The holidays are here! Your hard work and spectacular success across the Test enterprise have made 2018 another year to remember. My holiday wish for you is a well-deserved break to spend time with loved ones, celebrate your accomplishments, and enjoy the peace you help secure every day.
Many of you will be traveling this holiday season. Whether across town or coast-to-coast, please remain aware of the increased risks associated with winter weather, busy roadways, and long days. Celebrate with care and remain vigilant. You are critical to our mission, and we need you back in good health and fully recharged in 2019.
Over the next year, I will expand awareness of current and future Air Force Test Center efforts across our Wings, showcasing the exceptional innovation, risk management, and teamwork that make us the best testers in the world.
For example, you may be aware the 96th Test Wing is executing a Gulf Range modernization effort to support long-range, large-footprint weapons testing, a capability critical to the development of next-generation multi-domain operations. On the other side of the country, the 412th Test Wing is leading development of the Joint Simulation Environment, which incorporates live, virtual, and constructive effects to build a highly-realistic, operationally relevant environment for future test and training.
And consistent with its rich history of forging new technology, Arnold Engineering Development Complex is pioneering new capabilities to secure America’s interests in Space as a warfighting domain, including the development of a Space test range. These efforts comprise a small fraction of the work you are accomplishing to equip our warfighters with the most lethal and survivable weapons systems possible. Our nation is counting on us, and there is much to look forward to in the year ahead!
Finally, during this time of celebration and reflection, please take a moment to think of our deployed warriors who are unable to spend this special time of year at home. Remember also those who have paid the ultimate price in service to our country. They and their families continue to sacrifice so all Americans may live freely.
Thank you for your commitment to each other, our vital mission, and our great nation.