New 412th CC gets right to work, outlines road ahead

  • Published
  • By Rebecca Amber
  • Staff writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander, held his first commander's call April 2, just two days after receiving command of the wing.

Those who attended learned a lot about their new commander and his values. For instance, Schaefer believes that an organization's vision should drive how each individual makes decisions. The test wing's vision is to be the Department of Defense tester of choice for developmental test and evaluation.

"What we provide for our nation is an ability to make decisions," said Schaefer. "We can hold any target at risk, day or night. That gives flexibility to our leaders to make great decisions which fuels everything for us."

He also values innovation. The average age of the aircraft in the fighter fleet is over 25 years old. With such long-lasting capabilities, what the test wing does today will affect the next 50 years.

"When the Air Force talks about innovation, they're not talking about technology. They're talking about each and every one of you in this room. It's fueled by people...There is not a weapons system out there that is flying in combat that we did not have a hand in."

Many of those innovators were recognized during the commander's call for professionalism noticed by Headquarters, Air Force Materiel Command, during the Unit Effectiveness Inspection that wrapped up March 27. Team Edwards received the "Highly Effective" grade for each major graded area, which were management of resources, leading people, improving the unit and executing the mission. Dozens of the Team Edwards workforce were called up on stage to be personally thanked by the general and posed for photos.

Schaefer used the rest of the time to share his personal and professional priorities and his thoughts on safety.

"This is our third time back to Edwards and it feels like coming home," said Schaefer of he and his family. "We love this mission, we love the people that are here and we love the community."

He said his professional priorities reflect the Air Force core values; standards which are important on and off duty, for all Airmen - active duty and civilian. By upholding those values, Schaefer hopes to maintain a healthy work environment that keeps discrimination out.

"Everyone is of value and deserves to be treated that way."

The new commander also puts a huge emphasis on safe and secure mission execution, encouraging everyone to see safety as a way of life.

"That doesn't mean we don't take risks...Our heritage is one of taking risks so that we push the boundaries of air and space, but we want to know all the risk we're taking."

With the level of test experience in the wing, Schaefer encouraged everyone to be paying attention to safety. If you see something that's not right - call a "knock it off" for safety, he said.

As Schaefer steps into his new role, he has three things on his mind, the budget, the mission and creating a culture of respect and resiliency. As for the budget, Schaefer is hopeful because the chief of staff and secretary of the Air Force both recognize the value of investing in modernization.

"They want to make sure we keep our Air Force modernization on path so we continue to be the world's best Air Force."

That translates into stability for current programs. At the same time, Schaefer and senior leadership are focused on recapitalizing to provide the resources required to execute the mission for the next 20 years.

Achieving the test wing's vision as Earth's tester of choice, means being "the best."

"Who decides who the best is? Externally, it's customers, peers and senior leaders. But internally, it's us; our performance and attitude, the environment we set, the products we produce and the capabilities we support."

That's why Schaefer wants the men and women of the 412th Test Wing to envelop the vision. To ensure safe and secure mission execution and innovation. To create an environment that is responsive and efficient and produces world-class results.

"You're all patriots...The things that you do for our Air Force, and for our nation cannot be understated. I want to thank you and especially your families who also do a lot of sacrificing so that you can do the job to forward our national security."


Team Edwards members recognized at the commander's call for outstanding roles during the Unit Effectiveness Inspection

412th Test Wing Staff Agencies

Most Valuable Players:  Maj. Carl Pitts, Master Sgt. Robert Webb, Airman 1st Class Austin Gorenc, Melissa Buchanan, Rudolph Burgess, Ebony Degrate-Graves, Sarah Griffin, Jon Hall,

Outstanding Performers: Maj Jason Knudeson, Tech. Sgt. Steven Eckles, Rudolph Burgess

Outstanding Team: 412th Test Wing Inspector General -  Lt. Col. Gregg Beeber, Maj. Carl Pitts, Capt. Daniel Bazua, Master Sgt. Cesar Ramos, Master Sgt. Robert Webb, Tech. Sgt. Stephen Pasion, John Buckley, James Gray, Kimberly Strong, Linda Webb

412th Test Engineering Group

Outstanding Performers: Heather Ash, Melissa Fox, John Streets

412th Operations Group

Most Valuable Players: Lt. Col. Michel Woodcock, 2nd Lt. Denzel Varnado, Master Sgt. Amy Pringle

Outstanding Performers: Nicholas Booker, Jessica Rodriguez, Chelsey Vansickle

412th Maintenance Group

IG Coin Recipient: Stephen Wamsley

Most Valuable Players: Master Sgt. Adrian Quezada, Tech. Sgt. Joshua Scott, Staff Sgt. Emily Miles, Senior Airman Raul Baca, Airman 1st Class Jordan Wild

Outstanding Performers: Tech. Sgt. Anthony Higuera, Tech. Sgt. Lauren Cantu, Staff Sgt. Samuel Holt, Staff Sgt. Jacques Walden, Senior Airman Cloee Doros, Sheryl Adamczyk, Jose Becerra, Thomas Becker, Jon Farmer, Jason Goodman, Gerald Lamb, Cherisse Lawson, Kimberly McGee, Greg Moten, Christopher Nagel, John O'Connor, Gregory Peria, Scott Ronfeldt, Sacarias Tampon, Terry Wamsley

Outstanding Team: Munition Trailer - Staff Sgt. Ryan Miller, Staff Sgt. Jesse Reddam, Christopher Clinger, William Hickok, Richard Norman, Mark Pollick, Bruce Shanks

Outstanding Team: Engine Management - Jeffrey Evans, Charles Johnson, Deborah Mitchell, Patti Wilson

412th Mission Support Group

IG Coin Recipient: Senior Airman Alexander Deguzman

Most Valuable Players:  Maj. Kevin Jernigan, Senior Master Sgt. Sheryl Monroe, Master Sgt. Herman Jackson, Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ellenburg, Tech. Sgt. Troy Kauffman, Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Waldrip, Senior Airman Jheomar Madrinan, Alice Agenbroad, Sayed Aleem, James Boyer, James Canana, Daniel Carey, Maria Chapa, Chris Dinnell, Vincent Doss, David Everest, Marcus Fair, David Ficke, Adel Ghattas, Matt Holder, Jack Jordan, Juan Lewis, Juan Lopez, Arthur Nuttall, Aisha Prucell, Matt Sanders, Steven Schlecht, Bobby Thuong, Derek Udager, Deborah Wadsworth, Larry Walthour

Outstanding Performers: Tech. Sgt. Valerie Cabrera, Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Russell, Staff Sgt. Curtis Pilcher, Staff Sgt. John Washburn, Senior Airman Kassandra VanBeek, Todd Amon, Chris Dinnell,  Edward Goodwin, Pamela Jeglum, Maricel Rusit

Outstanding Team: Knowledge Operations - Master Sgt. Juan Medina, Tech. Sgt. Paul Chavez, Rachel Bachara, Lolita Baker, Tanie Bean, Kerri Collins, Luis Figueroa, James Kelleher, Jesse Murphy, Quinetta Randolph, Sandra Stapleton, Patricia White, Steve White

Outstanding Team: Base Software License Management - Andrew Gumm, Jimmie Templeton, Roxanne Wells

Outstanding Team: 412th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog Section - Staff Sgt. Ashlynd Flowers, Staff Sgt. James Ramsey, Rolf

Outstanding Team: Policy & Evaluation - Master Sgt. Derrell Willson, Joendell Abner, James Bigger, Michael Ennis, Bruce Hobbs, Sue Speck

Outstanding Team: Spectrum Management - Tech. Sgt. Lake Bouder, Nathaniel Bowman, Rony Gamble, Clinton Gareis, Kenneth Horn, Brent Johnson, James Littlefield, Joseph Richardson, Richard Rivas, Robert Mendoza, Bernard Miller, Orawan Rabampho

Outstanding Team: Visitor Control Center - Tech. Sgt. Michael Campbell, Senior Airman Nori Bahena, Senior Airman Ernie Miles II, Airman 1st Class Amberylnn Bundy, Joel Franko-Rodriguez

Outstanding Team: Vulnerability Management - Staff Sgt. Michael Logsdon, Staff Sgt. Curtis Pilcher, Senior Airman Demtrios Bullock, Senior Airman James Davis, Senior Airman Quentin Powell, Donovan Bishop, Russell Bomar, Wendy Durkee, John Fisher, Andrew Gumm, Matt Holder, Adam Longoria, Timothy O'Connor, Raymond Tittle, Jason Tannert, Wolfgang Shadduck, Christopher Williams


412th Medical Group

Outstanding Performers: Tech. Sgt. Stephen Pasion, Senior Airman Raquel Caramanno, Airman 1st Class Myrissa Fulgione, Rosalinda Jackson

Outstanding Team: 412 MDG MEB - Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Andrade, Airman 1st Class Myrissa Fulgione, Cynithia Ris, Shanita Rodriguez

Outstanding Team: Logistics Team - Capt. Allison Bain, Tech. Sgt. Marlena Farley, Tech. Sgt. Brandon Tomlin, Staff Sgt. Milo Otis, Senior Airman Matthew Ulrichs, Senior Airman Jeremy Hernandez, Montgomery Cross, Barbara Sanchez, Tonya Thorn, Joy Clark

412th Electronic Warfare Group

Most Valuable Players: Master Sgt. Scott Flory and Staff Sgt. Noah Clifton

412th Civil Engineering Group

Most Valuable Player: Timothy Herbert

Outstanding Performers: Lovette Chatmon, Timothy Johnson, Brent Kaiser, Kluas Koepp, Marc Minneci, John Nichols, Ron Watson, Daniel Wolf

Outstanding Team: Fire Emergency Service Airfield Driving Program - John Miller and Fred Yanez

U.S. Air Force Plant 42

Outstanding Performers: Charles Snyder