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Space shuttle diverted, lands at Edwards AFB

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William O'Brien
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  After a 15-day mission to the International Space Station, the space shuttle Endeavor and its crew of seven astronauts landed on runway 04-left  here at approximately 1:25 p.m. Pacific Standard Time Nov. 30

The shuttle was diverted to Edwards AFB, its alternate landing site, due to bad weather at Kennedy Space Station, Fla.

"Our great people here at Edwards ensure we are ready with little warning whenever the shuttle goes up," said Maj. Gen. David Eichhorn, Air Force Flight Test Center commander. "Brig. Gen. Jim Hogue, mobilization assistant to the commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center and director of the Edwards Space Shuttle Contingency Recovery Team, is the primary person who ensures absolutely everything is in place." 

"We're proud to serve NASA," General Eichhorn continued. "I'm very proud of the AFFTC and NASA team. They performed flawlessly and provided all the support NASA required when they required it."

The Human Space Flight requires Edwards AFB to conduct two exercises annually. This ensures the base's capabilities to support landings still meet NASA's standards. The most recent exercise took place July 26 and involved about 100 base and NASA personnel.

"General Hogue has conducted two exercises in the last few months to walk us through shuttle emergency procedures, so we're as ready as a well-oiled machine to receive the shuttle and its crew," said Col. Larry Edge, 95th Mission Support Group commander, Individual Mobilization Augumentee. "I served as the Incident Commander for Department of Defense Forces for the Shuttle Recovery Team who works very hard to ensure the base is always prepared to support shuttle landings and any contingencies which may arise at any time. This is truly a team effort from the base leadership to the lowest ranking member. Everyone has put out maximum effort."

The team included the total force.

"A picture perfect recovery of STS-126," said General Hogue. "The 52nd landing at Edwards was a true team effort. A Shuttle Recovery Dream Team represented the total force: active-duty and Reserve members from both the test wing and the Air Base Wing, as well as a joint effort with U.S. Army forces from Ft. Irwin, Navy forces from China Lake, support from the Civil Air Patrol of California, AFNORTH, and NORTHCOM."

The Endeavor had returned from delivering equipment to the International Space Station. That equipment will sustain six crew members for long-term missions. One astronaut, Sandra Magnus stayed on the station. She replaced Greg Chamitoff, who was aboard the ISS for six months.