News United States Air Force
 CSAF visits AFOTEC at Kirtland AFB, promotes accelerating changePublished Aug. 17, 2021
                        
                        By Katherine C. Gandara
                        
                        
                        Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center
                **KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS)  --**
                Air Force Chief of Staff **Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.** and his wife, Sharene, visited the **Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center** during a trip to **Kirtland Air Force Base**, Aug. 12.
Brown visited the AFOTEC 301 operational test course where both Air and Space Force students are taught how to plan, execute and report operational testing throughout the acquisition of combat capability.
Brown talked about AFOTEC ‘s **test mission** and how it fits into his **strategic vision** for shaping the Air Force into the future.
“To address the challenges that endanger our national security, the transition to the future of the Air Force must start today,” Brown said. “AFOTEC is a part of determining where we want to be tomorrow by looking at how we test today in regard to agile combat employment. We don’t want to wait until there’s a crisis to determine that we should have done something. It’s not about what we could do, but what we’re going to do to bring the warfighter the capabilities that help them in the future fight.”

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., talks with Russ Foos, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center training chief, before visiting students at the AFOTEC 301 operational test course that teaches students how to plan, execute, and report operational testing throughout the acquisition of combat capability.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., talks with Russ Foos, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center training chief, before visiting students at the AFOTEC 301 operational test course that teaches students how to plan, execute, and report operational testing throughout the acquisition of combat capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andrew Jogi)
            
            
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    Russ Foos, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center training chief, receives a coin of excellence from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., during CSAF’s visit to the center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 12, 2021. Brown visited the course where both Air and Space Force students are taught how to plan, execute and report operational testing throughout the acquisition of combat capability.Russ Foos, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center training chief, receives a coin of excellence from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., during CSAF’s visit to the center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 12, 2021. Brown visited the course where both Air and Space Force students are taught how to plan, execute and report operational testing throughout the acquisition of combat capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andrew Jogi)
            
            
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    Dr. Stephanie Smith, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center historian, receives a coin of excellence from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., during CSAF’s visit to the center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 12, 2021. Brown visited the course where both Air and Space Force students are taught how to plan, execute and report operational testing throughout the acquisition of combat capability.Dr. Stephanie Smith, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center historian, receives a coin of excellence from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., during CSAF’s visit to the center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 12, 2021. Brown visited the course where both Air and Space Force students are taught how to plan, execute and report operational testing throughout the acquisition of combat capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andrew Jogi)
            
            
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After addressing the students, Brown met with **Maj. Gen. Jim Sears**, AFOTEC commander and senior staff to hear about how AFOTEC is meeting the challenge of accelerating change through the test enterprise.
“AFOTEC is focused on driving innovation, leveraging resources, and minimizing test redundancies,” Sears said. “We have a common goal with all our stakeholders to assure the best acquisition programs are delivered to the warfighters. AFOTEC, as the Air Force’s independent operational test agency, has been the focal point for providing truth to the warfighter and acquisition communities for more than four decades.
“AFOTEC strives to be involved with programs as early as possible because we believe early involvement is critical to the success of a program, Sears said. “The “O” in AFOTEC ensures all testing and evaluation is done from the perspective of operators employing weapon systems in an operationally realistic environment.”
Brown wrapped up his visit by sharing how AFOTEC’s continuing efforts to turn innovation into action are key to providing the capabilities the Air Force needs today to win tomorrow.

"AFOTEC is focused on driving innovation, leveraging resources, and minimizing test redundancies.”Maj. Gen. Jim Sears

“Speed of relevance links AFOTEC’s operational test and evaluation contributions to the Air Force priorities that develop and field systems,” Brown said. “AFOTEC directly influences the acquisitions and capabilities delivered to warfighters.”
During the visit, Brown recognized two of AFOTEC’s exceptional performers: Russell Foos, AFOTEC training chief, and Dr. Stephanie Smith, AFOTEC’s historian.
“AFOTEC promotes a culture of **empowered Airmen**delivering mission success in an environment that promotes respect, trust, integrity, and professional and personal growth and development,” Brown said. “It was great to visit AFOTEC and see first hand how Team AFOTEC is accelerating change for the warfighter.”AFWN 



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