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F/A-22 System Program Office gets new director

  • Published
  • By Susan Ferns
  • Aeronautical Systems Center Public Affairs
Col. C.D. Moore assumed directorship of the F/A-22 System Program Office during a ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Nov. 8.

Maj. Gen. Richard B.H. “Rick” Lewis, Air Force Program Executive Officer for the F/A‑22 Program, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., officiated as the flag was passed from Brig. Gen. Thomas Owen -- director since Nov. 2002 -- to Col. Moore. Among the approximately 200 guests were representatives from Air Force Materiel Command, Aeronautical Systems Center, and from industry.

Col. Moore comes to the assignment with considerable acquisition experience. He became involved with AFMC 15 years ago as a test pilot. His experience with the F/A‑22 program started when he served as commander of the first F/A-22 squadron and director of the Combined Test Force at Edwards AFB, Calif., from 1998 to 2000. During that time, he served as one of only two F/A-22 Air Force test pilots.

“I also served as a program manager on and off for the past 10 years,” Col. Moore said. “This really is an opportunity for me to bring together the flight test perspective as well as the acquisition perspective to take the F/A-22 to the next stage.

“We are on track to go operational in December, bringing a 14-year developmental program to conclusion,” Col. Moore continued. “This is a huge milestone for the F/A-22 program. In addition to continued production, we will now focus our energies on the sustainment and modernization pieces of the program. The production’s going great, we’re in full rate production right now, and we’ll be delivering new aircraft for at least the next five years.

“This assignment is a dream-come-true job for me and my family,” Col. Moore said. “We’re thrilled to be back at AFMC, back at ASC, and associated with the F/A-22 program. Some of the finest professionals I’ve ever worked with during my career are here at Aeronautical Systems Center, including the outstanding external organizations that support the ASC mission. It’s a great team effort, and I’m excited about being part of the team again.”

The colonel said the Dayton area is “home” for him and his family.

“This is the third time we’ve been assigned to Wright-Patt,” he said. “We couldn’t be more pleased about returning to Ohio and becoming part of the Dayton community again.”

The ceremony started with the presentation of a Distinguished Service Medal to Gen. Owen. Gen. Lewis praised Gen. Owen for his leadership of the program during a critical phase in which it was undergoing extreme scrutiny.

Gen. Owen, while admitting that he had lain awake at night at times, said, “This is the best job I’ve ever had.” He expressed confidence in Col. Moore’s ability to handle the challenges of the directorship, describing him as someone who is extremely smart, “a flier, a program manager, and (someone who) knows the Pentagon.” Then, to the entertainment of all, he approached Col. Moore for the highly symbolic -- if not ceremonial -- passing of the BlackBerry wireless device.