CHANGE AT THE TOP TEST CENTER AT EDWARDS WELCOMES VICE COMMANDER.Byline: Daily News EDWARDS AIR SC FORCE BASE - The Air Force Flight Test Center has a new vice commander with 20 years' experience in Air Force operational units. As the second-in-command military member at Edwards Air Force Base Edwards Air Force Base, U.S. military installation, 301,000 acres (121,805 hectares), S Calif., NE of Lancaster; est. 1933. It is one of the largest air force bases in the United States and has the world's longest runway. , Col. Bill Coutts will help oversee development, test and evaluation work and installation-related duties. The new vice commander, along with his wife, Vickie, and their son, David, 12, arrived June 9 from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where he served as commander of the 388th Operations Group and his duties included flying combat air patrol An aircraft patrol provided over an objective area, the force protected, the critical area of a combat zone, or in an air defense area, for the purpose of intercepting and destroying hostile aircraft before they reach their targets. Also called CAP. over the 2002 Winter Olympics Olympics Sports medicine An international competition among (traditionally) nonprofessional athletes trained in a particular summer or winter sport, which is held every 4 yrs in a selected city. See Paralympics, Special Olympics, World Medical Games. . ``Just in the short amount of time I've been here, I already realize this base does so much that the operational world is simply not aware of,'' he said. ``My goals are to represent (Air Combat Command) in a great way while I'm here and to take what I learn back with me,'' Coutts said. ``I'll go back to the operational world as a spokesperson for what the Air Force Flight Test Center and the test community bring to the warfighter.'' According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Maj. Gen. Doug Pearson, commander of the Flight Test Center, having an Edwards senior leader with a strictly operational background will benefit both test and operational Air Force units. After serving as vice commander, Coutts will likely return to Air Combat Command or the Air Staff with an in-depth understanding of what the Air Force's flight test mission offers the operational world. ``Col. Coutts comes to us with a reputation for outstanding leadership, a quick study, and has the finest operational credentials CREDENTIALS, international law. The instruments which authorize and establish a public minister in his character with the state or prince to whom they are addressed. If the state or prince receive the minister, he can be received only in the quality attributed to him in his credentials. ,'' Pearson said. ``I am counting on Bill to help me ensure we are conducting testing that is most relevant to supporting warrior Warrior, river, Ala.: see Black Warrior. needs in the operational world.'' The new vice commander is also very excited about the opportunity to keep flying. Coutts will fly the F-16 with the 416th Flight Test Squadron A squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or warships. Army and Marines A cavalry squadron (horse or armoured) typically consists of three to five troops. . His past flying experience includes more than 3,100 hours, primarily in F-16, T-37 and F-111 aircraft. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Col. Bill Coutts, right, is welcomed as the new vice commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center by Maj. Gen Doug Pearson. |
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