
The 412th Force Support Squadron’s Airman Leadership School ended 2016 on a high note by graduating 44 senior airmen and one civilian Dec. 8. According to 412th Test Wing leadership and ALS staff, the newest crop of graduates is one for the record books. “Class 17A was the largest class in Edwards history,” said Master Sgt. Daniel Magas, ALS commandant. “The increase in class size is driven by Air Force Total Force initiatives aimed at a greater inclusion of Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard in-residence Enlisted Professional Military Education experiences. This allows our brothers and sisters in arms the opportunity to otherwise get a full ALS experience rather than an online version of the course.” The Air Force Total Force program also allows civilian Airmen to attend ALS. In February, two civilians from Edwards were the first to graduate from ALS in Air Force Materiel Command. Air Guard and Air Reserve Airmen are nominated through their respective commands and assigned ALS slots where
From left: Col. Jason Schott, 412th Test Wing vice commander, presents the Airman Leadership School John L. Levitow Award to Senior Airman Donald Badgett, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, along with Chief Master Sgt. Todd Simmons, 412th TW command chief. A graduation ceremony was held at Club Muroc Dec. 8 for ALS Class 17A. The Levitow award is presented to the student that demonstrated the most outstanding leadership and scholastic qualities. Selection is based on academic performance and assignment of points by peers and instructors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joseph Gocong)
See ALS, page 3