Serving the community of Edwards Air Force Base Californiawww.edwards.af.mil - www.facebook.com/EdwardsAirForceBase

Public Affairs, Volume 63, Number 41 April 29, 2016

by Christopher Ball412th Test Wing Public Affairs

The Air Force’s F-15 Eagle fleet is scheduled to receive a wheel and brake upgrade after completion of flight testing here. The Air Force F-15 fleet of more than 500 aircraft benefit from F-15 Wheels and Brakes System Improvement program by saving $194 million in F-15 maintenance costs by increasing number of landings to 1,400 between brake changes, reducing chance of brake fires and improving the braking capability of the F-15 C/D and E aircraft. Glen Atkinson is the 412th Test Engineering Group modification manager for the F-15 WBSI project. “I have overall responsibility for initiating documenta-tion, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing of the modification effort,” he said. He also experienced challenges during the test process. “The designated aircraft was to be an F-15E model. All design efforts were vectored towards that model,” Atkinson said. But no Air Force command could supply an F-15E, so the systems program office had to look to the Air National Guard, which was able to provide an F-15D. “The D model has much different landing gear and brakes, and the aircraft is config-ured differently than the E model with regards to production equipment. So, the design basically started over very late in the process,” he explained.

Eagle project defines cooperation

Rocket Lab hopes a little inspiration can launch careers in STEM

Steven Popolizio, a model maker with the 412th Instrumentation Division, applies temperature sensor tabs to the main landing gear of an F-15D Eagle. The sensors are part of the F-15 brake upgrade tests. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Ball)

4

performed by members of the 412th Maintenance Group Instrumentation Division. Pilots from the Palmdale detachment flew the test missions. Since Edwards does not have any F-15s, all parts and maintenance support had to come from organizations with F-15s. The project received support from the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center here. Master Sgt. Marty Nance, 142nd Fighter Wing, is the production superintendent and crew chief for the testing. He said that the military members’ roles in the testing were primarily maintenance and support. “It’s kind of like being deployed somewhere,” he said. Since Edwards technicians were not qualified to work in the crew compartment without the proper training, and NASA has F-15s, Armstrong Flight Research Center was able to support with the proper training. NASA also helped with physical support for the maintenance of the aircraft egress

See F-15D Eagle, Page 3

April 29, 2016www.facebook.com/EdwardsAirForceBase

Desert Wingswww.edwards.af.mil

Produced by Public A�airs Graphics 160281

Commander, 412th TW ................................Commander Chief, 412th TW .............Director, 412th TW, Public Affairs ...................................Editor .........................................................................Staff Writer ................................................................Contributor .................................................................

Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer Chief Master Sgt. David Smith

Ed BuclatinChristopher BallKenji ThuloweitDawn Waldman

Editorial Staff

Date: Saturday, 7 May 2016 / Time: 0800 - 1200 / Location: Oasis Community Center

Area Military Retirees and Spouses, Please join us!

Please come out and learn about the programs that affect you andreceive some services during your visit!

2016 Military Retiree Appreciation Dayat Edwards AFB, CA

For More Information: Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EdwardsAirForceBase or contact the Retiree Activity Office (Email: 412tw.rao@us.af.mil or Phone: 661-277-4931)

Legal Services - Immunizations - TRICARE - Pharmacy (limited)Retiree Activity O�ce - ID Services - Door Prizes/Give-Aways - Refreshments

To submit articles or upcoming events send an email to newsroom@edwards.af.mil

This week in Edwards Flight Test History on .... April 30, 1966 Air Force Flight Test Center test pilot Col. Joseph F. Cotton saved XB-70 Valkyrie Number 2 from destruction following an in-�ight emergency in which the landing gear failed to lower into position. He crawled to a relay box containing two malfunctioning terminals and short-circuited them with a paper clip, whereupon the gear extended normally. (Edwards History O�ce �le photo)

See STEM, Page 3

by Kenji Thuloweit412th Test Wing Public Affairs

Sixty local middle school students delved into the world of rocket science with a visit to Air Force Research Laboratory's Propulsion Directorate April 19. From lessons on chemical propellants to seeing actual rocket boosters that were launched, the 8th-graders from Discovery School in Lancaster, California, got a whirlwind tour of the "Rocket Lab." The learning experience was part of the propulsion directorate's education outreach in conjunction with President Barack Obama's My Brother's Keeper initiative, which is meant to ensure that all young people can reach their full potential. The president is joining with cities and towns, businesses, and foundations who are taking steps to connect young people to mentoring, support networks, and the skills they need to find a good job or

Students from Discovery School in Lancaster broke into teams to build a rocket out of a soda bottle, manila folders and tape during the hands-on portion of their tour to the Air Force Research Laboratory's Propulsion Directorate here at

ment teams." Each group was to build a rocket out of a two-liter soda bottle, tape and manila folders. "We're known as the 'field trip school' and we focus a lot on the Antelope Valley's history and places because it's in our backyard," said Stephanie Faber, Discovery School teacher. "Discovery School has an AVID and STEM based curriculum. For our 8th graders, we have three modules and one of them is Flight in Space." After all the rockets were built and inspected, each of them were filled with some water and placed on a launch pad where they were pressurized. Then, the countdown begins and the rocket is launched into the

“This was accomplished using an innovative laser distance measurement sensor and a reflector mounted to the lower nose landing gear strut,” Vatcher said. What seems like miles of wiring also had to be run, and measurement and recording equipment had to be installed in an aircraft that was not designed to be fitted with this equipment. Damon Hall, a wiring technician with the 412th MXIS, worked on F-15s early in his career. “It’s been a long time,” he said. Hall is familiar with the aircraft, but he said that as a wiring technician, there were certain areas on the aircraft that were difficult to run wires. Rudolph Harris, another instrumentation technician, agreed with Hall. “One challenge was the crew compart-ment,” Harris said. “There were no holes, so we had to find vacancies in existing connectors to run the wiring.” Biesen said the testing, especially the conglomeration of people on the project, has been a great experience for him. This was absolutely a great bunch of guys,” he said. “The Guard support has been unreal.” Atkinson agreed, saying “one bright spot has been the (Air National Guard) personnel that are here to support the jet. They are friendly, willing and eager to do whatever it takes to get this testing done.”

Commander’s Action Lineemail: speak2cc@edwards.af.mil

Time constraints were probably the biggest challenge for the team. “We were under constant schedule pressure … due to the imminent discontinuation of the production brake manufacturing,” Atkinson said. “With the design now way behind the curve, the modification schedule was under pressure to finish significantly under the estimated time. Modifications almost never go exactly to plan because each aircraft is a little different, and unknown issues pop up constantly.” Eric Biesen, lead flight test engineer with the 416th Flight Test Squadron also said that there were some unusual points to this test. “(Wheel and brake) testing sounds like business as usual at Edwards Air Force Base, but this is new to the 416th,” he said. “We’ve been leveraging knowledge from engineers and technicians.” The F-15 testing was assigned engineers and technicians with previous wheel and brake testing on bombers and cargo aircraft. According to Biesen, there has been no F-15 brake testing since the 1980s. The test aircraft, as well as several maintainers, came from the 173rd Fighter Wing, Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base, Oregon. Other maintainers came from 142nd Fighter Wing, Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon; the 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Florida; the 159th Fighter Wing, Louisiana Air National Guard, located at the Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans; and the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts. Locally, the aircraft modifications for the test were

system. “NASA supplied us with weapons, parts, and egress support,” Nance said. Modifications for the testing were accomplished by 412th MXI. Engineering, instrumentation technicians and model makers were key players in this. Before the aircraft could even begin testing, it had to be fitted with measurement equipment to get baseline measurements. Sensors to measure hydraulic pressure, temperatures, and component positions had to be installed. Charles Vatcher, the 412th TENG lead mechanical engineer for the project, said there were a few challenges in selection and installation of measuring devices. One such challenge was measur-ing the nose landing gear displacement. Typically, distance and travel measurements are made using a cable actuated potentiometer, but this only for straight-line measurements. Since the nose gear has compression, extension, and rotation (steering), another method had to be created.

go to college and work their way into the middle class. The president also has stressed the importance of expanding science, technology, engineering and math programs for young people. "We are trying to inspire junior high school students to become scientists and engineers," said Kriss Vanderhyde, AFRL Education Outreach manager. "We found that the best way to do that is to get them out to one our sites, get them to do some hands-on functions like building rockets and show them what kinds of things are possible in an engineering and science career." The day began at the Rocket Lab's Heritage Room where the children got up close and personal with old rocket boosters and engines, some both used and tested at Edwards. Next were tours of the Chemical Laboratory and Electric Propulsion Lab. After lunch provided by the school, the hands-on part of the tour began with students being separated into groups or "program manage-

Edwards AFB April 19. The students then got to launch their rockets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)

http://issuu.com/desertwings

stratosphere. In this case, the stratosphere is about 100 feet off the ground. But, the intent is to show the students that learning is limitless. "It isn't really that hard to get there, they just need a little inspiration. That's what we're trying to do; providing that inspiration to get them on track and maybe get them to think, 'hey, this science and engineering is really not bad, maybe I should check it out,'" Vanderhyde said. After the rocket challenge the students finished off the day with a chemistry demonstration by AFRL scientists.

AnnouncementsFirst Friday at Club Muroc is May 6, 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, call 277-2830Mother's Day brunch at Club Muroc is May 8. Reservations are required by May 6. For more information, call 277-2830Mother's Day craft night at the Oasis Community Center is Wednesday, 5 to 7 p.m. Come create a free special Bisque Flower Vase for Mom this Mother's Day. For more information call 275-CNTRChildren's story time at the Children’s Library is every Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. Special story times are: Cinco de Mayo, Wednesday; Mother's Day, May 6Summer bowling leagues are May 3 through July 26. For more information call 275-BOWLCastaic Lake fishing trip is May 7. Trip departs at 6 a.m. and returns approximately 8 p.m. Registration deadline is Thursday. The trip is limited to 15 people. For more information, call 275-CAMP

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by Christopher Ball412th Test Wing Public Affairs

The Air Force’s F-15 Eagle fleet is scheduled to receive a wheel and brake upgrade after completion of flight testing here. The Air Force F-15 fleet of more than 500 aircraft benefit from F-15 Wheels and Brakes System Improvement program by saving $194 million in F-15 maintenance costs by increasing number of landings to 1,400 between brake changes, reducing chance of brake fires and improving the braking capability of the F-15 C/D and E aircraft. Glen Atkinson is the 412th Test Engineering Group modification manager for the F-15 WBSI project. “I have overall responsibility for initiating documenta-tion, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing of the modification effort,” he said. He also experienced challenges during the test process. “The designated aircraft was to be an F-15E model. All design efforts were vectored towards that model,” Atkinson said. But no Air Force command could supply an F-15E, so the systems program office had to look to the Air National Guard, which was able to provide an F-15D. “The D model has much different landing gear and brakes, and the aircraft is config-ured differently than the E model with regards to production equipment. So, the design basically started over very late in the process,” he explained.

Members of several Air National Guard units prepare to lower an F-15D Eagle from its jacks after modifications and maintenance in support of the F-15 brake upgrade tests. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Ball)

Rudolph Harris, an instrumentation technician, and Steven Popolizio, a model maker, both with the 412th Instrumenta-tion Division, discuss the aircraft modifications while Popolizio installs temperature sensors to the main landing gear wheels. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Ball)

2 April 29, 2016www.facebook.com/EdwardsAirForceBase

Desert Wingswww.edwards.af.mil 3April 29, 2016

www.facebook.com/EdwardsAirForceBaseDesert Wingswww.edwards.af.mil

performed by members of the 412th Maintenance Group Instrumentation Division. Pilots from the Palmdale detachment flew the test missions. Since Edwards does not have any F-15s, all parts and maintenance support had to come from organizations with F-15s. The project received support from the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center here. Master Sgt. Marty Nance, 142nd Fighter Wing, is the production superintendent and crew chief for the testing. He said that the military members’ roles in the testing were primarily maintenance and support. “It’s kind of like being deployed somewhere,” he said. Since Edwards technicians were not qualified to work in the crew compartment without the proper training, and NASA has F-15s, Armstrong Flight Research Center was able to support with the proper training. NASA also helped with physical support for the maintenance of the aircraft egress

F-15D Eagle, from 1

by Kenji Thuloweit412th Test Wing Public Affairs

Sixty local middle school students delved into the world of rocket science with a visit to Air Force Research Laboratory's Propulsion Directorate April 19. From lessons on chemical propellants to seeing actual rocket boosters that were launched, the 8th-graders from Discovery School in Lancaster, California, got a whirlwind tour of the "Rocket Lab." The learning experience was part of the propulsion directorate's education outreach in conjunction with President Barack Obama's My Brother's Keeper initiative, which is meant to ensure that all young people can reach their full potential. The president is joining with cities and towns, businesses, and foundations who are taking steps to connect young people to mentoring, support networks, and the skills they need to find a good job or

STEM, from 1ment teams." Each group was to build a rocket out of a two-liter soda bottle, tape and manila folders. "We're known as the 'field trip school' and we focus a lot on the Antelope Valley's history and places because it's in our backyard," said Stephanie Faber, Discovery School teacher. "Discovery School has an AVID and STEM based curriculum. For our 8th graders, we have three modules and one of them is Flight in Space." After all the rockets were built and inspected, each of them were filled with some water and placed on a launch pad where they were pressurized. Then, the countdown begins and the rocket is launched into the

“This was accomplished using an innovative laser distance measurement sensor and a reflector mounted to the lower nose landing gear strut,” Vatcher said. What seems like miles of wiring also had to be run, and measurement and recording equipment had to be installed in an aircraft that was not designed to be fitted with this equipment. Damon Hall, a wiring technician with the 412th MXIS, worked on F-15s early in his career. “It’s been a long time,” he said. Hall is familiar with the aircraft, but he said that as a wiring technician, there were certain areas on the aircraft that were difficult to run wires. Rudolph Harris, another instrumentation technician, agreed with Hall. “One challenge was the crew compart-ment,” Harris said. “There were no holes, so we had to find vacancies in existing connectors to run the wiring.” Biesen said the testing, especially the conglomeration of people on the project, has been a great experience for him. This was absolutely a great bunch of guys,” he said. “The Guard support has been unreal.” Atkinson agreed, saying “one bright spot has been the (Air National Guard) personnel that are here to support the jet. They are friendly, willing and eager to do whatever it takes to get this testing done.”

Rocket Lab scientists closed off the day with a chemicals demonstration. From lessons on chemical propellants to seeing actual rocket boosters that were launched, the 8th-graders from Discovery School in Lancaster, California, got a whirlwind tour of the “Rocket Lab” April 19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)

Students from Discovery School in Lancaster visit the Rocket Lab’s Heritage Room where the children got an up-close and personal look at old rocket boosters and engines, some both used and tested at Edwards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)

A "project management team" of 8th graders fires their rocket made of a two liter soda bottle, manila folders and tape. Sixty local middle school students delved into the world of rocket science with a visit to Air Force

Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate April 19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)

Edwards introduces new and improved fuel storage system

Local schoolchildren enjoy Earth Day presentations

by Christopher Ball412th Test Wing Public Affairs

The 412th Civil Engineering Group introduced the installation's new state-of-the-art Bulk Fuel Storage System on East Forbes Avenue at a ribbon-cutting ceremony here today. "The new Bulk Fuel Storage System (BFSS), which supplies jet fuel for the Air Force Test Center's aircraft, replaces the outdated system which was built in the 1950s and has nearly doubled its original planned life expectancy of 30 years," said Clifford Cunningham, 412th Logistics Readiness Squad-ron. Cunningham is a Fuels technical advisor who was instrumental in obtaining the new bulk fuel storage project approval. The project to build the current BFSS was initiated in 2001 by the 412th Civil Engineer Group and the 412th Logistics Readiness Squadron laying out their vision to overhaul the entire fuels infrastructure, to include a new bulk storage complex. More than fuel storage, as the name implies, the system is in place to fill tanker trucks that deliver the jet fuel to thirsty aircraft. After so many years, the original system was not running at its full capacity, which had the potential to impact the mission here by delaying fuel delivery to vital test aircraft. "The previous storage system had failed and was only operating with a waiver permitting operation at a max of 33 percent capacity," said Joseph Hunt, 412th CE project manager for the new bulk fuel storage area. In this capacity, the new BFSS has dramatically improved the fuel delivery

by Christopher Ball412th Test Wing Public Affairs

Several base organizations, including the 412th Test Wing Environmental Management Office, the 412th Security Forces Squadron, and the 412th Civil Engineer Group Fire Protection Branch, coordinated with the off-base community to set up displays and activities for elementary schoolchildren on base Friday. Activities and displays covered a range of environmental subjects such as alternative energy, recycling, archaeology and agriculture. The Kern County Fire Department was on hand with a UH-1N "Huey" helicopter, which has been modified for firefight-ing and rescue operations. The helicopter, according to its pilot, was in military service during Vietnam.

Edwards schoolchildren approach a Kern County Fire Department UH-1N firefighting and rescue helicopter to learn about the fire department’s role in protecting the local environment. The helicopter was flown in as part of

the Earth Day presentations at Bailey Elementary School Friday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Ball)

Clifford Cunningham, 412th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels technical advisor, cuts the red ribbon to the Bulk Fuels Storage Area. Maj. Justin Settles, Defense Logistics Agency Energy Americas-West commander; Col. Timothy Michel Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the 412th Mission Support Group Commander; Army Lt. Col. Dennis Sugrue, Army Corps of Engineers; and James Judkins, 412th Civil Engineer Group director, hold the ribbon, while Ron Fedrick, president of Nova Group, Inc., and Michael Sears, 412th Logistics Readiness Squadron director, look on. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Ball.)

Fuel trucks offload fuel at the new Bulk Fuels Storage Area recently. The new BFSA can offload two trucks at a time in 30 minutes, compared to the old facility which could only handle one truck per hour. (U.S. Air Force photo.)

Time constraints were probably the biggest challenge for the team. “We were under constant schedule pressure … due to the imminent discontinuation of the production brake manufacturing,” Atkinson said. “With the design now way behind the curve, the modification schedule was under pressure to finish significantly under the estimated time. Modifications almost never go exactly to plan because each aircraft is a little different, and unknown issues pop up constantly.” Eric Biesen, lead flight test engineer with the 416th Flight Test Squadron also said that there were some unusual points to this test. “(Wheel and brake) testing sounds like business as usual at Edwards Air Force Base, but this is new to the 416th,” he said. “We’ve been leveraging knowledge from engineers and technicians.” The F-15 testing was assigned engineers and technicians with previous wheel and brake testing on bombers and cargo aircraft. According to Biesen, there has been no F-15 brake testing since the 1980s. The test aircraft, as well as several maintainers, came from the 173rd Fighter Wing, Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base, Oregon. Other maintainers came from 142nd Fighter Wing, Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon; the 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Florida; the 159th Fighter Wing, Louisiana Air National Guard, located at the Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans; and the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts. Locally, the aircraft modifications for the test were

capability. One of many ways this was done by adding pumps to replace a previous gravity-fed system. "The old system took 30 minutes to fill two tank trucks. Now those trucks can be filled in just 11 minutes," Cunningham said. Edwards new BFSS is now up and running, improving fuel transfer here by 300 percent. Satwaji Kumar, a 412th CE mechanical engineer, said he is in awe of Nova Group Inc. for constructing a complex jet fuel system. "The safe working environment and zero leak system is a testimony for their quality work, which is commendable and truly world class. I was involved with this project from its infant stage and had the opportunity to review the design documents, be a member of the source selection board and construction." "Over the last six years there have been monumental changes to the aging fuel system," Kumar said. By the end of 2017 all the fuel systems on Edwards will be restored and modernized to meet all functional and regulatory requirements, he added. Hunt and Cunningham were joined by: Maj. Justin Settles, Defense Logistics Agency Energy Americas-West commander; Col. Timothy Michel, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the 412th Mission Support Group Commander; Army Lt. Col. Dennis Sugrue, Army Corps of Engineers; James Judkins, 412th CE director; Ron Fedrick, President of Nova Group, Inc.; and Michael Sears, 412th LRS director. Nova Group, Inc., is the contracted company that built the BFSS. Nova is based in Napa, California, and has completed projects on military installa-tions worldwide.

system. “NASA supplied us with weapons, parts, and egress support,” Nance said. Modifications for the testing were accomplished by 412th MXI. Engineering, instrumentation technicians and model makers were key players in this. Before the aircraft could even begin testing, it had to be fitted with measurement equipment to get baseline measurements. Sensors to measure hydraulic pressure, temperatures, and component positions had to be installed. Charles Vatcher, the 412th TENG lead mechanical engineer for the project, said there were a few challenges in selection and installation of measuring devices. One such challenge was measur-ing the nose landing gear displacement. Typically, distance and travel measurements are made using a cable actuated potentiometer, but this only for straight-line measurements. Since the nose gear has compression, extension, and rotation (steering), another method had to be created.

go to college and work their way into the middle class. The president also has stressed the importance of expanding science, technology, engineering and math programs for young people. "We are trying to inspire junior high school students to become scientists and engineers," said Kriss Vanderhyde, AFRL Education Outreach manager. "We found that the best way to do that is to get them out to one our sites, get them to do some hands-on functions like building rockets and show them what kinds of things are possible in an engineering and science career." The day began at the Rocket Lab's Heritage Room where the children got up close and personal with old rocket boosters and engines, some both used and tested at Edwards. Next were tours of the Chemical Laboratory and Electric Propulsion Lab. After lunch provided by the school, the hands-on part of the tour began with students being separated into groups or "program manage-

stratosphere. In this case, the stratosphere is about 100 feet off the ground. But, the intent is to show the students that learning is limitless. "It isn't really that hard to get there, they just need a little inspiration. That's what we're trying to do; providing that inspiration to get them on track and maybe get them to think, 'hey, this science and engineering is really not bad, maybe I should check it out,'" Vanderhyde said. After the rocket challenge the students finished off the day with a chemistry demonstration by AFRL scientists.

by Christopher Ball412th Test Wing Public Affairs

The Air Force’s F-15 Eagle fleet is scheduled to receive a wheel and brake upgrade after completion of flight testing here. The Air Force F-15 fleet of more than 500 aircraft benefit from F-15 Wheels and Brakes System Improvement program by saving $194 million in F-15 maintenance costs by increasing number of landings to 1,400 between brake changes, reducing chance of brake fires and improving the braking capability of the F-15 C/D and E aircraft. Glen Atkinson is the 412th Test Engineering Group modification manager for the F-15 WBSI project. “I have overall responsibility for initiating documenta-tion, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing of the modification effort,” he said. He also experienced challenges during the test process. “The designated aircraft was to be an F-15E model. All design efforts were vectored towards that model,” Atkinson said. But no Air Force command could supply an F-15E, so the systems program office had to look to the Air National Guard, which was able to provide an F-15D. “The D model has much different landing gear and brakes, and the aircraft is config-ured differently than the E model with regards to production equipment. So, the design basically started over very late in the process,” he explained.

Members of several Air National Guard units prepare to lower an F-15D Eagle from its jacks after modifications and maintenance in support of the F-15 brake upgrade tests. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Ball)

Rudolph Harris, an instrumentation technician, and Steven Popolizio, a model maker, both with the 412th Instrumenta-tion Division, discuss the aircraft modifications while Popolizio installs temperature sensors to the main landing gear wheels. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Ball)

2 April 29, 2016www.facebook.com/EdwardsAirForceBase

Desert Wingswww.edwards.af.mil 3April 29, 2016

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performed by members of the 412th Maintenance Group Instrumentation Division. Pilots from the Palmdale detachment flew the test missions. Since Edwards does not have any F-15s, all parts and maintenance support had to come from organizations with F-15s. The project received support from the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center here. Master Sgt. Marty Nance, 142nd Fighter Wing, is the production superintendent and crew chief for the testing. He said that the military members’ roles in the testing were primarily maintenance and support. “It’s kind of like being deployed somewhere,” he said. Since Edwards technicians were not qualified to work in the crew compartment without the proper training, and NASA has F-15s, Armstrong Flight Research Center was able to support with the proper training. NASA also helped with physical support for the maintenance of the aircraft egress

F-15D Eagle, from 1

by Kenji Thuloweit412th Test Wing Public Affairs

Sixty local middle school students delved into the world of rocket science with a visit to Air Force Research Laboratory's Propulsion Directorate April 19. From lessons on chemical propellants to seeing actual rocket boosters that were launched, the 8th-graders from Discovery School in Lancaster, California, got a whirlwind tour of the "Rocket Lab." The learning experience was part of the propulsion directorate's education outreach in conjunction with President Barack Obama's My Brother's Keeper initiative, which is meant to ensure that all young people can reach their full potential. The president is joining with cities and towns, businesses, and foundations who are taking steps to connect young people to mentoring, support networks, and the skills they need to find a good job or

STEM, from 1ment teams." Each group was to build a rocket out of a two-liter soda bottle, tape and manila folders. "We're known as the 'field trip school' and we focus a lot on the Antelope Valley's history and places because it's in our backyard," said Stephanie Faber, Discovery School teacher. "Discovery School has an AVID and STEM based curriculum. For our 8th graders, we have three modules and one of them is Flight in Space." After all the rockets were built and inspected, each of them were filled with some water and placed on a launch pad where they were pressurized. Then, the countdown begins and the rocket is launched into the

“This was accomplished using an innovative laser distance measurement sensor and a reflector mounted to the lower nose landing gear strut,” Vatcher said. What seems like miles of wiring also had to be run, and measurement and recording equipment had to be installed in an aircraft that was not designed to be fitted with this equipment. Damon Hall, a wiring technician with the 412th MXIS, worked on F-15s early in his career. “It’s been a long time,” he said. Hall is familiar with the aircraft, but he said that as a wiring technician, there were certain areas on the aircraft that were difficult to run wires. Rudolph Harris, another instrumentation technician, agreed with Hall. “One challenge was the crew compart-ment,” Harris said. “There were no holes, so we had to find vacancies in existing connectors to run the wiring.” Biesen said the testing, especially the conglomeration of people on the project, has been a great experience for him. This was absolutely a great bunch of guys,” he said. “The Guard support has been unreal.” Atkinson agreed, saying “one bright spot has been the (Air National Guard) personnel that are here to support the jet. They are friendly, willing and eager to do whatever it takes to get this testing done.”

Rocket Lab scientists closed off the day with a chemicals demonstration. From lessons on chemical propellants to seeing actual rocket boosters that were launched, the 8th-graders from Discovery School in Lancaster, California, got a whirlwind tour of the “Rocket Lab” April 19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)

Students from Discovery School in Lancaster visit the Rocket Lab’s Heritage Room where the children got an up-close and personal look at old rocket boosters and engines, some both used and tested at Edwards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)

A "project management team" of 8th graders fires their rocket made of a two liter soda bottle, manila folders and tape. Sixty local middle school students delved into the world of rocket science with a visit to Air Force

Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate April 19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)

Edwards introduces new and improved fuel storage system

Local schoolchildren enjoy Earth Day presentations

by Christopher Ball412th Test Wing Public Affairs

The 412th Civil Engineering Group introduced the installation's new state-of-the-art Bulk Fuel Storage System on East Forbes Avenue at a ribbon-cutting ceremony here today. "The new Bulk Fuel Storage System (BFSS), which supplies jet fuel for the Air Force Test Center's aircraft, replaces the outdated system which was built in the 1950s and has nearly doubled its original planned life expectancy of 30 years," said Clifford Cunningham, 412th Logistics Readiness Squad-ron. Cunningham is a Fuels technical advisor who was instrumental in obtaining the new bulk fuel storage project approval. The project to build the current BFSS was initiated in 2001 by the 412th Civil Engineer Group and the 412th Logistics Readiness Squadron laying out their vision to overhaul the entire fuels infrastructure, to include a new bulk storage complex. More than fuel storage, as the name implies, the system is in place to fill tanker trucks that deliver the jet fuel to thirsty aircraft. After so many years, the original system was not running at its full capacity, which had the potential to impact the mission here by delaying fuel delivery to vital test aircraft. "The previous storage system had failed and was only operating with a waiver permitting operation at a max of 33 percent capacity," said Joseph Hunt, 412th CE project manager for the new bulk fuel storage area. In this capacity, the new BFSS has dramatically improved the fuel delivery

by Christopher Ball412th Test Wing Public Affairs

Several base organizations, including the 412th Test Wing Environmental Management Office, the 412th Security Forces Squadron, and the 412th Civil Engineer Group Fire Protection Branch, coordinated with the off-base community to set up displays and activities for elementary schoolchildren on base Friday. Activities and displays covered a range of environmental subjects such as alternative energy, recycling, archaeology and agriculture. The Kern County Fire Department was on hand with a UH-1N "Huey" helicopter, which has been modified for firefight-ing and rescue operations. The helicopter, according to its pilot, was in military service during Vietnam.

Edwards schoolchildren approach a Kern County Fire Department UH-1N firefighting and rescue helicopter to learn about the fire department’s role in protecting the local environment. The helicopter was flown in as part of

the Earth Day presentations at Bailey Elementary School Friday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Ball)

Clifford Cunningham, 412th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels technical advisor, cuts the red ribbon to the Bulk Fuels Storage Area. Maj. Justin Settles, Defense Logistics Agency Energy Americas-West commander; Col. Timothy Michel Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the 412th Mission Support Group Commander; Army Lt. Col. Dennis Sugrue, Army Corps of Engineers; and James Judkins, 412th Civil Engineer Group director, hold the ribbon, while Ron Fedrick, president of Nova Group, Inc., and Michael Sears, 412th Logistics Readiness Squadron director, look on. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Ball.)

Fuel trucks offload fuel at the new Bulk Fuels Storage Area recently. The new BFSA can offload two trucks at a time in 30 minutes, compared to the old facility which could only handle one truck per hour. (U.S. Air Force photo.)

Time constraints were probably the biggest challenge for the team. “We were under constant schedule pressure … due to the imminent discontinuation of the production brake manufacturing,” Atkinson said. “With the design now way behind the curve, the modification schedule was under pressure to finish significantly under the estimated time. Modifications almost never go exactly to plan because each aircraft is a little different, and unknown issues pop up constantly.” Eric Biesen, lead flight test engineer with the 416th Flight Test Squadron also said that there were some unusual points to this test. “(Wheel and brake) testing sounds like business as usual at Edwards Air Force Base, but this is new to the 416th,” he said. “We’ve been leveraging knowledge from engineers and technicians.” The F-15 testing was assigned engineers and technicians with previous wheel and brake testing on bombers and cargo aircraft. According to Biesen, there has been no F-15 brake testing since the 1980s. The test aircraft, as well as several maintainers, came from the 173rd Fighter Wing, Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base, Oregon. Other maintainers came from 142nd Fighter Wing, Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon; the 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Florida; the 159th Fighter Wing, Louisiana Air National Guard, located at the Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans; and the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts. Locally, the aircraft modifications for the test were

capability. One of many ways this was done by adding pumps to replace a previous gravity-fed system. "The old system took 30 minutes to fill two tank trucks. Now those trucks can be filled in just 11 minutes," Cunningham said. Edwards new BFSS is now up and running, improving fuel transfer here by 300 percent. Satwaji Kumar, a 412th CE mechanical engineer, said he is in awe of Nova Group Inc. for constructing a complex jet fuel system. "The safe working environment and zero leak system is a testimony for their quality work, which is commendable and truly world class. I was involved with this project from its infant stage and had the opportunity to review the design documents, be a member of the source selection board and construction." "Over the last six years there have been monumental changes to the aging fuel system," Kumar said. By the end of 2017 all the fuel systems on Edwards will be restored and modernized to meet all functional and regulatory requirements, he added. Hunt and Cunningham were joined by: Maj. Justin Settles, Defense Logistics Agency Energy Americas-West commander; Col. Timothy Michel, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the 412th Mission Support Group Commander; Army Lt. Col. Dennis Sugrue, Army Corps of Engineers; James Judkins, 412th CE director; Ron Fedrick, President of Nova Group, Inc.; and Michael Sears, 412th LRS director. Nova Group, Inc., is the contracted company that built the BFSS. Nova is based in Napa, California, and has completed projects on military installa-tions worldwide.

system. “NASA supplied us with weapons, parts, and egress support,” Nance said. Modifications for the testing were accomplished by 412th MXI. Engineering, instrumentation technicians and model makers were key players in this. Before the aircraft could even begin testing, it had to be fitted with measurement equipment to get baseline measurements. Sensors to measure hydraulic pressure, temperatures, and component positions had to be installed. Charles Vatcher, the 412th TENG lead mechanical engineer for the project, said there were a few challenges in selection and installation of measuring devices. One such challenge was measur-ing the nose landing gear displacement. Typically, distance and travel measurements are made using a cable actuated potentiometer, but this only for straight-line measurements. Since the nose gear has compression, extension, and rotation (steering), another method had to be created.

go to college and work their way into the middle class. The president also has stressed the importance of expanding science, technology, engineering and math programs for young people. "We are trying to inspire junior high school students to become scientists and engineers," said Kriss Vanderhyde, AFRL Education Outreach manager. "We found that the best way to do that is to get them out to one our sites, get them to do some hands-on functions like building rockets and show them what kinds of things are possible in an engineering and science career." The day began at the Rocket Lab's Heritage Room where the children got up close and personal with old rocket boosters and engines, some both used and tested at Edwards. Next were tours of the Chemical Laboratory and Electric Propulsion Lab. After lunch provided by the school, the hands-on part of the tour began with students being separated into groups or "program manage-

stratosphere. In this case, the stratosphere is about 100 feet off the ground. But, the intent is to show the students that learning is limitless. "It isn't really that hard to get there, they just need a little inspiration. That's what we're trying to do; providing that inspiration to get them on track and maybe get them to think, 'hey, this science and engineering is really not bad, maybe I should check it out,'" Vanderhyde said. After the rocket challenge the students finished off the day with a chemistry demonstration by AFRL scientists.

Serving the community of Edwards Air Force Base Californiawww.edwards.af.mil - www.facebook.com/EdwardsAirForceBase

Public Affairs, Volume 63, Number 41 April 29, 2016

by Christopher Ball412th Test Wing Public Affairs

The Air Force’s F-15 Eagle fleet is scheduled to receive a wheel and brake upgrade after completion of flight testing here. The Air Force F-15 fleet of more than 500 aircraft benefit from F-15 Wheels and Brakes System Improvement program by saving $194 million in F-15 maintenance costs by increasing number of landings to 1,400 between brake changes, reducing chance of brake fires and improving the braking capability of the F-15 C/D and E aircraft. Glen Atkinson is the 412th Test Engineering Group modification manager for the F-15 WBSI project. “I have overall responsibility for initiating documenta-tion, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing of the modification effort,” he said. He also experienced challenges during the test process. “The designated aircraft was to be an F-15E model. All design efforts were vectored towards that model,” Atkinson said. But no Air Force command could supply an F-15E, so the systems program office had to look to the Air National Guard, which was able to provide an F-15D. “The D model has much different landing gear and brakes, and the aircraft is config-ured differently than the E model with regards to production equipment. So, the design basically started over very late in the process,” he explained.

Eagle project defines cooperation

Rocket Lab hopes a little inspiration can launch careers in STEM

Steven Popolizio, a model maker with the 412th Instrumentation Division, applies temperature sensor tabs to the main landing gear of an F-15D Eagle. The sensors are part of the F-15 brake upgrade tests. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Ball)

4

performed by members of the 412th Maintenance Group Instrumentation Division. Pilots from the Palmdale detachment flew the test missions. Since Edwards does not have any F-15s, all parts and maintenance support had to come from organizations with F-15s. The project received support from the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center here. Master Sgt. Marty Nance, 142nd Fighter Wing, is the production superintendent and crew chief for the testing. He said that the military members’ roles in the testing were primarily maintenance and support. “It’s kind of like being deployed somewhere,” he said. Since Edwards technicians were not qualified to work in the crew compartment without the proper training, and NASA has F-15s, Armstrong Flight Research Center was able to support with the proper training. NASA also helped with physical support for the maintenance of the aircraft egress

See F-15D Eagle, Page 3

April 29, 2016www.facebook.com/EdwardsAirForceBase

Desert Wingswww.edwards.af.mil

Produced by Public A�airs Graphics 160281

Commander, 412th TW ................................Commander Chief, 412th TW .............Director, 412th TW, Public Affairs ...................................Editor .........................................................................Staff Writer ................................................................Contributor .................................................................

Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer Chief Master Sgt. David Smith

Ed BuclatinChristopher BallKenji ThuloweitDawn Waldman

Editorial Staff

Date: Saturday, 7 May 2016 / Time: 0800 - 1200 / Location: Oasis Community Center

Area Military Retirees and Spouses, Please join us!

Please come out and learn about the programs that affect you andreceive some services during your visit!

2016 Military Retiree Appreciation Dayat Edwards AFB, CA

For More Information: Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EdwardsAirForceBase or contact the Retiree Activity Office (Email: 412tw.rao@us.af.mil or Phone: 661-277-4931)

Legal Services - Immunizations - TRICARE - Pharmacy (limited)Retiree Activity O�ce - ID Services - Door Prizes/Give-Aways - Refreshments

To submit articles or upcoming events send an email to newsroom@edwards.af.mil

This week in Edwards Flight Test History on .... April 30, 1966 Air Force Flight Test Center test pilot Col. Joseph F. Cotton saved XB-70 Valkyrie Number 2 from destruction following an in-�ight emergency in which the landing gear failed to lower into position. He crawled to a relay box containing two malfunctioning terminals and short-circuited them with a paper clip, whereupon the gear extended normally. (Edwards History O�ce �le photo)

See STEM, Page 3

by Kenji Thuloweit412th Test Wing Public Affairs

Sixty local middle school students delved into the world of rocket science with a visit to Air Force Research Laboratory's Propulsion Directorate April 19. From lessons on chemical propellants to seeing actual rocket boosters that were launched, the 8th-graders from Discovery School in Lancaster, California, got a whirlwind tour of the "Rocket Lab." The learning experience was part of the propulsion directorate's education outreach in conjunction with President Barack Obama's My Brother's Keeper initiative, which is meant to ensure that all young people can reach their full potential. The president is joining with cities and towns, businesses, and foundations who are taking steps to connect young people to mentoring, support networks, and the skills they need to find a good job or

Students from Discovery School in Lancaster broke into teams to build a rocket out of a soda bottle, manila folders and tape during the hands-on portion of their tour to the Air Force Research Laboratory's Propulsion Directorate here at

ment teams." Each group was to build a rocket out of a two-liter soda bottle, tape and manila folders. "We're known as the 'field trip school' and we focus a lot on the Antelope Valley's history and places because it's in our backyard," said Stephanie Faber, Discovery School teacher. "Discovery School has an AVID and STEM based curriculum. For our 8th graders, we have three modules and one of them is Flight in Space." After all the rockets were built and inspected, each of them were filled with some water and placed on a launch pad where they were pressurized. Then, the countdown begins and the rocket is launched into the

“This was accomplished using an innovative laser distance measurement sensor and a reflector mounted to the lower nose landing gear strut,” Vatcher said. What seems like miles of wiring also had to be run, and measurement and recording equipment had to be installed in an aircraft that was not designed to be fitted with this equipment. Damon Hall, a wiring technician with the 412th MXIS, worked on F-15s early in his career. “It’s been a long time,” he said. Hall is familiar with the aircraft, but he said that as a wiring technician, there were certain areas on the aircraft that were difficult to run wires. Rudolph Harris, another instrumentation technician, agreed with Hall. “One challenge was the crew compart-ment,” Harris said. “There were no holes, so we had to find vacancies in existing connectors to run the wiring.” Biesen said the testing, especially the conglomeration of people on the project, has been a great experience for him. This was absolutely a great bunch of guys,” he said. “The Guard support has been unreal.” Atkinson agreed, saying “one bright spot has been the (Air National Guard) personnel that are here to support the jet. They are friendly, willing and eager to do whatever it takes to get this testing done.”

Commander’s Action Lineemail: speak2cc@edwards.af.mil

Time constraints were probably the biggest challenge for the team. “We were under constant schedule pressure … due to the imminent discontinuation of the production brake manufacturing,” Atkinson said. “With the design now way behind the curve, the modification schedule was under pressure to finish significantly under the estimated time. Modifications almost never go exactly to plan because each aircraft is a little different, and unknown issues pop up constantly.” Eric Biesen, lead flight test engineer with the 416th Flight Test Squadron also said that there were some unusual points to this test. “(Wheel and brake) testing sounds like business as usual at Edwards Air Force Base, but this is new to the 416th,” he said. “We’ve been leveraging knowledge from engineers and technicians.” The F-15 testing was assigned engineers and technicians with previous wheel and brake testing on bombers and cargo aircraft. According to Biesen, there has been no F-15 brake testing since the 1980s. The test aircraft, as well as several maintainers, came from the 173rd Fighter Wing, Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base, Oregon. Other maintainers came from 142nd Fighter Wing, Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon; the 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Florida; the 159th Fighter Wing, Louisiana Air National Guard, located at the Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans; and the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts. Locally, the aircraft modifications for the test were

system. “NASA supplied us with weapons, parts, and egress support,” Nance said. Modifications for the testing were accomplished by 412th MXI. Engineering, instrumentation technicians and model makers were key players in this. Before the aircraft could even begin testing, it had to be fitted with measurement equipment to get baseline measurements. Sensors to measure hydraulic pressure, temperatures, and component positions had to be installed. Charles Vatcher, the 412th TENG lead mechanical engineer for the project, said there were a few challenges in selection and installation of measuring devices. One such challenge was measur-ing the nose landing gear displacement. Typically, distance and travel measurements are made using a cable actuated potentiometer, but this only for straight-line measurements. Since the nose gear has compression, extension, and rotation (steering), another method had to be created.

go to college and work their way into the middle class. The president also has stressed the importance of expanding science, technology, engineering and math programs for young people. "We are trying to inspire junior high school students to become scientists and engineers," said Kriss Vanderhyde, AFRL Education Outreach manager. "We found that the best way to do that is to get them out to one our sites, get them to do some hands-on functions like building rockets and show them what kinds of things are possible in an engineering and science career." The day began at the Rocket Lab's Heritage Room where the children got up close and personal with old rocket boosters and engines, some both used and tested at Edwards. Next were tours of the Chemical Laboratory and Electric Propulsion Lab. After lunch provided by the school, the hands-on part of the tour began with students being separated into groups or "program manage-

Edwards AFB April 19. The students then got to launch their rockets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)

http://issuu.com/desertwings

stratosphere. In this case, the stratosphere is about 100 feet off the ground. But, the intent is to show the students that learning is limitless. "It isn't really that hard to get there, they just need a little inspiration. That's what we're trying to do; providing that inspiration to get them on track and maybe get them to think, 'hey, this science and engineering is really not bad, maybe I should check it out,'" Vanderhyde said. After the rocket challenge the students finished off the day with a chemistry demonstration by AFRL scientists.

AnnouncementsFirst Friday at Club Muroc is May 6, 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, call 277-2830Mother's Day brunch at Club Muroc is May 8. Reservations are required by May 6. For more information, call 277-2830Mother's Day craft night at the Oasis Community Center is Wednesday, 5 to 7 p.m. Come create a free special Bisque Flower Vase for Mom this Mother's Day. For more information call 275-CNTRChildren's story time at the Children’s Library is every Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. Special story times are: Cinco de Mayo, Wednesday; Mother's Day, May 6Summer bowling leagues are May 3 through July 26. For more information call 275-BOWLCastaic Lake fishing trip is May 7. Trip departs at 6 a.m. and returns approximately 8 p.m. Registration deadline is Thursday. The trip is limited to 15 people. For more information, call 275-CAMP

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