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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      SecAF immerses into Nuke Treaty Monitoring Center missionPublished Jan. 19, 2023
                    
                    By Susan A. Romano
                    
                    
                    Air Force Technical Applications Center Public Affairs
            **PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) --**For the first time since assuming his position in July 2021, Secretary of the Air Force**Frank Kendall**visited the Defense Department’s sole nuclear treaty monitoring center at Patrick Space Force Base Jan. 18 to learn more about how the organization performs its global mission.

Kendall, accompanied by**KristynJones**,assistant secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, spent time with Airmen and **Guardians**of the**Air Force Technical Applications Center**to learn how they detect technical data from foreign nuclear explosions and report it to national decision makers.

AFTAC is the Air Force’s largest sensor network, responsible for operating and maintaining a global network of nuclear event detection equipment as part of the U.S. Atomic Energy Detection System. Kendall and Jones received briefings from AFTAC’s seismic, materials, directed energy and weapons of mass destruction subject matter experts to illustrate the depth, scope and breadth of the center’s verification technologies.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall (center) smiles as Lt. Col. Sarah Summers, commander of the 709th Technical Maintenance Squadron, Patrick Space Force Base, Fla., shares a humorous mission anecdote with the service’s top civilian.  Kendall visited the Air Force Technical Applications Center Jan. 18, 2023 to discuss current and future operations with Col. James A. Finlayson (left), commander of the Department of Defense’s sole nuclear treaty monitoring center.  (U.S. Air Force photo by Matthew S. Jurgens)Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall meets with Lt. Col. Sarah Summers, commander of the 709th Technical Maintenance Squadron at Patrick Space Force Base, Fla., Jan. 18, 2023. Kendall visited the Air Force Technical Applications Center to discuss current and future operations at the Defense Department’s sole nuclear treaty monitoring center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Matthew S. Jurgens)
            
            
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    Staff Sgt. Noppharat Yaemsri (right), a cybersecurity specialist assigned to the 709th Cyberspace Squadron, Patrick Space Force Base, Fla., shakes the hand of Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall after the service’s top civilian presented his coin to the Airman.  Kendall came to the Air Force Technical Applications Center Jan. 18, 2023 to learn more about how the nuclear treaty monitoring center performs its global nuclear deterrence mission.  “AFTAC is a unique organization filled with skilled technical experts, and I am inspired to see the level of commitment they have,” Kendall said. Also pictured are Col. James A. Finlayson, (far left), AFTAC commander, and Lt. Col. Aaron Lake (second from right), 709th CYS commander.  (U.S. Air Force photo by Matthew S. Jurgens)Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall shakes hands with Staff Sgt. Noppharat Yaemsri, a 709th Cyberspace Squadron cybersecurity specialist after Kendall coined Yaemsri Jan. 18, 2023, at Patrick Space Force Base, Fla. Kendall came to the Air Force Technical Applications Center to learn more about how the nuclear treaty monitoring center performs its global nuclear deterrence mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Matthew S. Jurgens)
            
            
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    Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall (far left) poses questions to U.S. Space Force Capt. Adam Bordeau, a program test lead for the 709th Support Group/Detachment 1 during the secretary’s visit to the Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick Space Force Base, Fla.  Kendall, along with the Honorable Kristyn Jones, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, visited the nuclear treaty monitoring center Jan. 18, 2023 to learn how AFTAC personnel detect technical data from foreign nuclear explosions and report their findings to national decision makers.  Also pictured is Lt. Col. Merle Hamilton (left), commander of 709th SPTG’s detachment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Matthew S. Jurgens)Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall speaks to U.S. Space Force Capt. Adam Bordeau, a program test lead for the 709th Support Group/Detachment 1 during Kendall’s visit to the Air Force Technical Applications Center at Patrick Space Force Base, Fla., Jan. 18, 2023. Kendall visited the nuclear treaty monitoring center to learn how AFTAC personnel detect technical data from foreign nuclear explosions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Matthew S. Jurgens)
            
            
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“One of the best parts of my job is getting out to visit ourAirmen, and today was no exception,” Kendall said. “AFTAC is a unique organization filled with skilled technical experts, and I am inspired to see the level of commitment they have. But we need to make sure you’re able to sustain your capabilities and that you have the support needed to succeed.”

He continued, “I had a lot of fun and met a lot of great people. My message to AFTAC is a simple one: keep up the great work.”

In addition to receiving a variety of mission briefings, the secretary also presented his coin to select members of the workforce to commend them on a job well done.

“I am so honored to the greatest extent to be recognized by Secretary Kendall,” said Tech Sgt. Joseph Mendoza, a materials specialist in AFTAC’s 709th Technical Maintenance Squadron. “It’s incredible to know that my leadership has that much faith in me, but it’s also important because there are a lot of really talentedpeople I work with who are equally deserving of this recognition. I can’t express how grateful I am, and I appreciate everyone who made it happen.”

Kendall, a retired Army officer with more than 50 years of experience in government, private industry and the military, is responsible for managing an annual budget of more than $200 billion and leads nearly 700,000 military and civilian employees across the Air and Space Forces.

“It is always an honor and a privilege for us to welcome distinguished visitors to the center, but it’s especially noteworthy when it’s someone of Secretary Kendall’s and Secretary Jones’ caliber and experience,” said**Col. James A. Finlayson**,AFTAC commander. “We very much appreciate them taking the time out of their very busy schedules to meet with us.”

“Over the years, AFTAC has been fortunate to have other Air Force secretaries come to Florida to learn more about how this organization fits into the larger national defense sight picture, and hosting Secretary Kendall and Assistant Secretary Jones is no exception,” Finlayson said. “I am confident they will walk away with the same sense of pride I have for the Airmen and Guardians who are the true experts when it comes to delivering unique nuclear and WMD expertise to outsmart our adversaries.”

Finlayson added, “I know I command the best organization in the Air Force, and the men and women of AFTAC are superstars for showcasing this diverse and critical mission to our honored guests. We hope they’llreturn again soon.”LR 



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