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AFTC commander, command chief visit Eglin

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Christine Saunders
  • Air Force Test Center Public Affairs

Air Force Test Center Commander, Maj. Gen. Christopher Azzano and Air Force Test Center Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Brian Stafford, visited the 96th Test Wing Nov. 11-13, 2020 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. They checked in on the well-being of Airmen, base COVID-19 response procedures and toured various AFTC units at Eglin.  

Accompanied by 96th TW leadership, Azzano and Stafford toured the 96th Medical Group and Intrepid Spirit Center. They also met with 96th TW maintainers to discuss leadership and resiliency, in addition to Emergency Operations Center staff to discuss Hurricane Sally response. 

Airmen from the 96th Mission Support Group briefed Azzano and Stafford on the COVID-19 patient transport trucks and COVID-19 Reception Team. They explored wing innovation programs at Lukes Place, the 96th TW innovation hub ran by the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

“Team Eglin and the 96th Test Wing continue to forge combat power for our Nation with extraordinary strategic impact. Their innovative spirit is second to none!" said Azzano. 

The AFTC leadership team toured the Eglin Test and Training Range and visited with Airmen from the 96th Operations Group. They also visited the 96th Cyberspace Test Group, which serves as the lead organization for developmental testing of command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, cybersecurity operations and electronic warfare.

"The 96th has set the stage for AFTC to develop Advanced Battle Management System rapidly and vault the U.S. ahead of our adversaries, with Joint All-Domain Operations. These are the world’s best Airmen doing amazing things when our Nation needs them most!” stressed Azzano.

Azzano and Stafford held a small, in-person commanders call at the Air Force Armament Museum. The 96th TW public affairs office also conducted a brief interview with Azzano to discuss the current status and future of test at Eglin. 

"When it comes to the mission of test and evaluation we're going to storm right through 2021 like there's no tomorrow. We've already seen great adaptation from Eglin to the COVID environment and all that we do in terms of the test mission really is back to pre-COVID levels," said Azzano, the former 96th TW commander from June 2015 - June 2017. "We just have to remember to take care of ourselves and each other."